Guyana Times - Wednesday, May 3, 2023.pdf

Free press indispensable for protecting human

…Govt’s commitment remains “steadfast and unwavering” – McCoy …points to Guyana’s gains on World Press Freedom Index

World Press Freedom Day

“I

him. I am innocent” – woman seen fleeing

World Press Freedom Day

Media freedom allows for transparency in times of rapid growth – diplomats

Marking the observance of World Press Freedom Day 2023, the ABCE missions have posited that the freedom of the media to execute their duties is especially critical to maintaining transparency in an era when Guyana is scaling new heights in development.

The following Heads of Missions: Sarah-Ann Lynch of the US Embassy; Jane Miller, OBE, of the British High Commission; Mark Berman of the Canadian High Commission; and H Rene van Nes of the Delegation of the European Union, collaboratively observed World

Press Freedom Day under the theme “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.”

A statement from the missions noted that the media plays a pivotal role in society, by disseminating facts for public consumption and helping citizens in Guyana stay informed, establish opin-

ions, make informed choices, and participate meaningfully in society.

The availability of facts and information is fundamental to exercising such rights as access to health, education, justice, and to fighting against gender and economic inequalities. Moreover, the media’s charge: to responsibly deliver the facts fairly and without bias to all people, benefits all of society.

“In addition to providing access to facts and information, media freedom allows for transparency and accountability, important components for Guyana’s management of resources during a time of rapid growth. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including decisions-makers such as the Government and the Opposition, maintain a mutually respectful relationship with the media in its capacity as the fourth estate and as a vital part of democracy in action. This means granting the media access to public officials and to information should be the norm,” the diplomats have penned.

The missive added that media operatives should not face abuse, threats, or intimidation in the execution of their duties.

“Media workers should not be restricted, nor have to work under unnecessary duress or risk to their safe-

ty, in order to have access to information. They should not face abuse, threats, intimidation, or personal attacks in the execution of their duties, nor should they be expected to align with any specific idea, person, entity or political party, whether directly or anonymously.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaim the International Day for Press Freedom, which the statement said brings a point of reflection on the state of media freedom in Guyana after 30 years.

“As we reflect on this year’s theme, we recognise and acknowledge that media freedom is deeply imbedded within the freedom of expression and all other human rights.”

Additionally, the diplomats held the view that requests for public information should be honoured. The 2013 Access to Information Act should be effectively implemented to empower the media to do their job.

“The media’s role is to provide objective and impartial reporting, which is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy and ensuring that all voices are heard. Therefore, it is important that employees of the media are protected, and are able to carry out their duties without fear.”

In reflecting on 30 years of advocacy for media freedom, the ABCE officials recognised that work remains to be done. Together, there must be continued efforts to develop the role that the media plays in promoting democracy, transparency and accountability, and work collectively to understand the expectations of all stakeholders.

“We therefore call on the media, Government, Opposition, and all stakeholders to recognise the roles and responsibilities of the media, and its benefits to the people of Guyana. We thank all journalists for their hard work, sacrifice and service to society, and we urge all stakeholders to continue supporting media freedom and promoting a culture of open and honest communication in Guyana,” the statement concluded.

Tackling misinformation

The Association of Caribbean Media Workers also shared a statement on the occasion, acknowledging that it provides an opportunity to focus on the immense importance and connection of freedom of expression to all other human rights.

“In the absence of freedom of expression, more often than not through the media, the public cannot be properly educated and informed about the other human rights to which they are entitled,” the ACM inked.

Therefore, the Association has urged Caribbean decision-makers to utilise the rapid advances in social media as a mass communication tool to facilitate the two-

way flow of information on all public interest subjects that touch and concern the many facets of the other human rights.

It contended, “The ACM takes a dim view of the increasing practice of decision-makers, especially those in the political sphere, who have resorted to oneway communication through tweets and Facebook video and text posts. This approach appears to be a clear avoidance of scrutiny at press conferences and interviews. We urge an end to such a practice that robs the public of details that will potentially allow them to make rational decisions. These deficiencies in freedom of expression are leading to dysfunctional societies.”

With the proliferation of social media and all its attendant ills of misinformation and disinformation, the ACM’s unwavering position is that there is invaluable space for journalism as a means of freedom of expression.

“Professionally practised to ensure accuracy and fairness, journalism is the only conduit to cultivate the public as change agents for transparency, good governance and accountability.” (G12)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 3 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Thursday, May 4 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 3 – 14:50h – 16:20h and Thursday, May 4 – 15:40h – 17:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 15:21 reaching a maximum height of 2.57 metres.

Low Tide: 08:56h and 21:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre and 0.65 metre.

Free press indispensable for protecting human rights – Ali

…Govt’s commitment remains “steadfast and unwavering” – McCoy …points to Guyana’s gains on World Press Freedom Index

democratic society and is to be denounced in the strongest manner, whenever and wherever such breaches occur.”

Underscoring the influence the media exerts on society, President Ali also noted that this influence must be tempered with responsibility. The responsibility to provide truthful, accurate and complete information and steer clear of misinformation, falsehoods, distortions and efforts to manipulate the masses.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Today marks World Press Freedom Day, with President Dr Irfaan Ali using the occasion to salute the work done by media professionals while underscoring how important they are to the country and to the very human rights of citizens.

In his World Press Freedom Day message, President Ali also reaffirmed his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to a free press, while also reiterating his Administration’s intolerance for any acts of intimidation or attacks on members of the media.

“As the theme of this year’s observance underscores, freedom of the press is an enabler of other hu-

man rights. The press has been and must continue to be a staunch defender of the right to life and liberty. The press acts as a watchdog against violations of freedom of conscience and the right to assembly, association and demonstration. A free press is therefore indispensable to protecting the human rights of citizens, including and especially the right to freedom of expression.”

“On World Press Freedom Day, I wish to reaffirm my Government’s and country’s commitment to respecting press freedom. I take this opportunity also to iterate my condemnation of any attempt to intimidate or attack members of the media. Such repressible conduct has no place in a

“In the exercise of its core functions of education, enlightenment and entertainment, the media must demonstrate its commitment to human dignity by foremost upholding the truth and avoiding malicious actions aimed at bringing persons and entities into public disrepute,” President Ali said.

“The use of the media as a weapon to promulgate hatred and division and to defame and distort represents a betrayal of the national ethos, the ethical and professional codes of the Fourth Estate, and an affront to human dignity. On this World Press Freedom Day 2023, I extend best wishes to the media practitioners and media houses.”

World Press Freedom Index

Meanwhile, Minister within the Office of Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy also had a message for

the media on World Press Freedom Day. In an accompanying statement, McCoy spoke of the important role the media plays during Guyana’s transformative socio-economic journey.

“Successive PPP/C Governments have consistently regarded the free press in high esteem, seeking always to partner in the building of fundamental capacities to steadily improve, creating opportunities for professional industry training and academic growth, and building an enabling environment that safeguards the sanctity, security, freedoms and access of the media, in consonance with broader freedoms and rights enjoyed by every citizen under the Constitution,” he said.

TURN TO PAGE 10

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy President Dr Irfaan Ali during a recent interview with the media

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

Freedom of expression & human rights

Today, as Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing World Press Freedom Day, themed “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, journalists must pause to pay homage and recognize the work of some 67 media workers who were killed in 2022. This is a startling 50 per cent increase over the past year. This year’s theme brings attention to the invaluable role of freedom as a human right.

It is no surprise therefore that the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in his message, has said that this year’s theme reminds that press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, in his message, also brought spotlight to this point when he said: “Respect for human rights is predicated on respecting human dignity. A free press, therefore, upholds and enables human rights to the extent that it defends and promotes human dignity. In the exercise of its core functions of education, enlightenment and entertainment, the media must demonstrate its commitment to human dignity by foremost upholding the truth, and avoiding malicious actions aimed at bringing persons and entities into public disrepute. The use of the media as a weapon to promulgate hatred and division and to defame and distort represents a betrayal of the national ethos, the ethical and professional codes of the Fourth Estate, and an affront to human dignity.”

Freedom of Expression is not only enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but is listed as a fundamental right in many of the constitutions in the Caribbean.

In fact, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, brought the spotlight on the fact that a small number of countries have gone a step further and have enshrined press freedom.

To quote ACM: “World Press Freedom provides an opportunity to focus on the immense importance and connection of freedom of expression to all other human rights, such as education, health, freedom of movement, rest and leisure, and the free will of the people to elect their leaders. In the absence of freedom of expression, more often than not through the media, the public cannot be properly educated and informed about the other human rights to which they are entitled.”

We therefore support the call by ACM for Caribbean decision-makers to utilise the rapid advances in social media as a mass communication tool to facilitate the two-way flow of information on all public interest subjects that touch and concern the many facets of the other human rights.

Locally and around the world, the media has a crucial responsibility to act as a watchdog, to protect public interest against malpractice and to create public awareness. As the Fourth Estate, exchangeable with the Fourth Pillar of Democracy, the media’s role is to act against injustice, oppression, transgressions and prejudice in society.

Freedoms that Guyanese have come to enjoy over time did not come easy. Some unfortunately paid with their lives in the struggles for their attainment.

We welcome the World Press Freedom Day message by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union Diplomats in Guyana, when they said in a joint statement: “… media freedom allows for transparency and accountability, important components for Guyana’s management of resources during a time of rapid growth. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including decisions makers such as the Government and the Opposition, maintain a mutually respectful relationship with the media in its capacity as the Fourth Estate and as a vital part of democracy in action. This means granting the media access to public officials and to information should be the norm. Requests for public information should be honoured. The 2013 Access to Information Act should be effectively implemented to empower the media to do their job.”

Are school construction costs rising too quickly?

Dear Editor,

The Ministry of Education is doing an excellent job in moving the sector forward, and we should all provide assistance in preventing them from being taken advantage of by others.

The announced price for the rebuilding of Christ Church Secondary School is surprising. Compared to St. Roses High School, Christ Church Secondary School has been almost twice as expensive. More surprising has been the relative number of students, which, by the way, is not twice as many.

Factoring in inflation and the improvement of added fire prevention, the proposed cost of the school relative to St. Roses High School and

the other planned schools does bring into question whether the necessary cost controls are in place to support the planned improvement in the education sector. The perception worsens when you consider that St. Roses is a top 5 school and Christ Church sits in the top 15.

I am all for equal opportunity, but not for the neglect of our best students. Usually, the best students get access to the best facilities, because they have the reputation of making the most of the opportunity. If the strategy in the education sector is to provide a level playing field for all students, then we must ensure that the quality of the investment in the facilities

and the capabilities of the schools are at the same high standards.

The exception is where there is a focus on a particular academic specialisation. For example, a school dedicated to the development of the specialisation of industrial arts should be expected to have additional state-ofthe-art capabilities that may not be found at a school with a different academic focus.

Given that a significant portion of the National Budget has been dedicated to education, it would not hurt to have the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) continually provide assistance on these large capital expenditures. The funds that are currently available for investment in our children

were not easy to obtain, and we have waited many decades to have this opportunity to improve the country. Let us all ensure that the opportunity is not wasted.

Guyana is known for its academic achievements, and many Guyanese grace the halls of top learning institutions around the world. Our education system should reflect our capabilities, and the management of the sector should continue to make the most of the little we have. The saying “waste not, want not” is what we were all taught growing up. Let us always keep this in mind during our endeavours to improve the Nation.

Sincerely,

Jamil Changlee

Dear Editor,

In December 2022, I requested from the Mahaicony Office a printout of my NIS contributions to date, since I am approaching the age of statutory retirement. I was able to obtain this document without any difficulty. However, a perusal of the same showed that around 120 contributions were missing during the 1990s.

