Guyana Times - Tuesday, September 5, 2023

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Issue No. 5483 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 P11 P15 WHAT'S INSIDE: Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana THE BEACON OF TRUTH guyanatimesgy.com PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED P14 P7 P12 Potential exists for stronger ties between Region, Islamic countries – Pres Ali ...as int’l symposium on legacy of Islam in Caribbean launched in Guyana
PM slams Opposition for attempts to trivialise slavery Pensioner dies after being struck off electric bike Guyana’s 4th round AML/CFT mutual evaluations begin – as high-level CFATF team meets with Ministers, agency heads Guyana’s total exports to increase significantly – IDB ...expected to go from 1% increase in 2015-2019 to 79% Page 9 See story on page 3 Reg 6 single mother gets new home through MoM initiative Taxi driver gets $300,000 bail on causing death by dangerous driving charge Government commissions $224M road
wounds
CJIA to test emergency response procedures today P10 Page 11 Page 11 Berbice double murder Brother of victim, another resident re-arrested as probe intensifies P10 Protesting Berbice sugar workers arrested for blocking road Page 17
President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Director General of the Turkey-based IRCICA, Dr Mahmud Erol Erol Kılıç; Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and Muslim leaders at the symposium on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown
at Matthews Ridge Body found with chop
at Parika mall
2 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, Sep 5 – 20:30h – 21:15h and Wednesday, Sep 6 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Sep 5 – 07:55h – 09:25h and Wednesday, Sep 6 – 08:50h – 10:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 08:03h and 20:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.49 metres and 2.49 metres.

Low Tide: 13:50h reaching a minimum height of 0.8 metre.

Potential exists for stronger ties between Region, Islamic countries – Pres Ali

...as int’l symposium on legacy of Islam in Caribbean launched in Guyana

Asymposium aimed at exploring the long, historic and cultural legacy of Islam in the Caribbean is being hosted by Guyana, with President Dr Irfaan Ali pointing out that opportunities exist for Guyana and the Region as a whole, to boost its ties with Islamic countries.

On Monday, the international symposium was launched by the Government, in collaboration with the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The symposium, aimed at exploring the history and legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean, is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) from September 4 to 6 and will delve into various topics, including the arrival of Muslims to the Caribbean.

President Ali was the

enhancing relations. This symposium holds the promise of cultivating more understanding, ultimately forging stronger bonds between the Caribbean and Muslim worlds,” the President said.

According to President Ali, the project is a vital one for demonstrating that Muslims are not a homogenous grouping but rather, vary widely across different regions in the world. He further noted that these variations were shaped by histor-

LOTTERY NUMBERS

featured speaker at the launch and he said the symposium will help bring greater awareness to Islam in multi-ethnic Guyana. Noting that Guyana is a case study on religious tolerance and integration, President Ali also pointed to the potential for forging stronger bonds between the Region and Islamic countries.

“We live in an increasingly interconnected world. Muslims too are connecting with their fellow brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Islamic countries are establishing partnerships with non-Islamic states. The history of Islam in the Caribbean is not isolated. It is part of a larger global narrative. We in the South need to understand our brothers in the North, East, and West and vice versa.”

“Understanding our respective histories can be the means through which we can further improve relations between Islamic and non-Islamic countries. In a more interconnected world, fostering mutual understanding is paramount for

ical and other factors.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Turkey-based IRCICA, Dr Dr Mahmud Erol Kılıç also made a presentation in which he described the symposium as a historic one that would help foster greater cultural and historical knowledge.

“It builds a bridge between cultural audiences in the Caribbean and those in the other states. The cultural heritage of Muslims in the Caribbean, which was transferred from ancestral artistic architecture and literary origins and preserved till today, represents a historical connection between Muslims in the Caribbean,

Africa, and Asia. It also reflects some of the geographic path in the history of the dissemination of Islam across the world,” Kılıç said.

Other officials attending the event were Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and other Cabinet members, as well as IRCICA’s Special Envoy, Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick, and students, among others.

The symposium is expected to delve into vari-

Guyana inaugurated its embassy in Qatar, in a move that President Ali had said would help both countries embark on a journey of enhanced bilateral relations.

In February this year, it was also announced that Guyana would be receiving help with the oil and gas sector from Qatar. Specifically, Qatar would be helping Guyana create a gas utilisation and monetisation plan, which will be applicable when the gas-to-energy project is commissioned.

ous topics, including the arrival of Muslims to the Caribbean, their religious practices and institutions, the impact of their presence on the regional society, and their contributions to the development of the Caribbean nations.

The symposium will also feature a multidisciplinary programme consisting of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper presentations, encouraging participants to engage in thoughtful discourse and exchange of ideas.

Guyana has been increasing its bilateral and economic ties with Islamic countries. Earlier this year,

And in October of last year, after several months of waiting, a US$120 million loan that the Government had sought for resurfacing the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was approved by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Prior to that approval, a team from the IsDB had visited Guyana on an appraisal mission for the loan request. The IsDB team was led by Atiq Ahmad, Lead Global Transport Specialist – Economic and Social Infrastructure Department, General Directorate for Global Practices & Partnerships of the IsDB. (G-3)

3 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS COMMODITIES Indicators US$ Change % Crude Oil $89.00/barrel +0.51 Rough Rice $298.44/ton -0.66 London Sugar $731.50/ton +0.48 Live Spot Gold USD Per Ounce Bid/Ask $1937.30 $1938.30 Low/High $1936.30 $1947.20 Change -0.70 -0.04
DAILY MILLIONS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902 LUCKY 3 FREE TICKET 09 11 14 17 21 22 N 10 20 16 22 1 20 4 21 1 07 06 11 05 10 Bonus Ball 07 DRAW DE LINE 13 17 08 04 03 18 21 17 16 05 PAY DAY SUPER PAY DAY 13 2 4 8 Afternoon Draw Evening Draw FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 1 7 7 9 Afternoon Draw Evening Draw FP FP Afternoon Draw Evening Draw
President Dr Irfaan Ali A section of those who attended the symposium launch Director General of the Turkeybased IRCICA, Dr Mahmud Erol Kılıç

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Stricter enforcement of legislation

Earlier this year, new environmental regulations in Spain stipulated that tobacco companies will now be charged to clean up cigarette butts off the streets and beaches.

This new regulation was enforced after according to a BBC report millions of butts are thrown away each year – releasing toxic plastic waste which can take decades to break down.

This position by Spain shows that the country is taking a tough stance against smoking and the adverse impact cigarette waste is having on the environment.

A report by the Catalan Rezero Foundation called cigarette waste the "most abundant waste" on the beaches of the western Mediterranean, pointing out that existing measures to tackle itsuch as awareness campaigns and portable beach ashtrays – had been insufficient.

The new rules make manufacturers responsible for collecting discarded butts as well as transporting them for waste treatment., the BBC reported.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had reported that more than 40 million young people aged 13-15 have already started to use tobacco. This, by any measure, is quite alarming, and one can only imagine the kind of impact this would have on our young people if urgent action is not taken to discourage such actions.

The WHO, for some time now, has embarked on a global campaign to highlight the “strategic, aggressive and wellresourced tactics” employed by the tobacco industry to target youths and to debunk the myths they create.

The campaign seeks to provide young people with the knowledge required to easily detect industry manipulation –from product design to marketing campaigns – and equip them with the tools to rebuff such tactics, thereby empowering young people to stand up against them. The WHO described this effort as a counter-marketing campaign, as it would reinforce work in assisting countries to implement effective policy interventions to reduce the demand for tobacco.

Here in Guyana, Chronic Diseases Coordinator Dr Kavita Singh had, in the past, lamented the fact that the tobacco industry is capitalising on new trends, targeting young persons. She noted that it was during this point in time that ‘big tobacco’ was using strategic marketing techniques to try to get young people to experiment with new and emerging novel products, like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

While there is a myth that these products are safe, they are equally as harmful as the smoke of an actual cigarette. According to WHO, smoking e-cigarettes and hookah pipes – marketed as “safer” alternatives to conventional cigarettes – is harmful, addictive, and increases the risk of developing heart and lung diseases.

Of note is that these products have the same tobacco, which has cancer-causing agents among other deadly emissions. The WHO notes that most of the countless flavours on offer – such as bubble gum and candy – are there to attract youngsters, who at least double their chances of smoking cigarettes later in life.

It should be stated that tobacco is responsible for over seven million deaths per year worldwide. This includes approximately 900,000 persons who die from diseases related to exposure to tobacco smoke. Over 40 per cent of all tobacco-related deaths are from lung diseases like cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and tuberculosis.

Guyana’s tobacco control law, enacted in 2017, follows several of the Articles of the WHO Convention and mandates the adoption and implementation of a series of tobacco control policies that make it one of the most complete tobacco control laws. These include 100 per cent smoke-free environments in all indoor public spaces, indoor work spaces, public transportation, and specified outdoor spaces to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke; a ban on all forms of advertising and promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; health warnings featured on 60 per cent of tobacco product packaging, including images. It also includes a ban on the sale of tobacco products to and by minors, a prohibition on vending machines’ sales, and a ban on the manufacture and sale of toys, candies, and any other goods in the form of tobacco products.

There is no strict enforcement of the measures enacted in the local 2017 control law and more so, no provision like that of Spain to have companies pay for the damage they are causing to the environment.

Having the necessary legislation in place is a good starting point, but the challenges related to monitoring and compliance, and stricter enforcement of the legislation have still not yet been addressed.

A bunch of shameless people

Dear Editor, Please allow me to share my views once again on the recent strike action taken by cane harvesters who were attached to the Rose Hall Estate, Canje, Berbice, and were transferred to work at the Blairmont and Albion Estates.

First, it’s a shame and disgrace when people try to use those that they kicked for political or any other purpose in order to seek milage or gains, and trying to be relevant to those that believe in them, by now showing that they care!

Those workers are being misled by the shameless group of people that once called themselves the AFC, but we know they are all puppets of the PNC.

The AFC is not a political party in this country anymore. They are irrelevant in this land and they have to contest in any future elections under the PNC umbrella to ensure some of them remain or become MP.

During the recent strike action by those cane harvesters, it was evident that some of the AFC (PNC) members were at the forefront (based on the evidence aired by local media houses), spilling utter trash to the workers as to why they needed to continue the strike action.

I said before in a recent letter that the strike is uncalled for and has no merit and I stand by my statement.

In a recent statement on social media, I saw Cathy Hughes reminding us that it was Dr Bharrat Jagdeo who closed a few estates during his tenure as President.

What is her point exactly?

Cathy Hughes failed as always to tell us the truth

and the post she made has no merit now because it was in that same post she named the estates which Jagdeo closed down, the APNU and AFC, used as their main campaign topic during the 2015 elections.

She failed to address the matter at hand pertaining to the current strike action because it wasn’t the PPP or Jagdeo that closed down the Rose Hall Estate and sent those workers to the Albion and Blairmont Estates.

Cathy Hughes failed to tell the truth of the matter, and in her true PNC deceptive style, she tried to gain the attention of the people.

The people of Guyana are no fools, Cathy Hughes!

It was your party members, the former Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who I always refer to as the conniving snake, and Khemraj Ramjattan who campaigned in 2015 and shouted out to the sugar workers, their families, relatives, friends, supporters, Guyana, and the world, that if the coalition is elected to office, no estate would be closed, and that they are going to make sugar profitable again.

They said sugar workers would not be sent home and, they would have a good life because the APNU/AFC would competently manage the estates.

They made tons of promises to the sugar workers so as to get their votes and what happened after they got into office?

The sugar workers received 'katahar', as we would say in Guyana terms.

I reiterate that it was the previous APNU/AFC

Government that closed the Rose Hall Estate.

It was the previous APNU/AFC Government that sent home workers, saying they were downsizing the industry because it was not profitable.

It was the previous Government that transferred those workers to the Albion and Blairmont estates.

It was Nagamootoo aka conniving snake that boasted how he chaired Cabinet meetings. It was him that allowed the Cabinet to vote in favour of downsizing the sugar industry, and I believe he had the support of all of the AFC Cabinet members in the decision-making.

After that decision, the conniving snake ceased going to Berbice because he knew what he did to the lives of the sugar workers and their families. He was ashamed that he sold out the workers.

The man couldn’t face the people of Berbice and had to send his security guards in three cars to collect his weekly fresh bora and shrimp in the Ancient County.

He then ordered Ramjattan to go on television weekly in Berbice and belittle the PPP, and tell the workers that was the best decision the Government could have made because sugar is not profitable.

Ramjattan did as was told to do and even tried keeping meetings but was 'cussed out' by the workers.

