Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Guyana

has sustained

promise of prosperity, social harmony – Pres Ali …urges forgiveness & compassion in Eid-ul-Fitr greetings

In his Eid-ul-Fitr greetings, President Dr Irfaan Ali called on Guyanese to embrace an attitude of forgiveness and compassion, even as the sustained promise of prosperity and social harmony continues to be rolled out.

According to the President, with the end of Ramadan, it is time for Muslims to usher in Eidul-Fitr, which is observed today and which he described as “a celebration of love, gratitude and empathy”.

“The Holy Month of Ramadan has ended. During the Holy Month, Muslims engaged in acts of abstinence, fasting, charity, and prayer to strengthen their faith in Allah.

“This special period assures them of God’s blessings. Now that Ramadan has ended, Muslims express their profound gratitude for Allah’s mercies and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with great joy.”

Extending warm Eidul-Fitr 2024 greetings to all Guyanese, especially to the Islamic community, President Ali noted that Guyana’s development was one that brought with it the promise of not only prosperity but social harmony.

“During Eid-ul-Fitr, Muslims in Guyana will gather with loved ones, share with those in need, and reflect on the oneness of humanity, as emphasised in the Holy Quran,” the President said.

“Guyana’s promise of sustained prosperity and social harmony allows us all to celebrate each other’s festivals with greater unity and joy.”

Moreover, he noted the significance of the festival as “a reminder of our shared values of togetherness, happiness, love, forgiveness, and compassion”.

The President urged that as everyone celebrated, they should take time to remember to include everyone else in their love and generosity, particularly the less fortunate, since according to the President “uplifting the vulnerable is an obligation of our faith”.

“The Holy Prophet (On

Whom be Peace) says: “He is not a believer whose stomach is full while the neighbour to his side is starving.”

“Let us therefore observe Eid-ul-Fitr with gratitude and a heart full of love and empathy. EidMubarak to all!”

File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali, his wife Arya and son Zayd

Our Earth

Later this month, we will observe “Earth Day 2024”, themed "Planet vs Plastic". This marks the 54th year the event has been commemorated since massive 1970 protests erupted in the US against their Government’s complicity in environmental degradation. It was the birth of the “environmental movement” that took as its mandate, a commitment to prevent further damage to the planet that is the only home for sentient beings in the trillions of planets in the universe known at this time.

It was fitting the event was launched in the West which created, and continues to create, the most extensive environmental damage to the planet. For millennia before the West’s global conquest, other cultures had placed the need for coexisting with their environment at the centre of their cultural practices, but all of this was swept away with a worldview that insisted “man has dominion over all he surveyed”.

When Columbus encountered the continents of the “New World”, he found peoples who lived in harmony with nature. Because the forests had not been cleared, Europe declared the peoples “uncivilised”, giving them the “right” to assume sovereignty over these lands, and lay waste to them in their divine “mission civilisatrice”. The same assessment was later made and the same process was attempted in Africa and Asia with varying levels of “success”. However, most insidiously, the arrogant premises of the Europeans towards the earth in terms of “development” were inculcated in these populations with devastating effects that persist into the present.

In Guyana, as we commemorate “Earth Day”, the descendants of the Indigenous, African, Chinese, Portuguese and Indian peoples must be reminded of their ancient but now “modern” view of Mother Earth. The Hindus from India, for instance, worship the Earth as “Dharti Mata” or “Prithvi Mata” (literally “Mother Earth”) as a necessary and prefatory rite before each ceremony to worship God in whatever manifestation. Africans and Indigenous peoples also have an organic unity with the Earth.

This remembrance of our own traditions will allow us to indigenise our commemoration and revalidate ourselves in the long process to emerge from the debilitating mental shackles placed over our minds during the colonial period and into the present. It is perhaps not coincidental that Guyana led the world in environmental concern through the sequestering of the Iwokrama Rainforest back in 1989 and the Low Carbon Development Strategy in 2009 that has now been rebooted. It would appear that the urge to save and revere Mother Earth survives in our collective cultural genes.

While the theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs Plastic”, unfortunately, there appears to be a growing and studied effort to reduce environmental spending in the “developed” countries, whose practices led to our global environmental and climate degradation. It has been over five years after 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement and agreed to cut their carbon emissions in an effort to keep the increase of average global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. But while for instance, the US had agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its economy by 26% over the next decade – leaving it at 28% in 2025 when compared to 2005 levels, Trump refused to even accept that climate change is grounded in reality. Not surprisingly, that goal will not be met. We have seen the same backtracking on commitments by the EU nations.

But this does not mean we must give up on our efforts to save Mother Earth: it is the moral duty of all nations to do what we can to reduce carbon emissions. It is very positive that our government will now go ahead with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. In the meantime, the new rising economies of China and India will have to accept that while they may not have caused the problem, they have to put their shoulders to the wheel and reduce their carbon footprints.

Either we all cut back emissions together or we all burn together.

We need narratives of whole truths for national reconciliation

Dear Editor, No one should differ with our former PM Nagamootoo’s yearning for greater national unity, greater civility, and mutual respect among us Guyanese at all times, and very much so at times of change of Government in our country; and in this instance the change of Government in August 2020.

We humans being what we are, Moses might have tempered his feelings of being disrespected had he recalled the events preceding that change of Government: five long tortuous months full of anxiety following our elections of March 2; and more than 19 months after his Government lost the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018. Moses, immediately after that historical loss, had asserted that his Government would conform to the standard parliamentary requirement of arranging and holding new elections within 90 days.

We, Guyanese and

Guyana, for 19 months, were put to a severe test of not tearing ourselves apart. There are many to whom we should be thankful that we did not go over the edge.

Moses might have tempered his feelings if he recalled the change of Government when he, triumphant, took office in May 2015. Elections were held on Monday, May 11. By Wednesday evening, GS Jagdeo was preparing us for a possible exit from office, and although we were very disappointed that we were not getting some questionable boxes recounted, President Ramotar conceded early.

Changeover arrangements between the Hinds and Nagamootoo families were abruptly ended; a last walk-through was cancelled; the PM’s car was demanded, but soon demoted to the backup position. While I caught a minibus to travel to our city centre with my closeman, Moses made some disparaging remarks about how he found

the PM’s Residence. For the cause of our “Dear Land of Guyana”, we do need to see ourselves as one, every one of us could have been in the other’s shoes.

I first met Moses and his wife Sita about October 1990, when my wife Yvonne and I attended a cocktail reception hosted by Khemraj and his wife Ragmatti for us to meet leading persons of the Progressive Youth Organisation. Moses would have known of the anguish and wrongs done to Dr Jagan and the members of the PPP from the split of the PPP in 1955: the gerrymandered constituency boundaries, the rigged elections of 1968 to 1985, the travails to the 1992 elections after two aborted attempts, and the events from December 2018 to August 2020.

It is good to recognise that our “Dear Land of Guyana” needs greater cohesion; there are none but us to labour for it. Moses would know that we have a lot to clear from our chests. Our Dear Land of Guyana

needs reconciliation. We need narratives of whole truths for national reconciliation. We must live in the spirit of “One Guyana“, as proclaimed by our President, working to hoist up each other, for the prosperity of each other, on a background of “One World, One Human Race”. This is particularly so now with our good fortune of ExxonMobil finding pools of oil off our shores at depths where it could not have been won a few years before.

There is no hiding from the fact that our good fortune would have brought with it great forces for disruption within and without Guyana.

It needs no saying that I keep hoping for a better contribution to national cohesion from Moses.

Yours truly,

Samuel A A Hinds

Former Prime Minister and former President Ambassador to the USA and the OAS

Girls dressed as living goddess Kumari participate in a traditional Newari community music festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal (VOA)

Unashamedly, AFC is now proposing measures for public security

Dear Editor,

It is rather disheartening to see the Alliance For Change, the once promising third force that provided hope to the country for bringing about meaningful changes and reforms in our political culture and governance systems, now being relegated to being the ‘press release’ party, churning out a myriad of recommendations and proposals of ideas for improved security; which it had no space to propose, much less implement, under the Coalition Government.

This is the very party that held ministerial responsibility for the security sector in a period stained by explosive allegations of corruption and the imposition of the power of party paramountcy over the country’s security forces. It was under the AFC’s security portfolio

that Guyana experienced the most corrupted system for the issuance of firearm licences and citizenship, the prostituting of the Guyana Police Force in unbridled witch-hunting of political opponents of the Coalition; and Gestapo-like control of the electoral machinery of the 2020 regional and general elections, as was seen by all and sundry during the attempted rigging of the Region Four returns at the Ashmin Building.

Wasn’t it the AFC Minister of National Security who hired an international security expert which later turned out to be a most vulgar conflict of interest saga? Now, with little to no credibility remaining, no electoral constituency ahead of the next general elections, and desperate to project some semblance of relevance and viability,

what remains of the AFC leadership, many of whom I had placed trust and high hopes in while serving in the party, is now grasping at straws in the very sector where its most glaring failures were recorded.

Unashamedly, the AFC is now proposing several measures it sees as vital for arresting public security, amid what it says is an "escalating crime and narco-trafficking" situation. They now want the current Government to implement the recommendations of the British Security Sector Reform which the coalition left languishing in the dust, and craft a policy that is compatible with democracy, and not a strong-man or iron-fisted state.

Do they believe the Guyanese people have forgotten the concocted assassination plot against

Granger, which turned out to be nothing but a ruse to boost security around the president akin to the North Korean dictator, and for which the Crime Chief was sent packing for telling the President that there was no shred of evidence of a plot; the so-called interception and deportation of supposed Russian saboteurs; and the political hijacking of GECOM by the GPF and its puppet masters to secure the elections’ rigging process?

They are calling for stronger community policing, which the coalition abandoned; they want better vetting of police officers, especially senior ranks, many of whom the coalition used to enable the subversion of the constitution and rule of law during the election tabulation and verification process; they now want

Shubh Chaitra Navratri

Dear Editor, Did the total solar eclipse on Monday bring or send any message of religious significance to the inhabitants of Planet Earth?

It did blank out parts of North America for as long as four minutes, when the moon passed between the earth and sun, and there was complete darkness as the moon blocked the view of the sun during the hours of 12 and 4:30pm.

We in Guyana were not privileged to experience this phenomenal sight. What we do know is that this exceptional astronomical event is anticipated to bear various astrological repercussions associated with mankind’s welfare. Its scientific but not alien genesis preceded the beginning of the Hindu festival of Navratri, the ending of the Muslims’ fasting month of Ramadan and supervened the Christians’ observance of Lent and the culmination of Easter.

Once again, Hindus: devotees, lovers and followers of Hinduism throughout the world, including in Guyana, are proud and lucky to have the golden opportunity of celebrating Vasant or Chaitra Navratri. Navratri, the auspicious festival of commemorating nine nights/ days of the nine forms of Divinity of the Universal Mother, Durga Mata, is observed twice per year, in Spring (March/ April as per the Gregorian calendar), and in Fall, October/November (Sharad Navratri).

This year, Navratri commenced on April 9th and concludes, as usual, with the grand culmination of Ram Navami on April 17th.

While most of the customs and rituals are fundamentally the same for both seasons, traditions and practices may vary as per the different ways and means practised in the different parts of India and inherited by the descendants who migrated and settled in various parts of the world. In Maharashtra, for instance, the first day is called Gudi Padwa; and in Kashmir, it is known as Navreh. The first day of Chaitra Navratri falls during the full moon phase, which is known as Shukla Paksha phase, marking the first day of the Hindu calendar.

Ghatasthapana is one of the significant pujas during Navratri, and it marks the beginning of the nine days of festivity. This is the invocation of Goddess Shakti, and must be performed as per the stipulated rules and guidelines of the scriptures.

Nav (nine) Ratri (night), is a dedicated period to specifically revere the Divinity of Mata Durga, who is the Universal Mother. In Shaktism, the word Ratri (night) is symbolically derived from the root ra, “to give,” and is taken to literally mean “the giver” of bliss, peace and happiness.

This is a time when Hindus go the extra mile to prepare themselves mentally, spiritually and physically to undergo this period of penance to include cleansing, fasting, and praying in order to seek the blessings of Mata Uma. Attention is also paid to the surroundings, for cleanliness and the restriction of anything sacrilegious or the consumption of anything considered unholy. Devotees would make

a special effort and flock all the mandirs throughout the country, paying obeisance, serenading her numerous names, and glorifying her heroic stories while praying to Amba Maa to satisfy our quest for Her to shelter us under her umbrella of protection and shield us from any form of endangerment.

Durga Maa enjoys being addressed by 108 names, with each adorned with its individual significance. As the Trinity of Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, the divine mother blossomed from the attributes of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and gifted with the presents of all the deities and devas.

Identified as AdiShakti (Primal Power), the goddess of war, her manifestation centres around combatting evils and demonic forces that threaten peace, progress, and prosperity. The triumph of good over evil, to restore faith in confidence and reinstate Dharma over Adharma, provides the pinnacle for the essence of Navratri.

And so, the first three nights are dedicated to the feet of Durga Ma, the protector of mankind, who was called upon to reveal Her prowess in her nine Avatars to battle the forces of physical and psychological negativity. The second three nights are exalted to the devotion of Lakshmi Mata, the bestower of health, wealth and prosperity, whom we beseech for material growth, for sustenance and survival, to provide the convenience of comfort. The last three nights are lauded to extol the praises of Sarasvati Ma, the provider of knowledge, who removes nescience and

paves the path of acquiring intelligence, so that we function responsibly in society and maintain moral uprightness.

