Guyana Times - Tuesday, March 21, 2023

US to provide Guyana with technical assistance for cyber security

…cyber defence assessment experts to arrive this week

Millet trial cultivation to start in Guyana soon

…200 acres of land earmarked; cultivation to start in Regions 4, 9, 10

Children playing with matches leave 1 dead, 18 homeless

…burnt remains of man found in Agricola home

Mash floats dumped around New Amsterdam

Following the hosting of the Mashramani 2023 float parade in the Ancient County of Berbice earlier this month, several floats were dumped along the roadways at various locations around the town and remained there 15 days after the event.

Several of the floats

which were on display during the Mashramani float parade in Georgetown on February 23 were taken to New Amsterdam for the Berbice edition.

On March 5, revellers tramped through the streets from Marks Bridge to Main Street and into Vryheid Road then into Strand before

heading to Stelling Road, New Amsterdam where the parade ended.

Three of the floats were discarded along Stelling Road. Two were dumped along Strand in front of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) office. The utility company did not participate in the event in Berbice.

Two other floats were discarded at the junction of Strand and Vryheid Road, New Amsterdam; one was subsequently removed almost two weeks after the event.

Guyana Times sought to get a comment from the Town’s Mayor ,Winifred Haywood on the littering aspect, but was told that the event was organised by the Regional Democratic

Council. However, the municipality is responsible for the township and according to the laws governing townships, it can prosecute persons and/or organisations for littering. (G4)

Silica City float dumped at Strand and Vryheid Road, New Amsterdam A float left along Strand, New Amsterdam Stelling Road, New Amsterdam where three of the floats remain

Two floats were dumped along Strand in front of GPL

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, Mar 21 – 04:15h –05:45h and Wednesday, Mar 22 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Mar 21 – 16:20h –17:20h and Wednesday, Mar 22 – 05:15h – 06:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 16:44 reaching a maximum height of 2.84 metres.

Low Tide: 10:17h and 22:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.4 metre and 0.39 metre.

will work to dismantle intellectual racism” – President

On his third visit to Pakuri (St Cuthbert’s Mission), President Dr Irfaan Ali has made it clear that he would continue to work directly with the people on the ground to develop communities throughout Guyana, all while dismantling intellectual racism from the bottom up.

The President’s comments come more than a week after the firestorm created by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member Tacuma Ogunseye during a meeting in Buxton where he made comments that have since been denounced by cross-sections of society and even members of the Opposition.

President Ali assured Pakuri that the community was integral to development and he would continue to visit communities across the country and work with residents on the ground, even while “intellectual racism” continues to be spouted by ‘leaders’.

“I want to assure you that you are an integral part of the development agenda. No community is going to be left be-

hind. Whether you’re on the highway, the hinterland, riverain community or urban centre, we are going to go there and meet you. This is my third visit to this community. And every single community we are trying to visit.

“We want to hear from the people themselves. I believe, very strongly, that those at the top who seek to use all kinds of unethical ways to divide us and separate us as a people will fail. They will fail, because I will work at the bottom with the people of the country,” President Ali further said.

In a message of unity paired with determination, the President made it clear that it was the people who must drive the change and moreover, also take a stand against racism. For his part, he assured that he would continue to endeavour to dismantle racism.

“I will work with you individually, in your communities. And we together, the people of this country, will dismantle the intellectual racists that

exist in our country who always want to divide us. That cannot take us forward,” the President said.

“It is us; it is you on the ground who must show them, demonstrate to them that you don’t want to be a part of that. You want to be in a country that is united, strong, free and one in which development comes to your community and life. That is what is important for us. And that is what is important for the people of this country and for the development of our country.”

Elimination of racial discrimination

Incidentally, today marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In a statement, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips assured that the Government remained committed to ensuring citizens’ equal access to benefits from Guyana’s development, including in education, healthcare and employment, regard-

less of race.

“We will not condone any form of discrimination be it in the workplace, in the access to education, health, security and all other areas. However, like many other nations, our history depicts instances of racial conflict that have left deep scars on our people,” the PM wrote.

“While confronting this reality and acknowledging the painful episodes of our past, we must continue to forge ever forward to create a future free of inequality. As leaders, we are responsible for creating a peaceful, productive and prosperous environment where every citizen is valued, respected, and feels a sense of belonging, regardless of ethnicity, race, or religion.”

He, therefore, noted the importance of leaders leading by example, adding that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government was committed to implementing policies and programmes that promote equality and justice.

“We

…urges communities to reject racism, embrace development …Govt committed to promoting equality, justice – PM

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Spotlight on Autism

Next month is Autism Awareness Month, also referred to by some people as Autism Acceptance Month. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is characterised by challenges with social skills, communication and repetitive behaviour. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics revealed that autism spectrum disorder is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls. According to the Child Mind Institute, “this is because girls often go undiagnosed because they don’t fit autism stereotypes and they mask symptoms better than boys do.”

Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world, will be lit blue in recognition of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support. World Autism Awareness Day can trace its roots back to November 1, 2007. This is when the UN first requested that a day be established as World Autism Day. This resolution was passed on December 18 of 2007.

This year, the day, observed on April 2, is themed: “Colour”.

According to the United Nations, there has been major progress over the past decade in increasing access to education especially for persons with autism.

The UN stated that the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused countries to temporarily close schools, impacted on more than 90 per cent of students worldwide. That disruption, the UN had stated, caused learning to be reversed and “years of progress, and has exacerbated inequalities in education”.

This has caused students with autism to be hard hit and studies now show that they have been “disproportionately affected by disruptions to routines, as well as services and supports that they rely on”.

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism – and others living with autism – face every day. As a growing global health issue owing to its increasing exposure in the press and common knowledge, autism is an issue that is only gaining more understanding –and WAAD activities are planned every year to further increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder.

As more people become aware of the autism spectrum, more parents reach out for answers. More awareness leads to more knowledge and greater visibility. More people who aren't living with autism learn to accept and respect people who are. At present, there is no official statistics on the number of autistic children and other persons in Guyana; Government officials should, therefore, be keen to acquire the numbers to better understand the complex disorder that affects communication and behaviour.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first years of life and affects the development of the child in three broad areas: communication skills, social skills, and repetitive or rigid behaviours. As reflected in the name, children with autism spectrum disorder vary greatly in terms of the level and type of impairment in the areas of social, communication, and behaviour, as well as the strengths with which they present within each of these areas. Current statistics suggest that approximately 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder.

The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and the lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on the individuals, their families and communities.

Further, stigmatisation and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapies, an issue that must be addressed by both public policy-makers in developing nations, as well as donor countries.

While there are several local companies who already make autism causes a part of their charitable giving, there are many who have not yet jumped on board, please consider doing so. Autism is real. It affects us all. It needs not only our understanding, but our support. More importantly, those on the spectrum deserve our understanding and support. This disorder affects males and females of all races in all parts of the world.

GECOM’s progression to Nomination Day created ire for Opposition

Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) progression towards Nomination Day on April 17, 2023 indicates readiness for Local Government Elections (LGEs). This headway has drawn further Opposition ire and received intensified artificial challenges from orchestrators among their diehard ranks. Nevertheless, LGEs present the opportunity for inclusive representation of governance at the community level, which must be taken advantage of, regardless of these naysayers.

Our citizens must recognise the highly condemnable and perhaps treasonable attempts at inducing unmanageable social volatility through deliberately sensitised racial conflict. We have an overwhelming responsibility to reject these contrived and exaggeratedly created attempts at distracting from our national collective development movement.

The obvious desperation of the likes of Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) members Tacuma Ogunseye and David Hinds, and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton et. al at the Buxton public meeting held on March 09, 2023 cannot be made clearer. The irresponsible, unqualifying and futile attempt of Opposition Leader Norton to defend a call for the Army’s support of protests and a ‘weaponised uprising’ based on free speech must be seen for its every connection with the use of flagrant clandestine methods to cheat our nation of beneficial democratic ideals.

Notably, the self-proclaimed rights of this grouping as the representative and voice of a particular ethnic group (black community)

are artificial, and do not command any real support. Based on votes at previous elections, it is doubtful that the WPA would be able to prove a functional membership exceeding fifty persons, indicating their acclaimed supporters have changed their voting alliance or are abstaining.

It is widely known and recognised that the Cabal’s orchestrators utilise a tacitly flawed assumption that all persons of a particular ethnic persuasion would support their misguided principles. They adopt the unforgiving, foolhardy posture that regardless of the abuse of failures of self-administration that kept the people suppressed, every citizen of a particular orientation should be gullible to calls for violence and protests. This is an absolute affront to education, objectivity and rationality, and has no bearing on our cohesive advancement as a nation.

It has been revealed time and time again that their pursuit of a lack of respect for our laws and proclivity for the “any means necessary approach” continue to expose their true nature. Notwithstanding, the group continues the use of media platforms to sensationalise one ethnic group against others, which they see as a trump card for imbalance.

We must not view these superfluously, for they highlight the real underpinning shackles that anchor those who follow them to a continuous, self-suppressive, irresponsible Opposition thinking and practice.

Editor, all have followed GECOM’s work with a sense of keen scrutiny, for obvious reasons. Foremost is the response and performance required for acceptable results from the transparent execu-

tion of procedures in these first elections following the March 2020 debacle. Related is the evidential need for numerous corrective remedies, including the replacement of staff who are facing the courts for elections fraud.

At this point, albeit with much-exercised caution, things seem to be progressing following the published work plan toward the LGEs scheduled for June 12, 2023. Importantly, the Registration Offices around the country did a good job in preparation for the Claims and Objections process. Further, the Electoral Registers were also completed, and now GECOM finally was able to produce the appropriate List of Voters for the holding of LGEs.

The institution, through its Secretariat, has provided appropriate guidelines in an LGEs booklet, together with widely circulated, published public notices in the Official Gazette, as well as the exercise of discretion and flexibility that provides maximum timelines for compliance, where possible, by contesting political respondents to the process. For these initiatives, the institution should be applauded. The appointment of the Returning Officers will be done shortly, and the nation will move swiftly into LGE mode.

Guyanese are anxiously waiting to vote at these LGEs, and expectations are sky high that, in the results, we will have a broader democracy at the local level; one that is supportive of their individual and collective development in the communities where they reside.

Currently, many prominent groups and village leaders are working assiduously to put together the

best List of Candidates to contest the LGE for established Local Authority Areas. Consequently, it is anticipated that the leadership at the local level will be representative of the actual community requirements and advanced by more mature, inclusive, and vibrant Councillors. It is also expected that many of the fading political groups would not contest the LGEs, given their washed-out popularity due to identification with the deceit and involved support of skullduggery at the March 2020 Elections. Hence, it will be the PNC trying to compete in a few traditional areas, while the ‘dead meat’ WPA and the AFC are certainly blowing hot air to stay seemingly as relevant paper organisations. It is much clearer that the tremendous PPPC-led development push at all levels across the country is attracting and forging a greater unity platform among our citizens.