Ramjattan sat in Parliament and belittled the workers by telling the then-Opposition PPP that “ayo want us to pump more monies, pump more monies, pump more monies in the sugar industry to benefit ayo

people."

That same Ramjattan went to Berbice to meet the sugar workers that are on strike and failed to tell them that he and that conniving snake Nagamootoo helped to create distress for sugar workers from 2015 until this day.

Ramjattan is shameless to turn and blame the PPP for what the PNC did by closing the estates and transferring the workers.

The workers on strike, who I assume are PNC supporters, believe what Ramjattan told them but didn’t even open their mouths to tell him that he created the predicament!

Those workers need to educate themselves and cuss out the presence and utterances of the AFC people who are doing the dirty work to please their PNC masters.

They are a pack of shameless people who call themselves AFC and allow their minds to be polluted by the PNC.

I appeal to the workers in the sugar industry not to be fooled by that pack of jokers, because they don’t have anything to offer as a political party. If they want to challenge me by proving that they have any sort of relevance in Guyana today, then they can contest the 2025 elections as the AFC.

I bet that none of them would ever see or enter Parliament again.

Cathy Hughes and the pack of shameless people have to continue bowing down to the PNC in order to get political relevance!

With regards, Abel

4 Views guyanatimesgy.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali on Monday walked First Son Zayd, on his first day, to his new school for the new academic year

Roysdale Forde's attempts to trivialise slavery must be condemned

Dear Editor, The Opposition continues to display a pattern of blatant distortion of facts, misrepresentation of policies, and outright fabrication.

While the eyes of the world were on Guyana as the descendants of the former British Prime Minister William Gladstone offered an apology for their family’s past as enslavers, the APNU cabal actively campaigned to shift the spotlight away from this historic event.

In so doing, the party’s racist underbelly was exposed. Roysdale Forde’s comments on the apology demonstrate a total lack of historical awareness, sen-

sitivity, and understanding of the impact of slavery on societies and individuals.

Forde expressed that “sadly in the 21st century independent Guyana, the Ali Government, in many ways, is not different from the colonial masters and enslavers.” (Village Voice, 8/28/2023).

He then called on the President to do the unthinkable and offer an apology. Comparing the freedoms that were fought for and are enjoyed today should never be equated to the regime of slavery that existed hundreds of years ago.

His comments serve to trivialise the impact of slavery, disregarding the

experiences of countless individuals who endured unimaginable hardships, and also undermine our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past.

For this, he should be condemned. Slavery is undeniably one of the darkest chapters in human history, marked by immense suffering, dehumanisation, and the systematic violation of basic human rights.

It is disheartening to witness the extent to which Forde has journeyed to deceive the public in furtherance of his own political agenda, particularly given his own involvement in the orchestrated coup against the leadership of the PNC.

This latest campaign

of falsehoods has not only demonstrated a complete lack of integrity but also a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine the Government's efforts towards fostering an inclusive and diverse society.

The President has been a strong advocate for the Caricom reparations initiative - a call for justice, equality, and compensation for those who have historically suffered atrocities under the system of slavery.

This demonstrates the President’s commitment to addressing past wrongs and working towards mutual understanding and reconciliation between diverse peoples.

By supporting policies that seek to right historical wrongs, our Government has demonstrated an understanding of the importance of acknowledging our past in order to build a better future for all – one grounded in fairness and equality.

We live in an increasingly complex world, where diversity and multiculturalism are ever-present. It is therefore crucial that those who present themselves as leaders understand the importance of being respectful, inclusive, and supportive of all citizens. We will not stand idly by while the Opposition tarnishes the reputation of our dedicated President and under-

mines the trust that our citizens have placed in our Government.

Their persistent propagation of baseless accusations only serves to erode the foundations of our democracy and sow seeds of doubt among our citizens.

The Government remains dedicated to working towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all our citizens. We encourage all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and collaborate on initiatives that genuinely uplift our nation.

Sincerely,

Demerara Bank needs to pull its socks up

Dear Editor, Demerara Bank often boasts its indigeneity and commitment to Guyanese but treats the very customers to allow their doors to be opened, like dirt. As a matter of fact, all six banks have similar if not identical operational procedures, so they all share the faults similarly as well.

One of the biggest shafting by DBL is their salary payment system.

Most workplaces now enforce that their employees’ salaries be paid through a bank account, rather than paying them cash. This is already a risk to the employee because now they have to physically go to an ATM to withdraw their salary, after whatever hour they sign off from work. But why care about your own employees’ safety and convenience when you can be strengthening relations between your business and the bank?

The bank then charges between GYD100-200 per employee, to post salary to an employee’s bank account. Some (very few)

workplaces choose to absorb this cost by sending the transactional fees separately from the salaries (God bless those workplaces), but most would instruct that this charge be debited from the individual employee’s salary, which in a lot of cases, is already small, to begin with.

Please note the process of uploading the payroll to individual bank accounts is no strenuous work, other than to plug a flash drive into a computer that electronically uploads the files. Once the salaries are paid into the bank accounts (at whatever time the bank staff decides is convenient to him or her, the employee has to sit and wait and call the bank numerous times, to withdraw their salary.

Now for the fun part. The employee is charged again to withdraw their own money! Charges are between GYD50-100 per withdrawal. The maximum amount per ATM withdrawal is GYD40,000, and if you wish to withdraw more than this (because

the geniuses at the bank have decided why should you need more money than this) then you are charged another GYD50-100!

As though that is not appalling enough, for their convenience, the bank has applied further restrictions to your account so that you are only allowed to withdraw a maximum of GYD120,000 (GYD40000*3) + charges of GYD150-300 per day. Do you need more?? Come back tomorrow

afternoon late or come and join the ridiculously long lines inside the bank to beg our staff for your money. The attitudes and lack of efficiency of these bank employees is another story that I will address in another letter.

At this point, what even is the point of banking your money at these ‘institutions’?

Almost all bank transactions are handled electronically. It costs the bank little to nothing…and

yet they hit you with… overdraft fees, credit card late payment fees, minimum balance and maintenance fees, returned cheque fees, ATM withdrawal fees, ATM deposit, paper statement fees, returned mail fees, foreign transaction fees, credit card interest rates, stop payment fees, wire transfer fees, toilet fees, nose-wiping fees, etc.

What modern-day professional slavery is this?

Hasn’t your bank shak -

en you down for enough of your hard-earned cash?

The power lies with the people. We are the ones who need to make a stand against all the shafting meted out by the banks. They are not the ones for us.

And to the banks, especially Demerara Bank Limited, the only Guyanese-owned bank in Guyana: Do Better.

Sincerely, Naiad A

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Page Foundation

Sets

(CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY)

Yet they who dare arise

And meet her stainless eyes

Forget old loves, though crowned queens these be; And whither her winged feet fare They follow though death be there— So sweet, so fleet, so goddess-pure is she. Her voice is like deep rivers, that do flow Through forests bending low. Her step is softest moonlight, that doth force The ocean to its course.

In this fun and easy geology science experiment, we’re going to make a rock in a cup.

Spoon

Wax paper

Sand

Gravel

Materials:

Magnifying glass

Sugar

Water

Paper or plastic cups

Instructions:

Add a spoonful of sand into a paper cup. Add a second spoonful of gravel into the same cup.

Pour a teaspoon of water into another cup. Blend in five teaspoons

full of sugar until eventually it’s dissolved.

Slowly add the sugar water solution into the cup of sand and gravel until it is moistened. Dump off any excessive water.

Allow the “rock” to dry, then with care tear the paper cup off while working over a section of wax paper.

Permit the “rock” to sit undisturbed and solidify for a minimum of two days.

Utilise a magnifying glass to watch your “rock” and observe any changes that may occur. Sketch an illustration of the things you observe. What type of rock have you made?

How it works:

You will discover during this fun geology experiment that there are

three varieties of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Every rock is formed as a result of various processes which produce different materials. Igneous rocks are formed via the cooling down of melted materials while metamorphic rocks are created when heat and pressure alter other rocks. Sedimentary rocks are comprised of bits of rocks and minerals and in some cases remains of animals and plants. All of these pieces are compacted and held together by other minerals. Some examples of sedimentary rocks are sandstone and limestone.

Make this an experiment: Try this experiment with salt instead of sugar. (sciencefun.org)

Gentle her smile, for something in man’s face, World- worn, time-weary, furrowed deep with tears, Thrills her chaste heart with a more tender grace. Softly she smoothes the wrinkles from his brow, Wrought by the baleful years, Smiles sunshine on the hoar head, whispers low New charges from the awakened will of Truth— Words all of fire, that thrill his soul with youth. Not with his brother is man’s battle here. The challenge of the earth, that Adam heard, His love austere breathes in his eager ear. And lo! the knight who warred at love’s command, And scarred the face of Europe, sheathes his sword, Hearing from untaught lips a nobler word, Taking new weapons from an unstained hand. With axe and oar, with mallet and with spade, She bids the hero conquer, unafraid Though cloud- veiled Titans be his lordly foes— Spirits of earth and air, whose wars brook no repose. For from far-away mountain and plain, From the shores of the sunset sea, The unwearying rulers complain, complain, And throng from the wastes to defend their reign, Their threatened majesty. The low prairies that lie abloom Sigh out to the summer air: Shall our dark soil be the tomb Of the flowers that rise so fair? Shall we yield to man’s disdain, And nourish his golden grain? We will freeze and burn and snare.

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

6 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 ◄

Guyana’s total exports to increase significantly – IDB

...expected to go from 1% increase in 2015-2019 to 79%

Guyana’s export numbers are expected to increase by a whopping 79 per cent between 2020 and 2024, with the total volume of exports heavily influenced by oil production from both current and future floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO).

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently published a report in which it detailed Guyana’s macroeconomic statistics. One such statistic was Guyana’s total export volumes from 2020 to 2024, the growth of which averaged just one per cent between 2015 and 2019.

According to the April 2023 report, the IDB further noted that average annual GDP growth is estimated to increase from 26.9 per cent to 37 per cent.

Last year, Guyana had the distinction of being one of the few countries in the Caribbean Region with a positive trade balance, as the IDB had noted the shifting trade trends in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

A positive trade balance occurs when a country exports more than it imports. In a report last year “Headwinds Facing Post-Pandemic Recovery in the Caribbean”, the IDB had noted that not only is Guyana one of the few countries with a positive trade balance, its 31.3 per cent of trade in agriculture and

fuel, as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), far outstrips other countries.

“Guyana switched from a negative balance to a large positive balance between 2019 and 2021 as oil production came onstream. Other countries have fairly substantial negative balances, although the price effects did not produce large increases in these deficits in 2021, based on preliminary national data,” the IDB had said.

It had been explained that Trinidad, the only oth-

er country in the Caribbean with a positive trade balance, was able to achieve this by leveraging oil production in much the same way as Guyana. The increase in their positive net trade position in commodities also coincided with oil and gas price increases last year.

According to the IDB, specific commodities such as oil, are expected to have relatively high prices through 2024. Oil, in particular, is expected to remain over US$80 through 2024, before dropping to US$71 by 2027.

Govt revenue

It was further explained that Government revenue and expenditures are expected to average 23 and 15 per cent between 2022 and 2026, respectively. Earlier this year, the largest budget ever in Guyana, $781.9 billion, was passed in the National Assembly.

This year’s budget was financed for the first time by both oil and climate funds.

The Government, meanwhile, made three withdrawals from the fund last year to finance Guyana’s national development plans. These withdrawals amounted to US$607.6 million (GY$126 billion) overall.

The funds from the NRF have their origins in the

Stabroek Block – Guyana’s only block currently producing oil. The block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil, through its local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum

Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

To date, there have been over 35 discoveries in the Stabroek Block and oil production has been ongoing since 2019. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. (G-3)

7 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS

Duo granted 150K bail each for Lusignan Chinese supermarket robbery

Two persons accused of robbing a Chinese supermarket in Lusignan along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) were on Monday granted $150,000 bail each when they appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Ryan Goodluck, 29, a vendor of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Jamal Seymour, a 26-year-old carpenter of Campbell and Sussex Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown, both appeared before Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool.

They were charged with robbery under arms contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01; they have pleaded not guilty.

At Monday’s court proceedings, the Police prosecutor raised serious objections to the defendants being granted their pre-trial liberty based on the serious nature and prevalence of the offence.

More so, on the argument that the two accused do not live on the ECD nor do they have any social activities or ties there, that there is video evidence and confession evidence, and that the accused were previously charged with a similar offence, which is pending before the courts.

