Guyana Times - Thursday, March 7, 2024

UN Security Council meets on escalating violence in Haiti

…no consensus during talks with Haitian stakeholders – Caricom Chairman

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has held a closed-door meeting on the escalating gang violence in Haiti.

“Today the Security Council will hold a private meeting on Haiti, to discuss the alarming escalation in gang violence,” Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

He disclosed that the Head of the UN Mission in Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, will brief Council members during the meeting.

Following a massive

jailbreak in Haiti, which has resulted in thousands of inmates fleeing incarceration, Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that the regional bloc is bringing all its attention to resolving Haiti’s dilemma.

In recent days, armed gangs which had already been wreaking havoc in the Caribbean country stormed two prisons and released thousands of prisoners onto the already-troubled streets of Port-au-Prince, causing a State of Emergency to be declared. Based on re -

ports, at least one gang leader has threated “a civil war that will end in genocide” if Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry does not resign, and if the international community

in his country, the Haitian PM travelled to Kenya, where he signed an agreement to mobilise troops for the multinational force. However, violence in Portau-Prince has since esca -

continues to support him. The prime minister is currently stranded in Puerto Rico as flights in and out of Haiti remain cancelled up to Wednesday.

Drumming up support

After being in Guyana last week, drumming up support for a Caricombacked multinational force to help him restore order

said the worsening violence increases the need for the support force to be deployed as quickly as possible.

“The SecretaryGeneral's concern right

to political commitments,” Dujarric has posited.

He added that members of displaced families, most of whom are women and children, are traumatized, while access to food,

lated, with gangs attacking law enforcement and state institutions, including police stations and prisons.

UN Spokesperson

Dujarric has reiterated the need for urgent action, including financing for the multinational security support mission, to tackle the security needs of the people of Haiti. He

now is for the life and safety of the Haitian people. So, we need to have the situation on the ground calm. We need to have the multinational support force. I think it bears reminding… that a staggering 1,193 people have been killed in Haiti since the beginning of the year because of this man-made violence. There needs to be an adherence

healthcare, water and hygiene facilities and psychological support is among the most urgent need for civilians in Port-au-Prince.

“We and our humanitarian partners are mobilised, and have been delivering emergency aid, but the escalating violence is severely disrupting operations.

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric

Scenes from the most recent violence in Port-au-Prince

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Security, land matters top agenda – Pres Ali to Bartica miners, boat operators

…as Top Cop, other officials to do follow-up visits to address concerns

Security and land matters were at the top of the agenda when President Dr Irfaan Ali met with miners and boat operators in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Wednesday, with the Head of State promising the miners that their issues would be addressed and further consultations held.

The miners’ concerns include security, particularly in the wake of the deaths of gold miner Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff, 50, and his porter, Donovan Washington, 26.

President Ali, who was accompanied by Commissioner of Police(ag) Clifton Hicken, reassured the miners that their security would be addressed. At the same time, however, he urged them to network with each other when at their operations in the interior.

“One of the things that a lot of miners have now, is they have their own security. We’ve been facilitating the firearms for gold miners, security companies and

men were en route to Bartica.

According to the Police, the General Manager for Sheriff’s operation reported that about five minutes after his boss left camp, he heard several loud explosions which he suspected to be gunshots.

so on. (But) one of the weaknesses I find is that all you miners who’re mining in a locality, when you go into an area you have to build a network among yourselves.

“So that you can support each other… what I will do, I will let the Commissioner come. He’s right here, but he will come back and meet with miners and discuss ways we can have more collaboration,” the President said.

Sheriff and Washington were killed during a daring robbery at Arimu Backdam, Region Seven on Sunday. It was reported that two masked men, on a red AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV), carted off 102 ounces of raw gold valued at $37 million and two licensed firearms (a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun), property of Sheriff, a father of three of Byderabo Road, Bartica.

Investigations so far revealed that Sheriff was the owner of a six-inch land dredge operation at Arimu Backdam and he had ‘washed down’ on Sunday morning. He then left the camp along with Washington, also a father of three, of Seventh Avenue, Bartica, on an ATV. The

He said he went to investigate, and about 500 metres from the camp, found both Sheriff and Washington lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies. The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9mm spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.

The Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has since taken over the case and has been dispatched to the scene. Meanwhile, during the President’s visit to Bartica, he attended the funeral of Sheriff and also visited the home of Washington, where he met the grieving family.

Land

Other concerns were also raised about residential land allocation in Bartica, but according to the President, the Government is working hard to expand housing in available areas and build out infrastructure.

“Public lands are where we’re going. And that is why we have to go out a bit further, because that is where

the public land is available to develop the housing community. That is why also we’re expanding the infrastructure. So, we make it easier to get to those lands,” the President said.

“People who live in the US would tell you, you travel sometimes two hours in the morning in snow to get to work. In Guyana if you have to take a 10 minutes’ drive, it’s stress for you, or a five-minute drive. So, we

relevant information.

Prior to the 2020 elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) set itself a target of allocating 50,000 house lots in five years – a target the Government is well on its way to achieving. In fact, only a few days ago, the Housing Ministry allocated house lots to 150 residents of Bartica, who will soon call the new extension of the Five Mile Housing

have to work with what is available. Everybody would like to live in the centre. But we have to do what is realistic.”

When it comes to squatting, the President further assured that the Government was addressing the issue. Concerns were also raised by one resident about leased land in Four Mile, Bartica, with one of the staff accompanying the President being charged with collecting the

Scheme their home.

Further, some 38 families who had qualified for the Steel and Cement Subsidy initiative received their vouchers to aid with the construction of their homes. The subsidy is the brainchild of President Ali, to provide support in the form of building materials for Guyanese seeking to construct their homes, whether on Government allocated or private lands. (G3)

President Ali as he attended the funeral of 50-year-old miner Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff

President Dr Irfaan Ali as he met miners and boat operators during his visit to Bartica

The President also visited the home of the late 26-year-old porter Donovan Washington

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Single-use plastic bags

For many, if not most, a national ban on plastic bags may be a welcome initiative. Since 2020, it was reported that this has been under consideration with the updating of the Litter Regulations Act 2013 and the Expanded Polystyrene Regulations Act 2015. The proposed ban on “single-use” plastic bags has taken another turn, with the Environmental Protection Agency saying that, after numerous public consultations, there are now alternative methods/ strategies being considered.

Government has already taken the stance and banned Styrofoam containers, which for many years were clogging up the country’s drainage network. The environmentally damaging effects of plastic bags far outweigh their convenience. As we have already witnessed, plastic bags can increase the risk of flooding, and when the plastic is washed out into the ocean, it has negative impacts on hundreds of different species of marine life. There are many problems associated with plastic bags, which is why bans or fees are in place in many countries.

The oldest is in Denmark, which started in 1993, whereby charges are levied for the use of plastic bags. Ireland has perhaps the bestknown measure, which is the 2002 'bag tax'. Consumers would have to actually purchase bags. This resulted in a 90% drop in bag usage and a great reduction in litter. By 2007, usage was rising again, which led to an increase in the price of bags. Ireland and Denmark are just two successful examples, and many other countries across the world are following suit. The European Union had set the year 2019 for an 80% reduction of plastic bags. This means that virtually every European country had been considering ways to bring about reduction of plastic bag usage by then.

Many other countries have already taken the decision to place a ban on plastic bags, in fact, the then UK Prime Minister Theresa May had defended the country’s ‘long-term' plastic waste plan. The Prime Minister had said at the time, when she ruled the UK, that her longterm strategy included eradicating all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042, which would allow future generations to "enjoy a beautiful environment". Key to this is a crackdown on throwaway plastics. Under the UK Government's plan, supermarkets will be urged to introduce "plastic-free" aisles, while taxes and charges on single-use items such as takeaway containers will be considered. Other measures announced included a charge for plastic carrier bags to all retailers in England, Government funding for plastics innovation, and a commitment to help developing nations tackle pollution and reduce plastic waste, including through UK aid.

She had called plastic waste "one of the great environmental scourges of our time", adding: "In the UK alone, the amount of singleuse plastic wasted every year would fill 1,000 Royal Albert Halls." The PM had at the time added, too, that the Government had already reduced plastic bag usage by nine billion, and legislated to ban plastic microbeads used in cosmetics and cleaning products. Environmentalists there agree that the Government's plan to restore nature - not just safeguard nature - is genuinely radical.

Aside from being a national problem, the profusion of plastic waste is also a global issue, and the UN Oceans Chief Lisa Svensson has warned that life in the seas risks irreparable damage from a rising tide of plastic waste, and she urges firms and individuals to act far more quickly to halt plastic pollution. However, plastic bags are just one part of the problem - there are so many other types of plastic flowing through waterways. Svensson admitted that it could take 10 years to get a UN treaty agreed on plastic litter, and a further two years to get it implemented. In the meantime, she has urged that there be much stronger actions from civil society, putting pressure on business to change - they can, in turn, switch their supply chains. More importantly, the UN Representative emphasised the need for more individual governments to take urgent action too.

According to the BBC, Indonesia - the world's second biggest plastics polluter after China - has pledged to reduce plastic waste into the ocean by 75% by 2025. China is also looking at new policies to curb plastic waste, after a decade-long campaign failed to show results. While countries grapple with individual challenges and issues with enforcement, experts suggest that countries tackle the issues through mandatory education programmes and public awareness; if not, then regulations for curbing plastic in future might not work.

The main driver behind bag bans is to lower how much plastic finds its way into the marine world. About 94% of all birds have plastic in their stomachs, which is also found in the stomachs of many endangered species. At least 267 different species of animals have suffered as a result of ingestion of or entanglement with plastic. In fact, these results caused Australia to ban bags locally in 2003 in an effort to protect the migrating whales in Tasmania. It comes as welcome news that Guyana will now join in the drive to ban plastic bags.

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang, along with staff of the High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana, paid floral tribute to late President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan on his 27th death anniversary (India’s High Commission photos)

GTU owes our children and this nation an apology

Dear Editor, I'm writing to express how deeply disgusted I am with the recent teachers' strike that the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) organized. The obvious facts of this strike went against the GTU's claims to be an advocate for our teachers’ welfare. It is evident that the teachers themselves, the very people the GTU claims to defend and serve, were the ones who suffered the most from this action, not the union or the Government.

If the GTU had contin-

ued negotiating with the Government, it could have easily avoided this entire situation. The GTU, having ended the negotiations at an important point, was not only reckless, but also showed a lack of commitment to a meaningful resolution.

The behaviour of the GTU raises serious concerns about its intentions, and also serves to damage the trust that is necessary for any meaningful conversation regarding the wellbeing of the nation's teachers.

In addition, given the

GTU's initial bad faith decision to end negotiations, it appears funny that the Government is now expected to respond in good faith. This expectation seems unjust and out of balance, especially in light of the union's first approach to the issue.

Lastly, there are indications that the strike has political motivations, and that finding has added a degree of complication to an already difficult issue. This would suggest a blatant disrespect for our teachers’ welfare and achievement in school, using them as just

pawns in a larger political strategy.

In conclusion, I ask of the GTU, in keeping with the court outcome, to return to the discussion table with sincerity; and, above all, consider the welfare of the nation's children. They deserve nothing less than our combined efforts to make sure their education continues uninterrupted, and that any previous choices made by the GTU will not harm their future.

Sincerely,

Alvin Hamilton

Utterly disgraceful treatment at the court

Dear Editor, I was summoned as a witness to appear in court at the Election Fraud Case today (6th March), and was required to be present at the court at 8:30a.m.

On arrival, I was shown by a Police Sargeant to a school bench downstairs (described as a waiting room), and was informed that the court was not yet open. As I sat there in increasing discomfort, I noted that the various lawyers involved began rolling in around 9:30am to 10:00am, including the lead defence

lawyer Mr. Nigel Hughes.

There is a long flight of two sets of stairs to get to the court, and this is hardly suitable for an elderly person. Having heard nothing further, at about 10:00am, I made the effort to climb the stairs and enter the courtroom, which is at least airconditioned and has chairs, to discover that arguments were still proceeding, leading to the eventual postponement by the magistrate to the 2nd April, 2024.

While in the court, my name was called, and I re-

marked that I was present in the court and fed-up for having been made to wait in this fashion at my age.

I write this letter to point out that it is utterly disgraceful for the court to summon anyone, never mind anyone at my age, to be present at 8:30am when the magistrate and the lawyers involved presume to attend court much later than the time the witnesses are summoned; and, worse, that absolutely no provision is made for elderly persons attending the court.

I was made to suffer similar indignity when attending a traffic court for a case which has been ongoing since last year February; which was not my fault, since two cars ran into the back of my car. To date, that case is yet to be settled.

It is, in my view, certainly time that the Chancellor of the Judiciary revisit the administration of our courts in what is supposed to be a civilized country.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Proliferation of daily verbosities

Dear Editor, Reference is made to GHK Lall’s column published on March 4, 2024 with the caption “Bursting the Bharrat Jagdeo bubble”. The author GHK Lall hardly, if at all, writes anything worthy of response in terms of engaging him in any meaningful public debate, discussion, or analysis. On this occasion, however, for the readers’ benefit, I would like to make an exception, to illustrate the degree of venomous verbosity spewed on a daily basis by this particular author.

The author provided absolutely no meaningful, rigorous and in-depth contribution to his own subject, if it is that he intended to offer a constructive criticism or critical evaluation of the Vice President’s performance; the article was fraught with 99% venomous verbiage. This does not constitute serious analytical reasoning and evaluation of public policy and issues of national importance, matters

of which the author asserts himself as an authority.

Notwithstanding, the author’s exposition of his prolific skills in the deployment of linguistics that characterize his writing style is perhaps more suited to fictional novels than to issues of national importance, development, public policy and debates.

