Guyana Times - Thursday, February 9, 2023

Venezuela border controversy

GDF stands resolute in defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity – Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, on Wednesday reaffirmed the organisation’s posture in defending the country’s territorial integrity, in light of Venezuela’s continued illegitimate claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The border controversy case is currently being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands.

“We continue to keenly monitor the judicial process in the International Court aimed at bringing closure to our longstanding border dispute with Venezuela,” the Army boss noted during the opening of the GDF’s Annual Officers’ Conference 2023.

“While the Guyana Government is committed to peaceful resolution, the GDF stands resolute in the defence of our territorial integrity,”

Bess declared.

Venezuela has been seeking to block Guyana from having its substantive application before the ICJ heard, on spurious grounds that include its claims that the United Kingdom should have been made a party to the case, instead of Guyana. Venezuela has also claimed that the 1899 arbitral award is void due to what it claims was fraud committed by the UK at the time.

The ICJ subsequently revealed in a statement that the date for the court to rule on the preliminary objections would be announced later.

Guyana’s legal team is headed by Co-Agent and Counsel, Sir Shridath Ramphal, and includes a member of the Bars of the United States Supreme Court and the District of Columbia, Paul S Reichler; and Professor Emeritus of the University Paris Nanterre, former Chairman of the International Law Commission and member of the Institut de Droit International, Alain Pellet.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in January 2018, decided that the case should be set-

tled by the ICJ, after exercising the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. He resorted to judicial settlement after the Good Offices process between Guyana and Venezuela failed. Within the framework of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between the two countries, the Secretary General conducted Good Offices from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to the border controversy.

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening ceremony of the Annual Officers Conference 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, February 9 –19:00h – 20:00h and Friday, February 10 – no retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, February 9 – 06:25h – 07:55h and Friday, February 10 – 06:50h-08:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery showers are expected during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 06:42h and 19:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.64 metres.

Low Tide: 12:33h reaching a minimum height of 0.60 metre.

The Guyana Government is set to embark on the first-ever wooden home settlement, geared at creating an ‘Amazonia’ feel and celebrating the ‘luxury of wood’.

Making this announcement on Wednesday was President Dr Irfaan Ali, who explained that the aim was to create a luxurious settlement of 50 wooden houses, a mixture of colonial and modern architecture.

“We intend to work on a specific project of wooden 50 homes going back to our colonial-style heritage mixed with modern architecture; building a first completely-green, eco-friendly, resort-style luxury housing using our local wood,” the President informed.

Construction for this project is set to begin in three months. Ali cleared up the misconception that wood was cheap, clarifying that it is made affordable in Guyana.

“This facility would not only have luxury homes made out of 100 per cent Guyana timber and labour, but will have trees from our forest planted within the community to give you a full luxury-style Amazonian living. This is another initiative [under] which we will promote our wood to those in the niche market of luxury,” he explained.

The President lauded a well-researched and developed policy on the forestry and construction sectors, which has led to several advantages and a rebound from what was inherited in 2020.

“We have had a very deliberate, well-structured, well-positioned, well-articulated, well-researched policy; forestry, housing and construction that policy has seen, or forestry as food; national assets are earning carbon credits, are earning from

the work product itself, earning from eco-tourism. And now we are moving to more scientific areas of biodiversity and pharmaceutical values.”

“So, it is understanding the complexity of the product we have, positioning the complexity of that product, and this articulating a vision that meets the ambitions of what you want to achieve,” he declared.

Post 2015, several key players in the industry were forced to close operations. At that time, US$40 million was the export value. Ali said when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government returned to office, exports had dropped to US$10 million.

“Absolutely no new investment in this sector for

five years. One of the first things we did after listening to some of the players in the sector, we framed a new set of incentives to ignite the sector, to re-energise the sector.”

Despite this, external

weather challenges and the pandemic created disadvantages that were countered with an investment of over $4 billion in hinterland infrastructure.

He pointed out, “As a result of all that we get since you came back in, production has now increased and recovered in 2022 – an increase in 2022 over 2021 by 50,000 cubic feet…The employment in the sector is back to over 20,000 persons. We have seen six new large-scale concessions, again, and most of them locally-owned companies.”

In 2023, a total of $54.5 billion has also been allocated by the Government in the national budget for housing developments in new and existing areas. This sum includes money to construct roads, drains, and bridges, and install utilities. (G12)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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Public education campaigns

Globally, the topic of climate change is scarcely addressed in school curricula, and for years, there has been much talk about the effect of climate change and the devastating impact it is having and is likely to have on communities and the world as a whole.

In fact, it could be argued that, on the global level, not many persons are educated about the issue, especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted, and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals, and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves would be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, Governments can set the framework with their policies; set targets, define standards, give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries, together with researchers, can provide the solutions, but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not. The highly touted green model reduces our ecological footprint, emits less greenhouse gases, uses less energy and raw materials, and can create new sources of growth and employment.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. As stated by UNDP, the efficient management of our shared natural resources and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants are important targets to achieving this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people will enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources would be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet, as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption patterns, and can, in a way, also contribute to the fight against climate change. For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised, and the money that is saved on energy could instead be used to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that, on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate- friendly environment, the task would be much easier if people are educated about the role they can play, and the benefits of their own action.

Here, in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastics and Styrofoam items in a reckless manner, resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches.

The issue of recycling is becoming a major concern for both the general public and to the economy. For years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the issue of garbage build-up continues to be repeated.

For sure, there is need for more effective public education campaigns on climate change, and to highlight the effects of poor environmental practices.

We believe that there is need for lifestyle changes among our citizens, and it would be very helpful if the schools, religious organisations, among others in every region, start the conversation with citizens about climate change and eco-friendly alternatives.

By Belén Fernández

On February 6, massive earthquakes struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, inflicting ghastly damage across a geographic region that has already borne a great deal of earthly devastation in recent decades. The ongoing war in Syria has produced millions of refugees, many of whom have now found themselves victims of seismic activity in the Turkish south.

The death toll from Monday’s quakes quickly jumped into the thousands and will no doubt soar to far more macabre heights. An untold number of people remain buried beneath the rubble. Traumatised survivors contend with frigid temperatures and aftershocks; refugees contend with the loss of any semblance of refuge.

The natural disaster has served to underscore what should hardly be earth-shattering news: that life for the global poor is extremely precarious and plagued by multiple, simultaneous crises from which recovery is often futile.

To be sure, the dwellings inhabited by the have-nots of the earth can be structurally less reliable and potentially more vulnerable to tectonic tumult – as was seen, for example, in the Peruvian earthquake of 2007, when homes collapsed across poor neighbourhoods in the province of Ica. But in a world structured upon capitalist foundations, precarity goes much deeper than shoddy construction materials or disregard for building codes.

For starters, capitalism’s insistence on acute inequality and the tyranny of an elite minority means there are major global fault lines between rich and poor – ones that are becoming ever more pronounced in the era of climate change and attendant ecological calamity. And while aid pledges inevitably come pouring in after

high-profile disasters, they often only exacerbate the divide by lining the pockets of the aid industry rather than benefiting the disaster-stricken themselves.

There is also the reality that, for much of the world’s precarious population, life constitutes a more or less continuous disaster, but one that generates no attention. In June, The New Humanitarian news agency noted gross disparities in disaster relief, with almost half of all emergency funding for 2022 “going to only five protracted – and largely conflict-driven – crises”. Citing a recent United Nations estimate that the number of annual disasters will increase to some 560 by the year 2030, the agency described how victims of under-the-radar disasters are often forced to remain in unsafe locations – thereby setting the stage for new crises.

Take the case of Afghanistan, where an ongoing dependence on aid has done nothing to make the country safe. In August, floods killed more than 180 people, just two months after an earthquake had killed more than 1000. In May, the NGO Save the Children reported that the country was suffering its “worst hunger crisis on record”, with nearly 50 per cent of the population going hungry on account of a raging drought and continuing economic breakdown.

Such are the toxic legacies of two decades of a United States-led “war on terror” that devastated the lives, livelihoods and futures of millions of Afghans and sucked in billions of dollars of “recovery funds”.

For another illustration of how politics, greed, and mismanagement overlap with and compound environmental catastrophe, we need look no further than the Caribbean nation of Haiti, where in 2021 a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake was followed by a deadly storm and landslides. More

than 2200 persons were killed and 130,000 homes destroyed, in addition to a number of schools and hospitals.

This came just over a decade after a 2010 earthquake killed some 220,000 people and rendered 1.5 million homeless. Only a smidgen of the billions of dollars that flowed in to “rescue” Haiti actually reached poor Haitian earthquake victims, going instead to aid organisations, international security forces, and other supposedly competent folks –like the UN peacekeepers who promptly unleashed a cholera epidemic upon the nation.

In ensuing years, US support for official corruption in Haiti would make the terrain extra fertile for political crisis, while further eroding the country’s ability to respond to earthquakes and other disasters.

As for me, my own personal experience with earthquakes includes a tremor in southwestern Turkey in 2010 and the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that rocked Mexico’s Oaxacan coast in June 2020. I can safely say that the latter episode was akin to feeling my world combust – but only momentarily, as it entailed no lasting damage to my house or person. In other words, it was a far and privileged cry from the experience of the latest earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, many of whom – displaced by war – had undoubtedly already felt their respective worlds combust even prior to the quake.

Following the news of Monday’s cataclysm, I spoke here in Oaxaca with a working-class Mexican man who, in September 1985, assisted in extracting bodies from the rubble of the Mexico City earthquake that officially resulted in the deaths of 10,000 people, but probably killed many more. Shaking his head, he professed to still think regularly of three bodies in particular: a humble mother hunched in vain over her two children, dressed in

school uniforms.

And as if the poor needed any more reminders as to the negligible value assigned to their lives, the perennial tremors of the earth in Mexico mean that earthquake-related psychological trauma is easily revived.

As for things not easily revived, in September 1986, one year after the Mexico City quake, the Washington Post reported that no fewer than 80,000 people remained homeless. Indeed, the city never quite fully recovered from either the physical damage or the disaster mismanagement. Precarity is nothing new.

And yet things are getting more precarious by the minute, as capitalism breaks new ground in the field of obliterating any and all aspirations toward a common humanity or planetary wellbeing – and the “disaster relief” industry concerns itself with maintaining its own viability while poor communities lurch from one disaster to the next.

While the rich insulate themselves from the fallout, the poor bear the brunt of military conflict, economic upheaval, climate-related havoc, and the coronavirus pandemic –which has left the earth’s havenots on even shakier ground.

As with all other present earthly afflictions, Monday’s quakes in Turkey and Syria will hit the poor the hardest. And the only way out of a world where profit for the few means precarity for the many would be a total seismic shift.

(Al Jazeera)

Belén Fernández is the author of Inside Siglo XXI: Locked Up in Mexico’s Largest Immigration Center (OR Books, 2022) and other books. She is also a contributing editor at Jacobin Magazine, and has written for the New York Times, the London Review of Books blog, Current Affairs, and Middle East Eye, among numerous other publications

Mrs Mignon Bowen-Phillips, wife of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips (right), chats with a child at the Chinese Spring Festival Dinner and Karaoke hosted by Ambassador GUO Haiyan at the Chinese Embassy in Guyana on Tuesday evening. President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali; Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and several other members of the Cabinet attended the event (Chinese Embassy Guyana photo)

When calamities strike, it is the poor who bear the brunt …too often, ‘recovery efforts’ and aid do not reach those who need them the most

Rogue Police elements were a threat to GECOM Commissioner in 2020 – ACP Thomas

…GECOM’s Sase Gunraj to testify at election CoI today

Former Commander of Region Four Police Division, Edgar Thomas on Wednesday testified under cross-examination that while at the Ashmins building during the Region Four tabulation, he had feared for the life and safety of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Sase Gunraj, from rogue elements of the Police Force.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Thomas was questioned by Attorney-atLaw Nigel Hughes during Wednesday’s proceedings in the 2020 General and Regional Elections Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

Hughes, who is representing former GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers, used the session to cross-examine Thomas and other witnesses who previously implicated his client.