Inasmuch as the joy and fervour remains enthusiastically inclined for devotees to celebrate in all its pomp and glory, we are daily reminded of the demonic prevalence and transgression in society of the types of Madhu & Kaithaba, Dhumralocana, Chanda and Munda, Mahishasur, Raktabija and Shumbha and Nishumbha. Nevertheless, this is the ideal occasion to learn about all The Universal Mother’s features, characteristics, significance, purpose, and scriptural history through the puranas of Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. It is a time to fast, pray, give thanks, and also give to charity.

Prayers and praises to the Universal Mother especially during this period are a cultural event inherited from ancestors from India, and able maintained and glorified by surviving generations.

Durga Saptashati, commonly referred to as Durga Path Pooja, is reverently performed to glorify the name of Durga Devi.

As we wait until 2044 for the next total solar eclipse, may Ma Durga’s blessings be showered on all to enjoy peace, bliss, good health and happiness. Shubh Vasant Navratri.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

wider surveillance systems; enhanced road signage; convening of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Security; and most laughably, the depoliticization of law enforcement.

All of these lofty recommendations stand in stark contrast to the recklessness that passed as public security management under Ramjattan -- reckless abandonment which enabled glaring security lapses and breaches that led to the burning of the Camp Street Prisons, and a callous and ill-thought-out gamble of issuing hundreds of pardons for criminals instead of serious approaches to reform and rehabilitation. There could be no doubt that it is the AFC and its consuming domineers in the 2015-2020 Coalition Government who must be held responsible

and accountable for encouraging and offering support to criminal elements bent on destabilising the country before and during their reign.

Instead of regularly resorting to pontifications on issues of governance, which the AFC and its partners failed so miserably on, the party would do well to caution the few remaining members and senior political figures that they ought to be mindful of the dangers and legal implications of the criminal practice of drinking and driving, and indecent exposure while they fight in futility to avoid political oblivion.

Sincerely, Trevor Williams, Former Member of Parliament for the Alliance for Change

Page Foundation

Bar Graphs

Graphs are useful ways to display information or data. A bar graph uses bars to compare two or more things, people or places. The bars in this type of graph may be horizontal or vertical, not both. Each bar represents a number. Because the data is shown visually, the bars can be compared to one another. Sometimes, different coloured bars that represent different things are used.

Examples Exercises

Each student at Central High voted for his or her favourite kind of Christmas cake.

The key tells you that the black bars stand for boys and the grey stand for girls. The horizontal line, or ***axis***, at the bottom of the graph names different types of cakes. The vertical axis tells you how many boys and how many girls voted for that kind of cake.

How many boys voted for fruit cake?

Step 1: Find fruit cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the fruit cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out how many boys voted for fruit cake. 250 boys voted for fruit cake.

How many students voted for sponge cake?

Step 1: Find sponge cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the sponge cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out how many boys and how many girls voted for sponge cake. 400 boys + 300 girls = 700 students.

(1) Use the graph below to identify the third most-liked fruit at the time of the year.

(2) According to the bar graph below, what was the least favourite holiday drink for students?

Fabulous floating rocks

Did you know that some rocks can float? In this quick geology demonstration, we will explore pumice and its unique and outrageous ability to float.

Materials:

Piece of pumice Container

Water

Instructions: Fill a container with water. Place the pumice in the water.

Enjoy observing the fabulous floating rock!

How it works: Pumice floats because it has a very low density due to the air bubbles trapped inside.

Make this a science project:

Test different sized pieces of pumice to see if they float. Try leaving pumice in water for extended periods of time to see if it eventually sinks. Can you put something like liquid soap on the pumice to make it sink? (sciencefun.org)

By Walt Whitman

CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY

14

Approach strong deliveress, When it is so, when thou hast taken them I joyously sing the dead, Lost in the loving floating ocean of thee, Laved in the flood of thy bliss O death.

From me to thee glad serenades, Dances for thee I propose saluting thee, adornments and feastings for thee, And the sights of the open landscape and the high-spread sky are fitting, And life and the fields, and the huge and thoughtful night.

The night in silence under many a star, The ocean shore and the husky whispering wave whose voice I know, And the soul turning to thee O vast and well-veil’d death, And the body gratefully nestling close to thee.

Over the tree-tops I float thee a song, Over the rising and sinking waves, over the myriad fields and the prairies wide, Over the dense-pack’d cities all and the teeming wharves and ways, I float this carol with joy, with joy to thee O death. TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

T&T investments in Guyana growing – Pres Ali

…says Govt looking for ways to further integrate economies

With Trinidadian investments in Guyana steadily growing, President Dr Irfaan Ali has indicated that they are actively looking for innovative ways in which to further integrate the two economies.

During a recent interview with Trinidadian news agency CNC3, Ali was asked about the growing ties between Guyana and Trinidad. In particular, reference was made to the regional ferry service being developed, which will include both countries, as well as Barbados in its first phase.

Ali made it clear that alongside Trinidadian Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, they are actively working to grow ties between the two countries. According to him, there is much potential for Guyana and Trinidad to extend their competitiveness beyond the Caribbean region.

“I want to say to the people of the Region, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, that Prime Minister Rowley and I, we have been working very strongly together on building the connectivity between the two countries, but also building out a platform through which Trinidad and Guyana can operate in integrating a lot of what we’re doing,” he said.

“We have to find innova -

tive ways in which we will further integrate the different sectors, to position the two economies to service the demand and increase our competitiveness beyond the Region. Because there’s tremendous potential both for Guyana and Trinidad beyond the Region.”

In fact, the President noted that there were already many investments from Trinidad and Tobago

into Guyana. The Head of State was also optimistic that these investments would continue to grow.

“A lot of investments and Private Sector companies and individuals from Trinidad are investing heavily in Guyana. They’re getting a lot of opportunities here. They’re part of the growth and development of our country.

“And I think without

exception, they can speak about the way in which we have integrated and the way in which we have welcomed investment, we look forward and we know that this is going to expand,” he

further said.

Since January, it was reported that the Trinidad and Tobago Cabinet had approved the use of that country’s <<<Galleons Passage>>> vessel to operate the regional ferry service. And on January 5, the Guyanese Leader had disclosed that Guyana, T&T and Barbados have formed a joint company that would work towards the introduction of a ferry system for passenger and cargo between the three countries.

Only last month, CariCargo Incorporated, the company that will be operating the ferry, was officially incorporated in Guyana. The vessel is expected to play a pivotal role in transporting not only Caricom nationals, but also goods, particularly agricultural produce.

Back in May 2022, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago had embarked on setting up the ferry service. During a joint press conference between President Ali and Prime Minister Rowley in Georgetown, the two nations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in a number of

areas.

“As we speak to you now, we are already exploring the possibility of having a cargo-plus-ferry facility as an experiment between Guyana and Trinidad, moving people and goods and services… We cannot address any issues unless we create a platform, the vehicle that will allow us to do that, and this MoU does that,” President Ali had noted.

Regional leaders have long recognised that affordable intra-regional travel remains one of the major bugbears to trade and movement of skilled labour within the Caribbean. Consequently, they have been working on a regional ferry network.

In 2022, Caricom had approached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for funding to establish this intra-regional ferry service. At the time, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) was tasked with ironing out a proposed roadmap study for a fast ferry service with an initial focus on trade between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali (right) and T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

“Like you is a bad man” –gunmen to attempted murder victim shot multiple times

One day after US deportee Clinton Chase had been shot and killed in Middle Road, La Penitence Georgetown, 26-year-old Shane Bourne of Laing Avenue, Georgetown was shot multiple times on Monday in an attempt to take his life.

While the police did not release any information

about the shooting, Guyana Times understands that the injured man was reportedly trailed from his home as he made his way to Middle Road, La Penitence to purchase food.

Reports are that the gunmen were on a red motorcycle, and the pillion rider confronted Bourne and asked, “Like you is a bad man?”, soon after which several gunshots rang out and Bourne collapsed to the ground.

After committing the act, the two men made good their escape, while the injured man was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he has been admitted a patient under guard.

In October 2023, Bourne and another man had been jointly charged with attempted murder. It has been reported that on October 12, 2023, at Independence

Boulevard in Georgetown, one of these two men discharged a loaded firearm at 18-year-old Sherwin Bobb, 41-year-old Seon Ross, and 37-year-old Hamilton Dickerson, who reportedly were liming when Bourne and the other man rode up on motorcycle CM 6629 and one of them opened fire on the men. Bourne and the other man were later apprehended after fleeing the scene.

Bourne’s shooting comes

less than 24 hours after Clinton Chase of Middle Road La Penitence was riddled with bullets at his home on Sunday evening. He was reportedly shot about the body, including his head, arm and chest.

The perpetrator had reportedly been hiding in Chase’s house, and opened fire on him as he was making his way into the house. No arrest has as yet been made, but police are continuing their investigations.

Construction worker nabbed with over 3kg ganja at police roadblock

A27-year-old construction worker of Marshal Street in Annandale, East Coast Demerara was on Monday

taken into custody following the discovery of a quantity of ganja in a haversack he was carrying.

Police have said that on the day in question, between 16:00h and 17:20h, a party of ranks were conducting a roadblock exercise along the Helena Public Road in Mahaica, ECD, and several vehicles were stopped, including minibus BAC 6035.

At the time, the construction worker was carrying a camouflage haversack and was observed acting suspiciously. This prompted the ranks to search the bag, which led to the discovery of two bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic and containing a quantity of cannabis.

The suspect was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested, and escorted along with the bag to the Mahaica Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 3,563 grams. He is expected to be arraigned in court before the end of the week.

Playing…

…the (fox) fool

In the Peanuts comic strip, there’s a running gag where Lucy repeatedly sets up Charlie Brown by holding a football for him to kick then pulling it away at the last second!! Charlie always ends up on his ass as he kicks!! The point, of course, is that there are many like Charlie, who never learn!! Mad Maduro clearly thinks that we, Guyanese, suffer from the Charlie Brown “naivety syndrome”!! He keeps promising “peace”, and even though he launches aggressive diplomatic, economic, and even military moves, we keep hoping that “this time” he means well!!

So, he’s just submitted to the ICJ – just before the stipulated time ran out! – his arguments outlining Venezuela’s position as to why the 1899 Arbitral Award is void because of fraud, and why all of Essequibo is theirs!! Now, this is the same man who told the ICJ – through his VP Delcy Rodriguez - to take a hike when the ICJ ruled it had jurisdiction to hear the case Guyana had brought in 2018. They were consistent in insisting that - contrary to the clear words of the Geneva Agreement which they had signed in 1966 - only direct negotiations between Venezuela and Guyana could resolve the controversy they’d raised in 1962 at the UN.

Guyana has now “welcomed” Mad Maduro’s submission, even though, based on his past actions, this is just a gambit. On December 1 last, hadn’t the ICJ indicated its provisional measures after Mad Maduro announced in October a referendum on Dec 3 to authorise him to annex Essequibo?? Hadn’t that international court called on Venezuela to refrain from “taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby Guyana administers and exercises control over that area”?

And what did Mad Maduro do?? He pulled the ball away from us, and blithely went ahead with the referendum; claimed he received 90% support; executed his “annexation” – which is an act of war – then just passed an “organic law” that Essequibo’s a province of Venezuela!!

Take THAT, Charlie Brown Guyana!!

Then, of course, he’d put another ball in front of us after his annexation announcement on Dec 8 at Argylecourtesy of his chum Ralph Gonsalves, whom he’d bribed!! Where we kicked and promptly fell on our asses when he amassed a massive number of troops on our border!!

So, we gotta accept that the madman on our western border is crazy like a fox. He knows exactly what he’s doing to single-mindedly pursue Venezuela’s historic gripe on Essequibo: they wuz robbed!! Maduro knows the ICJ ain’t ruling for another two years – and in the meantime, he’s gonna rig his elections and continue in power to threaten us!!

He’ll then kick the ICJ’s nuts when they rule!!

…at the Security Council

The UN Security Council (UNSC) met yesterday to discuss the border controversy. We’re a member. Your Eyewitness predicts it’ll be a repetition of its last Dec 8 meeting following Mad Maduro’s referendum. This is what they announced: “Secretary-General Guiterrez emphasised that he strongly supports the use of solely peaceful means to settle international disputes. He further recalled that pursuant to the UN Charter and the Statute of the ICJ, the court’s decisions are binding, and added that he trusts that both states will comply with the court’s 1 December order indicating provisional measures on the case. (Ha!!)

Council members urge a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute, and express concern about its possible ramifications on the region. Many Council members urge respect for multilateralism and adherence to international law, and express support for the ICJ. While some members — including the US and European members — regret Venezuela’s actions, others did specifically denounce Venezuela’s role in the situation.

The Council members will issue a press statement.”

…Caricom

Caricom claims that in adoption of “the Organic Law”, Mad Maduro’s government “acted unilaterally, precipitously, and potentially dangerously” in view of the Argyle Declaration!! Your Eyewitness is waiting (but not holding his breath) for Ralph and Mia’s denunciation!!

Shot: Shane Bourne

The ganja that was found in the suspect’s haversack

Remaining 3 generator sets to go online by weekend – GPL’s CEO …progress

being made on installing all 17 gen sets – PM Phillips

With 14 of the additional generators already integrated into the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is expected to soon complete integrating the remainder, adding an estimated 30 megawatts to the national grid.

