Guyana Times - Wednesday, May 10, 2023.pdf

APNU, AFC join forces on Deputy Speaker candidate

The two main Opposition parties in Parliament - A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) - have between the two of them decided on a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

Since the resignation of former Deputy Speaker and Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) leader Lenox Shuman from Parliament, the position of Deputy Speaker has been vacant. The New

Movement (TNM) leader, Dr Asha Kissoon has taken Shuman’s seat as Member of Parliament (MP).

However, there’s no guarantee she will take his place as Deputy Speaker.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton said that APNU and its former coalition partner AFC, have come up with a candidate of

of the person at this time. But among the Members of Parliament, we’ve sat and agreed on this. And this is both APNU and AFC,” Norton said.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly usually comes from the Opposition. Back in 2020, Shuman had been elected Speaker of the House after being nominated by Prime

When the appointment was put to the vote among the MPs, however, Shuman had emerged victorious.

or which Opposition party must take up the post of Deputy Speaker.

their own.

“We have identified someone to be the Deputy Speaker. But we’re not prepared to disclose the name

Minister Mark Phillips.

Former Speaker of the House and MP at the time, Raphael Trotman had been the APNU/AFC’s nominee.

After not getting their way, the APNU/AFC parliamentarians had staged a walkout, where MP Cathy Hughes, who had nominated Trotman, expressed the party’s dissatisfaction with the choice for Deputy Speaker. However, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira had contended that even though the Speaker traditionally comes from the Government, there is no specification as to which side of the Opposition

In fact, she had reminded that it was the APNU/AFC – as combined Opposition parties before coalescing – that first broke that tradition in 2011 when they hijacked both posts from the then minority PPP/C Government.

Shuman’s term as Deputy Speaker ended when he resigned in March 2023, as per the term limit imposed by the joinder party’s agreement to rotate their seat in Parliament. The joinder parties – LJP, TNM and A New and United Guyana (ANUG)

– collectively won a single seat in the 65-seat National Assembly following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The number of votes indicated that of the trio, LJP secured the most votes with 2657, while ANUG and TNM secured 2313 and 244, respectively. The duration of the terms, according to the joinder agreement, had stipulated that LJP in the form of Shuman would occupy the seat for two years, six months, and 20 days, while ANUG would serve for two years five months, and TNM for 80 days. (G3)

Former Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

Dr Asha Kissoon

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, May 10 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Thursday, May 11 – 22:00h – 23:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 10 – 07:10h – 08:40h and Thursday, May 11 – 08:20h – 09:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

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

High Tide: 07:30h and 20:16 reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.29 metres.

Low Tide: 13:42h reaching a minimum height of 0.7 metre.

800 acres of land to be developed into Enmore industrial zone – Ali

…as works progress on 1st 250 acres; zone to connect to overall development

River bridge, over to the four-lane highway. Then the four-lane highway continues all the way to Diamond.”

“Diamond to Busby Dam is about to be tendered. Next weekend. Then initially, we are planning Busby Dam to Land of Canaan and then Silica City. So of course, very soon we’ll be signing the loan for the rebuild of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. That will lead into the new highway from Linden to Mabura Hill. So, this is the massive infrastructure transformation,” President

LOTTERY NUMBERS

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday embarked on extensive tours of ongoing infrastructural developments along the East Coast corridor from Conversation Tree to Enmore, where he revealed that 800 acres of land will be developed into the Enmore industrial zone.

The President, who was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar and other technical staff, explained that already, works are progressing on the first 250 acres. Once completed, the Enmore industrial zone will accommodate both light and heavy industrial and commercial activities.

“Enmore is going to be specifically for heavy industrial, industrial, heavy com-

on the Ogle to Eccles four lane highway. The plan, according to President Ali, is for easy access from Enmore

Ali further detailed.

When tenders went out for the infrastructural development of the Enmore industrial zone, an important project the Government has said will create numerous economic opportunities on the ECD and create as much as 4000 jobs, it had attracted multiple bids from local companies.

Industrial zone

The industrial zone is being built in lots one to six, and according to the bids that were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), as many as ten companies submitted

bids. B&J Civil Works bid for lots one, two and three. However, the remaining firms did not restrict themselves.

Abrams General Contracting Service Inc, R Kissoon Contracting Service, R Bassoo and Son construction, Pro Build Hardware, Sat Sais International, M&P Investment Incorporated, Nabi Construction, R&G Bacchus Mining, Quality Deliverer, Associated Construction Services and J&R General Construction Services bid for all six available lots.

Preparatory work included the clearing of obstacles and construction of internal roads for the Enmore industrial zone, which will be situated on land formerly used by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

As far back as 2021, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has been making it clear there are major plans to convert the Enmore Sugar Estate that was closed under the former Administration of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), into an employment hub for the ECD.

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mercial and commercial activities. Works are ongoing now to open up the first 50 five-acre plots. That’s 250 acres of industrial. After that, 500 acres will be developed for industrial, commercial and light commercial.”

“So, we’ll have a total of about 800 acres of land, developed in Enmore for industrial, commercial and light commercia. The work is already started, as you can see here,” President Ali said, pointing to a map showing the access road to enter the industrial site.

According to him, all the ongoing works in Enmore will be connected to the main East Coast highway and thus, connect back to Ogle where work continues

to Aubrey Barker Road in South Georgetown and then Cummings Lodge.

“It’s a complete horseshoe, connected to Ogle. Ogle is connected to Houston. Houston is connected to shore base. Then as you go on, you’ll get to the new overpass that will connect you to the new Demerara

President Ali offering words of encouragement to youths in Leopold Street engaged in block-making training

President Dr Irfaan Ali looks over a map with Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar and CH&PA Director of Projects, Omar Narine

President Ali during his visit to the Conversation Tree project

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Overcoming trauma of sexual violence

The local media have reported on numerous cases involving sexual assault that are engaging the attention of the judicial system. In quite a few of these court hearings, the nation has been shocked to learn of the details which emerged, of how the victims were sexually and physically abused.

In one of these cases, a taxi driver from Tucville, Georgetown, who has since been jailed for 11 years, preyed on a vulnerable sex worker. The victim, who in her impact statement said she is a mother of three, described the accused as a “monster”, noting that since the tragic ordeal, “I have a lot of fear, anger, hatred, and helplessness.” She besought the court to lock up the perpetrator for life, so that he could not hurt anyone else.

The rape survivor told the presiding Judge: “I want you to help me to get justice for myself and the other victims, because I wasn’t the only victim of that monster. I would want to kill him with my own hands, because that man destroyed our (her family’s) lives.”

This is just one of a long list of cases of women being sexually violated. While life would never be the same again for the victims involved, it is good to see that the perpetrators are facing justice for these despicable and cruel acts. However, this might just be the tip of the iceberg, as it is widely believed that many sexual abuse cases, including those involving children, are deliberately hidden and go unreported for various reasons.

Sexual violence against women and children is considered to be a gross violation of rights. According to UNICEF, sexual violence can take the form of sexual abuse, harassment, rape, or sexual exploitation in prostitution or pornography. It can happen in homes, institutions, schools, workplaces, in travel and tourism facilities; and within communities. Increasingly, the Internet and mobile phones also put children at risk of sexual violence, as some adults look to the Internet to pursue sexual relationships with children. There is also an increase in the number and circulation of images of child abuse.

A UNICEF study, “Hidden in Plain Sight”, estimates that, worldwide, around 120 million girls under the age of 20 (about 1 in 10) have been subjected to forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. Boys also report experiencing sexual violence, but they do so to a lesser extent than girls.

Evidence shows that sexual violence can have serious short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences, not only for girls or boys, but also for their families and communities. Those include increased risks for illness, unwanted pregnancy, psychological distress, stigma, discrimination, and difficulties at school.

In Guyana, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) and the Human Services Ministry, along with various NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), have been on the frontline in bringing some of these cases to light. These agencies must continue to work diligently in ensuring that all such cases are brought to the fore, where they could be properly investigated and prosecuted.

The Guyana Police Force is also a key partner in the fight against sexual violence perpetrated on women and children. The Force must continue to provide the necessary training to its officers in order to properly investigate sexual crimes against women and children. Our women and children need to be assured that when violence against them is reported, the law would act quickly to persecute the perpetrators, and that our judicial system would function efficiently and equitably to bring such criminals to justice.

Importantly, too, is that all the necessary support systems must be put in place to ensure victims and their families are provided with counselling, etc, to overcome the trauma of sexual violence.

Women and children, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, cultural or social backgrounds, deserve to live in an environment where they feel safe and are part of loving and nurturing families.

On May 9, the European Union celebrates Europe Day. On this same day in 1950, in the aftermath of the devastating Second World War, Robert Schuman, the Foreign Minister of France, proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. His goal was to build a Europe free from conflict, based on economic cooperation and integration. This, he knew, had to be done step by step.

