Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 5, 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, Apr 5 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Thursday, Apr 6 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Apr 5 – 16:00h – 17:30h and Thursday, Apr 6 – 16:40h – 18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine and light rain showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 3.57 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 16:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.69 metres.

Low Tide: 10:04h and 22:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.54 metre.

ExxonMobil must justify US$214M as Govt reviewing cost oil claims – VP Jagdeo

...says

The Government is carefully reviewing all contested cost oil claims made by ExxonMobil, which were flagged by British firm IHS Markit in its audit of pre-contract costs, and according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, such costs will not be allowed if Exxon cannot justify them.

In 2019, IHS Markit did an audit of Exxon’s cost oil expenses racked up between 1999 and 2017. As much as US$214.4 million ended up being disputed, as IHS Markit flagged these cost oil claims.

The Vice President, on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, was adamant that these expenses are being carefully reviewed. Jagdeo said that the report is with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and if these expenses cannot be justified, they will not be approved.

“It has to go through a procedure. In the preliminary [audit] finding you have the contested costs. You have to get the company to respond. You have to send it over and the company is required to submit additional documentation.”

“If they can’t submit additional documentation, then the cost is disallowed. So, it comes out of the cost bank and goes towards profit oil. So, a greater share… the adjustments would have to be made to profit oil,” Jagdeo said.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

The Vice President noted that they hire the technical expertise necessary to review these cost oil claims. And noting the back-andforth nature of these matters, Jagdeo could not give a timeline for completing the audit and review process.

Nothing to hide

Meanwhile, Jagdeo reaffirmed during the course of the Local Content Summit launched at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has nothing to hide when it comes to the cost oil audits.

“It’s almost about making a headline without thinking things through clearly. I saw a couple days ago… some report that the audit that was done by IHS Markit has been with us for a while. And somehow, because it identified over $200 million of areas that we didn’t agree with, that the Government of Guyana or somehow the political directorate, kept the report hidden.”

“Now that report has been with the staff of the Ministry and with the GRA and all their technical people, for the last several years. Nobody’s hiding the report. In fact, we tried to localise that. That was the first audit done by HIS Markit.”

“We delayed the second audit, because we wanted local people to participate in

will see them being disallowed

bric of cost oil. The former Government has received much criticism for agreeing to these costs without an audit being done.

The former Government had contracted IHS Markit, at a cost of US$300,000 ($62.6 million) in 2019. The contract had to be extended in May of 2020 without cost, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, former Energy Department Head, Dr Mark Bynoe had said that this was due primarily to flight restrictions.

the audit. We worked to put together a consortium of four Guyanese companies… because we wanted local content in the audit. It’s not a cover-up. But it becomes a headline that is sometimes misleading,” Jagdeo said. The audit of cost oil claims is critical to ensuring that Guyana does not lose out on millions in oil revenues. ExxonMobil’s pre-contract costs were inherited by the current Government when it entered office in 2020. US$460 million in pre-contract costs were already written into the

2016 Production Sharing Agreement.

According to the contract, the pre-contract cost “shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty-seven hundred thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement prior to the year ended 2015.”

There is an additional sum of approximately US$400 million from 2016 to 2017, which it is believed will also come under the ru-

IHS Markit is the product of a 2016 merger between two companies, United States (US)-based IHS and London-based Markit. Its data and information services business caters to industries such as automotive, energy, financial services, defence and maritime.

The company is no stranger to Guyana’s oil sector, having published a number of write-ups and analyses on Guyana’s efforts to develop its capacity. This includes “Guyana’s deepwater areas will remain competitive, despite changes to fiscal terms (IHS Markit, 2018)” and “How activity in the Guyana mini basin is booming with five exciting discoveries since 2015 (IHS Markit, 2017)”. (G3)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

inability to justify claims

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Adequate intervening mechanisms

There is more than a subtle irony in the continuance of the societal scourge of domestic violence, in spite of the relentless efforts and the plethora of available mechanisms to inform and educate. The problem is much larger than what appears in the news, including the social media outlets, as many cases go unreported. This, therefore, gives much credence to the appearance of an underestimated reality.

Many reasons have been promulgated for what can deter an abuse victim from seeking the intervention of the law. Among them, in no specific order of impact, are aspects of culture; shame; dependency and its redounding lack of empowerment for some; and the lack of confidence in law enforcement itself, precipitated from the reported trivialising of the issue in some instances.

One may posit that education is a primary concern. On the other hand, one can argue that education has been more profound in recent times. Pertinent would be to ask the question whether the other factors subvert the heeding of educational messaging; while the answer may be assumed, it would make for interesting and informative research.

As that is contemplated, the magnitude of the impact on children cannot be underestimated. Many have cruelly been made witnesses to the horrific assaults on their mothers and, to a lesser extent, their fathers. Those ghastly images, especially for some who watched as life was snuffed out, are not only lasting, but profoundly traumatising.

When young minds are so broadsided, the impact, if not managed, lingers for life. Not that it is erasable, but with meaningful and sustained interventions, the trauma can potentially be mitigated, thereby aiding in better shaping of lives. The entire spectrum of what therefore constitutes counselling then becomes vital. This naturally raises the question of the availability of adequate intervening mechanisms.

While it is always heartening to hear that surviving victims and witnesses to such horrific incidents would be counselled, it would be very informative, for the benefit of all, to know the extent of what is available and offered. Realistically, expectations cannot be for what obtains in the developed nations. However, there must be something tangible, in keeping with available resources, with upgrades foremost in planning.

This is not in any way suggesting that there is not an effective mechanism. However, counselling can be an extensive process for some, depending on the circumstances. Given the plethora of incidents that unfortunately continue, and which would make added demands on the system, the question of adequacy of trained staff, needed facilities, and support systems becomes more pertinent.

Guyana had in the past the unenviable tag of having the highest rate of suicide per capita. Prior to that categorisation, some aspects had made news internationally, prompting a local organisation to call for suicide to be made a national priority, given its impact on society and the trauma it imposes on surviving relatives.

It was stated that the declaration would not only bring additional focus, but would have positioned the issue to be afforded the necessary resources for its mitigation.

It was not going to be a panacea to stop suicide, but, effectively structured, it increases the potential across the country, with the assistance of stakeholders, to maximise effectiveness of information-gathering for targeted intervention. It would also increase confidence in the support system, to help break social inhibitors where necessary, and to better edify.

It is no different for domestic violence. While there is a disadvantage in being unable to accurately quote figures, on the number of people not only who died but were injured and disfigured, and those scarred for life as a result of domestic violence; it must be extremely high in proportion to our population. Clearly, the highest number would be those who are left traumatised.

This, therefore, must be seen as a serious cause for concern, and a compelling reason for consideration to be declared a national priority. This is an apolitical issue, and is not confined to any one group, thereby making it less difficult to garner national support. In small societies such as ours, the impact permeates throughout and away from just the families.

Children reading and learning about incidents through television and social media are in many ways impacted too, especially if one of their own is affected. In the context herein, the pervasiveness and impact of trauma cannot, and must not, be underestimated.

Discerning and overcoming barriers to development

Dear Editor, Reading Tuesday’s edition of the Guyana Times, I want to commend Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond and our Government's sense of and programmes for development manifested in the article, "Everyone has equal opportunity to bid for contracts" - Walrond.

The first step in development is to enact and enforce open transparent systems. A second no less essential step is to work similarly high levels of success of all groups so as to give substance to our aspiration of "One Guyana". For a society to stay together, the necessary standards should not be seen and approached as hurdles to fail and exclude many but as standards to which many if not all are to be trained (by various methods and paths) to attain.

I commend also reports on training to achieve required standards in smaller infrastructural works and the acceptance of alternative concrete roads which in terms of capital needs, experience, and expertise pose lesser hurdles (than asphalt surfaces) to small contractors and put persons in the street to work. Development must get on to a path of putting our people to work in their own development, doing, working, and learning the work and about working, getting better each day, and in that process developing ourselves and arriving in time at a developed state.

We could be on the road to that development. The faces in the picture of a sec-

tion of the potential contractors were full of attention, and in which I thought I discerned at the same time some anxiety about doing well and being successful. And though a small number of faces, eleven, it was a good representation of who we who are Guyanese are, in race and gender.

Without a doubt my sensitivity to this issue of "development " this morning has been heightened by my attendance yesterday afternoon at the "Presentation of the World Bank's Review for Latin America and the Caribbean" by Mr Bill Maloney, Chief Economist for the Region. It was challenging and inspiring. On many measures as a whole, we are not doing well, with a projected growth rate of 1.4% compared with 2.1% for the whole world. Yes, there are always variations around the averagetwo brighter spots were the Dominican Republic doing especially well in diversifying their economy, and good prospects for Guyana in developing their young, rapidly growing oil sector.

The Chief Economist posed some tantalising questions “on the run".

"About 100 years ago Chile was number 1 in production of copper in the world, and Mexico was number one in silver - and who was number 2? - Japan. How was it that Japan developed a diversified economy from its number two position and Chile and Mexico did not from their number one position?

I said tantalising questions because I think he knew the

answer that I would venture. A lot depends on how we see each other and if we see worth, purpose, and a valued end in working for the good of each other, and being comfortable approaching and discussing with each other. And so as Chief Economist hinted, in Japan, the work and income in copper and silver could in a number of ways required, be the base of and lead to ever-widening economic activities.

