Guyana Times - Wednesday, October, 4, 2023

Millions in crops destroyed as fire rips through West Berbice farm – arson suspected

AWest Berbice farmer is calling on authorities to launch a thorough investigation after his farm went up in flames thus resulting in millions of dollars in losses. The farmer believes that the fire was an act of arson.

The farm is situated at Belle Vue, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Desmond Jacobs of Number 40 Village told Guyana Times that two Mondays ago, when he turned up at his farm to attend to his crops, the entire

area was gutted.

The farm consisted of fruit trees, cash crops, and coconut trees. According to Jacobs, the raging fire destroyed about $2 million worth of crops and other items. He pointed out that the storage room was also damaged and the chemicals he had stored there were destroyed.

Jacobs related that he would visit the farm at least twice per day. He said based on what he saw, the fire was deliberately set.

“I came down to water the plants last week Monday and when I came, I see a big blaze in the farm. This is not a bush fire; a

bush fire can’t start like this – this fire start from inside. If was a bush fire it wouldn’t give such a big blaze,” Jacobs said, adding: “I would come in the morning and in the afternoon to water plants.”

Papaya, watermelon, bananas, soursop, and some citrus trees are among the crops destroyed.

Jacobs said he is peeved at the lack of response by the Police. “I went to the station the night and the Police told me that they would come on Wednesday because the CID [Criminal Investigation Department] guy had some other work to do and nobody was there.”

He stated that he revisited the Weldaad Police Station and also left a contact number but to date, no one has contacted him,

which he described as “worrying”.

“So is like a whole week gone and nobody never come.”

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has since engaged the farmer.

Owner of the farm, Desmond Jacobs

The crops destroyed by the fire

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, Oct 4 – 19:30h – 20:30h and Thursday, Oct 5 –04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Oct 4 – 07:35h – 09:05h and Thursday, Oct 5 – 08:25h – 09:55h.

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 24 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:26h and 19:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 13:09h reaching a minimum height of 0.85 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Guyana’s eco-tourism industry modelled on Costa Rica's – Pres Ali ...says

2 nations to collaborate on energy, climate security

President Dr Irfaan

Ali has revealed that Guyana will be receiving help from Costa Rica to develop its eco-tourism industry. It is fitting, since according to the President, Guyana is modelling its eco-tourism industry after the Central American country.

The President had travelled to Costa Rica to receive the prestigious InterAmerican Institute for Agricultural Cooperation (IICA) award for his remarkable leadership in Food Security and Sustainable Development.

Afterwards, he held a joint press conference with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles to provide updates following bilateral discussions.

According to President Ali, Guyana will be working closely with Costa Rica not only in eco-tourism but also to develop a common strategy ahead of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

“In positioning Guyana as a major destination for eco-tourism, we’ve identified Costa Rica as our model. And we’re embarking on a programme to work closely with the Government of Costa Rica in helping us to develop our eco-tourism product in Guyana,” President Ali said.

“We’re also working, I’ve expressed an interest with His Excellency, in collaborating at COP28 on issues of the forest, environment, climate and for us to work closely together to ensure the energy and food security

of the Region.”

President Ali further congratulated his Costa Rican counterpart on the progress being made in the Spanishspeaking country when it comes to development. The President went on to lay out some of the critical development issues Guyana is focusing on.

“Renewables, diversification of the energy mix and food security. These are areas that are critical for my Government. We are building an economy for 2030 and beyond, in which we want to present Guyana as a global leader in energy, food, and climate security.”

“More importantly, our forests, the size of England and Scotland combined, with the lowest deforestation rate in the world, storing 19.5 gigatons of carbon, positions us to be an exceptional eco-tourism destination,” President Ali said.

In April, Guyana had signed an agreement with Costa Rica for further partnerships between the two countries in the areas of tourism, exploration of investment opportunities, and exchanging of knowledge and technical support – con-

tinuing a trend of Guyana building its tourism product through collaboration.

The Letter of Intent and Collaboration was signed by Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, and the Costa Rican Minister of Tourism, William Rodriguez Lopez, at the latter Minister’s office at the Costa Rican Tourism Board Building in San Jose.

IICA

Meanwhile, President Ali revealed in a statement that he had lengthy discussions with the Directors of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), including with Director General Manuel Otero.

During the discussions, they spoke on ways in which the agricultural research institute can advance the development of Guyana’s expanding agricultural sector. Accompanying President Ali was Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.

“During (Tuesday’s) meeting, the President and the IICA Directors spoke about Caricom’s vision of achieving a 25% reduction

in food importation by 2025 and ways in which the IICA can lend support,” the statement said.

“He also highlighted the drive of the Region to advance agricultural technology, to enhance farming techniques, and to repackage agriculture for the younger generation and for females.

In reference to Guyana, the President outlined the promotion of aquaculture, cultivation of spices, trial of onions and foreign fruits among other initiatives currently being undertaken.”

In announcing the prestigious award this year, IICA had said the decision to award President Ali is in recognition of his leadership in agricultural transformation, food security, and support for building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in Guyana and the Caribbean.

IICA had said in its announcement that the President’s support and commitment to public agendas related to issues such as regional integration, rural connectivity, social inclusion in the countryside and gender equality, all of which are central areas of IICA’s work, were also considered for the presentation of this award.

The Guyanese Head of State is the institute’s first awardee in this category. The Institute provides cooperation services through close and permanent work with its 34 Member States, including countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

President Dr Irfaan Ali Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Well-deserved award

The decision by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to award President Dr Ifaan Ali for his Leadership in Food Security and Sustainable Development, though not surprising, is an achievement for all of Guyana.

This prestigious award comes at a time when President Ali is not only vocal about regional food security, but has been very active in his agricultural transformation agenda. Vision 25 by 2025 was conceptualised by President Ali for a 25 per cent reduction in the region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur. And in light of this, the intention is to formulate a sense of food stability and security.

Earlier this year, at Caribbean Week of Agriculture, Ali had called on agricultural experts to formulate implementable actions, such as resilient food production systems, trade solutions, online platforms, financial flows, transportation solutions, youth and women involvement, product development, and innovative funding.

Dubbing Vision 25 by 2025 as a ‘tipping point’ for the Caribbean, Ali had said, and we quote: “Failure must not be contemplated. We must persevere. Paralysis of action will be fatal. There is much more work to be done.”

During his speech, Ali called on agricultural experts to formulate implementable actions, such as resilient food production systems, trade solutions, online platforms, financial flows, transportation solutions, youth and women involvement, product development, and innovative funding.

This is not the first time Guyana is trailblazing efforts for food security. If one can recall, in 2015, Guyana was among 38 countries that achieved the first Millennium Development Goal ahead of the 2015 deadline – to halve the percentage of persons in the country who were hungry compared to baseline figures from 1990. This was more than gratifying.

That we were one of only 18 countries to have achieved the more stringent World Food Summit goal set in 1996, to halve the number of undernourished persons by 2012, was astounding for a country that had been plunged to the level of sub-Saharan Africa by the PNC by 1992, when the PPP/C took office.

Also in 2002, the then President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had lead responsibility at the time for Agriculture in the Caricom quasi-Cabinet, had sought assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to boost the Region’s efforts in ensuring it is food secure. One year after, he proposed that the Region build on its past efforts to develop a common agricultural policy, and requested that the IICA and the FAO support the Caricom Secretariat in developing a framework for repositioning agriculture in the Region.

In underlining the problems that the agricultural sector faces in the Region, Jagdeo had stressed that in the changing global environment, the sector was neither providing for food security nor earning the foreign exchange needed to cover the Region’s growing food import bill.

In addition, at a Caricom Heads of Government Conference in Grand Anse, Grenada, Jagdeo had presented a paper entitled “A Framework for the Repositioning of Caribbean Agriculture”. In that framework, he had stressed the need for a regional policy and strategy aimed at strengthening food security and alleviating poverty; and in January 2005, the President’s proposal was formally dubbed the “Jagdeo Initiative”, with the theme “Strengthening Agriculture for Sustainable Development”.

Earlier this year during the first Caricom Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security meeting for 2023, it was announced that Caricom have collectively achieved a significant 57 per cent of the target set to realise “Vision 25 by 2025”.

This demonstrates that the hard work put in by all countries will see the Region moving closer towards achieving food security.

We offer our congratulations to President Ali on achieving this prestigious award through his visionary thinking in developing the “25 by 2025” initiative.

The PNC has returned; battered, bruised and beaten

Dear Editor,

The just concluded CPL cricket season provided us with great entertainment. For some, it was a moment to brag and boast while for others, it was a moment to bewail and bemoan. We have been appeased when, with the flick of the bat, the ball was smashed to the boundary for a four or six to provide a thunderous applause, if, the runs scored were for your supporting team.

If the wicket was shattered by a legitimate delivery or the ball was caught from a hit, especially on the boundary line, we were appalled and become annoyed. Such was the fate of the bowler or batsman in a fast-paced game of glorious uncertainties, played gentlemanly in a packed ground.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has time and again displayed his proven skills as a talented cricketer, both with the bat and ball. The other side is yet to stake any claim!

One of the key ingredients in the perfection of the game is the application of proper timing. Poor timing may produce devastating results. That is exactly what happened to the PNC as they chose to go galivanting to Capitol Hill, Washington DC, when, the US House of Representatives were engaged in trying to pass a bipartisan Bill in order to avoid the Federal Government’s fourth partial shutdown in a decade.

So, they went to play a game and found the other side ignored and avoided them by not turning up. Peaceful, Preferential, and Priority Catering is rolled out on a red carpet for the PPP/C, being defenders of democracy and not for the PNC election rig-

gers! When will they start seeing the ball?

What were they thinking? That the wanted Burke will bark on Jeffries to order the White House to drop everything and meet with the propagators of propaganda who are agitators of animosity? Guyana’s business is the US business and so Capitol Hill must pave the way with garlands of red flowers to welcome the royal family of dictator Burnham who are loyal to PNC party politics flying above the heads of the people of Guyana!

This peeved and aggrieved contingency which was a grand representation of illusive oppression, suppression, and depression must be given an immediate hearing so that they can air their views, present their case, and receive accolades, applause, and appreciation for their bold, brave and brazen attempt to expose and defeat the deniers of defenseless dwellers domiciled in Guyana! The PNC was devastated by a yorker! Whom will they beg for an appeal? The two umpires, the Democrats and Republicans have given them out. Maybe the third umpire, New York’s AG?

The distinguished Professor who teaches Politricks 101 did make the side. He was seen on and off the field. The water boy post was vacant and so… Was he not smart enough to duck the beamers and bouncers and declare himself unfit for such a game? Guess his interest is more for a game’s commentator position.

His chess move may have payment for potential dividends. Hindsight has better foresight for judgment in this game. The team was short of a

couple of players. Did they run out of context, or, was it a case of being unable to come up with players with the requisite skill and ability to be considered? Maybe, no one else wanted to be part of the despicable display and a predictable loss. The scorebook keeps ticking with ducks!

Of course, they were caught off-balanced, not properly grounded, and stumped. Like they say, the proof is in the pudding. Don’t talk about how good you can play or how bad the other side is. Demonstrate, display, and deliver the “Mckoy” stuff to prove whatever you are saying is true.

