Guyana Times -Friday, August 18, 2023

GDF Coast Guards undergo asset recovery training

President Ali appoints 2 new Permanent Secretaries, 6 others reassigned in major shake-up

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CANU issues wanted bulletin for Soesdyke man

Guyana has capacity to build only 1 oil refinery for now – VP Jagdeo – says Govt receiving multiple proposals from other countries

Govt exploring avenues for online traffic ticket payment system – AG Nandlall

Opposition to move to High Court over Pres Ali’s extension of acting Top Cop's tenure – Norton

– says GPF will soon issue electronic traffic tickets – says extension is unconstitutional

Dutch company installs composite pipe at ExxonMobil’s Liza Field to enhance production

Lack of staff, inadequate office space hindering work of PCA – Chairman Labourer nabbed with ganja in Parika hotel

– Opposition calls on

rise in dengue cases as priority

239 patients hospitalised with dengue – MoH Minibus driver remanded for narcopossession

Kuru Kururu man charged for West Ruimveldt fatal shooting

Reassigned: Alfred King

Reassigned: Bishram Kuppen

Reassigned: Mae Thomas

New: Adele Diane Tricia Cole-Clarke

Reassigned: Shaniella Hossein Outar

Reassigned: Prema Roopnaraine

New: Miguel Shaun Choo-Kang

Reassigned: Andre Ally

Kuru Kururu man charged for West Ruimveldt fatal shooting

More than one week after 43-year-old Dexter Horsham was shot and killed at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, 34-year-old Anthony LaRose was arraigned for the heinous crime.

LaRose of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was required to plead to the indictable charge.

Police stated that on August 10, while in the company of others, LaRose murdered Horsham. LaRose was remanded to prison until September 7, 2023.

Dexter Horsham, 43, was fatally shot and chopped while trying to protect a soldier from a mob of men who came to evict him from the house he has been occupying with his young son and pregnant wife, according to his sister.

The incident has also left the now-dead man’s

cousin, Corwyne Abrams, a 38-year-old taxi driver from Charlestown, Georgetown, injured. It was reported that Ezekiel Subhan, a 25-yearold Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, who resides at Lot 426 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was at home with his 23-year-old reputed wife when he heard someone knocking at his door and calling for “inside”.

As a result, Subhan went out to the front door, looked outside and saw a man at the door who told him to remove from the house.

“The man claimed that he bought the house from his (Subhan’s) great-uncle. However, Subhan told the man that he was not going anywhere and that he should get the Police involved since he did not come with a doc-

ument of ownership for the property,” said a Police report.

As a result, they argued, and six other identifiable men exited a black pick-up vehicle with registration number GLL 7950 and aggressively entered the yard and rushed to the GDF rank.

By then, a crowd had gathered, which included the victim, Dexter Horsham.

A fight then broke out, and one of the men who came out of the pick-up vehicle and who was armed with a handgun discharged three rounds.

Horsham and his nephew were struck by the bullets. They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Horsham was pronounced dead. After committing the act, the group of men went back into the vehicle and drove off the scene.

The Police have since issued a wanted bulletin for 33-year-old Majesty Anthony Fernandes of 1690 National Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

CANU issues wanted bulletin for Soesdyke man

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Thursday issued a wanted bulletin for Anthony Collins also called “Blackboy” for questioning in relation to a narcotics case that is currently under investigation.

The last known address of the wanted man is Lot 154 Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Guyana Times under-

stands that Collins was fingered in an ongoing investigation but all efforts to contact him proved futile. While the details of the specific case were not made available, CANU ranks are continuing their hunt for the man.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of Collins is asked to contact the drug enforcement unit at telephone number 226-0431.

Labourer nabbed with ganja in Parika hotel

Police acting on information received went to a hotel at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), on Thursday where they arrested a 46-year-old labourer with a quantity of ganja in his possession.

Based on reports received, as the ranks arrived at the hotel, they observed the suspect acting in a suspicious manner.

As such, the ranks conducted a search on his person and the haversack he

was carrying during which two black plastic bags containing a quantity of cannabis were unearthed. In one of the bags, several small zip-lock bags were found already packaged for sale.

The labourer, of Good Hope, EBE, was subsequently told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Parika Police Station.

Whilst there, the narcotics were weighed and amounted to 206.3 grams.

Dead: Dexter Horsham

Charged: Anthony LaRose

Wanted: Anthony Collins

The ganja that was found during the Police operation

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, Aug 18 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Saturday, Aug 19 –05:00h – 06:30h.

Friday, Aug 18 – 05:05h –06:35h and Saturday, Aug 19 –05:40h – 07:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: South-Westerly to East North-Easterly between 0.89 metres and 2.23 metres.

High Tide: 17:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.56 metres.

Low Tide: 11:32h and 23:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.61 metre and 0.62 metre.

