Guyana Times - Thursday, March 16, 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 16 – no retraction and Friday, March 17 –01:00h-02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, March 16 –11:25h-12:55h and Friday, March 17 – 12:50h-14:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with clear skies at 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: 11:32h reaching a maximum height of 2.19 metres.

Low Tide: 17:57h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.

Guyana updates Commonwealth nations on border controversy with Venezuela …as

56 Foreign Ministers meet in London

Guyana on Wednesday used the opportunity of the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), at Marlborough House, London, to update fellow Commonwealth nations on its border case against Venezuela.

On Wednesday, CFAMM got underway in London, bringing together 56 countries. Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, who was present, used the occasion to highlight Guyana’s policy direction as well as its border case with Venezuela.

He informed the meeting that the Government is prioritising democracy, good governance and the rule of law. The importance of this was explained by the Minister as being in order to ensure development is sustainable.

“The meeting focused on several areas of priority, including building resilience for peaceful, just and stable societies; financing for climate resilience and Environmental Sustainability; and leveraging Intra-Commonwealth Trade and Digital Connectivity,” an information note from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

“Minister Todd, during his intervention, stated that the Government of Guyana is prioritising democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law as fundamental elements in its developmental approach.”

Todd also informed his peers of the status of Guyana’s case currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ is expected to rule on Venezuela’s preliminary objections to Guyana’s case, in the first

half of 2023. Further, Todd lauded the Commonwealth for its steadfast support of Guyana’s efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.

Guyana has approached the ICJ, seeking a final and binding ruling that the 1899 Arbitral Award which demarcates the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela is valid. This is after the Spanish-speaking nation had laid claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo.

Incidentally, Essequibo is where most of Guyana’s natural resources are found, and a portion of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) offshore is where some 10 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past sev-

en years.

However, Venezuela has been seeking to block Guyana from having its substantive application before the World Court heard, on spurious grounds that include its claims that the United Kingdom should have been made a party to the case instead of Guyana.

The Venezuelans have argued that the 1899 Arbitral Award was signed between Venezuela and the then Great Britain. Venezuela has also claimed that the 1899 arbitral award is void due to what it claims was fraud by the UK at the time.

King Charles greeting Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd. Also in photo is Guyana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Rajendra Singh (left)

The participating Foreign Ministers of 56 countries as they gather for a group photo at Marlborough House

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Startling statistics

In our Tuesday edition, we reported on some startling statistics, which revealed that in the February 2023 Essequibo Criminal Assizes, sexual offences against minors have dominated the list of cases set for trial at the High Court in Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

That report stated that of 92 cases listed for trial, 37 involve persons indicted for cases regarding sexual offences committed against minors. Our report also stated that the offences include rape of a child under the age of 16, and sexual activity with a child family member.

It is startling that despite the presence of a modern law protecting children and women from sexual abuse, there are still many of these cases occurring in society.

Greater awareness and education campaigns have led to sexual abuse being widely discussed in society. Even among children, the subject is now being discussed or taught in a decent manner, primarily because they are victims of sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse especially raises anger and revulsion in society. Because of the frequency in which child sexual abuse is occurring, children are in dire need of protection, especially since it is difficult to distinguish a paedophile in our midst. The frightening side to this is that, in many instances, the perpetrator turns out to be someone familiar.

Although people agree that violating children is revolting, there are no systems in Guyana that exposes paedophiles. Since 2017, there have been numerous debates about the establishment of a Sex Offenders Registry. While there has been general agreement and support for such a registry, it is still to be materialized, as numerous hiccups have stymied the process. In failing to have such a registry, not only is the public unaware of who among them are predators, but children are placed at greater risk.

As it stands, at the moment, paedophiles can commit their acts, go to prison, get released, and simply rejoin the community as if their offences were frivolous matters.

No alert is given to the public that a paedophile was about to be released from prison, and that he poses a risk to children. Importantly, the nature of paedophiles needs to be understood. Most of them are recidivists, which is why they are kept under close watch even after serving time in prison in many countries around the world.

The authorities must have a system for dealing with paedophiles. What will help significantly is the creation of a national database on paedophiles, detailing every aspect of information about them, and alerting communities to where they are located. In advanced societies, such a database exists for the purposes of warning both parents and children, and protecting the latter. Those societies treat paedophilia seriously, and their authorities can get into trouble for not alerting communities that a paedophile lives in their midst. This is how Guyana should approach paedophiles. As in other societies, paedophilia is a crime that sticks on a person for life; and, by right, societies need to be told and warned of them. We need a more serious approach to curbing paedophilia and dealing with paedophiles.

Some time ago, Education Minister Priya Manickchand alerted education officers that sexual offences at schools will not be tolerated.

To quote the Minister: “Education Officers have been alerted to the fact that there is no space for tolerance, whether deliberate or inadvertent, for sex offences in schools or of school children. Any education officer who receives a complaint of such nature must immediately report same to the Deputy Chief Education Officer (admin). Failure to make said report will result in condign action. Teachers and school staff should also take note.”

We support the Education Minister in her stiff stance against sexual offences while at the same time calling for the establishment of a national database on sex offenders, and more so paedophiles, for the sake of protecting children.

Guyanese must reject anyone promoting politically-motivated crime, violence

Dear Editor, Guyanese must reject politicians and political organizations that promote politically motivated crime and violence. To this end, reference is made specifically to the recent inflammatory and callous remarks by a WPA member at an opposition-led public outreach in Buxton.

It is well documented in our political, social, and economic history that our development and prosperity as a country and as a people has been largely stymied by political crimes of the past. Our post-independence struggles are characterised as such. It is worth noting, too, that this phenomenon only occurs when a certain political party is in Government? that is, the PPP/C.

Historic economic context

Since achieving independence in 1966, Guyana’s economic performance was inconsistent. Following a short period of economic growth between 1970 and 1975, Guyana’s accumulated GDP growth between 1976 and 1990 was -32.8% according to UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. This economic inconsistency persisted into recent years, which presents average GDP growth for Guyana compared with averages for the Latin America region (Corral et.al, 2009).

The Political Economy

Prior to 1992, Guyana was a centrally-commanded, socialist-type, dictatorial

regime, an economic system that plunged Guyana into bankruptcy, thus leading to economic and social devastation. During this era, thousands of Guyanese fled the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere. This, by and large, explains the massive human capital deficit the country has currently, wherein less than 5% of the local labour force possesses a tertiary-level education. Post 1992, when there was a regime change (the current government having been elected through free and fair elections), and restoration of democracy, the economy at the time had just begun its transition to a free market economy, inter alia, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) economic reform programme.

From 1992–2014, Guyana suffered many periods, short and long in some cases, of political instability, which largely stymied the country’s development and ability to achieve its true economic potential.

Periods of Political Instability

> 1992–1997: there was a short period of street protests and violence having restored democracy, following which the economy took off (short period of stability).

> 1997–2001: prolonged street protests and disruption.

> 2002–2003: prison break, crime wave spiralled out of control, and politically- motivated disruptions.

> 2004–2008: unrests,

politically-motivated disruptions

> 2008–2012: Lusignan, Lindo Creek, Bartica massacres, violence erupted when protestors blocked the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge.

> 2011–2014: for the first time, a new political dispensation emerged following the 2011 elections, where the Government was a minority Government and the political Opposition controlled the National Assembly, having had a oneseat majority. Under this dispensation, it was difficult for the Government to obtain budget approvals, many major development projects were disapproved by the Opposition-controlled National Assembly. As a result, snap elections were held in 2015 which resulted in a win for the Opposition.

> 2015–2020: Though this period was relatively stable; that is: no violence, crime wave, unrest, and disruption, and until the No Confidence (NCM) motion that was brought against the former Government in December 2018, the former Government failed to implement any major development projects despite expending over $1.2 trillion in five years. Much of this was spent on current/consumption or non-productive expenditure.

Additionally, almost every national election in the 1990s and early 2000s, ensuing the elections results/ outcome, violence and unrest erupted, which were all

fuelled by the Opposition. These events occurred in 1992, 1997 and in 2001. The only elections period that did not ensue in violence were 2006, 2011 and 2015. There is a rich body of academic literature on Guyana’s political and economic history which confirmed empirically that these periods of political instability were designed to make - and to a large extent led to making - the State becoming dysfunctional and ungovernable.

Since Guyana transitioned to a market economy, Guyana suffered from 17+ years of political instability characterised as politically motivated disruption, unrest, violence, and crime.

Consequently, an entire generation of people has been deprived of the development taking place now that ought to have already been achieved in the last decade.

Hence, we cannot allow another generation to be so deprived of the national prosperity being pursued for another decade or two by allowing the irrelevant and mischievous fossils of the past to destabilise the country.

Noteworthily, however, the (current) Government (at that time) demonstrated resilience, which aided the achievement of the following as one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, to a GDP of US$4 billion by the end of 2020 from US$300 million in 1992, representing 1200% growth in GDP, or 13 times 1992 GDP:

Students displaying an outdoor play area made from recycled materials at the two-day Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair at the Hope Secondary School (Education Ministry photo)

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Contract with Veridos was lawfully executed

Dear Editor,

The Ministry of Finance has taken note of certain statements made by the apparent President-for-Life of the self-styled Guyana Human Rights Association on the matter of the recently concluded contract for the development of an integrated electronic National Identification Card.

The statements made by the GHRA have no basis in fact whatsoever, and are further undermined by virtue of having been made by an entity devoid of any credibility and any legitimacy whatsoever.

Contrary to the false assertion made by the GHRA, the contract in question was awarded in full conformity with the Laws of Guyana, including the procurement laws. Additionally, the com-

pany that would be developing the solution for Guyana is a highly regarded supplier of items of this nature internationally, and its shareholding comprises two major entities operating in the secure printing industry worldwide, Giesecke & Devrient and Bundesdruckerei GmbH, both of whom have unchallengeable longstanding reputations globally.

It is particularly important to note that the GHRA has suddenly found its voice, having maintained a stony silence for the entirety of the five-year period from 2015 to 2020, during which innumerable atrocities were committed by the APNU/AFC dictatorship, on none of which did the GHRA offer any comment whatsoever.

Among these atrocities was the callous and uncon-

scionable firing of over 2000 Amerindian Community Support Officers and over 7000 sugar workers, sending all these people and their families and their communities to the breadline.

Among these atrocities was also the blatant violation of financial laws and complete lack of accountability. Examples include the single- sourced procurement of the services of a drug bond at an obviously inflated price and in a building that is highly unsuitable for the intended purposes, and from an individual with no track record in the area. Other examples include the single-sourced procurement of vehicle scales from an entity with no track record whatsoever in this line of business, and which is understood to have failed to deliver what was procured, and

the use of public money to purchase personal gifts for ministers. And the list goes on. Perhaps most significantly, the GHRA was completely silent on the refusal by the APNU/AFC to respect the results of a no confidence motion successfully moved against them, and their blatant attempt to rig the 2020 elections in full view of the world. Throughout this saga, which unfolded from 2018 to 2020, the GHRA offered no comment on the attempt by the APNU/AFC to deny the people of Guyana their democratic right.

