Guyana Times - Wednesday, March 8, 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, Mar 8 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Thursday, Mar 9 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Mar 8 – 05:15h – 06:45h and Thursday, Mar 9 – 05:30h – 07:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

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

High Tide: 17:28h reaching a maximum height of 2.72 metres.

Low Tide: 11:03h and 23:21h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.52 metre.

International Women’s Day Govt, stakeholders agree on need for women, girls to be better protected in online spaces …as Pres Ali affirms commitment to equality, economic empowerment of women

Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which he said has unlocked greater opportunities, including for women, to improve their knowledge and skills - prerequisites for enhancing female participation in the digital sector.

“I am confident that the initiatives we are taking will ensure a prominent role for women in our digital sectors. On this International Women’s Day, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, I wish to extend best wishes to all the women of Guyana and its diaspora,” the President said.

The need for inclusion and economic empowerment of women was emphasised by President Dr Irfaan, in his message as he joined the international community in observing International Women’s Day 2023, themed, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”

LOTTERY NUMBERS

mathematics (STEM) education within secondary schools and tertiary educational institutions.

He said that by doing so, they will encourage greater female participation, particularly in the technology and engineering streams. President Ali also gave the example of the Guyana

According to President Ali, Guyana shares and supports the aspirations of the international community in reducing gender inequality within the digital sector. In fact, he noted that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) prioritises digital development and narrowing gender gaps.

He expressed confidence that by highlighting the existing gaps between males and females within the technology sector, greater efforts can be made to come up policies that would encourage more participation from women in the digital sector.

“The original LCDS accelerated the country’s digital transformation, including investments in information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. It also stimulated inclusive employment utilising ICT technologies,” President Ali said.

“With telecommunications liberalisation, the acceleration of the country’s digital transformation is expected to increase, including in the areas of e-governance and access and connectivity. These will all contribute towards the goal of establishing a strong knowledge-based sector within our economy.”

According to Ali, Guyanese women can be assured that they will be an integral part of the emerging ICT sector. He explained that the Government will be mainstreaming science, technology, engineering and

“I applaud their contribution to national development. I assure them that the ongoing local efforts to reduce gender and digital gaps will continue in the near and foreseeable future. Happy International Women’s Day 2023!”

Protection Urging more protec-

tion for women and girls as they navigate online spaces and face threats and harassment, Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips used the occasion of International Women’s Day to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to erasing inequality.

President Dr Irfaan Ali Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips

WGEC Commissioner Renata Chuck-A-Sang TURN

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063

Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

‘DigitALL’: Celebrating women today

As Guyana joins the rest of the world today in celebrating International Women’s Day, discussions are led around this year’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” However, here in Guyana, there is much public discussion about domestic violence and empowerment of women.

In his message for IWD 2023, Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips alluded to the fact that while, globally, women have made and continue to make monumental contributions in the digital sphere, there yet remains a gender gap concerning women’s access to technology worldwide, thereby creating significant economic and social inequalities.

But importantly, he said, “…women and girls remain more likely to be victims of cyberbullying and other forms of harassment online, requiring a greater need to protect the rights of women and girls in those spaces.”

This bullying in Guyana includes domestic violence and other forms of harassment women face. Just before the eve of International Women’s Day 2023, young Aneeza Ishmael was killed by her fisherman partner as she attempted to end her relationship with him. This is just one of the many women who have died at the hands of their partners, and who have not lived to see IWD 2023.

It is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increasing risks of violence, particularly domestic violence, against women.

As a matter of fact, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, some time ago, emphasised that Guyana, like many other countries, has seen a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, while adding that domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and psychosocial abuse have been part of the ills in society, and must not go untackled.

Violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, and can remain with women and children for a lifetime. If not dealt with effectively, it can also pass from one generation to another. Over the years, the UN has been pushing countries towards implementing proactive measures to combat domestic violence. These measures have included criminalising gender-based violence; holding massive public awareness campaigns; providing training to equip both men and women to act as first responders; and supporting victims of the scourge at the community level.

As a matter of fact, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry in Guyana some time ago launched a campaign, #enoughwiththeviolence.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence.

Everyone must work in every home, school, office, community in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists; support the women; work with the perpetrators; create safe spaces; educate persons, and share solutions.

To remedy the situation facing women around the world, the UN Chief, in his 2022 IWD message, called for guaranteed quality education for every girl, massive investments in women’s training and decent work, effective action to end gender-based violence, and universal health care. Other measures recommended by the UN Chief include gender quotas, that could result in the world benefitting from more women leaders. We endorse this message.

For 2023, we echo the call by Guyana’s Prime Minister that “…as we consider the major achievements that women have made thus far today, let us also consider the improvements that need to be made for even more progress with regard to achieving gender equality. I urge governments and all stakeholders to work together towards making the commitments and implementing the actions that will create a more inclusive and balanced society for our women and girls.”

Happy International Women’s Day!

Puzzles of the 2020 Elections need solving

Dear Editor, Spokespersons for APNU/AFC have been claiming to this day that dead and emigrated persons voted at the last elections, and that lists of the names of these persons were supplied by the Immigration Department and the GRO.

These claims continue to be made despite the majority of the persons whose names are mentioned have turned up alive and unmigrated, and have so declared themselves in the media.

Another claim made by the APNU/

AFC is that certain documentation was not placed in the 49 closed canisters from the area between Better Hope to LBI by the Presiding Officers who were responsible for the voting stations which generated those documents.

A number of Presiding Officers have claimed by affidavit and otherwise that they were instructed by a certain GECOM officer to send those documents directly to him, and not to place them with the ballot boxes in the canisters.

APNU/AFC have claimed that the missing documentation means that the

elections should be voided.

In August last year, the Hon Attorney General, in his TV/Facebook programme, indicated that he would investigate both matters. I don’t know whether the AG’s Office had the time to do such investigations, since the AG himself was wall-to-wall busy every day from August last. Could the findings of the investigations be made public?

Yours sincerely,

Paul Validum Ramlochan

Staggering tragedy: road fatalities require immediate attention

Dear Editor,

The huge number of road fatalities over the past three months presents a staggering tragedy that requires immediate attention. For the period January 1 to February 18, 2023, twenty persons were killed on the roads, as compared to eight (8) for the corresponding period in 2022, an increase of 150%.

Here is a horrible example: at the time of writing (March 07, 2023), four persons - two men and two women - were on Monday morning killed after the minibus in which they were travelling collided with a truck on the Greenwich Park Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Dead are: Vernon Prowell, 50, of Bent Street Wortmanville, Georgetown, who was the driver of the minibus; and Margaret Kennedy, a 72-year-old of Tuschen; Olga Reddy, a 57-year-old of Parika; and Elvis Charles, a 40-year-old of Ruby, EBE, who were all passengers of the bus.

Here are details of another accident, which occurred on March 6: Police are investigating an accident that occurred on the #19 Public Road yesterday morning, which resulted in the death of a hire car driver and a female passenger. The dead persons have been identified as Shelliza Alexis London, 26, and Qualis Crawford, 40.

In March 2022, the media carried a letter penned by the head of the Audit & Inspection Unit of the Guyana Police Force with some very disturbing revelations in regards to drivers’ licensing. The Unit found that 397 persons did not write examinations but received pass marks,

while 79 persons did not register for any examination but received pass marks. Most comical was the fact that 21 persons received their pass results even before writing the exams!

Each year, a new crop of drivers gets behind the wheel. The most logical evaluation simply indicates that the excitement to drive precipitates careless road usage, while a huge preponderance of minibuses is driven by the younger strata of society, with scant experience.

I have long advocated, even corresponding with two former Home Affairs Ministers, about the need for multi-level categories of licence. For instance, one should not drive a commercial passenger vehicle without five years’ driving experience, accompanied with the necessary first-aid training.

Trucks transporting heavy loads like lumber, steel, sand etc. must have their engine and gear systems altered to drive no more than say, 30mph, with training in centrifugal shifting during turns, hydroplaning for wet weather, along with first-aid certification.

No minibus driver in Guyana has any prescribed training in first-aid; needless to state in passenger courtesy. Carriers of gasoline and flammable/ corrosive liquids must be qualified in HAZMAT training, with recertification every two years.

The Guyana Police Force has stated that the leading causes of traffic mishaps in the country are speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol. Other major causes are driving while dis-

tracted by use of a cellphone, pedestrian inattentiveness, and failure to heed traffic signs and warnings. Road repairs, a seemingly perpetual dilemma, do not help either. Poor lighting, absence of road markings, tinting, distractive loud music, encroachment by beer & food sheds, piles of sand and brick, rice drying etc. all compound the dangers of both drivers and pedestrians. (I suggest that all sand and brick be stored in canvas bags, like rice shipments, with fluorescent markings).

It is time for the Government of Guyana to establish a Department of Transportation to deal with the acquisition of drivers’ licences; guidelines for operating driving schools, and the qualification required to be a driving instructor. It is time for the certification of motor vehicles to be done by competent persons other that the certifying officers of the Police Traffic Department. Most of whom have no training as mechanics or in related subjects, and therefore do not possess the skills that are necessary to certify that a motor vehicle is fit to operate on the road.

Finally, it is time the President and his Ministers realize that Guyana’s traffic has long outgrown its road network, and seek alternatives in the transportation sector. As the Land of Many Waters, water transport should be more utilised, thus lessening the burden of the road system.

Sincerely,

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo meeting Vice Chairman of S&P Global, Daniel Yergin. Yergin is a highly respected authority on energy, international politics, and economics. He is Vice Chairman of IHS Markit and Chairman of CERAWeek, which CNBC has described as “the Super Bowl of world energy”. The New York Times described Yergin as “America’s most influential energy pundit” (Office of the Vice President photo)

More needs to be done to curb new, emerging forms of violence – WGEC

Every year, on March 8th, International Women’s Day is observed; and it is used to increase awareness and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women. This year’s UNWomen theme: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, serves to honour and celebrate the women and girls who are leading the charge for the development of transformative technology and digital education. We live in a world where, increasingly, transactions of our lives are informed by technology, more so by digital technology. In urban spaces, life without electricity is almost unthinkable. For our youth, life without the internet connectivity would be torturous. Digital technology is becoming part of the fabric of our everyday lives. It is therefore critical that women and girls be part of shaping technology. Bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology spaces would result in more creative solutions. It would have greater potential for the creation of innovations women and girls need, and want to use in their lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic, while wreaking havoc on lives around the globe, highlighted how great the disparities are, particularly between urban and rural populations. Rural women and girls have less access to the digital world, and benefit less from the solutions it provides than ur-

ban women and girls. The pandemic also brought about innovation. We all learnt how to do work, learn and entertain ourselves in new ways. This year’s IWD theme also forces us to examine the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, as well as the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces, while addressing online and ICT-facilitated forms of gender-based violence. We also need to adequately address technology-assisted forms of gender-based violence.

To truly extract the benefits new technology promises, the full participation of women and girls in STEM and technology spaces must be supported. We need to foster the environment wherein technology is created that meets the needs of women and girls. We need to examine ways to reduce the growing disparities between men and women in terms of access to, and proficiency with, digital technologies. The digital space has generated unprecedented opportunities for the empowerment of women and girls through opportunities for online learning, digital activism, and networking with virtual communities of practice to the rapid expansion of lucrative technological jobs and careers. Women and girls remain underrepresented across the creation, use, and regulation of technology. They are less likely to use digital services or enter tech-related careers,

and are significantly more likely to face online harassment and violence. This limits not only their own digital empowerment, but also the transformative potential of technology as a whole.