Moving well beyond coal and steel, those old engines of economic progress, the EU is engaged today in most areas of human activity, including the fight against the climate crisis, the development and regulation of AI, and the use of outer space. Furthermore, the EU has become a bulwark of democracy, and promotes security, economic development, human rights, and fundamental freedoms throughout the world.

These are objectives shared by the UK. Nowhere is this more evident than in our common response to the outbreak of war on the European continent: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This unprovoked aggression poses the gravest military threat to global security we have been confronted with since the end of the Cold War. It is not only a threat to Europe, but to the world at large.

The war of conquest,

launched by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, violates key principles of sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. And this violation is perpetrated by one of the largest military powers in the world, whose leaders and their supporters are now responsible for war crimes and the gravest attacks against humanitarian law. They blatantly ignore Russian responsibility to safeguard international peace and security as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The EU and the UK have risen to the occasion in this hour of need. More visible than ever before, the EU has become a vertebral column for security and prosperity in Europe, and an indispensable partner for all those - European and non-European - engaged in supporting Ukraine and working for the re-establishment of international peace and security.

The UK deserves special mention among those international partners. As on past occasions, London’s voice and efforts, from the outbreak of the conflict and even before, have been strong in defending international legality and providing determined support to Ukraine. One could say that, after Brexit, the EU and the UK have rediscovered each other and the strong ties

Britain

again

that unite them in their defence of Ukraine and of peace in Europe.

Indeed, our cooperation has been constant and intense since very worrying threats started to surface at Ukraine’s borders, and even more after the Russian invasion was launched. As acknowledged in the UK’s recent review of Foreign and Defence Policy, Europe’s security is the UK’s primary interest; and the EU is an indispensable partner. This may also have weighed on the pragmatic and constructive approach followed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in finding a negotiated solution that is the Windsor framework.

For the EU, a main goal has been to find joint solutions to the challenges Brexit has created for the Good Friday agreement. Continued work with the UK has succeeded, in the spirit of that landmark agreement, to find collective, and at times imaginative, solutions listening to, and respecting, all communities in Northern Ireland. Rediscovery of common interests and concerns has led to the Windsor framework and to a much welcome and necessary regain in trust in EU-UK relations. The task ahead is therefore to build on this re-engagement.

It is to our mutual ad-

vantage that we have solid relations between our societies, our business and academic communities; and the need to ensure they continue engaging with, and enriching, each other in a mutually profitable and respectful manner. A strong UK and a strong EU are valuable partners.

The authors are UKbased Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Brussels and 27 member countries: European Union: Pedro Serrano; Austria: Michael Zimmermann; Belgium: Bruno van der Pluijm; Bulgaria: Marin Raykov; Croatia: Igor Pokaz; Cyprus: Andreas S Kakouris; Czech Republic: Marie Chatardova; Denmark: René Dinesen; Estonia: Viljar Lubi; Finland: Jukka Siukosaari; France: Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne; Germany: Miguel Berger; Greece: Yannis Tsaousis; Hungary: Ferenc Kumin; Ireland: Martin Fraser; Italy: Inigo Lambertini; Latvia: Ivita Burmistre; Lithuania: Eitvydas Bajarunas; Luxembourg: Georges Friden; Malta: Emmanuel Mallia; Netherlands: Karel van Oosterom; Poland: Piotr Wilczek; Portugal: Nuno Brito; Romania: Laura Popescu; Slovakia: Robert Ondrejcsak; Slovenia: Simona Leskovar; Spain: José Pascual Marco; Sweden: Mikaela Kumlin Granit. (The Guardian)

First there was Brexit, now there is Ukraine: The war has helped

and the EU find each other

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo sharing a photo with schoolchildren during his visit to the Mabaruma Sub-Region of Region One (Barima-Waini) on Tuesday afternoon (Barima-Waini Region RDC photo)

Does economic development result in less crime?

Dear Editor,

There is a popular theory that expanding economic development would lead to a decrease in criminality through making available several opportunities for jobs, housing, medical care/access, social and occupational mobility, and other forms of empowerment. However, as attractive as this theory might appear, it has not worked for some countries, like the USA, that have experienced increasing crime with expanding economic development.

I therefore sought to explore if this theory could apply to Guyana. An analysis covering the period 2014 to 2022 shows that expanding economic development has not led to an increase in criminality. As Guyana advances in its development thrust, the incidents of serious crimes reported to the Police have been declining after 2014, while the GDP has been expanding rapidly from 2019, partly because of oil production and revenues. The chart shows the relationship between economic development as measured by GDP and crime. An index for crime and GDP was created using 2014 as the base to allow for comparison.

I utilised the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) to determine if there is any relationship between expanding economic development and an increase or decrease in criminality. The existing

data show a negative but weak correlation (r -0.452, not significant P<.05). As GDP increased, crime moved negatively in the opposite direction; that is, it declined from 2015 to 2022. Property crimes (burglary, larceny, robbery), for example, have declined by 28.9% from 2019 to 2022, while crimes of passion (murder, wounding, rape) showed a slight increase of 1.5% for the same period.

One might also want to contend that GDP growth is not necessarily a good indicator of economic development. Well, to augment the GDP, the UNDP’s Human Development Index (HDI) has been referenced. Guyana scored 0.65 in 2017 (medium development), but 3 years later (2020), its HDI score increased by 10.9% to 0.721, thus making the country a “high human development” category. Guyana is in the same HDI category as Jamaica and Suriname, but falls below Trinbago, which has

Guyanese at International Indentured Conference for Fiji Girmit Day celebrations

Dear Editor,

A global Indentureship (Girmitiya) Conference will be held on May 12 and 13, and a number of other activities are planned to commemorate Girmitiya Day, or Indian Arrival in Fiji. This year will be the first national public holiday for Indian Arrival, or Girmitiya Day. Indian activists lobbied the Government for a national holiday. The Prime Minister campaigned in last year’s election on a promise to make it a holiday, and has now delivered.

Indians first arrived in Fiji on May 14. The Girmit Day celebration and holiday is on May 15th, and will be held at various locations throughout the country. The main attraction will be at Albert Park in Suva, the capital city. The Government has allocated funds for national celebrations.

Deputy Prime Minister Professor Dr Biman Prasad has said that four days of events are being planned to

mark Girmit Day celebration.

Girmit Conference Chair Dr Ganesh Chand has said that around 150 scholars locally and from abroad are also expected to arrive in the country to participate in the two-day international conference on Girmit Day.

This writer, Clem Seecharan, Baytoram Ramharack and a few other Guyanese are participants. The Fiji Government is hosting us. Some Trinis and Surinamese are also presenting papers.

The conference will be at USP, or University of South Pacific, with participants coming from the Caribbean, North America, India, Australia, UK, New Zealand and other countries.

Several Guyanese studied at USP. Some Guyanese also taught there. This writer delivered guest lectures in multiple trips to Fiji over the last three decades.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

an HDI score of 0.81 (very high). In 2021, there was a slight drop in Guyana’s HDI index. A perfect HDI score is 1.0.

With massive spending on education, health, housing, water, infrastructure, and job creation, the HDI index is expected to rise above the 2020 level in 2023. These data indicate that economic development and human development exist in a symbiotic relationship, and that GDP could indeed be utilised as a genuine indicator of economic development. (The HDI is compiled by UNDP, and is based on 3 indicators: 1. long and healthy life, 2. access to knowledge, and 3. decent standard of living).

While there is a weak negative relationship between GDP and crime in Guyana, this should not obscure the reality that certain types of crime, like rape, stir the conscience of people, and when its incidence rose by 83% between 2019 and 2021, that could

not offer any solace to citizens. A sigh of relief occurred when it was reported that the incidence of rape declined by 23.7% in 2022. But the 2022 figure was still high (N=255). The incidence of wife murders also rattles the nation, and does not paint a good picture of social control methods deployed by the authorities. Murders are integral to the domestic violence situation. Often, role conflicts and infidelity are the main precipitating factors of domestic violence. While economic development has not led to an increase in criminality so far, it is difficult to predict if this condition would persist into the future, and for how long. Keeping crime under control would depend on several factors: (1) economic: implementation of policies for reduction in poverty and unemployment, empowerment programs; (2) psychological: reduction of hopelessness and reduction of relative deprivation; (3) social: the effectiveness of rehabilitation/reform programs: (4) law enforcement: the quality of policing and law enforcement; and (5) societal response: the level of tolerance for crime and the effectiveness of the partnership between policing and community groups. Public safety must always be a top priority.

Sincerely Dr Tara Singh

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023

14:30

15:00 A TVG Mother's Day

16:00 Power Rangers: Super Ninja Steel S1 E22

16:30 Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. S1 E8

17:00 The Young & The Restless

18:00 CNN

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Stop Suffering

20:30 Stand-up Comedy

21:00 Manifest S3 E1

22:00 You S4 E1

23:00 The Office S3 E2

23:30 Grace & Frankie S5 E10

00:00 Sign off

CXC Questions: Maths

Sir Mars' brutal murder Fun night turned deadly: suspect confesses to stabbing Mars, crushing him with car

As Police intensified their investigations into the murder of popular teacher and comedian, Kirwyn Mars, who was brutally murdered on Sunday evening, investigators have arrested the prime suspect, who has since confessed to the heinous crime.