On all of these atrocities and more, the GHRA maintained a stoic and stony silence, turning a blind eye to the lawlessness and excesses of the APNU/AFC dictatorship. Now, suddenly the GHRA has awaken from its

slumber and found its voice.

It is also apposite to note that the GHRA itself is a questionable entity, with a president who is apparently serving for life and with a membership and an executive who are largely unknown, if they exist. Additionally, it is unclear when the GHRA last held an annual general meeting for its membership, and submitted audited financial statements and annual reports on the stewardship of its executive, and submitted its executive to a competitive election by the general membership.

The unfortunate but stark reality is that the GHRA is a sham organization comprising a one-man show, and is conducted by an individual who is highly partisan and who is incapable and unprepared to display any modi-

cum of independence or objectivity in the public postures he takes.

The Government of Guyana maintains that the contract with Veridos was lawfully executed with an internationally reputable group, and is intended to deliver a product that will transform citizen experience in Guyana with the introduction of the integrated electronic National Identification Card.

Once introduced, the card will enable citizens to interact with all Government agencies and many Private Sector entities using this single unique and secure identifier, and will vastly improve the efficiency of service delivery to citizens.

Sincerely, Communications Director Ministry of Finance

Burnham’s negative impact is hard to erase

Dear Editor, I write with reference to the Hon. Annette Ferguson’s missive, “Burnham’s positive impact cannot be erased”. It is clear from Ms. Ferguson’s letter that she is still under the mistaken impression that Mr. Burnham was a positive force in Guyana. Allow me to elaborate on Burnham and the PNC’s penchant for electoral banditry and economic mayhem. For the former, I draw on Professor J.E. Greene’s “Race vs Politics in Guyana”, published by ISER, Jamaica 1974. In this important book, Greene provides evidence for early developments in what would become the signature of PNC politics – election rigging.

Greene demonstrates

how the Representation of the People’s Act (1968) was used to help rig the elections of that year. One aspect of the Act was to allow overseas registration and voting. The Opinion Research Centre (in England) found that only 10,000 of the 43,000 voters registered were credible. A particularly egregious case of overseas voter fraud occurred in Wolverhampton.

The (PNC) registration man there, a Mr. Joe Hughes, could only account for 41 of the 200 persons on the voters list (Greene, 1974, p. 28).

A second technique of Burnham for voter fraud was padding of the voters’ list.

Between 1961 and 1964, the number of voters moved from 246,120 to 247,604, a mere increase of 1,484. Yet, between

Guyanese must reject...

> Per capita income of US$5,000 from less than US$300.

> Debt-to-GDP ratio is now less than 50% from a position of more than 600% in 1992.

> Total public debt service to revenue ratio came down to 30% of revenue from a position of more than 150%.

> More than 60% of the population lifted out of poverty, and eradication of extreme poverty.

> By the time there was a regime change in 2015, the former Government inherited approximately $100 billion in liquid cash in the Bank of Guyana. And by the time they left office in 2020 (having lost the elections), there was $100 billion overdraft/ deficit in the Government deposit accounts, signalling the return of a downward/regressive trajectory of the economy by the former Government.

Guyana is at a major crossroads for the first time in its post-Independence his-

FROM PAGE 4

tory. Political instability can directly hurt the economy by affecting the investment decisions of firms. It takes time for firms to make the investment decisions, especially the manufacturing firms. In unstable political environments, it is very difficult to determine the net present value of an investment, as there are many uncertainties regarding social conditions, which make it impossible to determine the rate of return. Further, the expectations on the future policy and financial return depend very much on general socio and macro-economic conditions. If the expectation is dim in the future, then development in the economic sector is almost impossible for any country.

I therefore urge our fellow Guyanese and the political leaders across the spectrum to exercise greater care and responsibility in their public utterances, and avoid inflammatory remarks at all costs, given the potential ramifications of such as described herein.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin

1964 (when Burnham took power) and 1968, the voters list moved from 247,604 to 297,404, an increase of over 50,000 new voters in four years!

Rigging the proxy vote was another of LFS Burnham’s “brilliant” techniques of electoral banditry. In 1961, there were 300 proxies, in 1964, there were 7,000; but by 1968, that number jumped to 19,297. The Americans were terribly worried about the extent of rigging Burnham had planned for the December 1968 elections. One inside report stated the following – “The United States Government will continue to exert all possible influence to persuade Burnham to pursue a moderate and statesmanlike course toward the PPP and the UF with regard to the registration problem and to the objections of these parties to the electoral law. To date, however, Burnham has not responded in the manner desired to U.S. advice to avoid an overly large false registration and to U.S. urging to plan for the formation of another coalition government after the elections…

“Racial considerations are most likely a significant ingredient in Burnham’s attitude. Thus, we have no assurance that he will accept our guidance in this regard.”

On the economic front, Burnham’s legacy is worse, even though that is hard to believe. Let me remind the MP Ferguson of some basic,

undeniable facts. Guyana was the only country in the world that had a lower per capita GDP at the end of the 1980s compared to the beginning of that decade. I challenge the Honorable MP to prove otherwise. Ms. Ferguson likes evidence, and this despite her tendency to dismiss hard evidence as “anger.” Here is Burnham admonishing his own supporters, telling them that Guyana is bankrupt –“…[A]fter informing the Trades Union Congress, our Government explained why the $14.00 minimum per day could not be paid. Production had not increased, and there were no resources (LFS Burnham, Speech to 3rd Biennial Congress of the PNC, August 22-26, 1979).

Burnham was basically on a warpath in August 1979. At that time, the WPA was still under Rodney, and was conducting a mighty battle, alongside the PPP, against the PNC. Against all his rhetoric, like the “little man is the real man”, (later revised to “the small man is the real man”), the Cde. Leader declared war against workers. Burnham barked, “We shall match steel with more highly tempered steel.” He was not referring to Venezuela and their claims to Guyanese territory. He was referring to striking workers. Father Bernard Darke had been murdered less than a month before this speech, and in less than a year of the “tempered steel” speech, Walter Rodney

Sad situation in our country

Dear Editor,

First there was an alleged homophobic assault meted out to certain persons at an event in Berbice. This was followed by highly incensed and inflammatory comments and remarks on a political stage. Now there is another assault on a teacher, allegedly this time on a homophobic slur hurled by a

student to the teacher. Now teachers are on protest action.

What do these incidents have in common? They are highly incensed-based and fury-laced with ugly outcomes. What a sad situation for our country.

Sincerely, Shamshun

Mohamed

was assassinated. Since data does not seem to mean anything to MP Ferguson, allow me to quote from Professor Kemp Hope, who noted that “Guyana is a plural society, but with an administrative machinery that ethnically mirrors the ruling PNC government” (Hope 1985, 31). Hope was clear and decisive in describing the PNC economic model. He wrote that Burnham’s self-reliance socialism was based on Self-Help, but that PNC comrades took “self-help” to be a personal invitation to help themselves. Here is Professor Hope again on the Burnham economic modus operandi –“…the distribution of foodstuffs is handled by the PNC-owned Knowledge Sharing Institute; cooperatives are created for the pur-

poses of acquiring state lands, which once acquired are promptly sub-divided and exploited on an individual basis by the PNC elite” (Hope, 1985, 36).

The evidence to show that Burnham did more harm than good to Guyana is bottomless. But more than anything else are the continuing belief in, and practice of, election malfeasance by the PNCR and their associates in the AFC. I base this on what happened during the 2020 National and Regional Elections. The roads and bridges built by Burnham are there, no doubt, but if the Hon. Annette Ferguson were to dig down a little, she will not like what she finds.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud

Thursday, March 16, 2023

06:00 (Sign on) Inspirational Time

06:30 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Stay Woke

08:30 Iron Chef: Mexico

09:30 Ask the Doctor

10:00 Stop Suffering

11:30 Divorce Court

12:00 Movie - The Next Karate Kid (1994)

14:00 I Didn't Do It S1 E15

14:30 Star Wars: The Clone Wars S2 E5

15:00 Indian Soaps

16:00 Danger Force S2 E10

16:30 Just Add Magic S3 E6

17:00 The Young & The Restless

18:00 CNN

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Stop Suffering

20:30 Stand-up Comedy

21:00 Station 19 (ABC)

22:00 Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

23:00 Ginny & Georgia S1 E10

00:00 Sign off

NGSA Math Questions

New electronic ID card

Contract awarded in “full conformity with Guyana’s laws” – Finance Ministry

The Finance Ministry is insisting that the US$35.4 million contract that the Guyana Government signed with Germany-based company Veridos Identity Solutions last week for the implementation of the national electronic identification (ID) card was done in accordance with local law.

As part of the Single Electronic Identification System in Guyana, this new electronic card will be issued to Guyanese residents for the conduct of a wide array of transactions as well as to monitor the issuance of work permits in the country.

However, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has since criticised the project, calling for it to be paused and submitted to the Parliament – claiming the absence of public consultation and sole-sourcing of the project.

However, in response on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry said the GHRA’s statements have no basis.

“Contrary to the false assertion made by the GHRA,

the contract in question was awarded in full conformity with the laws of Guyana, including the procurement laws,” the Ministry contended.

Back in October 2021, Guyana had reached out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government for assistance in introducing the Electronic Identification Card. With the intervention of His Highness, Sheikh Juma bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, two international companies were shortlisted.

Veridos, a global leading provider of integrated identi-

ty solutions, was subsequently selected after making a presentation to the Guyana Government. It was explained that the evaluators found that the partially-owned German Government company presented the best solution for Guyana.

The Finance Ministry noted that Veridos “…is a highly-regarded supplier of items of this nature internationally, and its shareholding comprises two major entities operating in the secure printing industry worldwide, Giesecke & Devrient and Bundesdruckerei GmbH, both of whom have unchallengeable longstanding reputations globally”.

Furthermore, the Ministry went on to call out the GHRA over its hypocrisy for staying silent during the 2015-2020 period under the previous coalition Administration when there were blatant violation of financial laws and complete lack of accountability, including the single-sourced procurement of the services of the controversial Sussex Street drug bond at an obviously in-

flated price and in a building that is highly unsuitable for the intended purpose as well as the single-sourced procurement of vehicle scales from an entity with no track record whatsoever in this line of business.

“The Government of Guyana maintains that the contract with Veridos was lawfully executed, with an internationally-reputable group, and is intended to deliver a product that will transform citizen experience in Guyana with the introduction of the integrated electronic national identification card. Once introduced, the card will enable citizens to interact with all Government agencies and many Private Sector entities using this single unique and secure identifier, and will vastly improve the efficiency of service delivery to citizens,” the Finance Ministry posited.

