Guyana Times - Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Guyana seeking investors to explore for lithium, other rare minerals

In addition to Guyana’s traditional gold, silver and bauxite deposits, there’s also the possibili-

ty of lithium and other rare minerals. Accordingly, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government

is seeking investors to explore for these minerals.

This was explained by Natural Resources Minister

Vickram Bharrat, during a recent broadcast. Outside of the possibility of lithium, copper has been found in Guyana. Both of these minerals can be used in the production of batteries and solar panels, respectively.

“We have gold, we have Diamond, significant exploration. For example, the biggest Canadian gold company is in Guyana right now, Barrick Gold. But we are looking at copper. We have found a significant deposit of copper and also, we are looking at investors to come in and do exploration for lithium and other rare earth elements.”

The Minister explained that such minerals can be used for renewable energy production. In fact, he described lithium as possibly the “next gold” and noted that critical minerals have tremendous potential to help develop Guyana’s energy capabilities.

“Mining will have to continue. Lithium will probably be the next gold, or will probably be more expensive than gold a few years from now. So, countries that are producing or mining for lithium, are the countries that will make a fortune off of it. Copper as well, that they use to make batteries, we have found a copper deposit in Guyana.”

“We have a company that is going to develop that in a few years from now. And we are welcoming investors to do exploration for lithium and other critical minerals because these minerals are needed for the world to achieve its target of 100 per cent renewable by 2050. So, mining will continue,” Minister Bharrat said.

There is a problem, however, with the availability of new data on how many minerals Guyana actually has. According to Minister Bharrat, an updated mineral inventory is needed in Guyana. However, the good news is that companies have expressed interest in partnering with the State to make this a reality.

“Minerals that are needed or considered as critical minerals are needed to ensure we move towards renewable energy in terms of battery production, solar panels. Our data is old. I must accept that. The last time we did a mineral inventory in Guyana was in the eighties or before I was born. So, we really need to update our mineral inventory.”

“The reason we never did it, is because it costs a lot. We didn’t have the resources to do it. But there are a number of companies coming forward now that are interested in working with government to do that mineral inventory. And that, of course, will tell us of all the

new deposits we have and the new minerals we have.”

Lithium is a chemical element that is derived from stone. Said to be the lightest known metal, it is used in rechargeable batteries found in mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, electrical vehicles, pacemakers, toys and clocks.

Lithium’s uses extend far beyond rechargeable batteries, but many predict that this application will dominate demand for the metal in coming years. Given the growing importance of energy metals and lithium-ion batteries, securing a consistent supply of lithium is a top priority for technology companies around the world.

Back in 2017, Australian company, Greenpower Energy, and Canada-based Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Incorporated, had done some exploration for rare earth minerals and lithium in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), to see if the area has enough deposits to make it profitable for mining. (G3)

A lithium deposit in Australia

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, Apr 11 – no retraction and Wednesday, Apr 12 – 22:00h – 23:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Apr 11 – 07:05h –08:35h and Wednesday, Apr 12 – 08:10h – 09:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine and light rain showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:39h and 20:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 13:48h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre.

Pres Ali calls on citizens to rally behind One Guyana mission, unify for country

to nation

LOTTERY NUMBERS

The One Guyana mission, which has been a mantra of President Dr Irfaan Ali, is one that the President is calling on citizens to rally behind in an effort to help unify Guyana and bridge gaps by reaching out to those in need.

In his Easter Day message, President Ali spoke of the importance of persons pledging to be “torchbearers of hope” and serving the people, demonstrating along the way that there are still caring and compassionate people.

“Let us all pledge to be torchbearers of hope. Let us become a light to others by being of service to them and particularly, to those who may be encountering unfortunate circumstances. Let us demonstrate that we are caring, considerate and compassionate people by reaching out to them in love, com-

fort and support.”

“The One Guyana mission will help bring our people closer together and to be instruments of hope to our fellow brothers and sisters. Let us continue to work each day to make this mission successful in uniting our nation,” President Ali further said in his message.

Wishing everyone a joyous Easter, he noted that the day contains a powerful message of not falling victim to despair. While life may have its challenges, there is also a sliver of hope that persons should not lose sight of.

“Easter celebrates the certainty of the victory of hope. When everything seemed lost, the resurrection restored hope and became a source of joy for the early followers of Christ. The easter story reminds us not to succumb easily to despondency and despair.”

“Amid the disappointments which life’s challenges sometimes present, there is always a sliver of hope, one that reminds us that life overcomes death, love surmounts hatred and hope triumphs over hopelessness.

Be of service

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips advocated for unity and service, noting that even as the country celebrates Easter, they are reminded of the importance of core values such as faith, love, family and unity.

“On this occasion of new beginnings and opportunities, we are also reminded of the importance of unity and service to others. This is a reminder as we consider how we can unite as a community and country to support one another and work towards a better future for all Guyanese.”

“As we celebrate Easter in Guyana, we reflect on the resilience and strength of our people. Even as we face

challenges as a nation, we are fortunate to be a resilient nation who have continued to support one another as we work to build a bright and prosperous Guyana for our future generations.”

According to the Prime Minister, Guyanese should reflect on the country’s many blessings and also use the time to renew their commitment to living a life of “love and unity”. He also reminded of the lessons that come with the occasion.

“This time of reflection allows us to be thankful for the many blessings we have in our lives. We are blessed with a beautiful country, rich in culture and diversity, strong families and a supportive community.”

“We are gifted with the opportunity to come together to celebrate our faith and shared values, even among people of different beliefs. Guyana continues to be blessed with these admirable traits of tolerance, harmony and togetherness among our people.” (G3)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips

…as PM urges persons to be of service

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Earth Day 2023: Invest in our planet

In a matter of days Guyana will be joining the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day 2023.

For Earth Day 2023, earthday.org is advocating for the need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It also stated that this year's theme is "focused on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part — everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.” April 22 is International Mother Earth Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations in 2009.

During the industrialisation era, much focus was placed on enjoying the benefits of large-scale production of goods at cheaper prices; time saving, saving on labour; new modes of transport, but at that time little attention was given to what this would have meant for the environment.

Unfortunately, while leading to great progress in most areas of learning and the production of new goods for our consumption, 18th century “European Enlightenment” also led to the most destructive wars in the history of mankind, and to the creation of weapons which can literally destroy all life on Earth overnight.

By the 20th century, however, another threat to life on Earth was conceded, after the evidence accumulating since the previous century finally became incontrovertible: pollution and poisoning of the land and waters by the effluents from the industrial production and use of the same goods that were supposed to deliver the good life to all mankind.

The USA by then had clawed its way to become the most “advanced” country in the world, and it was, therefore, not surprising that it had produced the most pollutants and become the most polluted country. By 1970, exactly one century after the Industrial Revolution was accepted to have been launched, an American Senator started a campaign for “Earth Day” to be commemorated annually on April 21, to publicise the need to reduce pollution of the Earth.

At that time, fertilisers being leached and industrial wastes being dumped into rivers were seen as the most potent polluters. The US and other developed countries have since done much to reverse that trend.

On the other hand, the Third World, in its quest to become First World, has now not only picked up the slack in the production of pollutants, but has surged past the polluters previously mentioned. In addition, it has been discovered that pollution of the Earth had been much more insidious and pervasive.

The burning of petroleum and other fossil fuels, such as coal, all produce the gas carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the atmosphere and acts to prevent radiant energy impinging on the Earth from the sun from escaping into space. As such, with the onset of progress in the production of goods by the Industrial Revolution, its carbon dioxide waste was leading to the steady and inexorable warming of the atmosphere. This, in turn, unleashed all kinds of deleterious effects, such as a change in weather patterns and raised sea levels, caused by ever-faster melting ice caps.

While “global warming” was fought by many, especially by those that benefited from the production of fossil fuels, the UN made a fin de siècle warning that we could not afford to go beyond a 2C rise from the temperature of the 19th century. This would push global warming beyond its tipping point, with its concomitant climate change that could lead to an even more rapid rise in sea level, crop failures, and the collapse of coral reefs and invaluable ecosystems. According to the report, the world can only continue to emit carbon for roughly another 23 years at current levels, before it will have a more-than-two-thirds chance of going over the 2C limit.

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet”, which is a continuation of the 2022 theme. The previous one, “Ending plastic pollution”, highlighted yet another facet of our unwitting destruction of the Earth’s delicate ecosystem that permits life as we know it.

The production of plastic – a completely new substance never produced in the billions of years of Earth’s existence — was seen as a wonder of the Industrial Revolution. Today, its use is ubiquitous, but so is its disposal; and since it is not “biodegradable”, it is now seen as a pollutant from several angles.

In Guyana, we are all aware of its effects in clogging up canals and causing massive flooding on our coasts. But a new threat has been revealed: the amount of plastic in the oceans will soon exceed that of marine life, and pose a threat to the latter’s survival.

Maybe the old “superstitious” belief of regarding and treating Earth as our “mother” should be revived.

Could the impasse with 2 top judicial appointments be settled through a referendum?

Dear Editor, It has become fashionable for people aligned to the major Opposition party or who are anti-PPP/C to explain every social situation through the prism of race of racial discrimination. There is a tendency to pluck an issue out of its historical context and then begin to ruminate on it. This is not the right way to analyse situations for salience. Rather, there should be a shift in focus on adopting a contextual approach to any matter. In addition, the use of emotive language with the implicit intention of trying to extract a particular decision, could hardly deserve any serious attention.

In a letter to the press on April 9, 2023, prominent Union Leader Mr Lincoln Lewis refers to the impasse in the appointment to substantive positions of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the acting Chief Justice, as discrimination.

“That these discriminatory acts continue is not a function of the Constitution but inability of political leaders to recognise that such matters are not about them and their egos, but the interest of workers and citizens to be protected at every level.”

Would Mr Lewis have taken the same position regarding the failure of the PNCR Opposition Leaders to give their consent for the substantive appointment of Hon Carl Singh as Chancellor of the Judiciary and Hon Ian Chang as Chief Justice? To say now that “their appointments should be substantive and retroactive,” is an attempt at ap-

peasement; it is like closing the gate when the horses have already left.

Why the silence when Hon Carl Singh and Hon Ian Chang were not confirmed as Chancellor of Judiciary and Chief Justice, respectively?

PNCR Opposition Leader Hon David Granger stated publicly that he would not agree to the appointments of Hon Carl Singh as Chancellor of the Judiciary and to Hon Ian Chang as Chief Justice. Hon Ian Chang served 10 years in the acting capacity as Chief Justice, while Justice Carl Singh served 12 years as Acting Chancellor. There was no advocacy by Opposition forces on behalf of the acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh to be confirmed during the David Granger regime.

When Hon Carl Singh demitted office, President David Granger favoured Justice Kenneth Benjamin of Belize and not Justice Yonette Cummings-Edward as the substantive Chancellor. The PPP/C Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo did not agree with that nomination and raised some concerns with President David Granger. Likewise, the Guyana Bar Association felt uneasy with Justice Benjamin’s nomination. Why wasn’t President Granger asked to explain his refusal to identify Justice Yonette Cummings-Edward as Chancellor of the Judiciary but chose instead Justice Kenneth Benjamin for that position?

There is an important interplay of dialectics here. To

understand how this evolves and leads to a particular position, a brief probe into the relevant historical context is unavoidable. In 2001 the PPP/C Government implemented a menu of measures, as part of its efforts to enhance inclusive governance by shifting some power from the Executive onto the parliamentary Opposition. One such measure was the arrangement (formula) to appoint the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. This formula allows the Leader of the Opposition to give his consent for the substantive appointment to both offices. Previously, this power of appointment was vested in the presidency.