He then attempted to raise the question of oil spill - a belaboured topical issue. The argument on the liability coverage thereof is an infinite argument; what is of utmost importance, however, is that the operator in the Stabroek block and its co-venture partners are all fully liable in any such event of a spill. Ultimately, these matters are always the subject of litigation, and international laws are often invoked. This was the case in almost all of the major oil spill catastrophes that occurred in the past in different parts of the world.

The local laws, namely the

Environmental Protection Act and the Petroleum Activities Act (2023), contain several provisions mandating that the oil companies shall keep the State indemnified at all times against all liabilities that may be brought against it by reason of action or the manifestation of any adverse event arising out of the oil companies’ operations.

Further, on the question of whether the oil companies have sufficient financial resources to cover a spill, this is where the Vice President, on several occasions, demonstrated the local subsidiaries’ financial position, which is growing year-over-year in terms of size in total assets, revenue and profit, coupled with the growth and development of the parent companies. In that regard, one of the parent companies alone, namely ExxonMobil, closed FY 2023 with a total asset of US$372 billion, which is nearly 19x the size of Guyana’s GDP.

Unjustified and unsubstantiated accusations

There are several elements of assurance required as per the local laws, such as the insurance coverage (US$600m) and the parent company guarantee (US$2b). Of note, as the oil companies expand their operations over the medium and long terms, these coverages would be revised upwards to reflect the increased levels of risk based on the size of the operations.

Unfortunately, the aforesaid elements are often ignored by the media and commentators such as GHK and Glenn Lall et al in the interest of propagating their own rhetoric consistent with their overt or covert agendas.

In conclusion, 99% of the article was a myriad of baloney, which is unarguably the case with all of his articles and columns. There is nothing whatsoever of substance to systematically deconstruct, even within a minimum threshold.

Yours respectfully,

Joel Bhagwandin

Two sides of the same coin

Dear Editor,

Over the past few days, two events took place that have once more brought to the fore the issue of race, class and politics.

The first of these was the outburst of Mr Hamilton Green at a conference commemorating the 101st birth anniversary of Forbes Burnham. At that event, Mr Green, in praising Burnham’s performance, urged his gathering to do as Burnham did and rig elections to get power. As he put it, that is to put Afro-Guyanese pon top.

Green even spoke of his own role in the violence of 1962 which, according to him, was inspired by Burnham. He recalled that before the riots of 1962, Burnham spoke to a young man (presumably Green) and asked, “Why is the city so quiet?” Mayhem broke out after, according to Green.

The other event was a review of a book by an IndianNationalist, Clem Seecharran. It was reviewed by another nationalist, Baytoram Ramharack. This book is about Cheddi Jagan, another of our politicians who, like Burnham, played a central role in the politics of our country.

This group (IndianNationalist) has a lot in common with the Afro-Nationalist group. They want to put Indians pon top. These two groups are actually on the two sides of the same coin.

The major difference is their attitudes to Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham.

As I noted above, the AfroNationalist idolize Burnham. They sing his praises loudly, even when many of the measures he took pauperised our country and made it one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

It does not matter to them

that he worked with the colonialists against the national movement that was fighting for independence. It does not matter that he used his influence to work with the CIA and fomented racial riots, the legacy of which still affects us. For them, he put the Black Man “pon top”.

On the other hand, the Indian-Nationalists hate Cheddi Jagan. They cannot ever forgive him for not pursuing a racist political line. They despise his working class and patriotic stance.

In fact, these same IndianNationalists shower praises on Burnham for working against our country and siding with colonial and imperial forces so that he would be made the Prime Minister. Their admiration for treachery and calling it ‘cleverness’ is really astonishing.

The Indian-Nationalists’ hatred for Jagan can also be seen by how much they admire and lavish praises on Indian leaders of that period who were rejected by the people and who collaborated with the imperialist power and with Burnham. One case that comes to mind is Dr. Balwant Singh.

Immediately after the Wismar disaster in May of 1964, when thousands of Indians were evacuated from the mining town to Georgetown at Ruimveldt Industrial Site, Dr. Singh went to try to instigate the victims to adopt racism and to condemn Dr. Jagan and the PPP. (It was the same Balwant Singh who disappeared the bullet that killed Inspector McLeod during the postmortem. He was at the service of the British). The people chased him away, they supported Dr. Jagan’s call for racial and working-class unity.

For that, the IndianNationalists have a disdain for

Indo-Guyanese working people because of their unstinting support for Jagan. They fabricate all kinds of airy-fairy theories.

For instance, they say that Indians should not have supported Dr. Jagan’s politics because Indians are natural businesspeople. That is sheer junk. The vast majority of Indian Guyanese, I dare say more than 90%, are workers and farmers. Indeed, they worked and still work in some of the most difficult jobs in this country.

It is not surprising that they grasped the message of Dr. Jagan and supported and continue to support his brand of politics.

The few Indian businesspeople who supported Dr. Jagan could be described the way Cheddi described them, as patriotic capitalists. These were people that opposed foreign intervention.

What those two groups are trying to do is to obscure the class issue in politics by covering it with the racial blanket.

The PNC leadership and those Afro-nationalists outside the PNC are really capitalist by nature. In all the years they have been in power, they used the state apparatus to enrich themselves. It is for that reason Dr. Jagan had categorized them as a Bureaucratic Capitalist Elite. They formed alliances with some of the rich Indian businesses and even foreign businesses (Note the Exxon Deal) to further their own enrichment.

In the process they have pauperized all the working people of our country, including the Afro-Guyanese masses.

Therefore, their racial appeal is designed to hide their real intention, which is to enrich themselves and their co-

horts in the local and foreign private sector while holding on to support from the Afroworking people. This is the main purpose of their racism.

The Indian-Nationalist are working hard to push the PPP on the same path. Some of them have great wealth and would like to see the PPP transformed ideologically as a party similar to the PNC. They, like their counterparts in the Afro-Guyanese community, have no care for the working class, including the Indian working class, whom they despise because of their loyalty to Dr. Jagan’s working-class ideology.

The manoeuvring of these two groups proves the point that the PPP has been the only force that consistently fought for national and working-class unity. The real Afro- and Indopatriots can be found in the PPP/Civic.

At a public meeting on June 17th, 1964, during the height of racially instigated violence, Cheddi Jagan said that many people (Indian) approached him and were advocating that the PPP take the same stance as the PNC. He said, “…I can understand their fears (Indians) and their feelings, but I have had to tell them that the PPP was not interested in putting Indians on top, but to see justice for all!” He went on to say that “…the solution to the problems of this country lies in the unity of the working class…” He died with that conviction!

We must reject the politics of these two race centred groups. Guyanese have a bright future if we succeed in uniting all our people as Cheddi Jagan worked for throughout his life.

Sincerely,

Donald Ramotar

Dear Editor, I’ve taken note of a series of attacks in the print media against the Ministry of Agriculture and NDIA. While I understand that Government agencies are not exempted from scrutiny, these writers seem hell-bent on tarnishing the name of those charged with managing these two important entities.

In an article published in the letters to the editor column in the March 5th, 2024 issue, another letter writer, whom I believe is someone with a hidden agenda utilizing a pseudonym, made a slew of unjustified and unsubstantiated accusations against the ministry. I am not here to join the tribe of monkeys who find pleasure in these distasteful writings; I’m here seeking solid proof to back up these claims.

The writer accused the NDIA of purchasing the wrong equipment and tools. I request that the writer provide a detailed list of such, so that these claims can be verified by this publication, and published if they are indeed true.

The writer, in his missive, also accused several NDIA engineers of benefitting from bribes in the form of overseas vacations to approve non-working and unsuitable equipment as well as payments for non-performance. Again I ask, “Where is the evidence?” Present them to us, so that the relevant authorities can take the necessary action.

On the issue of pumps that are alleged to have arrived from China, can the writer confirm this? Is the writer employed within the NDIA? Is the writer a contractor bidding for a particular contract to supply pumps? Was the writer part of the design process for the projects in the areas these pumps are expected to service?

And might I add that, given the Government’s ongoing issues with several pumps procured by the previous administration under an India line of credit, which is being dealt with at the highest levels, it would not be in the best interest of the NDIA to procure pumps that do not meet the required specifications.

I therefore call upon the writer to provide us with the project(s) design, specifications for these alleged Chinese pumps, and the specifications that he claims are required for the project that these alleged Chinese pumps were bought for.

As someone who worked in a Government agency and dealt with the procurement of these types of equipment for several years, I can say that a consultant is usually involved in the process. So, while the engineer will have to give their input, their input goes hand in hand with that of a consultant.

On the issue of the Andrews Pump Station on the Essequibo Coast, I was able to reach out to a foreman attached to the contractor for this project. While hesitant, he confirmed that the company is now paying liquidated damages because of the delays in the project. I commend the ministry for taking action.

I will not address the accusation made about the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer. Those matters were addressed by the ministry in a prior publication, and have no merit, as those accusations were confirmed to be inaccurate.

We must be wary of the things we say in hopes of garnering attention from the public. All accusations should be accompanied by solid evidence; otherwise, they are seen as baseless attacks.

Yours sincerely,

Ron McKenzie

Page Foundation

Ordered pairs cont’d

HExploring gravity

old up a small stuffed animal. Drop it on the floor. What happened?

The force of gravity continuously pulls things down towards the ground.

Next, toss the stuffed animal up into the air and then let it fall to the ground.

How did the toy fall to the ground this time? Research the force you used to toss the stuffed animal up and the force of gravity that pulled it down to the ground.

Jump straight up as high as you can. How did you feel? How much energy did you use to jump? Were you able to jump very high? How does a rocket get so high? Why can’t you jump as high?

It takes an incredible amount of energy to launch a rocket to overcome Earth’s gravity. In a rocket engine, when ignited rocket fuel heats up, rapidly expanding gases are forced out of the tail of the rocket. This generates the upward thrust which pushes the rocket into the air.

In this activity, use moving air blown through a straw to provide the thrust. You need a jumbo straw, small clay ball, and labels. Use the clay to stop up one end of the straw. This is the nose of the rocket. Fashion a nose cone by cutting one of the labels in half and wrapping it around the top of the straw, covering the clay.

Cut the remaining label in half. Use those halves along with the half label left over from the nose cone to make fins. Fins are at the opposite end of the rocket’s nose. Attach one end of the label to the straw, fold and crease the piece in half, and attach the remaining bit of label to the straw. Position three fins around the base of the straw.

Now you are ready to launch! Bend the neck of the flexible drinking straw to a right angle. Next, slide the long end of the straw into the base of the rocket.

Before you blow into the short end of the drinking straw to launch, make sure you have plenty of room and that no one is in the way of an incoming rocket. Count down 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, blast off!

What did you observe?

Measure out a flight zone with masking tape so you can see how far your rocket travels in future flights. Launch again.

Where did the rocket go? How high? How far down the flight zone? What could you change about your rocket or your launch to make it go higher or travel farther? Modify your rocket, trying different launch angles, blowing harder, or redesigning something different to test. Keep launching and revising and then discuss how your ideas and changes worked or didn’t work.

(Excerpt from startwithabook.org)

WORD SEARCH

Salary deduction during strike case

Judge allows GTUC to join court proceedings filed by GTU

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has been successful in its application to join the legal proceedings filed by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) against the Government of Guyana.

High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon on Wednesday granted the application, filed by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde on behalf of the GTUC. The GTU last month moved to the court to block the Education Ministry from cutting the salaries of those teachers who had been on strike for the past four weeks, calling for increased pay as well as to reverse a decision made by the MoE to stop deducting union dues from teachers’ salaries and remitting same to the GTU.

In a statement, Forde said Justice Kissoon has rejected the contention of Darshan Ramdhani, K.C.,

who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General of Guyana, that the GTUC ought not to be joined, since it did not have any legal interest in the proceedings and could not make any useful contribution to the case. Forde argued that the GTUC has a legitimate and sufficient interest in the legal proceedings which were filed by the Guyana Teachers Union;

and Justice Sandil Kissoon was of the view that the Notice of Application and the Affidavit in Support of the GTUC had detailed its interest, and that the GTUC ought not to be regarded as a meddlesome busybody.

In its Affidavit in Support of the Notice of Application, the GTUC said it is the largest umbrella organisation of trade unions in Guyana, with a membership of 14 trade unions. The GTUC said it is also required by law to engage in the process of collective bargaining with employers, including the Government of Guyana in its capacity as an employer.

The GTUC contended that the legal issues raised in the case filed by the GTU would involve the examination of the nature of and extent of the Constitutional fundamental Rights of Association

UN Security Council meets on...

Our humanitarian colleagues also advised they’re concerned about the impact of the violence on hospitals, health centres and schools in Portau-Prince and some other neighbouring areas in Haiti…Humanitarian organizations need unhindered access to the most vulnerable people now,” the UN official has stated.

No consensus

Meanwhile, at the regional level, the Caribbean Community continued engagements with Haitian stakeholders on Wednesday, but according to the Caricom Chairman, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, those engagements have not been fruitful.

“We have been working on this around the clock for the last three days, and in spite of many, many meetings, we have not been able to meet any form of consensus between the Government and the respective stakeholders in the Opposition, private sector, civil society and religious bodies,” Ali said during an update on Wednesday.

He described the current situation in Haiti as “complex, with many moving parts”, a situation that is compounded by the absence of key institutions functioning, such as the Presidency and the Parliament. This, he added, is further underlined

by the outbreaks of violence and the lack of humanitarian aids.

According to the Caricom Chairman, all Haitian stakeholders have been implored about the urgent need for a consensus, given their agreement that the solution must be Haitian-led and Haitianowned.

President Ali has also underscored the important role the international community has to play in resolving the crisis in Haiti.