Japan was already or nearly already one Japan, whilst many of our countries in the LAC are still to become One Country. In Chavez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Pedro Castillo in Peru, and even Lula in Brazil we see made evident the still-to-be synthesised socio-political struggle across race, class, and urban/rural gaps remaining from the colonising era set loose by Columbus. As is evident here, often, when answers cannot be found to issues in the sector being studied, one may have to look into other sectors to discern and open any barriers. Evidently, the nature and quantity of development in our LAC Region are still largely socio-politically constrained.

For us in Guyana and still, so for us of the PPP/C, Cheddi Jagan and his period of study in the USA has been a great boon to us and our country. The America he lived in from 1936 to 43 was still then revolutionary in a number of ways, still suspicious of Old Europe holding on to its Empires, and still,

the place where the small men had the best chance to become big men, and the view of each other as toiling workers was still widespread. No doubt Cheddi's American experience inspired him and fortified him to establish UG through the taunts of Jagan's night school. Cheddi wanted to bring an American Liberal Arts tertiary education within the reach of every one of us in Guyana.

The Chief Economist threw some other difficult questions before us of the Caribbean. You have been working at integration/federation for decades now without success, should you still retain the idea (if not rethink it fundamentally)? And referring to migration and subsequent remittances, he questioned one Ambassador - " Imagine you were a young person thinking you could make a name in nuclear engineering, would you not move to North America?

Our economic development requires our socio-political development to become One Guyana, One Guyanese People against the background in which Cheddi found sustenance - One World, One Human Race in all our diversities of physiological appearances, languages, religions, cultures, and histories.

Sincerely,

Samuel AA Hinds Former Prime Minister Former President Ambassador to the USA

Education Minister Priya Manickchand along with Deputy Chief of Mission Adrienne Galanek of the US Embassy in Guyana shared a light moment during a meeting to discuss opportunities for US higher education for Guyanese students and professionals

Commend Govt for addressing high cost of living

Dear Editor, Everywhere I travel to conduct opinion polling, public complain about high prices. Prices are indeed very high with many basic items unaffordable for most consumers. For the past two years, Guyanese have been forced to spend double if not more, as they claim and is supported by market prices, on normal food and energy budget and particularly on imported goods. The high price of goods is

mostly an externally created artificial problem unrelated to the Government of Guyana. High cost of imported goods results in higher cost of goods (including agricultural produce) at home.

The cause of the domestically rapidly rising prices of goods has nothing to do with the Government. It is related to the Ukraine War, natural disasters (flooding in Guyana), shipping transportation costs as

well as bottlenecks that result in shortages, and energy (fuel and gas) prices. All have ripple effects on the economy. Scarcity of goods results in higher prices. Food, petroleum, gas, and fertilisers are all affected by the war resulting in relative scarcity. The demand for construction materials results in higher prices.

The Government has done as much as it could decrease the high cost of living, to lower prices –

Weapons are deadly, but envy, greed

Dear Editor, I usually ignore hate comments because simply I just do not let them get to me. As I get older, as the world changes and we adapt to that change, I came to realise privacy does not exist. While this has a lot to do with social media, it has more to do with our way of living. There is no longer the right to privacy, but everyone demands the right to know. My father recently entered into politics. While he was always politically active and involved in the development and improvement by playing a huge role towards the progression of our land, he has now officially selected himself as a candidate. While I am happy and will always be his biggest supporter no matter what and vice versa, I asked him if he is ready. Our family has experienced hate unimaginable. But as we all know; politics brings a different kind of deprecation. So, I asked him and like always, he remained positive and committed to his decision. He answered: “This is a very low position I have entered; I could have chosen to enter a much higher position within the Government, but that is not my intention, I have been living in the Eccles constituency for years and like many other villages and communities, development is stagnant. I want to help my neighbourhood.”

My father is hardworking. His nature is whatever he strives for, he will put his mind towards it and will make sure to achieve it. He is definitely an inspiration to me. He is a patriot; he loves his country and would never do anything to jeopardise it; something we should all learn from. He entered politics, as a candidate of a constituent under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to do what he has always done – give back to the community. With this decision come promises and a plan of action.

I am very strong and passionate in my belief in politics. Racism, islamophobia, homophobia, misogyny and sexism dominate our world and as an aspiring journal-

ist, I will do everything in my power to fight against them. My family and I share the belief that if you are elected or selected to be in power, you must fulfil all that is required of you, a trait many politicians and world leaders lack today. But I can say with certainty, my father has and always will be transparent. He never promises empty promises. He always has and always will fight for the people.

I came across an outrageous question in a section of the media editorial column. Even though I do believe no question is stupid, I was really shocked by the relevancy of the question. Usually, I never comment on absurdity, but I was forced to publicly address this and hopefully set the record straight. I am utterly dumbfounded because what does an American visa have

to do with someone running for office in Guyana?

I will be crystal clear in my response. No one in my family has ever been restricted, prohibited or deported from entering or travelling to the United States of America. I have many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended relatives currently residing in the United States. My sister, a US citizen, resides in America with her children. I travelled to the United States as a newborn baby and my mother has travelled numerous times along with my dad and brother.

My father has business ties with numerous American companies. Even after the tragic 9/11 occurrence, we travelled to and from and I must add, being Muslim, it was not easy. It is definitely outrageous to say, but islamophobia is still

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

subsidising or supporting farming and horticulture with fertiliser and herbicide assistance and seeds, lowering duties on imports, cutting taxes on fuel, doling out various kinds of grants to all sections of society, compensating people for flood losses. The Government has also lowered income taxes so that people have more disposable income.

Business taxes haves also been lowered with the

expectation that their savings will be passed on to consumers with lower prices. Infrastructure is modernised and expanded so that workers will spend less time and money to get to work, increasing their productivity. With better roads, goods can get to market expeditiously, resulting in lower costs and prices for consumers.

The Government is commended for all it has done to aid consumers and home

owners. Farmers are being assisted tremendously and encouraged to produce more food that will inevitably result in lower prices. Government should consider increasing assistance to farmers to produce – financial incentives based on productivity. An increase in agricultural production will result in lower food prices.

and disinformation are destructive

quite prevalent. Sticking with being transparent, unfortunately for the past 10 years, after the expiration of our visas, every application for renewal has been refused. To the best of my knowledge, we have no reasoning behind this. The simple response we were given after every interview is: “You are now under administrative processing.”

We do have our suspicions of diabolical, notorious and evil-minded individuals who went on and are still continuing to peddle misinformation and blatant lies about my family to US officials.

These baseless accusations have deeply affected us. We were separated and prevented from seeing many of our family members for years. Our frequent family vacations came to an end. We missed the birth of all

three of my sister’s children. We missed their birthdays and important milestones of their growth. For me, I have been majorly affected because upon deciding on university applications, I was forced to choose the United Kingdom as my place of study due to the expectation of having to wait a very long time for a decision from the United States of America. I am a very strong advocate for education, it is my passion, and I was taught to chase after my dreams, my dream was to study at an ivy league university with the best journalistic course. My choices were originally Columbia University, Stanford University or Boston University. My dream was crushed without reason. Tragic but luckily, the United Kingdom offers great journalism opportunities and I am happy in

Edinburgh, Scotland. I will answer every absurd question there is to the best of my knowledge. You want transparency, I will give you, but I despise hypocrisy. To the anonymous person that asked the question, if you are calling for transparency then you should make your identity known. There are many hearsays and rumours going around about my family, this is nothing new or shocking, but the only thing more frustrating than these slanderers is those foolish enough to listen to them. Weapons are deadly but envy, greed and disinformation are destructive. My family has experienced extreme destruction, but I will not let anyone threaten, undermine or disrespect my family.

Sincerely, Hadiyyah Mohamed

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com 02:15

I Didn't Do It S2 E2

14:30 Star Wars: The Clone Wars S2 E19 15:00 Indian Soaps

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

NGSA Math Questions

Consultations on local content laws get underway with inaugural summit

The first ever Local Content Summit in Guyana got underway on Tuesday, with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government also using the occasion to begin consultations on revamping the local content laws.

The summit was hosted by MBW Energy Support Services Incorporated, at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre and brought together local businesses looking to benefit from the oil and gas sector and other stakeholders.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was the keynote speaker, explained why the Government is supporting the event. He said that it was not only an opportuni-

ty to support the enterprising minds behind the event, but also a launching pad for planned consultations on updating the Local Content Act.

“We thought that the summit is sufficiently, narrowly focused, that it could allow us to bring great value in the discussions to the people of this country. And it could also kick-start the review that we ourselves plan,

of a series of meetings that we’ll be having over the next several months.”

According to Jagdeo, coming up with amendments for the Local Content Act requires a joint effort between Government and stakeholders. And similar to the Act that was passed in 2021, amendments must be practical in Guyana’s context and strike a balance between securing more for lo-

ing the interest of companies operating here, the first-tier contractors, without slowing their momentum. So, it was a careful balancing act.”

“And we would once again have to pursue the same balancing as we move to update and reform and change the current legislation. So today we’re not going to be giving you a definitive position. None of the Government speakers will say, this is what we will change in the new law. We’re here to listen,” Jagdeo explained.