Attendance to supporting the disruptive unjustified undercurrents from the cabal Opposition front men and women must therefore be heavily rejected forthwith, and resolve must be to the adoption of an approach of rationality and objectivity.

These LGEs will foster strong leadership at the Local levels, the focus of which must target boosting the standard of living of the Guyanese people in times of reality. Development is visible, transparency is most encouraging, and this column therefore calls for a fully inclusive approach at the LGEs.

GECOM must be commended for its preparation and readiness to hold LGEs.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

President Dr Irfaan Ali chats with Ambassador of Vietnam, Pham Thi Kim Hoa after accepting her Letters of Credence on Monday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown. Guyana established diplomatic relations with Vietnam on April 19, 1975 (OP photo)

Regional economist’s assertion on Guyana falling victim to the ‘resource curse’ deeply flawed

Dear Editor,

My attention was drawn to an article published in the Jamaica Observer on March 17th, 2023, citing a regional economist, Damien King. The economist argued that “Guyana could fall victim to the so-called ‘resource curse’ as it moves deeper in developing its oil and gas finds because it lacks strong institutions to prevent corruption (see link here for ease of reference: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/ mark-my-words-2/). The economist went on to make some other outlandish and callous remarks wherein he argued that “Guyana is going to go nowhere”, political parties will soon start to squabble over the spoils to the detriment of the country and that unless there are strong institutions?corruption and violence will ensue etc.

Generally, there are two fundamental issues I have with the economist’s contentions. First and foremost, his assertion that “it is worth kill-

ing people for power”, though this is indeed a risk and a reality that occurred historically with other countries where oil is concerned, should be outrightly rejected. Guyana’s political economy is still fragile wherein even without oil, the country endured a long history of political crimes.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, today, Guyana is in a much better position compared to where it came from three decades ago and in a different era wherein the political crimes of the past would be difficult to perpetuate. Of recent, for example, there were persistent (failed attempts) by the political Opposition to stimulate the environment for a repeat of the past political crimes. This is another demonstration of the fact that the political crimes of the past would be difficult to engineer in a modern civilisation, natural resource rich, an increasingly smarter population, and economically stable Guyana.

The second fundamental issue I have with the view-

points from outsiders, in particular, is the tendency to be overly academic and theoretical, referencing case studies of other countries and packaging the narrative as lessons?thus, effectively ignoring appropriate context and/ or lacking a proper contextual analysis. While this may be partially acceptable in academia, the reality of the political and economic situations of countries are oftentimes vastly different, and therefore, the appropriate contextual analysis is of great importance. In this regard, this critical element is lacking in the economist’s analysis on the Guyana situation.

The economist contended that Guyana has weaker institutions compared to Jamaica?yet, Jamaica only scored 3 points higher than Guyana in the 2022 corruption perception index (CPI).

Moreover, it is a pathetic and unsubstantiated argument coming from a political economist that weak institutions necessitate cor-

ruption and ultimately the resource curse syndrome as the only variable or primary causation for such an outcome. Conversely, the reality is such that the perception of corruption and the reality and evidence of corruption are different issues altogether?and it is also true that there is no country in the world that is free of corruption?even in countries with the strongest institutions, rampant corruption prevails, and there are countries that did not fall victim to the ‘resource curse’. Additionally, he based his argument and conclusions solely on the case studies of other countries that suffered the consequences he is predicting that Guyana will be a victim of?but ignored completely, the contexts altogether of the countries cited, such as, Venezuela and Nigeria as mentioned earlier. Noteworthily, avoiding the dreaded resource curse has less to do with the perception of corruption and more to do with prudent economic management of the resources in a

manner that effectively and efficiently elevates the level of prosperity for the country and its people.

With the foregoing in mind, I strongly oppose the views of the economist on Guyana in respect of the ‘resource curse’ syndrome?albeit it is true that historically, Guyana endured politically motivated crime and violence as previously mentioned. It is worth noting that historically, despite these challenges, the Government at the time which is none other than the current Government?managed to successfully lift Guyana out of a state of bankruptcy to economic stability in just over two decades. This is indicative of the resilience nature of the country, the people, the private sector, and the incumbent Government.

The incumbent Government has demonstrated, drawing from its successful track record of good economic management, that it is pursuing the right type of economic policies and un-

dertaking the much-needed investment in the economy?specifically in addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit, human resources constraints, education and health care, energy and food security at the regional level, and ICT just to name a few, that will enable the economic transformation to take place from a primary producing economy to a tertiary producing economy.

Finally, I end by inviting the economist, Damien King, to study the Guyanese economic context, conduct his own public policy analysis; examine the national budgets of 2020 through 2023 for example, and analyse the economic outcome of these policies and allocation of financial resources in the economy?which will then aid him in deriving a more informed conclusion. Following this, we can then move the debate to another level, if he so wishes.

Sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin

A review of the Draft Model PSA for Shallow Water

Dear Editor,

Apart from several easily fixed grammatical errors across the entirety of the initial draft submitted for public comment, the "Draft Model Production Sharing Agreement for Shallow Water" is a good first version and the team should be applauded for their efforts. As for the areas of opportunity for improvement, there are some key items that would benefit from additional reviews and updates. For example, the following should be relooked at:

* The majority vote should be used on page 5 instead of the 50%.

* The overhead charge should be used for each specific project to allow for ringfencing.

* In 4.6 the minimum technical and financial capacity should be defined alongside the safety and financial record of the Contractor. Reviewing, and jointly developing with the US their ongoing work on the "fitness to operate standards" would be beneficial to the sector.

* In 7.1 the natural gas field production period is an outlier at the high end of the range with a 30-year window being given. The period allotted is usually 15 years to 25 years.

* In 16.5 the expectations for waste management need to be explicit in the development plan. Waste discharge information is required, but the gap on waste management currently exists.

* In 20 there should be a stipulation for the use of flare and vent meters with an associated accuracy requirement.

* In 21.3 & 21.4 gas leaks should also be added, and the risk management plan should

comprise of a risk reduction and risk mitigation plan.

* In 21.5 a containment plan should also be outlined.

* In 25.5 it should state unrecovered cost after depreciation.

* In 27.4 f) the mention of a predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance programme needs to be included.

* In 27.4 k) a major safety audit needs to occur annually and not every 4 years. (Reference: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, US department of Interior). The annual audit needs to also be supported by daily/weekly, monthly and quarterly safety inspections. Fines for breaches in safety protocol also need to be outlined.

* In 29.5 inclusion of a lease surety bond that also covers decommissioning costs, and protects against Contractors filing bankruptcy that can result in wells being "orphaned" would add more structure to the Sector. Article 29.5 touches on this, but there is an opportunity for a sector specific instrument.

* The improved royalty rate of 10% is a great step forward, but it should be noted that rates are higher for shallow offshore wells, and the US has recently adjusted their rates up to 12.5% and 18.75% based on depth. (Reference: report of the US department of Interior, November 2021).

* In 30.3 there is an opportunity to structure the insurance requirements as 1) Offshore physical damage coverage; 2) Operator's extra expense (control of wells);

3) Excess liability insurance coverage;

4) Business interruption; 5) Workers compensation/Employer's lia-

bility. Our location doesn't have the natural disasters of the Gulf of Mexico, which should result in lower premiums for Contractors. There should at least be the mention of $10 billion in coverage. This was mentioned over 12 years ago (Reference: Liability and Financial Responsibility Issues Related to Offshore Oil Production, Testimony of Rawle O. King before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources). Article 30.3 is too vague and should clearly outline the minimum insurance required based on production volume, vessel type, and with worst case oil spill discharge considerations contemplated. No fines nor penalties are outlined in this section. This should be clearly outlined.

* In 34 the amount charged could be higher. Based on the proposed use of the funds this will train less than 40 individuals annually if Exxon's training cost per employee is used as the benchmark.

* In 35 the signing bonus should be established, and using a percentage of the contract awarded should be considered.

* In 36.5 there is no tax on exports. A low and competitive tax rate should be implemented. This is money being left on the table.

* In 37.1/4/6 We have an opportunity to include the futures market for oil as a percent of the crude oil basket to hedge against negative market forces. This was a gap during the start-up of the Sector that we should avoid going forward. The setting of natural gas prices would also benefit from this approach.

* Other taxes have been added back in, which is a pos-

itive adjustment to the PSA!

* In 39.1 import duties are at 0 and we should consider a low and competitive rate on this as well. Another area where money is being left on the table.

* In 41.3 the proposed abandonment plan should be submitted with the development plan and updated annually to reflect changes in technology, the project and the decommissioning cost. However, the notice for the abandonment can be given 2 years prior. It is implied in the later part of the PSA, but also needs to be clear in this section. (Reference: Section 32a Guidelines on decommissioning plans for offshore facilities of installations, Center for Energy Resources, 7 August 2018).

* In 42.9 the audit process should be able to run simultaneously with the internal expense approval process of the Contractor, and be audited by a good standing international accounting firm similar to the one currently doing the audit of Exxon's financial statements.

* In 45.6 there is no mention of fines nor penalties for environmental damage. This should be clearly outlined (Reference: USEPA Oil Pollution Act).

* In 47.9 Arbitration has been assigned to the ICSID. There is an opportunity to consider the use of LCIA, which was established in 1892 and is based in London. The comparison of the arbitration rules should be undertaken by the Chambers of the Attorney General to ensure that the substantive laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will be upheld and applied during the Arbitration

process. For example, the ICSID expedited process reduces the number of arbitrators from 3 to 1, placing it in conflict with the requirement for 3 arbitrators as outlined in the Article. (Reference: Shuffling the Pack - New rules for ICSID investment treaty arbitration by Clyde & Co. 27 June 2022).

As mentioned, overall, it

is a great start towards an improved Model Production Sharing Agreement. There is quite a bit of reference to the use of international best practices. The team should initiate the use of these best practices as they add more substance to the articles within the draft.

Best regards,

Jamil Changlee

US to provide Guyana with technical assistance for cyber security

…cyber defence assessment experts to arrive this week

tween the two countries.

The congressional delegation further pledged the support of the US towards a number of developmental areas in Guyana, including modernising the country’s energy sector as well as its physical infrastructure.

Led by Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Jason Smith, the delegation also included Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (RMN), Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Congressman Mike Carey (ROH), and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND).

The United States will be providing Guyana with critical technical assistance with the goal of boosting Guyana’s capacity to protect itself from cyberattacks, including those aimed at the Guyana Defence Force’s military networks.

This announcement came during the ongoing visit of Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the US. Department of Justice (DOJ), Richard W Downing. Downing is accompanied by Cybersecurity Program Manager from the InterAmerican Committee against Terrorism, Organisation of American States (OAS), Kerry-Ann Barrett, and DOJ cyber security experts.

During the visit, cyber security solutions were discussed with the Government of Guyana. It was decided that the DOJ cyber security team, in conjunction with the OAS, would provide technical support toward the development of a national cyber security framework for Guyana.

This framework will be used to combat cybercrimes, especially in the se-

curity and energy sectors. The team proposed similar support to Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries. Nor was this all that was on offer.