“Consensus, and getting a consensus, is therefore of paramount importance. We recognise that there must be a political solution to anchor any stabilization of the security and humanitarian efforts…It is clear that Haiti, even with a home-grown solution, will need the support of not just Caricom, but the international community. But to get there, we must have consensus among the key players in Haiti,” he said.

“We in Caricom are fully committed to utilising all our efforts, and all our energies are dedicated as a collective on this pressing matter of Haiti,” the Guyanese Leader assured.

Haiti has been engulfed in turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The streets have since been overrun by gangs, and there has been a continuous cycle of violence.

During the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference

and Assembly, property, and the Constitutional Rights of Trade Unions to enter into Collective Agreements and for their workers to strike.

Consequently, it noted that the determination of these significant and important legal issues would impact the operations of each of the constituent members of the GTUC, and the rights of the approximately 27,000 employees who are members of the unions under the Guyana Trades Union Congress.

of Heads of Government in Guyana last week, support for Haiti was one of the priority issues on the agenda.

In fact, President Ali was vocal throughout the meeting in rallying other regional Heads of Government to provide much-needed assistance to Haiti, in order to restore the beleaguered nation to some semblance of normalcy.

At the end of the Caricom conference, it was disclosed that “major steps” were taken to move the political process in Haiti, with Prime Minister Henry committing to holding general elections no later than August 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, during the regional conference, US Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who was in Guyana, had also revealed that during extensive discussions with Haitian PM Henry (who was in Guyana for the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting), discussions had centred on the needs of the Haitian people and the political process to restore democracy and free and fair elections to Haiti.

The Ambassador had also related that Benin, a West African country that shares commonalities with Haiti, such as language and religion, has offered to join the coalition looking to help restore order in Haiti with the contribution of up to 2000 troops. (G8)

The Guyana Teachers Union had, for more than four weeks, been engaged in countrywide strike action for increased salaries for teachers. Last week, Justice Kissoon appointed two mediators

in the persons of Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo and Senior Counsel Robin Stoby to engage the Education Ministry and the GTU with the aim of finding a solution to end the impasse.

Earlier this week, the two parties reached an agreement for teachers to return to their classrooms by March 6, and for talks to continue between the GTU and the MoE.

The Education Ministry has said it is aiming to have constructive engagements with the GTU when they meet today on a series of issues, including increased salaries for teachers.

In a statement issued after the mediation had concluded, the Education Ministry disclosed, “The Ministry of Education welcomes this decision, even as it notes that it is unfortunate that this matter had to be determined by the court, where the outcome mirrors exactly what the Ministry has been saying even before the strike began: that the Ministry is happy to continue with the healthy and constructive conversations that have been ongoing, and which have produced several noteworthy results

that ensured to the benefit of teachers.”

It has been added that both parties would meet at the MoE boardroom within 48 hours of the resumption of duties to discuss relevant matters of interest.

GTU President Mark Lyte had told media operatives that financial matters are foremost on the agenda to be ventilated. Previously, the GTU had proposed 41 areas identified for better working conditions for teachers. Over the three years, the Education Ministry has fulfilled 25 of those requests. The areas in which the MoE and the GTU have not reached an agreement include: salary increases for some scales (MoE has gone above GTU’s request for some scales); allowances; rehired teachers being paid at the scale that they retired at; housing fund (which the Union has repeatedly failed to give a way forward for, although the fund has a few hundred million dollars put there by the Government); salary scales for different HoDs and Sixth Form Deputy Heads; payment for the marking of SBAs; and house lots for teachers in each new housing scheme. (G8)

General Secretary of the GTUC, Lincoln Lewis

Justice Sandil Kissoon

Evaluation of Amaila Falls Hydro Project still ongoing –PM

Evaluation of the four companies that want to be prequalified for the 165-megawatt (MW) Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) is still ongoing, according to Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.

Back in December, four companies – Rialma S.A. (Grupo Rialma) from Brazil; China International Water & Elec. Corp; Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc, and a group made up of OEC, GE Vernova and Worley – had submitted tenders to be prequalified for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

Government has since been evaluating the proposals received. PM Phillips, whose office is the procuring agency for this project, told Guyana Times on Wednesday that this process is still ongoing.

“We’re still doing the evaluation of the tenders that we received…[This process would last for] maybe another two to three weeks or so, because it’s a complex project. A hydropower project is a complex project, so they have to do the evaluation properly.

But as soon as that part it finished, we will make an announcement,” the Prime Minister has said.

Back in October 2023, the Request for Proposals

(RFP) for the construction of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model was launched. According to published documents from the Prime Minister’s Office, the project would integrate and expand Guyana Power and Light’s national grid capacity to include Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Companies were asked to submit one proposal based on a BOOT model, which includes the construction of a hydro dam, trans -

mission lines from Amaila to Linden, plus sub-stations at the Amalia site as well as upgrades and completion of roads and bridges to the site. According to documents, the hydro project may be re-engineered to take account of changes in turbine technology, thus allowing more than 165MW to be generated and transmitted.

It was further noted that the RFP will be conducted in three stages: Stage 1: Pre-qualification of parties capable of undertaking each of the above

(hydro and transmission lines/ substations. Prequalification would be conducted on a rolling basis, following which prequalified candidates would be allowed access to the data room.

Stage 2: Prequalified parties would be asked to provide feedback on the preliminary project structure and project documents. This response would be used to revise the initial project structure and project documents to issue the final RFP by January 31, 2024.

Stage 3: Formal RFP submissions based on the final project structure and contractual documents –due 45 days after issuance of the final project.

On the cards since 2011

The AFHP – a brainchild of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, has been on the cards since 2011. However, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) Opposition parties, having a one-seat majority in 2014, barred the project from becoming a reality.

The PPP/C had outlined the resuscitation of the project in its 2020 Election Manifesto. Fast forward to 2021, the Cabinet granted a no-objection for the Prime Minister’s Office to engage the China Railway Group Limited to construct the hydro project. However, those discussions ended in a deadlock when the company wanted to change the model.

According to reports, the company was unable to secure the necessary financing for the BOOT model, thus it requested to change the contract to an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.

At the time, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made it clear that the Government was not keen on the EPC option, since the BOOT model would allow the Administration to assume low risk.

Careening towards…

M…Armageddon?

ad Maduro’s minions just announced a date for Venezuela’s elections - July 28. The Barbados Agreement he’d signed with the United Opposition parties had specified the “second half of 2024” – so he was cutting it mighty close. But the date – picked out of twenty that had been suggested by his party and allies – wasn’t unexpected, since it is the birthday of Hugo Chavez!! That alone gives a huge boost to Mad Maduro, since the cult of Chavismo still moves the masses and the armed forces!! He’s counting that with the country festooned with images of Chavez alongside his, it’s gonna be very difficult for them to not put their “X” for the party Chavez founded.

The elephant in the (elections) room, however, remains whether the major Opposition figure Rosario Machado will be allowed to participate. The Barbados Agreement had specified “the parties recognize and respect the right of each political actor to choose their candidate for the presidential elections freely and in accordance with their internal mechanisms”. The hugely popular Machado had overwhelmingly won the Opposition primaries last year to earn that right, but Mad Maduro’s state machinery used the caveat on the above agreement on candidates - “taking into account the provisions of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the law” – to railroad her!! The institutions deciding whether Machado had violated any of “Venezuela’s laws” are all, of course, under Mad Maduro’s thumb!!

With any other Opposition candidate running against him – even with Machado’s support - Mad Maduro would’ve boosted his chances of slipping back into office. We now have to wait for the other foot to drop – Uncle Sam’s size twelves!! At Machado’s original disqualification, the US immediately rolled back part of the sanctions it had lifted – the one having to do with gold exports - and threatened that if she weren’t allowed to run, Chevron and other foreign oil companies’ licences, that expire end April, would not be renewed!! These companies have offered Mad Maduro a lifeline out of the economic meltdown Venezuela had suffered after Chavez had kicked out the foreign companies that had the capital and expertise PDVSA had haemorrhaged under Chavez and Maduro’s ministrations!!

Up to now, Mad Maduro’s been talking fat: he’s counting on Biden not rocking the oil-import cart to have gas prices at the pump rise, with elections due in November. March 25 is the deadline for candidates to register – and so the US doesn’t have much time to signal its move to ensure free and fair elections in Venezuela.

Another six years of Mad Maduro’s reign – with drug running at the highest levels; criminal gold syndicatos; PDVSA’s revenues stolen by army controllers; destabilization of neighbours; etc – cannot stand!! Bun, Mad Maduro!!

…anarchy?

For more than two hundred years after slavery, to become a Civil Servant was the dream of the freed slaves and their descendants. This wasn’t only wukking for the white man who lorded over them, but the RULING white man who lorded even those who ran the plantations and businesses!! To not only BE in their presence, but almost rub shoulders as they scribbled away at their journal entries was to be in heaven!! And when they descended back to their homes, they NEVER let their neighbours forget it!! They cultivated the mores and manners of the whites, and snottily kept themselves apart.

But it all fell apart when they followed the despised masses and formed unions to bargain for money. They forgot that even if they’d been living in poverty, it was a GENTEEL poverty – and they could keep up their airs!! And look where it’s led them! Not only banging tables and behaving bad after losing elections – but loudly playing soca music!!

What next?? Bangalee Babu??

…cultural oblivion?

So, why’d the authorities launch a Literary Festival - around the Guyana Prize awards - but no one was told about it via the mass media?? Was that meant to keep out the unwashed hoi polloi – and create a new GENTEEL stratum?

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

Magistrate

Election fraud case

now refers request

for GECOM’s minutes to High Court

…prosecution says minutes sought by defence of no benefit to case

Magistrate Leron Daly, who is presiding over the 2020 election fraud case, has referred a request from the defence team for Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) minutes, to the High Court in light of “constitutional considerations”.

The minutes sought by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes pertain to those taken before, during and after the tabulation process that followed the 2020 General and Regional Election at Ashmin’s Building. The request had been communicated to the prosecution last week and on Monday, when the hearing was supposed to start, made known to the wider public.

When the matter came up before Daly again on Wednesday, she referred the matter to the High Court to determine whether Section 140 (2) of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) clashed with constitutional considerations pertaining to the right to a fair trial and the disclosure of the documents, which are in GECOM’s possession.

Section 140 (2) of ROPA states that “No evidence of any deliberations of the Elections Commission or

communications between members of the Commission regarding its business shall be admissible in any court”.

In an interview with Guyana Times following the decision, Special Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani, KC, made it clear that if the GECOM minutes were in his possession, he would happily give them to the defence. However, Ramdhani noted that the minutes do nothing to help the defence’s case and called its request nothing more than a delaying tactic.

“We do believe that the minutes that they’re seeking from GECOM really takes their defence nowhere. We believe that this, coming at this stage, is an attempt to delay and derail this matter. We, of course, are bound by the order of the Magistrate, which indicates whether ROPA, Section 140 (2) interferes with the right to a fair trial. The Magistrate felt that that matter had to be determined. And the Magistrate sent that matter to the High Court,” the Special Prosecutor said.

Ramdhani recalled that it was then Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who had ordered disclosure of evidence as far back as nearly two years ago. He noted that

the defence got all the necessary documents and evidence as a result of this order. Ramdhani also pointed out that it was the defence who previously resisted efforts to have Statements of Poll (SoPs) provided to the prosecution.

“I made an application to the Chief Justice and the High Court heard this application. You would recall that Mr Lowenfield resisted this application. Mr Hughes appeared on his behalf and contested this application, trying to get the court not to release copies to us as the prosecution,” Ramdhani said.

“The Chief Justice, of course, as you know its history now, rejected their opposition and released certified copies of the GECOM

Statements of Poll and Recount to the prosecution.

It enabled us to then disclose, of course, these documents, video evidence, certified copies of Statements of Poll and Recount and the statements of all the witnesses.”

That being said, Ramdhani expressed hope that the matter is treated with the urgency it deserves, especially since these cases were filed since 2020. Ramdhani was hopeful that by the time they have to return to the Magistrate’s Court for the next hearing on April 2, 2024, the High Court matter could be dealt with.

“Going forward, we hope that the question, of course, will reach the High Court with some alacrity.

The Magistrate, of course, understands. And she has given assurances that this will be done very quickly,” Ramdhani said.

“And we expect that when it gets to the High Court, GECOM will ,of course, I suppose, respond to this in court. And the matter will have to be dealt with in the High Court as to whether or not those documents, which we say take their defence nowhere, (should be disclosed).”

The defendants in the election fraud cases are former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his former deputy Roxanne Myers, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda

Lawrence; PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise BabbCummings, and Michelle Miller.

They are accused of a number of offences, including misconduct while holding public office, presenting falsified documentation, and planning to manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total.

These charges stemmed from attempts to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition. These accused persons are all out on cash bail. (G3)

Qatari hotel land

GLSC asserts Govt owns Carifesta Avenue land

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) on Wednesday sought to reiterate the State’s ownership of lands located on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown that are to be sold to the tune of $2 billion to Qatari investors for the construction of the US$300 million Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Center.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been claiming that it owns the land earmarked for this project – something Government has debunked and the GLSC had previously presented evidence to prove this.

But given the persistence by City Hall, the Lands and Surveys Commission, on Wednesday, submitted transport documents and detailed in length the distribution/ownership of the lands in the area to once again refute the M&CC’s claim.

See below the full press release from The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the claims by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to the Carifesta Avenue lands.

Further to our previous missive on the captioned subject, we are again forced to offer further clarifications.

The GLSC holds Transport Number 235 of 1863 (Deeds Registry Number) 30 of 1863 (Department of Lands and Mines Number) for two plots of land at Plantation Thomas called out as Lot Number One containing 240 ½ acres and Lot Number Two containing 5 acres, these are said to be shown on a Plan by C Chalmers, Crown Surveyor dated June 1863.This transport was passed by the Attorneys for Phillip Charles Cavan, Neville Lubbock, Henry Mc Chelery, and William Renuie of London for 1000 dollars. (Not Quintin Hogg who was born in 1945 and would have only been about 18 years old).