Act was enacted, the Government has described the law as a gamechanger when it comes to how foreign companies deal with local suppliers of goods and services, as well as how they employ locals.

The Local Content Act lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the

end of 2022. For instance, these companies must procure from Guyanese companies 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

to amend the local content legislation as promised in the past,” Jagdeo said.

“So today we’re here to clarify from the Government’s perspective as we discuss policies and the certification programme and the legislation that was passed. And we’re here to listen, since this is the first

cals and not driving away investors.

“In the Local Content Act, we had to go through an iterative process, to craft a piece of legislation that is appropriate for Guyana. That is appropriate to the stage of development of goods and services and capacity here, without harm-

The summit will see panel discussions between Government, industry leaders and economists. Those panel discussions will include capacity building, success stories and navigating the local content environment.

Since the Local Content

…updated law must be balanced – Jagdeo

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as he addressed those gathered at the Local Content Summit

Death of 7-month-old

DPP recommends manslaughter charge for daycare owner

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the owner of the daycare that was responsible for the death of seven-month-old Oriyah Gravesande be charged with manslaughter.

This was confirmed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday who stated that the file with the advice was received on Monday from the DPP Chambers.

The owner, Denise Benn, is expected to make her first appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court in relation to the crime today.

It was reported that on the day in question – March 21 – the sevenmonth-old died at the Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) facility, which authorities have since confirmed was uncertified for years and ought not to have been in operation.

An autopsy has since revealed that the infant died from haemorrhage and compression to the neck. The child’s parents had revealed to the media that on the day in question, they received a call from the daycare, informing them that their daughter was unresponsive.

“They called me and tell me that our baby was unresponsive when they

took her to the health centre, and by the time they reached the Georgetown Hospital, she was pronounced dead… she left home good, smiling and everything,” the mother, Shavanie Gravesande had related.

The mother claimed she was contacted two hours after the incident, and by the time she arrived at the hospital, she was told that her baby had died. It was reported that the child had fallen off a bed where she was trapped in some sheets; it is suspected that this had led to her demise.

Look back...

…in hope?

In the midst of that “storm in a calabash” your Eyewitness described yesterday, in stepped an oldster from the Burnham “glory days” – Sir Sridath “Sonny” Ramphal. He dismissed it as a “profanity”!! Now while your Eyewitness might be derided as a rank outsider and johnny come lately, it’ll be near impossible to do the same to Ramphal. After all, he was there in lockstep with Burnham, burnishing the latter’s foreign policy credentials to give him the respect he craved so desperately!! At home he was mocked by Rodney – who DID have international street cred – as “King Kong”!!

A joint investigation into the matter was being conducted by the Police along with the Child Care and Protection Agency and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.

The owner of the daycare was taken into custody for questioning but subsequently released on station bail. The owner, however, was ordered to report to the Sparendaam Police Station, ECD, on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, operations at the daycare came to halt following the unfortunate incident.

So, Ramphal sees the present calls for the PPP Government to be removed “by any means necessary” –including by the armed forces being exhorted to “turn their guns” on them and have them crumble like a sandcastle – as an abomination!! And didn’t see it necessary to go beyond that curt dismissal. And no surprise!! As Secretary General of the Commonwealth from 1975 to 1990 he saw numerous wannabe coupsters fall into the dustbins of history. He obviously sees – like your Eyewitness – no threats from that direction. Just a bunch of geriatrics desperately seeking attention before they too fade away!!

No…what Sir Sridath was concerned about was the cynical use of the race card being used to divide the Guyanese people once again. He cited a call from another of his generation who’d supported Burnham but now saw the light!! They saw the futility – and the danger – of blowing that particular dog whistle!! Ramphal reminded us of the 1951 Waddington Commission that had proposed a new constitution for our country – one that finally gave us the universal franchise. One man, one vote – and none of those discriminatory hurdles that had politically silenced the largest group in the colony – Indian Guyanese!!

Ramphal pointed out that as far back as then – just as Burnham and Jagan were emerging – “race” was already seen as a danger to the body politic. Said the Commission, according to Ramphal: ‘race is a patent difference and a powerful slogan ready to the hand of unscrupulous men who can use it as a stepping stone to political power’. In rejecting communal rolls as in some other colonies for different ethnic groups, Ramphal complimented the Commission as promoting “oneness”.

It’s a rather curious quote since Burnham would split the newly-launched multi-racial PPP into African and Indian sections a mere four years later. And he Ramphal would be one of the most prominent facilitators of Burnham’s racial excesses. In now supporting the PPP’s call for “One Guyana”, Ramphal clearly is offering a mea culpa and sending a message to the geriatrics not to try repeating our tragic history.

As we’re seeing, this time it’ll be a “farce”!!

…in anger

“Look back in anger” was the 1950s play – then movie – that introduced the trope of the “angry young man” into modern, post-WWII sensibilities. Here in Guyana, Cheddi Jagan epitomised that “angry young man” – as anyone who peruses his speeches in the Legislature between 1947 and 1951 would see. Imagine he was just 29 when he broke so many barriers as a young “coolie boy” from deep Berbice to shake up the establishment!!

And not just the local establishment – where King Sugar still ruled more than 100 years after the abolition of slavery – but all the way to Whitehall at the centre of the British Empire. When those tout Burnham as the “father of the nation”, they diss the pioneering role Cheddi played to break out of the “reformist” politics practiced up to then! After Cheddi, no one could go back to looking for pats on the head from the local Governor.

Cheddi’s the grandaddy of Guyanese radical politics!! He was our original “angry young man”!!

…in sorrow

Your Eyewitness is deeply saddened how some rabble rousers are confusing the African-Guyanese constituency. Rather than leading them into the brave new world of oilfuelled economic prosperity, they’re locked into a zero-sum politics. It’s a “shad, shad situation”!!

The daycare at Ogle. Inset: Oriyah Gravesande

39 of 307 cases disposed of at Demerara January Criminal Assizes

Atotal of 307 cases were listed to be heard in the Demerara January Criminal Assizes but only 39 were disposed of, according to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Chambers.

Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow presided over these assizes. Of the 49 matters disposed of by the State, 37 were presented in the High Court.

Nineteen were for sexual offences, 15 for the offence of murder, one for attempted murder with an alternate count of discharging a loaded firearm with intent; and two for the offence of murder in the furtherance of a robbery.

The remaining 12 matters were nolle prosequi by the DPP. There were 10 guilty pleas, two convictions, 17 formal verdicts of not guilty, eight verdicts of not

Sewnarine-Beharry. ln 13 of these, the complainants did not wish to proceed with their cases and the trial judge directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

Of the other six matters, five accused were all acquitted by jury verdicts. While

sented six matters before Justice Morris-Ramlall.

“Of these six matters, five were for the offence of murder and one for the offence of attempt to commit murder with an alternative count of discharging a loaded firearm with intent.”

ln two of these murder trials, three accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. ln one case, the accused who was a juvenile was sentenced to the maximum of five years’ imprisonment in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act; he had spent five years in custody and therefore was discharged.

ln the other case, there were two accused who were jointly indicted, the number one accused was sentenced to 22.5 years’ imprisonment while his co-accused was sentenced to 18.5 years’ imprisonment.

In another, wherein two

juries returned not guilty verdicts for both accused persons. ln the one matter for the offence of attempt to commit murder with an alternate count of discharging a loaded firearm with intent, the Trial Judge upheld no case submissions for the two accused and directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty.”

Further, State Counsel Caressa Henry, State Counsel Cicelia Corbin and State Counsel Yonika Rowland presented 12 matters – 10 for the offence of murder and two for the offence of murder in the furtherance of a robbery – before Justice Barlow.

ing, the trial for his co-accused was aborted because the court ruled it would be prejudicial.”

The DPP also stated that in three separate murder trials, one accused was found unanimously guilty by jury verdict and is awaiting a sentence. Another one was further remanded to prison after his jury failed to reach a verdict. While in the third case, the Trial Judge upheld a no-case submission because of insufficient evidence and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

ln one of the two matters for the offence of murder in the furtherance of a robbery, one accused was acquitted by jury verdict of not guilty. While in the other, the court upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. Another concluded on Tuesday with a hung jury.

Of the 11 matters nolle

prosequi by the DPP, 10 were for sexual offences. ln one of these, the accused is now deceased. The complainants in another three matters could not be located while seven other complainants submitted written statements that they do not wish to proceed with their matters.

guilty, and two hung juries. Some 43 accused were in connection to these matters.

A release from the DPP Chambers stated that State Counsel Latiffa Elliot, State Counsel Rbina Christmas, State Counsel Paneeta Persaud and State Counsel Simran Gajraj presented 19 matters in the Sexual Offences Court before Justice

in one other matter, the accused was found guilty by the jury and is awaiting a sentence.

Senior State Counsel Abigail Gibbs together with State Counsel Mohamed Ali, State Counsel Taneisha Saygon, State Counsel Marissa Edwards, and State Counsel Abiola Lowe pre-

accused were indicted together, the Trial Judge upheld a no-case submission for the number one and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty, while the number two accused was acquitted by a jury verdict of not guilty. The State has served a Notice of Intention to Appeal.