This year, the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) are continuing their sponsorship of three women who are pursuing studies in STEM-related areas at the University of Guyana through their annual Magda Pollard Women in STEM Scholarship Programme. We celebrate the strides made by organisations like STEM Guyana, and ICT for Girls, and the Caricom Girls in ICT Initiative, But the advancing technology has also introduced new forms of inequality, and threats to the wellbeing of women and girls. The Commission is acutely aware of the increasing incidents of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking and grooming, as evidenced by the number of reports engaging the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. While Guyana has new cybercrime legislation, the Commission feels more needs to be done to curb new and emerging forms of violence. Women and girls need to have the assurance that they, too, are entitled to have safe lives and strong futures. We cannot allow technology to widen existing disparities, but rather we must put it to work on behalf of a safer, more sustainable, more equitable future for all.

NGSA Math Questions

Deepwater port will significantly boost local content, agriculture – CGX …project on course for oil &

gas services

start-up in

2024

Canadian company CGX Energy, through subsidiary Grand Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE), has asserted that the deepwater port currently under construction on the eastern bank of Berbice River, will significantly boost local content in the oil and gas sector and the agriculture sector.

In a recent financial statement, CGX provided an update on the work that is ongoing on the Berbice Deep Water Port (BDWP). It is aiming to commence cargo terminal services late this year and begin operating the oil and gas support base in mid-2024.

According to CGX, when the deepwater port is fully operational it will provide important support for the oil and gas sector and opportunities for local content. It was pointed out that due to its location close to Suriname, the port will also help service exploration and development of Suriname’s oil and gas sector.

“GCIE expects that the port will significantly boost local content engagement in the oil and gas sector and add enhanced logistics capacity for import and export, including expandable capacity to accommodate the possibility of increased product flow to and from the northern states of Brazil.”

“Due to its location close

to Suriname, the port’s oil and gas support functions will also help to serve the rapidly growing offshore exploration and development activities in that country’s oil and gas sector,” CGX further said.

Additionally, the port will provide critical assistance to the rice, sugar and agro-processing sector. This is particularly important since Guyana is a frontrunner in the charge to reduce

the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

“The port is expected to add significant capacity to the agricultural sector, supporting rice, sugar, agro-processing and agricultural materials… the BDWP facility intends to serve as an offshore supply base for the oil and gas industry and as a multi-purpose terminal to service agricultural import/ export, containerised and

specialised cargo including aggregates for construction purposes. The BDWP aims

to enable provisioning of operators and vendors in territorial waters of both Guyana and Suriname,” CGX added.

GCIE had previously reported last year that there were some minor setbacks with the project due to revisions that were needed to the design of its wharf and trestle in the Berbice River.

GAICO Construction and General Services Inc were selected as the lowest bidder to construct the access trestle and wharf as well as to perform the required dredging operations.

In November 2022, CGX had said that the cargo terminal aspect of the port is expected to commence in mid-2023 and operation of the oil and gas support base in late 2023, subject to construction schedules and supply chains.

The deepwater harbour project is being built on 30 acres of land adjacent to and north of Crab Island on the eastern bank of the Berbice River. It was reported that 10 acres of the plot has been

set aside as a living laboratory for the study of mangrove habitats in co-existence with commercial port operations.

Previously, the Guyana Government had given CGX up to September 2022 month-end to submit a plan on how it intends to move forward with the port facility. Subsequently in October of that year, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat told this newspaper that he was slated to meet with CGX representatives to intensify discussions on fast-tracking works on the project. The CGX deepwater harbour project has been in the works since 2010.

GCIE has been engaged in civil works related to the construction of the US$130 million Berbice Deep Water Port, which intends to serve as an offshore supply base for the oil and gas industry, and as a multi-purpose terminal cargo handling base to service agricultural import/export, containerised and specialised cargo. (G3)

An artist’s impression of the deepwater port

Remembering...

…Cheddi, after Burnham

Your Eyewitness found it interesting that while Forbes Burnham’s 100th birth anniversary was commemorated quite extensively and in style by the PNC and other Afrocentric organisations, Cheddi Jagan’s 26th death anniversary passed with just a few comments by some older members of the PPP!! Now, it could be that a century is a “rounder” number, more worthy of commemoration than the “awkward” 26, but your Eyewitness thinks it’s more than that. It gotta do with how the two parties see the legacies of their “founder leaders” in their present circumstances.

For the PPP, they’ve unequivocally set out on a new path – away from the Marxist orthodoxies of Cheddi. Even though 28 years in the political wilderness had kept Cheddi away from the levers of power, he’d swallowed hard in 1992 when he took over, and inherited the IMF package foisted on Desmond Hoyte. For his whole life, he’d fought against the economic premises of what the IMF represented: miniscule governments, liberalised markets, and privatisation of state entities.

It’ true, however, that he didn’t go down without a fight, and he stopped the retrenching of Public Servants that had been started by Hoyte – something he’s not given credit for – and didn’t privatise GuySuCo. But after those 26 years since he passed, the new economic dispensation –dubbed neo-liberalism – is now the new orthodoxy, and the present PPP leadership aren’t about to put “the West on trial”!! From where your Eyewitness sits, it’s clear they’ve decided if their hand is in the tiger’s mouth, they better pat his head!!

Meanwhile, over in the PNC camp, his successors across the board were stumbling over each other to claim his legacy!! So monolithic is this thrust that even the WPA –whose leader, Rodney, was assassinated on the orders of Burnham – jumped aboard!! And what’s that legacy?? Right up there, of course, is to TALK about democracy, but betray its fundamental tenet of “rule by and for the people” by rigging elections. How can the “people” rule when they got no say in selecting their representatives??

And the irony is they’ve no need to rig elections!! But after being suckered by a coalition partner like Burnham, that insisted on kicking them to the ground – forcing them to rig after five years in power!! – they so loved their Leader they sacrificed their only chance of practising democratic politics! They forgot that “dis time nah lang time”!! The Yanks aren’t gonna go along with their schupidness, ’cause Jagan ain’t no mo – and his successors aren’t so daft as to follow his policies!!

So, what’s the lesson here? It’s one articulated millenia ago: you can’t stick your toe into the same river twice. Rivers, like history, move on, and you gotta move with the times!!

…the old PNC paramountcy

But they do say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, and, as such, dogs used to sucking eggs will continue doing so. So here we now have the PNC claiming that a Government building in Lethem is theirs!! And how’d they accomplish this feat?? They don’t deny it’s a Government building, but they insist that since they’ve been occupying the building for almost FIFTY YEARS, they’ve earned prescriptive rights!! In other words, like the supporters they’re defending all over, they’ve been SQUATTING all these years, and now claim OWNERSHIP!!

But there’s another slant to the case. “Almost 50 years ago” means the PNC’s occupancy started around 1974. That’s just after their “Declaration of Sophia” – which announced the PNC paramount OVER the Government!! They even flew their flag over the Court of Appeal, then the highest power of the supposedly separate and equal Judicial Branch of Government!

So, are the present PNC following Burnham to declare “paramountcy” over Government – even when they’re out of power??

…hard hats

An environmental activist complained she visited the gas-to-shore landing site on West Demerara, and was told by “three men in hard hats” that she couldn’t remain. She found them “menacing”.

Didn’t the “hard hats” signal her non-compliance with safety rules??

Govt, stakeholders agree on need for women...

In his message, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to empower women on every front including in the use of technology. It is a need recognised by the world, since the 2023 theme for International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.

“I extend best wishes on the occasion of International Women’s Day, where we honour and celebrate women worldwide while reflecting on the important influence they have made in various aspects of global development,” the Prime Minister said.

“It is imperative that we acknowledge its importance in multiple areas. Globally, women have made and continue to make monumental contributions in the digital sphere, yet, there remains a gender gap concerning women’s access to technology worldwide, thereby creating significant economic and so-

cial inequalities.” The Prime Minister pointed out that women and girls remain more likely to be victims of cyberbullying and other forms of harassment online. This, according to the Prime Minister, means that there is a greater need to protect the rights of women and girls in those spaces.

“In today’s world, there is a clarion call for the reduction of gender inequality. That means we must seek out all areas where these inequalities exist and address them. With regard to technology, we must focus on women’s empowerment and protection. The United Nations reports that of the estimated 2.7 billion people currently unconnected, the majority are women and girls.”

“We must create greater access for women who may be interested in technology but who are otherwise limited due either to access, af-

fordability or technological capabilities. We must also protect the rights of women who have access but are likely to be exposed to violence online,” the Prime Minister further said.

According to the Prime Minister, these are the major issues that need to be addressed when the Government considers what changes can be made beyond International Women’s Day. He reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to the empowerment of women and girls in technology and every aspect of their lives.

This, according to the Prime Minister, would heavily focus on improving the economic empowerment of women, as well as increasing their participation in governance and ensuring that they create an environment where women have sufficient access to opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential.

“It is evident that technology currently holds many of those opportunities. Access to technology spurs innovation and creativity and expands economic, educational and other opportunities available for self-advancement. We must find ways to ensure we maintain women’s and girls’ rights to meaningful use and development of technology.”

“We must identify and remove the barriers that limit their access to technology to enable greater engagement, innovation, participation, education and economic empowerment. So as we consider the major achievements that women have made thus far today, let us also consider the improvements that need to be made for even more progress with regard to achieving gender equality.”

The Prime Minister went on to urge governments and all stakeholders to work together towards making the

commitments and implementing the actions that will create a more inclusive and balanced society for women and girls.

Stakeholder

One such stakeholder meanwhile released a statement of their own that also alluded to the need for increased protection for women and girls in online spaces. According to the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC), it is critical to not only empower women more in digital spaces, but to protect them.

“Bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology spaces will result in more creative solutions. It will have greater potential for the creation of innovations women and girls need and want to use in their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic whilst wreaking havoc on lives around the globe, highlighted how great the disparities are particu-

larly between urban and rural populations,” they said.

“Rural women and girls have less access to the digital world and benefit less from the solutions it provides than comparative to that of urban women and girls. This year’s IWD theme also forces us to examine the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities as well as the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces while addressing online and ICT-facilitated forms of gender-based violence.”

According to the commission, they are aware that the advancing technology has also introduced new forms of inequality and threats to the well-being of women and girls. This, according to WGEC, includes the increasing incidents of cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking and grooming. According to the commission, more should be done to curb this. (G3)

26th death anniversary

Dr Cheddi Jagan was a man ahead of his time – Ali …says PPP/C continues to uplift the

On the occasion of the 26th death anniversary of former President and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan, President Dr Irfaan Ali paid tribute to the late leader, and described him as “a man ahead of his time.”

During a ceremony held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Center, President Ali hailed the former President as one of the greatest political figures in the western hemisphere. He said Dr Jagan’s legacy encompasses his contributions to Guyana’s development and to the poor and working class.

“The ink of history will forever be fresh with his ideas. Talk is cheap. Development of ideas is not the putting together of words. An idea is something that is transformative, something that separates ignorance from knowledge. Something of value. Something that uplifts,” President Ali said.

“The ink of history will forever be fresh with his ideas, contributions and sacrifice for freedom, democracy, equality, unity, fairness, and the upliftment of all humanity. These were the value systems of the man. So, the ideas he taught were built around these values; built around freedom, democracy, equality, fairness, and the upliftment of all humanity.”