Pres Ali appoints 2 new Permanent Secretaries, 6 others reassigned in major shake-up

President Dr Irfaan

Ali on Thursday announced a major shakeup in the appointments of Permanent Secretaries across several Government Ministries, with two new faces lined up to take up the senior positions.

Alfred King, who currently serves as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, is expected to be reassigned to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Shanielle HosseinOutar will now be placed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education. She currently serves as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Prema Roopnarine will now take up the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. She currently serves as the PS of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Also on the list to be reassigned is Bishram Kuppen, the current Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour. He will be taking up the role of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Andre Ally, currently the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water, will be the new

LOTTERY NUMBERS

PS at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As such, Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas, who is the PS at the Home Affairs Ministry, will now be serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour.

Meanwhile, Adele Diane Tricia Cole-Clarke is expected to be appointed as the Permanent Secretary in the Legal Affairs Ministry while the former Head of Regional Planning in the State Planning Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Miguel Shaun Choo-Kang should be announced as the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry.

These announcements by the Head of State were made

via a press statement to the media but no explanation was given for the shake-up.

However, back in April this year, PS Thomas was travelling on official duties to China and in transit in the US, where she was detained and allegedly manhandled by male officers attached to the US Customs and Border Protection. Her mobile phone was also confiscated during the ordeal.

Reports are that Thomas was singled out at the Miami Airport and taken into a room to be grilled during her transit in the US. Thomas, who is married to American citizen Dameion Meerabux, was held for some three hours during which she was asked basic questions by the male officers, until a female

officer entered the room and took other personal details. In fact, a source had told this publication that the Guyanese official felt as though she was violated.

The Permanent Secretary was travelling on a Service Passport and despite her informing the CBP officers that she was on official duties, she was reportedly slammed into a wall, handcuffed, and humiliated in front of a group of Spanish-speaking passengers.

Additionally, her phone containing sensitive information relating to Government policies as well as personal information was confiscated and searched despite her explaining that the device belonged to the Government of Guyana and clearance must be given by her superiors before she could hand it over.

However, she was reportedly denied a request to make contact with officials of the Guyana Government. Instead, she was told that she was in US territory and that her rights to do so were forfeited.

Thomas was later released and continued her journey to China. However, she had to travel via the London-Barbados-Guyana routine on her return home since her US visa was revoked.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

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

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

Deadly fires

The headlines in the local press have been inundated with the loss of lives and property as a result fires and accidents. These stories have been heart-rending as families and friends are left in the path of destruction. So far for the year fires have occurred at homes, markets, business places, schools, dormitories.

An analysis of fire causing deaths for this year has shown that about 41 persons have died due infernos of various nature across the country. The deadly traumatic May 22, 2023 where 20 children died at the Mahdia Secondary school dormitory will always be engrossed in the minds Guyanese.

Like in the case of an accident, with fire also the sudden and shocking death of someone close, can never be easy to endure. The ensuing excruciating pain and mental trauma that are inflicted on surviving relatives can be unbearable.

In a fleeting moment, families were plunged into sadness and despair after receiving the dreadful news. That’s the painful result, and often its real and lingering impact may be hidden from the spotlight of the media.

The reality is that people, including those who survive, suffer in unimaginable ways.

Several fires that have occurred were as a result of children being left at home alone and playing with inflammable objects.

A study conducted by the New York City Fire Department found that most children have a natural curiosity about fire. They want to know how fire looks and feels, and what it can do. To address this locally, there is need for early education programme/lessons on the dangers and consequences of fire. Such a campaign should also include how to avoid fire related accidents and how to respond quicky if this should occur. Assuming that playing with flammable items, matches, lighters are a product of natural curiosity of children and lack of understanding then such programmes should be done at various stages of child development. This will lead to a health appreciation for fire safety.

Every year Guyana joins in observing Fire Prevention Week at the beginning of October, this is a good time to have youth and young children countrywide to learning about the importance of fire safety and fire prevention.

Another important safety regulation, is the enforcement of fire codes and the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 22:02.

Importantly, the Guyana Fire Service on Wednesday, issued safety tips following the increase in house fires.

These are:

1) Don’t leave things cooking on the stovetop unattended, and check regularly on the things cooking in the oven. It only takes a minute for a fire to get out of hand.

2) Equip your homes with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and fire alarms.

3) Keep flammable things like tissues, towels, paper bags, or cereal boxes away from your stove.

4) Don’t try to put out grease or electrical fires with water; this will only make them worse! Adding water to a grease fire can make it spread. Adding water to an electrical fire can cause electrocution.

5) One of the simplest and cheapest extinguishers for grease fires is baking soda. Keep a box next to your stove to throw on stovetop fires.

6) Use your stove only as directed. If you have a gas stove and smell gas, turn off all burners, open windows for better ventilation, and call your gas company.