“ln two other trials, the

ln six of these murder matters, a total of seven accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. ln two of these cases, there were two accused in each who were indicted together.

“ln one case, both accused were each sentenced to seven years and 353 days’ imprisonment. ln the other, while the number one accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is awaiting sentenc-

Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow

WEDNESDAY,

APRIL 5, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$2.5B MV Ma Lisha to arrive in Guyana this weekend –

Guyanese Captain, crew onboard

The $2.5 billion MV Ma Lisha is scheduled to arrive in Guyana by this weekend, after setting sail from Kolkata to Chennai and then making

its way through the Atlantic Ocean to Trinidad.

On Monday, the vessel was offloaded from the MV Sun Rise at the Port of Chaguaramas, as it pre-

pares to sail to Guyana.

Onboard the vessel to guide it home to Guyana is a 14-member Guyanese crew led by Captain Courtney McDonald, vet-

eran Guyanese Captain and Director of Maritime Safety at the Maritime Administration Department.

The Guyanese crew is complemented by three crew members from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, and two technicians from MACORP.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has expressed his delight in the impending arrival, reiterating the Government’s pursuit of transforming and improving the country’s transport infrastructure, especially for the hinterland regions.

“This new North-West bound ferry which has the capacity to accommodate up to 276 passengers, along with 18 crew members, can also carry 14 sedan-type vehicles and two trucks. It is ideal for this route and we are especially happy to bear witness to the improvements that this will bring to the lives of residents, who will now be able to travel more freely, frequently, and comfortably.”

“The economic gains for local businesses are also expected to be many, as persons shipping produce in and out of Region One will now have access to cold and cool room storage, thereby reducing spoilage. The vessel can also accommodate up to 250 tonnes of cargo,” Minister Edghill has added.

The new $2.5 billion (US$12.7 million) MV Ma Lisha, from the native Warrau language meaning “friendship,” is being funded by the Government of India, and will ply the Barima-

Waini – Georgetown route.

The North-West ferry was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited to facilitate special features to mitigate challenges faced by travellers.

It also comprises a front loading/offloading ramp that can accommodate easy loading and discharging of cargo

at ports she will call on. The vessel also has a side boarding capacity.

A total of 19 Navigational, Mechanical, and Auxiliary Staff of the Transport and Harbours Department were trained in India in 2022 and earlier this year, to operate the new ferry vessel.

The MV Ma Lisha making its way from India to Trinidad

President Ali swears in final 2 ERC members

President Dr Irfaan Ali

on Tuesday administered the oath of office to the two remaining members of the 10-member Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) at State House.

The two members who took their oaths and received their instruments of appointment were Charles Joseph Ogle and Reverend Rodwell Alphonso Porter.

On March 21, eight members of the commission were sworn in at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. Members sworn in were Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma, Sheik Moeen Ul Hack, Deon Dick, Neaz Mohamed Subhan, Norris Emanuel Witter, Chandrowatie Sarran, Ashton Simon and Dwayne Adams.

The ERC is a non-political body established to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana.

Article 212 (A) and 212

(B) (1A) of the Constitution of Guyana provides for the creation of an Ethnic Relations Commission and

further prescribes that it should consist of not less than five nor more than 15 members nominated by entities utilising a mechanism determined by the National Assembly.

Under Article 212 (D) of the Constitution of the

Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the ERC has 24 functions – one of which is a mandate to investigate complaints from citizens across the country where acts of alleged ethnic discrimination have been committed. Also, the Commission

is mandated to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act.

When the other members were sworn in last month, President Ali had indicated that his Government remains committed to eliminating all forms of racial discrimination and the One Guyana initiative is at the forefront of this movement. Moreover, attempts to provoke racial conflicts are completely condemned. He had charged Guyanese to refute all actions to incite racial hostility and discrimination.

The Guyanese leader was quoted, “We work daily, long and hard, through our One Guyana initiative to promote quality, compassion, opportunities and stability for the advancement

of all Guyanese. We take seriously, any attempts to instigate racial animosity and racial violence within our country. We severely condemn attempts that provoke racial conflicts in our society and ensure that those guilty are subject to the sanctions imposed by law.”

He added, “I urge all Guyanese to reject all racially-laced rhetoric or to be misled by those who wish to use race and ethnicity to stoke divisions and hatred in our society. My Government will continue under the One Guyana agenda to promote harmonious relations within our society.”

In Budget 2023, the Ethnic Relations Commission as a constitutional agency was allocated $137.3 million to execute its duties. (G12)

Woman wanted for causing death by dangerous driving turns self in – says accident was caused by brake failure

Three days after Police issued a wanted bulletin for Melissa Monilla for causing death by dangerous driving, the woman has turned herself in to Police in Berbice.

On Friday last, Police issued a wanted bulletin for Monilla and on Monday afternoon, in the company of her lawyer Joel Edmonds, she turned herself over to the Police at Fort Wellington.

After seeing the bulletin, the 36-year-old woman contacted her attorney on Monday and asked him to take her in after giving a statement.

Edmond told Guyana Times that he also met with

a senior officer from the Traffic Department who gave certain directions to the Police.

“She is claiming that the Police did not contact

her after the accident. One of the officers told me that they checked for her in Bath Settlement at some known address and they checked at Good Hope. That is not the

address my client gave to me so apparently; they were checking at some place other than her home.

“She spent a couple of weeks at Woodlands Hospital and she is doing homecare right now. She is not able to walk by herself right now, she has to be assisted by someone,” Edmond told this publication.

According to Monilla, after the accident, she blacked out and cannot recall what

actually transpired.

However, recounting the seconds leading up to the accident, she said an apparent brake failure caused the crash. “The steering give up with me and I started to sway and try to mash brakes, no brakes. I turned…and into the fence. After that, I don’t know anything,” the woman related.

The accident occurred on February 7 at Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice,

Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), as Monilla was driving from Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, heading to Bath Settlement.

Three persons, who were occupants in Monilla’s vehicle, were injured when the car crashed into a concrete fence and then into another car before coming to a halt. One of the three injured persons, Simone Paul, subsequently succumbed to her injuries.

Charles Joseph Ogle and Reverend Rodwell Alphonso Porter share a photo with President Ali and Speaker Manzoor Nadir after the swearing-in

Melissa Monilla making her way into the Fort Wellington Police Station

As complaints grow Enforcement heightened against house lot fraud – Croal

…says employee fired over such allegations

The Housing Ministry has strengthened its enforcement and investigative capacity to deal with fraudulent sale of lands, as complaints to such effect continue to surface across the country.

It was explained on Tuesday by Housing Minister Collin Croal that individuals posing as house lots sellers have resulted in numerous fraudulent activities. He made it clear that only the Ministry and its sub offices are permanent locations for monies to be paid for house lots.

“We have been receiving numerous complaints and we have also been catching unscrupulous persons who have been trying to, whether sell house lots or sell ‘dreams’ but then duping somebody. We want to make it very clear that it is only at the Ministry, the regional offices or when we have special exercises where payments are done. Anywhere else you’re making a payment can’t be to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA),”

Croal explained during the “Dream Realised” event in Region Four.

Presently, the Ministry has taken robust steps to curb such actions, one of which has been to reinforce its investigative arm.

A clampdown also saw one employee being fired on such allegations.

“We have strengthened our investigative and enforcement arm. In our employment, there is one former senior person from the hierarchy of the Police Force for which we have been undertaking a number of investigations to go after… We’ve had cause sometime in the last month to dismiss a staff on that similar type of allegation.”

Guyanese have been asked to work with authorities in prosecuting persons found guilty of such acts. Many times, the Ministry is challenged on this end.

The Housing Minister urged, “We’re asking listeners to work with us when you find persons who are trying to do this. The difficulty we have been having is that

in order for us to make some persons criminally culpable, we need the support of you on the ground. It requires statements so when it reaches the level of the Police and the Police requires a statement so that they can take this to another level, that’s where we’re having the major challenge.”

He added that if a person decides to go this route knowingly, they find themselves as a “willing participant” to acts of fraud.

Apart from fraud, squatting has become a plague in all corners of the country. However, this is being combatted with records of existing illegal settlements. The Ministry has been working with many existing areas to regularise or relocate persons who have been squatting.

Those which are new, however, will not be subjected to the same approach. Since last year, the Ministry had said no new squatting areas will be recognised.

“We know what is there existing currently on the ground. We have drone

shots. The community development department is out in the field logging as well as marking some of the build-

ings that exist in these unregulated areas. Don’t try anything because we must recognise and repeat that

squatting is illegal. Taking occupancy of somebody’s land is illegal,” Croal asserted.

Consultations on local content...

These are just a few of the services highlighted in the first schedule of the Local Content Act. The Local Content Act mandates penalties for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in

breach of the Act. These fines range from as low as $5 million to as high as $50 million.

Meanwhile, the Government has also set up a Local Content Registry, in keeping with the Local Content Act which mandates the creation of a Local Content Register of

Guyanese nationals for employment, and a register of Guyanese nationals and companies from which goods and services may be procured. In keeping with this mandate, two registration options are available; namely, supplier registration and employment registration. (G3)

Housing Minister Collin Croal

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

A new syndrome affecting some political commentators – the BJ obsession

Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP, under President Irfaan Ali, have ensured that Guyana benefits meaningfully from Guyana’s oil and gas resources. Nothing happening in Guyana right now would have been possible without oil and gas and without EXXON and its partners deciding in 1999 to sign an exploration agreement with the Janet Jaganled PPP Government.