According to the President, Dr. Jagan represented the hope of the working class in a better tomorrow. The PPP/C, according to Ali, was built on the foundation of being a working class party, and it remains so even to this day.

The President noted that Dr. Jagan’s ideas and teachings, and to a large extent his methods, still remain applicable even in today’s society.

“So, his ideas captured these characteristics, when he put them out there. So, every idea he pursued

poor & working class

“Now, the important point to note is that whilst the PPP remains wedded to the working class in uplifting them, some people adopt the myopic position that to be pro-working class means to oppose the business class. This is the nonsense. We do not share this misguided proposition,” President Ali said.

According to President Ali, Dr Jagan understood the importance of facilitating economic growth. It is

demonstrated these principles as the core values. He lived ahead of his time. Comrade Cheddi was not a reactionary force, he was a thinking force; so, he was always ahead of his time. If you read the depth of some of what he wrote, you would see how far advanced ahead of society at that time he was.

“So, he lived ahead of his time, but in his death, his teachings remain constant with reality. So, one may say, 21 years after, how applicable are the ideas of this man? But his teachings, his ideas, remain constant. That is why his life is still applicable to the socio-economic transformation of Guyana and the region.”

President Ali gave contemporary examples of how the PPP/C continues Dr. Jagan’s legacy of uplifting the working class, while at the same time contrasting it with the anti-working-class rhetoric of others.

“The party which (Dr. Jagan) left us is a party of the working class, and the PPP remains wedded to the working class. When we take care of the pensioners, put back the sugar workers to work, take care of the Amerindians, give the uniform grant, give the transportation grant, give free dialysis to all those who need dialysis treatment, that is the party he built to take care of the people.

only by enlarging the national pie that Guyana can have more to give to the poor and working class.

Dr Jagan (March 22, 1918 – March 6, 1997) was a dentist who was first elected Chief Minister in 1953, and later Premier of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964. He later served as President of Guyana from 1992 to his death in 1997. Dr Jagan is widely regarded in Guyana as the father of the nation. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his address at Red House

Former President Dr Cheddi Jagan

10 weeks after toddler’s death

Father questions lack of prosecution of DUI driver

Ten weeks after his daughter was killed in a vehicular accident in East Canje, a father – who was also one of the victims in the horrific crash – is questioning the lack of prosecution for the death of his daughter.

Family members are battling to cope with the loss of their loved one amidst the intense lack of faith in the justice system, which, ten weeks later, has failed to prosecute the killer of a fouryear-old girl.

On December 23, 2022, a two-year-old girl, Jasmine Ross, was killed, and her father and several children were injured when a firewoman who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol crashed her vehicle into the motorcycle the child’s father was riding. Now the father, Marley Ross, is questioning the seemingly slothful injustice for the death of his

daughter.

It was reported that on the day in question, 28-yearold firewoman Chandani Mohabir lost control of the vehicle in which there were several children, and crashed it into the motorcycle being operated by Ross. Ross had

his four-year-old daughter as the pillion rider.

Still nursing injuries from that accident, and having to walk with the aid of a crutch, Ross says there is not a level playing field where justice is concerned, as he referred to a recent case involving a drunk driver and Police officers where the lawmen were the victims. According to Ross, that matter was swiftly dealt with.

Also, in another incident, a contractor allegedly drove his vehicle into a crowd of people in East Canje, killing one and injuring four. In that case, too, the perpetrator was swiftly brought to justice.

“Since it happened, they say the file gone to DPP since December; that is like two months and something, and no body ent telling me nothing,” Ross said while noting that he went to Central Police Station in New

Amsterdam one week ago, enquiring about the matter, and was told that such matters take quite a while before any prosecution is made, if any.

“He tell me that he will call me, but up to know I still waiting.”

Police had charged Mohabir with driving under the influence of alcohol, and she was placed on $100,000 bail. However, to date, there have been no charges in relation to the ‘causing death’, and for Ross, who was hit off his motorcycle.

According to Ross, he is still suffering from the accident, and has not been able to work. In fact, he said he is still receiving medical attention, and would have to undergo another surgery shortly.

“Right now, I am punishing; I am the breadwinner for my family…I can’t do nothing. I still have a lil son

to look after; he has to go to school, and I can’t even do anything from myself.

“It happened so fast… when and then I blank out. When I catch myself is when I was going in the ambulance,” he revealed.

Police had said that motorcar PGG 278 was proceeding north along the western lane at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it skidded onto the eastern lane and

collided with a motorcycle.

Eleven-year-old Shavine Laundry, 10-year-old Shaveh Laundry, 8-year-old Javeer Blair, and 5-year-old Shaniah Blair, who were in the car driven by the firewoman, were also injured. These children are parented by their single mother Sharron McDonald, who had shared with this publication her struggles in taking care of them after the accident. (G4)

…“Right now I am punishing” – grieving dad

Jasmine Ross’s father, Marley Ross, who was also injured in the accident

Dead: Two-year-old Jasmine Ross

New Amelia’s Ward Housing Scheme Squatters hindering advancement of Linden housing drive

Hundreds of families who have been allocated residential house lots in Phase Four of Amelia’s Ward in Linden, Region 10, are currently being prevented from occupying their lands because a handful of squatters remain defiant against all warnings and notices from the

Housing Ministry. As contractors attempt to execute infrastructural works in the area, which has been earmarked for road networks, they are being met with harsh opposition by a group of persons who are claiming to be farmers. In one instance, there was a report of workers being as-

saulted and machinery being damaged.

During a recent visit to the area, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Sherwyn Greaves, reiterated that while the Ministry stands ready to work with all citizens, development will not

be held up by a few.

Greaves also noted that the Ministry has exhausted all efforts even as it continues to plead with persons illegally occupying lands in the area to remove. The agency is therefore reminding persons that squatting is illegal, and persons are cautioned to desist from erect-

ing structures in the area, as the continuation of such activities would leave the agency with no alternative other than to demolish those structures.

After outlining development plans for the area, the Ministry, in May of 2022, was forced to remove 20 structures from the area because those structures had fallen in the path of a road. However, the occupants of those structures were fully compensated.

Following that demolition exercise, a significant amount of land clearing was done. However, over recent months, another group of persons moved into the area, in some instances building new structures, while others claimed to own farmlands in the area.

An assessment was done by NAREI, and a decision was taken to compensate the persons for the cash crops

seen on the lands. However, the persons who lay claims to the farms had no documentation for the lands.

This new occurrence has now stalled millions of dollars in infrastructural works from being carried out in the area, which when completed will benefit more than 300 first-time homeowners.

It was previously reported that, in July 2021, 400 house lots and 144 land titles and transports were issued to residents in Linden during a Housing and Water Ministry “Dream Realized” initiative.

Presently, infrastructural works are ongoing to facilitate the 400 Lindeners who were allocated lands by CH&PA in the scheme. Additionally, over $300 million was set aside for infrastructural works to ensure that allottees can live in wholesome communities.

Structures on the land allocated for the housing drive

DPP to advise on PNC’s occupancy of Govt building in Lethem

The battle by Government to have the People’s National Congress (PNC) remove from the occupation of a Stateowned building in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by the Guyana Police Force.

Only a few days ago, there was a confrontation between former Region Nine Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker and the Police over this Government building, located opposite Boston Street in Lethem, Central Rupununi.

In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that it has prepared a file to send to the DPP.

According to the Police, the legal advice from the DPP would be awaited on before appropriate action is taken.

The Police explained in the statement that current REO, Karl Singh, made a Police complaint about Parker and associates obstructing the region’s work on the building. Parker was accused of attempting to chase away a contractor who was working on the building under a contract from the regional administration.

“On March 1 2023, at about 23:50 hrs, Police ranks in Regional Division #9, acting on information, went to the Government Building where they met (REO Singh) and six men. The REO indicated to the ranks that he had given the six men permission to enter the building and take off the roof, since the building belongs to the Region and it was tendered for infrastruc-

ture work to be done.

“The contractor completed the task of taking off the roof at about 01:25 hrs on March 2. At about 02:30 hours that morning, a motor pickup bearing licence plate # GRR 1100, driven by Carl Parker, and minibus bearing licence plate #BYY 755, driven by George Nicholson, arrived at the area where they started to ‘video’ the building. The contractor Dale Kennedy and two of his workers were inside the building at the time.”

The Police explained in the statement.

It was further alleged that members of the PNC subsequently came and broke off the locks for the property. The REO also said the Opposition party was served with notices to vacate the building on several occasions.

Guyana Times understands that, for decades, the PNCR have been occupying the building in question as its Lethem Office – for political purposes – despite the property (building and land) being owned by the State under the purview of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Government has, since last year, repeatedly notified the Aubrey Norton-led party to vacate the premises, since it has intentions to use the site to construct a health facility to serve the people of Region Nine. However, the PNCR have refused to comply, in consequence whereof the Government is moving to demolish the building.

Roysdale Forde of the PNCR had issued a statement expressing the party’s displeasure over the matter. Forde, on Thursday,

claimed: “It matters not whether the land on which the building was situated is owned by the State or the party.”

Amanza Walton-Desir, an Attorney-at-Law and PNCR Executive, had meanwhile confirmed that the party had received notices from the Government, but

claimed that due process has not been followed.

“This property has been on the Asset Register of the PNCR from the inception, in excess of 40 years. I will say as well that it is a fundamental tenet of law that one cannot be deprived of property without due process of

the law. What I can say is that we are not in receipt of a court order or any court order that would indicate that there is some dispute about the ownership and possession of this property,” MP Walton-Desir told sections of the media.

However, in a state-

ment of his own on the matter, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had explained that the illegal occupancy of the building by the PNCR was flagged on numerous occasions by the Auditor General. (G3)

The building which the PNCR is occupying in Region Nine

Former REO Carl Parker and other members of the PNCR subsequently returned to the building

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GNBS wins OIML CEEMS Award for contributions to metrology

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been awarded for its outstanding contribution to, and excellent achievements for, International Legal Metrology in Developing Countries.

In January 2023, the GNBS received the 2022 OIML CEEMS Award which was conferred on it in October 2022. This is at a time when the bureau is making significant advances in the area of Legal Metrology, while Countries and Economies with Emerging Metrology Systems (CEEMS) suffer from a lack of resources for the operation of a sound

Legal Metrology System. Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond shared that it is important for Guyana to have international recognition, which will aid in the country’s growth and competitiveness.

“These kinds of awards, these kinds of recognition, and meeting this international rigger is very important for Guyana’s competitiveness and for Guyana’s growth and development.

I am extremely proud that the GNBS continues to push and be a game changer in the developing world, amongst their peers to stand head and shoulders to get this award,” she shared.

The Minister added that the GNBS monitors what products come into the country, so as to benefit buyers and consumers in terms of financial and economic gain.

“The standard has to be set, and that is what, at the GNBS essentially…we do, and that there’s a way that…we monitor what we receive, so that we can know what consumers have to pay, we would know, buyers and sellers, what the transaction would entail in terms of financial and economic gain,” Walrond shared.

Meanwhile, Head of the Legal Metrology Department of the GNBS, Shailendra Rai, unveiled

some of the plans that the bureau has been undertaking, and some of its plans for the future. He noted that, over the years, the bureau has made significant strides in doing verifications for a number of entities, such as airlines, the Transport and Harbours Department,

supermarkets, and many more.

“We would have also increased our scope in terms of the verification of different measuring instruments.