On Monday, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips conducted a tour of the generators at GPL’s Columbia, East Coast Demerara (ECD) sub-station. During his tour, the

Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the energy sector, inspected the progress on installation of the 17 generators in total and six step-up transformers.

The generators, which cost US$27 million, were procured last December from Apan Energy Services and will add 30 megawatts to the grid. So far, 14 generators have been brought online. And according to GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kesh Nandlall, the remainder should be installed by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister indicated on his social media page that he was satisfied with developments at the site. He further committed the Government to boosting GPL’s electrical generation capacity and service to the people.

“According to senior management teams of GPL and Apan Energy, to date, GPL has integrated 14 of the 17 generators into the national grid. Engineers have indicated that the remaining high-powered systems are expected to go online within the upcoming days. Government remains committed to boosting GPL's generation capacity and improving its overall service to the people of Guyana,” the Prime Minister said in the statement.

Accompanying Phillips on the tour were GPL CEO Nandlall; Divisional Director (Power Generation and Distribution) Bharat Harjohn; Divisional Director (Safety, Health, Environmental Management and Operational Support) Gary Hall and other officials of GPL. Members of Apan Energy Services team were also on site. Procured from Apan Energy Services, the 17 generation sets have been subject to shipping delays and technical issues in setting them up.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips during the tour

Generating sets at the Columbia sub-station GPL CEO Kesh Nandlall

Delayed road projects

Govt terminates T&T company’s contract for Conversation Tree project

…Avinash Construction gets to keep Cemetery Road works

Having faced a number of delays within the project, Avinash Construction and Metal Works will get to keep the contract for the $475 million Cemetery Road works.

This was revealed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday.

The revised deadline for the project was March 31, 2024.

However, according to Edghill, the Government’s evaluators decided against terminating the contract with Avinash Construction and Metal Works since the company has significantly advanced works.

Nevertheless, he said the Government would pursue liquidated damages from the contractor for the delays suffered in the execution of the contract.

“On the Cemetery Road contract, we have gone into the liquidated damages phrase because the March 31 deadline would have passed and the fact that the contractor would have advanced the work significantly terminating now is not the first option, getting them to finish is the first option,” Edghill said.

The multimillion-dollar project will see the two-lane carriageway being extended into four lanes. When com-

pleted, it is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion.

The project was awarded to Avinash Construction and Metal Works Company and was initially expected to be completed in July 2023.

Conversation Tree project

Meanwhile, the Guyana Government is moving to terminate the $1.8 billion contract awarded to Kalco Guyana Incorporated for the completion of Lot 8 B of the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street project.

Edghill told this publication that the contractor “did not live up to expectations” and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration would not delay the project further.

Currently, works are not ongoing on the site, even though the initial proj-

ect deadline was set for November 5, 2023.

In fact, during an inspection conducted on March 4, Edghill was informed that Kalco Guyana Incorporated instructed its engineers to halt operations.

“The Conversation Tree [project], we are engaging the contractor with the view of terminating…Kalco did not live up to expectations,” the Minister disclosed.

Stern warning

Just a few days ago during a meeting with representatives of Ministries and agencies responsible for awarding and monitoring Government contracts, President Dr Irfaan Ali ordered that penalties outlined in a number of Government contracts be enforced for companies that continue to default on their contractual obligations.

During the meeting, the

Head of State also instructed that project updates for several ongoing works be completed for review and according to Minister Edghill, works are ongoing to fulfil the President’s order.

The project updates will be provided to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and he would issue the letters of notice while the Finance Ministry was tasked with calculating the liquidated damages.

Liquidated damages refer to a provision allowing for the payment of a specified sum in the case of a breach of contract. In this case, the President says the Government will go after those defaulting contractors that have gone past their project deadlines and the justifiable extensions.

“All projects beyond the

contracted time, where we have exhausted justified extensions, (we will) issue a letter today instructing that the liquidated damages be instituted immediately. We cannot tolerate this.

“The Minister of Finance (Dr Ashni Singh) will ensure that the internal auditors clarify the related damages and ensure that they’re calculated and deducted,” Dr Ali said at the time.

Further, the Head of State disclosed that action must now be taken to strengthen project management teams in the public sector.

As a result, the Attorney General’s office will now have a specialised unit dealing with contracts and project management, as part of efforts to ensure compliance.

Dr Ali noted that all project managers and senior engineers under this unit will be properly qualified.

“We are adopting a no-nonsense approach in contract management. We are going to have an independent team managing and reviewing project files so that we have project audits. As project engineers and project managers, you have to ensure that your files are updated, your minutes are recorded and signed. As we take action, we have to get paperwork intact,” the Head of State said. (G1)

A section of the Conversation Tree/Delhi Street Road widening project

Works on the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street project

Works ongoing at Cemetry Road

Remaining 3 generator sets to go online by...

On Sunday, GPL’s CEO had told Guyana Times that the company had successfully installed five containerised generators over the weekend to enhance the capacity of the national grid. He said that five of the eight remaining gen sets were connected on Saturday night.

For the past week, Guyana has been enduring a heightened spate of blackouts following what GPL had described as engine failures at different locations. At least two engines were down. With its

current challenges, GPL is now generating some 165 megawatts of power. However, the current peak demand for electricity is 180 megawatts.

Government has blamed the issues at the State-owned power company on a number of issues ranging from aged infrastructure and systems to lack of maintenance, a human resources gap and the growing demand for electricity coupled with public destruction of the entity’s transmission utilities.

In fact, Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo, at one of his weekly press conferences had acknowledged that the state of affairs at the power company was “bad”, but assured that the Government was seeking to purchase an additional 40 to 80 megawatts of power in order to offset increasing demand.

To address the issue in the short term, VP Jagdeo had said, efforts were underway to purchase 40 to 80 megawatts of power for a period of two years, until the Gas-to-Energy Project comes on stream. In the

meantime, he noted, solar panels are also being used in the hinterland and other areas to increase the generation of electricity in those areas.

The Government’s model Gas-to-Energy Project includes a 300-megawatt power plant using natural gas that would be piped from the oil-rich Stabroek Block’s Liza field, offshore Guyana, to an integrated gas processing facility at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara. The project is set to come on stream next year.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali had also told reporters that the issues affecting GPL’s operations were multifaceted and interconnected. He had said that while Government was looking to immediately bring in additional power, there was a massive need for technical capacity at GPL.

That support, according to the Head of State, could be imported since efforts to fill the human resources gap within the electricity sector has not been fruitful. The Head of State

had said the Dominican Republic-based energy company InterEnergy Group (IEG) is one of the partners that the Guyana Government would be working with.

Moreover, the Guyana Government has approached the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) for financing to upgrade the aged transmission system and distribution network. According to Ali, this could be a “sizeable” amount, given the need of the power company. (G3)

Govt ministries establishing units to assess contractors’ performance

All Government ministries will soon have a unit tasked with assessing the performance of contractors across the various sectors. These units will be supported by a Contract Compliance Unit within the Legal Affairs Ministry to provide guidance and file legal proceedings where necessary. This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall SC. who disclosed that a Memorandum was issued to the Government Ministers on April 6, 2024, advising them to immediately establish the dedicated units.

“That unit is to dedi -

catedly monitor and evaluate the performance of contractors who are executing contracts in those ministries. Once that unit observes unjustifiable delays and breaches of contracts, [it will] activate the clauses of the contract to notify the contractors of the delay, clauses dealing with performance bonds and

termination, etc,” he explained. Further, the units will look at the quality of works being completed by the respective contractors. This move follows strict orders by President Dr Irfaan Ali that penalties outlined in a number of government contracts be enforced for companies that continue to default

on their contractual obligations. The president’s comment was made at a meeting with met with engineers and project managers from the Public Works and Housing ministries to discuss the status of major infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile the attorney general cautioned contractors to ensure that they

execute their contracts diligently and deliver projects that cannot be deemed substandard.

He noted that this move by the Government is a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to move condignly against contractors who are negligent in the discharge of their duties.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

THE NAYSAYERS CONTINUE TO MISINFORM THE PUBLIC – GUYANA HAS A REAL ANTI-PROGRESS CADRE

SConstruction of $1.7B NA Prison taking shape

enegal’s new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, soon after his swearingin, announced that he would convene an audit of the state of play as Senegal journeys to first oil. One newspaper in Guyana carried a huge headline that Senegal’s new President has convened the renegotiation of Senegal’s oil contract with big oil companies. The headline was totally misleading, and is a misrepresentation of the truth. Senegal was ahead of Guyana in 2012 when it signed the first agreements. Despite experiencing one delay after another, they were confident in 2023 that they had reached a stage for 1st oil. They now think they could get there by mid-year 2024. There is a possibility that, with the announcement of a planned audit, there might be further delays in 1st oil and the more lucrative gas production they expect.

During the election campaign, the then-opposition leader, now the president of Senegal, promised that should he win the election and become the president, he would renegotiate the oil contracts with BP, Total, and other oil companies. He was unequivocal in his promise. Whether or not he would advance to a renegotiation remains to be seen. This column in no way questions the new president’s honesty in this promise. However, now that he is the president of Senegal, it is instructive that his announcement about oil and gas only relates so far as an intention for an audit to be conducted. He was clear that he did not want to discourage investment in his country.

Ruminations’ reason for highlighting the Guyanese newspaper’s headline is that the headline and the story are two different things. The headline blared that Senegal had started a renegotiation. The actual newspaper story is that Senegal has announced an audit. The headline clearly misinformed people, and misrepresented the facts.

This is yet another example of how this particular newspaper is on a propaganda journey, twisting the facts to suit its narrative to stop oil and gas in Guyana. It was just last week that this same newspaper calculated that India paid just over US$5M for a military plane, as opposed to Guyana buying two of the same planes from the same manufacturer for a cost of just over US$23M. They argued that Guyana could have bought four of the planes if they had the same deal as India. As it turned out, the headline and story in that newspaper were also false.

Their mathematics skills were exposed as they fell into the voodoo mathematics club. As it turned out, India procured six planes at a cost of just over US$81M, which comes to about US$13M each. The price in both Guyana’s case and India’s case included training and parts. Was it a case of poor mathematics skills, or was it a deliberate attempt to misinform people? To this day, no apologies have emanated from that newspaper, even though their false story was exposed.

But they have a narrative they are pushing. They want to stop the oil. They have used a platform for renegotiation to slow down and stop oil production in our country. On one hand, they want to show that all the oil countries are renegotiating their contracts except Guyana. This is false. Venezuela, Nigeria, Bolivia, and Kazakhstan are countries that have all forcibly renegotiated their contracts. How many of these countries have done better? Most countries of the small handful of countries that tried renegotiating their contracts have seen decreased investments, etc., none doing better than before.

Like many countries, Guyana could have done a better job during the negotiation of the PSA that was signed in 2016, with the Guyanese people only knowing the details much later, when Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP exposed the contract. Even the US$18M signing bonus was hidden. Of the Granger-led APNU/AFC government’s senior officials, including David Granger, Raphael Trotman, and Winston Jordon, none has told a story about the US$18M that is consistent.

The question is: what chance does Guyana have in a lengthy, unproductive renegotiation? Even if we could get past the contract itself, which requires that all parties agree to renegotiate, are we to freeze development that is taking place at a dizzying pace, transforming our country and the lives of our citizens?

The PPP Government does have a track record of building Guyana’s infrastructure, but the Government had to limit itself to basic infrastructure at a slow pace because access to revenue was restricted. Now there is a dizzying pace of physical transformation around our country. In this term alone, the Irfaan Ali-led government would be able to commission the new Demerara River Bridge, the Wismar Bridge, and dozens of bridges that would make possible the dream of a highway from Georgetown to Brazil. Bridges across the Berbice River and the Corentyne River would be significantly advanced. There are new highways, new roads and streets; and in every community, there are now streets being upgraded, with very few mud dams still existing.

New schools and new hospitals are under construction. The housing boom is the envy of countries in the Caribbean and as far away as Africa. Most of our people are accessing potable water. Disposable income in families in all regions has significantly improved. New small businesses are emerging and sprouting up everywhere.

Investors are flocking to Guyana. New hotels are going up before our very eyes. New private hospitals are being established. New service industries are coming to Guyana.

But the small band of anti-progress in our country is in a frenzy and desperate. They want to stop, at all cost, development for our country and our people. They simply will not accept a developed Guyana under the leadership of the PPP. They would rather have a poor country with poor people, rather than a developed country under the PPP.

Guyana is on a path to prosperity. Guyana is likely to have the biggest economy in CARICOM by 2030, from a basket case to the “King of the Hills”. This is what the anti-progress cadre wants to derail.

Acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot and a team on Saturday inspected ongoing works on the $1.7 billion New Amsterdam Prison Complex to ensure the project was on schedule.

The contracts for the massive infrastructural works were awarded back in October 2023.

The contractors are Professional Engineering & Construction Services, Guy Biz Establishment, Builders Hardware General Supplies & Construction, Singh & Son Construction, DBL Group and Navin & Sons Construction.

The contracts were awarded in lots and included senior officers’ living quarters, male and female living quarters, an officers’

sports club, and a reception building.

A kitchen and a storage bond will also be built along with an infirmary annex, overhead storage tank, a treatment plant, cell blocks, and a training facility for inmates.

