Guyana Times - Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Local Content Certification

Tax evasion, false declarations concern Govt on Ramps Logistics' eligibility

…mulls appealing court ruling

The Government on Monday announced that it is exploring all available options includ ing appealing acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling for Ramps Logistics (Guyana) to be issued with a Local Content Certificate. The Government noted that it respected the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary and therefore complied with her honour’s orders.

However, the Natural Resources Ministry point ed out that it has strong concerns as to the eligi bility of Ramps Logistics (Guyana) for Local Content Certification.

“The Government of

Guyana also noted the re cent settlement by the company and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the matter of tax evasion and also the ongoing litiga tions in ten (10) false tax declarations to the GRA,” said the Local Content Secretariat in a statement.

The Local Content Secretariat assured that it would continue to act in a professional manner and defend the people of Guyana consistent with the Local Content Act.

Being drafted

The Attorney General’s Chambers, on the other hand, said that it has not yet received a copy of the Chief Justice’s ruling, but upon receipt, same would

be scrupulously examined to determine, inter alia, whether there will be fur ther proceedings. From its inception, the Government indicated that the Local Content Act was an initial attempt to create a novel statutory framework in re spect of a new undertaking, indeed without comparison in the region.

“As a result, we prom ised that it will remain un der constant review and will be modified and re fined with time and experi ence. We are satisfied that the Act provides a solid foundation that has guided the sector thus far and en abled a protective network for the interest of Guyanese and Guyanese companies operating in the sector,”

the Attorney General’s Chambers noted.

Justice George, in her ruling, observed that the Local Content Act “may be deficient” as “it has no reg ulations, or rules whatsoev er” which, she emphasised, are needed to prevent arbi trary decision-making. The Solicitor General had as sured her that these defi ciencies will be looked at.

Importantly, the AG’s Chambers revealed that regulations and guidelines for the Act are already in draft and will now bene fit from the Chief Justice’s ruling and experience gar nered in the sector.

According to the Chambers, these regula tions and guidelines will further enhance the legis lative framework, as well as set out criteria that will inform the exercise of dis cretion and guide the deci sion-making processes en shrined in the legislation.

“These measures will also address the conduct of operators in the sector, in cluding their compliance levels with related legis lative and administrative requirements, as we strive to achieve the legislation’s core intent, that is, to pro tect and promote Guyana’s best interest.”

Charges, fined

In October, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had instituted 10 charges against Ramps Logistics (Guyana) over alleged false declarations made.

According to the GRA, these charges, which are in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, and filed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, stemmed from a recently completed inves tigation carried out by its Law Enforcement and Investigations Division.

It is alleged that be tween 2021 and 2022, at GRA’s Camp Street, Georgetown headquarters, the company made several false declarations for con sideration of a customs of ficer, on an application pre sented for tax exemption on items. Ramps Logistics’ CEO, Shaun Rampersad, appeared in court on behalf of the company and plead ed not guilty to the charges.

He was released on $500,000 bail and is due back in court on November 25.

The 10 charges are not the first run-in Ramps Logistics has had with the Revenue Authority here. It was revealed in June of this year that the compa ny was fined $20 million by GRA for violating local cus toms laws. Ramps Logistics acts as the agent of motor vessel—Seacor Mixteca—

and, according to GRA, had failed to report the vessel departing Guyana, which violates the Customs Act. Hence, the fine was paid in lieu of court proceedings being instituted against the company.

Meanwhile, Ramps Logistics in a statement on Friday, said it welcomed the Chief Justice’s decision. According to the company, “this win is significant for the people of Guyana” and the swift verdict shows the independence of the courts in the country.

It said that Justice George’s ruling also demon strates that private and for eign businesses can invest in Guyana with the support of a fair and transparent ju dicial system.

“Those following our case should feel confident that the judicial system in Guyana is sound, and inde pendent and will support those willing to invest in and grow Guyana’s econo my.”

According to Ramps Logistics, it is willing and committed to working with the Government and the people of Guyana to make Guyana shine on the world stage.

After being issued with its certification on Monday, the company issued the fol lowing statement:

“This certification means that the company is registered in the Local Content Registry and is certified to provide goods and services to the local oil and gas sector. We are grateful for all who have stood by us during the past few months, especially our team members who have remained strong through out this process. We re main committed to work ing with the Local Content Secretariat to develop lo cal content in Guyana and ensure more opportunities within the oil and gas sec tor remain among its peo ple, businesses, and com munities.”

In a recent interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, the com

pany’s CEO said he be lieved that “dark forces” in the Guyanese private sector want him out of the country but encouraged T&T com panies to invest in Guyana because it has lots of poten tial.

He is confident that the company will be cleared of all charges. “We will be cleared of the charges as they are bogus. Are they go ing to put the lives of more than 400 employees in Guyana on the breadline? I flew to Guyana, so I could go to court and defend my self,” he told the Guardian.

The local Private Sector Commission (PSC), howev er, rejected Rampersad’s statements as being with out basis in fact or reality, totally misguided and com pletely out of place.

The PSC had said: “The challenges facing Ramps Logistics have no linkage to the local private sector. The private sector is obliged to comply with the Laws of Guyana and has no con trol over the Local Content Secretariat, the Guyana Revenue Authority, or any other compliance agen cy with regard to meet ing the Local Content re quirements to operate in Guyana’s oil sector.”

The PSC pointed out that it has been welcoming investors from Caribbean Community member coun tries and further afield to foster business growth and national development.

“Indeed, it is the private sector that advocated and fought for the local content legislation to protect the in terest of local businesses, but we are also cognisant that we do not currently possess all the skills and resources our country re quires. We shall continue to advocate for partnership and joint ventures from all investors and countries in terested in doing business and the development of Guyana while adhering to the laws of Guyana…”

Ramps Logistics is one of the largest logistics com panies serving Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Ramps Logistics (Guyana) CEO Shaun Rampersad

Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

BRIDGE

Finance Minister pitches investment opportunities in Guyana to UK investors

Tuesday,

FERRY SCHEDULE

ABritish trade mission in Guyana for a vis it to explore opportu nities, on Monday met with Minister within the Office of the President, with re sponsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during which he pitched investment op portunities available in sec tors including mining and agriculture.

The mission was led by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller. In a statement from the Finance Ministry, it was explained that Dr Singh participat ed in a round table meeting with the trade mission at the Marriott Hotel, where they discussed how the two countries could forge closer ties.

One such way is through investment. Highlighting Guyana’s attractiveness as an investment destina tion, Singh pointed out that as a result of its rampedup oil-production, Guyana is now the fastest growing economy in the world, with growth of over 50 per cent now forecasted for 2022 and medium-term average an nual growth projected at 25 per cent.

“He added that Guyana is considered as the premier investment destination in the world, attractive for in vestment in the oil and gas sector, infrastructure and requisite support services. There also exists avenues for investment and expansion in the non-oil extractives, such as gold, bauxite, agri culture, tourism and hospi tality, ICT and energy.”

“Dr Singh also said that under President Ali’s One Guyana vision, Government is committed to leveraging the skills and investment potential of the Guyana diaspora in the United Kingdom as it continues to implement its aggressive development agenda,” the statement also said.

During the meeting, the Minister also alluded to Guyana and the United

Kingdom’s longstanding re lationship – a relationship grounded in diplomatic and political ties as well as eco nomic ties through invest ment and trade, people and culture.

“It was pointed out that the British trade mission to Guyana presents an ex cellent opportunity for both Guyana and British compa nies to forge closer ties and look forward to the expan sion of the British business presence and relations in Guyana.”

The British trade mission to Guyana is a partnership between the Department for International Trade of the British High Commission, the Caribbean Council and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Its aim is to in crease growth in trade and investment between Britain and Guyana.

Guyana only recently collaborated with the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund with the latter provid ing US$66 million toward the US$190 million Linden to Mabura road project. The two-lane highway be tween Linden and Mabura Hill forms part of the arte rial link between Linden and the Lethem Highway and links Georgetown to the Brazilian border.

Additionally, through the UK Export Finance (UKEF) the Government of Guyana is constructing a Paediatric and Maternal Hospital. The building and equipping of the state-ofthe-art hospital will cost 149 million pounds.

Meanwhile, co-operation programmes/projects be tween Guyana and the UK also include the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, the Lethem Hospital, the

Leonora Cottage Hospital, the Mabaruma Hospital and the Paramakatoi Hospital.

As of November 9, through collaboration between the two countries, Guyanese are now able to visit the UK vi sa-free.

Both the Guyana Government and the private sector had been pushing for the removal of visa restric tions for Guyanese to trav el to the UK for some time. The matter has been raised at diplomatic levels, during trade missions and when President Ali visited the UK earlier this year.

President Irfaan Ali had also previously stressed during announcement of this waiver on visas, that the two Governments aim to further expand bilateral re lations with the hope of fur thering investments, includ ing expansion of Guyana’s tourism market. (G3)

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and members of the trade mission during the round table meeting

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Education to protect tomorrow

World Diabetes Day was observed on Monday under the theme “Education to protect tomorrow”. In his message for the day, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony made some revealing and more so worrying comments when he said that diabetes affects 1 in 10 adults. Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of premature death and illness. Another startling fact is that the Minister revealed that of the more than 60,000 living with diabetes in Guyana, a large number are young people with type 1.

To quote the Minister: “While diabetes and its complications are largely preventable, prevention and management strategies are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality and improving patient outcomes. Therefore, early detection is essential for managing diabetes.”

He announced that the Health Ministry was working closely with several international partners to ensure that every person living in Guyana is provided with the best diabetes care. One such partner is the Mount Sinai Health System, to promote testing for diabetes status, and ensure world-class diabetes prevention and treatment are available at health centres nationwide.

Diabetes education is the cornerstone of diabetes management, because diabetes requires day-to-day knowledge of nutrition, exercise, monitoring, and medication.

Diabetes occurs when two processes are impaired –both connected to the body dealing with the transportation of glucose sugar to the cells of the body via the blood. All carbohydrates and sugars are digested to glucose – which is a small-molecule sugar for easier transportation to the cells that use it to produce energy for our activities. Too high a concentration of glucose in the blood, however, adversely affects several organs in the body, in addition to forcing the cells to break down other molecules – even our proteins – to obtain energy. The affected organs are the eyes, heart, kidney, and the feet, and cumulatively debilitate the patient in the early stages and can lead to death in the end. Diabetes, for instance, increases heart attack risk by up to three times for men and five times for women.

However, diabetes is one of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) caused by the other three risk factors – unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. A programme to reduce these risks is within the capabilities of the Health Ministry, since it involves primarily education. There are verbal questionnaires that can indicate a predisposition in persons towards developing type 2 diabetes. If these are conducted early enough, a change of lifestyle to incorporate the abovementioned factors of regular exercise and controlled diet have been shown capable of averting the diabetic condition.

The body controls the level of glucose sugar in the blood at a safe, optimum level by secreting the hormone insulin from the pancreas whenever the level rises beyond that level. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, in which the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin; and type 2, in which the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Type 2 is the most common form, accounting for around 90 per cent of all diabetes cases worldwide. Type 1 is diagnosed very early on and affects mostly children while type 2 develops gradually and manifests its effects generally in adults approaching their 40s. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas production of insulin could be impaired as well as the mechanisms by which glucose sugar is transmitted from the blood through the cell walls.

The treatments for diabetes attempt to positively assist the impaired processes. There can be the direct intake of insulin at prescribed times, which is the only path for type 1 patients and type 2 patients at an advanced stage. There are also medications that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin as well as some to assist in glucose transfer into the cells. It has been found that daily exercise also assists in the latter process and coupled with a diet that is low in sugars and easily digestible carbohydrates and high in leafy vegetables and lean protein, can significantly lower glucose levels in the blood.

Over the years, the Government has done a credible job of improving the facilities for dealing with diabetes-related medical complications. This must be continued and we commend the efforts that are being made to fight the NCD.

The ‘bloated’ list: a misnomer explored

Dear Editor, Last Tuesday at his press conference, Mr

Norton finally exposed the folly of his bloated list complaint. Since his assumption of Office as Leader of the Opposition, Mr Norton has made the voters’ list one of the focal points of his political advocacy. He has called for its retirement on the ground that it is “bloated” and for it to be replaced after a House-to-House Registration process.

In so doing, he complete ly ignored the constitution al and legal principles which are inextricably attendant to the voters’ list and how it is populated. That is, by vir tue of Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution, Guyanese are qualified to be registered on that list once they are 18 years and over; and that upon registration, are qualified to vote. Likewise, Guyanese can only be removed from the list if they become disquali fied and that the grounds of disqualification are explicit ly set out in Article 159 of the Constitution. Mr Norton ob durately refuses to recognise that the identical course of action for which he espouses was attempted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) under the steward ship of the unconstitutionally appointed James Patterson in 2019.

It would be recalled that this process launched by GECOM was challenged in the High Court which culmi nated in a written judgement delivered by Chief Justice Roxane George, CCH, SC, who admonished thus:

‘‘In order for the names

of persons already registered to be removed from the list of electors, they would have to be deceased or otherwise become disqualified but fail ure of registered persons to be present or resident during the house-to-house exercise would not be such a disquali fier and such a person’s name can only be deleted if they no longer meet the qualifying cri teria under Article 152 (9) or become disqualified under Article 159 (3) and (4).’’