Over the years, we would have included other things, like petrol pumps…bulk meters… storage tanks…

tanker wagons… and we included things like moisture meters, speed guns, breathalyzers…and more importantly, for the emerging oil and gas sector is the custody transfer meters, and these are the meters that are used on board the FPSO to determine the quantity of crude,” Rai noted.

Added to that, he noted that the bureau has a lot of work to be done this year for entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Police Force.

“In terms of moving forward for 2023, we’re currently looking at the net contents of prepackaged goods. This is very significant, because the prepackaging of goods is done in the absence of the consumer, and it is very important that we check the net quantity to ensure that customers receive the correct quantity of products purchased. In addition to that, we’re scheduled to look at sound level meters… tint meters and, finally, the LPG meters,” he announced.

Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond handing over the OIML CEEMS

Award to Shailendra Rai, Head of the Legal Metrology Department of the GNBS

Guyana must be better known in Europe – French Ambassador …as delegation of French businesses to explore opportunities here

the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defence and to develop a common security masterplan, the various sides agreed to exchange views and work closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions.

Non-resident French Ambassador to Guyana Nicolas de Lacoste has emphasised the need for Guyana to be “better known” in the European region.

Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times during his recent visit to the country, the Ambassador – who is based in Suriname – explained that in order for more French companies to bring their businesses to Guyana, the booming South American country must better promote itself in Europe.

“Guyana must be better known in France…in Europe…It’s probably easier to speak about Guyana in front of an audience of American enterprises, Canadian enterprises, UK enterprises because Guyana is well known in these countries. We have this deficit of knowledge in France about Guyana,” the French Ambassador explained.

“Very, very few French companies knew about the economy in your country…,” he added.

Expressing an interest too for France to become “more visible” in Georgetown, the French envoy said the embassy is working on having a delegation of businesses visit Guyana in the first semester of the year.

Ambassador de Lacoste disclosed that the group would represent various sectors in keeping with Guyana’s vision to diversify its economy.

Outside of the delegation, the French Embassy had in December 2022 organised a virtual conference where businesses from French Guiana and mainland France were exposed to opportunities in Guyana.

Ambassador de Lacoste noted that the event had a big audience and the interest in Guyana was significant.

“Just the hunger for information about Guyana was so important that we’ve

decided not only to repeat this exercise, but to make it broader and to set up this delegation of enterprises.”

Moreover, Ambassador de Lacoste hopes that when a local office of the French Embassy opens in Georgetown in September, there will be more emphasis on boosting the economic cooperation between the two countries.

French Guiana

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

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

There has been work within the Guiana Shield to improve collaboration, such as the work done during the first edition of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue, where Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname came together to discuss the development of a common security masterplan back in 2021.

During a trilateral engagement in Cayenne, French Guiana, where Guyana was represented by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, the discussion centred on joint security threats and challenges facing the countries.

The dialogue also underscored the importance of shared respective understanding of the regional strategic defence and security environment.

The issues of how the countries can collaborate and structure their operational and technical cooperation in the fight against the security threats and other challenges facing the populations, territories, maritime space and interests were also discussed.

Within the framework of

Additionally, it was agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment, prevention.

The third area that was agreed to was response and increasing joint attention to the environment and cli-

mate change, including security and defence impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.

Guyana-Europe

In November last year, European Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes had revealed that works are

progressing on the establishment of an EU-Guyana Chamber of Commerce.

“I want to have a Chamber that provides quality support both to European countries that want to come here and Guyanese companies that have an interest in working with the EU,” the Ambassador had noted.

“Guyana is one of the most exciting places to be and to do business in and I will pass that message loud and clear to…to everyone in Europe who still has not get that message,” the diplomat had highlighted.

He noted too that, “Guyana is a country of endless opportunities now and therefore I really want to bring more EU private sector to the country.” (G11)

French Ambassador to Guyana, Nicolas de Lacoste

European Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Norton’s tirade further exposes PNC’s DNA of corruption, incompetence

In declassified US Government documents, there is this hidden piece of information that goes directly and brutally to the PNC’s DNA of corruption. The papers refer to a flour mill established in Guyana in 1967 by Seaboards, an American company with flour mills in several Latin American countries. Apparently, Burnham and the PNC Government were ripping off the company of US$28,000 annually. This was revealed in US Government records from June 1969. The PNC’s involvement in corruption is as old as the party itself. During the PNC-led coalition Government of 2015 to 2020 under President David Granger, the former PNC leader, corruption surpassed anything that its predecessor PNC Governments of 1964 to 1992 were accused of, and for which evidence has emerged.

It was painful and disgusting to watch Aubrey Norton trying to defend himself and the PNC against Bharrat Jagdeo, who spoke last week of the cluelessness, incompetence and corruption which characterise the PNC of old and the PNC of today. In trying to respond, Norton further adds to the evidence of incompetence and corruption of the PNC. Norton continues to disregard advice from old people and the philosophers that some things are better left unsaid. His party has a track record that he should try very hard to keep out of the news and out of the minds of Guyanese. In the next election, youths would dominate the electorate. The less they know of the PNC history the better for Norton and the PNC. In fact, Norton should try the Herculean task of having people forget the track record, not only of Burnham’s and Hoyte’s PNC of the period between 1964 and 1992, but also of David Granger’s PNC, which led the APNU/AFC coalition Government of 2015 to 2020. He needs to convince young people to disregard the PNC’s sordid past and focus on a new PNC. Norton tried desperately to justify Forbes Burnham and the PNC being paid servants of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of America. The American Government, through the CIA, in covert activities in Guyana from early 1962, had bankrolled Burnham and the PNC for the 1962, 1964 and 1968 elections. The CIA continued the bankrolling of Burnham and the PNC after the 1968 elections. After the 1968 elections, Burnham requested further support and demanded a sum of US$10,000 per month. The CIA agreed to continue the support, but reduced the sum to US$5,000 per month. This was continued until 1972. Once the support was stopped, Burnham tried to get the Chinese to grant him a sum of US$1M to support him for the 1974 elections, according to declassified papers from the US Government. These are not suspicions and allegations; the people who paid the money admitted through declassified records that we all have access to today. For those who are interested in seeing these records, simply go to https://jagan. org/Links/declassified_documents_1969.htm

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The truth is hard sometimes for us to swallow, but the PNC’s founder-leader that the PNC want to this year rehabilitate during his 100th birth anniversary was paid by the CIA for the purpose of keeping Cheddi Jagan out of Government. The US Government officials, in secret records at the time, admitted that Burnham on his own could not win an election in Guyana, and since rigging was the only way to keep Cheddi Jagan out of Government, the criminal act of rigging elections was an acceptable modus operandi for US Government support. It is in this context that the PNC-led APNU/ AFC’s brazen and shameful attempt to rig the 2020 elections must be seen.

The PNC has never depended on winning an election in any free and fair manner. The truth is that the manner of rigging elections was always transparent and incompetent. Those old PNC leaders who participated in election rigging pre-1992, as much as they were incompetent, are horrified by the incompetence of those PNC leaders and activists who led the 2020 version of rigging.

There are gems of information hidden in the declassified US Government documents. In those documents are hidden evidence of the corruption DNA of the PNC. Brief references have been made above to the US$28,000 annually siphoned off from a flour mill in the 1960s, and the attempt to have the Chinese give them US$1M after 1972. But also hidden in these declassified papers are things we have come to know well from our own experiences. One is that PNC leaders are deeply rooted in the DNA of dictatorship. Norton today has been accused by his own staunch PNC supporters, MPs, and even executive members of being one who does his own thing. He is a person whom few dare advise or disagree with.

Interestingly, the declassified documents from the US Government described Burnham as follows: “ Few dare advise him or disagree with him…He does not take advise easily, even from those close to him. On several occasions recently, he has overridden members of his cabinet, or acted contrary to their advice. But none dares approach him to argue.” Fast-forward to today and a new PNC leader, these words applied to Burnham by the Americans in 1969 fully apply to Aubrey Norton today.

The PNC and their leaders cannot change stripes, cannot escape their DNA. A makeover with new DNA is needed.

Transitioning from fashion to business: The art mastered by Michelle Cole-Wagner

By Jemima Holmes

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2023, it is pertinent to continue spotlighting women who continue to make strides, not only for their fellow women but for people in general.

One such Guyanese woman is Michelle Cole-Wagner,

who in a matter of weeks or months, will step headfirst into the business world after acing the fashion sphere.

However, Cole is no stranger to this new arena. In fact, having to forge a path for herself early in her design career, has armed Cole-Wagner with the right tools to conquer the world of business. The renowned fashion designer said it is

CoLabs: “This was an idea that was suggested by David, who is actually a partner in this CoLabs venture and it was to create a home for creatives to collaborate and make dreams happen.”

“My interest in the co-working space started from FACTS - Fashion, Art and Creativity by Talented students, a programme that was housed at this same location, under Facts and Roses and Cole Facts. It saw the birth of David, Randy Madray, Mwanza Glenn.

So, for me, it was the perfect idea for what I was going to do with the building either way,” she went on to state.

From fashion to business

For decades, ColeWagner has enjoyed glamourous success in the fashion world in Guyana and abroad. Now, she will face off with a new challenge; the world of business.

one of her burning passions.

“From a very early age, I became more interested in the art but then I transitioned very early to the business of fashion. For me, I loved art, I loved creating but I also wanted to be successful and profitable, so that I can be in a position to branch off and do other things,” Cole-Wagner told <<<Guyana Times>>> exclusively.

The designer was at the time discussing “CoLabs”, a collaborative space for all creatives, that will offer Guyanese artists a professional space in which to hone their skills.

The CoLabs venture, according to Cole-Wagner, was birthed about half a decade ago and the idea was further developed by her former student and now business partner David Clarke.

The CoLabs space, located on Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown, contains 5 creative hubs, catering for music, visual art, photography and fashion design.

Cole-Wagner said bout

As she mentioned before, the designer has always possessed an understanding and appreciation for the link between her designs and business, but now, with CoLabs, her inner businesswoman is coming through.

“So, as a young fashion designer when I started, there was no space really. I think I had to create that space. I never attended Burrowes School of Art which was the closest,” ColeWagner related to Guyana Times, as she discussed the need for such a place for local creatives.

Shifting her focus to the business savvy attributes she needed to pull off the CoLabs building, ColeWagner explained, “One of the things I always say, even when working with the FACTS students, is fashion does not only mean making clothes. It means taking that concept all the way to that final product, but it doesn’t end when you finish that final product. It’s the marketing of that product to make it go from you to your customers to a wider range audience.”

Michelle Cole-Wagner

A look at CoLabs’ green cyclorama room for video production

Scenes from Phagwah 2023 celebrations

(Photos from President Dr Irfaan Ali's Facebook page and DPI)

Scenes from Phagwah 2023 celebrations

(Photos from President Dr Irfaan Ali's Facebook page and DPI)

Transitioning from fashion to business...

“That’s what makes it profitable. That’s what makes it successful. So, if you’re not making money doing what you’re doing then you need to sit and focus on the business aspect of it.”

“From a very early age, the business of fashion was very important to me. So I set out to learn the business of it all,” Cole-Wagner said, concluding on the topic of her shift from fashion to business.

While not yet ready to be opened to the public, CoLabs boasts 5 spaces for creative production. The Salon Hub caters to hairstylists and makeup artists, while the green cyclorama stage offers a space for video/graphic production. Also in the building is a white cyclorama stage which can be utilised as a photo studio and a few flights of stairs upwards, a fashion production/fashion design incubation space awaits young de-

signers. In addition, there is a music recording studio, large enough to fit a band. The building will also be offering office spaces for rental.