When the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was established, the incumbent Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana, Hon Justice Desiree Bernard demitted office in 2005 and was elevated as an Appellate Judge in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that was established in April 2005. Chief Justice Carl Singh was appointed Acting Chancellor in 2005. He served in that capacity until February 2017. In 2006 Hon Justice Ian Chang was appointed acting Chief Justice and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2016. Neither PNCR opposition Leader Hon Robert Corbin (2003-2012) nor Hon David Granger (2012-2015) agreed to confirm either Justice Ian Chang or Justice Carl Singh to the substantive positions of Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary, respectively.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo had met with PNCR Opposition Leader Hon Robert Corbin on several occasions in the expectation of confirming Chief Justice Carl Singh as the substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary. Jagdeo also sought the substantive appointment of Justice Ian Chang as Chief Justice. Jagdeo failed to get agreement on both appointments. When Hon Donald Ramotar became President in 2011, he met with the Leader of the Opposition Hon David Granger multiple times to seek agreement on the appointment of Hon Carl Singh as the substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice Ian Chang as the substantive Chief Justice. Hon David Granger refused to give his consent. What is perplexing too is that neither Hon Corbin nor Hon Granger offered any reason for their objections to the appointments of Justice Carl Singh as Chancellor and Justice Ian Chang as Chief Justice. Neither did they propose any alternative candidates for these positions.

If the Government and the parliamentary Opposition party cannot agree on the existing arrangement for the appointment of the Chief Justice and the Chancellor of the Judiciary, then the authorities should allow the people to resolve this matter through a referendum. Sovereignty resides in the people.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

President Dr Irfaan Ali, First Lady Arya Ali and their son Zayd joined in the Easter Monday festivities at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown (Office of the President photo)

Wallaba Wood: A possible alternative to Red Cedar in North America

Dear Editor, See the oak barrels stacked with the ageing rum of DDL. My father and a number of other Hinds men were coopers (tradesmen making barrels and other liquid containing vessels out of wood) in the Bookers, Sandbach Parker and other cooperages of those days.

I recall in 1952, my father speaking of the growing rumours in the cooperage, of stainless-steel vessels and barrels being introduced for some stages of the processing; and the talk and his dreams of the fear of retrenchment from jobs that did not pay a living wage. Indeed, he was soon retrenched and never again obtaining a regular cooper job, the honourable trade of his father and many before to which he stuck, it was an even more unstable future

thereafter for us. That experience was to return to haunt me, when at the beginning of the 1980s, I was fully aware of the great reduction in production and the great losses we were incurring in our nationalised bauxite industry. Retrenchment was inevitable. Soon I was tasked with drawing up a reduced workforce for my division, a one third reduction at every level. And could I have had any doubt that at the rarefied levels above me extending to our World Bank and IMF handlers there would be similar considerations including me! I survived - perhaps I owe some to that same Bookers now DDL cooperage.

In mid-1976 Guyana was out of alum for clarifying water in its water preparation plant in Georgetown.

Even if it had the money, it would have taken some six months to a year to get the stock replenished. Georgetown would have had to live that long with brown Lamaha water unclarified in all its taps. We had a number of customers who bought our bauxite to make alum for sale in their areas. One friendly one was Mr "Dutch" Holland in the Boston, Massachusetts area. In our labs the technicians would occasionally fool around making alum in glass beakers on the lab counters. We had the materials and with industrial scale guidance from "Dutch" it seemed that we could make the alum Guyana required.

The big problem was the vessel in which to cook the alumina hydrate (purified bauxite) in the strong

enough, hot enough sulphuric acid and the tanks in which to store the no less corrosive 50% alum solution. Dutch kept saying that Carpenter 20 stainless steel would do the job but was woefully expensive, and other no less daunting alternatives. For a number of reasons, I said let's try a wooden vat made of our Wallaba. And so we did. And so it was that in 1976 I paid my first conscious trip to the former Bookers Cooperage, a place where my father had worked for about 20 years (1930 to 1952). One or two old coopers recalled my father, Archie, as some others who had turned to other jobs had done when I began working at the bauxite company in Linden in 1967.

Jimmy Kranenburg, my boss, Deputy CEO, observing our alum operations,

remarked that Dr Faustus stepping out of the play by Goethe and the alchemists stepping out of the Middle Ages would have felt very comfortable at my plant cooking hydrate in fuming sulphuric acid in a wooden vat. We learnt many things along the way and I became steadily more proud and pleased with our operations, supplying all alum used in Guyana, delivering to the "Shelter Belt" in Georgetown, the plants around Linden and the small plants in Bartica and Kwakwani, until, on another WB/IMF arrangement of about 1988/89 importation of alum was resumed as the bauxite industry was stripped to its core to be made ready for any possible privatisation.

"Dutch" was very impressed with the perfor-

Guyanese?

Dear Editor, I thank the Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition for engaging me on the aforementioned topical debate. Readers would recall that in sections of the media, it was reported that the Opposition is proposing the phasing out of oil and gas development or slowing down the pace of development. However, in his response to the undersigned’s article that appeared in certain sections of the media, he’s clarified that the Opposition’s position is to “intelligently space out” future oil and gas developments. It remains unclear, however, as to what exactly this means for the Opposition and how they propose to do so.

The Economic Advisor failed to illustrate by way of any analysis or economic modelling, at least at a high level, how intelligently spacing how out future developments would work in practice?without disrupting the momentum in the economy. Notwithstanding, since the Opposition’s clarification on this matter has proved unhelpful?the opportunity is presented to further develop the argument in support of the Government's strategy to ramp up the pace of development in the sector over the medium term.

As explained in the undersigned’s recent column, the project lifecycle in the oil and gas industry includes three stages?namely, exploration, development, and production spanning on average 30-40 years. In the case of Guyana, for example, exploration prior to

the discovery of oil in commercial quantities lasted fifteen (15) years, followed by the development stage which spanned another five (5) years before moving into production. And according to the terms of the production licence, this is another twenty (20) years to produce the resource. In other words, it took twenty years before a single barrel of crude oil was produced to generate revenue from the sale/monetisation of the resource in the Stabroek Block.

With this in mind, given the nature of the industry?that is, the petroleum geology of the fields, the engineering, and the economics among other factors, developments in the industry are naturally and sufficiently spaced out. Bearing in mind that the geology and economics of each field are often times not the same.

The aim, therefore, is to encourage and facilitate ongoing exploration in the sector. In so doing, should there be future commercial finds, by the time those new discoveries are developed, these should start to produce simultaneously?or to coincide with the decline curve of the current producing fields.

In other words, if the Government opts to “intellectually space out” future developments, whatever this means, if for instance it means that new exploration will be permitted every five years and new production license will be issued every three-four years, then the current producing fields will eventually start to decline. Hence, in the absence of any new developments on

stream by the time production starts to decline, the country will have to endure declining production, which would translate into a loss of revenue to the national treasury and an overall decline in economic activities across the oil and gas value chain.

To the contrary, there are case studies of other petroleum producing countries in the Region, namely, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, that for a variety of reasons did not facilitate undisrupted ongoing exploration. The result in both cases is a declining economy, thus engendering a plethora of economic problems and challenges in these two countries. Additionally, there are a number of other global factors to consider, that sufficiently justify the need to maintain the current pace of development. These are:

a) In the global oil outlook to 2040 report (2021) by McKinsey & Company, it is projected that new oil drilling is needed to meet demand by 2040. It goes on to state that by 2040, exploration and production companies need to add 38 MMb/d if new crude production from unsanctioned projects is to meet new demand. Most new production is expected to come from offshore and shale resources.

b) Even in an accelerated energy transition-scenario, McKinsey sees the need for new oil drilling by 2040. While most offshore regions will be under pressure in an accelerated energy transition scenario, the sector will still require new production of nearly 23 MMb/d to meet demand by 2040.

Demand in a 1.5oC-pathway will force shut-ins.

The implications for Guyana based on scenarios (a) and (b) above, are such that Guyana could lose out on the opportunity to be part of the global supply chain during this period?after which (beyond 2040 i.e.) the uncertainties in the global crude market will only deepen.

c) By spacing out future developments just to benefit from higher profit oil in the short-term (theoretically); having regards for the risks and volatility of the industry, capital raise for future developments may have to come from external sources versus internal source of financing. This can be problematic in terms of the cost of capital for oil and gas development and scarcity of capital for oil and gas development in the future which would only compound the cost of capital.

The current and future developments are financed from the operating cash flows from current operations, which is enabled by the lack of ring-fencing, vizá-viz, the 75% cost recovery ceiling. Consequently, the cost of this form of financing is cheaper than raising capital externally through debt and equity financing.

That said, it should be noted that there are two types of ring fencing: one relates to the geology and commercial viability of the wells?in terms of whether the exploration cost for a dry well is allowed to be recovered from another commercially viable well within the same field, or should

mance of our Wallaba wood of which our vat, our chemical reactor vessel was fabricated. He contacted the National Wood Tank and Pipe Institute of North America and learnt that there would be a great market for Wallaba (in oneinch-thick planks) replacing their prized red cedar which was becoming scarce. However, there was no such production in Guyana and no one was then thinking of making the investments in the possibilities of developing such a sector. Some markets may still be there.

Sincerely, Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister, Former President, Ambassador to the USA and the OAS

it be disallowed and treated as a sunk cost. The other type of ring fencing which is the more contentious form?relates to the fiscal regime. For tax purposes, ring fencing typically applies in determining the taxable income per field, thereby effectively disallowing future field developments to be financed from the operating cash flows generated from other existing/producing fields.

It is against this background, that the proposal by the Opposition to “intelligently space out” future developments in oil and gas has not been thoroughly informed. Accordingly, the case is made out herein demonstrating that the opportunity cost to the country in the long-term, is likely to far exceed the benefit.

Yours sincerely, Joel

Bhagwandin

Intelligently spacing out oil & gas developments or intelligently bluffing

NGSA Math Questions

State-of-the-art $2.5B GNBS lab to be completed by 2024 …IDB-funded project will be part of massive complex

A$2.5 billion stateof-the-art laboratory for the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is being constructed by local company Nabi Construction Incorporated, is expected to be completed by 2024.

The lab is being built in the Sophia Exhibition complex, in close proximity to the Sophia Training Centre and Special School. The project will see the construction of a two-storey main building, a single storey services building, a two-storey truck bay testing area and other external works to prepare the site.

The implementing agen-

cies for this project are Ministry of Tourism and the IDB, on behalf of the GNBS, while the consultant for the project is Vikab Guyana Limited. The 18-month duration of the project means it will likely be completed within the first half of 2024.

During the construction phase, most of the labour will be recruited from the surrounding communities including Sophia, Prashad Nagar, Campbellville, Lamaha Gardens, Turkeyen, etc. Once the facility is completed, however, approximately 120 persons will be hired mostly in specialist fields.

Last year, GNBS had recorded a successful year with several outstanding achievements. Focusing on

the standards and measurement needs of consumers, businesses and organizations, the Bureau managed to surpass its targets in the timely delivery of its standards and services demanded by various stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Bureau continued to meet its objectives as the country’s National Measurement Institute (NMI). One of the Bureau’s main roles is the verification of measuring instruments. In 2022, the GNBS’s Legal Metrology Department verified 39,807 measuring instruments used in trade including scales, masses, petrol pumps, breathalysers, speed guns, electricity meters and other devices.