Thomas explained that during the Region Four tabulation, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranks entered Ashmins building without him summoning them. He said that even though he sent them away, even more

returned, heavily armed –at which point, he warned the GECOM Commissioner who was present – Gunraj.

“After my colleagues, fellow Police Officers, would have entered the Ashmins building, heavily armed, I would have said to Mr Gunraj, I can no longer protect him… I knew definitely I was unable, at that time, to protect the life of Mr Sase Gunraj.

“Because I’m no longer in control of the operation… I considered (the actions of the TSU officers at that time) rogue. Rogue elements. Based on the modus operandi. That was my opinion at the time,” Thomas explained.

The ACP made it clear that at the time, there were rogue elements in the TSU whom he had no control over. He also noted that he complained about the actions of these officers to his superior at the time, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Maxine Graham.

Testimony has previously been made that various GECOM officials were insistent on clearing Ashmins building of observers and

other stakeholders, particularly Gunraj, during the tabulation process.

In fact, after Thomas left the stand, then American Chamber of Commerce accredited observer Rosalinda Rasul backed up her previous testimony regarding Myers seeking to have the building cleared.

“On the 5th March, 2020, that would have been 6:00 and 7:00 (pm). That was the first incident when she asked persons to leave,” Rasul said. However, she admitted to Hughes that Myers had indicated the tabulation process was completed for the day.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Gunraj himself would be testifying before the CoI on Thursday. According to CoI Chairman, retired Justice Stanley John, Hughes will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses during Thursday’s session.

The CoI into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections is drawing nearer to a close. At the conclusion of the January 10 hearing, the CoI Chairman had an-

nounced that they would resume on February 6. He had also noted that the CoI, which has been ongoing since November of last year, would hopefully wrap up by February 10.

Damning testimony

While several statements of damning testimony have been given to the CoI, a number of key figures have refused to testify. They include former GECOM data clerk Enrique Livan, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield and former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

In addition to Lawrence and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, the party’s Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith-Joseph, who is also facing electoral fraud charges, also opted not to give evidence after being summoned by the Commission.

The same position was adopted by several other GECOM employees who were called to testify before the CoI last December ow-

A pantomime show is going on within PNC

Dear Editor,

I read with interest an article written by Vishnu Bisram about Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. It was a detailed and well written missive, which in essence was an appraisal of the Leader of the Opposition. I found it amusing at times, at the way Bisram respectfully critiqued the guy. I would not have been so kind, but I respectfully concur with the commentator.

For a man who is educated, Norton never impressed anyone, let alone the people he claims to

lead. He was and is a rabble-rouser, upon whom the Opposition can rely to find a story - getting it wrong, of course - in PNC- style, artfully set it on fire, and fan the flames to fury! A leader such as this is bound to fail, even in the best of times. He has to come up with something better than that.

In this regard, he is fodder in the hands of a Bharrat Jagdeo, or greater still, an erudite Anil Nandlall. Simply put, Norton is a sour fool, ever to be a leader of anything!

Now, tracing his his-

tory from Hoyte, we see him being a lone ranger; nobody wanted him around them. Successive leadership in Corbin then Granger, nobody thought highly of this denizen of the PNC. He was in no man's land; that is, up until the last party election, when only 30% of the electorate turned up to vote him in. The information provided in the preceding paragraph speaks volumes of the man, so I need not say more.

Of the group chosen as his successor, one can be immediately counted out,

ing to pending investigations and criminal charges against them. They cited Article 144 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana,

which states: “No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be compelled to give evidence at the trial.” (G3)

she having to face multiple criminal charges with the strong certainty of incarceration for her fraudulent role in the last general election. I cannot see how that party can feel safe with such an individual leading them.

So, the PNC is in a tumultuous abyss, too numerous to mention, how they can find their way out of it, no one knows. Let us keep tracking these developments.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Thursday, February 9, 2023

ACP Edgar Thomas GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

Former AmCham observer Rosalinda Rasul

Page Foundation

Guyana taps into regional market with Duravilla timber homes

…100 homes to be shipped to Barbados …shingles now ‘Made in Guyana’ certified

Modular Timber houses constructed by Guyanese-based Duravilla Homes are bringing housing solutions for the region, and are expected to hike the country’s export earnings.

Duravilla Homes Guyana Incorporated on Wednesday launched its 1000-plus modular timber project, which has already attracted buyers within the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Chief Executive Officer of Duravilla Homes Guyana, Rafeek Khan, current Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), underscored that the housing demand in the region has been

time we close this year by US$60 million, and I would like to challenge us to do this together… Export is where we need to go to get the better value for the products that we are promoting,” he said.

The company can produce one home per day, but is building capacity to construct a minimum of four homes per day.

In her remarks, Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, said Government has been directly supporting to bring this project into fruition.

Rodrigues emphasised, “With the Private Sector being the engine of growth, and having these ideas and

ly, this is what Duravilla Homes brings to the people of Guyana,” the subject Minister lauded.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat shared that this project represents Government’s commitment to promoting value-added products and traditional sectors. Despite this thrust in timber products, Guyana sports the lowest deforestation rate.

“It is the traditional productive sectors that create employment that people are trained and geared to work in. The oil industry as we know it is not labour-intensive; it is more capital-technologically- driven. But it is all productive sectors: like

ments. For instance, the homes are hurricane-proof to support Barbados’s building code standards.

“For the first time in Caricom, we brought together an indigenous financial institution, manufacturing organizations and two Governments that bring a solution for housing in Caricom itself,” he said.

“Housing is now a major economic sector, creating thousands of jobs and providing incomes for thousands of workers. The housing boom is generating demand for housing products and services…It is adding value for forestry products.

growing rapidly, and consequently can lead to Guyana doubling its exports by the end of the year.

Already, the Government of Barbados has put in an order for 100 homes to be shipped. The Governments of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana have already put in orders, while a delegation from Grenada is currently in the country to gauge the prospects of the product.

These houses, when sent to other countries, are built to meet the respective building code regulations, and to withstand disasters such as hurricanes.

“The housing demand in the region, and even right here in Guyana, is a Godsized vision…I think our consumers’ tastes have been changing to the building systems in Guyana. I ask that consumers reconsider timber. Timber is not exploited to a point that you don’t want to use it. I hear people saying commonly that we’re overharvesting timber in Guyana, but less than one percent of our forest is allocated to the production of timber products,” Khan expressed.

He noted that exports can double by the end of this year through support from not just Government, but small loggers. Last year, Guyana exported over US$34 million in timber.

“We could double Guyana’s exports by the

promoting our locally made products, I assure you that you have that similar support from Government. Use this project as that demonstration of our support for the Private Sector.”

Profitability, spinoff Housing Minister Collin Croal added that the profitability and spinoff of such a project is phenomenal. Government is also moving towards value added, with the thousands of homes being built across the country.

“You will see much more announcements of investments and collaboration for construction of houses, because we want to fast-track home ownership, we want to ensure that we provide value- added. And similar-

mining, like forestry, like the mining manufacturing sector, like tourism, that create employment and generate opportunities for our Private Sector,” Minister Bharrat has said.

At the same time, he underscored that lesser-known species of wood should be promoted. “The forestry sector needs to answer the call. We need to work with a small logging association and with the medium and large stakeholders. They agree to increase our production and to promote the use of the lesser-known species.”

Addressing the gathering, President Irfaan Ali shared that Duravilla is not only producing a timber home, but one that meets all the international require-

“Another dimension to our housing track is our positioning itself as an export industry,” the President told stakeholders.

Made in Guyana

Shingles produced by Durable Wood Products Limited was also on Wednesday certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) with the ‘Made in Guyana’ mark. It is

the first locally owned timber company to be granted this certification. Head of Certification Services of the GNBS, Andrea Mendonca, encouraged companies to be guided under such standards, as meeting these requirements creates a higher level of competitiveness among local, regional and international markets.

The shingles are made from hardwood, are durable, and are used internationally. In 2002, the company invested over $150 million to bring these here. Seven years ago, a new product was developed from a $105 million investment.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat shared that, through a collaborative partnership, confidence has been restored in the forestry sector, and the country is now able to produce more value-added products.

“We must be proud, as a country, as we continue to grow our manufacturing sector. Because there was a time in our country when we

had only exported primary products. And even though we're still working towards moving away from that practice, we have come a long way. With us today, it's a demonstration of us realizing the potential, especially in the forestry sector, of moving towards value-added products,” Bharrat relayed.

Additionally, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, highlighted that the call for quality from the GNBS has been supported by companies who meet these standards.

“The vision is to have the ‘Made in Guyana’ mark be synonymous with quality, exceptional quality; to be synonymous with supporting local and our beautiful country. And when you see the ‘Made in Guyana’ mark, there is no question that you know that this is an exceptional product. And that is our vision,” she explained.

Some 50 persons are employed in the shingle operation, 55 percent of which are females. (G12)

The modular timber homes produced by Duravilla Homes Guyana

President Dr Irfaan Ali joined CEO of Duravilla Homes Guyana, Rafeek Khan; members of the company; Government Ministers and the Private Sector representatives for the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Bus driver found not guilty of ex-girlfriend’s murder

friend and mother of two, Rosemary Rudder.

The 43-year-old man, also known as Shaquan and Lurie Fiffee, had been accused of murdering the woman on March 31, 2018 at his home.

Upon his arraignment before Demerara High Court Judge Simone MorrisRamlall last month, Fiffee had denied the indictment for the capital offence. The jurors found him not guilty following deliberations on Wednesday.

The Police travelled to the home, only to find the woman’s lifeless body in the house. It is believed that she was strangled. The woman’s body was picked up and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Fiffee was immediately taken into custody.

It was reported that after the couple had separated, Rosemary had wanted to rekindle the relationship, but Fiffee had refused.

Roiling...

…rice challenges

Bus driver Luric Fiffee, a resident of Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD) who had been on remand for close to five years, breathed a sigh of relief after a jury found him not guilty of the 2018 murder of his ex-girl-

The former murder ac cused was represented by Attorney Dexter Todd, while State Counsel Muntaz Ali, Marisa Edwards, and Edrianna Stephens prosecuted the matter.

Based on reports received, the late Rudder had gone to Fiffee’s home and had seen another woman in the house. This had led to a heated argument between her and her estranged part-

ner. This quickly escalated into a scuffle.

The minibus driver had subsequently left the 32-year-old woman lying motionless and had gone to the La Grange Police Station, WBD, where he lodged a complaint.

Back in 2006, the woman’s brother Fenton Rudder, and grandmother Hannah Cameron, along with a third person, David Brummel, were shot and killed after gunmen invaded their home at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

After shooting the trio to death, the gunmen had set the house on fire. (G1)

Accused Ponzi scheme mastermind still at large

Wednesday, the Crime Chief has confirmed, Dominguez was not in Police custody.