Supporting Cole-Wagner on this new journey is

David Clarke, who spoke of the vision that pushed the Guyanese designer to open CoLabs.

“Michelle had the property that was going to be developed anyway and we were really trying to see how

best we can impact our industry. So, creating a space where there was going to be an ecosystem of young, creative talent with innovation, is what we hope to foster here,” Clarke told this publication.

He added, “Having spaces to relax, to complement fashion designers, music producers, photographers, hairstylists; it really is going to develop the talent in the creative sector to the point where it’s the market value.”

All in all, the duo agreed that CoLabs’ goal is to equip young creatives with a space to champion the business of fashion, music and photography.

“Our goal here is to provide a space that the cultural products, Mashramani, Cricket Carnival; these are all cultural products and with everyone now looking at Guyana, we want to showcase our best. We want to make sure that when our artistes and creatives create and produce a product, we’re all proud to say that’s Guyanese, that’s our own,” Clarke expressed.

While the high-end production spaces will not necessarily be free to use, Cole-Wagner revealed that

various packages will be available to creatives for their convenience. For instance, the white cyclorama room can be booked per hour, to cut the overhead costs that photographers would incur.

With little time remaining before CoLabs is up and running Cole-Wagner, is not only focused on encouraging women and girls in the creative industry, but is hoping to inspire the ‘next big thing’ in the Guyanese creative industry.

“First off, FACTS, where this entire idea was birthed from, is going to be back, housed right here. That’s one of the most important things, for CoLabs to facilitate the birth of new designers. I would like to see more Mwanzas and Randys find a space and all the encouragement they need to develop and grow,” the fashion designer turned businesswoman shared with an endearing smile.

David Clarke and Michelle Cole-Wagner are collaborating to produce CoLabs

Unity, brotherhood will steer Guyanese towards prosperous future together – PM

…as kaleidoscopic Holi 2023 celebrations transcend all boundaries

participated in a chowtal –a session of singing of spiritual songs, while playing instruments, during the festivities.

Enjoyed with great fanfare, they danced to the rhythms of the Tassa drums, and in merriment threw coloured powder and liquids at each other. The greeting was, “Happy Holi, or Happy Phagwah” in the true spirit of friendship, joy, merriment, and love.

Guyanese immersed themselves in vibrant Abeer (coloured powder) and the playing of Phagwah, to welcome this year’s spring season on the Hindu calendar.

The highly-spirited festival which celebrates good over evil was ushered in on Tuesday morning with a Holi programme host-

ed by the High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) at Bourda, Georgetown.

Transcending ethnicity and religion, persons from all walks of life gathered at the ground where they enjoyed music and cultural performances. They also

The occasion saw the presence of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa; and other Cabinet members and members of the diplomatic community.

During his remarks, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the festival is one that evokes cohesion in our people every year.

“It is essentially symbolic and for this single day, the participants of the occasion are all an equal mix of colours beyond their race. For

this day, we are truly the same and that is an important thought that we should hold on to.”

“Just as we are able to blend beneath a mixture of colours, then so too, can we achieve oneness and unity in our minds through a collective commitment of tolerance, love, and brotherhood,” he said.

Prime Minister Phillips added that this “collective commitment is the aim behind our Government’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative. We believe unity and brotherhood will allow us to steer our country towards a prosperous future together for mutual enjoyment and benefits”.

The Prime Minister emphasised that this unity must extend beyond the day of celebration to become a way of life for Guyana to advance.

“So, as we partake in yet another occasion where the strength of Guyana’s multicultural heritage is on display, I encourage all Guyanese to remember the important lessons of Holi and to take those lessons and apply them to their lives

beyond this occasion.”

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa said Holi is the festival of the nation, and people await the festival because of the amount of joy it brings to all.

“…that is why today we are celebrating with beau-

tiful colours playing around with friends with music, with dance, and with some good food,” he expressed.

Following this ceremony, a large influx of Guyanese across the length and breadth of Guyana celebrated this auspicious event by smearing and applying colours on each other, while cooking vegetarian foods and sharing sweet rice, gulab jamun, pera, and pholourie.

Unity, brotherhood will steer Guyanese...

During the joyous time, devotees were also told to think good, speak good and do good and be strong, brave, and confident.

Attending the celebration were Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, and Regional Executive Officer Susan Saywack.

As the afternoon swept in some other hues were added, as the dignitaries who attended the event were smeared with all the colours of the rainbow on the grounds of the tarmac.

WCD

Meanwhile, Minister Edghill also travelled to the West Coast of Demerara, where he joined in the celebrations.

During his remarks, he encouraged the residents to continue to do what makes them unique.

“Let us continue to do what makes us unique and

peculiar, and what distinguishes us as Guyanese. Our love for each other, and the respect we have for each other,” he said.

While Phagwah marks the beginning of spring; in Guyana, the festival is much more than a Hindu festival.

Though it was brought to Guyana by East Indians when they came to then British Guiana as indentured labourers in 1838 from India, over the years it has

become a truly Guyanese celebration.

It is regarded as one of the country’s most revered and celebrated festivals and is observed in almost every part of the country.

It is a time when Guyanese of all colours and creeds take to the streets to play, mingle and embrace. Horse carts, trucks, and canters on this day are seen filled with people, delighting in and spreading the colours.

The festival lasts for a day and a night, which starts in the evening of Purnima or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun (March). It is celebrated with the name Holika Dahan or Choti Holi on the first evening of the festival, and the following day is called Holi.

In different parts of the country, it is known by different names. (La’Wanda McAllister and Raywattie Deonarine)

Essequibo Coast

On the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), it was also a kaleidoscope of colours during the annual Phagwah Mela, hosted by the owner of the Jaigobin Supermarket.

It attracted scores of families and friends on the supermarket’s tarmac which was engulfed in bright colours, flaunting families of different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds.

Chowtal Goles sang chowtals in their villag-

Hindus believe Phagwah is the ideal time to forgive and renew relationships and as such, residents in the district visited neighbours, family, and friends to celebrate the Festival of Colours, and put aside their racial prejudice.

The gathering at the supermarket’s tarmac was more than just games of powder and water. The fun and frolic allowed many to share in the festive culture of Holi which promoted unity among the multicultural,

es and mandirs along the coast, filling the air with the sounds of drums, jalls, chowtals, and other musical instruments, while residents came out with their Abrak, Abeer, powder, and water to add beauty to the occasion.

multi-ethnic populace which already exists.

The crowd took to their heels and was blazed with entertainment fire when they were amused by cultural presentations from local artists.

Brazilian Police carry out more raids as part of Jan 8 riots probe

Brazil’s federal Police said on Tuesday they were carrying out new raids as part of a probe into the January 8 riots in Brasilia, in which supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Government buildings.

They were serving three arrest warrants and eight search-and-seizure warrants in the states of Minas Gerais and Parana, a statement said.

The raids represent the seventh phase of an operation launched in mid-January to identify people who participated in, funded or fostered the riots, in which a mob invaded and ransacked the Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court.

Police did not disclose the names of those targeted in Tuesday’s raids, but said they were being investigated for crimes of “violent abolition of the rule of law, coup d’état, qualified damage, criminal association, incitement, destruction and deterioration of specially-protected property”.

Meanwhile, the son of

President Bolsonaro on Tuesday added to debate over when, and whether, his father would return from self-imposed exile in Florida, tweeting that the former President would return next week, but deleting the tweet a few minutes later.

“I’m sorry for the previous post, I might be missing him a lot,” Senator Flavio Bolsonaro tweeted, adding

Colombia, Ecuador working to prevent Indigenous abuse by armed groups

The human rights ombudsmen of Colombia and Ecuador on Tuesday launched a joint alert system to prevent abuses by illegal armed groups from affecting Awa Indigenous communities that live along the countries’ shared border.

The alert system will inform military leaders and Government officials in both countries of potential attacks and human rights abuses in a bid to prevent them, the ombudsmen said in a press conference in Colombia’s capital Bogota.

Both sides of the border

the March 15 return date he had posted was “likely but still unconfirmed”.

The tweets added to growing questions about Bolsonaro’s return home, where he faces mounting legal jeopardy related to his conduct during last year’s election, and a growing scandal over an effort to bring into the country over US$3 million worth of undeclared jewellery gifted by Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

2 of 4 persons kidnapped by gunmen in Mexico found dead

Two of four Americans kidnapped by gunmen on Friday after they drove into north-eastern Mexico have been found dead, and the two survivors have returned to the United States, US and Mexican officials said on Tuesday.

The survivors and the two bodies were discovered by Mexican security forces on Tuesday morning in a wood cabin southeast of the border city of Matamoros, said Americo Villarreal, Governor of Tamaulipas, the state the four crossed into from Texas.

Authorities are still investigating how the two Americans died, and one Mexican official said the most likely explanation for the group’s abduction was that they were mistaken for someone else.

One of the two surviving Americans suffered a gunshot wound to his leg that was not life-threatening, while the other, a woman, was not injured, Villarreal told a news conference.

A Mexican woman, 33, also died during the kidnapping ordeal, apparently from a stray bullet, he said.

PM

see activity by Colombian illegal armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and FARC dissidents who reject a 2016 peace deal with the state, as well as criminal gangs who carry out drug trafficking and illegal mining, according to security sources.

Some 29,000 Indigenous Awa people live along the border and are subject to killings, forced displacement, land mines and recruitment of minors, among other ills, by armed groups, Colombia’s ombudsman said.

“The possibility of car -

rying out their operations along a porous border – with gaps in state presence – favours the interests of illegal groups,” Colombia’s Ombudsman, Carlos Camargo said.

Armed groups hide arms and combatants on the Ecuadorean side of the border, Camargo added.

Some seven or eight Awa minors are recruited each month, Camargo said, adding that 14 Indigenous community members were reported murdered last year, while 10,000 were subject to forced displacement or confinement.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mottley, Symmonds to meet with Macron

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Senior Minister Kerrie Symmonds are heading to the City of Lights.

The two will be heading to Paris, the capital of France, in the coming days to meet with that country’s President, Emmanuel Macron.

Affairs and Foreign

Trade Ministry in the Estimates on

“By no stretch of the

A 24-year-old man guarding them at the cabin was arrested at the scene. Before they were found, the four had been moved to a succession of locations in the area, including a local clinic in a bid to throw law enforcement off the trail, Villarreal said.

“We’re very sorry to have this happen in our country and we send our condolences to the families of the victims, their friends, to the people of the United States,” President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told an earlier news conference. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pandays walk as DPP discontinues Piarco 3 corruption case

After spending almost two decades before the courts, former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, his wife Oma, former Cabinet Minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh have been freed of corruption charges related to the construction of the Piarco International Airport.

Appearing before Magistrate Adia Mohammed in the Portof-Spain Magistrates’ Cou rt , Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, announced his decision to use his constitutional discretion to discontinue the charges

against the group.

Gaspard explained that his decision was based on the low probability of his office securing convictions in the case.

He explained that several key witnesses had died since the group was charged in 2006 and one main witness is now elderly and lives abroad. He also noted that the accused had a “fair argument” that they faced “presumed, presumptive and specific” prejudice in the case.

The case against the group was one of four related to the airport project initiated following an investigation by Canadian forensic expert Robert Lindquist.