“In addition to the visit by DOJ, the US Southern Command and Florida National Guard will send a cyber defence assessment team to Guyana this week, with the goal of sharing best practices with the Guyana Defence Force to protect military networks from cyberattacks,” the US Embassy in Georgetown said in a statement.

During the visit, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General and the Cybersecurity Program Manager met with Foreign Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives from the Legal Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s chambers, and representatives from the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“Deputy Assistant Attorney General Downing and Ms Barrett encouraged

Guyana’s accession to the Budapest Convention, or the Convention on Cybercrime, which would offer additional resources to strengthen domestic capacity for law enforcement responses when combating cybercrime,” the US Embassy said.

“This crucial step will help Guyana combat cyber threats as it undergoes a major economic transformation. These visits by DOJ and USSOUTHCOM highlight the United States’ concerted efforts to assist Guyana in establishing and developing a strong cyber security defence to support future development.”

Over the past week, there have been visits by several, high-ranking US officials to Guyana during which discussions were had on areas of opportunity to further relations between the two countries.

Only a few days ago, a seven-member bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) from the United States Congress visited Guyana to engage local stakeholders on a number of areas of mutual interest including governance and bipartisan cooperation be-

They arrived in Georgetown on Thursday last with an agenda to meet with Government officials and Opposition Leaders to discuss issues related to gov-

ernance, economic matters, and the importance of bipartisan cooperation.

Additionally, the congressional delegation also met with prominent business leaders from the United States and Guyana to learn first-hand about

Guyana’s exponential economic growth. According to the US Embassy, the visit of the US officials seeks to further examine the bilateral and economic cooperation between the United States and Guyana. (G3)

Representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Legal Affairs Ministry and the Attorney General’s chambers, and the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force during the meeting

From left: Foreign Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Elisabeth Harper; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard W Downing and National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia

Berbice men admit to trafficking 233lbs of ganja

…each jailed for 40 months

Same ole...

…bullying

Adrian Hetmyer and Daniel Persaud pleaded guilty before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh to trafficking approximately 105 kilograms (233 pounds) of marijuana on Sunday, November 6, 2022.

Hetmyer, 45, and Persaud, 21, both of Sheet Anchor, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), who were initially charged in November 2022, opted to plead guilty to the offence when they appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

They were each jailed for 40 months and fined $63.4 million.

In a statement on the

men’s arrest, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) had said that on the day in question, its officers, along with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard ranks, stopped two vessels transporting cannabis along the coast of Number 47 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

“Despite the rough seas and inclement weather, the team boarded both vessels to conduct searches, during which they discovered one shotgun, a quantity of ammunition as well as suspected cannabis on one of the vessels. While several bags containing suspected cannabis was discovered on the oth-

er vessel,” the statement from the agency added.

As a result, Hetmyer and Persaud, along with Surinamese nationals Suren Mohan, 41, and Imami Fizal, 48, were arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters with the suspected narcotics, shotgun, and ammunition. The substance in the bags later tested positive for cannabis.

The first vessel intercept-

ed was carrying the Guyanese nationals, Hetmyer and Persaud, and the cannabis.

Onboard the second vessel, which was carrying the two Surinamese nationals, 11.2 kilograms (24.64lbs the of cannabis was discovered, along with a shotgun and ammunition.

The total street value of the 117 kilograms of cannabis trafficked was $14.3 million. (G1)

It’s said in the good book, “What has been will be again; what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” While your Eyewitness can’t vouch for the veracity of THAT statement for ALL things, he can say with certainty that what’s playing out with Opposition politics is nothing but the same ole, same ole!! Meaning when the PNC (then called PPP-Burnham) couldn’t win the 1957 elections – which was in essence a referendum on who should be leader of the PPP, Burnham or Jagan –they insisted the SYSTEM should be changed so they would win!!

They went at it again in 1961 – using the broom as their symbol to illustrate how they’d “sweep” the PPP out of office. They failed. But this time they had a friend in the rulers who also wanted the PPP out. So lo and behold, the electoral system was changed for the 1964 elections and PRESTO – the PPP was kicked out!! But not before our infamous Black Friday in which Opposition elements torched the business district in Georgetown. Simply to show the world that “things na regulah” with the politics in Guyana and change was needed!!

So, here we are – after 28 years of rigged elections that kept the PNC illegally in power; 23 years of the PPP cleaning up the political, social, economic and everything else train wreck they’d made; 5 years of the PNC returning to power but messing up so badly they promptly lost again – and we’re back to square one!! Meaning that the PNC –and their enabling sidekicks – are insisting that the political system must be changed!! To what?? What a silly question!! To one in which they’ll have all power, of course!!

But, Dear Reader, you might be muttering (hopefully UNDER your breath so folks don’t think you’re “running off”!) “But the Opposition says they want “power sharing”!!” Poor naïve you, Dear Reader!! Didn’t that same Opposition just explain the armed forces are their “kith and kin” – and they expect those kith and kin to support them when they launch their demonstrations?? And even though they didn’t mention it, isn’t the Civil Service of the same ilk?? Why else have they been pushing a salary raise for them?? They’ll have the power, baby!!

So what are we to expect?? The Opposition announced in their Atlanta fund-raiser that they’ll be mobilising the Black Congressional Caucus to look into among other things – governance issues. A code for putting “shared governance” on the table – as they bring out their “constituency” into the streets. Which will segue into racial violence to justify the “change” those friends in high (US) places gonna argue for!!.

There’s nothing new under the sun!!

…sugar challenge

So our remaining four sugar factories have started belching out their 19th century, soot-laden smoke. Meaning that the new “sugar crop” has begun. Your Eyewitness saw a report complaining that the target’s been set very low – 16,000 tonnes. Which is less than the previous 20,000-tonne target that only garnered 13,000 tonnes. Now while we may be griping about this plunge in production, it simply means management’s being realistic!!

Let’s face that reality. Has any of us EVER experienced this level and spread of rainfall?? Used to be we had two distinct “rainy seasons” – and maybe it’s sunken in that we’re now having all-year rainfall. And when we have so much water-logged soils, it negatively affects all phases of cane cultivation. And, of course, sugar production. So, what’s ahead?? Well, maybe we can switch some of our GuySuCo lands into crops that thrive in the new conditions??

Caricom and the world have declared a food security challenge. So there are markets for foods. Let’s supply those markets!

…teasing to deceive?

Here we go again. West Indies convincingly won an ODI game against South Africa. So, is this the turnaround we’ve all been waiting for?? Let’s not get our hopes up. It was all due to Shai Hope’s century. One swallow…

The narcotic and gun that were recovered by law enforcement ranks

Jailed: Adrian Hetmyer Jailed: Daniel Persaud

Children playing with matches leave 1 dead, 18 homeless

…burnt remains of man found in Agricola home

mains.

Speaking with this publication, one of Trotman’s relatives, Jones (only name given) related that after relatives’ attempt to contact Trotman proved futile subsequent to the fire, they decided to return to the scene, where the gruesome discovery was made.

Children playing with matches have resulted in one death and 18 persons being displaced after fire gutted homes at Agricola, Greater Georgetown, and Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

The burnt remains of 45-year-old Kevin Trotman

were found by his relatives on Monday morning following a fire that gutted his Lot 101, Third Street Agricola, East Bank Demerara residence at around 15:00h on Sunday.

According to the Guyana Fire Service, the fire was caused by a child playing with matches, which ignited a foam mattress and spread

to the entire building.

After the fire was doused on Sunday, firefighters did not search the house upon the advice of another occupant that no one else was at home. However, after the incident took place and Trotman could not be located, relatives decided to return to the scene on Monday where they found his re-

“We will work to dismantle...

“At the same time, we must also recognise the importance of dialogue and engagement among different ethnic groups. We must work to build bridges of understanding and promote cultural exchange, fostering a sense of community and shared identity. On this day, let us renew our commitment to equality, justice, and non-discrimination.”

“Let us stand together as one Guyana and work towards a future where every person is valued and respected. I want us all to be reminded that the struggle against racial discrimination is ongoing and requires every citizen’s collective effort,” the PM said.

ERC

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) also released a statement, using the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to promoting harmony and good relations in Guyana’s multi-ethnic society.

“This observance is a pertinent and well-intentioned desire by the UN to promote racial and ethnic harmony everywhere. The ERC is resolute that the UN observance worldwide will further promote the much-needed awareness to stop and prevent occurrences of prejudice based on an individual’s racial or ethnic background.

“Moreover, the ERC rec-

FROM PAGE 3

ognizes that the elimination of those prejudices, along with ignorance, is paramount for the preservation of peace and brotherhood. The Commission is, therefore, committed to Guyanese of all ethnicities for the sake of a stable society and upholding the rule of law,” the ERC further said.

According to the ERC, Guyana’s multi-ethnic society faces many challenges that date back to the varying levels of discrimination faced by our foreparents. As such, the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a timely reminder to work together and rid societies of racism. (G3)

“I kept looking for him because we know his movements, it is somewhat controlled and confined to the home circle. But after we didn’t see him, I persisted and came out and looked and looked and came back, and one fellow was with me and… we saw the flies and I took a piece of wood and pried, and there was the body,” Jones shared.

Jones added that he was

ting in contact with all his friends, his popular places and nobody saw him. So, we safely assumed, that he not

on the road early Monday morning trying his best to locate Trotman.

“I was on the road this morning at 05:30 am, get-

visiting his daughter, as we know he does, something had to be wrong, but we didn’t have [a] premonition of this disaster,” Jones related.

The incident involved a two-storey wooden and concrete building that was owned by Narine. The top floor was occupied by Trotman and the ground floor was occupied by 42-year-old Marcia Cato and her family of seven.

TURN TO PAGE 17

The aftermath of the Essequibo Coast fire

The aftermath of the Agricola fire

The Essequibo Coast house engulfed in flames

Final accused in moneychanger’s murder freed

home with his six-month-old son at the time of the robbery/murder, stating: “I am innocent of this crime. I don’t know about this crime.”

The prosecution had contended that Hope conspired with others to rob the moneychanger and that he lent his accomplices his motorcycle to commit the crime.

A caution statement was the only evidence the prosecution had against Hope and this statement was admitted to form part of the evidence by the trial Judge.

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

Police Headquarters had said that a 9mm spent shell was found at the scene, and that several persons were questioned as to the description of the shooter. Reports stated that the man who shot and killed Nurse was clad in a red hoodie and a pair of brown trousers.

Dos Santos and Hope were initially charged with Nurse’s murder in 2018.

Thirty-year-old George Hope of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, who had been on trial for the 2018 murder of moneychanger Sean Nurse, has been found not guilty.

A Demerara High Court jury acquitted him on Monday, after deliberating for some two hours.

Hope’s acquittal comes five days after his co-accused Kerwin Dos Santos, 30, also of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, was freed after a no-case submission was upheld.

Both Hope and Dos Santos were represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.