However, these objections were overruled by the presiding Magistrate, who told the prosecutor that these were not sufficient grounds upon which bail could be declined. In the end, bail was set for each of the accused at $150,000 and the case was postponed until November 6.

Following last Tuesday evening’s robbery, Goodluck and Seymour were arrested the following day.

According to the Police, the two men carried out an armed robbery at the Chinese-owned supermarket.

The breakthrough in their capture came as a result of information and feedback received after the release of CCTV screen grabs of the suspects on the Police’s Facebook page.

One of the men is believed to be the mastermind behind the robbery, while the other is suspected of being the one who held the cashier at gunpoint.

During an operation to nab the suspects, Police conducted searches at the homes of the two men on Wednesday last, the Police reported. During the search, law enforcement discovered the clothing worn by the suspect who brandished the firearm during the robbery.

According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), four armed men approached the business establishment on two XR motorcycles.

CCTV footage seen by this publication showed that the perpetrators brazenly parked their bikes in front

of the supermarket before storming inside, brandishing firearms, and threatening two cashiers, 50-year-old Xie Zie Ying and 46-year-old Xie Zi Xia.

They then confiscated a stack of phone cards and an undisclosed sum of cash before returning to their motorcycles, which they mounted and rode off the scene.

On September 1, the Police reported that they had arrested a third suspect in the robbery, Akeem Griffith, of Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. The Police also recovered a motorcycle used in the robbery. This suspect is in custody assisting investigators.

Goodluck is no stranger to law enforcement, having been among six persons charged and remanded to prison for a $13.4 million heist at GTT’s Giftland store in September of the previous year.

Goodluck, along with Andrea Dover, Priecy Roberts, Ashley Mansfield, Jamal Haley, and Osman Brummell, had appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, where they faced armed robbery charges.

They all pleaded not guilty and were remanded to prison. This publication is unaware of the legal status of this matter.

It was reported that on September 8, 2022, at Giftland Mall, two individuals posed as security guards from Amalgamated Security Services Limited (ASSL) and stole $13.4 million in cash and $6 million in checks from the GTT store located on the mall’s second floor.

The suspects were apprehended after Police tracked down the getaway car, a white Toyota Raum, which was owned by Priecy Roberts. During questioning, Roberts allegedly admitted to being the getaway driver and led the Police to recover $500,000 from his share of the stolen money.

Dover, a cleaner at Giftland Mall’s GTT branch, reportedly confessed to her involvement in planning the robbery but claimed she wasn’t the mastermind.

She identified Haley, known as “Biggs,” as the mastermind and revealed her role in providing key details about GTT’s cash movements and the layout of the building. She received $800,000 for her participation, which was found hidden in her sister’s backyard.

Police later located Haley and arrested him, along with his accomplice, Goodluck, who had a significant amount of cash in his possession.

Both men reportedly confessed to their involvement in the robbery. Additionally, Biggs handed over $1.1 million to the Police, which he had given to a bus driver for safekeeping.

What’s going on… …in

Africa

Folks are raising their eyebrows at the spate of military coups in Africa. According to one report covering just the last three years, there have been eight coups starting with the first in Mali in 2020. Then in 2021 five countries experienced military interventions (Chad, Mali, Guinea, Sudan, and Niger). In September, special forces ousted the President of Guinea who’d removed term limits the year before! Earlier in the year, Chad’s army took power after the President was killed on the battlefield while visiting troops fighting rebels in the north. Mali had a second coup after the installed 2020 President broke promises.

Matters in the coups department didn’t let up. In 2022, there were also five attempts, with two – both in Burkina Faso – succeeding. And that brings us to the year 2023 – which has seen two coups – in Niger and Gabon – and the year ain’t even over yet!! The coup in Gabon exemplified all that makes the African countries’ coupprone. President Ali Bongo Ondimba was just about to extend his 14-year stay in power after the electoral commission declared him the winner of the disputed presidential election. In 2009 he’d succeeded his father Omar Bongo – who’d ruled uninterruptedly for FORTYTWO YEARS!!

In those fifty-six years, the country remained mired in poverty even as Gabon became the fourth largest oil producer in Africa. Corruption got so bad that even France – which had turned a blind eye to Papa Bongo’s depravities – had to arrest some of the children of the Bongo dynasty for secreting millions in their country!! There’d even been US Senate investigations into accounts in Washington stashing money for Papa Bongo – while ordinary citizens were scrounging for food.

There’s been a lot of chatter about the latest coups being in the “Francophone” Sahel region of Africa. That goes back to 1885, of course, when at the Berlin Conference, the European nations sat down in that European city and drew lines on a map of Africa to decide who owned which part!! Imagine that!! No African at the table…and even Belgium’s King Leopold gets the Congo that’s at least ONE HUNDRED TIMES LARGER than it!! France and England got the lion’s share!!

The point of it all was for these European countries to rape Africa of its natural resources – and as Rodney showed, to keep them poor and underdeveloped. In the case of those French so-called “ex-colonies”, France still controlled them by being in charge of their monetary system. But hopefully, that’s now gonna be over!! Your Eyewitness hopes our hemispheric hegemon learns the lesson from French mistakes.

To wit while all countries will seek to further their own interests, don’t back anti-democratic regimes – and insist the citizenry get their share.

…with the COP?

PNC and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s making a mountain out of a molehill over the extension of COP (ag) Hicken’s appointment – now that he’s reached age 55. The irony is, it was his Founder Leader Forbes Burnham who introduced the 55-year retirement time -limit – but as usual, did so to secure his dictatorship. In 1967, as he was preparing to rig the 1968 elections, he instructed the 54-year-old COP Felix Austin to promote some Police Officers. Austin balked and Burnham promptly sent him on a one-year training programme in the US!!

By the time he returned, Burnham had gone to Parliament and altered the Regulations so that Austin could be fired and the most pliable “Bobo” Austin – no relation to Felix – be appointed. But even then the new Regs made the retirement discretionary up to the age of 60 – when it became mandatory.

Now Norton is using some technicality of Hicken being “acting”, the rule doesn’t apply!! He’s no Forbes!! …tastes?

Yes…to fulfil our 25BY25 goal we don’t only gotta produce more – but get our people to eat more of what we produce. We can’t be like Burnham who pushed “Buy Local” yet lusted for – and snuck in – Condensed Milk on the sly!!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM 8 NEWS 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
Robbery accused: Ryan Goodluck Robbery accused: Jamal Seymour

Guyana’s 4th round AML/CFT mutual evaluations begin

as high-level CFATF team meets with Ministers, agency heads

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)

Assessment Team has officially begun its evaluation of Guyana’s Anti-money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/ Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) – a critical evaluation that will show how far the country has come.

The Fourth Round of Mutual Evaluation of Guyana’s AML/CFT architecture is part of the country’s international compliance obligations under the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Standards and Methodology. At the end of this On-Site Evaluation, a Mutual Evaluation Report will be prepared in Guyana and presented at the CFATF Plenary in March 2024.

According to a release from the Attorney General Chambers, the CFATF Assessment Team held a High-Level Introductory Meeting on Monday at the Marriott Hotel, with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, along with various Heads of Agencies.

“The On-Site Assessment will be conducted from September 4, 2023, to September 15, 2023, during which the Assessment Team will interview various Ministers, officials, and Heads of Agencies including from the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal

Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Commissioner of Police,” the release states.

“Other agencies that will be engaged during the process include the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authorities, the Central Bank of Guyana, the Guyana Securities Council, the Guyana Police Force, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit, the Guyana Geology and Gold Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, Real Estate Associations, local banks, insurance companies, accountants, cambios, among others.”

The CFATF team is meanwhile made up of Avelon Perry, Financial Advisor of the CFATF, who is assisted by Sunita Ramsumir, Co-Mission leader Legal Advisor of the CFATF. The other members of the Assessment Team are regional professionals in the AML/CFT/ CPF Framework including Shana Donavan, Financial Assessor, Cayman Islands, Teron Greenidge, Law Enforcement Assessor, Grenada, Nikala Bazil, Financial Assessor, Dominica and Cassandra Seetahal, Legal Assessor.

In preparation for Guyana’s fourth round evaluation, the Government has worked to ensure that the country’s AML/CFT framework is updated. This included implementing a number of administrative decisions and measures,

as well as strengthening many aspects of its legislative architecture.

One critical element to Guyana’s fourth round of mutual evaluation was the enactment of a Real Estate Bill. The draft Real Estate Agents & Brokers Bill was prepared in consultation with the various stakeholders in the local real estate industry, and was published for public feedback prior to its passage in the National Assembly earlier in August.

Another initiative aimed at addressing the gaps in Guyana’s financial sector in accordance with the AML/CFT stipulations was the establishment of a Compliance Commission that will supervise the operations of agencies and/or sectors in the country that do not have a direct regulatory body. The Compliance Commission Bill 2023 was also passed.

It was only last week also, that agencies involved in enforcing AML/ CFT laws were brought

Sophia man remanded for ganja found in Friendship EBD house

Forty-two-year-old Jerome Bernard, a labourer of C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was arraigned on Monday in connection with last Thursday’s drug bust at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Berbard appeared before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on August 31, he had 450 grams of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Following his denial, Bernard was refused bail and remanded to prison until November 1.

Bernard and two other men were arrested last week Thursday after Police ranks swooped down on a house

at Friendship, EBD, where a quantity of the illicit substance was unearthed.

Upon arriving at the scene, Police reportedly contacted a 56-year-old man, Richard Charles, who claimed to be the owner of the house.

The ranks informed him of their reason for being there and requested to search the premises. The man agreed and subse-

together to sign a cooperation and information-sharing Memorandum

of Understanding (MoU), while a second MoU was signed by competent au-

thorities, law enforcement agencies, and supervisory authorities.

Pres Ali donates $2.5M towards restoration of Children’s Convalescent Home

quently invited the ranks inside. Upon entering the house, Police ranks saw two other men, John D'Ornellas, a 28-year-old vendor of Block X Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD, and Bernard.

The Police then proceeded to search the house, during which they discovered a bulky transparent parcel containing a quantity of ganja in a bedroom, under the bed.

As such, the three men were then told of the offence and cautioned, during which the 56-year-old homeowner claimed that D'Ornellas and Bernard were occupying that room.

They were all arrested and escorted to the Diamond Police Station, EBD, where the cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 450 grams. Bernard was subsequently charged.

President Irfaan Ali on Monday donated $2.5 million towards the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s restoration of the Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home.

The Convalescent Home, which was built by the Rotary Club of Georgetown and the Red Cross through Rotary’s fundraising efforts, opened in 1980. It is a community outreach programme that provides residential care and support for children aged five and under. The Home aims to promote children’s safety, and welfare and the goal of family reintegration or fostering/adoption.

Being in a state of disrepair for a number of years, the Rotary Club of Georgetown launched the $25 million restoration project as a testament to the club’s dedication to “Service Above Self” and “Creating Hope in the World”. Since the commencement of works on April 1, 2023, the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been able to do several major repairs including a complete restoration of the exterior

walls, repairing of multiple sections of the ceilings, repairing and eradication of roof leaks, replacement of windows, restoration of a vital bathroom section, the full restoration of the kitchen and flooring. The Club hopes to restore the home in its entirety and continue work with the Red Cross to make it self-sustaining.

President Ali, in a handing over ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, complemented the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s efforts and pledged additional support of mattresses and other items to help restore the home.

He also made additional contributions to the home to restore the fence and other environs. He also restated his unwavering commitment to other community outreach projects, such as the promotion of mental health programmes, and pledged to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown and other service organisations to address community needs. Also present at the handing over ceremony were Rotary Club

members Devindra Kissoon, Natasha Vieira, Ryan Kirton, Gautam Thani, Victor Pires, Veerendra Bhagwandin, Wilmot Garnett, Sheldon Hazelwood, Dr Sara Singh and Maisa DaSilva

The Rotary Club of Georgetown’s President, Devindra Kissoon, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, extended his sincere gratitude to President Ali and other donors who contributed to this project. He noted that the Board of Directors secured a generous donation of $15.7 million from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He also complemented the efforts of past President Sheldon Hazelwood and the Board in taking the initiative to undertake this significant project, as well as Red Cross’ General Secretary Dorothy Fraser for working closely with the Club.

The Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home holds a special place in the hearts of many, serving as a haven for children recovering from malnourishment, abuse, and neglect.

9 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
The Guyanese and CFATF teams pose for a photo following their meeting on Monday Remanded: Jerome Bernard President Ali and members of the Rotary Club of Georgetown
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CJIA to test emergency response procedures today

US Army, GDF conduct training exercise

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will conduct a Full-Scale Emergency Exercise on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, commencing at 10:00h.