In the first case, commonly referred to as Piarco 1, a

group of Government officials and businesspeople was charged with offences related to the alleged theft of TT$19 million.

The group included Galbaransingh; former Finance Minister Brian Kuei Tung; former National Security Minister Russell Huggins; former Nipdec Chairman Edward Bayley (now deceased); Maritime General executives John Smith (now deceased), Steve Ferguson, and Barbara Gomes; Northern Construction Financial Director Amrith Maharaj; and Kuei Tung’s then-companion Renee Pierre.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mottley and Symmonds will meet with the French leader to further discuss what part the G7 country can play in formulating the Bridgetown Initiative, which was recently adopted by the Caricom Heads of Government when they met in The Bahamas last month.

“President Macron has urged that he be allowed to form part of a cooperative agreement with Barbados so that there can be a sum-

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Foreign Affairs Minister Kerrie Symmonds

the Bridgetown Initiative,” Symmonds revealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lower House. He was giving an overview of the work of the Foreign

could we have envisaged that this type of relationship would have been fostered for this country 10 years ago,” the Minister added. (Nation News)

Antigua & Barbuda author Joanne Hillhouse to be awarded Anthony N Sabga Award

Award-winning Antigua and Barbuda author Joanne Hillhouse is this year’s recipient of the Anthony N Sabga Award, Caribbean Excellence for Arts & Letters.

As announced on Tuesday in Port of Spain by Awards’ Programme Director Maria Neilson, Hillhouse and two other 2023 Laureates (women’s health doctor Dr Adesh Sirjusingh of T&T and agri-researcher Dr Mahendra Persaud of Guyana) will each receive TT$500,000 in recognition and support of their work at a gala ceremony in Trinidad in June.

Hillhouse is the author of seven books, including the adult contemporary novel “Oh Gad!” and a tale of growing up titled “The Boy from Willow Bend”. She was runner-up for the Burt Award for Young Adult

Caribbean Literature in 2014 and has also published three children’s picture books.

She has long promoted the literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda.

University of West Indies (UWI) Professor Emeritus,

Mervyn Morris, has said of her: “Joanne Hillhouse deserves to be better known. I believe that as the word spreads, she will be recognised as an important Caribbean writer doing distinctive work.”

The Anthony N Sabga Awards, Caribbean Excellence have been awarded to Caribbean nationals who excel in the fields of Arts & Letters, Entrepreneurship, Public & Civic Contributions and Science & Technology, since 2006. This year’s three Laureates join a distinguished college of 57 awardees from across the Caribbean. Nominations for the 2024 Awards are now open at ansacaribbeanawards.com. The Awards are administered by the ANSA McAL Foundation – the philanthropic arm of the ANSA McAL Group. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

A broken window, after the supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro participated in an anti-democratic riot at Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 9, 2023 (Reuters/ Ueslei Marcelino)

Joanne Hillhouse

Around the World

New intelligence points to pro-Ukraine group in Nord Stream attack, NYT reports

New intelligence reviewed by US officials suggests that a pro-Ukraine group - likely comprised of Ukrainians or Russians - attacked the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September, but there are no firm conclusions, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

There was no evidence that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy or other Ukrainian Government officials were behind the attacks which spewed natural gas into the Baltic Sea, the

newspaper reported, citing US officials.

The Sept 26 explosions on the pipelines connecting Russia and Germany occurred in the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. Both countries have concluded the blasts were deliberate, but have not said who might be responsible.

The United States and NATO have called the pipeline attacks “an act of sabotage,” while Moscow has blamed the West. Neither side has provided evidence.

Denmark, Germany and Sweden said last month that their investigations have not yet concluded. The United States and Britain said on Tuesday they were waiting on those findings.

“We need to let these investigations conclude and only then should we be looking at what follow-on actions might or may not be appropriate,” said White House spokesperson John Kirby.

Germany said on Tuesday it had taken note of the New York Times report

but that its own investigation had not yet produced results. NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson both declined to comment on the New York Times report during a news conference in Stockholm. A senior aide to Zelenskiy, Mykhailo Podolyak, said that Kyiv was “absolutely not involved” in the blasts and has no information about what happened. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Suppressing China won’t make America great – Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang

China’s Foreign Minister says ChinaUS relations have “seriously deviated” while warning of potential conflict.

“Containment and suppression will not make America great. It will not stop the rejuvenation of China,” said Qin Gang.

Qin, China’s former ambassador to the US, held his first press conference as Foreign Minister on Tuesday.

The spy balloon saga has heightened tensions between the superpowers despite recent efforts to improve ties.

“It [the US] regards China as its primary rival and the most consequential geopolitical challenge. This is like the first button in the shirt being put wrong,” said

Qin Gang has held his first press conference as China’s Foreign Minister

Qin, speaking on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s parliament in Beijing.

The Foreign Minister was responding to a question on whether a healthy China-US relationship was still possible as differences between the countries grew.

continues to roar down the wrong road, no amount of guardrails can stop the derailment and overturning, and it is bound to fall into conflict and confrontation. Who will bear its disastrous consequences?”

He also said the diplomatic crisis caused by the balloon incident could have been averted but the US acted with “the presumption of guilt”.

what it really wants is for China to not hit back with words or actions when provoked, Qin added.

He was referring to US President Joe Biden’s comments last month that the US would “compete fully with China but [is] not looking for conflict”.

Oil falls by US$3/bbl as investors brace for steeper US rate hikes

Oil prices fell by US$3 a barrel on Tuesday after comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stoked rate hike fears, the dollar strengthened and top crude importer China issued weak data.

Brent crude futures shed US$2.89, or 3.4%, to settle at US$83.29 a barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped by US$2.88, or 3.6%, to close at US$77.58 per barrel. Those were the biggest single day percentage declines for both contracts since Jan 4. Powell told Congress the Fed would likely need to increase rates more than expected in light of recent strong economic data, pushing most commodities and financial markets lower.

“Those comments are ripping through the market, which has taken on a risk-off sentiment,” said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC in NYC.

The remarks boosted the US dollar , which jumped more than 1% to a three-month month high, weighing on dollar-denominated oil by making it more expensive for buyers paying with other currencies.

“A full percent move up is just tremendous,” Kilduff added. More pressure came from a contraction in China’s exports and imports in January and February, including crude oil imports, despite a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Given the high inflation in the US and Europe, demand from there should keep weakening, which also dampens processing demand in China,” said Iris Pang, ING’s chief economist for Greater China.

Prices were supported by forecasts for tighter supply and higher demand.

Washington has previously described the suspected spy balloon as a “clear violation of US sovereignty”. Beijing admitted the object belonged to them, but said it was a civilian airship blown off-course. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US crude production and demand will rise in 2023 as Chinese travel drives consumption, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short Term Energy Outlook.

Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth told a Houston conference there is “not a lot of swing capacity”, making the global market vulnerable to any unexpected supply disruption.

“The key unknown for 2023 will be the disruption to Russia’s oil and refined product exports,” Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Protesters in the small ex-Soviet state of Georgia threw petrol bombs and stones at Police on Tuesday night after Parliament gave its initial backing to a draft law on “foreign agents” which critics say represents an authoritarian shift.

Police in the centre of the capital Tbilisi used water cannon and tear gas in attempting to disperse thousands of demonstrators, who fear the draft law could hurt the South Caucasus country’s hopes of European Union membership.

The law, backed by the

The US called for establishing “guardrails”, but

Qin said: “If the US does not put on the brakes and

Bangladesh: Deadly explosion hits commercial building in Dhaka Georgians throw stones, petrol bombs at Police in protest over new law

ruling Georgian Dream party, would require any organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as “foreign agents”, or face substantial fines.

Critics have said it is reminiscent of a 2012 law in Russia that has since been used to crack down on dissent.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who wants to veto the law it if crosses her desk, said she was on the side of the protesters.

“You represent a free Georgia, a Georgia which

sees its future in the West, and won’t let anyone to take this future away,” she said in an address recorded in the United States, where she is on an official visit.

“Nobody needs this law ... everyone who has voted for this law has violated the constitution,” she said. Parliament, though, can override her veto.

Protesters angrily remonstrated with Police armed with riot shields who then used tear gas and watercannon. At least three petrol bombs, as well as stones, were thrown at Police. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 17 people have been killed and 140 injured in an explosion inside an office building in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, Police and fire service officials have said.

The explosion shook the fourth and fifth floors of a five-storey building in Gulistan, a major hub for wholesale goods in the capital, shortly before 5pm local time (11:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

Authorities could not immediately provide the reason behind the huge explosion in the bustling commercial area.

“At least 17 people have died, including two women,” Police Inspector Bacchu Mia told AFP.

Mia said more than 140 had been brought to

US President Joe Biden has proposed new taxes on the rich to help fund Medicare, saying the plan would help to extend the insurance programme’s solvency by 25 years and provide a degree of middle-class stability to millions of older adults.

In his plan, Biden is overtly declaring that the

wealthy ought to shoulder a heavier tax burden. His budget would draw a direct line between those new taxes and the popular health insurance programme for people older than 65, essentially asking those who have fared best in the economy to subsidise the rest of the population.

Biden wants to increase

the Medicare tax rate from 3.8 percent to 5 percent on income exceeding US$400,000 per year, including salaries and capital gains. That would likely increase tax revenues by more than US$117 billion across 10 years, according to prior estimates by the Tax Policy Center.

“This modest increase

in Medicare contributions from those with the highest incomes will help keep the Medicare program strong for decades to come,” Biden wrote in a Tuesday essay in The New York Times. He called Medicare a “rock-solid guarantee that Americans have counted on to be there for them when they retire”.

The proposed Medicare

Fire officials carry the body of a victim after the explosion in Dhaka building but more than 150 firefighters were at the site to assist in rescue efforts, a fire services spokesperson said.

the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

More than 112 people were treated for head wounds, fractures and other injuries at DMCH, hospital director Nazmul Islam told AFP.

No fire broke out in the

Biden proposes taxes on the rich to cover Medicare expenses

changes were part of a fuller budget proposal that Biden planned to release on Thursday in Philadelphia. Pushing the proposal through Congress will likely be difficult, with Republicans in control of the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Even though rescuers got to the scene within seven minutes of the blast, the extent of the damage has hampered their efforts to reach people who may still be stuck inside, according to Fire Department Chief Brigadier General Main Uddin.

“It’s risky to enter the building now,” he said. “We needed reinforcements for columns and beams to continue rescue (efforts) on the ground floor and the underground,” Uddin said.

“There is still the possibility of people stuck inside the building,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

You’ll have plenty to do, so don’t waste time. The busier you are, the easier it will be to avoid turmoil and interference. Don’t share personal information or believe everything you hear.

(March 21-April 19)

Patience will pay off and everything will fall into place. Take what comes your way and give it a unique spin; praise will follow. Make healthiness your goal.

(April 20-May 20)

Expect someone to lead you astray or get in your way. Focus on your goal, and be sure to finish what you start. Consider how you present yourself to others and update your image.

(May 21-June 20)

Confusion will occur if someone sends mixed messages. A change may be necessary, but you will need to prepare for it. Be resourceful, talk to experts and pay attention to detail.