Plantation Thomas was initially very large and in-

cluded Alberttown and Queenstown which were later divided, Queenstown by the Town Council.

The said Transport is annotated to say that Lot Number Two was transported by Government to Quintin Hogg by Transport Number 52 of 1886. This consists of 5 acres only. It means therefore that the remaining 240.5 acres is still held by the Government.

GLSC never said that Mr Hogg transferred those 5 acres to the M&CC, in fact we are not too bothered about who it went to because there is no endorsement on Hogg’s Transport of him transferring it further. The GLSC also has a copy of the advertisement in the Official Gazette of August 1,1863 whereby the Transport was advertised for passing as required.

A main condition of the said Transport was that the Government was responsible for the maintenance of the Sea Dam and Bridges. The lands being adjacent to it.

The M&CC released a copy of the last page of the said Transport, claiming that the lands at

Carifesta Avenue belongs to the Council under that Transport. Those with knowledge of the subject would understand that one needs to read the first two pages to determine where

and how much land is referred to.

The GLSC has examined the actual Transport that has been in its possession for some time now, and the back page seems to match Transport 337 of 1886. The GLSC has used this Transport many times as a reference whenever the Commission deals with Surveys and Lands Transactions in Plantation Thomas.

The Council, however, did not refer to the contents of the Transport, herein where the mischief is being perpetuated. GLSC will now seek to give the location and the amount of land referred to.

The said Transport is referenced as Number 337 of 22nd December, 1887 (Demerara) and describes three portions of land as follows:

Firstly 15 Acres, being Part of Pln. Thomas as shown on a Plan by J P

Prass, dated 8th December 1887 SLS. This plan is lodged at the Deeds Registry and is referenced by all subsequent surveys in the area. The area herein being called “Non Pariel Park” with conditions that the said land can only be used for Public Park, Gardens and such like.

Secondly 18.035 acres on the same Plan, marked “A”

Thirdly 10.235

acres on the same Plan marked “B”

There are some other conditions pertaining to bridges, access and drainage which are not very relevant at this time.

The total area is approximately 43 acres. This is said to be shown on a Plan by JP Prass, Crown Surveyor and lodged at the Deeds Registry, all references to this plan by a succession of surveyors says it was seen at the Deeds Registry, the GLSC does not have it on

their records. It was not compulsory then to lodge it with GLSC although many such records were subsequently obtained. Surveyors are basically trained to conduct research and retrace property with limited information and this is done by examining every piece of available record found.

Prior to the passing of the said Transport, a survey was initiated on behalf of the Council by Luke Hill, Town Superintendent and Sworn Land Surveyor, (acting for the Mayor and Town Council) in 1886 which pre-empts the intended Transfer from Quintyn Hogg, quoted on plan as the owner. This plan (Number 2253) shows a survey diagram that clearly defines the location of the lands to be transferred, it also offers explanatory notes to that effect, a certified copy of this plan is part of the GLSC records.

That plan shows the area as being from Camp Street to a block of private lands that adjoin Vlissengen Road (lands later owned by Caetano) and from Cummings Canal (inclusive of) going north up to the drain south of Longden Park (now Queen’s College).

The area was subsequently surveyed back by C Chalmers, for passing of transport to the Council, a plan that was lodged at the Deeds Registry and not at GLSC.

Since obtaining the Transport, the Council has issued several leases and numerous surveys were done, these surveys refer to Transport 337 of 1887 and gives clear descriptions as to location; all of these surveys were done on the North and South of Woolford Avenue, none on Carifesta Avenue (which was Kelly’s Dam before). Most of these surveys were actually initiated by the Council for the purpose of issuing leases.

TURN TO PAGE 17

Suspect who shot senior Govt official’s mom arrested …firearm, motorcycle, clothing found

The suspect in last week’s shooting of a senior Government official’s mother has been arrested.

Faye Samaroo, 54, of Sheet Anchor Public Road, East Canje was shot on February 27, at her home after a lone gunman opened fire on the residence of Deputy Regional Executive Officer Marry Samaroo of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The suspect was arrest-

ed on Wednesday morning, one week after the shooting.

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus told Guyana Times that the suspect is a teenager and has been cooperating with investigators.

He was apprehended at a house in West Canje and, according to reports, the Police also found a firearm, which is believed to have been used in the shoot-

Motorcyclist nabbed with 4lbs of ganja

ing incident. A motorcycle and clothing were also taken from the house in West Canje on Wednesday morning.

Bacchus said that another person was also in custody and cooperating with investigators. Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) footage was reviewed and the lone gunman, dressed in black, was seen walking towards the house shortly before midnight on February 27. He then whipped out a gun and fired several shots at the house.

Samaroo, who was in her bedroom, in the upper flat of the two-storey building, was hit to her thigh and back, with one bullet lodging in her abdomen.

Samaroo had to undergo emergency surgery at the New Amsterdam Hospital. She is said to be recovering. (G4)

Over $3M in cannabis plants destroyed in Berbice

Anarcotics eradication exercise conducted at Ebini Backdam,

has resulted in the destruction of several thousand cannabis plants worth millions of dollars as well as a

makeshift campsite.

According to Police, the exercise was carried out on two farms between 09:00h and 16:00h on Monday.

The first farm was approximately two acres in size, with plants ranging from two feet to six feet. Police said that there were 130 beds with each containing 68 plants – a total of 8840 plants, with an average weight of 19,448 kg and a value of more than $2.9 million.

Just about 200 metres from the first farm, Police said they found another farm, measuring some two acres also. That farm had some 5000 plants, ranging from one to four feet in height, with an average weight of 5500kg and a value of $847,000.

Further, there was a makeshift camp, made of wooden posts and black and white plastic. That camp was equipped with two hammocks and a mattress, kitchen utensils, and a quantity of groceries.

The cannabis plants were removed from the soil and set on fire. The camp was also set on fire. Both farms were photographed. No-one was arrested. (G9)

A34-year-old labourer of Ebini, Berbice River, was apprehended on Sunday with some 1814 grams (four pounds) of marijuana.

The arrest took place as Police Officers from Division #10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) were traversing the Berbice River on a pontoon at Tacama Junction around 11:30h.

Police said that they observed a motorcyclist approaching the pontoon and upon noticing the Police, the individual attempted to evade them by turning his motorcycle around and

speeding away. The officers promptly pursued and apprehended the suspect. The man was at the time

riding a black and white XR motorcycle, with registration number CH 8990, and was carrying a multi-coloured haversack on his back. Upon

searching him and the haversack, the Police discovered a large parcel wrapped in transparent plastic, which contained leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

He was arrested, and taken into Police custody, along with the motorcycle, which was later taken to Mackenzie Police Station.

At the station, the cannabis was weighed, totalling 1814.37 grams (1.814kg).

The man allegedly claimed that he acquired the motorcycle in December 2023 from an individual in Georgetown in exchange for 12lbs of marijuana. He remains in police custody awaiting charges. (G9)

Berbice River,

One of the farms and the ganja that were destroyed by Police

The motorcycle the suspect was riding at the time

The ganja that was found in the man’s possession

Skeletal remains found in bag with blood-stained clothing in NA

Acontractor exca-

vating land at Esplanade Park, New Amsterdam has stumbled upon a bag containing human remains.

The discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon.

Upon the discovery, the Police were immediately informed and according to Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent

Shivpersaud Bacchus, the remains may have been there for at least three years.

“It looks like the remains of a human. The investigators found a skull and at this time, we can’t say if it is a male or female,” Bacchus said.

He explained that several limbs had been tied with a piece of rope. In addition,

several pieces of clothing with blood stains were also found in the bag.

The area is about two minutes from the Central Police Station and as such, officers were there within minutes and cordoned off the area.

According to Commander Bacchus, the skeletal remains were in a detreated polyurethane bag

with several pieces of clothing with what appeared to be blood stains.

“The remains themselves tell us that it has been there for a long period; the time probably extended over two or three years, because there is no bone marrow and there is no skin, but there are spots of what appeared to be spots of blood … on some of the clothing.”

Asked whether the case was being treated as a homicide, the Commander said the Police as of now were treating it as “skeleton remains found which resemble that of a human”.

The section of the park where the remains were found has overgrowth and has not been in use for decades. The Government is currently excavating the

land to construct a building.

According to the Commander, a pathologist will be able to provide more information to assist investigators.

The remains and the pieces of clothing were taken to a private funeral home where a post-mortem is expected to be conducted. (G4)

44 foreign women rescued in TIP bust

Atotal of 44 female foreign nationals were reportedly rescued following a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) operation at a popular nightclub along Robb Street, Georgetown on Monday evening.

The women were reportedly taken into protective care, and an investigation has been launched into the alleged acts of TIP and other forms of exploitation and abuse.

Additionally, law enforcement officials discovered a .32 Taurus pistol and eight rounds of ammunition

on the premises.

The operation was executed by the Home Affairs Ministry, the TIP Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Countering-TIP Unit.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence received.

The US Department of State’s 2023 TIP Report, which was released in June 2023, stated that for the seventh consecutive year, Guyana has maintained its

Tier 1 status, which signifies that the Government demonstrates serious and sustained efforts to combat TIP during the reporting pe-

riod.

Guyana is one of two – the other being The Bahamas – Caribbean Community (Caricom) members that were given Tier 1 ranking in that TIP report.

Among these efforts, according to the State Department, were the conviction of three traffickers; identification of more victims and their referral to services; consistent implementation of a 10-day reflec-

tion period, inclusive of shelter for victims; raising TIP awareness in Indigenous languages; expanding the inclusivity of the Ministerial Task Force on TIP ; and initiating a programme to screen children in homeless situations.

However, the report noted that although the Guyana Government met the minimum standards, it neither increased investigations and prosecutions nor formally approved the National Action Plan (NAP). The Government also did not adequately oversee recruitment agencies or adequately screen for trafficking victims in the interior of the country.

However, prior to the release of the 2023 report, in May 2023, the Government had taken an aggressive approach towards ending the scourge of human trafficking, with the passing of the

Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023 in the National Assembly.

The robust and comprehensive legislation strengthened Guyana’s response to human trafficking, as it is constituted with key measures that are aligned with global best practices and evolving socio-political requirements.

It sought to replace the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2005, thereby protecting the rights of individuals and inserting punitive measures that are geared towards addressing the social issue and deterring possible offenders.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud had informed the House that the Bill received extensive work from local and international bodies, as well as wide consultations.

Police still hunting suspects in taxi driver’s murder

Almost two weeks after a taxi driver was shot dead during an argument with two other men over parking in the vicinity of Bourda Market, Georgetown, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said they were still looking for the suspects.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that detectives were still investigating the case.

According to reports from the GPF, 43-year-old Eon Holder, of Lot 2498 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was at a taxi service working his motor car, PRR 271, when he was hired by a 50-year-old businessman of Queenstown, Georgetown, to go to the Bourda Market to purchase vegetables.

On arrival at Alexander

Dead: Eon Holder

Street, Bourda, the businessman exited the car and walked towards the market while Holder looked for a parking space.

About five minutes later, the businessman heard a loud explosion and as he turned around, he saw Holder lying on the ground about 15 feet away from his car, helpless.

At the time, two men – one armed with a handgun, were seen running away from the scene.

The Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Service arrived at the scene and pronounced Holder dead. During an examination of his body, a gunshot wound was seen on his face.

Police stated that several persons were questioned and based on information received, it is alleged that the taxi driver argued with the suspects after he parked his car in the centre of the road, blocking vehicles from passing.

During the argument, one of the suspects drew a handgun and discharged a round at the taxi driver before fleeing the scene. (G9)

The area where the human remains were found on Wednesday

President Dr Irfaan Ali attended the funeral service for the late Mohammed Zaheer Sheriff, who was killed by bandits during a $37 million gold heist on Sunday. The 50-year-old miner and his 26-year-old employee, Donovan Washington, were shot dead. President Ali also visited Washington's home and met with his family and relatives (Office of the President photos)

Amerindian villages reaping benefits of carbon credit funds - councillors

…several projects commissioned in Region 9

Several projects were commissioned in the villages of Quiko and St Ignatius, Region Nine, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) earlier in the week.

Quiko, a small village located in the South Central Rupununi, can now embark on large-scale cash crop production, following the commissioning of a $9 million four-acre savannah farm.

The funding the project was made available through the sale of Guyana’s carbon credit under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).

The farm is expected to allow villagers to cultivate crops such as sweet peppers, bora, eschallot, and watermelon, among other varieties of crops to supply government’s hot meal programmes, which caters for the Rodeo Arena, a Youth Document Centre, the Women’s Sewing Centre and Catering Kitchen.

Quiko’s Senior Councillor, Ronald Ignatius said the initiative was conceived holistically by the community, recognising the importance of food safety and food security and financial stability.

He noted that while income generation is an important factor, creating employment opportunities for residents is another crucial element of the project.

“Our main crop is cash crops as you can look around. We have eschalot…those crops that are cash crops to supply hot meals, private entities that do catering and so (on)… We are creating job opportunities (by) having this large farm. We decided to employ persons in the community that have children attending secondary schools in order to have an income at the end of the day (and) other young people to have a knowledge of this farming (techniques),”

the senior councillor said. St Ignatius

Meanwhile, over $20 mil-

lion worth in projects were also commissioned in the Amerindian village of St Ignatius, Region Nine.

These include a Farine factory to boost the local economy and provide jobs and an extended hot meal kitchen, that will ensure primary school children receive the nutrition they need.

Another kitchen to facilitate catering services by women in the village was also commissioned.