7) Be careful when lighting the stove; make sure the room is well ventilated; and use long-stemmed matches or lighters.

8) Pay attention when you are cooking. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off all burners. If a pot is on fire, turn off the burner and cover the pot with a lid.

9) Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves that may catch fire easily. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll!

10) Don’t use your oven as extra storage for flammable things like paper or plastic bags, plastic containers, or dish towels. Even if you don’t turn the oven on, the pilot light could ignite objects inside.

With the use of modernised technology at our disposal, we must utalised this advancement to bring awareness on fire safety. Additionally, we must continue the task of educating through school site visits and community visits. Education and awareness is the first step in turning this deadly trend that has consumed our society around.

Petroleum Activities Bill and ministerial powers

Dear Editor, The Parliamentary Opposition, along with other Opposition-aligned commentators and writers, have raised the concern that the Petroleum Activities Bill confers sweeping powers on the Minister.

Specifically, in the Peeping Tom column, the author argued that the powers vested in the Minister therein seem to conflict with the Constitution. To this end, Peeping Tom cited Article 115 of the Constitution and sought to make the argument that Article 115 “limits the role of the Minister responsible for any department of Government to exercise general direction and control, a euphemism for making policy. It is trite law that Parliament may limit the exercise of powers which are conferred on a Minister but cannot expand these beyond the boundaries provided by the Constitution”.

Editor, this statement prompted me to consult Article 115 of the Guyana Constitution to confirm the correctness of Peeping Tom’s argument and citation. In so doing, it would appear that Peeping Tom’s interpretation, application and argument altogether were very poor.

Contrary to Peeping Tom’s interpretation, Article 115, based on my understanding, has nothing to do with limiting the powers of the Minister. In fact, to understand the fullness of Article 115, one has to

read, study, and comprehend Articles 99–122, which constitute Chapter X of the Constitution, which speaks to the Executive arm of the State.

Insofar as Article 115 is concerned, this Article establishes the function of permanent secretaries. In this regard, Article 115 states the following: “Where the President or any Minister has been charged with the responsibility for any department of Government, he shall exercise general direction and control, the department shall be under the supervision of the permanent secretary, whose office shall be a public office: Provided that two or more government departments may be placed under the supervision of one permanent secretary.” My layman’s understanding of Article 115, therefore, is that it simply sets out the supervisory authority and/or function of permanent secretaries, and that the Minister has general direction and control of the ministry or department he/she has responsibility for under his/her portfolio.

Further, the Minister’s responsibility of general direction and control is in respect of the administrative management of the ministry. Having said that Article, 99 (1) of the Guyana Constitution establishes the Executive Authority of Guyana, which states that:

“The executive authori-

ty of Guyana shall be vested in the President and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, may be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him”.

Additionally, Article 99 (2) goes on to state that – “Nothing in this Article shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions on persons or authorities other than the President”

My non-legal interpretation of the above provisions in the Constitution is such that the Minister, who is subordinate to the President, is part of the Executive authority, and according to Article 99 (2), Parliament has the authority to confer functions and authorities to persons other than the President. In this case, the Minister is regarded as such a person. Hence, the powers/authority vested in the Minister viz-a-viz the Petroleum Activities Bill are well in order and in keeping with the Constitution.

Moreover, Article 106 of the Constitution establishes the Cabinet, which shall consist of the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice Presidents, and such other Ministers as may be appointed to it by the President.

Article 106 (2) states that “The Cabinet shall aid and advise the President in the general direction and control of the Government of Guyana, and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament”.

Emphasis on Article 106 (2) which establishes that the Government of Guyana, comprising the Cabinet, shall be collectively responsible to Parliament. This means that the Minister, despite the powers imposed on him by the Act, is not solely responsible, and does not operate in isolation from the collective Executive arm of Government and the Cabinet.

In other words, the powers vested in the Minister through the Act, and the exercise of those powers, rest with the collective responsibility of the Executive Authority of the State, or the Cabinet.

The last point I wish to make is in relation to the sector being managed, inter alia, an a-political framework. That framework is being described as the need for a Petroleum Commission to be designed in such a manner. However, it is important to distinguish the management functions of the sector versus the regulatory functions.

The Petroleum Commission, which, once established, will function as a regulatory body. Indeed, the composition of the Petroleum Commission should be independent of political inference or the Executive. However, the management responsibility for the sector is a function of the Executive.