(June 21-July 22)

Don’t give in to demands; do what makes the most sense to you. How you present yourself and your intentions will determine how others respond. Let your charm lead the way. Romance is in the stars.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Handle responsibilities before moving on to the things you consider unessential. Your ability to take care of matters efficiently and without anger will encourage cooperation.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

If there is something you don’t like, fix it. You can’t resolve matters if you don’t let others know how you feel and what you want. Showing interest in what others like will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Making comparisons will hold you back. Shoot for the stars, be open to doing things differently and bring about positive change. Ignore what others do or say and follow your instincts.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Be realistic, look at the facts and don’t count on anyone but yourself to fix what is going wrong. A social event will help establish your popularity and boost your confidence.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Don’t fight an impossible battle. Concentrate on what’s important to you, and you’ll make progress. A change to your living arrangements will resolve a pending problem.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Use emotional tactics to your advantage. If someone plays tough, suggest alternatives to control the outcome. Make personal gain and romance your goals.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Listen to reason and distance yourself from lofty suggestions that involve risks. You can avoid instability due to false information or poor decisions if you are true to yourself.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

McConnell to race for Hamilton’s X44 team in Extreme E Championship

Rising RallyCross star Fraser McConnell will drive for Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing Team in season three of the Extreme E Championship, the Jamaican announced on Instagram on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old McConnell replaces French veteran rally and rallycross driver Sebastien Loeb, who won the 2022 Extreme E alongside Cristina Gutiérrez.

“Reporting for duty @ lewishamilton,” McConnell announced in his Instagram page on Wednesday.

“So excited for this new chapter in my career racing for @teamx44 in season three of @extremeelive lin-

ing up with @cris_tortu. Big shoes to fill while replacing @sebloebofficiel but I am going to give it my all.”

McConnell is the most competitively successful Jamaican driver in the history of international rallycross racing. His championship victory in the 2019 Americas RallyCross Championship marked the first and only championship win by a Jamaican driver in the series’ history.

McConnell currently competes professionally in Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the Group E class. He made his rallycross career debut in 2018, competing in North America’s ARX2 series. In 2019, McConnell made his international racing debut

Police to investigate whether Ja Morant broke gun laws

with Olsbergs MSE. That same year, McConnell won the ARX2 championship, marking the first time in history for a Jamaican to lift the title.

In 2021, McConnell secured his first supercar victory, defeating three-time FIA world champion Johan Kristoffersson at the RallyX Nordic in Nysum, Denmark.

In February, McConnell won his second qualifying event at Stampede Park in Calgary, becoming only the third driver this season to claim three career top qualifier results in RallyCross, following his success at Glen Helen in California in late 2022.

The X44 team was founded by seven-time Formula

Jamual John wins in style on host ...

Following are the full results of the day’s races:

Veterans Under-50 1st Robin Persaud KFC Evolution

Veterans Over-50 1st Ian Jackson Flying Ace CC Juniors 1st Aaron Newtown We Stand United

Alexander Leung We Stand United

Sebastian Nathan Kaieteur Attack

Juveniles 1st Torrell Noel Bartica

Police have begun an investigation into a video appearing to show Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant holding a gun in a Colorado nightclub.

The All-Star guard has apologised following a live broadcast on his Instagram page on Saturday, and has been suspended for “at least two matches”.

Local Police are now investigating whether the 23-year-old broke gun laws. They confirmed the incident occurred in Glendale, near Denver, and are “investigating the matter”.

It is legal to carry a gun in Colorado with some exceptions, including possession while under the influ-

ence of alcohol.

The incident occurred hours after the Grizzlies lost 113-97 to the Denver Nuggets.

Afterwards, Morant said he took “full responsibility”, adding that he would “get help”. The NBA is investigating.

Morant is averaging 27.1 points and 8.2 assists per game this season, and made his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance last month.

In Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies, currently second in the Western Conference, lost to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. They play the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. (BBC Sport)

Females 1st Clivecia Spencer Team Coco’s

3rd Razaiha Robertson Bartica

Spiritualist- Are you depressed about your relationship, difficulties in job/career, hardship in money, clear negative blockages, trouble sleeping? There’s a way out. I can help you. Call: 651-1446.

Astrology Services - Are you suffering from any problems such as relationship problems, Job problems, negative blockages in life and many more? Come and meet me and change your life. Call: 634-8720.

Lodge. Tel. #: 231-1494/226-4277/ 231-1454/625-6600.

WANTED

Fraser McConnell

Ja Morant was drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA draft

MVP/GFF Women’s Development Football League 2023…

Pakuri, Foxy Ladies start playoffs in fine style

The MVP Sportssponsored Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Development Football League playoff got off to an exhilarating start on Saturday last at various venues, and Pakuri Warriors and Foxy Ladies Football clubs drew first blood on opening day.

In front of cheering fans, Pakuri Warriors defeated New Amsterdam United Football Club 5-0 at the St Cuthbert’s Village Ground in the Demerara-Mahaica region.

The home team took the lead 39 minutes into the game with a goal from striker Britney Poonsammy, and the crowd favourite went on to score three other goals to register a helmet trick, while teammate Sabantho Simon cemented the victory in the 61st minute with the team’s fifth goal of the match.

Meanwhile, Foxy Ladies came out on top against Essequibo United Football Club by winning a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 at the Anna Regina Multilateral School Ground on the

Essequibo Coast in Region Two.

A brace from Jencel Edmonson in the 21st and 51st minutes for Foxy Ladies, and one each from Aliyah Henry and Keisha Thomas in the 31st and 60th minutes respectively for Essequibo United ensured the match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time, spurring the penalty shootout.

This year is set to be an extraordinary year for wom-

en’s football in Guyana. The GFF Women’s Development Football League Playoff is an opportunity for players to show-off their incredible talent on a national stage.

Women’s Football Association (WFA) President Andrea Johnson congratulated all the teams from Saturday’s matches, and encouraged Guyanese to continue supporting women in football as the WFA works assiduously to give players more

match time.

“Congratulations to all the teams. WFA, in partnership with the GFF, has put together an exciting playoff that is a pathway for players to be accepted into existing national programmes. We are committed to growing the participation of women in football in Guyana, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting the sport,” Johnson shared.

Over the next month,

DCB names U15 squad after Georgetown lifts championship

12 clubs, featuring senior and junior national players, will play in venues across Guyana, inspiring a new generation of fans and female footballers.

The playoff is sponsored by MVP Sports and Urban Life.

The league was launched in June 2022 with 37 teams from across Guyana, and the intention is to give female players more match minutes.

At Saturday’s games, players exhibited a high level of fit-

ness and focus, giving fans a look at what is to come over the next few weeks.

The 12 FC clubs in the playoff are: Bartica All Stars, Potaro Strikers, Essequibo All Stars, Foxy Ladies, Milerock, Coomacka, Pakuri Jaguars, New Amsterdam United, Guyana Police Football Club, Guyana Defence Force, Fruta Conquerors, and Santos.

The much-anticipated championship match will be held on March 23.

WFA President Andrea Johnson attends prestigious FIFA leadership workshop

Following the conclusion of the Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB’s) Under-15 Association tournament, in which Georgetown emerged victors, the DCB has selected the U15 squad that would compete in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Under-15 Inter-County tournament 2023, scheduled to bowl off on March 14.

Mickel Sharma will lead the Demerara team in the Under-15 tournament. The team manager is Kumar Bishundial, while team coach is Latchman Yadram.

Demerara Under-15 team 2023 reads:

1. Mickel Sharma, Captain

2. Emmanuel Lewis, ViceCaptain

3. Munesh Outar

4. Permeshwar Ram

5. Ravin Singh

6. Navin Narine

7. Trilok Nanan

8. Roupie Rajaram

9. Brandon Henry

10. Shaker Ramesh

11. Reyaz Latif

12. Darwin La Rose

13. Ravin Persaud

14. Joshua Charles Reserve Players are

1. Anix Hemnarine

2. Samir Bhola

3. Niclas Simon

4. Udesh Jaikarran

5. Theirry Davis

6. Kadeem Campbell

Georgetown pips East Coast in Championship game

Georgetown defeated East Coast by four wickets to retain the (DCB) Under-15 Inter-Association tournament Championship Trophy

2023.

Georgetown won the toss and elected to field first. East Coast were bowled out for 107 scored from 34.4 overs of their allotted 50 overs.

Munesh Outar, who scored 45, was the lone batter to reach double figures. Anix Hamnarine collected 3 for 8, while Emmanuel Lewis took 2 for 28.

In reply, Georgetown reached their target of 109 for 7 from 31 of their overs.

Brandon Henry top scored with 27 runs, while Trilak Nanan chipped in with 21 and Lewis with 13 runs.

Mickel Sharma and Udesh Jaicharran collected 2 for 9 and 2 for 10 respectively. Georgetown won by 4 wickets.

President of the Women’s Football Association (WFA), Andrea Johnson, is attending the prestigious FIFA Women in Football Leadership Programme in Switzerland from March 6th to 10th.

The five-day FIFA and UEFA programme is being held in Lausanne, Geneva to promote women in leadership while creating a strong network of leaders who would influence improvement of the sport worldwide and be role models for other women.

“I consider it a high honour and privilege to represent the GFF at this prestigious FIFA/UEFA programme. I am indeed humbled by the confidence placed in me by President Wayne Forde and the GFF Council, and will endeavour to represent Guyana well, and use the knowledge gained to contribute more and build on the tremendous progress we have already made in the growth of women’s football in Guyana,” Johnson shared.

A total of 36 women from around the world will benefit from specialist leadership training and one-toone coaching. Johnson will also have a chance to share and listen to personal leadership experiences of women in football, from challenges to victories.

FIFA is investing heavily in the women’s game, doubling its funding to US$1 billion with the objectives of growing the game and increasing the number of female players to 60 million by 2026.

Upon her return, Johnson will share her experiences and training with women in football in Guyana.

The GFF remains committed to developing the women’s game through continuous investment, training programmes for players and officials at all levels, and national and international tournaments.

This is the fourth edition of the FIFA Women in Football Leadership Programme, which was launched in 2018.

The victorious Pakuri Warriors

The victorious Foxy Ladies

Georgetown won the DCB U15 tournament

Emmanuel Lewis Mickel Sharma

WFA President, Andrea Johnson

SA, WI seek one last Test high before switching focus to ODI World Cup

The Big picture

ForSouth Africa and the West Indies, the current World Test Championship will come to an end at the Wanderers with neither side competing for a place in the final, but both aiming for a better finish than they managed in their previous run.

South Africa ended the 2019-2021 cycle in fifth, West Indies ended in eighth; now they’re eyeing third and sixth places respectively. If nothing else, that represents progress at a time when Test cricket in both places is suffering a dearth of fixtures and relevance.

After this match, unless there are fixtures added to an already jam-packed calendar, South Africa will not play in whites for the next nine months - before hosting India in December - and opening their next World Test Championship cycle.

West Indies’ next Tests are also against India, but a little sooner, in July-August. Between now and then, both South Africa and West Indies will concentrate on securing their spots in the 2023 50-Over World Cup, with at least one of them set to appear in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.

For countries who were the third and fourth to play Test cricket respectively, the shift in priorities is too stark to ignore, but their desire to reassert themselves as important players in this format will be on full display this week.

You can expect both of them to make a strong case.

Although both teams have batting line-ups that are fragile under pressure, they boast strong seam at-

tacks, and, in theory, there’s no better place for them to put on a show than the Wanderers.

In practice, the Bullring has been unusually spinner-friendly this summer, and Simon Harmer and Bjorn Fortuin have been among the beneficiaries. To that end, South Africa have included two specialist spinners in their XI, and are hopeful the match will go beyond three days, to bring them into play.