The project forms part of the Government’s overall reform and modernisation programme for the prison

service, which is targeting the transformation of the prison from a penal to a correctional institution.

tive environment within correctional facilities.

To facilitate the construction, inmates were transferred to the Timehri Prison in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). It was reported that the arrangement is a temporary one since the new female prison at Lusignan should have been completed in the first quarter of 2024.

Body of vagrant found floating in Cummings Lodge trench

The lifeless body of a vagrant identified only as ‘Saray’ was on Tuesday found floating in a trench at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are that the discovery was made at about 06:30h at 10th Field, Cummings Lodge, ECD. At the time, the body was clad in a grey jersey and a part of long blue jeans.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from the Central Fire Service were summoned to the scene, and based on reports received, no marks of violence were seen on the body. The body is currently at the Memorial Gardens mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem.

This discovery comes just three days after the body of 49-year-old Edward Bramnarine, also known as Eddy, was found at the corner of Water and Holmes Streets in Georgetown.

Police have said that a female vendor discovered Bramnarine’s body with blood oozing from a suspected stab wound to his chest. To date, no one has been arrested for this suspected homicide.

Back in October 2023, Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Andre Ally, underlined the significance of these capital projects in reshaping the prison infrastructure, focusing not only on rehabilitation but also on the facilities’ functionality for the betterment of both staff and inmates.

The Home Affairs Ministry stands resolute in its commitment to improving infrastructure and facilities and promoting a safer and more rehabilita-

Upon completion of that facility, the female prisoners will be housed there permanently.

Further, the male prisoners who were previously housed at Timehri Prison were transferred to the Lusignan Prison.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam and Humanity, Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh.

May the Peace, Guidance, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah (swt) be upon us all!

Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak!

On this joyous day of Eidul-Fitr, the Executives and Staff of CIOG join you in celebration.

Alhamdu-Lillah, (Praise be to Allah) we were honored by Allah (swt), the Infinitely Merciful, to have graduated from the university of Ramadan. A month in which we practiced patience, self-control and restraint. We have participat-

ed in private and communal worship, engaged in much reflection and introspection, enhanced our caring and giving and refined our character; all with the expectation of attaining closeness to our Creator, Allah (swt). Now, after a month of fasting, we celebrate with the intention of being AbdunShakoor, thankful servants. Allah (swt) says in chapter 10 of the Holy Quran, entitled Yunus (Jonah) verse 58: In the grace of Allah (swt) and in His (swt)

mercy, in that they should rejoice; it is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass!'

On this 1st day of Shawwal, the day of Eid, as we celebrate and rejoice in the grace and mercy of Allah (swt), we ponder on the many lessons of Ramadan. However, this year was immensely more difficult not because we deprived ourselves of food and water but because of what we endured as an Ummah. Our Beloved

Prophet, Rasoolullah (peace and blessings be upon him), said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” Yes, this Ramadan was painful as we watched in disbelief at the first publicly televised genocide of our Brothers and Sisters in Gaza. We were given many lessons this Ramadan but the greatest lessons came from them while under-siege. Notably, the concept of Imaan (faith) and Tawwakul (intense and hopeful trust in Allah (swt)).

Emerging from Ramadan this year cannot mean the same as last year. The lessons we were thought in and out of the Masjid must be coupled with action. Gratitude is not just expressed on the tongue. Self-restraint and control must be extended to other aspects of our lives. We witnessed our Brothers and Sisters break their fast with soup made of grass and water, and some are in perpetual fasting. Despite their homes and places of worship decimated, they still prayed the night prayers between the rubble. I ask, what is the source of their strength? What we witnessed is their constant dua (prayer) of our Father Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him.

Our Brothers and Sisters invoked the prayer of the Prophets (peace be upon them) often with a smile, Hasbunallu Wa Nia' Mal Wakeel, “Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

This year many lessons were taught to us at great expense and sacrifice. We must now go beyond the Masjid and couple this with civilization changing action. Belief is not just expressed on the tongue, but it must also be manifested in our deeds and lives. This is the legacy of Muslims everywhere we went. In a time that is seemingly filled with darkness and loss of hope, let us fulfill the rights we have to those around us and this Ummah – and by extension – the entire world. Be that beacon of light and hope.

In our celebration, let us not forget those among our brothers and sisters who face difficulties and hardship, those facing the challenges of illness, hunger, and despair. Reach out, find ways to help, comfort and sustain others, while filling them with hope and reminding them that Allah (swt) is Gracious, Merciful and Abundant.

Today does not signal the end of worship or letting go of

the Holy Quran:

"Be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity. Whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah. For Allah sees well all that you do".

(Holy Quran Surah AlBaqara 02:110)

Let us nurture harmonious relationships in our families, communities, and our nation. I encourage you to invite our non-Muslim brothers and sisters to join in our Eid Celebrations. It is our duty to promote the core Islamic values of coexistence, tolerance, and khidma - to be in the service of others. Let us lovingly serve and protect all of Allah’s (swt) Creation. Allah (swt) reminds us in the Holy Quran: We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had God willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing good. Every one of you will return to God and He will inform you regarding the things about which you differed.” (Holy Quran Surah Al-Ma'ida 05:48)

May Allah (swt) Bless and have Mercy on us all. May Allah (swt) Bless and have Mercy on our country and the entire world. We beseech Allah (swt) to accept all our good deeds and forgive all our shortcomings, (Ameen).

“Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

(Holy Quran Surah AlImran 3:173)

Ibn ‘Abbas said in a hadith, “When (Prophet) Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, he said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did the Final Messenger, Rasoolullah (saw) when he was told: “A great army … [has] gathered against him, so fear them”. But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. [Al-Bukhari].

the concerns of the Akhirah (afterlife). On the contrary, it is our duty throughout the year to build on the progress we made in Ramadan so that each Ramadan finds us stronger and closer to Allah (swt), as individuals and as a community.

Let us reaffirm the importance of prayer. The strength of our community and the quality of our lives will be improved as more of us observe the five daily prayers, which are the spiritual sustenance of the believers. Let us fill the Mosques as we did in Ramadan. We should leave aside all excuses and delays and observe our prayers, a seemingly small act that yields countless benefits and blessings. Allah (swt) reminds us in

May Allah (swt) graciously grant us Healing, (Ameen). I close with the pillar of reliance and absolute trust in Allah (swt). The prayer of prophet Abraham ()A.S.)

“Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

(Holy Quran Surah AlImran 3:173)

Eid Mubark! Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!

Wa-AlaikumusSalaam WaRahmatullahiWaBarakaatuh.

Respectfully, Al-Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad President CIOG

Truck driver charged with Friendship EBD accident involving fmr Division 4B Commander

Months after former Commander of Regional Division 4B, Senior Police Superintendent, Mahendra Singh was injured in an accident at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the driver of the motor lorry involved was slapped with a dangerous driving charge.

Romel Benjamin, 29, of Lovely Lass Village West Coast Berbice (WCB) appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate's Court on January 10, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison.

The charge read that on August 02, 2023, along the Friendship Public Road, EBD, he drove a motor lorry, BAE 38 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing injuries to Mahendra Singh.

However, Benjamine made another court appearance on February 8, 2024, be-

fore Magistrate Latchman and was granted $50,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to March 12, 2024, but was further adjourned to April 8, 2024.

The defendant remains on bail and the matter is now set to continue on May 10, 2024.

It was reported that a pickup truck, PAC 5254 owned by the Guyana Police Force was at the time being driven by a 31-year-old Police Constable, and it was taking Commander

Singh to a Presidential engagement.

The motor lorry, BAE 38 operated by Benjamin was reportedly travelling at high speed in the opposite direction.

However, as the lorry attempted to overtake a line of traffic, it veered into the path of the Police pickup, which was travelling without any flashing lights or sirens thus resulting in a collision.

Benjamin, Commander

Singh and the Police Constable were transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Center where Benjamine was diagnosed with a broken right leg and left wrist and was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

In addition, Commander Singh suffered from multiple abrasions on his body. He too was referred to the GPHC. A breathalyzer test conducted on Benjamine found no trace of alcohol in his system.

Essequibo Coast man charged, remanded for gun possession

Cleon Alphonso of Henrietta village, Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison by Charity Magistrate Tamieka Clarke on Monday, after the magistrate assessed his condition and, based on his medical condition, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

A team of police ranks on mobile patrol duty had

apprehended the 32-yearold Alphonso in vicinity of the Anna Regina Police Headquarters on April 4 with an unlicensed firearm and one magazine.

Alphonso had been observed walking on the road, and when stopped and searched by the patrol ranks, the firearm with one magazine that had no ammunition was found on his

person. He was questioned whether he was the holder of a firearm licence and he replied "No." As such, he was arrested and later charged.

He will make his next court appearance on April 30, 2024. The magistrate has instructed that a medical evaluation be done on this accused.

Former Commander of Division 4B, Mahendra Singh

“His

landmark judgements will guide future lawyers” – AG

…as Supreme Court pays tribute to late Justice Prem Persaud

In a tribute to the late Justice (retired) Prem Persaud, who passed away on November 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Judicature of Guyana held a Special Full Court Sitting to reflect on live and work of the stalwart.

The sitting saw the participation of legal fraternities including the Guyana Bar Association and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, among others.

Many used the event to reflect on the success of Justice Persaud and shared personal experiences. One such person being the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who in an emotional state expressed gratitude to the late Justice for putting service above self.

According to Nandlall, the late Justice’s was a trail blazer, whose landmark judgements will continue guide lawyers and judges alike for many years

to come.

“The legal profession in Guyana and the Caribbean lost a fine jurist. No doubt he made a lasting contribution to the legal profession, to public life and the country and its people. Guyana is poor by his demise, for he has made an outstanding contribution to international life from his appointment as a member of the order of service and awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour,”

Nandlall said.

Further, Chief Justice Roxane George shared several stories about her encounters with the late Justice Persaud, whom she explained played a major role in shaping her success in the legal fraternity.

On this point, she expressed that the late Justice is a legal tower who made everlasting strides along the physical and legal landscape of Guyana, and the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana would cherish and honour his work in all future endeavours.

“As a prosecutor it was privileged to appear before Justice Persaud not long after I became working at the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1990. He was always a helpful Judge, understanding that as young council we need guidance and he was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise”.

“He believed in simpli-

city and clarity of language and therefore exemplified have become the newer thinking as it regards communicating legal issues,” the Chief Justice said.

Born in the village of Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara, Justice Prem Persaud was a British trained lawyer who assumed the Bench as a Magistrate of British Guiana in the early sixties and served in that capacity until he was elevated to the High Court as a Puisne Judge on or about 1986.

He was possibly the longest serving Magistrate in the entire Commonwealth. After serv-

ing as a High Court Judge for several years, Justice Persaud was appointed a Justice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Guyana. As a Justice of Appeal, he delivered several landmark judgments in various areas of the law.

Persaud also served as Chief Justice for a short period.

Upon his retirement, Justice Persaud held several crucial posts, including being the longest serving Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission for several years, Chairman of the Trade Union Recognition

Board for many years, and head of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited.

Justice Persaud was the father of Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, brother of Vidyanand Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, and the uncle of Prabha and Vidushi Persaud, both Attorneys-at-Law.

No doubt Justice Persaud’s life was a long fulfilling one, dedicated to public service and in service to the people of Guyana spanning over six decades.

Despite the high offices held, Justice Persaud remained grounded, humble and affable. (G1)

Late Justice (retired) Prem Persaud Chief Justice Roxane George Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC

Border controversy UN Security Council holds closed-door meeting on Venezuela’s ‘annexation’ action

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), of which Guyana is a non-permanent member, on Tuesday convened a private meeting to discuss Venezuela’s aggressions towards Guyana, with the Spanish-speaking country being called before the forum to answer for its actions.

According to a brief from the Security Council Report, the meeting was convened at Guyana’s request, to discuss the most recent developments in the controversy including Venezuela’s promulgation of the controversial “Law for the defense of Essequibo” in its National Assembly.

The meeting was held under agenda item “Threats to international peace and security”. The brief had stated that Venezuela would be expected to participate in the private meeting under rule 37 of the UNSC’s provisional rules of procedure.

Rule 37 provides for non-UNSC members to participate in discussions at the Council, at the Council’s invitation, “in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council when the Security Council considers that the interests of that Member are specially affected, or when a member brings a matter to the attention of the Security Council.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali dispatched an April 5 letter to the Council invoking Article 35 (1) of the UN

Charter. Further, it was explained that Assistant Secretary General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Jen?a would provide the brief during the meeting. Additionally, it was noted that members of the UNSC are expected to urge Venezuela to follow the Argyle Declaration.

In the letter requesting the meeting, Ali cited the “Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, which Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro signed on April 3. He warned that this action “cements Venezuela’s intent to annex more than two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory and make it part of Venezuela”. Maduro described the law as the implementation of the results of the December 3, 2023 referendum. He added that the law “establishes the creation of state number 24, the state of Guayana Esequiba within the political and territorial organisation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”. The law also reiterated Venezuela’s rejection of the validity of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award and the ICJ’s jurisdiction on the matter.

According to a brief, in his April 5 letter, Dr Ali said that the law violates the ICJ’s December 1, 2023 provisional measures and expressed concern that given Caracas’ disregard of this order, “Venezuela’s next move would be to implement its plan for the sei-

zure of our sovereign territory”. He added that such an act would be a breach of the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter and would contradict the letter and spirit of the Argyle Declaration. The letter also rejects recent claims made by Maduro that the US has installed bases of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Essequibo, calling it a “dangerous narrative”.