This was confirmed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who stated the suspect was arrested at his place of employment on Tuesday.

According to Blanhum, detectives were able to secure a confession from the

suspect, who detailed the moments leading up to Mars’s death.

Based on information received, Mars, popularly known as “Sir Mars” and the suspect, who are known to each other, went for drinks prior to the murder.

In his confession, the suspect related that Mars contacted him and invited him out for a few drinks. He told investigators that he and Mars went to a popular drinking spot along Cemetery Road, Georgetown, where they consumed about two cases

of beer.

After a while, they both agreed that they had enough and made a decision to leave the spot. According to the suspect, Mars told him that he had to visit the ATM to withdraw some money.

They then proceeded to an ATM in Ruimveldt, Georgetown, but according to the 25-year-old suspect, the machine was temporarily out of order. The suspect said they then decided to travel to Diamond via the Mandela-Eccles highway but on their way to that location, they had a misunder-

800 acres of land to be...

The private sector has also come on board, with an agreement being signed last year for majority Guyaneseowned joint venture company Guysons K+B (GKB) Industries Inc, which has acquired 55 acres of land in Enmore from the Guyana Government, to establish a fabrication facility that would be offering services to the oil and gas industry.

The services to be offered would include tubular goods, premium threading and accessory services, as well as turnkey manufacturing solutions. Over 500 job opportunities are expected to be created over the next five years with the coming on stream of this US$35 million investment.

The company also started a training needs assessment and administrative process last year to employ over 40 workers from GuySuCo’s Enmore Sugar Packaging Facility, in keeping with an agreement with the State to train and employ Enmore sugar workers at the indus-

trial development site.

Other projects

Among the other visits President Ali made, was to the ongoing construction of 700 young professional homes in La Bonne Intention (LBI) where he inspected the works. Contractors are working to construct the homes before year-end. Minister Indar meanwhile noted during the visit that the development at LBI is strategically positioned to provide seamless traffic from the community and Georgetown.

President Ali also inspected works on the $1.8 billion Conversation Tree project that is underway through the Ministry of Public Works. It was observed during the visit that the contractor is currently constructing concrete drains along the 4-lane road project.

While President Ali said the road will be incorporated with the Ogle-Eccles Road, with multiple entry and exit

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points, Minister Indar noted the project is also intended to reduce traffic congestion surrounding Sheriff Street.

An added benefit, according to Indar, is that the communities surrounding the project will be aesthetically and economically boosted with the expected rise in property values to brought on by the development.

The President also visited work being done by Leopold Street residents in block-making training, where the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is providing technical support for the Leopold Street workers.

While there, the Head of State said the residents can be an example for other youths desirous of being part of the development of Guyana. He also expressed pride in their work and urged them to continue. Additionally, Minister Indar commended the workers for their dedication on the project. (G3)

standing which led to a scuffle.

In his confession, the suspect claimed that during the argument, he picked up a bottle and struck Mars to the head and in retaliation, Mars collected a knife that was in the car and attacked him.

The suspect admitted that he relieved Mars of the knife and in turn stabbed him several times.

The suspect told investigators that after receiving the stab wounds, Mars brought the car to a stop, exited from the driver’s seat and walked to the back of the vehicle.

It was at this point, the suspect claimed that he was trying to retrieve his phone

that had fallen in the car during the scuffle when his hand touched the lever and accidentally put the car in reverse, ultimately crushing Mars.

After realising what had happened, he claimed that he panicked and escaped the scene. Crime Chief Blanhum told Guyana Times that the young man went to work as normal on Monday and Tuesday.

After his arrest, he was

taken to CID Headquarters where he is cooperating with the investigators.

Mars, 51, was found pinned under his car at Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Reports are that Mars, of Lot 211 New Settlers Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was found at about 22:30h on Sunday.

Mars was the Deputy Head Master at the New Central High School. (G10)

Dead: Kirwyn Mars, popularly known as Sir Mars

Ruling on oil-spill insurance coverage

Catastrophic consequences

It was pointed out that the very permit at the heart of the case, is critically important to Guyana’s economic growth.

It was argued that should the permit, which pertains to the Liza 1 and 2 fields, be cancelled, this would therefore have catastrophic consequences on the economy.

Where have all...

…the Guyanese gone?

Days after the High Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to require an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee and/or Affiliate Company Guarantee Agreement from ExxonMobil for its operations in the Stabroek Block, the agency has filed an appeal and applied for a stay in execution of the judgement.

In the Notice of Appeal, EPA Executive Director Kemraj Parsaram is seeking a stay of Justice Sandil Kissoon’s order, until the appeal to overturn the ruling can be heard. Parsaram, who is represented by Attorney-atLaw Sanjeev Datadin, argued in his appeal that the court’s reasoning was flawed and that the permit is in keeping with the law.

“The trial court erred in law in its interpretation, consideration and application of the combined effect of Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit… and erroneously concluded that the financial assurance to be provided by the third respondent herein, EEPGL, in relation to the

said permit was unlimited.”

“The trial court erred in law and misconstrued the Environmental Protection Act and its regulations to determine that the appellant, a statutory body had specific statutory powers which in fact it did not have,” he contended in the appeal.

Other contentions of the EPA Executive are that the court wrongly ascribed a meaning to the Environmental Protection Act that was contrary to specific provisions in that very Act. It was also noted that the court “in effect substituted its own discretion as the decision of the appellant when the appellant, at all material times, had exercised its discretion and acted well within its statutory and regulatory powers.”

He further noted that the court orders are coercive and entirely removes the EPA’s discretion, which will have severe consequences. According to the Executive Director in the filing, there would be severe disruption to the national economy if the order is allowed to stand.

“Guyana as a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conducted on the Liza 1 and Liza 2 fields, both of which are subject to the permit. The suspension or cancellation will have a catastrophic effect on national funds for development and also the private sector which supports the activities on the said Liza 1 and 2 fields,” the EPA noted in the appeal.

In his ruling, Justice Kissoon had ordered EPA to issue ExxonMobil with an enforcement notice on or before May 9 to provide the Parent Company Guarantee. In that ruling, he had said that failure to do so would result in the Environmental Permit being suspended. It is expected that EPA will be granted an expedited hearing on the matter, ensuring the permit is preserved until the case is heard.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had pointed out after the ruling that the Environmental Permit imposes no obligation on the Permit Holder to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or Affiliate Company Guarantee Agreement.

Hence, Nandlall had contended the Judge erred in his findings. The AG, too, pointed out that this ruling can have profound ramifications and grave economic as well as other impacts on the public interest and national development.

In September 2022, the President of the Transparency

Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Fredericks Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte had moved to the court to get the EPA to implement the liability clause in the permit issued to ExxonMobil (Guyana) for its operations.

They wanted the court to ensure Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) takes full financial accountability in the case of harm, loss, and damage to the environment from a well blowout, oil spill, or other failures in the Stabroek Block.

On the issue of whether the EPA acted in breach of its statutory duty and unreasonably permitted Esso to carry out petroleum production operations in the absence of compliance with the terms of the permit, Justice Sandil Kissoon ruled that the EPA has committed an illegality, acted unlawfully, ultra vires, unreasonably, in defiance of logic, irrationally, and without any jurisdiction.

Hence, the court ordered that the agency issues the Enforcement Notice to EEPGL on or before May 9 to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, and failure to do so would result in the suspension of its Environmental Permit. (G3)

Your Eyewitness was pleased to read there was another Diaspora Conference held at - and sponsored by - UG. He still hasn’t recovered from the last one held almost five years ago by the bow-tied wonder VC Ivelaw Griffith!!

Your Eyewitness suspects THAT bash was more about getting some Guyanese from “foreign” to see him acclaimed as VC!! In the FIRST Investiture Ceremony in the history of the institution! Ahh…it was a sight to behold…the entire faculty in a procession decked out in their medieval academic regalia to confer “official powers and responsibilities” on the ex-YSM leader!! Local boy made good!!

And he got a Cacique Crown of Honour, even before he’d settled in, from his squaddie Granger!! That Diaspora and Investiture Conference was held at the Princess Ramada and cost a cool $10 million. But, then again, this was the man who’d created a 12-person CABINET - with FOUR Deputy Vice Chancellors - to help him run UG!! JUST LISTEN TO THEIR TITLES - Philantrophy, Alumni and Civic Engagement, Office of Strategic Initiatives, and yes - Academic Engagement!! He’d flown up with them to NY as part of a huge “fund raising” entourage at a cost of US$4 million - and brought back US$2 million!! Yep…that’s how the University would become “self-sustaining”!!