Attorneys-at-Law Marisa Edwards, Tanesha Saigon, Abiola Lowe, and Delon Fraser were the prosecutors and they have given oral notice of the State’s intentions to appeal the acquittals.

Nurse, called “Fabulous”, a 47-year-old father of three, was murdered on February 4, 2018, in the county of Demerara, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

“I am innocent”

Last Thursday, Hope was called upon to lead a defence.

In so doing, the former murder accused, on the advice of his lawyer, Hughes, elected to give an unsworn statement via Zoom from prison. He told the court of his alibi.

According to him, two days after Nurse was killed, he was at the mother of his child’s home, when his cousin called and told him that the Police were at his home looking for him.

He said he eventually went to the Brickdam Police Station, where a Police detective began questioning him about his whereabouts

on February 4, 2018. Hope said that when he told the policeman that he was at home on that day, the rank showed him video footage of his motorcycle. Hope stated that he told the policeman that February 3, 2014, was the last time he rode the motorcycle.

He claimed that he was taken into a room with about five other Police ranks, and while in there, he saw Dos Santos, his co-accused, crying. Sometime after, he said, a policeman give him a paper that had words on it to sign, and he complied because he did not want the Police to torture him like they tortured another man who was arrested in relation to the murder.

Hope also related that he dropped out of school in Grade Seven, and as such, he cannot read and write. During his testimony, he maintained that he was at

Murder

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

The man demanded that Nurse hand over a bag containing an undisclosed sum

of local and foreign currencies. Nurse, 47, resisted, and in retaliation, the bandit pulled the trigger, shooting him once in his head. He collapsed, and died almost immediately.

The alleged culprit then

The following year, they were committed to stand trial at the High Court, after a city Magistrate, after a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), ruled that there was sufficient evidence against them.

However, a third man, Kacey Heyliger, who had been jointly charged with them, was discharged after the Magistrate found that there was insufficient evidence to commit him to stand trial.

Welder remanded on ganja trafficking charge

A27-year-old man has been remanded after appearing before a city Magistrate for trafficking marijuana.

Akeem Archer of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) appeared in court on Monday. The charge against him read that on March 16, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, he had 2.33 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Archer, a father of four, pleaded not guilty and was remanded until April 24.

Police Prosecutor Dominic Bess told presiding Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, that on the day in question, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit

(CANU) ranks conducted an operation in the vicinity of Lombard Street, Georgetown, where they stopped a male carrying a backpack.

A subsequent search of the said backpack led to the discovery of a parcel containing a quantity of seeds, leaves, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

As such, the male, who identified himself as Akeem Archer, was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the suspected narcotic which later tested positive for cannabis.

According to CANU, the drug has a street value of $400,000.

After the allegation was put to Archer and he was cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s rule, he reportedly told investigators

that he was at a car wash when a man gave him the bag to take to a motor car.

The prosecutor objected to the defendant being released on bail citing that no special reasons as required by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, were advanced.

In his address to the court, Archer, who was unrepresented by counsel, informed that he was released from prison in 2019 after serving a two-year sentence for illegal possession of a firearm.

The accused told the court that he is the sole breadwinner of his family and that his reputed wife is presently six months pregnant. In the end, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus, after alluding to the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, remanded Archer to prison. (G1)

The parcel containing cannabis that was found in the bag Akeem Archer was carrying

Remanded: Akeem Archer

George Hope Kerwin Dos Santos

Dead: Sean Nurse, called “Fabulous”

Overseas mission in Guyana to perform life-changing surgeries for children

have already been trained.

“Most of the surgical interventions are done by overseas doctors, so our staff were trained on how they will screen the patient before. Most importantly, after the surgery, is the care that you are going to receive. The surgeons can do a perfect job, but if they don’t get that care, it defeats the purpose. That’s the intention of this mission; to build capacity,” the GPHC CEO identified.

Several children will be given a new lease of life as a mission arrives at the Georgetown Public Hospital to conduct open-heart surgery over the next week.

Some 20 overseas healthcare professionals – including doctors, surgeons, respiratory therapists and nurses – are volunteering their services to perform 10 life-changing surgeries over the next week.

The Government, through the Health Ministry, has expended some $60 million to procure needed equipment, supplies and specialised medications that will be used. This sum will also cover auxiliary costs during the week.

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robbie Rambarran shared

on Monday, “We are projecting to have two surgeries per day. Everything is going good so far…We are here to make this a success.”

The children range from eight months to 16 years of age. However, the mission is not limited to only surgical intervention, Rambarran pointed out. He added that this was in keeping with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision to establish worldclass health services for the Guyanese people.

“It’s also helping us in capacity building, training our nurses, doctors and all our staff. The biomedical department has received so many training over the last week. It has been huge and I can see everybody is very passionate about delivering this programme.”

Post-operative care will also be provided, for which 17 nurses and nine doctors

While Government has been making sizeable injections into healthcare delivery, capacity building and human resources have remained a challenge.

According to Head of Paediatrics, Dr Tarik Davidson, there are more than 100 persons with congenital heart defects, thereby requiring surgical intervention.

“Improvements in our healthcare system means that we’re diagnosing more patients, patients are surviving for longer and thus, that list of patients continues to expand. This is just the first step in a series of steps that needs to be taken to address that backlog of patients that are there,” he told the media.

The mission initiative first started in 2015. It was ceased in 2018 and has now been reintroduced. In 2021, discussions started for the programme to restart and a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was crafted with support of the Health Ministry.

The mission was made possible by Gift of Life International and the Guyana Programme to Advance Cardiac Care (GPACC).

Gift of Life CEO Rob Raylman shared that they have been working in 80 countries, treating over 46,000 children.

“The investment that this government has shown in developing a programme to care for their children is exceptional. The support from the hospital, doctors, nurses is exceptional…It is the Government and the hospi-

tal that are the reason that we’re here today,” Raylman shared.

In the coming months, there will be enhanced coordination to have other missions to aid in clearing the

backlog of children awaiting surgery.

The GPHC is planning to have another mission in Guyana by December to handle some of the existing cases. (G11)

Equipment procured for use during patient care

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran along with some of the overseas healthcare professionals who will be performing the surgeries over the next week

“Golden opportunity” as 109 Sophia residents to benefit from BIT training

her support to trainees once they become successful graduates to dive into the entrepreneurial field, by providing financial assistance through the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

Asignificant 109 persons from Sophia and outskirt communities are set to benefit from a “golden opportunity” to be trained in a skill area, thereby making them employable and ready to earn.

The BIT skills programme was launched at the Georgetown Training Centre – an initiative that was realised through collaborative effort between the Youth, Culture and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jr; Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame Mc Coy; and Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton.

Some 109 persons registered for the various programmes – consisting of 55 males and 54 females.

“We’re giving you a golden opportunity. All these training you will participate in are free of cost. BIT

will pay the trainer. BIT will give you a stipend… We have to ensure we understanding the knowledge you will acquire and that the certificate is useful and good. What is important when you go through this period of four months is the knowledge that you will acquire,” Hamilton expressed.

With almost equal number of females taking up this opportunity to be trained in a skill area, Hamilton commended them for thinking beyond societal expectations.

“You should be complimented because you’re thinking outside of the box. You’re not allowing society and man to keep you in this narrowness of life. I’m glad when I see females signing up for what we call hard skills,” he pointed out.

To the new trainees, Hamilton encouraged them to apply focus and discipline

to wholly benefit and grasp what will be imparted on them.

“For young people, a oneskill person will not be able to survive the world that is before you. You have to be multi-skilled and multi-talented. If a door is closed, you can open another,” he advised.

The delivery of the skilled programme areas such as heavy-duty equipment operation, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, information technology, and plumbing will be available. The monitoring of the programme will be executed by BIT team under the stewardship of the Labour Minister.

Commerce and Industry Minister, Oneidge Walrond commended those who expressed an interest in the programme, particularly women.

She further pledged

“You can get a start through the Small Business Bureau. You can get a grant and start-up money. That is why certification is so important. You can’t just walk off the street and say you want to launch a business as an electrician and you don’t have the certificates. These programmes are so important because you can show you’re serious and you’re certified,” Walrond explained.

Speaking about consis-

tency, the Minister underscored, “At the end of the day, your lives are going to be better. Don’t let naysayers and negative comments keep you away from the programmes like these that

are so beneficial to you and your children, your families. Keep trying to improve yourself. This is a direct programme of the Government that has come into your neighbourhood.” (G12)

One of the facilities where training will be facilitated

Ministers Hamilton, Walrond and Mc Coy with new trainees and other officials at the launch

BOSAI fatal accident

10-member investigative team appointed, probe begins on Monday

This was as a result of a failure experienced by the overburden dump where he was working in the East Montgomery Mine which caused them to be covered by the overburden material.

The body of Hercules was found several days later on Tuesday, after an extensive search. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission lent support and technical assistance for the recovery.

The formal investigation, which was ordered by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton after the fatal accident involving Neptrid Hercules at the BOSAI Minerals Group in Linden, will commence next Monday.

A statement from the Labour Ministry shared that it will last for six weeks. This action is in keeping with Section 72 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06, Laws of Guyana.

The Act gives the Minister the power to direct formal investigation into any accident arising out of and in the course of employ-

ment of any worker where he considers it expedient to so do. The persons appointed are referred to as “the court” and “shall hold the investigation in open court in such a manner and under such conditions as the court may think most effectual for ascertaining the causes and circumstances of the accident.”

“Competent persons have been appointed to serve on the investigating team whose main purpose will be “to determine the cause(s) of the accident and make recommendations for the prevention of accidents generally and more in particular the recurrence

of similar accidents,” the Ministry has stated.

The Minister met with the 10-member team appointed to serve on this formal investigation team on Monday.

They include Chairman, Charles Ceres; Victor Fernandes from the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH); Jimmy Reece, Michael Howard and Krishna Ramdas of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Colis Primo from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Neza King and Darwin Bourne of the Occupational Safety and

Health (OSH) Department of the Labour Ministry; Legal Officer of the Ministry, Alyea Williams; and Emilia Maslen.

It was reported that Neptrid Hercules went

The Labour Ministry shared, “The Minister is deeply concerned about this matter. He holds the view that this accident should never have happened and he owes it to the family, co-workers and the community to ensure that that there are no recurrences.

tions for implementation.”

In 2020, 32 persons died in workplace accidents, with

missing in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, March 11, along with the CAT D9T Dozer which he was operating at the time.

Hence the appointment of this formal investigation to provide answers to the numerous questions that abound and recommenda-

that number falling to 27 in 2021. In total, 184 workplace accidents were investigated this year, inclusive of the 19 fatal events. (G12)

Neptrid Hercules’s body being removed after it was found

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton meeting with the investigative team on Monday

Dead: BOSAI Operator Neptrid Hercules

Guyana boosted with over 4000 paediatric Pfizer vaccines from Spain

Guyana received a donation of 4800 Pfizer-BioNTech paediatric and bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of Spain through the COVAX mechanism on Monday.