The proposed site for the state-of-the-art lab within the Sophia Exhibition complex

Guyana filed 16 matters

at CCJ in 2021/2022

…almost thrice the number of cases filed by Barbados, Belize

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) last week released its annual report for the August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, judicial year; and Guyana has again accounted for the majority of cases filed in the regional tribunal’s Appellate Jurisdiction.

For the period under review, the CCJ sat 39 times. These sittings comprised five case management conferences (CMCs), 19 hearings, and 15 judgement deliveries.

Of the 28 total cases filed, 16 were from Guyana and six each from Barbados and Belize. No case was filed by Dominica. This total comprised 14 notices of appeal and 14 applications for special leave. Fifty-seven per cent of the matters were civil, while 43 per cent were criminal.

“There was a 32% decrease in new matters filed for the reporting period of 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022 compared to the previous year, with six cases from Barbados, six cases from Belize, and 16 cases from Guyana. There were no new cases from Dominica,” the report highlighted.

In its Appellate Jurisdiction, the CCJ is the final court of appeal for criminal and civil matters for the above-named Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states.

St Lucia acceded to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction last month.

Moreover, in the August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, judicial year, one matter was filed in the court’s Original Jurisdiction by Antigua and Barbuda.

In the previous year, one matter each was filed by Antigua and Barbuda and Belize and two by Trinidad and Tobago.

According to the CCJ’s Annual Report, this is a 75% decrease in new matters filed for the reporting period of 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022 compared to the previous year.

In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ is an international court with exclusive authority to interpret and apply the rules set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) and to decide disputes arising under it. The RTC established Caricom and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). In its Original Jurisdiction,

Enjoying...

…our wrangler country

Your Eyewitness was soooo touched when he saw that convoy of vehicles threading their way to the Rupununi Rodeo!! What better way to honour our pioneering forbears who opened up our interior savannahs by founding some of the largest cattle ranches in the world!! Bet you’d forgotten THAT little factoid, didn’t you?? That’s right…our Dadanawa Ranch had pipped the King Ranch in Texas to earn us bragging rights as to whose cowboys had to roam furthest to rustle up their cattle!! So the next time you encounter those Texas ranch hands – now reduced to being roustabouts bringing up our oil for Exxon – swaggering around in their black, duty-free SUVs, let them know they’re number two when it comes to the real cowboy life. We still have a CATTLE TRAIL to traverse to get to the rodeo – while they have paved highways!! What wimps!!

the CCJ is critical to the CSME and all 12 Member States which belong to the CSME (including citizens, businesses, and governments) can access the court to protect their rights under the RTC. The CCJ was inaugurated on April 16, 2005.

Year after year, the CCJ continues to urge other Caricom member states to sign on to its Appellate Jurisdiction instead of using the United Kingdom’s Privy Council.

Caricom’s two largest countries by inhabitants—Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica—which have a combined population of over 4 million, still have the Privy Council as their final court. (G1)

Child rapist claiming unfair trial, seeks to overturn life sentences

A50-year-old man who is currently serving three life sentences for raping underage girls has appealed his convictions, arguing, among other things, that the admission of prejudicial evidence resulted in him having an unfair trial.

Sheldon Lynch, a father of two, of East Coast Demerara (ECD), was convicted at the Demerara Criminal Assizes in 2018 of raping a girl on two separate occasions between December 2010 and November 2011 and another girl on August 22, 2015.

For the rape that occurred between December 2010 and November 2011 when the girl was just 10, he was sentenced to two consecutive life terms and must spend a minimum of 35 years in prison on each of the two convictions before being paroled. In relation to the rape committed on August 22, 2015, on another girl, 11, Lynch was imprisoned for life, without parole.

It was reported that on August 22, 2015, Lynch, known to the child, had forced himself on the then 11-year-old. Following the incident, the girl told her mother what had transpired, and the mother reported the matter to the Police. Thus, he was arrested and later charged.

Concerning the matter in which Lynch was found guilty on two counts of child

rape and given two consecutive life sentences, the Court of Appeal heard arguments last week Wednesday.

Lynch’s lawyer, Ronald Daniels contended that prejudicial evidence was admitted by the trial Judge, and this interfered with the jury’s ability to reach an impartial verdict.

For context, he said that prior to the jury being empanelled, the Judge referred to other indictments of a similar nature in favour of his client and that in the circumstances, this was tantamount to “bad character evidence” and therefore was prejudicial.

Interjecting was Chancellor of the Judiciary

(ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards who questioned whether the trial Judge’s query about the indictment in the presence of potential jurors was detrimental to the case. Daniels, however, maintained his position.

“The effect of that is to put the jury on notice that the appellant [Lynch] has been charged for other offences of a similar nature and in the circumstances, it has the effect of suggesting to the jury that the appellant might be someone with the propensity to commit such offences…”

After Daniel’s response, the Chancellor further quizzed him on whether his client did not benefit from the legal principle of presumption of innocence. Counsel submitted that his client did not, and reasoned that if the trial Judge was not inclined to discharge that jury panel and select jurors from another panel, the trial Judge should have dealt with the issue during summation.

Among Lynch’s other grounds of appeal are that the trial Judge failed to put his defence of alibi to the jury and that the two life sentences are manifestly excessive. In his testimony, Lynch had said that he was in the interior at the time the young girl claimed he raped her.

Representing the State was Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP) Mercedes Glasford, who contended, “It is not in every case where something prejudicial is admitted inadvertently that the jury or the panel should be discharged.” She relied on case laws to support her argument.

In one of those cases, Glasford said that it was held that whether or not to discharge a jury is at the discretion of the trial Judge on the particular facts of the case.

“It has been repeated time and time again that every case depends on its facts, it depends on the nature of what has been admitted, and what in light of the circumstances, in which it has been admitted and what is the correct course to be taken.” In the instant case, the prosecutor maintained that the strength of the prosecution’s case outweighed any prejudicial evidence and that any properly directed jury would have arrived at the same conclusion—a guilty verdict.

Apart from the Chancellor, Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud also comprised the bench. The convict’s appeal against his other rape conviction and life sentence is yet to be heard.

(G1)

That cattle trail is historic, Dear Readers – and your Eyewitness is pretty sure it’s nostalgia for those good, rough and ready days that’s preventing us from ever completing the much-announced Linden-Lethem paved highway!! Do we want to become soft and namby pamby like these modern Texans?? Nah!! It took a lot of guts for old man HPC Melville – the Scottish owner of Dadanawa Ranch –to carve out that 120 mile trail during WWI when supplies to Georgetown from Europe and elsewhere got disrupted. Imagine taking hundreds of head of cattle across swamps, jungles and rivers from assembly point at Annai to the Yawakuri Savannah up the Berbice River. And thence by pontoon to the coast!!

The Yanks also laid railroads to their Chicago stockyards: they just couldn’t take the heat so they scampered from the camp-fire!! And started living on Brokeback Mountain! Anyhow, back to our Rupununi Rodeo. From what your Eyewitness could see…we still have some real dyed-in-the wool cowboys – we call them vaqueros – who put on quite a show for the visiting coastlanders. They lapped up the manly art of wrestling cattle to the ground and spitting out their tobacco chaw!! Better than sticking bulls with swords while prancing around – as the Spaniards do – ain’t it??

But whether we like it or not…the Rupununi has changed – and that change is gonna accelerate. The Administration is pouring in a lot of money to get agriculture finally selfsustaining – and capable of not only feeding the region, but exporting to Brazil and the Coast. Our vaqueros might just have to become rice and soya farmers!! So, unfortunately, the cattle trail to Lethem might finally be paved – it is already funded and launched! – and we’ll just have to do like the Texans and tool down to the Rodeo next year in our SUVs!!

How demeaning!!

…a happy Easter Monday

Your Eyewitness doesn’t know about you, Dear Reader, but for him, the best part of Easter was the annual trek to the sea wall his mother would arrange for her brood. He and his brothers would’ve spent all week making their kites from scratch. That was before those plastic abominations imported from China!! No siree Bob!! They created the “frame” from “pointer sticks” filched from their mother’s broom! Then came the trek to the “gamma” tree where they’d eat as much of the sticky fruits as they would bring home!

The ”kite paper” was purchased with coins secreted at great sacrifice and now splurged to complete the colourful kites. But if the truth be told, even more than the sight of his kite hovering in space against the pale blue skies, it was the snacks that his mother had prepared that he enjoyed.

Somehow the egg-balls and bara and phulowrie – with the obligatory “sour” – tasted so much more delectable on this day. Yeah…Easter was “Happy”!

…office again?

If the Opposition are so convinced they won the last elections – which they insist their secreted SoPs conclusively prove – your Eyewitness wonders why they have evidently given up on elections?? And are now demanding “shared governance”??

Convicted child rapist Sheldon Lynch

Road networks will integrate EBD, ECD into “one big city” – Rodrigues

As Government continues on its agenda to transform the infrastructural landscape of the country, soon the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara will be merged as one city through the impressive road networks and highways being created.

This position was shared by Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues during a “Dream Realised” event last week that saw beneficiaries receiving house lots on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Rodrigues explained that the massive development that took place along the East Bank of Demerara – which saw communities situated there becoming very high-valued – is now coming to the East Coast of Demerara.

“I want to urge you to look at the development that took place on the East Bank of Demerara and then you will understand what is about to take place on the East Coast of Demerara. I know the East Bank has been a very desirous place, a place that has very high demand over the last few years and that is because there was a very effective strategy that was implemented under the leadership of our President when he was Minister at the Ministry of Housing and what he did transformed the lives of our low-income population when he placed them in what was then the ‘back’ but now with the construction of the fourlane highway, they are now situated in the ‘front’ which gave them the opportunity… to double, triple, quadruple, their net worth,” Minister Rodrigues expressed.

She went on to explain that significant investments are particularly being made in advancing the road network to increase better access between the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, and soon, the two districts will become better integrated.

“All of the schemes on the East Coast are leading in a direction towards the East Bank and you will eventually be connecting to the Aubrey Barker Road link that will come all the way to the East Coast.”

“So, there is no one entry and exit to the East Coast any longer. We’re developing a very complex network of highways and roads and you will see a whole different community being developed along the East Coast, linking to the East Bank and we’ll probably [now] decide where the East Bank ends and where the East Coast begins because it will all be integrated into one big city,” the Minister posited.

Works are currently advancing on the highly anticipated four-lane road that will link the East Coast of Demerara corridor at Ogle directly to the East Bank

Demerara corridor at Eccles.

Majority of this road is being built on virgin lands, hence, the works ongoing include clearing of the alignment, grubbing works, taking out the sap and sand filling and draining the area to prepare the foundation required to build the road.

It was announced that India-based Ashoka Buildcon Limited won the US$106 million contract to construct the road while RITES Limited, also out of India, secured the US$3.2 million contract for the provision of supervisory services for the project.

Back in 2015, the Indian Government had provided the US$50 million credit line for the road link that was initially slated for Ogle to Diamond, EBD. However, the project cost was driven up to over $208 million by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government and the project languished under them.

However, when the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration took office in 2020, it redesigned the project into two phases to fit

the LOC – first from Ogle to Haags Bosch road in Eccles, which is about 48-50 per cent of the project, and then from Eccles to Diamond – in order to fit the US$50 million LOC.

The Guyana Government is expected to undertake the extension from Diamond all the way to Timehri where the country’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), is located.

Meanwhile, reports are that the EBD to ECD road link project will see the construction of some 7.8 kilometres of road from the East Coast to the East Bank with each of the four lanes being 3.6 metres wide. The highway will also feature a median in the middle and sidewalks as well as several connector roads, especially at the East Bank end to allow for further diversion of traffic.