Anyhow as your Eyewitness looked at the speechifying at this second Diaspora Conference, he wondered if all those offices were functioning - and what they’d done the last five years. He knew they were all drawing their fat salaries!! He wondered - not so idly - whether the glossy, slick “Renaissance” Magazine was being produced?? The ones your Eyewitness had seen while Griffith was around were all about Griffith. So maybe they ran out of “renaissance” content with the departure of the Renaissance Man??

Anyhow, your Eyewitness was just blown away by the presentation of the present VC. Your Eyewitness heard there were THREE TIMES the number of Guyanese OUTSIDE Guyana as in!! Imagine that!! Since we GOT about 750,000 of us in our dear Mudland, that means there are 2,250,000 of us in foreign?? WOW!! This must be the result of some real cutting-edge research, since a figure of this magnitude has never been floated!! And, you know, in these matters, a lot of stuff floats to the top!!

Then there was the announcement that we produced 50,000 graduates, and if you ADD the cost to produce them to the amount they could’ve earned if they’d stayed (opportunity cost), we could’ve earned a cool US$1 TRILLION!! Now that’s ONE THOUSAND BILLION US DOLLARS!! Even Trinidad with its oil revenues IN TOTAL didn’t earn that much!! Your Eyewitness wonders what they’d be doing to rake in so much moolah!!

Shipping coke??

…the money gone??

We know that, for the longest while, Haiti’s been a “basket case” - economically and otherwise. In fact, most Guyanese appreciated their plight when, in 1989, the McIntyre Report - by the eminent economist of that name - showed us just ABOVE Haiti. Imagine, there were persons worse off than us!! We read they’ve been ruled by a series of vicious dictators who preyed on their people. Recently, we heard about violent gangs taking over the place and wreaking havoc with the lives of the long-suffering people.

But did you, dear reader, even wonder how this all started?? As a West Indian, you must know that Haiti waged the FIRST SUCCESSFUL SLAVE REBELLION IN THE WORLD - against their French rulers. They created a country - which was more than Spartacus even did!! But, with the connivance of the US, France was able to impose a penalty on Haiti, which was only repaid recently!! And this is what drained them for centuries.

Now, France’s Macron says Haiti’s “a primary concern” to his country. So, they’ll repay their ransom??

…the loyalty gone??

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves told the BBC that it’s “absurd” Charles III is Head of State of St Vincent!! Trouble is, St Vincentians still want their monarch - as per their 2000 referendum!!

Judge’s reasoning flawed, erred in interpretation of law – EPA to Appeal Court …says cancellation of permits will have catastrophic effect on Guyana’s economy

EPA Executive Director Kemraj Parsaram

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

Justice Sandil Kissoon

Climate change demands transition to technology-driven agriculture – Mustapha …calls

on extension officers to be more responsive

have proper forecasting, not only around Georgetown and urban areas but places like Region Nine, Region One, Region Eight so that farmers in those areas can have the same kinds of benefit,” he explained.

Aligned with the efforts to boost local agricultural produce and value-added commodities is the strides to increase transportation mechanisms.

“Being cognisant of accelerating agricultural production and boost-

Guyana mobilising support for standing forest – Ali tells Australian diplomat

equipped with the latest technologies and knowledge to ensure that farmers are aware of the best practices and methods to enhance their productivity and profitability. There should be a focus on educating farmers and rural families on the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices and most cost-effective techniques,” Mustapha told the officers.

In light of greater emphasis being placed on the extension system, the

Effects of climate change on agriculture will require an approach that incorporates technology and modernised practices, if Guyana is to achieve its regional targets.

This was announced by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday as he addressed some 250 agriculture extension officers from all ten administrative regions during a training exercise in order to improve services to farmers across the country.

An example is the fluctuation and higher volumes of rainfall detected as opposed to some years ago. To this end, the Minister asserted that extension officers will have to become more responsive in advising farms on best practices and adaptation.

He positioned, “We now have to be more aggressive, more responsive, more reorganised and result oriented. Those are the things we have to achieve as extension officers. We have to encourage the establishment of modern farms, increased use of technology and more efficient farm practices.”

Infrastructure is also being modernised to match this pace, ranging from farm to market roads, improved irrigation, new laboratories and processing facilities.

Millions has been injected in the Hydrometeorological Services to improve forecasting as well and very soon, farmers can expect better weather forecasts with the installation of equipment across the country.

“We are looking at different areas across the country to put in these weather equipment so that we can

ing interregional trade, the Government of Guyana has created an enabling environment that will strengthen the agri-food system. As such, there has been an increase in both public and private investments in the agriculture sector.”

The need for a robust and coordinated extension system was called for so as to improve access to farmers and rural stakeholders. As such, the extension officers were urged to showcase greater proactivity to extend their reach to farmers in need of assistance.

“This system should be

Agriculture Ministry is taking steps to reform existing operations. A plan for transformation has also been put forward for every region and boundaries have been determined for 31 extension districts within the 10 regions.

The Government official underscored that extension officers serve as the initial link between the Government and farmers, and consequently, extension services should be delivered in a way that the Government’s policies and vision for the sector can be achieved.

Recognising renewed support and collaboration between Guyana and Australia, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday accepted the letter of credence from the new High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia to Guyana Sonya Koppe.

Ali assured the High Commissioner that Guyana is aligned with many of the policies and programmes that Australia promotes and called for stronger cooperation between the two nations.

Guyana is undergoing a period of transformation and is building an ecosystem to support the country’s quest to become a global leader in climate, energy and food security, the President added.

As such, the Government is mobilising support for the country’s standing forest and will ensure that the forest plays a central role in climate change mitigation.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 keeps maintenance of its forests as a core value, striving to address forest climate services, biodiversity and water management as well as the

potential of integrating with the emerging voluntary carbon markets.

The strategy also seeks to create a model to grow the economy and keep energy emissions flat, protect the coast and hinterland from climate change, create jobs in low-carbon sectors and integrate Guyana’s economy with its neighbours.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper were also at the Tuesday event.

Guyana and Australia formally established diplomatic relations in 1973.

Koppe assumed her role as Australia’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago in March and will serve in the Caribbean until 2026, and is accredited to not only Guyana but also Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Haiti; Jamaica; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Extension officers during the exercise on Tuesday

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha delivering remarks

President Dr Irfaan Ali accepts the letter of credence from High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia to Guyana, Sonya Koppe

Cases heard doubled in countries after acceding CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction – Judge

…St Lucia becomes 5th State to recognise Court for final appeal

Caribbean states which have acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice’s appellate jurisdiction have seen the volume of cases being heard almost double on an annual count, thereby expanding access to justice for their citizens.

This was revealed in light of an announcement that the Constitution of Saint Lucia (Amendment) Act has been assented to by the Governor General of Saint Lucia, and the state has now officially acceded to the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction.

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders welcomed the move on Tuesday, sharing that Saint Lucia now becomes the fifth Caricom nation to take this defining step.

In a statement, Justice Saunders penned, “The CCJ welcomes the opportunity to serve the citizens of that country. Statistics collated by the Court in 2022 reveal that in each Caribbean state that has acceded to the CCJ’s appellate juris-

diction, the volume of cases being heard by that country’s final court annually has at least doubled, thereby contributing to the dynamism of the country’s jurisprudence and considerably expanding access to justice for its citizenry. We have no doubt that Saint Lucia too will have a similar experience.”

This has materialised about one year after Saint Lucia had announced steps toward breaking ties with

the British Privy Council.

The Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Dame Janice Pereira, and the President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association, Diana Thomas Hunte, have been written to, advising of the readiness of the CCJ’s Registry staff to assist Saint Lucian court officials, litigants and counsel alike in the use of the CCJ’s electronic filing and case management portals in order

to facilitate access to the Court.

“The CCJ looks forward to serving the people of Saint Lucia as we do all the states and people of the Caribbean Community and in particular, those of Guyana, Barbados, Belize and the Commonwealth of Dominica, whose final appeals we hear,” he added.

He noted that the CCJ looks forward to more Caricom states accessing the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction in the future.

The CCJ has two jurisdictions, an appellate jurisdiction and an Original Jurisdiction. In its appellate jurisdiction, the Court serves as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal matters for those countries of the Caribbean Community which are parties to the Agreement and have acceded to the appellate jurisdiction. In its Original Jurisdiction, the Court is a court of first instance which applies rules of international law in respect of the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Apart from Saint Lucia,

the Court receives cases in its appellate jurisdiction from Guyana. Barbados, Belize and Dominica.

Justice Saunders had expressed disappointment last year that almost two decades after the CCJ was inaugurated, only a handful of Caricom countries have enacted laws to make the Trinidad-based court their final court of appeal.

The other countries, including the most populous ones – Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica – continue to have Her Majesty’s Privy Council decide their final appeals.