At last Friday’s virtual contract signing, President Dr Irfaan Ali said the rollout of this resident electronic ID card, which has a 12-month implementation period, will promote the ease of doing

Guyana updates Commonwealth...

Outcomes Chairman for CFAMM and the Foreign Affairs Minister for Rwanda, Dr Vincent Biruta, meanwhile shared some of the expected outcomes of the meeting. As he explained it, they will be reviewing progress since the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda.

“During this meeting, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth will review the actions to take forward and commitments made during the last CHOGM held in Kigali in June 2022,” Minister Biruta said.

“We will, among other

(things), explore additional measures that may be deployed to aid Commonwealth countries in accessing climate finance, and as mandated by leaders in Kigali at CHOGM 2022, we will discuss the modernisation of the Commonwealth, and new ways of working together.”

Guyana is a frontrunner when it comes to accessing climate financing, being the first country to complete the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) process of certifying its forest carbon.

These serialised credits, listed on ART’s Public Registry, are available to buyers on the global carbon mar-

ket, including for use by airlines for compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s global emissions’ reduction programme, CORSIA, as well as for use toward voluntary corporate climate commitments.

Guyana’s completion of the ART process paved the way for other Governments that are looking to receive carbon market finance for success in protecting and restoring forests. At the time Guyana was issued with the credits, 14 other countries and large sub-national jurisdictions are working towards their own issuances of TREES credits.

FROM PAGE 3

Last year, Guyana also signed a historic, multi-year US$750 million agreement with Hess Corporation for the purchase of 37.5 million carbon credits. Only recently, 240 indigenous community bodies received payments ranging from $10 million to $35 million, courtesy of the first set of payments from this deal.

A total of $4.7 billion (US$22 million), which is 15 per cent of US$150 million, is earmarked for distribution to these villages. In fact, this number may increase as other agreements for the sale of the remainder of Guyana’s credits are concluded. (G3)

business and personal transaction in Guyana.

“E-ID systems promote the idea of ‘One Citizen, One Identity’ by assigning a unique national registration number to each citizen for use by all Government agencies [and the] Private Sector. For example, in the banking sector now, we know the difficulties there [but] through this card, the banking sector now can have fingerprint verification and validation of the person who's before them. So, the need for proof of address and all the other documentation is eliminated. So, the cost of doing business, the effectiveness, the competitiveness, the efficiency will all improved as a result of this technology,” he stated.

According to the Head of State, the card’s capabilities are also in keeping with his Government’s commitment to promote e-governance in order to improve the productivity of businesses and the delivery of Government services through the introduction of e-health, e-education, e-security, e-agriculture, electronic permit, and licence processing among other areas. He further noted that the enhancement was necessary because there was an immediate need to implement a robust national identity management system that fo-

cuses on the integration of identification services across Government agencies, security, ease of use, and acquisition of IDs.

Moreover, with the new requirements in Guyana for work permits, managing work permits and managing the immigration process, President Ali pointed out that this new resident ID card will allow local authorities to conduct their monitoring of immigrants electronically.

The Head of State further outlined other internationally-recognised features of the new resident card, which is not only International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)certified, but would also be accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for international travel.

“As a result of that compliance, it brings with it technical and international standards and requirements that are met into operability, secure and interoperable identity credential, privacy and cross border protection. As you know, these are important issues the global community is faced with and we are advancing our work in our technological transformation, to position Guyana to be among those countries that are ready for the new digital age,” the President explained.

He also indicated that as a result of being ISO-compliant, this new e-ID card’s level of privacy is one of the key features that will make it is second to none, globally. Further, the electronic ID system and accompanying software will be tailored for Guyana’s use and will include implementation services, training of administrators and operators, local help desk support and 60 months of support and maintenance – thus adhering to the highest level of international standards. (G8)

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

GHRA head Mike McCormack

Moneychanger’s murder

…co-accused freed “I am innocent” – murder accused to jury

A submission of no case to answer is usually made at the close of the prosecution’s case, when the defence believes that the prosecution’s case does not support a finding of guilty.

“I am innocent”

Meanwhile, Dos Santos's co-accused, 30-year-old mason George Hope, also of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, has been called upon to lead a defence. In so doing, the murder accused, on the advice of his lawyer, Hughes, elected to give an unsworn statement via Zoom from

him and told him that the Police were at his home looking for him. He said he eventually went to the Brickdam Police Station, where a Police detective began questioning him about his whereabouts on February 4, 2018.

Hope said that when he told the male Police rank he was at home on that day, the rank showed him video footage of his motorcycle.

Hope stated that he told the Policeman that February 3, 2014 was the last time he rode the motorcycle.

He claimed that he was taken into a room with about five other Police ranks, and

Searching for… …discrimination

Your Eyewitness is a true believer when it comes to equal opportunity. After all, who but a bigot would try to justify discriminating against othersjust because they’re “different”. But we know it happens all the time, don’t we?? There are all sorts of lines along which discrimination’s practised – gender, sex, age, weight (obesity), beauty, skin colour, “differently-abled” – and in Guyana, the grandaddy of them all – race and ethnicity, which is practically one here.

One of the two men on trial for the 2018 murder of moneychanger Sean Nurse has been freed, while his co-accused has been called upon to lead a defence.

Thirty-year-old Kerwin Dos Santos of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown was found not guilty, and trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramall directed the 12-member jury to return a formal notguilty verdict in his favour on Wednesday. She did so after upholding the nocase submission made on Dos Santos's behalf by defence lawyer Nigel Hughes. Accordingly, this accused was discharged and freed.

prison. He told the court of his alibi.

According to him, two days after Nurse was killed, he was at his child mother’s home when his cousin called

while in there, he saw Dos Santos, his co-accused crying. Sometime after, he said, a Policeman give him a paper that had words on it to sign, and he complied be-

cause he did not want the Police to torture him like how they tortured another man who was arrested in relation to the murder.

TURN TO PAGE 14

Well, the Women & Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) just announced a campaign to gather data on persons who’ve been subjected to gender-based discrimination. Now, that’s a very good thing. We can’t hope to fix problems if we don’t have hard facts to back up claims on their existence. After all, when rejected for something or other, it’s human – especially when it comes to jobs or benefits - to believe that the fault doesn’t lie in us, but in those making the decisions. And from the other side, we also know that folks have all sorts of stereotypes and prejudices that colour their decisions in situations when they’ve been given power and authority.

Good for us, we already have laws against discrimination on the books. But these are for specific instances, where the individual claimants must take recourse to the Courts and prove the facts they are asserting. Which, for most persons, is a rather high mountain to climb. So, we have these inquiries where official bodies investigate whether there is SYSTEMIC discrimination in any one area. And this is where the WGEC’s initiative falls. The question in your Eyewitness’s mind, however, is: after the inquiry, what then?? For instance, we know women aren’t represented at the top of the corporate or any other ladder – even where they are numerically the majority. Like in medicine.

So, on the quota for women MPs…we have the one-third rule – will it now be mandated to be upped to half?? Your Eyewitness waits with bated breath – but wonders about the elephant in the room – race/ethnicity!!

Parliament last month approved the new Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) that’s supposed to look into discrimination in this area. For your information, dear reader, the members are as follows: Christian bodies - Rev. Rodwell F. Porter; Hindu bodies - Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma; Islamic bodies - Mr. Moeenul Hack; Labour Movement bodies - Mr. Norris Witter; Private Business Sector bodies - Mr. Charles Ogle; Youth bodies - Mr. Dwayne Adams; Women’s bodies - Ms. Chandrowtie Sarran; Cultural/Ethnic bodies Indigenous/Amerindian bodies - Mr. Ashton Simon; Afro-Guyanese bodies - Mr. Deon Dick aka Ras Khafra; IndoGuyanese bodies - Mr. Neaz Subhan.

Right now, we have all sorts of declarations – some actually amounting to declarations of war – about ethnic/ racial discrimination. Shouldn’t the ERC get cracking to find if its real or just race baiting??

…student discipline

Here we go again – another teacher’s assaulted by a student, and a parent involves himself in the assault!! We hope the authorities don’t just deal with the incident, but realise we have a systemic issue on our hands. And as such, if there’s to be even a smidgen of a chance of resolving the issue, it gotta be addressed systemically!! And systemically, installing distilling discipline in Government public schools has absolutely broken down!!

And why does your Eyewitness confine the problem to GOVERNMENT schools?? Cause that it’s here where the most egregious instances of student indiscipline occur. Take an example of a school that has come to symbolise discipline – the new school on the block that was just declared the top CARIBBEAN school for CAPE!! Has anyone EVER heard of disciplinary problems at SVN?? No siree Babolall!! One look at that pic of the students sitting in neat rows and columns ON THE FLOOR – should tell you it’s not the students – but the SYSTEM.

…influence

Members of US VP Kamala Harris staff just dropped by here. Over in Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia are getting a visit from Kamala herself!! What gives?? The US is playing catchup with China - and Africa’s over the edge??

Murder accused George Hope (left), and Kerwin Dos Santos who was freed

Dead: Sean Nurse Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall

Guyana, EU ink $1B deal for local forest preservation, sustainable development

The Guyana Government on Wednesday signed a contract worth more than $1 billion with the European Union (EU) to increase forest preservation activities in the country, as well as to foster sustainable development within local communities that are dependent on the forest for their livelihoods. The €10 million “Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for the communities of Guyana and Suriname” project was launched on Wednesday morning in the two South American nations – in which each country has been injected €5 million to strengthen capacity development and sustainable livelihood in and around forest-dependent communities over a four-year period.

At the State House in Georgetown on Wednesday morning, the contract was inked by President Dr Irfaan Ali and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Helena KÖNIG. This $1 billion agreement falls under the Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between Guyana and the EU back in November 2022 on the sidelines of COP 27 in Egypt, for the provision of a €5 million grant to advance efforts towards sustainable forest management and preservation here.

According to the EEAS official, this project is aimed at increasing the resilience of local forest populations, and increasing their value-added outputs specifical-

ly through the development of sustainable income generation activities.

“I can only highlight… how important it is to work together with the local communities in the forest to make sure that this is sustainable also in their environment…This project will provide support to local forest communities to increase knowledge, capacity, and for the use of and supply of nature-based goods and services. It would also provide and improve skills, working practices, equipment as well as market links, and access to finance,” she stated.

KÖNIG added that this billion-dollar initiative would also support alternative livelihoods in forest-dependent communities, in order to reduce pressure on forest resources. She noted that this is especially important.

“…despite the immense national resource wealth that characterises a forest, not everyone is able to generate sufficient income. Remote and small communities offer few job opportunities, and push local communities towards unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, with potentially severe consequences for forest biodiversity and ecosystem services,” the EEAS official stressed.