Yours respectfully, Joel

Bhagwandin

President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, along with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Guo Haiyan, and the 16-member medical team that provided services to 142 children from 10 homes and orphanages on Thursday for the First Lady’s ‘Adopt-anOrphanage’ initiative

President Ali’s vision, leadership skills have transformed Guyana

Dear Editor,

Since becoming an independent country 57 years ago, most of Guyana’s past presidents from the two major parties have, on numerous occasions, used different strategies to heal the racial divide, unite, and improve the lives of the people; but unlike President Dr Irfaan Ali, they have not succeeded. And the reason is that they did not have the vision and leadership skills and ability like His Excellency, who, since becoming President in August 2020, had the prudence, wisdom, and courage to initiate policies to unite the people and build a prosperous Guyana for all.

The One Guyana initiative is a classic example, and the first of its kind to have ever been introduced in the country to unify the races. It represents a symbol of harmony and integrity of the state at home and abroad.

President Dr Ali’s sound leadership and integrity have provided wide-ranging guidance in several regional matters in food security, nutrition, and influence, which has grown significantly as the country continues to become a global leader in food security, climate security, energy security, and hu-

man development. Under His Excellency’s extraordinary and superb leadership, Guyana has risen to the challenge to become a leader in the Caribbean, and he has exerted his influence on the countries to grow more of their own food, increase trade among each other, and reduce regional imports.

According to President Dr. Ali, if these efforts succeed, CARICOM will be able to reduce its more than US$4 billion annual food-importation bill by some 25 per cent by 2025.

The Caribbean Heads of States have supported President Ali’s agenda to reduce the food import bill, and have also agreed to implement measures to boost agricultural production in their respective countries. Such leadership, which is particularly evident among the CARICOM states, has perhaps made Guyana the most recognizable and influential country in the region. This marked a milestone, because it is the first time Guyana has been recognized in the same manner as Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. In the past, these three countries have always been recognized by Europeans and North Americans as tourist

destinations due mainly to their beautiful and picturesque beaches.

On the international scene, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has, since taking office three years ago, propelled Guyana into becoming a global leader in several areas, including the environment, climate change, food security, renewable energy sources, and agriculture, among others. It is true that His Excellency has worked tirelessly to position Guyana to contribute significantly to global leadership, and to have a strong influence on the global decision-making process, which was primarily the domain of the developed countries. The move in this direction has been bolstered and fortified by the country being elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in June for the term 2024-2025.

Guyana’s candidacy was uncontested, being the sole candidate for a single seat available to Latin America and the Caribbean Region, where it garnered the highest vote count, at 191 out of 192 members of the United Nations General Assembly. It is important to mention that the UNSC is one

The One Guyana vision continues

of the six principal organs of the UN, and is charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN Charter.

Evidence of this superlative achievement has never been achieved before in Guyana since it became independent in May 1966. Today, under the stewardship of President Dr. Ali, Guyana has become one of the most recognized and respected developing countries in the Western Hemisphere, and has attracted an extensive list of more than 75 world leaders, inclusive of heads of Governments from the world’s most influential and powerful nations, such as the United States, Britain, Canada, China, and the European Union, that have either visited Guyana or have had direct bilateral engagements with it.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has indicated that his meeting with US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the 9th Summit of Americas, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India, and China’s President Xi Jinping, among others, is rock-solid proof of Guyana’s success in achieving widespread respect and influence in the international community. This is a resounding endorsement of the importance and the reason why more world leaders are coming to Guyana as never seen before, because they believe that we as a people can contribute to global leadership and a peaceful and economically stable world.

President Dr. Ali has made it clear that the Government intends to live up to its expectations by ensuring that Guyana plays a major role in reshaping an international system that is fair, just, and equitable, and that the country will continue to seek alliances with other countries but will maintain an independent and principled position by standing up for values established in the UN Charter and in international law.

His Excellency alluded to the many economic cooperation agreements Guyana has with several countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. The President intoned that these agreements would advance tourism, improve the export of goods and services, and increase investment in energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. These achievements by the President will transform Guyana and move it from an underdeveloped status to a developed country.

Sincerely,

Dr Asquith Rose

Dear Editor, President Dr. Mohamed

Irfaan Ali is truly a President that seeks to foster peace and goodwill among all people. He is a Humanist who truly believes in the idea of “One Guyana”. I was most impressed with his statement at the swearing-in ceremony of the Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the ten townships across Guyana at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, held this Monday (August 14, 2023).

Dr Ali charged the new leaders to “put their political affiliations aside and harmonize with the Administration’s aggressive developmental agenda.” He indicated that he offers a hand of friendship and support. That Central Government stands as a partner with them in the country’s development (<Guyana Times> August 8, 2023).

The Mayors and Deputy Mayors were elected at the Local Government Elections held in June. The Head of State indicated that Local Government is vital to ensuring that the dividends of development permeate through our towns, villages, and communities. The mandate of every council should be the improvement of community infrastructure, drainage, markets, daycare centres, waste disposal, better services, and community enhancement.