In a brief statement on social media, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud had said previously that the planned meeting would “address Maduro’s violation of the rules of international law requiring States to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other States, as well as the International Court of Justice”.

It was only on Monday that Venezuela finally submitted its counter-memorial on the border controversy case to the ICJ – the very last day the World Court had given the country to do so. Ironically enough, members of the Venezuelan Diaspora in the Netherlands were on hand to protest and boo the Venezuelan entourage as they left the Peace Palace.

In a video message, President Ali welcomed the decision and further expressed hope that Venezuela would continue to cooperate in the border case – which it has been reluctant to do, despite the court ruling since 2020 that

it has jurisdiction to hear and decide the case.

Venezuela is already attracting widespread condemnation for its recent promulgation of a “Law for the defense of Essequibo” in its National Assembly, which was condemned as infringing on Guyana’s sovereignty.

The controversial law

was promulgated at the instigation of President Maduro last week, in his bid to establish Guyana’s sovereign Essequibo region as a state within his country.

In addition to the OAS and Caricom, the Commonwealth Secretariat has also expressed concern over the recent actions of the Venezuelan regime.

The last time the UNSC met to discuss the border controversy had been in December 2023. At the time, the UNSC had convened privately to discuss the intensifying border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela at a time when the latter was advancing efforts to seize the oil-rich Essequibo. (G3)

File photo: The UNSC

Mental health patients languish in healthcare system for years – Health Minister

…relatives bemoan National Psychiatric Hospital’s actions in patient release …as National Mental Health Action Plan launched

In a revelation that underscores the urgent need for mental health reform, Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed a troubling reality at the forefront of the nation’s health agenda, stating that there were individuals with mental health conditions who have been under the care of the Health Ministry and healthcare providers for more than 10 to 15 years.

The minister was at the time speaking at the launching the National Mental Health Action Plan and National Suicide Prevention Plan for Guyana 2024-

the public, we will be doing more ads, we will be shifting how we do services, at the primary health levels…we don’t want to have a specialised mental health centre, so our primary care physicians must be able to do all the basic treatment for these conditions”.

The minister said as it relates to mental health, depression, and anxiety are more prevalent and they are working to curb this.

“If depression goes undiagnosed, among depressed people we have seen more suicide rates so we have developed a tool that you can use to detect depres-

patient of the institution for well over ten years was dropped off at the home of a cousin and left at the gate.

The man previously lived in another section of New Amsterdam with his mother but during his over 10 years at the institution, she passed away. The house, he once lived in, is now abandoned.

However, relatives said that the staff at the NPH allegedly took him to Greater New Amsterdam where a 16-year-old girl was at home and asked her if she knew the 49-year-old man and she said it was her cousin. The teen then related that her

sion, and based on that, the physician should be able to treat”, Anthony said.

He said this sheds light on the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues in Guyana.

Despite receiving treatment, many individuals find themselves trapped in a cycle of prolonged hospitalisation, isolated from their families and communities.

Dr Anthony attributed this prolonged stay not to the efficacy of treatment, but rather to a heartbreaking societal stigma that ostracises these individuals from their own families. He lamented that, in many instances, even after receiving treatment, their families refuse to take them back.

Anthony emphasised the importance of widespread education to dispel misconceptions surrounding mental illness and to promote understanding and acceptance within society.

“There will have to be a lot of education…once people are on treatment they will be ok. There is a different way of viewing mental health. Before, with the old legislation, what we used to do, you put them in an institution. That is not the right way of treating people with mental health illnesses…”, he said.

“We will be working with

Dropped off, no verification

Even with this revelation, some families have been complaining that their relatives are being dropped off by mental health institutions in Guyana at random family members or friends without proper verification, and their relatives suffering from mental health issues are going missing.

Just a few days ago, a man who was discharged from the National Psychiatric Hospital; was dropped off in custody of a minor and is now missing.

Authorities are being called upon to pay closer attention to the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) situated at Fort Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

parents were not at home and they would have to return but the staff left him there.

The mother of the teen reached on to this publication and had her relate what transpired.

“I was in the hammock and saw the bus stopped and a girl and a boy came

“Then she just say that he get discharged and he is not mad. He needs to come out from there and take his medication,” the teenager said.

Meanwhile, the teen’s mother said that had she been at home, she was going to accept her nephew but noted that she does not have accommodation.

“But I would have told them that they have to carry him to where his house is. His mother made a house before she died...”, she said.

Arrangements were made to have the man sent to a brother on the East Bank of Berbice.

“He told me to put him in a car and send him but like he didn’t want to go...”

Family members have since reported to the police that the 49-year-old man cannot be found and his whereabouts are unknown.

Roaming streets

Meanwhile, on the same day, another man who was sent to NPH by a magistrate 13 years ago after he was deemed unfit to stand trial was also dropped off at a relative’s house.

According to the man’s sister, the house her bother lived at before becoming ill is abandoned. She said on Thursday a bus pulled up in front of her house and dropped him off and left.

“I was not at home and my kids were alone at home. The eldest is 20, but she did not answer when they called it was the 15-year-old who answered and the girl just asked is ‘My name’ is living here and she said ‘yes’. She didn’t ask if I was at home or anything. She just opened the bus door and put the patient out on the bridge

two other patients were discharged from the institution last week in a similar nature. They too have been living on the streets in New Amsterdam since last week.

According to the sister of one of the persons, she received a telephone call from the NPH at about 10:00h on Thursday last informing her that her brother was discharged from the institution and four hours later he was dropped off at her 15-yearold daughter. “She said that they were evaluating him and he was fit to come back into society; he had a stable mind and based on the conversation that they were having with him he has memories and I asked her what kind of memories. She said he said we have a house in Islington. I told her that house we were renting and we no longer live there.”

The sister said she indicated to the caller that she was living at a house, she rents from someone and other tenants are living in the lower flat.

“She tells me if I can’t knock up something in the backyard and put him inside because he can do things for himself.

This occurred after the discharge of several patients; three of them are now roaming the New Amsterdam Market and a fourth is now missing, according to relatives.

It was reported that on Thursday, that a 49-yearold man who has been a

out and they walked in the yard and the girl asked for my mother and I say she just gone out on the road. She asked me if I know this man and I told her that I know his face...” the teen said.

The teenager said she was then able to recognize that it was her cousin and called him by name and he responded.

and gave him his bag. By the time the eldest could have come out to ask her anything she just locked the bus door and the bus drove off,” the sister related.

The patient, whose family members said is violent was seen in the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Market later in the day. He is now living on the streets.

Reports are that at least

I said to her ‘Miss I just said to you that I am living on a rental property, it is not my premises I am living on to put him on. She said okay we will get back to you and the next ‘get back’ is that he was dropped off in front of my gate,” she said.

According to the young lady, when her brother became ill, she was 13-years-old and now she is in her thirties. Hence, he does not have a relationship with her brother.

“The way they go about dealing with these patients is wrong, at least give the family a heads up. Meaning that they should call and say this is what we are about to do... If they tell us that like in another two to three

weeks, we would release the patient, so, that the family would have enough time to get themselves together,” the woman said Calls to the NPH for a comment on the issue were redirected to the Health Ministry.

National Mental Health Action Plan

As the country grapples with this mental health crisis, Minister Anthony also candidly disclosed it is imperative for immediate action. With determination and resolve, Guyana is poised to embark on a transformative journey towards a more compassionate and inclusive approach to mental health care, ensuring that no individual is left behind.

As such, on Tuesday, the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) launched the National Mental Health Action Plan and National Suicide Prevention Plan for the years 2024-2030. This event took place at the Ministry’s Brickdam Georgetown headquarters conference room.

The National Mental Health Action Plan is expected to outline a roadmap for improving mental health services, accessibility, and quality of care across the country. It is poised to address various aspects of mental health, including awareness, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, thereby fostering a supportive environment for individuals grappling with mental health issues.

Simultaneously, the National Suicide Prevention Plan underscores the urgent need to combat the alarming rates of suicide in Guyana. By implementing targeted interventions, raising awareness, and providing vital support networks, the plan endeavours to mitigate risk factors associated with suicide while enhancing protective factors within communities.

2030 on Tuesday at Health Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown, headquarters.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

National Psychiatric Hospital

Guyana needs intellectual property laws – UG forum hears

Dean of the school of entrepreneurship and business innovation at the University of Guyana, Dr Leyland Lucas has said that whilst Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies and there is a current explosion in economic activities, the country, is lagging behind when it comes to intellectual property rights.

He was at the time speaking at the University of Guyana’s collaboration forum with the United States Embassy Office for International Trade and the US Patent and Trademark Office, on Friday last, which hosted a discussion on Intellectual Property (IP) ahead of World Intellectual Property Day which will be observed on April 26.

Whilst presenting Dr Lucas underscored that “unfortunately like every-

thing else, laws tend to lag at issues, and one of the areas in which the law is lagging is in terms of intellectual property rights and how we deal with it”.

Implementing strong intellectual property rights laws creates an environment that creates innovation and encourages inventors to come up with new solutions and opens the door for foreign investments. Leyland explained that it is important for The University of Guyana to demonstrate that they understand the value of intellectual property in this regard. The university recently incorporated intellectual property rights into its curriculum to ensure that every student understands what intellectual property rights mean and how it is likely to impact their lives.

Dr Lucus further stated

“we must not only educate our students but all stakeholders involved in the process, everyone we come into contact with. We must help them understand their value proposition, you just didn’t make a tune or draw a painting because you felt like doing it. It is important that we demonstrate that we understand the value of intellectual property and provide the enforcement requirements that are necessary to reinforce the issue of ownership of innovations”.

Meanwhile, present at the event, was the Intellectual Property Attaché for Mercosur, the Guianas, and Suriname

David Kellis who highlighted Ethiopia’s success from trademarking major coffee brands. As of 2007 Ethiopia a significant coffee producer in the market who began to utilize trademark protection on major coffee brands. Kellis underscored that as a result of utilizing trademark protections these brands were able to earn

more than $100M annually which resulted in a significant increase for workers in the industry. In an effort to highlight Guyana’s interest In Intellectual property Attorney General Anil Nandlall engaged officials from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Representatives of the agency engaged with the

attorney general to learn about the local landscape and activities happening on the Intellectual Property front. They also advocated for the promotion of greater Intellectual Property protection and even offered to provide assistance necessary to enhance the local intellectual property landscape in Guyana.

Dr Leyland Lucas

United States of America Embassy officials along with University of Guyana officials pose for a photo after the discussion (UG released photo)

Highway contractors complain of speeding by truck drivers …say workers feel life in danger working on roadway

The contractors working on the Good Success to Timehri highway, East Bank Demerara have recently raised concerns about the scores of persons, mainly truck drivers, speeding along the roads, where workers are currently carrying out works.

According to Programme Manager and Senior Engineer Mark Greene, this complaint was lodged with the Ministry. He told truck drivers at a meeting

with Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Saturday that the contractor has expressed concerns about his workers complaining that their lives are in danger as a result of speeding drivers.

According to Greene, the roadworks are being done by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, who raised the issue. He explained that this was a repeated complaint that the Ministry has been receiving, pointing out that

indeed speeding drivers put lives of the road workers in danger.

“The roads under construction are designed to include traffic signs, road markings, pathways for cyclists, and pavements, all of which will be completed in specific time frame,” he stated while emphasising the seriousness of the issue. He urged truck drivers to exercise caution and reduce speed when approaching construction zones, as many workers will be dil-

Human skeletal remains found in Canje cane field

The skeletal remains of a human were on Tuesday discovered in a cane field in East Canje operated by the Rose Hall Estate of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The discovery was made by a cane harvester. According to the Police, two security officers visited the Reliance Police Station and reported that a skeleton was found at Enterprise A, Field One.

The cane harvester related that about 07:45h, he was working in the area when he discovered a skull and several bones that appeared to be human remains. That information was passed on to the security officers.

The remains were removed by the Police. Seekumar Balram, one of the other workers who were working in the said area, stated that he saw a group of about a dozen workers gathered and when he enquired, he was told of the finding of the remains.

The skeletal remains found

igently working to ensure the roads are completed.

Given that workers are dressed in safety clothing, which has light reflectors, he stated that it was very easy to see them on the roadways. On Saturday, he also stated that there were signs on the roads indicating drivers should slow down and drivers were not adhering to them. These reports, which, he stated, he has received from the contractors are all reports which he himself has witnessed firsthand during his weekly site visits.

Expressing similar sentiments, Public Works Minister Edghill said that statistics were showing

that the common unlawful acts on the roadways are speeding and driving while under the influence.

“The two main problems on the roadways that we are seeing right now are excessive speeding and drinking and driving,” Edghill stated adding that drivers need to take the lives of pedestrians into consideration.

Supporting his statement, he expressed that drivers on the Heroes Highway are currently driving as if the highway is a race track.

Expressing that he himself was recently hit by a truck that was speeding, he confirmed the statement by Greene of speedy driving by trucks to be true.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, in hearing the complaints, emphasised the Guyana Police Force's commitment to charging individuals, who surpass the speed limit. He committed that the Police would not hold back with respect to charges. Additionally, the Traffic Chief said that drivers have been sensitised on road traffic rules. He underscored that 571 traffic lectures have already been conducted so far this year, which indicates the Force's dedication to education and prevention of illegal driving alongside enforcement. (G2)

He said none of the workers had any clue of the identity of the person or how long the remains might have been there. The remains were removed and taken to a funeral home, where it is expected that DNA testing will be conducted to determine the identity of the person.