Dominguez was last known to be residing with his Guyanese wife Ateeka Ishmael at Lot 242 Track “A” Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Dominguez is asked to contact the Police at 2292557, 229-2700, 229-2750, 225-6978, 225-8196, 2292019, or at the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Cuban National Yuri Garcia Dominguez, the alleged mastermind behind a Ponzi Scheme that has ripped off hundreds of Guyanese of billions of dollars, is still at large, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

The Police have issued a wanted bulletin for the 37-year-old Dominguez on Tuesday after he failed to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, as per the condition of his bail.

He is also wanted for questioning about fraud-related matters, according to Police Headquarters.

Up to press time on

Dominguez and his wife were first arrested in August 2020. They are currently facing more than 100 charges for obtaining money by false pretence; operating a Pyramid Scheme, and operating a financial institution without the requisite registration.

The couple is currently out on over $30 million bail.

As per conditions of bail, Dominguez and his partner were ordered to lodge their passports with the Clerk of Court, and report to the CID Headquarters every Friday.

After failing to so report, the Police have issued a wanted bulletin for the man’s arrest.

In October 2020, the couple’s lawyer had said that

his clients would commence the process of repaying investors. However, to date, only $3 million of the $4 billion has reportedly been returned.

Dominquez and his wife are the principals of Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated.

Sometime in 2020, the company was forced to cease all operations in Guyana

Rice farmers – actually, paddy farmers, since rice is a product of paddy - have just met Government officials to explain the challenges the industry’s facing. And not so incidentally, allowing the rest of us – who’re merely rice eaters - to get a peek backstage as to why production fell last year. While they generally complained about spare parts’ dealers arbitrarily raising their prices – wiping out whatever little profits they might’ve made - it brings home quite graphically that paddy production ain’t a farmer and his family planting stalks of rice by hand and reaping with the same extremity no mo’!! No siree Bob!! Paddy production’s now a VERY mechanised undertaking!!

Think about it! There are tractors needed to plough the fields several times, and then to “rake” it. Nowadays there aren’t enough folks to fertilise and spray the paddy plants manually, and drones gonna have to be used. Then there are the combines for reaping, and tractor-trailers for transporting the paddy to the mills. At each stage of the process, increased costs of machine parts reduce the ultimate profits of the farmers. Now, while the farmers are told that there’s a global supply-chain problem right now – the Government’s waiver of duties on transportation doesn’t seem to be passing on to the farmers by the dealers. The GRA needs to look into this. While we’re in a free market regime, we can’t allow the middlemen to reap all the benefits of the Government’s intervention.

But just as we heard about sugar production plummeting from the unseasonable rains – the same happened to paddy. While we think of paddy always growing out of water in the fields, at the time for reaping, those fields gotta be dry. Or else we have what farmers faced the last couple of crops – their combines couldn’t operate properly in the flooded fields, and quite a large quantity of paddy had to be left in the mud. And even the reaped paddy couldn’t be brought out to the mills, since the dams were impassable in many areas.

The Government responded to the farmers with the argument that there’s only so much they can do in a free market dispensation. They already doled out some fertilizers last year. All of that is right, of course, but since strategically it’s them who’ve committed to a goal of one million tons of rice to be exported annually, it’s up to them to ensure we don’t have a case of one step forward, two steps backwards.

The rice price just ain’t nice, but when that happens in the States – that bastion of neo-liberalism – with their rice and wheat, they support their farmers every which way to Sunday!! Our Government should do no less!!

It’s food security, baby!!

after authorities discovered that it was operating without a licence from the Guyana Securities Council.

They have vehemently denied being involved in a Ponzi Scheme.

Also in 2021, the couple was charged and released on a total of $400,000 bail for allegedly forging a positive COVID-19 test result. (G1)

GDF stands resolute in defence of...

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than nine billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past six years.

Among other things, Guyana is asking the ICJ to adjudge and declare that the 1899 Award is valid

and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, and that Venezuela is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence.

Manual on Borders

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali noted that it is the responsibility of the GDF to be equipped with the skill-

set and knowledge to train all other men and women in uniform positioned along the country’s borders on matters concerning the nation’s territorial boundaries. In this regard, he challenged the GDF to produce a manual on the country’s borders, and to retrain and retool officers stationed to protect the borders.

He contended that soldiers posted in these strate-

FROM PAGE 2

gic locations must be knowledgeable and capable of teaching and conducting lectures on matters concerning the country’s borders.

These educational sessions, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces envisions, can be conducted with schools and Private Sector bodies within the respective districts. This manual, President Ali posited, must also be able to train others.

…Riots

There’s a big difference between peaceful protests and riots. And it’s the reason the former’s permitted –even encouraged – in a democratic polity, and the latter’s prohibited. And the difference is, of course, the destruction of property and attacks on persons during riots. While all freedoms – like protesting - must be guaranteed, those freedoms end at the end of the other person’s nose!! And that’s where riots take protests –violating the selves and properties of fellow citizens, and violating the laws of the land.

And if a Government - like the legally elected PPPallows that to happen, then who knows where it’ll end!!? Overthrow of the said Government by force, that’s where!! To be replaced by a dictatorship or anarchy!! There are Opposition elements who’ve openly declared this as their goal - and we see it playing out in the streets. The mindset’s been created in a wide swathe of the populace that this is the way to go.

We don’t need flambeau to see in bright daylight!!

…Russia

It’s clear the die’s been cast in Europe: the West is gonna fight to the last Ukrainian!! When Russia invaded last February, most armchair analysts figured it’d be over in a jiffy. They didn’t factor in Ukrainian and Russian nationalisms!!

Dead: Rosemary Rudder

Freed: Luric Fiffee

Yuri Garcia Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael leaving a Magistrate’s Court

Yuri Garcia Dominguez

GDF must safeguard US$30B asset in Guyana’s EEZ – Commander in Chief

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, told members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday that they are responsible for safeguarding the US$30 billion investment in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Head of State was at the time addressing the opening of the GDF’s Annual Officers Conference when he underscored the significance of that multi-billion-dollar investment.

“There’s over US$30 billion dollars in…investment in the EEZ. We must safeguard this investment. This is responsible for generating significant revenues for the economic and social transformation of the country,” the President explained.

The EEZ referred to is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. In Guyana’s case, the country began producing oil offshore in the Stabroek Block in 2019, with ExxonMobil as the main operator. The oil rich Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso

Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

Currently, the Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2 developments in the Stabroek Block are operating at a combined gross production capacity of more than 360,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) using the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, produc-

tion, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels respectively.

The third development in the Stabroek Block –Payara – is on track to come online by the end of 2023 with a gross production capacity of approximately 220,000 bpd. While this is the gross production capacity, it is expected that the start-up would see a much smaller number of barrels of oil being produced. For instance, when the Liza Phase Two started in 2022, it was producing significantly less than its current production.

Meanwhile, the Yellowtail – the fourth de-

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

Uaru, the fifth development, is expected to come on stream at the end of 2026 with a gross production capacity of approximately 250,000 bpd. First oil is anticipated at the end of 2026. The development plan for Uaru was submitted for Government approval in November 2022, and final approval is expected by

the end of the first quarter of this year.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be onstream by 2027. Guyana has also opened an auction for 14 oil blocks offshore.

Meanwhile, President Ali also highlighted some of the Government’s plans to modernise the GDF’s Air Corps and Coast Guard resources – which will aid in the army protecting the country’s resources.

“Over the long term, we’re looking to develop a

modern Air Corps and Coast Guard. Our Air Corps and Coast Guard are critical aspects of our national security architecture, and advancement of our Defence Force”, President Ali has said.

He reminded that, over the past three years, the Government has invested significantly in the GDF, including enhancing the Force’s fleet of vessels, vehicles, and aircraft, and improving its technological capabilities through the acquisition of equipment and supplies.

“We’re keen to have a more nimble, adaptable [and] technologically savvy Defence Force,” Ali remarked.

“The Force’s readiness is being enhanced to allow it to better respond to incursions and invasions, and to protect the country’s natural and national assets and territorial integrity. We have to, and we are, investing in the right technology to support your work, [and] the right pieces of equipment to support your work,” he told the ranks.

The GDF, the Head of State assured, could look forward to continued capital investment to help better protect the nation.

Commander-in-Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali; along with Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips; GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn at the opening ceremony of the Annual Officers Conference 2023

GECOM unearths attempted

ID fraud ahead of LGE

…persons

The Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) has taken a decision to call in the Guyana Police Force over cases of fraudulent duplicate registration encountered

face $5M fines, 5 years in prison

during the ongoing continuous registration exercise being carried out ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, GECOM de-

clared that at least three cases of duplicate registration occurred during the ongoing continuous registration cycle. Duplicate registration occurs when a person who is already regis-

tered to vote applies to register again using fraudulent documents.

It is an offence under the National Registration Act, and any person convicted thereof is liable to be fined up to $5 million and imprisoned for five years.

According to GECOM, an internal investigation done by the secretariat has flagged the duplicate cases.

This decision was taken consequent upon deliberations on a report on internal investigations that were conducted in relation to the duplicate registration transactions. These investigations revealed that three (3) persons who were already registered applied again for registration using different source documents with different dates of issue, names, and dates of birth, GECOM has said.

GECOM further informed that all cases of duplicate registration, in-

cluding these ones, would be reported to the Guyana Police Force.

Other registration offences include defacing of an ID Card, falsely objecting to a name on the Voters’ List, and impersonation of a GECOM official.

In view of the foregoing, GECOM has listed registration offences that are included in the National Registration Act: Deliberately providing false information; Fraudulently obtaining an Identification Card; Fraudulently using an Identification Card; Falsely alleging the loss or destruction of an Identification Card; Applying for a new card while being in possession of an Identification Card; Presenting false information or documents containing false information for registration; or withholding information about an existing registration.

Other offences include knowingly applying to be registered more than once; Permitting or inducing another person to use an Identification Card in order to impersonate a registered person; Destroying or defacing an Identification Card or documents; Making false objections or statements in relation to any entry on a list; Impersonating a GECOM registration official; Forging or counterfeiting an Identification Card; lending or otherwise furnishing any Identification Card for impersonation; Selling or attempt to sell, or purchasing or attempting to purchase, an Identification Card.

GECOM went on to urge all applicants for registration, change of name(s) and corrections to their registration details to ensure that they are aware of, and abide by, the registration law when seeking to conduct transactions.

GECOM is firmly on the electoral path, having adopted a work plan from Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud for the holding of Local Government Elections.

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj has revealed that over 4700 persons have been recorded in the continuous registration exercise as at February 1. They include 613 persons who sought transfers and 736 persons who sought changes and corrections.

Additionally, he informed the media that May 22, 2023 has been set as the date for persons to come of age and qualify to vote.

Only last week, GECOM had decided to adopt a report from the CEO, confirming changes to constituency boundaries and moving the Commission closer to holding elections - though not without a fight from the Opposition-nominated members of the Commission.

It was decided last year that fourteen areas in which boundaries were modified by the former APNU/AFC Government would be reverted in the lead up to the Local Government Elections when they are held, to allow for better representation.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had announced at a press conference in November that changes were made after consultations with communities and residents in the interest of democracy building.

While the decision was made to revert boundaries to where they had been before they were changed in the year 2016, other communities which were previously not captured will be placed under townships and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. In some areas, NDCs would also be merged or split.

GECOM was initially expected to hold LGE on March 13, 2023. More than $750 million was set aside in Budget 2022 for preparation to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE. This money was part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM in Budget 2022. (G3)

convicted could

Exposed electrical wire Labour officer visits worksite as probe into supervisor’s injury launched

The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into a serious workplace incident that occurred on Tuesday, when a worker came into contact with a high-voltage electrical wire while working on a Regent Street, Georgetown building, and suffered injuries.

