Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 19, 2023.pdf

French Senators visit Guyana as countries strengthen bilateral relations

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday met with a number of French Senators at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

The French delegation was led by Joslle Garriaud-Maylam and featured Cattherine Dumas, Phillipe Falliot, Andre Vallini and Nicole Duranton.

The Head of State officially welcomed the entourage to the country and explained that Guyana is strengthening its internal systems by way of technology; building a country that is secure at all levels, while delivering the best healthcare and education to its citizens.

He explained that the country is also building an economy that would po-

sition it to be a leader in food, energy security and climate change.

The Guyanese leader also referred to France as a “key partner” for the country’s future development.

The French Senators’ visit to Guyana forms part of that country’s mission “to assess the new strategic balance in South America”, according to in-

formation from the French Embassy to Guyana.

The visit also contributed to materialising France’s new commitment to Guyana and the Guiana Shield region as a whole.

During the visit, the French delegation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Guyana. The French team also reminded that

the French Parliament would always remain supporters of international law in the Guyana vs Venezuela case frontier and therefore stand by Guyana.

France also expressed appreciation for the support given by Guyana to Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia.

The French Senators also met with House Speaker Manzoor Nadir during their time in Guyana.

Following this visit, a French Trade Mission is expected to arrive in Guyana on May 15. Moreover, a local office of the French Embassy is set to be opened on September 1.

Currently, the Embassy of France to Guyana and Suriname is located in

Paramaribo, with the Ambassador being stationed in the neighbouring Dutch-speaking country.

There are roughly 50 French persons residing in Guyana but the size of the Guyanese diaspora in France is not immediately known. The two countries established formal diplomatic relations on June 22, 1967.

It was recently disclosed by President Ali that one of the country’s foreign policy goals is to expand its relationship with French Guiana – an overseas department of France.

“We’re all part of the Guiana Shield. So…we’re now trying to expand that relationship,” the Guyanese Head of State had expressed. (G11)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, Apr 19 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, Apr 20 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

Wednesday, Apr 19 – 15:55h – 17:25h and Thursday, Apr 20 – 16:50h – 18:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

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

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

High Tide: 16:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.76 metres.

Low Tide: 09:51h and 22:06h reaching minimum heights of 0.4 metre and 0.48 metre.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government enjoy a partnership that is premised, not on partisanship, but on respect and negotiating at the table.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, during his address at the PSC’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM). The President noted that both the private sector and the Government have their differences, but one thing they must unite in confronting are threats to Guyana and the economy, including through labour shortages.

When it comes to the often-mentioned labour shortages in Guyana, President Ali warned that the time may come where Guyana may have to import labour, as well

has demonstrated its willingness to engage with the Government, on the thorny issues that affect its membership. It has opted for engagement rather than sniping from the sidelines, as some organisations and individuals do. Engagement has brought

Ali, it is because of these engagements that the private sector has been able to strongly advocate for its membership. And in the meantime, President Ali reaffirmed his Government’s support for the role of private capital in economic development.

“But we’re also wedded in a nation where there’s a social mortgage on private property. In the sense that private property must be used to not only generate wealth, but also to further us to the common good,” President Ali said.

ed the shortage of labour. During a press conference in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) back in February, President Ali had revealed that all the private entities in the Region Six are complaining about a shortage of labour. In fact, he had said that this is a national complaint.

The Head of State, who was wrapping a two-day visit to the region, had said Government is combing across the entire country to find available labour. Ali had pointed out that in the construction sector in Region Six there is a need for an additional 600 skilled, semiskilled and unskilled workers.

Government is currently on a housing drive as it pushes to develop 50,000 house lots over a five-year period at an average of 10,000 per year. With the new house lots comes an increasing demand for the construction of houses.

as confront a potential steep rise in labour and construction costs. This is also exacerbated by global supply-chain problems.

“We’re looking at this matter closely, because the price of steel, cement, sand, major inputs for the construction sector, we are aware, can have negative effects on many projects. If we are to solve these problems which bedevil the economy, it’s necessary that we work hand in hand with the private sector,” President Ali said.

“This partnership between the Government and the private sector has never been partisan. The Government has never demanded that the private sector support the Government on partisan grounds. We have our differences. But these differences have always been resolved at the negotiating table.”

According to President Ali, these differences have always been resolved through co-operation, rather than confrontation and engagement, rather than disengagement. He also made it clear that the private sector are no sycophants.

“Neither does the partnership ascribed to the private sector, the role of sycophant or inferior partner. We have a respectful relationship with the Private Sector Commission. But this must never be taken to mean it is one in which there is no differences. Our partnership is characterised by engagement.”

“Over the years the PSC

greater understanding by the Government of the concerns of the private sector and vice versa,” President Ali said.

According to President

“As part of this social mortgage, we’re expected to practice social responsibility. Without which the common good cannot be promoted. I’m pleased to say that the Private Sector Commission, as part of its exercise of social responsibility, is not indifferent to concerns that impact on the state of the economy and the rights and wellbeing of citizens.”

It was only recently that President Ali had lament-

According to Ali, the housing drive which is national, has created a demand for labour that the country does not have. He pointed out that Guyanese living in the Caribbean might be able to fill a percentage of the gap in Region Six.

In May last year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had told the diaspora that there is a severe labour shortage, particularly for some types of skills. In fact, he had said that in some cases the Government may have to allow companies to bring in foreign labour to complete an individual project. (G3)

Govt, Private Sector must work together to address labour shortage – Head of State …says partnership premised on mutual respect, not partisanship

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his address to the Private Sector

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Alcohol kills

This year has already seen many major accidents. On our roadways daily there is a high number of traffic offences.

The issue of alcohol and the massive damaging effects it is having on individuals and communities has once again been brought to the fore as several drivers have been caught drinking and driving. More unfortunate is that some of these were involved in fatal accidents.

Drunk driving is one of the most troubling traffic offences. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous, and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of being involved in car accidents and sustaining highway injuries and/or vehicular deaths.

Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is fully preventable. Although the proportion of alcohol-related crashes locally may not be as significant as they are in other countries, those that occur are still worrying. Unfortunately, in spite of these concerns, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims and their families.

The approach to combat drunk driving is severely lacking; and were the Police more prepared for this battle, then, as the holidays approach, public messages via the media would have been issued to citizens to constantly remind drivers about the impacts of drunk driving and what the law’s position on it is. Cautioning drivers every time about getting behind the wheel after surpassing the drink limit is necessary, as every year there are scores of young and new drivers who are not familiar with these issues, or the reality of the roads.

With the passage of the drunk-driving law over 10 years ago, implementation of the breathalyser test, and heavier fines for drinking and driving, it was thought that this particular offence would have decreased. These measures would not yield the best results if they are not used in a more holistic plan that aims to make the roads safer. Drivers need constant reminders about the dangers of drunk driving, and the Police must have plans that proactively seek out drunk drivers before they drive off.

Drunk driving aside, World Health Organisation (WHO) data had shown that alcohol kills a whopping three million people worldwide each year — more than AIDS, violence and road accidents combined. It was stated that men are particularly at risk.

According to the WHO, alcohol causes more than one in 20 deaths globally each year, including drunk driving, alcoholinduced violence and abuse, and a multitude of diseases and disorders. Men account for more than three quarters of alcohol-related deaths.

Here in Guyana, there are many social ills affecting citizens, and alcohol abuse is seen as one of the contributing factors.

Due to poor lifestyle choices such as alcohol abuse, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) have resulted in large numbers of our young people dying. Another significant number have also fallen ill and, therefore, cannot contribute to their families or the development of their communities in any way.

WHO has, over the years, been urging countries to do more to counter harmful drinking and to reach a goal of cutting global consumption by 10 per cent between 2010 and 2025. It is also urging countries to tax alcohol and ban advertising of such beverages to reduce consumption. However, this is not enough, there is need to push for a change in attitude and lifestyle changes in general, especially among the younger segment of our population.

While the Government has played a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework and other support mechanisms aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol, this burden must also be shared by other stakeholders too; such as religious groups, the Private Sector and other NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), etc.

Familiar Opposition personalities continue misinformation campaign

Dear Editor,

I write with reference to a letter under the title “These assaults on journalists in Guyana exhibit the characteristics of authoritarian countries” (published on April 18, 2023).

The letter, by a group of 26 well-known anti-Government operatives, is pregnant with manufactured misinformation that would make Noam Chomsky run for cover. There is no doubt that the group, which boasts several PhDs and other professional and business types, is adept at turning their failure to influence the Guyanese population into narratives of victimisation and suffering.

I might also add that this bunch of mostly urban politicos, with practically no contact with the grassroots of the country, is equally innovative when it comes to grabbing the attention of the diplomatic corps, who incidentally is their main audience. The latest ploy of the group of 26 is to cry about gender discrimination, and this only after their language games on race and environmentalism succeeded (though inadvertently so) in Tacuma Ogunseye’s diabolical theatrics of aggravated racialism and state subversion.

Let us be clear about the question of gender: a reply to a letter to the editor signed by mostly women does not, in any way, make it an “attack” on women. The reply is to the content of the letter, and is oblivious to the gender of the signatories.

The group of 26 claim that they stand against all forms of violence and against racism. Yet, not one of them, either individually or as a group, has to date publicly condemned the vile, dangerous and ra-

cially-charged call for violence against East Indians and the Afro-Guyanese leaders and supporters of the PPP/C.

To boot, these high-class people, many of them living the high life overseas, claim to speak on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, something that must at once be characterised as a theft of voice.

The reader must know that while many in the group of 26 are preparing for a conference in Argentina, where they would no doubt go and bad-talk Guyana, the PPP/C is having direct, people-to-people, face-to-face contact throughout the country. Only recently, President Ali and a team met for two days with villagers of Karasabai, Parikwarnau, Yarong Paru, Tiger Pond, Anaraputa and Annai in Upper Takutu, Region 9. And then, days later, Vice President Jagdeo and cabinet ministers met with people of the grassroots at Golden Fleece, Windsor Forest, and Leonora.