Addressing this issue, the CCJ President had un-

derscored that, “Whether a State chooses to continue having Her Majesty’s Privy Council adjudicate its final appeals is of course a fundamental constitutional question for that Government and its people. It is disappointing, however, that any Caribbean country should renege on its treaty responsibilities preferring instead to have British Judges continue to interpret its Constitution and laws”. According to Justice Saunders, the Governments of Guyana, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica “made a wise decision” in accepting the CCJ as their final court of appeal. (G12)

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders

Vacationing Guyanese dies after crashing into WBD culvert

accident occurred at about 22:30h on Sunday evening as Lochan was driving motor car PVV 2319, with two male passengers.

According to Police, Lochan was heading south along the Versailles Public Road when he lost control of the car, which was moving at a high speed and collided with a culvert located on the western side of the road. The car then overturned and fell into a nearby trench.

Public-persons, who witnessed the accident, immediately rushed to the scene and pulled Lochan and the two passengers out of the submerged vehicle.

An overseas-based Guyanese, who was on vacation in Guyana, crashed and died on Sunday evening after the car he was driving collided into culvert at Versailles Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

Dead is Krishnadat Lochan, 32, who lived in the United States but was vacationing at Good Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Reports are that the

Lochan was unconscious with visible injuries and was transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The news of the tragic accident has left the family and friends of Lochan in shock and disbelief as many have taken to social media to express their condolences and share their memories of him. Lochan had been living overseas for some time but recently returned to Guyana to spend time with his family here.

His body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour. Police have since launched an investigation.

Dead: Krishnadat Lochan

Guyana exchanges dialogue on stronger legislative practices at IRI forum

Through a recent International Republican Institute (IRI) legislative forum at the Marriott Hotel, Guyana was able to foster dialogue with US Congressional Representatives on nurturing stronger legislative practices and democratic resilience.

United States retired Congressional Representatives, David Price and Erik Paulsen; former Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director Karen Glaser, and Guyanese Members of Parliament (MPs) exchanged experiences on stronger legislative practices. MPs representing Government and Opposition parties engaged in the forum.

In her opening remarks at the first session, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch said, “It is truly my sincere hope that

everyone participating will come together to exchange ideas and possible solutions, not only with the former Congressmen and professional Chief of Staff, but also with the Government as a representative parliamentary institution that speaks for all Guyanese citizens.”

Ambassador Lynch encouraged MPs to actively engage in discussions because their contributions “give life to the democratic values that we all collectively cherish” and expressed US commitment to supporting Guyana’s democracy to become stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister

Gail Teixeira also delivered her remarks during the forum. Government and Opposition MPs acknowledged the high level of professionalism practiced by the parliamentary staff in delivering support and expressed optimism about

finding ways to foster greater cross-party collaboration.

Resident Programme Director, Carin Mirowitz said, “IRI looks forward to continuing to support the work of leaders building Guyana’s democratic resilience.”

IRI’s legislative forum was among several activities being delivered with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to strengthen engagement among Guyanese leaders and citizens, especially marginalised groups like youth, women, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.

IRI is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental international development organisation that has performed high-impact work in more than 100 countries since 1983. The Institute works with organisations and individuals across the globe to help cit-

izens build democratic societies that are open and responsible, accountable, and resilient. IRI worked in Guyana from 2013-2015 and returned in 2019 to deliver pre- and post- electoral programming.

Since taking office in 2020, the Guyana Government continues to pursue an aggressive and transformative legislative agenda. But recently, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has bemoaned the parliamentary Opposition’s role in slowing down that progress.

“Our legislative agenda is constantly being slowed down and stymied because of an incompetent and inefficient Opposition [the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change],” Nandlall had stated during his weekly programme. (G12)

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch delivering opening remarks at IRI’s legislative forum

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

An open letter to New Amsterdam – it is time for change. Time to do it right

The Esplanade in New Amsterdam is a disgrace, with a shameful garbage dump, not a solid waste landfill, next to it. The drainage system is in ruins. The streets are in good condition, but not a single street has been reconstructed or rehabilitated by the Town Council; every single street that has been reconstructed has been done under the Central or Regional Government. The New Amsterdam Market is in a dilapidated state, stinky and a sad sight. The New Amsterdam Town Hall is a national heritage, but unless something is done very soon, it might very well collapse. The playgrounds and other recreational areas have become almost unusable. The basketball court needs urgent care. The Vryman’s Erven playground is overgrown. Angoy’s Avenue continues to be a reminder of the PNC’s wickedness and neglect. Everywhere one looks around the town, there are heaps of garbage, with residents forced to pay privately for garbage pick-ups. The Town Council picks up garbage sometimes once per year. In 2014, the Town Council collected $66M in property taxes. In 2018, courtesy of a 100% tax increase, the Council collected more than $150M. Where has all the money gone?

David Granger once promised New Amsterdam that it would be the focal point for development in Regions 5 and 6. But what did they deliver, other than wild promises? In 2018, the PNC-dominated Town Council raised property taxes by 100%, at a time when New Amsterdam saw an almost 50% decrease in business because of the 2016 closure of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate. This was part of the almost 200 new or increased taxes introduced to burden the Guyanese people by either the PNC-led Central Government or the PNC-led Towns in Guyana. If it were not for the then Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, and the PPP, the taxes in New Amsterdam and other towns and the seventy NDCs around the country would have been even more catastrophic. In 2018, the then Minister of Local Government, Ronald Bulkan, announced that the PNC-led Government had contracted a Canadian firm to reassess property values across Guyana, starting with New Amsterdam, in order to reform property taxation in an exercise that would have resulted in property taxes increasing by hundreds of percentage points. The PPP stopped the wicked plan of the PNC.

The PNC has done nothing for New Amsterdam in more than six decades, but chose New Amsterdam to increase taxes by 100%, and then chose New Amsterdam as the place where they wanted to reassess property values to increase taxes even more. These are the people who will now come to you to ask you for your votes. The time has come to say to them: “After so many decades, we want to do it right by choosing a government for New Amsterdam that will change New Amsterdam, to have an Esplanade and Stelling Road that provide high-quality family entertainment and leisure playparks. It is time to remove the garbage dump, to stop the floods with desilted concrete drains and pump stations in Vryman’s Erven and Stanleytown. The youths in New Amsterdam deserve a high-quality boxing gym; a reinvigorated basketball court; a football ground; traffic lights in strategic locations; a rehabilitated, modernised Town Hall, and many other transformative developments.

Walking through the streets of New Amsterdam these days, the town is buzzing with a call for change. A face-to-face meeting with Ms. Barbara Pilgrim was revealing. She has switched political affiliation from the PNC to the PPP. She was not so long ago a PNC Mayor of the proud Town of New Amsterdam. She was also, for a brief period after the No-Confidence Motion in December 2018, a PNC MP in Parliament. She is today adamant that New Amsterdam needs a change. Ms. Pilgrim wants to see major reforms and a transformation of her town. She believes that, under the PNC, New Amsterdam will continue to decay and be ruined. In her estimation, the only reason New Amsterdam is not worse today is because the PPP Government keeps rescuing it.

She and other former PNC activists believe it is time the PPP be given a chance in New Amsterdam. Walking along Winkle Road on Sunday last, several staunch PNC activists came out and declared they agree with Pilgrim. Deep in Tucber, a stronghold of the PNC, a former PNC activist came out and loudly proclaimed, “We must do it right this time”. New Amsterdam is the home of writers, professionals, sportsmen and women, successful business people, but is underdeveloped because of the PNC. On June 12th, the residents of New Amsterdam will have an opportunity to choose change.

New Amsterdam this year will celebrate its 74th anniversary as a town. Between 1949 and 1957, the New Amsterdam Town Council was under the control of persons who later joined Forbes Burnham and the PNC. Since 1957, New Amsterdam has been firmly controlled by the PNC. The Town Council refuses to work with a Central Government that has shown its commitment to the people of New Amsterdam. The PNC-led Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam are loyal to the PNC, not to the people of New Amsterdam. When, in 2006, Bharrat Jagdeo went to lead a development plan for Angoy’s Avenue, the then Mayor angrily told the President to butt out and leave Angoy’s Avenue alone. Really, it is time for change New Amsterdam. On June 12th, do it right.

Garment construction centre commissioned in Mahdia

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry on Tuesday launched a new garment construction programme in Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), to equip persons in and around the mining town with new life skills.

The newly commissioned garment construction centre is equipped with 30 sewing machines that can work both electronically and manually, with the first batch of 30 persons set to undergo a two-week strategically crafted training programme.

“While gold mining, logging and other economic activities form part of the pillar of our economy in this subregion and most importantly Mahdia, imparting skills in young people and women is also important,” Britton said, adding that this garment construction programme aims to provide an opportunity for such person to not only gain income but also personal development skills.

“Development is much more than roads, bridges and buildings. While these things are important and significant indicators of development, it is much more than that,” said Shawn Britton, Deputy Regional Executive Officer.

Community Service Officer Eslyn Hussein, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, commended its establishment and encouraged others to join.

“This programme is not about which political party you belong to or support, it is about learning new skills and being financially independent,” Hussein said. “It is another way you can fight against poverty. You can even start your own business with the new skills you learn.”