During her address to villagers of St Ignatius, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai assured that the government will continue to support the development of Amerindian communities through policy and funding.

“For the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs we con-

tinue to be funded, we will be providing presidential grants, we will be providing support under the capital projects - for projects that we would have received from the leadership of your communities across the length and breath of this country. The prioritisation of those will take place and then we will be able to proportionately support projects in various villages,” the minister said.

Carbon Credits

In 2023, the Guyana Government signed a multiyear agreement totaling US $750 million with global energy giant, Hess Corporation, that will see $2.5 million in credits being sold to the com-

pany annually.

The first payment of US$150 million was received in 2023 and US$22.5 million was disbursed to over 242 Amerindian, hinterland, rural and riverine communities/villages.

Population size was a key determining factor in government’s methodology for the distribution of money earned from Guyana’s sale of carbon credits, and as result, payments ranged from $10 million to $35 million. (G1)

Evaluation for Amaila Falls...

Mounting interest

Only last October, Jagdeo indicated that there has been mounting interest in the Amaila Falls project from firms in the Region as well as around the world, including in Europe and Asia.

“Up to [September], we’ve had another interest from a Brazilian company. We’ve had a company from Austria [and] several from Korea, so now I think there is a large number of people approaching us, and the best way to do this is through a public process –a bid process,” Jagdeo had stated.

Meanwhile, the Vice President had disclosed in July that at least two proposals were received from companies in Brazil to do the hydro project. He had also noted that companies out of the United States (US) have similarly submitted proposals to take over the initiative.

During a visit to the US in December 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali said, he had told Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and her team that the Amaila Falls

project is open to US investors.

Back in October 2022, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, had disclosed that the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) had also held discussions with the Guyana Government on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

The 165-megawatt AFHP was the flagship initiative of the Bharrat Jagdeo-crafted Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS). But the project failed to take off despite having a developer in USbased Sithe Global, which was backed by investment major The Blackstone Inc.

In August 2013, Sithe Global announced that it was pulling out of the project, which it said was too large to continue without national consensus, and had cited the lack of consensus in Parliament. At the time, the then APNU and AFC Opposition parties had both expressed concerns about the project, and had voted down key pieces of legislation which consequently halted the project.

Then during its term in office, from 2015 to 2020, the APNU/AFC coalition Administration again shelved the project.

The Amaila Falls project plays an important role in the Government’s plan to create an energy mix to address the increase in electricity demand while phasing out dependency on fossil fuels that are contributing to global climate change. (G8)

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai visiting Quiko’s four-acre savannah farm

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d)

Mark Phillips

Kingston Goods Wharf 40 per cent complete

…Govt to address challenges to fast-track project – Edghill

Work on Kingston Goods Wharf, Georgetown is progressing swiftly. This is according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who was informed on Tuesday during an inspection that the Wharf is about 40 per cent complete.

The Kingston landing facility is being upgraded to provide an enhanced travel experience for travellers between the regions, as well as to facilitate the MV Ma Lisha, an India-made rollon, roll-off ferry. The project, being undertaken by

prised the driving of piles, capping of beam casts and casting of the deck slab.

Kares Engineering Inc, is valued at US$5 million. So far, the wharf’s platform has been constructed – that com-

Additionally, half of the passenger terminal building has been erected.

During his inspection

of the facility, Edghill was informed that construction work on the storage bond, linkspan bridge and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems are yet to commence. This is as a result of the ongoing operations of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), which involves the loading and offloading of ferries and supply of services benefiting thousands of individuals from Port Georgetown to Region One (Barima-Waini).

The engineers have requested that Government suspends or relocate the T&HD operations until the project is complete.

In response to this challenge, Edghill indicated that

alternative options to accelerate the project without disrupting T&HD operations would be determined soon.

“Moving the operations from Kingston Goods Wharf to somewhere else would’ve cost us an excess of $300 million. So, we are working out a modality on how we could operate and how the contractor will continue his work,” Edghill said.

Edghill hinted that one of the methods to resolve the issue may be to adjust the timing of ferries’ operations

of time, because while we are loading boats and unloading

and construction work.

“We would have to make some adjustments in terms

boats, safety of those who are operating must be taken into consideration,” the

Minister emphasised.

On Tuesday, the Public Works Minister conducted an inspection of several infrastructure sites around Georgetown and Region One.

Among the projects inspected were the Cemetery, Conversation Tree, Aubrey Barker, and Vlissengen Road projects.

Minister Edghill disclosed that this exercise was a result of his Ministry’s recent management review meetings, which examine and determine the necessary policy direction to ensure that all Government projects are fulfilled in a timely manner. (G1)

Hope and Justice Centre receives boost to fight against GBV

The Guyana Government’s Hope and Justice Centre recently commissioned at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has received a boost from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

On Tuesday, the UNDP handed over a substantial quantity of equipment to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry under the Spotlight Initiative.

Among the items were a range of essential tools such as laptops, desktops, audio speakers, and tablets.

During her address to those gathered at Lusignan, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill engaging engineers at Kingston Goods Wharf

Human

Dr Persaud, in the presence of UNDP representatives, addressing the gathering at the Hope and Justice Centre (photo source: MOHSS)

Public/Police Service Commissions go paperless …create new website for applicants

Making it easier for applicants, the Public Service and Police Service Commissions have gone paperless, creating a new easily-reachable website for online application and job vacancy posting.

Heralding a new era, the website can be easily found online at ppsc.gov.gy, where job vacancies are shown and applications can be submitted. Launching the website at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Manniram Prashad, alongside Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira and Secretary Jaigobin Jaisingh, not only promoted the website but promoted the significant fact that the website is set to contribute to transforming the image of the Public Service and boost the public's confidence in the Commissions’ transparent performance of their constitutional duties. According to Rampersad, it was also their belief that the move to paper-

less applications will promote the use of technology in the delivery of public services as Guyana acclimatises advancements in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Speaking at the event, Teixeira said that since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, there have been notable improvements to digitise Government agencies.

“As you know, in the Public Service right now, sometimes the public services have a long reputation of taking a long time”, adding that persons generally would take months to have their applications sent and processed. The new site, she said, will help to improve time management by the Public Service Commission in relation to applicants.

This requires answering questions and reporting on the function of the service commissions, the system, recruitments, appointments and promotions among other things. She emphasised that the launch of the website

was a significant step for the Commissions.

Teixeira stated that the system would ensure fairness and transparency, but she also urged the Commissions to advise individuals who do not qualify for the positions they apply for to pursue further studies to enhance their qualifications.

“I think that this is an important contribution to ensuring that we have a responsive and accountable Public Service/Police Service Commission in our country, [and] that we are dedicated to improving [it and] the quality of staff in the Public Service so that the Permanent Secretary, REOs [Regional Executive Officers] can do better, perform better, [and] the sectors can perform better,” Teixeira stated.

Meanwhile, Chairman Prashad noted that this was a pivotal moment in the journey toward modernising and enhancing the efficiency of our Public Service.

“This is a momentous occa-

sion and it marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering Government services with greater effectiveness,” he added. Prashad also stated, “With the help of this website and its online application process, you will have an opportunity to observe how this process has been streamlined and made transparent, and even at a later stage, we will have you – the PSs and REOs – viewing and tracking the number of persons applying for jobs in your agency, we might even

Hope and Justice Centre receives boost...

On this point, Dr Persaud indicated that the donation would strengthen Guyana’s response mechanisms, reaffirm its collective resolve to eradicate this pervasive issue, and create a safer, more inclusive society for all.

“The Hope and Justice Centre will significantly benefit from all that you are providing to us today, so it becomes an efficient working operation where persons can access hope in the form of psychosocial support, counselling, medical intervention, legal intervention, and yes, even make a Police report right here,” Persaud said.

Further, the remaining electronics will be set aside for the Hope and Justice Centres slated to be built in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Minister Persaud said the facilities would be ready before the end of the first quarter of 2024 and would aid in data collection on GBV cases.

“Now, moving forward in a modern world, we must have digitising of records. We must have not only the collection of data, but the analysis of data. We must also have the generation of reports. So, that pillar that UNDP was responsible for continues to give. Because, prior to this, we also received technical support to develop the software that we need and tablets to collect that data,” Minister Persaud explained.

The handover ceremony was graced by esteemed guests, including UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana, Gerardo Noto and UNDP Deputy Assistant Administrator

Linda Maguire, the Deputy Director for the Caribbean.

During her brief remarks at the ceremony, the Deputy Director for UNDP in the Caribbean elucidated that the act of data collection was vital to uproot the causes of GBV in all countries.

In this regard, she signalled the organisation’s commitment to work along with the Ministry to improve and expand its capacity to generate, analyse, and produce data.

“At the end of the day, initiatives like these are intended to get at the root causes of the problem while at the same time attending to survivors and giving them the tools that they need. The Spotlight Initiative – I have had a chance to see it in several countries in the Caribbean and it’s great to see how it is being imple-

mented,” Maguire said.

GBV and human trafficking training

Through the Spotlight Initiative, Guyana has made significant strides to combat GBV.

In 2023, 14,300 GBV reports were lodged through the 914 toll-free hotline.

Of that number, 418 were related to domestic violence and 83 were sexual offences reports; however, only 150 of the said reports were significant.

In response, 74 persons benefited from shelter support and over 1000 persons received free legal advice, through the Ministry and the Guyana Bar Association’s pro-bono project.

As a result, 20 persons were represented in court and about 10 per cent of the reports were resolved at the level of the Judiciary.

Moreover, a total of 2688 persons were assisted through the survivor advocate programme, more than 1000 frontline personnel were trained to identify trafficking in persons ,and 1500 persons were trained in 2023, through the community advocates’ network, to assist with reporting, support and identifying persons they believe are being abused.

Some 2456 GBV victims also received crisis counselling and 1851 received court support while 100 social workers were trained in GBV. (G1)

you assisting in the shortlisting of applicants to your agency.”

The mandate of the Public Service Commission is to make appointments to the Public Service, and remove and exercise discipline and control over persons holding such offices. The Commission over-

sees 36 agencies and manages the staffing requirements for those agencies, with approximately more than 13,000 persons employed.

Members of the Public Service who gathered for the launch were also given a demonstration of the use of the website.

Employees of Bartica businessman among several in custody

IMurdered: Donovan Washington Murdered: Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff

nvestigations are continuing into the deaths of 50-year-old businessman Mohamed Zaheer Sheriff and 26-year-old Donovan Washington, who were fatally shot during a robbery at Arimu Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Sunday.

Investigators have confirmed that some of Sheriff's employees are among those arrested and are currently being questioned.

This development follows previous reports of several arrests as a team from the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) travelled to Bartica to lead the investigation.

Reports are that two masked individuals on a red All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) opened fire on the duo and stole 102 ounces of raw gold valued at $37 million, along with two licensed firearms (a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun) belonging to Sheriff, a father of three residing on Byderabo Road, Bartica.

Initial investigations re-

veal that Sheriff, the owner of a six-inch land dredge operation at Arimu Backdam, and Washington, also a father of three from Seventh Avenue, Bartica, were travelling on an ATV towards Bartica when the incident occurred.

Shortly after Sheriff left camp, his General Manager heard gunshots and discovered both victims lying on the trail approximately 500 metres away, upon investigating. The Manager reported the incident to the Bartica Police Station.

Autopsies performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds. The bodies were subsequently released to their families. Sheriff was buried on Wednesday.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) expressed deep sadness over the incident, urging miners to enhance security measures and calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

Left to right: Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, and PSC Secretary Jaigobin Jaisingh (DPI photo) consider

Exxon files for arbitration over Chevron-Hess Guyana deal

ExxonMobil has filed for arbitration to claim rights associated with a valuable oil find off the coast of Guyana that is central to rival Chevron’s planned takeover of Hess, escalating a dispute that threatens to sink the $53bn deal. The top US energy supermajor said on Wednesday that it had filed a case in the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris to assert its right of first refusal over Hess’s stake in the so-called Stabroek Block project in Guyana. Exxon also signalled it could make a counter offer for the assets. Access to some of Guyana’s 11bn barrels of offshore oil was a key rationale for Chevron’s acquisition of Hess announced last year. An Exxon-led consortium discovered the Stabroek Block in 2015, catapulting the South American country into the ranks of significant oil producers. Exxon operates the Stabroek project and owns a 45 per cent stake in it. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation owns 25 per cent, while Hess holds the remaining 30 per cent that would transfer to Chevron if the deal closes. Exxon argues

that its right to pre-empt the sale of the stake in Stabroek is baked into a joint operating agreement with Hess and Cnooc. “We’re absolutely confident that within this contract, we have pre-emption rights, and we have filed for arbitration to make sure that we can secure those pre-emption rights,” Neil Chapman, Exxon senior vice-president, told a Morgan Stanley conference on Wednesday. “The pre-emption rights are to give us the opportunity to look at the value, which we can then match should we choose to do so.” The move threatens to derail what is the biggest acquisition in Chevron’s history. Chevron said last week that neither it nor Hess believed the right of first refus-

al applied in this instance, but warned that if an arbitration process found otherwise, the deal would not close. In a statement on Wednesday, Chevron said: “We remain fully committed to the transaction, and are confident in our position. We look forward to closing the transaction on the terms we’ve agreed.” Hess and Cnooc did not respond to requests for comment. Exxon argues that it shouldered significant risks and costs in making the discovery and that it has a duty to shareholders to ensure it is rewarded. “The reason this is important is we, along with the partners, took tremendous exploration risk, financial risk, commercial risk when we went into this joint venture,” Chapman said. “It looks great now. It’s created great value for the country of Guyana and for the partners. But there was a risk associated. So we want to ensure that we realise the value that we’ve created,” he said, adding that arbitration of this nature tends to take five to six months. Investors said the arbitration push by Exxon could seriously delay or torpedo Chevron’s deal to

buy Hess. But they said it was difficult to assess how likely this outcome would be as the exact nature of the dispute remains unknown because the joint operating agreement has not been published. Michael Alfaro, chief investment officer at Gallo Partners, a hedge fund focused on regulatory and policy matters across the industrials and energy sectors, said there was real reason to speculate that “cost recovery” incentives in Guyana were the dispute’s focus.