Meaningful action

Meanwhile, in his remarks, President Ali lauded the EU, along with implementing partners Francebased Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and WWF Guianas for translating their forest preservation commitments into meaningful action on the ground by supporting community livelihood opportunities within forest-based communities

in Guyana.

“This partnership with ADF and WWF is underpinned by focus on what works, moving to create practical solutions to development challenges, and addressing the vital role that forests play in overcoming these challenges. Sustainable livelihoods sit at the heart of this endeavour, as when we create the opportunities for people for economic advancement and social upliftment, we provide them with resources to make decisions to safeguard the environment and protect the forests,” he posited.

According to the Head of State, this project falls in line with the Guyana Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiative, which is geared towards sustainable development as well as making Guyana a model nation and global leader on sustainable forest management.

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

To this end, President Ali argued that Guyana’s forests are not just standing trees, and are an important global asset, thus it is only fair that the country earns from these services, especially the people who ensure the forests stay intact.

“Guyana looks to provide a practical example to the world on how that environment: forests, freshwater and biodiversity in particular, must be safeguarded to sustain mankind and life as we know it. We also look to develop new ways of incentivising the global fight to safeguard forests. The main actions identified to be advanced by this cooperation will look to strengthen sustainable livelihoods in forest communities and enhance knowledge and capacity for sustainable use and supply of nature-based goods and services,” the Guyanese Leader noted.

Moreover, he pointed out that this EU-funded project is expected to be carried out in close coordination with national institutions and local partners in order to maximise the benefits of significant resources already invested at the community level, as well as to avoid redundancy.

In fact, President Ali stated that, only recently, the benefits sharing mechanism on the Guyana Carbon Credit Financing Programme was rolled out with some US$22.5 million being dispersed across 242 hinterland communities –monies that were earned from the US$750 million deal with Hess Corporation. He noted that the financing from this EU deal should add value to this programme and complement existing plans that are being implemented.

“We would expect that this project complements the initiatives already outlined by villages in the Village Sustainable Plan, so that we do not duplicate efforts. Villages have already outlined their Village Sustainability Plan, and we want to complement those plans, we want to augment those plans,” the Guyanese Leader said.

Consequently, the Head of State urged the involvement of the National Toshaos Council and other national bodies – Guyana Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Ministry, and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs – in support of this $1 billion initiative. (G8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali and EEAS Deputy Secretary General Helena König after signing the $1B forest deal at State House on Wednesday (Office of the President photos)

Shooting of cop to head

Cousin slapped with attempted murder charge, remanded

ACentral Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) man has been remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge following a shooting incident that has left his cousin, a Police Sergeant, battling for his life at the Linden Hospital Complex.

Twenty-seven-year-old

Fawazz McRae appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with attempting to murder Police Sergeant Jermain Semple, 32, of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice. The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Reports are that on

Sunday, March 12, the Policeman, who is stationed at the Tactical Services Unit, his brother Dervon Semple and his cousin were imbibing at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar in Linden. At about 21:00h, a fight ensued between the cop and his brother. During the altercation, the cousin went to make peace, and a fight then ensued between the Police Sergeant and his cousin.

Police in a release said that as a result, the cousin took out his licensed handgun, a .32 pistol, at about 21:30h, and discharged two rounds in the victim’s direction. One struck the cop to his head, causing him to receive severe injuries. He was then rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex,

where he remains in a critical condition and on life support.

Police in a statement said the cousin was arrested and the firearm was retrieved, which contained four live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber.

According to the Police, McRae received injuries to his left elbow and right ear during the fight, and was escorted to the hospital for

medical attention. He was subsequently discharged, arrested, and told of the allegation against him. Two .32 spent shells were found at the crime scene.

On Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, along with the Commander of Police Regional Division 10, Hugh Winter, visited the injured Police Sergeant. They were briefed about his condition by doctors. (G1)

Remanded: Fawazz McRae Police Sergeant Jermain Semple

Magistrate Wanda Fortune

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Commander of Police Regional Division #10, Hugh Winter standing at Police Sergeant Jermain Semple’s bedside

Taxi driver dies in Essequibo Coast accident

Afather of four died on Tuesday evening after he lost control of the car he was driving along the La Belle Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). Dead is Amos Christopher Li of La Belle Alliance. Injured is 20-yearold Aliyah Harris, of Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast. Harris was a passenger in the car at the time of the accident.

Reports are that at about 23:20h, the 28-year-old taxi driver, who was driving motorcar HD 252, lost control of the vehicle.

Police said the car was proceeding north along the western drive lane of the public road at a fast rate of speed when -- as alleged by Harris,

and ended up in a trench. They both were then taken out of the vehicle by public-spirited persons. At the time, the OVO Taxi Service driver was unconscious, and they were both rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where Harris was admitted a

treatment.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Stacy Candai, who is Li’s reputed wife, said that at about midnight she woke up to use the washroom and heard a loud impact.

“When I get up to use the washroom, I heard a car

cle. He spoke to me and said he have some change in the pocket and his chain on…We then take him to the hospital along with the girl, and at the hospital, while receiving medication, blood start run from his nose and mouth.” the grieving woman said.

She explained that while her reputed husband was receiving treatment at the hospital, blood started to ooze from his nose and mouth, and minutes after, he succumbed.

who was seated in the front passenger seat -- the driver lost control of the vehicle. Harris said the vehicle collided with a concrete culvert on the western side of the road,

patient with a fractured left shoulder. The driver was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but succumbed to his injuries while receiving

coming, and after a loud impact…So, since it’s in the village, I decided to go and see. When I went, I saw his brother pulling him out of the vehi-

“The doctor told me the hit he got in his head made him get a trauma in his brain that made him pass away… My husband was everything to us. He make sure that we have everything we need. And from today I will have to take on the responsibilities he had, and make sure I keep my children happy for him,” the woman, who is pregnant, said.

Candai described her reputed husband as a very hardworking, strict dad and husband, and a very responsible person. (G14)

The area where the accident occurred on Tuesday

The car collided with a concrete culvert

Dead: Amos Christopher Li Stacy Candai

CNOOC donates $4M to rebuild Christ Church Secondary School

CNOOC Petroleum

Guyana Limited

(CPGL), one of the three joint-venture partners in Guyana’s Stabroek offshore petroleum block, has come to the assistance of the Christ Church Secondary School with a cash donation of $4 million. The donation is to be used towards the school’s rebuilding efforts.

The A-List Georgetown School, which caters to 502 learners and employs 39 teachers, situated at the corner of Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown, was destroyed by fire on January 12.

The cheque for $4 million was handed over by President of CPGL, Liu Xiaoxiang, to Headmistress Sumanta Alleyne at a special assembly of the students and staff at the school’s temporary location at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Turkeyen, ECD on Tuesday afternoon.

Headmistress Alleyne expressed her gratitude to CPGL, stating that the donation is timely and is greatly appreciated, while efforts are underway to replace and acquire urgently needed equipment and supplies that were lost in the catastrophic fire.

Xiaoxiang recounted

that the management and staff of his firm were touched by the tragic outcome of the fire, and are delighted to be of assistance to the affected students and staff. He highlighted that the inspiration for the donation was rooted in the traditional Chinese conviction to come to the assistance of those in need.

Xiaoxiang recalled that

CPGL is highly in favour of contributing to the promotion of education in Guyana. He underscored a number of initiatives his company has made to the education sector, including donating 21 scholarships so far to disadvantaged students for tertiary studies.

In thanking the administration of Christ Church

Secondary School for its cooperation in accepting the $4 million donation, Liu expressed the hope that the sum would help to relieve the difficult circumstances facing the students and staff.

“We hope that CPGL’s donation today will help in some small way to replace some of your losses and rehabilitate your school. We hope that you will succeed in your studies, and be a part of Guyana’s bright future,” he concluded.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of China in Guyana, Chen Xilai, said the donation is a good example of Chinese companies in Guyana making contri-

butions to the local community. CPGL’s contribution also came in for praise and appreciation from the Chairman of the Board of Christ Church Secondary School, Kishanti Ramdular, PTA President Loknauth, and Tiffany Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer representing the Ministry of Education.

On January 12, the Guyana Fire Service received the report of a fire at the school, which is located at the corner of Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown, at about 17:22h. As such, water tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt and Campbellville Fire Stations were immediately

dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden-and-concrete structure, and while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames. Despite firefighting efforts, more than 80 percent of the building and its contents were destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage.

A week following the disastrous fire, students and teachers were comfortably settled at the Cyril Potter College of Education at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, to resume classroom activities.

“I am innocent” – murder accused...

Hope also related that he dropped out of school in Grade Seven, and as such, he cannot read and write. During his testimony, he maintained that he was at home with his six-month-old son at the time of the robbery/murder.

“I am innocent of this crime. I don’t know about this crime,” he maintained.

Justice Morris-Ramlall has fixed this morning to hear closing arguments from the defence and prosecution. After that is done, she will sum up the evidence from the trial, which has been ongoing for close to two weeks, to the jurors, and then they will retire to deliberate on a verdict.

Attorneys-at-Law Marisa Edwards, Tanesha Saigon, Abiola Lowe and Delon Fraser are the prosecutors. They have given oral notice of the State’s intention to appeal Dos Santos’s acquit-

tal.

The indictment against Hope states that on February 4, 2018, in the county of Demerara, he murdered Nurse, called “Fabulous”, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Background

Nurse, a well-known moneychanger and father of three, of Lot 33 Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was sitting in a chair at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and America Street in Georgetown when he was approached by a man armed with a handgun.

The man demanded that Nurse hand over a bag containing an undisclosed sum of local and foreign currencies. Nurse, 47, resisted, and in retaliation, the bandit pulled the trigger, shooting him once in his head. He col-

lapsed, and died almost immediately.

The alleged culprit then escaped on foot, proceeding north on Avenue of the Republic and then east into Charlotte Street.

Police Headquarters had said that a 9mm spent shell was found at the scene, and that several persons were questioned as to the description of the shooter.

Reports stated that the man who shot and killed Nurse was clad in a red hoodie and a pair of brown trousers.

Dos Santos and Hope were initially charged with Nurse’s murder in 2018. The following year, they were committed to stand trial at the High Court, after a city Magistrate, at the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), ruled that there was sufficient evidence against them.

CPGL President Liu Xiaoxiang handing over the cheque to Headmistress Sumanta Alleyne

Teacher given 2 days to repay money she stole from ex-lover …admits to court she used stolen cash to pay off debts

Ateacher has been remanded to prison until she can repay the almost $500,000 she ad mitted to stealing from her ex-boy friend.

Nickacia Sobers, 23, of Soesdyke/Linden Highway ap peared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Particulars of the charge against her stated that on December 20, 2022, at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, she stole $467,000 from Richard Brathwaite.