According to the CJIA, the exercise aims to test the airport's emergency response procedures and train staff on how to handle any eventualities and is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“We are asking members of the public not to be alarmed if they see or hear unusual activity at the airport during this time. This is only a drill and there is no actual danger,” CJIA noted in a release.

The exercise, it stated, will involve several agencies, including the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ministry of Health, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS)

and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The CJIA assured that the exercise will be conducted in a safe and controlled manner.

International airports are required to conduct such exercises at least once every two years since it allows for testing of responses by all personnel involved, emergency plans and procedures, and emergency equipment and communication.

Businessman charged with conspiring to traffic narcotics

Ateam from the United States Army 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) is in Guyana, working alongside the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to increase readiness by integrating at the tactical and operational levels.

The 1st SFAB is a specialised unit of the US Army established to advise and assist partner nations. It is renowned for its proficiency in training, advising, assisting, and enabling foreign security forces.

The exercise will involve strategic planning sessions

and processes to enhance both countries' military readiness and capabilities to respond to various security threats. Both the US and Guyana’s Defence Forces will share expertise, tactics, and strategies - ensuring that lessons learnt are mutually beneficial.

"The 1st SFAB's rotation in Guyana shows our commitment to our regional partners," said Major Gabriela S Thompson, US Army South spokesperson. "The US and Guyana have a longstanding, transparent history of supporting each other in response to

Berbice double murder

common security challenges and threats in the hemisphere."

Joint readiness allows regional partners to respond to contingencies and conduct security cooperation operations to strengthen regional security and counter transnational threats.

The United States has an enduring promise and commitment to the strengthening of partnerships, training of security and defence forces, and respect for human and fundamental rights.

Brother of victim, another resident re-arrested as probe intensifies

As detectives of the Major Crimes Unit within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) intensify their investigations into the murder of Melissa Arokium and her son, Anthony Arokium, the woman’s brother and another resident were re-arrested on Wednesday.

Remanded: Steve Bacchus

Thirty-year-old Steve Bacchus, a businessman from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Monday charged in connection with a report of an alleged conspiracy to traffic 11,200 grams of marijuana on August 11, in Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Bacchus was taken into

The parcels of marijuana that have been linked to Steve Bacchus

custody on August 31 by ranks from the Alberttown Police Station, and he was charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotics.

On Monday, at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, the charge was read to the defendant by Senior

Magistrate Sunil Scarce. He was remanded into custody after entering a not guilty plea.

The case was adjourned for disclosure to October 13.

Bacchus was previously charged with having marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

A source close to the investigation when contacted confirmed that 33-year-old Serrana Arokium and another person are being interrogated in connection with the murders.

On August 23, 2023, the bodies of the mother and her eight-year-old son were discovered at their home at Mangrove Street, Rose Hall Town, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The case was almost immediately transferred to the Major Crimes Unit.

However, within two hours of the discovery, Police had arrested four persons of interest including the dead woman’s brother and her boyfriend.

It was reported that the woman’s body was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor, while the child was on his bed and was also in a pool of blood. His body had what appeared to be at least one stab wound to the back

of his neck, while his mother’s body appeared to have chop wounds to the neck, shoulder and chest.

The victim operated a small grocery shop at her home. She shared the building with her brother, Serrana Arokium, a cane harvester, but they lived in separate apartments.

The brother reportedly left home at 04:00h on the day in question to go to work, and upon his return at about 11:00h, he did not

notice anything unusual. The bodies were discovered at about 13:00h, by another brother who was visiting.

The woman’s boyfriend had told detectives that one day prior to the gruesome discovery, he had visited the woman’s home where he found her crying. The man explained that when he asked her why she was crying, she did not give much details.

The mother and son were laid to rest on Saturday.

10 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
A recent Tradewinds exercise
A simulation exercise back in 2021
Dead: Melissa Arokium and her son, Anthony Arokium

PM slams Opposition for attempts to trivialise slavery

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d)

Mark Phillips has called on members of the public to vehemently condemn the callous attempts by Opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde to trivialise the magnitude of slavery.

In a letter released to the various newspaper entities, PM Phillips called out the Opposition for yet another blatant representation of racism, while referencing Forde’s comments on the apology offered by the descendants of former British Prime Minister William Gladstone.

Recently, Forde contested that “sadly in the 21st century independent Guyana, the Ali Government, in many ways, is not different

from the colonial masters and enslavers.”

Identifying these comments as completely devoid of historical awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of the impact of slavery on societies and individuals, PM Phillips said comparing the freedoms that were fought for and are enjoyed today should never be equated to the regime of slavery that existed hundreds of years ago.

According to the Prime Minister, these comments displayed a vile attempt to trivialise the impact of slavery, while discrediting the atrocities suffered by countless individuals.

“Slavery is undeniably one of the darkest chapters in human history, marked by immense suffering, dehu-

manisation, and the systematic violation of basic human rights. It is disheartening to witness the extent to which Forde has journeyed to deceive the public in furtherance of his own political agenda, particularly given his own involvement in the

orchestrated coup against the leadership of the PNC,” the PM relayed.

These comments form part of the Opposition’s campaign to perpetuate falsehoods and mislead Guyanese, as they seek to undermine the Government’s policy of promoting inclusivity and unity.

Additionally, the PM pointed out that His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali remains a passionate advocate for the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) reparations initiative, and this illustrates a commitment to addressing past wrongs and working towards mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the

Government’s plans and policies demonstrate an understanding of the importance of crafting a diverse, multicultural, and brighter future, while building on the experiences learned from the past.

This, he said, is the approach that should be taken by leaders of a country, as opposed to seeking to cause strife and upset.

“We will not stand idly by while the Opposition tarnishes the reputation of our dedicated President and undermines the trust that our citizens have placed in our Government. Their persistent propagation of baseless accusations only serves to erode the foundations of our democracy and sow seeds of doubt among our citizens,” he said. He reassured that the PPP/C Government remains committed to fostering inclusivity and equity while forging a path to upliftment through meaningful collaboration.

Pensioner

dies after being struck off electric bike

Apensioner has become the latest road fatality after he was struck off an electric bike along Harlem Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Sunday.

Dead is 73-yearold Abdool Mohamed of Harlem, WCD.

Based on reports received, a motor car bearing registration number PAE 4134, which at the time was being driven by a 26-year-old male of Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was proceeding along the Harlem Public Road when the driv-

er alleged that Mohamed attempted to cross the road and ended up in his path.

As such, the left front portion of the car collided with the electric cycle, thus causing the elderly man to fall onto the roadway where he sustained injuries to his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was pronounced dead.

The car’s driver was arrested and a breathalyser test was administered, but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

Body found with chop wounds at Parika mall

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is investigating the alleged murder of 47-year-old Ravi Ramrattan called “Socks”, whose body was found last Saturday in the vicinity of Lotus Mall at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The body was lying on its back and clad in long a pair of black pants, a black jersey, and a reddish bath towel wrapped around it. When examined, chop wounds were seen on the body. A bedsheet, with what appeared to be bloodstains, was also found next to the body.

Police investigations revealed that Ramrattan resided in an abandoned bus

located in the vicinity of Courts, Parika, and was a known alcoholic. He was last seen alive on Friday at about 17:00h.

Several persons in the area were questioned, but no useful information was received regarding the injuries seen on Ramrattan’s

body. On Monday, Government Pathologist Dr Nehal Singh performed a post-mortem examination on the man’s body and gave the cause of death as “multiple incise wounds”. Police are continuing their investigations.

11 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
Prime Minister, Mark Phillips Opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde Dead: Abdool Mohamed

Road accidents

Stricter fines, penalties for those who destroy public properties – MoPW

The Public Works

Ministry has taken note of the increasingly alarming trend of excessive speeding and reckless driving on Guyana’s roadways – a practice that must never be condoned.

In the last few weeks, several persons – young and old; males and females have lost their lives as a result of speeding coupled with alcohol consumption in some instances.

In fact, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that 109 persons have lost their lives from 91 accidents between January 1 to August 28, 2023. For the same period in 2022, there were 62 fatal accidents, which resulted in 68 deaths.

“There is a level of irresponsibility that is practiced by many drivers today, and one has to wonder if this is the cost of development, the Ministry stated in a release.

It reiterated that while the country’s road infrastructure programme is extensive, the citizens are the country’s greatest assets, and as such, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the roadways are safe through correct and lawful use.

“The Government’s transformative agenda includes expanding main roads and other essential infrastructure to accommodate growth in population and vehicle traffic. This is to accommodate the economic advancement of the country and equally ensure the safety of every citizen and visitor,” the release added.

Subject Minister Juan Edghill is pleading with road users to avoid the temptation of speed chasing and drag racing along the roadway, while noting that racing is for the South Dakota Circuit.

“Yes, laws will be enforced, but the responsibility of practicing what is law-

Govt commissions $224M road at Matthews Ridge

ful lies with all of us.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry has taken note of the increased destruction of public property as a result of accidents and warned that stricter fines and penalties will be introduced to curb this.

In the case of reckless driving, these drivers will be held responsible and made to pay the cost of replacement and/or repairs.

“As the Minister of Public Works, I join with President Irfaan Ali and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in urging the Police to launch an expansive road safety campaign throughout the country to tackle the root causes of this problem.”

Anew $224 million road commissioned at Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Sunday is expected to enhance transportation for the area, and mark steps to bring development to the hinterland region.

This concrete road spans 1150 metres in length and 16 feet in width and was executed by GV Construction.

The road's commissioning aligns with President Ali's commitment to enhancing the region's road infrastructure, recognising the challenges residents encountered before the project's completion.

According to the Housing Ministry, the completion of this project marks a major achievement within the Hinterland Road Programme. The Public Works Ministry will oversee the completion of another section of the road, with plans for further kilometres of road development in progress.

“President Ali remains

dedicated to improving the region's road infrastructure, acknowledging the hardships faced by residents prior to the project's completion. With the commissioning of this road, residents no longer need to contend with muddy conditions, greatly improving their daily lives,” the Housing Ministry shared.

The Government’s intention was placed on investing in more permanent road infrastructure for the hinterland, particularly mining areas, in order to protect the safe movement of goods and services in the country’s most remote communities.

In 2023, the Government of Guyana allocated $136.1 billion in the national budget to upgrade or create new road and bridge networks across the country. This was a notable hike from the $67.9 billion spent in 2022 to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the country.

A breakdown shows allocations for projects such as widening the Corentyne

Highway from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; the East Bank road linkage from Ogle to Eccles; upgrading the East Bank road from Prospect to Timehri; a new four-lane highway from Schoonord to Crane; the Ituni to Tacama road; and rehabilitating the LindenSoesdyke Highway among others.

For other linkages, works will progress for the Kurupukari Crossing Bridge and Wismar Bridge in Linden (Region 10).

Through the Housing and Water, Public Works and Local Government and Regional Development Ministries, more than 1100 internal access roads in communities across the country will also be upgraded to concrete and asphaltic concrete for the course of this year.

As part of transparency and accountability measures, the projects are being monitored with assistance from the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

Man wanted for armed robberies arrested in house at Peter’s Hall

An intelligence-led operation on Monday led to the arrest of 29-year-old Corwin Estwick, who was wanted by Police for a series of armed robberies committed in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Police stated that on the day in question at about 10:15h, ranks of the Guyana Police Force conducted an operation at a house in Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD), which resulted in the arrest of the wanted man.

At the time of his arrest, he had a GR 43 Glock pistol and four 9mm live rounds of

ammunition in his possession, which was also recovered.

Based on reports received, Police officers went to a Peter’s Hall property in search of Estwick, where they found him sitting on a chair in the living area with a black one-strap bag across his chest.

After identifying themselves as policemen in plain clothes, one of the ranks then conducted a search of his person during which the firearm was found.

A further search was carried out in the house and

around the yard, but nothing illegal was found.

He was escorted to the Providence Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were marked and sealed in his presence. He was placed into custody pending further investigation.

Estwick is no stranger to the law. Back in 2020, he was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, having been linked to the alleged damaging of a car belonging to ex-cop Teon Allen, also known as “Spoil Child”.

12 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
The new stretch of roadway commissioned at Matthews Ridge A damaged utility pole following a deadly accident Arrested: Corwin Estwick The gun and matching ammunition found in the suspect’s possession

Scenes from school reopening around the country

13 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Clairmont Nursery Endeavour Nursery School Stewartville Nursery Farm Nursery Tuschen Nursery Uitvlugt Nursery Vergenoegen Nursery Versailles Nursery

Reg 6 single mother gets new home through MoM initiative

Through the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, a single mother of three, Sadna Rambarran of Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Region Six, is the latest beneficiary of a two-bedroom home.