“These incentives allow operators to receive a higher cut of production in order to recover capital and operating costs on projects. Exxon may be seeking to block Chevron

from obtaining these lucrative incentives, which they would receive via their planned acquisition of Hess. If successful, Exxon could see a substantial benefit in the form of higher revenues from the project.” Exxon, in a statement following Chapman’s remarks, said: “For all those struggling to understand our position, it’s very simple: pre-emption preserves our options and there’s clear benefit to the company in that. Any company in our position would do the same thing.” “It would be irresponsible to allow 30 per cent of a world-class operation we helped build be turned over to a third party without at least consid-

GLSC asserts Govt owns Carifesta...

The first such survey by JT Seymore covers the entire block of land held under the said Transport 337 of 1887 (The Council’s Transport) whereby they sought to lot out the greater portion of the eastern part into house lots save and except the area to the West where GTI now lies and opposite GTI where the Tennis Court lies, this area being called Nonpariel Park on that plan and in the Transport. Even though the total area is not shown, the GLSC has been able to scan and use software to scale back that plan to obtain the approximately 43 acres quoted with the reserve for Cummings Canal, which is not clearly defined on that plan. It may have been possible that Woolford Avenue could come out of that exercise since the 1886 plan did not show it, but the 1919 plan showed it. This scheme obviously failed due to the restrictions on the transport preventing house lots and the Council aborted the process. All subsequent surveys were for education or recreational purposes.

Plan 11019 by R Jaggernauth SLS in 1964 created 4 large plots for the Town Council refers to Seymore’s plan, claims to supersede it and quotes Transport Number 337 of 1886 as its basis; the plan claims to have superseded the 1919 plan.

GTI was acquired through the public acquisi -

tion process by Government in 1951 and surveyed by R.M. Wong, the Council’s Transport 337/1887 is duly annotated on this.

Other surveys were done for the Council to issue leases for many other organisations such as Indian Education Trust, Central High School, Muslim Youth Council, Gandhi Youth Organisation, among others. The annotations are again on their transport.

In terms of the Carifesta Avenue area, the Government of British Guiana and subsequently Guyana surveyed and gave out leases north of Kelly’s Dam to organisations such as East Indian Cricket Club now Everest (6.17 acres); B.G Boy Scout, next to Everest; Teachers’ Training Centre; Cable and Wireless (GTT now); Youth Council (later NIS obtained a lease); Saint Stanislaus College and on the Southern side to Demerara or Georgetown Golf Club (now National Park); Rifle Range (now Camp Ayanganna); YMCA; Catholic Youth Club (now Marian Academy); Queen’s College; Cosmos Sports Club (now GMRC); Malteenoes Sports Club; Transport Sports Club; Post Office Cricket Club (now PSU). This is as far back as the 1930s and 40s and covers the entire 240.5 acres. Many of these leases expired and were re-issued to the original lessees or new ones where the entities did not exist anymore.

The GLSC continued to issue leases in the area and is currently processing GMRC and Malteenoes. These lands along Carifesta Avenue exceeds 43 acres and cannot be misinterpreted to be those held under Transport 337/1887. In fact, the Northern side has about 45 to 50 acres, save and except for a lease for a dam (Wireless dam, near GTT) there is absolutely no record of a survey or lease issued to anyone by the City Council for any area along Carifesta Avenue. GLSC choose to ignore that because we felt that they control dams and such reserves.

In order to account for the Council’s lands, we are providing a list of surveys registered at GLSC by various surveyors who refer to the lands held by the Council, many done at the request of them, all in the Woolford Avenue area, some of these leases are annotated on the Council’s Transport. Most of these also call out the Transport Number 337 of 1887.

Even though this transport is very old, there are noticeable annotations as follows:

1. Public Acquisition from M&CC for Government Technical Institute, 2.459 acs. on a Plan by RL Wong, which when checked was acquired by Order 27/1951.

2. Lease by M&CC to Portuguese Club (Later called Non Pariel Park Tennis Court) in 1931 –3.09 acres.

ering the exercise of our contractual rights,” the company said. Recommended Lex ExxonMobil Exxon and Chevron must decide whether they are more enemies than ‘frenemies’ Premium content People close to Chevron said that they were not overly concerned about Exxon’s decision to file for arbitration, noting that the move was expected but ultimately they expected both parties to find a compromise. Hess’s investors appeared to be more concerned, with the difference between the company’s current stock price and the value of Chevron’s offer continuing to widen. Shares in Hess fell by 2.3 per cent to $143.02 following the arbitration announcement, well below the $171 a share Chevron offered to pay Hess’s shareholders in an allstock transaction. Chevron’s shares have slipped almost 8 per cent since the deal was announced on October 23, a drop that further hurts Hess shareholders given the allstock nature of the offer. On Wednesday Chevron shares fell 0.8 per cent while those of Exxon climbed 1.1 per cent. (Financial Times)

FROM PAGE 10

3. Lease by M&CC to Indian Education Trust College No 347/1960 for 99 years – 4.479 Acres. Now Richard Ishmael Secondary and North Georgetown Primary.

4. Lease by M&CC for Central High School, later shared by Critchlow Labour College and Tutorial High – 1.96 acs. and 2.088 acs.

5. M&CC to BG Teachers Association (now GTU) – 2.436 Acs

6. BG Boy Scout from M&CC – 3.525 Acs

7. Sprostons Sports

Club (now GNEC) – 3.539 Acs

8. M&CC to Muslim Youth Organisation (may now be CIOG) – 2.582 Acs

9. M&CC to Labour College – 1.361 Acs This seems to be GITC based on the date.

10. St Joseph High School and Stella Maris – 5.88 Acs, Surveyed for Mayor and City Council.

11. GYO – 2.2 Acres

12. An area between GYO and North Georgetown – 1.8Acs

All surveys executed on

behalf of the M&CC has been in the same area between Camp Street and Vlissengen Road and from the southern boundaries of Queen’s College to Cummings Canal. The surveys all refer to Transport No 337 of 1887.

The Council only has 43 acres and most of this has been basically accounted for through the above surveys. A very large reserve as much as 70 feet and 44 feet for Cummings Canal was left in most of the surveys.

NOTE: North Georgetown seems to be on the Caetano Land and not part of Transport 337 of 1887, as such it was not included. These lands were acquired by Government for the construction of Irving Street.

The approximate area obtained for the various properties as well as Cummings Canal reserve basically covers the entire Council property as described in the Transport Number 337 of 1887.

Instead of a North Canal mentioned in Luke Hill’s plan the route seems to have been changed to rebuild Cummings Canal and fill the North Canal shown on that plan.

We hope that this information brings to an end all the claims and threats made against the Government and we are quite prepared to defend the Transport and lands held by the Government.

Regional

US pushes for Haiti political transition as gang leader warns of 'civil war'

The United States said on Wednesday it was calling on Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to expedite a political transition as armed gangs seek his ouster amid a collapse in security and a humanitarian crisis.

Henry, Haiti's unelected interim leader, has been in the US territory of Puerto Rico since Tuesday, apparently unwilling or unable to return to his country.

"We are not calling on him or pushing for him to resign, but we are urging him to expedite the transition," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

Miller said the US was seeking "an empowered and inclusive governance structure that will move with urgency to help the country prepare for a multinational security support mission", and pave the way for free elections.

The long-delayed security mission was first requested by Henry in 2022 to help fight the increasingly powerful gangs and was ratified by the United Nations last year.

There is no set deployment date for the mission, but the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday that Washington hoped "that action will take place quickly". Financial contributions for the force have fallen well below what the UN had estimated was needed.

Jimmy Cherizier, alias “Barbeque”, who leads a broad alliance of criminal gangs in Port-au-Prince, has signalled the gangs could fight the proposed mission as a united front.

He said he had doubled the number of gunmen near Port-au-Prince's international airport.

"If Ariel Henry doesn't step down, if the international community continues to support Ariel Henry, they will lead us directly into a civil war that will end in genocide," Cherizier said at a press conference on Tuesday.

He added that a broad alliance of gangs known as Viv Ansanm (Living Together) were fighting to annex strategic areas to allow them to oust Henry "as quickly as possible", and that his international backers would be to blame for Haitians who die.

Henry, in power but unelected since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, has postponed promised elections, saying security must first be established for a free and fair vote. He set up a political transition council known as the HCT over a year ago, but opponents say they are being left out of the process.

The Miami Herald reported on Wednesday that Henry's resignation had been discussed by Caribbean

leaders in a call on Tuesday with figures from Haiti's Opposition, prompting mixed reactions.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

“Beyond untenable”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for the "urgent deployment, with no further delay" of the planned security force.

"The reality is that, in the current context, there is no realistic alternative available to protect lives," Turk said. "This situation is beyond untenable for the people of Haiti."

According to the UN, some 36,000 have fled their homes inside Haiti while close to 1200 have been killed and nearly 700 injured since the start of this year.

There are widespread reports of rape, torture and

Protesters knock down door of Mexico's

presidential palace

Agroup protesting the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico in 2014 knocked down a door to the country's presidential palace, video from local television stations showed on Wednesday morning.

The protesters rammed down the door using a white pickup truck from Mexico's state electrical company, videos showed, while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was giving his daily morning press conference inside.

Police at the scene used tear gas to disperse the group, and law enforcement erected barriers within the

palace to keep the protesters from penetrating the building.

By midmorning the scene was calm, according to a Reuters witness, with the door to the palace secured and no protesters inside the building.

More than 100 protesters remained camped outside the palace. Local media reported that some involved in the smashing of the door had been arrested.

Asked about the incident during the press conference, Lopez Obrador said he was not going to repress the protest and that the Government would continue

to investigate the case of the missing students, who disappeared in one of the country's most notorious violent incidents.

"The door will be fixed and there will be no problem," said the President, who said the protesters would meet with members of his Government.

"But what they want is to provoke," he added, saying that the protesters were being manipulated by rights groups that were against his Government and did not want the truth about the case to come out. He offered no evidence for the claim.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ransom kidnappings in gang-controlled areas, while the conflict has cut off access routes for food, medical services, and humanitarian aid.

"Each passing day brings

new deprivations and horrors to the people of Haiti," the head of the UN's children agency Catherine Russell said, pointing to collapsing social services and a crippled aid response.

"The Haitian population is caught in the crossfire," she said.

The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has upped its border security and on Wednesday said trade flows were smaller than usual, but operating normally under military surveillance. The country last year deported tens of thousands of Haitian migrants and has said it would not allow Haitian refugee camps in its territory.

According to flight tracking data, the plane Henry travelled on departed from New Jersey and was diverted near the Dominican Republic before landing in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Dominican authorities said the US and Haiti had informally requested Henry's plane make an "in-

definite stopover" in their territory, and they had replied this was "impossible" without receiving a definite flight plan.

They said while they planned to cooperate to help restore normalcy to Haiti, "it is imperative that any action taken does not compromise our national security".

Haitian news outlet Vant Bef reported that Guy Philippe, a former coup leader who was recently deported from the United States after serving a prison term on drug trafficking charges, was seeking to become leader. He is backed by a rogue environmental brigade that has evolved into a paramilitary group known as BSAP. Local media reported the group is staffed with former soldiers who fought with Philippe in 2004 to oust then-President JeanBertrand Aristide.

The United Nations Security Council was due to meet behind closed doors on Haiti on Wednesday.

(Reuters)

Thousands march in Colombia to protest Government reforms

Thousands of people marched through Colombia's biggest cities on Wednesday to protest political, economic and social reforms backed by President Gustavo Petro, as well as to demand action against deteriorating security.

Leftist Petro was elected in 2022 on ambitious promises to fight poverty and inequality, and end Colombia's six decades of internal conflict, which has killed at least 450,000.

The Government's biggest proposals – reforms targeting health, pensions, the labour system and ed-

ucation – have faced stiff opposition in congress and from the Opposition.

Demonstrators in capital Bogota chanted "No more Petro!" and "Petro, out!" while marching with flags and placards emblazoned with slogans criticising the President.

"They are disastrous reforms for our country that are going to lead Colombia into a hole ... that is why we are here," Congressman Miguel Polo Polo told Reuters at the march.

"This corrupt government promised change and deceived all Colombians," said Clara Prieto, a protest-

er in Bogota who had draped herself in the country's flag.

The protests, which were peaceful, also took place in cities like Medellin and Cali. As of midday, some 52,000 persons had taken part nationally, according to the Police. Petro has defended the reforms, arguing they will benefit the country's poorest.

"There will always be those coming from privilege who do not want to lose (their privileges)," Petro said on Wednesday at a Government event in Bogota. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Former Police Officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, leader of the G9 gang alliance, is flanked by gang members after a press conference in Delmas 6, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 5, 2024 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol photo)

Demonstrators protest against Colombian President Gustavo Petro's reforms in the health, retirement, employment and prison sectors, in Bogota, Colombia, March 6, 2024 (Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez photo)

Around the World

TOIL NEWS

UK extends windfall tax on oil profits by a year to 2029

he United Kingdom is extending the windfall tax on oil and gas operators in the UK North Sea by a year to March 2029, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said in the spring budget statement, in a move expected by analysts and opposed by the industry.