In every community, roads, streets, and bridges are being reconstructed or constructed for the first time. New schools are being built where no schools existed before. New hospitals are being established in communities that never had hospitals and old hospitals are being reconstructed. Public servants have had significant pay increases. Several cash-transfer programmes are in place. More than 15,000 Guyanese young people have scholarships. More than 3000 nurses will be trained in the next three years. Major new highways and river bridges are under construction. The first phase of the Linden-to-Lethem Road is being constructed. A new bridge linking Guyana and Suriname will soon begin. New hotels, with more than 3000 rooms, are being constructed. A new airport, stadium and shopping malls are being constructed in Region Six. New businesses are sprouting here, there and everywhere. Guyana is booming. Guyana has become a country everyone everywhere in the world is watching. Suddenly, countries which essentially barred Guyanese from visiting are allowing visa-free entry.

Guyana, under APNU/AFC, signed a one-sided Production Service Agreement (PSA) with EXXON. But Guyana is brilliantly navigating the deal to its own benefit, under Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership. While Raphael Trotman signed a bad deal with EXXON, Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo are ensuring that Guyana extracts as much from the deal as possible. But the naysayers ignore that it was APNU/AFC which signed the deal and that it was Raphael Trotman who went to Texas in the belly of EXXON and signed the deal. And someone in APNU/AFC is responsible for hiding the US$18M bonus. But no one is calling Trotman “Mr Exxon Mobil”. No one is blaming David Granger and APNU/AFC.

Instead, their focus is on Irfaan Ali and the PPP Government and on Bharrat Jagdeo. Their obsession with BJ is so great that a whole newspaper is dedicated to the anti-Jagdeo movement. All of the antiJagdeo commentators promote the notion that BJ is evil. One of the commentators deemed BJ a manipulator par excellence. Another commentator called BJ an “intriguer”, the best of the best, better than Brutus and Cassius, whatever that means. They insist that BJ is in the pockets of EXXON, even calling him Bharrat “Mr. Exxon Mobil” Jagdeo, claiming that when Alistair Routledge and Darren Woods tell BJ to jump, he jumps as high as he could.

The naysayers provide no evidence to demonstrate that Jagdeo is in the pockets of EXXON, other than BJ is the architect of the Irfaan Ali-led Government’s decision not to pursue a renegotiation of the EXXON contract. They falsely claim that BJ himself promised to renegotiate the contract. But the PPP in its campaign for the March 2020 elections made clear that any elected PPP Government will honour all international contracts legally signed. With thousands of pages of newspaper articles and thousands of minutes on radio, none of the naysayers have provided any evidence that the EXXON contract was illegal. They conveniently ignore to tell the Guyanese people that the contract can only be renegotiated if both sides agree. EXXON has made it clear that it will not agree to any renegotiation.

BJ, as the lead on oil and gas for the PPP Government, has crafted a strategy to ensure that all new PSAs have better terms for Guyana. For example, the royalty rate of 2% in the EXXON deal will be a minimum of 10% in any new deal, with profit sharing at 50% and the oil companies in the new PSAs limited to only 65% recovery on their investment each year. Second, the Government has plugged some of the holes in the EXXON deal. It has ensured that there is a flaring policy to limit flaring and any flaring that is necessary will have a fee linked to it. The original deal permitted unlimited flaring. There is now a real-time audit for the expenses claimed by EXXON. The 1999 to 2019 expenses were not audited until 2021. Now the 2020/2021 audit is already being done. There is a strong local content law to ensure Guyanese businesses benefit. To this end, when EXXON decided to procure their own vehicles, the Government did not permit them, insisting that EXXON must procure transportation services from local service providers. EXXON has been forced to take out a meaningful insurance. Soon the gas-toenergy project will become reality and by 2025, consumers will see their electricity bills reduced by 50%.

BJ has ensured that a bad deal signed between the Granger-led Government, Raphael Trotman and EXXON works for the Guyanese people. The naysayers have ignored the inconvenient truth that Jagdeo and the PPP had nothing to do with hiding a US$18M bonus, had nothing to do with giving tax-free privilege to EXXON, had nothing to do with EXXON not having to pay taxes, etc. They pretend that Trotman, Granger and the APNU/AFC Government had nothing to do with the bad EXXON deal. Instead, with their sick obsession with BJ, they decided to make him a bogeyman, blaming him for a bad EXXON deal.

The truth is that BJ is leading a strategy in which Guyana has turned a really bad deal to its advantage and is benefiting from it, transforming the country’s economy, physical and social infrastructure and setting-up Guyana to benefit even more from newer PSAs. Bharrat Jagdeo is the genius behind this transformation.

Aneal Giddings to be appointed as GECOM’s DCEO

…61 symbols approved for contesters of

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has finally made a decision to appoint former Information Technology (IT) Manager Aneal Giddings as Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), but not before facing strong opposition from one side of the commission.

Government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj confirmed to this publication following the meeting, that appointing the DCEO came down to a vote in which he and his fellow Governmentnominated Commissioners Manoj Narayan and Clement Rohee supported Giddings.

Giddings’s appointment was opposed by Oppositionnominated Commissioners Desmond Trotman, Charles Corbin and Vincent Alexander. In the end, GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh used her tie-breaking vote to back Giddings’s appointment.

It is not the first time the Chair has supported Giddings for an appointment, as last year the former IT Manager was seconded to the post of Operations Director of GECOM. This came about following a request from CEO Vishnu Persaud – a request that was honoured by Justice Singh.

LGE

2023

However, the seconding of Giddings was rescinded by GECOM after intense debate at the level of the commission. It had been announced that the position would remain vacant until a new Deputy CEO was appointed.

Prior to Giddings, the last person to serve as the substantive DCEO was Roxanne Myers, who is among several persons that served within the apparatus of GECOM who have been charged with electoral fraud pertaining to the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Symbols

Another decision taken by GECOM at Tuesday’s meeting, according to Gunraj, was to approve 61 symbols from contesters of the Local Government Elections (LGE). Included in that number are symbols from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall has already set Monday, June 12, 2023, as the date for the holding of the much-anticipated and long overdue LGE in Guyana.

LGE were initially set for March 13 this year, but GECOM had deferred it in December 2022 to address issues relating to its

registration exercise. This postponement occurred after court action was filed by Opposition-aligned persons, challenging the process used to compile the List of Electors, or Voters’ List, for the pending LGE.

Meanwhile, GECOM has already been in preparation mode over the past few months as it gears up for the long overdue elections. Also in February, the Commission announced that it had reopened the process to provide a further opportunity for political parties, groups, or individuals wanting to contest the upcoming LGE to submit their appli-

cations for approval of their symbols.

Section 48 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, provides that all political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who are desirous of contesting LGE are required to submit a symbol for approval by GECOM no later than the 21st day before Nomination Day.

In this regard, GECOM said in a statement that March 1, 2023 has been set as the date by which a printed and electronic version of the symbols must be submitted to the Commission.

However, it was explained that those political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who have already applied for approval of their symbols, and who would have already received notification that their symbols were approved are NOT required to reapply.

GECOM has previously indicated that its approved work plan entails, among other things, that the Elections Secretariat would immediately move to roll out a robust civic and voter education programme, appoint Electoral Registrars and Assistant Electoral Registrars, and extract the Preliminary List of Voters (PLV). (G3)

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

New GECOM DCEO Aneal Giddings

Teen missing after leaving home to visit barber shop

Fourteen-year-old Jerimiah Smith, a student of the Institute of Business Education (IBE) who hails from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is now missing after he left home on Saturday to visit the barber.

Smith, also known as “Jerry”, was not seen nor heard from since, and according to his mother, Mishana Cosbert, the barber shop is a stone’s throw away from his home.

She noted that after time had elapsed and he did not return home, she grew increasingly alarmed and contacted the authorities.

“He told me he was going to cut his hair, and when I got to go to work, I would usually let him go and play football in the evening sometimes. So, upon him not coming home, I assumed he would have come home after he was finished playing football,” Cosbert related.

“I went to work at night and I called him, and when I realised that it was after 12 and he hadn’t returned home, I knew something was wrong, because he’s not the type of person that would stay out. He would always return home after playing football,” she explained.

The distraught mother said she was baffled because her son seemed fine when she last saw him, and they had had no arguments.

“The last time I saw him, he was wearing just black pants, he didn’t have on a jersey. After we couldn’t

Miner arrested following discovery of shotgun at Imbaimadai

Aminer was on Monday arrested following the discovery of a shotgun at Imbaimadai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Based on reports, Police received information that a 35-yearold miner, Derbia Viera was seen carrying a firearm during a visit to his mother’s home in Omenike Village on Saturday.

The firearm that was found in Imbaimadai

Missing: 14-year-old Jerimiah Smith

find him, I called everybody, including his father, and they all said they haven’t seen him. I then made a report to the Police,” the mother said.

As the days pass with no trace of the teen, his family clings to hope while grappling with worry and anxiety. Jerry’s mother tearfully pleaded for her son’s safe return, saying, “I just want him to come home, please. I don’t want you, Jerimiah, to be scared of anything. Whatever it is, we can work it out together.”