I was advised by the Mahaicony Office to visit the NIS Office at Camp

Street to get it sorted out. This I did, and was told by officers at the Camp Street Office that I needed to get a record of service from the Ministry of Education in order for them to update my records.

I requested and uplifted a record of my service from the Ministry of Education, which stated that I worked during that period and that my contributions were paid to the NIS. The said record of service was submitted to the NIS Office at Camp

Street in January 2023.

I have since been checking on a regular basis to see if my NIS contributions have been updated. However, every time I called, the curt response has been, “Sir, it is still processing”.

Something seems to be very wrong at NIS. Why, after four months, cannot a simple record be updated, even after the information was provided by the Ministry of Education?

Thus, I am hereby call-

ing on the relevant authorities to please look into the functionality of this department; introduce reforms, if necessary; and ensure that the employees are answerable for their actions or lack thereof. Many members of the public have lost faith in the NIS because of the inaction of some of the employees. A case of a few bad apples maybe.

With regards.

Yours sincerely, Janaknauth

Panchu

Luke Jerram’s "Floating Earth", an art installation as part of the Eurovision celebrations, is seen in the Albert Dock in Liverpool, Britain (Reuters)

The PNC has always been a party of fear and forced loyalty

Dear Editor, Crossing over to the PPP/C Party was sure to be a move of courage and determination. It has always been a move that would take grit and determination; I call it taking the giant leap for the Black Man. It marks a breakthrough of great significance and advancement for The Race. It speaks to the fact of him thinking independently, or as we commonly say, freedom to think and act for himself.

This, of course, does not go down well with the PNC

Party, which strongly believes in forced loyalty and a suppression of thought.

The dogma of that party is: as an Afro-Guyanese, you are duty-bound to blindly accept whatever comes from Congress Place. You are required to accept the dictates of the party, even when its leaders are grossly in the wrong. That’s the philosophy of the party!

Burnham perfected the art of forced loyalty, and all of his leaders thereafter carried out the same mandate, telling their supporters to

follow after them without question. Recently, one of their leaders, when she was in Government, forcefully blurted out, “Comrades you must follow your leaders, do not question them.”

With that forced loyalty concept came the rampant lawlessness that permeated PNC dominance, where persons had to provide “certain favours” for the leaders in order for you to get employment. Even when you got the job, you had to lead a life of disgraceful servitude ad infini-

tum just to hear the words that you are a faithful party person. You talk to many in the Black Community and there is that one common thread that is woven amidst the multitude of complaints, “We supported them through forced loyalty to race and party.” The PNC leaders brag about these atrocities.

So, the latest trend of the mass movement of AfroGuyanese parting ways from the PNC, those individuals were bound to face harassment and intimida-

tion from that party. The open hostility that we hear from day to day is a vivid manifestation of the brute bullying nature of that party. They are prepared to use every illegal means possible to denigrate and coerce The Black Man. A vicious campaign is now on to break the spirit of Afro-Guyanese not to join the PPP/C.

But times have changed, no longer would that stranglehold on people make headway. That system of force will not work because the more coercive and vin-

dictive they can be, the more persons are going to move over to the PPP/C. The PNC has never learnt its history lesson right; that is, it is difficult to imprison the emancipated mind. The Afro-Guyanese person is wiser now, and with that comes movement towards the freedom train.

Down with loyalty to party and race, as we march on towards that One Guyana!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Labour Day challenge for tripartite dialogue

Dear Editor,

Social dialogue is integral to the labour industrial relations’ systems. Tripartite labour advisory bodies have been a common feature in the system of industrial relations in the Caribbean, both through legislation and practice, since colonial times. They are established to deal largely with National Labour Policy, including the regulation of wages, labour legislation, and labour dispute resolution.

They provide opportunity for the social partners – the National Trade Union Organisation, Employers Organisations, and Government and its agencies - to discuss macroeconomic and social issues to develop an agreed social partnership agreement in the national interest. This should be promoted and practised as a matter of priority to forge national, sectoral and enterprise agreements beyond the confines of the traditional collective bargaining.

The International Labour Organisation and Social Dialogue

Effective social dialogues are premised on strong tripartite organisations to facilitate sustained higher-level dialogue. This was re-affirmed by Juan Somavia, a former Director General of the International Labour

Organization, in the following statement: “There is no influential social dialogue without strong employers’ and workers’ organisations; there is no effective tripartism without strong Labour Ministries and strong Labour Administrations”.

Since its establishment in 1919, the ILO has set the pace, standard and example in tripartite deliberations in social dialogue, resulting in the development and adoption of the International Labour Code of Conventions and Recommendations, and their ratification, implementation and monitoring through the ILO supervisory machinery.

Such tripartite deliberations also produce international declarations and resolutions. One such resolution was considered by the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference in 2002, which adopted a resolution concerning tripartism and social dialogue. The resolution affirms:

“That social dialogue and tripartism have proved to be a valuable and democratic means to address social concerns, build consensus, help elaborate international labour standards, and examine a wide range of labour issues on which the social partners play a direct, legitimate and irreplaceable role

• “The importance of strengthening the collab-

oration between the social partners and Governments to achieve appropriate solutions at the national, regional and international levels; and

• “That social dialogue and tripartism are modern and dynamic processes that have unique capacity and great potential to contribute to progress in many difficult and challenging situations and issues, including those related to globalisation, regional integration, and transition”.

This resolution of the International Labour Conference invites Governments to ensure that the necessary preconditions exist for social dialogue, and calls on Governments and workers’ and employers’ organisations to promote and enhance tripartism and social dialogue in all sectors.

This is how the ILO defines social dialogue: “…to include all types of negotiation, consultation, or simply the exchange of information between or among repre-

sentatives of Governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy”.

The foregoing resolution recalls ILO Convention # 144 – Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards), 1976. This Convention requires effective and meaningful consultation among the representatives of Government, employers and trade unions on international labour standards and related matters. Specifically, under this Convention, tripartite consultations are required on:

• items on the agenda for the annual International Labour Conference;

• consideration and submission of ILO Conventions and Recommendations to the competent authority with appropriate recommendations;

• re-examination of Conventions, and Recommendations for appropriate action;

• reports on ratified

Conventions, and other reports to the ILO; and • proposals, if any, for denunciation of ratified Conventions.

Tripartite consultation is integral for an effective system of Labour Administration and Social Policy, as required by ILO Convention #150 on Labour Administration, 1978. This Convention provides for an effective system of labour administration, whose functions and responsibilities are properly coordinated with the participation of workers and employers and their organisations. The functions and responsibilities include National Labour Policy and Labour Standards; industrial and labour relations, including dispute resolution through conciliation/ mediation; labour and OSH inspections; employment, manpower planning, and employment services; research, labour statistics, and HRD; and regional and international affairs.

Potential and Initiatives in Social Dialogue

The enormous potential of social dialogue to improve the social system and contribute to the creation of an inclusive national community must be promoted and practised as a matter of high priority. The realization is that national social dialogue can, in good faith, promote national, social, and political stability, and a more just society. The involvement of Government and the social partners and civil society in national decision-making can promote greater consensus, and contribute to national development, stronger democracy, and good governance, which is expressed in representative inclusive participation, transparency in national policy implementation in a credible manner, and strict accountability to the national community.

Yours sincerely,

Samuel J Goolsarran

Page Foundation

CXC Questions: Maths

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Part I

It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three.

‘By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp’st thou me?

The Bridegroom’s doors are opened wide, And I am next of kin; The guests are met, the feast is set: May’st hear the merry din.’

He holds him with his skinny hand, ‘There was a ship,’ quoth he.

‘Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!’ Eftsoons his hand dropt he.

He holds him with his glittering eye— The Wedding-Guest stood still, And listens like a three years’ child: The Mariner hath his will.

The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.

‘The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared, Merrily did we drop Below the kirk, below the hill, Below the lighthouse top.

The Sun came up upon the left, Out of the sea came he! And he shone bright, and on the right Went down into the sea.

Higher and higher every day, Till over the mast at noon—’ The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast, For he heard the loud bassoon.

The bride hath paced into the hall, Red as a rose is she; Nodding their heads before her goes The merry minstrelsy.

The Wedding-Guest he beat his breast, Yet he cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.

And now the STORM-BLAST came,

and he Was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o’ertaking wings, And chased us south along.

With sloping masts and dipping prow, As who pursued with yell and blow Still treads the shadow of his foe, And forward bends his head, The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast, And southward aye we fled.

And now there came both mist and snow, And it grew wondrous cold: And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald.

And through the drifts the snowy clifts Did send a dismal sheen:

Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken—

The ice was all between.

The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around:

It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a swound!

At length did cross an Albatross, Thorough the fog it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hailed it in God’s name.

It ate the food it ne’er had eat, And round and round it flew. The ice did split with a thunder-fit; The helmsman steered us through!

And a good south wind sprung up behind;

The Albatross did follow, And every day, for food or play, Came to the mariner’s hollo!

In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud, It perched for vespers nine; Whiles all the night, through fogsmoke white, Glimmered the white Moon-shine.’

‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!

From the fiends, that plague thee thus!—

Why look’st thou so?’—With my crossbow I shot the ALBATROSS.

WORD SEARCH

Anti-Money Laundering Commission, stiff penalties proposed in new AML/CFT Bills …Commission to ensure compliance with laws

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government will be bringing two Bills to the National Assembly, intended to boost Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) fight, including one that will establish a commission to ensure compliance with money laundering laws.

Drafts of the Compliance Commission Bill and the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill were recently released by Attorney General Anil Nandlall. They are inviting recommendations from the public ahead of Guyana’s up-

coming Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) mutual evaluation.

In the Compliance Commission Bill, the creation of a three-person commission is proposed to supervise AML/CFT practices. Specifically, the commission will maintain a general review of designated non-profit organisations, non-bank and non-financial institutions or professions. Examples of non-bank and non-financial entities run the gamut from pension funds to charities.

This general review will encompass on-site and offsite examinations of these designated places, as well as investigations, to ensure

compliance with anti-money laundering laws. The commission would also be empowered to demand AML/ CFT-related records from the entities being reviewed.

“Any person failing or refusing to produce any record or to supply any information or explanation as is required by subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than one hundred thousand dollars to no more than fifty million dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment,” the Bill states.

The commission may

Bruised corpse of De Willem man found in alleyway

Residents of MetenMeer-Zorg on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) were left reeling by the tragic news of a man’s death, which surfaced in their community on Sunday morning.

Sunnyramperal Persaud, known as ‘Papo’ by friends and family, was found lying lifeless in a crouched position on the concrete pathway next to a fence along Kastev Street in Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD. Persaud, a 51-yearold unemployed man, who

resided at Lot 61 De Willem, WCD, was discovered by a 56-year-old woman who was on her way to church, around 7:40h.

Shocked and distraught by the discovery, the woman immediately alerted her husband, who quickly summoned the Police.

Upon arriving at the scene, investigators were confronted with a grisly sight. Persaud’s body bore telltale signs of trauma, including black-andblue marks on the stomach

area, and bruises to the lower back, the lower left side of the abdomen, and the right elbow.

A detective on the scene examined and photographed the body, while a relative of Persaud confirmed that he had struggled with alcoholism.

The Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, and are appealing to anyone with information on what might have happened to the man to come forward.

also order these organisations to hire an auditor and submit audited financial statements. Any entity that obstructs an auditor commits an offence that can lead to both a $20 million fine or five years’ imprisonment.