She pleaded guilty to the charge. The Police prosecutor re lated that Sobers and Brathwaite were in an intimate relationship

that ended on December 20, 2022. Brathwaite operates a shoe stall in the vicinity of Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, and on the day in question, he secured the money in his car, which had been parked in front of his stall.

After Sobers had visited the man’s stall, the prosecutor told the court, she went into his car, where she spent some time alone before Brathwaite dropped her off at the Timehri bus park. When Brathwaite drove back to his vending spot, he made checks for the money, but discovered that the sum was missing. He immediately reported the matter to the Police, and Sobers was arrested.

During her address to the court, Sobers admitted to stealing her ex-lover's money, stating that she had outstanding debts and used the money to pay them off.

According to her, she made several attempts to repay Brathwaite, but he refused to accept part payments from her.

While Brathwaite confirmed that Sobers had promised to repay him, he said that calls to her cell phone went unanswered. Given what the two parties told the court, the Chief Magistrate remanded Sobers to prison, and gave her until Friday to repay Braithwaite. If she fails to repay the sum in full, she will be sentenced. (G1)

Remanded: Nickacia Sobers Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

Seek redress against errant businesses – consumer affairs body to public

Seeking redress is no longer a daunting task, as the local bodies responsible for consumer protection have improved their respective capacities to deal with cases of faulty goods on the market.

The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is encouraging more shoppers to file complaints against errant businesses. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Wednesday partnered with the CCAC and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day under the theme “Empowering Consumers through clean energy transitions.”

The three organisations hosted a pop-up expo at the Stabroek Market Square, where they raised awareness about the work they do and about consumers’ rights.

In an interview with this publication, Communications Officer of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission, Alison Parker, explained that last year the Commission resolved 87 per cent of all consumer complaints it received, the majority of which were about vehicles.

“We’re happy to report

that, for last year, we addressed 410 complaints to the value of…over$107 million dollars. We’re able to resolve, at the end of the year, 87 percent of those complaints. What we saw was a spike in complaints in the auto industry…as at February, compared to the same period last year, we had a 118 percent increase in the number of complaints in terms of the auto industry. That’s [an] area that we are focusing on to say, ‘If you’re going to buy a vehicle if you’re going to buy parts, take a mechanic, ensure you do your research before you engage in buying a vehicle’.

Because that is our highest category of complaints, followed by electronics and appliances,” Parker revealed.

To date, the Commission has received a total of 110 complaints, and is encouraging more persons to know their rights and to hold businesses accountable.

Parker explained that the length of time it takes to resolve an issue varies, and while some complaints can be addressed within a day, others may take months, depending on their nature.

According to Parker, “It varies based on the type of complaint it is. You have from the same day to a period of a month or more…because let’s say you come with a vehicle, you have a problem and you come to us…not every complaint is valid. So, you come to us with a complaint, and you say, ‘I bought this vehicle’ or, ‘I bought this item, and I am experiencing this problem’…we have to verify that it wasn’t [the] consumer’s negligence, and it is a valid manufacturer’s defect. If it is that the expert recognizes that there is a problem…a manufacturer’s defect, then we engage the supplier and seek redress on your behalf. You have…the three R’s…the repair, replace, or refund.”

She added that the Commission usually conducts weekly inspections to ensure that businesses are in compliance with the law.

“We go out and we do weekly inspections. We have investigators, and they do weekly inspections. We inspect for compliance with the law. Once we find that you are not compliant, we… point out to you the areas where you’re non-compliant, and we give you a month to fix it, and we come back in a month,” Parker revealed.

The Commission had reported that in 2021, over $152 million in consumer complaints that were reported were resolved, with Region Four securing the highest number of grievances. By enforcing the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011, the Commission can seek redress for affected consumers in Guyana. As per the report, 480 complaints, amounting to $211,034,785, were received in 2021.

The electronics or electronics services, auto industry, and appliance and appliance services dominated the categories of complaints. The auto industry accounted for the highest value of complaints at $117,167,673.

Additionally, the CCAC

has warned businesses that the no-refund no-return policy is an offence contrary to the Consumers Affairs Act, and any business seen displaying that policy should be reported.

“It is illegal to display no refund signs, and to engage in the practice of not offering refunds,” the Commission has warned.

In December 2022, the National Assembly passed a Hire Purchase Bill that would ensure equal protection of consumers from exploitative practices, and sellers from unscrupulous hirers.

Tourism Minister Oneidge

Walrond informed the House that the bill benefitted from widespread consultations which were conducted with stakeholders interested in the

hire purchase sector.

Twenty-seven of the 30 clauses were amended, ensuring a balanced framework to protect consumers as well as vendors.

Recognising that consumers enter hire purchase agreements without informed consideration of their ability to pay, Clause (10) provides for a seven-day “cooling off” period wherein the consumer, who had the benefit of more informed consideration, may cancel the agreement.

Clause 13 provides for a buyer who cancels an agreement to recover any monies paid under that agreement, subject to a restocking fee charged by a seller to a maximum of 10 per cent.

World Bank stresses urgency for investments in renewable energy

The importance of Caribbean countries investing in renewable energy and increasing their climate resilience, which Guyana is currently focusing its attention on, was on Tuesday emphasised by the World Bank.

The World Bank held an online panel discussion that focused on the world economic prospects of Caribbean countries, including Guyana. During the session, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean Lila Burunciuc stressed the importance of Caribbean countries focusing on renewable energy.

“Switching to renewable energy, we heard about the impact of increased hydrocarbon prices. And the need to really invest in renewable energy, which is abundant in the Region, and lower costs and increase affordability for people and for businesses, so that they can become more competitive. With the current level of energy prices, it’s very difficult to compete,” she said.

Her advice comes even as Guyana is making a concerted effort to increase its renewable energy output. Efforts are also being made to commission various forms of renewable energy, including the Amaila Falls

Hydropower Project and the gas-to-energy project, as a transitional energy source.

Burunciuc also spoke of the importance of building climate resilience. She noted the devastating economic setbacks of natural disasters. Among her recommendations were for countries to focus on planting mangroves and getting catastrophic insurance. And the World Bank official also acknowledged the need for Caribbean countries to have access to financing.

“Climate is an important issue… every year the Caribbean countries lose, on average, six per cent of their GDP [Gross Domestic Product] to natural disasters. I don’t know if there are economies in the world, no matter how strong they are, that can actually cope with

this.

“This is huge. So doing everything that is possible to strengthen the resilience of the countries to natural disasters is important. And building more resilient infrastructure. There will be a need for access to financing. That is why there is a need to create more fiscal space,” she also said.

Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, at various international forums, has argued that the only known available financing to achieve the Region’s renewable energy target is the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which has a loan portfolio of US$1.4 billion. But according to President Ali, a minimum of US$11 billion is needed to achieve just the fundamentals of the target.

Renewables have been touted to break the hefty carbon footprint, but Ali had shared during a conference earlier this year that to secure the energy requirement, the reality is that the Caribbean will need oil and gas resources. The estimated renewable capacity of the Region is 1574 megawatts with a capital requirement of US$11 billion to achieve fundamental targets.

The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy, ap-

proved to support the energy policy of the Region, sets regional targets for renewable energy contribution to total electricity generation in Caricom, at 28 per cent by 2022 and 47 per cent by 2027. The reality is that as of 2020, only 11.5 per cent renewable energy was achieved.

“We can safely say that in this Region, fossil fuel and natural gas has a long future ahead of us. It is not a big scientific analysis. It is based on what is before us. The conversation is how do we take this reality in the context of building a global system and world that move towards net zero? How do we reduce our carbon footprint? How do we catalyse the revenue to open up new sectors, greener technology,” the President stated.

President Ali had underscored that going ‘green’ was not a simple task without significant investments, which the Region does not have. As such, he urged countries with natural gas resources to aggressively pursue natural gas to subdue the energy insecurity within the Caribbean, while working towards greener technologies.

“For the energy need security of this Region, I once again reinforce the call that every single country in the Region with potential in nat-

ural gas should be allowed to explore that potential to its fullest, aggressively to en-

sure the energy security of this Region,” Ali positioned.

(G3)

Communications Officer of the CCAC, Alison Parker

The pop-up expo hosted by the GNBS, CCAC, and the DCA

…notes need for Caribbean to be able to access financing

World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Lila Burunciuc

NCERD improving literacy among students - Director

…as 17% of pupils experience reading disorders

The National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), of the Education Ministry, has emphasised that literacy improvement is high on its agenda as statistics show that 17 per cent of students may be experiencing a reading disorder.

Stakeholders in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have participated in a threeday conference aimed at improving literacy in classrooms. Regional Literacy Coordinator attached to the Region Six Education Department, Simone Proffit, explained that the objective was to strengthen teachers’ ability to deliver the curriculum.

According to Profitt, the Education Department is seeking to improve students’ performance across the region. “And so we think the best way to do this is by empowering our teachers. Hence, this literacy conference is

geared to provide them with the relevant tools that will enable them to do it,” Proffit explained. She said there are many children in the region with learning difficulties, and need extra support in developing their literacy skills.

“That’s what we are working towards,” she declared.

Upgrading skills

Meanwhile, Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Quenita Walrond, explained that such training is vital since, even as educators, monitoring officers or policymakers, they need to keep upgrading their skills.

“Because at the end of the day, as educators, we all should hold as a fundamental belief that learning is a lifelong process, and that we, too, are not exempt from the benefit of further and more improved teaching.”

The director emphasised that literacy improvement is high on the Education Ministry’s agenda. “As a sector, I can say that my colleagues are working very assiduously to ensure that opportunities for literacy development come from both a top-down and bottom-up approach: where we are working at the grassroots level with parents and communities to increase opportunities for reading; where there are more material inputs in terms of the support from our Ministry and Departments of Education to increase the number of books – be it books for reading, information, textbooks, that are available to students and teachers for use. And even from a policy perspective, we now have an entire department that is devoted to improving literacy performance across the country,” she add-

ed.

This, she noted, is treasured and held in very high esteem as it relates to what the priorities are for the nation.

Some 100 teachers in Region Six, which include liter-

acy specialists from the primary level, those who teach reading at the secondary level, and the infant field officers for nursery schools in the region, attended the training. Regional Literacy Coordinators from

other regions also participated in the conference.

It was disclosed that about 17 per cent of students in the classrooms in Guyana may experience a reading disorder. (G4)

“Untapped demand” for seabob in local market – FAO report

While there is strong demand from overseas markets in the United States and Europe, there are opportunities for local seabob operators to tap unmet domestic demand, a recent study in Guyana conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlighted.

Guyana was among the first five of 12 African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) nations analysed by the global fish value chain development programme, FISH4ACP. Implemented by FAO, this initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) focuses on making fisheries and aquaculture value chains more productive and sustainable, with an emphasis on supporting women given their crucial role in fish value chains – the whole process of adding value to the product.

the report stated.