I do agree with the President’s statement when he indicated that: “There are no winners when communities and public assets are neglected or fall into decay (<Guyana Times>- August 8, 2023). He stressed that Town Councils are important components of the local authority, with the expectation of upholding good governance and enabling thriving communities.

This partnership between Government and Town Councils for upliftment and community development needs to be fostered. A Town/ City or NDC cannot survive without the blessed hands of a positive President and Government. President Ali has already explained that his government, in the new era, will partner with town councils even if they did not support his Government. I find this leadership to be very motivational, excellent, and a touch of class. All of which deserve applause from our citizens.

I have known cases of Town Councils where saboteurs were used by disruptive elements of the townships to sabotage the good work of the Government done for the development of the towns.

Here is an example: First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali’s work on the Kingston Seawall as an area of relaxation continues to be sabotaged. The destruction seems to be well orchestrated and also seems to have a political dimension to it. This seems to be so as the Government is not putting money into the hands of some persons, they continue to wantonly destroy.

Generally, I have no faith in the ability of the Town Council. However, Mr. Alfred Mentore, the newly elected Mayor of the City of Georgetown, has a personality of elegance, class, and charm. I personally hope he uses his endearing personality to work with the Government of Guyana for the development of the city. I must forewarn that destructive elements of the Opposition may try to prevent this harmonious partnership. I welcome Mr. Mentore. At this forum, the President also stated: “There are sufficient job opportunities available for young people, but they need to be proactive and go after these prospects.” The Head of State further stated in the media that: “Qualified persons should sign up to be a part of the nursing and nursing aides training programmes being offered presently by the Government, and that these training would be offered free of cost now.” It is my view that the youths of today are very unstable. They have very serious issues of instability, and are undisciplined at the level of carpentry, construction, and skilled trades, even most matters. They are extremely undependable; when they draw their salaries, you do not see them back at work for two or three days.

Together, the Government of Guyana, Townships and NDCs, let us work with a President that we are blessed with, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to make Guyana the envy of the Caribbean. Let us make Georgetown the Gateway of Guyana; East, West, North, and South truly remarkable! We need to make the crossing from Georgetown to Vreeden- Hoop one of ease and relaxation. We need to eliminate the stench of the gutters and the piles of garbage on the streets. Let us eliminate the cluttered vending on Regent Street and Water Street that makes Guyana look like a Shanty Town, and eliminate the congestion of the traffic on the city’s roads. Together we can do this!

Sincerely,

Hajji Dr Roshan Khan

Page Foundation

Measuring angles

Exercises

Identify the following angles as either acute, obtuse or right angles.

(CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY)

BY Patricia Lockwood

In this fun and easy electricity and magnetism science experiment, we are going to show you how to build an electromagnet.

Materials:

Large nail

6-volt lantern battery

2 alligator clips

Wire strippers

Insulated piece of copper wire (about 18 gauge)

Small metal items like screws, washers, paper clips, etc

Instructions:

Strip a small section of the insulation from the ends of the copper wire.

Wrap the copper wire around the nail.

Attached the stripped end of the copper wire to the alligator clips. Connect the alligator clips to the 6-volt lantern battery.

Test the nail to see if it is magnetic by holding it near the small metal items.

How it works:

The electric field in the coiled wire creates a magnetic field around the nail. The magnetised nail will be able to attract metal items.

Make this a science project: Try different sized nails. Try to turn other metal items like bolts or metal tubing into electromagnets. Test different gauges of copper wire. Test different sizes of batteries. (sciencefun.org)

beauty is truth, and truth...     but already I am losing it, all I know is that the world is falling away, and you won’t believe what it is wearing, the ridiculous pantsuit of me, a old lady, crumpled hopelessly at the crotch, a flower valiant in its little butthole — all the vital syllables are being erased —  its space-age fabric now seen for what it is: an embarrassment, my name is turning into Edna, Myrtle, Dorcas, my descendants find my peppermints disgusting, the urn is approaching to scatter me over a landscape that is heaven on earth, and in the feet of the poem I am running — in mad pursuit, and struggle to escape —  chased as if I am worth one million, Pearl, Opal, Ruby, Coral, until I am caught by the feeble arm, and because it is true I am telling the Ode: you stood in me like a spine, put poppies behind my eyes, just the fact of you, that he took one raw spring to set you down instead of going out to tip heifers, tweak noses, or sexually harass huge curvy vases, you were for me too, though they would trade me in all my Beulahs, have lined me up to enter that land in my turn, you let me memorize your most satiny parts and repeat them in hospital waiting rooms, first to myself, and then almost out loud, mine, mine, the world’s, all mine, something to say in the face of tall sickness as I quietly try to unwrap hard candies, as I tug down tissues from my sleeve, because it is true I am telling you, Ode, that I had a throat and you boiled in it, and the Ode is murmuring almost gently, “But do you like my ending? Some people don’t like my ending,” I don’t, I never did, I thought it was so overwrought, though now that I’m here myself why not if it has to be this way then better put a bright red cough on all that white.