The Office of the President itself was moved to New Amsterdam, and Leonora, and will soon be temporarily located for face-to-face, problem-solving outreaches in all the other administrative regions in the country.

While the PPP/C administration is busy doing actual work for the people of this country, those from the group of 26, individually and at times in smaller groups, engage only in letter writing, always with the assurance of being published by Stabroek News (in particular). Their socalled activism might be best characterised as CONATIVE, meaning here attempted action, as distinguished from making real substantive con-

tributions.

This writer has interacted extensively with people from the villages of South PK and North Rupununi in Region 9 to the villages across the country – including, but not limited to, Skeldon, No 66, 67, and 71 Villages, Corentyne; Tain, New Amsterdam, Rosignol, Onverwagt, Paradise, Enmore, Enterprise, Annandale, Mon Repos, Triumph, LBI, Success, Plaisance, Cummings Lodge, Diamond, Grove (EBD), Canal No 1, Crane, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora, Uitvlugt, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Tuschen, Suddie, Anna Regina, Pomeroon; and, of course, all across Georgetown. I can tell you that the noise generated by Danuta Radzik, Vanda Radzik, Wintress White, Michelle John, Janet Bulkan, Melinda Janki, Simone M. Joly, Alfred Bhulai and the others is not in sync with the issues and concerns raised by the working class and middle class across this country.

“What are the key differences?” you might rightfully ask. Grassroots Guyanese are concerned with better residential and farm to market roads; improvements to schools, street lights, GOAL scholarships, start-up capital either in kind (sewing machines, for instance), or cash grants; improvement of sports facilities, sports equipment, health care access; farming supplies, from small things like cassava sticks to larger requests for tractors and ATVs; and a range of other ‘actionable’ items, such as contracts for small operators. Many are also keen on learning how to tap into the opportunities availed through the Local Content Act.

By contrast, the group of 26 is concerned with a conference that is coming up in Argentina, or one that just wrapped up in British Columbia, Brussels, Geneva, or Washington DC.

Whereas the people of Guyana are keen on how the now oil and gas economy would better their lives and those of their children, the group of 26 is bent on shutting down these new sources of livelihood for the people.

Whereas the people of Guyana are themselves the primary drivers of the choices we should make as a nation and a people, the highfalutin 26, from Danuta Radzik to Simone Joly, are pushed or cajoled to CONATIVE performance by that all-too-amorphous force called liberal cosmopolitanism.

The anti-Government group that signed the letter noted above has free and unencumbered access to the established media in Guyana. Unlike my letters, which are only published once in a blue moon, and only after being cut by as much as 80%, the group of 26 can publish anything anytime and practically everywhere. On the other hand, those like Freddie Kissoon, who are critical of the duplicity of these so-called civil society groups, have been fired, sidelined.

In closing, I challenge the signatories to the letter under consideration to publicly affirm their support for the multi-racial ticket of the PPP/C, just launched for the June LGE. I also call on Red Thread and GHRA for the last time to condemn Ogunseye’s inflammatory racialism.

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud

Dr Irfaan Ali met a French delegation, led by Joslle Garriaud-Maylam and featuring Cattherine Dumas, Phillipe Falliot, Andre Vallini and Nicole Duranton, on Monday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown (Office of the President)

PPP will overcome challenges from any party

Dear Editor,

And they are off! No, it’s not the Kentucky Derby or the Rodeo, or any other sporting event, but the bitter-sweet race by candidates for the Local Government Elections to be held on June 12th of this year, as approved by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

After a hiatus from 2021, GECOM, chaired by Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, was all set and ready, on Nomination Day, to accommodate the processing of candidates from the various parties for nomination. The massive display of red certainly out-coloured the green, and the resounding beating of the PPP/C drums sent a shivering feeling to the weaker camp.

There are 80 Local Authority Areas, comprising of 70 NDCs and 10 municipalities. It is at this level of geopolitical management that Guyanese can choose their representatives to over-

see their local affairs by voting them in as councillors. This is an integral part of the country’s governance framework, and any party, individual and volunteer group may contest the election. Only the PPP/C Party has entrenched its accord to contest all 80 Areas.

GECOM’s new Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud, reported that Nomination Day was, “very smooth and satisfactory.” Guyanese would recall the attempted rigging of the last General Election in 2020 by the PNC, when the previous CEO, Lowenfield, presented a number of fictitious figures and failed to be in abeyance with the required election rules and regulations. He, along with Mingo and others, is in court currently, charged with attempted election fraud.

Many of the so-called “civil society” groups have to date failed to acknowledge the attempted rigging of the election, chastised the PNC for their skullduggery, and re-

fused to take cognizance of the significant role the international, regional and local observers played in preventing another PNC election-rigging exercise. The work of the ABCE and CARICOM will always be applauded by Guyanese for their stand in defending democracy over dictatorship. For 5 agonizing and testing months, the PNC prevented the PPP/C from occupying their rightful place as the winning party to govern Guyana.

The PPP/C Party was sworn in legally and legitimately only after the US Government placed sanctions on many of the PNC leaders, and asked the “sanctimonious President Granger” to step aside. In a typical “wrong and strong” manner, the PNC Party continues to challenge the legitimacy of the sitting Government in power.

Slowly but surely, all their acclaimed cases are being denied by the courts, and the public is seeing through

Many of these local councillors have got to go

Dear Editor, It was with interest that I watched the proceedings held on Nomination Day around the country by the various political parties and independent candidates.

Editor, it is interesting to note the vigour with which our local authority areas will be contested this year.

The main political parties will seek to outdo each other. In many areas, the emergence of independent candidates will oust many of those that wastefully occupy seats at the NDC and municipality levels.

Many of these local councillors have got to go. They have failed to represent the interests of the people of their community. This is tragic, as many of these local government areas and their residents suffer because of mismanagement.

Local democratic organs, which include NDCs and municipalities, provide a link between the central government and communities, and, as such, it is important that these democratic organs function in the interest of the people, ensuring development at the community level. This development includes implementing and enforcing local laws such as building codes, zoning regulations, and business licensing requirements; maintaining roads and public spaces, and waste management, among others.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic has demonstrated in government an unmatched ability to govern in the interest of the people of Guyana. This political movement is phenomenal. It is noted that the PPPC will be contesting all the six hundred constituencies in Guyana. This political party has some 2000 candidates, as was reported, and has always taken LGE seriously.

The People’s National Congress Reform, which controls Georgetown, has failed the citizens of the capital since the 70s, having always mismanaged the city. This year, the citizens of Georgetown will make changes in the city, voting out the PNC and its affiliates. As a resident of Georgetown, I will be voting for the People’s Progressive Party Civic, which has a proven track record of development. Every municipality and NDC area controlled by the PPPC has been successfully managed in the interest of the people of

those areas. This competency is needed all across Guyana to foster good governance and improve development. LGEs are therefore important, as they will allow citizens to have a direct say in who will be representing them, and make decisions on their behalf at the local level. As a citizen, it gives me a voice in the shaping of policies and priorities of my community, and ensures that local government officials are held responsible to me; a constituent.

Yours truly, Name withheld

their game and becoming fedup with their childish tantrums. Their only alternative is to play the race card as the last means of resort to mislead the innocent and ignite an interest to maintain membership for support.

Guyanese are waking up to reality, and are no longer being led by their noses. They see how porous this claim is, and are shunning leaders, both at home and abroad, who are parroting this claim. Apartheid is a figment of the imagination, and the unequal treatment claim is an illusion.

The PPP/C party, on the other hand, is a well-oiled machine, not having to fear anything from the fallacies of the PNC spreading propaganda, or from their distortion of facts, nor from their usual tongue twisting or their weak and flimsy attacks on Government policies and programmes.

The PPP/C party knows fully well that Guyanese have matured over the past two plus years they have been in power, and Guyanese will not be fooled by the cunning and conniving PNC party. Guyanese are aware that there is freedom of speech guaranteed by this Government, and that

they have no reason to restrict anyone from voicing an opinion. Equal opportunity for education is being fulfilled with the number of GOAL scholarships amply available. Guyanese from all walks of life are receiving house lots without discrimination. The Government has initiated affordable loans at lower interest rate, and has removed the long waiting period and red tape not only for home construction, but also for agriculture purpose. The various grants disbursed by the Government is proof of its sincerity for the welfare of the entire population. The upgrade in medical services has positive reactions, and is continuously augmented with modern technology and facilities.

The PPP/C have a proven track record, and this is their selling point. They do not have to remind Guyanese of the terrible days under PNC duress. This Government is perpetually winning friends and influencing people at the global level. Stakeholders from the international market are seeking the shores of Guyana to partner with the Government and the private sector in their developmental projects. The tremendous in-

frastructure which is transposing a new landscape in Guyana is a direction with foresight from a visionary party. Led by the ever-toiling President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, his entire cabinet continues to work assiduously and diligently in order to maintain the wheel of progress spinning and to increase production at all levels and fields. The humungous display by the PPP/C party on Nomination Day captivates the spirit and energy of a winning party, reflects the exuberance of the supporters, narrates a successful story, and articulates an overwhelming victory at the June ‘23 local government election. It is incumbent on any party who wants to govern Guyanese to participate at this election. Non-representation would limit interest at the general election, and, as such, parties would have lost the golden opportunity to really serve the public and understand the grassroots issues. This is where the PPP/C party will reign and dominate over any party.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

NGSA Math Questions

WORD SEARCH

Post LGE nominations

Respect those who support PPP/C – Pres Ali calls for mature politics

…urges Opposition to demonstrate responsible leadership

democratic right. You should not be chastised,” Ali said.