They can’t because they are the ones who have consistently: rigged elections, hid their SOP’s, deny an US$18M signing bonus, agreed to the worst oil deal, bankrupt the country twice, skinned the Treasury, engaged in financial mismanagement, dwelled in corruption, destroyed records, denied audits, professed conflict and not peace, resorted to violence, spread hate, encouraged mo fya, slo fya, declared ‘war break,’ closed sugar estates, put people out of work, made babies go hungry, contributed to suicide, took away school children’s ‘pocket piece,’ raised taxes, gave themselves salary increases, told others to ‘hold strain and tie their belts,’ lied to the courts, lost to the CCJ, are poor in mathematics, are bent to break rather than build, practice racism, indulged in discrimination, employed their own kit and kin, used party cards as passports, banned essential food items, created hardship with too many lines in a nonaligned country, ruled with the gun, governed with dicta-

torship, drove fear into people, draped criminals, caused citizens to abandon their homes and seek refuge for greener pastures and are guilty of an endless list of misdemeanors.

That infamous team was blindly hitting at thin air as the ball spun away and they came up short. They made a bad decision and left the wicket wide open. Their meek and timid attempt to impress Capitol Hill, boomeranged back on them when the PPP/C declared a string of successful developments to show investor’s confidence: over 50,000 people gained employment since 2020; the opening of a $1B West Central Mall at Leonora; Optique Vision Care announced the building of a 1st Specialty Eye Hospital by 2024; the commissioning of a $28 million Haslington Nursery School; the distribution of 63,000 Black Giant chicks countrywide to boost agriculture; Courts announced a $10 billion mega complex at farm; the opening of a Shell Service Station at Enmore; 575 residents assigned house lots in Lethem; City Hall’s roof will soon be completed; the completion of 6 bridges to reach Lethem, etc.

Certainly, the PPP/C has the limping PNC trotting all over the globe, clueless about the game they definitely are not equipped to play. With Trinidad and Tobago fielding a trade mission to Guyana, that certainly hit the PNC where it hurts most. The PNC has returned, battered, bruised and beaten from an embarrassing trip that could have been played right here on their own home turf!

Yours respectfully,

Jai Lall

Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Adrienne Galanek, met with members of STEMGuyana’s female robotics team as they departed for Singapore to participate in the First Global Robotics Challenge. During that meeting, she encouraged team members to develop STEM networks to enhance their career development opportunities

Sir Shridath Ramphal calls out Venezuela’s “greed & imperialistic ambitions”

– as Guyana marks anniversary of Arbitral Award that settled boundary with Venezuela

On the occasion of the 124th Anniversary of the Arbitral Award, Guyana has reaffirmed its position on ensuring a binding, judicial settlement – a position that the Brazilian Government and renowned diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal have thrown their support behind.

The boundary between Venezuela and what was then British Guiana was settled 124 years ago in the 1899 Arbitral Award. However, with Venezuela keeping the controversy alive, Guyana on the occasion of the Arbitral Award’s 124th anniversary reaffirmed its position via a statement.

In the statement, the Government explained that they remain committed to international law and the 1899 Arbitral Award. They reminded that both Guyana and Venezuela were integrally involved in the 1899 Arbitral Award proceedings, as opposed to Venezuela’s claims of being excluded.

Moreover, they noted that for more than 60 years after the 1899 Award, Venezuela treated the Award as a final

settlement of the border controversy. It was only in 1962, when Guyana was on the cusp of independence, that Venezuela changed its tune.

“For more than six decades after the 1899 Award was delivered, Venezuela treated the Award as a final settlement of the matter. It consistently recognised, affirmed, and relied upon the 1899 Award as “a full, perfect, and final” determination of the boundary with British Guiana. Between 1900 and 1905, Venezuela participated in a joint demarcation of the boundary, in strict adherence to the letter of the 1899 Award, and emphatically re-

fused to countenance even minor technical modifications of the boundary line described in the Award,” they further said.

However, in 1962 as British Guiana was approaching its independence from Great Britain, Venezuela recognised that it would become neighbour with a nascent State and by virtue of its expansionist ambition, Venezuela abandoned the rule of law and good faith and laid claims to the Essequibo territory,” the Government further added.

Meanwhile, the Government noted that as Guyana commemorates the anniversary of the Arbitral Award of 1899, they will continue to adhere to and embrace the rules of international law and respect “our pacta sunt servanda obligation.”

“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana remains firmly of the view that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is valid. Guyana is committed to a path of final and peaceful settlement and will continue to adhere to the rule of International Law and the procedures of

the International Court of Justice.”

“It is for honour that we call today as we celebrate on this anniversary date the Arbitral Award of Paris of 3rd October 1899 in continued respect for the sanctity of Treaties and the rule of law,” the statement further read.

Ramphal

On Wednesday, Sir Shridath Ramphal penned a letter supporting Guyana and condemning Venezuela’s efforts to avoid the inevitable court ruling. Ramphal, who is Guyana’s co-agent before the ICJ, reminded that for over 50 years under the Geneva Agreement, negotiations between the two countries went nowhere.

“Under the Geneva Agreement and the decision of the UN Secretary-General under it, the matter is now before the International Court of Justice which has twice affirmed its jurisdiction to bring it to a final solution – in rejection of Venezuela’s efforts to avoid a judicial determination,” Ramphal wrote.

“Having failed to persuade

the Court to step aside, it now vigorously seeks to set it aside itself in favour of ‘peaceful discussions’ under the pretext of a friendlier process. In doing so it ignores the fact – or, perhaps, remembers – that it has indulged that ‘friendlier’ process of discussion for over 50 years under the Geneva Agreement since Guyana’s Independence.”

According to Ramphal, Venezuela’s “greed and imperial ambitions” only grew as the years passed. In fact, Ramphal noted that Venezuela eventually defaced the Mt Roraima marker, a marker it helped set up that delineated the boundaries of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil, “in a vain attempt to change the boundary.”

“But, of course, the geographical points are eternal. As the years went by so grew Venezuelan greed and imperial ambition and the Award of 3 October 1899 became its target. Relying on the memoirs of a deceased member of its legal team in Paris, it impugned the Award as being invalid, and on the first sign of Guyana’s movement to Independence

in 1962, it initiated a vigorous boundary controversy of invalidity cast in a ‘cold war’ mould.

“With Independence of the whole state threatened came the Geneva Agreement of 1966 whose aim was and is the determination of the dispute –from Guyana’s point of view, the validity of the Arbitral of Award of Paris: the upholding of the boundary determination of 3 October 1899,” Ramphal further noted.

It was only on Monday that Guyana’s right to have the border controversy settled at the ICJ was affirmed by Brazil. During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira reiterated Brazil’s support for Guyana.

In 2021, on the 122nd Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal, the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry had released a booklet entitled “IMPERIAL AMBITION: Venezuela’s Threat to Guyana”, which lays out the whole story of Venezuela’s efforts to undo the Award.

NIS pensioners need compensation

Dear Editor, We will be most grateful if you would publish in your letter columns our grave concerns now affecting all N.I.S pensioners ever since the current N.I.S board was installed in 2020.

There is a freeze on any increase in the monthly N.I.S pensions, which is unprecedented since N.I.S was established in 1969.

The steep increase in the cost of living during this period, which has been witnessed by all, has been exacerbated

by a global and/or localised scenario. Most N.I.S pensioners now cannot cope, and a lot of them are now newly undernourished.

The N.I.S board/Gov’t should desist from any further neglect or exploitation of N.I.S pensioners because they have been peaceful and defenceless. This may not happen for long, as a number of them are agitating for their increased benefit and compensation, and an unruly situation can evolve, given the few meetings they had recently in Georgetown, Better

Election riggers in Washington

Dear Editor,

The 10 reasons why election riggers and cheaters went to Washington, D.C:

1. They need a USA vacation

2. They need to spend and waste their party's money on frivolous meetings

3. They want to brag that they are "elbowing" with prominent people in Washington

4. They are planning their strategy to rig and cheat in the next election and get Washington's blessings

5. They can't tolerate the escalating prog -

ress that is being made in Guyana, so they are running away to ease their tensions and frustrations

6. They want to impress the Diaspora

7. They want to enjoy the sights in Washington

8. They are desperately seeking attention, since no sensible person is paying attention to them in Guyana

9. They are seeking medical help for their problems

10. And they are looking for their Green Cards

Regards, Shiv Maharaj

Hope, Lusignan, Melanie, and Port Mourant.

The current N.I.S board does not have a clue about managing the affairs of N.I.S and enhancing the social security and benefits to the nation’s senior citizens (60 years), as distinct from 65 years, which the Gov’t will consider as senior citizens with this category given a few grants since 2020.

We believe that Government should seriously consider dismantling the current board of directors, as they did with GuySuCo, and install one that is more professional and results-oriented; one that can advance the investment interest with NIS funds locally and internationally. And we believe that the chairperson should be a senior citizen with international investment experience, or possibly a person coming from the diaspora, where numerous N.I.S pen-

sioners reside.

We have been hearing recently about the demands for reparatory compensation for the descendants of African slaves, which all of Guyana should support. In like manner, the N.I.S pensioners are now seeking reparative justice, to right the wrongs they have painfully endured for the past 3 years from the current board of directors and the elusive nature of the Government, to bring relief and comfort, and in numerous cases improve their impoverished situation.

We sincerely trust the Government/Cabinet is not oblivious to the current plight of N.I.S pensioners, and has empathy for their just cause.

We believe the earnings from the oil wealth should be apportioned to give a reasonable compensation package, deposited into the N.I.S account for equitable distribution in ad-

dition to an increase of about $5000 across the board on their monthly pension. This should be a firm humanitarian and goodwill gesture, as this is the only means by which pensioners can benefit from the oil

wealth and override their severe hardships.

Yours faithfully, Concerned pensioner

Sir Shridath Ramphal

Foundation

Test Questions

Tuesday’s answer

Figure ABCD shown below is made up of semicircle and a rectangle. O is the centre of the line DC.

The area of a triangle is half the base times the height

A = ½ b x h = ½ 14 x 10 = 70cm2

In this experiment, you will test different types of fruit packaging, to see if you can find the best one for keeping fruit fresh.

I bet you thought the hardest part of farming was growing crops. Actually, picking and packaging crops is a very challenging aspect of farming. It is also a branch of Food Science called Packaging Science.

Materials and Equipment

Fresh fruit for testing (green bananas work very well)

Different types of packaging material

Brown paper bags

Plastic bags

Cardboard boxes

Plastic netting

Notebook for keeping a log

Digital camera

Experimental Procedure

The first step is to go to a local farmer’s market or to the grocery store produce aisle. Walk around and examine the different fruits, paying attention to how they are

packaged to get ideas.

While you are there, buy some fruit to test in your experiment. I suggest green bananas because they are easy to see as they ripen and change colours from green to yellow to brown.

When you get home, set up your experiment. Place one fruit (green banana) in each different packaging material. Set all of the packages in the same place, choosing a place that is cool and not in direct sunlight. Here are some packaging material ideas:

Plain paper bag without holes

Plain paper bag with holes

Plastic bag without holes

Plastic bag with holes (sometimes used for grapes)

Plastic netting (often used for avocados)

Styrofoam netting (sometimes used to protect pears)

strawberry containers

cardboard boxes

anything else you can think of!

Check on your fruit once a day, noting the colour and smell of the fruit. Keep a daily log of your experimental results in a notebook. Write down all necessary data in your daily log, here is an example:

Date: Time:

Package Type

Colouring – (green, yellow, brown speckles, brown)

Smell – (no smell, light smell, fragrant, smelly, stinky)

Other Notes – (firm, hard, spots, wrinkly, mushy, mouldy)

After about a week, start looking for a day when you see some variation in results between your different packaging materials. This is a good time to conclude your experiment.

Remove the fruit from the packaging and take pictures using the digital camera for your poster.

Develop a rating scale for your fruit and use it to rate the different materials. Which packaging worked the best? (Sara Agee, PhD, Science Buddies)

It is strange

Standing here

By Wilson Harris

Beneath the whispering trees

Far away from the haunts of men. Tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

When I am dead

I shall come n lie

Beneath your fallen leaves…

But tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

They shall bury me

Beneath your fallen leaves.