Amsterdam.

Just one month ago, the remains of a human being were discovered by an excavator operator working at Esplanade in New

Police had detailed that the remains were found in a bag, and what appeared to be male underwear along with a pair of three-quarter pants were also in the bag suggesting that the body had been placed into the bag and dumped in what was then bushes.

Programme Manager and Senior Engineer Mark Greene speaking at the event

The meeting with truck drivers on Saturday last at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara

UG’s 1st batch of food scientists to transform food security for Guyana

“W

e are inordinately proud of this pioneering batch of Food Scientists. They represent the culmination of years of planning with the vision of Guyana becoming a major food security player for the region by transforming the food manufacturing and food product development sectors.” These were the words of Dr Dawn Fox, Head of the University of Guyana’s Department of Chemistry, in an interview with UG’s Department of Events, Conference and Communication.

According to Dr Fox, this recent boost to our nation’s human resources capacity is happening at a time when we are set to benefit from affordable energy costs arising from the

Oil & Gas sector. “We fully expect these graduates to not only impact the existing food manufacturing scene but also to expand the industry via entrepreneurship,” she said.

The Bachelor in Food Science programme was implemented in 2019 and designed as a multidisciplinary programme, integrating the study of agriculture, chemistry, biology, and business. The first two years of the undergraduate food science programme are intended to establish a solid background in math, chemistry, and physical and biological sciences, while the last two years emphasises the application of basic sciences and technology to the manufacturing, sensory evaluation, storage, distribution and

safety of foods and food ingredients.

According to Dr Fox, this achievement took a “village of supporters” including; the Department of Chemistry, particularly the Food Science team –Gary Mendonca, Samantha Joseph, Sharlene Roberts, and Kezia Bess. Special gratitude was expressed to Professor Emerita Verian Thomas of Florida A & M University for her exemplary leadership in creating and supporting the programme throughout, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry as well as various public and private sector entities. In an interview with DECC, some of the first batch of graduates spoke about their journey at UG and expressed how excited they were to now be

in a better position to apply their newly acquired skills in the working environment.

Omadai Madray said: “Throughout my time at the university, I have been fortunate to learn from brilliant educators, collaborate with passionate peers, and engage in hands-on experiences that have deepened my understanding of food science. This journey has not only been academically enriching but has also shaped my values and I am now ready to apply myself and further develop my career.”

Yonnique WallaceWilliams said: “In the journey towards my Bachelor’s in Food Science at the University of Guyana, my passion for food safety and product development blos-

somed from my initial studies in agro-Processing. I am very eager to contribute to the development of the sector.”

Despite being one of the few males amidst a predominantly female cohort in the Food Science Programme at that time, Jethro Warner embarked on a journey to obtain his Degree from the University of Guyana with determination. He said: “Coming from a family that made processing food a business, I was very confident in my ability to succeed in this course. At first, I felt like an outsider in my classes. I was the only male in a sea of female students. But as time passed, I realised that my gender did not define my capabilities or my passion for the subject. This degree will definitely

help me to fast-track my career development.”

Marleysa Bishop said that despite earlier aspirations of becoming a doctor, she found herself drawn to the world of food science. A serendipitous scholarship opportunity reignited her academic pursuits, leading her back to the university. Today, she proudly embraces her role as a Food Scientist, ready to make a positive impact in her field.

“I never thought that food science would be something that I am interested in, but today, being able to stand and proudly call myself a Food Scientist, and then diligently explain to others the benefits of food science, the complexities of the discipline and how much impact food science has on the world today.”

Residents of Kwakwani, located in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are benefitting from major infrastructural upgrades totalling $420.1 million. This investment aims to bolster connectivity and stimulate economic development in the mining and logging community. According to a DPI report, substantial works have been complet -

ed in sections two and three of the village. R&M Mining Investment Project Inc. and DJ General Construction and Supplies executed major works totalling $77.3 million and $77.4 million, respectively, in this critical area.

Similarly, Coomacka village witnessed a significant facelift in its internal road network, undertaken by DJ General Construction and Supplies,

with a total cost of $87.2 million.

Significant works were also executed on the vital Hururu to Kwakwani Access Road, completed by International Import and Supplies, valuing some $57.9 million. Nottinghamshire Road, a crucial artery linking Mackenzie Linden to CB Housing Development Inc., received much-needed rehabilitation, amounting to $120.1 million.

These critical road networks fall under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works’ Hinterland Road projects.

Integral to the wider strategy of bridging the gap between coastal and hinterland areas, the government has allocated a sum of $5.5 billion for hinterland road development in the 2024 budget. $420.1M road upgrades completed

Omadai Madray, a budding food chemist Yonnique Wallace-Williams Jethro Warner Marleysa Bishop

Regional

Colombian Prosecutors will take ex-President Alvaro Uribe to trial in a witness tampering and fraud case, the attorney general's office said on Tuesday, saying it has presented a written accusation against the former Head of State to the Supreme Court.

Uribe and several allies have been investigated over allegations of witness tampering carried out in an attempt to discredit accusations he had ties to rightwing paramilitaries.

Uribe has always maintained his innocence.

The development is the latest update in a long-running legal battle where the Superior Court of Bogota most recently ruled in October against shelving the case, following a request by a prosecutor.

Once the administrative arm of a court has cleared the documents, "the hearing for the formalisation of charges will take place, on the date and at the time

124

fixed by the court", a statement from the prosecutors' office said.

Both those accused in the case and those classed as victims will have their right to due process respected, it added.

"We trust in democratic institutions and call for ex-President Uribe's due process under the law and the Constitution to be respected," Uribe's

It is still unclear if Barbadian armed forces will be dispatched to Haiti as part of a regional and international effort to restore peace in that Caricom territory.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kerrie Symmonds said Sunday the Region was still awaiting the final word from Haiti s Presidential Transition Council, which was installed only a week ago.

That council has been named and, to the best of my understanding and information, they have started to meet internally. I

guess we are just waiting for them to come back to us on what their recommendations are. They are supposed to identify the name of a person who can be the interim President, then they also must structure a road map to an election, he told the Daily Nation.

We had said that if there was a multinational security force, we would work with the Regional Security System and we would send our people through that mechanism. Nothing has changed yet, but obviously we cannot do anything until such time that the

Democratic Center party said in a statement later on Tuesday, adding Uribe is innocent.

Uribe's legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last month Luz Adriana Camargo was appointed the new Attorney General, following weeks of political tensions over delays to replace the outgoing Francisco Barbosa. (Reuters)

Former Colombian President Uribe will face trial, attorney general’s office says No decision yet on troops for Haiti-Barbados

Presidential Transitional Council in Haiti determines that they have identified a person who is going to be functioning as President and that person has to give the go-ahead for the process to begin.

Symmonds pointed out that as a full member of Caricom, Haiti must be equally able to rely on the spirit of cooperation and partnership that membership affords, especially in times of crisis, something which has served the Region in good stead for many decades. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Former Venezuelan Oil, Finance Ministers arrested in PDVSA corruption case

FEl Aissami, once one of the most influential officials in President Nicol s Maduro's Government, has been arrested in a corruption probe into State oil company PDVSA, the Attorney General said on Tuesday.

Former Finance Minister Simon Zerpa and businessman Sarmark Lopez have also been detained, Attorney General Tarek Saab said at a press conference.

El Aissami surprisingly resigned in March 2023 amid a wide anti-corruption probe ordered by Maduro, which has been mainly focused on wrongdoing at PDVSA. El Aissami has not

spoken publicly for more than a year.

The three men are facing charges of treason, money laundering, conspiracy and misdirection of public funds, Saab said.

The case involves a network of PDVSA executives who used their positions to carry out illegal operations, including some involving cryptocurrencies, according to the Attorney General.

"The way these three subjects behaved is an economic conspiracy," Saab said.

The investigation has so far led to charges for more than 54 Venezuelans, with another 17 arrest warrants pending, and with five peo-

ple agreeing to act as protected witnesses, Saab said.

Photos shared by Saab's office showed Zerpa being led down a street in handcuffs, while others showed El Aissami and Lopez being led to cells by balaclava-clad officials.

All of the men have been under sanctions by the United States since 2017, with El Aissami and Lopez facing drugs charges.

El Aissami used illicit funds for work on his private houses and requested money be sent to foreign bank accounts, while others arrested in the case used money for political campaigns, Saab said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru's Andean mountains may hold the secret to longevity and the world's oldest person, if a new claim by state officials of a 124-year-old man born in 1900 are proven to be true.

The country's Government has claimed that local resident Marcelino Abad from the central Peruvian region of Huanuco is 124, which would make him by a distance the oldest living person and even top the oldest-ever independently verified human.

"Among the tranquillity of the flora and fauna of Huanuco, Marcelino Abad Tolentino or Mashico developed a healthy way of life and inner peace, reflected in his good health and friendly personality," the Government said in a statement.

"This allowed him, with resilience and skill, to overcome 12 decades of life and on April 5th he just blew out 124 candles."

Peruvian authorities say they are helping Abad apply to the Guinness World Records for independent verification.

"Guinness World Records receives many applications

from individuals who claim to be the oldest living person," a spokesperson for the body said in a written statement to Reuters.

Verifying the claim would involve official documents and other evidence being scrutinised by an expert team to "prove their achievement beyond doubt".

The Guinness World Records currently lists the oldest living man as a 111-year-old Briton who got the title this month after the death of a Venezuelan man, who was 114. The oldest liv-

ing woman, is 117, while the oldest person ever verified reached 122.

Abad, who was born in the small town of Chaglla, has lived off the radar until the Peruvian Government identified him in 2019, securing him a government ID and pension.

Celebrating his 124th birthday on April 5, Abad says his secrets to vitality include a diet rich in fruits, as well in lamb meat, according to a statement issued by the pension programme that Abad is part of.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T AG stands firm in Brent Thomas case

Attorney General Reginald Armour says he is going ahead with the State s case against Brent Thomas, noting that the recent decision by the Barbados Government to accept liability in a lawsuit involving his removal from that island to T&T in 2022, has no impact on the case against him.

However, Armour added, The matter involving the State (GORTT) is currently before the courts of Trinidad and Tobago, is sub judice and as such, it is prohibited from public discussion or comment.

Armour said he also had every confidence that the Attorney General of Barbados, Dale Marshall, SC, was acting in the best interest of Barbados. But he said he had no intention of offering his opinion on the matter.

I have noted the statements in the media attributed to Barbados AG Hon Dale Marshall, SC. I trust that his actions are based on the information at his disposal and the guidance of legal counsel, Armour said.

Armour was responding to reports over the weekend that the Barbados Government had accepted liability in the matter after Thomas sued over his forced 2022 deportation from that country.

According to the reports, Roger Forde, KC, the Attorney for Barbados AG Marshall in the lawsuit, had advised Thomas lawyers that

the Barbados Government had accepted liability based on his (Forde s) advice.

Lawyers for the two sides are reportedly now engaged in talks over compensation.

Thomas had sued over the Barbadian authorities handling of his arrest, detention and forced repatriation by the Barbados Police Service, in tandem with Caricom IMPACS (the Implementation Agency for Crime and

Security) and T&T Police Service.

In October 2022, Thomas, a T&T citizen, was arrested at a hotel in Barbados, handed over to T&T Police at the Grantley Adams International Airport and brought back to T&T to be charged with firearm-related offences. Thomas claimed he was mistreated and humiliated while in custody. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican Police Officer killed while intervening in lynching

APoliceman has died in the Mexican city of Zacatelco after being beaten by residents enraged over the murder of a taxi driver.

The officer reportedly intervened when locals set upon two men suspected of killing the taxi driver.

Several other Policemen were also injured by the mob of angry neighbours.

Residents of Zacatelco have complained about crimes going unpunished.

According to local daily El Sol de Tlaxcala, four men tried to rob an elderly taxi driver of his car, killing him when he resisted.

Locals who had observed

the incident gave chase and caught two of the four suspects, beating them in the local square.

State Police intervened and saved the suspects, but the group then turned on the officers, seizing two of them and attacking them.

One was rescued by his colleagues and is being treated for severe injuries.

But the second one, a State Police Officer, was held for several hours, the local paper reported.

He was finally freed after Police reinforcements arrived, but later died of his injuries in hospital.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez file photo)

Peruvian Marcelino “Mashico” Abad smiles while celebrating his 124th birthday, as local authorities claim he might be the world’s oldest person, in Huanuco, Peru, April 5, 2024 (Pension 65/Handout via Reuters)

ormer Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck

Around The World

OOIL NEWS

Oil prices settle lower again, eyes on talks for Gaza ceasefire

il prices settled lower for a second day on Tuesday, as talks for a ceasefire in Gaza continued, but losses were limited to less than a dollar a barrel as Egyptian and Qatari mediators met resistance in their search to find a way out of the war.

The talks in Cairo, also attended by the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, have so far failed to reach a breakthrough.

Hamas said an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire met none of the demands of Palestinian militant factions, but that it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators.

Brent crude futures settled 96 cents, or 1.1 per cent, lower at US$89.42 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures closed down US$1.20 or 1.4 per cent at US$85.23.