The house was built and fully furnished at a cost of close to $8 million by contractor Devanand Sawh of D Sawh Mechanical Workshop.

During the handing over ceremony on Saturday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha noted that initiatives like these are integral, as they seek to enhance the livelihoods of Guyanese.

“We are once again seeing a very robust housing programme under our Government. And although we are seeing so many homes and house lots being distributed across the coun-

try, we still have vulnerable people in the population. And the President has set aside this programme, so that we can help these vulnerable groups in the community,” Minister Mustapha noted.

Minister Mustapha also urged corporate Guyana to come on board and partner with the Government to enhance the lives of Guyanese. Regional Chairman David Armogan lauded the works of the contractor for providing the house to Rambarran and her family.

He added that Rambarran is employed in the part-time work initiative, which supplements her household’s income.

Meanwhile, contractor Devanand Sawh expressed his delight to be part of the initiative, as the Government continues to work towards the better-

ment of Guyanese.

“I’m happy to be part of this initiative…I hope other businesses can contribute in their little way to be with the Government on such initiatives and the future,” Sawh added.

In December last year, MoM, which was founded by President Dr Irfaan Ali, handed over a brandnew home to an 85-year-old woman whose previous living conditions were not up to par.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Head of State shared that this initiative is what is going to cement the country as ‘One Guyana’ while noting that MoM is going to be very active in 2023.

“Next year, under the Men on Mission umbrella, we are going to launch a massive programme. We are hoping that through the

Men on Mission Initiative alone next year, we can build at least 150 homes

across the country.”

The Head of State explained that the banks have already been engaged and are willing to finance the projects, once persons own their own lands.

Additionally, a sum of $500 million was set aside for the MoM to carry out works this year, which will include the advancement of a number of community projects, the introduction of training, and programmes

to address issues affecting men and boys. A portion of the fund will also go towards revamping and rebuilding homes for citizens, specifically elderly citizens living in “very bad conditions”.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira announced that if the $500 million allocated is not utilised, it will be returned to the Consolidated Fund.

4 Guyanese awarded prestigious Chevening Scholarship

Four Guyanese have been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to pursue studies in various fields at renowned universities in the United Kingdom (UK), beginning this fall.

Last week, the UK High Commission in Georgetown announced that the recipients of scholarships for this year are Keisha Edwards, Joshua Benn, Deanna Walcott, and Amrita Naraine. Edwards is the owner and Creative Director of the fashion brand Shasha Designs. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design (Magna Cum Laude) from the respected Caribbean Academy of Fashion and Design at the University of

Trinidad and Tobago and is an award-winning fashion designer.

Edwards was chosen to take part in the first-ever Commonwealth Fashion Exchange while still in college. She created a sustainable dress for the event, which made its debut in February 2018 at Buckingham Palace.

She also has a Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Guyana and has finished a certificate programme in Fabric Selection and Design Style at the New School-Parsons School of Design in the United States of America. She is a member of the Guyana Fashion Council as well.

14
NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
The new home built for Rambarran and her family
TURN TO PAGE 17
From L-R: Deanna Walcott, Keisha Edwards, British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller, Joshua Benn and Amrita Naraine

IDB calls for greater collaboration with Public Development Banks to mobilise resources for SDGs, climate change

Inter-American Development Bank

President Ilan

Goldfajn called for greater collaboration between multilateral and public development banks to mobilise more resources towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change during the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS).

Goldfajn highlighted that partnerships between these institutions are key to improving the global development financing architecture because they hold immense financial power. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) can help Public Development Banks (PDBs) align their activities with sustainable development objectives and promote financial innovation, which could drive positive change at an unprecedented scale. One of the main advantages of the PDBs is their capillarity – the last-mile reach and local expertise needed for

tailored results.

“The great strengths of Public Development Banks include filling market gaps by financing projects that may have great economic and social impact but do not meet the criteria of private investors. They also have the power to attract those investors with instruments to mitigate risks. Now, we must further develop our institutional strengths and come together more than ever to

mobilise and channel resources to the areas that need it most,” Goldfajn said.

For the fourth consecutive year, over 500 Public Development Banks (PDBs) are gathered for FiCS to strengthen coordination and cooperation among them and with governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society to promote sustainable development and align financial

flows with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

During the three-day summit that started today, leaders of PDBs and MDBs will discuss their role in the international financial system and how to advance in constructing a common development financing agenda and strategy at a juncture of development challenges that call for urgent action.

Goldfajn said innovative financial mechanisms will be essential for addressing complex challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality, stressing that a great part of such innovation will come from the combination of instruments offered by MDBs and other development finance institutions and new partnerships to gain scale and effectiveness through better use of synergies and know-how.

According to Goldfajn, FiCS has become a unique platform for the development finance community to build new alliances and

find new ways to align on the major challenges and coordinate their work together to increase the scalability and effectiveness of their interventions.

For the first time, the summit takes place in Latin America and the Caribbean, drawing attention to the significant financing gaps that the Region faces in areas like SMEs and vulnerable populations’ financial inclusion, climate and biodiversity, and sustainable infrastructure. It also draws attention to how Latin America's unique challenges have prompted the Region to seek innovative financial instruments and solutions hand

in hand with MDBs that can be scalable and replicated in other parts of the world.

This year's edition of FiCS is organised by Colombia's business development bank (Bancóldex), the IDB, the Latin American Association of Development Finance Institutions (ALIDE), and CAF - the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also supported by the FiCS General Secretariat, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the World Federation of Development Financing Institutions (WFDFI).

Taxi driver gets $300,000 bail on causing death by dangerous driving charge

Ataxi driver was on Monday arraigned on a causing death by dangerous driving charge and released on $300,000 bail. Belfield, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident, 52-year-old Lloyd McKenzie appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police stated that on September 1, he drove a motor car in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Martin Samuels, 33. McKenzie pleaded not guilty.

Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus granted him bail in the sum of $300,000. The case was adjourned until October 3.

It was reported that Samuels of Nutmeg Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was killed after he was struck by a motor car that breached the traffic lights at the intersection of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Cemetery Road, Georgetown.

According to reports received, the accident occurred at approximately 07:15h and involved hire car HD 3165, owned and driven by McKenzie.

<<<Guyana Times>>> was informed that Samuels was travelling west along the southern lane of Nelson Mandela Avenue on his motorcycle, while the taxi was heading east along the extreme southern lane of the northern carriageway of the same road.

As both drivers approached the intersection,

the red traffic light was illuminated in the direction of the hire car driver. However, he failed to comply with the traffic signal and proceeded to make a right turn south onto the southern carriageway.

In the process, he ended

up in the path of the motorcyclist, thus resulting in the front centre of the motorcycle colliding with the left-side front door of the hire car.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist was thrown into the air and landed on the road surface,

sustaining injuries to his body. Emergency Medical Technicians arrived at the scene and transported the injured motorcyclist in an unconscious condition to the

Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor on duty, who pronounced him dead.

The scene was later visited by investigators, and a

breathalyser test was conducted on the hire car driver, but no trace of alcohol was found. The driver of the hire car driver was later arrested and charged.

15 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn Charged: Lloyd McKenzie Dead: Martin Samuels
16 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice family alleges neglect at NA Hospital following death of 22-Y-O woman

Family members are alleging that the sudden death of a 22-year-old woman was a result of gross neglect at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital in Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

In addition to having to wait for over two hours to see a doctor on Saturday, the patient was sent home without being treated and told to return on Monday. However, she died on Sunday, thus leaving her family outraged.

It was on Saturday morning that 22-year-old Farzana Khan of Lot 7 West Canefield, Eat Canje, was rushed to the hospital by relatives after complaining of feeling unwell. Even though her blood pressure was very high, they had to wait for about two hours before a doctor from the Accident and Emergency Unit attended to her.

Laing Avenue teen arrested with firearm at drinking bar

An 18-year-old handyman of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, was on Sunday arrested after he was found with a firearm in his possession at a popular drinking bar at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), in the wee hours of Sunday.

Police stated that at about 03:49h, Police acted on information received and went to the popular bar, where they contacted the teenager.

The ranks proceeded to conduct a search on his person, during which

The firearm which was found in the teen’s possession

the firearm was found in the pocket of his pants. As such, officers took possession and inspected the firearm but it did not have any ammunition.

Nevertheless, he was

told of the allegation, cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Leonora Police Station, where he was placed in custody pending charges.

4 Guyanese awarded prestigious...

At the University of Westminster, she plans to earn a Master's degree in Fashion Business Management.

Joshua Benn, another scholar, is an attorney-at-law and tutorial lecturer at the University of Guyana’s Department of Law. He formerly worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as a Legal Officer, where he appeared before the International Court of Justice as an Adviser to the Government of Guyana. At Swansea University, Benn will pursue an LLM in Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy Law.

Born and raised in Queenstown village, Essequibo Coast, Deanna Walcott is a passionate literacy and oracy advocate who volunteers her time and skills toward youth development.

As a Chevening Scholar,

she is poised to embark on an MSc journey in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Toastmaster Walcott works as an Environment and Safety Officer at Banks DIH Ltd. Beyond her professional and voluntary commitments, she finds solace in the pages of a good book, the comfort of a cup of tea, and the camaraderie of dominoes, all cherished amidst quality time with loved ones.

Amrita Naraine, a shrewd professional and lead researcher at ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc, with a background in data-driven strategic direction and innovation, is the other awardee.

She is enrolled in the renowned University of the Arts London's MSc programme in Data Science and AI for the Creative Industries, which is ranked second in the world for art and design technology.

Her aunt, Shameeza Khan, who has been taking care of her niece for the past 12 years, was not too pleased with the services at the hospital and more importantly, the tragic outcome.

“When we finally go in and see the doctor, they give meh niece the medication and a paper to go to the lab to do a test… when we reach the lab, the guy there said that I have to go back Monday to do the test. The guy at the lab come out and I showed him the paper and he asked me if she was getting pain and I told [him] ‘yes’. He said that he can’t do the test now let me come back Monday morning. He said

certain test, you have to fast before taking them. I asked the doctor and the doctor said that it was a random test.”

The aggrieved aunt related that at the time, the laboratory at the hospital was open. The woman was taken back to the New Amsterdam Hospital at about 19:00h on Sunday with a very low pulse and shortly after, she passed away.

“She take in more at home the night and I carried her back to the hospital and she passed away,” Khan added.

Farzana worked as a Government 10-day part-time worker at the Cumberland Health

Centre. Referring to her niece as being paralysed, Khan said she became ill at the age of 13 years.

The aunt, who was summoned to a meeting with the CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday, said she believes that things would have been different had the lab done the required test and doctors been in a better position to determine her condition.

Meanwhile, as the hospital conducts its investigations, the family is against an autopsy. The hospital has already determined that she died from cardiac arrest.

Protesting Berbice sugar workers arrested for blocking road

FROM PAGE 14

In doing so, she hopes to advance cultural diplomacy between Guyana and the rest of the world by responding to creative disruption with novel ideas in mathematics and the creative economy.

Chevening is the United Kingdom Government’s international scholarship and fellowship programme. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, it offers individuals who show potential to inspire, inform, and influence positive change the opportunity to study at a UK university to gain a UK educational qualification.

Chevening Scholars study subjects in almost any field, and go on to implement their ideas for positive change in a range of sectors. After completing their period of study in the UK, scholars return home and join the global network of over 55,000 alumni.

Several workers attached to the Blairmont and Albion Sugar Estates who are currently on strike, were on Monday arrested as they intensified their protest action.

The workers, who were initially transferred from the Rose Hall Estate when it closed in 2017, took to the streets on August 16, after being told the day before that 270 of them would be needed to harvest cane at the Rose Hall Estate when it reopens.

They were told that the decision to go was optional but the workers went on strike demanding that they receive a severance before returning to work at the estate which was closed.

Although the Government has already made its position on the issue clear, some sugar workers continued to protest, thus calling for severance packages. On Monday, several of them were arrested for being disruptive.

Approximately 100

workers resumed the protest actions at East Canje, where some of the participants began to engage in disruptive behaviour, such as blocking the roadway with debris.

However, the Police arrived on the scene after the protesters tore down nearby sheds owned by vendors and placed them across the roadway. In addition, they also took two utility poles and placed them across the road, resulting in traffic coming to a complete halt.

The protesters also formed a human barricade across the road and refused instructions from the Police. This forced au-

thorities to call in the armour squad, who engaged the protesters and managed to clear the road but not before the protesters made attempts to set fire to the debris.