The Bill would also empower the commission, when specified by the Minister, to issue licences and registration to these entities. Failure to register is an offence under the Bill, carrying a fine of between $10 million and $25 million - or five years’ imprisonment.

There are also penalties for entities not reporting who their beneficial owners are.

According to Section 51(1) of the Bill, “Every reporting entity is required to provide accurate and up to date beneficial ownership information to the Commission.

When a reporting entity has a change in registered office or principal place of business; or has a change in beneficial ownership, director, partner, compliance officer or money laundering reporting officer, the reporting entity shall within one month of such change, notify the Commission.”

It goes on to state that “where a reporting entity fails to notify the Commission as required un-

der subsection (1), the reporting entity commits an offence and is be liable to a penalty of two hundred thousand dollars for each failure to notify in accordance with subsection (1).”

The three-member commission shall be appointed by the subject Minister and hold office for no more than three years, with the possibility of reappointment. A Chief Executive Officer and Deputy CEO is also to be appointed to serve at the direction of the commission.

Guyana’s AML/CFT framework will be undergoing its fourth round of mutual evaluation in September by CFATF. In preparation for that exercise, the Government will be tabling the two Bills in the National Assembly.

This will be done to implement outstanding recommendations of the CFATF and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as correct deficiencies identified and overall, strengthen Guyana’s AML/CFT framework. (G3)

Days after the lifeless body of 46-year-old Omar Ally was found with injuries to his head in a Quamina Street hotel, the woman with whom he had checked in and who was seen escaping through a window is holding out that she is not responsible for his death.

As the Police make an attempt to arrest Kenisha Thomas of B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, for questioning into the incident, she ended up on HGPTV on Tuesday to clear

her name.

During an interview with Travis Chase, Thomas claimed that the victim became lifeless after he hit his head on a toilet bowl in the room they had checked into. The couple has reportedly shared a sexual relationship for the past four years even though Ally was married with children.

Thomas insisted that she is innocent of any wrongdoing while explaining that the incident took place after the two had intercourse on Friday.

“We normally use the same guest house…sometimes he would pick me up and most times he would call me to reach him there. But on Friday when we entered the guest house, the receptionist told me that we can go to 104. He asked me if I want a beer and I said yes, so he asked for three beers and two Guinness… he came in with it.”

“…he started gaffing me and he was telling me that he was sick for a couple of days. He told me that he has acid reflux… we drank

the beer and we had sex… when we finished having sex, we went to the bathroom to bathe… I went into the bathroom first… he was waiting right at the bathroom and while bathing, all I hear is ‘blahdam’, when I looked out, I saw he was lying on the toilet bowl panting for breath…”, the woman explained.

Panic mode

Thomas said upon seeing Ally in such a state, she panicked, ran out of the bathroom and went straight to the receptionist where she reported what had happened.

“I went to her and I said come quick he fall down, and she said who fall down, and I said the person I came in with. She said that she was coming and she accompanied me back to the room. When we went in, she turned to me and said I got to call the Police and the ambulance. I said no, I can’t stay here, dah is me neighbour husband,” she said.

The woman claimed that she began panicking even more, and the only thing that came to her mind was to escape from the scene.

“I had my towel wrapped, and I went on to put on my pants and my bra, and I picked up my top and my phone, and I jumped down the building, and I ran away. I didn’t wait for the Police because I got scared, and I didn’t want to wait for his wife and his family to come there and see me. That’s why I ran away.”

The woman said the hotel staff knew them well because they frequented the hotel quite regularly.

“We have been going around for four years… not to my knowledge, the wife does not know of me. One time he told me that we have to be careful with what we are doing because somebody told that girl that they saw me give you money…”.

“I did not kill him. I am innocent. If I went into this hotel voluntarily with this man, why did we have to fight? We never had an argument; we never had a problem… I think maybe the medication that he was using, his body couldn’t have taken the Guinness, and maybe that made his heart give out,” she expressed.

“Lying low”

Thomas stated that since the incident, she has been in hiding and will continue to lie low until a post-mortem examination is conducted on the man’s body. She believes that after the autopsy, her innocence will be proven.

She further added that the Police have not made any contact with her since the incident and that she has made no attempt to contact them.

Where’s the...

…PNC’s Development Plan?

Back in 2017, Sanctimonious Gangster David Granger vindictively shut down four of the seven sugar estates in a blatant and contemptuous attempt to destroy what he felt was a PPP core constituency. 7000 workers were thrown on the breadlines between those directly employed by GuySuCo and the private cane farmers. But Granger chose to ignore that fully one-third of the sugar workers from Wales (and also a major block of cane farmers) was from his African -Guyanese core constituency! Collateral damage? Working-class African-Guyanese should’ve paid attention!

But, as promised, the PPP Irfan Ali Administration moved to reopen the shuttered estates (except Wales) the moment the Sanctimonious Gangster was voted out kicking and screaming!! Wales was chosen to be the centre of a gas-to-shore power generation and industrial complex!! Representing the move into our industrialised future!! Poetic justice?? Not really. Just the PPP’s historic concern for the poor and the powerless. Apart from rebuilding the Ogle Senior Staff Compound as a luxurious party HQ for “the boys and girls”, the PNC had allowed the four estates to literally revert to “the bush”!

And that summarises the PNC take on “development” for Guyana. Starting with their founder leader Burnham, they’ve always been full of ideas. But sadly, they were also full of that other stuff!! His first mistake was to dump a fella who didn’t just have IDEAS about development – but had actually taken a small business from his father and developed it into a successful regional conglomerate – Peter D’Aguiar!!

But that’s also the PNC way, specifically with business – ignore people who tell you that production takes hard work and dedication – not just spouting fancy rhetoric!! As soon as he got rid of D’Aguiar, Burnham came up with the grandiose plan to “Feed, House and Clothe” the nation. That’s all well and good. But there was the small matter of how he was gonna do it!! He chose “cooperativism” as his vehicle. Now, there’s nothing wrong about cooperatives per se. Carghill – one of the largest grain producers in the world – is a cooperative. But it’s run like a BUSINESS!!

The PNC’s organisation of co-ops was supporters – at best could deliver subsistence living for their lower-class supporters!! Did Burnham actually WANT to keep them barefoot and hungry, as some claim?? Your Eyewitness doesn’t think so…but he just never had the experience, and refused to listen to those who did!! He ruined the well-run and profitable corporations he nationalised by appointing political loyalists to tell execs what to do!!

And Norton is following in his footsteps as diligently as did Granger, without even coming up with a plan!! Was it because Hoyte read themright and threw them out of the party??

…PNC leadership?

Gandhi, who knew a thing or two about political mobilisation, once said, “No one can ride on the back of a man, unless it is bent”. This thought popped into your Eyewitness’s head as he reflected on the PNC having this hold-me, loose-me attitude on the LGE. What exactly do they think of the intelligence of their supporters?

But, more pertinently, why are PNC supporters putting up with this abysmal leadership riding on their backs? Were they comfortable with Granger becoming leader via a rigged party Congress “election”? Were they comfortable being made the laughing stock of Caricom for insisting “33 isn’t greater than 32”? Were they comfortable with the PNC not showing their SOPs, yet insisting they’ve won the elections? Didn’t it bother them that the PNC Ministers took a 50% pay raise as soon as they slid into office - to keep them away from “temptation” - yet accepted millions of dollars of bling?

Are they comfortable with the present dithering?? Why keep bending their backs?

…Consistency?

Why is it the PNC insists that, just because GECOM Chair Claudette Singh doesn’t vote with their commissioners, she’s taking the PPP’s “side”?? Have they ever thought the PPP might be doing what she thinks is the right thing??

Quamina St hotel incident

“I did not kill him. I am innocent”

– woman seen fleeing scene ...says will surrender after autopsy conducted

Omar Ally, the dead man, and Kenisha Thomas running from the scene after the body was discovered

Sod turned for $6.6B hospital at Bath Settlement

…existing healthcare must be revamped or administrators held accountable – Ali

ing invested to ensure every resident in this region will have treated water by 2025. What it does is that it takes up the net value of your property,” President Ali said.

Prior to his visit to the

have to be held responsible and I’m being very frank on this,” the President noted.

Advances in the healthcare system in Guyana have been galloping along. Earlier this year, Woodlands Hospital launched its stem

fit for purpose and one that will provide global healthcare services for the rest of the world. Mark this night. There is no rest in this sector in getting it to where we want to be.”

Moreover, he said as

The sod was on Tuesday turned for a level four, $6.6 billion hospital at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice (WCB), with President Dr Irfaan Ali proclaiming that this is just the latest in a series of investments in healthcare being made in regional healthcare.

The new hospital at Bath, which will be built at a cost of $6.6 billion and be completed by next year, is one of six modern regional hospitals the Government plans to build. The other five are in Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Number 75 Village, Region Six; and one

at Diamond and another at Enmore in Region Four.

The hospital in Bath is a level four hospital, which means it should have more comprehensive services and specialised staff on call.

During the ceremony to mark the sod-turning for the hospital, President Dr Irfaan Ali spoke of all the investments the Government is making in the region. The President spoke about what these investments mean for the people, on a per-capita basis.

“This singular project and when I say singular project, this project comprises of six different hospitals. This is a complete

investment of more than $40 billion, these six hospitals. Since we came into office in 2020, we have spent on roads alone more than $18 billion. That is almost $300,000 for every single resident living in this area. Now you may not see $300,000 in your pocket as a result of that investment. But you have more efficient road system. Your children, the elderly, have better infrastructure.”

“But importantly, your net asset value increases. Because as the infrastructure around you starts to improve, new hospital, new road, treated water and billions of dollars are be-

site, the President did a community walk through to listen to the complaints of the residents. In light of several complaints about the Fort Wellington Hospital, President Ali made it clear that improvements must be made or administrators will be held accountable. Present while the President heard these complaints was Regional Health Officer, Dr Desmond Nicholson.

“Imagine the Government is investing and putting so much money… 14 doctors there. But the administrators. They

cell services and immunotherapy – becoming the first in the country to offer such ground-breaking medical technology to the population. At the time, President Ali had made a commitment that by 2030, Guyana will offer healthcare services that are internationally recognised.

“In the next seven years, we are not trying to, by the grace and help of God, in the next seven years we are building in Guyana, a first world healthcare system for our citizens and a healthcare system that is

more and more innovations take place in the sector, he called in financial and medical specialists as well as policymakers to start discussions on modern health insurance plans.

He had also announced the forthcoming establishment of a National Medical Scientific Council. This council, President Ali had noted, would bring the country’s best medical talent to investigate “not old technology but the best-in-class medical science development that can be applied in Guyana to help us here.” (G3)

The sod-turning exercise at the new hospital site in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice

Teachers promoted to ensure “highest quality of education” – Manickchand

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

on Tuesday congratulated teachers in the system who were recently promoted, highlighting that the quality of education will be enhanced.

Teachers have been promoted to “service providers” in the education system – a process which was successful through input by the Teaching Service Commission and the School Boards Secretariat.

In a recorded statement, the Minister expressed, “It took a lot of time. It took a lot of dedication. It allows us in the Ministry to move the various schools forward and to deliver education that these children deserve.”

The newly promoted teachers were asked to put their best foot forward and take advantage of programmes offered by the Ministry for their professional development to deliver the “highest quality of education”.

“To the newly appointed persons, I say this. You’re called and you’re appointed because you say you’re qualified and ready to take up this appointment. Please do your very best in these

schools. Children deserve nothing but your very best effort.”

These promotions come just weeks after the full quorum of the Teaching Service Commission was appointed in February.

The members were Maydha Persaud, Doodmattie Singh, Joan Monkhouse, Shafiran Bhajan, Mohammed Saddam Hussain, Lancelot Baptiste and Satti Jaiserriesing.