As the search continues, Smith’s mother said there have been no concrete clues as to his whereabouts, leaving her in a state of uncertainty and worry. Cosbert said she was praying for her son’s safe return.

Anyone with information regarding Smith’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest Police station or his family on 689-7245 or 681-1166.

Police went to the location where they were met by Viera’s concerned mother. She confirmed that her son had indeed arrived at her home with a shotgun in his possession which he later hid in a clump of bushes.

With the assistance of the woman, Police were able to recover the firearm – a 12-gauge shotgun, which was wrapped in plastic.

The weapon was taken to the

Imbaimadai Police Station after which Viera was arrested. During interrogation, he admitted to the offence, and as such, charges were instituted. He is expected to make his court appearance shortly.

Young businessman nabbed with firearm at Police roadblock

A21-year-old businessman was taken into Police custody after he was found to be in possession of an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition at a Police roadblock at Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police stated that a white heavily-tinted Toyota Rumion motor car was stopped and searched during which a .40 Glock pistol (serial number unknown) with four matching rounds of ammunition was found in the pants crotch of the young businessman.

The suspect was immediately informed of the offence and cautioned. He was then escorted to the Beterverwagting Police Station, where he is currently in custody. An investigation is underway.

The firearm that was found at Triumph, ECD

In 2022, 78 illegal firearms were seized, and several have already been found in the first quarter of 2023.

1500 house lots issued at 1st “Dream Realised” housing drive for 2023

lots to the emerging highway going from Aubrey Barker to Enmore, ECD, promises to be profitable for allottees, according to Greaves. “The minute you collect that allocation letter, your lot will quadruple in value,” Greaves told the beneficiaries.

However, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues highlighted that East Bank residents who were assigned house lots in the previous year also benefit from their proximity to the emerging Eccles to Great Diamond four-lane highway.

As the Housing and Water Ministry hosted its first “Dream Realised” housing drive for 2023, some 1500 residents were allocated house lots at Good Hope and Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The drive was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday. Of the 1500 recipients, 1100 received low and moderate-income house lots while the remainder were assigned medium and high-income lots.

Presently, infrastructural development is being put in place including clearing the land, constructing roads, bridges and drainage systems, and water and electricity connections.

“We, at the agency and the Government, recognise the spending power of the citizens and we set the lot prices accordingly,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves explained.

He added that areas for playgrounds, religious entities, cemeteries, schools, Police stations, and towers for Digicel and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co Ltd (GTT) and for Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) have also been set aside to ensure residents have all the amenities they require once they gain access to their respective lands.

The proximity of the house

“We’re developing a very complex network of highways and roads and you will see a whole different community being developed along the East Coast linking to the East Bank,” Rodrigues said while adding that living close to these roadways can allow residents the opportunity to multiply their house value and income.

“That is the most impactful thing we can do, through our housing programme, for our low-income earners,” Rodrigues said.

“Guyanese people, not one ethnicity or not from one sector of our country but Guyanese people [are] receiving their house lots and given the opportunity to transform

their lives,” Rodrigues said. “What you’re receiving today is far more than a house lot. You are receiving empowerment. You are being given the

opportunity to have financial freedom.”

This “Dream Realised” exercise is in line with the Housing Ministry’s plans to al-

locate 10,000 house lots by the end of the year and their overall goal of 50,000 house lots by 2025. This housing drive brought them nearly halfway to their goal, at 22,500 house lot allocations.

The Ministry is aiming to distribute 3000 house lots along the East Coast this year, adding to the 5900 lots that were distributed since 2020. Some $24.2 billion has been spent thus far on infrastructural work along the East Coast, in areas such as Mon Repos, La Reconnaissance, Strathspey, Bladen Hall and Cummings Lodge, with efforts being made to provide treated water for close to 100,000 persons by 2024.

A resident pulling the number for a house lot

Minister Susan Rodrigues attending to two residents during the housing drive

Guyana’s investments in education will yield impressive results – Education Minister

– as students prepare for upcoming CSEC, other exams

As Guyana’s children prepare for upcoming examinations including the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Education Minister Priya Manickchand remains adamant that the candidates will perform exceptionally well.

She expressed high expectations on Monday when she officially opened the National Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Fair, at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Turkeyen.

“You are going to see a continuation and multiplication of students doing well… in Guyana, and you are going to see statistics that you

could have only ever dreamt of before,” the Education Minister posited.

Minister Manickchand’s sentiment comes at a time when the nation is witnessing a wide range of investments in infrastructure, training, and research, to ensure the local learning system withstands any future challenges.

Although the country faced many encounters over the past two years, specifically due to COVID-19, the Education Ministry still made learning opportunities available through several means, including the printing and distribution of worksheets, additional television programmes, and learning via the radio.

These commendable interventions ensured the nation’s children remained on

top of their game, with some even becoming top performers within the Caribbean Region.

Several students in Guyana wrote the exams and obtained laudable scores

back in 2020 and 2021. Again in 2022, Guyanese students made light work of the CSEC and CAPE examinations, with some even passing over 20 subjects.

The country’s scholars were subsequently awarded for performances in natural science, technical and vocational studies, humanities, sciences, and business.

Minister Manickchand said even as the country continues to celebrate those achievements, the Government’s zeal to do more for the education sector will never cease. She reiterated her Ministry’s move to have 100 per cent teachers trained by 2025 to support the sector’s transformation

“Even as we are doing that, we are providing textbooks to all the children of this country and so by September of this year all the children in the nursery, primary and secondary schools will have all the textbooks they need,” the Minister noted.

Meanwhile, additional funds will be injected to construct a number of learning facilities in areas including Georgetown; Kwebanna, Region One; Jawalla, Region Seven; Kopinang, Region Eight; and Karasabai, Region Nine.

It must be noted that the schools in the hinterland regions will reduce the ‘primary tops’ in the areas and provide better accommodation for its students and teachers.

The Government also wants students to be well-rounded upon their completion of secondary school. Students are currently exposed to additional learning sessions; playing various musical instruments and sports, and foreign languages, while others are benefitting from Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET).

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Peru's Congress votes against impeachment trial for President

Presidents ousted, arrested or jailed.

In December, leftist President Pedro Castillo was ousted in an impeachment trial and jailed, sparking violent protests by his supporters. More than 50 people died in the demonstrations. Opposition parties have blamed those deaths on Boluarte, who was Castillo's Vice President and replaced him in office.

Boluarte has backed investigations into the deaths and has denied responsibility.

Venezuela Opposition envoy urges Biden to ease oil sanctions

The new representative of Venezuela’s Opposition in the United States is urging the Biden Administration to relax crippling oil sanctions on Nicolás Maduro’s Government or risk seeing the socialist-run country turn into another Cuba with Washington scapegoated for increasing authoritarianism and economic hardships.

Fernando Blasi’s comments represent a sharp break from the Opposition’s “maximum pressure campaign” of the past four years when it was relying on the US to muscle Maduro out of power.

Cuba,” Blasi said. “It will become an issue for politicians in Florida to win elections … That would be an extremely sad destiny for a country.”

Blasi, 51, discussed the future of US sanctions in recent meetings with mainly Democratic members of Congress, including Gregory Meeks, the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Peru's Congress rejected a motion on Tuesday from leftist lawmakers to launch impeachment hearings against President Dina Boluarte on charges tied to the deaths of protesters, the latest chapter in the country's political volatility.

The final tally from Tuesday's vote saw 37 mostly leftist law-

makers vote in support of a motion to remove caretaker leader Boluarte for "moral incapacity", falling short of the 52 votes needed to advance the trial to potentially remove her in the 130-seat legislature.

Peru has been mired in intense political infighting for years, with several recent

"There are reasons to remove Boluarte. She has installed a government of repression and death," said Jaime Quito, a legislator for the leftist Peru Libre party who voted to approve the impeachment trial.

Peru's Attorney General's office is investigating Boluarte for the alleged crimes of "genocide, qualified homicide and serious injuries" relating to the protest deaths. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The failure of that hardline approach led the Opposition in January to remove the beleaguered former lawmaker Juan Guaidó from his role as “interim president”, a title he claimed as head of the National Assembly elected in 2015 – widely considered Venezuela’s last democratic vote. The Opposition has replaced that arrangement with a more horizontal style of leadership of mostly exiled politicians.

“If we continue down this path, Venezuela is destined to be another

While designated in January as the National Assembly’s envoy in the US, he cautioned he does not speak for the Opposition Unity Platform as a whole. He acknowledged many of his allies in the Opposition coalition bristle at the idea of rewarding Maduro without upfront commitments to level the playing field ahead of next year’s presidential election.

The Biden administration has signalled it is prepared to provide sanctions relief in exchange for concrete steps by Maduro such as promising not to ban whatever candidate emerges from Opposition primaries later this year. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

President Dina Boluarte

Trump pleads not guilty to 34 criminal charges in New York

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in a historic moment for the United States on Tuesday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, as prosecutors accused him of paying two women to suppress their accounts of sexual encounters with him.

The indictment, unsealed after Trump's court appearance along with a statement of facts, alleged that Trump and others violated election laws through a scheme to suppress the publication of negative information about him ahead of the 2016 US election. The two women were adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

"Not guilty," Trump, 76, said when asked how he pleaded.