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus reported that about 20 persons were arrested, with 16 of them being sugar workers; one car driver, 2 fishermen and one labourer.

He said they will be charged under the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Act, along with damage to property, unlawful assembly, and acts of terrorism.

17 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS
Farzana Khan in a wheelchair during one of her visits to the hospital Police and protesters on Monday Protesters being taken away by Police

Regional Brazilian Congress proposes market regulations after Americanas scandal

Federal lawmakers in Brazil suggested several measures to boost accountability in the financial market, a report showed on Monday, after retailer Americanas this year revealed a multibillion-dollar fraud.

In its final report on the Americanas inquiry, the committee of lawmakers proposed four measures for Congress to consider aimed at bolstering market regulations.

The report comes weeks after the committee heard the testimonies of former Americanas executives and experts. The retailer filed for bankruptcy protection in January and reported accounting irregularities of more than US$5 billion.

The committee's first measure proposes changes to laws governing the responsibility of company shareholders and managers.

A second proposal aims to improve access by independent audit companies to the financial information of the companies they are auditing.

The committee also proposes that Congress reforms

the law regarding the crime of "patrimonial infidelity", in which a member of the management compromises the company's interests as well as those of the company's partners or shareholders.

The fourth and final proposed measure aims to boost protections for whistleblowers in the country and broaden the scope of whistleblowing.

"(The proposal is that the whistleblower system) covers not only crimes against the public administration, but also crimes against the

Belize to grow sustainable blue economy with IDB support

The Inter-American Development Bank

(IDB) Monday said it has approved a US$7 million loan to help Belize sustainably expand its blue economy.

The IDB loan has a 25year repayment period and a 5.5-year grace period

The Washington-based financial institution said that the programme’s overall objectives are to increase the earning potential of artisanal fishers and keep fishery exports high while promoting sustainable use of the country’s commercial marine resources.

national financial system, against the capital market, or against other diffuse or collective interests," the report said.

In June, Americanas Chief Executive Leonardo Coelho said before lawmakers that an independent report by the company's legal advisers showed the alleged involvement of former executives, banks, and audit firms in "fraudulently altered" financial statements.

The inquiry did not suggest indicting anyone involved in the scandal.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

6 killed in Peru in clash between military and Shining Path rebel group

At least four soldiers and two alleged members of the Shining Path rebel group have been killed in a clash in a region of Peru known for coca production.

In a statement on Monday, the Peruvian Army said that a group of soldiers was attacked in the early morning hours by rebels in the province of Huanta, part of the Andean region of Ayacucho.

“During the confrontation, the security forces managed to kill two terror-

ist criminals, who fell with their long-range weapons,” the Army said in a press release.

“Unfortunately, during this action, four brave members of the armed forces died, whose remains will be transferred shortly to the city of Huamanga.”

The Army said three wounded soldiers were also transferred to a nearby hospital.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte paid tribute to the soldiers shortly afterwards on social media.

“My deepest condolences to the families of the four courageous members of the Peruvian Army who died in Putis, Ayacucho, during a confrontation with narcoterrorists,” Boluarte wrote.

The deadly skirmish underscores fighting between the military and armed groups seeking control of the lucrative drug trade in Peru, the second-largest coca leaf producer in the world after neighbouring Colombia. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas PM announces Cabinet reshuffle

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis is marking the second anniversary of his ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) by reshuffling his cabinet, as well as outlining reforms in immigration.

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast, Prime Minister Davis also reflected on a broad range of gains he said his Administration intended to build as part of the drive towards a new change.

“We’ve made some important progress implementing our Blueprint for Change, but we know there is still a long way to

go, especially in tackling on some of the most difficult problems our country has been facing for a long time,” Davis said, adding “change, real change, rarely comes easy, but we’re here to change the status quo, not to defend it”.

He said when his Government came to office after September 16, 2021, it faced a “multiple” of urgent crises including a national debt that had skyrocketed and an economy battered by a series of lockdowns and curfews.

“We had the worst unemployment crisis in our modern history. Our hospitals were overflowing, with

The bank said that the Belize Government demonstrated its commitment to this project during a ceremonial signing held by Prime Minister John Briceño, and Tomás Bermúdez, the IDB´s General Manager for Central America, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

It said the loan is designed to strengthen the Government’s capacity to

sustainably manage Belize’s economically important commercial fish species, like conch, lobster, and finfish. It will also help prompt the country’s artisanal fishers to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient technologies.

“IDB Group remains committed to supporting Belize to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth and one of our priorities is climate action. Conservation initiatives aimed at preserving and rejuvenating marine ecosystems are integral cor-

nerstones in our efforts to mitigate climate change and facilitate the restoration of biodiversity,” said Bermúdez.

The IDB said the fishing industry has played a major role in Belize’s development, providing the country with jobs, food security, and revenue and foreign currency reserves. On average, fisheries and aquaculture accounted for 12 per cent of total exports from 2015 to 2021.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Colombian Government, business leaders call for interest rate cut

Colombia's Government and industry associations called on the central bank to lower interest rates on Monday and urged business leaders to resume investment decisions, in a bid to shore up the economy.

Latin America's fourth-largest economy expanded 0.3 per cent in the second quarter, much less than expected. The central bank has forecast growth of 0.9 per cent for 2023, well below the 7.3 per cent growth last year.

"We need to recover the economy," Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla said in a statement after meeting with Colombia's major busi-

ness associations. "What are we missing? The creation of the financial conditions so that we all go in the same direction."

Between April and June private investment in Colombia plummeted 24 per cent versus the year-earlier period.

Businesses should not postpone investment decisions, said Jonathan Malagon, President of Colombia's banking association, Asobancaria, adding that reduced borrowing costs amid lower interest rates are expected in the future.

"Let's not postpone, let's not give up, let's not surrender, liquidity conditions

in the Colombian economy are trending upward," he said.

Colombia's interest rates are at their highest level in a quarter of a century, ratcheted upwards due to the global inflationary shock that followed the coronavirus pandemic.

The central bank has held its benchmark interest rate stable at 13.25 per cent at its last two rate meetings, after increasing it by 1150 basis points between September 2021 and April 2023 to deal with inflation.

Both business leaders and the Finance Minister called on the central bank to begin cutting the rate.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UNC claims water crisis in south, central Trinidad

some patients receiving treatment in parking lots. Our schools were closed, with no plans in sight to repair and reopen them, and thousands of children had barely been able to participate in remote learning.”

But Prime Minister Davis told the nation that as part of the government’s “aggressive rescue operation” it lifted the curfew, implemented new financial and health measures that “despite the severe fiscal crisis, we made it a priority for the Government to pay off significant arrears owed to Bahamian companies”. (Excerpt from Nation News)

The Opposition United National Congress (UNC) said it was not assured by statements from Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales that an electrical problem at the Desalination Company of TT's (Desalcott) plant at Point Lisas is being addressed.

The party did not believe areas affected by a shutdown of that plant over the weekend would see their daily water supplies restored to normal in the shortest possible time.

The UNC maintained that what happened with the plant last weekend was

part of a water crisis in parts of south and central Trinidad.

Expressing this view on behalf of the party were Princes Town Member of Parliament (MP) Barry Padarath; Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh; Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit; Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally and Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram.

In a statement, Padarath said Gonzales was known to be full of sound and fury and resort to personal attacks rather than dealing with any substantive issue.

He added that the water supply of hundreds of people in south and central Trinidad was adversely affected by the problem at the plant that led to its shutdown on Sunday.

Padarath said the situation was not helped by what he described as "poor planning, lack of communications and irregular approach to maintenance."

He reiterated a call by the UNC for Government to increase the number of contractors who supply water trucking services as one solution when normal water supplies are disrupted.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

18 guyanatimesgy.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
A Lojas Americanas store in Brasilia, Brazil, January 12, 2023 (Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino file photo)

OIL NEWS

Oil edges up on prospect of extended OPEC+ supply cuts

Oil prices edged higher on Monday on expectations that OPEC+ would keep supplies tight and speculation that the US Federal Reserve will cease its aggressive interest rate hike campaign.

Saudi Arabia has spearheaded efforts to support prices, making large voluntary output cuts as part of a production deal agreed by the OPEC+ producer group comprising the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia.

The kingdom is widely expected to extend its voluntary 1 million barrel per day (bpd) cut for a fourth consecutive month into October. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements have come ahead of its official selling prices, which typically emerge in the first week of the month.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, meanwhile, has said that Moscow had agreed with OPEC+ partners on the parameters for continued export cuts in October.

Saudi Arabia and Russia could withdraw the cuts at any point, said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam, "but I can't imagine they'll be in any rush and risk sending the price tumbling again."

Brent crude futures for November crept 45 cents higher to settle at US$89.00 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) October futures rose 40 cents to US$85.95.

Global crude oil supplies are expected to improve in the next six to eight weeks because of refinery maintenance, although sour crude will stay tight, said Russell Hardy, chief executive of the world's largest independent oil trader, Vitol.

The oil market is vulnerable to price spikes due to low inventories and underinvestment in new oilfields, a senior official at global commodities trading firm Trafigura said on Monday.

US August jobs data, meanwhile, has strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will pause its increases to interest rates this month.

In China, manufacturing activity expanded unexpectedly in August and a series of economic measures to support the country's post-pandemic recovery have ignited optimism that demand will pick up in the world's largest oil importer.

"...The market does appear to have a more receptive and less cynical ear this morning," said John Evans at oil broker PVM.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's "promises of support for the services sector and relaxing of cross-border trade restrictions find sympathy from a market that has fewer drivers with the absence of US participants." (Reuters)

Europe's carmakers fret over China's EV prowess at Munich car show

Europe's carmakers have a fight on their hands to produce lower-cost electric vehicles (EVs) and erase China's lead in developing cheaper, more consumer-friendly models, executives said at Munich's IAA mobility show.

"We have to close the gap on costs with some Chinese players that started on EVs a generation earlier," Renault CEO Luca de Meo told Reuters at the car show, adding when manufacturing costs decline, prices will also go down.

De Meo said as part of the French carmaker's drive toward price parity with the Chinese, its R5 EV due out next year will be 25% to 30% cheaper than its electric Scenic and Megane models.

Chinese EV makers, including BYD, Nio and Xpeng are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales.

Xpeng plans to expand

Around The World

Ukraine reports advances on eastern and southern fronts

Ukraine said on Monday its troops had regained more territory on the eastern front and were advancing further south in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.

Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv's forces had retaken about 3 square km (1.16 square miles) of land in the past week around the eastern city of Bakhmut,

which was captured by Russian troops in May after months of heavy fighting.

She also reported unspecified "success" in the direction of the villages Novodanylivka and Novoprokopivka in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, but gave no details.

Ukraine has now taken back about 47 square km of territory around

Bakhmut since starting its counteroffensive in early June, Maliar wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Reuters was not able to verify the reports. Russia has not confirmed the Ukrainian gains.

Kyiv has retaken a number of villages and settlements in its threemonth-old offensive but its soldiers have been hampered by vast Russian minefields and trenches.

Maliar said last week that Ukrainian troops had broken through the first line of Russian defences, and Ukraine's military expects now to advance more rapidly.

Moscow has continued to carry out air strikes on Ukrainian targets including port infrastructure, and has reported drone attacks on Russian territory.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Hundreds of millions of dollars pledged for African carbon credits at climate summit

An initiative to boost Africa's carbon credit production 19-fold by 2030 drew hundreds of millions of dollars in pledges on Monday, as Kenyan President William Ruto opened the continent's first climate summit.

In one of the most anticipated deals, investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) committed to buying US$450 million of carbon credits from the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), which was launched at Egypt's COP27 summit last year.

"We must see in green growth, not just a climate imperative but also a fountain of multi-billion-dollar economic opportunities that Africa and the world is primed to capitalise," Ruto told delegates.

African leaders are push-

ing market-based financing instruments, such as carbon credits, or offsets, which can be generated by projects that curb emissions, usually in developing countries, such as planting trees, or switching to cleaner fuels.

Carbon credits can then

be bought by companies to offset emissions they are unable to cut from their own operations to help meet climate targets. One credit is equivalent to saving or avoiding one ton of carbon dioxide.

Organisers of the three-

day summit in Nairobi say they aim to showcase that Africa as a destination for climate investment rather than a victim of floods, drought and famine.

African governments see carbon credits and other market-based financing instruments as critical to mobilise funding that has been slow to arrive from richworld donors.

The offset market was worth around US$2 billion in 2021 and Shell and Boston Consulting Group jointly forecast in January that it could reach between US$10 billion and US$40 billion by 2030.