My robe shall be Green, fallen leaves.

My love shall be Fresh, fallen leaves.

My lips shall be Sweet, fallen leaves.

I and the leaves shall be together

Never parting…

I and the leaves shall always lie together

And know no parting.

It is so strange

Standing here

Beneath the whispering trees. Tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

WORD SEARCH

Prosecution to present 80 witnesses, 140 statements as electoral fraud cases get underway

– pushes to have cases consolidated – as defence attorney threatens legal action over delays

As the election fraud cases got underway before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, Special Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani revealed that some 80 witnesses and 140 statements are expected to be presented to the court.

Among those who have been charged are former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employees and sitting People’s National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament (MP) Volda Lawrence; Former GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and former Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Lowenfield was charged with three counts of misconduct in public office, three counts of forgery, and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. Meanwhile, Mingo was charged with four counts of misconduct in public office. He was further charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of forgery.

MP Lawrence, PNC member Carol Smith-

Joseph and former GECOM employees Roxanne Myers, Enrique Livan and Michelle Miller were among those who were also charged with various offences.

In Lawrence’s case, she was charged in conjunction with Mingo for forgery. Smith-Joseph was also charged in conjunction with Mingo for the same crime. Both Lawrence and Smith-

Joseph also faced individual charges of their own. When the matter was called, Special Prosecutor and King’s Counsel Ramdhani requested that the cases be consolidated while pointing out that with as many as 80 witnesses and 140 statements, as well as video evidence, consolidating the cases will save precious time.

Venezuelan national stabbed to death at Tuschen

Farrera and the men before the fatal attack. One of the assailants allegedly brandished a knife, stabbing Farrera four times before fleeing the scene with his bicycle. The Police suspect the motive behind the attack could be robbery.

Family members revealed that Farrera bled to death after he collapsed on the roadway. The family

said what adds to their grief is that the dead man’s wife and daughters returned to find him lying lifelessly in a pool of blood.

Police are making every effort to arrest the perpetrator(s) as investigations continue. Meanwhile, up to late Tuesday evening, the Police are yet to release any information on the fatal incident.

He also sought the intervention of Senior Magistrate Daly, in petitioning the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette CummingsEdwards, to have the matters assigned to a specific Magistrate.

Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, who represents several of the accused, however, urged that the matters proceed as soon as possible considering the three-yearlong wait.

Magistrate Daly then adjourned the case to October 25, at 13:00h. In an interview with the media, Hughes hinted that the defence may consider legal action over the delay in the cases.

“This was really a sophisticated attempt to have an adjournment… this is really an admission that he (Ramdhani) is not in a position to proceed. We invited (the court’s) attention to an article in the Chronicle saying that we are ready. And he’s not ready. So now the matter has been put down for another two weeks, for a report.”

“So, these defendants have been coming to court for in excess of three years, without the prosecution being able to start their case. And this, I believe, is an infringement on their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time. And we’ll be considering what avenues are available to them on that basis,” Hughes further said.

Meanwhile, Ramdhani explained what the prosecution was seeking to achieve by having the cases consolidated. He also noted that only the Chief Magistrate or the Chancellor of the Judiciary can determine which cases to prioritise.

And with previous requests to the Chief

Magistrate not being met with a favourable response, Ramdhani’s next step is the Chancellor.

“It became apparent that many days would have to be set aside to try such a matter. It would take a considerable time because we have nine defendants and there would be a lot of cross-examination, which is a part of these matters. These are incidents of a fair trial. We had disclosed over 140 statements, we have close to 100 witnesses, we have tons of documentary evidence, we have a number of video evidence that has been disclosed to the other side.”

“I believe that the Magistrate has recognised that the proper course will be to have this particular issue determined as to whether the court will be put in a position where they have to deal with every criminal case that it has on its docket, or whether a court will be properly authorised to prioritise this case,” Ramdhani

noted.

The cases all relate to attempts made to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections, during which time the country stood still for five months until the swearing-in of President Dr Irfaan Ali, which saw the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) come to power. Since 2020, the electoral fraud cases have continued.

Only back in February of this year, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had written the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, for an update on the electoral fraud cases after expressing his concerns over the long delays. This had followed similar concerns highlighted in August 2022. The Legal Affairs Minister had assured earlier this year that while the Government was insulated from the court process, it would not sit idly by and allow the charges to “just fall away”.

(Jarryl Bryan)

AVenezuelan national was on Sunday evening stabbed to death while on his way to collect his wife and 9-yearold daughter, who was celebrating her birthday.

Dead is 29-year-old

Alejandro Máximo Farrera of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

According to family members, Farrera, a father of two, had been celebrating his eldest daughter's birthday earlier in the day. Later in the evening, his wife decided to take their daughters for a birthday outing.

Farrera was called to pick them up at the head of their street but was reportedly confronted by two assailants.

Eyewitnesses recounted a brief argument between

(From top to bottom) Former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region 4 REO Clairmont Mingo and former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers as they left the Magistrates’ Courts

APNU MP Volda Lawrence (foreground) and APNU member Carol Smith-Joseph (background) also leave the court

Dead: Alejandro Máximo Farrera

Pensioner remanded on gun, ammo possession charges

Seventy-two-year-old

George Aubrey Archer of Suddie Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Monday remanded to prison on possession of firearm and ammunition charges.

Archer was arrested on Thursday last at Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, after Police found him to be in possession of a .32 Taurus pistol and one magazine with 17 live .32 rounds of ammunition.

It was reported that Archer was reportedly contacted by Police after they received certain information.

As such, the ranks requested to conduct a search on him during which they found the pistol containing one magazine with 17 matching rounds of ammunition in the waistband of

The gun and ammunition found in Archer’s possession

his pants.

The elderly man was questioned whether he was the holder of a firearm licence, to which he replied “no”. He was subsequently told of the offence committed and cautioned, during which he replied: “Officer, the gun is me own and me gat it to protect me self.”

However, on Monday, he appeared before Magistrate

Charged: George Archer

him. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison.

Capoey logger arraigned for attempted murder

Bargaining…

…with teachers

President Ali just met with headmasters, deputies, and other educators to announce a soft loan programme - $15 million @ 3.75% interest - so that teachers who’ve received house lots can build their houses. Now, this is not an inconsequential move; and - on top of the programme of duty-free cars for certain categories of teachers – it should go a long way to have the professionals live with the dignity that went with the profession back in the day.

Teaching was one of the earliest professions open to the newly-freed, formerly enslaved Africans on the plantations, and teachers formed the first stratum of middle class living in the newly-established villages. Education was seen as a surefire way out of the degradation of labouring under the whip; so, many of our most accomplished citizens started out as teachers. But as with so many facets of Guyanese life, this bastion of respectability all came crashing down – like Humpty Dumpty – under the ministrations of Forbes Burnham. This is rather ironic, since his father was a teacher and then headmaster, and one would’ve thought he’d try to build, rather than destroy, the educational system that gave him his platform for success!!

As the system imploded, teachers were reduced to selling “sweeties and sugar cake” to their charges, so as to keep body and soul together. The respect they commanded quickly dissipated – along with educational standards. Many took to rum drinking after classes - which further lowered their respectability. But when the PPP returned to office on Oct 5th, 1992, along with the rest of society and our institutions, the educational system – with teachers as its linchpin – was slowly rehabilitated.

Charged: Arkanel Edwards

Twenty-two-year-old Arkanel Edwards also called “Akko”, a logger of Capoey Mission, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, was on Tuesday slapped with an attempted murder charge.

He is accused of committing the act on Mark Rodrigues, 42, on March 11, 2023, at Capoey Mission, Essequibo Coast.

However, on Tuesday, he appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him by Magistrate Esther Sam. He was required to plead to the charge.

As such, the prosecutor objected to bail, thus the accused was remanded to prison until October 17, 2023. The particulars of the case were not available.

One of the ways Burnham undermined the educational system was to subvert the union that represented teachers. As with everything else, he demanded total control; and – irony of ironies! - wouldn’t brook any disagreement as to how to “mould” the Guyanese nation!! At one point, he launched a paper union to replace the GTU, and totally politicised this group of individuals, who were in such key positions as to create the new Guyanese man and woman!

And we arrive at the action by the President, that’ll certainly be criticised by the GTU for “bypassing” them in collective bargaining. But as with everything else, this situation has a context, and here the context is that the Teachers Union has become an arm of the PNC – of which its General Secretary is an Executive member. She’s one of the most strident – to put it mildly! - critics of the Government, who gets very down and dirty about the President and VP. Her posture – a mirror of the Opposition Leaders she supports fervently - hardly sets the ground for any sort of “discussion”!!

…about the Haitian intervention

some time ago, your Eyewitness had noted, with great interest, the intervention of some Opposition members when a number of Haitians - who were being trafficked into Brazil - had been intercepted by the law. The proud history of Haiti in leading the first successful slave revolution in the world – to gain independence – was invoked, and the need to assist this pioneering nation with freedom was raised.

Well, the UN Security Council has finally approved a motion, tabled by the US and Ecuador, for that force headed by Kenya to intervene and bring some order to that land, that’s being held hostage by armed gangs. Caricom has been asked to provide some manpower to back up the Kenyans, and Bahamas and Jamaica have stepped up to the crease – albeit rather modestly. The US is financing the initiative.

But your Eyewitness had expected the Opposition defenders of Haitian freedom would’ve come out by now to demand that our Government send some troops to assist. Are they not our brothers?

…on cocaine trafficking

Here we go again – another massive cocaine bust in Europe from a shipment allegedly originating from our mudland!! Now, we know we don’t produce any cocaine, and we’re merely a transshipment conduit. So, who owns the ship??

Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court where the charges were read to

Deadly Mahdia dorm fire

Crowds, parked vehicles blocked firefighters’ response – Fire Officer tells CoI

...power failure forces postponement of hearings

The Guyana Fire Service’s response to the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory's deadly fire was hindered by large crowds and parked vehicles, according to Officer-in-Charge of the Mahdia Fire Station, Ryan Scott.

He added that by the time the firefighters arrived at the scene, the raging inferno had already consumed the entire structure.

Scott was at the time testifying at the third public hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Mahdia tragedy. However, his testimony was interrupted by a series of power failures, which forced the hearings to be suspended but not before giving an account of the events leading up to their arrival on the scene.

Scott recalled that on the night of May 21 at about 23:12h, he was alerted by a loud sound of a horn – a signal that he immediately recognised as an emergency.

An identifiable male raised the alarm that the Mahdia dormitory was on fire and firefighters mobilised to lend assistance.

It took less than two minutes for three firemen, including Scott, to be dispatched, with a distance of 1.5 miles to be covered to reach the dormitory. Scott recalled having difficulties arriving at the scene, owing to crowds and vehicles leading to the scene.

“There [were] vehicles double parked so we had to slow down to manoeuvre through these vehicles to get to the fire. The crowd was building up. When we arrived at the scene, there were Police, an ambulance, and a crowd already built up in the compound,” Scott told the CoI.

He added that despite

Police presence, the crowds and vehicles were uncontrollable. By the time the GFS entered the compound, the fire had already ripped through the structure, and a section had collapsed.

“On arrival, the building was fully engulfed in flames. The front portion, the southern part of the building, of the roof had collapsed. Red and blue flames were emitting from the building,” the Officer-inCharge recalled.

Serving for more than two decades at the Guyana Fire Service, Scott took up his position at the Mahdia Fire Station in 2022. He told the Commission that at the time, there was no serving member of the GFS at Mahdia, but rather, auxiliary persons manning the Fire Station and fire truck after undergoing a ‘crash course’ in basic firefighting.