These potential options include increasing and improving the quality of cleaning, peeling, and storing seabob to provide consumers with higher-quality and thus, higher-value products, and to enter higher-value markets such as supermarkets and the hospitality industry such as hotels and restaurants.

the next decade. It is for this reason that the report underscores the considerable potential for artisanal operators in the domestic market.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and his colleague within the Ministry, Deodat Indar were in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to inspect ongoing infrastructural works.

The ministerial team has also met with various contractors executing works in the region, where they were lectured about the timely completion of projects.

“What we are doing here today is not joke, you have to get these projects implemented. I have said it repeatedly, anybody who is having a difficulty, and you can’t get a decision in two weeks, escalate it. When y’all are signing contracts, we escalate it, so why come three months after, and nobody calling; we can’t just let things lie down, because every time you take a delay with a road in a community, you are interrupting somebody’s life,” Edghill told the contractors during the meeting.

“We want to finish these things, we want to get into communities, and when we finish, communities must be clapping, not vex. We want to make sure we deliver to the satisfaction of people,” he added.

“We are not going to tolerate delays of our projects, especially where you are gaining economic capital, where you are making money, but the people are upset because of the manner in which the work is going and the pace in which the work is doing also, because you are interrupting people’s lives,” Edghill further told the group.

The Minister also conducted an inspection of ongoing works at Windsor Forest, where a culvert is currently being constructed.

During his visit, the Minister gave the contractor instructions to start working on Sixth Street and have it completed by the end of this

month.

The Public Works Minister told the contractors that he was expecting a detailed work plan that would bring them to the completion of the road, by Monday, March 20.

The contractor explained that there were two major culverts that would be constructed along that road, along with a minor one, after which the road would be finished to asphalt and concrete pavement.

A resident of the community shared that since 2015, the road has been in a deplorable condition.

Edghill reassured the resident that the street would be completed soon.

Under a 10-year development strategy for the healthy future of Guyana’s seabob shrimp value chain, which was endorsed by Guyanese operators in May 2022, the FAO’s FISH4ACP Project has completed an assessment report in which it highlighted, among other things, ways of promoting artisanal or traditional fisheries.

Among the key opportunities the report outlines is the

This is one of two marketing strategies that were highlighted in the report for the local industrial and artisanal channels.

With regard to industrial operators, the report highlighted that there continued to be high demand from the US and European markets for more high-value seabob, which can be better capitalised on if the biological stock issues can be addressed and bigger shrimps can be caught.

“Given that the United States of America and the

According to the report, more in-depth studies are necessary to validate both the export and domestic markets’ potential and opportunities identified, and to discover the opportunities that were overlooked owing to the unavailability of data, and resource and time constraints.

Nevertheless, given the large number and central role of operators in the artisanal channel, especially artisanal Chinese seine fishers and market vendors, they are the core actors with the most potential as a leverage point to improve the sustainability of fishing practices, improving product quality and enhancing women’s participation in the value chain (VC).

On the other hand, the three industrial firms – Pritipaul Singh Investments (PSI), Noble House Seafoods (NHS), and Gopie Investments Inc (GII) – are the leverage point for VC improvement interventions.

strong domestic demand for fresh seabob that can be sold to restaurants and supermarkets. This opportunity, it noted, can be tapped by artisan or traditional fishing operators.

“Consumer surveys suggest that there is untapped demand for seabob in Guyana, as consumers sometimes cannot find seabob products on the market when looking for them. Although seabob unavailability, or unreliability of supply, is largely due to the declining catch… various value-adding opportunities exist for artisanal actors (including fishers, processors and market vendors) to better tap into the unmet domestic demand,”

European Union are currently the two most important export markets for Guyanese seabob – and demand remains strong – they will continue to be the main export target markets for the Guyanese seabob industry in the future,” it further detailed.

Stringent market requirements

According to the report, owing to the stringent market requirements, such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and the small amount of seabob captured by artisanal fishers, these major export markets are cannot be the target markets for the artisanal operators – at least for

According to the report, the natural environment in Guyana is generally supportive of the value chain operations. However, it noted that the increase of sargassum seaweed since 2011 is reported to have changed the availability and distribution of fisheries resources and caused difficulties for fishers to access seabob resources.

This is further compounded by climate change, mainly characterised by changing rainfall patterns, which may affect the abundance and recruitment of seabob and in turn affect fishing operations, particularly artisanal Chinese seine fishers who rely on tides to capture seabob.

The FAO report stated that more research is needed to understand the impacts of these natural elements on seabob resources in particular, and the broader ecosystems in general.(G8)

Director of NCERD, Quenita Walrond

Some of the participating educators

“Communities must be clapping, not vex” – Edghill on need for timely completion of projects

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspecting ongoing works at the Leguan Stelling on Tuesday afternoon

Oil slumps US$5/ bbl to lowest in more than a year as banking fears mount

Oil prices plunged more than US$5 a barrel on Wednesday to their lowest in more than a year as unease over Credit Suisse spooked world markets and offset hopes of a Chinese oil demand recovery.

Early signs of a return to market stability faded after Credit Suisse's largest investor said it could not provide the Swiss bank with more financial assistance, sending its shares and other European equities sliding.

"It doesn't matter what your risk asset is: at this point people are pulling the plug across different instruments here," said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

"Nobody wants to go home with a big position on anything today. ... You have nowhere to hide really."

Both crude benchmarks hit their lowest since December 2021 and have fallen for three straight days.

Brent crude was down US$3.76, or 4.9 per cent, to US$73.69 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) was down US$3.72, or 5.2 per cent, at US$67.61, breaking through technical levels of US$70 and US$68 and extending the sell-off.

Volatility in Brent and WTI was at its highest in more than a year and both entered technically oversold territory on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, both benchmarks shed more than four per cent pressured by fears that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) last week and other US bank failures could spark a financial crisis that would weigh on fuel demand.

Hedge funds were liquidating due to rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, said Dennis Kissler, Senior Vice President of trading at BOK Financial, adding that heavy pressure on US stocks early Wednesday was adding to the fund liquidation in crude.

The US dollar also strengthened against a basket of currencies, making it more expensive for holders of those currencies to purchase crude.

Adding to the bearishness in the market, U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 1.6 million barrels last week, Government data showed, more than the expected rise of 1.2 million barrels in a Reuters poll of analysts.

Stacey Morris, head of energy research at data analytics company VettaFi, said oil prices would remain weak in the short term, given current uncertainty, adding that there may be a buying opportunity.

Oil had rallied earlier in the session on figures showing that China's economic activity picked up in the first two months of 2023 after the end of strict COVID-19 containment measures.

Wednesday's monthly report from the International Energy Agency provided support by flagging an expected boost to oil demand from China, a day after the Organisation Of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased its Chinese demand forecast for 2023.

"We definitely have seen the oil market separate themselves from oil inventories and we're more focused on a larger meltdown of the global economy," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.(Reuters)

Around the World

Ukraine war: US and Russian military chiefs in rare talks after drone downed

Washington's top general said the crash of a US surveillance drone after being intercepted by Russian jets showed Moscow's increasingly aggressive behaviour while Russia warned Washington that flying drones near Crimea risked escalation.

A day after the US drone went down over the Black Sea, Defence Ministers and military chiefs from the US and Russia held rare telephone conversations on Wednesday with relations at their lowest point in decades over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that American drone flights by Crimea's coast "were provocative in nature" and could lead to "an escalation ... in the Black Sea zone", a Ministry

statement said.

Russia, the statement said, "had no interest in such a development, but will in future react in due proportion". Crimea is a peninsula that was part of Ukraine until Moscow annexed it by force in 2014.

Austin declined to offer any details of the call – in-

cluding whether he criticised the Russian intercept.

But he reiterated at a news conference that the US intended to continue flying where international law allowed and demanded Russian military aircraft operate in a safe and professional manner.

The statement from

Russia's Defence Ministry said the two countries should "act with a maximum of responsibility" including by having military lines of communication in a crisis.

Austin appeared before reporters at the Pentagon alongside General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had a separate call with Russia's Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

On the ground in Ukraine, Russia kept up its push to capture the small eastern city of Bakhmut and secure its first substantial victory in more than half a year. Milley said Russia was making small advances near Bakhmut but at great cost.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his military top brass had advised reinforcing Bakhmut. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazilian researchers find “terrifying” plastic rocks on remote island

The geology of Brazil's volcanic Trindade Island has fascinated scientists for years, but the discovery of rocks made from plastic debris in this remote turtle refuge is sparking alarm.

Melted plastic has become intertwined with rocks on the island, located 1140 kilometres (708 miles) from the south-eastern state of Espirito Santo, which researchers say is evidence of humans' growing influence over the earth's geological cycles.

"This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology," said Fernanda Avelar Santos, a geologist at the Federal University of Parana.

Santos and her team ran

chemical tests to find out what kind of plastics are in the rocks called "plastiglomerates" because they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic.

"We identified (the pollution) mainly comes from fishing nets, which is very common debris on Trinidade Island's beaches," Santos said. "The (nets) are dragged by the marine currents and accumulate on the beach. When the temperature rises, this plastic melts and becomes embedded with the beach's natural material."

Trindade Island is one of the world's most important conservation spots for green turtles, or Chelonia mydas, with thousands arriving each year to lay their eggs. The only human inhabitants

"Plastic rocks" found on Trindade Island in the state of Espirito Santo is seen at the laboratory of the Federal University of Parana, in Curitiba, state of Parana, Brazil, March 7, 2023 (Reuters/Rodolfo Buhrer)

on Trindade are members of the Brazilian navy, which maintains a base on the island and protects the nesting turtles.

"The place where we

found these samples (of plastic) is a permanently preserved area in Brazil, near the place green turtles lay their eggs," Santos said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas ex-Minister charged in bribes-for-contracts scheme

Former Bahamas Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle was slapped with a slew of

charges related to bribery and a Government contracts scheme during her time as Minister for deals valued at

Tons of uranium missing from Libyan

site,

IAEA tells member states

United Nations nuclear watchdog inspectors have found that roughly 2.5 tons of natural uranium have gone missing from a Libyan site that is not under Government control, the watchdog told member states in a statement on Wednesday seen by Reuters.

The finding is the result of an inspection originally planned for last year that "had to be postponed

because of the security situation in the region" and was finally carried out on Tuesday, according to the confidential statement by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi.

IAEA inspectors "found that 10 drums containing approximately 2.5 tons of natural uranium in the form of UOC (uranium ore concentrate) previously declared by (Libya) ... as be-

ing stored at that location were not present at the location," the one-page statement said.

The agency would carry out "further activities" to determine the circumstances of the uranium's removal from the site, which it did not name, and where it is now, the statement added.