Several speakers at the summit said they had seen little progress toward accelerating climate financing because investors still saw the continent as too risky.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Moon base: Bangor scientists design fuel to live in space

into more European markets in 2024, and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology announced five models for overseas markets, including Europe, over the next two years.

According to auto consultancy Inovev, 8% of new EVs sold in Europe so far this year were made by Chinese brands, up from 6% last year and 4% in 2021.

About 41% of exhibitors at this year's Munich event are headquartered in Asia, with double the number of Chinese companies attending, including BYD, Xpeng and battery maker CATL.

The arrival of Chinese EV makers in Europe has raised concerns they could dominate EV sales.

The average EV in China cost less than 32,000 euros (US$35,000) in the first half of 2022 compared with around 56,000 euros in Europe, according to researchers at Jato Dynamics. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Scientists have developed an energy source which could allow astronauts to live on the Moon for long periods of time.

The NASA-led Artemis Programme hopes for an outpost on the Moon by around 2030.

Bangor University has designed nuclear fuel cells, the size of poppy seeds, to produce the energy needed to sustain life there.

Prof Simon Middleburgh from the university said the work was a challenge - "but it was a fun one".

The Moon, which is seen by some to be the gateway to Mars, contains a lot of valuable resources needed for modern technology.

The hope is that it could be used as a springboard to reach the planets beyond.

The Bangor team, which is a world leader on fuels, works with partners such as Rolls Royce, the UK Space Agency, NASA and the Los Alamos National Laboratory

in the US.

Prof Middleburgh from the Nuclear Futures Institute said the team hoped to fully test the nuclear fuel "over the next few months".

On parts of the Moon, temperatures plummet to astonishing lows of -248C because it has no atmosphere

to warm up the surface.

Bangor University is a major player in the quest to generate another way of producing energy and heat to sustain life there.

The researchers have just sent the tiny nuclear fuel cell, known as a Trisofuel, to their partners for testing.

This Trisofuel cell could be used to power a micro nuclear generator, created by Rolls Royce.

The generator is a portable device, the size of a small car and "something you can stick on a rocket," Prof Middleburgh said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

19 guyanatimesgy.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
Delegates walk outside the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during the first day of Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, September 4, 2023 The Moon is being considered as a stop off point before travelling to planets beyond such as Mars

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Contact someone who can help you with something you want to pursue. Find out how much time, effort and money could be involved before you sign up for something or make a commitment.

(March 21-April 19)

Take care of business and build an excellent reputation. Take pride in what you do; rewards will come your way. Choose modesty over arrogance. Do what you say you're going to do.

(April 20-May 20)

Sign up for something that requires you to be physical or competitive. Get your body moving and a healthy routine in place. A social or networking event will encourage new connections.

(May 21-June 20)

Be a team player. A chance to change your financial position is apparent. Look at investments, apply for a job with a higher salary or sell items you no longer use.

(June 21-July 22)

Don't neglect your responsibilities. Stop fretting over things you can't control. Redirect your energy toward something that puts a smile on your face. Reach out to a friend.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Confidence will be your key to besting the competition. A change of attitude will be all you need to captivate an audience. An investment in yourself will pay off.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Channel your energy into your home and family, and make your space more comfortable. Invest time and money into updates, or make a move that fits your budget and status. Romance is in the stars.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Make your life easier and more enjoyable. Get involved in something you've always wanted to pursue. Live life your way and you'll see how nicely everything falls into place.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don't share personal information. Choose to focus on learning, taking care of unfinished business and heading in a positive direction. Visit someone with whom you share common goals.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

It's OK to be different and to take a path that changes your lifestyle or challenges you to improve. Don't let anger set in if someone doesn't follow your lead. Do what suits you.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You'll butt heads with someone if you aren't accommodating. A reserved attitude will help bypass an argument and allow you the freedom to pursue something more engaging.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You may want to reserve judgment when dealing with emotional issues. Don't get involved in someone's battles. Use your insight to guide you when tackling money matters.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

guyanatimesgy.com 20 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
PEANUTS CALVIN AND HOBBES PICKLES ARCHIE SUDOKU SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE YESTERDAY'S WORD -- CELADON

Sankar’s Auto Works Golf Tournament... Arnol, Deo, Subhan victorious in Team Event

…Yunes, Deo cop flight prizes as well

Many of Guyana's top golfers graced the Lusignan Golf Club with their presence, as they were anxious to compete in the Sankar's Auto Works Golf Tournament. The tournament was played differently this time, it included the regular medal play over 18 holes and a newly-formed concept called the 'Team Event'.

The 'Team Event' is patterned off LIV Golf which is taking the world by storm. This format ensures that

two games are being played at the same time. The first game would be the normal medal play over 18 holes for individual prizes. During that aspect of the game, the players would also be looking to score a low net score as it is not assured that their partners would be playing in the same flight.

In the end, the player's averages are added and divided by three and the three-man team with the lowest net average would be declared the winner for the Team Event.

GCC hoping to expand horizons with weekend of sport

The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), a long-standing institution with a rich history of promoting cricket in the community, has decided to expand its horizons and embrace a more inclusive approach towards sports.

As such, the Club recently announced a move to host a weekend of sports.

GCC shared, “In an effort to diversify and revitalize our club's facilities, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming Weekend of Sports to be held on the 8th and 10th of September, 2023, where we aim to bring together various sports associations and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talents.

In recent years, GCC has primarily been known for its dedication to cricket. However, recognizing the importance of promoting a wider range of sports and fostering a sense of unity in our community, it has decided to open its doors to athletes and sports enthusiasts from different disciplines.

This initiative is driven by its commitment to inclusivity, community engagement, and the desire to create a vibrant sporting atmosphere.

The Weekend of Sports at GCC promises to be a unique and memorable experience for all involved.

The Club said it was extending invitations to local sports associations and clubs

representing a diverse array of disciplines, including football, field hockey, archery, lawn tennis, air badminton, karate, cricket, and many more.

This event will provide a platform for athletes of all ages and backgrounds to come together, compete, and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.

“We firmly believe that sports have the power to tran-

The results for the tournament are as follows:

0-14 Flights

1st Miguel Yunes (HC

14, Gross 81, Net 67)

2nd Bridgelall Harry (HC 14, Gross 86, Net 72)

3rd Andrew Cummings (HC 12, Gross 85, Net 73)

15-36 Flights

1st Arnol Deo (HC 28,

Gross 94, Net 66)

2nd Bholaram Deo (HC 22, Gross 89, Net 67)

3rd Patanjilee Persaud (HC 15, Gross 84, Net 69)

Team Event Arnol Deo – Net 66

Bholawram Deo – Net 67

Ayube Subhan – Net 78

Total average 211/3 = 70.3

Nearest to pin – Brian

Hackett

Longest Drive – Miguel

Yunes

Overall Best Net – Arnol Deo 66

Overall Best Gross –Miguel Yunes 81

The winning players will be allotted points towards year-end rewards for free entries to Suriname Invitational, Guyana Open, and MACORP Golf Tournament. Also, double points will be awarded for

all sponsored tournaments through October 22, 2023.

Sankar’s Auto Works has been providing customers with a wide range of products that meet their automotive needs as well as delivering a level of service that makes them unique from their competition. Sankar’s delivers automotive products at reasonable prices, and offers an exceptional level of service to wholesale customers in all regions of Guyana.

Spain’s men’s players condemn Rubiales behaviour

Spain's men's players have condemned the "unacceptable behaviour" of Federation President Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales, 46, has been widely criticised after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's Women's World Cup final win last month.

After Spain's 1-0 victory over England at Sydney's Stadium Australia on August 20, Rubiales also grabbed his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.

ered for a training camp before Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Georgia on Friday and Cyprus on Tuesday, September 12.

Rubiales' refusal to quit, while 81 female players, including all 23 World Cup winners, have said they would not play for the team again while Rubiales remained in his role.

scend boundaries and bring people together, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

“Our goal is not only to offer exposure to athletes but also to create an atmosphere of unity and cooperation among sports enthusiasts in our community.

“As we prepare for this exciting Weekend of Sports, we invite the entire community to join us in celebrating the talent and dedication of our local athletes.

“We encourage families, friends, and sports fans to come out and support these athletes as they showcase their skills and passion for their respective sports.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the community for its continued support of GCC. Without your unwavering encouragement, this endeavor would not have been possible.

“We look forward to welcoming you all to the Georgetown Cricket Club during our Weekend of Sports.”

Rubiales has repeatedly refused to resign over the kiss, which Hermoso said was not consensual.

The men's side have expressed their "regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished".

"We want to reject what we consider unacceptable behaviour on the part of Mr Rubiales, who has not lived up to the institution he represents," said forward Alvaro Morata in a statement on behalf of the Spain squad.

"We firmly and unequivocally stand on the side of the values that this sport represents.

"Spanish football must be a driving force for respect, inspiration, inclusion, and diversity and must set an example with its behaviour, both on and off the field."

Luis de la Fuente, Head Coach of the men's team, last week asked for "forgiveness" after initially applauding a speech in which Rubiales said he would not resign.

De la Fuente added he would not step down from his job.

He has been provisionally suspended by world governing body FIFA and Spain's national sports tribunal (TAD) has opened a misconduct case against him.

On September 1, Rubiales acknowledged he had "made mistakes", but repeated his belief that the kiss was consensual.

He added: "I will continue to defend myself to prove the truth."

After calling a press conference, Morata read out the statement alongside fellow senior players Marco Asensio, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Rodri.

"We want to convey, once again, our pride and heartfelt congratulations to the women's national team for winning the World Cup in Sydney," he said.

"It's a historic milestone filled with significance that will mark a before and after in Spanish women's football, inspiring countless women with an invaluable triumph.

"Therefore, we want to express our regret and solidarity with the players whose success has been tarnished."

Spain's squad have gath-

"We would like to focus on sporting matters from now on, considering the importance of the challenges ahead," added Morata.

What else has happened?

On August 28, Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault, while the regional leaders of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) called for Rubiales' resignation.

His mother locked herself in a church on the same day and went on an "indefinite" hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son. She was taken to hospital two days later and discharged the following day.

The head of Spain's Olympic Committee Alejandro Blanco has said Rubiales' actions were "inappropriate and unacceptable", but an "isolated incident" that did not represent Spanish sport as a whole.

The RFEF is also exploring its options over whether it can sack Women's World Cupwinning Head Coach Jorge Vilda.

Vilda is still in his post despite most of his coaching staff resigning in protest against

A video has also emerged appearing to show Hermoso and her team-mates laughing and discussing the kiss on the team bus following the game.

Hermoso appears to be viewing a meme of ex-Spain men's goalkeeper Iker Casillas kissing his then-partner Sara Carbonero, a television presenter, during an interview following the country's 2010 World Cup victory.

The 33-year-old, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca, later says "he comes over and hugs me like this" when talking about Rubiales.

In her statement denying the kiss was consensual, Hermoso said: "I feel the need to report this incident because I believe no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be a victim of these types of non-consensual behaviours.

"I felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part. Quite simply, I was not respected."

She added she was put "under continuous pressure" to help with a "statement that could justify" Rubiales' actions – and so were her family, friends, and team-mates. (BBC Sport)

21 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
Arnol Deo, Bholaram Deo, and Ayube Subhan won the Team Event The
winners’ row

Cornwall Carnage at Kensington Oval US Open: Pegula leaves court in tears after Keys loss

…as Patriots’ losing streak continues

Barbados Royals successfully chased 221 runs to complete a remarkable eight-wicket win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won the toss and chose to bat first, and they reaped the rewards as Andre Fletcher and Will Smeed put together the highest opening partnership of this year’s tournament so far, 115 runs, to galvanise their team. A rapid half-century from Captain Sherfane Rutherford, from just 24 balls, would then propel the total to 220-4 af-

ter 20 overs.

Barbados Royals would produce a sensational chase in response, Rahkeem

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Royals (T: 221 runs from 20 ovs)

Kyle Mayers c Rutherford b Bosch

Rahkeem Cornwall retired hurt 102

Laurie Evans c & b Drakes 24 Rovman Powell (c) not out 49 Alick Athanaze not out 13

Extras (nb 2, w 11) 13

TOTAL 18.1 Ov (RR: 12.27) 223/2

Did not bat: Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke †, Roelof van der Merwe, Qais Ahmad

Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Kyle Mayers, 3.6 ov), 2-127 (Laurie Evans, 10.4 ov), 2-195* (Rahkeem Cornwall, retired hurt)

Cornwall leading the way with a 42-ball century to ensure they achieved a stunning eight-wicket victory in front of a home crowd.