The Ministry reported that the incident occurred at the Sachi Building, Lot

136 “E” Regent Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

It has been revealed that a supervisor, Leon Turpin, was seriously injured while performing his duties. He was on an aluminum scaffold attempting to install a pressure plate on the glass frame at the front of the building when the pressure plate came into contact with a live electrical wire.

“Turpin suffered burns to his hands and other parts of his body, and was

rushed to the Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC),” the Ministry stated on Wednesday.

Senior Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer Johana Vaughn visited the scene and began an investigation after the incident occurred. Vaughn paid a brief visit to the injured man while he was being treated, and interviewed him about the near-fatal incident.

2 slapped with DUI charges

ly. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, Mohan was arrested on Tuesday on the Mon Repos access road, ECD, and when tested, his readings were 97 and 100 micrograms respectively. He was taken into custody, charged, and processed to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on February 15.

Leon Turpin has sustained burn injuries about his body

Two men were arrested and charged for failing breathalyser tests that were administered by the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at Corentyne, Berbice, and Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Charged are Tariq Moburak Ali of south

Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, and Leon Mohan, 34, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police said that Ali was arrested on Wednesday at Corentyne, Berbice, and a breathalyser test was administered. The results showed 48 and 49 micrograms of alcohol respective-

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has continuously reminded drivers that driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI), which carries a fine. Persons can be charged for this traffic violation if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of .35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. (G9)

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has continued to express his concern about workplace injuries, and has emphasised the importance of good workplace safety and health practices. He said his Ministry, through its OSH Department, is aggressively addressing unsafe workplace conditions and unsafe work practices

through inspections and audits, to reduce the number of accidents that occur in both the formal and informal economies.

“Minister Hamilton wishes Mr Turpin a speedy recovery, and confirms that a thorough investigation will be conducted to answer the many unanswered questions,” the statement added.

Safety precautions

Shortly after that incident, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) explained that the man had come into contact with the network, which resulted in a shutdown of power in “sections of Georgetown, the entire West Bank and West Coast Demerara.”

“Once again, GPL implores contractors to observe the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury and unnecessary service disruptions. Our teams have commenced restoration to affected areas,” the GPL had said in a release.

This is not the first time an incident of this nature has occurred. Late last year, 27-year-old Shaqueen Butts of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, and 25-year-old Gousham Narine of Triple X NonPareil, ECD were killed after they came into contact with a live electric wire at Trans Rice Mill, located at Branch Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

At the time of that incident, Butts, who was still on the scaffold, held on to Narine and was also electrocuted. Both these men then fell off the scaffold, and were picked up and rushed to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. (G12)

Tariq Moburak Ali and Leon Mohan were arrested and charged with DUI

Coast Guards rescue fishermen at sea after vessel sinks

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard personnel on Saturday rescued a group of fishermen after the vessel in which they were operating sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Iron Punt in Region One (Barima-Waini).

A report from the Guyana Defence Force has said the Coast Guards had launched a two-day search-and-rescue operation on Saturday following the receipt of a distress report which indicated that a fishing vessel had lost propulsion in the vicinity of Iron Punt in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Three vessels were deployed around midday in an effort to locate the vessel in distress. During the search, debris, including the icebox from the vessel, was seen at the foreshore of Iron Punt. Hence, it was suspected that the vessel had sunk,” the GDF report read.

It was further reported that the Coast Guards continued their search on Sunday with the assistance of a civilian vessel, and later rescued six fishermen who were able to swim to shore. They were rescued some 20 miles west of the wreckage site.

Upon questioning the men, the Coast Guards said, the fishermen explained that the vessel sank on Thursday and they supported each other as they swam ashore. The men were taken care of, transported to Coast Guard Headquarters, and were all received by their families at 04:00h on Monday.

“The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard takes this opportunity to remind mari-

ners to make every effort to ensure that their vessels and engines are inspected and serviced before going out at sea, and to be sure to render assistance to any vessel in distress, as mandated by law”, the reported said.

More than a month ago, a similar situation occurred when GDF Coast Guard ranks saved several fishermen, including one who was drifting at sea for more than 19 hours. The ranks said they were conducting a searchand-rescue operation off the Essequibo Coast in response to a distress signal detected by the Timehri Control Tower.

The response vessel and team were immediately deployed to the location, and six crew members of the vessel Lady Shaneeza were pulled to safety from a life raft.

They said their vessel encountered extremely bad weather and sank. They also informed of another missing crew member who drifted off, wearing his life jacket. An aerial search by Roraima Airways was also launched to complement the effort.

Hours after, the additional crew member, 57-year-old Christopher Williams, who had been drifting for more than 19 hours, was rescued about four nautical miles off the mouth of the Pomeroon River.

Williams was transported by ambulance to the Charity Hospital for medical treatment. It was reported that at the time of the accident, the vessel was on its way back from Trinidad, after departing Guyana earlier this month. (G9)

The fishermen who were rescued by GDF Coast Guard ranks

The Education Department of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council, hosted its Children’s Mashramani Competition 2023 in keeping with this year’s Mash theme, “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”, at the Tabatinga Sports Complex in Central Lethem (RDC Region Nine photos)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The Education Department of Region One (Barima-Waini) held its Annual Regional Children’s Mashramani Competition at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Lawns, Mabaruma Compound on Wednesday. The event saw competition from schools from the three sub-districts – Mabaruma, Moruca and Matarki – in the areas of dancing; dramatic poetry; calypso and costume (Barima-Waini RDC photos)

AG asks CoA to throw out APNU/ AFC’s final election petition appeal

order was needed to resolve 2020 election controversy

#60 was a mechanism to allow for the recount to be conducted by expanding the recount provisions in the Representation of the People Act (RoPA).

The Senior Counsel submitted that the Chief Justice erred in law when she failed to find that the mechanisms set out in the Order amounted to a substantial variation from the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), and consequently could not be said to have “merely modified” the Act.

The Opposition is seeking to have its election petition #88, which was dismissed almost two years ago by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, reinstated, with the Court of Appeal (CoA) of Guyana slated to hear further arguments on March 22 at 09:30h.

However, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, is contending that the political party’s appeal against the Chief Justice’s decision is misconceived and without merit, and should be dismissed.

When the CoA opened arguments in the case on Wednesday, Nandlall rejected arguments from Roysdale Forde, SC, lawyer for the petitioners — Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick — that the results of the March 2, 2020 elections must be invalidated on the ground of serious non-compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and electoral laws as they relate to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) conduct of those elections.

The petitioners’ main contention is that Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act (ELAA), and Order #60, also known as the Recount Order, which was created pur-

suant to Article 162 (2) of the Constitution, violated the Constitution. That order was brought into effect by GECOM to give life to the national recount process after controversy erupted over former Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo’s declaration.

All the political parties had agreed to the recount

election, including the power to amend legislation if it is necessary or expedient to do so.”

He argued that it is “beyond dispute” that difficulty arose in respect of the 2020 elections, and therefore the basis for the invocation by GECOM of Section 22 of the ELAA cannot be contested.

In light of this, Nandlall further maintained that the delegated power was not used arbitrarily or for any unauthorised purpose, and it was exercised intra vires.

to GECOM Chairperson Justice (retired) Claudette Singh.

Ultimately, they are asking the court to declare that President Dr Irfaan Ali is illegally holding office.

The appeal is being heard by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

Necessary to ensure impartiality

Justice George, in her judgement, had noted that neither Section 22 nor the

dismissed election petition #99, which was brought by Brennan Nurse and Monica Thomas, owing to their non-compliance with effecting service on the Coalition’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger.

The party had appealed her ruling to the Court of Appeal, which, by a majority decision on December 21, 2021, held that it had jurisdiction to hear an appeal against a ruling of the High Court to dismiss an election petition on the basis of procedural impropriety.

Nandlall and Jagdeo had appealed the local appeal court’s ruling to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which in October 2022 found that the CoA had no jurisdiction to hear an election dismissed for the reasons listed by Justice George. Given the ruling of the country’s apex court, that ruling was quashed and the Chief Justice’s decision was restored.

Petition # 99 can no longer be heard as all right of appeal has been exhausted.

process to end the political standoff.

Resolve controversies

According to the Attorney General, the wide ambit of power was conferred on GECOM by Article 162 (2) because of the serious controversies, difficulties, violence, and public disorder which historically erupt in Guyana during national elections.

Notwithstanding the broad powers of GECOM under Article 162 (2), controversies and civil unrest have persisted at election time in Guyana, said Nandlall in his address to the court.

“No doubt, this birthed Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, which imbues GECOM with wide-ranging powers to remove difficulties arising from or connected with an

For his part, Douglas Mendes, SC, who is representing the fourth-named respondent, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, said that Order #60 was properly and lawfully issued by the GECOM. He added that even if the court determined that Section 22 of the ELAA was unconstitutional, the elections complied substantially with the laws of Guyana, it was not a sham, and it reflected the will of the people; and therefore there is no basis to nullify the results.

Erred

Forde, on the other hand, is insisting that Justice George erred in law when she ruled that Section 22 of the ELAA and Order #60 made thereunder were not in violation of the Constitution.

According to him, by virtue of the party’s application for the election results to be declared invalid, both Section 22 and Order #60, which flowed directly from Article 162 of the Constitution, were in conflict with and/or contravened Article 177 of the Constitution.

In court documents seen by this publication, he argued, inter alia, that Justice George again erred in law when she found that Order

No evidence

In dismissing petition #88, the Chief Justice had held that the petitioners had failed to present evidence to support the contention that the conduct of the elections had contravened the Constitution and electoral laws. But the petitioners had contended that Justice George erred in law when she ruled that they did not produce evidence substantiating their claim that the elections were not lawfully conducted. Like they had done before the High Court, they have gone to the Appellate Court arguing that there was no need for the production of any evidence, except the declarations by the Returning Officers and the recount figures.

Among other things, Thorne and Bostwick had argued that the Chief Justice erred in law when she rejected the evidence before the court which established that there was a difference in the recorded figures for the political parties in the Official Gazette dated August 20, 2020, in which the results of the elections were declared pursuant to Order #60 from a letter by former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield

Recount Order was ultra vires the Constitution. She had added that Article 162 empowered GECOM to take whatever actions were necessary to conclude the elections, including embarking on a recount of all ballots.

Alluding to the events that occurred after the close of polls, Justice George had noted, “Given the difficulties, it does appear that it would not have been prudent for GECOM to declare the results in the peculiar circumstances that accompanied the completion of the process of the March 2 Elections. A combination of Article 162 (1) (b) of the Constitution and Section 22 confer the power upon GECOM to issue this [Recount] Order if GECOM considered it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness, and compliance…as regards the election process.”

The results of a national recount of all ballots cast showed that the PPP/C won the general elections with 233,336 votes over the Coalition’s 217,920 votes.

Petition #99

Both of APNU/AFC’s election petitions have been dismissed by the Chief Justice.

In January 2021, she

The manner of service is prescribed in Rule 9 (1) of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Rules, which imposes on the petitioners the statutory obligation to effect service within five days after the presentation of the petition. Having been filed on September 15, 2020, the petition should have been served on Granger five days thereafter, which would have been September 21, 2020, since the fifth day –September 20, 2020 – was a Sunday. But in Nurse’s Affidavit of Service, it was stated that the petition, along with the relevant documents, was only served on Granger on September 25, 2020 – five days outside of the statutorily prescribed period.

…argues recount

…there is no basis to nullify results – Douglas Mendes

Roysdale Forde, SC

From L-R: Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Douglas Mendes, SC

British company working with GL&SC to develop Guyana’s GPS measurements

data, enabling surveyors to differentially correct Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements.