The Commission has a lifespan of three years, with the TSC Chairperson, Deputy Chair and one oth-

er member being full-time members. The TSC is in charge of appointing, disciplining, and removing teachers when necessary.

Meanwhile, the responsibilities of the School Boards Secretariat include: orientation and installation of new Board members; appointment of junior and senior staff to fill vacancies; upgrading statuses of teachers; and transfers or secondments of teachers, among other roles. Boards are subjected to laws and regulations as set out by the President’s College Act of 1990.

The School Boards Secretariat holds as much power and authority as the Teaching Service Commission. Boards have been given wide powers and concomitant responsibilities in keeping with

the provisions of the PC Act of 1990. Specific objectives of School Boards are: to promote a more supportive home-school-community environment; to make the school community more accountable for the delivery of

education; to encourage the community to be more responsive to the education of its young citizens; to monitor and evaluate all aspects of school operations; and to make optimal use of all available resources.

Free press indispensable for...

“Further, successive PPP/C administrations have ratified and enforced international conventions and subscribed to global platforms and fora that promote and advocate in the interest of the fraternity. As recently as 2021, our Government ratified the Media Freedom Coalition which focusses heavily on the safety and protection of journalists and other media workers.”

According to McCoy, the PPP/C Government’s commitment to press freedom remains “steadfast and unwavering” and is considered by them as the cornerstone of responsible governance and citizenship. He also pointed to Guyana’s improvement on the World Press Freedom Index.

“In 2022, after convening

one of the largest assembly of media practitioners and other stakeholders in a national conference and symposium, Guyana’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index improved 17 places to number 34 among 180 countries. I am proud to be associated with this stellar record of steady progress towards the most ideal symbiotic environment possible,” McCoy said.

“As with every society and socio-political nexus however, both Government and the media have weaknesses and unforced errors to constantly contend with within the national growth paradigm, and must separately and collectively strive to achieve as much convergence as possible, as indefatigably as possible.”

Last year, the

Department of Public Affairs had organised a national conference and symposium to commemorate the UNESCO-designated World Press Freedom Day between May 3, and May 4, 2022, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The event, which was held under the international theme “Journalism Under Surveillance” and Guyana’s national subtheme: “Partnerships in Communication for Development (C4D)”, had featured an address by President Dr Irfaan Ali. There were also several panel discussions featuring leading local and visiting industry practitioners and experts during the symposium. (G3)

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Agriculture Minister explores greater access to finance for farmers

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has met with officials from the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) where he charged them to develop products for the benefit of farmers.

The engagement was geared at discussing the progress of a capacity-building programme aimed at small farmers. The programme provides farmers with valuable information to increase their productivity, income, and commercialisation opportunities through market linkages, climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices, access to productivity-increasing inputs, and entrepreneurship.

During the meeting, the Minister challenged the group to develop a financial product that will give small farmers more access to finance, assist in removing

the stigmas associated with agriculture, and work with youths to get involved in growing high-end crops under shaded cultivation.

He also highlighted the Government’s push for agro-processing and the planned construction of 13 agro-processing facilities

across the country by the end of 2023. Mustapha also charged the group to work with relevant Government agencies to help farmers and processors make the most of these facilities.

WUSC/GCCI and partners utilised a market system approach to locate small

farmers within the entire market system and address the key constraints to sustainable small farmers’ participation, including access to inputs, finance, or markets.

The Minister suggested using this approach to work with other agencies in

the agriculture sector such as the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). This collaboration involves all market actors, including the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), New Guyana Marketing Corporation, Small Business Bureau, Institute of Private

Enterprise Development (IPED), Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA) among others to ensure a multi-sectoral approach to sustainable agriculture. With the Minister’s support, the programme aims to provide small farmers with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the agriculture sector and contribute to the country’s economic growth. (G12)

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with stakeholders from the GCCI, GBTI and WUSC

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Norton’s hypocrisy is shameless – refusing to join President Ali in pushing One Guyana

According to Demerara Waves, the leader of the PNC, Aubrey Norton, declared to a group of Guyanese in Barbados recently that he has a plan to ease racial tension in Guyana, what he calls an anti-racism plan. A man who himself has contributed in no small measure to racial tension in our country is insisting he has a plan to ease tension.

He should start with himself, by apologising for what took place when he shared a platform a few weeks ago with Tacuma Ogunseye, who called on AfroGuyanese soldiers and Police officers to use their stateauthorised guns and ammunition to attack Indo-Guyanese and others who support the PPP. He could have eased tension by rebuking Ogunseye right there and then. Norton has since doubleddown on the endorsement, when he said that Ogunseye could have made his point with greater elegance. His declaration that he has a plan to ease racial tension is sheer hypocrisy.

One of his proposals in Barbados was to ensure that the staff of Government Ministries must be balanced ethnically. There could be no more hypocritical posture for Norton, knowing he is the leader of a political party that has done everything to ensure that such equal balancing of staff in the Public Sector never existed. After almost thirty years of PNC Government, after twenty-six years of independence, by 1992, the Public Service was almost homogenous in terms of ethnic make-up, with more than 95% of the staff made up of a single ethnic group.

Greater than 95% of the Police Force and more than 99% of the army were made up of one ethnic group. In those years, not only did they not do anything to balance the Public Service, they did everything to ensure the Public Sector was made up only of one ethnic group. Unless Indo-Guyanese, for example, pledged allegiance to the PNC and have a PNC card to prove their allegiance, they were prohibited from joining the Public Service.

The PPP Government, first under Cheddi Jagan and then under other Presidents, pursued a levelling of the playing field, such that for new entrances into the Public Sector, there were equal opportunities. The policy was that, over time, recruitment based on merit would balance the ethnic make-up. The PPP chose the slowest of all options to achieve balance, choosing not to discriminate against anyone. By 2014, progress was achieved.

The Public Service was still largely one ethnic group, but from greater than 90%, it has dropped to greater than 75%; the Police Force was still mostly one ethnic group, but from greater than 95%, it had dropped to greater than 85%, and the army from greater than 99% had dropped to greater than 95%. While painfully slow and marginal progress was made, the method of meritorious appointments avoided large-scale discrimination.

What happened after 2015, when the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government came into office? First, the cabinet became ethnically less diversified. Second, the Permanent Secretaries were almost all of one ethnic group. Third, there was a Government-led purge, with senior and junior Indo-Guyanese forced out of their positions. Some were fired, others were harassed and intimidated, and forced to resign. By 2020, the gains made in balancing the ethnic make-up of the Public Service, the Police and the army between 1992 and 2014 were totally obliterated by a Government that actively discriminated against Guyanese based on their ethnicity.

This is the legacy of the PNC. This is a legacy that the leader of the PNC must acknowledge. He now promises that a Government that is led by the PNC under his leadership would pursue balance make-up. Does he not see that he cannot legitimately make this promise, unless he acknowledges first his party’s sordid and reprehensible record of actually being responsible for the hefty imbalance that presently exists? Aubrey Norton can show his sincerity by acknowledging the reckless record of the party he leads in consolidating and sustaining the imbalance.

He must now acknowledge that he participated in one of the most racist public meetings in the history of Guyana. He must now apologise for what transpired at that meeting, and his subsequent doubling down on the sentiments coming out of that meeting. He must apologise for defending the likes of David Hinds, who continue to push the obnoxious racist lines.

Here is an open challenge to Aubrey Norton; not a difficult one, but one that he is now obligated to take on. Let him call the President and ask that we put on the agenda for consultation the balancing of the Public Service, including the balancing of the Police and army.

Virtually, all the things Aubrey Norton cited as strategies to ease racial tension are things his own party has played a major role in preventing. Take one example: hundreds of millions of dollars were allocated in national budgets between 2015 and 2020 to create economic justice and fairness.

Who benefitted? Two Ministers, and children of at least two Ministers benefitted from millions for scholarships in England and America, while children of ordinary Guyanese were denied when they had greater merits. The SLED programme was supposed to support poor people to develop small businesses. Who got that money? Norton might want to ask some of his MPs to help answer this question.

The truth is that Norton must apologise for his role and the role of his party in pushing racial tension in our country. Let him join President Irfaan Ali in pushing for ONE GUYANA.

AG presents draft Real Estate Bill to realtors

– stakeholders get 2 weeks to submit inputs

Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Tuesday met with members of the Realtor Association of Guyana and the Guyana Association of Real Estate Professionals, where he presented a copy of the draft Real Estate Bill 2023 and highlighted its core objectives and main provisions.

The Attorney General explained that Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework is slated to undergo its fourth round of mutual evaluation in September 2023 by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and Financial Action Task Force (FTAF), and the real estate sector has been identified as one of the areas where a regulatory framework is needed.

“The Bill will provide the requisite accountable and transparent legal framework in which real estate agents will operate and by which their transactions will be governed. The economic explosion taking place in the country results in billions of dollars passing through this sector which currently is almost completely without any regulation. This has been identified as a grave risk and such a state of affairs simply cannot continue. The Bill will be taken to Cabinet for approval, then laid in the National Assembly for enactment as soon as is practicable,” Nandlall explained.

The Bill was drafted after consultation with the local real estate bodies and takes into consideration the industry’s best practices and international standards. While the Bill provides for the sector to be as self-regulatory as possible, it incorporates a structure that brings together the Government, the private sector, and real estate operators.

It addresses the licensing of realtors, qualifications required, ethical rules governing transactions, disciplinary procedures, and the establishment of a governing authority, and creates offences for non-compliance, among others.

Interested parties have two weeks to send their comments in writing, and the Attorney General will be open to meeting with the agents again after the comments are received.

Representative of the Guyana Association of Real Estate Professionals, Nicola Duggan commended the efforts of the Government for the initiative, which will allow for the transformation of the industry.

Meanwhile, the Guyana

Government also embarked on regulating the real estate sector with the passage of the Condominium Bill in May 2022, which sets a structured and clear policy framework to guide the

ownership and management of townhouses and condominiums.

Described as a “modern piece of legislation”, the Condominium Bill, Number 4 of 2022, makes provision

for the horizontal and vertical subdivision of land and buildings into units for individual ownership, and the use and management of condominiums and matters connected to it.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The Attorney General and realtors during the engagement on Tuesday

New Ecuador Ambassador accredited

Anew Ambassador from Ecuador has been accredited, with President Dr Irfaan Ali noting the importance of ties between Guyana and Ecuador and the potential for further

collaboration in tourism and other areas.

On Tuesday, it was announced that President Ali accepted the Letters of Credence from Carlos Alberto Velastegui,

Ecuador’s non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

According to a statement from the Office of the

President, President Ali updated the Ambassador on Guyana’s development path and its leadership effort in climate, environmental services, energy, and food security. President Ali also emphasised the importance of further cooperation between the two countries, particularly in tourism and education.

“In his remarks, the newly accredited Ambassador expressed gratitude for the warm reception and assured that “Ecuador is ready to

work jointly” with Guyana. According to him, Ecuador is likewise concerned with food security, sustainable development, and conservation,” the statement also said.

Guyana is currently collaborating with a number of countries on sectors such as tourism. Just recently, Guyana signed an agreement with Costa Rica to further partnerships between the two countries in tourism, explore investment opportunities and exchange

knowledge and technical support, continuing a trend of Guyana building its tourism product through collaboration.

The signing came almost one month after Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond visited St Lucia for a twoday official visit, during which greater bilateral partnerships between the two countries and even a potential twinning of their tourism products was discussed.