Crossover

Local Government Elections are scheduled to be held on June 12. Headlining the former APNU members who have gone over to the PPP/C was former Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green. Both Green and Richards were once members of APNU on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, while Ferreira was an independent Councillor. Chase-Green had expressed confidence in both her party of choice’s vision and the list they submitted.

In the wake of criticisms that have accompanied the crossover of several Afro-Guyanese to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), President Dr Irfaan Ali has appealed for more mature and tolerant politics, which respects the choices of persons to support any political grouping they wish.

On Nomination Day, a number of new AfroGuyanese supporters, including those from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, turned out in support of the PPP/C.

These include entertainer Malcolm Ferreira also known as “Mr Wickedee”, athletes in the likes of Jeremy Garrett, Keevin Allicock and Steve Jacobs, and even sitting APNU Councillors Trichria Richards and Esan Vanderstoop.

Their choices, however, have seen criticism in various sections of society, mainly from Opposition forces. But in an address to the nation on Tuesday, President Ali appealed for more sensible and mature politics to prevail, whereby everyone’s choice of political party is respected. He also directly called out Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who in a video broadcast had suggested that persons were being paid by the PPP/C to show support for the party on Nomination Day.

“Some of the statements that is attributed to him, is of great cause for concern. For example, using comments like money as disposal for Black support. That is dispar-

aging. You claim to respect our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters. And this is what you will say to them? That they can be bought?”

“That backward type of politics, that disheartening type of politics is something for the past. That can’t win any more, Mr Norton. That can’t bring people together. That age-old strategy of yours has died. Understand this: You cannot disparage people this way, that they can be bought with money… why can’t we let these elections be one where we’re debating ideas?” Ali said.

President Ali questioned whether the Opposition thought those Afro-Guyanese joining the PPP/C could not think for themselves and lauded those who did join the party. He further emphasized the importance of tolerance and zeroed in on calls by some for the boycott of businesses owned by those who joined the PPP/C.

“I’m seeing leading members of the Opposition calling on the boycott of businesses, owned by Afro-Guyanese people. What nonsense is this? What backwardness is this?

This is what you call leadership? This is what you call building an inclusive society? This is what you call tolerance? Oh, my dear friends, it is not.”

“Why can’t you provide good leadership, by respecting the rights of people? Good leadership is to respect the choices of people. That is what democracy is. It gives people choices… I want us all to understand that joining a political party is part of your

“It was a very smooth process. We just submitted a winning list to Georgetown. And we look forward to full progress, unity, peace and togetherness. Development of the city. When we’ve come out victorious… we’ll deal with that plan. We already have a plan [to improve the city],” Chase-Green had said. Meanwhile, Ferreira had made it clear that he was with the PPP/C because of his confidence in their plan for the city and the ability to work along with them to get things done. He had also noted that since he was always

an independent candidate, he could not be accused of “switching” allegiances.

“The Government invested a lot of money in infrastructure. That gave me an indication that persons were willing to work with others. And so here I am… I believe not in blowing my own trumpet, but I would have had a track record already as Councillor,” Ferreira said.

“And the residents of constituency number 10 [can] point definitely to the things I’ve done. In terms of there [being] the largest youth

group. Hundreds of children. Looking after infrastructure. Ensuring that single parents and school dropouts get the type of investment and love that they need.”

In an interview with this publication, former APNU Councillor Richards had said that her decision to join PPP/C stemmed from her lack of confidence in her former party. According to her, she has confidence in the PPP/C’s plans.

“I have no confidence in the APNU/AFC coalition, more so the PNC. And

the PPP is all about development and progress and I want my constituencies to be a part of that. That’s why I [opted] to go with them,” Richards said.

PPP/C General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, had meanwhile noted that the presence of former APNU/AFC members in his party’s ranks, signals the diverse support the party has. According to Jagdeo, the PPP/C has demonstrated once again it is the only multi-ethnic party in Guyana. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Some of the former APNU/AFC members who have crossed over to the PPP/C in a show of unity on Nomination Day

Pump attendant gets life sentence for manslaughter

Nankishore Persaud, a pump attendant of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who was found guilty of manslaughter, was on Tuesday sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Persaud was convicted by a 12-member jury on March 21, 2023, for the unlawful February 26, 2020 killing of Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall. Following his conviction, sentencing was set for April 18

before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Suddie Supreme Court.

The State was represented by Taneisha Saygon while Leslie Sobers represented the accused.

The 58-year-old man, back in June 2021, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court where he was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on February 26, 2020, he killed Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall.

Fighting...

…regional crime

You’d think that, for a region that depends on tourism to literally keep its head above (the blue) water, Caribbean Governments would’ve long ago tried to get a handle on its escalating crime rate. Just imagine, for “intentional homicide”, half of the top (or bottom) flyers are from the former British Caribbean. Measuring how many murders per 100,000 in population, Jamaica heads the pack at around 48, while Trinidad is second at around 33, and we in Guyana are hovering at around 20!! But what surprised your Eyewitness was that St Kitts, St Vincent and Belize were all HIGHER than Trinidad!! You’d think that, before they left, the Brits gave us a licence to kill – with impunity!!

But maybe their departure was the licence, no? While we bitch, moan and groan about how the Brits oppressed us (under their jackboots?), we gotta admit that they probably oppressed the criminals more – since the numbers show that crime of every stripe was less under their rule. So, what’d they do?? Your Eyewitness believes that while their law-and-order forces were much more professional in going after killers and other bad guys, they also created a climate in which the kinds of murders we see committed nowadays just weren’t done!! Sorry, old chap, we don’t do drive-by killings!! That’s a ghetto thing!!

Anyhow, after standing like bystanders and gawkers as the killers branched out into kidnappings and trafficking, etc (especially in Trinidad), the Governments in the Caricom Region decided to hold a two-day Crime Symposium, which ended yesterday. Yes, you read that right – a SYMPOSIUM!!

At the Port of Spain Hyatt Regency, with a theme and everything: "Violence as a Public Health Issue – The Crime Challenge". Imagine that – violence as a public health issue!! Just like smoking and eating too much fatty food!! When the Brits were ruling us, their answer to every problem that erupted was to appoint a Commission to investigate it. Guess our decolonial answer is to hold symposia!!

From the announcement of the Symposium, you can tell that our leaders mean business. They trashed “the conventional approach of the criminal justice system, [which] focuses on retribution, imprisonment, rehabilitation and restoration, with the goal of restoring harmony and reintegrating people into society.” 'Cause, “This has resulted in consistently escalating levels of crime and violence which have been an ongoing concern of Caricom Heads of Government for several years.” Awww…they were concerned for years!!

So, they’ve now “resolved to increase focus on the determinants of crime by taking a public-health approach, which would first identify the causal factors and preventions, where possible, followed by interventions.”

Yeah… think of how after defining, say, suicide as a “public health issue” in 2001, so far, they’ve taken control and rolled back the scourge!!

…by discussing

Now, don’t think our leaders – led by that indefatigable crime fighter Keith Rowley – don’t have a plan. He has been informed that “the Regional Symposium will emphasise a holistic system approach, particularly a whole-ofGovernment and whole-of-society approach, involving and collaborating with all relevant agencies, organisations and sectors at different levels, including civil society, business, community, families and individuals.” How could they fail with “a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach”?? Obviously, in the past, neither Governments nor societies were giving it their all!!

And just to emphasise that no stone would be left unturned, under which some stray crime might remain, the topics covered were: “Violence and Health in the Region; Mental Health; Transnational Organised Crime; Using Litigation to Protect Gun Violence – Global Action on Gun Violence; Trans-Border Crime; Education and Youth, Domestic Violence; Economic Inequalities as the Driver of Crime and Violence; Community approaches – Restorative Justice; Sports and Mediation; and the Judicial Perspective –Legislation and Juvenile Justice Reform.”

Aren’t you breathing free??

…for democracy

Even though pigmentally-challenged, your Eyewitness was tickled pink when he saw the big names putting up their hands to fight for peace, justice, and the Guyanese way in our LGE!! Some were even moved to cross floors!!

Dead: Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall Sentenced: Nankishore Persaud

Son allegedly beats mother, then sets house on fire

By La’Wanda McaLLister

Ashocking and heart-wrenching story unfolded in Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) on Monday evening when a son allegedly assaulted his own mother and then set their family home on fire.

The raging inferno left the 64-year-old woman, Maharania Mohan; her brother, Ramesh Pritipaul, and three Brazilian tenants with nothing but ashes and ruins.

The Guyana Fire Service in a release stated that on the day in question, it received a report at 19:01h that a house at Lot 399, Third Street Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was on fire.

As such, water tenders from the West Ruimveldt and Diamond Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed the two-storey wooden and concrete building engulfed in flames but despite their efforts, the building and its contents were destroyed.

However, eyewitnesses reported that the scene was nothing short of a nightmare, with flames shooting high into the night sky and thick smoke billowing out of the windows.

The incident has left the community reeling, struggling to come to terms with

the senseless violence that has shattered the family’s life.

Mohan’s 43-year-old son, who has a history of abusive behaviour towards her, reportedly moved back in with her after he was having issues with his girlfriend.

The woman, who seemed visibly shaken when speaking to Guyana Times, related that the incident sparked after she refused to call her son’s girlfriend upon his request. After she refused, he allegedly flew into a rage and started to beat her.

“He pelt me with a nut butter bottle and he throw me down on the ground and beat me. He and he girlfriend get problems and they in court. He ask me to call she and ask she to come to the house because he said the lawyer clerk told him some-

thing about the case. I tell he I can’t do that because she use to live here with me and one time she drag me on the road and brace me up at the fence,” the woman related.

In tears, Mohan said after the beating, she went to the Police, but they were unable to locate her son. Fearing for her life, she took precautions and hid all sharp objects in the house.

However, her son was not deterred and allegedly proceeded to beat her again –this time threatening to kill her.