WORD SEARCH

Guyana has capacity to build only 1 oil refinery for now – VP Jagdeo

– says Govt receiving multiple proposals from other countries

With Guyana receiving multiple proposals from several other countries to set up oil refineries – both at the private and state level, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the country has the capacity to build only one.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the establishment of an oil refinery in the country. So far, four out of the 11 companies that submitted proposals last year have been shortlisted.

During a press conference on Thursday, the Vice President disclosed that a first-round evaluation was held and they are now waiting for more information from the participating companies.

However, Jagdeo pointed out that even as they do this, a number of other countries are still sending oil refinery proposals.

“At the end of the day, if it goes forward it has to be on conditions that are good for our country and they have to meet all the financial and technical requirements. We don’t have the capacity for two refineries. There shall be if that project goes forward, one refinery,” the VP stated.

Simultaneously, however, the Guyana Government is also looking at a strategic reserve option. Jagdeo explained that the main reason for the refinery here was to ensure that national

energy security.

On this note, the Vice President disclosed that the Government is also exploring the feasibility of tolling some of Guyana’s light sweet crude and bringing back the refined products to store here. He noted that from the initial numbers, this can not only guarantee national energy security but also allow for a significantly cheaper cost of energy.

“If we are doing a refinery, it will be here because it defeats the purpose of your energy security and you have the refining done in Trinidad. But if [it] can get a tolling fee, it could be refined anywhere in the world [providing it’s cost competitive] and you then store the refined products here. Then that’s a different concept… If you’re doing the refinery, it has to be done here because what if there is a disruption in global supplies or regional supplies for an extended period and the refinery is in Trinidad, that doesn’t help us,” VP Jagdeo

stressed.

Trinidad and Tobago had offered to let Guyana use its oil refiney – a prospect that was shut down by the Guyanese Government.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Guyana and Dominican Republic (DR) signed several agreements including one for the joint establishment of an oil refinery in Guyana.

In 2022, a Request for Proposals was issued for companies to express their interest in constructing a 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery. Specifically, companies were asked to submit bids for the design, finance, and construction of the oil refinery, which will be located at the mouth of the Berbice River.

According to the RFP that was issued, construction on the refinery was expected to begin in 2023, with the project expected to be completed within two years. The refinery was to be located near the Berbice River.

The plan for the refin-

ery’s construction ties into the Government’s vision of promoting value-added production and securing energy security both for Guyana and the Caribbean. It is also an integral part of the Government’s developmental plan for Region Six.

An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms crude oil into various usable petroleum products, such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants and heating oils like kerosene.

Refineries serve as the second stage in the crude oil production process, following the extraction of crude oil from the earth.

Once the refinery at Berbice becomes operational, Guyana will be able to sell crude oil components to various industries for a broad range of purposes, including fuels for transportation, heating, paving roads, and generating electricity and raw materials for chemical manufacturing.

This would attract global investments due to soaring fuel prices worldwide, the increased cost of heating as time goes by, and a lack of adequate refining capacity to process crude into gasoline and diesel.

Neighbouring states including Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, The Netherlands Antilles, Cuba, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Barbados and Suriname possess oil refineries as well.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Bringing back… …the ole G/town?

With all the initiatives by the First Lady and her husband’s administration to return some dignity to our capital city’s appearance, do you think we’re at the cusp on a renewal of our “Garden City” of the Caribbean? First, there was the complete makeover of the seawall from the bandstand to the Pegasus by the First Lady. It just takes your breath away! It’s drawing both tourists and locals to return to one of our most noted landmarks – the bandstand. It had unfortunately become a haven for vagrants.

Then there’s the ongoing development of the railway embankment from the old terminal to Camp Street into a mixed-commercial and family recreational hub, by the Central Government, led by the President and his indefatigable Minister of Public Works, Edghill. The embankment – stretching all the way to Vlissengen and further to Sherriff St - had seen previous desultory attempts to put it to practical use, but those attempts were too haphazard, and certainly looked it! There’s talk now of extending the initial initiative to the full length of the embankment. The Vlissengen median to the seawall has already been paved into a walkway! What’s next?? Bringing back the trams that took us around the city and to the Bandstand, to make us into a tropical San Francisco??

The Government’s taken the bull by the horns to degut City Hall and rebuild it to its Gothic splendour. It was such an Augean Stable that the project had to be extended! How many times haven’t we poured money down that black hole – including the Private Sector and foreign donors? But then nothing can leave a black hole, can it? Save into the pockets of the occupants!! The relocated Central Fire Station from the Stabroek Market area is about to be opened on Homestretch Ave.