President Dr Irfaan Ali as he accepted Letters of Credence from Carlos Alberto Velastegui, Ecuador’s non-resident Ambassador to Guyana (OP photo)

30th edition of Mother & Daughter Pageant set for May 13

mother-daughter duos set to vie for coveted title

Preparations are moving apace for the hosting of the 30th edition of the Mother and Daughter Pageant which is set for Saturday, May 13 at the National Cultural Centre. This year, a total of 22 mother-daughter duos are set to compete in three categories.

The pageant is being hosted under the theme, “The Year of the Pearl, Our Love is Thirty.”

“Based on our research, in the 30th year, we ought to celebrate the pearl. The pearl is one of the most valuable gems known to man and how lucky are we to celebrate such a gem,” Co-producer of the pageant, Dr. Sulan Fung stated at a press briefing on Tuesday.

The pageant’s first production was held in 1990 after a brainstorming session between Ingrid Fung–Dr. Fung’s mother–and a colleague when they were both teachers at St. Joseph’s High School.

“We started in a classroom at St. Joseph’s High School [as] ordinary teachers [with] ordinary lives,” said Ingrid Fung. “My colleague and I were thinking about how we can make life better in a

creative way.”

The duo had organsied the Miss St. Joseph’s High School Pageant

and it was a resounding success.

“We felt good, and when it is good, you want better and so that idea of

the mother and daughter pageant germinated,” the senior Fung recollected.

Now in its 30th year, the pageant has grown in scale, with the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry sponsoring the event for the second consecutive year.

“The family is a very important part of His Excellency’s philosophy and we believe that for us to have a strong society, we must have strong families,” National Events Coordinator within the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry, Andrew Tyndall related.

“We feel like this pageant helps to showcase, develop and build confidence in what we refer to as the bedrock of the family which would be mothers so we saw it as a natural fit for the Ministry to partner with the Mother and Daughter Pageant,” Tyndall added.

Other sponsors include Chung’s Global Inc. and will host Chung’s Global Red-Carpet event to be live-streamed on TV and social media.

This red carpet marks the beginning of the pageant’s activities and will include complimentary food and drinks and an opportun-

ity for attendees to interact with different companies and walk the carpet.

In addition, Team Mohamed’s will also be sponsoring a “special feature” which will be unveiled on the evening of the pageant.

Sterlings Products Ltd, one of the sponsors is also set to launch several new flavours of sugar-free Igloo ice cream at the event.

“We currently have our french vanilla flavour in our sugar-free ice cream and we will have many more flavours on that day,” Marketing Manager of Sterling Products Limited, said Dellon Lynch stated.

“There will be lots of giveaways to persons who purchase tickets as well as persons who just visit and check out the booth.”

Similar to last year, prizes to the winners will include trips to the United States and local destinations within Guyana, cosmetics, jewellery and complimentary dinners.

The pageant will commence at 18:00h and tickets are on sale at the National Cultural Centre’s box office for $6000, $5500 and $5000.

Marketing Manager of Sterling Products Ltd, Dellon Lynch; Co-producers of the Mother and Daughter Pageant, Ingrid and Dr Sulan Fung; Keisha Chung of Chung’s Global and Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry National Events Coordinator Andrew Tyndall

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Security guard remanded to prison for brutal murder of girlfriend

Twenty-three-yearold Meshack Douglas was on Tuesday arraigned before Sparendaam Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool on a charge of murder allegedly committed on his 31-year-old girlfriend Lisa George. Douglas, a security officer, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that he murdered Lisa George at their ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown home on April 26, 2023. He has been remanded to prison until May 29, 2023.

It has been reported that Lisa George, a mother of two, had attempted to end her rocky relationship of just four months with Douglas when she was stabbed some 22 times by her boyfriend in the presence of her young son at their Lot 604, ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown home.

According to reports, the victim’s 12-year-old son, who was at home when the incident occurred, was awakened by his mother screaming, and he ventured into her bedroom, where he saw his mother lying on her back on the bed in a pool of

blood. According to the traumatised 12-year-old boy, the 23-year-old suspect was on top of his mother at the time of the discovery, continuously stabbing her about her body with a knife.

At the time of the gruesome murder, the victim’s 6-year-old daughter was said to have also been on the bed with her.

At the said time, the victim’s sister, Lovern George, who lives next door, rushed over at the sound of Lisa’s screams, and entered the house after her 12-yearold nephew ran to open the

door. Lovern’s husband had accompanied her into the bedroom, and he immediately wrestled the knives away from the assailant. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with the heinous crime.

The late Lisa George has been described as a very loving, caring and humble woman, who was family-oriented and always there for those in need. She was also described as an exceptional mother, who always had the best interest of her children at heart, and would work hard to provide for them.

Suspect: Meshack Douglas

Murdered: Lisa George

“Exciting time” to invest in Guyana – GO-Invest Head tells OTC forum

We believe in working. We know the private sector is there to make money and we have no problem with that,” Ramsaroop said.

“Our incentives package is significant. You can repatriate all your profits right now. You will get incentives for capital, machinery, taxes and holidays in some industries,” he said.

Guyana is hoping to expand its local private sector in the coming years and continues to present a welcoming package to all investors looking to enter the country.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer of GOInvest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, during the 2023 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) which opened on Monday in Houston, Texas.

The OTC serves as a vital forum for offshore energy industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore innovative technologies, with Guyana participating for its fourth consecutive year.

The country’s participa-

“After the rumours started spreading, I reached out to my cousin and told her that I am innocent. She asked me where I am, but I couldn’t tell her. I have to keep a low profile until the autopsy is done. Once the autopsy is complete, I will turn myself in with a lawyer because I know I am innocent,” she reiterated.

When asked about the large amount of money the man allegedly had in his possession, as per the accusation made by the man’s family, the woman stated that she was unaware that he had that much money. The family had claimed that the now-dead had over $100,000 to purchase a chandelier.

“I am not happy about how things happened. I am sad about the situation because his family is terrorising my family and even pelting my grandmother’s place. Moreover, nobody knows that the man and I were in a relationship.”

She further clarified that the rumours surrounding the case were not true, and everyone should wait for the autopsy report.

Apology to the family

Thomas expressed her deepest condolences to the Ally family for their loss and stated that she is not happy with how things went down and how the man met his demise. She further added that she was sorry about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I want to express my

tion results from a collaboration between the Guyana Office for Investment and 40 private sector companies, with over 100 participants in the delegation.

Speaking to potential investors, Dr Ramsaroop highlighted that the investment climate in Guyana is booming.

“Guyana is an exciting country [as] we are on the map for many reasons,” Ramsaroop said, highlighting a recent Oil Price news article that dubbed Guyana among the 10 most incredible oil and gas discoveries of all time.

“Now that we’re in a significant growth stage, we’re like buying a stock,” the

deepest sympathy to the Ally family. This is a situation that I am not happy about, and I want to apologise for how it happened and the circumstances that have ensued…”, she said.

She reiterated that she has not been in contact with the Police and that she is fully cooperating with her lawyer to clear her name.

Receptionist’s version

Even with this new twist on the alleged murder, it seems that the receptionist has a different version of events.

According to a subsequent report, the man’s body was found by the receptionist around 14:15h. The receptionist had reported that the man had checked into the hotel in the company of someone dressed like a female but suspected to be a male.

Ally had reportedly left his place of employment just after midday on Friday after receiving a telephone call.

However, shortly after checking into the hotel, loud sounds were heard emanating from Room 104, the room the couple had booked. This prompted the receptionist to check.

As she went into the room, she claimed that she observed Ally lying on the floor with a person standing over him. He was reportedly naked and blood was oozing from behind his head.

The receptionist reportedly told relatives that the person claimed that Ally fell and hit his head on the toilet, and she needed to leave

GO-Invest Head said, likening Guyana’s growth to a potential success if it were within the stock market.

“The projection for the next four to five years, as long as we can see, is plus 30 per cent growth. Nowhere in the world you would find this type of growth going on so you would want to buy Guyana’s stock.”

Ramsaroop explained that the country is looking to expand its private sector as they are much more mature and are looking for joint ventures. He went on to assure that investors can look forward to immense Government support.

“We’re a Government that’s open for business.

FROM PAGE 8

the scene immediately. The receptionist added that she left the room and returned to the reception area, where she contacted her supervisor, who then contacted the Guyana Fire Service ambulance.

She said the identifiable person made good their escape west along Quamina Street after jumping out the south-eastern bedroom window in public view.

A surveillance video recording showed the woman, clad in a pair of short pants and a brassiere with her blouse in hand, limping away from the scene. Family members were left shocked and confused when they viewed the video recording since the woman in the video was someone they knew well.

The report further stated that Thomas resides opposite the family’s B Field, Sophia home, but has not been seen since Friday when the incident occurred.

While the Police did not release any information on the incident, family members stated they noticed a wound to the back of the man’s head and scratches on his face.

Days after, the now dead man’s family is yet to get a report from the Police. The case has captured the attention of many, with people speculating about what really happened that fateful day. As the investigation continues, all ears are waiting for the post-mortem examination to reveal the truth. (G-9)

“You don’t have to guess what is going to happen and where Government support is going to be [since] we’re there to stand right next to you to make sure your investment in Guyana is successful.”

By participating in the OTC, Guyanese businesses can seek partners and learn about emerging opportunities in their South American homeland. This involvement will help bring more supply chain opportunities to Guyana’s shores.

Other panellists during this conference includ-

ed Richard Rambarran, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Petroleum Committee of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce; Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana; Nicholas Deygoo Boyer, Director of Vreed-en-Hoop

Shorebase; and moderated by Alex Graham of Tagman Media Inc.

The conference will last until Thursday, and offers an excellent opportunity for networking, collaboration, and showcasing Guyana’s potential for future industry developments.

Chief Executive Officer of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop speaking at the 2023 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)

“I did not kill him...

Cop’s murder

INTERPOL issues Red Notice for wanted woman, husband

The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has issued Red Notices for the two Guyanese wanted in connection with the murder of Police Constable Quincy Lewis.

On its website, INTERPOL states that Thakurdyal Samaroo and his wife Youseef Zahid, also known as Naqueeba Zahid Zafarali are wanted by Guyana for murder.

After almost three years of mystery, detectives unearthed skeletal remains believed to be those of Constable Lewis in a shallow grave in a sandpit at Madewini, along the

Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Wednesday, April 12.

The following day, wanted bulletins were issued for Samaroo and his wife.

On April 24, Shafeek Vernom, also known as “Profit”, and Jamel Van Lewis were arraigned for the murder of Lewis, whose skeletal remains were unearthed in a shallow grave on April 19, almost three years after he went missing after leaving home for work.

Vernom, 25, of Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Van Lewis, a 35-yearold of D’Urban Street, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who remanded them to prison. The case

will continue on May 24.

Vernom and Lewis were charged jointly along with 56-year-old Thakurdyal Samaroo and his wife Youseef Zahid, also known as “Naqueeba Zahid Zafarali”, both of Lot 7 Ogle Front, ECD. While the local Police have issued want-

where Constable Lewis’s body was buried.

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, the missing Policeman was reportedly lured to a house on the East Bank of Demerara, where he was allegedly shot dead.

Constable Lewis was re-

ing when the owner of the car in which he had left approached them four days later to collect his car.

The family had been under the impression that the Policeman was on duty at the Agricola Police Outpost and became alarmed when they were told he did not

ed bulletins for the couple, Magistrate Daly, also issued warrants for their arrest.

They are believed to be the masterminds behind the Policeman’s murder.

Based on the information received, they are both out of the jurisdiction, and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is using all legal avenues available to ensure that they are extradited to Guyana to answer allegations made in relation to the death of the cop.