CORS is designed to support the broad spectrum of GPS tools, and provide the control needed for a wide variety of applications.

This is just one geospatial tool to support the development of Guyana.

At the event, British High Commissioner Jane Miller said it is important that everyone understands the importance of geo data.

In collaboration with the Ordnance Survey, the British High Commission of Guyana on Tuesday hosted a stakeholder engagement in honour of the partnership between the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and Ordnance Survey, to enhance the country’s Global Positioning System

(GPS) measurements.

The Ordnance Survey is a British Government Company currently working with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission. This project is funded by the UN FAO as part of a wider programme, and aims to update, maintain, and provide training to support the CORS network – a network of base stations that continuously broadcast location

“I do see this as a very important milestone in Guyana’s development because the importance of Geo data is utterly critical in the development of Guyana”, she said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner and CEO (ag) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Enrique Monize, spoke about the nature of the initiative.

“This will enable the

Commission, as well as all surveyors, to satisfy the survey and mapping needs of a growing economy…needed hardware was procured, and a dedicated CORS Unit has been established at

GLSA,” Monize said.

“I am happy to say that we do have a functioning network of about four stations, with another seven to be set up. We are currently awaiting permission from

a few agencies to locate the antennas and the hardware…”, he said.

As such, Monize proposes to have a Guyana-centric reference frame to replace the current PSAD 56 (provisional South American data) which was adapted in the 1960s.

“For those of us who are familiar with the GPS, if you try using it in certain parts of Guyana, you will understand that under PSAD we have two zones… if you decide to work somewhere in the Cuyuni River and you transition from one zone to the other, you will very well become confused”, he said.

Monize further explained that Guyanese are now living in a new era, and a major upgrade is needed, which is the new worldwide WGS 1984 data. He said it is important for Guyana to move in this direction, because of its ongoing developments. (G9)

Motorcyclist dies after crashing into parked truck

Motorcyclist Kelon Scott of Limlair Village, Corentyne, East Berbice is now dead after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding along the public road at Auchlyne village on the Corentyne Coast at around 06:10h on Wednesday and it crashed into a lorry parked along the Corentyne Highway.

This incident occurred a short distance from where three persons had died several months ago after crashing into a parked lorry.

Reports are that the

24-year-old Scott was riding motorcycle CL 9964 at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle and it crashed into motor lorry GLL 1193, which was parked on the roadway.

One of the first persons to arrive on the scene was Neil Sampson, who said that following the sound of the impact, he rushed outside and saw the rider and bike on the road.

“He was bleeding. He wasn’t dead as yet, because he was breathing and looking at me, but because his

foot got caught within the handle of the motorbike, we had no access to get him out. We had to wait until the medical team come to get him out,” he explained.

Scott, who had worked as a labourer at the Albion Sugar Estate, was on his way to work when the accident occurred. His mother Annie Scott said he would normally leave home early. She said she had received a message a short while ago that her son had been involved in an accident and had died.

“They say that the motorbike slide and go straight into the parked truck,” the grieving mother revealed.

In August 2020, three persons, including a Police officer, lost their lives when the car in which they were travelling crashed into a lorry. That incident occurred about 300 metres away from Wednesday’s crash. Villagers say it is the same driver who parked the lorry

on the road.

Last year, another motorcyclist was injured after crashing into that very lorry at Auchlyne.

“When I run out, I thought he (Scott) just hit his head, so I came back home for something to wrap his head; but when I went back to him, he already looked like he was dead. When I felt his pulse, there wasn’t anything there,” Arita Sampson said.

The first responder said had Scott’s feet not been entangled with the handle of the bike, they might have been able to rush him to the hospital for treatment.

Reports are that a part of the handle of the motorcycle had gone through Scott’s leg and was protruding a few inches on the other side.

According to Sampson, she has concerns over the parking of heavy-duty vehicles along the highway.

“I am very upset about that situation, because it

happened before and they are doing nothing about it,” Sampson said.

Only last week, another motorcyclist died after crashing into a parked car on the Corentyne Highway.

However, that motorcyclist was said to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Annie Scott says her now-dead son had visited that accident scene, and after reaching home, had said he was going to stop riding – something his mother had been requesting.

“He take the key and throw it over the window, and two days after, he collect back the key and start riding again… He nearly reach up with an accident at Kildonan about two months ago, with a cow and a truck. He come home and tell me that he see his death and he cried,” the woman told this publication.

Police investigations are ongoing. (G4)

British High Commissioner Jane Miller

Commissioner and CEO (ag) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Enrique Monize

Kelon Scott lying on the roadway following the accident

Dead: Kelon Scott

Berbice couple find house flattened by flames

After receiving reports that their home was on fire, an East Bank Berbice couple rushed to their residence, only to discover that the structure was completely flattened by the flames, and that the Fire Service had not initially been called.

No one was at home at the time of the fire, which occurred at around 10:00h on Wednesday at Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice,

(Region Six: East BerbiceCorentyne).

Derwin DeCuna, a farmer, said he and his wife, a domestic worker, were at work while their two children, aged eight and 17, were at school.

The farmer said he received information, at about 10:00h, that his home was destroyed by fire, but he did not believe. He eventually decided to check on his home, and when he arrived,

several persons were gathered in front of his home.

“When I come, I see everything burn down flat. I take four years to build this lil house; me and the wife, we use to work till night building. We still working to extend this house, and now we don’t have any house,” DeCuna said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Last week we paid down for some material (wood) –we not finished. We were to

extend the house and raise it up so we could put a kitchen downstairs. Right now we can’t extend, and I don’t know if I would build back a wood house and somebody come again and burn it down,” the man sobbed.

The couple believes that the fire was deliberately set. They note that the building was not connected to the national grid. In fact, the house, a building 14 feet by 22 feet, was powered solely

by solar energy.

Meanwhile, Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald has said initial investigations revealed that the fire was maliciously set.

According to DeCuna, all of the documents, including passports and photographs, were destroyed in the fire.

“The gas stove, microwave and everything burn…the bicycle burn up in half. Everything that we had: certificates, the en-

gine, and everything that we had, we had receipts to show; and all of them burn up. The only thing that save was the washing machine, because that was away from the house, in the bathroom.”

DeCuna said the heat from the fire also destroyed much of his crops, including nursery pants which he sold to make a living.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service is investigating (G4)

Police Mounted Branch, Canine Section to reintroduce park patrols

Deputy Police Commissioner Ravindradat

Budhram, the officer in charge of the Force’s Operations, on Wednesday announced that the Guyana Police Force would

be re-introducing park patrols around Georgetown by utilising the resources of its Mounted Branch and Canine Section.

The initiative is aimed at using the Force’s Mounted Branch and Canine (K-9)

Unit at their maximum capacities so as to enhance public safety.

Budhram has charged the ranks to keep fit and equip themselves through the various courses and training programmes pro-

vided by the GPF.

The Mounted Branch and K-9 Section were formed in the 1900s, and played a crucial role at that time. Some reasons for the formation of the branch were to maintain order in

the streets, for presidential escorts, and for crowd control during protests, strikes, shows, crime fighting, detection of explosives, retrieving of illegal arms and ammunition, illegal drugs, contraband, and apprehension of perpetrators, etc.

Meanwhile, Budhram has also met with the officers in charge of the Mounted and Canine Sections: Deputy Superintendent

Rockwell Delph; second-in-charge, Assistant Superintendent Devon Gordon; Administrative Officer Inspector Carl Saul, along with all other ranks of the Department, at the Police Sports Ground. All the ranks were urged to maintain discipline during discussion, be of service to the citizens of Guyana, and strive at all times to make Guyana a safer place for all.

Derwin DeCuna and his wife, Selita Banton

DeCuna watching at the debris of his home

Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Ravindradat Budhram, riding one of the horses from the Mounted Branch on Wednesday

Regional Brazil launches raids to oust illegal miners from Indigenous land

Brazil has launched raids against illegal gold miners blamed for a humanitarian crisis on the country’s largest Indigenous reservation, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promised to defend the Yanomami people after years of neglect and rising violence.

The Brazilian environmental and Indigenous agencies said on Wednesday that Government agents were carrying out the operation, which began earlier this week.

The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) said in a statement that agents destroyed a helicopter, a plane, a bulldozer and support structures for the miners on Yanomami land in Brazil’s northernmost state of Roraima.

Two weapons and three boats with about 5000 litres (1320 gallons) of fuel were also seized.

For years, Yanomami Indigenous leaders have said the expansion of illegal mining on their territories was causing widespread environmental degradation, as well as increased threats, violence, and disease.

Miners leave the Yanomami Indigenous territory on February

7 ahead of expected operations against illegal mining in Alto Alegre, Roraima state, Brazil, where the Government declared a public health emergency for the Amazon's Yanomami people, who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria as a consequence of illegal mining [Edmar Barros/AP Photo]

Last year, the Hutukara Yanomami Association reported that the area scarred by “garimpo” – or wildcat gold mining – on the Yanomami reservation increased by 46 per cent in 2021, to 3272 hectares (8085 acres).

“This is the worst moment of invasion since the reservation was established 30 years ago,” the Indigenous rights group said in an April 2022 report, which was based on satellite images and interviews with local residents.

More than 20,000 miners are believed to have occupied the vast reservation,

Vatican envoy says prisoner amnesty in Cuba “on table”

Papal envoy, Cardinal Benjamin Stella said in Havana on Wednesday a potential amnesty for prisoners jailed in Cuba following anti-Government protests in July 2021 was "on the table", but that the response did not depend on the Roman Catholic Church.

Stella, who arrived for an extended visit to the communist-run Caribbean island in late January, told reporters the Vatican had raised the topic of a potential amnesty for prisoners on multiple occasions.

speech at Cuba´s University of Havana. "The theme is on the table, but the response does not depend on Cardinal Stella."

Stella´s comments come as Cuba faces sharp criticism from rights groups, the United States, and the European Union following the imprisonment of hundreds of protesters after the July 11, 2021 riots, the largest since former Cuban leader Fidel Castro´s 1959 revolution.

people who at one time have expressed their thoughts ...can return to their homes," Stella said.

The Cuban Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Stella´s statements.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was present in the University auditorium for Stella´s speech, did not speak, but has previously defended the role of Cuba´s courts in upholding the country´s law.

which is the size of Portugal and stretches across Roraima and Amazonas states in the northwest corner of Brazil’s Amazon.

The country’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro had promoted increased development in the Amazon while his administration weakened the Brazilian environmental protection and Indigenous rights agencies.

The Yanomami, estimated to number approximately 28,000 people, have said Bolsonaro’s policies helped spur the increased threats against them.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T boy,10; father critical after shooting

Relatives of 10-yearold Terik Patterson are describing the early-morning gun attack which left him in a critical state as distasteful and wicked.

Terik, a standard-four student of Ascension AC School, was in the bathroom –at the entrance to their ground-floor apartment in Lutchman Drive, Dibe, St James, Trinidad – with his father and five-yearold brother when gunmen stormed in. He was shot in the forehead.

Gunmen then shot his father, David Patterson, sev-

eral times, including to the head. He was asleep when the attack happened.

Relatives living upstairs in the two-storey home heard the gunfire, but by the time they reached the entrance, the gunmen had already escaped on foot along a narrow track leading to several other houses.

The victims were taken to hospital.

When Newsday visited the area, the street was almost deserted. Newsday noticed two women whispering to each other, not far from where the incident happened.

One of the women said

she was the child’s aunt and took Newsday to where it happened.

Bloodstains pooled on the steps to the family home.

“People don’t have a heart any more. This is just wicked and distasteful,” Patterson’s sister told Newsday during a brief interview.