And let’s not even talk about Independence Boulevard in Albouystown!! From the most feared slum in the city, it’s now the centerpiece of what in developed countries would be called “gentrification”. But rather than new urban Yuppies from outside enjoying the development, the Government has spearheaded the effort, so that it’s the long-suffering residents who will do so!!

But let’s face the truth, shall we? No matter what Central Government does, the responsibility for MAINTAINING AND EXTENDING what can only be a demonstration of POSSIBILITIES lies with City Hall!! With the departed Mayor, the old people would say while shaking their heads sadly, “Good na deh heah.” Let’s hope the new M&CC will get with the programme!!

Maybe the birth of Silica City in our interior will be a wake-up call. Lest the Government transmute it into the Administrative Capital and leave Georgetown to its chosen fate.

Who na hear mus’ feel.

…1953 politics?

There are some who pray for “valency politics” to take over in Guyana - that is, folks who’d vote for political parties whose leaders just want to “do the right thing”!! But that ain’t gonna happen ever!! If you doubt that, just look at all the countries we’ve been imitating - politically and otherwise - in this voting business. Britain?? Supporting a soap opera monarchy?? With the unelected Sunak government hanging on for dear life??

And the US? Invading the seat of government to overturn an election? The Supreme Court EXPANDING handgun ownership at a time of a mass shooting every week? Hey!! Their voting patterns increasingly match their cleavages. In this case, they seem to be FOLLOWING us!! So, who’re the “backward” ones now??!! So no, dear readers, we better start accepting that our only hope is our political parties are serious about getting into office through the ballot boxes.

Meaning they gotta cultivate cross-over votes - cause it’s in their interest to defuse racial hostilities!!

…sugar daddy politics?

China’s deploying their US$3.25 TRILLION in foreign reserves, accumulated thanks to the US, like money’s going out of style!!

So, what if they repossess everything when you choke on the debt??! All sugar daddies do that, no!!

Dutch company installs composite pipe at ExxonMobil’s Liza Field to enhance production

with a connector system.

Strohm’s newly-created Field Service Group has also recently secured the service contract to support onsite termination operations in-country and deliver on the termination scopes of work for pre-first oil for Yellowtail.

tiple projects ongoing and completed around the globe. Strohm’s specialist field service technicians mobilise to the client’s location as the jumper termination campaigns are called off over the duration of the deployment programme.”

ture.

In addition to the 50 pipes being produced for ExxonMobil Guyana, Strohm’s Jumper on Demand service has delivered 25 of the firm’s TCP solutions installed in Europe, Brazil, and Asia.

Dutch manufacturer, Strohm’s first deep-water/ high-pressure thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) Jumper in South America has been successfully installed, commissioned, and is currently up and running for ExxonMobil Guyana at its Liza field in the Stabroek Block.

The Jumper, incorporating advanced carbon fi-

bre and polyamide12 materials, is used for Water Alternating Gas (WAG) injection and was installed in depths over 1700 metres for the supermajor, after being landed and leak tested subsea, a recent statement from the company detailed.

Previously, the Netherlands-headquartered business was awarded two significant contracts for the Uaru and Yellowtail devel-

opments, where Strohm is to supply a total of 50 of its WAG TCP Jumpers across the two campaigns.

These projects are delivered under the firm’s Jumpers on Demand approach, where a single length of pipe is delivered on a single reel to the client’s location, thereupon the pipe is spooled off to the desired jumper length, cut, terminated, tested, and mated

Strohm’s Vice President of Americas and leader of the Field Service Group, Gavin Leiper, said: “This is a pivotal moment for our business, underlining the clear advantages that our Jumper on Demand brings to a project of this scale and depth, as well as proving our WAG application for this region.”

“Our approach minimises transportation cost, maximises local content, and reduces the total cost of installation as well as lowering carbon footprint. This approach is proving extremely successful with mul-

Strohm’s TCP Jumper avoids the need for metrology, thereby shortening the time to first oil and reducing installation costs further. The flexibility to terminate in the country creates redundancy and de-risks any project schedule.

Strohm is the leading manufacturer of TCP with the largest track record in the world. It provides a strong, corrosion-free, and field-proven solution for operators. The use of TCP manufactured by Strohm also provides clients with the ability to significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of their pipeline infrastruc-

Strohm, in a statement, said it is committed to driving sustainability with its range of TCP solutions which enable clients towards their net-zero carbon emissions targets and supports the renewables sector.???

TCP is a?strong, non-corrosive, spoolable, lightweight?solution that is?delivered in long lengths, resulting in a significant reduction of?transportation?and?installation costs. TCP is installed using small vessels or subsea pallets, significantly reducing?CO2?emissions. It is also 100% recyclable.???