On Monday, Brent posted its first decline in five sessions and WTI its first in seven as a fresh round of Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions in Cairo raised hopes of a breakthrough.

“Without an end to the conflict, there is an elevated risk that other countries, particularly Iran, OPEC’s [Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’s] third-largest producer, could be drawn into the war,” said Fiona Cincotta, senior financial market analyst at City Index.

The commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s navy in Iran said it could close the Strait of Hormuz if deemed necessary. About a fifth of the volume of the world’s total oil consumption passes through the strait daily.

Turkey announced it would restrict exports of various products, including jet fuel, to Israel until there was a ceasefire. Israel said it would respond with its own curbs.

Adding to concerns of a tight market, Mexico’s State oil company, Pemex, said it would reduce crude exports by 330,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May so it can supply more to domestic refineries, cutting by a third the supply available to its US, European and Asian buyers. Pemex had already cut its April exports by 436,000 bpd.

Limiting oil price declines, overall fundamentals of tighter supplies remain unchanged, said Dennis Kissler, Senior Vice President of Trading at BOK Financial, citing OPEC’s supply cuts, reduction of fuel exports by Russia and geopolitical instability.

US crude oil output was expected to rise by 280,000 bpd to 13.21 million bpd in 2024, versus a prior forecast for a 260,000 bpd increase, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.

EIA said it expects Brent crude prices to average US$88.55 a barrel in 2024, versus a previous forecast of US$87 a barrel.

Vitol Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Russell Hardy told a conference in Switzerland that he expected oil prices to trade in a range of US$80-US$100 a barrel and expected oil demand growth of 1.9 million bpd in 2024.

US crude oil inventories climbed last week by 3.034 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute (API) figures. Analysts had estimated that stocks would rise by about 2.4 million barrels. Official US Government inventory data is due this morning. (Reuters)

Russia,

Kazakhstan

Russia and Kazakhstan ordered more than 100,000 persons to evacuate after swiftly melting snow swelled mighty rivers beyond bursting point in the worst flooding in the area for at least 70 years.

The deluge of melt water overwhelmed scores of settlements in the Ural Mountains, Siberia and areas of Kazakhstan close to rivers such as the Ural and Tobol, which local officials said had risen by metres (yards) in a matter of hours to the highest

Hamas says Israeli proposal fails to meet demands, but is under review

Hamas said on Tuesday that an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire in their war in Gaza did not meet the demands of Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators.

The proposal was handed to the Palestinian Islamist movement by Egyptian and Qatari mediators at talks in Cairo that aim to find a way out of the devastating war in the Gaza Strip, now in its seventh month.

Amid the destruction, there is little cheer for Palestinians this year.

have so far failed to reach a breakthrough towards pausing the war.

“The movement (Hamas) is interested in reaching an agreement that puts an end to the aggression on our people. Despite that, the Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn’t meet any of the demands of our people and our resistance,” Hamas said in a statement following the latest ceasefire proposal.

It said it would review the proposal further and go back to the mediators with its response.

Residents said Israeli forces kept up airstrikes on parts of central and southern Gaza on Tuesday, including one on a family house in Al-Nusseirat that killed 14 persons, according to Hamas’ Al Aqsa television. Other airstrikes were reported in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and Rafah in the far south.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly flagged plans for a ground assault on Rafah, where more than one million displaced civilians are holed up, despite international pleas for restraint.

Parents of Michigan school gunman sentenced to at least 10 years

The parents of a Michigan teenager who shot dead four students have each been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.

A seven-year sentence was recommended, but Prosecutors asked for more.

James and Jennifer Crumbley, the first parents of a US school shooter to be convicted, appeared together for the first time in months at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing.

Both expressed regret about their son’s attack, as their lawyers pushed to minimise their prison sentence.

In a landmark case, jurors in separate trials found each parent of shooter Ethan Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year.

Judge Cheryl Matthews said that the expanded sentence of 10 to 15 years was “to act as a deterrent” and reflected the parents’ failure to stop the attack.

“They [parents] are not

expected to be psychic. But these convictions are not about poor parenting. They concern acts that could have halted a runaway train,” she told the court.

“Opportunity knocked over and over again, louder and louder, and it was ignored.”

The Crumbleys are eligible for parole after they serve 10 years in prison, but they cannot be held for more than 15 years if parole is denied.

Prosecutors had alleged that the pair had dismissed clear signs that their son’s mental health had deteriorated, and noted that the parents had bought Ethan Crumbley the gun he used in the 2021 attack.

Their son was 15 when he killed four students with a semi-automatic handgun at Oxford High School. Seven others were wounded in the shooting.

He is now serving life in prison without parole. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The talks in Cairo, also attended by the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns,

Arizona’s

Hamas wants any agreement to secure an end to the Israeli military offensive, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and to allow displaced people to return to their homes across the small, densely-populated enclave. (Excerpt from Reuters)

top court revives 19th century abortion ban

Arizona’s top court on Tuesday revived a ban on nearly all abortions under a law from 1864, a half century before statehood and women’s suffrage, further restricting reproductive rights in a state where terminating a pregnancy was already barred at 15 weeks of gestation.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled, 4-2 in favour of an anti-abortion obstetrician and a county prosecutor who pressed to implement the Civil War-era statute after the Democratic Attorney General of the key presidential battleground state declined to do so.

States were given the go-ahead to adopt such bans after the conservative-majority US Supreme Court in June 2022 overturned its landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v Wade that had made access to abortion a constitutional right nationwide.

Arizona Justice John

Lopez, who like all of the state Supreme Court’s members was appointed by a Republican Governor, wrote that the state’s legislature “has never affirmatively created a right to, or independently authorised, elective abortion”.

“We defer, as we are constitutionally obligated to do, to the legislature’s judgment, which is accountable to, and thus reflects, the mutable will of our citizens,” Lopez wrote.

The state high court ruled the 19th century law could be enforced prospectively. But it stayed implementation of its decision for 14 days to allow the parties to raise any remaining issues at the trial-court level.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, in a statement called the ruling “unconscionable and an affront to freedom,” and stressed that she would not prosecute any doctor or woman under the “draconian law”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

evacuate over 100,000 persons amid worst flooding in decades

levels ever recorded. Late on Tuesday, levels of the Ural River in Orenburg, a city of around 550,000, reached 9.31 metres (30.5 feet), exceeding the critical level of 9.30 metres, the regional governor said. He urged residents in areas at risk to evacuate.

“I am calling for caution and for those in flooded districts to evacuate promptly,” Denis Pasler said on Telegram.

City residents paddled along roads as though they

were rivers. Dams and embankments were being strengthened.

Upstream on the Ural, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam in the city of Orsk last Friday.

Regional officials said water levels in Orsk had subsided by 21 centimetres (8.27 inches) and now stood at 9.07 metres – still well over the official danger level of about seven metres. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said water levels had declined in a number of areas, but de-

scribed the situation as “still difficult”.

The Ural is Europe’s third longest river, which flows through Russia and Kazakhstan into the Caspian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, where over 86,000 persons have been evacuated owing to flooding. Tokayev said the flooding was probably the worst in 80 years. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rescuers and medics search for dead bodies inside the damaged Al Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital and the area around it following a two-week operation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, April 8, 2024 (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas photo)

A man travels in a boat in a flooded street in Orenburg, Russia, in this still image taken from video released April 8, 2024 (Mayor of Orenburg City, Sergei Salmin via Telegram/Handout via Reuters)

SUDOKU

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Work behind the scenes where you can get things done without interference. Avoid discussions that can lead to a no-win situation. Pay attention to your physical and financial well-being.

A change will offer insight into what’s available to you. Gather information and connect with someone who has something to contribute. Use your knowledge to increase your profile.

Get the lowdown before you make a move. Someone will offer false information to encourage you to take a chance. Don’t lower your guard or believe everything you hear. Get the facts and figures.

Consider what’s available, then act. Be the one to set the wheels in motion. It’s time for a change, and you are ready for it. Embrace life, love and new beginnings with vigor. Live in the moment.

Stay focused on your responsibilities. Take work seriously and do your part to ensure everything runs smoothly, and you’ll gain respect and an unexpected opportunity.

Participate in a challenging activity. Take an energetic approach to getting things done and learning all you can to ensure you reach your destination.

Proceed with caution. You’ll face opposition if you try to force your ideas on others. Use your charm while sticking to the truth. Embellishing a situation will backfire.

Pay attention to detail and cost. Don’t hold back; use your imagination to figure out a way to make your skills and knowledge profitable. Take advantage of what’s available to you.

Use your time and space wisely. Look inward and figure out what you want to do next. Don’t let others control your future. Figure out what you want, and don’t be afraid to move forward alone.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Concentrate on what’s doable instead of looking for a quick fix. Practicality is your best bet when dealing with money, work and institutions. Search for peace of mind.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Stay focused on what you can control and achieve. Be realistic and recognize what’s doable and what will save you time and money. Put a schedule in place to accommodate your plans and work to finish what you start. Self-improvement is favored.

Keep an open mind, but don’t believe bogus claims. Do the research, get the facts and make decisions to help you get ahead. Connect with people who can contribute to your life.

PEANUTS CALVIN AND HOBBES

Indian Premier League 2024…

Sunrisers Hyderabad in two-run win over Punjab Kings

– after dropping 3 catches in another Shashank-Ashutosh blitz

Sunrisers Hyderabad dropped three catching opportunities to take the wicket of Ashutosh Sharma in the final over, off which Punjab Kings needed 29 runs. Two of those dropped catches went over the ropes for sixes and nearly turned the match. But when the third catch was dropped, only one delivery remained, and Kings needed nine runs.

Shashank Singh sent the last ball miles over the long-off boundary, but Kings fell short by just two runs in their chase of 183 to give Sunrisers their third win of the season.

It was Jaydev Unadkat who bowled that last over, which went for 26. As fate would have it, it was

Unadkat whom Harshal Patel had dropped on the fithose four overs, and each one of them was taken to the cleaners.

SCOREBOARD

Sunrisers Hyderabad (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R Travis Head c Dhawan

b Arshdeep Singh 21

Abhishek Sharma c Shashank Singh b Curran 16

Aiden Markram c †JM

Sharma b Arshdeep Singh 0

Nitish Kumar Reddy c Rabada b Arshdeep Singh 64

Rahul Tripathi c †JM Sharma b Patel 11

Heinrich Klaasen †c Curran b Patel 9

Abdul Samad c Patel b Arshdeep Singh 25 Shahbaz Ahmed not out 14

Pat Cummins (c) b Rabada 3

Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Bairstow b Curran 6

Jaydev Unadkat not out 6

Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.10) 182/9

Did not bat: T Natarajan

Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Travis Head, 3.2 ov), 2-27 (Aiden Markram, 3.4 ov), 3-39 (Abhishek Sharma, 4.6 ov), 4-64 (Rahul Tripathi, 9.4 ov), 5-100 (Heinrich Klaasen, 13.1 ov), 6-150 (Abdul Samad, 16.3 ov), 7-151 (Nitish Kumar Reddy, 16.5 ov), 8-155 (Pat Cummins, 17.3 ov), 9-176 (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 19.5 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kagiso Rabada 4-0-32-1

Arshdeep Singh 4-0-29-4

Sam Curran 4-0-41-2

Harshal Patel 4-0-30-2

Harpreet Brar 4-0-48-0

Punjab Kings (T: 183 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R Shikhar Dhawan (c)

st †Klaasen b Kumar 14

Jonny Bairstow b Cummins 0 Prabhsimran Singh c Nitish Kumar Reddy b Kumar 4

Sam Curran c Cummins b Natarajan 29

Sikandar Raza c †Klaasen b Unadkat 28

Shashank Singh not out 46

Jitesh Sharma † c Abhishek Sharma b Nitish Kumar Reddy 19

Ashutosh Sharma not out 33

Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.00)180/6

Did not bat: Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada Fall of wickets: 1-2

(Jonny Bairstow, 1.4 ov), 2-11 (Prabhsimran Singh, 2.6 ov), 3-20 (Shikhar Dhawan, 4.4 ov), 4-58 (Sam Curran, 9.1 ov), 5-91 (Sikandar Raza, 13.1 ov), 6-114 (Jitesh Sharma, 15.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-1-32-2

Pat Cummins 4-0-22-1

T Natarajan 4-0-33-1

Nitish Kumar Reddy 3-0-33-1

Jaydev Unadkat 4-0-49-1 Shahbaz Ahmed 1-0-10-0

In the 17th, Shashank took on Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He got a streaky outside edge over short third first ball of the over for four. The next ball was drilled to wide long-off, and the fifth one slashed to deep extra cover.

and ramping Pat Cummins for back-to-back fours in the 18th over. The odds still remained with SRH, with Kings requiring 39 in the last two overs. T Natarajan was taken for ten, an excellent over in the context of things, which left Unadkat with 28 to defend in the 20th.

Unadkat's final over started with a six, two wides and another six. Fourteen runs gone in two balls. But he came back well, conceding just six runs in his next three balls. Shashank deposited the last ball for six, but Kings narrowly missed out on getting over the line.

Reddy rescues SRH

Nitish Kumar Reddy's heart would have been in his

when he deposited Brar for 4, 6, 4, 6 off successive balls.