“Basically, it’s just a crash course to show them how to operate the pump, control the branch and if there is a fire, they could assist in whatever way possible…There are no current auxiliary personnel in Georgetown. There are in Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Kwakwani.”

In Mahdia, there are 16 auxiliary personnel and eight trained firefighters.

Fire Inspector of the Fire Prevention Department, Javid Mohamed had previously testified before the CoI, where he recounted probing the tragedy after being sent into Mahdia.

Using their investigative capacity, the firefighters said there was no chance it could have been an electrical fire. In the area where the fire started, the door was permanently sealed off with about five mattresses piled up and a condemned washing machine in a makeshift storage area.

Having interviewed one

of the survivors, Mohamed said he learned that a few hours before the fire started, there was an incident where the dorm mother found that a student was in possession of a cell phone –which is against the rules of the dormitory. Having difficulties confiscating the phone, the Deputy Head Mistress was called in and took away the phone.

The Guyana Fire Service has concluded that the fire was maliciously set, having obtained sufficient evidence of such.

A 15-year-old girl was charged in June with 20 counts of murder for the arson. She has since been detained at a Juvenile Holding facility. She was charged with the murders of Tracil Thomas; Lisa Roberts; Delicia Edwards; Lorita Williams; Natalie Bellarmine; Arriana

Edwards; Cleoma Simon; Subrina John; Martha Dandrade; Loreen Evans; Belnisa Evans; Mary Dandrade; Omerfia Edwin; Nickleen Robinson; Sherina Daniels; Eulander Carter; Andrea Roberts; Bibi Rita Jeffrey, and five-year-old Adanye Jerome.

The Mahdia school’s dormitory housed students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie, and Chenapao, Region Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni).

At the time of the fire, there were 56 females and a five-year-old boy inside. The remaining students had gone home for the weekend. The dormitory’s 26 windows were heavily grilled and the five doors were locked when the fire broke out.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s hearing of the CoI was postponed following a power outage. The public hearing will continue today. (Rupa Seenaraine)

Officer-in-Charge of the Mahdia Fire Station, Ryan Scott testifying before the Commission of Inquiry

“It’s a good time to invest” in Guyana – British High Commissioner

With the major transformation taking place, Guyana is seen as a place of bountiful opportunities for both local and foreign investors. This is according to British High Commissioner Jane Miller, as she spoke about the business relationship between Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK).

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Commissioner

stressed that Guyana is in an era where investments can be easily accessed by foreign countries, due to its rapid economic growth.

“It’s a super exciting time to be in Guyana, it’s the fastest-growing economy in the world and in terms of encouraging people to come here, the statistics speak for themselves. So, Guyana is selling itself with its economic growth,” Miller stated.

Due to this, the High Commissioner said she has

been encouraging businesses from her country to invest in various sectors in Guyana.

According to Miller, in the last year, two trade missions visited the country, which resulted in at least 50 percent of them either establishing businesses or partnering with local companies due to the opportunities that they witnessed while exploring.

“It’s a good time to invest here because of the massive opportunities that

exist…you just have to explore the country to see whether it be the infrastructure that’s happening, the new roads, new bridges, and of course agriculture and eco-tourism,” the High Commissioner underscored.

Moreover, Miller noted that the most important thing that Guyana has been doing is carefully using the resources that are generated from the oil and gas sector to build a country that will remain sus-

tainable in the future.

As she credits Guyana for utilising every opportunity from other foreign countries, Miller noted that her country has supported this growth through academia.

This, she said, has helped to equip Guyanese who went abroad to attend the many prestigious universities to upgrade their knowledge and enhance their skills, aiding in the diversification of careers in the country.

2023 Agri Forum and Expo attracting strong Caricom, foreign support

There will be strong participation from fellow Caricom Member States and organisations, foreign countries, and international agricultural organisations at this year’s Agri Investment Forum and Expo slated for October 20 to 22.

This was disclosed by Caricom’s Assistant Secretary General of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, Joseph Cox during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) following a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

“What we are expecting coming out of this and given our role at Caricom where we have been apprising all member states and apprising the various stakeholders, is to have fulsome participation from every country,” Cox said.

He added that the inter-

est in the expo and feedback remains consistent among these countries.

“We are looking at a number of countries that have expressed interest, whether or not they are establishing booths or just that they are

attending.”

However, the Assistant Secretary General, who is also on the committee, stated that the preparations are moving apace, with cooperation from all stakeholders.

Further, a representa-

tive of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr Gillian Smith, said her delegation will have a booth that will benefit local farmers.

“We are going to focus our booth on food systems.

We are going to highlight the specifics that are needed to positively transform the agri sector,” she stressed.

Dr Smith added that a policy advisor will be part of the delegation and will be facilitating discussions with stakeholders.

“We want to ensure that farmers, especially the small and the medium size farmers find inclusive markets so that their products can be…included in this 25 by 25

push,” posited the FAO representative.

The 2023 Agri Investment Forum and Expo is slated for October 20 to 22 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. It will be celebrated under the theme “Achieving Vision 25 by 2025.”

The expo is expected to see over 100 exhibitors, both local and international, showcasing their various agricultural products, equipment, and other services.

Cocaine bust in Atlantic

Owner of “Mathieu” questioned by CANU

As investigations continued into the discovery of 1000 kilograms of cocaine in a Guyana-registered vessel in the Atlantic Ocean by Spanish authorities, the owner of the boat was questioned by local authorities.

Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh told Guyana Times on Tuesday evening that the owner of the boat, “Mathieu” turned up at the drug enforcement unit headquarters with his lawyer.

“All I can say at this point is that CANU is continuing its investigations locally and thus far, the owner of the vessel is cooperating with our agents,” Singh said.

On Tuesday, this publication reported that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) had no records to show that the vessel actually docked at Georgetown before departing.

However, CANU is working along with its counterparts in Spain. Up to late Tuesday evening, the Spanish authorities were yet to institute charges against the four Guyanese and two Albanians who were onboard the vessel when it was intercepted.

It was reported that agents of Spain’s National Police and Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency had seized some 1000 kilograms of cocaine off the vessel, in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Verde.

Once the arrested persons were transferred to the Fulmar Tax Agency patrol boat, the towing and subsequent transfer of the fishing vessel began to the Port of Arrecife, the main port facility for Lanzarote, which is one of the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa administered by Spain.

The vessel in question is registered in the port of Georgetown and was sailing without a flag at the time of the interception.

The operation was carried out jointly with the Portuguese Judicial Police in collaboration with the Spanish Navy and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the United States, which warned of the existence of an international criminal organisation that intended to transfer a large amount of cocaine from one ship to another on the high seas.

British High Commissioner Jane Miller

The vessel “Mathieu” being escorted by Spanish authorities

IICA awards President Ali for leadership on food security

President Dr Irfaan Ali has been awarded for his Leadership in Food Security and Sustainable Development during the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The Head of State was joined for the inaugural opening on Tuesday by the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, and the President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo where he was honoured for his contributions to the sector.

In announcing the prestigious award this year, IICA said the decision to award President Ali is in recognition of his leadership in agricultural transformation, food security, and support for building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in Guyana and the Caribbean.

IICA had said in its announcement that the President’s support and commitment to public agendas related to issues such as regional integration, rural connectivity, social inclusion in the countryside, and gender equality, all of which are central areas of IICA’s work, were also considered for the presentation of this award.

The Guyanese Head of State is the institute’s first awardee in this category. The Institute provides cooperation services through close and permanent work with its 34 Member States, including countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The President was also joined by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Advisor to Caricom on Agri-Food System, Dr Richard Blair.

As the lead for agriculture in Caricom, the Guyanese Head of State has been on an aggressive drive to ensure that the sector is taken seriously, and countries work towards reducing their dependency on imported food and goods.

Vision 25 by 2025 was conceptualised by President Ali for a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur. And in light of this, the intention was to formulate a sense of food stability and security.

He has lobbied for agricultural experts to formulate implementable actions such as resilient food production systems, trade solutions, online platforms, financial flows, transportation solutions, youth and women involvement, product development, and innovative funding.

As of 2022, the Region achieved 57 percent of the production target towards reducing the food import bill by 2025. Over the next two years, the Guyanese leader asserted that more than 1.4 metric tonnes of commodities must be produced to achieve this target.

The Region has seen successes with this agenda, with US$100 million in support coming from the United States Government.

A spice development pro-

gramme has been launched in Jamaica; a national shade house project and cattle farm in Trinidad and Tobago; increased agricultural production in St Lucia and Dominica; a new tissue lab and phytosanitary legislation adoption in Barbados; 75,000 hectares of land for largescale agricultural projects in Suriname.

Guyana is the lead in agriculture and food security in the Caricom bloc. This is reflected in its transformative projects in priority commodities such as corn and soya bean – becoming one of the largest agricultural investments in the Region by 2026 with US$40 million invested.

Wheat production trials have commenced, along with the resuscitation of the cocoa and coffee industries. Guyana is also making strides in brackish water shrimp, black belly sheep rearing, new rice varieties, new broiler facility to hatch eggs, among other successes.

At the 32nd InterSessional Conference of the Caricom Heads of Government, a special ministerial task force was established and tasked with guiding the transformation of the regional agri-food system towards full commercialisation. A prime focus was to address the rising food import bill and

to stimulate investment in agriculture and food production.

By the 33rd InterSessional Conference, President Ali had presented a detailed plan for commercialising the agri-food sector while reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. Emphasis was placed on countries and their respective target areas. The Heads of State had also agreed on an agricultural forum and expo,

cementing a platform for investment in the regional agriculture sector.

In January 2023, President Ali was also conferred in India with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, which recognises the stellar contributions of the Indian diaspora around the world. He was recognised for his outstanding contribution to politics and community welfare.

“Robot” gets 10 months for stealing chickens

Alabourer of Lima Sands Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was on Monday charged with the offence of larceny of poultry.

Carlton Peterson also called “Robot”, 43, was accused of stealing poultry from a 26-year-old female domestic worker in June 2023.

On Monday, Paterson appeared virtually at the Charity Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Esther Sam where the defendant gave sworn testimony and was cross-examined by the prosecutor.

Sentenced: Carlton Peterson

Following his appearance, the Magistrate found him guilty of the charge and imposed a 10-month jail term.

President Irfaan Ali

Reg 3 wins 2nd annual "Spanglish Bee"

Overall award.

Providing an overview of the competition, National Literacy Coordinator for Literacy in Schools, Donella BrittonShamsudeen, stated that the ‘Spanglish Bee’ aims to provide migrant children with equal access to educational opportunities and was designed to assess the literacy skills of the migrant pupils.

She noted that it also seeks to preserve the pupils’ first language while simultaneously showcasing their English skills.

The Education Ministry’s Migrant Education Support Unit in collaboration with the National Literacy Department (NCERD) hosted its second annual ‘Spanglish Bee’ at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

The competition saw Grade Four migrant pupils from Regions Three, Four, Seven, 10 and Georgetown

participating. They were quizzed on spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension with a specific focus on antonyms, synonyms, homophones, and riddles.

The pupils from Region Three emerged victorious followed by Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) in second spot and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in third place.

Region 10’s Fernanda Gomez received the Best

Meanwhile, Head of the Curriculum Unit at NCERD, Omawattie Ramdin offered words of encouragement to the pupils. She urged them to continue to strive for excellence and to take advantage of the educational opportunities available.

The first-place winners of the ‘Spanglish Bee’ each received an electronic tablet, compliments of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

“Mommy & Me” initiative donates baby bags to young mothers

to change the lives of young mothers across Guyana with her

tive, which caters to the vulnerable.