The breakthrough in the Policeman’s disappearance came after intensive interrogation of Vernom and Lewis, who allegedly admitted that they had known about the killing of the cop.

They reportedly cooperated with investigators and pinpointed the location

portedly in a relationship with Samaroo’s wife.

While at the house, he was reportedly shot by Samaroo, after which his body was bound with plastic cable. The killer(s) then reportedly placed a black plastic bag over his head, and secured it with duct tape. The grave was already dug, according to the information reaching Guyana Times

His body was then transported to Madewini, on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, and buried.

On June 19, 2020, Lewis had visited his home at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), to uplift a few pieces of clothing before boarding a vehicle.

Family members became aware that he was miss-

turn up for work.

Several efforts were made to contact Lewis by phone, but they were all in vain.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance recordings later revealed that Lewis had crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is less than a 10-minute drive from where he was stationed at Agricola. He was last seen entering Greenfield Park, EBD.

Months after he disappeared, Lewis’s cell phone was found in the Timehri, EBD area with the screen cracked. The Police will be sending samples from the skeletal remains for DNA testing.

The case was solved by ranks of the GPF’s Major Crimes Investigations and Cold Case Units.

Dead: Police Constable Quincy Lewis

Collective action to achieve SDGs – PM

The Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry in collaboration with the Finance and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministries on Tuesday hosted a multistakeholder consultation on the presentation of Guyana’s second voluntary national review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).

The event is being hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is the inaugural report of Guyana’s progress in effecting the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Delivering remarks on the national development trajectory in this regard, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, highlighted that the SDGs are

important in providing a roadmap for the creation of a resilient future.

However, the Prime Minister stressed that collaborative action, one that sees the participation of Government, private sector, and civil society, is necessary in tackling these ambitious goals.

“Achieving the goals will require collaboration and the participation of all sectors of society. By working together, we can leverage our collective resources to make prog-

ress towards the SDGs,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that a key feature of the PPP/C Administration remains continuous engagements with stakeholders, and this dedication has played a key role in the progress the country has made so far.

“Our Government values the input and participation of our people in good governance. We have actively been engaging in communities countrywide to listen

Duo being questioned for murder of handyman

Two persons are currently being interrogated in connection with the murder of 45-yearold Wafad Wahab, a handyman also known as ‘Ricky’, who was reportedly attacked on Monday evening in the vicinity of Strikey’s Bar along New Road, Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The man was allegedly attacked and beaten by three males, and later succumbed to his injuries at the

West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

Police have reported that Wahab was under the influence of alcohol when he visited his aunt in Vreed-enHoop on Saturday evening, but was urged to return home due to his drunken state. However, later that evening, the Police received a report that an injured man was lying on the street in Vreed-en-Hoop, and upon arriving at the scene, they observed the mancov-

ered in blood. At the time, a Samsung cell phone and $1040 in cash were found in Wahab’s pocket.

He was picked up and taken to the hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. An eyewitness subsequently told Police that Wahab was attacked and beaten by three men, who fled the scene on bicycles.

Two men who are in custody are assisting Police with their investigations into Wahab’s death.

to concerns and receive valuable insight from the people. We believe that this is key to fostering inclusivity and reducing inequalities in our nation,” the PM said.

Government, he pointed out, has already made notable progress in areas such as improving disaster preparedness and response mechanism, the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, and the expansion of connectivity in the hinterland and remote communities.

The Prime Minister noted that the country has made significant strides in establishing the institutional framework for resilience in cities and communities, through its National Disaster and Risk Management plan.

“We have developed regional development and risk management systems for all of our ten administrative regions. We are also making progress to ensure that the legal framework is developed to create an enabling environment for disaster risk reduction to be effective.”

Further, in relation to energy security, the senior Government official reminded that the country is making progress in the transition to renewable energy, especially in remote areas.

“Our Government rec-

ognises that clean and renewable energy is pivotal in fostering economic growth, energy security, job creation and poverty alleviation while contributing to climate change mitigation.”

To this end, an aggressive approach has been taken in implementing a number of solar farms, mini-grids, and hydropower projects countrywide, a testament to Government’s commitment to a low-carbon future for Guyana.

PM Phillips added, “We shall also continue to support the development of technology and knowledge for innovation. We are similarly committed to bridging the digital divide to ensure that every citizen and resident has affordable access to reliable broadband connections.”

During his remarks, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing implementation of Agenda 2030, aimed at achieving the SDGs, notwithstanding the challenging global economic context.

“This engagement is not to be seen as an isolated activity because in fact this Government prides itself on its consultative approach to governance - the manifesto itself was prepared out of

a consultative process, our LCDS benefitted from national consultations around the country, the various sector strategies and sector initiatives benefitted from consultation across the country. Our national budgets benefitted from input from several stakeholders, our micro level interventions whether it be the roads we are building, the D&I structures that we are repairing, the interventions that we are making in our hinterland villages,”

Dr Singh explained.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira during her remarks explained that the goals are not always easy ones to attain simultaneously as every country is at different levels of development in relation to the various goals that were set. She said the VNRs and consultation allow for the measurement of progress being made, the challenges being faced, whether it is a resource problem, human, financial, equipment, infrastructure, connectivity, electricity etc.

“All these things allow us to measure the progress we are making and to recognise where the gaps are and whether we address them as a nation,” she added.

Brazil’s fake news bill sparks outcry from tech giants

Brazil’s Congress is weighing a regulatory bill that would shift the burden onto Internet companies to report illegal content on their sites, a controversial initiative that has pitted the Administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva against major tech companies such as Google.

On Tuesday, Google was forced to remove a link on its home page in Brazil that advocated against Bill 2630, also known as the Fake News Law.

The link alleged that the bill would stir public confusion and called on users to contact their congressional representatives to speak out against the legislation.

The Brazilian proposal, which would create penalties for tech companies that fail to crack down on fake news and other illegal materials on their platforms, would be among the strictest legislation governing social media and other content-hosting websites.

It has been compared to the European Union’s Digital Services Act, adopted last year to regulate major tech companies and create standards for transparency and content moderation.

But companies like Google and Facebook have warned that Brazil’s Bill 2630 could be used for censorship and might endanger the availability of free con-

T&T Opposition Leader slams PM for comments on crime

Trinidad and Tobago

Opposition Leader

Kamla PersadBissessar has slammed Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley for claiming statements she made on crime were directed at one particular race and that her party may be linked to last week’s bomb threats at schools across the country.

tent services.

In a statement to CNN Brasil on Tuesday, Google also argued that the bill presented “risks” to “the people who use our platforms and also to the different participants in the digital ecosystem”.

It said the bill had “undergone significant changes in recent weeks”, leading to a lack of awareness about its contents. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chevron export earnings boost supply of US dollars in Venezuela – sources

Some of US oil major Chevron Corp’s export earnings from its Venezuela operations are bolstering supplies of US dollars in the South American country, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Chevron operates in Venezuela, which is under US sanctions, with special authorisation from Washington. It received and exported about 148,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan heavy crude to the US in April.

Chevron brings back some of its export earnings to Venezuela, exchanging

them for the hugely devalued bolivar currency so it can pay taxes and other local expenses, the three sources said, as the Government keeps the exchange rate stable in a bid to control inflation.

“Chevron has to meet its commitments in bolivars ... it needs resources in Venezuela for the production at its fields to rise,” said Asdrubal Oliveros, director of local analyst firm Ecoanalitica.

Since February the company has offered between US$20 million and US$30 million each week at exchanges run by private lo-

cal banks, two of the sources said.

“We continue to conduct our business in compliance with all laws and regulations, as well as the sanctions framework provided by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control,” Chevron said in response to a request for comment. “Our focus is on supporting safe and reliable operations.”

The central bank also sells dollars, mostly the product of oil sales. Exchanges are largely made with companies.

The central bank did not respond to requests for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaican Minister urges faster settlements of 'dead lef' disputes

With more than $50 billion under its management as at March 2023, the Administrator General’s Department (AGD) is facing increasing pressure to cope, while the value of estates continue to depreciate.

This was noted by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, as he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“That is indeed a heavy burden and my guidance, to the incoming Administrator General, is to urge beneficiaries to settle their differences so that more estate files can be closed, in particular, to have most of these properties disposed of, primarily to the beneficiaries,” Chuck stated.

The Justice Minister suggested that if there is a protracted and lingering dispute over what is commonly called ‘dead lef’, then the real estate should be sold at the market value and the proceeds shared accordingly. He said it was crucial that beneficiaries

agree on a way forward as “once properties remain undistributed, they tend to deteriorate and a significant amount of their value is lost as the resources are not readily available to maintain and improve them”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

She made the demand on Monday, as she called on Rowley to apologise or face legal action for what she called the false claims he made against her at Sunday’s People’s National Movement Family Day in Toco.

Rowley made the comments when he referenced statements made by Persad-Bissessar on crime and from Pundit Satyanand Maharaj, who last week claimed that urban youth from the EastWest Corridor were targeting East Indians in Aranguez.

In a release on Monday, however, Persad-Bissessar denied ever blaming any ethnic group for crime.

“I have never in my life accused one race of committing criminal attacks against another race in our country. Not lately, not now and not ever,” PersadBissessar said in a response to Rowley’s claim.

“Should an apology and retraction not be pre -

sented, I will be taking legal action against Keith Rowley for uttering those false statements and all media houses and reporters who disseminated said statements.”

In a strong rebuttal, Persad-Bissessar said Rowley showed, “he is a desperate, dishonest man!”

“... Keith Rowley must know that racial tensions can be incited by false -

ly accusing me of making this divisive statement. It is most irresponsible. It is dangerous and downright nasty politics.

“It is also defamatory of my character and flies in the face of my many years in politics, where I have always celebrated our national unity and our harmonious diversity.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Political newcomer Pineda leads poll in Guatemala’s presidential race

Businessman and political newcomer Carlos Pineda was the top choice of voters ahead of Guatemala’s June 25 presidential election in a poll released on Tuesday, with former First Lady Sandra Torres second and veteran diplomat Edmond Mulet third.

Voters will be choosing a successor to President Alejandro Giammattei, whose term ends in January 2024.

The Prensa Libre poll

showed Pineda with the support of 23.1 per cent of respondents, followed by Torres at 19.5 per cent, Mulet at 10.1 per cent and Zury Rios, the daughter of the late dictator Efrain Rios Montt, at 9.2 per cent. The poll surveyed 1202 voters between April 14 and 23, asking them to choose among 23 presidential candidates. It had a margin of error of 2.8 per cent.

Giammattei is a conservative who has been

widely criticised for his Administration’s repression of Judges, Prosecutors, Journalists and activists – many of whom are now in exile.

Pineda is making his first run at the presidency, while Torres has run several times previously and Mulet once before.

If no candidate achieves a majority on June 25, an August 20 runoff would be held to determine the winner.

(Reuters)

OAS says no reason to put into doubt Paraguay's election results

The Organisation of American States (OAS) said on Tuesday that its electoral observation mission saw no reason to put into doubt Paraguay’s election results, following protests by supporters of a right-wing candidate who came in third.

The statement follows clashes on Monday between Police and supporters of Paraguayo Cubas amid complaints of fraud in a vote that the ruling Colorado Party won comfortably.