Moreover, it was also reported that the Aubrey Barker Road that runs through South Ruimveldt in Georgetown will be developed to link the EBD with the ECD through the new Cummings Lodge Housing Scheme.

Works are also progressing on the $1.8 billion project to widen the corridors from Conversation Tree to Dennis Street in Georgetown.

Guyanese company S

Jagmohan Construction and Trinidadian-owned Kalco Guyana Limited were awarded the contract.

Works on the project entails the construction of a four-lane carriageway from the East Coast highway to Delhi Street, Georgetown.

It also includes a double-lane carriageway on the reserve west of Delhi Street for northbound traffic and will also see the implementation of concrete revetments between the East

Coast Demerara highway and Railway Embankment, and concrete drains on both sides of the proposed roadway between the Railway Embankment and Delhi Street.

The construction of two large concrete bridges to establish a connection to Dennis Street is also part of the project. This project forms part of Government’s plan to provide alternative routes to persons entering and leaving Georgetown. (G11)

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues

Bartica not left out of Govt’s development plans – PM at Regatta

150 Lethem residents receive Agreements of Sale for house lots

ceived a house lot and I’m getting a Title for that location, and thank you to this Government for all this improvement which going on in Lethem, Rupununi.”

Meanwhile, Ronaldo Eastman, a teacher from Annai Secondary School, stated, “I am extremely happy because it is very challenging at times not having your own place so if you have that you will cut off hotel accommodations and so on.”

To further improve access to homeownership in the region, the first 58 Region Nine residents would have

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired)

Mark Phillips has pledged the Government’s continued support for the development of the annual Bartica Regatta, which he described as a “signature tourist event” and a tool for the region’s overall development.

While officially declaring the Bartica Easter Regatta 2023 open at Golden Beach Pavilion, he reminded that Bartica and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) by extension are part of the development plans for the country.

“Government at the central level, Government at the regional level, Government at the municipal and local levels will continue to work together to bring development to Bartica, to improve the lives and livelihood of all the people of Region

Seven,” the Prime Minister expressed.

The senior Government official pointed to the substantial budgetary allocations made by the Administration and stated that these investments are consistent with the comprehensive vision for the transformation of the region.

“I want to communicate to you that Bartica and Region Seven are part of the development plans for Guyana. You’re not going to be left out,” he emphasised.

The Prime Minister also praised the Private Sector, emphasising its role in the event’s continued success.

Phillips also hailed the work of the Bartica Town Council and the event’s organising committee.

“I would like to commend the Private Sector not only in Bartica but the Private Sector throughout

Guyana, corporate Guyana, for supporting this regatta. Compliments to corporate Guyana for making this a reality every year,” he declared.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, regional officials and Members of Parliament were also in attendance at the annual event, which is known to attract the masses.

Organised during the Easter celebrations, Bartica Regatta 2023 was held this year under the theme, “We Outside”. Among the events were softball cricket, football, grass track racing ,and cycling. The marquee powerboat racing was held on Sunday. (G12)

Throughout the weekend, the Central Housing and Planning Authority of the Housing Ministry commenced processing of Agreements of Sale for the initial 150 allottees of the Tract “CHPA” Housing Scheme in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

This process is a critical stage since it gives beneficiaries legal ownership of their land. They can now receive a Certificate of Title, which can be used to obtain financing from banks to construct their dream homes.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, Lethem Mayor John Macedo, and Deputy Mayor Debra King were present for this exercise.

The new housing development at Tract CHPA, commonly known as Poke Bridge, has been allocated to some 543 residents. Of this, 400 allottees have so far been able to access their land, as infrastructural works in the area including access roads progress.

Within the next few

weeks, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is also expected to commence logging in the scheme to determine the optimal location for a well.

“We will drill a well this year for that area,” Minister Croal assured the residents, adding that the scheme will be developed into a wholesome and sustainable environment.

After receiving his Agreement of Sale, Christopher Sahibdeen shared, “I’m so happy that at this time that I have re-

also received the Steel and Cement Housing Subsidy vouchers on Saturday.

Among the projects being executed is the Lethem Housing Support Project, which will see some 600 persons benefiting from a $3 million two-bedroom home. The Government will contribute $1 million towards the cost of construction for each home. Minister Croal noted that with these ongoing projects, the Ministry is pumping over $1 billion into Region Nine. (G12)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips interacting with persons at the Bartica Regatta

Another allottee receiving the Agreement of Sale

Christopher Sahibdeen receiving his Agreement of Sale from Minister Collin Croal

Pillion rider dies in Enmore collision

…motorcyclist, pedal cyclist nursing injuries

Wales, Patentia residents decry lack of adequate public transport

…as Route 31 buses reroute to Belle West

As housing development opens along the West Bank of Demerara, residents of Wales and Patentia on the lower end have lamented on the lack of adequate public transportation for the route.

Amotorcycle accident at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Sunday has left one dead and two persons nursing injuries about their bodies.

Pillion rider, 29-year-old Parishram Sancharrie of Hope West, Enmore, succumbed.

The Guyana Police Force revealed that the fatal accident occurred at around 02:00h on the access road at Enmore.

Involved in the collision was motorcycle CK 875, owned and ridden by a 28-year-old resident of Foulis, East Coast Demerara, while Sancharrie was seated on the pillion. A 30-year-old pedal cyclist, who is a resident of ‘Grass Field’, Enmore, was the third individual involved in the crash.

Enquiries disclosed that the

pedal cyclist was proceeding north along the western side of the Enmore Access Road while the motorcycle was proceeding south when a collision occurred.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist, pillion rider and pedal cyclist fell onto the road and received injuries. They were picked up by the Police and members of the Guyana Fire Service EMT and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were seen and examined by doctors on duty.

Sancharrie succumbed to his injuries on Sunday while the motorcyclist and pedal cyclist were both admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing injuries. An investigation is ongoing. (G12)

During an interview with this publication on Saturday, it was communicated that due to larger housing developments primarily at Belle West and West Minster, a majority of the Route 31 buses have begun plying this route instead. Now, those who depend on the public transportation system have been experiencing a squeeze.

Nazeem Hamid explained that it has been especially difficult for him to return home in the evenings due to this new trend. Some days, he waits for almost an hour while the buses line up to transport residents of Belle West.

“Now, we wait on a couple bus to go all the way to Wales. But I standing here for almost 30 minutes and none come yet. So, sometimes in the afternoon, you see so much [buses] out here but all of them going to Belle West cause that’s where everybody going,” he lamented while standing at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, adding that it is also prevalent at the Stabroek Market area.

Hamid added, “Even at Stabroek, when I pass and ask the Patentia bus

where they going, they say only people from Belle West. All of them. How we must reach home?”

Meanwhile, another Patentia resident commented that she would board a minibus until the route ends and then take another to reach her destination. However, this costs more than double the usual fare.

“If they (the buses) bring me by Belle West, they want $300. And I’m not going in the scheme. That’s on the main road…Then from there, I got to take another car or bus to reach home, which is another $100

or more. So instead of paying $200, I am paying double. This thing really need to look into cause soon we might not get [transportation] that side. Sometimes, I don’t have a choice but do this cause it’s not easy to wait out here so long.”

Housing development has skyrocketed in some areas in recent time, and due to the creation of new areas, there has been a demand for more public transportation. At Belle West, thousands of persons have already settled in the housing area. (G12)

(Photos courtesy of Office of the President, DPI, Tourism Ministry and Protected Areas Commission)

Easter 2023

Families celebrate with picnics, kite flying, games in Easter festivities

Thousands of persons spent their Easter Monday at several grounds, beaches and seawalls around the country in celebration of the Easter holiday this year. Families and persons from all walks of life were out in their numbers around Georgetown to fly kites.

Both adults and children gathered all along the Georgetown seawall, the National Park, Botanical Gardens among other grounds and open

spaces where they picnicked, cooked, and flew kites. Several families even pitched tents to shade them from the scotching sun while others used trees as their shade. Women and children could be seen flying kites while the men in the family were grilling meat for the entire family.

Several vendors also took up spots along the area to ply their trade.

Speaking with this publication, several families shared that it was joyous to

be out celebrating the holidays after being unable to do so for such a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the previous restrictions.

Shawn (only name given) shared that due to the pandemic, he was unable to be outdoors with his family and enjoy the tradition of flying kites and hanging out on Easter Monday with his friends as was traditionally done.

“Easter nice man. Jesus died and rose again and

he died…for everybody. COVID was bad, last year [we] didn’t get to go anywhere…[we] had to be indoors,” Shawn told Guyana Times Another citizen shared

President Dr Irfaan Ali, his wife, Arya and son, Zayd, were at the Everest Cricket Club ground. While there, President Ali flew a kite with his son and joined in a friendly game of cricket

comfort and support.”

“The One Guyana mission will help bring our people closer together and to be instruments of hope to our fellow brothers and sisters. Let us continue to work

that she really enjoys being out with her husband and children celebrating the holidays, highlighting that it makes her happy to be out and about again after the pandemic.

“We enjoying Easter...after a long time. So now we’re enjoying Easter with the family outside and I’m having a nice time. Since the COVID we didn’t get to celebrate Easter,” she shared.

Other persons also chimed in and shared their experiences when celebrating the holidays, sharing that it is traditional to go out and fly kites with their spouses and children. Even foreigners who have been residing in Guyana for years now shared that Easter has become a holiday that they look forward to and it created quality time to spend with their children, who enjoy kite flying.

Joining in the Easter Monday celebrations,

and dominoes with persons there. Easter is a Christian celebration that is dedicated to observing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In his Easter message, President Ali said that the One Guyana mission calls on citizens to help unify Guyana and bridge gaps by reaching out to those in need.

He also spoke of the importance of persons pledging to be “torchbearers of hope” and serving the people, demonstrating along the way that there are still caring and compassionate people.

“Let us all pledge to be torchbearers of hope. Let us become a light to others by being of service to them and particularly, to those who may be encountering unfortunate circumstances. Let us demonstrate that we are caring, considerate and compassionate people by reaching out to them in love,

each day to make this mission successful in uniting our nation,” President Ali further said in his message.

Wishing everyone a joyous Easter, he noted that the day contains a powerful message of not falling victim to despair. While life may have its challenges, there is also a sliver of hope that persons should not lose sight of.

“Easter celebrates the certainty of the victory of hope. When everything seemed lost, the resurrection restored hope and became a source of joy for the early followers of Christ. The Easter story reminds us not to succumb easily to despondency and despair.”

“Amid the disappointments which life’s challenges sometimes present, there is always a sliver of hope, one that reminds us that life overcomes death, love surmounts hatred and hope triumphs over hopelessness.

Several Guyanese raising their kites

Fisherman stabbed, beaten to death

Twenty-six-year-old

Monoff Azeem of Lot

49 Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, lost his life after he was beaten and stabbed to death by a group of men. According to reports, the incident occurred around 08:00h on Monday.

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)

Police Commander

Mahendra Sewnarine, when contacted, told this publication that the matter is currently being investigated.

Siwnarine revealed that the stabbing followed an argument on Sunday between the two fishermen over the cutting of a fishing seine.

“The information we

have so far is the two fishermen had an argument over a seine, one of them cutting the other’s seine and that led to a scuffle,” Siwnarine revealed.

Guyana Times understands that the matter was one of mistaken identity since it was Azeem’s brother-in-law who had the dispute the suspect.

Bids invited for construction of Friendship Magistrate’s Court

To provide easier access to justice to every citizen, the Government has promised to build more courthouses along the populated East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor and in the hinterland regions. To this end, the Supreme Court of Judicature is inviting eligible bidders to bid for the construction of the Friendship Magistrate’s Court and living quarters on the EBD.