Although these legal au thorities have been proffered to Mr Norton and the APNU/ AFC with painful regularity by GECOM, the Government and the Press, Mr Norton clings to his blinkered posi tion. However last Tuesday at his press conference, presum ably, reeling from a rebuke from the local press associ ation, Mr Norton made cer tain crucial disclosures. For the first time he offered to the public an insight to enable an understanding of what he con siders to be ‘bloat’ on the list. He disclosed that the bloat to which he refers consists of Guyanese who were grant ed immigrant and non-immi grant visas. He alleged that statistics from the United States of America, Homeland Security Department sug gests that two hundred and fifty thousand Guyanese were issued with non-immigrant visas and two hundred thou sand Guyanese were issued with immigrant visas.

It appears that Mr Norton’s contention is that these persons and every oth er Guyanese who are either residing overseas or are trav elling abroad and who are

The legal truth is that these persons, once Guyanese and are eighteen years and over, are lawfully on that list and cannot be removed therefrom unless they be come disqualified. Neither their travelling overseas, nor their residency in another ju risdiction, either temporar ily or permanently, consti tute a disqualification under the Constitution. In fact, the Chief Justice in her ruling, stated that if they were to be removed because of their non-residency in Guyana such a removal would be un lawful and unconstitutional.

So last Tuesday, Mr Norton fi nally conceded, either witting ly or unwittingly, that what he is considering as ‘bloat’ on the list are Guyanese whose names are on that list in ac cordance with and by virtue of the supreme law of Guyana, the Constitution. His bloat ed list argument therefore, is completely without merit.

Perhaps recognising the folly of his own argument, when braced with questions from a reporter that he could not intelligently answer, he then disclosed that he is pre pared to work with the PPP to amend the ‘’Constitution and the law.’’ This disclosure rais es its own peculiar problems. Firstly, it is clear that Mr Norton would like to disen franchise tens of thousands of Guyanese. These persons may not be permanent residents overseas, they may be vaca tioning, working, be overseas

for medical or business rea sons, or may simply be await ing to have their immigration status regularised; some may be enjoying dual residence both in Guyana and overseas or they may be permanently overseas. To determine this ‘residence’ issue alone will be come a legal nightmare.

However, that apart, is de nying any segment of the cit izenry of Guyana, their most cherished democratic right, the right to vote, a measure for which we should advo cate? It must be emphasised that these persons may only qualify to vote in Guyana and no other jurisdiction as they are Guyanese and may not necessarily have acquired an other nationality. Should they be denied that crucial dem ocratic right to vote, in the land of their birth? No doubt these persons would include thousands of supporters of Mr Norton’s party. Importantly, has he explained this to them? In this regard, the dictum of Justice Hamilton in the American case of Greidlinger v Davis (1993) rings aloud:

’’It is axiomatic that no right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make laws under which, as good citizens, we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined.’’

Worse yet, Mr Norton by his own disclosures, is pre pared to deny these Guyanese of their right to vote without even consulting them. For he says that he is prepared to work with the PPP to achieve this objective.

Ranks of the Joint Services in Region One (Barima-Waini) paying tribute to Fallen Heroes of World Wars I and II, at the Cenotaph, Mabaruma Town Hall Compound, North West District on Sunday (Guyana Police Force photo)

Aubrey

on the list, constitute bloat on that list and should be re moved – a notoriously flawed proposition from every con ceivable perspective!

Do not listen to obstructionists

Dear Editor, The national clean-up exercise spearheaded by President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali on Saturday saw participation from cit izens across the length and breadth of Guyana. This took place despite the continued obstructionist, anti-nation al posture of the PNC-led APNU/AFC Opposition and

their political enablers, who refuse to get involved on the behalf of their constituents while instructing their lack eys to not cooperate and to undo national efforts as soon as they are complete.

Across the country where Town Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils are controlled by the PNC, national efforts to

The ‘bloated’ list...

Having regard to the fact that he wants to achieve this objective before Local Government Elections, it is clear that public consulta tion is not within his con templation. So in breach of all of his party’s manifes to promises of engaging in constitutional reforms by way of public consultation, Mr Norton is prepared to amend the Constitution by an agreement with the PPP, without public con sultation. The Constitution as we all know is a pact be tween the State and the citizenry. This Opposition Leader wishes to alter that pact without consulting the other side, the people. But no one should be sur prised. This is how the au thoritarian operates.

Yesterday, the Alliance for Change (AFC), a party now reduced to a few lead ers with even fewer follow ers, has indicated that it will not contest the Local Government Elections. No one should be surprised by this disclosure. Were they to contest, it is most unlikely that they would have won a seat in any Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) or munici pality. It is the fear of this horrendous reality that has informed their decision. Noting else. To save face however, they have oppor tunistically latched on to the discredited bloated list argument peddled by their larger coalition partner.

In a press statement they rehashed the self same frivolous and vexa tious contentions advanced by APNU in respect of the

FROM PAGE 4

voters’ list. What I have stated above applies to these arguments, mutatis mutandis. They also re sorted to the repetition of their irrational and ridic ulous allegations of elec toral irregularities in re spect of the 2020 Regional and General Elections. It is apposite that I remind that the Caricom Team of Observers which they ap pointed to oversee the re count, found those very allegations to be fanciful, incredible, and incredu lous. In similar vein, the co alition were unable to lead evidence to prove these al legations in two elections petition which they filed in the High Court. One re cently suffered a natural death at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the other one is on its way.

In conclusion, I must reiterate like every coun try that has implement ed the system of contin uous registration, our system provides mecha nisms to remove disqual ified persons from the list at periodic intervals. The Claims and Objections mechanism is just one. The new amendments to the Representation of the People Act and the National Registration Act, will not only improve the existing mechanisms but will add new ones.

Sincerely, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs

restore and maintain con ducive environments for the benefit of citizens’ health and well-being, in most cas es, their own constituents, are being deliberately sabo taged by inaction and coun terproductive shenanigans.

In the capital city, where the momentum of national transformation is being gen erated by the Government, where foreign investors and foreign state actors are be ing attracted daily to oppor tunities that will help grow Guyana’s economy and cre ate meaningful employment for its citizens like never be fore, the Mayor and City Council continues to demon strate its ineptitude.

Taxpayers’ monies are being squandered on friv olous comforts for the par ty elites who control the Council, without any tan gible services being provid ed to the citizens whatsoev er. Basic roads and drains’ maintenance and cleanli ness of the administrative and commercial heart of our country have been complete ly abandoned and left to the

shame of daily embarrass ment.

Every overture for sus tainable partnership in terventions from the Government since 2020 has been rebuffed by the Georgetown Mayor and his Councillors, forcing the Central Government to act in the interest of citizens and in the national interest.

The petty, infantile, and obstructionist politics of the PNC/APNU will continue to backfire as an affront and insult to the intelligence, de cency, and pride of citizens.

Guyanese should not be enticed by those anti-people, anti-national actions.

Every opportunity to benefit from national and other resources and see your families and communities transform and prosper re gardless of geographic loca tion, political affiliation or ethnicity should be taken.

Do not listen to the ob structionists.

Sincerely, Ryan Newton

Backlash as views not in sync with call

Dear Editor,

Another election and the ante is upped. The British High Commissioner offered an informed, personal opin ion on the ‘bloated’ list imbro glio, based on available infor mation. It should not cause a storm in a teacup or backlash.

The recent townhall meet ing in New York during which serious threats and all sorts of rhetoric were made to a democratically elected Government of a sovereign

State, did not elicit or evoke any kind of response from those now making noise, as the HC’s views are not in sync with their call.

The HC’s position should be respected as her country earned the right to speak on internal matters during the 2020 Elections and ensuing five months fiasco when de mocracy was under threat.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Fallacious reasoning by the Opposition

Dear Editor, The PNC Opposition and its associate partner the AFC, have hinted that they will not be participat ing in the upcoming Local Government Elections. Among the reasons they have sourced is that the vot ers’ list is bloated, and for this they would not contest. But this is fallacious rea soning, in that the voters’ list has been updated in its entirety, with the Claims and Objections when the Opposition would have been afforded the opportunity to raise the very issues they are touting now. But they did not, they simply stayed away, not even raising a sin gle issue.

So, to come now and raise this issue is exposing them for the duplicitous el ements they are, a diabol ical group who cannot en gage in a clean fight. What the PNC is not telling us is that they are unprepared for an election contest with the ruling Administration. This fact is even more damning,

when you view the main Opposition having serious internal issues, so how can they stand united in the face of an impending election, this is the burning question they have to face up to.

They are also building up an alibi that the PPP/C would have won because they would have utilised fic titious names from a bloated list. This is not a new phe nomenon because when you look at prior engagements with this party, you would have seen a true revelation of the same deceitful strate gy in full display. Hoyte did it when he lost by a landslide to Mrs Jagan, he too made frivolous claims of a bloated electoral list. He then mar shalled his thugs on to the streets to loot, shoot and burn.

The question I would like to ask Mr Norton is – is this the strategy he would want to implement?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Yuan Xiao Jie

Govt complies with court order, grants Ramps Logistics Local Content Certificate

After a brief court battle with the Government, Ramps Logistics (Guyana) was is sued its Local Content Certificate on Monday in keeping with an order by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC. The company, whose parent company is Trinidadian, had initially applied for certification in April but that application was refused on June 8 af ter it had failed to meet the requirements of the Local Content Act 2021. The com pany then reapplied and never received a response.

Maintaining that it had met all the requirements of the Local Content Act in cluding being a local compa ny incorporated under the Companies Act and benefi cially owned by Guyanese nationals, Ramps Logistics (Guyana) filed judicial re view proceedings against Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Director of the Local Content Secretariat Martin Pertab (respondents). Beneficial ownership is de fined as owning 51 per cent of the company. Also, a lo cal company is expected to have Guyanese in at least 75 per cent of executive and senior management posi tions, and at least 90 per cent in non-managerial and other positions. In its application, the company said that it is a “Guyanese company” and contended that the Natural Resources Minister’s decision to refuse

its application is not only “unlawful, unreasonable and arbitrary”, but breach es the Local Content Act.

“Guyanese company”

Finding that the com pany had indeed met the requirements for being a “Guyanese company”, the Chief Justice, on Friday, ordered Pertab to certi fy the company by noon on Monday, November 14, fail ing which would have re sulted in him being held in contempt of court and fined.

Representing the re spondents, who the Chief Justice held had fallen woe fully short of countering the company’s application, was Solicitor General Nigel Hawke and other counsel from the Attorney General’s Chambers. Besides find ing that Minister Bharrat had no authority under the Local Content Act to decide whether to grant or refuse certification, Justice George found that Pertab consid ered irrelevant matters in deciding to refuse the com pany’s application.

The irrelevant factors she alluded to include the criminal charges against Ramps Logistics (Guyana) for making false decla rations to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) which were instituted in October, several months af ter the company submitted its application, and a mere five days after the company had mounted its judicial re view action in September.

Particulars of the

charges stated that between 2021 and 2022, at GRA’s Camp Street, Georgetown headquarters, the company made several false declara tions for consideration of a customs officer, on an appli cation presented for tax ex emption on items.

Company’s conduct

Hawke conceded that Ramps Logistics had indeed satisfied the requirements for registration in the Local Content Register but said that consideration of the company’s resubmitted ap plication was halted pend ing the hearing and deter mination of those criminal charges.

While the law does not stipulate that a criminal charge is a ground upon which a company can be re fused certification, Hawke argued that considering this goes towards the com pany’s conduct, especial ly since the allegations levelled against Ramps Logistics (Guyana) involved tax evasion.

He said that not being Local Content certified does not prevent the company from operating in the oil and gas sector, but rather just limits what it can and cannot do.

The Chief Justice, how ever, questioned the Local Content Secretariat’s ratio nale for refusing to grant the company the certifi cate. “It’s just a charge; it hasn’t been proven,” she told Hawke while remind ing him of the presumption

of innocence principle in the Constitution of Guyana.

Justice George reasoned that the company cannot be denied a Local Content Certificate on a basis that is not set out in the Local Content Act and given the above constitutional pa rameters.

According to her, the Local Content law pro vides a simple regime for registration once a com pany satisfies the criteria. After reviewing the rele vant documents submit ted by Ramps Logistics, the Chief Justice ruled that the company has satisfied all the requirements and pre-conditions required by the law, in this case—be ing a Guyanese company— for the issuance of the cer tificate.

“There is no evidence submitted by the respon dents to counter the infor mation provided by [Ramps Logistics] which I have con cluded satisfies the require ments of the Local Content Act. Mr Pertab from his Affidavit in defence refers to a Form C—a list of require ments that have no statu tory basis. He also refers to charges by the Guyana Revenue Authority which are irrelevant to the deter mination of an application under the Local Content

Act,” held Justice George.

As a “Guyanese compa ny”, the Chief Justice de clared that Ramps Logistics is entitled to be issued with a certificate and to be en tered into the Local Content Register and consequent ly granted an order of cer tiorari quashing Minister Bharrat’s June 8 decision after it was found that the Local Content Secretariat breached the Act when it refused to grant the compa ny certification.

On the issue of costs and damages that the company sought against the respon dents, Justice George said that these will be assessed at another hearing.

The case comes up again on February 20, 2023, for further directions. Ramps Logistics (Guyana) was represented by Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo and Attorney-at-Law CV Satram.

Divested ownership

At a press conference, Ramps Logistics (Guyana) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaun Rampersad had related that the com pany divested 51 per cent ownership of its Guyana op erations to Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall, who has Guyanese parentage, to bring its operations in

compliance with the Local Content Law.