President-elect Santiago Pena won 43

per cent of the vote on Sunday compared with 27 per cent for runner-up Efrain Alegre. Cubas, who surprised observers by winning nearly 23 per cent, called in a post on Instagram for a recount and asked his supporters to protest. (Reuters)

Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino issued an ultimatum for Google to remove messaging against the fake news bill from its Brazilian search engine [Amanda Perobelli/Reuters file photo]

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar greets Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley during the Caricom Regional Crime Symposium at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain last month

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck

Around the World OIL NEWS

As counteroffensive looms, Ukraine vows not to give up Bakhmut

Oil slumps 5% to 5-week low amid US debt default fears

Oil prices sank about 5% to a five-week low on Tuesday on concerns about the economy as US politicians discuss ways to avoid a debt default and investors prepare for more rate hikes this week.

Brent futures fell US$3.99, or 5.0%, to settle at US$75.32 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell US$4.00, or 5.3%, to end at US$71.66.

That was the lowest close for both benchmarks since March 24 and was also their biggest one-day percentage declines since early January.

Oil prices and Wall Street's main indexes both fell after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government could run out of money within a month.

The White House said President Joe Biden would not negotiate over the debt ceiling during his meeting with four top congressional leaders on May 9, but he will discuss starting "a separate budget process."

US job openings fell for a third straight month in March and layoffs increased to the highest level in more than two years, suggesting some softening in the labour market that could aid the Federal Reserve's fight against inflation.

"The US economy continues to evolve in a manner consistent with a recession commencing later this year," analysts at Barclays, a bank, said in a note.

"The manufacturing sector is contracting, the consumer is struggling, ... There are broadening signs of cracks emerging within the labour market," Barclays said.

Later this week, investors will look for market direction from expected interest rate hikes by central banks still fighting inflation. More hikes could slow economic growth and dent energy demand.

The US Federal Reserve is expected to increase interest rates by another 25 basis points today.

The European Central Bank is also expected to raise rates at its regular policy meeting on Thursday.

"The ... action of central banks in their mission to tame elevated consumer and producer prices ... all cast a rather long shadow of doubt on prospects going forward," oil broker PVM's Tamas Varga said.

Concerns about diesel demand in recent months, meanwhile, has pressured US heating oil futures to their lowest level since December 2021.

"Oil basically has weakening prospects from the world’s two largest economies, China and the US, and if the macro backdrop deteriorates momentum selling could easily send prices below the US$70 level," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at data and analytics firm OANDA.

Over the weekend, data from China, the world's top crude importer, showed manufacturing activity fell unexpectedly in April. That was the first contraction in the manufacturing purchasing managers' index since December.

On the supply side, Iran's oil production surpassed 3 million barrels per day (bpd), its Oil Minister said. The OPEC member, which has been under US sanctions since 2018, pumped 2.4 million bpd on average in 2021.

The market shrugged off news that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' output fell in April, as sanctioned countries Russia and Iran continued to find outlets for their crude.

Meanwhile, US crude stockpiles were forecast to have drawn down for a third week in a row for the first time since December, falling some 1.1 million barrels last week, according to analysts in a Reuters poll. (Reuters)

Ukraine's military vowed on Tuesday not to give up the pulverised eastern city of Bakhmut as it prepares to launch a long-promised counteroffensive against Russian forces.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of ground forces, underlined the importance Kyiv attaches to holding Bakhmut as preparations continue for a counterattack which it hopes will change the dynamic of the war.

The battle has symbolic importance for both sides, with Ukraine still holding on to some parts of the city after months of fierce fighting against regular Russian troops and the Wagner mercenary force.

"Together with the commanders, we have made a number of necessary decisions aimed at ensuring the effective defence and inflicting maximum losses on the enemy," Syrskyi said in remarks released after a visit to troops in Bakhmut.

"We will continue, de-

spite all the forecasts and advice, to hold Bakhmut, destroying Wagner and other most combat-capable units of the Russian army," he said.

Syrskyi said on Monday Ukrainian units had ousted Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut.

Ukrainian Deputy

AI 'godfather' Geoffrey Hinton warns of dangers as he quits Google

Geoffrey Hinton, 75, announced his resignation from Google in a statement to the New York Times, saying he now regretted his work.

He told the BBC some of the dangers of AI chatbots were "quite scary".

"Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be."

Dr Hinton's pioneering research on neural networks and deep learning has paved the way for current AI systems like ChatGPT.

In artificial intelligence, neural networks are systems that are similar to the human brain in the way they learn and process information. They enable AIs to learn from experience, as a person would. This is called deep learning.

The British-Canadian cognitive psychologist and computer scientist told the BBC that chatbots could soon overtake the level of information that a human

brain holds.

"Right now, what we're seeing is things like GPT4 eclipses a person in the amount of general knowledge it has and it eclipses them by a long way. In terms of reasoning, it's not as good, but it does already do simple reasoning," he said.

"And given the rate of progress, we expect things to get better quite fast. So we need to worry about that."

Dr Hinton joins a growing number of experts who have expressed concerns about AI - both the speed at which it is developing and the direction in which it is going.

In March, an open letter - co-signed by dozens of people in the AI field, including the tech billionaire Elon Musk - called for a pause on all developments more advanced than the current version of AI chatbot ChatGPT so robust safety measures could be designed and implemented. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Soldier shoots dead politician he was guarding

AUgandan national army soldier has shot and killed a Government Minister he was guarding.

Wilson Sabiiti shot dead retired Colonel Charles Okello Engola, Deputy Minister for Gender and Labour, at his home in the capital Kampala on Tuesday. The soldier then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.

It is not yet clear whether there had been an argument between the two men. Sabiiti was assigned to the Minister's security detail a month ago.

Before he took his own life, some eyewitnesses said they saw Sabiiti walking around the neighbourhood and shooting in the air.

An aide to the Minister, Ronald Otim, was wounded during the shoot-out at the

house. He is receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

Initial reports suggest a number of other people may be injured and videos on social media showed locals gathering at the scene in shock.

Col Engola was a senior member of the Government, and had previously served as a Deputy Minister for Defence.

Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said control of some parts of Bakhmut was changing hands.

Wagner units advanced up to 160 metres (yards) in some directions on Tuesday, founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on the Telegram messaging app, repeating claims that

Ukrainian forces now control less than three sq km (1.2 sq miles) of Bakhmut.

Prigozhin also repeated his complaints that Moscow was not supplying his forces with enough ammunition.

Reuters was unable to verify the battlefield situation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghanistan: 'Nothing

The Speaker of Uganda's Parliament confirmed Col Engola's death in a short statement while presiding over its morning session.

"This morning I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was God's plan. We can't change anything," Anita Among told MPs on Tuesday. (BBC News)

A burial ground in the hills near the hospital in Ghor, where at least half of the new graves belong to children

Three-month-old

Tayabullah is quiet and motionless. His mother Nigar moves the oxygen pipe away from his nose and puts a finger below his nostrils to check if she can feel him breathing.

She begins to cry as she realises her son is fading.

At this hospital in Afghanistan, there is not a single working ventilator.

Mothers hold oxygen tubes near their babies' noses because masks designed to fit their small faces are not available, and the women are trying to fill in for what trained staff or medical equipment should do.

Every day, 167 children die in Afghanistan from preventable diseases, according to the UN children's fund UNICEF - illnesses that could and should be cured with the right medication.

It is a staggering number. But it's an estimate.

And when you step inside the paediatric ward of the main hospital in the western province of Ghor, you will be left wondering if that estimate is too low.

Multiple rooms are full

of sick children, at least two in each bed, their little bodies ravaged by pneumonia. Just two nurses look after 60 children.

In one room, we saw at least two dozen babies who appeared to be in a serious condition. The children should have been continuously monitored in critical care - impossible at this hospital.

Yet, for the million people who live in Ghor, this basic facility is still the best equipped public hospital they can access.

Public healthcare in Afghanistan has never been adequate, and foreign money which almost entirely funded it was frozen in August 2021 when the Taliban seized power. Over the past 20 months, we have visited hospitals and clinics across this country, and witnessed them collapsing.

Now the Taliban's recent ban on women working for NGOs means it's becoming harder for humanitarian agencies to operate, putting even more children and babies at risk. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces, in the town of Izium, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, September 14, 2022

we can do but watch babies die'

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Stop before you say something you’ll regret. Bide your time and pay attention to taking care of your responsibilities. Problems at home will surface if you overreact or let anger take control.

(March 21-April 19)

Make home and family your priorities. Implement changes that are cost-efficient and inventive. Refuse to let your emotions override common sense. Pay attention to what others do and say.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Stop worrying about what others do and take care of your responsibilities. Taking on too much or expecting too much from others will cause anxiety and a falling-out with one of your peers.

Do what you can to help someone, but don’t take on debt. Be clear what you are willing to contribute before you begin. Don’t let your personal life interfere with your professional duties.

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

Keep your thoughts to yourself, and don’t reveal your financial situation. Someone will be eager to take advantage of you if you are too open. Be a good listener. Home improvement is favored.

Don’t take on someone else’s debt or share revealing information. Learn, travel and attend meetings that offer insight into the changes going on in your field. Advancement depends on you.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pay attention to your needs. Pick up information that encourages emotional growth. A domestic change you want to make will cost more than you expect. Revisit your plans.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Overspending will lead to stress. Consider sharing expenses with someone who shares your values and respects your privacy. Lowering your overhead will give you peace of mind.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Work alongside someone who shares your goals, but do not promise more than you can deliver. Honesty will protect you from sending the wrong message. Stay on track and under budget.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take the initiative and get organized. Have a budget in mind and be wiling to do the work yourself. Be patient with partners, but don’t make any undue compromises.

Conversations will get out of control if you or another person is stubborn or pushy. Sort out in your mind what you want and figure out how to reach your goal without disturbing others.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Keep your plans secret until you have everything in place. A problem that surfaces at home will be the result of a misunderstanding. When in doubt, go directly to the source.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

YESTERDAY’S WORD

TATA IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans…

Capitals rise from 23 for 5 to stun table-topping Titans

In a game with twists of epic proportions, tenthplaced Delhi Capitals have trumped table-toppers Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, winning by five runs in dramatic fashion.

The game's pendulum swung numerous times, starting with Mohammed Shami picking up four wickets inside the powerplay to reduce Capitals to 23 for 5. But Aman Hakim Khan's maiden T20 fifty and contributions from Axar Patel and Ripal Patel dragged the Capitals to 130 for 8.

Capitals then took the upper hand when Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav left the Titans on the mat at 32 for 4. Even though Hardik Pandya steadied the chase with a half-century, the momentum was with Capitals going into the final two overs. But just when the game seemed lost, Rahul Tewatia hit a hat-trick of sixes off Anrich Nortje in the 19th over to bring Titans to within touching distance of victory.

However, Ishant held his nerve in the final over, and conceded just six against Hardik, Tewatia and Rashid Khan to seal the deal for Capitals.

Thrilling finish

When Titans needed 42 off the last four overs, the game could have gone either way. But quiet overs from Kuldeep and Khaleel to end their respective spells made the equation 33 off the last two overs. When Nortje began the 19th over with three pinpoint yorkers, the game was in the Capitals' grasp, only for Tewatia to bring the home crowd alive once again with three successive legside sixes.

When Ishant ran in to bowl the 20th, the momentum was with the Titans, but Hardik and Tewatia couldn't find the early boundary in the over. Ishant then had Tewatia caught at cover, and when Rashid Khan needed a six off the final ball to force a Super Over, he conceded just a single to finish with figures of 2 for 23.

Capitals' Indian players stand up

Warner was run out, and Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw failed with the bat. They were the first three men gone after Capitals opted to bat at the toss; and when Shami also sent Manish Pandey and Priyam Garg packing, there was a chance Capitals would fold for a sub-100 score.