With this certificate training, residents from Mahdia and other surrounding communities will be able to purchase school uniforms right in their villages.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai encouraged persons to partake in training opportunities as such available across the hinterland, managed not only by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry but also by agencies such as the Labour and Human Services and Social Security Ministries, Guyana Technical Institute (GTI), Carnegie School of Home Economics and even the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“Education is one component of the general education of our populace but building skill sets, providing them with technical support and training is also another component of educating our young people,” Sukhai said.

“Whatever opportunity comes, it comes to those who are willing, those who are taking the opportunity and those who are desirous

of building themselves up to reach the changes and transitions taking place in our country,” Sukhai said.

In the past year and a half, 129 persons completed the garment construction programme. This year, the target is similar.

Those who complete the programme will receive a

certificate of completion to verify their skill attainment.

Minister Sukhai also encouraged trained persons to work with the CSOs and create a sewing establishment to engage others in learning the basic skills of garment making.

Apart from this training, in the past 18 months,

200 drivers have been certified and licensed and 165 solar panel installation operators were certified across the hinterland.

The Ministry also intends on focusing efforts this year towards training people with skills in small engine repairs and tourism and hospitality.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai testing out one of the sewing units

Children rescued as fire guts West Berbice home …arson suspected

Afamily of four is now homeless after a fire, suspected to be caused by arson, destroyed their home and a vehicle on Monday afternoon

at Experiment, Bath, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

The fire was seen coming from the upper part of the two-storey building at Experiment, Bath, West Coast Berbice, at about 17:00h on Monday. The wooden and concrete structure was occupied by 26-year-

old Inderlall Hughes and his wife Rayleen VanlongeHughes, 24, along with their two children, aged 6 and 3.

Reports are that the couple was experiencing problems and the wife, a medical student, had only recently moved out of the house.

On Monday, the husband was reportedly out imbib-

ing and shortly after he returned home, the house was observed in flames.

It is suspected that the man set the house on fire, with his children trapped inside. A neighbour told this newspaper that one of the kids had to be rescued.

Divisional Fire Officer Kerklan Harry said there

was not much the firefighters could have done to prevent total destruction of the property.

He said firefighters from the Onverwagt Fire Station responded and arrived three minutes after receiving the call.

“When they arrived, the building was fully engulfed.

They managed to get it under control and eventually get it extinguished but the building was completely destroyed.”

According to Harry, based on initial investigations the fire was maliciously set by a person or persons unknown.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Rayleen Vanlonge-Hughes

Husband remanded for brutal murder of wife at Alpha Hotel

resulted in a deadly argument between the couple.

After committing the crime, Halley reportedly boarded a minibus and went to the seawall where he offered a “junkie” $1000 for his shirt as his own was soaked with blood. He then went to the Police Officers’

Training Complex where he surrendered.

It was reported that the woman’s lifeless body was discovered on May 4 in Room 235 of Alpha Hotel on the East Coast of Demerara ECD. Clad in a black bra and a pair of blue short pants, the body was facing upwards

and lying in a pool of blood, with at least 13 stab wounds and a slit throat.

A black-handled knife without a blade was found next to the woman’s body on the bed, while the blade was found in the now dead woman’s hair, covered in blood. (G9)

Children rescued as fire guts...

Vanlonge-Hughes, who had returned home on the day of the fire, told this publication that she had left home for classes. However, she received a phone call about the house being on fire.

she subsequently called another neighbour, who confirmed her worst fear.

She said the neighbour told her that the children were taken to the home of her mother and were safe.

Businessman and vendor, Junior Halley of Now or Never, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been remanded to prison following the brutal murder of his wife, Kim Halley, at Alpha Hotel in Ogle, ECD.

The 52-year-old man appeared before Magistrate

Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to face the capital offence of murder. He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on June 22.

Having separated for several months, Junior and his wife met meet once a week at the hotel to spend time

together. On May 4, during one of these meetings, the man reportedly stabbed his wife 13 times, resulting in her death.

According to reports, the suspect requested that his wife inform their children that they had reconciled, however, the woman was hesitant to comply, which

“I get a call from a colleague who lived in the front street; I was not at home, and she said she heard that my house is on fire. So is say ‘Who do it and where he is’ – that is my husband. I cut off the phone and then I called [a] neighbour who is his aunty and they told me that the house is not on fire.”

The mother of two said

The woman was asked if there was anything to suggest that the fire might be the result of arson.

“I really still can’t say because like I said I was not at home.”

Up to Tuesday afternoon, the woman said she had not heard from her husband. She said one of his sisters claimed to have made contact with him but provided no information.

“I tried to reach out to him but he was robbed Saturday night when he was coming home from the market and his phone, money and documents pertaining to the vehicle were all stolen so there was no way I could have made contact with him. However, she made contact with him, I don’t know,” she explained. The couple has been living on the reserve at Experiment for the past eight years. They make a living by retailing merchandise, and using the bus to take goods to customers. Investigations are ongoing. (G4)

Junior and Kim Halley

School edition dictionary of Caribbean English launched

This school edition serves as a continuation of Allsopp’s first “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage,” edited by her late husband Dr Richard Allsopp and released in 1996.

“The original dictionary was published 27 years ago in 1996. It is a very linguistically sophisticated book full of linguistic details and therefore, inaccessible to most teachers [and] students,” Allsopp said during the book launch. “As [my husband and I] consulted with each other, we said we would have to do a school edition sometime in the future.”

utensils.

“All these items reflect our linguistic and cultural heritage because language is culture and if you don’t record and chronicle your language, you’re not recording your culture and it is crucial this culture be recorded for posterity,” Allsopp said.

Allsopp distributed a copy of the dictionary to UG Vice-Chancellor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, who commended her efforts and assured its usage within the school.

Aimed towards advancing knowledge of Caribbean terms and languages, the school edition of the “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage” was launched on Tuesday during the University of Guyana’s (UG) Second Diaspora Conference.

The book was edited by linguistics lecturer at University of the West Indies (UWI) and former UG lecturer, Dr Jeannette Allsopp alongside Dr Wendy Griffith-Watson, a linguist and

former Chief Education Officer in Barbados.

“The appearance of a Caribbean English school dictionary is certainly a landmark in Caribbean lexicography because it is the first of its kind and it reflects the Caribbean environment – lifeways, customs, traditions, artefacts, cooking utensils, architecture, music, dance, dishes, folklore, festivals, religions, organisations, national orders, national symbols, etc.”

After many years, job roles and even other book launches, this school edition has finally come into fruition, with Allsopp describing it as a “thematic dictionary.”

As such, the material is divided by themes to ensure that students can relate various lexical items to a particular topic in order to absorb the information more easily.

Allsopp shared that the arrangement of the dictionary entries includes the head word in bold and its part of speech in italics, followed by its territorial labels as a term may have different

meanings across the country, its definition, other names, encyclopaedic information, etymology as well as a pictorial illustration.

The dictionary also includes lists of Caribbean acronyms, Caribbean organisations, national symbols and dictionary skills as well as a general section that deals with terms related to different industries, machineries and even

Copies were also given to representatives from the UG Library, the National Library and the Guyanese Languages Unit.

Published by UWI Press, a release date for the official sale of the book has not yet been revealed but attendees interested were encouraged to place an order if they wished.

The UG Diaspora Conference will continue until Wednesday and marks the university’s 60 years in existence, engaging with academics and professionals from the major capitals in the world with large Guyanese Diaspora presences in a variety of discussions.

The school edition of the “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage”

Jeannette Allsopp, editor, during the launch of the “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage”

DAILY HOROSCOPES

You will be held responsible for any deviation from the truth. Don’t try to impress someone with words. Let your actions be your voice, and you will maintain credibility.

(March 21-April 19)

Consider what you can do to make life better. Share your insight with people who can help make your plans a reality. You have plenty to gain if you choose your associates wisely.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Let experience guide you. Reach out and help someone, and you’ll find your niche. Explore the possibilities, but take it slow. If you pay attention to the intricate details, you’ll do just fine.

Showing everyone how passionate you are will leave a lasting impression. Focus on the things that are important to you. If you love someone, let them know it.

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Explore the possibilities, and you’ll discover new ways to use old skills. Branching out will give you the momentum you need. Trust in yourself and your ability to get things done your way.

A change will supercharge you, and a new experience will inspire you to make positive adjustments. A romantic gesture will encourage a commitment. Romance and personal gain are favored.

You’re better off doing your own thing. Someone eager to start a fight will bring up emotional issues or overreact to something you say. Choose a healthy lifestyle.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Evaluate what’s happening and how you can calmly handle personal matters. Use your imagination to find a way to keep the peace and persuade an opponent to see things differently. Romance is encouraged.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Keep your money and possessions safe. You’ll attract someone you shouldn’t trust. Question anything that doesn’t make sense to you. Avoid joint expenses and endeavors.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Choose your words carefully and act with honesty, compassion and understanding. Practice peace and love instead of letting your anger or disappointment take the reins.