"We're going to fight it. We're going to fight it hard,"

Todd Blanche, a lawyer for Trump, told reporters after the arraignment, adding that Trump was frustrated, upset and angry about the charges.

The judge set the next court hearing for Dec 4 and did not issue a gag order on any of the parties.

Some of the evidence against Trump was caught in an audio recording in September 2016 as he and his attorney discussed how to suppress stories about his affair, prosecutors said. Court documents said Trump can be heard saying, "So what do we got to pay for this?"

Trump's reimbursement checks to a lawyer for the suppression payments false-

Finland joins NATO in historic shift, Russia threatens 'counter-measures'

Finland formally joined NATO on Tuesday, its flag unfurling outside the military bloc's Brussels headquarters, in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that drew a threat from Moscow of "counter-measures."

ly stated that the money was for a "retainer agreement," prosecutors said. The indictment accused Trump of falsifying his real estate company's books with intent to defraud.

Trump previously called the charges politically motivated.

Taken together, the charges carry a maximum sentence of more than 100 years in prison under New York law but an actual prison sentence if he is convicted at a trial would almost certainly be far less than that. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Finland's accession, ending seven decades of military non-alignment, roughly doubles the length of the border the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation shares with Russia and bolsters its eastern flank as the war in Ukraine grinds on with no resolution in sight.

Finland's flag - a blue cross on a white background - was hoisted alongside those of the alliance's 30 other members as a military band played in bright spring sunshine.

"For almost 75 years, this great alliance has shielded our nations and continues to do so today," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared at the ceremony. "But war has returned to Europe

and Finland has decided to join NATO and be part of the world's most successful alliance."

The Kremlin said Russia would be forced to take "counter-measures." Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Finland's accession raised the risk of the Ukraine conflict escalating further.

In dropping non-alignment, Russia's Foreign Ministry said, Finland was

committing a dangerous historical mistake that would fray relations with Moscow and undo its status as a confidence-building presence in the Baltic Sea and Europe at large.

Russia said on Monday it would strengthen its military capacity in its west and northwest in response to Finland joining NATO.

Ukraine hailed Finland's step. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Former US President Donald Trump is accompanied by members of his legal team, Susan Necheles and Joe Tacopina, as he appears in court for an arraignment on charges stemming from his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, April 4, 2023

Finnish and NATO flags flutter at the courtyard of the Foreign Ministry, ahead of Finland's accession to NATO, in Helsinki, Finland, April 4, 2023

Pele FC Alumni Educational Programme 2023 set for huge return

…Celebration Youth Education Matches this Thursday at GFC

The empowering of male and female young people in Guyana to overcome poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem and ambition through the power of sports and education, by the USA-based Pele FC Alumni is set to continue when the programme makes a grand return this week.

After the programme was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, Alumni Chairman Denis Carrington, Treasurer Patrick “Labba” Barton, and Executive Committee Member Eric “Riggy” Smith made a visit to Guyana last year to put the groundwork back in place for this year’s activity which will commence with a series of Youth Matches, under the theme, “Celebrating Youth Education”.

Coordinated by the local chapter, Pele Football Club –

led by Dirk Exeter and Coach Gordon Brathwaite – along with the Alumni’s Local Coordinator David Gomes, many footballers and more than 130 youths will again benefit from the Alumni’s largesse.

Also forming part of Thursday’s action at the GFC Ground would be a tribute to the late King Pelé, after whom the

club was named over 50 years ago.

Kicking off Thursday’s action at 15:00h would be a match between the respective Under-18 teams of the host club and Buxton Stars. This would be followed by a female clash between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and St Cuthbert’s Mission.

The Masters will then take centre stage with a clash between old rivals Pele and Santos as the seasoned gladiators attempt to roll back the years. This would be followed by the tribute to King Pelé after which the main attraction of the night will see Pele’s senior team taking on Black Pearl. All matches would be played for 60 minutes. The much-anticipated Youth

Seminar, which sees youths being exposed to empowering sessions on life skills and other pertinent topics, would be held next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.

The attendees which would number well over 100 would also be beneficiaries of field trips to at least two places of interest, all funded by the Pele FC

Alumni. The participants would also be receiving a number of school supplies as has been the custom over the years under the Educational Programme.

A social event is set to take place on Friday, April 14 that would involve dozens of past and current players, many of whom are based in the Diaspora and are expected home for the programme.

One of the participants in 2019 received a laptop computer

Banks DIH officially powers up Bartica Easter Regatta

The long-standing association between beverage giant Banks DIH and the community of Bartica was renewed when the company, through three of its major brands – Banks Beer, GT Beer, and Guinness –inked a new deal with the organisers of the Bartica Easter Regatta 2023, held under the theme, “We Outside”.

The Branch Manager of the company’s Bartica location, Keron Savory confirmed the commitment when he met with the Regional Chairman and Head of the Regatta Committee, Kenneth Williams, on Tuesday at the Regional Office.

Williams said that the Committee was elated to continue the long and very fruitful relationship with Banks DIH, which has always been supportive of activities that

empower the community in sports and positive social activities.

“This continued commitment from Banks underpins their commitment to fulfil their corporate and social responsibilities towards the continued upliftment of Bartica and by extension, Guyana. So, on behalf of the Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee, and by extension, all the communities of this Region, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Banks DIH Bartica Branch and the Banks DIH family at Thirst Park,” the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman said.

Williams noted that this year’s Regatta continues to focus on the empowerment of the community by affording persons the opportunity to

compete in multiple sporting and social events. He also noted that from a financial perspective, members of the community would have the opportunity to earn in every sector.

Responding on behalf of Banks DIH, Savory posited that his company was just maintaining its obligation towards building the community, and the Regatta was one such medium.

“This activity no doubt is the biggest on the calendar events here, and it is a multi-faceted one with varying activities where persons have choices. We will continue to play our part and we look forward to patrons, visitors, and members of the community continuing to support our products so that we can continue to maintain and even improve our commitment to you.”

Banks DIH Bartica Branch Manager Keron Savory (left) hands over the letter of commitment to Bartica Easter Regatta Committee Head and Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams in the presence of Treasurer Natalie Tilbury

Final 16 decided for Milo tournament

The Milo Schools’

Under-18 football tournament has now moved from 32 to 16 teams in anticipation of this weekend’s Round of 16 stage.

Last weekend’s action at the Ministry of Education (MoE) and NIS Grounds on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown saw the fate of several teams being decided; the likes of Dolphin Secondary and Cummings Lodge making the cut owing to victories on Sunday.

According to the tournament’s rules, the top two teams from each of the eight groups will advance to the Round of 16.

From Group A, Chase’s Academic Foundation and Carmel Secondary have both advanced on 7 points. Group B sees East Ruimveldt (9 points) and Bartica Secondary (6 points) advancing, while Westminster (9 points) and New Central High (4 points) have qualified out of Group C. Christianburg Wismar

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Secondary (6 points) made the cut for Group D, while Mackenzie High (9 points) and Patentia Secondary (6 points) did the same for Group E. Group F’s qualifiers are

Ann’s Grove (9 points) and West Ruimveldt Secondary (6 points), as Charlestown (6 points) and Cummings Lodge (6 points) qualified out of Group G.

The final Group, H, saw

Santa Rosa (7 points) and Dolphin Secondary (4 points) advancing.

With the Round of 16 set to commence on Saturday, April 8; Patentia and Ann’s Grove Secondary will have the first showdown as the straight knockout rounds commence.

Also on Saturday, Charlestown Secondary will come up against Bartica Secondary while Chase’s Academy face New Central High. The final game on Saturday will see Dolphin Secondary opposing defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary.

On Sunday, the Round of 16 action continues with a contest between Cummings Lodge and East Ruimveldt

Secondary. The following game will see 8th of May and Santa Rosa facing off, while Mackenzie High and West Ruimveldt will do battle. The final game will see Westminster and Carmel Secondary vying for a spot in

Sudharsan sees Titans home after their quicks restrict Delhi Capitals

Three-wicket hauls from Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan, backed up by a measured unbeaten half-century from B Sai Sudharsan, gave the defending champions Gujarat Titans their second consecutive win at the start of the 2023 season. Delhi Capitals suffered their second straight loss, in their first home game this year.

After Shami, Alzarri Joseph and Rashid restricted Capitals to 162 for 8; Anrich Nortje's pace had Titans in trouble at 54 for 3 in the sixth over. Sudarshan and Vijay Shankar, who was subbed in as Gujarat's Impact Player for Josh Little, forged a 53-run stand to take Titans closer. David Miller, who had arrived in Delhi from Johannesburg only the previous day, provided the finishing touches as Titans wrapped up the win with 11 balls to spare.

Shami struggles and then hurts Capitals

The Delhi pitch was lively

from the outset and Shami was unable to control his swing, conceding 10 runs through wides in his first two overs during the powerplay. He also bowled several superb deliveries, one of which beat David Warner and grazed the off stump, but did not dislodge the bail. Shami got Prithvi Shaw to spoon a well-directed short ball to mid-on and had Mitchell Marsh chopping a back-of-a-length ball on to his stumps. Though Capitals managed to score 52 for 2 in the powerplay, none of their batters looked confident.