Jean Nurse, a passion-

ate philanthropist, began the “Mommy & Me” project back in 2014 and it has since been an annual feature, except during the COVID-19 period.

However, on Tuesday, Nurse took the initiative to the David Rose Clinic at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, which saw at least 35 mothers and expecting mothers benefitting from hampers.

“We have distributed some 315 baby bags since the project was launched in 2014 but we have handed over a total of 135 bags for 2023 thus far,” Nurse told Guyana Times. The initiative caters to expectant mothers and those with newborn babies.

“We distributed baby bags containing 15 to 25 key items needed for mothers and children during the first six months after the birth of the child…”

She further explained that “Mommy & Me” is a non-profit organisation that is funded primarily by kind and civic-minded donors, in-

cluding friends and family and those closely associated with the organisation.

Nurse, however, noted that as of 2023, US-based company, Amazon, came on board as one of its major sponsors.

Meanwhile, it is the hope that the initiative be taken to all regions across Guyana.

In fact, it was already taken to Berbice, Bartica, and Linden.

In addition, Nurse reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the success of the project, while revealing that she recently started a shoe project that will see mothers in vulnerable communities receiving two pairs of shoes.

Head of the Curriculum Unit at NCERD, Omawattie Ramdin

A teacher from Region Three collects the winning trophy

Some of the participants

An American citizen born to Guyanese parents is on a mission

“Mommy and Me” initia-

The hampers that were distributed to the mothers on Tuesday

Members of the Mommy & Me NGO

A young mother receiving a stroller

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

President

Ali is listening to teachers, while their union continues to be tone-deaf

The people’s president spent the day on Monday, October 2, engaging teachers from across Guyana. From far and near, teachers had a cordial discourse with their president, and concrete steps were taken to improve working conditions for teachers. This engagement made teachers happy. Parents from across Guyana believe this kind of engagement would result in their own children benefitting from teachers who are strengthened in their belief that they are valued.

President Irfaan Ali met with teachers from across the country at State House to discuss what the Government could do to improve their working conditions. No one can doubt the President’s sincerity in improving the lot of teachers and public servants in general. Under President Ali, teachers have benefitted from salary increases generally bigger than they are accustomed to receiving since the Teachers’ Union negotiated a deal when President Bharrat Jagdeo was in office. But President Ali himself has said that his Government wants teachers and all public servants to benefit from better salaries and working conditions. The problem has been the unions representing teachers and public servants.

The unions approach negotiation with the Government with outlandish demands, and have shown no readiness to sit down and negotiate in good faith. We hear union leaders talking about untenable 100% pay increases and other incredible demands. Last year, health workers benefitted from adjustments outside of the annual pay increases. Teachers have had adjustments this year to remedy some longstanding anomalies in pay scales amounting to more than $700M, a payment that will be made starting this month.

Since unions have taken an all-or-nothing approach in negotiations, the President has been talking to teachers directly. The face-to-face discourses President Ali has been having with teachers, health workers and other public servants are not designed to diminish the roles of the unions. But, in the face of an impasse with unions, resulting from an overall unwillingness of unions to negotiate with reasonableness, President Ali has decided that the Government will not remain at a standstill, and that the Government will find ways of improving the conditions of teachers and other public servants.

In the discourse with teachers at State House on October 2, the President announced a programme of support for teachers who want to build their homes, facilitating loans up to $15 million, and providing other support. The teachers requested consideration of increased and additional tax-free allowances, which President Ali agreed to consider. There are many ways teachers can benefit, outside of salary increases. When VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo was President, he had agreed to provide duty-free allowances for vehicles for a number of teachers, permitting the union to decide who would get their duty-free allowance each year. That programme is still in place, but many teachers believe the union has not administered the programme fairly.

The teachers also benefitted from a fund that was established to provide mortgages for teachers. The administration of that programme by the union has created much angst for teachers, and lots of complaints.

President Ali and his Government have consistently engaged unions, but when negotiations are carried out with stakeholders who remain unreasonable and are not inclined to seek ways to find common ground, then such negotiations would get nowhere.

While the PPP Government, because of its working-class credentials, will continue to engage unions, reasonable or not, President Ali has shown a willingness to talk directly to the workers. The State House discourse with teachers is just one more way President Ali has shown his willingness to reach out to citizens directly.

For those who scream that President Ali’s engagement with teachers and other public servants is union-busting, they are the very ones who subscribe to workers being held hostage by their unions. The unwillingness to negotiate better deals with the Government for workers has not benefitted workers. While the President and his Government wait for reasonableness from unions, the President is not willing to be on the sidelines with workers.

The Government is making significant investments in education: the infrastructure has benefitted from major investment; tangible improvements have been seen in the physical structure of schools; there is an injection of new technology. Our teachers must be congratulated for the work they are doing. Today, there is greater equity, as children from across the country make up our top graduates. There are still vast opportunities to lift the standards in rural areas and in the hinterland.

The President has put his stamp on the education sector. He is making it clear that he sees continued success in education and reaching the pinnacle of achievement, with Guyana consolidating its lead role in Caricom, as dependent on the teachers. With little headway in negotiating with the teachers’ union, the President is not giving up. While waiting for a more harmonious relationship with the union, President Ali is ensuring improvement in working conditions is achieved through direct discourses with teachers.

The union should encourage more such direct discourses, not demanding that the President only discuss with the union what more Government can do for teachers. Teachers across Guyana have said that sometimes they think the union is more representing political masters than the teachers. It is for this reason that teachers welcome and cherish the discourses they are having with the President.

CLBD encourages Lindeners to take advantage of booming oil sector

With Guyana undergoing major transformational changes owing to the booming oil sector, the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) has tasked itself with educating persons countrywide on how to benefit from public and private sector opportunities.

As such, the Centre on Tuesday commenced its four-day outreach throughout Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which saw over 100 residents primarily representing small and medium-scale businesses at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) Inc.

The three-hour session included information on Guyana’s economy and projects, an introduction to the oil and gas sector, an introduction to procurement, as well as an understanding of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE).

During the opening session, CLBD Director Natasha GaskinPeters reiterated that the organisation continues to support businesses in ensuring that they receive mentorship while individuals seeking jobs are connected to the requisite employment agencies.

“For those of you who represent businesses, we will speak to you about systems you need to build so whether it is that you’re seeking opportunities in the oil and gas sector, in the mining sector or in the agriculture sector, we are here to help you build those business systems,” Gaskin-Peters said.

The CLBD Director also offered training sessions to local businesses if they become registered with the organisation.

She further explained that as opportunities are funded by the Greater Guyana Initiative –which comprises ExxonMobil, Hess and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) – they are currently free of cost for the participants.

Meanwhile, Regional

Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman, Deron Adams reiterated the Local Government body’s commitment to collaborating with organisations that ensure that development opportunities are made available to all residents in an equitable manner, and as such, commended this initiative by the CLBD.

“The oil and gas industry is not just about drilling for resources; it's about building an entire ecosystem of support services, businesses and employment opportunities. From exploration to production, logistics to technology, and environmental management to community engagement, this sector offers a wide spectrum of avenues where our region's talent and enterprises can thrive,” Adams said.

He urged residents to see this as a chance to create sustainable livelihoods, become local entrepreneurs and enhance their overall quality of life, noting that youths particularly can benefit from these advancements.

“I encourage our youth to explore career opportunities in this sector, whether it's in engineering, geology, environmental sciences, or various support services. The demand for skilled profession-

als in the oil and gas industry is on the rise, and we must equip our young minds with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in these fields,” Adams.

Furthermore, the RDC Chairman encouraged local businesses to consider the diverse range of services and products that can be provided to support this burgeoning industry, be it supplying equipment, offering transportation services or providing specialised training.

Tuesday's session was the first of four, with the others to be held at Watooka Guest House today, Cho’s Bar and Grill and Xtreme Sports Bar, Wismar, on Thursday, and Philu’s Banquet Hall, Amelia’s Ward, on Friday.

This community outreach forms a continuation of the Centre’s ongoing efforts to empower citizens with the knowledge to actively participate in Guyana’s growing economy. Since opening in July 2017, the CLBD has registered over 5100 businesses on its Supplier Portal, conducted oil and gas seminars for over 4500 participants, cultivated over 750 oil and gas sector vendors, and delivered Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) programmes to over 310 businesses. (Pooja

Rambaran)

Trio gets $500K bail each for $40M RDC robbery

Three persons were on Tuesday charged in connection with the armed robbery committed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) last month.

Thirty-two-year-old

O’Neil Lampkin, a construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice; 25-yearold Damion Morgan, of Fort Ordinance, East Canje, Berbice; and 27-year-old Shkeel Grant, a businessman of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Faye McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

They were not required to plead to the indictment and were each granted $500,000 bail. The matter has been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and comes up again on October 24.

The armed robbery was committed at the Regional Democratic

Council (RDC) office in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on September 13, 2023.

Police had reported that an alleged robbery with violence was committed at the RDC building at Vryman’s Erven in New Amsterdam, Berbice on September 13.

Suresh Sooknanan, a security officer, had told investigators that he was on duty at the RDC guard hut when four unidentifiable men entered the compound by scaling the fence behind the building.

He stated that they

dealt him one blow to his forehead with an object, causing him to sustain injuries. He also claimed that his hands were then tied behind his back. Duct tape was placed over his mouth to silence him.

The Police said at the time, Sooknanan claimed that nothing was taken from him. He was left in the guard hut while the men disappeared.

The men, however, made their way into the building and cut open a grilled door where some 40 million in cash was being kept. The money was transported from

Georgetown to pay parttime workers in the region.

The Police were alerted and upon arriving at the building, checks were made and two windows to the Accounts Department were seen open, and upon inspection, they realised that the money was stolen.

Meanwhile, later that day, Police came into contact with suspected bandits at Heathburn, East Bank Berbice, and a shootout resulted that left one bandit dead, while two were subsequently arrested.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Lindeners at the training on Tuesday

Charged: O’Neil Lampkin Charged: Damion Morgan Charged: Shkeel Grant

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoH urges citizens to purchase water from licensed suppliers

The Health Ministry has urged Guyanese to ensure that their water supplier is licensed by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) and check for the company label affixed to the bottle, amid risks associated with contaminated sources.

The GA-FDD ensures the availability of safe and clean water for all Guyanese by regularly inspecting and licensing water processing facilities. This ensures the use of good manufacturing practices and guarantees that the water remains free from pathogens. In a statement, the Ministry outlined, “Water is an essential element of our daily lives and our immediate environment. Its significance lies in sustaining our health

and well-being, but it can also pose health risks when contaminated. Contaminated water, when consumed, can lead to waterborne diseases resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women, are particularly at risk.”

Meanwhile, persons can look for clear and accurate labelling that includes important information like the name and address of the processor. They should also examine the packaging to ensure the water containers are free from cracks, leaks, mold, or grime, and make sure caps are intact and not damaged.

Consumers can also go the extra mile by inquiring about the water quality testing pro-

cedures conducted by the processing plant and requesting access to the results if available.

Bottles should be washed with soap and hot water before refilling them. It is recommended to change plastic bottles at least every two years, ideally annually, to prevent the buildup of bacte-

ria and contaminants. This is especially important for plastic bottles that can degrade and release chemicals into the water.

An examination of the water quality should result in a clear, tasteless, and odorless substance. Once purchased, store bottled water in a cool, clean, and dry place,

away from direct sunlight and chemicals.