Lall’s grandfather and father are both Guyanaborn but migrated in 1961, and the family now oper ates one of the largest oil and gas companies in the Caribbean out of Trinidad.

In fact, Lall’s grandfather was in the petroleum busi ness in Guyana, operat ing a gas station – Lall’s Esso Station in Vreed-enHoop, West Bank Demerara (WBD), during the 1950s.

According to the CEO, Lall bought 51 per cent shares for $210 million, and the monies were earmarked for two major projects for the company – a new car go airline for additional air lift into and out of Guyana, and a new shipping line to move cargo among Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname.

Despite the asser tions of the Local Content Secretariat as to its excus es for not addressing the issuance of the certificate, the company claimed that the Secretariat has grant ed a number of certificates to companies that are in a similar position to it, in cluding Crane Worldwide Logistics (Guyana), which submitted its application on or about July 20 and was granted a Local Content Certificate on August 3.

Ramps Logistics (Guyana) received its Local Content Certificate on Monday in keeping with an order by the acting Chief Justice

Ramps Logistics (Guyana) CEO Shaun Rampersad

Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC

Natural Resource Minister Vickram Bharrat

Footballer remanded on illegal gun, ammo charges

Three years after he was sentenced to six months in prison for wounding a Police officer, 24-year-old national footbal ler Jobe Caesar is in trouble with the law again.

The Bent Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown man appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on Monday on charges of illegal gun and ammunition possession.

It is alleged that on November 13, at the National Gymnasium at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, Caesar had in his possession one .32 Taurus pistol along with six matching rounds without be ing the holder of a firearm li cence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Caesar was remanded un til December 12. He was rep resented by attorney Everton Singh-Lammy.

A party of Policemen act ing on a “tip-off” went to the National Gymnasium where Caesar was playing a football match, searched him, and al legedly found the unlicenced gun on him.

Caesar is a member of the Bent Street Futsal team and was part of the quarterfinal matches of the MVP Sports

Futsal Tournament.

Singh-Lammy made an application for his client to be admitted to reasonable bail, citing multiple occupancies, since according to him, the firearm was found in a public place and not on Caesar’s per son. The application, which was strongly opposed by the prosecutor, was denied.

In 2018, the footballer was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess af ter he was found guilty of wounding a Police officer.

According to reports, at the time, he had been in a re

lationship with the Police offi cer’s girlfriend. On the day in question, the Policeman went to the woman’s Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown home, and found her in the footballer’s lap.

It is alleged that the Policeman and his girlfriend had an argument and the footballer in retaliation at tacked the officer and dealt him a punch to his face.

He then allegedly snatched the officer’s service revolver and pointed it at him.

The Policeman then left and reported the matter to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, and the footballer was subsequently arrested, charged, and later convicted of the offence.

He was also charged with robbing the Policeman’s girl friend of a $30,000 cell phone, at Albert and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun and damaging her $3.5 million motor car.

When he appeared in court, he had denied both charges and was on trial. However, when the matters were called, the virtual com plainant told the court that she did not wish to proceed

with the matters. Hence, the Magistrate dismissed the charges against him.

Also, in February of this year, the footballer was ar rested and questioned in connection with the murder of Carlos DeShawn Waithe, 24, a clothes vendor of Lot 2 Norton Street, Werk-enRust.

On the night of Waithe’s death, he was consum ing alcohol with friends in Charlestown after which he indicated to them that he was leaving to go to a bar at Breda Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that Waithe, while in the compa ny of another friend, arrived at the bar, during which his friend became involved in an argument with another pa tron at the bar.

The friend, Police said, was then seen running east on Leopold Street towards Smyth Street while being chased by a group of men. Loud explosions were heard during the chase which caused Waithe to also give chase behind the men, yell ing “y’all can’t shoot da man”. The men then turned their attention to Waithe and an argument ensued, during which he was fatally shot. (G1)

Mega…

…conclave

As conclaves go, G20 is hard to beat…comprised of the heads of government of countries with 80 per cent of world output, 70 per cent of global trade, two-thirds of the global population and 60 per cent of the world’s geographic area, what’s left for the rest of the 180 other countries?? The most telling statistic is that in all of Africa –with 1.2 billion people and 54 countries – only South Africa makes the cut!! But at least it’s a tad more inclusive than G7 which admits only the seven top “western” Nations, that includes Japan!!

These big ones are meeting at a luxury hotel in Bali, the ancient Hindu centre of the Indonesian archipelago – now the most populous Muslim nation of earth!! So, what’s on the agenda as these elephants rub up against each other?? Your Eyewitness isn’t gonna insult your intelligence, Dear Reader, by going beyond a mere enumeration of the OFFICIAL agenda: - Healthcare Architecture, Sustainable Energy Transition and Digital Transformation. By now we should be woke enough to realise that G20 is all about the big boys around the table – ain’t no girls at this meet! – going mano-a-mano on the sidebars to further their country’s interests!! Remember the old saw about friends and permanent interests??

The first big news is who DIDN’T attend – Putin!! After being given the cold shoulder back in 2014 after he’d annexed Crimea, he wasn’t about to court a repeat performance after invading Ukraine where the Western majority of G20 are directly backing Ukraine. Even China and India - which tried to dance between the raindrops – have been less demonstrative in their neutrality recently!! So fixing the disruption in global supply chains and the subsequent rise of prices and inflation ain’t gonna be discussed – in case you were wondering!! And this in face of the theme song in Bali – “recovering together, recovering stronger”. This is about G20 stupid, not YOU!!

So, what else?? The most highly-anticipated event is the first face-to-face meeting between the US’s Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping. They’re both coming off elections – with Xi now the supreme leader of his country that’s on course to replace the US as #1 economically!! Biden, in the meantime, while grateful that his party wasn’t wiped out at their midterms, is still gonna be hobbled with a Republicancontrolled House! But on China, both the Democrats and Republicans have dubbed it as (international) public enemy #1! With the Republic-controlled House certain to investigate Biden’s son’s business interests in China, Biden will have to appear extra tough to prove his street cred!!

In the meantime, those expecting some decisions to coordinate the systemic shocks roiling the global economy, don’t hold your breath!!

…Diaspora

The headline was certainly dramatic enough – “Guyana has the world’s biggest diaspora” – 36.4% of population!! And it got your attention right?? Goes to show even staid mainstream media like Forbes gotta sex-up their headlines to compete with social media!!. Surely we don’t have more than the 10.7 million overseas Chinese – plus their 60 million descendants!!? What they meant was “Guyana has the world’s per-capita biggest diaspora”, but you just lost interest, no??

But as far as we’re concerned, we shouldn’t be surprised since 36.4% is only 263,920 persons!! We should be concerned ‘cause nowadays – as a matter of course – we assert that “there are more Guyanese outside than inside Guyana”!! Well, the study doesn’t disagree and in fact noted that it only picked up CITIZENS abroad who hadn’t gotten citizenship in their country of residency!! These are probably just the GUYANESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!

Along with legal immigrants and their combined descendants your Eyewitness figures there’s at least 1 million Guyanese in the 200+ countries of the world!!

A diaspora policy, anyone??

…UK disappointment

Hopefully, the euphoria over the UK’s visa-free entry policy will now wear off after that chap was refused entry – even though his sister vouched for his needs in the UK!! Gotta have your own “show money”!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Remanded: Jobe Caesar

AFC allowed to skip LGE if contesting not in best interest – Norton

In the wake of coali tion partner Alliance

For Change’s (AFC) de cision to boycott the Local Government Elections (LGE), Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has said that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will make its own position on contesting the election known at the right time.

In an interview with this publication, Norton noted that if the AFC came to a decision that it was not in their best interest to run for LGE 2023, then they have all rights to take the course of action they have taken.

According to Norton, the smaller party is a sep arate entity. When it comes to APNU and whether they will come to a similar deci sion, Norton said that this will be made known when the time is “right”.

“The AFC is a separate entity. And it can make a decision to not participate. That is their right… this is not something for me to have thoughts on. The AFC as a political party, they are a part of the coalition, but they are a party by them selves,” Norton said.

“Our party will declare our decision at the right

time. We continue to protest for a new voters’ list. But we also have constituents. We are consulting with them. And the decision will be made at the right time,” Norton further explained.

Bow out On Sunday, the AFC an nounced its decision to bow out of contesting the upcom ing LGE, a decision the par ty supposedly arrived at due to its concerns over the list of electors and after much debate. It added the caveat that it would not contest un less there are changes to the list of electors.

The party claimed that the list of electors is ‘bloat ed’, an often-repeated claim of its coalition part

ner, APNU. The party also echoed concerns of its part ner, which is yet to confirm if it will participate in LGE, that the list contains the names of Guyanese who mi grated.

According to the Constitution of Guyana and previous court cases, howev er, Guyanese who have mi grated cannot be removed from the list of electors since residency of Guyanese citi zens is not a requirement to vote.

This was demonstrat ed since 2019, when Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George ruled that the removal of the names of persons from the list of registrants, who were not resident in Guyana and could not participate

in the House-to-House Registration exercise, would be unconstitutional. Her de cision was subsequently up held in the Court of Appeal.

The requirements for a person to vote, as set out in Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution, are that that person must be 18 years or older, and must be a Guyanese citizen or a Commonwealth citizen resident and domiciled in Guyana.

The AFC also said in their statement that the electoral system is not per fect and that they were not willing to “perpetuate a de ception”. They further said that they would support postponing LGE until their definition of a “clean” voters’ list is arrived at.

AFC’s pull-out from con testing LGE comes at a time when the smaller party is al ready receiving diminished returns whenever it goes to the polls. Such was the case in 2018, when the par ty, then part of the APNU/ AFC coalition Government, was forced to contest LGE on its own. It ended up se curing just four per cent of the total votes cast.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

has already designated December 12, 2022, as nom ination day for the upcom ing LGE, which are set to be held next year March.

On nomination day, par ties make their way to a designated location, where their representatives are usually required to submit their list of candidates to the Chief Election Officer, as well as sign on to the re quired documents, such as a code of conduct, to contest the elections.

These representatives are usually accompanied by a large retinue of their sup porters, dressed in party co lours, although all the par ties who submit symbols do not always make a grand

entrance or even go at all.

Parties, voluntary groups and individuals are meanwhile required to sub mit their symbols in accor dance with Section 48 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Cap 28:03. The law requires that these symbols be submitted at least 21 days before nomi nation day.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), has al ready signalled its read iness to contest the up coming LGE. As far back as August, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the General Secretary of the PPP/C, had said that the party is in preparation mode for LGE. (G3)

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Not in Guyana’s education system – Manickchand to non-performing teachers

tem.”

It was underscored that the school system has a role to add value to the lives of students before they exit the system.

“Whoever comes through the door must leave with val ue added to them. If there is anything getting in the way of that added value, you are an enemy to education. We can’t keep you and so I hope everybody will understand the new direction that we’re heading,” she pointed out.

Some 60,000 persons suffering from diabetes locally – Dr Anthony …type 1 affecting mostly younger persons

An estimated 60,000 persons in Guyana are suffering from di abetes – some of whom do not know their status.

On Monday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared that many diabet ic patients access health care at clinics and other fa cilities. However, there is a large percentage who re main undiagnosed.

In keeping with a new trajectory to enhance ed ucation, the Education Ministry will be demand ing performance and proper teaching for students in the system.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Monday ex pressed that students’ lives are damaged when teach ers do not perform or exe cute their functions effec tively. In this light, a strong approach has been taken to take teaching to the next level.

“The country has to want to move to a place where we demand performance from our teaching service and the administration of schools because for every teacher that doesn’t teach is dozens of children who are damag ing. To take education to a next level, everybody has to

be on the same page about what we want it to be and how we want to get there,” Manickchand outlined.

The Minister explained that in many cases, some educators do not give their best owing to the ranking of the school among other fac tors. But she noted that this conduct and such persons will be weeded out.

“Teachers have a com mitment from me, even as we ask you to do better, we will implement measures fairly and openly and trans parently and you’ll always have a hearing. But we all have to want to take it to the next level too many times. Too many times, I hear peo ple saying ‘That’s a List E school; they just come and we babysit them till they get big enough to go and work’. Not in my education sys

The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has committed to having 100 per cent trained teach ers in classrooms across Guyana by 2025 as part of the Education Ministry’s strategic plan. Guyana’s teaching capacity received a timely boost earlier in the year when over 800 persons graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), marking the largest group of graduates in the in stitution’s history.

Of the 843 graduates, 198 had pursued the Trained Teacher’s Certificate (TTC) Programme, and 645 had pursued the Associate’s Degree (ADE) in Education Programme.

Two categories of un trained teachers currently exist in the education sys tem: those who are eligible for admission at CPCE and those who are not. The latter group is being upgraded, so that they can enter the col lege programme. (G12)

“We have some estimates that would say about 60,000 people in Guyana are prob ably diabetic. Some of them know that they have diabe tes and they would come to the clinic. There are a lot of persons who qualify as dia betics but they don’t come to the clinic. Some of them re main undiagnosed because of that,” the Minister di vulged.

It was highlighted that these persons show up to the hospital after other com plications develop.

“We want to ensure that people do not wait until they develop complications. They should come before and get checked. If you’re obese, be tween 40 and older, it’s time you get a check-up.”