West Indies won’t be too unhappy with that. A tamer surface will be more like home for them, and give them an opportunity to end on a positive note an away run that started in Australia and then travelled through Zimbabwe. While there won’t actually be any prize for West Indies if they win the match, it will be the first time they have not lost a series in South Africa. For the hosts, letting that record slip won’t be an option, especially as they seek to end the Test summer on a high.

In the spotlight

After bagging a pair on his captaincy debut, and being dropped from the T20 side for what white-ball coach Rob Walter said were “performance-based” reasons, Temba Bavuma’s fortnight can only get better. Test cricket is his best format, and he is South Africa’s most consistent batter and has scored a half-century in all but one of their last six series.

With South Africa’s #3 and #5 spots still up for debate in the batting line-up, Bavuma’s role in holding together the lineup at #4 is even more important, especially after the middle-order were blown away at SuperSport Park.

In the first Test, Raymon Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood showed the temperament required to bat on South African surfaces, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul will want to follow suit. He has had an impressive start to his career with a half-century in Australia and a dou-

ble-century in Zimbabwe, and will want to show that his ability to score runs in unfamiliar conditions extends to South Africa.

Chanderpaul’s partnership with Kraigg Braithwaite will also be under scrutiny, especially after they managed just 22 runs for the first-wicket in the first Test.

Team news

South Africa named their XI on the eve of the match, and have emptied their bench, with four changes from the team that played at SuperSport Park. Keegan Petersen drops out of the batting lineup, and Ryan Rickelton has been includedreward for a summer in which he scored three first-class hundreds in as many matches, and averages 121.66.

With Anrich Nortje out with a groin niggle, surprisingly, South Arica have included two spinners - Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj - as well as allrounder Wiaan Mulder.

Marco Jansen has been rested, and Senuran

WSUCC’s “One Guyana” Bartica Cycling Classic…

Muthusamy has lost his spot.

South Africa possible XI: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Tony de Zorzi, 4 Temba Bavuma (capt), 5 Ryan Rickelton, 6 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Simon Harmer, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Gerald Coetzee. Windward Islands batting allrounder Alick

Athanaze could be in line for a debut in place of Roston Chase. West Indies could also bring in left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie to replace Shannon Gabriel. West Indies: 1 Kraigg Braithwaite, 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Raymon Reifer, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Alick Athanaze/Roston Chase, 6 Kyle Mayers, 7 Joshua da Silva, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Shannon Gabriel/ Gudakesh Motie

Pitch and conditions

All eyes will be on Brendon Frost, the new

Wanderers groundsman, who is preparing his first Test strip. Frost was previously in charge at Willowmoore Park, so he is familiar with Highveld conditions and is unlikely to veer too far away from the traditional Johannesburg surface, with good pace and bounce on offer; but, in a plot twist of note, there is also likely to be some turn. The past few seasons have seen spinners among the wickets at the Wanderers, and a patchy, grassy surface could offer them something if the game goes past three days. They may be negated by the weather, to a degree. After a hot week in Centurion, there’s been some rain around in the build-up to the Wanderers Test, but clear skies are forecasted for the first four days, with thundershowers expected late on Sunday. A mid-week start to the match means there won’t be much of a crowd, with Friday afternoon likely to be when the stadium comes to life. (ESPNCricinfo)

Jamual John wins in style on host club membership debut …Newton, Persaud, Jackson, Noel & Spencer also win

Arobust performance from We Stand United Cycle Club’s (WSUCC’s) latest addition, Jamual John, saw him pedalling to victory in the second edition of the WSUCC’s “One Guyana” Bartica Cycling Classic Road Race held on Sunday last in Bartica. Coming back after the first edition in 2019, after being a victim of COVID-19, like all the other sports, Sunday’s event was well supported by the local fans, who turned out in their numbers to rally their local cyclists, who did well, apart from having another first-hand taste of the best cyclists in Guyana.

The sport has taken on positive growth in Bartica ever since the first event and the hosting of the 13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in Bartica under the Presidency of GFC boss Horace Burrowes in August 2019.

Sunday’s event was another move to consolidate the growth of the sport there, and was well supported by Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., National Sports Commission, Fazia’s Collection Variety Sales Complex, The Trophy

Stall of Bourda Market, Bartica Regatta Committee, Burrowes Construction, and the Mayor and Town Council of Bartica.

The main race, which was a combined event featuring the Under- and Over-50 cyclists, got off to a blistering start on the circuit-like course around the Town of Bartica, and was witnessed by the residents, dozens at the starting point, Futu’s Guinness Bar, while others line the route in front of their homes to cheer the riders on.

Jamual John and his teammates: Briton John and the junior winner on the day, Aaron Newton, along with

Curtis Dey of Team KFC Evolution, established the early advantage by breaking away from their peers. However, the Johns eventually rid themselves of all others in the one hour-plustwo-additional-lap contest.

It looked like there would have been a certain one-two end for Briton and Jamual, but Briton first suffered a puncture, then mechanical issues with his electronic cycle. The rule was that if there had to be a change to your cycle, it must be done at the starting line. While Briton complied when his wheel had to be changed, he did not when his cycle had to

be changed, and was therefore penalised by the organising club, which meant that he was disqualified from the race despite being assured of at least a second place.

This meant that Dey took second place ahead of junior rider Aaron Newton, who was followed by Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith of Team KFC Evolution.

Sherwin Sampson of Team Alanis, who is now venturing into the senior ranks from being a junior, and another young cyclist, Arjune Sookhai of Kaieteur Attack Cycle Club, followed in that order.

In brief remarks before starting the day’s action,

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who made the trek to Bartica to be part of the day’s action, noted that the WSUCC Bartica Classic personified the Government’s “One Guyana” vision by bringing the sport to more Guyanese, and he said he is pleased that the event was coined after His Excellency’s initiative of “One Guyana”.

Ninvalle pledged the NSC’s continued commitment to the event and the sport, while reminding that the NSC continues to sponsor the National Three-Stage Road Race and is aiming to revive the FiveStage Classic, which traditionally attracts over-

seas teams and individuals.

Bartica Mayor His Worship Gifford Marshall also spoke briefly at the opening ceremony, and expressed gratitude to WSUCC for again partnering with the Municipality to bring back the race, positing that it would aid in curtailing many of the social challenges being faced by the youths of the community. He also pointed out that it is his and the Municipality’s aim to provide opportunities for the youths to be involved in positive activities.

Marshall, who had worked along with Burrowes to bring off the 13th edition of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships, reminded that sports across the spectrum make way for opportunities in tourism, which is of absolute import to the community.

Host club President Franklin Wilson thanked all the clubs for supporting the event, as well as the fans, sponsors, and medical team from the Bartica Hospital, along with Commander Moore and his team from the Bartica Police Station, whose efforts in controlling traffic contributed to the hosting of a flawless event.

After the match at Wanderers, South Africa do not play another Test for nine months The Men in Maroon will be looking to level the Test series

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, handing over the winning prize to the elite/senior winner Jamual John

Done and dusted: Jamual John wins

amuel Badree has been named an Assistant Coach of the West Indies senior men’s team for the upcoming sixmatch white ball series against South Africa. Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced that the former West Indies

CWI Presidential Elections 2023…

Dr. Kishore Shallow has launched a progressive “Pushing the Boundaries” manifesto ahead of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) presidential elections.

In that manifesto, Dr. Shallow speaks to a necessary paradigm shift of CWI in attitude, commitment, and actions by all stakeholders. He has also elaborated on driving excellence to improve the fortunes of West Indies cricket.

The manifesto includes the strategic focus for Cricket West Indies under his leadership. Four key pillars are featured in the manifesto as his pivot for an improved future for the regional organization that governs cricket, namely:

1. Cricket development - the ongoing growth of a cricketer, from grassroots to senior.

2.Human Capital- establishing a purpose-driven culture epitomising pride and passion for West Indies cricket.

3. Commercial and Marketing - implementing a viable and lucrative com-

mercial model to enhance CWI’s revenue streams.

4. Governance - committing to the continued evolution of the organization by incorporating modern-day best practices that align with our culture.

“I am elated to share my vision for West Indies Cricket. A vision that has been shaped through thorough study of West Indian cricket history, numerous exchanges with stakeholders in cricket, and firsthand knowledge of the inner working of the organization. This manifesto is predicated upon my unwavering commitment to the values of respect and excellence. Respect for the game that has done so much for our people, and for the stakeholders, who continue to be the driving force behind the game. We must pursue excellence in doing our utmost to achieve our potential. This manifesto outlines a holistic and integrated plan to set Cricket West Indies back on a path to progress,” expressed Dr. Shallow.

The CWI Vice President

leg-spinner will join the squad for the three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and three T20 Internationals (T20I) from 16 to 28 March.

Badree said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be asked by CWI to join the team and work with

this great group of players in South Africa for the white ball leg of the tour.”

Badree, who previously assisted CWI as a spin bowling consultant, and worked in the IPL, believes this opportunity to be “a continuation and an extension of that”. He added:

“I look forward to catching up with the players, some who I played with and most I already know, as we seek to acquit ourselves well on what is expected to be a challenging tour of South Africa.

“I also look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with the players as we look to bring some positive results to our loyal fans.”

Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, said:

“I’m happy that Samuel is going to be spending time with our white ball teams

2012 and in India in 2016. He played 52 T20Is and picked up 56 wickets between 2012 and 2018 –during which time he was the world’s #1 ranked bowler in the T20 format.

West Indies are presently in South Africa playing in a two-match Test Series ahead of the white ball Series. The first Test at SuperSports Park in Centurion ended last Thursday. The Proteas won by 87 runs. The second Test starts on Wednesday, 8 March, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The white ball matches start on 16 March, with the first ODI at Buffalo Park in East London. The T20Is start on 25 March at SuperSports Park.

West Indies white ball match schedule

16 March: 1st ODI at

further said, “Consistent with the theme of the manifesto, ‘Pushing the Boundaries,’ we must escape our comfort zones and strive for a greater degree of efficacy in cricket administration. This must be a non-negotiable on and off the cricket field for sustainable success.”

Synonymous with cricket, specifically the game’s shorter formats, the manifesto comprises a section called PowerPlay. This lists ten items to be prioritized in the first six months of Dr. Shallow’s presidency.

Dr. Shallow recently accepted nomination for the CWI presidency, with elections scheduled for March 25, 2023.

About Dr. Kishore Shallow

A graduate of Walden University in Minnesota, with a Doctorate in Business Administration specializing

in Financial Management, Dr. Kishore Shallow also attained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business Computing from the University of Sunderland. In addition to serving as President of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association from 20142020, he has served with distinction as President of Windward Islands Cricket Board from 2019.

Dr. Kishore Shallow served as Vice President of CWI from 2019 to the present, and chaired the task force which developed the first West Indies Selection Policy. Further to this, he chaired the Franchise Review Committee and played an integral role in stabilizing the financial state of the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

in South Africa. He brings plenty of international experience and a strong desire to assist our slow bowlers in becoming world class. We believe this combination makes him ideally placed to add tremendous value to our support staff in South Africa, and specifically for our slow bowlers.”

Badree is a two-time T20 World Cup winner. He played a vital role in both T20 World Cup winning campaigns in Sri Lanka in

Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

18 March: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)

21 March: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

25 March: 1st T20Is at SuperSport Park, Centurion

26 March: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion

28 March: 3rd T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (night)

Dr. Kishore Shallow

Samuel Badree