The toddler escaped unharmed, but was traumatised by the incident.

Up to midday, both Patterson and his son were warded in hospital in critical condition.

(Trinidad Newsday)

Dominicans urged to get involved in debate on electoral reform

President Charles Savarin has urged Dominicans to get involved in the public discussions on electoral reform as Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced that he was hoping to hold a “last meeting” with prominent international jurist Sir Dennis Byron, on Tuesday to further advance the efforts at modernisation of the electoral system.

Addressing the first sitting of the Dominica Parliament following the General Election last December in which Skerrit led his Dominica Labour

Party (DLP) to victory in a poll boycotted by the main Opposition parties over electoral reform, Savarin said that the process was now nearing its end. “The issue of electoral reform has loomed over us for several election cycles. Government has played its part in facilitating this initiative through the provision of technical and financial support to the responsible authority, and more recently, the engagement of a prominent and high-profile legal mind in the person of Sir Dennis Byron to review the exist-

"Obviously, this has been a theme of our conversations," Stella said following a

"I very much ask ... that there be a positive response (for) amnesty, clemency, whatever it is called. The words are secondary, but it is important that the young

Authorities in Cuba have said those arrested were guilty of crimes including public disorder, resisting arrest, robbery, and vandalism. (Excerpt from Reuters)

In the rehabilitation centre in Chillan, the capital of the Ñuble region, veterinarians treated burns on animals native to the woodlands, such as monito del monte, a small nocturnal marsupial, and pudus, the world's smallest deer.Aravena said these were essential species who helped spread seeds.

"We try to stabilise them, treat them, relieve pain from the burns they suffered, and ideally rehabilitate them so they can return to the wild," she said.

Forest fires across south-central Chile that have left 24 people dead and swallowed up hundreds of houses spread into new areas on Wednesday after raging overnight, burning up the habitats of vulnerable woodland animals.

"We call on everyone who can to take care of the forests which are currently on fire, and also of our animals, specimens of vital importance," said Valentina Aravena, the manager at a wildlife rehabilitation cen-

tre in Chillan.

Chile's national forests association CONAF said on Wednesday the area affected by the fires had now spread to over 300,000 hectares (3000 square kilometres), nearly two times bigger than Greater London.

Authorities said some 2180 persons have been injured and 1180 houses have been destroyed, with most of the deaths and damage taking place across the south-central Biobio, Araucania and Ñuble regions.

By the nearby city of Quillon, local Enrique Narvaez watched firefighters at work overnight.

"The 2011 wildfire burnt down my house, all the trees, everything," he said. "I don't want to go through the same again now."

In a briefing on Wednesday, Interior Minister Carolina Toha noted a nationwide scarcity of water tanks and asked providers to make them available so they distributed to people affected by the fires. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad: Senators want Minister to keep his hands off FUL renewals

ing electoral legislation and processes and to submit recommendations for reform,” he said.

Savarin, who announced that he would be stepping down as Head of State at the end of his second five-yearterm in October, told legislators that he was urging them as well as the public at large “to acknowledge that the process is almost complete and to approach the consultations and debate on electoral reform from the point of view of ensuring that the rights of all eligible voters are protected”.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Ahuge red flag! That’s how Independent Senator Paul Richards on Wednesday described the controversial clause in the Firearms (Amendment) Bill which allows the National Security Minister to extend Firearm User’s Licences (FUL) beyond three years.

“It sends shivers up my spine,” Richards added during the Senate debate on the Bill.

The first speaker of the Opposition United National Movement (UNC), Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial, who

also took strong issue with the clause, put Government on notice that everything would be done by the Opposition to challenge it.

Other UNC Senators also spoke against the clause.

The Bill was piloted by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.

Under Section 17 of the parent law is subsection 6 which states, “A licence other than a provisional licence shall be valid for three years from the date of issue and may be renewed, upon payment of the appropriate fee for each renew-

al, by the Commissioner.”

However, the Government took to the Parliament an amendment to introduce subsection 6A, stating that “The Minister may, by Order, extend the date of expiry specified in subsection (6).”

However, Hinds did not explain why it was necessary to give a Minister authority to extend the validity of FULs beyond three years when that already lies in the control of the Police Commissioner.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Chilean wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, endanger world's smallest deer

A wildfire burns areas in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023 (Reuters/Ivan Alvarado)

Oil settles up for 3rd day as interest rate concerns ease

Oil rose for a third straight day on Wednesday as investors felt more comfortable with risk a day after the Federal Reserve Chair's remarks eased concerns about future interest rate hikes.

Comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday were seen as less hawkish than feared, boosting risk appetite and weighing on the dollar. A weaker US currency makes dollar-denominated oil cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.

"The reduction in risk appetite that had spun largely off Fed Chairman Powell’s comments yesterday, applies equally to industrial commodities such as oil in providing a significant headwind against further major price advances," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois.

Brent crude settled up US$1.40, or 1.7 per cent, to US$85.09 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up US$1.33, or 1.7 per cent as well, to US$78.47.

Investors hope less aggressive US interest rate increases will help the world's biggest economy dodge a sharp economic slowdown or recession that would hit oil demand. China's ending of COVID-19 curbs, meanwhile, is also expected to support demand for fuel.

"A looming oil demand surge together with lacklustre global supply growth will ensure that the oil balance tightens over the coming months," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

On supply, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, together known as OPEC+, last week decided to keep output curbs in place, and an Iranian official on Wednesday said the group was likely to stick with current policy at its next meeting.

The earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria on Monday stopped crude oil flows from Iraq and Azerbaijan out of the Turkish port of Ceyhan. BP Azerbaijan has declared force majeure on Azeri crude shipments from the port. Iraq's pipeline to Ceyhan resumed flows on Tuesday.

US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showing US oil production rose last week to the highest level since April 2020, however, limited oil's gains.

"There are some people out there definitely throwing money at the production side of the business...that was bearish for the market," said Bob Yawger, Director of Energy Futures at Mizuho.

Crude inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels in the week ending February 3 to 455.1 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.5-million-barrel rise. (Reuters)

Around the World

Turkiye-Syria earthquake: Survivor in rubble sparks hope for more miracles

Rescue workers called for silence at a fallen apartment building in the southern Turkish city of Iskenderun on Wednesday after hearing signs of life beneath the mounds of rubble.

Onlookers including family, friends, and neighbours of the building's residents stopped talking, while cranes and other machinery nearby were switched off.

After minutes of silence, rescuers called out for an ambulance, confirming that a woman had been found alive.

The crowd broke into cheers and tears.

One woman, whose cousin and aunt lived in the building and are still missing, fell back onto a car bonnet and buried her face in her hands.

Onlookers told the BBC it marked the first time a survivor had been found at the six-storey apartment block since Monday's earthquake reduced it to rubble. Shortly before they were found, a body had been pulled from the debris just a few metres away. Rescue workers and vol-

unteers quickly formed a chain to carry the woman to a waiting ambulance.

Local residents said she was a single mother in her 50s who lived alone in the building. Her son stood by the ambulance and watched as she was carried down, they added.

Several onlookers said

it gave them renewed hope that their own missing loved ones would be found. One said she was hoping for a "miracle".

Rescue workers hugged as the woman was taken away – a rare moment of hope and happiness among so much devastation.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit back on Wednesday at mounting anger over the State's response to the disaster. Critics have said emergency efforts have been too slow and that not enough was done to prepare the earthquake-prone region by his Government.

The death toll currently stands at more than 12,000 people across Turkiye and Syria.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Zelenskiy urges France, Germany to be “game changers” by sending modern planes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelenskiy travelled to two European capitals on Wednesday in search of better aerial firepower to turn the war against Russia, winning a British pledge to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced NATO fighter jets.

On just his second trip abroad since the war began a year ago, Zelenskiy met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles in London before flying to France.

In Paris, the Ukrainian President met French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Both vowed continued support for Ukraine ahead of a discussion on Wednesday

evening about Kyiv's wartime needs.

"We have very little time. I'm talking now about the weapons needed for peace and to stop the war started by Russia," Zelenskiy said.

"France and Germany have the potential to be game changers and that's how I see our talks today. The sooner we get heavy long-range weapons and our pilots get modern planes ... the quicker this Russian aggression will end."

In a speech to British lawmakers, Zelenskiy similarly stressed his plea for combat aircraft, which he referred to as "wings for freedom". Western countries have so far stopped short of providing planes or weapons that can strike deep inside Russia.

2 children dead after bus rams into Montreal-area daycare

Two children died and six others were injured after a city bus rammed into a daycare centre in the Montrealarea suburb of Laval on Wednesday morning, police said.

A Laval Police spokesperson said Pierre Ny StAmand, a 51-year-old employee of the Laval municipality's public transit system, was to be charged on Wednesday with homicide and assault.

Police did not give a cause for the crash. Authorities said the driver has worked for the transit system for 10 years and does not have a criminal record.

The six children who were taken to hospital did not have life-threatening

injuries, Police said.

The incident happened about 08:30h local time

the children's ages, but according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp, about

Laval spread through the suburban area known better for its historic houses.

"It's a tight-knit community," said Christopher Skeete, who represents Sainte Rose in Quebec's National Assembly. "The fact that something like that would happen is devastating."

Skeete said he had not yet heard anything from Police about a motive.

At a joint news conference with Zelenskiy later in the day, Sunak said "nothing is off the table" when it comes to supplying Ukraine with jets to fight Russia.

Russia's Embassy in

Britain warned London against sending fighter jets to Ukraine, saying such a move would have ramifications for the entire world, TASS news agency reported. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Alphabet shares dive after Google AI chatbot Bard flubs answer in ad

Alphabet Inc lost

US$100 billion in market value on Wednesday after its new chatbot shared inaccurate information in a promotional video and a company event failed to dazzle, feeding worries that the Google parent is losing ground to rival Microsoft Corp.

Google has been on its heels after OpenAI, a startup Microsoft is backing with around US$10 billion, introduced software in November that has wowed consumers and become a fixation in Silicon Valley circles for its surprisingly accurate and well-written answers to simple prompts.

Laval city bus is seen crashed into a daycare in Laval, Quebec, Canada, February 8, 2023 (Reuters/Christinne Muschi)

(1330 GMT), when kids are usually dropped off by their parents at daycare centres.

Authorities did not confirm

80 kids under the age of 5 attend that daycare facility.

News of the tragedy at the Sainte Rose daycare in

"When you leave your children at the daycare for the day, you know that they're in good hands ... when an event like that can happen, it shakes us and shatters us," Quebec's Families Minister Suzanne Roy said, speaking to reporters near the scene of the incident. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Alphabet shares, which slid as much as nine per cent during regular trading, were flat after hours. Microsoft shares rose around three per cent before paring gains. They were also flat in post-market trading.

Reuters was first to point out an error in Google's advertisement for chatbot Bard, which debuted on Monday, about which satellite first took pictures of a planet outside the Earth's solar system.

Google's live-streamed presentation on Wednesday morning did not include details about how and when it would integrate Bard into its core search function. A day earlier, Microsoft held an event touting that it had already released to the public a version of its Bing search with ChatGPT functions integrated.

Bard's error was discovered just before the presentation by Google, based in Mountain View, California.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Rescue workers hugged each other after the woman was saved

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands during a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 8, 2023 (Reuters/Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool)

DILBERT

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Choose your words wisely; a slip of the tongue will lower your chance of getting positive results. Strive to maintain a simple life. Make your own opportunities.

(March 21-April 19)

An aggressive move on your part will cause friction with someone who doesn’t see things your way. Slow down, hear what others say and make decisions based on what’s best for everyone.