According to a notice published by the Supreme Court’s Registrar, Sueanna Lovell, bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedure specified in the Procurement Act of 2003 and is open to eligible qualified bidders.

State-of-the-art $2.5B GNBS lab...

In addition, throughout 2022, the Legal Metrology Department conducted 3878 surveillance visits to shops, markets and other retail outlets to ensure the measuring instruments comply. Amongst GNBS’s key achievements for 2022, the Industrial Metrology and Testing Laboratory launched new services. Those are non-destructive testing of gold, calibration of steel rules, tapes and depth gauges, testing of crude oil and medium distillate fuels for 5 parameters, and testing of percentage acid and base.

In 2022, the Department also calibrated 2039 measuring instruments. This sum includes 938 weights, 216 electronic balances, 360 thermometers, 181 vol-

umetric meters, 183 pressure gauges, and 37 torque wrenches.

According to the certification agency, in its quest to promote the use of Standards in all sectors of the economy, the Bureau developed, revised and adopted a total of 75 standards including petroleum measurement standards relevant to the oil and gas sector. In addition, 466 voluntary and 69 compulsory standards were sold.

Only last month, the IDB had signed several loan agreements with Guyana, amounting to over US$200 million, which will go towards financing upgrades in the local health sector, climate resilience and small to medium business enterprises. Finance Minister Dr

FROM PAGE 7

Ashni Singh had noted at the time that the funds from one of the loans will, among other things, go towards financing the new, state-ofthe-art laboratory for the GNBS.

“One of the major investments that will be made in this area is the establishment of a new, world-class, state-of-the-art laboratory… that laboratory will play an absolutely critical role in the standards and certification, which of course have taken on new and enhanced importance, given the changes taking place in Guyana’s economy. It’s important for us to be compliant with international standards and to be certified as compliant,” the Finance Minister had further explained. (G3)

Bid documents for the project can be uplifted upon payment of a non-refundable $10,000 at the Supreme Court’s Accounts Department at Lot 1 Charlotte Street and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. Importantly, all bids must be accompanied by a bid security, and valid certificates of compliance from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the name of the bidder, whether they be an individual or a company.

Furthermore, all bids shall be submitted in a plain envelope and delivered to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, before

9 am on April 18. The notice advises that bids shall be submitted in two forms, that is, hard copy and electronic copy. Late bids will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened while bids that are not clearly labelled will not be opened.

The Judiciary has been taking steps to ensure that justice is delivered on time regardless of where citizens live by constructing new Magistrates’ Courts, expanding several courthouses, and opening new Magisterial Districts. It is hoped that more Judges and Magistrates will be appointed soon to complement the massive upgrades to the Judiciary’s physical infrastructure, once the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which has been defunct since 2017, is reconstituted.

The Judiciary has also commissioned Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Courts and Children’s Courts as well as

specialised courts for hearing sexual offences such as rape.

For this year, $6.2 billion has been allocated to the justice sector from the $789.1 billion national budget, Guyana’s largest budget ever. It will be used for several endeavours, including the construction of new courts, rehabilitation and expansion of existing courts, and summary court training prosecutors. Also, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is being deployed to improve the efficiency of the court system. In this regard, SMART courts are among the new projects intended in 2023 to accelerate the provision of justice.

An e-Litigation Programme for the Court of Appeal and the Georgetown High Court, as well as a Case Management System for the Magistrates’ Courts are intended to go live in 2023. (G1)

Fire destroys Canje house

One person is now homeless after a fire completely destroyed a four-bedroom two-storey wood and concrete building at Adelphi, East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Easter Monday evening.

Flames were seen at about 18:30h at the Lot 23 Adelphi building but at the time the lone occupant Andre Phillips was not at home.

Speaking with this publication, Phillips said he was returning home from the Police station and as he turned into his street, he saw that a building in his street was on fire.

“As I coming in my cousin tell me, ‘Dre, your house is on fire’. I was traumatised. When I come by the bridge I see the whole house in flames,” the young man related.

According to Phillips, he suspects that the fire is an

act of arson as earlier in the day he had an altercation with a woman who allegedly told him that she would get the Police to lock him up.

The sales representative said that threats were also made on Sunday, which he had reported to the Police.

The man showed this pub-

lication marks on his chest which he said he received during the alteration.

Police confirmed that Phillips and the woman both visited the Reliance Police Station. This newspaper was told that Phillips and the woman, with whom he had shared a relationship, were together for about three years. Phillips on Monday said he ended the relationship and only recently started seeing someone else which led to the confrontation over the weekend. He said that this occurred while his new girlfriend was visiting him. This, he claimed, led him to believe that the fire was deliberately set.

“This was a fully furnished house,” he added, adding that he had all of the modern amenities for a comfortable life.

Meanwhile, two units from the New Amsterdam

Muslim leader raises alarm after ‘hate incident’ at Canada mosque

AMuslim community leader in Canada has raised concerns about the spread of Islamophobic hate in the country after a man uttered threats and tried to run over congregants outside a mosque in the province of Ontario.

Qasir Nasir Khan, president of the Islamic Society of Markham, told reporters on Monday that a man committed “a number of Islamophobic acts” outside the mosque, about 30km (18 miles) north of downtown Toronto.

Police said on Sunday that a 28-year-old Toronto man had been charged in what was dubbed a “suspected hate-motivated incident” at the mosque just before 7am local time (11:00 GMT) last Thursday.

“He threatened to burn down our mosque. He uttered slurs about the Prophet [Muhammad],” Khan said during a news conference. “Most concerningly, he tried to ram our congregants with his vehicle.”

He added that in light of this and other recent Islamophobic incidents in Canada, “our congregation and Muslims across the country have a reason to be concerned”.

“Whether looking at the Quebec City mosque massacre, or the London attack where an individual ran down an entire family with his truck, our communities have reasons to feel afraid,” Khan said. “Make no mis-

take, we could have been at a funeral today.”

The incident – which comes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – is the latest in what Muslim leaders in Canada say has been an upsurge in harassment and sometimes deadly acts of violence targeting their communities.

In 2017, a gunman killed six Muslim men as they prayed at a mosque in Quebec City, sending shock waves across the country and pushing the problem to the fore.

A mosque caretaker was also killed in the Toronto area in 2020, while in June 2021, four members of a Muslim family were killed –and a fifth family member, a young boy, was seriously injured – when a man hit them with his truck in London, Ontario.

The latter attack prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to hold a national summit on Islamophobia, and in January of this year, Canada appointed its first special representative on combatting Islamophobia.

“Diversity truly is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar,” Trudeau said in a statement welcoming the new envoy, Amira Elghawaby, to her post.

“We need to change that. No one in our country should experience hatred because of their faith,” Trudeau said.

Commenting on the Markham incident, Elghawaby said in a tweet on Sunday that “we must do all we can to counter the hate that threatens our rights and freedoms and hold perpetrators accountable”.

The head of the opposition New Democratic Party in Ontario also expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and pledged to combat violence and Islamophobia.

“The violent hate crime that took place in this Markham masjid [mosque] is very disturbing, especially so close to the anniversary of the London attack + during Ramadan,” Marit Stiles wrote on Twitter.

“It’s incredibly sad that our community continues to face violent #Islamophobic acts during what many experience as a most sacred time,” the National Council of Canadian Muslims advocacy group also tweeted, referring to Ramadan. “What happened in #Markham could’ve been even worse. But hate must be fought with unified resolve.”

Police said the suspect faces three charges – uttering threats, assault with a weapon, and dangerous driving – and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. “Investigators are concerned there may be other victims and police encourage them to come forward,” they also said. (Al Jazeera)

Fire Service and one from the Rose Hall Estate responded and were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby

buildings. Both the Police and Fire Department have launched an investigation.

Persons who wish to assist Philips can do so via telephone number (592) 6002051. (G4)

Andre Phillips

NGSA Science Questions NGSA S. Studies Questions

Answers for last published Social Studies questions

Regional Mexico hot air balloon: Pilot charged over deadly crash

The pilot of a hot air balloon which burst into flames and crashed near the pyramids of Teotihuacán in Mexico on 1 April has been charged with homicide.

Two of the passengers, a couple from Mexico, died in the crash and their teenage daughter was injured.

Hot air balloon rides above the archaeological site near the capital, Mexico City, are very popular.

But the Federation of Hot Air Balloons of Teotihuacán said the balloon which crashed was not registered with them.

Video of the incident showed the balloon's basket on fire. Officials said its passengers had jumped out of it from a considerable height.

A 50-year-old man and his 39-year-old wife died, while their 13-year-old daughter suffered burns and a broken

Remains of the hot air balloon could be seen suspended from a tree

bone. She has since been discharged from hospital.

Local media said the couple, José Edgar Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril, had booked the balloon flight to celebrate Ms Becerril's 39th birthday.

The balloon's pilot was also injured in the accident. He was tracked down to the hospital where he was being treated and is currently in pre-trial detention.

The prosecutor's office has

T&T man dies after brawl with Venezuelan migrants

Gasparillo police are under fire for failing to save a man who died outside the police station, after being mistakenly run over by his friend’s van, following a brutal attack by Venezuelan migrants.

the One Ten Bar located opposite the station.

Five Venezuelan migrants began attacking two locals who began running up the road to escape.

The van also ploughed into a small steamroller which was parked on the compound of CJs Rental and Repair Shop before crashing into the gate and a parked Nissan Tiida.

so far not provided any details as to what may have caused the balloon to catch fire.

Fatal accidents involving hot air balloons are relatively rare.

In 2021, five people died after a hot air balloon hit a power line in Albuquerque, but one of the deadliest crashes happened in 2013 when a balloon caught fire in Luxor, Egypt, killing 19 tourists. (BBC)

Haitian PM condemns killing of Police Officers

Haitian Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry has described as “barbaric acts”, the murders of three Police Officers on Sunday by members of the “Timakak” gang during an ambush.

The General Directorate of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) in extending condolences to the families of the slain Police Officers has identified them as Pierre Paul Dorcely, Nicolas Robinson, and Medèze

US and Cuba to hold fresh round of migration talks this week

Fortilien.

It said the officers from the Intervention Brigade, assigned to the Thomassin Sub-Commissioner, were “cowardly murdered” in Thomassin 32, a neighbourhood on the mountainside south of Pétion-Ville, where many upper-class citizens reside.

“Our Police brothers have …once again, fallen under the murderous bullets of thugs without faith or law. We deplore these barbaric acts,” Prime Minister Henry said in a statement.

(Excerpt from CMC)

The deceased, Glen Sutton, 35, of Marabella, as well as the driver of the van, were trying to escape blows from a gang of Venezuelans who attacked them outside the Gasparillo station on Easter Monday morning.

Sutton died on the spot while his friend, the van driver, remains in police custody. A Venezuelan migrant who was wounded when the van hit him, is warded in a serious condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

A villager who requested anonymity said shortly after 6 am, a fight broke out near

The Venezuelans were throwing bottles and stones and the locals were retaliating in kind.

Several villagers called the police as the station is located opposite the bar.

“The police never responded. Like they were sleeping in the station,” the irate villager said.

The source said the van driver jumped in his vehicle and raced towards the group to save his friend. However, based on footage from the scene, he put his van into reverse and tried to plough into the Venezuelans. Instead, he ended up hitting Sutton and one of the migrants.

The villagers say when the police finally arrived they came in their jeep and stayed in the traffic without putting on the siren.

“If they had walked they would have reached faster. If they had responded as soon as we called, all of this would not have happened,” the source said.