Take the path of least resistance and strive to make yourself and those around you happy. Offer others the same freedom you want for yourself. Don’t give in to demands or give ultimatums.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Engage in self-improvement projects, and you’ll figure out how to increase your earning potential. Start a new project that adds comfort and convenience to your everyday life.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Mumbai mow down RCB’s 199 to jump from eighth to third in TATA IPL 2023

Mumbai Indians fired their IPL 2023 campaign into orbit when they made a stunning climb from #8 to#3 after razing down Royal Challengers Bangalore in another six-fest at the Wankhede.

Suryakumar Yadav and Nehal Wadhera’s sensational spell of 140 runs off just 64 balls had seasoned bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel searching for answers. From 101 needed off 60, Suryakumar's pyrotechnics brought his IPL best - a 35-ball 83 - and the equation down to 8 off 26 when he walked off to a standing ovation.

The ferocity of the partnership between Wadhera and Suryakumar had a deflating effect on RCB, who now join a cluttered mid-table that has four teams on 10 points, with a possibility of a fifth joining there on Wednesday night.

Jason Behrendorff had set the stage alight at Wankhede by stinging his former team with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Anuj Rawat. Kohli was out giving Behrendorff the charge off his fourth ball, while Rawat's top edge to an attempted scoop landed in Cameron Green's lap. Behrendorff could've also had du Plessis first ball if Wadhera hadn't dropped him at midwicket. Du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell quickly offset RCB's early losses to fire them from 16 for 2 to 56 for 2 after six overs. du Plessis took two fours off Chawla, and continued the attack against Green, while Maxwell welcomed Chris Jordan - Jofra Archer's replacement in the XI - by pumping him for two sixes in his very first over, to raise the half-century of the partnership off just 25 balls. And this was just the start of the mayhem that was to follow.

Du Plessis was all muscle, backing away to swing cleanly if he wasn't lofting through the line on instinct. Maxwell was a mix of the inventive and the ridiculous: switch-hitting, slogsweeping, scooping and reverseramping his way, treating the bowling with much disdain. The pair had put on 120 off just 60 balls when Maxwell dragged one across the line to deep midwicket for a 33-ball 68.

The RCB slowdown RCB lost Mahipal, Lomror and du Plessis for a 45-ball 61 in the next two overs, to expose that brittle lower middle order. Then RCB decided to summon

their Impact Player by bringing in Kedar Jadhav. It was now on him and Dinesh Karthik to give the finishing kick. Karthik struggled for rhythm, and his dismissal with 11 balls left had RCB shortchanged. Akash Madhwal, the rookie seamer, delivered an excellent final over, only his second in the game, and it went for six as RCB finished with 199; the last five had just brought them 48 runs.

Rohit Sharma shredded five runs, four innings and two ducks with a ferocious flat-bat off Hazlewood first ball. Ishan Kishan followed Rohit's cue to take the attack to Mohammed Siraj, flicking and whipping his

SCOREBOARD

Royal Challengers Bangalore (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Virat Kohli c †Ishan Kishan b Behrendorff 1 4

Faf du Plessis (c) c sub (Vishnu Vinod) b Green 65 41

Anuj Rawat c Green b Behrendorff 6 4

Glenn Maxwell c Wadhera b Behrendorff 68 33

Mahipal Lomror b Kartikeya 1 3

Dinesh Karthik † c Wadhera b Jordan 30 18

Kedar Jadhav not out 12 10

Wanindu Hasaranga not out 12 8

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 4

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.95) 199/6

Did not bat: Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar

Vyshak, Harshal Patel

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Virat Kohli, 0.5 ov), 2-16 (Anuj Rawat, 2.2 ov), 3-136 (Glenn Maxwell, 12.3 ov), 4-143 (Mahipal Lomror, 13.4 ov), 5-146 (Faf du Plessis, 14.1 ov), 6-185 (Dinesh Karthik, 18.1 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Jason Behrendorff 4-0-36-3

Piyush Chawla 4-0-41-0

Cameron Green 2-0-15-1

Chris Jordan 4-0-48-1

Kumar Kartikeya 4-0-35-1

Akash Madhwal 2-0-23-0

Mumbai Indians (T: 200 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Ishan

way to sixes. In trying to sustain his onslaught against spin, Kishan was out to Hasaranga after hitting him for a four and six. Two balls later, Rohit was out lbw to a delivery he tried to nudge against the turn, one that didn't turn as much as he expected. Mumbai were up against it at 52 for 2 in five overs.

SKY takes over

Over the next five overs, Suryakumar and Wadhera kept up with the asking rate by playing risk-free cricket, before the flick was well and truly switched on. Hasaranga's return to deliver the 11th with Mumbai needing 101 more led to a torrent, as each batter picked up a six.

Du Plessis now went back to Hazlewood to stifle the scoring, especially with Harshal Patel struggling for rhythm, but

Suryakumar's grand hitting behind the V, where he used pace to takedown Hazlewood and Siraj for sixes behind square on either side, left everyone awestruck. He brought up his half-century off just 26 balls, and then raised the tempo even more by nonchalantly lofting a slot-ball from Siraj into the second tier down the ground. Even a beamer aimed at Suryakumar’s body was swatted away for six like it was child's play. His dismissal to Vyshak Vijaykumar in a doublewicket over was somewhat of an anticlimax at the end, but by then the result was a foregone

conclusion. Wadhera fittingly finished it off with a lofted six over cover to bring up a second-straight fifty. By then Mumbai had razed down the fastest 200 chase in IPL history - with 21 balls to spare - and the secondfastest overall. (Adapted from ESPNCricinfo)

Did not bat: Chris Jordan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal

of wickets: 1-51 (Ishan Kishan, 4.4 ov), 2-52 (Rohit Sharma, 4.6 ov), 3-192 (Suryakumar Yadav, 15.4 ov), 4-192 (Tim David, 15.5 ov) •

Suryakumar Yadav driving through the covers

Jason Behrendorff struck twice in the powerplay

Bouts confirmed for Briso Promotions’

“Return of the Scorpio” card

Bouts have been confirmed for the highly-anticipated “Return of the Scorpio” boxing card, set to be hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, on 21st May, 2023.

Currently, the pro-am card for the event has five bouts lined up. The opening fight of the night is a 4-round heavyweight clash between Guyana’s Anthony Augustin and Emmanuel Anderson of Barbados, who is making his debut in the competition.

The next fight is a super bantamweight 4-round bout that would see Guyana’s Terrence Adams trading blows with Ricardo Blackman jr. of Barbados, who is also making his debut.

In the third match of the night, Darianis Garcia comes up against Natalie Delgado in a super flyweight 6-round battle; and Luis Carillo of Colombia will challenge local sensation Dexter Marques in a super flyweight 8-round contest in the penultimate event of the night.

The feature attraction will see Ramos Ronald of Colombia facing off with Guyanese pugilist

Elton Darry in a bantamweight 8-round event. Additionally, both Jackman sisters, Alesha and Alicia, are set to compete in the amateur segment of the event.

According to the organizers, all professional pugilists have signed their contract, with Marques being last to sign his contract during a simple ceremony at the 704 Sports Club on Tuesday afternoon.

In brief remarks at the contract signing event, Promoter Seon Bristol stated,

Archery introduced to SVN school

Students and teachers of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan were on Monday, May 8, 2023 treated to an exciting introduction to the sport of archery by Archery Guyana.

National Head Coach Nicholas Hing and Chair of the Tech Committee, Saeed Karim, visited the school to give demonstrations and have the excited students (and teachers) try out the sport themselves.

Initial discussions had been held between the Principal,

Swami Aksharananda, and Mr Hing on introducing archery to the school in its ongoing National Development Program, in which Swamiji wholeheartedly agreed to

have the sport introduced to the school.

At the gathering, students were informed of the school forming the next club for developing archers from

“I am happy to be back into this fraternity in regards to the promoting of boxing in Guyana, and boxing as I say in general. We all know this is a pro-am show, so I’m happy that I have been able to collaborate with the Guyana Boxing Association in regards to bringing all on board.”

The doors of the National Gymnasium will be opened at 7pm, with admission costs varying from $6000 for VVIP, $5000 for VIP, $3000 for Ringside, and $1500 for stands. Organizers are looking forward to a packed event.

A&B’s Chief of Defence Staff, Col. Telbert Benjamin, fires...

The other team members are Mahendra Persaud and Team Manager Franklin Wilson.

The 300 yards shoot on Wednesday (today) will be 2 sighting shots and 15 rounds to count; the 500 yards shoot

will be 2 sighting shots and 10 rounds to count, and the 600 yards shoot will be 2 sighting shots and 7 rounds to count.

On Thursday, the final day of the Individuals will be held.