The vaccines will be used to immunise children aged five to 11 against COVID-19. Additionally, more than 8000 adult vaccines are on the way to Guyana.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Narine Singh received the donation from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Fernando Nogales Alvarez

at the Health Ministry's Kingston, Georgetown bond.

Dr Oneka Scott, Director (ag) Maternal and Child Health, said that the donation comes at an opportune for Guyana, adding that the uptake of vaccines has been encouraging despite being at the tail end of the pandemic.

“What is important to understand during a pandemic is that we cannot and never down our guard because that is when we are at risk again,” Dr Scott said. Spain is the second largest vaccine donor in the region, a feat made possible by Guyana’s steadfast com-

mitment to promoting the importance of vaccination despite the spread of misinformation, Ambassador of Spain, Fernando Nogales Alvarez expressed at the simple handing over ceremony.

“[COVID-19 vaccinations] have proven to be the most scientifically sound approach to a disease that threatened to significantly disrupt our way of living [as well as] the best show of civic duty,” the diplomat added, pointing out that the donation is proof of Spain’s lasting partnership with Guyana.

In accepting the donation, Guyana’s CMO said, “Even though we are at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still need to continue vaccinations because [they remain] the most important tool in preventing severe morbidity and mor-

tality during COVID-19.”

In 2022, Spain donated 28,000 Janssen vaccines and over 50,000 Pfizer vaccines on separate occasions.

The shipment of the vaccines was facilitated through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)

COVAX Mechanism. PAHO’s representative, Dr Luis Codina was also present at the event along with representative of the Pan American Health Organisation Dr Janice Woolford and other officials.

UG introduces Legislative Drafting programme

The University of Guyana has introduced a Graduate Diploma/Master of Laws in Legislative Drafting programme, to be offered in the Department of Law at the Turkeyen Campus.

The course, which begins in September 2023, will last for one year for the Graduate Diplomat and two years for the Master’s of Law; and it will be offered through a blended mode of delivery.

It is expected to cost $850,000 annually and spaces are limited, with just 25 seats available, according to information released by UG.

The graduate programme in legislative drafting is expressly designed to train participants in the skill/techniques/methods of interpreting and drafting legislation and regulations, through seminars, lectures, and hands-on workshops.

It intends to draw from the existing resources and leading practitioners in the field of legislative drafting available in the Caribbean Region.

Additionally, the LL.M degree aims to focus on legislative drafting in the first year and end with the completion of a thesis and six credits in upper-level relevant predetermined law courses/legal research seminars in the second year.

UG noted that in recent years, legislation has evolved to become one of the cornerstones of political, economic, and social transformation worldwide and the demand for legislative drafters has grown significantly.

“When the Commonwealth Law Ministers met in St Vincent in November 2002, concern was raised about the high turnover of staff in legislative drafting. In the wake of such recognition, several countries and regions have introduced short legislative drafting courses to address the concern and growing needs. Yet as an academic discipline, it is relatively unexplored. Further, recent global and regional economic development and the emergence of new trading networks among nations have created a concomitant need for more sophisticated and technically proficient legislative research and drafting,” the University explained.

It noted too that with a focus on regional legislative drafting practice, this programme is tailored to

suit the prevalent legislative drafting practice of each member country of Caricom.

“Thus, for example, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required for the approximation of the national legislation with the legislation of the Caribbean Community, which is one of the basic criteria for Caricom membership.”

Legislative drafting encompasses the theoretical analysis and practical application of the whole process of legislating. The programme will examine issues related to the legislative process, constitutional law, the methods of drafting in a modern democratic context, legislative ethics, and law reform. It also aims to explore the concepts of harmonised legislation, and non-municipal law drafting.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh receiving the Pfizer vaccines from Ambassador Fernando Nogales Alvarez on Monday

Millet trial cultivation to start in Guyana soon

…200 acres of land earmarked; cultivation to start in Regions 4, 9, 10

country. Region Four, Region Nine and Region 10. These identified areas represent the cropping zone in which similar crops like corn and soya are adapted and are being produced on a large scale.”

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha is currently in India and participated in the roundtable discussion. The year 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations General Assembly.

With help from India, Guyana will soon start the trial cultivation of millet in Regions

Four, Nine and 10 with the aim of transitioning to large scale production. Not only will this be a potential crop for export, but it will also boost food security locally.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement over the weekend, during a virtual address at the launch of the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India. According to the President, millet has the potential to boost rural income and support poverty reduction.

He noted that Guyana itself will soon start test trials in at least three regions, with help from India. Moreover, 200 acres of land will be made available for exclusive millet production, in exchange for India’s technical guidance and support, as well as technology and technology transfer for millet production.

“Guyana has identified the production of millets as having great potential towards enhancing national and regional food security. As Caricom implements vision 25 by 2025, to reduce the food import bill by approximately US$1 billion by

2025, millet is an ideal solution to increase self-sufficiency and reduce the reliance on imported cereal grains.”

“Guyana looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with India, to kickstart large, medium and small-scale production of millets. India is the largest millet producer in the world. And through collaboration, Guyana hopes to embark soon on the sustainable production of millets.”

The President explained that Guyana has the optimal conditions for millet production and moreover, this project will be a major boost to the regional 25 by 2025 vision. He noted that the areas earmarked for millet cultivation, all have a good record when it comes to growing other similar crops like corn and soya.

“Guyana is considered an ideal eco-zone, with optimal conditions for the growth and development of millets. Our warm climate will allow for the conducive soil temperature, that is essential for the sprouting and germination of the millet seeds,” the President further said.

“Based on the minimum soil and climatic requirements, Guyana will commence trials to produce millets in three areas across the

Earlier this year, it had been announced during a state visit to India that President Ali asked India’s Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, to send a team of experts to set up a millet farm in Guyana. Consequently, Ali had reassured that the Guyana Government will extend all help needed in the production and promotion of millet in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC).

The Guyanese President, who currently heads Caricom’s Sub-Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, had also invited Minister Tomar to visit Guyana as the Chief Guest at Caricom’s Agri Forum set for August this year. His keynote speech would focus on agriculture as a whole but millets in particular.

Minister Tomar, in his remarks during the meeting, said that the International Year of Millets 2023 will provide an opportunity to increase global production, efficient processing, and better use of crop rotation and promote millets as a major component of the food basket globally.

The first crops of millets were cultivated in Asia and Africa, later spreading as an important food source for advanced civilisations around

Children playing with matches...

Also involved in the fire was another two-storey building located at Lot 102, which was situated on the southern side of the building of origin. It was also affected by the blaze, and due to radiated heat, all of its components were destroyed. The building was owned by 45-year-old Sonia Hope, which she occupied along with her family of four.

Two more buildings were also affected by radiated heat, resulting in some home appliances, construction tools, and walls being damaged. The fire has displaced 13 persons.

It was only last month that a fire also erupted in Agricola, leaving a total of seven persons homeless, including an elderly woman, 77-year-old Bibi Mohammed, and four children. That fire was reportedly caused due to faulty electrical wiring.

“The fire was the result of faulty electrical wiring resulting in arcing and sparking, which ignited nearby combustible materials and spread to the entire house,” the GFS had said.

Essequibo Coast fire

Meanwhile, a family of six of Essequibo Coast was on Monday left homeless after fire destroyed their Cotton Field home.

According to reports, a five-year-old child was reportedly seen playing with matches after which a mattress was ignited.

The incident occurred at about 13:30h. Reports are that the two-storey wooden building was owned and occupied by Trecy Delliver, her husband, her son, her son’s wife and also a five-year old and a one-month-old baby.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Delliver said that she was at her neighbour’s when her daughter-inlaw started to yell “fire! Fire!” with her baby in her hand.

“When I was over my neighbour using her Wi-Fi... I heard my daughter-in-law screaming coming and saying fire! Fire!... she tell me that she saw the blaze and run and collected her baby and then she run over and then tell me the house on fire,” Delliver related.

the world. With these two continents considered as the production and consumption centres for millet crops, the

index (GI) being gluten-free, it helps in a slower release of glucose over a longer period of time thus reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus. Millets are rich sources of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.

FROM PAGE 9

She said the house was engulfed in flames by the time she ran over, and she was unable to save anything.

The family is seeking assistance from the public to help them rebuild their lives and their home. Anyone who wishes to donate can contact them on telephone number (592) 693-6619.

The Guyana Fire Service continues to advise citizens to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avoid home fires. Additionally, children should be educated on the dangers of fire starters (matches and lighters) and warned about their use.

In a report, the GFS advised that persons: do not leave children unattended or at home without adult supervision, keep children away from the cooking area, ensure matches and lighters are out of their reach at all times, and equip their homes with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; which will aid in alerting people to a fire and putting it out quickly.

major producers of the grain are India, Niger, Sudan, and Nigeria.

Due to the low glycaemic

It also contains appreciable amounts of dietary fibre and vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, and niacin. The availability of high amounts of lecithin is useful for strengthening the nervous system. Therefore, regular consumption of millets can help to overcome malnutrition. (G3)

Teen dies as tyre explodes at Linden vulcanising shop

A19-year-old is now dead after a tyre he was pumping air in, exploded, causing significant injuries to his face and neck.

Dead is Joshawn Allistair Sevon Goddard.

The incident occurred at about 13:20h on Monday at Johnson Vulcanising Shop located at Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden.

According to information received, employees of the vulcanising shop said Goddard, of Self-Help Housing Scheme, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was attending to a heavy-duty tire, when they heard an explosion.

Upon checking, he was seen lying on the ground with his neck and face slashed.

According to Maverline Johnson, a 69-year-old pensioner residing at Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Goddard was a family friend employed as a labourer in her family’s vulcanising shop for the past year.

Johnson told Police she was upstairs in her home and Goddard was attending to a truck tyre when she heard a loud explosion from the vulcanising shop.

The woman said she

looked through her window and heard her granddaughter screaming. She told Police that her 25-year-old granddaughter was inside the wash bay, which is about 30 metres from the workshop.

Johnson said she rushed into the workshop and observed the teen lying motionlessly, with a wound to his neck and what appeared to be blood oozing.

The Police were subsequently alerted and when ranks arrived on the scene, the body was observed in a

pool of blood, clad in short black pants, a green jersey and black slippers. Police said the body had a gaping wound in the centre of the neck. Several tyres, rims and tyre shop tools were discovered around the body. At the time of the accident, the teen was allegedly not wearing any safety gear.

He was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead.

The matter is currently being investigated by the Labour Ministry.

In September 2022, 17-year-old Urick Glen Henry of Evelyn Landing, Corentyne River, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who was a labourer, died after the tyre he was changing on a skidder exploded. Reports at the time was that the teenager was airing up a skidder tyre using an air compressor from a motor lorry, when the tyre exploded, causing him to be flung about 15 feet into the air. He then fell onto the ground and became motionless. His father had related that the teen’s entire face received injuries, his right hand was broken and blood flowed from his mouth.