The initial windfall tax, officially known as the Energy Profits Levy, was implemented in May 2022, when the Government of Rishi Sunak announced a temporary 25 per cent tax intended to represent extraordinary profits as oil and gas prices surged. In November 2022, that levy was increased by 10 percentage points to 35 per cent beginning on January 1, 2023, and until March 2028.

The period of the windfall tax is now extended by a year, to March 2029.

“As the oil and gas sector’s windfall profits from higher prices are expected to last longer, the sunset clause on the Energy Profits Levy will be extended by a year to March 2029, raising £1.5 billion while encouraging investment in the UK’s energy security by promising to legislate for its abolition should market prices fall to their historic norm sooner than expected,” Hunt said in his speech to present the Spring Budget 2024.

With the levy at 35 per cent, the total tax rate on the oil and gas sector has increased to a massive 75 per cent, the highest of any UK sector.

The windfall tax on UK North Sea producers is hitting all companies, with firms already announcing lower investments and deferring drilling plans, David Whitehouse, chief executive of trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), warned last year.

The windfall tax has prompted many companies operating offshore the UK to cut investments and review projects. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Nikki Haley ends White House bid, clearing path for a Trump-Biden rematch

Nikki Haley ended her long-shot challenge to Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Wednesday, ensuring the former President will be the party's candidate in a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election.

Haley, the former South Carolina Governor and Trump's Ambassador to the United Nations, bowed out a day after Super Tuesday when Trump beat her soundly in 14 of 15 Republican nominating contests.

Biden and Trump are now scrambling to win over supporters of Haley, a constituency that could be crucial to sending either man back to the White House.

Haley dropped out of the Republican presidential nomination contest on Wednesday, but did not endorse Trump and said it was now up to him to "earn" the support of voters who did not initially back him.

Almost 570,000 voters in three key battleground states – Nevada, North Carolina, and Michigan – voted for Haley in the Republican nom-

Gaza ceasefire possible, US says; South Africa again asks World Court to intervene

The United States said on Wednesday that talks on a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza could still result in an agreement between Hamas and Israel as the enclave's humanitarian crisis prompted South Africa to ask the World Court for new emergency measures.

Negotiators from Hamas militants, Qatar and Egypt – but not Israel – are trying to secure a 40day ceasefire in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week.

Despite speculation negotiations were at an impasse, the US said on Wednesday that a truce accord was still possible.

"We continue to believe that obstacles are not insurmountable and a deal can be reached ... so we're going to continue to push for one," US State

Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in Washington.

But South Africa, which in January brought a case at the World Court in The Hague accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, on Wednesday asked the court to order new emergency measures, includ -

ing a stop to hostilities, because Palestinian civilians were facing starvation.

"The threat of all-out famine has now materialised. The court needs to act now to stop the imminent tragedy," the South African presidency said in a statement.

The Gaza Health

Ministry said two Palestinians, aged 15 and 72, died of dehydration and malnutrition in Al Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals on Wednesday, raising the toll of such deaths in just over a week to 20. Reuters could not verify the deaths.

Fears were also mounting that the Gaza conflict could spread in the Middle East, especially after a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by Iranaligned Houthi forces acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In the latest strike, at least three sailors were killed in a Houthi attack on a Greek-owned freighter, US military officials said, the first deaths reported since the Yemeni group began the strikes against shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orders heightened war preparations, KCNA says

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected field training of troops at a major military operations base in the western region of the country on Wednesday and ordered heightened readiness for war, State KCNA news agency reported on Thursday.

The tour of the base,

inating contest, a small but potentially significant group in races that have been decided by tiny margins in recent elections.

Haley won 250,000 votes in North Carolina's primary, for example, a state that Trump won by less than 75,000 votes in 2020.

Both Biden and Trump quickly put out statements on Wednesday calling on Haley voters to join their team – although they used vastly different tactics.

Biden commended Haley on "speaking the truth" about Trump, while Trump said he had "trounced" her in the Super Tuesday Republican contest.

"Donald Trump made it clear he doesn't want Nikki Haley supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign," Biden said in a statement.

In his Truth Social post, Trump added that he "would further like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nation," and described Biden as an enemy who is destroying the country.

(Excerpts from Reuters)

the location of which was not identified, comes after the start of annual combined military drills by US and South Korean forces on Monday in the South with twice the number of troops taking part compared to last year.

Kim said the military must "dynamically usher in a new heyday of in -

tensifying the war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation", KCNA reported.

"Our army should ... steadily intensify the actual war drills aimed at rapidly improving its combat capabilities for perfect war preparedness," KCNA quoted Kim as telling the

troops.

KCNA did not mention whether Kim directly referred to the drills by the U. and South Korean military. He inspected troops conducting actual manoeuvres under conditions simulating actual war, KCNA said.

(Reuters)

Ukraine war: Explosions hit Odesa as Zelensky meets Greek PM

Deadly explosions have rocked Ukraine's southern port city of Odesa as President Volodymyr Zelensky was meeting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Ukraine's navy says five people were killed. The BBC has been told no-one from either delegation was hurt.

Mitsotakis said the pair heard the sound of sirens and explosions.

Russia said it targeted a maritime drone facility in a commercial port area of the city during an attack on Wednesday.

President Zelensky accused Russia of "not caring who they target", saying Moscow had "either gone crazy or they don't control what their terrorist army is

doing". During a joint news conference, the Greek PM said "we heard the sound of sirens and explosions that took place near us. We did not have time to get to a shelter."

"It is a very intense experience... It's really different to read about the war

in newspapers, and to hear it with your own ears, see it with your own eyes," he added.

Zelensky said the strike had left "dead and wounded", but said he did not have exact figures.

Russia's Defence Ministry said it had successfully attacked a hangar

housing Ukrainian naval drones. It was not immediately clear if Moscow was referring to the same explosions referenced by the two leaders.

"The goal has been achieved. The target has been hit," the Ministry said in a statement.

The BBC could not independently verify this claim.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on social media she strongly condemned "the vile attack on Odesa" during the leaders' visit.

The attack comes after 12 persons – including five children – were killed by a Russian drone strike on Odesa on Saturday. Two infants less than a year old were among the dead. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Displaced Palestinian children, who fled their houses due to Israeli strikes, sit at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, March 6, 2024 (Reuters/ Mohammed Salem photo)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attend a joint press conference in Odesa on Wednesday

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Call on people you know you can count on for hands-on help and sound advice. Look for ways to save money. Take your time and think things through, regardless of what people are pushing you to do.

Take a moment to evaluate your situation and consider the pros and cons. Too much of anything will turn into a problem. Make sure you stick to a realistic budget.

Stick to what you know and do best. Refuse to debate with someone who is manipulative or trying to belittle you. Set boundaries and distance yourself from temptation and risky joint ventures.

Take the initiative and run with the ball. Use your imagination to discover more efficient ways to use your skills and promote yourself. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

Don't expect everything to fall into place. If you don't lay down ground rules, partnerships will cost you more than they deliver. Implement structure and stringent rules.

A direct approach will help you achieve your goals. A take-charge attitude will put you in the driver's seat. Choose options based on your skills and the cost involved.

An outlet for pent-up energy will help you unwind and encourage you to see things in real time. Clarity is what you need to maintain equality in partnerships and peace of mind regarding self-worth.

Distance yourself from turmoil. Refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument or pressure you to condone changes that aren't in your best interest. Take the road less traveled.

Nothing will be as it appears, and the information you receive will be misleading. Remove yourself from situations that put you at risk, affect your reputation or cost you financially.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Pay attention to home efficiency and adjust whatever is not functioning correctly. Don't be afraid to do things differently if it will lower your overhead or free up your time.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don't jump to conclusions or make baseless accusations. Keep your life simple. Focus on self-improvement, fitness and participating in something that brings about change.

Broaden your outlook, engage in what's trending and see how you can update your skills or routine. Dedicate more time and effort to what makes you happy.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES

ARCHIE

Curators workshop to be staged across World Cup-hosting venues

As preparations to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 continue, organizers will be hosting a series of workshops for the pitch and outfield curators, as well as for other members of the ground staff who will be responsible for the venues and facilities across the region.

Over 50 staff members in the six host nations in the West Indies will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials when the workshops and developmental courses are conducted from March 6 to 27.

Roland Holder, CWI Manager of Cricket Operations and Head of Cricket for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, outlined the reasons behind the series of workshops. He said the upcoming series is crafted by CWI, and is designed to upskill existing curators across the region by exposing them to international best practices for pitch preparation and applicable mainte-

nance, while simultaneously expanding the cadre of curators by identifying new talent with the appropriate combination of theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, in order “to lend further expertise to match venues as we seek to deliver a world-class event in June”.

“We are enthusiastic about these workshops and educational seminars across the region. It is great to know that over 50 members of our ground staff will benefit from this series of seminars, which has been strategically set-up in the six regional host territories for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” Holder has said.

“This is geared towards ensuring that the persons with responsibility for the pitch, outfield, and other facilities on the ground will benefit from the knowledge available, in line with international best practices and in keeping with the highest standards.

“We are aware this is for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup; but (we are) also (catering for) postWorld Cup, as good pitch-

es lead to good cricket, with an even contest between bat and ball.

“This is an essential area of preparation for what will be the biggest event ever hosted in the West Indies.”

The workshops will include both indoor educational sessions and outdoor practical events. They start at Antigua and Barbuda from 7-8 March, and will move to Saint Lucia from 11-12 March, then on to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 14-15 March. From there, the series moves to Barbados from 18-19 March, and Guyana for the period 21-22 March, before concluding in Trinidad and Tobago from 25-26 March. These six countries will host matches in the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played from June 1 to 29.

West Indies, which hosted the event in 2010, will hold matches at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Kensington Oval, Guyana National Stadium, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground,

Halgrimsson expresses desire for Greenwood to join Reggae Boyz

RHalgrimsson has openly expressed his keen interest in having Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood join Jamaica’s national football team.

Greenwood, currently on loan at Getafe, faces limited prospects for an England call-up ahead of Euro 2024, paving the way for potential international representation elsewhere.

The 22-year-old Greenwood earned a single cap for England against Iceland in September 2020, but has found himself on loan

at Getafe after Manchester United deemed it necessary for him to continue his career away from the club.

The decision followed the dropping of charges by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 in matters that included attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, all of which Greenwood denied.

Eligible to play for Jamaica through his father Andrew, Greenwood’s potential representation of the Caribbean nation has been a topic of discus-

sion, with reports suggesting the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) is open to the idea.

According to current FIFA rules, the Manchester United academy graduate would be within his rights to change his international allegiance.

Speaking at a CONCACAF Nations League press conference in Dallas on Tuesday, Hallgrimsson confirmed the ongoing discussions about Greenwood’s potential inclusion in the Reggae Boyz squad.

“I really don’t like to talk about ‘what if,’ but this, of course, has come to our mind,” he said. “I would love to have him in my team. Like all coaches, I would like to have the best players in our team, but it’s always up to the player himself if he wants to do it,” added Hallgrimsson as he highlighted the player’s autonomy in making such a significant decision regarding his international career.

Jamaica plays the USA on March 21, 2024.

(Sportsmax)

curators would be involved in the workshop, since

Arnos Vale, and Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The event will be the largest in the tournament’s history, with 20 international teams playing

55 matches across nine locations. It is the first time USA will host matches at a T20 World Cup, with 16 first-round matches being split between Nassau

County International Cricket Stadium (New York), Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium (Dallas), and Broward County

ESPN secures ICC cricket rights in Caribbean, Latin America

between June 1 and 29.

Ahead of an exciting year in the region, with the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the continuation of its longterm partnership with ESPN with a deal taking ICC global events to fans across 51 territories in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The broadcast and digital deal includes the next eight years of rights for all matches of the 12 men’s senior events, and four U19 men’s events up until the end of 2031. The first senior men’s event as part of this agreement kicks off with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will take place in West Indies and the USA

The partnership would include, up until the end of 2027, all matches of the four women’s senior events and two U19 women’s events.

This agreement marks a new chapter in ICC’s relationship with ESPN, which began in 2012, and represents the first direct deal between the two organizations. Fans across 33 territories would be able to watch events coverage via ESPN Caribbean and ESPN2 Caribbean on television and on digital streaming platform ESPN Play Caribbean. In another 18 countries across Latin America, ICC cricket will be available through ESPN on the Star+

ries in the Caribbean and Latin America. We have a very exciting year coming up with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 (being) hosted in the West Indies and the USA, and (we) have a huge opportunity to entertain and inspire a new generation of fans in the region.”

VP of Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN, Michael Walters, has said: “The extension of this agreement reinforces ESPN’s commitment to providing fans in the Caribbean and Latin America with high quality and locally relevant programming. There is no better way to demonstrate that commitment than with the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup hosted by the West Indies and USA this summer. Our audiences in the region will be able to continue enjoying the International Cricket Council events for 8 more years, extending our relationship that dates back to 2012.”

eggae Boyz Head Coach Heimer

Local

Guyana is a hosting venue

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice

Reggae Boyz Head Coach, Heimer Halgrimsson

President Ali backs West Indies to take third World Cup title

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has made his choice for this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup, being obviously the West Indies. However, what was not as predictable was his choice of players to look out for in the 2024 edition of the global event.

President Ali was at the time competing in a T20 game being played in honour of the 1983 Shell Shield and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line Cup teams. Backing his belief that the West Indies would secure a third T20 title at home this June, the Head of State said the region has the most exciting players in the format.

“I think it’s natural that the World Cup is coming to the West Indies,” he said. “West Indies (have) made

tremendous contributions to global cricket. T20 recently, I would say, is our new brand of cricket. We have some of the most exciting players in T20 cricket. Regardless of where we are in the world standing, West Indian cricketers are the most exciting T20 players around the world. There is no other T20 player that can bring the glamour, glare, excitement and speed of bat and ball now to T20 cricket than West Indian cricketers,” President Ali has confidently affirmed. Asked about his favourite team for the 2-24 title, he added, “So, I think the World Cup coming to the West Indies is a natural home, and I believe we are in a position to make the West Indian fans very happy, and I strongly

Intense competition at the Caricom Classic Chess Team Tournament has seen Trinidad and Tobago take the lead with 4 match points, while Guyana Team 1 is in second place with 3 match points.