The GuyanaNRA is extending sincere gratitude

FROM BACK PAGE►

Team Guyana at the opening ceremony. From left are: Ryan Sampson, John Fraser, Sherwin Felicen, Ransford Goodluck, Peter Persaud, Mahendra Persaud, Sigmund Douglas, Roberto Tiwari, Leo

to the Government of Guyana; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the National Sports Commission; Guyana Olympic Association; Industrial Safety Supplies

Inc; Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc; Queensway Security Service Inc; DHL; Citizens Bank; Sterling Products, and Star Party Rentals.

the grassroots, to be able to eventually represent and compete locally, regionally or internationally with the ultimate goal of representing Guyana on the Olympic stage.

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Boxer Dexter Marques signing his contract as Promoter Seon Bristol and GBBC Vice President Andrew Thorne look on

Archery Guyana Head Coach Nicholas Hing giving remarks during the introduction of archery to the students and teachers of Saraswati Vidya Niketan

Romalho, Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite and Franklin Wilson

Guyana bows out of Elite Men’s World Boxing Championships

Guyana’s run at the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) Elite Men’s World Boxing Championship came to an end on Tuesday morning after Desmond Amsterdam bowed out of the competition.

Having won his first fight last Friday, Amsterdam was tasked with coming up against World #4 ranked boxer in the Light Heavyweight class,

Gazimagomed Jalidov of Spain, in their Round of 16 bout. And though he fought tooth and nail, the Guyanese boxer was outclassed by the Spaniard, who won on points on all 5 judges’ scorecards. The fight was scored, 26-30, 28-29, 27-30, 27-30 and 2829.

With Keevin Allicock being ousted from the competition in his weight division in the Round of 32

last Friday, Guyana’s participation at the Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan has ended. The Guyanese boxers were accompanied to the Championships by Coach Terrence Poole, M.S.

Prashad wins Massy Motors’ golf tournament

‘Congratulations!’ and to those that did not win, ‘better luck next time’."

The winners' row

Patrick Prashad was the man of the hour

On Saturday, when he copped the Massy Motors’ golf title. Despite some serious competition, Prashad was firm in his approach to the game, and allowed his club to do the talking.

The results of the tournament were as follows:

● 1st Patrick Prashad

- HC 12, Gross 83, Net 71 (Winning via count back from Mohanlall Dindanauth)

● 2nd Mohanlall Dindanauth - HC 7, Gross 78, Net 71

● 3rd Avinash Persaud - HC 3, Gross 75, Net 72 (Winning via countback from Ravi Persaud)

● Nearest to pinAasordeen Shaw

● Longest DriveMohanlall Dindanauth

● Best Net Front 9Mohanlall Dindanauth (31)

● Best Net Back 9 - Mike Mangal (34)

● Best Gross - Avinash

Persaud (75)

Sharing his view at the end of the tournament was Massy Motors CEO, Mahesh Shivraj, who said, "Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the Massy Motors tournament. Massy has been with the Lusignan Golf course for many years, and we are optimistic that we will be able to continue that trend for the future. It is important that we support our club, and take advantage of the good condition that the course is in. To the winners,

Massy Motors (Guyana) Ltd, formerly known as Massy Industries (Guyana) Ltd. and Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM), was established on October 12, 1987. As one of Guyana’s largest automotive providers, Massy Motors Guyana offers a wide range of affordable transport and equipment solutions. With a wide range of products, including SUVs, pickups, sedans, trucks, tractors, batteries, tyres, lubricants, generators, forklifts and hand pallet jacks, cement mixers, hygiene products, etc. Massy Motors represents major

brands, such as Nissan, JEEP, MACK, IVECO, Shell Lubricants, Mitsubishi Forklifts, Massey Ferguson, Power Master,

Year, KimberlyClark Professional; and full support is provided for all lines represented.

Amsterdam had previously won his Round of 32 bout last Friday

Desmond Amsterdam and Spain’s Gazimagomed Jalidov

Moura, Good

Patrick Prashad has won the Massy Motors’ golf tournament

ExxonMobil U14 Schools’ Football tournament…

GYSBI on board as tournament readies for kick-off

The fourth edition of the ExxonMobil

Under-14 Boys’ and Girls’ Schools Football tournament will kick off at two venues this Saturday, May 13th, 2023.

Just days before the first whistle is blown, Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) has timely hopped aboard the sponsorship train. Public Relations Manager at GYSBI, Gomattie Gangadin, during the customary team briefing exercise on Tuesday, shared the reason behind the company’s support.

“As a Guyanese company advancing opportunities for Guyanese citizens, we strongly believe in committing our support and resources to initiatives which are sustainable, tangible, and can create positive benefits for young people and communities. It is for this reason we decided to pledge our support, through

sponsorship, for this important sporting programme,” Gangadin shared with students and teachers gathered at Tuesday’s event at the National Library in Georgetown.

Gangadin added, “The importance of fostering sporting activities in schools cannot be overstated. Sports has always been integral to human lives, and they have been used to foster friendship and unity among human lives.”

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s Community Relations Advisor Ryan Hoppie also took some to reiterate the importance of the tournament for the title sponsors.

“It’s important for

us at ExxonMobil to invest in our focus area of youth empowerment through sport; and just being able to showcase across Guyana what we’re doing, not just in sport, but for other areas of youth development, is really important. I believe we have more than 30 schools which are taking part in this year’s tournament, which is massive. But what is important to us at ExxonMobil: when we talk about ensuring our reach, it is not just the schools in Region 4 or the schools in Region 3 that are benefitting from a tournament like this. This year, we’ve committed to going beyond, to include places that some

WIFBSC 2023 Championships – Antigua & Barbuda…

people have dreamed of going.”

The ExxonMobil U14 tournament will see participation from upwards of 48 boys’ and girls’ Under-14 school teams hailing from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. The teams will be vying for a $300,000 grand prize in both boys’ and girls’ division, that will go towards a school project of their choice. Second-, third- and fourthplace finishers will have to settle for $150,000, $75,000, and $50,000 respectively, all for a school initiative, along with the respective trophy.

The tournament is also sponsored by Demerara Distillers’ Limited (DDL) through the Pepsi Brand, and by MVP Sports. The tournament is also sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ministry of Education (MoE), and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS).

A&B’s Chief of Defence Staff, Col Telbert Benjamin, fires first shot

The 2023 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships (WIFBSC), which bring together the best rifle shooters in the Caribbean and further afield, commenced yesterday at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range in Antigua and Barbuda.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Rifle Association, Mr. Thomas Greenaway, the organising nation on behalf of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC), in welcoming teams from Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada, reminded that the sport, while being very competitive, is contested in a family atmosphere.

“At the end of the day, we all celebrate the victory of the winning team. As host, we hope that all would enjoy the shoot and we have a fantastic time over the coming days in the individual and team shoots,” he said.

Chief of Defence Staff of the Antigua and Barbuda

Defence Force, Colonel Telbert Benjamin, also welcomed the shooters, especially to the Crabbs Training Rifle and Pistol Range.

“I know that many of you have been here before, so, welcome back; make the best of this week. I know our boys from Antigua have been preparing vigorously, I get the chatter about all the scores. I understand that my friends from the South, the Golden Arrowhead, have been preparing as well, and of course my people from Barbados have been doing a lot of work.

“I look forward to the competition, I look forward to hearing the good news, I look forward to seeing the competitiveness of all of us, and I look forward to the camaraderie that is the norm within these competitions. All the best to all of you, and may the better team emerge as victors here,” he said.

President of the WIFBSC, Major Nelson of Jamaica, in brief remarks, congratulated the Antigua and Barbuda Rifle Association for pulling off this year’s competition, while also extending a warm welcome to the Canadian Team which has always been a good friend of the WIFBSC over the years.

Special thanks were also extended to Mr. Dan Chisolm, who WIFBSC President Nelson informed has been single-handedly responsible for the advent and implementation of electronic scoring in the Caribbean.

“Without Dan, the whole question of electronic targets probably would not have gotten off the ground as it has. I want to thank you, fellow shooters, for being here, and we all hope to have a very good week,”

President Nelson has said.

Competition

got cracking after Colonel Benjamin fired the opening shot from the 600 yards range to the applause of all gathered.

The Individual Championships got going with shooters engaging at the 300 yards range with 2 sighting shots and 7 rounds to count. They then matched shots at the 500 yards range, with 2 sighting shots and 15 rounds to count; and the day came to an end at the 600 yards range, where they each had 2 sighting shots and 10 rounds to count.

Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields, along with defending WIFBSC Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Leo Romalho (Vice Captain), Peter Persaud, Sherwin Felicen, Roberto Tiwari, Ryan Sampson, and the USA-based duo of Sigmund Douglas and John Fraser are all contesting the Individual Championships.

TURN TO PAGE 22►

Colonel

Telbert Benjamin fired off the 2023 edition of the WIFBSC Championships at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range in the State of Antigua and Barbuda

MoE’s Kurt Braithwaite, ExxonMobil’s Ryan Hoppie, GYSBI’s Gomattie Gangadin, and Petra Organization’s Troy Mendonca are flanked by students who will compete in this year’s ExxonMobil U14 football tournament