“I can’t even put my money down nowhere because he gone with it… last night I was putting on my nighty (pyjamas) and the Lord told me not to do that. Don’t stay here. I take off my clothes and put on another set… I start to get nervous and when I was coming out, he pelt me and he start looking for weapons in the kitchen but I de already hide all of them.”

“I pick up my bag with

What is left of the house that was destroyed by fire

all my documents, and I put some clothes in my bag and was heading to go by my next son because is only two sons I have. He scramble meh and tell me that I hiding money from he. He push he hand in my bra and tek out meh money and when he start to beat me, I scream for murder and nobody came to my rescue,” the woman recalled.

Mohan eventually managed to push her son away and flee to safety at a neighbour’s house.

In retaliation, her son, in a loud tone, stated that “if I can’t get the house, no one can”. Within minutes, the house was in flames.

“When I escape I heard like he lighting something, like the gas bottle, and then

shortly after the whole house was on fire,” the woman cried. The suspect was later seen sprinting from the scene but was later arrested by the Police some distance away. The Fire Service has since confirmed that the fire was maliciously set. An investigation is ongoing.

Maharania Mohan, whose house was destroyed by fire

Police in pursuit of duo wanted for armed robbery

Law enforcement authorities are currently on the hunt for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery committed in Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The wanted men are 47-year-old Akeem Marques from Bareroot, ECD, and 23-year-old Chris Sampson, whose last known addresses were Lot 948 Bareroot, ECD, and Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD.

Although details about the crime remain undisclosed, Police have issued “wanted” bulletins for the apprehension of the duo. Police stated that the robbery occurred on April 7, 2023.

The Police have urged the public to contact them or the

nearest Police station if they have any information about the whereabouts of the suspects. The contact numbers for the Police are 225-6940, 225-8196, 225-2317, 2258196, and 227-1147.

The Police have em-

phasized the importance of community involvement in tracking down criminals and ensuring public safety. They have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to the authorities.

Pump attendant gets life...

It was reported that after Mayhilall died, relatives were told that he had fallen from a bench at Zorg and his prone body was discovered in the late evening by residents.

However, his mother, Jaiwantie Mayhilall, had always maintained that her son was murdered, prompting an investigation. In fact,

a post-mortem report revealed that Mayhilall died as a result of trauma to his head and a fractured spine.

Meanwhile, during the investigations back in January 2023, Mariano Persaud called “Mariam”, 39, of Zorg, Essequibo Coast, a typist clerk attached to the Suddie Supreme Court of Judicature, was jailed

FROM PAGE 8

for four months after she attempted to pervert the course of justice.

It was reported that she told three men to lie to the Police surrounding the death of Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall. Subsequently, Nankishore was charged and remanded to prison for the man’s murder.

The two men who are wanted by Police for an alleged robbery

Farmer dies after falling off bridge in Region 9

A57-year-old farmer died on Sunday evening after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and it crashed into the Shiwan Bridge along the Access Road in South Pakaraima.

At the time of his demise, Mikey Francisco of Karasabai Village was operating Brazilianregistered motorcycle NAR 8584, and reports are that he was returning home from his farm and the motorcycle was not equipped with a headlamp.

While in vicinity of the Shiwan Bridge, Francisco lost control of the bike and it collided with the rail of the bridge, resulting in him and the motorcycle falling off the bridge and ending up in the creek on a pile of rocks. The motorcycle, the Police added, landed on top of the injured man, pinning him on the rocks.

After Francisco did not return home, relatives who went in search of him found his motionless body

Rape charge against Essequibo Coast pastor discharged

Accused of drugging and raping a female, Collin Samuels, a pastor at the People’s Restoration Ministries in Essequibo, on Tuesday had the case against him discharged by Anna Regina Magistrate Esther Sam after a no-case submission presented by Defence Attorney Bernard Da Silva was upheld.

“Pastor Sammy” was charged for the offence in August 2022, and was granted bail in the sum of $150,000. On Tuesday, when the case was called, he was represented by Attorney Da Silva who, in his submissions, stated that on the day in question, his client was not in the jurisdiction and, as such, could not have had contact with the virtual complainant.

Discharged: Collin Samuels

ship with the pastor for the past two years.

in the creek with the motorcycle lying on both of his legs.

He was picked up and taken to the Karasabai District Hospital, and a medical practitioner immediately referred him to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead on arrival.

The man’s body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem, and further investigations are underway.

Further, the attorney contended that in her statement, the VC mentioned that, on the day in question, there were other members who purportedly stayed back to clean and close up the church, but she could not submit their names to corroborate her story.

Moreover, a report about the incident was made to the Police on May 9, 2022, more than a month after the incident had allegedly taken place; and on April 17, 2022, the VC reportedly confessed to the wife of the accused that she had been in a relation-

Based on this evidence among other things, the defence submitted its no-case submission, and accused the prosecution of failing to discharge its burden of proof in support of the elements of the charge of rape. As such, the charge against Samuels was discharged.

Police had stated that, on April 2, 2022, Pastor Samuels had allegedly given the VC something to drink, after which she had felt dizzy and requested to be taken home. Instead, the pastor had allegedly raped her. A Police report that was filed had led to Samuels being arrested and charged.

The motorcycle that Mikey Francisco was riding at the time of his demise

The bridge from which Francisco fell

NTC receives support from Iwokrama to prepare sustainability plan

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development

(Iwokrama) on Monday announced their collaboration in supporting the Council’s mentorship to Indigenous villages and communities to prepare Village

Sustainability

Plans (VSPs).

The VSPs which are being discussed and prepared by each Indigenous village and community across Guyana, provide details on the projects developed and decided upon by the residents of each respective community.

These plans will be financed by revenues earned under the Forest Carbon Credits Programme of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

The NTC’s executive members and technical staff are providing guidance to villages and communities at their request, in developing their village plans. Iwokrama’s support to the Council would cover expenses associated with these exercises in Deep South and South Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

At a simple signing ceremony at Iwokrama’s Georgetown office, NTC Programme Coordinator Nandanie Jerry expressed appreciation to

Chief Executive Officer Dane Gobin and Resource Management and Training Director, Dr Raquel Thomas for Iwokrama’s timely support.

Gobin, however, stated his satisfaction with the opportunity to support the NTC’s important work with the villages as part of the LCDS 2030. Further, he expressed Iwokrama’s interest in strengthening ties with the NTC in areas of collaborative research, sustainable natural resources management, and preserving indigenous culture among other areas.

The NTC is the representative body of all Toshaos. The Council engages with Government and other partners on behalf of all villages; promotes good governance practices; advocates for sustainable management of natural resources; and prepares, implements, and supports policies, plans and projects to enhance the lives and livelihoods of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.

Iwokrama CEO Dane Gobin and Resource Management Director Raquel Thomas with NTC representative Nandanie Jerry

Iwokrama CEO Dane Gobin and NTC representative Nandanie Jerry sign the agreement

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Nomination Day provides evidence Guyanese are now torchbearers for One Guyana

Democracy was in action on Monday, April 17, in Guyana. The many whose names are on the candidate lists, those who choose to be independent contestants, must be congratulated.

Local government elections around the world have always failed to garner the same enthusiasm as national elections.

But any observer in Guyana on Monday would not have known that it was simply Nomination Day for LGE. Every observer of Nomination Day for LGE 2023, last Monday, would have seen an atmosphere akin to national elections. At GECOM’s Nomination Day Centres around the country, people gathered to submit their party’s LGE 2023 candidate lists. However, what was clear was that those who gathered around the country were mainly in red, the party colour of the PPP. There was a sprinkling of green, the party colour of the PNC, in some areas, such as Georgetown and Linden. But clearly, the enthusiasm seen was from an overwhelming support base for the PPP.

It was humiliating for Aubrey Norton and his PNC executive members to see an almost total absence of both PNC leaders and PNC supporters during Nomination Day activities. The Leader of the Opposition made a brief appearance, but was clearly pained to see that his party could not muster any support to accompany those lonely ones who were given the responsibility of handing in their candidate lists in the various communities. Who could ever have imagined that, on a Nomination Day, the PPP would be able to outshine by far the PNC in Linden, Georgetown, and New Amsterdam? But that is exactly what happened last Monday. It was not even a close contest, with the PPP clearly outnumbering the PNC (APNU) and outshining them in enthusiasm.

One had to search long and hard to find a PNC or APNU senior official anywhere in the country, or find any nominating centre where a crowd of PNC supporters was present to give support to those handing in their candidate lists. It was humiliating for a party that has, for more than 65 years, been the second largest political party, a party that could routinely record more than 35% of the votes in national elections.

Noteworthy, the PNC (APNU) was the incumbent Government up to August 2020, less than three years ago. Yet, this party suffered a tsunami of defections. The disappointment was too painful for one former senior minister and senior PNC executive, who cried while watching and reading what was taking place. The PPP reached greater heights, and the PNC fell hard.

The PPP is contesting in every local government area, whether for NDC or for municipality seats. The PNC failed to submit for some important municipalities and NDCs. We already know that the PNC was unable to submit a list of candidates for the Diamond/Herstelling NDC, one of the largest NDCs in the country, and for Aranaputa, the only NDC in Region 9, a place where the PNC has always been competitive. Diamond/Herstelling is an NDC that is within arm’s length of the PNC’s headquarters, within walking distance of where some PNC leaders live and work.

Worse yet, the PNC was unable to submit a list of candidates for the municipality of Lethem. This is a municipality where the PNC has been competitive in the past. The PNC also submitted incomplete lists, with no candidates for various constituencies within an NDC or municipality.

Without a single vote cast yet, the PPP is already out front with walkover victories, already earning significant numbers of seats because these seats have PPP candidates that no one is contesting against.