According to Dr Anthony, there are about 150 per sons suffering specifically from type one diabetes. The Health Ministry has been providing insulin to them, since they cannot produce their own. Type one diabe tes, known as insulin-depen dent diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

no insulin. Insulin is a hor mone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.

“We have maybe 150 persons that we know are type one diabetics. These are young people who have been diagnosed with diabe tes and the Ministry has a programme where we are providing them with insu lin because their bodies are not able to make insulin on their own,” he noted.

Early signs and symp toms can include tiredness and hunger, frequent urina tion, increased thirst, vision problems, slow wound heal ing, and yeast infections.

Guyana has over 400 health facilities – each of which is equipped to make diagnoses and handle dia betic cases.

“It is also important that

the care that we provide is comprehensive because it is one thing to put a person who has been diagnosed on treatment. If they don’t at tend to the other factors, then sometimes it’s difficult to control the blood sugar.”

Diabetes can also cause renal diseases, leading to kidney failure. In Guyana, more than 290 persons are on dialysis, stemming in most instances from diabe tes.

The Minister contended, “If we manage the person’s blood sugar well, then we can prevent these complica tions from occurring. That is why it is so important if you have been diagnosed as having diabetes that you come and make sure you get treatment to prevent these complications from happen ing.”

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

2 maternal deaths Probe begins, to identify gaps in care – Health Minister

Cutlass-wielding man storms primary school to attack parent

Aprobe has com menced into the deaths of two preg nant women over the week end, who were patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital and Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Making this revelation was Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Monday, explaining that both were ‘very complicated’ cas es. An internal review at the GPHC will piece to gether details surrounding

Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, after developing complications and required intubation.

“They had to be intubat ed and they came down to Georgetown. And that per son died at the COVID hos pital. There were numerous attempts to help that per son because the patient was a very complicated patient,” he commented.

On the other hand, it was communicated that the sec ond patient had preeclamp

to twins on Sunday at the GPHC. The babies were stillborn. According to the hospital, the dead teenag er was from the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The second materni ty death reported was a 40-year-old pregnant wom an from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who also died on Sunday at the Ocean View facility, which houses the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Acutlass-wielding man on Monday morning stormed his way into the Bohemia Primary School in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with the inten tion of attacking a parent at the institution.

The incident occurred at around 08:20h, just after a woman had taken her child to school.

When the man, who was said to be in toxicated, ran into the school’s compound, the female parent was forced to hide in the building. Other parents and teachers also ran to safety.

No one was harmed during the ordeal but the suspect managed to damage an elec tric bike by chopping it with the cutlass.

Reports are that the man also attempt ed to injure a Government part-time worker who was stationed at the gate to ensure per sons sanitise.

The school is reportedly without security. The suspect escaped before Police arrived, since the Police arrived some 30 minutes af ter the matter was reported. (G4)

electric bike that was damaged

the unfortunate incidents. Simultaneously, an exter nal review will be executed by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which is an independent body from the hospital.

He stated, “Both of these were extremely complicat ed cases and the medical re sponse in any event would have been quite difficult to work with these patients be cause they were very, very complicated. Nevertheless, as is our protocol, any deaths that occur at the Georgetown Hospital would undergo a thorough internal review with the specialised staff of the hospital. That review has commenced for both cases.”

According to him, find ings from both reviews would determine if there were any gaps in providing care and if so, measures to address them.

The Health Minister in formed that one of the two women hailed from New Amsterdam. She was trans ferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital at

sia – a hypertension disor der that can occur during pregnancy.

“This resulted in the person having several sei zures before even coming to the Diamond Hospital and then sent to the Georgetown Hospital.”

It was reported by Guyana Times that a 19-year-old female died shortly after giving birth

Last month, there were two other maternal deaths at GPHC. On October 20, a 31-year-old mother of two, Rashanna Dindayal of Lodge, Georgetown, and her unborn child died at the city hospital. Then, Navita Maraj, a 39-year-old moth er of five, and her unborn child died at the GPHC on October 29. (G12)

The

The Infectious Diseases Hospital

The Georgetown Public Hospital

Expansion, new secondary schools in pipeline for every region – Manickchand

an administrative block, a sanitary block and air con ditioning units. This will ac commodate some 300 stu dents.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced several projects, where brand new schools will be built to ensure proper access in all regions.

In Region One (BarimaWaini), two brand new sec ondary schools are in the pipeline, one of which is to replace the North West Secondary that was de stroyed by arson and anoth er at Hosororo.

(Mahaica-Berbice) for chil dren from riverine ar eas while Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will see a brand-new secondary school at Orealla with dormitories.

For Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), a new secondary facility will be built in the Upper Mazaruni area to reduce overcrowding at existing institutions.

In Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), the Paramakatoi and Kato dorms will be ex tended while examining the possibility of another facility with additional dorm space.

things we can’t wait to do until the next budget or else children suffer and can’t get educated,” the Minister told media operatives.

Construction is ongo ing for the expansion and building of new secondary schools across ev ery administrative region in Guyana, as part of the Education Ministry’s plan towards achieving universal secondary education.

On Monday, the sod was turned for the expansion of St Winifred Secondary to the

tune of $85 million and East Ruimveldt Secondary School for $172 million.

The expansion of St Winifred Secondary will cre ate adequate space for stu dents from Grades Seven to 11. The introduction of a science lab along with oth er additions will ensure that students are equipped to ex ecute their School-Based

Assessments.

With a completion time frame of five months, the end result is a two-story building with classrooms and a mod ern science lab.

A new Grade Seven block will be constructed by Delph Construction at East Ruimveldt Secondary School. The building will ac commodate 10 classrooms,

In Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Abram Zuil Secondary is be ing completed along with the building of new dorms to fa cilitate students from areas like Charity and Pomeroon.

Over in Region Three

New schools are to be built at Karasabai and the Awarewaunau/Shea area in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) while ex isting schools will be reha bilitated in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Manickchand noted that since the last NGSA, it was recognised that there is need for more space and proper secondary institutions to ca ter for a larger volume of stu dents entering the secondary system. Moreover, limited space and the quality of ed ucation was leading to drop outs. She noted that her Ministry has been aiming to achieve universal secondary education, which is neither easy nor cheap.

“It’s not a dream locked down somewhere in our heads. It’s something we are working feverishly towards.”

She noted that in re cent years, primary tops were established at many

(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the intention is to build schools within the Tuschen and West Bank area.

Plans are also underway to complete Yarrowkabra Secondary School, begin construction at Prospect Secondary, finish works at Good Hope Secondary and introduce a new 800-1000 capacity school at Turkeyen in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

Meanwhile, North Ruimveldt, St George’s and St Mary’s Secondary Schools will be rebuilt.

The Education Ministry is looking at creating more dorm spaces in Region Five

Funding

It was pointed out that new schools take some 18 to 24 months to be built and will not be ready for the new academic year. However, the Ministry has been diverging funds and working even be fore budget 2023 to get start ed on some pending projects. Some of the funding for these new projects will be coming from local funding in con junction with international financial institutions.

“We are trying in a very strategic way, where we had money that is not going to be spent before this year end, that we get permission from the Ministry of Finance to divert those funds…Some

schools - institutions which Government has been try ing to eliminate in delivering quality education.

“When we get all those schools in place and there’s a secondary school that is available to every child, then NGSA can serve to say chil dren who are extremely gift ed, go to the national schools or are offered places at the national schools; then the re gional schools and then ev erybody else goes to school close to your home.”

Manickchand said they remain vigilant with con tractors to ensure that proj ects are completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Minister Priya Manickchand joins students and other officials at the sod turning ceremony for an expanded St Winifred Secondary

Education Minister Priya Manickchand along with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Alfred King examining the expansion plan

76% of self-employed persons fail to file tax returns – AG report

…GRA collected $242B in taxes in 2021

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) col lected over $240 bil lion in revenue in 2021, but the Auditor General has flagged the fact that some 76 per cent of self-em ployed persons did not file tax returns.

According to the Auditor General report of 2021, 87,267 self-employed per sons did not file their in come tax returns, out of 114,838. This means that only 27,211 persons, or 24 per cent, filed their tax re turns, which totalled $4 billion.

In total, GRA collect ed $242 billion for 2021 as revenue. Additionally, $255 billion in total was collected and paid over to the Consolidated Fund, which holds Government funds and is housed at the Bank of Guyana.

The Auditor General noted that there were sub stantial shortfalls in in come tax on the self-em ployed. Also falling short were personal and corpo rate tax, the environmental

levy, liquor licence, travel tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported goods and domestic supply.

The excise tax on petro leum products also showed a shortfall in revenue col lection. In the audit report, however, GRA explained that for 2021, the revenue target was revised from $242 billion to $254.9 bil lion.

As pertains the fuel tax, Government has been slashing the excise tax on fuel for a while now, low ering the excise tax rate

on both gasoline and die sel, from 50 per cent to 35 per cent in February 2021, then from 35 per cent to 20 per cent in October 2021. This is in keeping with Government’s policy to ad just the taxes on fuel, to mitigate the impact of ris ing fuel prices on the world market.

In October, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had said that gas prices at the pump charged by GuyOil would

Govt complies with court...

FROM PAGE 7

“51% of the issued shares in that company are held by Guyanese nationals and 15 of its Board of Directors are comprised of Guyanese na tionals,” it noted.

Ramps Logistics had complained that its opera tions had been severely af fected without the certificate and that it had risked losing

a US$25 million contract from ExxonMobil (Guyana) and its subsidiaries. In an affidavit in support of its pleadings, Ramps Logistics Director, Samantha Cole deposed that if the compa ny is not added to the Local Content Register, it will be forced to reduce its opera tions and dismiss a majority

of its employees.

It also claimed that the Government had been dis couraging companies from doing business with it be cause it was not Local Content certified. Monday marked nine years since Ramps Logistics commenced operations in Guyana. (G1)

be reduced from $269 per litre to $215 per litre.

Additionally, diesel prices were reduced by 15 per cent from $265 per li tre to $225 per litre. These changes took effect from October 2, 2022.

Dr Singh had explained that during the first half of 2022, global oil pric es surged more than 50 per cent, increasing from US$77 per barrel at the end December 2021 to US$120 in June of this year. In fact,

oil prices rose as high as US$137 per barrel primari ly as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“The impact of the dra matic increases in oil prices were significant and given the interconnected nature of the global economy, translated into higher cost of landing fuel in Guyana. In order to mitigate the im pact of rising global fuel prices on domestic consum ers and the productive sec tors to which fuel is a key

input, the Government low ered the excise tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 10 per cent to 0 per cent in March of this year.”

“It would be recalled that, previously, during the Budget 2022 presenta tion, the Government low ered the excise tax on both gasoline and diesel from 20 per cent to 10 per cent so as to minimise the impact of rising global oil prices,” the Minister had further explained. (G3)

The Guyana Revenue Authority

Anti-littering campaign begins today

In consonance with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commit ment to ramp up monitor ing and enforcement of lit tering laws, Solid Waste Management Director for Georgetown, Walter Narine said an anti-litter ing campaign would com mence today.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Narine pointed out that tremen dous resources were being expended to enhance the environs of Georgetown. However, some persons continue to flout the laws and regulations.

“It is really troubling to know the number of re sources that we are put ting into this effort and some folks are still bent towards littering,” he said.

As a result, the Solid Waste Director said strin gent mechanisms would be established to ensure per sons who continue to litter

face the full brunt of the law.

“[From] Tuesday, we’re gonna have a [anti-litter] campaign rolled out again, and we are going to ar rest you, and we are going to charge you for littering and you will have to pay fines,” Narine affirmed.

Through the enforce ment measures, convicted persons could be sentenced to mandatory community service and assist in the continued enhancement of the city.

“[Community service]

is what I prefer. I prefer you come and do communi ty service and you clean up the mess that you would have created,” he said.

During the national clean-up exercise held on November 12, President Ali said heavy focus would be placed on enforcement to ensure the country re mained clean.

“We have given enough time, enough education programmes; enforcement is going to become a ma jor aspect of what we are doing,” the President as

The countrywide beau tification exercise is be ing spearheaded by the Public Works Ministry’s

National Enhancement Committee and will con tinue to see the involve ment of various stakehold ers, including Government

agencies, the diplomat ic corps, the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations, the Joint Services, and the public.

14 youths graduate from GPF’s electrical training

only

At

Georgetown’s Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine

GDF ranks participating in the National Clean-up Exercise on Sunday which was led by President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips sured.

Fourteen young sters, one of whom is a woman, success fully completed a Basic Electrical Training with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

the ceremo ny, which was held on

Saturday, Secretary of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Shaleeza Shaw recounted that in April of this year the Chamber signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the GPF to collaborate on not

crime-fighting strate gies but also training and development of the Force’s staff. In her remarks, she noted that the ceremony represented the first man ifestation of this collabora tion.

GCCI Secretary Shaleeza Shaw along with GCCI Council Member and Chair of its Construction and HSSE Committee, Keon Howard and the graduating class

Car crashes into pedestrian, slams into building

A60-year-old pedes trian is now hospi talised after a car crashed into him before slamming into a building and turning turtle at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are that the accident occurred at about 16:05h on Monday on the Ogle Public Road.

Injured is 60-yearold Harrylall Boodram of Lusignan Area B Grass Field, East Coast Demerara.

According to Police, en quires disclosed that mo tor car PWW 3734, driv en a 38-year-old man of

EMT service now available in Region 5

The Guyana Fire Service on Monday commis sioned the Onverwagt Fire Station and extended its Emergency Medical Services Programme to Region Five.