Dead: Joshawn Goddard

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his virtual address at the launch of the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha while representing Guyana in India

UN makes urgent appeal for help with Haiti crisis

The United Nations and its partners on Sunday issued an urgent appeal for increased humanitarian access and resources for Haiti, stating that the humanitarian situation across the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country continues to deteriorate “day by day due to a spiral of violence, emergencies related to protection, human rights and food insecurity as well as an epidemic of cholera”.

In a statement, following a two-day mission, the acting Director of Operations and Advocacy Division of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) ,Tareq Talahma said “we cannot let Haiti become a forgotten crisis”.

“The influence of armed gangs is growing exponentially in Port-au-Prince and beyond, including Artibonite department – the country’s breadbasket.”

The statement said that six representatives of UN aid agencies and International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) met

with people affected by the humanitarian crisis, local and international partners, acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry and other Government officials.

The delegation also met with representatives of communities in areas controlled or under the influence of armed gangs.

“We have appreciated the frank, honest and sometimes uncomfortable discussions with people impacted by the multiple crises in this country, Government leaders, UN officials and inter-

Sargassum seaweed mass the width of North America to invade the Caribbean

The Caribbean is facing a major environmental crisis this summer as a mass of sargassum seaweed measuring approximately 5000 miles wide and up to seven feet deep approaches the Region’s shores.

This comes to light as Antigua and Barbuda works together with French territories Guadeloupe and Martinique who are taking measures to fight the seaweed’s effects on their shores.

biofuel, fabrics, soaps and perfumes, as well as other cottage industries that have already begun to appear locally such as Dadli Yellow which has worked towards manufacturing swimwear out of sargassum fabric.

vironmental issues by clogging up beaches and other areas, making them difficult to access and creating an unpleasant odour.

national NGOs,” said Mark Smith, World Vision’s Vice President of Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs.

For her part, the Chief of the Humanitarian Field Support of UNICEF, Sara Bordas Eddy said “the degradation of true humanitarian needs in Haiti is unprecedented”.

Despite the difficulties, UN and NGO officials noted that the humanitarian response continues to intensify and pledged to provide more support to aid workers on the ground. (Excerpt from CMC)

Brazil court to rule on cannabis cultivation, may open door to planting

ABrazilian appeals court has agreed to rule on whether companies and farmers can plant cannabis in the country, which could open the door to legal cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes after legislative efforts stalled in recent years.

The decision by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), Brazil's top appeals court for non-constitutional matters, was made public on March 14 and established its jurisdiction for a nationwide precedent regarding the import of

seeds and planting of cannabis.

Now, all pending cases regarding permission to plant cannabis in the country will be frozen until the STJ makes a final and biding decision, two lawyers following the case said.

Brazil allows the sale and production of cannabis products, but companies must import the key ingredients.

The court's final ruling on cannabis, expected within the next year, could make it a trailblazer on a topic spurned by many in Brazil's conserva -

tive-leaning Congress, like the Supreme Court's 2011 ruling paving the way for same-sex marriage.

Brazil has banned growing Cannabis sativa L, the plant that makes hemp and marijuana. Researchers and cannabis firms have argued that Brazil's tropical climate is ideally suited to make it a leading global supplier.

Advocates argue the ban on growing domestically raises the final cost of medicines to the consumers who must rely on imports. (Excerpt from Reuters)

New T&T President Christine Kangaloo: “I will fight to the end to make the office better for all of us”

AGuard of Honour comprising sharply-dressed members of the Defence Force signalled the start of the process to install a new President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Scores of onlookers, including schoolchildren in uniform, looked on from the Grand stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah as Presidentelect Christine Kangaloo and her husband, Kerwyn Garcia arrived at the venue.

Their arrival was followed by Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Mrs Archie; Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife ,Mrs Sharon Rowley. The final major dignitary to

arrive was President PaulaMae Weekes to participate in the ceremonial handing over of the reigns of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

The breaking of the Presidential Standard was next, followed by the Presidential Salute, while the National Anthem was played simultaneously.

Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez of the Santa Rosa First People and President of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Pandit Mookram Sirjoo did the invocation.

A musical interlude by the Southernaires Choir performing Melanie Hudson's “I will always be there for you”

Antigua and Barbuda has also sent off samples of sargassum to Finland for testing in regards to its potential uses for fertiliser,

This massive seaweed bloom, which has doubled in size every month from November to January forming a belt wider than the continental United States, is expected to reach the Caribbean in late June and early July. It has already been seen washing up on beaches.

The seaweed also creates a number of other en -

The floating algae that bears berry-like bubbles filled with oxygen that keep it buoyant provides a habitat for countless species of marine wildlife that may prove to become invasive upon entry to the region. When the seaweed reaches shore, it decays in the sun and releases hydrogen sulphide, which smells like rotten eggs and can aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma.

(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Venezuelan Oil Minister resigns, Police arrest officials in corruption sweep

Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck

El Aissami said on Monday he would resign and at least six officials were arrested following investigations by Police into corruption, including at State-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

"In light of the investigations that have begun about serious occurrences of corruption at PDVSA, I have taken the decision to present my resignation as Minister of Oil, with the intent to support, accompany and totally back this process," El Aissami, who has been Minister since 2020, said on Twitter.

Venezuelan anti-graft police arrested a Mayor, two Judges and three government officials, at least two of whom are connected with PDVSA, State television and sources familiar with the matter said earlier on Monday.

Arresting government officials for corruption is rare in Venezuela, which rights groups

such as Transparency International have described as opaque.

El Aissami has been under US sanctions since 2017 for alleged connections to drug trafficking, which he denies.

According to sources familiar with the case, the arrested officials include Colonel Antonio Perez, a former Vice President in charge of commerce and supply at PDVSA, and Colonel Samuel Testamarck, General Manager of PDVSA's maritime arm PDV Marina.

One source said the

PDVSA arrests were linked to an investigation into oil cargoes leaving the country without due payment to the company, and that other executives have been suspended from their posts.

PDVSA suffered heavy losses last year as tankers left Venezuela without proper payments being made for cargo. New PDVSA boss Pedro Tellechea ordered an audit and suspended oil supply contracts shortly after taking over the role in January. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US flags arbitrary killings, torture in Ortega's Nicaragua

entertained the attendees before the swearing-in ceremony took place, administered by the Chief Justice.

In her first act as the seventh President of Trinidad and Tobago, Kangaloo received a Presidential Salute accompanied by the National Anthem and a Twenty-One Gun Salute.

In her inaugural address, Kangaloo thanked former President Weekes and paid tribute to the country's past Presidents.

She then assured that "as your President, I will fight to the end to make the office work better for all of us."

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

The US State Department cited credible reports of arbitrary killings, arrests and torture in Nicaragua, as well as harsh and life-threatening conditions in the country's prisons, in an annual human rights report released on Monday.

Under the increasingly authoritarian regime of President Daniel Ortega, an extended clampdown on dissent has been enforced by security and judicial forces under his control, including the jailing and subsequent ex -

pulsion of more than 200 Government critics just last month.

The State Department's 2022 human rights report pointed to "numerous reports that the Government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings".

Ortega's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The report described Nicaraguan prison conditions as potentially "life threatening", citing overcrowding, poor sanitation and medical care as well as violence among prison -

ers.

It also criticised the apparent failure of Ortega officials to investigate crimes allegedly committed by Police and other security forces related to anti-Government protests that erupted in 2018 and left at least 355 dead.

The unrest of five years ago marked one of the biggest challenges to Ortega's entrenched government, and was met with what rights groups assail as widespread repression across the Central American country.

(Reuters)

A man carries his son as they look for cover during fighting in Port-au-Prince earlier this month [Reuters]

Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami speaks

Oil prices rebound after hitting lowest since 2021 on banking fears

Oil prices rebounded and rose over one per cent on Monday after diving to their lowest levels in 15 months as the market worried that risks in the global banking sector could spark a recession that would sap fuel demand.

In volatile trade, Brent crude futures for May rose 82 cents, or 1.1 per cent to US$73.79 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for April gained 90 cents, or 1.4 per cent, at US$67.64 on the eve of the contract's expiry. The more actively-traded May futures rose 89 cents, or 1.3 per cent, at US$67.82 a barrel.

Oil prices rebounded as Wall Street posted gains. Earlier, Brent and WTI fell about US$3 a barrel to the lowest since December 2021, with WTI sinking below US$65 a barrel at one point. Last week, both benchmarks shed more than 10 per cent as the banking crisis deepened.

Oil's early slide occurred despite an historic deal in which UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, agreed to buy Credit Suisse in an attempt to rescue the country's second-biggest bank.

After the deal was announced, the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and other major central banks pledged to enhance market liquidity and support other banks.

"There's a lot of fear-based movement (in oil prices)," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. "We're not moving at all on supply and demand fundamentals, we're just moving on the banking concerns."

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones gained, helping lift oil prices off session lows on bets the Fed will probably pause on rate hikes on Wednesday to ensure bank sector troubles do not snowball. Traders and economists remain split on whether the Fed will raise its benchmark policy rate.

Some executives are calling on the central bank to pause its monetary policy tightening, but be ready to resume raising rates later.

"Volatility is likely to linger this week, with broader financial market concerns likely to remain at the forefront," ING Bank analysts said in a note, adding the looming Fed decision adds to uncertainty in markets.

Meanwhile, the Group of Seven Nations are not likely to revise a US$60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil this week, two European Union officials and one official from a coalition member told Reuters on Monday.

The G7 was due in mid-March to revise the price cap put in place in December, but the officials said EU countries' Ambassadors were told by the European Commission over the weekend there was no appetite among the G7 for an imminent review.

A ministerial committee of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and producer allies including Russia, together known as OPEC+, is set for a meeting April 3. The group agreed in October to cut oil production targets by two million barrels per day until the end of 2023. (Reuters)

Around the World

EU agrees to send Ukraine one million artillery shells

European Union (EU) Ministers have agreed on a two-billion-euro (US$2.14 billion) plan to raid their own arsenals and jointly purchase ammunition for Ukraine.

EU Defence and Foreign Ministers backed an initiative aimed at providing Ukraine with one million artillery shells in the next 12 months as well as replenishing EU stocks during a meeting held in Brussels on Monday.

As he chaired the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell took to Twitter to hail what he described as “a historic decision” for the 27-nation bloc and Norway.

“We are taking a key step towards delivering on our promises to provide Ukraine with more artillery

ammunition,” he said, noting that 18 countries had signed up to a European Defence Agency (EDA) project to place joint orders for ammunition with the defence industry.

Borrell said that he had won approval for his proposal to provide one billion eu-

ros (US$1.1 billion) to encourage member nations to provide artillery shells from their stocks and any orders for new rounds that they might have placed with industry.

A further one billion euros would be used to fasttrack new orders and en-

courage countries to work together on those purchases through the EDA or in groups of at least three nations. Germany has already called for countries to join its own effort, which Berlin believes will go faster.