“Refrain from purchasing water containers that lack proper labelling or appear suspicious. Reject containers that appear dirty or have damaged seals, as they may have been exposed to contaminants. Be cautious of water with unclear or questionable sources, and don't hesitate to ask for more information. By following these guidelines, consumers can make informed choices when purchasing water from processing plants and delivery vehicles, ensuring the safety and quality of the product,” said the Ministry.

The Health Ministry has released a list of companies licensed to provide treated water, which includes GN Crystal Clear Purified Water,

Andron Alphonso, Pure Plus Water, H2O Lab, Blue Ribbon Manufacturing, Ultra Valley Water, First Choice Water, Island Pride Spring, Blue Natural Spring, D & L Purified Water, Dynamic Purified Water, Blue Spring Water, Essential Supplies Inc, Kai Water, M & N Sons Enterprise, Aquafina Water, Ocean Pure Purified Water, Natural Spring H2O, Aqua Crystal, Ataro Pure Water, Clear Spring, Jus Water, Banks DIH, DDL, Atlantic Manufacturing, Ultra Springs, Atlantis Water, the Water Store, Shield Waters, Alkaplus Wellness, R Sain Purified Drinking, Jaikrishna Bahadur, Micheal Pure Valley, Rajendra Jaijairam, Faizal Kassim, George Jordon, Pure Flow Glorious Liquid and Tanna Water.

ECD family cries for help after home allegedly set on fire

- suspected arsonist remains at large

Aquiet night turned into a nightmare for a family of 13 when their East Coast Demerara (ECD) home was set on fire on Monday evening.

The family, who narrowly escaped the fire, is now desperately seeking answers, pointing fingers at a suspect who they believe is responsible for the incident. The fire incident occurred at around 21:00h at Ann’s Grove, ECD.

The family of 13, including four children, was abruptly awakened by crackling sounds.

Guyana Times was informed that the occupants of the house had to jump from the veranda of the upper flat of their two-storey concrete home to escape the blaze. One of the occupants, in an interview with a known personality, explained the horrific experience.

“I was sleeping and I

heard a hollering. When I open my eyes, I see my room dark so I get up off of my bed and go outside. That’s when I see the whole house in smoke so I run back to the room and grabbed my three children and I just jump down the veranda because that was the only way we could have escaped the fire. The fire burned down the step,” she related.

Suspicion quickly fell upon the property owner's ex-son-in-law, a man notorious for his ongoing disputes with the family. Eyewitness accounts supported this suspicion, with several individuals claiming to have seen the alleged suspect near the house shortly before the fire erupted.

The family is claiming that the man allegedly lit the house on fire because the mother of his children ended their relationship.

“The person is my

daughter's children's father [who lit the house on fire]. One time I was in my bed, and he came here [at the house] at 12:00am and he was cursing up. I told him that he can’t be coming at my house and behave like that. The next morning, I went and make a report at the station. Nothing we do we not getting justice because he said he has a Police brother,” the occupant further explained.

Emergency services swiftly responded to the distress call, managing to extinguish the blaze. However, the family expressed deep concern and frustration, revealing that the man in question was neither apprehended nor questioned by the authorities.

They also revealed that this incident was not the first time their family or the mother of his children has been targeted.

“This is not the first time he is doing this to the family. I had to rescue his child mother one time. She was on the road coming from work, and he hide in a bush and attack her. She dropped

her bag and run home… we had to take her to the station. Since the incident, nobody. We want justice”, another occupant of the home said.

As the investigation into

the attack unfolds, the family remains on edge, anxiously awaiting answers. Their hope is that a thorough investigation is launched and that the alleged suspect is apprehended.

The room that was set on fire by the alleged suspect

Regional Jamaica: St Ann man named as person of interest in sale of ‘ganja sweets’ to students

The Police have named a St Ann man as a person of interest in relation to the sale of ganja-laced sweets to students of the Ocho Rios Primary School on Monday.

After consuming the sweets, dozens of students were rushed to hospital with varying symptoms.

The vendor has been identified as Devon Holness of Mansfield Heights, Ocho Rios in St Ann who Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson believes can assist the Police in their investigation.

The Commissioner was speaking Tuesday during the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Quarterly Media Briefing.

“We note that just yesterday, we had a situation involving children from the Ocho Rios Primary School in which they were sold cannabis-infused sweets by a vendor in the school environs. This resulted in over 60 students being taken to receive medical attention.

"We believe that a Devon Holness ...may be able to assist in our investigations so we’re asking him to contact the St Ann Police as soon as possible,” Anderson said.

A number of students were rushed to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital for treatment after consuming the sweets laced with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a compound found in marijuana.

Up to late evening Monday, seven of them were still hospitalised. But, according to hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dennis Morgan, they were in stable condition.

Earlier in the day, the hospital was the scene of chaos as a school bus pulled up with children who could barely stand. Shortly after 17:00h, when the Jamaica Observer spoke with Ocho Rios Primary School Principal Suzette BarnesWilson, she was concerned about three of the children

Deaths of 120 Amazon dolphins linked to severe drought, high temperatures

The carcasses of 120 river dolphins have been found floating in a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil over the last week in circumstances that experts suspect were caused by severe drought and heat.

The Mamiraua Institute, a research group at Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, said two more dead dolphins were found on Monday in the region around Tefe Lake.

who were still being treated in the emergency room.

Barnes-Wilson said that the children got sick after consuming the sweets which they reportedly purchased from a vendor who is not known or connected to the school.

The incident comes more than a week after around 90 children fell ill in South Africa after eating druglaced muffins that officials said they had bought from a street vendor. The incident comes more than a week after around 90 children fell ill in South Africa after eating drug-laced muffins that officials said they had bought from a street vendor.

(Excerpts from Jamaica Observer and BBC News)

Americas rights court condemns violence against Haiti Journalists

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Tuesday condemned an escalation of violence against Journalists in Haiti, saying media workers are among those who have been killed, kidnapped and lost their homes as gang violence has surged.

The IACHR said around a dozen Journalists fled their homes recently as violence escalated in Portau-Prince's CarrefourFeuilles neighbourhood. The Commission cited the kidnappings of at least sev-

en Journalists as well as armed attacks at reporters' homes and work places.

"It is the duty of the State to prevent and investigate these events, punish their perpetrators and ensure adequate reparation to the victims," the IACHT said in a statement.

The Caribbean country has been the scene of escalating violence by powerful armed gangs who have taken over large parts of the capital Port-au-Prince, fuelling a humanitarian crisis that has driven over 200,000 people from their homes.

Following a request by Haiti's Government a year ago, the United Nations' Security Council on Monday approved sending an international armed force to help Police restore order, but it remained unclear how large this force would be or how long it would take to arrive.

The response to Haiti's request for assistance was delayed due to difficulties to find a country willing to lead a security assistance mission, until Kenya stepped forward in July with a pledge of 1000 Police.

(Reuters)

Senior US officials met Guatemalan President-elect Arevalo in Washington

Senior officials of the Administration of US President Joe Biden, including US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, met Guatemalan Presidentelect Bernardo Arévalo in

Washington on Tuesday, the White House said in a statement. The American officials expressed the US Government's support for Arévalo "following last week's undemocratic

Experts believe high water temperatures are the most likely cause of the deaths as temperatures since last week have exceeded 39 Celsius in the Tefe Lake region.

Thousands of fish have also died, local media reported.

“We have documented 120 carcasses in the last week,” said Miriam Marmontel, a researcher at the Mamiraua Institute.

Amazon river dolphins, many of a striking pink colour, are a unique freshwater species found only in the rivers of South America and are one of a handful of freshwater dolphin species left in the world.

Slow reproductive cycles make their populations especially vulnerable to threats.

Marmontel said roughly eight of every 10 carcasses being found are pink dolphins, which are called “boto” in Brazil, and could represent 10 per cent of their estimated population in Lake Tefe.

(Al Jazeera)

Barbados and Haiti among finalists for IDB Initiative

Two Caribbean Community (Caricom) companies are included among finalists of the InterAmerican Development Bank Group (IDB Group) six Superheroes of Development Initiative, which honours creative and innovative solutions implemented in development projects financed by the group in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Social Safety Net for Vulnerable People of Haiti and Together We Build Strong Families of Barbados are among the finalists of the Superheroes of Development Initiative that recognises projects that, through systemat -

ic learning and by sharing and applying lessons learned, adjust to changing realities and generate applicable and timely knowledge that other teams can use.

The IDB Group said that this year’s contest had 141 submissions from 25 countries in the Region, which is almost twice as many as in 2022.

It is part of BIDAcademy the IDB Group’s knowledge and learning platform, which is designed to share rigorous, cutting-edge knowledge in order to implement, monitor and measure IDB-financed projects more effectively.

The other finalists are from Peru, Ecuador and

Chile with all the finalists being selected by a panel of IDB Group experts and participated in two categories, namely projects still underway (projects that have at least had an initial disbursement) or where the IDB Invest or IDB Lab client has received financing and projects completed since January 2016 that have either a Project Completion Report or an Expanded Supervision Report.

The IDB Group said that the panel paid special attention to projects that identify and share lessons and operational knowledge from their implementation.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Lula Government's approval rating dips 9 months into office

Approval of Brazilian President Luiz

Inácio Lula da Silva's Government has slipped slightly after nine months in office, but almost half of Brazilians say it is doing a better job than that of his right-wing predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, a poll said on Tuesday.

who say it is "bad" or "terrible" has increased to 27.2 per cent from 25 per cent earlier.

efforts to undermine the will of the Guatemalan people, intimidate election authorities, and prevent the peaceful transition of power," the White House said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The CNT/MDA poll said 40.6 per cent of the people surveyed said the performance of the Lula Government was "great" or "good" compared with 43 per cent in the previous poll in May. The number of those

"The general assessment of the Government remains positive, though the expectations for lower unemployment and improvements in income, health and education have fallen," said Marcelo Souza, director of the polling firm MDA. The country's security situation is also seen as worsening, he added.

Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in a runoff election last October and took office in January.

Still, 46 per cent of those polled say the new government is better than Bolsonaro's, which had a 12-percentage-point lower approval rating after nine months in office.

Approval of Lula's own performance as president has also dipped, to 54.9 per cent from 57 per cent, with disapproval rising to 39 per cent from 35 per cent.

MDA, commissioned by the national transport lobby CNT, polled 2,002 people across Brazil between September 27 and October 1.

(Reuters)

None of the children who ate the sweets are said to be in serious condition

Amazon river dolphins, many of a striking pink colour, are a unique freshwater species found only in the rivers of South America

Around The World OIL NEWS

Ukraine war: Western allies say they are running out of ammunition

Oil rebounds from 3-week low, settles up despite stronger dollar

Western military powers are running out of ammunition to give Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, the UK and NATO have warned.

Adm Rob Bauer, NATO's most senior military official, told the Warsaw Security Forum that "the bottom of the barrel is now visible".

He said governments and defence manufacturers now had to "ramp up production in a much higher tempo".

Ukraine fires thousands of shells every day and most now come from NATO.

The admiral, who chairs NATO's Military Committee, said decades of underinvestment meant NATO countries had begun supplying Ukraine with weapons with their ammu-

Oil prices recovered to settle slightly higher on Tuesday after sinking to three-week lows, pressured by a stronger US dollar and darkening global economic signals but supported by tightening crude supply.

Brent crude oil futures settled 21 cents higher at US$90.92 a barrel, after falling to a session low of US$89.50, the lowest since Sept 8.

US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), settled up 41 cents at US$89.23 per barrel. The session low was US$87.76, the weakest since Sept 12.

Prices sank early as the US dollar rose to a 10-month high against a basket of major peers after US job openings data pointed to a still-tight labour market that could prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next month.