The station was completed at a cost of over $28.7 million and will provide assistance to residents along the West Coast of Berbice from east of the Abary Bridge to Rosignol/ Ithaca.

A release from the Fire Service stated that the Emergency Medical Service was launched in 2016 and has since been serving residents of Georgetown and its outskirts, as far as Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara and Brickery on the East Bank of Demerara.

One ambulance and Emergency Medical Technicians will be sta tioned at the Onverwagt Fire

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, during re marks at the commissioning said that the country will con tinue to develop “as we strive towards the One Guyana vi sion.”

The GFS has been facing challenges such as prank calls and the malicious setting of fires, however, at the historic event on Monday, Benn said they continue to have the full support of the Home Affairs

Station, where they will re spond to calls of distress and assist persons living in Region Five.

This, he said, requires uni ty and working together. He highlighted the importance of the Emergency Medical

Ministry. He added that sim ilar initiatives will be put in place in order to better serve and protect citizens nation wide.

In his remarks, Chief Fire Officer (AG), Gregory Wickham emphasised that the GFS is a humanitarian service that continues to strive for de velopment. He assured that both firefighters and EMTs at tached to the Onverwagt Fire Station will provide the high est level of service to the peo ple of Region Five and, by ex tension, the entire country.

Services and ensuring that EMTs are well trained to re duce harm, prevent injury, and save lives.

Citizens can dial, toll-free, 912 to contact the Guyana Fire Service-Emergency Medical Services.

Industry Crown Dam, ECD, was proceeding west along the southern car riageway at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control of the motor car and collided with the pe destrian, who was stand ing on the parapet on the southern side of the road.

Police said that as a re sult of the collision, the pedestrian was flung sev eral feet further west on the southern driving lane, while the motor car collid ed into a building situated on the southern parapet, and turned turtle.

As a result of the col

lision, the pedestrian fell onto the road where he re ceiving injures to his head and body.

According to Police, the 60-year-old man was picked up by the Emergency Medical Technicians in an uncon scious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was ad mitted a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driv er and read .118BAC and .117BAC, respectively.

The driver is in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

14 youths graduate...

Spearheading the train ing initiative was GCCI Council Member and Chair of its Construction and HSSE Committee, Keon Howard. Howard’s compa ny, Guyana Electric, con ducted the four-month-long training programme with the youths. Three months were spent in the class room and one in the fields.

The youths were trained in Basic Electrical Principles and covered the following topics: basic elec trical principles, ohm’s law, electrical circuits, ac supplies single phase, transformers, electrical

test equipment, electrical symbols, electrical safety, ladder safety, hazard pre vention, personal protec tive equipment (PPE), fall hazards, portable ladders, guardrails, and safety nets.

Howard emphasised his passion for this area of business, for which he is academically qualified, and his joy in giving back by aiding the training of youth so that they can de velop worthwhile skills that will be life-serving.

The chamber’s secre tary in her remarks men tioned that with the rec ognition of the lack of an

FROM PAGE 14

adequate labour force as well as unskilled human resources in Guyana’s cat apulting economy, this ini tiative was timely in build ing capacity that is much needed and will be easily absorbed.

The Head of the GPF’s Community Relations Department, Cristal Robinson, thanked the chamber for this collabora tive effort and added that she looks forward to many more. She went on to chal lenge Shaw to develop a 2-3 days’ seminar aimed at em powering the women of the Guyana Police Force.

The car that turned turtle following the accident at Ogle, ECD

Opposition’s call for Mocha squatters not to move ‘reckless’ – Croal

The Government, through the Housing and Water Ministry, has served the final notice to five squatters in Cane View/Herstelling (Mocha) who have refused to move from the area earmarked for the new Eccles to Great Diamond Highway.

Minister Collin Croal said extensive work was done to ensure the residents were relocated to developed housing schemes and were compensated based on the market value of their struc tures.

However, Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton recently visited the area and urged the five remain ing squatters on the reserve to remain, stating that the area is ‘ancestral lands’.

Croal described the Opposition’s statement as ‘reckless’, noting that the APNU/AFC is not interested in the development and up liftment of the very people it claims to represent.

“There is nothing new about the thoughtless mes saging from the Opposition Leader… they are not inter ested in giving the best pos sible advice so that we can work and build this nation,” the Minister said in a recent interview with DPI.

He explained that the Government reserve being referred to is between Mocha and Herstelling and has al ways been earmarked for in frastructural expansion.

So, those persons [the squatters] would have never been able to be regularised

or have a document for own ership, as well as to [be able to] apply for utility in terms of electricity and water…”

Croal further noted that the process to remove the squatters was done in a way to minimise living disrup tion of the families while making sure that homeown ership is legally achieved as a means of building genera tional wealth.

“We have served notices, we have gone to those per sons repeatedly and that is why we have moved it to the level of publicising all the steps we have taken so far, so the people of this country can understand where we are at now, so it is not a case where we woke up overnight and we just said tomorrow you must move. It’s months now and we are going to over a year…. in trying to remedy this situation while improv ing the lives of our citizens,” he stated.

Some of the residents

who were relocated to the Farm-Herstelling housing areas have begun construc tion of their new homes, while others have already completed their structures.

Updating on the progress of the new Eccles to Great Diamond Highway, Minister Croal said that “the lots are moving well, it is only this one lot that must be ad dressed”.

“Work has started on both ends of the highway, but the squatters are in the middle of the lots, which is impeding completion of the new four-lane highway alignment.”

Croal reminded that the housing sector was not pri oritised under the APNU/ AFC’s tenure, in fact, the sector was reduced to a de partment with little funding and no real plans for hous ing development.

“History will show that [with] all PNC Administration, little has

been done in the housing sector. In fact, little was done during their [last] fiveyear tenure that they have had [2015-2020] …making people’s lives better, put ting people in a better envi ronment and a much more comfortable environment has never been a priority of theirs,” the Minister added.

Pointing out the contin uous reckless behaviour of

the Opposition in stymieing the development of commu nities, Croal said the PPP/C Administration will contin ue to work with every com munity to improve the living standard of citizens.

“We are building a One Guyana – so it means that it does not matter your politi cal persuasion, it does not matter your race, your creed; we will come in your com

munity and work with ev eryone, and similarly when you look at what we are do ing at housing, it is for ev erybody and this is what you will get from every PPP/C Government…” the Housing Minister said.

The PPP/C Government is committed to fulfilling its manifesto promise of deliv ering 50,000 house lots with in five years.

3 University of Virginia footballers killed on campus

D’Sean Perry

Lavel Davis Jr

Three members of the University of Virginia football team have been shot and killed on cam3Two others were in jured in the shooting, which occurred on a bus filled with students returning from a field trip on Sunday evening.

They were attacked as the bus pulled into a park ing garage on the university campus, police say.

A suspect is in custody charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of using a handgun.

No possible motive for

the attack was reported as police continued their inves tigation.

A shelter-in-place or der for the campus has been lifted but classes were can celled on Monday.

The shooting reported ly took place at around 22:30 (03:30 GMT) at a garage on Culbreth Road, on the univer sity’s Charlottesville campus.

Those killed were iden tified as Devin Chandler, a second-year student from Virginia Beach, D’Sean Perry, a fourth-year stu dent from Miami, Florida, and Lavel Davis, a thirdyear student from Rich Hill,

South Carolina.

Police say the bodies of the victims were found in side a charter bus after they returned from a field trip.

The university named the suspect as one of its stu dents, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr, aged 22.

“I am devastated that this violence has visited the University of Virginia,” said Jim Ryan, the university’s president.

The university is consid ered among one of the most prestigious in the country and ranked number three in public universities in the US. (BBC)

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

US, China Presidents' meeting: US leader promises ‘no new Cold War’ with China

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US. counterpart, Joe Biden, had a candid and in-depth exchange of views here on Monday on issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional is sues.

Xi pointed out the cur rent state of China-US re lations is not in the funda mental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is not what the internation al community expects.

China and the United States need to have a sense of responsibility for histo ry, for the world and for the people, explore the right way to get along with each other in the new era, put the relationship on the right course, and bring it back to the track of healthy and sta ble growth to the benefit of the two countries and the world as a whole, Xi said.

Xi expounded on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its key outcomes, pointing out that the domes tic and foreign policies of the CPC and the Chinese gov

open development and winwin development, partic ipate in and contribute to global development, and pursue common develop ment with countries across the world.

Pointing out that the world is at a major inflection point in history, Xi said that countries need to both tack le unprecedented challeng es and seize unprecedented opportunities, adding that this is the larger context in which the two sides should view and handle China-U.S. relations.

China-U.S. relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other, Xi said. The successes of China and the United States are opportunities, not challeng es, for each other. The world is big enough for the two countries to develop them selves and prosper together, he added.

The two sides should form a correct perception of each other’s domestic and foreign policies and strate gic intentions, Xi said, add ing that China-U.S. interac

at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and China’s inter

many years and maintained regular communication, but nothing could substitute for the kind of face-to-face meeting today.

He congratulated President Xi on his election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, saying that as two major countries, the United States and China have a responsi bility to keep a constructive relationship.

The U.S. side is commit ted to keeping the channels of communication open be tween the two presidents and at all levels of govern ment, so as to allow can

did conversations on issues where the two sides dis agree, and to strengthen necessary cooperation and play a key role in address ing climate change, food se curity and other important global challenges, which is vitally important to the two countries and peoples, and also very important to the whole world, he said.

Biden reaffirmed that a stable and prosperous China is good for the United States and the world, saying that the United States respects China’s system, and does not seek to change it.

The United States does

not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to revitalize al liances against China, does not support “Taiwan inde pendence,” does not support “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” and has no in tention to have a conflict with China, he said, adding that the U.S. side has no in tention to seek “de-coupling” from China, to halt China’s economic development, or to contain China.

Noting that how the U.S.China relationship develops is of crucial importance to the future of the world, he said the United States and China have a shared respon sibility to show the world that they can manage their differences, and avoid and prevent misunderstandings and misperceptions or fierce competition from veering into confrontation or con flict.

The US side shares the view that it is necessary to work out the principles guid ing U.S.-China relations, Biden said, adding that the two teams may continue dis cussions on the basis of the common understandings al ready in place, and strive for early agreement.

The US government is committed to the one-Chi na policy. It does not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China, and hopes to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he added. (Xinhua News)

ernment are open and trans parent, with clearly stated and transparent strategic intentions and great conti nuity and stability.

China is advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modern ization, basing our efforts on the goal of meeting people’s aspirations for a better life, unswervingly pursuing re form and opening-up, and promoting the building of an open global economy, Xi said.

China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, al ways decides its position and attitude based on the merits of issues, and advocates re solving disputes peacefully through dialogue and con sultation, Xi said.

China is committed to deepening and expanding global partnerships, safe guarding the internation al system with the United Nations at its core and the international order under pinned by international law, and building a communi ty with a shared future for mankind, he said, adding that China will stay commit ted to peaceful development,

tions should be defined by dialogue and win-win coop eration, not confrontation and zero-sum competition.

Xi said that he takes very seriously Biden’s “five-noes” statement. China does not seek to change the existing international order or inter fere in the internal affairs of the United States, and has no intention to challenge or displace the United States. The two sides should respect each other, coexist in peace, pursue win-win cooperation, and work together to ensure that China-U.S. relations move forward on the right course without losing direc tion or speed, still less hav ing a collision.

Observing the basic norms of international rela tions and the three ChinaU.S. joint communiques is vitally important for the two sides to manage differences and disagreements and pre vent confrontation and con flict, Xi said, noting that it is indeed the most important guardrail and safety net for China-U.S. relations.

Xi also gave a full account of the origin of the Taiwan question and China’s prin cipled position. He stressed that the Taiwan question is

nal affair, Xi said, adding that it is the common aspi ration of the Chinese people and nation to realize nation al reunification and safe guard territorial integrity.

Anyone that seeks to split Taiwan from China will be violating the fundamen tal interests of the Chinese nation, Xi said, adding that the Chinese people will ab solutely not let that happen.

China hopes to see, and are all along commit ted to, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but cross-Strait peace and stability and “Taiwan inde pendence” are as irrecon cilable as water and fire, Xi said, expressing hope that the U.S. side will match its words with action and abide by the one-China pol icy and the three joint com muniques. President Biden has said on many occasions that the United States does not support “Taiwan inde pendence” and has no inten tion to use Taiwan as a tool to seek advantages in com petition with China or to contain China. China hopes that the U.S. side will act on this assurance to real effect, he added.

Biden noted that he has known President Xi for

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with US President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022 (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with US President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Regional

Haiti’s PM sacks top officials as political tensions rise

Haiti’s acting Prime Minister, Ariel Henry has sacked the country’s Justice and Interior Ministers, along with its Government Commissioner, in a new round of political upheaval that comes under the shad ow of international sanc tions.

Former Justice Minister Berto Dorce first dismissed Government Commissioner Jacques Lafontant on Henry’s orders before being removed himself days later along with Interior Minister Liszt Quitel, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press news agen cy on Monday.

Henry did not say why the officials were removed, and his spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

Henry has become Haiti’s Interior Minister while still serving as Prime Minister – he took up the latter post in July 2021, less than two weeks after the killing of President Jovenel Moïse. Emmelie Prophete

Milce was named Justice Minister, the fifth one in the past two years.