After two days and four rounds of gruelling competition, members of the Guyana Team 1 have recorded the following points: CM Taffin Khan, 4 points; FM Anthony Drayton and Shazeeda Rahim, 3.5 points; and Jessica Callender, 1 point.

Guyana Team 2 members Keron Sandiford and Kyle Couchman are on 1 point each, Aditi Joshi is on .5 point, and Sasha Shariff is yet to come off the mark.

In round three, Guyana Team 1 faced off against the St. Lucian team. CM Taffin Khan (2000) defeated Arvin Nicholas (1745) of St. Lucia firstly by trapping one of his knights while placing his opponent in a bind. Khan proceeded to capture more material, and the St. Lucian resigned after a weaker position.

Anthony Drayton and Shazeeda Rahim defeated St. Lucians Justin James and Chelsea Wahid respectively.

Jessica Callender (1585) went down to St. Lucian Tris-Ann Richards (1693) following a few inaccuracies that resulted in a losing position, but Guyana Team 1 won the round against St. Lucia.

The Guyana Team 2 play against Jamaica resulted in a loss for Guyana. Keron

believe West Indies (are) going to win the World Cup.”

President Ali disclosed the names of players he thinks could make an impact at the upcoming World Cup, among whom are two Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) stars from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Head of State declared, “I haven’t seen the final teams as yet, but I think if the Pakistani team play Saim Ayub, then he knows the wickets. I think he has shown in the CPL (that) he loved this environment. He’s someone to look at. Gurbaz is someone also to look at from Afghanistan. Also, look at Afghanistan’s team; that team has some very good players for these conditions here in the Caribbean.

promotion.

Sasha Shariff (1567) finally went down to St. Lucian Tris-Ann Richards (1693) in the endgame, with pawns and Kings remaining on the board. Shariff’s shattered pawn structure contributed to her loss, and Richards’s extra pawn and her aggressive King in the fray prevented a winning response from Shariff.

Although in a promising endgame position, National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford (1741) blundered his game and resigned to St. Lucian Arvin Nicholas (1745).

Sandiford and young Aditi Joshi both drew with their opponents, Nathan Hinds and Krishna Gray respectively, while fourteen-year-old Kyle Couchman and Sasha Shariff both lost to Jhustice McDonald and Adani Clarke. Shariff resigned from her opponent WCM Adani Clarke (1905) when their match was at the endgame stage. The female Jamaican player secured extra material and a passed pawn, which eventually would have been promoted for a win.

In round 4, Guyana Team 1 played against neighbouring Suriname, while Guyana Team 2 played against St. Lucia. FM Anthony Drayton (1936) defeated Jason Yeung (1978) of Suriname in their Round 4 clash. Drayton overwhelmed his opponent by winning material, but he finally clinched victory with a runaway outside passed pawn, which the Surinamese was helpless to stop.

A brilliant display by Guyana’s Shazeeda Rahim (1559) sealed the fate of her opponent Maylee Tjong Tjin Joe (1611) of Suriname. The two female players with a passed pawn each successfully promoted them to formidable Queens, but Rahim gained the upper hand with a pawn thrust by attacking the monarch of the Surinamese. With checkmate looming, Rahim’s opponent resigned.

CM Taffin Khan defeated Surinamese Shaief Chashawa (1786) with extra pawns, creating a decisive advantage from

Round 4 resulted in a win for Guyana against Suriname 3-1, but a loss for Guyana Team 2 against St. Lucia.

A noticeable feature of many matches was the struggles during the endgame. Most tournament participants concentrated their fighting chess during the final endgame stage when it became safe for the Kings to join the fight to win.

The Caricom Classic Team Chess Tournament is being supervised by Barbadian International Arbiter Kelvin Daniel. Guyana’s John Lee, who is assisting, is broadcasting boards 1 to 12 live on the GCF website for viewership at home.

Local National Arbiters Kim Shing Chong, Odit Rodrigues and Ricardo Narine are assistant Arbiters for the week-long tournament. Trinidadian Ms. Sandy Razark and Guyanese Marcia Lee are the female Arbiters. Ms. Razark is also the CCA representative visiting for the tournament.

Games continue today, Thursday, March 7th, with rounds 5 and 6, and on Friday, March 8th, with rounds 7 and 8. The final round will be played on Saturday, March 9th.

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to thank all sponsors for their generous support towards the Caricom Classic Chess Tournament, especially FIDE; CCA; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Enet, and Exxon Mobil.

The GCF extends sincere thanks to the Caricom Secretariat for support and collaboration in making the tournament a reality.

“I believe the players that will make this World Cup will be some of the less known players, some of the younger players, and there’re some very exciting young players that we’re seeing now.”

In articulating his confidence in the Guyanese people to support the West Indies, who will begin their campaign on local shores, President Ali shared other plans for the sport when he highlighted, “Guyanese have always supported West Indies cricket, Guyanese are enthusiastic with the fans. I think it’s good that West

Indies are starting off here, and I believe we will lay a solid foundation for them.”

Further, he stated about plans for the sport, “Much more than the game of cricket here, I think what we’re planning to do for cricket as a government and as a people, and sports in general, is revolutionary. The type of investments we’re making in grounds and facilities across the country, and now moving to the Academy, focusing on fast bowling…

“The only way we’re going to give youngsters a chance (is) franchise cricket, and the only way we’re going to be a

The Port Mourant Turf Club will come alive on Sunday, March 31, when the Easter Cup race meeting is held. More than 10 million dollars in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, and according to the provisional programme, eight races are on the cards.

The feature event is the Easter Cup, to be run over a distance of 1700 metres for a top cash prize of G$1.5M. This race would be open to all horses.

Additional races include the three-year-old Guyana and West Indian bred; H3 & Lower non-winner in Guyana five years and over; the E Class, L Class & J 3 maiden; the G & Lower and first time West Indies starters; J & Lower four years and above; and the four-yearold West Indies and Guyana-bred horses, which would complete

the day’s events. All races would be run under the guidance of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority’s rules. Races are subjected to change. Only jockeys with less than five (5) wins for the year 2023 would be allowed to ride in the L Class and J3 maiden. Non-Guyana jockeys will not be allowed to compete.

Entries

part of franchise cricket is if we have world class facilities here, where people can come from around the world and do spotting.

“We have to create an infrastructure and ecosystem here where we have cricketers from across the region plying their trade here, and where international spotters can come and do selection.

That is important.”

The World Cup tournament will commence on June 1 in Texas, USA, while West Indies gets started on June 2 against Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

CG

United Women’s Super50 Cup…

All-round efforts inspire Guyana Women’s second win

Guyana’s Women secured another big win, this time by 44 runs against the Windwards Islands Women, as they continued their unblemished campaign in the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup on Wednesday at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

As had obtained in the first game, Guyana’s opposition won the toss and opted to bowl first, forcing the Guyanese ladies to take a first hit. As if going by a script, the opening pair were unable to get going once again, with Mandy Mangru and Naomi Barkoye contributing 1 and 2 respectively before meeting their demise in the innings.

Shabika Gajnabi was, however, in fine touch, and went on to score a half century. Gajnabi was Guyana’s shining star with the bat, slamming 61 runs in 102 deliveries. There was another shot at a half century in the Guyanese camp, but Captain Shemaine Campbell fell 8 runs short of the landmark, having hit 42 off 61 deliveries.

Under-19 player

Ashmini Munisar had the next best score, with 29 off 31 balls; while Shanetta Grimmond’s 21 off 30 balls helped to get the Guyanese Women to 207/8 in their 50 overs. For Windwards, Carena Noel took 3-47 from 7 overs, as she became a hindrance to the Guyanese batting in the latter overs. Captain

KFC Elite League…

Slingerz and Den Amstel, clubs hailing from the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), reigned supreme on Tuesday night by each picking up victories in Round 2 of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/KFC Elite League Season 6.

The first game in the double header at the National Training Center at Providence, East Bank Demerara was a battle of the oranges, in which Slingerz eased past Fruta Conquerors 4-1.

The two teams almost went the entire first 45 minutes without a goal being scored, but Slingerz FC finally found their rhythm a few minutes before the half was called.

Following a Slingerz buildup inside the box, Lovell received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and volleyed it into the right corner of the goal in the 45th minute.

In the 45th+2, Darren Niles played circles around two Fruta defenders before doing what Lovell had done in a one-on-one versus the goalkeeper, slipping the ball into the corner of the nets for Slingerz second goal in quick time.

Slingerz rode their 2-nil lead in the second, but were stunned in the 62nd minute when Dwayne Jones got to a dangerous ball in the box before Slingerz keeper Akel Clarke could. Jones needed only to tap the ball in for the goal, altering the score to 2-1.

Slingerz’ defence held

Crafton fell, Noel went soon after in trying to play a big shot off Niya Latchman’s bowling. She scored 18 runs from 31 deliveries.

Eventually, the Windward Women were cut down for 163 in 40.2 overs.

Millington, Munisar and Latchman each took 2 wickets in figures of 2-23 from 9

overs; 2-31 from 9 overs, and 2-38 from 7 overs respectively. Kayshia Schultz and Shenetta Grimmond each had one scalp.

The Guyanese team will now turn their attention to the Barbados Women when they come up against each other tomorrow, Friday, March 8.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Women 207/8 BATTING R

M Mangru RHB b SG Ross 1

SA Campbelle RHB lbw ASS Fletcher 42

RMAU Grimmond RHB c EL Fontaine b Q Joseph 19

SS Grimmond RHB b CN Noel 21

A Munisar RHB not out 29

KC Schultz RHB c

Afy Fletcher, Pearl Etienne, Selena Ross and Qiana Joseph each took one wicket.

In the chase, Malika Edward fell for a duck in the first over off Millington’s bowling, but Zaida James and Namiah Marcellin did a good job at repairing, hitting 21 off 50 balls and 17 off 36 deliveries respectively.

However, the loss of their wickets effected a frequent

loss of batters, all while Windward continued to score consistently. Nerissa Crafton did the most resisting of the Windward batters, falling 3 runs short of the half-century mark in her 54ball 47.

Munisar took Crafton’s prized wicket, after she and Noel had frustrated the Guyanese bowlers with a 50+ partnership. After

off Fruta, and a set piece just outside the box gave them their third strike in the 80th, when Jeremy Garrett made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Niles returned in the 86th to capitalize off an assist from Sheldon Holder. He ran through the Fruta defence and beat the keeper in the closing minutes of the game to make it a 4-1 affair.

In a brief assessment of his team’s victory, Slingerz Head Coach Alex Thomas did not rate the victory as

highly as their first in the 2024 League. His comments to this publication were:

“Tonight’s performance? Well done to our team. You know, they did what they needed to do to win the game, but it was one of our poor performances, because we always set our standards high. But nevertheless, 3 points is in the bag”.

The following game was a gruelling encounter between Santos FC and Den Amstel FC, which resulted in the latter coming out on

top by a one goal margin.

There were numerous near misses in the first half, but the finishing of both teams left much to be desired. Eventually, a penalty opportunity went the way of Den Amstel in the 68th, which Anthony Benn perfectly executed for what became the game-winning goal.

Similarly to his Slingerz counterpart, Den Amstel Coach Kevyn Murray was not too ecstatic about his team’s performance. Murray related after the game, “I’m still not satisfied; we could’ve done way better. We didn’t have as much chances as we had in the Police game, but I think overall we still got a lot of work to put in on the training ground, and hopefully come against Fruta Conquerors stronger, more tactically fit.”

The Elite League continues tomorrow with a solitary game between Monedderlust FC and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, set to kick off from 19:00hrs at the same Providence venue.

CWI U15 Rising Stars tournament…

Berbice batsman

Adrian Hetmyer has been appointed captain of the Guyana Under-15 team ahead of the upcoming CWI U15 50-Over tournament which bowls off this month in Antigua.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced the 14-member squad, which features the dynamic batsman Adrian Hetmyer, nephew of Shimron Hetmyer, leading a strong unit while having fellow prolific opening batsman Emmanuel Lewis as his deputy.

Top U15 players like Khush Seegobin, Parmeshwar Ram, Shamar Apple, Brandon Henry, Jathniel Nurse, Richard Ramdehol and others will form the star-studded team, which would be among the top contenders at the upcoming competition.

The Guyana U15 team is sponsored by OES Guyana Inc., whose sponsorship would assist in preparation and outfitting of the team for the regional tournament, which begins in Antigua on March 24.

Meanwhile, the squad features seven reserve players, among whom are Reyaz Latiff, Bhomesh Lall, Trilok Nanan and Mickel Sharma.

Guyana’s U15 squad reads: Parmeshwar Ram, Justin Dowlin, Danvir Seegobin, Emmanuel Lewis (VC), Adrian Hetmyer (capt), Rovaldo Pereira, Richard Ramdehol, Khush Seegobin, Sohail Mohammed (W/k), Shamar Apple, Brandon Henry, Gilbert Griffith, Jathniel Nurse, Arif Khan. Standby players are: Trilok Nanan, Reyaz Latif, Bhomesh Lall, Feeaz Baksh, Kumulchan Ramnarace, Eron Benjamin and Mickle Sharma.

Shabika Gajnabi inspired a better batting performance from the Guyanese Women with a half century

Emmanuel

Darren Niles (25) celebrating with teammates after netting for Slingerz FC

Anthony Benn (on ball) netted the game-winner for Den Amstel against Santos FC