The van has since been impounded.

Guardian Media enquired from the police why they took so long to respond and officers said they responded as soon as they received the report.

(Excerpt from T&T Guardian)

Lula says will invite Xi to Brazil as China trip approaches

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday he would invite his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to Brazil, speaking on the eve of his departure to the Asian country in a bid to tighten relations between the two countries.

"I am going to invite Xi Jinping to come to Brazil, for a bilateral meeting, to get to know Brazil, to show him the projects that we have of interest for Chinese

Toddler, grandmother shot dead in St Lucia

The United States and Cuba will hold another round of migration talks on Wednesday, officials said, as the Biden administration braces for the end of COVIDera border restrictions that have blocked Cubans in recent months from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.

The high-level meeting in Washington will follow one held in Havana in November and comes a year after the Biden administration resumed such conversations after a long hiatus under former President Donald Trump.

The U.S. embassy in Havana resumed full immigrant visa processing and consular services in January for the first time since 2017 in a bid to stem last year's record-breaking flow of migrants from Cuba north to the United States.

This week's meeting "represents a continuation of our long engagement with Cuba on migration matters as neighboring states and is limited to the topic of migration," a U.S. State Department offi-

cial said on Monday.

"Ensuring safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration between Cuba and the United States remains a primary interest of the United States, consistent with our interest in fostering family reunification, and promoting greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba," the State Department official said on condition of anonymity.

Cuba's Communist government said it too seeks to encourage legal and orderly migration, but has long blamed the Cold War-era U.S. embargo for strangling the island's economy and encouraging its youth to emigrate.

A record 220,000 Cubans were caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022, which ended on Sept. 30, part of a broader increase in apprehensions under Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden. Many other Cubans attempted the perilous journey to Florida in rickety boats and rafts.

(Reuters)

ASaint Lucian family of Westall Group, Vieux-Fort, is consumed with grief and anger after two of their loved ones were slain last evening while in their bed.

Dead are Tara Joseph, 47, aka Lucess, who was shot four times, and her grandson, Kentrell Joseph, 2, who received eight gunshots. Tara was pronounced dead at the hospital, while her grandson was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime.

According to a family member, the assailants used a chair to reach a partially opened window in the house from where they fired the gunshots.

“I heard someone kick the gate open and heard gunshots bursting. I did not want to open my door because gunshots were bursting,” the family member recounted.

He said his cousin in the nearby house shouted at him, saying that they were killing his mother.

“I came in the yard and saw the child flat on the ground. Those guys have no heart,” the family member grieved.

The assailants went into another home of a relative of the victim before shooting the two victims, but the occupant of that home wasn't there at the time.

“If I was at my home I would be dead also. It’s a good thing I was not at home,” the grieving family member said.

Yesterday, Saturday, April 8, the presence of the police officers wasn't as noticeable in Vieux-Fort as in previous days. The grieving family members believed that the incident may not have occurred had there been a strong police presence.

In another incident, a young man from VieuxFort was gunned down last night in the usually quiet community of Cedars Heights. (loopnews.com)

investment," he said in an interview to State-owned broadcasting company EBC, adding he was planning to "consolidate" the relationship with China.

The trip to China comes little more than two months after Lula met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, as Brasilia aims for a pragmatic foreign policy balancing ties with its top trading partners despite growing tensions between the two.

"What we want is for the Chinese to make investments to generate new jobs and generate new productive assets in Brazil," Lula added.

Lula's trip to China, Brazil's top trading partner, was initially scheduled for March, but was postponed after he was diagnosed with a mild pneumonia. He will meet Xi as well as Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang next Friday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Guatemala elections: Campaigning begins amid public distrust

Campaigning began in earnest last month for Guatemala’s general elections, with political messaging filling the streets, local broadcasts and social media.

But less than three months before the June 25 vote, concerns are mounting among national and international observers over the integrity of the process.

“There is a lot of distrust in the environment around the election,” Gabriela Carrera, a political science professor at Rafael Landivar University in Guatemala City, told Al Jazeera. “This is the result of the incapacity of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal … combined with a series of arbitrary decisions that the magistrates have been taking.”

At least 30 political parties are set to contest the upcoming elections, with more than 22,000 candidates registered to run for the presidency, congress, regional parliament and councils across the country.

But Guatemala’s Supreme

Electoral Tribunal, which governs elections, has blocked several opposition candidates from running on “dubious grounds”, according to Human Rights Watch. Observers say this raises a red flag.

“The arbitrary blocking of candidates because they represent a danger to the [political] establishment is serious,” Ana Maria Mendez Dardon, the Central America director for the Washington Office on Latin America, told Al Jazeera. “It has also brought little credibility to the institutions that have to ensure the integrity of the [electoral] process.”

A spokesperson for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal told Al Jazeera that the body was following constitutional norms, noting that the cases in question are complex.

The blocked candidates include leftist Indigenous leader Thelma Cabrera, who earned fourth place in the 2019 presidential election, and Roberto Arzu of the right-wing Podemos party.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Oil settles lower as rate-hike worries balance tighter supplies

Oil prices settled lower on Monday, after rising for three straight weeks, as concern about further interest rate hikes that could curb demand balanced the prospect of a tighter market due to supply cuts from OPEC+ producers.

The US dollar rose after US jobs data pointed to a tight labour market, heightening expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike. Dollar strength makes oil more expensive for other currency holders and can weigh on demand.

Brent crude settled down 96 cents, or 0.2%, at US$84.58 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate also fell 94, or 0.1%, to US$79.74. Both benchmarks fell by more than US$1 earlier in the session

"We look for this week's trade to be heavily influenced by inflation data featured by Wednesday's CPI and Thursday's PPI that will likely revive the specter of higher interest rates that could strengthen the US dollar," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

Crude last week jumped more than 6% after OPEC+, the Organiation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, surprised the market with a new round of production cuts starting in May.

Oil also drew support from a steeper-than-expected drop in US crude inventories last week, as well as a decline in gasoline and distillate stocks, hinting at rising demand.

In global financial markets, a US inflation report to be released on Wednesday could help investors gauge the near-term trajectory for interest rates.

Also coming up are monthly reports from OPEC on Thursday and the International Energy Agency on Friday, which will update oil demand and supply forecasts. (Reuters)

Israeli army kills Palestinian, settlers march to illegal outpost

APalestinian child has been killed by Israeli forces in the Aqabet Jaber refugee camp in Jericho, as a settler march to an illegal outpost near the occupied city of Nablus brought more violence to the West Bank.

Mohammad Fayez Balhan, who was 15 years old, was shot in the head, chest and stomach on Monday.

“They shot him in the head,” the teen’s aunt Maysoon said. “What is going to happen to our people? What will happen to us?”

The Israeli military said that it had been operating in Jericho’s Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in an attempt to apprehend Palestinians it suspected of attacks against Israelis, and that its forces had responded to being fired at by the suspects.

The incident comes as the Israeli army guards thousands of Israeli settlers marching to the abandoned illegal outpost of Evyatar to call on the

Around the World

Ukraine battles rage, report says Kyiv rethinking counter-offensive after leak

Russian forces pressed attacks on frontline cities in eastern Ukraine on Monday, while Ukrainian officials played down a report that Kyiv is amending some plans for a counter-offensive due to a leak of classified US documents.

The Russians were pounding Ukrainian positions around besieged Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region and other cities and towns with air strikes and artillery barrages, Kyiv said.

"The enemy switched to so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire," Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, said of Bakhmut.

The small city on the edge of a chunk of Russian-

controlled territory in Donetsk has for months been the biggest battleground of the war, now in its second year.

The head of the Moscowcontrolled part of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said Russian forces now held 75% of the city.

Moscow's military was

also targeting the city of Avdiivka.

"The Russians have turned Avdiivka into a total ruin," said Pavlo Kyrylenko, Donetsk's regional governor, describing an air strike on Monday that destroyed a multi-storey building.

"In total, around 1,800 people remain in Avdiivka, all of whom risk their lives

every day."

As the battles ground on, US media outlet CNN reported that Ukraine had been forced to amend some military plans ahead of its long-anticipated counter-offensive because of the leak of US documents.

US officials are trying to trace the source of the leak of dozens of secret documents. They detail an array of topics, including information on the Ukraine conflict, in which the United States has supplied Kyiv with huge amounts of weapons and led international condemnation of Moscow's invasion.

Asked about the report, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Kyiv's strategic plans remained unchanged but that specific tactics were always subject to change. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dalai Lama apologises after video asking boy to 'suck my tongue'

the incident".

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetans' 87-yearold spiritual leader, apologised on Monday after footage showed him asking a young boy to "suck my tongue" at a public event.

exiled leader's Twitter account, which has 19 million followers.

Israeli Government to legalise the outpost and to “denounce the increased attacks on settlements in recent weeks”.

The mother of two Israeli sisters killed last week in one such attack died from her injuries, hospital officials said on Monday.

Thousands of settlers, led by Ministers in Israel’s far-right Government, have taken part in the march, heavily protected by Israeli forces who closed the march’s path to Palestinians, although confrontations were still reported, with at least two Palestinians injured by rubber-coated bullets, and dozens of others treated for inhaling tear gas.

Al Jazeera’s Samir Abu Shammala said that Palestinians tried to confront the march, which was held under a banner declaring that “all of the land of Israel” was the property of Jewish Israelis, with the settlers implying that that included the occupied West Bank. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

"A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked his Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug," said a statement on the

"His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused."

The statement said the Dalai Lama leader "often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets

The video, which has 1 million views on Twitter, also shows the Nobel peace laureate apparently giving the boy a peck on the lips in presence of an audience who are heard clapping and laughing, while a man captures the moment on a phone. Reuters has not verified the clip.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against

Chinese rule in Tibet, is regarded by Beijing as a dangerous separatist.

He has worked for decades to draw global support for linguistic and cultural autonomy in his remote, mountainous homeland.

He now lives in a compound next to a temple ringed by green hills and snow-capped mountains in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala. (Reuters)

Bank worker shoots dead 4 colleagues in Louisville, Kentucky

Abank employee armed with a rifle shot dead four colleagues and wounded nine other people at his workplace on Monday while livestreaming the attack in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, city officials said.

The attacker was fatally shot at the scene, the Louisville Metro Police Department said, but it was unclear whether from Police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

The department identified the shooter as Connor Sturgeon, 23, who joined the downtown branch of the Old National Bank as a full-time employee last year.

In the latest in a long series of mass shootings in the US, Police said they responded within minutes to reports of an attacker at about 8:30

People embrace after an "active Police situation" that included mass casualties at Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, US April 10, 2023 in a still image from video. ABC affiliate WHAS via Reuters

am (1230 GMT) at the bank office near Slugger Field baseball stadium.

Officers fired at the gunman, who was armed with a rifle, Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel told reporters.

Police identified the dead as Joshua Barrick, 40; Thomas Elliot, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; and James Tutt, 64.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, on the verge of tears, said during a news

briefing that he knew some of the victims, including Elliot, a senior vice president at the bank.

"He taught me how to help build my law career, he helped me become Governor, he gave me advice on being a good dad," Beshear said.

"One of the people I talked to most in the world."

The nine people wounded in the attack were treated at the University of Louisville hospital, a hospital spokesperson said, including two police officers. One of the officers, a 26-year-old recent police academy graduate, was struck in the head and remained in critical condition after brain surgery on Monday, police said. Two other victims were also in critical condition.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A volunteer inspects remains of a residential house damaged by a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, April 9, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Make changes at home that add to your comfort or that help you make a move. Don't run and hide when opportunity knocks; turn your dream into a reality. You're luckier than you know.