The Caribbean nation has seen soaring violence and instability as increas ingly powerful criminal gangs have been battling for control in the political vacu um created by Moïse’s assas sination in Port-au-Prince on July 7 last year.

A weeks-long gang block ade on a key petrol termi nal in the capital that began in September led to water and electricity shortages, fuelled rising rates of hun ger, as well as hampered lo cal healthcare workers’ re

sponse to a deadly outbreak of cholera.

Haitian authorities re gained control of the Varreux terminal earlier this month, and on Saturday, cheers echoed through the streets of Port-au-Prince as gas sta tions opened for the first time in two months.

“There’s gas now! There’s gas now!” people yelled as they honked their horns, and motorcycles zoomed past. “I would call this the day that life begins again,” said Davidson Jean-Pierre, 35, who owns a small house-painting business. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jail for Brazilian lawmaker who had pastor husband killed

Agospel singer turned politician has been sentenced for order ing her children to kill her pastor husband in 2019 in a case which has shocked Brazil.

A court sentenced ex-Con gresswoman Flordelis dos Santos de Souza to 50 years in jail for the murder of her husband, Pastor Anderson do Carmo.

She planned the shooting after attempts to poison him had failed, Prosecutors said.

Her lawyer said she would appeal against the conviction.

The court said that the length of the sentence reflect ed the "hatred, cold-blood edness and disrespect for human life" de Souza had demonstrated by having her husband shot dead at the

home the two shared with the dozens of street children they had adopted.

Two of de Souza's sons are already serving time for the pastor's murder and a daughter was also found guilty on Sunday.

De Souza was 32 when she met the teenage do Carmo in 1993.

She had just separated from her previous husband and was looking after her three biological children as well as five street children she had taken in.

According to one of her adoptive sons who gave testimony at the trial, do Carmo, who was still under age, moved in with the fam ily as another adoptive son.

However, his adoption was never made official and in 1998, the 21-year-old do

Diabetics told to take NCD seriously

People in Barbados who have been diag nosed with diabetes have been advised to take it seriously and pay more at tention to their health.

Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados President Trudy Griffith said some people downplayed their diagnosis.

“It is a matter that we have to appreciate that

sometimes our bodies do things that we are not in control of, and we need to understand what it is that has gone wrong and what we can do to set things on the right path,” she said.

Griffith was speaking on Sunday after a service at James Street Methodist Church, The City, ahead of Monday’s World Diabetes Day. (Nation News)

Carmo married de Souza.

The couple continued taking in street children and in total looked after 55 chil dren over the years.

Do Carmo became a char ismatic church leader and de Souza's career as a gospel singer prospered after her first album was launched in 2010.

Together, they found ed an evangelical church named Flordelis Evangelical Ministry which drew thousands of faithful to its services.

In 2018, de Souza ran for Congress and won a seat in the lower house, further en hancing her celebrity status. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protesters set fires in Portmore as transport operators strike action intensifies

Unruly protesters em ployed the tactic of burning tyres to block key roads in Portmore on Monday, releasing dense palls of smoke and creating a major traffic jam as the bus and taxi operator strike crippled the island.

Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, head of the St Catherine South Police, said that at least two fires were lit on differ ent sections of George Lee Boulevard on Monday after noon as irate demonstrators seemed intent on causing as much chaos and discomfort to the commuting public.

He said that seven ar rests were made across the division for a number of of fences since the start of the strike action.

Egeton Newman, President of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), said that a release from the Cabinet may have "added fuel to the fire" and

stoked the chaos and may hem unfolded in the na tion's streets on Monday evening.

"The release from the Cabinet put more fuel to the fire and what we're seeing now is indicative of the anger of the operators. It is unfor tunate, because the release from Cabinet doesn't speak to the challenges of the sec

tor. We made a request for amnesty, not granted, in stead all the release speaks to is lawlessness in the transport sector, but what of the general lawlessness in Jamaica? The problem is everywhere, but the release speaks to arresting us, in stead of arresting the prob lem, " he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Cuba and US to hold 2nd round of migration talks in Havana

Cuba and the United States will hold another round of migration talks today in the capital Havana, Cuba´s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, as the two coun tries grapple with a grow ing crisis.

Migration talks be tween the two long-time rivals resumed in April, the first such conver sations in four years. The United States sub sequently announced it would resume "full immi grant visa processing" in Havana on January 4.

Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio told Reuters in an interview that Cuba had also begun restaff

Ministers in talks with US over warning not to travel to Trinidad and Tobago

Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne and National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds met with the US Embassy's Chargé d’affaires Shanté Moore to discuss a recently-re leased US travel warning, a Ministry media release said.

On Monday, at the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry, Browne and Hinds raised the Government's concern over the US Department of State travel

advisory for T&T, issued on November 8.

The advisory told US cit izens to reconsider travel to T&T because of “crime, ter rorism and kidnapping”.

The two sides agreed to continue the ongoing collab oration between T&T and the US to address the issues highlighted by the advisory.

Moore said he would con vey the views expressed at the meeting to the US State Department. (Trinidad Newsday)

ing its own embassy in Washington, DC, to match the United States´ decision. (Reuters)

St Lucia shipping bananas to T&T following UK trade suspension

St Lucia Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere on Monday said the island was now exporting bananas to Trinidad and Tobago af ter trade with the United Kingdom was suspended earlier this month.

Prospere, speaking to reporters ahead of the weekly Cabinet meet ing, dismissed suggestions that the Phillip Pierre Administration had been responsible for killing of the industry.

“But they never said the important part of my state ment, which was as soon as this decision was tak en, the very same quanti ty of bananas was diverted to Trinidad and Tobago,” Prospere said, adding that

the UK trade suspension did not negatively impact local farmers.

“We are still export ing those 1000 boxes to Trinidad,” Prospere said, adding that the local au thorities are working with a supplier in Trinidad & Tobago to ship 3000 ad ditional boxes of local ba nanas to the twin-Island Republic.

“The point I am mak ing is that we are not in a situation where the thou sand boxes that were go ing to the UK are at a halt because our farmers would be in a position where their fruits would be hanging. Their fruits are still be ing harvested and they are being exported.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has held his post since July 2021, did not say why the officials were removed [File: Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters]

A still image from a video showing burning debris in Portmore, St Catherine, Jamaica amid protests by bus and taxi operators on Monday.

Cuba's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)

OPEC cuts oil demand growth forecast again as economic challenges mount

OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for 2022 global oil demand growth for a fifth time since April and further trimmed next year's figure, citing mounting economic challenges including high inflation and rising interest rates.

Oil demand in 2022 will increase by 2.55 million barrels per day (bpd), or 2.6 per cent, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said in a monthly report, down 100,000 bpd from the previous forecast.

"The world economy has entered a period of significant uncertainty and rising challenges in the fourth quarter of 2022," OPEC said in the report.

"Downside risks include high inflation, monetary tightening by major central banks, high sovereign debt levels in many regions, tightening labour markets and persisting supply chain constraints."

This report is the last before OPEC and its allies, together known as OPEC+, meet on Dec 4. The group, which recently cut production targets, will remain cautious, the Energy Minister for Saudi Arabia, the OPEC+ de-facto leader, was quoted as saying last week.

Next year, OPEC expects oil demand to rise by 2.24 million bpd, also 100,000 bpd lower than previously forecast.

Despite commenting on the rising challenges, OPEC left its 2022 and 2023 global economic growth forecasts steady and said while risks were skewed to the downside, there was also upside potential.

"This may come from a variety of sources. Predominantly, inflation could be positively impacted by any resolution of the geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe, allowing for less hawkish monetary policies," OPEC said.

Oil maintained a decline after the report was released, trading around US$95 a barrel.

For October, with oil prices weakening on recession fears, the group made a 100,000 bpd cut to the OPEC+ production target, with an even bigger reduction starting in November.

Saudi Arabia said the latest cut was necessary to respond to rising interest rates in the West and a weaker global economy. US President Joe Biden criticised the decision, calling it shortsighted.

OPEC said in Monday's report that in the second and third quarters of this year, global oil supply outpaced total oil demand by 200,000 bpd and 1.1 million bpd respectively, having been in a deficit of 300,000 bpd in the first quarter.

OPEC said its output in October fell by 210,000 bpd to 29.49 million bpd, more than the pledged OPEC+ reduction, led by a 149,000 bpd cut by Saudi Arabia. The figures are compiled by OPEC using secondary sources.

Saudi Arabia itself, however, reported to OPEC a smaller drop of 84,000 bpd, bringing its October output to a shade below 11 million bpd. (Reuters)

Around the World

G20 summit opens in Bali with a plea for unity as Ukraine war tops agenda

Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) na tions opened talks on Tuesday on the island of Bali, with a plea by host Indonesia for unity and concrete action to mend the global economy despite deep rifts over the war in Ukraine.

"We have no other option, collaboration is needed to save the world," Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in opening remarks, before the leaders of the world's wealthiest nations began closed-door discussions.

"G20 must be the cata lyst for inclusive economic recovery. We should not di vide the world into parts. We must not allow the world to fall into another cold war."

The G20, which in cludes countries ranging from Brazil to India, Saudi

Arabia and Germany, ac counts for more than 80 per cent of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

A positive sign on the eve of the summit was a threehour bilateral meeting be tween U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in which the two leaders pledged more fre quent communications de spite many differences.

Monday's meeting was the first time the two had met in person since Biden became President and the talks appeared to signal an improvement in relations between the superpowers af ter a downward spiral in re cent months.

The Ukraine war and a global spike in inflation is overshadowing the summit, the first time the meeting is being held since Russia's

February invasion of its neighbour.

The invasion triggered calls by some Western lead ers for a boycott of the sum mit and for the withdraw al of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation.

Indonesia resisted, refus ing to withdraw Putin's in vitation, and also rejecting what Indonesian sources say has been pressure from G7 nations to condemn Russia at the summit this week.

Russia has said Putin was too busy to attend the summit with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov tak ing his place. Lavrov dis missed a news agency report on Monday that he had been taken to hospital in Bali with a heart condition and was present at the meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ad

dressed the summit via vid eo link, according to a tweet by the European Union's Ambassador in Indonesia.

A joint G20 commu nique, which would need to be agreed by all par ties, appears unlikely, with Indonesia instead pushing for a leaders' declaration, diplomatic sources say.

However, European Council President Charles Michel said there was an agreement among officials on a text communique on Monday evening, which he described as "positive".G20 leaders will denounce the use of, or any threat to use, nuclear weapons, accord ing to an early draft seen by Reuters.

However, such a commu nique would need to be con firmed by the leaders.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UN agency for Palestinians needs US$50-80M to ‘keep running’

The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said on Monday that the agency’s “assets have be come obsolete”, and that it needs US$50-80 million to keep services running un til the end of the year.

Speaking from Amman, UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) CommissionerGeneral Philippe Lazzarini said the agency has expe rienced “years of austeri ty” and needs a capital in vestment of US$200 million in the next three years to help restore depleted assets.

UNRWA was estab lished to provide educa tion, healthcare, food and other services to more than 700,000 Palestinians who were forcibly expelled from their homeland by Zionist militias in 1948 – the year the state of Israel was es

Afghanistan: Taliban leader orders Sharia law punishments

Taliban lead er Haibatullah Akhundzada has ordered Afghan judges to impose punish ments for certain crimes that may include public amputations and stoning.

His spokesman said of fences such as robbery, kid napping and sedition must be punished in line with the group's interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

When in power in the 1990s, the Taliban were condemned for such pun ishments, which included public executions.

They promised to rule more moderately when they retook power last

year.

But since then the mil itant Islamist group has steadily cracked down on freedoms. Women's rights in particular have been se verely restricted.

The Taliban's supreme leader said judges must punish criminals accord ing to Sharia, if the crime committed is a violation of those laws.

The Taliban's spokes man Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted late on Sunday that the "obligatory" com mand came after Mullah Akhundzada met a group of judges.

"Carefully examine the files of thieves, kidnappers

and seditionists," Mujahid quoted Akhundzada as saying.

The exact crimes and punishments have not been defined by the Taliban, but one religious leader in Afghanistan told the BBC that under Sharia law, penalties could include amputations, public lash ings and stoning.

The order is the latest evidence the Taliban are taking a tougher line on rights and freedoms.

Last week they banned women from visiting all parks in Kabul, exclud ing them still further from public life. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tablished.

The UN’s oldest agency works across the occupied West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, providing vital services like school

ing and medical help to Palestinian refugees.

There are now 5.7 mil lion Palestinian refugees, including their children and grandchildren, but

Lazzarini said UNRWA only helps the 550,000 in school and 2.8 million who have health benefits.

Because of the high pov erty rates, the services that the agency provides are crit ical for the people who bene fit from them, Lazzarini said at a news conference in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

“Our assessment over the last few months is that in places like Lebanon, like Syria, like Gaza, we have poverty rates up to 80 per cent, to 90 percent, which means that the entire com munity relies on the life line UNRWA can provide to them,” he added. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN calls for Russia to be responsible for reparations in Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly has called for Russia to be held accountable for its inva sion of Ukraine, approving a resolution recognising that Russia is responsible for rep arations in the country.

The resolution, support ed by 94 of the assembly’s 193 members, recognises that Russia must be held ac countable for violations of in ternational law in or against Ukraine and “must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making repa ration for the injury, includ ing any damage, caused by such acts”.