"We have seen an incredible increase in the yields and the dollar and that's raised concerns about demand going forward," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

Higher interest rates and a stronger dollar make oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, which could dampen oil demand.

Investors kept an eye on any supply updates following last month's decision by Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend output cuts to the end of the year. The two countries belong to OPEC+, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies.

The producer group is expected to keep output policy unchanged when it meets on Wednesday, keeping supplies tight.

Saudi Arabia is expected to raise its November official selling price of Arab Light crude to Asia for a fifth straight month, according to a Reuters survey.

Russia is setting no time frame for a fuel export ban it introduced last month, and which will remain in place as long as necessary to stabilise prices and address shortages on the domestic market, Interfax cited Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak as saying.

Talks to restart Iraqi oil exports via a crude oil pipeline that runs through Turkey are still ongoing, an Iraqi oil official told Reuters, a day after Turkey said operations would restart this week after nearly a six-month stoppage.

"In theory, under the terms of the OPEC+ deal, production (outside the Gulf Cooperation Council) should remain flat over Q4. However, Iraq's compliance has been somewhat spotty in the past and export levels should be expected to rise, assuming the pipeline resumes operations as planned," BMI Research analysts said.

Iraq, OPEC's second-biggest producer, also said it would award 30 new oil and gas projects in its fifth and sixth licensing rounds.

In US supply, industry data showed crude stocks fell by about 4.2 million barrels in the week ended Sept 29, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

US Government data on stockpiles is due today. Eight analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories fell by about 500,000 barrels in the week to Sept 29 . (Reuters)

nition warehouse already half-full or even emptier.

"We need large volumes. The just-in-time, justenough economy we built together in 30 years in our liberal economies is fine for a lot of things - but not the armed forces when there is a war ongoing."

UK Defence Minister James Heappey told the forum that Western military stockpiles were "looking a bit thin" and urged NATO allies to spend 2% of their national wealth on defence, as they had committed to do.

"If it's not the time - when there is a war in Europe - to spend 2% on defence, then when is?" he asked.

He, too, said the "just-intime" model "definitely does not work when you need to be ready for the fight tomor-

row".

"We can't stop just because our stockpiles are looking a bit thin," Heappey said. "We have to keep Ukraine in the fight tonight and tomorrow and the day after and the day after.

And if we stop, that doesn't mean that Putin automatically stops."

And that meant, he said, "continuing to give, day in day out, and rebuilding our own stockpiles". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pakistan orders illegal immigrants, including 1.73 million Afghans, to leave

Pakistan on Tuesday ordered all illegal immigrants, including 1.73 million Afghan nationals, to leave the country or face expulsion after revealing that 14 of 24 suicide bombings in the country this year were carried out by Afghan nationals. It was not immediately clear how Pakistani authorities could ensure the illegal immigrants leave, or how they could find them to expel them.

Islamabad's announcement marks a new low in its relations with Kabul that deteriorated after border clashes between the South Asian neighbours last month.

"We have given them a November 1 deadline," said Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, adding that all illegal immigrants should leave voluntarily or face forcible expulsion after that date.

Bugti said some 1.73

At least 20 dead after Italian bus falls from Venice bridge

At least 20 people died on Tuesday after a city bus carrying tourists to a campground crashed off an overpass near Venice in northern Italy and caught fire, the city's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said.

The bus veered off the road and fell close to railway lines in the district of Mestre, which is connected to Venice by a bridge. The cause of the accident was still unclear.

Sky Italia television reported that 18 bodies had so far been dragged from the wreckage after the vehicle fell 15 metres (49 feet) onto electricity lines and caught fire at around 7:45 pm local time (1745 GMT).

"It's an apocalyptic scene. I am speechless," Brugnaro posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"There are at least 20 dead, but some people are

still trapped in the wreckage," he later told Italian state television channel Rai News24.

Italy has suffered a number of deadly bus crashes in recent years.

In 2017, 16 people on board a bus carrying Hungarian students died in an accident near the northern city of Verona, while in 2013, 40 people died when a bus plunged off a viaduct in southern Italy in one of the country’s worst road accidents.

Venice's prefecture, a branch of the Interior Ministry, was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA as saying that there were 21 deaths, 12 injured and four or five still unaccounted for.

However, with rescue operations ongoing, other news agencies said the death toll could climb higher. (Excerpt from Reuters)

million Afghan nationals in Pakistan had no legal documents to stay, adding a total of 4.4 million Afghan refugees lived in Pakistan.

"There are no two opinions that we are attacked from within Afghanistan and Afghan nationals are involved in attacks on us," he said. "We have evidence."

Islamabad has received the largest influx of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979.

Bugti was speaking in

Islamabad after civil and military leaders met the Prime Minister and army chief to discuss law and order after a recent spate of militant attacks.

The violence has seen an unusual uptick since local Taliban militants known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of hardline Sunni Islamist militants, revoked a ceasefire with the Government late last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bedbug panic sweeps Paris as infestations soar before 2024 Olympics

Aplague of bedbugs has hit Paris and other French cities, provoking a wave of insectophobia and raising questions about health and safety during next year's Olympic Games.

That's broadly how the phenomenon has been described in the French - and now international - news media.

In part it is true. But in another part, it isn't.

What is the case is that the number of bedbug sightings has increased over the last weeks - and that that upward trend goes back several years.

"Every late summer we see a big increase in bedbugs," says Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist at Marseille's main hospital and France's leading expert on les punaises.

"That is because people have been moving about over July and August, and they bring them back in their lug-

gage.

"And each year, the seasonal increase is bigger than the last one."

In Paris, to the long-standing fear of infestation felt by flat-dwellers (one in 10 of whom have experienced bedbugs in the last five years, according to official figures) have been added new sources of angst.

Reports that punaises have been recently seen in cinemas have not been proven, but are taken seriously. Likewise claims that people have been bitten on trains.

And now both Paris City Hall and the President Emmanuel Macron's Government are calling for action. It is a measure of how seriously they take the issue - and of how they need to protect the image of Paris ahead of the 2024 games - that they are not dismissing the bedbug panic as a social media invention. (Excerpt from BBC News)

On Monday, EU Foreign Ministers held the first-ever summit outside the bloc in Kyiv, pledging continuing support to Ukraine

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Get the grunt work out of the way before you move on to something more enjoyable. If you leave your responsibilities unfinished, you will face criticism or hidden costs. Pay attention.

(March 21-April 19)

Don’t estimate how much things cost. Review numbers and figure out what’s doable. If you let your heart get involved in a deal, you will get in trouble. Don’t go back on your word.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Keep an open mind, but don’t believe everything you hear. Refuse to pay for someone else’s mistake. Offer advice, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you.

Move forward with your eyes wide open. If you’re gullible, someone will lead you astray and take advantage of you. Protect your reputation, possessions and ideas while you put things in place.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Temptation will result in a misstep. Think before making unnecessarily costly physical changes. Take care of debts before signing up for something you can’t afford. Stick to simple plans.

Take on a challenge that can set you free. Enforce changes that are positive, opportunity-driven and based on facts, figures and what you know you can do to reach your goal.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Changes at home will depend on how you handle your finances. A hands-on approach to investments will lead you to privileged information. Don’t share details that might jeopardize your success.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Dig in and get things done. Don’t be afraid to take a different path if it will give you a unique perspective on something or someone. A change is overdue, but moderation must be employed.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Put your heart into whatever you do and follow through. Don’t leave anything undone or rely on others to finish what you start. Avoid those who aren’t honest about their intentions.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Look at your to-do list and make the necessary changes to improve your prospects. Search for different applications for your skills that will result in greater cash flow.

Trust your instincts and rely on yourself. Focus on your passion and you’ll be happy with what you achieve. Discipline and hard work will help you overcome temptation. Look for the less obvious solution.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Dreams can come true if you work to make them real. Show your strengths and use your skills to bring about change and opportunities that help you build equity and worthwhile connections.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Magnificent team captain Hayley Matthews says…

Record chase gives Windies confidence boost ahead of third T20I against Australia

Hayley Matthews continued her spectacular form this year with a brilliant knock, to help her West Indies women’s team pull off a world record run chase against world champions Australia and tie their three-match T20I series at the North Sydney Oval on Monday.

Matthews smashed a 64-ball 132, that included 20 fours and five sixes, to help the West Indies successfully chase their target of 213.

In a post-match interview, the all-rounder said this win would give her team a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the third and final T20I on Thursday.

“A win like this at a time like this definitely means a whole lot to the team. Obviously, we’ve

come down here with a lot of young girls in a learning, growing squad, and to get a win like this against the

best team in the world the way that we were able to do it is really going to boost our confidence and give us a lot of belief within the team,” Matthews said.

The Barbadian shared in a spectacular 174-run second wicket partnership with former captain Stafanie Taylor, who made 59 off 41 balls, including 11 fours. Matthews heaped praise on the Jamaican for helping to take the pressure off her at the crease.

“I think when we needed 100 runs from about 50 balls, we looked at each other in the middle and said we could really get this if we keep going with the mo-

BCB/Ali Bakery U17 Inter-Club

mentum. Kudos to the way she batted as well, getting boundaries on a regular basis, and taking a lot of pressure off me; so, I’m really happy to have shared that partnership with a legend like her,” she said.

Matthews, so far, has made 213 runs in two innings in the series, after her unbeaten 99 in the first T20I. She was asked what has made her so productive this year.

“Just working hard. I’ve played a lot of T20 and franchise cricket around the world, and I’ve had the opportunity, at such a young age, to learn a lot about my game; and the biggest thing

tournament…

for me has been my understanding, and my technical work has been working really well,” she said.

Matthews also insisted that there is no pressure on her side ahead of the decisive third T20I.

“When we came to Australia, we had nothing to lose at all. After the first game, what we did individually was look within ourselves and saw what we could’ve done better. That’s exactly what we’re going to do ahead of the next game. Yes, we won, but we have so many areas we can improve in, and so much learning that could take place as well,” she said.(Sportsmax)

Albion defeat Rose Hall Town to lift title

Albion have defeated Rose Hall Town Bakewell by ninety-four runs to lift the Berbice Cricket Board/Ali Bakery U-17 Inter-Club tournament title for 2023.

In the final, played under sunny conditions at the breezy Cotton Tree cricket ground on the West Coast of Berbice, home of tournament sponsors Ali’s Bakery, Albion won the toss and elected to bat first. They immediately lost Ari Kadir, run out for nought by Tameshwar Mangal. Damion

off the bowling of N. Isphik for nought. The score was at 4 for 1 in the second over when Nelroy Hicks was run out for 10. Guyana U15 player Ramzan Koober was also run out, for 13, thereby reducing Rose Hall Town to 30 for 3 in the 6th over.

A well-played innings of 44 from Pottaya eventually led his team to 115 all out from 37 overs, as he ran out of partners to stay with him. National U15 wicket-keeper Sohail Mohamed was the only other batsman to reach double figures, with 10.

The winning team received $70,000 cash and a trophy, while the runner-up took home $40,000 and a trophy. The “man of the match” received a trophy and cash prize. Chairman of the BCB Competitions Committee, Leslie Soloman, has said the

BCB is proud to successfully complete another youth tournament, and would now work on completing the U11 and U13 tournaments. Emphasis would be placed on senior cricket at the second and first division levels, while the BCB would also start the 2024 season early, with the U15 in-

ter-club tournament. Mr. Roshan Gaffoor, an employee of Ali’s Bakery, expressed gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board for organizing an excellent tournament, and encouraged the players to remain focused. He has congratulated Albion on a well-deserved victory.

Cecil added 30 for the second wicket, before Cecil was bowled by Kolmanchand Ramnarace for 7.