"The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk,

as well as nuclear security concerns," it said, adding that reaching the site required "complex logistics".

In 2003, Libya under then-leader Muammar Gaddafi renounced its nuclear weapons programme, which had obtained centrifuges that can enrich uranium as well as design information for a nuclear bomb, though it made little progress towards a bomb.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

over US$700,000.

Rolle was charged with one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. Prosecutors say the former Minister doled out more than a dozen public works contracts without proper vetting.

Rolle's husband, Vontenken Rolle, his uncle and two others were also charged in connection with allegedly obtaining money for contracts on various sporting complexes.

The accused were all granted bail and the case was adjourned until the end of May.

Rolle had resigned from her Cabinet role in February 2021 amid an audit of the country's sports authority. She has repeatedly denied

wrongdoing.

"I stand by my record that as Minister, as far as I am aware, all proper procedures were followed, as far as I was aware as Minister," the Nassau Guardian reported her saying in November, adding that "justice will prevail."

(Reuters)

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin attend a virtual meeting of Ukraine Defence Contact Group, at the Pentagon in Washington, US, March 15, 2023 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via Reuters)

Former Bahamas Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Stand back and watch. Gather information, study trends and prepare to make a statement that will set you on the path you desire. Refuse to let someone else decide your fate.

(March 21-April 19)

Jumping from one thing to another will give you the upper hand when someone tries to compete with you. Don’t get involved in joint ventures or let anyone handle your finances.

(April 20-May 20)

You’ll be eager to put things behind you. Don’t make a move without mapping out your safest route. A calculated plan executed with precision will help you navigate tricky situations.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

Do things differently and you’ll draw a crowd. Have a bottom line in mind before you negotiate your terms. Be prepared to protect your health and physical well-being should someone put you at risk.

Pay attention to changes in your chosen field. Keeping up will be the way to stay on top. Taking a professional approach will help you acquire valuable support.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You can have fun without overspending. A change in your disposition will occur if you look after your emotional needs. Take charge and speak up. Be very clear about where your loyalty lies.

Take a moment to assess a challenge or change that can influence your future. An opportunity will not be as good as someone wants you to believe. Make adjustments if necessary.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Mix things up a bit, and you’ll enjoy what transpires. Spend time with someone you love. Plans will fall into place. Invest time and money in your home, and your assets will grow.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Engage in activities that promote love and romance. Don’t take on too much or make promises that may be difficult to keep. Temptation will lead you astray.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Keep your life moderate, affordable and free of clutter. Resist overindulgence and exaggeration. Concentrate on positive change that promises stability and less stress.

Leave nothing to chance; take an active role in setting things up to your specifications. Control situations that influence your earning potential. Happiness depends on your decisions.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Settle your differences with others. Spend more time on self-improvement and making adjustments to your routine that promote fitness and a healthier lifestyle.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SA, WI switch to white-ball mode, seeking fresh starts

After a Test series played against the backdrop of an increasing awareness and discomfort with the next FTP, South Africa and West Indies enter another series which raises scheduling concerns: the context-less ODI rubber.

Get used to it - they’re back, and at the conclusion of this World Cup Super League, (WCSL) they’re here to stay. For reasons unknown, the league will be scrapped after the 2023 World Cup, and qualification for the next 50-over tournament reverts to rankings. In theory, that should place some importance on every bilateral contest; in practice, we’ve seen it all before.

As T20 leagues grow and Tests continue to form part of a championship, the middle child of ODIs is likely to suffer, and this series is an example of what that could look like.

South Africa and West Indies have nothing to play for, except new starts, which at least gives some narrative to the next six days. For South Africa, it’s their first outing under new white-ball coach Rob Walter, who communicated with them from afar during their WCSL series against England, while he wrapped up work with Hamilton’s Central Districts team.

Walter is coming home to a country where he started his cricket career as a fitness trainer and left as a successful franchise coach to take up a new challenge in New Zealand. It proved exactly that, and he came up with no trophies, but plenty of ex-

perience that he will have to use to rebuild South Africa in their worst format.

Under Mark Boucher, the 50-over side underperformed to the point where they are at risk of not securing automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup. That’s Walter’s mess to clean up.

He will have his best players at his disposal when they go into two must-win matches against Netherlands from March 31. For now, he has some important selection decisions to make, after Kagiso Rabada and

Aiden Markram

to a side strain before travelling to East London. Once there, replacement allrounder Wayne Parnell fell ill, but managed to train on the eve of the first match, and will be needed because Andile Phehlukwayo has back spasms and Sisanda Magala has split the webbing on his right hand. That leaves Lungi Ngidi to lead the attack, and gives Tabraiz Shamsi the opportunity to reclaim his spot as the premier spinner.

Meanwhile, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan

playing,” Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, said. “Our priority will always be to win the series, but also our efforts to widen the pool and give guys opportunities. This is a big year from a 50-over point of view. That format is probably the main priority.”

from seeing it as too much to bear, Holder has spoken of his love for playing with this particular group, and his desire that they grow together.

The onus will be on Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein and Kyle Mayers - all experienced in years but not in matches - to step up, because even though there are no points on the line, there is something perhaps a little more important.

were rested, David Miller was allowed to finish his stint at the IPL, and injuries have wormed their way into the camp.

They lost Keshav Maharaj, whose year has been thrown into disarray after he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon when celebrating a wicket in the second Test, leaving his chances of making the 2023 World Cup slim; and Wiaan Mulder

Stubbs are all in line for ODI debuts.

The revolving door of white-ball players may suggest a haphazard strategy in a World Cup year, but given the difficulties South Africa’s ODI squad have been through, they need to trial selections before they have to make them count.

“We’ll be using this opportunity against West Indies to refine our way of

West Indies are in a similar, and perhaps slightly worse, position. They enter this series with a new captain, Shai Hope, and an interim coach, Andre Coley, whose position will soon be split in two. Like South Africa, they will appoint a red-ball coach who will oversee their scant Test schedule and develop first-class players, and a white-ball manager to head up the ODI and T20 squads. The latter’s job could begin in time for the World Cup Qualifiers, which West Indies are all-but-certain to participate in.

West Indies are currently eighth on the WCSL points’ table, and have played all their matches, which means they will be leapfrogged by one or both of South Africa and Sri Lanka, and will have to play in Zimbabwe in June to make it to the World Cup.

That thought won’t scare them as much as it does the other two teams, because West Indies have been there, done that and qualified before. So, for them, this series does have the value of offering them preparatory time, a dry-run of sorts, under Hope and a different style of playing.

“It’s a new journey,” he said. “And we need to improve in all areas. We all need to come together and find the right formula, because we definitely need to qualify for that World Cup. Everything we do now is geared towards that.”

After losing 15 of their 24 WCSL games, including series to Bangladesh and Ireland, and losing two of their last 10 series dating back to January 2021, it’s fair to say things have not exactly clicked, and Hope’s wish that they can discover a winning brand is the first step to approaching the qualifiers. They’ll rely heavily on former captain Jason Holder, who was their best player in the Tests, and continues to carry an inordinate amount of burden in the side. Far

USA-based ‘Ballin4Peace’ to compete at Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic

With just a few more days to go before the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic tips off, USbased team ‘Ballin4Peace’ is hoping to leave the Land of Many Waters with all of the accolades and prizes up for grabs in the tournament’s third edition.

Burchell Glenn is the lone Guyanese on that team, headed by former Sacramento State University point guard and NCAA Division One standout player Haron Hargrave.

Professional 3x3 ‘ballers’ Anthony Soares and Sony Cabral are the other members of the team, and they are heading from New York to compete in the March 1819 Classic at the Burnham Court in Georgetown, Guyana.

According to Toney, the

FIBA-accredited referees added to tournament

team is made up of players who have competed on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and other FIBA 3x3 tournaments both in and out of the USA. However, Toney said, this is the first time this team will be playing in the Caribbean, and he’s happy that Guyana has been chosen as its first destination.

“It was simple; because the tournament is endorsed by FIBA, and with Ballin4Peace being an active 3x3 team with one Guyanese, they registered online, and later on they reached out to finalise the details of their participation,” Toney said.

A long-serving member of the sports media, Toney said the US team will raise the profile of the tournament. He added, “This is what I initially had set out to do when I launched this tournament

in 2019…bring players to Guyana, and place basketball in the bracket of sports tourism.

“It’s now for our guys

to step up and show what Guyana 3x3 is made of, because the US team is coming to win, and it’s not a vacation for them,” Toney noted.

Meanwhile, Toney said, to complement the officiating, two FIBS-accredited Referees from Suriname will be part of the tournament.

“Officiating is a sour point in local basketball, and last year the players complained about how our local refs carried their whistle. So, along with a few sponsors, I was able to work through the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) and President Michael Singh to have some of the Surinamese be part of the tournament,” the 3x3 organiser highlighted.

Thanks to Team Mohamed’s, the 16-team tournament will carry a winner’s purse of $400,000 and four Championship rings, compliments of Century Tamara Energy Services Inc and Jacobs Jewelry.

“We are playing for international pride and all those people back in the Caribbean, and even all around the world, who support West Indies,” Hope said. “Whenever you cross that line, your aim is to win games, so everything must be geared to that, everything must go into the middle.”

With nothing really on the line, maybe everything is. (ESPNCricinfo)

West Indies enter this series with a new captain in Shai Hope

South Africa need to quickly regroup ahead of the important few months

Members of the Ballin4Peace

GOA election likely for March 21

…‘Fraudulent’ letter at centre of postponement

olution. Fernandes articulated, “How we’re operating here is a shameful display, and I think that we need to find a way quickly here.

I share my brother Phillip’s opinion that for us to be sitting in here ruminating and getting nowhere is actually a disappointment. It’s quite simple, we got to have positive-thinking people in this room who are willing to work for one common good, and that’s for the future and the benefit of the Guyanese youths, not us.”

After all the back and

forth, on a technicality, the EGM meeting had to be officially ended, and a regular Council meeting was called in the ensuing meeting. At that meeting, Campbell eventually moved a motion to have Assistant Secretary General Deion Nurse sign documents on the behalf of the Secretary General, which would pave the way for Nurse to call the elections in 7 days. With the resolution, the GOA Election is likely to be held next Tuesday, March 21st.

Upon the stroke of 5pm on Tuesday afternoon, March 14, 2023, President of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), Cristy Campbell, rose to highlight the elephant in the room at what was supposed to be the hosting of the Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA’s) Electoral General Meeting (EGM).

However, what unfolded was a series of heated debates on the legality of a letter from General Secretary Hector Edwards regarding the eligibility of associations and individuals to vote and contest positions respectively.

While the letter was signed by Edwards, who has allegedly not been in Guyana for some 2 and a half years, the current General Secretary was adamant that his signature was forged.