General Assembly reso lutions are non-binding, but they carry political weight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy trium phantly walked the streets of the newly liberated city of Kherson, hailing Russia’s

withdrawal as the “beginning of the end of the war,” but also acknowledging the heavy price Ukrainian troops are paying in their grinding effort to push back the Russians.

In Kherson, Zelenskyy awarded medals to soldiers and posed with them for sel fies while striking a defiant note.

“This is the beginning of the end of the war,” he said. “We are step by step coming to all the temporarily occu

pied territories.”

But he also grimly not ed that the fighting “took the best heroes of our country”.

Zelenskyy’s trip to Kherson was another in a se ries of unexpected visits to front-line areas at crucial mo ments of the war. This one was laden with both symbol ism and the common touch –clearly aimed at boosting the morale of soldiers and civil ians alike. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A man walks with his bicycle on the street of Siversk, a town in eastern Ukraine hit by Russian forces couple of days ago amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine [Bulent Kilic/AFP]

Palestinian children play at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City [File: Khalil Hamra/AP]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

You can have fun without going over board. Call on people who share your beliefs and concerns, and you’ll find a quick fix for something troubling you. Dedication will pay off.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Refuse to let your emotions get in your way. Uncertainty will leave you questioning what to do next, but if you dissect a situation, a simple solution will arise.

Your home is your castle, so fix it up to suit your needs. Comfort will boost your productivity, leaving you room for other opportunities. A proposal you make will be well-received.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22)

Let your mind wander, and you’ll dis cover something valuable. Having faith in yourself will pay off and make others realize your worth. Wheel and deal, and you’ll come out on top.

Slow down, observe and adjust any thing that may get in your way or cost you financially. It’s OK to think big, but when it comes to putting your ideas to the test, look for bargains.

Visit a place you’ve never been before or sign up for something that offers in formation that can help you bring about a change you want to pursue. Do what comes naturally.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Get instructions before starting something new. Ask questions, make suggestions and be precise about what you are willing to handle yourself. Try to finish everything you start.

Set high standards and prioritize self-improvement. Be creative and look for unique changes you can implement to add comfort to your home without go ing over budget.

Find your passion and see where it leads. Give your all, and you’ll get the re turns you desire. Stick to the truth and to those who offer honesty and loyalty. Change only what’s necessary.

Don’t share personal information. Ask questions and listen attentively, and you’ll be able to deal with whatev er situation you face. A change will turn out better than anticipated.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Shake off bad vibes someone sends your way and do your own thing. Be in novative when it comes to reaching your goals. A positive attitude will carry you to the winner’s circle.

You’ll be ahead of your time and rar ing to go, so do what you do best. Promote and present your plans, and you’ll per suade others to join in and help you hit your target.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

MONDAY'S WORD -- OBSEQUIOUSLY

ESPNcricinfo's T20 World Cup XI: Suryakumar, Nortje, Raza, Phillips and Little make big impacts

As the dust settles on an exciting Men's T20 World Cup, here is ESPNcricinfo's Team of the Tournament, based on Smart Stats.

Jos Buttler (capt & wk)

Inns: 6, Runs: 225, SR: 144.23, Bat im pact rating: 42.56

Opened the batting, kept wicket, led his team and in general did much of the heavy lifting in England's successful campaign. He started the tournament slowly, with 18 and 0 in his first two innings, but found his groove with a 47-ball 73 against New Zealand, and didn't look back thereaf ter. Along with Alex Hales, he destroyed India in the semi-final, and though his contribution in the final wasn't huge, he set the ball rolling for a tricky run-chase with a crisp 17-ball 26.

Alex Hales

Inns: 6, Runs: 212, SR: 147.22, Bat im pact rating: 42.67

Back in favour with the England management af ter a significant absence, Hales justified the show of faith with key contribu tions at the top of the or der in must-win games. His best was the unbeaten 47-ball 86 which shut out India and got 107.5 impact points, the eighth-highest among all batting efforts in the tournament. He also scored a vital half-century against New Zealand and 47 against Sri Lanka. Hales and Buttler were without doubt the outstanding bat ting pair of the tournament, scoring 368 runs at a rate of 9.2 per over; no other pair managed even 230 runs.

Virat Kohli

Inns: 6, Runs: 296, SR: 136.40, Bat im pact rating: 47.50

Virat Kohli turned into a run-machine, again, in this tournament. Back in his fa vourite Australia, he found the perfect tempo for most of his innings, while condi tions suited his style of play as well. His stunning un beaten 82 against Pakistan got India's campaign off on an unbelievable high and was ranked sixth in terms of impact points for a bat ting performance. No batter scored as many runs (296) or fifties (four) as he did in

the tournament, and the fact that he was dismissed just thrice meant he fin ished with a Bradmanesque average (98.66) as well.

Suryakumar Yadav

Inns: 6, Runs: 239, SR: 189.68, Bat im pact rating: 61.69

Among all the bat ters who scored at least 10 runs in the tournament (there were 144 of them), Suryakumar's strike rate of 189.68 was the highest. In fact, only three others even touched 170 –they were Finn Allen (95 runs); Rashid Khan (57) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (22). The fact that Suryakumar finished with the third-highest aggregate, while also scoring at that phenomenal strike rate, il lustrates the stratospheric heights at which he operat ed throughout the tourna ment. His average batting impact of 61.69 was the highest among all batters in the tournament.

Glenn Phillips

Inns: 5, Runs: 201, SR: 158.26, Bat im pact rating: 59.75

Glenn Phillips had the most impactful match per formance of this World Cup:

impact rating: 71.29

Sikandar Raza was the only player to achieve the double of 200 runs and 10 wickets in the tournament (though admittedly he also benefited from playing ex tra matches in the quali fying first round). In those three first-round matches, Raza was outstanding with

He was at the heart of Pakistan's revival. After losing two of their first three games, in a must-win match against South Africa, Pakistan had slumped to 95 for 5 when Shadab rescued them with a dynamic 22-ball 52. He then chipped in with two wickets as well – in cluding the key one of Aiden

rating: 46.58

Almost half the total de liveries Sam Curran bowled in this campaign were at the death (64 out of his 136 balls were bowled between overs 17 and 20). England trusted him with a difficult job, and he more than jus tified their faith in him, re turning exceptional figures of 9 for 70 in those 64 balls: an average of 7.77, and an economy rate of 6.56. His 5 for 10 against Afghanistan was the best bowling fig ures of the tournament in terms of raw numbers, but in terms of impact that was easily bettered by what he did in the final: 3 for 12 from four, including only seven from overs 17 and 19. In terms of bowling impact it fetched 100.1 points, the third-highest for any bowl ing performance in the tour nament.

Mark Wood

Mat: 4, Wkts: 9, ER: 7.71, Bowl im pact rating: 45.26

invariably put the skids on the scoring rate. His econ omy rate was slightly high, but given his striking abil ities, that was a worthy trade-off.

Josh Little Mat: 7, Wkts: 11, ER: 7.00, Bowl im pact rating: 46.14

Josh Little had a re markable tournament. Not only did he take a hat-trick against New Zealand – one of only two in the tourna ment – he also held his own against the big boys in the Super 12s. In the qualifying first round, his four wick ets came at an average of 21.25 and an economy rate of 7.08; in the Super 12s, he improved them both, tak ing seven wickets at an av erage of 14.85 and an econ omy rate of 6.93. Figures of 2 for 16 in that famous win against England when he dismissed both openers, 2 for 21 against Australia, and 3 for 22 against New Zealand were ample proof of just how effective he can be against the top teams.

Anrich Nortje Mat: 5, Wkts: 11, ER: 5.37, Bowl im pact rating: 51.84

his 64-ball 104 against Sri Lanka fetched 182.6 impact points, primarily because of the context in which he scored those runs. Phillips came in at 7 for 2 which soon became 15 for 3 after four overs; while he was at the crease, the other batters made 42 from 43 balls; the next-highest score in the in

both bat and ball, scoring 136 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 172, and taking five wickets at an economy rate of 5.54. In the Super 12s, the runs dried up a bit – 83 in five innings – but he starred with the ball in Zimbabwe's bright est moment of the tourna ment, taking 3 for 25 as

Markram - and Pakistan were up and running in the tournament. Shadab the bowler was consistency per sonified: not once did he go for more than 33, while four out of seven times he went at under a run a ball. His 11 wickets in the middle overs was the highest aggregate by any bowler in that phase

Wood played only four matches before being side lined, but with his hos tile pace he made an im pact in every game, taking three-wicket hauls in two of the four games. He finished with nine wickets at a strike rate of 9.3 balls per wicket, the best among all bowlers who sent down at least 10 overs in the tournament. Eight of those wickets were of batters in the top six, which meant those wickets

South Africa's tourna ment turned into one to forget, but one player who stood out for them was Anrich Nortje. His stats do justice to the way he bowled: 11 wickets at 8.54, an econo my rate of 5.37 and a strike rate of 9.5 balls per wicket. Among the 50 bowlers who bowled more than 12 overs in the tournament, his econ omy rate was the best while his strike rate was only mar ginally bettered by Mark Wood (9.3). In a tourna ment where Kagiso Rabada flopped badly, Nortje gave his captain both control and incisiveness. Not surpris ingly, Nortje's bowling im pact rating of 51.84 was way better than anyone else's (with a four-match cut-off); the next-best was Curran at 46.58.

Hardik Pandya (12th man) Mat: 6, Runs: 128, Wkts: 8, Player im pact rating: 44.32

Hardik Pandya's bowl ing was an asset through out the tournament (except in India's last game against England), while his batting shone in India's first and last games. (ESPNcricinfo)

Jos Buttler and Alex Hales - England’s dynamic duo opens for ESPNcricinfo’s Team of the Tournament too

Sikandar Raza - a notch above many others in this T20 World Cup

Albion hold nerve to defeat Young Warriors in exciting final

Albion hold nerve to defeat Young Warriors in exciting final – Foo named Man of the Final

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday hosted its fourth tournament final in less than a month as it con tinues to push ahead with a packed schedule for 2022.

Albion Cricket Club held their nerve under the lead ership of Jonathan Foo to defeat a stubborn Young Warriors Cricket Club by nine runs to lift the title of the third edition of the BCB/ Ivan Madray Memorial 20/20 tournament. It was Albion’s first First-Division title in several years and their first-ever Ivan Madray title.

Playing at the histor ic Port Mourant Ground in overcast conditions, Albion won the toss and elected to bat first. They had an open ing stand of 34 before Adrian Sukwa fell for 16 at 5.1 overs to left-arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus. Former West Indies opener Sewnarine Chattergoon was joined by Sharaz Ramcharran and to

The winning Albion team pose with the Chintamani family were the best bowlers for Young Warriors with two wickets for 20 and 29 respec tively.

gether they added 11 before the former was caught be hind for 18 as Stanislaus con tinued to bowl well. Albion went on to reach 128 for four off the allotted 20 overs, with Foo top-scoring with an im pressive 48 from 35 balls, in clusive of one boundary and three sixes. Kelvin Umroa supported with an unbeaten 20 and Ramcharran with 14. Stanislaus and Alex Algoo

Needing to score 129 from 120 balls, Young Warriors were immediately set back when national fast bowler Demetri Cameron dismissed Wahied Edwards for 2 and it was 8 for 1 in the second over. Former junior play er Algoo then threw away his wicket for 13 to leave his team on 20 for 2 in the fourth over as Cameron struck again. Veterans Sudesh Dhanai and skipper Seon Hetmyer then batted confi dently to add 27 runs in four

overs before a match-chang ing mix-up resulted in the latter getting run out by the length of the pitch, for 10. Young Warriors were able to reach 76 for 3 before a mid dle-order collapse saw them slide to 91 for 7. They were eventually dismissed in the 20th over for 119 when Ishwar Singh was run out for an attacking 18. Linden Austin (18) and Dhanai (26) also batted well in the los ing cause. The best bowlers for Albion were Ramcharran with 3 for 24 from four overs, Cameron 2 for 23 from 3.3 overs and offspinner Leon Cecil 2 for 10 from two overs.

BCB President Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to Chandradat Chintamani for his sponsorship of the tournament in memory of his late uncle, Ivan Madray , who was the third Berbician to play Test cricket after John Trim and the legend ary Rohan Kanhai. Foster informed the gathering that Madray played two Test matches for the West Indies before migrating to England, where he lived until his death in 2009. The BCB President announced a wide range of developmental pro grammes and tournaments. Among them was a knock

out 20/20 First-Division contest with a first prize of $500,000. Other projects in clude primary and secondary school cricket tournaments along with coaching in all schools. Twenty-four junior teams will also receive prac tice nets from the BCB in an effort to improve the way they train in the afternoons. Foster also hailed Public Relations Officer Jonathan Rampersaud for introducing live stream scoring of all BCB finals, so that fans can follow the scores around the world. He also stated that the Board was working to have a majority of its finals broadcast live on YouTube in 2023.

Chintamani, in his re marks, hailed the BCB for its excellent organising skills and spoke on the im portance of education to the two teams. He announced to loud applause that he would be renewing the spon sorship in 2023 .Albion re ceived the Madray Trophy and $100,000 while Young Warriors carried home $50,000 and the runners-up trophy. Foo was named Man of the Final, and also re ceived a trophy and cash prize.

Emery Welshman wins Canadian Premier League with Forge FC, wants to open doors for GT players

can play here ( Canada), but the league is still relatively young . And with only eight teams, the spots for foreign players will be limited.