(March 21-April 19)

Changing your mind is an option; refuse to let someone make decisions for you. Reach out to a friend or relative for information that will help you get a better view of what's possible.

(April 20-May 20)

Pay attention to how you look and feel. Strive to project a welcoming energy. How you approach life and your responsibilities will have an impact. Make commitments and get moving.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN

AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Take charge and be fair to those following your lead. Be a good listener; you'll discover information that helps you drum up support. Learn from experience.

Listen to others, but don't believe everything you hear. Look for opportunities to advance your career. Mix business with pleasure and get to know those who can help you better.

Fix your space to suit your needs. Don't rely on others to do the work for you. Put your skills to the test and you'll be happy with the results you get. A lifestyle change will pay off.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pay attention to how you present yourself to the world. You'll be under close scrutiny, making it vital that you are prepared, precise and straightforward.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Take nothing for granted. If you want something done your way, do it yourself. Pay attention to what's happening around you. Don't put your health, finances or position at risk.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Refuse to let anyone limit your achievements. Create opportunities and play to win. A past connection will make a welcome return. If you want things to work out, be prepared to compromise.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Figure out what you want and make your wish come true. Refuse to let an outsider talk you into something you don't need. Trying to buy love or favors will end in disappointment.

Push forward with enthusiasm. Finding a way to use your skills diversely will help increase your earning potential. A personal change will boost your confidence.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Take control, focus on what's important to you and work to solve problems. Protect yourself from anyone who isn't trustworthy or concerned about your well-being.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

YESTERDAY'S WORD -- JAMBOREES

LSG win last-ball thriller after Pooran's 19-ball 62

It was a rolling ride where the teasing tickle in the stomach never seemed to stop, as the coaster went up and down, left and right, threatening to crash into a pool one moment, before soaring high into the clouds the next. That was what it felt like watching the excruciating thriller at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) needed four to win from the remaining five balls, with three wickets in hand. Mark Wood is bowled. What follows is one to win from two. A tumbling Faf du Plessis almost fumbles a catch, but eventually takes it. 1 off 1. Harshal Patel, the bowler, attempts to run the non-striker out backing out, but misses.

The ball is officially dead, but of course his mind did not register that. So he throws again and hits the stumps, only for the umpire to call dead ball. Still 1 off 1. Dinesh Karthik, that veteran wicketkeeper, juggles and fails to grab the last ball behind the stumps, enough for the last two Super Giants batters to sneak a bye. Game over. Royal

Challengers Bangalore players

and fans' hearts are broken.

Stoinis starts the party

The platform Nicolas Pooran got was all down to Marcus Stoinis. He came out at 23 for 3 after four overs. Not managing to score from his three balls, Stoinis swung across the line.

Mohammed Siraj, placed at midon, ran back towards midwicket

and dropped a difficult catch.

After seven overs, Super Giants' required rate had crossed 13, but Stoinis welcomed Harshal with 6, 4, 4. Next over, Karn Sharma was given the same treatment. In the over after that, Shahbaz Ahmed was creamed for two sixes. The first brought up his fifty off 25 balls.

Karn got his revenge in the 11th

GSW set record and secure play-off spot on final day

The Golden State Warriors (GSW) set a first-quarter NBA record as the defending champions won 157-101 at the Portland Trail Blazers to clinch a play-off spot on the final day of the regular season.

The Warriors needed a win for a top-six finish in the Western Conference.

And they scored a record 55 points in the first quarter to lead 55-27, as two-time

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Stephen Curry finished with 26 points from 22 minutes.

The Los Angeles Clippers secured the other remaining play-off spot.

They won 119-114 at the Phoenix Suns to secure the number five seed and a rematch with Phoenix in the first round of the play-offs as the Suns had already secured the fourth seed.

The Clippers' win left the Warriors as the sixth seed, meaning they will face the Sacramento Kings next.

The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to snatch a guaranteed play-off spot on the final day and LeBron James scored 36 points with eight three-pointers as they beat the Utah Jazz 128-117.

But with the Clippers and Warriors both winning, they had to settle for the seventh seed in the West and a spot in the play-in tournament.

The Lakers will have home advantage on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, for whom Karl-Anthony Towns scored 30 points against the New Orleans Pelicans to win 113-108 and move past the Pelicans into eighth place.

All the play-off and playin spots in the Eastern Conference had already been decided before the final day.

Teams ranked seven to 10 will compete in the play-in tournament, which features three games in each conference from April 11-14, to determine seeds seven and eight for the play-offs.

Who will play who in NBA post-season?

Play-in fixtures

(away teams first)

Eastern Conference

* Atlanta Hawks v Miami Heat

* Chicago Bulls v Toronto Raptors

Western Conference

* Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers

* Oklahoma City Thunder v New Orleans Pelicans

Play-off fixtures

Eastern Conference

* Milwaukee Bucks v Eighth seed

* Boston Celtics v Seventh seed

* Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets

* Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks

Western Conference

* Denver Nuggets v Eighth seed

* Memphis Grizzlies v Seventh seed

* Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors

* Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers (BBC Sport)

over when Stoinis departed for 65 from 30 deliveries. But if the Royal Challengers only knew what was to follow.

Pooran pings sixes at will Pooran arrived when Super Giants needed another 114 from 56 balls in pursuit of 213. The second ball he faced was dispatched over long-on. He was

before hitting his stumps with the bat in a follow-through after scooping the ball for six.

Royal Challengers replaced Anuj Rawat, who did not get to bat, with legspinner Karn at the start of their defence. Karn ended up conceding 48 in three overs, including three fours and five sixes. His economy rate of 16 was by far the highest for any

Royal Challenger to have bowled at least three overs.

Du Plessis, Maxwell and Kohli's fifties in vain Royal Challengers' innings was of three parts: 56 runs in the powerplay, 48 in the next seven, and 108 from the final seven. The start was down to an attacking Kohli, who ended the first six overs on 42, with four fours and three sixes. But his last 19 runs took as many deliveries to come, with the Super Giants' spinners applying the brakes. Carnage was to follow. In what turned out to be a six fest, du Plessis and Maxwell smacked 11 maximums until the end of the innings. Du Plessis finished on 79, while Maxwell smashed 59 at double the pace. Royal Challengers soared to 212. In the end, it was all for nothing, as late drama characterised the finish for the second successive day. (ESPNcricinfo)

on 10 off five deliveries at one stage. He ended with 62 from 19. Seven of those balls were hit for sixes, and four of them for fours. Carefree, unstoppable T20 batting, with the swag, muscle, and calmness of Viv Richards.

Pooran's fifty came up off 15 deliveries. Balls flew over long-on, square leg, extra cover and fine leg. Fielders' jaws dropped, the bowlers' spirits were crushed, but Pooran was merciless. When he was finally dismissed, he left Super Giants needing only 24 from 18.

Impact Player Strategy

Introduced in the 12th over, Amit Mishra carried forward the mania from Lucknow to Bangalore, and struck third ball to dismiss Virat Kohli. Two overs later, Glenn Maxwell smashed him for 4, 6 off successive deliveries as Mishra ended at 2 for 18. Despite being brought on quite late, he was subbed by Ayush Badoni. Badoni, to his part, played the ice to Pooran's fire, guiding Super Giants with a composed 30 in 24 deliveries,

SCOREBOARD

Royal Challengers Bangalore (20 ovs maximum)

Virat Kohli c Stoinis b Mishra 61

Faf du Plessis (c) not out 79

Glenn Maxwell b Wood 59

Dinesh Karthik † not out 1

Extras (lb 8, w 4) 12

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.60) 212/2

Did not bat: Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, David Willey, Wayne Parnell, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma

Fall of wickets: 1-96 (Virat

Kohli, 11.3 ov), 2-211 (Glenn

Maxwell, 19.5 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Jaydev Unadkat 2-0-27-0

Avesh Khan 4-0-53-0

Krunal Pandya 4-0-35-0

Mark Wood 4-1-32-1

Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-39-0

Amit Mishra 2-0-18-1

Lucknow Super Giants (T: 213 runs from 20 ovs)

Kyle Mayers b Mohammed Siraj 0

KL Rahul (c) c Kohli

b Mohammed Siraj 18

Deepak Hooda c †Karthik

b Parnell 9

Krunal Pandya c †Karthik

b Parnell 0

Marcus Stoinis c Shahbaz

Ahmed b Sharma 65

Nicholas Pooran † c Shahbaz

Ahmed b Mohammed Siraj 62

Ayush Badoni hit

wicket b Parnell 30

Jaydev Unadkat c

du Plessis b Patel 9

Mark Wood b Patel 1

Ravi Bishnoi not out 3

Avesh Khan not out 0

Extras (b 1, lb 6, w 9) 16

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.65) 213/9

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Kyle Mayers, 0.3 ov), 2-23 (Deepak Hooda, 3.4 ov), 3-23 (Krunal Pandya, 3.6 ov), 4-99 (Marcus Stoinis, 10.4 ov), 5-105 (KL Rahul, 11.1 ov), 6-189 (Nicholas Pooran, 16.6 ov), 7-206 (Ayush Badoni, 18.4 ov), 8-209 (Mark Wood, 19.2 ov), 9-212 (Jaydev Unadkat, 19.5 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Siraj 4-0-22-3

David Willey 4-0-32-0

Wayne Parnell 4-0-41-3

Harshal Patel 4-0-48-2

Karn Sharma 3-0-48-1

Shahbaz Ahmed 1-0-15-0

Stephen Curry scored a game-high 26 points in just 22 minutes of action

Nicholas Pooran sped to a 15-ball half-century

Marcus Stoinis goes down the ground

Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis put on 115 runs for the second wicket

LSG celebrate

Bartica Easter Regatta 2023 powerboat races...

Sanjay Ramkissoon (Team Shivraj) crowned champion in 115-200hp and 75-90hp classes

On a day when the usual clash of titans in the Formula One Class did not materialise because of an accident in the first race (the second event of the day), Sanjay Ramkissoon cashed in big time as he displayed versatility by controlling two of the next most powerful categories.

The event was blessed with brilliant sunshine, a colourful crowd, and the presence of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips; Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton; Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams and Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall among other officials. And the day turned out to be exciting despite the accident which resulted in both boats not being able to take any further part in the day’s activities.

PM Phillips declared the competition open after delivering official opening remarks, noting that Bartica would continue to benefit from developmental initiatives from the Government. He pointed out that the budget for capital works was increased substantially from 2022, which in itself signals the Government’s intent to further empower the residents of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) including the talented sportsmen and women.

Minister Walrond spoke on the importance of the regatta as a leading tourism product for Region Seven, and by extension, Guyana. Welcome remarks were delivered by Regional Chairman Williams, who is also Chairman of

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the Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee.

But on the water top, the day belonged to Team Shivraj, piloted by Ramkissoon, who was commanding in winning both races for the 115-200 horsepower boats as well as in the 75-90hp class. There was a mother and daughter onetwo finish in the female kayak race while there were nine competitors in the male kayak showdown.

The organisers are to make a determination as to the winner of the lone formula event which was being led by Randy Belle piloting Wave Runner. After the incident on the fourth turn where Wave Runner collided with another boat, Dave Scott aboard Jaguar, who was always chasing down Belle, took over the lead and eventually took the chequered flag. Discussions are still ongoing as to who is the clear winner.

The clerk of course and his committee are to deliberate and come up with the winner of the race which was the second of the day, according to the organisers.