Joseph and Rashid contain Capitals

Joseph also made life miserable for the Capitals. His first over cost 11 runs, but his second was memorable. He first ended Warner's difficult stay, inducing a thick inside-edge on to the stumps. The next ball was a snorter to Rilee Rossouw, who fended in the air towards point,

SCOREBOARD

Delhi Capitals (20 ovs maximum)

David Warner (c) b Joseph 37

Prithvi Shaw c Joseph

b Mohammed Shami 7

Mitchell Marsh b Mohammed Shami 4

Sarfaraz Khan c Little b

Rashid Khan 30

Rilee Rossouw c Tewatia

where Rahul Tewatia dived forward to take a sharp catch. Joseph was quick, mean, and accurate. Sarfaraz Khan and Abishek Porel were both struck on the helmet by his ferocious bouncers, as Joseph kept hitting speeds in excess of 145 kilometres per hour.

With pace causing Capitals plenty of problems, legspinner Rashid Khan was brought into the attack only in the 13th over and he had immediate impact. Rashid had Porel playing all around a sharp legbreak second ball, and he dismissed Sarfaraz and Aman Khan in the 17th and 19th overs. Only Axar Patel looked comfortable for Capitals, and his 36 off 22 balls helped them reach 162.

The Sudharsan-Vijay Delhi connection

Heading into this game, Tamil Nadu team-mates Sudharsan and Vijay had strung together two 50-run stands in four innings, and coincidentally both of those partnerships had come at the Aurn Jaitley Stadium during the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Now, batting for Titans, the pair produced another half-century stand in Delhi after beginning their stand in a difficult situation.

Nortje had bowled the openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill, and Khaleel Ahmed had Hardik Pandya caught behind. With the asking rate under control, Sudharsan and Shankar built the chase steadily, taking no unnecessary risks and rotating strike while scoring the occasional boundary in between.

Sudharsan keeps his head; Miller does what he does best Sudharsan was one of the finds of the tournament last year and comes into this Indian Premier League (IPL) on the back of a terrific domestic season. Though Nortje was cranking up the pace and Kuldeep Yadav was getting the odd one to rip, he never seemed out of his depth.

the quarter-finals. The game times on both days will be 11:00h, 13:00h, 15:00h and 17:00h respectively. The tournament is sponsored by Nestle Milo, GINMIN, Genequip, and MVP Sports.

Sudharsan reached his fifty off 44 balls and remained unbeaten at the finish. Miller, on the other hand, found his bearings from the start, cracking Mukesh Kumar for 20 runs in the 16th over to decide the game. Miller was Titans' mainstay last year with his finishing abilities, and he started this season by having a similar impact.

Impact Players: Khaleel Ahmed and Vijay Shankar Vijay had a stronger impact on the game than his Delhi counterpart. Khaleel entered the game at the start of the second innings, replacing Sarfaraz Khan, and while he did dismiss Hardik, he went for 38 runs in his four overs. Vijay managed a 23-ball 29 and his partnership with Sudharsan was one that turned the game for the Titans. (ESPNcricinfo)

Josh Little 4-0-27-0

Hardik Pandya 3-0-18-0 Alzarri Joseph

Yash Dayal

Rashid Khan

Gujarat Titans (T: 163 runs from 20 ovs)

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b Joseph 0

Abishek Porel † b

Rashid Khan 20

Axar Patel c Miller

b Mohammed Shami 36

Aman Hakim Khan c Pandya

b Rashid Khan 8

Kuldeep Yadav not out 1

Anrich Nortje not out 4

Extras (lb 4, w 11) 15

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.10) 162/8

Did not bat: Mukesh Kumar

Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Prithvi

Shaw, 2.4 ov), 2-37 (Mitchell

Marsh, 4.2 ov), 3-67 (David Warner, 8.2 ov), 4-67 (Rilee Rossouw, 8.3 ov), 5-101 (Abishek Porel, 12.2 ov), 6-130 (Sarfaraz Khan, 16.2 ov), 7-148 (Aman Hakim Khan, 18.4 ov),

8-158 (Axar Patel, 19.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Shami 4-0-41-3

Wriddhiman Saha † b Nortje

Shubman Gill b Nortje

Sai Sudharsan not out 62

Hardik Pandya (c) c †

Abishek Porel b Ahmed 5

Vijay Shankar lbw b Marsh 29

David Miller not out 31

Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 2, w

Did not bat: Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami

Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Wriddhiman Saha, 2.1 ov), 2-36 (Shubman Gill, 4.1 ov), 3-54 (Hardik Pandya, 5.6 ov), 4-107 (Vijay Shankar, 13.2 ov) • BOWLING

Mukesh Kumar

Anrich Nortje

Mitchell Marsh

Kuldeep Yadav

Scenes from the ongoing Milo Schools’ Under-18 tournament

GDF, Fruta Conquerors set to clash in Women’s League final today

On the backs of contrasting wins last Wednesday night, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club and Fruta Conquerors Football Club will do battle this evening in the final of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/MVP Sports Women’s Development League playoff.

While Fruta Conquerors defeated Pakuri Warriors 8-2 in last week’s semi-final, GDF booked their ticket to the feature game by downing the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women 1-0.

As such, today’s final is set to be an interesting one, which both coaches – Seon Prince and Delon Williams of the GDF and Fruta Conquerors Women respectively, encouraged fans to come out and watch.

“We’re going in to the finals tomorrow not taking anyone light; we’re not taking Fruta Conquerors easy, but we know you can come out and expect a good game, a good match-up.

I’m asking the public to come out and support in their numbers and you guys can expect good football. Very competitive,”

GDF’s Prince shared on Tuesday at MVP Sports’ Giftland Mall location.

On the other hand, Fruta’s Williams said, “We’ve always wanted female football to be

part of the limelight of football; we’re having it here now. Fruta Conquerors, GDF in the finals tomorrow (today), a game I don’t think anyone wants to miss.

“So, like Mr Prince say, we’re asking the public to come out and give your support. It’s a very good game we’re going to have. The players have been waiting for this moment. Both teams have been training hard and dedicated to this day,” Williams further stated.

In a word from title sponsors MVP Sports, representative Selvin Apple voiced the company’s continued commitment to supporting the sport.

“We here at MVP Sports, we are more than happy, you know, being a part of sponsoring this event of such magnitude. What it

does actually, it gives the players the opportunity to perform their craft at a high level. We, as a corporate company, understand our social responsibility when it comes to dealing with soccer in the country. As I said before, our CEO as well, is always passionate about sponsoring any football event,” Apple shared with the

gathering.

Meanwhile, GFF Technical Director (ag) Bryan Joseph emphasised the importance of such tournaments to the women’s game, highlighting the boost it gives.

“So far, we’ve seen some really, really exciting games in the tournament,” Joseph noted.

The TD (ag) went on to state, “Women’s football is definitely on the rise in Guyana. When we look at the quality of our games now, we definitely see that there’s improvements and this is coming on the back of the work being done by the GFF [Guyana Football Federation] to ensure that there’s enough

opportunities for our young ladies to play, by ensuring that we put the relative competitions in place.”

The highly-anticipated final clash is set for 20:00h (8pm) tonight at the Eve Leary (Police) Ground. The third-place play-off between Police and Pakuri is set for 18:00h (6pm).

Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship… Gold Body by Cosmetics BW and Travellers Sound chip in

Corporate support continues to be had from a number of entities as time draws near for the ultimate fitness showdown in Guyana, come April 15 and 16 – the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship.

Gold Body by Cosmetics BW, a company that is committed to bringing the best beauty industry trends to Guyana and to its customers, has made a contribution towards the hosting of this year’s event which will showcase athletes from six nations, including the host.

Camille Da Cunha, Executive Director of Gold Body by Cosmetics BW, made the presentation to Kares CrossFit Organising Committee Member Mary Fung-A-Fat.

Da Cunha said that the company was very happy to be on board with the organisers for the first time and was looking forward to the experience of being a part

of an event of this nature.

“We at Gold Body by Cosmetics BW are committed

to excellence and there is no hesitation in being on board with the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship. We are aware that only the best athletes from each of the competing nations will be on show and we are looking forward to some exciting duels over the two days of rivalry,” she declared.

Also on board for the first time is Travellers Sound, which will lend a professional sound to proceedings at the National Park.

Owner of Travellers Sound, Leonard Shim shared that his company was more than elated to be partnering with the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship crew to ensure that a quality sound is enjoyed by the patrons and athletes as well as by host Tameka Marshall and her assistant, Coel Marks.

The Kares CrossFit

Caribbean Championship will be held at the National Aquatic Centre and the

National Park on Saturday, April 15 and the National Park on Sunday, April 16.

Camille Da Cunha, Executive Director of Gold Body, shakes hands with Kares CrossFit Caribbean Committee Member Mary Fung-A-Fat after sealing the deal

Jamie McDonald (left) of the Kares CrossFit Caribbean Organising Committee and Travellers Sound’s Leonard Shim exchange pleasantries after signing off on the sponsorship

MVP Sports’ Selvin Apple

GFF TD (ag) Bryan Joseph, Coaches Seon Prince and Delon Williams, and MVP Sports’ Selvin Apple are flanked by players set to compete in tonight final