The third track of the programme involves support to Europe’s defence industry so that it can ramp up production in the longer term. EU officials have said that new joint orders could be placed by May if the plan is endorsed in its entirety.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted his gratitude to Borrell and the bloc “for this game-changing decision. Exactly what is needed: urgent delivery + sustainable joint procurement”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Putin to Xi: We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping's 12-point plan to "settle the acute crisis in Ukraine", during a highly-anticipated visit to Moscow by the Asian leader.

"We're always open for a negotiation process," Putin said, as the leaders called each other "dear friend".

China released a plan to end the war last month – it includes "ceasing hostilities" and resuming peace talks.

But on Friday the US warned the peace plan could be a "stalling tactic".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "The world should not be fooled by

New York City braces for Trump indictment after exPresident urges protests

Workers erected barricades around a Manhattan courthouse on Monday as New York City braced for a possible indictment of Donald Trump over an alleged hush-money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign.

The barriers went up in preparation for what would be the first-ever criminal case against any US President, two days after he urged his followers on social media to protest what he said was his looming arrest.

A grand jury was expected to indict Trump late on Monday or on Wednesday, Politico reported, for arranging payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the White House again

in 2024, had predicted he would be arrested on Tuesday.

But on Monday, the grand jury still appeared to be collecting evidence before deciding whether charges were warranted.

An indictment could hurt Trump's comeback attempt. Some 44 per cent of

Republicans say he should drop out of the presidential race if he is indicted, according to a seven-day Reuters/ Ipsos poll that concluded on Monday.

According to a source familiar with the matter, lawyer Robert Costello was due to appear before the closeddoor panel at the request of Trump's lawyers, because he might provide information that would challenge earlier testimony by Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office asked that Cohen be available as a rebuttal witness, but he was told on Monday afternoon that his testimony was not needed, according to his lawyer Lanny Davis.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms."

He added: "Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest."

China's plan did not specifically say that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine – which Ukraine

has insisted as a precondition for any talks.

Instead, it talked of "respecting the sovereignty of all countries", adding that "all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint" and "gradually de-escalate the situation".

The plan also condemned the usage of "unilateral sanctions" – seen as a veiled criticism of Ukraine's allies in the West.

On Monday, a military

band gave Xi a warm welcome to Moscow. Putin hailed China for "observing the principles of justice" and pushing for "undivided security for every country".

In return, Xi told Putin: "Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support." (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN calls for rapid, ambitious action to tackle climate crisis

The world has the tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to secure a sustainable future if more ambitious actions are taken, a United Nations report has said, noting that actions taken so far are not enough to tackle the growing threats posed by climate change.

A UN panel of scientists stressed in a synthesis report on Monday that there are multiple, feasible and effective options to adapt to climate change.

“Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits,” said Hoesung Lee, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in a statement.

The report “underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that, if we act now, we can still secure a liveable sustainable future for all”, he added.

The IPCC is a UN body that brings together lead-

ing scientists to assess the evidence related to climate change and inform political leaders with periodic scientific assessments. The IPCC’s first main scientific input was delivered in 2014, which paved the way a year later for the Paris Agreement – a landmark international treaty on climate change.

Monday’s so-called synthesis report summarises the findings of several previous IPCC assessments and comes after a week of deliberations in Interlaken, Switzerland.

The report said that carbon emissions need to be cut

by almost half by 2030 if global warming is to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Effective and equitable conservation of about 30-50 per cent of the world’s land, freshwater, and ocean will help ensure a healthy world, it added.

It is also key to prioritise risk reduction for low-income and marginalised communities, read the report, highlighting the need to finance poorer nations that are the most vulnerable to climate change despite producing less greenhouse gas emissions compared with industrialised countries. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Former US President Donald Trump

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares artillery shells [File: Kateryna Klochko/AP Photo]

Monday's report said that in the past decade there have been 15 times more deaths from droughts, floods and storms in highly vulnerable regions [File: Fernando Vergara]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Keep the momentum flowing. Don’t ignore the rules or listen to bad advice. Someone will be eager to make you look bad or ruin your plans. Be true to yourself.

(March 21-April 19)

Hard work will be necessary when trying to get in shape, following your dream or joining forces with someone you find compatible. Refuse to let outside influences interrupt your plans.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Don’t start what you can’t finish. Getting upset with someone will only slow you down. The best opportunity is the one you create for yourself. Stay on budget and be practical.

Observe what’s happening around you and listen to what people are telling you, but don’t share too much information. Don’t compromise your position by saying something you shouldn’t.

(June 21-July 22)

Change only what’s necessary. Focus on learning, experimenting and visiting people who can offer something valuable to you. Taking a trip or going to a meeting will prove educational.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Try something new and explore the possibilities. Don’t give in to others. Map out how you want your life to be, then start the journey. Practical ideas will be key. Self-improvement is favored.

Take pride in what you do and tackle as much as you see fit. Having your finger on the pulse of something will give you a full range of options. An incredible opportunity awaits.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Getting your house in order will ease your mind. Do the dirty work yourself and you’ll understand the benefits of maintenance. Steer clear of joint ventures or shared expenses.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Keep an open mind, but don’t believe everything you hear. Keep your emotions in check when dealing with peers, friends and relatives. Be accommodating, but don’t give up too much.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Simplify your plans and stick to your budget. Use your ingenuity and experience to change things for the better. You can dream, but be realistic about what’s possible.

Pick up the pace and finish your to-do list. Don’t withhold your thoughts and feelings when dealing with pushy people. Be blunt about what you expect and are willing to give.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Funnel your energy into something unique, creative or passionate. Refuse to give in to annoyances and disgruntled people. Declutter your space and rearrange things to fit your lifestyle.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

West Indies Championship…

GHE hold 11.2-point lead entering round 4

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) have an 11.2-point lead at the top of the 2022/23 West Indies Championship table heading into round four starting on Wednesday.

Guyana, who won five straight regional four-day ti-

tles from 2015-2019, have two wins and a draw from their three games to lead the table with 49 points. The Windward Islands Volcanoes find themselves second on 37.8 points thanks to a win and two draws, a similar record to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes who are third with 34.2 points

Three points behind the Hurricanes are reigning back-to-back champions Barbados Pride after a win and two losses.

The Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, with two draws and a loss, are fifth on 24.8 points while the Jamaica Scorpions are way back in sixth on 15.8 points after two losses and a draw.

Alcaraz back as world No 1 with Indian Wells win

Carlos Alcaraz breezed past Daniil Medvedev to win the Indian Wells title and return to world number one.

Spaniard Alcaraz, 19, needed only one hour 11 minutes to seal a 6-3 6-2 win that took him above Novak Djokovic at the top of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings.

It is the US Open champion's third career Masters 1000 title.

"It feels amazing to lift the trophy here, to recover the number one. I would say this has been the perfect tournament," Alcaraz said.

Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the tournament in California, because he was unable to enter the United States because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

He will also miss this week's Miami Open, where Alcaraz is defending champion. Alcaraz broke Russian Medvedev early in the opening set to open up a 3-0 lead and never looked like relin-

quishing his grip on the match.

He won the first 10 points of the second set to move into a 4-0 lead, before sealing victory without facing a break point.

"Daniil obviously didn't play at his best level, but I'm very happy for my performance and how I played this tournament," said Alcaraz.

"I expected a tougher match. Against him is always a tactic match, and I did perfect today. That's why it looks easy – but it wasn't."

Alcaraz is only the second player after compatriot Rafael Nadal to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager.

He lost the world number one spot in January after Djokovic's triumph at the Australian Open, which Alcaraz missed because of injury.

He returned to action in February, winning the Argentina Open and reaching the final of the Rio Open.

Alcaraz must successfully defend his Miami Open title in order to stay at the top of the rankings.

The defeat was Medvedev's first in 19 matches, having come into the tournament on the back of successive wins in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai.

He struggled to cope with the windy conditions against Alcaraz and also appeared hampered by an ankle injury suffered in his fourth-round win over Alexander Zverev as well as a split thumb sustained in the quarter-finals against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

"Why didn't I play my best? I don't know," said Medvedev.

"Maybe it was his ball. Maybe it was the wind. The ankle, the thumb, the tennis, wind, whatever. But we almost made it. I will try to be better next time."

Nadal has dropped out of the world's top 10 for the first time since April 2005 – a run of 912 consecutive weeks.

The 36-year-old, who has slipped to 13th, has not played since injuring his left leg at the Australian Open, but is hoping to return on the clay of Monte Carlo next month. (BBC Sport)

Round four will see the Harpy Eagles taking on the Jamaica Scorpions at Providence, the Leeward

Islands Hurricanes taking on the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and

the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force facing Barbados Pride at the Queen’s Park Oval. (Sportsmax)

Bailey, Nicholson headline 23man Reggae Boyz squad for Mexico Nations League clash

Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey and Spartak Moscow striker Shamar Nicholson headline a 23-man squad named by the Jamaica Football Federation on Monday for the CONCACAF Nations League fixture between the Reggae Boyz and Mexico at the Azteca on March 26.

Bailey and Nicholson are two of a number of players who were not a part of the squad for the two friendlies against the Soca Warriors in Jamaica last week.

Defenders Damion Lowe, Amari’i Bell, and Kemar Lawrence are also among those who have returned to the squad while regular skipper Andre Blake remains absent through injury.

The match will commence at 19:00h JA time (8:00pm ET).

The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Jahmali Waite

(Pittsburgh Riverhounds); Coniah Boyce-Clarke (Reading); Amal Knight (Lexington); Defenders: Amari’i Bell (Luton Town); Ethan Pinnock (Brentford); Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves); Adrian Mariappa (Unattached); Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union); Richard King (Cavalier); Javain Brown (Vancouver Whitecaps); Kemar Lawrence (Minnesota United); Midfielders: Jonathan Russell (Barnsley); Bobby Reid (Fulham); Demario Phillips (Mt Pleasant); Kevon Lambert (Phoenix Rising); Daniel Johnson (Preston North End); Ravel Morrison (DC United); Kaheem Parris (Dynamo Kyiv); Forwards: Jamal Lowe (Bournemouth); Cory Burke (NY Red Bulls); Trivante Stewart (Mt Pleasant); Shamar Nicholson (Spartak Moscow) and Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) (Sportsmax)

Leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles celebrating after defeating the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in round three

The points table heading into round four

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic…

Linden All-Stars cart off spoils after explosive final

The Linden All-Stars outfit lit up the Burnham Court, Georgetown on Sunday night, on their way to back-to-back wins in the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic tournament.

Before getting to the feature game of the night, in the two-night event, the Linden All-Stars had to see off Bullets in the second semi-final game.

Linden commanded the game right through, hardly allowing their opponents to score. The eventual winners would race to their necessary 21 points, leaving Bullets languishing on seven points.

Meanwhile, in the first semi-final, GT Ballers ended the USA team’s campaign earlier than they would have liked.

Ballin4Peace matched shots and strides with GT Ballers at one point of the game, until the Guyanese outfit pulled ahead for the

victory and the opportunity to book a place in the final. GT Ballers won that game 21-14.