The remarkable thing about Nomination Day for LGE 2023 is the number of persons that have switched from the PNC, AFC, other political parties, and even some previously independent candidates to the PPP. There are some serving councillors in municipalities and NDCs who have switched to the PPP. In virtually every single local government area, there are people who previously served with the PNC or other political parties or as independents who have now become candidates for the PPP. This is especially true in New Amsterdam and Georgetown. The PNC is the party that has suffered the most from the defections. We are unaware of any defection from the PPP.

While Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP’s General Secretary, and President Irfaan Ali are confident of winning in more places than they did in 2018, Aubrey Norton and the PNC are fighting to remain relevant in their strongholds. It is sad and painful to watch Aubrey Norton concede that their objective in LGE 2023 is to retain control of their strongholds.

The PNC itself, and its leaders and some of its supporters have decided that they will demonise citizens who have used their constitutional and inalienable right to choose for themselves. They are being called traitors, soup drinkers, house slaves, and other despicable names. They have been accused of being bought. This is an attack on freedom and democracy. The PNC has become a racist party.

The PNC universally submitted lists with no diversity. The PPP, in contrast, submitted lists that reflect Guyana and the communities. In Georgetown, the PNC list appears like Georgetown is made up of only Afro-Guyanese. The PPP list has about 65% Afro-Guyanese and the list reflects the demographics of Georgetown.

The bottom line is that the PPP lists demonstrate that President Irfaan Ali’s ONE GUYANA plea is working. It demonstrates that the people of Guyana have been inspired, and are becoming torchbearers for unity and for ONE GUYANA.

13 agro-processing facilities to come on stream this year – Mustapha

As many as 13 agro-processing facilities will be coming on stream in Guyana this year, in furtherance of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s push to increase food production in Guyana and the Caribbean Region as a whole.

Making this announcement was Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, during a recent outreach to Ann’s Grove, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), on Saturday. In fact, true to the promise he made on Saturday, Minister Mustapha returned to Ann’s Grove on Tuesday to meet with farmers in the village.

“Let me make this very clear. This Government works every single day. Every day, in every part of this country we are working. To ensure that we bring relief to the people of this country,” the Minister said during the Ann’s Grove outreach on Saturday.

“By the end of this year we will commission more than 13 agro-processing facilities across the country. And the closest one [to Ann’s Grove] is Hope Estate. I’m inviting you that you can take on the farmers from Ann’s Grove, to use that facility.”

The Minister had also promised that if the youths of Ann’s Grove could be organised into a collective, they can be brought on board in a project to facilitate the production of livestock and high-value crops. On his return to Ann’s Grove,

Minister Mustapha met with farmers and residents from Ann’s Grove and other surrounding villages on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

It was only in March that the Agriculture Ministry issued an invitation for sealed bids from qualified and eligible bidders for the construction of a processing facility for the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) at Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The GMC received a $37 million investment in July 2022, considerably increasing Guyana’s capability for agricultural processing. To the advantage of all farmers who need help processing their produce, funding is made available to guarantee that agro-processing facilities become operational.

At Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, a cutting-edge food processing facility valued $37 million was officially opened. In addition, a $15 million agro-processing complex was also commissioned at St Ignatius, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), in November 2022.

Among the initiatives being pioneered by Guyana is the development of a regional agri-tech campus in Guyana. This project is being developed along with the Bangalore Bio Innovation Centre (BBC) in India.

The BBC, according to its website, is a state-of-the-art translational research and entrepreneurship centre ca-

tering to all the needs of start-ups in life science located in the city of Bangalore, India. President Ali noted that the project will see technology and crop variety being developed that are catered for the Caribbean Region.

Last year, an agri-investment forum and expo was held in Guyana, a joint initiative between the Government and Caricom Secretariat. Government has also said it will be partnering with the private sector to establish a regional food hub.

Government’s focus on agriculture is down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill. Last year, President

Dr Irfaan Ali had declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.

It was reported in February that Member States of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have collectively achieved a significant 57 per cent of the target set to realise “Vision 25 by 2025”. This announcement was made during the first Caricom Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security meeting for 2023. (G3)

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha at Ann’s Grove

1600 women graduate from WIIN programme

Some 1600 women from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) graduated from the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme on Saturday and Sunday at the Human Services and Social Security’s “We Lift 3”.

The programme was conceptualised by the Human Services Ministry to provide women across the country with the training and tools to allow them to attain financial independence and security.

Grade One teacher Akesa Ellis, who has thus far completed the Introduction and Level Two courses related to childcare, described her overall learning experience as “wonderful” and an addition to her pre-existing knowledge on working with children.

“It will help me to better assist children in terms of if they are having difficulty, [I] will not just jump in thinking that these children are stubborn because there’s different problems that children can be affected by whether it’s psychological or so on,” Ellis said.

“I was able to learn how to cater for each child, because each child is able to learn differently so sometimes, something that may work for one may not work for the other,” she added.

Likewise, Nekisha Lewis also completed the first two courses related to childcare. “It was great, both online and face-to-face; the first course I did was face-to-face at the Department of Education building in Region Three and Level Two, I did online,” Lewis said.

Lewis plans on using the knowledge she has gained to eventually open a daycare and “venture off from there as an entrepreneur”.

Since the WIIN programme’s inception in 2020, over 4000 wom-

en have been trained at no cost, with 25 per cent of them opening their own businesses and 14 per cent of them gaining employment.

Efforts like this by the Government to involve women in every sector and ensure they are equally represented has been reflected in the report by the World Economic Forum, Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud relayed at “We Lift 3’s” opening ceremony.

“All of that was equivalent to us moving up 18 spots in one year as a country. What does [this] sig-

nal? That the gender gap is narrowing,” Persaud said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s happening at a rapid pace.”

“These are the kinds of stats that give us the kind of credibility, encouragement and motivation that we want to have to keep on doing things the way we are doing it and doing even more than what we’re doing right now,” Persaud added.

These training programmes and courses have received United Kingdom (UK) accreditation due to the Ministry’s collaboration

with Nations Inc and University of West Indies (UWI) accreditation through the UWI-ROYTEC collaboration.

“Then we also decided, why not ink something with Coursera and that opened the doors for thousands of women to access online, sound education from world class universities [where] they had to do stackable courses equivalent to Level One, Level Two, Level Three, Level Four,” Persaud said. “So, it’s giving them accredited certification that they can really use whichever way they want.”

The Human Services Ministry has received some 10,000 applications for the upcoming WIIN programme offerings and are hoping to train 6000 of those.

“This is an open appeal. Anybody who wants to offer funding so we can get the other 4000, come on board,” Persaud said.

The WIIN app, a component of the WIIN programme, through an upcoming collaboration with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) will offer businesswomen a better platform to sell their products and services.

“This is what we want to do: Put those women’s businesses in your hands, network those women on a platform and MMG will take us to the point next month,” Persaud said.

The WIIN participants at the graduation ceremony

2nd Local Content Summit to be held in 2024

Following the success of Guyana’s first Local Content Summit on April 4, the MBW Energy Support Services Inc (MBWESSI) is already planning to host a second summit of its kind in April 2024.

“Our aim is to ensure that this summit remains accessible and affordable for all Guyanese to attend and as such we would be looking at making 2024 a bigger event, showcasing more Guyanese success stories, giving a platform to those who have entered the Local Content Certification process in 2023 to speak of their own experience,” said Business Development Manager at MBWESSI, Channey Wong.

Wong added that MBWESSI also intends on inviting more partnership-ready companies to their Equity Room to support the formation of more fruitful partnerships and on working closely with the Local Content Secretariat to help more companies who want to be Local Content Certified.

Since coming into operation in January 2022, the Local Content Secretariat has registered more than

500 companies with the aim of issuing 750 more Local Content Certificates in 2023.

A total of 371 individuals attended the first summit themed “Sustaining Supplier Development through Local Content Partnerships,” an effort organised by MBWESSI to provide local companies with a working road map for local content for successful participation in the country’s energy sector.

“The conversation on local content was needed and timely for many people…[and] the conference brought to light that many Guyanese-owned Local Content Certified companies are ready for business growth and development through partnerships,” Wong said, adding that many women-led businesses have been able to see their companies grow and thrive through the implementation of the Local Content Act.

Guyana’s Local Content Act, finalised in 2021, essentially allows for local companies providing services like construction management, procurement and logistics, recruiting and human resources, to get first prefer-

Komal Singh elected as new PSC Chairman

ence in the country’s emerging oil and gas sector.

Wong explained that the goals of the summit – to bring together policymakers, industry operators and contractors, vendors, suppliers, investors and general businesses in one forum to better understand the role of local content as a driver of economic growth and in the creation of more opportunities for business, trade, and commerce as well as a higher quality of life for its citizens – was achieved.

The 371 participants –both in-person and online – represented companies involved in accounting, logistics and transportation, security, finance, business support services, training and education.

“For participants both online and in-person, 270 were local individuals and 100 were international,” Wong said. “We saw individuals coming to Guyana for the first time, just to attend the conference, and we are extremely happy that they were able to experience Guyana whilst gaining the knowledge they needed on Guyana’s local content and energy sector.”

Chief Executive Officer of Gaico Construction and General Services Inc, Komal Singh has been elected Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

The PSC held its 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the PSC said that the business section of the AGM saw the council electing the executive members of the PSC who will serve for the period 2023-2024.

“The Commission is pleased to announce the election of Mr Komal Singh as Chairman, re-election of Mr Ryan Alexander as Vice Chairman, Mr Paul Cheong as Honorary Secretary, Mr Haimwant Persaud as Treasurer and Dr Natasha Gaskin-Peters as Corporate Coordinator,” the statement read.

The commission said that it looks forward to the continued support of all members in the execution of the its mandate.