"Opening up opportu nities for young Guyanese players in the future is one of my goals,” Welshman

Infront of a sizable crowd, Fitzburg United FC and Port Kaituma Secondary School FC recorded victo ries in the ongoing Matarkai NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Inter-Club Football League on Saturday at Fitzburg Ground, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Fitzburg United FC notched their second win in the tournament by defeating Sebai FC 3-0 to lead the ta ble with six points from two games while Port Kaituma Secondary School FC man aged to chalk up their first win over Oronoque FC 1-0.

Fitzburg United FC play er Seon Gordon, the birthday boy, who replaced Glenroy Hercules Jr as a substitute player in the 19th minute, got into action immediately, as he opened his team’s account with a powerful shot to goal from just outside the 18-yard box in the 20th minute of play to lead 1-0 against Sebai FC.

When play resumed for the second half, Fitzburg United FC Captain and play maker Gavin Alberts headed home a stunner from a cor ner kick in the 78th minute. Sebai FC, who put up a fierce battle against one of the tour nament’s favourites, then succumbed to an own goal in the 80th minute to hand Fitzburg United FC a com prehensive win.

Meanwhile, Port Kaituma Secondary School FC creat ed several opportunities to score, but were denied two

penalties (in the 37th and 60th minutes) by Oronoque FC superhero goalkeeper and captain, Zameron La Cruz. However, the busy midfielder Orin Henry managed to get one past the goalkeeper in the 82nd minute to seal his club’s first win in two games, to re cord three points.

The Matarkai NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 Inter-Club Football League will continue on November 26 at Fitzburg with another double-head er. Fitzburg United FC will take on Matthew’s Ridge FC at 13:00h while Sebai FC and Oronoque FC will match skills at 15:00h.

Barima-Waini Football Association (FA) Third Vice Chairman Kimtse Castello extended profound grati tude to the following enti ties and persons who contin ue to pour in their support: Kevin Ritchie Fuel Service, Turn Basin, Port Kaituma; the Jattan family, who con tributed match balls; Gailann Kellman of Gailann’s Variety Store; International Imports and Supplies; NDC Chairman Orlando Thorne; Unita Doliveira of Lady Sunshine General Store; Glenroy Hercules of Harry’s Barber Shop; Headteacher Karen Benjamin; John Abrams, the referee in charge and his colleagues; teams, spectators and all others who continue to contribute. He also encouraged others who would like to come on board, to do so and help make the tournament a success.

Canada-born

Guyanese striker Emery Welshman believes that the new generation of Guyanese players have the abili ty to play in the Canadian Premier League (CPL).

Welshman, a key player for his club Forge FC that won the CPL 2022 League ti tle, positioned that the ma jor hindrance to Guyanese players getting contracts in the CPL was lack of oppor tunity rather than talent.

"There are a good bunch of youngsters in Guyana who

Welshman made his de but for Guyana in 2005 against Barbados, scoring in a 2-2 draw. As a pio neer player in the CPL, he has now won three League Championships with Forge in four seasons.

Pointing to this victori ous season, the 32-year-old Welshman stated: ""It was a very emotional moment. The year was difficult for me for different reasons. I suffered a few injuries that kept me off the field and far from full fitness. I was also used in different roles, so to end this tough season with a championship makes me very proud."

Golden Jaguars Coach Jamaal Shabazz, who gave Welshman his first national cap in 2005, thinks the hardwork ing striker is an am bassador for Guyana.

"Emery is now a mentor for younger play ers like Omari Glasgow, Curtez Kelman, Darron Niles, and Marcus Wilson in the national team.

Having played with clubs in the USA, Canada, Israel and also two Gold Cups for Guyana, he is one of the more experienced players and a team leader.

"We monitor him close ly and his achievements in Canada are really ambas sadorial for Guyana,” added Shabazz.

Welshman, who feels a special affinity towards Forge FC, says he will keep his options open regarding the next steps for his career.

"Forge is special; how ever, I got to think about what is the best move for my family and our future,” explained Welshman.

To young and upcom ing Guyanese players, Welshman had these words

"Stay off the streets and focus on your school work and

CLASSIFIED ADS

SERVICE

Pandit Balaji: He is an expert in clearing problems like: Marriage, love, relationship, business, jobs, court case, health, bring back

Contact +592 698-8091.

Pandit

4062.

loved ones, remove black magic. 100% guaranteed results and He has permanent suggestions and solutions for lifetime within 3-5 days.

Hari Krishna: Are you suf fering from love problems, rela tionship, Family, Children, wife and husband, business, jobs, lucky number, remove negative energy, bad luck, visa, health? Pandit Hari Krishna gives you permanent suggestion and solu tion within 5 days. Contact +592 678

Orin Henry, Port Kaituma Secondary School FC goalscorer

Seon Gordon, one of Fitzburg United FC goalscorers

Canada-born Guyanese striker Emery Welshman

Enterprise, St Pius to battle in final showdown

One thing is certain: there will be a new Courts’ Pee-Wee Under-11 champion team crowned this weekend. Whether it will be St Pius Primary, who are no strang ers to the Pee-Wee accolade or Enterprise Primary, who have been dark horses this year, only time will tell.

The two schools stormed into the final, follow ing clinical victories on Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, defeat ing Marian Academy and North Georgetown Primary respectively.

In the first semi-fi nal, where St Pius met Marian Academy, Aaron Vasconcellos proved him self as one of the best upand-coming football talents, holding his team together on all fronts.

Handling the semi-final pressure well, Vasconcellos netted in the 20th, 36th and 39th minutes, for a hat-trick that kept Marian Academy reeling under pressure. However, Vasconcellos was not the first or only player to find the back of the net as his teammate, Octain Moore, struck first in the 15th minute and later in

the 30th, for a double that brought St Pius’ tally to five.

Their opponents had no answer for St Pius’ dom inance and coupled with their near-misses, suc cumbed 5-0, missing out on the final.

The second semi wit nessed a tense contest be tween North Georgetown and Enterprise Primary.

North Georgetown were up first on the scoresheet, thanks to a 13th minute goal from Nathaniel Peters. With the scores still at 1-0 upon the start of the second half, Enterprise Coach Troy

GKR Ariel, Regal Masters, Regal Legends and 4R Lioness victorious in PMT20 Cup

Thecurtains came down on the finals of the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup at the National Stadium on Sunday as the Guyana Knight Riders Ariel, Regal Masters, Regal Legends, and 4R Lioness tri umphed in their respective categories.

Open category

GKR Ariel beat Name Brand by eight wickets in the open final. Name Brand batted first and made 143-5. Sasenarine Sukhu made 56 and Ramnarine Judisteer scored 53. Andy Narine took 2-41. GKR Ariel respond ed with 144-2 in 13.3 overs.

Brian Mangar slammed 94 and Shaz Grovensor made 33.

Masters O-40

Regal Masters beat Ariel Masters by nine wick ets in the over-40 division. Ariel Masters batted first and managed 118 all out in 19.2 overs. Samuel Kingston scored 53, Oslyn Batson 17 and Shawn Hubbard 12.

Roy Persaud grabbed 4-24 and Chien Gittens 2-5.

Regal Masters scored 1191 in 13.1 overs in reply. Gittens struck 43 not out, Khemchandra Dindial made an unbeaten 34 and Patrick Rooplall 31.

Legends (O-50)

Regal Legends beat New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) by two wickets in the over-50 fi nal. NYSCL batted first and managed 146-7 in 20 overs. Nandlall Doodnauth made 32 while Ken Sanichar made 22, and Tony Fernandes and Ravi Sahadeo 19 apiece.

Wayne Jones took 3-35.

Regal Legends replied with 147-8 in 19.2 overs. Ramesh Narine scored 47, Rudolph Baker made 33 not out, Jones 18 and Mahendra Hardyal 13 not out. Ronald Evelyn claimed 3-40 and Doodnauth 2-21.

Ladies

In the female final, 4R Lioness beat Trophy Stall Angels by nine wickets. Trophy Stall batted first and made 100-2 in 12 overs. Alicia Allen made 46 not out while June Ogle scored 30 and T Smartt 14. 4R Lioness re sponded with 103-1 in 9.4

and the runners-up a tro phy and $50,000. Tamika Wilson was the Player of the Match and June Ogle the MVP in the female division. The winning team received a trophy and $200,000 and the runners-up a trophy and $25,000.

As expected, due to the

Wright’s tactics came into play.

Wright, who coached 2019 champions St Agnes Primary to their first PeeWee Championship, en couraged his young troops to remain calm, a game plan that paid dividends a few minutes later.

First, it was an own goal from North Georgetown that levelled the scores. Then, Enterprise’s most prolific scorer, Jashan Haynes found the back of the net at the last possible moment, to hand his team the game-winning goal and a 2-1 victory.

In other placement matches on Saturday, Craig, Smith’s Memorial, Timehri, Den Amstel, West Ruimveldt and Redeemer Primary found themselves in the winners’ row.

In the first placement game, Maurice Fields (6th, 24th) and Kevin Dejounge

(14th, 19th) combined forc es to hand Craig Primary a 4-0 victory over Tucville Primary. Timehri Primary also kept their sheet clean, with a 3-0 win against Colaaco Primary. Nyron Barrow (17th, 20th) and Quinton Taylor (10th) were responsible for Timehri’s goals.

Den Amstel Primary edged Winfer Gardens Primary in the next game 2-1. Andre Robertson put Winfer Gardens in the lead first, with a strike in the 32nd minute. However, goals from Malachi Mohammad (35th) and Jaquan Smith (40th) sealed the deal for Den Amstel.

A Troy Lindey brace in the 22nd and 25th was all it took for West Ruimveldt Primary to ease past Soesdyke Primary, in a 2-0 affair.

Redeemer Primary had the biggest win of the day,

trouncing Ann’s Grove 10-0. Led by hat-tricks from David DeCosta (3rd, 30th, 34th) and Jonathan Ollivierre (23rd, 39th, 40th); the team also saw contributions from Adiel Hamilton in the 8th and 10th minutes, while Jareal Richards (41st) and Shivraj Persaud (44th) added one each for the mammoth tal ly.

The Pee-Wee final is set for Saturday, November 19, at the aforementioned ven ue. There, Enterprise will battle St Pius for the tour nament’s top honours, while Marian Academy and North Georgetown lock horns in the third-place play-off.

In addition to the title sponsors, Courts, the tour nament is supported by Sterling Products and MVP Sports.

Queenstown, Blueberry Hill secure opening-day victories

– matches in inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup to continue this week

The inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup tournament kicked off on Sunday, November 13 in Linden, Essequibo, and Berbice.

The one-of-a-kind tour nament will feature two stages. First, 16 inter-ward teams in each administra tive region of Guyana will compete for top honours.

at the Wisburg Secondary Ground, only one game was played of the planned dou ble-header.

Fans were treated to

School Ground in New Amsterdam. Central New Amsterdam played Lower Corentyne while North New Amsterdam took on

Prizes

In the open category, Brian Mangar was named Player of the Match and Most Valuable Player (MVP). The winning team took a trophy and $600,000 and the runners-up a trophy and $50,000. Gittens was named Player of the Match while Patrick Rooplall was the MVP in the over-40 cat egory. The winning team took a trophy and $600,000 and the runners-up a tro phy and $50,000. Rudolph Baker was the Player of the Match and Ramesh Narine was the MVP in the over-50 division. The winning team took a trophy and $600,000

tournament being named in his honour, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips witnessed some of actions toward the end. He spoke at the presenta tion and told the audience that he was delighted to be there. He congratulated all the victorious teams, stat ing that cricket was indeed "the winner", and expressed similar sentiments to the Guyana Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc for run ning off another successful softball mega event. GSCL Inc President Ian John laud ed the efforts of all involved in making the tournament, T20 Cup 6, again a reality.

He reserved special mention for the sponsors for their continued commitment.

The second stage will see a 25-man squad com prising the best players of each of the 10 Regions se lected for a grand battle to decide the victors of the One Guyana President’s Cup on January 1, 2023.

At the Anna Regina Multilateral School Ground in Region Two, Queenstown hammered Saudi 7-0, thanks to a hat-trick from Avinash Ramanan.

Ramanan netted his goals in the 60th, 63rd, and 85th minutes for Queenstown, which also had goals from Mario Walcott (40’, 42’); Rodley Carter (75’) and James (89’) to advance.

In Linden, where the Region 10 zone kicked off

an exciting clash between Block 22 and Blueberry Hill; the two sides ended regulation time level on a goal each (1-1).

The match went to pen alty kicks, and Block 22 came out the winners 4-3.

Matches were played in Region Six with a dou ble-header at the Scott

Canje. A double-header was also played in Region Five. Paradise battled Number 28 Village, and Rosignol came up against Number Five Village at the Rosignol Community Centre Ground. The results for those matches were not known at press time.

overs. Tamika Wilson scored 40 and Amanda De Freitas 23.

Aaron Vasconcellos led with a hat-trick for St Pius

Regal Masters won the O-40 category

GKR Ariel won the Open title

4R Lioness captured the Ladies’ title

Part of the action between Queenstown and Saudi at the Anna Regina Multilateral Ground in Essequibo

ne thing is certain: there will be a new Courts’ Pee-Wee Under-11 champion team crowned this weekend. Whether it will be St Pius Primary, who are no strangers to the Pee-Wee accolade or Enterprise Primary, who have been dark horses this year, only time will tell.

The two schools stormed into the final, following clinical victories on Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, de feating Marian Academy and North Georgetown Primary respectively.