Sponsors of the event were Mohamed’s Enterprise, BK International Inc, Ming’s

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Following are the full results of the day:

25-40hp Class D

Steve Satya (Team Shivraj); Dexter Peters (Love Machine); Jushanna Charles (Mechanic)

Kayak Females

Bernice Lewis, Glorine Phardoman, Jameila Pollard

Kayak Males

Troy Clarence, Anthony McCalmon, Rondell Callender

115-200hp Class A

Sanjay Ramkissoon (Team Shivraj); Conan Belle (High Rollers); Steve Satya (Team Shivraj)

75-90hp Class C

Sanjay Ramkissoon (Team Shivraj); Ravi Hussain (Yamaha); Terrence Gonsalves (El Chapo)

Bush Boat Triston Melville, Mohamed Rasul, Brian Pollard

115-200hp Class B

Sanjay Ramkissoon (Team Shivraj); Steve Satya (Team Shivraj); Triston

Melville (Power Boy)

75-90hp Class C

Ravi Hussain (Yamaha); Sudesh Samaroo (Rising On); Alim Hussain(Unruly)

Jet Ski

Chris Caputo, Mark Harris

Pelé FC Alumni and Pelé FC pay tribute to the late King Pelé

Following the death of one of the most commanding sport figures of the last century, Pelé, on December 29, 2022, the Pelé FC Alumni along with Pelé Football Club on Thursday evening paid tribute to the legend after which the club was named, some 50-plus years ago.

This event should have taken place a few weeks ago, but was curtailed owing to inclement weather. On Thursday though, many of the founding and former players of Pelé FC, many of whom went on to don national colours and are now residing overseas, were home to join in the moment of reflection and remembrance at the

Georgetown Football Club Ground.

The programme took the form of a brief candlelight vigil with the attendees wearing specially printed jerseys.

Announcer and former national player Keith “Bumpy” Layne reflected on the life of Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as all present donned specially-minted buttons to mark the occasion.

Players from all eight teams that participated in the four Youth Educational Matches, all wore black armbands to mark the occasion.

Among the Pelé players present were Dr Colin Watson; Lyndon Bollers; Paul Chan; Eric “Riggy” Smith;

Patrick “Labba” Barton; Denis “Carrie” Carrington; Ivor “Brazilian” Jones; Compton “Alan Ball” Luthers; Lindon “Colt” Carter; Loris Stoby; Alfred Harris; Albert Sampson-Barton; Wenceslas Laundry; Lyndon “Pinhead” Laing; Lloyd “Chula” Enmore; Clyde “Farmer” Browne (Former Coach); David Gomes (Local Operations Director); and Pele FC President Dirk Exeter.

Pelé FC Alumni Chairman Denis Carrington expressed gratitude to all present, including the players of Pelé FC, past and present, young and old, for making the event a success, noting that it came off at the right time.

“Whilst it did not happen when we wanted it to, a few weeks ago, we are really thankful that it has happened at this time. When so many of you are here and would have preferred it now. To Mr Exeter, our local president, and his team, thank you for the work put in to make this a memorable evening. The memory of this great icon will surely live on for many more generations to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, the threeday Youth Education Seminar, which will attract some 130 youths this year, will open today at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary from 09:00h. Registration will commence one hour earlier.

“Junior” apologises for not racing Alado

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"Prevention is better than cure" was the profound words of trainer Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed as he explained the non-appearance of his champion horse Alado on Sunday afternoon at Port Mourant race course, Berbice.

It was the first race meeting of the Port Mourant race course, and Mohamed's undefeated colt, Alado was entered to compete in the One Mile Easter Cup feature, but he was scratched from the race.

Mohamed vanned Alado, Everesting, and Ice Kreem Sundae to contest the event, but decided to pull out his stable star and Everesting from the day's finale won by Jagdeo Racing Stables' Our Stuie, ridden by Dillon Khelawan.

Mohamed was commended by fellow trainers for prioritising the

interest of Alado, and not the glory or history that he could have brought to his stable.

He explained, "Alado is a top-class colt. There are several other races for him. He was coming from some time off. I wasn't happy with him after his victory in the President's Cup. So I rested him.”

"There were some racing incidents on the track on Sunday, but the track wasn't the problem," Mohamed

pointed out. "I just took preventative measures in light of his problem. Nothing else, I apologised to the promoters for Alado not competing. I must congratulate the Jagdeo family, who won the race. They are deserving of this success. They have put a lot into the sport.

"The welfare of my animals is paramount. A trainer has to consider himself lucky when he gets a good horse. I am very fortunate that his connection had the confidence in me to give me such a good horse to train for them. I know his followers were disappointed that Alado did not race. I did explain the consequences to them. They understood and agreed the interest of the animal comes first. I am thankful to their understanding."

Regarding how soon Alado's followers could

expect him to return to competitive racing, Mohamed joked, "Well, I pulled him out to give Uncle Fazal a chance to win the race, but he came up second best in the Easter Cup. I believe Alado's injury needs time. I will give him that."

On future plans for Alado, Mohamed advised, "He will defend his title in the Guyana Cup. I am giving the other trainers the opportunity to share in the glory of winning the Cup races."

In closing, Mohamed shared, "Racing is a tough sport. Contrary to belief of fellow horsemen and patrons that races are written for the 'big' trainers, that is not so. Followers of the sport will report that long shots prevail. The Americans’ Wood Memorial is a good example, a 49/1 outsider trained by Saffie Joseph Jr won. That's the sport."

Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed

Champion driver Sanjay Ramkissoon piloting the winning Team Shivraj boat in the 115-200hp class

Bernice Lewis is all joy as she beats her daughter, Glorine Phardoman to the top spot in the female kayak race

CARIFTA for Grenada, T&T in 2024, 2025

The next two editions (51st and 52nd) of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games in 2024 and 2025 will be hosted in Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago respectively.

This is according to reports from the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) congress

which was hosted during the 50th CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday.

The hosting of the games in Grenada in 2024 will be the island’s third opportunity to host the premier track and field competition for Caribbean youths, while Trinidad and Tobago will be hosting for a sixth time.

Grenada previously hosted the CARIFTA Games in 2000

and 2016, while the twinisland republic hosted the second edition of the games in 1973 before repeating as hosts in 1987, 1991, 1998, 2003 and most recently in 2005.

It is unclear whether or not Guyana put in a bid to host the upcoming games, after losing hosting rights to The Bahamas for the 50th edition of the event.

Milo quarter-finals set after exciting weekend action

Defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary, Chase’s Academy, Santa Rosa Secondary and Mackenzie High are among the teams that will compete in the Milo 2023 quarter-finals, following a riveting Round of 16 over the weekend.

A very narrow encounter with Dolphin Secondary saw the defending champions overcome the odds to advance to the quarter-finals of the Milo Schools’ Under-18 football tournament, while victories were more forthcoming for the other teams competing on Saturday and Sunday.

In what can be considered the game of the weekend, Christianburg met with Dolphin in the final game of Saturday evening. Dolphin Secondary drew first blood with early goals for a 2-0 advantage. However, by the end of the first half, the deficit had been closed for a 2-2 scoreline.

In the second half, Dolphin once again took the lead, but

Alcindor, Chai Williams, Duquain Samuels, and Neeiaz Baksh added one goal each.

On Sunday, East Ruimveldt Secondary were the first to pick up a win, following a nailbiter against Cummings Lodge Secondary. The Mandela Avenue outfit prevailed 3-1 on kicks from the penalty mark, after regulation time ended with the scores one-all.

(56th) were the ones to beat Mackenzie’s keeper while Elijah Sattaur’s lone goal for West Ruimveldt was the first of the game, netted in the third minute.

An Ian Daniels hat-trick in the 21st, 50th and 54th minutes of the final Round of 16 game saw Carmel Secondary easing past Westminster 3-1. Antwan Kelly was Westminster’s lone

Sparta Boss, New Amsterdam United, California Square, and Ballers Empire started the “One Guyana” Kashif and Shanghai-organised National Futsal championships on the perfect note, with unassailable victories on Sunday night at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

a Stephen Jupiter hat-trick in the 6th, 13th and 15th minutes; Shaquille Baptiste (19th) and Donte McAfay (19th, 21st) added to Ballers’ tally for the victory.

but came up short in a 6-2 encounter. For the winners, Travis Blake (10th), Tevin Campbell (29th), Meshack Barratt (three goals) and Teon V found the back of

the defending champions equalised again to send the game to penalties. On kicks from the spot, CWSS prevailed 6-5.

Earlier in the day, a lone strike from Daniel Murphy booked Ann’s Grove’s quarterfinal spot following a 1-0 victory over Patentia Secondary.

Bartica Secondary were the next team to qualify, with a 3-1 defeat of Charlestown Secondary. Shawn Bobb, Ezekiel Baldeo, and Shawn Leitch were the marksmen for the Region Seven outfit.

Chase’s Academy made light work of New Central High in the following game, with a 7-0 thumping of their opponents.

Seon Cato led the charge with a hat-trick, while Justin

Daniel Sutton in the 56th minute and Keyshawn Millington in the 27th minute were the scorers from East Ruimveldt and Cummings Lodge Secondary respectively, during regulation time.

Santa Rosa mauled 8th of May Secondary 6-1 on their way to sealing their quarter-final spot. Roy Vonsluytinan’s double (3rd, 86th), accompanied by one each from Dennis Williams (25th), Kevin Joseph (79th), Travis Jorvis (81st) and Deon Chappelle (88th) did the trick for Santa Rosa while 8th of May’s consolation goal came off the boots of Anias Glasgow in the 50th minute.

Mackenzie High narrowly got past West Ruimveldt

Secondary 2-1. Dexter Milo (50th) and Jevon Dennis

marksman in the 53rd minute.

The Milo action will continue this Saturday, April 15 with the quarter-final games. Based on the knockout fixtures provided by organisers, Petra Organisation, Ann’s Grove Secondary will take on Chase’s Academy, while an all-Linden clash will see Mackenzie High and Christianburg Wismar Secondary butting heads.

On the other side of the coin, East Ruimveldt Secondary will meet Santa Rosa Secondary, while Carmel Secondary and Bartica Secondary will duke it out for spots in the semi-finals.

The tournament is supported by Nestle Milo; Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN); General Equipment Guyana (Genequip) and MVP Sports.

The first game of the night saw New Amsterdam United thumping Future Stars 7-0. Goals from Dane Johnson (3rd); Allister Drakes (4th); Mark Wronge (5th); Seon Alfred (8th); Justin Williams (10th) and Carlos Ramos (15th) as well as an own goal accounted for the Berbice outfit’s large tally.

Next, Ballers Empire overcame Kitty Spanish by a 6-0 margin. On the back of

Road Warriors looked to challenge California Square,

the net. On the other hand, Rodel Peters and Ozel Small were the marksmen for Road Warriors.

The final game of the night saw Sparta Boss decimating Thomas Land United 8-0. Jermaine Junor netted three while Ryan Hackett backed up with a double. Solitary goals came from Kelsey Benjamin, Nicholas McArthur, and Eusi Phillips.

The Kashif and Shanghaiorganised tournament features 32 teams from across the country and will conclude on May 20, 2023.

The CARIFTA Games will next be held in Grenada in 2024

“One Guyana” National Futsal tournament… Sparta, NA United bag 1st wins

A glimpse of the action between NA United and Future Stars (PSG kits)

Ballers Empire (white T-shirts) overcame Kitty Spanish

The Sparta Boss outfit

Chase’s Academy’s Neeiaz Baksh (blue) watches as his strike curls into the corner of the net (Jemima Holmes photo)

A look at the battle between Bartica Secondary and Charlestown Secondary (Jemima Holmes photo)