“The PSC intends to continue being the leading advocate for the private sector on articulated and shared positions on national issues which will promote so-

cio-economic growth and development through the creation of strategic partnership with the Government and stakeholders,” the statement read.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Operation “Safe Road” in Leonora leads to revocation of vehicle fitness

In an effort to promote safe driving practices and keep the roadways safe for all road users in Regional Division 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted Operation “Safe Road” along the Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The operation, headed by Inspector Roberts, Sergeant Glasgow, and two other traffic ranks, saw the revocation of fitness for 20 vehicles due to a variety of offences.

During the operation, the Police officers encountered a range of offences including obscured identification mark (front); unlicensed conductor, breach of condition of road service licence and tinted motor vehicle.

The tints were promptly removed from the vehicles, and cases were made against the drivers who were found to be in violation of the law.

The operation was conducted in a high-pressure environment, with Police officers confronting drivers

who pose a danger to themselves and other road users.

The Police officers urged all road users to adhere to the traffic laws and regulations, as the Police will continue to enforce these laws and hold those who violate them accountable. The revocation of fitness

for the 20 vehicles serves as a stark reminder that the Police Force is committed to ensuring that all road users are safe. The operation, according to the Police, sends a clear message to all drivers that the Police will not tolerate dangerous driving and will take swift action to revoke the fitness of any ve -

hicle that fails to meet safety standards. The Police Force also reminded all vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are in compliance with the requirements for fitness and roadworthiness. They said that the Force will continue to conduct similar operations to ensure that all

vehicles on the road are in compliance with the law and regulations.

Less than a week ago, the Providence Police Station’s Traffic Department conducted a “Tint Glass and Private Hire Operation” in the vicinity of Red Road, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

During the operation, the Police made 18 cases, including six cases of tinted glass, four cases of leaving vehicles in a dangerous position, four cases of failing to conform to signs, and four cases of using vehicles for purposes other than their licensed purpose.

Trigger IX: US$5B of drugs seized in Latin American operation

power and further fuels their criminal activities.

"The fact that an operation targeting illicit firearms resulted in such massive drugs seizures is further proof, if needed, that these crimes are intertwined," Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said of the 203 tonnes of cocaine and other drugs found.

Criminal gangs in Mexico, Central and South America are increasingly well armed and local Police often find themselves outgunned and overpowered when confront-

ing them.

In Brazil and neighbouring Paraguay for example, members of the PCC have staged large-scale bank robberies and prison breaks.

The gang first emerged in Brazil, but has expanded to operate internationally and has been linked to the murder of a Paraguayan prosecutor while he was on his honeymoon in Colombia.

Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, continues to control much of the human trafficking as well as the smuggling of drugs and weap-

ons in Central America.

Interpol said that its operation had led to the seizure of large amounts of ammunition even in countries which have so far largely not been associated with large-scale gun violence.

Police in Uruguay secured 100,000 pieces of ammunition, the largest ever amount seized in the country.

It had been smuggled into the country by two European nationals, highlighting the need for international intelligence-sharing, Interpol said. (BBC)

Police in Latin America have seized cocaine and other drugs worth US$5 billion in an operation lasting three weeks and spanning 15 countries.

They also seized more than 8000 illicit firearms and carried out almost 15,000 arrests.

Police forces from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south exchanged information in the operation, which

was co-ordinated by Interpol.

Interpol said the arrests had disrupted the workings of several powerful gangs.

Dubbed Trigger IX, the international effort was mainly aimed at fighting the trafficking of illicit firearms.

Experts from the participating countries gathered at a centre of operations in Foz do Iguaçu, a city on Brazil's border with Argentina and

Paraguay, from March 12 to April 2.

There, they exchanged intelligence on the workings of international crime gangs, such as First Capital Command (PCC), and Mara Salvatrucha with the aim of disrupting the flow of illicit firearms.

Interpol has long warned that the smuggling of weapons strengthens the gangs'

Police from 15 nations took part in the international operation

Around the World

Putin visits 2 regions in Ukraine, Russia presses assault on Bakhmut

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his commanders in two regions of Ukraine that Moscow claims to have annexed, while Russian forces stepped up heavy artillery bombardments and air strikes on Tuesday on the devastated Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, visited troops in the eastern town of Avdiivka, about 70 km (43 miles) southwest of Bakhmut, and was briefed on the battlefield situation, his office said.

The Kremlin said Putin on Monday had attended a military command meeting in Ukraine's southern Kherson region and visited a national guard headquarters in eastern Luhansk.

Putin heard reports from commanders of the airborne forces and the Dnieper army group as well

as other senior officers who briefed him on the situation in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south.

Neither Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu nor Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov joined Putin on his trip as a security precaution, the Kremlin said.

A senior Ukrainian

presidential aide, Mykhailo Podolyak, took to Twitter to mock Putin's trip as a "'special tour' of the mass murders' author in the occupied and ruined territories to enjoy the crimes of his minions for the last time".

Kyiv and the West accuse Russian forces of committing war crimes in occupied Ukrainian territory, which Moscow denies.

A Russian winter offensive failed to make much progress and its troops have been bogged down in a series of battles in the east and

south, where advances have been incremental and come at a huge cost to both sides.

Fighting has raged in and around Bakhmut in

Donetsk region for months, with Ukrainian forces holding out despite regular claims by Russia to have taken the city. (Reuters)

Heavy gunfire quickly shatters Sudan truce pushed by US

Heavy gunfire shattered a 24-hour truce in Sudan on Tuesday shortly after it was due to take effect under US pressure on warring military factions to halt fighting that has touched off a humanitarian crisis.

Loud shooting reverberated in the background of live feeds by Arab television news channels in the Khartoum capital region minutes after the agreed 6 pm (1600 GMT) onset of the ceasefire.

Warplanes were roaring in the skies above Khartoum, a Reuters reporter heard tanks firing shortly after the truce was due to take hold, and a resident told Reuters he heard an air strike being

carried out in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city on the opposite bank of the Nile river. Several witnesses reported a large army ground force entering the city from the east.

The regular army and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) issued statements accusing each other of failing to respect the ceasefire. The army's high command said it would continue operations to secure the capital and other regions.

"We have not received any indications here that there's been a halt in the fighting," United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a news briefing in New York.

The conflict between

Sudan's military leader and his deputy on Sudan's ruling council erupted four days ago, derailing an internationally backed plan for a transition to a civilian democracy four years after the fall of Islamist autocrat Omar al-Bashir to mass protests and two years after a military coup.

The fighting has triggered what the United Nations has described as a humanitarian catastrophe, including the near collapse of the health system. The UN's World Food Programme suspended operations after three of its employees were killed.

At least 185 people have been killed in the conflict.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the national guard headquarters in the Luhansk Region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, in this still image taken from handout video released on April 18, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Stand your ground, make your intentions clear and do what feels right. Don't overload your to-do list with favors for others when you must look out for yourself.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Emotions will be difficult to control when dealing with friends, relatives or colleagues. Choose your words wisely; sending a mixed message will only confuse matters further. Self-improvement will offer better results than trying to change others.

You'll experience problems expressing your feelings and dealing with sensitive issues at work. Keep busy, and don't share personal information. Take better care of your health.

(May 21-June 20)

Don't take anything for granted; if you want something done, do it yourself. You'll be in emotional overdrive when helping others or engaging in joint ventures. Don't promise or take on too much.

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

Your actions have more clout than your words. Take the initiative, set goals, test your plans and don't share your ideas with others until you have everything in place. Ignore demanding individuals.

Adjust what's necessary but stick to your plans. Trying to accommodate others will leave you feeling tired and limit what you can do. If you call on reliable people, you'll meet your deadline.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Experience will help hone your skills. Test how good you are, but don't expect to be perfect. Patience will be key. Mastering the art of something that makes you happy is the richest reward.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Make up your mind; if you take too much time to ponder over what you are doing, you'll overthink the process. Learn all you can and meet with people who have something to contribute.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Have some fun, expand your interests and meet new people. Don't feel the need to be overly generous. Let your charm lead the way. Put more thought into investments, contracts and deadlines.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Listen to requests, but don't buy into something just to impress someone. An interest in someone quite different from yourself will lead to mixed results. Learn what you can and move on.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

A levelheaded approach to money, work and relationships will spare you from getting involved in a messy situation. Concentrate on feeling good about yourself.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Focus on health. Join a fitness group, improve your eating habits or update your look. Dress for success. Don't let a troubled relationship bring you down; deal with it and walk away.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Cuban Classic Powerlifting C/ship 2023…

GAPLF congratulates Demetri Chan for podium finish

On behalf of the executive body and members of the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF), President Franklin Wilson has congratulated Demetri Chan for his podium finish at the Cuban Classic Powerlifting Championship.

On a Government of Guyana scholarship in Cuba, Chan will, in August this year, conclude his degree as a Physical Therapist. He informed that while the competition was challenging for him, he was able to rise above the tests

TATA IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad…

presented and do himself and the nation proud.

Having participated in powerlifting for approximately six years now, during which he represented Guyana with flying colours at the international level, Chan copped the gold medal in the 74kg weight class, and won the bronze medal overall.

Chan, who informed that the powerlifting community in Cuba is very competitive, was also presented with certificates for achieving second and third-best overall bench press. He achieved

207kg in the squat, 152kg in bench press, and 260kg in deadlift for a total of 619kg and 91.59 IPF points.

Gratitude is being expressed to the Guyana Embassy staff in Cuba and to Ambassador Halim Majeed for the great support they are offering to Chan and the other scholarship students.

Chan has said that on his return to Guyana in August, he would be continuing his career as a competitive powerlifter, apart from focusing on being, and making an impact as, a qualified Physical Therapist.

Green, Varma, Chawla fire Mumbai Indians to third win in a row

Two days after their top order had made short work of a 186-run target against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians' middle order muscled an above-par total of 192 on a sluggish pitch against Sunrisers Hyderabad, to set up their third straight win and take them two places up to the sixth spot on the points table.