“The signature was forged. I don’t want any issue clouding these elections, so my suggestion, based on the constitution, is that these elections are paused for 7 days, as per the con-

stitution, and this issue is rectified,” GTA President Campbell opined at the start of the EGM.

In turn, current GOA President K.A. JumanYassin said on the issue, “That letter should be in conformity with the constitution, and the constitution says that 7 days before the meeting, the Secretary General shall send to all associations the list of nominations and the agenda. The letter that was sent to me, dated 7th March 2023, has at the bottom H.E. Edwards, Hector Edwards Secretary General.

“I sent that letter to Hector and asked him whether he had signed it or authorised it. I asked him, ‘Did you sign this letter or authorise it?’, he said, ‘No one asked me to sign, as they did with other documents. I think you know my signature’,” Yassin revealed.

Yassin went on to relate, “Hector sent me this message, ‘Good afternoon, Juman, can you advise that the misinformation be cor-

rected? I have sought advice, and my next action will not reflect well on the GOA. Too many people are calling me, even from the media’.”

As such, Yassin explained, in his own opinion, the EGM should not proceed.

“He has not changed his position, and my contention is that the fact that he did not sign that letter, it is not valid, as it is not signed or authorised by the Secretary General,” Yassin said on why the election should not take place.

It was that statement that opened the figurative can of worms, with several Association representatives going back and forth on how the GOA should proceed.

However, while most accepted that Edwards’s signature was forged, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) President and GOA Presidential hopeful, Godfrey Munroe, had a different perspective. Munroe shared with the Council, “I think, ultimately, the Executive Committee

would’ve met, deliberated on a date for the election, which was basically endorsed by a Council. It was legitimately signed by the Secretary General, then that council met, we deliberated on the 17th, and fixed the date for the election.

“The presumption is that the Secretary General is a medium through which the Executive Committee communicates with the Council. The presumption was that we had made a decision and we were executing it, so there was no forgery, no mal-intention with that letter.

“So, to create the premise or position that there is some forgery or something, this Committee was just seeking to fulfil its mandate in the absence of the Secretary General, who was not here over two and a half years,” the GOA Presidential candidate further stated.

One poignant voice of reason came from Guyana Squash Association (GSA) President, David Fernandes, who called for a quick res-

Horse-racing season starts with record-breaking day

CWI to create separate Head Coach positions for men’s red-ball, white-ball formats

… recruitment to begin shortly

New records were set on the opening day of the new horse racing season by the promoting team of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) without a horse going on to the track.

After an uncertain start to the 2023 opening season, which was due to get underway since February, the inclement weather ceased, and the sport 'broke' out the gates, running at the Rising Sun Turf Club at Plantation Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice on Sunday 12th March.

It was the first time in

the history of the sport that jockeys whose horses finished first to fourth were weighed in(weight taken again) after the finish of each race in full view of the public in the winners’ enclosure. This measure was taken as horsemen had protested that jockeys are not weighing in after the race because they were not going out with the correct weight.

This perception, false or real, was put to rest on Sunday as Atif Baksh was appointed Parade Ring Clerk with duties to ensure that riders weigh in after each race. His duty was also to ensure that jockeys mount up on their booked horse on time,

and head down to the starting gates.

It was also the first time that two weigh scales for riders was used, and JJTRC's Nasrudeen 'Junior' Mohamed was the brain behind this innovation.

Jockeys were weighed in the view of the public in a newly constructed stand next to the Grandstand… Then their trainers took the saddle, weight bag, and cloth or blanket to saddle their horses.

‘Junior’ commented afterwards, "It was the smoothest race day ever we ever staged. I thanked my staff involved at the end of the day's proceedings. I am still shocked

how it was done. The staff did a magnificent job. All races were run off on time. There were a very few minor issues that were not dealt with immediately."

Junior pointed out, "Those issues were in our Post Mortem report. Horsemen such as Uncle Fazal also commented on the precision of the work done. He was assured this will be maintained moving forward. I would also like to thank patrons for their continued patronage.”

Junior added, "We were posting results after each race. This will continue, but will be more detailed moving forward."

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Wednesday announced that the role of Head Coach for the West Indies senior men’s teams will be split into two separate positions.

Recruitment will start immediately for a Red-Ball Head Coach for Test and A Team cricket, as well as a White-Ball Head Coach for One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) cricket.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket said: "After recently completing an independent review of our 2022 ICC World Cup performance, which included a closer look at the roles of the current Head Coach position, we believe it is now necessary to split the role and engage separate coaches for red- and white-ball formats. The increased frequency of backto-back multi-format tours combined with the specific demands of the respective formats no longer provides enough time for one individual to adequately plan, prepare and review across bilateral series and franchise itineraries that are so condensed.”

Adams added: “Separating the roles will also provide the Head Coaches with more time to oversee players’ ongoing development away from tours directly, and through increased engagement and planning with suit-

able high-performance programmes and coaches.”

According to Adams, the decision to separate the Head Coach roles was made with reference to the recommendation by the independent three-member World Cup Review Group to consider splitting coaching duties as one factor to help improve team preparation.

The World Cup Review Group was appointed by CWI to conduct a comprehensive review of the West Indies men’s team’s early exit from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year. The Group was chaired by Justice Patrick Thompson Jr, a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and included Brian Lara, the West Indies batting legend, along with former South African, Pakistan, and Sri Lankan international coach, Mickey Arthur.

The position of West Indies Men’s Head Coach became vacant when Phil Simmons resigned following the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, and he subsequently relinquished the post following the end of the West Indies tour of Australia last December. Andre Coley is the current Interim Head Coach for the recent Test series in Zimbabwe and the current multi-format tour of South Africa. Recruitment for both Head Coach positions is expected to commence shortly.

Jimmy Adams Andre Coley is the current interim Head Coach

Nasrudeen 'Junior' Mohamed Seven races were on the cards on Sunday last

Current GOA President, K.A. Juman-Yassin

GTTA President Godfrey Munroe

West Indies 4-Day Championship...

Guyana control T&T after Sinclair, Johnson and Bramble half-centuries

– 17 wickets crumble at Providence between Jamaica and Windwards

Captain Leon Johnson, Kevin Sinclair, and Anthony Bramble scored half-centuries as Guyana Harpy Eagles took first-day honours against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in round three of the West Indies Four-Day Championship.

Playing at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Guyana ended on 324 all out in 86.3 overs. Sinclair was the top scorer with 69 while Johnson made 62 and Bramble slammed 56. Keemo Paul and Kemol Savory also contributed with 46 and 44 respectively.

Earlier, Kevlon Anderson made his debut for Guyana Harpy Eagles. Openers Tevin Imlach and Matthew Nandu failed

to register big scores, as did Anderson. Imlach was caught in the slip cordon for four, while Anderson (06) was trapped at the crease by a swinging Darren Bravo delivery. Nandu made only 10 and Guyana were in a spot of bother at 33-3 in 17.1 overs.

The left-handed duo of Savory and Johnson then joined forces and added 97 runs for the fourth wicket. Savory was set on 44, but he edged one to first slip and was caught. Johnson, who made 62 from 99 balls, an innings that was decorated with 11 boundaries, was trapped by off-spinner Bryan Charles.

Bramble and his fellow Berbician, Sinclair added 79 runs as the duo played aggressive cricket. Bramble slammed seven fours and one six in his run-a-ball 56, as Red Force were on the back foot. However, despite the Guyanese attacking stroke-play, Red Force picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Sinclair and Paul came together at the crease at 219-6 after 66 overs. The right-handers continued to stroke boundaries and eventually added 88 runs together. Sinclair, who made a half-century in the last match in Grenada, ended on 69 from 96 balls, an innings which was laced with seven fours.

Kashif and Shanghai “One Guyana” futsal billed for Easter Sunday start

Paul departed for a 39ball 46, which had six fours and one six, as Red Force continued to chip away at the batting order. The bowlers in Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, and Nial Smith wagged the tail, but the veteran leg-spinner Imran Khan ensured the Harpy Eagles were bowled out before stumps on day one. Khan had 4-86 while Charles had 3-85. Uthman Muhammad had 2-31 in 13 overs. Trinidad survived the one over they had to bat on day one, ending on 7-0, trailing by 317 runs.

Meanwhile, in the match at Providence between Jamaica Scorpions and Windward Islands Volcanoes, 17 wickets crumbled on the opening day. Volcanoes posted 217 runs, with Alick Athanaze scoring 81 and Justin Greaves hitting 50. Seamer Derval Green picked up 5-30 in 11 overs. In response, Jamaica

were 98-7, trailing by 119 runs. Greaves returned with the ball to claim 4-34 in seven overs.

In the other match at Queen’s Park Oval, Barbados Pride were 2948 at stumps after 88 overs.

Shane Dowrich was unbeaten on 116 while Rahkeem Cornwall blew away Pride’s top order with figures of 6-50 in 24 overs. The second day of these matches will commence at 10:00h.

Thirty-two of the top futsal teams from Georgetown, West Demerara, the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, Berbice and Linden will head to Georgetown pretty soon for the Kashif and Shanghai “One Guyana” Futsal Tournament.

The tournament is set to commence on Easter Sunday, April 9 and will see teams vying for a whopping million-dollar grand prize.

One half of the K&S Organisation, Kashif Muhammad, during Wednesday’s launch at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Board Room on Main Street, Georgetown, spoke of the impact that the format could have on the sport and revealed some of their plans going forward.

“Futsal is an extremely important aspect of the development of football in the world. I read a book and they told you about Brazil,

the number 1 futsal nation on the planet. The success to their entire story in manufacturing top-class and world-class players, is because they all start at the futsal level and this is something that we, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, will be doing, collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,” Muhammad shared.

The renowned football organiser went on to disclose, “One of the things that we will be doing, we will be venturing big time into school futsal. So, very soon after this championship, we will see a nice inter-school futsal tournament being played.”

His business partner, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major went on to reveal the tournament prizes. With the eventual champions set to pocket $1 million, second place will receive $500,000. Third and fourth place will settle for $200,000 and $100,000 re-

spectively.

As is customary, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a motorcycle, while K&S will be following the trend of rewarding fans. However, the organisation has upped the number of lucky fans to six, all of whom will win motorcycles.

In addition, Frank “English” Parris revealed the tournament’s format and teams to expect.

“We tried to be as diverse as we can with the selecting of teams for the One Guyana National Futsal championship,” Parris shared.

He went on to add, “The tournament will be a round-robin starting on the ninth of April, finishing on the 20th of May and the finals will be kept on the National Park Tarmac. Of course, we will have four to five games every night. We will also try to include a female section coming to the knockout stages of the tournament.”

(Brandon Corlette)

Leon Johnson Derval Green took five wickets for Jamaica at Providence on Wednesday (Brandon Corlette photos)

Anthony Bramble Kevin Sinclair

Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, Frank “English” Parris, Colin Aaron, and Kashif Muhammad