Arshdeep sets things right

Coming into the game, Arshdeep Singh had four wickets in as many games in IPL 2024. Against SRH, he doubled his season tally on his way to figures of 4 for 29. The first of those came when, on the second ball of the third over, Dhawan turned around 180 degrees and back-pedalled from mid-off to catch Head. Two deliveries later, Arshdeep angled one across Markram, and had him edging behind to the wicketkeeper. Arshdeep's first spell figures were 2-0-8-2, and as a result, SRH had their worst powerplay of the season, being restricted to 40 for 3.

Before Tuesday night,

mouth during the carnage in the final over. After all, he had spilled Ashutosh's catch the first ball of the final over. But it was Reddy's knock of 64 from 37 balls that rescued SRH from a precarious 64 for 4 in the tenth over and took

After Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram had each fallen cheaply, it was down to Reddy to do the repair work. On 14 from 18 balls at one stage, he slammed Harpreet Brar for four and a six in the 11th over. Kagiso Rabada was hooked over long leg for six, and Sam Curran was smashed over deep square. But Reddy really turned the screws in the 15th over

Arshdeep had only one wicket in 20 balls in the death overs this season. His economy rate was 11.70. But against SRH, he was brought back for the death overs, and he bowled two out of the four.

Reddy and Abdul Samad had added 50 in just 19 balls when Arshdeep went full and wide to Samad on the third ball of the 17th over, and Samad found deep point. The fast bowler then removed Reddy, who only managed to loft a low full toss to long-on.

Shahbaz Ahmed took 15 from the 19th over of the innings to somewhat spoil Arshdeep's figures, but it was still an excellent day out for the quick, despite ending on the losing side. (ESPNCricinfo)

Pat Cummins struck the first blow for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Nitish Kumar Reddy took Sunrisers Hyderabad towards a strong total

Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma nearly pulled off another heist

Arshdeep Singh is pumped up after getting rid of Travis Head early

ExxonMobil Region 10 Inter-Schools Football Tournament to begin on Friday

Secondary school football action heads to the mining town of Linden this weekend following the launch of the third edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Inter-Schools Football Tournament, organised by New Era Entertainment.

This tournament, which will feature eight secondary school teams from across Region 10, is set to commence this

Friday, April 12th, with matches also set for April 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 20th and

21st. The finals will be contested on Friday, April 26th.

Competing teams are:

Christianburg Wismar Secondary, Mackenzie High School, Wisburg, New Silvercity Secondary, Kwakwani, Linden Technical Institute, Linden Foundation Secondary, and Harmony Secondary.

Ryan Hoppie, ExxonMobil’s Community Relations Advisor for Public and Government Affairs, has expressed the company’s delight in again supporting the tournament.

With ExxonMobil investing $5M in this year’s Championship, Hoppie praised New Era Entertainment for their dedicated efforts, highlighting their role in fostering football development at the school level in Linden.

Riddim Squad recognises national athletes

With their Team Motto implying ‘Discipline, Dedication and Determination’, Riddim Squad Football Club have recognized national athletes Amos Ramsay and Marcus Roberts, who recently flew the country’s flag ‘high and mightily’.

In the 2024 FIFA Series, Amos Ramsay made history for the Riddim Squad and the youths of Mocha-Arcadia by being the first-ever football player from that community to appear on such a platform. And he helped the Golden Jaguars to defeat Cambodia (4-1) in Saudi Arabia, guaranteeing the Golden Jaguars’ a splendiferous finish in the series.

Marcus Roberts, goalkeeper of the Riddim Squad Football Club, made history when he was chosen to represent Guyana in the 51st CARIFTA Games, held in

oration with New Era is a prime example. And we have been working with these guys for a few years now, and we continue to support their initiatives be-

cause, as I said, we know the significance of sport for the individual and also the community.

“For ExxonMobil Guyana, we see the immense

value of investing in sports. It gives us the opportunity to support the community and youths, which are two of our focus areas when we seek to invest,” Hoppie said.

Wayneright Bethune, President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), has encouraged players to embrace the ‘beautiful game’ with passion and sportsmanship. Despite challenges at the senior level due to limited facilities, Bethune applauded the opportunity for youth participation provided by the schools’ tournament.

Dawn Barker, Region 10 Education Officer, stressed the importance of sports in personal development, and commended ExxonMobil for the continued investment in youth football through New Era Entertainment.

Last year, Christianburg Wismar Secondary School emerged victorious, defeating New Silvercity Secondary to claim the coveted title.

The 37th CARIFTA Swimming Championships…

Alert, Barrett continue to bask in accomplishments …Praise team efforts

The 37th CARIFTA Swimming Championships have come and gone, but the expe rience of representing one’s country on one of the big gest stages in the region has left an indelible mark on the younger participants, in particular to the point where they continue to revel in their ac complishments.

Jamaica’s Kia Alert and Noland Barrett are two such swimmers, who, though not new to national representation, continue to bask in the fact that they rose to the occasion and displayed their immense potential with standout performances that assisted the country to its 45-medal tally, includ ing 18 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze.

Grenada from March 30 to April 1. He participated in the U-20 age category in the 100M, 200M, and 4x100M races.

These two energetic and intelligent youngsters were born in Mocha-Arcadia, and from as young as 10 years old, each joined MochaChamps Football Club, and eventually transitioned to Riddim Squad.

Both youths have maintained their discipline in sports and academics, and Marcus Roberts went on to attend St. Stanislaus College, while Amos Ramsay went on to attend North Ruimveldt Multilateral School.

Moreover, both these youths continue to encourage other youths in the MochaArcadia community to strive for excellence; as the journey of neither was easy, but they continue to adhere to their team motto and fight through all odds.

The 27-mem ber Jamaica team also placed fourth on the points standing with a combined total of 559 points, behind hosts The Bahamas (1,096.50 points), who secured an unprecedent ed sixth straight CARIFTA Swimming Championship victory. Cayman Islands (660 points), Trinidad and Tobago (639 points), and Barbados (486.50 points) were the other top five teams.

to put the hours of hard work on display. So, I was really happy and proud hearing the

mances deserve tremendous commendation. After a slow start, each member of the

Alert, who competed in the girls’ 11-12 division, relished her second outing at the Championships, where she earned most points for Jamaica. She copped gold in 50m and 100m breaststroke, 50m and 100m freestyle, and 50m butterfly; and those were complemented by silver in the 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley (IM).

“I really felt like I was prepared enough to do really well, and I was excited just

es, because I know I tried my hardest, even on the third day when I had the 200m IM, 100m breast, and 50m free. I tried my hardest and succeeded, so I am really grateful that I came out healthy,” she added.

While delighted with her personal haul, Alert praised her teammates Christanya Shirley and others who, in a consistent show of spirit and talent, also contributed significantly to Jamaica’s medal haul. That togetherness and pride, she said, is what swimmers count on to keep going, especially when things don’t go as expected in the pool.

“Team Jamaica’s perfor-

mances seen; so, even if swimmers did not medal, they did well enough to achieve PBs, and that’s enough to be proud of,” Alert reasoned.

Meanwhile, the overseas-based Barrett, who has had a credible outing at CCCAN last year, was making his debut at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships, and contested finals in most of his events in the boys’ 1314 category. He won gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle events.

“Going into the CARIFTA Games, I was excited to not only see my teammates I haven’t seen in a while, but, more importantly, to perform very

well. I had a lot of fun being there, and also dropping a lot of times and securing personal best, and while hearing the National Anthem. I was proud that I was representing my country,” Barrett shared.

“So, I was really satisfied with my performances. I am more excited about the 400m free, where I ended up dropping 11 seconds, and I was really proud of how much I was able to accomplish on my first year, and knowing that I have next year to do even better,” he noted.

Barrett contested the 13-14 age group alongside Matthew Kennedy, Kai Radcliffe and others, who also produced credible performances.

Kennedy mined bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle to go with his other top eight finishes; while Radcliffe, known for his breaststroke prowess, secured gold in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and silver in the 200m breaststroke.

Radcliffe also flirted with the 50m breaststroke national age group record of 30.94s held by Kito Campbell, with his 30.98s-clocking.

Like Alert, Barrett, 14, pointed out that the team spirit was based on pride, passion and performance.

“I am proud of the team’s performance, and I believe every athlete should be celebrated for their effort. All the coaches who prepared the swimmers for qualification and the championship should be proud of how they performed. We all stood strong, performed strong, and gave out best to achieve what we did for Jamaica,” Barrett declared. (Sportsmax)

Organizers at the launch of the ExxonMobil Region 10 Inter-School Football Tournament

Marcus Roberts, Riddim Squad Vice President Mr. Rudolph Mc Donald, and Amos Ramsay

Kia Alert (left) and Noland Barrett showing off their high-point trophies

CWI mulling Regional U23 tournament with CPL help

There has long been a call for a Regional T20 tournament to be played outside of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and it appears as though cricket pundits around the Region will see that wish come true next year.

This was revealed on Monday by Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of

Cricket, Miles Bascombe, as he shared a plight of needing another way to find the Caribbean’s next generation of stars during a press briefing in Barbados. “We also recognize, in terms of T20 cricket, that we need a way to find our next crop of T20 players. We have had success in T20 cricket, and I’m sure that the Head Coach is anticipating some

more success when we play at home at this World Cup. But we generally still have to work hard at finding our next crop of T20 stars,” the

CWI Director of Cricket shared.

Bascombe later shared that CWI would be collaborating with the Republic Bank CPL on a project that would feature under-23 players. He disclosed, “There is some recognition that the CPL may not necessarily be where those stars would emerge. So, we are working with CPL to have an Emerging Players’

GCB Female U19 Inter-County T20 tournament 2024…

Grimmond, Durant lead Berbice to victory

Valuable contributions with bat and ball from Crystal Durant and Realanna Grimmond guided the Berbice Team to a 9-wicket victory over their Demerara counterparts and to consequent championship of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Female Under-19 Inter-County T20 tourna-

Regional T20 Tournament that we are trying to have in May of next year. So, that is something we can look forward to.”

The tournament is all part of CWI’s efforts to en-

sure there is a bridging of the gap between the under-23 and senior levels, which Bascombe described as having a ‘leakage’.

“For the men’s (teams), I think we are almost where

we want to be. We have players coming into the system formally at around the under-15 level, so that picks up very talented players at 12, but generally from about 13 years; and we have structured for those players at least a regional tournament all the way through under-19s,” Bascombe enlightened.

He added, “We have recognized (that in) the under-23 level, we still have leakages of talent at that age group, and we are working to ensure that we have a programme that helps to capture those players.”

The CPL has been the only regional T20 tournament in the Caribbean in more than a decade, but carries an Emerging Player clause wherein two under-23 players are selected and utilised by each team every year.

Seven disciplines to be contested at IGG 2024

Realanna Grimmond was the star bowler for the

Crystal Durant contributed 24 runs before losing her wicket, while Tiea Isaacs and Realanna Grimmond comfortably chased the total in 13.4 overs.

Demerara’s Niya Latchman gave her side a flicker of hope when she took the lone Berbice wicket to fall - Crystal Durant’s.

In individual acco-

ment on Tuesday at the Malteenoes Sports Club Ground in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Berbicians in taking four wickets. Trisha Hardat took two wickets, while Crystal Durant and Kaina Leitch each took a wicket.

The Berbician batters took their time as the target was relatively small; and

The Berbicians won the toss and elected to field. Taking full advantage of the conditions, they managed to bowl out the Demerara outfit for 63 runs, of which Naiomi Barkoye contributed 12 as she led from the front. Niya Latchman and Aneesa Chetman each contributed 7 runs, and Demerara were fortunate to receive 23 extras.

lades, Naiomi Barkoye of Demerara was adjudged the player with the most runs in the tournament, while Berbice Captain Realanna Grimmond was adjudged player with the most wickets.

This year’s edition of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), scheduled for Cayenne, French Guiana from October 24th – 26th, 2024, will feature seven sporting disciplines, according to an announcement coming on the heels of a recently concluded meeting of governmental authorities and other stakeholders of the competing territories.

Those sporting disciplines are: Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Chess, Futsal, Swimming, and Table Tennis. A tour of the facilities that would be utilised during the event has already been conducted, and the logistics have already been worked out by the host territory. There will be a virtual meeting among the relevant stakeholders on April 22nd,

wherein the age limits for the respective sports would be determined.

Due to the distance that Guyana must travel, their arrival date in the French territory will be October 22nd. They will depart French Guiana on October 27th. Suriname, due to their close proximity, would arrive in French Guiana on October 23.

Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, has said, “The confirmation of the seven disciplines and their relevant logistical mechanisms and measures months prior to the actual occasion indicates the increased significance that has been afforded to the championship. Outside of its obvious competitive importance, the event has been a significant cultural and social experience for all involved, and

stands to remain an integral element and component in our shared heritage and identity.”

Ninvalle also stated, “This event is a reflection and confirmation of a covenant that exists between the participating territories and the Government of Guyana. Given the innate and immeasurable value of this annual undertaking, (it) will endure and ensure that it remains part of the cultural fabric of the territories.”

Initially held in 1967, the IGG is normally an annual affair among Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The previous iteration was staged in Suriname, with Guyana hosting the 2022 edition following a five-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and NSC Commissioner Cristy Campbell taking a photo opportunity with some of last year’s medal winners at the IGG

Talents like Kevin Sinclair are among those that came through the CPL Emerging Players’ programme

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe

Matthew Nandu is another product of the CPL Emerging Players’ programme

Berbice are the Guyana Cricket Board’s Female Under-19 Inter-County T20 Champions