In the IPL, it was also the second day in a row when a team defended a total successfully. Mumbai will also gain confidence from knowing that their bowlers reduced Sunrisers to 127 for 5 in the 14th over without the help of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, their main quick bowlers, and were largely ahead in the game.

Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen and Washington Sundar pulled out some big hits, but couldn't finish the job. The last over started with 20 required, and Arjun Tendulkar had the ball. It was a sequence of wide

yorkers, which resulted in two wickets and just five runs scored.

The prime architects of Mumbai's win were Cameron Green and Tilak Varma, who put on a stand of 56 in 28 balls and helped Mumbai score 83 off the last six overs, before Green sent down some tight overs to finish with one for 29 - the big wicket of Aiden Markram.

Rohit lights up the powerplay

After opting to bowl, Sunrisers brought on Washington in the third over for the matchup against Rohit Sharma: 25 runs off 26 balls with three dismissals before this game. But Rohit turned it around by taking on the bigger leg-side boundary, which had the two fielders out. He hit two fours behind square, and then one through cover-point to hit the pedal.

Rohit continued to attack with his array of shots. He smoked T Natarajan over mid-on, and ramped him for four more.

But it didn't last long. Natarajan sent a slow cutter on the pads, and Rohit chipped a catch to midoff to leave for 28 off 18. Ishan Kishan then took over, and took Mumbai to 53 for one at the end of the powerplay.

Caught Markram, bowled Jansen

Sharma found long-off off Piyush Chawla, and Sunrisers were four down with the asking rate nearly touching 12.

Shades of a fightback before Sunrisers go down

With runs not coming easily and the lack of dew helping the bowlers, Sunrisers were already behind the curve. They got a big boost when Heinrich Klaasen

handed a catch to long-on in the same over, after reducing the equation to 66 from 36.

It was within reach at that point, but Meredith soon accounted for Agarwal in a frugal over, and Jansen, after a couple of boundaries, handed David his fourth catch of the match. David wasn't quite done: after Washington raised Sunrisers' hopes again, his lazy running resulted in David getting

ENTERTAINMENT

Jansen had already bowled two good overs in the powerplay, making him one of the best in this IPL, with an economy rate of 5.57; and he returned for the 12th over and struck twice. He first banged the ball short - not to forget the height from which he delivers - to make Kishan miscue the ball to mid-off, where Markram completed an excellent catch. Four balls later, Markram was at it again when Suryakumar Yadav chipped a slow cutter down the ground; Markram ran across, put in the dive, and got up with the ball in his hand. It was a case of leading by example, after Markram had said at the toss that his team had to field better, having dropped 11 catches earlier in the tournament, according to ESPNcricinfo's data.

Tilak and Green take off Mumbai could have easily slipped or slowed down after that, but their search for boundaries every over paid off when Tilak Varma and Green took on their best bowler of the day to start the onslaught. Green used his tall frame to unleash big swings combined with brute force, while Tilak Varma displayed more of his clean hitting and supple

wrists against the spinners. The two batters collected 21 and 14 runs off the 15th and 16th overs respectively, with three fours and as many sixes to lift the run rate from 7.78 to nine an over. It took Bhuvneshwar Kumar's experience in the 17th and 19th overs to keep Mumbai under 200. He took the pace off with his cutters and knuckle balls to concede just 14 runs in those two overs.

Natarajan, meanwhile, missed his Yorkers, and Green dispatched him for three consecutive fours followed by a six over long-off that also took him past his first IPL fifty off 33 balls. In the last over, Tim David manipulated the field to put away two more Natarajan full tosses to collect 14 more useful runs.

Behrendorff makes early inroads

After missing the previous game because of an illness, Jason Behrendroff returned to deliver two big and early blows to Sunrisers. His short ball drew a top edge from Harry Brook, before a delivery outside off took Rahul Tripathi's outside edge to Kishan. The onus was largely on Markram now to chaperone them to the end overs, as Mayank Agarwal wasn't scoring as quickly and the asking rate was creeping up. He started attacking with his strong suithitting a six off a spinner - but holed out to deep midwicket off Green while attempting a big hit. Three balls later, Abhishek

blasted Chawla with two mighty pulls and two reverse sweeps for 4, 6, 6 and 4; but he then

an opportunity, and the direct hit ended Washington's stay. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Rohit Sharma (c) c

Markram b Natarajan 28 18

Ishan Kishan †c

Markram b Jansen 38 31

Cameron Green not out 64 40

Suryakumar Yadav c

Markram b Jansen 7 3

Tilak Varma c Agarwal

b Kumar 37 17

Tim David run out

(Abhishek Sharma/Natarajan) 16 11

Extras (w 2) 2

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.60) 192/5

Did not bat: Nehal Wadhera, Arjun Tendulkar, Hrithik

Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jason

Behrendorff, Riley Meredith

Fall of wickets: 1-41

(Rohit Sharma, 4.4 ov), 2-87

(Ishan Kishan, 11.1 ov), 3-95

(Suryakumar Yadav, 11.5 ov), 4-151

(Tilak Varma, 16.3 ov), 5-192

(Tim David, 19.6 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-31-1

Marco Jansen 4-0-43-2

Washington Sundar 4-0-33-0

T Natarajan 4-0-50-1

Mayank Markande 4-0-35-0

Sunrisers Hyderabad (T: 193 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Harry Brook c Yadav

b Behrendorff 9 7

Mayank Agarwal c 48 41

Rahul Tripathi c † Ishan Kishan b Behrendorff 7 5

Aiden Markram (c) c

Shokeen b Green 22 17

Abhishek Sharma c

David b Chawla 1 2

Heinrich Klaasen † c

David b Chawla 36 16

Abdul

Demetri Chan (right) with the gold and silver medalists

Tilak Varma played some stunning shots during his cameo Heinrich Klaasen gave the SRH innings some impetus

Developments in local boxing…

Guyanese boxers in record 3 int’l assignments this week

In what can only be described as an historic accomplishment, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will be represented by a combined total of 20 pugilists and officials at three international assignments this week, marking this the most active week in the history of the GBA where international assignments are concerned. The travelling contingent is scheduled to depart these shores tomorrow and Friday respectively for St. Lucia, Barbados and Uzbekistan.

Alesha Jackman and sibling Abiola Jackman, who created history by becoming the first Guyanese females to receive International Boxing Association (IBA) ranking, are at the forefront of two of the international assignments. Alesha, ranked 58th in the Elite Women 60-63 kg, or Junior Welterweight division, will spearhead a 12-member roster of nine pugilists and three coaches to compete in the Champion of Champions tournament in St. Lucia. This event concludes on Sunday.

The boxers who depart local shores tomorrow are: Tofina Barker (Junior 54-

57kg), Alesha Jackman (Elite 60-63kg), Jamal Eastman (Elite 60-63.5kg), Brian Harris (Elite 71-75kg), Quincy Boyce (Elite 75-80kg), Kevon Harris (Elite 80-86kg), Emmanuel Pompey (Elite 86-92kg), Tiquan Sampson (Junior 5760kg) and Shakquain James (Youth 63.5-67kg). Sebert Blake, Clifton

Moore and Clifton Barker will serve as coaches during the sojourn. And on Friday, Abiola, now classified 27th in the world in the Elite Women 81kg-andover, or heavyweight division, along with Joel Williamson (Elite 57-60kg), will depart for Barbados to compete on a card at the Garfield Sobers

Gymnasium on Saturday. National Coach Lennox Daniels will accompany the duo.

Sportsman of the Year, the IBA 23rd ranked Desmond Amsterdam, along with 54th ranked Keevin Allicock, will journey to Uzbekistan from Friday for the World Championships. The pair will participate in a one-week

training camp before entering the prestigious event.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle has said:

the World Championships in India, which resulted in historic rankings.”

He added, “We have

“Undoubtedly, this is the most active international week for the discipline in the history of the association. In the space of two days, 20 pugilists and officials will depart local shores to represent Guyana in three nations. This significant moment comes on the heels of having female boxers represent Guyana at

continued to emphasize that we will be exposing our talents in every category and division, and this is clearly indicative and evident of such. The team in particular that will be travelling to St. Lucia is littered with juniors and youth boxers, which highlights our unrelenting attention on our nursery.”

Guyana to face Grenada on June 17

As CONCACAF announces match schedule for 2023 Gold Cup

CONCACAF on Tuesday announced the full match schedule for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 17th edition of the Confederation’s flagship competition for men's national teams will be played between June 16 and July 16, 2023, and will crown the best national team in the region.

In total, 15 stadiums in 14 States of the USA and in Canadian metropolitan areas will host matches. Guyana’s first fixture in the preliminary competition has been confirmed against Grenada for June 17 at 9pm.

The tournament’s official draw, which determined the Preliminary matchups and Group Stage groups, took place at SoFi Stadium on April 14.

Matches will be available for fans across the region to view on Fox Sports | Tubi (USAEnglish), TUDN | ViX (USASpanish), Televisa | ViX and TV Azteca (Mexico), OneSoccer (Canada), and ESPN | Star+ (Caribbean, Central, and South America).

For other territories, matches will be available on CONCACAF GO, CONCACAF's Facebook page, and CONCACAF's YouTube channel (all subject to territory restrictions).

2023 Gold Cup Prelims Schedule

The 2023 Gold Cup Prelims will take place between June 16 and 20, 2023, at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, FL), and will include two direct elimination rounds. For Round One, the 12 participating teams were divided into six pairings.