Solid batting from Afraz Budhoo with 34 (four sixes and a boundary), Devin Lallbehari with 16, Mangal with 28, and A. Jawahir with 55 (2x6, 4x4) led Albion to a solid 209 all out in 49.4 overs.

Bowling for Rose Hall

Town Bakewell, Kolmanchand Ramnarace took 5 for 54 from ten overs, while Deeraj Ramjit claimed 2 for 38. Raj Tika and Guyana U17 Vice Captain Matthew Pottaya each took a wicket, for 30 and 21 runs respectfully.

Needing to score 210 from their allotted 50 overs, Rose Hall Town Bakewell lost opener Mario Butcher, caught

Bowling for Albion, Kumar Deopersaud took 3 for 17 from 6 overs, Feaz Baksh took 1 for 14, and Tameshwar Mangal took 1 for 15 from 6.3 overs, as several Rose Hall Town Bakewell batsmen were dismissed via the run-out route.

Arwin Devindra Jawahir was adjudged “man of the finals” for his match-winning innings of 55.

Captain of the West Indies women’s team, Hayley Matthews

The winning Albion Under-17 Cricket team

Arwin Devindra Jawahir collecting his “man of the match” award

Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis National Novices Boxing Championships 2023…

GDF RETAIN CHAMPIONSHIP

Following three nights of riveting action at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have again proved that they produce the best novice boxers in the country when they were named overall champions of the 2023 Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis

Thomas in a bantamweight contest, and he did just that after the duo had battled the entirety of their 3 rounds.

Earlier in the night, Andre Thompson announced the return of the Republican Boxing Gym with a flyweight victory over GDF’s Daniel Garnett. Then a featherweight con-

National Novices Boxing Championships.

However, the soldiers were not allowed to cart off all the spoils on the final night, as Julian Clarke of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) displayed sound technical skill in his bout to claim the title of ‘best boxer’.

Clarke was tasked with overcoming GDF’s Joshua

test between Republican’s Neville France and GDF’s Melroy McPherson did not see it through 3 rounds, as McPherson stopped his opponent 2 minutes into the first round.

The next bout was stopped by the referee just 58 seconds into the first round, as GDF’s Oswald Jewan overcame Police’s Lennox Harvey

in the lightweight category.

An all-GDF tussle saw Joseph Gardener defeating Romel Captain to prove he is the better of the junior welterweight pugilists at the army gym. And another allGDF clash in the 6th bout of the night saw Elliot Sinclair besting his gym stablemate Damon France in the welterweight division.

A third disciplined forces battle of the evening resulted in GDF’s Christopher Henry getting the better of Police’s Osias Prince at 2:20 into their second round.

Republican Boxing Gym picked up another victory when the efforts of Timothy Fraser overcame GDF’s Orin Domingo in the middleweight division; and GDF’s Sherwin Gravesande overpowered his

stablemate Malachi Clarke in the light heavyweight class.

Truncated battles were again on the cards when the penultimate fixture of the night unfolded between GDF’s Darius Harris and Police’s Hullman Bovell, who came out on the victori-

ous side in the cruiserweight bout.

The night of fistic fury ended with GDF’s Zidhan Wray defeating his stablemate Rayon Henry in just under one minute into the second round of their super heavyweight clash.

The National Novices

Championships are customarily staged in honour of the former world champion Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis, who met his unfortunate demise on May 4th, 2015 in a vehicular accident. They have birthed the journey of many of the nation’s leading premier amateur pugilists.

BCB/UCCA/Price is Right 20/20 tournament…

#72 topple Dukestown Warriors to bag

$400,000 cash prize

The beautiful #69 Vikings Cricket Ground was transformed into a hive of activity last Sunday when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) hosted the finals of the Price is Right 20/20 tournament.

The largest crowd to attend a BCB finals in over a decade turned up at the venue to see #72 Cut and Load defeat Dukestown Warriors by four wickets and emerge champions of the tournament, which commenced two years ago and attracted a sponsorship of Gy$3M+ from management and staff of the Price is Right Supermarket of Skeldon.

Before thousands of spectators, and in perfect cricket weather, Dukestown won the toss and elected to take first strike. They lost Clarence Beresford with the score at 8 for 1, when he was caught off the bowling of D. Jaggernauth for 4.

Jaggernauth also dismissed Kevin Clarke (1) and Budhram Sukhdeo (4) to leave Dukestown struggling at 14 for 3 in the 5th over. They struggled to 47 for 6 with the departure of Jermaine Reid (5), Clavern Besford (7) and Jamal Byass (6), but a crucial 7h stand of 36 between Errol Byass (17) and Akeem Bawlin (27) enable them to reach 92 all out from 18 overs.

Bowling for #72 Cut and Load, Davendra Jaggernauth returned figures of 4-1-103; Mukesh Edwards returned figures of 4-0-23-4; and Davannand Chatterpal returned figures of 4-0-16-2.

Needing to score 93 from 20 overs, Cut and Load lost

they best batsman Deoprakash Ramdat by the LBW route to Jermaine Reid for naught.

With the score at 2 for 1 in the first over, a 44-run second-wicket partnership between Jameel Assad and Ramesh Omapersaud took them to 46 for 2, before Kevin Clarke dismissed Assad for a patient 12.

Solid batting from Omarpersaud (35) and Vijay Persaud (17 n.o) saw #72 Cut and Load to victory. The other batsmen dismissed were Seiraj Chatterpaul (7), Devananand Chatterpaul (2) and Kadeer Ajib (7).

Best bowler for the runner-up team was Errol Byass with 2 for 17 from four overs.

Jermaine Reid, Budram Sukdeo and Wayne Garnette each took a wicket, for 12, 13 and 15 respectively.

The final was well organized by the UCCA, as dozens of law enforcement officers were present to control the large crowd, while the popular Crown Vybez music set entertained the crowd. Live cricket commentary was also provided by popular cricket commentators Anthony Kemraj and Linden Murray.

The winning team took home $400,000 and the winner’s trophy, while the runner-up took home $200,000 and a trophy. The two losing semifinalists each got $50,000, and “man of the finals”, Davendra Juggernauth, was rewarded with $100,000. Other prizes given to the worthies included cricket gear and bowling boots.

BCB President Hilbert Foster congratulated the UCCA for organizing a highly successful tournament, and expressed his pleasure at the massive support received from the fans. He committed his administration to hosting more finals at the venue once the dressing rooms and sanitary facilities are improved.

Well known Guyanese Neurosurgeon and brain surgeon Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, on hearing Foster’s commitment, immediately promised to donate half a million dollars to the setting up of proper sanitary facilities. UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade expressed thanks to the sponsor for the largest ever cash prize purse in the area, and noted that the sponsorship included uniforms for all 32 teams in the area.

The winning team, #72 Cut and Load

Glimpses of the final night's action on Sunday

Julian Clarke receiving his ‘best boxer’ award from Referee Jumane Moore

But GPF’s Julian Clarke adjudged best boxer

GCB Senior Intercounty Super50 Championships… Berbice go 2-in-2 after easing past Select XI

Defending champions Berbice have kept their record clean with a second-round victory against the GCB Select XI at the Enmore Cricket Ground, East Coast Demerara (ECD), when the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior Intercounty Super50 Championships continued on Tuesday.

A five-wicket haul from the experienced Veerasammy Permaul and an all-round performance from Kevin Sinclair have landed Berbice another victory.

The Select XI side won the toss and opted to bat, but Sachin Singh was slow to get going, facing 33 balls to pro duce only 2 runs before he found himself back in the dugout, af ter being trapped LBW by Sinclair.

Perez, who had been going at a com mendable pace, became burdened by excessive caution, and paid the price a few overs later when he was bowled by Gudakesh Motie for 52 runs from 60 balls.

The experienced Christopher Barnwell

wickets fell around him as the remainder of the Select XI batsman failed to get past the teens.

The man responsible for this less-than-stellar batting performance was Berbice Captain Veerasammy Permaul, who had returns of 5-40 from 10 overs. Nial Smith, Motie and Sinclair each took one wicket as the Select XI mustered 188-9 in their 50 overs.

In stark contrast to the Select XI’s performance, the Berbician Kevin Sinclair went all guns blazing, although crucial wickets fell in

quick succession. Both Rampertab Ramnauth and Kevlon Anderson found themselves back in the dugout without troubling the score.

However, Seon Glasgow and Kevin Sinclair carefully guided the Berbicians past the 100-run mark without losing another wicket.

While Glasgow contributed 22 runs from 42 balls, Sinclair lit up the Enmore venue by produc-

ing a sparkling 81 from 75 balls, inclusive of 9 fours and 3 sixes.

Both Seon Hetmyer and Nigel Deodat got to their thirties to keep the scoreboard ticking for Berbice, but their wickets and that of Gudakesh Motie caused hearts to race, as the defending champions were then 7 wickets down and 11 runs shy of their target. However, Captain Permaul kept a steady

GCB Senior Intercounty Super50 Championships…

head and hand to lead his team to a three-wicket victory in 39.5 overs. As such, Berbice Captain Permaul was adjudged the “man of the match”.

Already guaranteed a spot in Saturday’s Intercounty Super50 final, Berbice will next take on Essequibo at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground on Thursday, October 5, from 9:00hrs.

Chanderpaul leads Demerara to comfortable win over Essequibo

Ahard-fought half century from Tagenarine

Chanderpaul on Tuesday afternoon led the Demerara outfit to this first win in this year’s Guyana Cricket

Board (GCB) Senior Intercounty Super50 Championships. Essequibo were victorious at the toss, and opted to bat first at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground

SCOREBOARD

at Bourda. However, this decision came back to haunt them in the form of their batsmen lacking the ability to go big against the Demerara bowling.

Kevon Boodie departed for 5 runs from 11 balls, and Jadon Campbell failed to trouble the score, facing just three balls before being dismissed by Bernard Bailey. However, a 38-run partnership between Norman Fredericks and Kemol Savory got the Essequibians back on

track, and several 30-run partnerships got them to 203 all out.

Savory top-scored with 36 runs from 55 balls, and Quentin Sampson produced 32 runs from 18 deliveries.

Malcolm Hubbard added 24 runs, while Fredericks contributed 20 to the total.

Sherfane Rutherford had a good outing with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 37 runs from seven overs, and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed took 3-27 from 8.2 overs.

Richia Looknauth, Steven

Sakar and Bailey each had one scalp.

In the chase, eventual “man of the match” Tagenarine Chanderpaul stood tall to steer Demerara to 205-6 in 45.2 overs.

Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 70 came in 118 balls and included 6 fours and one six.

After a series of 20run scores from Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlach and Mavindra Dindyal, Akshaya Persaud brought a refreshing stability to the

Demerara innings in a partnership with Chanderpaul that accumulated 66 runs, of which Persaud notched up 41 from 51 deliveries before being caught cheaply off Anthony Adams’s bowling.

While Chanderpaul stayed the course, Ali Mohmed added 11 from 19 balls and Looknauth added 9 from 8 balls to get Demerara over the line for the 4-wicket win.

Essequibo captain Antony Adams picked up 2-46 from his 10 overs in a losing effort, while Ronsford Beaton, Neeland Cadogan, Garfield Phillips and Hubbard each picked up one wicket.

As Berbice await their challengers for the title on Saturday, Demerara will now take on the GCB Select XI on Thursday, as they eye a spot in the final. That match will be played at the Enmore Ground, East Coast Demerara (ECD) from 9:00hrs on Thursday, October 5.

The senior Intercounty final is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, at GCC.

After a good spell with the ball in the previous match, Kevin Sinclair impressed with the bat against

Sherfane Rutherford had a good outing with the ball