But Aman and Axar put on 50 off 54 balls for the sixth wicket, and that resurrected the innings. The pitch was not hugely difficult, but the early jolts forced the pair onto the defensive. As their

right-handers Pandey and Garg, and both batters were caught behind in fishing at deliveries outside off.

Shami, who took the Player of the Match award, extended his lead at the top of the IPL 2023 list for most powerplay wick-

much for Noor Ahmad or Rashid Khan, and Mohit and Josh Little did not find much grip with their cutters either. The two seamers eventually finished with relatively expensive figures, as they failed to control the flow of runs at the

Ishant Sharma got an excited hug from David Warner after defending 11 in the last over Three of Mohammed Shami's four wickets in the powerplay were caught behind

partnership grew, their scoring rate increased, but Capitals suffered another setback when Axar fell at the end of the 14th over. He miscued Mohit Sharma to the deep.

Aman, though, took charge after Axar's dismissal, and got to his half-century. He combined with Ripal to help Capitals take 41 runs from overs 16 to 18, a passage of play that allowed them to set Titans 131 to win.

Then Khaleel, Kuldeep, Axar and Ishant hurt Titans in the chase. Khaleel bowled a first-over maiden that included the wicket of Wriddhiman Saha.

Returning to the team after a long hamstring-injury break, Khaleel beat Saha's edge three times off his first three deliveries, and then found the edge to the keeper off the last ball of the over.

Two overs later, Shubman Gill was out to Nortje, finding cover with a drive, but the body blows

came when Ishant rattled Vijay Shankar's stumps with a knuckleball, and Kuldeep disturbed David Miller's poles. That had the Titans reeling at 32 for 4, almost as bad a situation as Capitals' 23 for 5.

Hardik and Abhinav Manohar battled away, putting on a 62-run fifth-wicket partnership, but they consumed 63 balls, and that allowed the required rate to climb steadily. Axar conceded just 24 in four wicketless overs, while Kuldeep finished with a frugal 1 for 15, including a five-run 17th over. Khaleel and Ishant then bowled terrific overs either side of Nortje's expensive 19th to make it a day to celebrate for Capitals.

Shami's super spell

Shami's first-ball wicket was a lucky one, a slot delivery hit straight to cover by Salt, but it was all skill after that. He delivered four overs straight after taking the new ball, and finished

SCOREBOARD

with figures of 4 for 11, with 19 dots in 24 balls. He operated on a good length, and had Rossouw edging a delivery angling across to Saha in his second over. In his third over, he stayed on a similar length with a more prominent upright seam to

ets. Sandwiched between Shami's first two wickets was Warner's dismissal, run out at the non-striker's end after a mix-up with Garg.

Once Shami's spell was done, the pitch didn't turn

death. Capitals scored 52 in their last five overs, propelled by Ripal's unbeaten 13-ball 23 and Aman's 44ball 51, which proved to be the difference in the end. (ESPNCricinfo)

CWI announce fixtures for WI vs England Home Series 2023

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday announced the full schedule for the West Indies Men’s 2023 International Home Series against England.

The world champions will visit the Caribbean in December, where they will play a three-match CG United One-Day International (ODI) Series and a five match T20 International (T20I) Series.

England arrive in Antigua to start the tour with two CG United ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on December 3 and 6. The third CG United ODI will be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados on December 9, followed by the first of five T20Is on December 12.

The Spice Isle of Grenada welcomes both teams for two T20Is on December 14 and 16, and the tour concludes in the week before Christmas with the fourth and fifth T20Is at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, which will be hosting a West Indies vs England men’s fixture for the first time on December 19 and 21.

CWI Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave has said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the England match schedule, and to welcome once again their many travelling fans to the region for a pre-Christmas whiteball tour. This tour will be a major economic boost to the host countries, as well as providing our fans with the chance to see some of their favourite players in action against one of our biggest rivals. The tour will also help with our ongoing venue preparation and event planning for one of the biggest

events ever to be staged in the region, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place in June next year.

“We also look forward to announcing the fixtures and venues for the India tour of the West Indies in July and August very soon,” Grave added.

Official West Indies Tour Operators and ticket information for the series will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets available in advance on the Windies Tickets Service presented by Mastercard, accessible via Windiescricket.com where fans can also find all the latest news and scores. Fans can sign up to receive the first news of tickets going on sale at https://www.windiescricket.com/updates/. ?

MATCH SCHEDULE

CG United One-Day Internationals

3 December: 1st CG

United ODI, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

6 December: 2nd CG

United ODI, Sir Vivian

Richards Stadium, Antigua

9 December: 3rd CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados

T20 Internationals

12 December: 1st T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

14 December: 2nd T20I, Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

16 December: 3rd T20I, Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

19 December: 4th T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

21 December: 5th T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Village Ram defeat Eccles All Stars to become champions

Aphenomenal team performance has secured for Village Ram the championship in the Durban Park Premier League Tape-ball Cricket Tournament; thus, they were rewarded with a trophy and the coveted cash prize of $200,000.

This tournament, which commenced on April 30th and lasted for two days, ended on May 1st with the finals being played on the tarmac between Homestretch Avenue and Hadfield Street in Georgetown.

Village Ram, a team from Alexander Village in Georgetown, outperformed Eccles All Stars, who had to settle for the runner-up position, which attracted

Prime Minister’s “One Guyana” Linden Dominoes tournament…

Phantom defeat Corruption to emerge winners

Phantom, with 80 games, emerged winners when the Prime Minister’s “One Guyana” Linden Dominoes tournament culminated on Monday at Shanghai’s Place in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Phantom stopped Corruption on 69 games, and Hustlers placed third on 51 games, when the tournament ended.

Phantom’s Lashley George was the best player on show with the maximum 18 games. He led the Georgetown-based team to this win, which was worth $600,000 with the Prime Minister’s Trophy to boot, and he was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final.

Corruption, also from Georgetown, received $300,000 and a trophy

for placing second, and the Yarrowkabra team Hustlers received $100,000 and a trophy for their thirdplace showing.

World Council Dominoes President Mr. Macbeth presented the championship trophy to Phantom, while Ms Barbara Marshall, Assistant Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, presented the

prize to the second-place winners, and the competition's coordinator Colin Aaron presented the thirdplace prize to the Hustlers.

Teams Providence and Mix Up were adjudged Best Dressed teams, while the defending champions, Executives, were unable to get past the first round of this tournament, in which 24 teams had entered.

Tape-ball Champions Village Ram celebrating their victory $30,000 dollars.

A spectacular individual performance was registered by Airshed Ali for best bowler, ending in him being rewarded with a trophy, while Akeem Viera received an accolade for being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final.

A total of 10 teams were registered, and for the first round, each team was required to pick their opponent out of a bag. This action was repeated until 2 teams remained for the final.

The main objective of the tournament was to bring togetherness and unity among tape-ball players, and getting more recognition for the sport within the country.

Organizers intend to host this event annually in order to bring awareness to the sport and encourage youths from unprivileged communities to participate in sporting activities.

This tournament was successful because of spectacular sponsorship from KFC, R&R Imports, DEAN Upholstery, Ansa McAl, Auto pit, Gavin S. Construction and General Services, Sector Construction and INS Trading.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy will host its first WI vs England fixture

The winners of the “One Guyana” Linden Dominoes competition

Durban Park Premier League Tape-ball Cricket competition…

Developments in local football…

Slingerz FC now part of Georgetown Football Association

Shocking news emanating from their camp on Tuesday has indicated that the Slingerz Football Club - previously based in Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo - are now a member of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA).

This club, which have only recently won their third West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) League in 2022, in an announcement via their social media page on Tuesday, revealed that Slingerz FC will play their first match in the GFA League on Sunday, May 7th, against Vengy FC at the GFC Ground from 4:00pm.

The club will reportedly now be based in Kitty, Georgetown.

“We look forward to working closely with the GFA and all football stakeholders in Georgetown, just like we’ve done over the years under the WDFA,” Club President Javid Ali has said about this shift.

Speaking with <<Guyana Times Sport>> in an invited comment, GFA President Otis James said the Slingerz transfer to the capital city is a major boost for the league.

“Slingerz is one of the best things that could happen to Georgetown right now, seeing that our top five clubs (were) taken away and are at the Elite League right now. We basically have one of the best clubs in the country, Slingerz FC,” James told this publication.

Developments in local boxing… Pro-Am’s “Return of the Scorpio” card set for May 21

What has been labelled as “The return of the Scorpio” will take place on Sunday May 21st, when Seon Bristol hosts a Pro-Am card at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Internationally acclaimed Guyanese Boxer Elton Dharry is set to feature on the card, and the card itself signals Bristol’s return to the organizing circles where local boxing is concerned.

The Pro-Am card is tentatively set to have eight bouts - four amateur and four professional.

During the launch on Tuesday morning at the Mirage Banquet Hall in Alberttown, Georgetown, Bristol spoke to the quality of boxers that would be on show and the laying of a platform for elite competition.

“I’m back here to bring to you what would be considered world class boxing. That comes under the umbrella of elite boxing, when we look at what is considered to be the amateurs. But (there will be) excitement and a new breed of fighters,” an animated Seon Bristol told those gathered on Tuesday morning.

youngsters that exist.

“The Georgetown Football Association is happy to have the club with us at this time. I think it's not just (going to) help us on the field, it will also give us some recognition, knowing the growth of the team and being one of the only professional teams that will be playing in the Georgetown League,” he said about the team’s popularity and structure.

Boasting of the team’s long list of accolades, James went on to share, “In spite

of Slingerz being dominant at West Demerara, they are also Kashif and Shanghai Champions, they’re Banks Beer Cup Champions, and they’re German Cup Champions and they're former Elite League Champions. So, we are happy to have Slingerz with us at this time, and we’re looking forward for great things with the GFA and Slingerz FC.”

Slingerz have said they are now looking to dominate the GFA competitions.

Elaborating, he said, “Guyana has been doing an outstanding job, and we will continue to do so. So, today, Bristol Promotions brings to you ‘The Return of the Scorpio.”

Meanwhile, renowned boxing Coach Sebert Blake revealed some of the faces that one can expect during the card’s amateur aspect. Blake remarked, “Based on our analysis of the youngsters coming up, Guyana has a very, very good crop of youngsters coming up. This is not our Number 1 grouping or our main A team, because the pool is rich at the moment and it’s a great opportunity for Guyana to exploit the

“We’ve so far identified to represent Guyana Joel Williamson and Jamal Eastman. They’re from the Berbice region. We have Tequan Sampson and Shaquan James, two of the top Youth and Junior boxers, they’re from the Laing Avenue area. We have Emanuel Pompey and the Jackman sisters, and we also have Tiffina Barker,” the Coach went on to reveal.

Also sharing remarks was Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) President Peter Abdool, who spoke to the necessity of developing Guyana’s amateur boxers.

“The amateur aspect of the sport is absolutely essential. It is essential to the professional aspect as well. It

is where our youngsters are bred, it is where they first encounter people like Sebert Blake and Lennox Daniels, and other trainers who make them into proficient fighters. They learn the trade there. The professional aspect (of) the sport cannot exist in the absence of a thriving amateur division,” Abdool said about the opportunity to expose Guyana’s amateur fighters.

While Dharry is set to headline the card, Dexter Marques is another professional boxer who is set to feature. Former Women’s World Champion Shondel Alfred is also said to be playing a key role in the event, preparing Guyana’s female pugilists. According to the organiser, the finalised bouts will be revealed soon.

Slingerz President Javid Ali and GFA President Otis James displaying the team’s jersey

‘The Return of the Scorpio’ organizer, Seon Bristol

Boxing Coach Sebert Blake

“One of the best things to happen to Georgetown”, says GFA President Otis James