It was a sublime batting performance from the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, with Fletcher and Smeed guiding their team to 70-0 in the powerplay. Their partnership would reach 115 before Cornwall would dismiss them both with his offspin. The Patriots continued to try to accelerate the score, and in a tactical move, batter Jyd Goolie was retired out in the 17th over, having scored 22 off 16 balls. Captain Sherfane Rutherford would showcase his destructive abilities, scoring 65 runs in just 27 balls, his innings including five sixes, to allow the Patriots to reach a formidable 220-4 after 20 overs.

Mayers, they scored 67 runs in the first six overs of their chase. Cornwall would launched his way to a 23-ball half-century, as the Royals continued to find the boundary after the fielding restrictions were lifted.

Cornwall would continue to unleash the big shots as he reached a century in just 45 balls, his first CPL century. He would retire hurt after reaching 102 runs, but Rovman Powell and Alick Athanaze would see the Royals home, ensuring they won by eight wickets, as they finished on 223-2.

Third seed Jessica

Pegula left the court in tears after a frustrating US Open fourthround defeat by American compatriot Madison Keys.

Pegula had been one of the favourites for the title, but put in a poor performance in a 6-1 6-3 defeat.

Despite her success on the WTA Tour, the 29-year-old has yet to go beyond the quarter-finals at any Grand Slam.

Keys, runner-up in New York in 2017, will face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova next.

She hit just three winners in the first set, which she lost in just 28 minutes, and quickly found herself a break down in the second.

Pegula was able to take advantage of a blip from 17th seed Keys to retrieve the break for 3-3, but she lost the next three games as Keys reasserted her dominance.

The two are good friends, having often trained together, and shared a warm hug at the net before a tearful Pegula left the court.

Young 1-0-13-0

Rahkeem Cornwall 3-0-27-2

Barbados Royals would themselves have an effective powerplay; despite losing the wicket of Kyle

The next leg of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will continue this evening as the action reaches Trinidad and Tobago. There, home team Trinbago Knights Riders will face off against the Guyana Amazon Warriors from 19:00h. The female teams of both franchises will also meet at 15:30h, as the Women’s CPL tournament also continues today. (CPLT20)

Pegula won the Canadian Open in the build-up to the final major of the year, registering a notable victory over topranked Iga Swiatek in the process.

However, she has consistently struggled to break through at the majors, having never gone beyond the last eight in six attempts.

Pegula was off-colour from the start, struggling to find her rhythm against the big-hitting Keys.

WDFA Senior Men’s League… Belle West, Uitvlugt, Pouderoyen, Number One win over weekend

Intensity in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Senior Men’s League grew over the weekend, as the likes of Uitvlugt and Pouderoyen FC sent strong warnings while Belle West and Number One All Stars picked up equally-exciting wins.

The nine-team Senior Men's League (SML) continued on Saturday, September 2 at the Tuschen Community Centre Ground, where Belle West picked up the first three points of the weekend.

The 3-1 victory over Uprising started off with an own-goal in the seventh minute, while Travis Simon netted in the 61st minute and Paul Singh 20 minutes later added the third for Belle West. For Uprising, Sanjay Shaw got the consolation in the 12th minute. It

was the second victory for Belle West, who moved to eight points, but remained in fourth place after five games. Uprising who have played the same number of matches were left on three points in seventh position after their fourth loss.

In the feature match of the double-header, Number One All Stars blanked Crane Rovers 4-nil to move from the bottom of the table to eighth on three points after four matches, the same number played by Crane, who dropped to the bottom on a single point.

Leon David opened the scoring in the 13th minute and it remained the only goal of the first half. After the resumption, Glanville Hazel doubled the lead in the 60th minute while Germaine Hazel and Jarel Softleigh increased the scoreline in the 68th and

76th minutes.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Uitvlugt Warriors maintained their unbeaten run to move to the top of the points table while Pouderoyen FC also won to stay in close pursuit after another double-header at the same venue.

In the first match, Pouderoyen outclassed Wales FC 4-0 after a goalless first half. DeAngelo Peters struck a quick brace to break the deadlock in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Also on target were Devin Gaskin in the 70th and Essan Nelson, who made a solo run from inside his half three minutes from the end. It was the fourth win after five outings for Pouderoyen as they hold on to third position on 12 points, while Wales were left in sixth place on three points after four matches.

Earlier in the first period, Pouderoyen's Nicquan Boyce and Jamal Knights of Wales were given marching orders for fighting in the 24th minute.

The other encounter which was much closer and perhaps the most evenly-contested game of the nine-team League so far ended in a 2-1 win for Uitvlugt Warriors over Eagles FC. Kelvin Kujal gave the lead to Eagles after 55 minutes and Kevin Fraser equalised from the

penalty mark in the 67th minute. Within three minutes Montel Dainty delivered the winner for the Warriors' fourth win and a place at the top on 13 points after five matches. Eagles retained fifth place on three points after their third loss in four games.

The West Demerara FA's SML is being supported by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) through its Members-Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP).

Keys will now face Vondrousova, who had to fight back to see off spirited American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-2. It is the first time the Czech has reached the quarter-finals in New York. (BBC Sport)

22 GUYANATIMESGY.COM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 CLASSIFIED ADS VACANCY We Are Hiring! Mani-pedicurist. Lash technician. Nail technician. Fundamental knowledge is a requirement; however, additional training will be provided. Call or WhatsApp us for more information. +592-643-5855 We Are Hiring! Housekeeper/ Babysitter Requirements: Must be between the ages of 25-45 Must be great with kids Must be able to cook Experience in this field would be an asset. Call+592-6183892 Caption: Evin Lewis and Rashid Khan were teammates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season Classified Ads $5+VAT per word Call: 223-7230-1 Ext 19 Vacancy exists for One HouseKeeper. Age 40 & over. Please call: 654-1535.
St Kitts And Nevis Patriots (20 ovs maximum) Andre Fletcher † c Young b Cornwall 56 Will Smeed c Athanaze b Cornwall 63 Jyd Goolie retired out 22 Sherfane Rutherford (c) not out 65 Corbin Bosch c Powell b Brathwaite 5 Benny Howell not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.00) 220/4 Did not bat: George Linde, Yannic Cariah, Dominic Drakes, Johann Layne, Oshane Thomas Fall of
Fletcher,
(Will Smeed,
(Jyd Goolie,
(Corbin Bosch,
• BOWLING O-M-R-W Kyle Mayers 2-0-23-0 Roelof van der Merwe 2-0-20-0 Jason Holder 4-0-47-0 Carlos Brathwaite 4-0-66-1 Qais Ahmad 4-0-23-0 Nyeem
wickets: 1-115 (Andre
11.2 ov), 2-134
13.2 ov), 3-165
16.6 ov), 4-200
19.1 ov)
22
O-M-R-W George Linde 3-0-34-0 Johann Layne 1-0-17-0 Oshane Thomas 4-0-34-0 Corbin Bosch 3-0-29-1 Yannic Cariah 2-0-35-0 Benny Howell 3-0-40-0 Dominic
2.1-0-34
BOWLING
Drakes
Rahkeem Cornwall launches one out of the park Jessica Pegula reached the quarter-finals at last year's US Open Sherfane Rutherford slammed a quickfire 65* from 27 deliveries Pouderoyen FC marksmen from left: Devin Gaskin, Esan Nelson, and DeAngelo Peters

Amsterdam, Allicock, Jackman among 5-member Pan Am boxing team

will eventually get to that required level, as we get closer to the tournament. Training occurs daily, that is, Monday to Friday from 4 pm and on Sundays at 10 am at the Andre "Six Head" Lewis gym in Albouystown. We also train on Sundays. I think it is a great opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. While they have other qualifiers that will occur, this is an easy chance for the fighters to qualify. It's a good opportunity, and the boxers should make the most of it."

forefront of this marriage given its sporting significance to the region," he further said.

Guyana’s previous participation in this prestigious event occurred at the 2019 edition. Allicock was boxing’s solitary representative in Lima, Peru.

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has officially selected a five-member roster that will compete at the impending Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, from October 20 to November 5.

The fight squad, which is one of the largest in recent times in the competition, comprises Desmond

Amsterdam (79 kg); Keevin Allicock (57 kg); Emmanuel Pompey (92 kg); Joel Williamson (63.5 kg), and Alesha Jackman (66 kg). The Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole, will oversee the technical staff, which also comprises Cuban Coach Franciso Roldan.

Boxing is slated to be staged from October

21–27 at the La Reina Community Sports Center.

It will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, as the two respective divisional finalists will secure automatic berths.

GBA Technical Director Poole said, "Training has officially commenced since last Monday, though it has been a continuous process. They are working, and though it might not be at full intensity, they

More upgrades expected for National Gymnasium

The National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, though recently on the receiving end of an upgrade with three new courts added to its grounds, is likely to be further developed; according to a revelation from Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr.

Ramson Jr made the disclosure during the opening of the courts, responding to inquiries of whether or not to expect more projects being undertaken at the multisport facility.

“It’s all for this half of the facility, we still got another half to do,” Ramson Jr shared with a smile.

“We’re keeping those close to our chest,” the Sport

Minister said about any plans for the utilisation of the next side of the Gymnasium compound, “You know, I like to reveal things at the appropriate time, but by now, the Guyanese people know when we do something, we do it with heart, we do it

with passion and there’s always a very good standard and quality that we put towards what we’re doing.”

The Sport Minister was further quizzed about the amount of investment that has gone into transforming the Mandela Avenue, Georgetown facility thus far; to which he responded that the significance of the investment goes beyond quantifiable means.

Ramson Jr disclosed, “It’s a lot. Over the two years that we started to put money towards this, because you’ve got to remember what it was like before I got in here. This entire section [that now houses the three courts] was bush and heaps of debris and waste material that’s been left behind. We had to clear that out.”

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, "This is the beginning of an important journey in our objective to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. Traditionally, boxing has flown the Golden Arrowhead with aplomb at this regional juncture. As such, the GBA has formulated a rigorous training regimen to achieve its ambitions."

"International competition remains a significant element of our developmental agenda. The Pan American Games are at the

Clive Atwell secured Guyana's last medal in the discipline of boxing at the 2007 edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He won bronze in the 54-kg segment. Prior to the aforementioned, Guyana won two bronze medals in the 1991 Games in Havana, Cuba, via Poole (81kg) and Stephan Rose (51kg].

Overall, Guyana has won one silver and seven bronze medals in the history of the event, which started in 1951. This is second only to Jamaica in the English-speaking Caribbean, which has captured a total of 11 accolades.

IGG Athletics trials for next Saturday

“We built a new washroom, shower, changing/ locker room, these courts, lights, so it’s been quite a big level of investment, I can’t quantify it right now, but I don’t think anybody really cares when you’re getting this level of value and service to the people of the country,” the Sport Minister went on to add.

On the other hand, about the significance of the investment, Ramson Jr stated, “You look around here, you have hundreds of young people going in and out, either playing or watching, think about that from the point of view of an alternative. If they weren’t here, where would they be? And what they would be doing? Now we have a safe space for so many of them and you’re appealing to different types of sport, different types of players and different types of audience.”

“That’s why, from the Government side, we believe in the investment of infrastructure,” the Sport Minister further stated.

Three new outdoor courts for basketball, futsal and lawn tennis were recently commissioned at the National Gymnasium, adding to the capabilities of the indoor facility, which is also home to over half a dozen sports.

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is scheduled to host its Inter Guiana Games (IGG) trials on September 16 at the Bayrock Synthetic Track in Linden.

This is according to General Secretary of the AAG, James Cole.

Cole stated yesterday that the one-day U-18 trials would be used to select the national team to represent Guyana at the Games scheduled to be held in Suriname from October 2631.

Thirteen males and 13 females will form Guyana’s athletic team.

The meet is scheduled to be highlighted by track prodigy Tianna Springer along with other standouts

Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson and Javon Roberts. The gold-medal-winning , history making quartet that competed at the Commonwealth Youth Games last month in Trinidad.

This year, 10 disciplines will be contested during the Games which involve Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. They are track and field, badminton, basketball, volleyball, football, tennis, table tennis, futsal, chess and swimming.

Cole further stated that the statutory National Senior Championship, which was postponed, is also imminent and the date of competition will be made known following the council meeting on Saturday.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 23
Keevin Allicock Alesha Jackman Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr More additions can be expected at the National Gymnasium facility Tianna Springer is expected to be one of the stars on show at the IGG trials
Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC. …as Patriots’ losing streak continues Carnage at Kensington Oval Pg 23 More upgrades expected for National Gymnasium Pg 23 Pg 23

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