The schedule for the Round One matches is as follows: (listed in ET and local time):

Friday, June 16, 2023 - DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M1: 4:30PM (4:30PM)

Trinidad and Tobago vs Guadeloupe

M2: 7:00PM (7:00PM)

Martinique vs Saint Lucia

M3: 9:00PM (9:00PM)

Curacao vs Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saturday, June 17, 2023

- DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M4: 4:30PM (4:30PM)

French Guiana vs Sint Maarten

M5: 7:00PM (7:00PM)

Suriname vs Puerto Rico

M6: 9:00PM (9:00PM)

Guyana vs Grenada

After single match elimination play, the six match winners will advance to Round Two. The pairings for Round Two have been predetermined, and the schedule is as follows (listed in ET and local time):

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

- DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M7: 4:30PM (4:30PM)

Winner Prelims 1 vs Winner

Prelims 6

M8: 7:00PM (7:00PM)

Winner Prelims 2 vs Winner

Prelims 5

M9: 9:00PM (9:00PM)

Winner Prelims 3 vs Winner

Prelims 4

The three Round Two matchup winners will advance to the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage.

2023 Gold Cup Group Stage 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage action will take place between June 24 and July 4, and will feature 16 nations divided into four groups of four.

The 12 CONCACAF national teams which qualified directly through their performances in the CONCACAF Nations League group stage, the guest participant, AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar, and the three Prelims winners were divided into four groups as follows:

Group A: United States, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Winner Prelims 9 Group B: Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, and Qatar

Group C: Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and

Winner Prelims 8 Group D: Canada, Guatemala, Cuba, and Winner Prelims 7

The schedule and host venues for the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage matches is as follows (listed in ET and local time):

Saturday, June 24, 2023Group A

M10: 9:30PM (8:30PM)

United States vs JamaicaSoldier Field, Chicago, IL

Sunday, June 25, 2023Groups A and B

M11: 3:30PM (3:30PM)

Nicaragua vs Winner Prelims 9 - DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M12: 6:00PM (5:00PM)

Haiti vs Qatar - NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

M13: 8:00PM (7:00PM)

Mexico vs Honduras - NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Monday, June 26, 2023Group C

M14: 6:30PM (6:30PM) El Salvador vs Winner Prelims 8 - DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

M15: 8:30PM (8:30PM) Costa Rica vs Panama - DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tuesday, June 27, 2023Group D M16: 7:00PM (7:00PM) Canada vs Winner Prelims 7BMO Field, Toronto, CAN M17: 8:45PM (8:45PM) Guatemala vs Cuba - DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

- Group A M18: 7:30PM (6:30PM)

Jamaica vs NicaraguaCITYPARK, St. Louis, MO M19: 9:30PM (8:30PM)

Winner Prelims 9 vs United States - CITYPARK, St. Louis, MO

Thursday, June 29, 2023Group B M20: 7:45PM (4:45PM)

Qatar vs Honduras - State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

M21: 10:00PM (7:00PM)

Haiti vs Mexico - State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Friday, June 30, 2023Group C

M22: 6:30PM (6:30PM)

Winner Prelims 8 vs PanamaRed Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

M23: 8:30PM (8:30PM) El

Salvador vs Costa Rica - Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

Saturday, July 1, 2023Group D

M24: 7:30PM (6:30PM)

Cuba vs Winner Prelims 7Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

M25: 9:30PM (8:30PM)

Guatemala vs Canada - Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

Sunday, July 2, 2023 -

Groups A and B

M26: 7:00PM (7:00PM)

United States vs Nicaragua - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

M27: 7:00PM (4:00PM)

Jamaica vs Winner Prelims 9 -

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

M28: 9:00PM (9:00PM)

Honduras vs Haiti - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

M29: 9:00PM (6:00PM)

Mexico vs Qatar - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 -

Groups C and D

M30: 6:30PM (6:30PM)

Winner Prelims 7 vs Guatemala - Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

M31: 6:30PM (5:30PM)

Canada vs Cuba - Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

M32: 8:30PM (8:30PM)

Costa Rica vs Winner Prelims 8 - Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

M33: 8:30PM (7:30PM)

Panama vs El Salvador - Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

2023 Gold Cup

Knockout Stage Schedule

Following 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage play, the top two finishers in each of the groups (eight teams) will advance to a Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage will be comprised of Quarterfinals to be played on July 8 and 9, Semifinals on July 12, and Our Final at SoFi Stadium on Sunday July 16.

The schedule and venues for the Knockout Stage matches is as follows (listed in ET and local time):

Saturday, July 8, 2023 –

Quarterfinals

M34: 7:00PM (6:00PM)

1C vs 2B - AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

M35: 9:30PM (8:30PM) 1B vs 2C - AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Sunday, July 9, 2023 –Quarterfinals

M36: 5:00PM (5:00PM) 1D vs 2A - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

M37: 7:30PM (7:30PM) 1A vs 2D - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Wednesday, July 12, 2023Semifinals*

M38: 7:30PM (4:30PM)

Semifinal 1 (W34 vs W37 or W35 vs W36)

M39: 10:00PM (7:00PM)

Semifinal 2 (W34 vs W37 or W35 vs W36)

Sunday, July 16, 2023 –Final M40: 7:30PM (4:30PM) W38 vs W39 - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

Tofina Barker (blue) in action

Desmond Amsterdam (blue)

Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will begin their Gold Cup campaign on June 17 against Grenada (Blaire Simmons Photo)

this Sunday’s Milo Schools

Football tournament 2023.

Carmel Secondary, Chase’s Academic Foundation, Mackenzie High and Santa Rosa Secondary are the 4 teams attempting to best each other at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown this evening.

On one hand, two of the most exhilarating comeback games in the Milo Schools’ 2023 tournament came from Carmel Secondary and Chase’s Academic Foundation as they competed in last Sunday’s quarterfinal round. On the other, an-all Linden rivalry on the same day resulted in Mackenzie High proving the point they set out to prove earlier in the competition.

For Carmel, it was an extra-time goal from Captain

Ian Daniels that sealed the deal against Bartica Secondary in a 4-3 affair. Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Carmel’s Daniels explained that the win over a good opponent has given Carmel the necessary confidence to forge ahead.

“Coming into that game, we had an unbeaten streak

from the past games. But I think it was a great game, the opponent put up a challenge,” the youngster said about the match against Bartica Secondary. Daniels went on to share, “Well, is just a great feeling for everyone, and we’re looking forward for more in the future.”

“Full confidence! Defeating a team like Bartica…a strong opponent… so, we’re confident,” the Carmel Secondary captain concluded.

In the case of Chase’s, a 90th minute goal off the boots of Neeiaz Baksh cemented their dominance against

Ann’s Grove Secondary in a 3-2 game. Captain Seon Cato highlighted that the quarterfinal was one of the team’s toughest games, but they are confident of lifting the trophy again.

“This is the stiffest game I ever played in the school tournament so far, but nevertheless, we came to win and we come to contribute; and going into the semifinals, we think we have a good team to go to the finals and carry away the championship,” Cato divulged.

“I think we have the right game plan. Mackenzie High is a good team too, but we’re looking forward for the win as a team. All is well,” he asserted.

New to the competition, Mackenzie High really had one goal in mind: to topple their nemesis Christianburg Wismar Secondary, and that they did in the quarterfinal round by way of a 1-0 victory. Now Captain Joshua

Flemming is confident they can replicate the championshipwinning feat of their Linden counterparts.

“I think Multi brought their best, but as I said in my previous interview, we will be bringing our best too. It was a very intense match,” Flemming said about their quarterfinal game.

He added about Mackenzie’s intentions going forward, “We will deliver.”

At 17:00hrs tomorrow, Chase’s Academy will lock horns with Mackenzie High at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, and then at 19:00hrs, Carmel and Santa Rosa Secondary will do battle for the second spot in Sunday’s final.

The Milo tournament is sponsored by Massy Distribution through its Nestle Milo brand, and is supported by Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN); General Equipment Guyana (Genequip) and MVP Sports.

Mahadeo, Zalman top Kares Caribbean CrossFit C/ships

There were muscles galore on show over the weekend as the Kares Group hosted their Caribbean CrossFit Championships across April 15th and 16th at two venues.

On Saturday, competitors took to the pool at the National Aquatic Center at Liliendaal, while on Sunday the really gruelling events were competed in the National Park, Georgetown.

Last weekend’s competition saw Elite and Teen categories being contested, with major cash prizes for both. For the Teen girls, Linden’s Oshelle Williams emerged the fittest, while Mia and Faria Boodhoo took the second and third positions.

For the Teen Boys, Kevin Rameshwar powered through his three events to finish atop the podium, and was followed by Haresh Rameshwar and Benkhai and Jahiem Hutson in second, third and fourth places respectively.

The tasks of the Elite

athletes included handstand pushups, toes to bar and deadlifts in event 4, chest to bar Pullups, Wallballs, burpee over hurdles and a Sandbag Carry in event 5, while event 6 consisted of a clean and jerk ladder with athletes racing to lift up to 155lbs for the women and 245lbs for the men in part A, and a 50ft handstand walk race in Part B.

At the end of 6 event, Ava Zalman of Suriname had garnered the most points, and as such was determined the fittest elite female.

Guyana’s Delice Adonis was a close second, while French Guiana’s Aurelie Tian Soi Po was third.

Meanwhile, after the 6 events, the top 5 men went on to compete the final, which consisted of peg board accents, thrusters, Muscle ups, parallel bars, and yolk carry.

Guyana’s own Dillion Mahadeo was crowned champion, followed by fellow Guyanese Omisi Williams in 2nd and Mikhail Ragoonanan

of Trinidad and Tobago in 3rd place.

First, second, third, fourth and fifth place finishers were rewarded with $3500USD,

$2500USD, $1500USD, $1000USD and $500USD respectively, with an added $250USD for each of the seven events, maximising their cash

prizes. The tournament’s sponsors included Fitness Express, Assuria General Guyana, Builders

Lumber Yard, Yellow

Mines Hydraulics, Goldbody by Cosmetics BW, DeSinco -Biofreeze, Space Gym, Banks DIH, Travellers Sound and Lotus Hardware.

The winners’ row after the Elite Women's and Men’s competitions

Glimpses of what to expect at the Milo semifinals this evening