(April 20-May 20)

Don’t let anyone lead you astray. Build opportunities that don’t require you to depend on others. Stay in control, do things your way and take credit for your accomplishments.

(May 21-June 20)

Do what feels right, and stop worrying about what others do or think. Trust in your instincts and refuse to let emotional interference come between you and what you are trying to achieve.

(June 21-July 22)

Travel and entertainment will lead to exciting connections and opportunities. Open doors, make plans and head in a direction that makes you want to shout with pride. You can make a difference.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Listen up; you’re receiving several signals to help you choose what to do next. Don’t let anger set in, or you will miss a valuable lesson. A change will work in your favor.

Take advantage of any opportunity to try something new. Your unique spin will draw attention and valuable support. Added discipline and a desire to win will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Step back, and you’ll get a different perspective on a domestic situation. Use your keen awareness and unique way of handling people to turn lemons into lemonade. Make a romantic gesture.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Listen carefully and think about what you find out. When in doubt, ask questions to avoid letting someone take advantage of you or blame you for something. Focus on improving your home.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Stifle your emotions and gather facts. Don’t start something you can’t finish. Do something to lift your spirits. Have faith in what you have to offer, and work to make a difference.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

If you look, you’ll find a unique way to turn something into a moneymaker. Sell items you no longer need. Deals look promising, and gifts and windfalls are apparent.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Keep an open mind. Size up situations so you’ll know when to make a move. Someone’s motives will be questionable. Don’t be afraid to do your own thing if it keeps the peace and gives you wiggle room.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record

LeBron James has become the all-time leading scorer of the National Basketball Association of the USA, having surpassed Kareem AbdulJabbar’s longstanding record.

The Los Angeles Lakers star hit 38 points in a 133-130 defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder to surpass AbdulJabbar’s mark of 38,387 set in 1989. Abdul-Jabbar had initially broken the scoring record in April 1984, eight months before James was born. “To be able to be in the presence of a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me,” James has said.

The 38-year-old, who needed 36 points to break the record, did so with a fadeaway jumper at the end of the third quarter, and he finished the match with a career total of 38,390.

An emotional James raised both arms in celebration, while 75-year-old AbdulJabbar, who was at the match at the Lakers home court, stood and applauded. There was a brief break in play for a ceremony to mark the achievement, with James taking a microphone to make a speech on court.

“Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much, because I wouldn’t be me without all you. You all helped. Your passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point,” he said.

“And to the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about. I would never in a million years dreamt this to be

ously handed over the ball to James to recognise his new record in front of a cheering crowd that included tennis legend John McEnroe, music stars Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Bad Bunny, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, and actor Denzel Washington.

“I thought it had every chance of being broken. It just had to have someone that the offense focused on continually,” said Abdul-Jabbar, who retired in 1989.

“LeBron’s career is one

just the way he played, and for the way he’s lasted and dominated.”

Four-time NBA champion James is in his 20th season in the NBA, having been drafted first overall by hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

Abdul-Jabbar ceremoni-

of someone who planned to dominate this game. You have to give him credit for

The forward joined the Miami Heat in 2010, winning two titles before returning to lead Cleveland to the only NBA title in their history in 2016.

Matthews leads WIW to thrilling 4-wicket win over Sri Lanka

TheWest Indies Women have defeated Sri Lanka Women by four wickets in a low-scoring thriller played at the Western Province Cricket Club.

Sri Lanka scored 107 all out in 20 overs, with Nilakshi

Silva top-scoring with 29 (26), followed by Harshitha

Samarawickrama with 16 (20). Hayley Matthews finished with figures of 4-0-173, followed by Afy Fletcher with 4-0-12-2. West Indies got to the 108-run target with two balls to spare, thanks to a top-score of 46 (48) from skipper Hayley

Matthews and 16 (14) not out from Chinelle Henry.

Bowling for Sri Lanka, Kaveesha Dilhari finished with figures of 3-0-11-1, and Malsha Shehani with 2-011-1.

Speaking after the match, Hayley Matthews told CWI Media, “It was good to have a decent allround performance today from a personal perspective. From a team aspect, I think the bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict them to 107. As we know, they’ve got a couple batters who can really fire up. We still have areas to improve on, but

the win will no doubt give us a boost heading into our first official match against England on Saturday.”

The West Indies will take on England Women on Saturday February 11 at Boland Park in Paarl. First ball is at 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

The eighth edition of the marquee event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2, alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.

Newlands, Cape Town; Boland Park, Paarl and St. George’s Park, Gqeberha are the host venues for the tournament, with both

semi-finals and final being played in Cape Town on 26 February.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 2 West Indies Match Schedule

11 February: vs England, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

15 February: vs India, Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

17 February: vs Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town,7pm (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)

19 February: vs Pakistan, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

He has been with the Lakers since 2018, and helped them win the 2020 title, which was also the fourth time he has been named NBA finals MVP.

Two-time Olympic champion James has won four regular season MVP titles, and appeared in the NBA Finals 10 times.

Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers, during which he won

six titles, six regular season MVP crowns, and was named finals MVP twice.

Asked after the game whether he is the best NBA player of all time, James said: “I’ll let everybody else decide who that is, or just talk about it, but it’s great barbershop talk. Me, personally, I’m going to take myself against anybody who’s ever played this game. But everyone’s going to decide who their favourite is.” (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Women (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Harshitha Samarawickrama

st †Williams b Ramharack 16 20

Chamari Athapaththu

(c) lbw b Alleyne 1 4

Vishmi Gunaratne

run out (Campbelle) 13 15

Nilakshi de Silva

c Selman b Matthews 29 26

Anushka Sanjeewani

† b Fletcher 9 16

Kavisha Dilhari c Henry

b Fletcher 16 16

Malsha Shehani

b Matthews 9 14

Ama Kanchana c b Ramharack 0 1

Sugandika Kumari run out 4 7

Achini Kulasuriya b Matthews 0 2

Inoka Ranaweera not out 1 1

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 7) 9

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 5.35) 107

Did not bat: Oshadi

Ranasinghe, Tharika Sewwandi,

Kaushini Nuthyangana,

Sathya Sandeepani

Fall of wickets: 1-13

(Chamari Athapaththu, 1.5 ov), 2-29

(Harshitha Samarawickrama, 5.2 ov), 3-43

(Vishmi Gunaratne, 7.4 ov), 4-57

(Anushka Sanjeewani, 11.4 ov), 5-89

(Nilakshi de Silva, 15.5 ov), 6-94

(Kavisha Dilhari, 16.6 ov), 7-95 (Ama Kanchana, 17.1 ov), 8-106 (Malsha Shehani, 19.2 ov), 9-106 (Achini Kulasuriya, 19.4 ov), 10-107 (Sugandika Kumari, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Chinelle Henry 3-0-17-0

Aaliyah Alleyne 2.5-0-20-1

Hayley Matthews 4-0-17-3

Karishma Ramharack 3-0-13-2

Shabika Gajnabi 2-0-12-0

Afy Fletcher 4-0-13-2

Shakera Selman 1.1-0-14-0

West Indies Women (T: 108 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Hayley Matthews (c) run out (†Sanjeewani) 50 48

Shabika Gajnabi c

†Sanjeewani b Dilhari 15 30

Zaida James run out 1 3

Chedean Nation run out (Kumari) 6 7

Rashada Williams † st †Sanjeewani b Ranaweera 0 6

Aaliyah Alleyne c & b Shehani 2 7

Chinelle Henry not out 14 14

Afy Fletcher not out 6 4

Extras (b 2, lb 9, nb 1, w 5) 17

TOTAL 19.4 Ov

(RR: 5.64) 111/6

Did not bat: Djenaba Joseph, Trishan Holder, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle

Fall of wickets: 1-45

(Shabika Gajnabi, 9.1 ov), 2-46 (Zaida James, 9.5 ov), 3-56 (Chedean Nation, 11.4 ov), 4-61 (Rashada Williams, 12.6 ov), 5-76 (Aaliyah Alleyne, 15.4 ov), 6-94 (Hayley Matthews, 17.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Achini Kulasuriya 2-0-11-0

Sugandika Kumari 4-0-24-0

Ama Kanchana 1-0-4-0

Malsha Shehani

even better than what it is tonight.”

LeBron James’s reaction to breaking the NBA all-time scoring record

The shot that got LeBron James to the NBA scoring record

West Indies Women sharing a light moment ahead of the T20 World Cup

The second warm-up match required a captain’s knock from Hayley Matthews

WI Tour to Zimbabwe 2023: Test 1 of 2…

Motie gives Zimbabwe a scare

-but debutant Tsiga helps salvage draw

Gudakesh Motie put in a career-best performance to keep West Indies in the hunt for an unlikely win late on the fifth day of the first Test match, but the visitors just ran out of time as the opening Test against Zimbabwe ended in a draw.

After West Indies set Zimbabwe a target of 272 in about a session-and-a-half, Motie picked up 4 for 50 in 24 overs, leaving the hosts in all sorts of trouble; but the debutant wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga made an unbeaten 24 off 83 balls to bail his side out.

Zimbabwe had started the chase with positive intent, with Tanunurwa Makoni getting two fours in the first over, which was bowled by Kemar Roach. However, it did not take Motie long to strike, as he lured Makoni into a drive and had him caught behind for 9.

Chamu Chibhabha stuck a firm cover drive off Roach, but was unsettled by Alzarri Joseph's pace. The fast bowler induced a thick outside edge off Chibhabha's bat, but Joshua Da Silva was wrong-footed and the ball flew to the left of first slip.

Kaia and Chibhabha added 47 for the second wicket, before Kaia flicked a simple catch to Kraigg Brathwaite at midwicket to give Motie his second wicket. Chibhabha then departed next, when he

pushed a length ball from Roston Chase to Jermaine Blackwood, who took a smart catch to his right at slip.

Motie then struck again, as Zimbabwe slipped to 83 for 4 with still close to an hourand-half of the day's play left. However, Gary Ballance and Tsiga adopted a measured approach and helped Zimbabwe get closer to safety. West Indies tried a number of things, which included Jason Holder resorting to bowling offbreaks, but the duo stood firm for 19 overs.

Chase then produced the breakthrough when he strangled Ballance down the leg side, and in the next over, Motie trapped Brad Evans

in front. But Tsiga remained resolute, while Wellington Masakadza faced 36 balls without scoring, before the two teams shook hands as the opening Test ended in a stalemate.

Earlier, when Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul walked out on the fifth day, they became the 11th and 12th batters - and the first pair ever - to bat on all five days of a Test. The duo, however, did not last long on Wednesday. Evans claimed his maiden Test wicket when he burst through the defences of Chanderpaul in the ninth over of the day. From around the wicket, he got one to jag on back into the left-hander,

Toney, Arjune to represent GBF at CBC, CONCENCABA assemblies in Miami

who played away from the body, as the ball took a thin inside edge and pegged back his middle stump.

Soon after, Masakadza pinned Brathwaite in front for the second time in the Test.

Zimbabwe seemed to have an opening at that stage, and Craig Ervine employed funky fields to second-guess the West Indies batters. But Raymon Reifer and Blackwood remained solid. With the sur-

Ervine rang in the changes, but both Reifer and Blackwood seemed fairly comfortable at the crease as the two moved into lunch unbroken with West Indies 199 ahead.

The batters upped the scoring rate after the break, getting three fours in the first three overs. Reifer reached his maiden Test fifty with a hard pull through midwicket, while Blackwood got to his 17th soon after. The two also

got a few boundaries away, and West Indies declared an hour into the second session, setting Zimbabwe 272 in 49 overs.