Meanwhile in the final, both teams took some time to find their rhythm, but eventually Kwakwani’s Stanton Rose Jr became too hot to handle as the prolific scorer rushed to end the game. Rose Jr, the eventu -

al Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, led the Linden All-Stars to the championship with a 21-13 victory in the final.

For the MVP accolade, Rose received a motorcycle compliment of Rock Auto Trans and Spare Parts and $50,000, compliments of Signature Move Marketing Agency (former national player Steve Neils Jr and

Women’s Development League Playoff… GDF,

Pakuri race into semi-finals

wife).

The championship-winning team carted off a $400,000 cash prize, while second place GT Ballers pocketed $200,000. On

account of scoring more points in the semi-finals, as dictated in FIBA rules, Ballin4Peace took the third spot in the tournament and received

Falcons upstage GDF in Rugby 12s

In addition to the cash prize, the championship team also won gold rings, sponsored by Century Tamara Energy Services and Jacobs Jewelry.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club and the Pakuri Jaguars Football Club were both dominant in their respective quarter-final matches in the 2023 Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Development Football League Playoff.

In the first quarterfinals of the day, GDF FC defeated Foxy Ladies Football Club 12-1 at the St Cuthbert’s Mission Football Ground.

The emphatic score line was due to seven goals by Glenda Lewis and one goal each from Melinda Scott, Kellyann Niles, Zorina Ali and Yantra Kenswell and an own goal.

The GDF executed a strong attacking strategy, preventing their opponents from creating chances to get back into the game.

Striker Jenel Edmonson scored the lone goal for Foxy Ladies.

In the second playoff quarterfinal match of the afternoon, Pakuri Jaguars Football Club defeated

Santos Football Club 9-0.

The home side gave fans and supporters something to cheer about with four goals, from Britney Poonsammy, two goals from Sabantho Simon and one goal each from Sabano Simon, Hilary Henry, and Ann Joseph.

Women’s Football Association (WFA) President Andrea Johnson congratulated the Guyana Defence Force Football Club on setting the record for the most goals secured in a single match in the 2023 playoff.

“We are seeing some very action-packed matches in the quarterfinals of the GFF Women’s Development Football League Playoff. Congratulations to all the teams. Congratulations to the GDF and the Pakuri Jaguars on their victories today and advancing to the semi-finals.

She added: “We are gearing up for a thrilling semi-final and championship match-up. I want to thank the GFF, the play-

ers, the officials, the communities and the fans, and our sponsor MVP Sports. We could not have done this without you. WFA remains committed to equality in football, that means more access to training programmes and community, regional and national tournaments.”

The 12-club playoff is sponsored by MVP Sports. The league was launched in June 2022 with 37 teams from across Guyana to give female players more match minutes.

The 12 clubs are Bartica All Stars FC, Potaro Strikers FC, Essequibo All Stars FC, Foxy Ladies FC, Milerock FC, Coomacka FC, Pakuri Jaguars FC, New Amsterdam United FC, Guyana Police Football Club, Guyana Defence Force FC, Fruta Conquerors FC, and Santos FC.

The semi-finals will see the Fruta Conquerors FC taking on the Pakuri Jaguars FC and the Guyana Defence Force will face the Guyana Police Force.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) continued their Rugby 12s programme on Sunday at the National Park. This time around, it was the Guyana Police Force who were in the winners’ circle.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Rugby team suffered their second consecutive defeat in as many weeks, this time at the hands of the Guyana Police Force Falcons. The all-officers battle ended in carnage as Falcons won 48-12.

Falcons’ Shawn David had the first try of the game, which was converted by Theodore Henry. However, GDF fought back with a try from Avery Corbin and conversion off the boots of Kevin Wills.

To stay ahead in the encounter, Adrian Hall and Lionel Holder had back-toback tries for the Falcons. However, only one was successfully converted, resulting in a 19-7 score at halftime.

In the second segment, GDF roared back with a try compliments of Jonathan David, pushing their tally to 12.

But it all came tumbling down for the soldiers as the

Falcons scored five tries on the trot. Tevin Garraway, Michael Barrow and Holder were responsible for those tries.

Both Holder and Henry converted two of those tries for a whopping 48-12 score at the end of the game.

The GRFU will continue with their 12s programme in the upcoming weekend.

A snippet from the Rawle Toney 3x3 final on Sunday night (Jemima Holmes photo)

The winning team, Linden All-Stars receive their championship rings from a sponsor’s representative $100,000.

The GDF team

The Pakuri outfit

Chase’s 16, West’s 7 entertain on another Milo weekend

Mackenzie High the win.

It was raining goals in the next game, as Chase’s Academy sent a stern warning to their future opponents.

Justin Alcindor opened the floodgates with their first goal in the fifth minute, after which Jude Daniels added a hat-trick (11th, 20th and 33rd minutes). Braces came off the boots of Seon Cato (16th, 61st), Neeiaz Baksh (30th, 44th), Darius Chester

action with his first Milo goal in the 58th minute .

Alcindor summed up his team’s performance for Guyana Times Sport

“Today was a good day, it feels good coming out today and playing good football. Thank you to our coach, team-mates and the opposing team. We come out and execute our plan, which was making passes and scoring goals and it was a great feel-

‘cause my teammates is good and I hope they pass the ball to me to score more goals.”

The final game on Sunday saw Santa Rosa Secondary in action again, this time against St Stanislaus College. Nelson Lucas opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and Travis

The Milo Schools’

Under-18 football tournament returned over the weekend with round two of the group stage.

With eight games played over Saturday and Sunday, Chase’s Academy was undeniably the highlight of the weekend, firing 16 unanswered goals against Bygeval Secondary.

On Saturday, Carmel narrowly got past Dora Secondary, 3-2, in the first game of the second round. A brace from Dwayne Baptiste (18th, 64th) and one goal from Shem James (34th) accounted for Carmel’s three, while Nkosi Morris (39th, 51st) netted a brace for Dora.

In the following game, a hat-trick from Daniel Sutton powered East Ruimveldt to a 4-2 victory over Bartica Secondary. Sutton found

the back of the net in the 20th, 39th and 51st minutes while his team-mate, Joshua Leitch scored another in the 33rd minute.

For Bartica, Rondel Loncke (30th) and Ezekiel Baldeo (57th) were the goal scorers.

West Ruimveldt thumped Queen’s College 7-0 in the ensuing encounter. Donavan Welcome’s hat-trick (12th, 20th, 27th) led the way for West Ruimveldt while Elijah Sattaur (35th), Nikolas James(47th), Malachi Wray (59th) and Isaiah Peters (65th) contributed one each to their tally.

The final game on Saturday saw Santa Rosa and Dolphin Secondary playing to a 2-2 draw. Darius Williams (27th) and Nelon Lucas (40th) were on the scoresheet for Santa Rosa,

GCB names GHE team for 4th round

while Cadwell Peters (45th) and Gerry Burnette (55th) did the same for Dolphin.

On Sunday, Vryman’s Erven Secondary opened the day’s proceedings with a 5-0 victory over West Demerara. Doubles from Darius Stephen (7th, 34th) and Daniel Sohail (56th, 70th) and one goal from Deandirel Logan (59th) made up their tally.

Next, Mackenzie High edged Patentia Secondary 2-1. Azenio Benjamin’s opening strike for Mackenzie in the 27th minute was soon levelled by Patentia’s Marvin Jeffrey in the 30th. However, a late strike from Aziz Grant in the 70th minute gave

(35th, 50th) and Shakem Welcome (41st, 52nd), while Manasseh Anderson (26th), Wendel Pickett (60th) and Chai Williams (70th) added one each. Even the youngest baller on the team, 12-yearold Ronny Yaw got in on the

ing today,” Alcindor shared with this publication.

Meanwhile, young Yaw had this to say about his first outing in the Milo tournament: “This is my first goal ever in Milo and I feel good. I’m 100 per cent confident

Jarvis added to the tally in the 10th and 26th minutes for an easy 3-0 win for the Region One outfit.

The second round of the Milo tournament will continue this Saturday, March 25.

“We are in a very good space mentally” – Coley ahead 3rd South Africa ODI

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), on Monday, announced its Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) 4-Day team for the fourth-round matches of the West Indies Championship (WIC) 2023, to be played on home soil.

The team were selected by GCB’s Chairman of the Senior Selection Committee Ramnaresh Sarwan and selectors Albert Clements, Peter Persaud, and Royan Fredericks.

The Harpy Eagles will play the Jamaica Scorpions on Wednesday, March 22, in their fourth-round match

at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, set to bowl off at 10:00h.

The team read:

Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Matthew Nandu; Kevlon Anderson; Kemol Savory; Leon Johnson (Captain): Tevin Imlach; Kevin Sinclair; Gudakesh Motie; Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain); Ronsford Beaton; Nial Smith; Antony Adams and Shamar Joseph.

While Anthony Bramble is still recovering from injury, Keemo Paul is unavailable for the remainder of the Championships.

The West Indies will enter the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa today with an opportunity to complete a series win over the hosts for the first time.

Interim Head Coach of the West Indies Senior Men’s team, Andre Coley says the group are in a good place mentally ahead of the decisive game.

“Every game brings new possibilities. We are in a very good space mentally and we are happy with our preparation,” he said in a press conference on Monday.

“We are just making sure we are ready for this game. We will have to see the conditions and work out the best

approach. We have been taking it on a match-by-match basis, so we are in a good place and have had good plans,” Coley added.

The tourists went 1-0 up in the series thanks to an excellent batting display, including an unbeaten century from Shai Hope in his first innings as ODI Captain.

Coley, while being pleased with the team’s exploits with the bat, hopes other batsmen can go deep into the innings after getting starts. The Windies amassed 335-8. While Hope made 128*, Brandon King (30), Kyle Mayers (36), Nicholas Pooran (39) and Rovman Powell (46) all got starts and failed to kick on.

West Indies will take on South Africa today in the last of three ODIs

“It was satisfying. Firstly, getting a total of 300 plus on the back of Shai’s hundred batting through the innings. We had significant partnerships,” he said.

“It would still have been good to see more batters go on from their starts, but very encouraging signs, nonetheless,” Coley added.

On the bowling front, Coley did not make much of the fact that South Africa got off to a fast start, putting it down to the state of the game.

“Chasing a total like that, they wanted to make the

powerplay count. We expected that. That is the nature of the game,” he said before acknowledging how well his team responded to the early onslaught.

“We were put under pressure quite early and I thought we responded well.

Kyle (Mayers) got that key wicket of Quinton (De Kock), who was going well for them.

As the innings progressed, we were able to respond and, in the end, we ended up with a comfortable win,” he added.

The game is scheduled for 3:00 am Jamaica Time (4:00 AM ECT). (Sportsmax)

The Harpy Eagles will be in action at the National Stadium from Wednesday

Interim Head Coach Andre Coley

Santa Rosa (blue) scored all their goals in the first half against St Stanislaus College

Chase’s Academy celebrate with their youngest player, Ronny Yaw, after he scored his first Milo goal