Zimbabwe's openers came out to bat, but soon after, the thick clouds that were building up brought some rain and stopped play. It turned out to be a delay of about 25 minutes as the players took an early tea in the interim and no overs were lost. (ESPNCricinfo)

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face still playing largely true, the two played their shots regularly and with ease. Reifer was the more aggressive one, and got his boundary counter running with a crisp cover drive off Masakadza.

Blackwood batted with a more defensive mindset, and even failed to put away a few short deliveries early in his innings. He got his first boundary away via a bottom edge through the wicketkeeper's legs, but soon gained confidence, slamming a six and four in the last over before lunch.

brought up the 100-run stand in quick time, and it became apparent that West Indies were looking for a declaration at some point in the session.

Masakadza then removed both Reifer and Blackwood in quick succession, before Evans had Chase nicking off to the wicketkeeper. The third umpire had to be called for, with the on-field soft signal being not out. But replays clearly suggested that the ball had taken the outside edge of Chase's bat, while also hitting the ground simultaneously.

Kyle Mayers and Da Silva

SCOREBOARD

West Indies

2nd Innings

BATTING R B

Kraigg Brathwaite (c) lbw

b Masakadza 25 77

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

b Evans 15 66

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF)

Vice President Rawle

Toney and Technical Director

Sileena Arjune will represent Guyana at two important assemblies in Miami on March 13–14.

On Monday, March 13, the two will be part of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Assembly, while, on the following day, the duo will be delegates at the Central American and Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CONCENCABA) Assembly.

Both the CBC and CONCENCABA will hold elections to decide on a new executive committee to govern the game of basketball in their respective regions.

While one of Toney’s purposes at the Assembly will

be as a voting delegate for the two-day event, Arjune will attend the FIBA Plus Workshop.

Arjune will join other Technical Directors from National Federations affiliated with FIBA at the programme designed to assist National Federations’ development of basketball in their countries by helping them develop a sustainable strategic focus.

The FIBA PLUS Strategy and Planning Programme is one of the initiatives undertaken by FIBA as part of its 2019-2023 strategy to “Empower National Federations” to reach their full potential.

The GBF held its elections on Sunday, January 29, and Michael Singh and Patrick Haynes were re-elected un-

opposed for their respective positions of President and General Secretary of the GBF.

Toney, President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA); Jermaine Slater, President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA); and Sonia Rodney, former female national player, are the three Vice Presidents of the GBF.

Deputy Audit Manager at the Caricom Secretariat, Chavez Branche, is the new Treasurer; and Quincy Baird, GTT’s Accounts Payable, Treasury and Tax Manager, will serve as the GBF’s Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer.

Dennis Clarke, Deon Ferrier and Leona Kyte have been named the three ‘At Large Members’ of the GBF.

Raymon Reifer c & b

Masakadza 58 106

Jermaine Blackwood c †

Tsiga b Masakadza 57 84

Roston Chase c †Tsiga

b Evans 14 14

Kyle Mayers not out 17 13

Joshua Da Silva † not out 9 4

Extras (b 3, lb 1, nb 4) 8

TOTAL 60 Ov (RR: 3.38, 242 Mts) 203/5d

Did not bat: Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

Fall of wickets: 1-32

(Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 21.6 ov), 2-50

(Kraigg Brathwaite, 26.3 ov), 3-157 (Raymon Reifer, 52.2 ov), 4-174

(Jermaine Blackwood, 56.2 ov), 5-180 (Roston Chase, 57.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Victor Nyauchi 16-5-38-0

Wellington Masakadza 23-5-71-3

Brad Evans 12-2-41-2

Brandon Mavuta 6-0-30-0

Richard Ngarava 3-0-19-0

Zimbabwe 2nd Innings (T: 272 runs)

BATTING R B

Innocent Kaia c

Brathwaite b Motie 24 46

Tanunurwa Makoni c †Da Silva b Motie 9 12

Chamu Chibhabha c Blackwood b Chase 31 60

Craig Ervine (c) c †Da Silva b Motie 17 17

Gary Ballance c †Da Silva b Chase 18 63

Tafadzwa Tsiga † not out 24 83

Brad Evans lbw b Motie 0 7

Wellington Masakadza not out 0 36

Extras (b 8, lb 3) 11

TOTAL 54 Ov (RR: 2.48, 214

Mts) 134/6

Did not bat: Brandon Mavuta, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava

Fall of wickets: 1-14

(Tanunurwa Makoni, 3.4 ov), 2-61

(Innocent Kaia, 17.4 ov), 3-83

(Chamu Chibhabha, 22.1 ov), 4-83

(Craig Ervine, 23.2 ov), 5-119

(Gary Ballance, 42.2 ov), 6-120

(Brad Evans, 43.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kemar Roach 3-0-16-0

Gudakesh Motie 24-6-50-4

Alzarri Joseph 5-0-19-0

Jason Holder 5-1-13-0

Kraigg Brathwaite 4-0-10-0

Roston Chase 12-6-9-2

Kyle Mayers 1-0-6-0

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GBF Vice President, Rawle Toney

GBF Technical Director, Sileena Arjune

Tagenarine Chanderpaul received the Man of the Match award for his glittering 207*

Raymon Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood remained unbroken as West Indies went into lunch 199 ahead

Round 2 of West Indies Championship 2023…

Athanaze century keeps Guyana Harpy Eagles at bay

By Brandon Corlette in Grenada

Windward Islands

Volcanoes captain

Alick Athanaze has scored his maiden first-class century against Guyana Harpy Eagles on the opening day of the second round of the West Indies Championship in Grenada.

His organized innings of 141, which had class written all over it, had propelled Volcanoes to 292-8 after 78.5 overs when rain ended the day. The 24-year-old Athanaze was classy with his off-side stroke play during his innings, which came off 220 balls and had 16 fours.

Earlier, Windward Islands won the toss and elected to bat first at the Grenada National Stadium, after showers in the morning. Both teams were unchanged. Nial Smith and Ronsford Beaton got the Guyana Harpy Eagles off the mark with early wickets, but Smith struggled for consistency.

Jerlani Robinson (04), who was caught at second slip by Tevin Imlach. Kimani Melius, who scored 192 last week against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at this same venue, was dropped on two by Kemol Savory, but he fell soon after without troubling the score.

Melius was removed by the probing Beaton, who had him caught at third slip when the score was at 21-2. Five runs later, Kaveem Hodge was caught at the wicket for 14 off Beaton.

Athanaze and Sunil Ambris joined forces, and the duo added 76 runs for the fourth wicket. Fearless in his approach, and confident after scoring two half-centuries in the opening round, the right-handed Ambris, who struck six fours and two sixes in his 38-ball 47, played across the line and was bowled by Sinclair, with the score at 102-4.

Athanaze, who was dropped on 26 by Savory at backward point off Sinclair

showed no mercy after that chance. The left-hander and Justin Greaves went into lunch on 116-4 in 26 overs.

Athanaze was on 36 at the interval.

At the resumption,

reached his maiden century in 125 balls.

Rookie pacer Shamar Joseph then worked up some energy in a new spell, and reaped success when he found the edge of Greaves at 191-

year, continued to enjoy the Guyanese bowlers. Wicketkeeper/batsman Tevin Walcott, who was aiming to go big, played a poor shot and was caught in the legside for four off the bowling of Sinclair.

At tea, Volcanoes had reached 231-6 in 55 overs when the rains came and some 30 minutes of play were lost. Athanaze was unbeaten on 111 while Ryan John was on 19. John carried on to his maiden first-class fifty while Athanaze was caught at the wicket for 141 off the bowling of Permaul. John and

Athanaze featured in a 90run stand. Kenneth Demer departed for a duck, to leave John and Preston McSween at the crease.

Due to rain and 11.5 overs being lost on day one, the second day is set to resume at 9:36am Eastern Caribbean Time at the Grenada National Stadium.

On a day when conditions were good for batting, Beaton was the pick of the bowlers with 2-50 in 16 overs, including three maidens. Sinclair had 2-64 in 20 overs, and Permaul had 2-70 in 21.5 overs.

Smith found the edge of

with the score on 79-3,

the runs kept flowing for Volcanoes. Athanaze slammed Smith for five elegant fours in one over. The handful of supporters, which included Guyanese living in Grenada, watched in awe as the Volcanoes captain

5. The Barbadian Greaves made 21 and featured in a rapid 89-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Athanaze, who also scored a Regional Super50 century against Guyana Harpy Eagles in October last

Final 12 decided in ‘Legendary Cup’ futsal tournament

Twelve teams have now secured their spots in the next round of the ongoing Rock Auto Trans and Spare Parts’ ‘Legendary Cup’ futsal tournament.

Stabroek Ballers, Future Stars, Gold is Money, Vengy FC, Alexander Village and Bent Street have been the latest teams to book their tickets to the next round of the straight knockout ‘Legendary Cup’ tournament.

In futsal action going down at the National Gymnasium on Tuesday night, Stabroek Ballers struck gold first.

Facing off with Jetty Ballers, Stabroek’s Dorwin George, DaCosta Abogaye and Sean Taylor each netted one in the 3rd, 4th and 18th minutes respectively to overpower a lone goal from Jetty’s Rocko Campbell struck in the 8th minute.

Mocha challenged Future Stars in the following game,

Part of the action from night 2 of the ‘Legendary Cup’ futsal tournament

but the latter ended up with a 3-2 win. A double from Lennox Young in the 21st and 23rd minutes, and one goal from Keron Solomon (28th) was enough to beat

Mocha’s 2 goals from Amos Ramsay and Rondel Smith in the 10th and 30th respectively.

Gold is Money eased past Albouystown in a come-from-

behind style, compliments of a hat trick from Darren Benjamin. Benjamin found the back of the net in the 13th, 22nd and 23rd, while Michael Oje added the first

to Gold is Money’s tally in the 6th minute.

Albouystown’s reply came from Dwayne James (4th) and Timothy Thomas (8th) who each netted one goal.

Vengy FC had a walk in the park against their fellow Spaniards, Avocado Ballers. Their 3-0 win came compliments of a Carlos Escobar hat-trick, who found the back of the net in the 4th, 9th and 12th minutes.

Meanwhile, Alexander Village thumped Espanyol 4-1 on the back of a brace from David George. George’s goals came in the 5th and 27th, and were punctuated by one goal each from Gerry Burnette (9th) and Leon Yaw (25th) for Alexander Village. Espanyol’s consolation goal came off the boots of Alejandro Ramos in the 30th minute.

In the final game of the night, Bent Street eased past Vryheid’s Lust 3-1. Vryheid’s Lust were actually the first

to score in the 3rd minute, the goal coming off the boots of L. Roberts. However, the experienced Bent Street soon took control, as Adrian Aaron made it a 1-all game in the 6th. Cecil Jackman (13th) and Marcus Wilson (21st) extended Bent Street’s lead for the victory.

The teams that will advance to the next round of the Rock Auto Trans and Spares Parts ‘Legendary Cup’ are Sparta, Back Circle, Tiger Bay, Leopold, BV, Kitty FC, Stabroek Ballers, Bent Street, Gold is Money, Alexander Village, Vengy FC and Future Stars.

The tournament will continue this Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the same venue. Teams are vying for over $1M in cash and prizes, inclusive of a motorcycle for the tournament’s MVP. In addition, a lucky fan would also ride away with a motorcycle at the tournament’s conclusion.

Ronsford Beaton preparing to bowl (Brandon Corlette photos)

Athanaze was easy on the eye

Ambris cutting for four during his cameo

Windward Islands Volcanoes captain Alick Athanaze scored his maiden first-class century on the opening day