Strohm’s?shareholders include?Aker Solutions, Chevron Technology Ventures, Evonik Venture Capital, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Shell Ventures, Subsea 7, Sumitomo Corporation, HPE Growth, HydrogenOne Capital Growth, and ING Corporate Investments (a 100% subsidiary of ING Bank N.V.).???

The firm’s manufacturing facility is located at its headquarters in IJmuiden in The Netherlands. Strohm also has offices in Houston (US) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Strohm’s Field Service Group technicians in-country terminating TCP

Strohm’s TCP Jumper awaiting deployment

Govt exploring avenues for online traffic ticket payment system – AG Nandlall

– says GPF will soon issue electronic traffic tickets

Work is currently ongoing to merge the Judiciary’s digital payment platform with the e-ticketing system for traffic offences as the Government seeks to implement a more convenient way for errant motorists to pay their fines, thus eliminating the need for them to visit a courthouse.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, as he delivered the feature address at the opening of the new $294M Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and the launch of the Judiciary’s e-payment system for maintenance.

Beginning in September, persons who have been ordered by the court to pay child and/or spousal support will be able to do so via GTT’s Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), a user-friendly and secure payment app available on both

Google Play Store and Apple Store.

On this note, Nandlall said the Government is figuring out how to combine the e-ticketing system with the Magistrates’ Courts' digital payment platform.

“The Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Legal Affairs with the technology people, are working together in not only designing the law but crafting a system which we will have to engage the Judiciary. Once we get our concept and design clear, whereby we will be issuing traffic tickets electronically using cameras that are installed across the country. The errant drivers and/or owners of the vehicles will be required to pay those tickets at Magistrates’ Courts offices throughout the country where manually, those tickets are being paid now.”

He explained that the re-

ets and blank paper, and it records the offending motorist through the application.

It is anticipated that this will promote more road discipline, encourage drivers to obey traffic laws, and reduce the frequency of accidents caused by reckless driving.

Nandlall had previously said that the relevant

cently passed modern-era Electronic Communication and Transaction Act lays the statutory and legitimate basis and framework for all digital transactions to take place and become formally recognised.

This Act, he noted, “Allows for every transaction and every form of payment that is being done manually to be done electronically and the law recognises it as valid and as enforced had it been done non-digitally.

“Everything that we are doing manually now we have the legal capabilities to do them electronically and digitally. All we now have to do is build the requisite infrastructure and platform to bring those transactions to fruition.”

Since last year, the e-ticketing system has been in use on the Mandela to Eccles Highway. This method allows mounted cameras to detect any violations that drivers have committed, such as speeding or operating a vehicle without a seatbelt.

The new approach replaces the manual ticketing method utilising paper tick-

laws will have to be amended to allow for the usage of the e-ticketing system in the country as the Government seeks to make roadways safer.

“Many other countries in the Caribbean have gone in this direction and we are moving swiftly there. We are not doing this because we want to punish people. We are doing this to protect lives, to make the roads safer for all of us and for our future generations,” he had said.

In response to the alarmingly high rate of fatal accidents, amendments to the Road Traffic Act were passed which created a new offence, motor manslaughter; and introduced harsher penalties for offences such as driving under the influence and dangerous driving.

But Nandlall is adamant that cultural change is required for the system to work. He had noted, “A large part of it has to do with the users of the road. The mentality must change … It requires an attitudinal change and that must come from the people, the users of the road.”

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

A Traffic officer manually issuing ticket

Guyana recommits to anti-slavery efforts within UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in Geneva, Switzerland.

Adopted by the UN in 1948, the UDHR is a document outlining 30 rights and freedoms that protect every individual, everywhere.

“The UDHR has become a point, an instrument of seminal reference, an inspiration in the promotion and protection of human rights in every corner of the globe. Guyana, like countries around the world, has fully embraced the Declaration, embodying, as it does, the equality of all human beings, without exception in dignity and rights,” Todd said.

Minibus driver remanded for narco-possession

in the nation in this period.

“Both of these rebellions were eventually brutally suppressed –the Berbice Rebellion after nearly 14 months, the Demerara Revolt merely one week later,” Todd said.

“No doubt, the spirit of resistance to oppression and domination manifested in the aforementioned rebellions helped to inform Guyana's resolute stance against apartheid – a position we maintained at great national sacrifice,” Todd said.

Minister Todd noted that this year marks the bicentennial of the Demerara Uprising, a time of solemn contemplation and reflection.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd on Wednesday reiterated Guyana’s continued contribution to global efforts to maintain equality and justice.

The Minister made these remarks virtually during a thematic discussion on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR): Learning from AntiSlavery and Anti-Apartheid Mobilisation.

This discussion was held within the Ninth Session Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation

In light of the UN’s focus on anti-slavery and anti-apartheid, the Minister noted that Guyana too has had a long history of slavery that birthed two of the most massive rebellions of enslaved Africans in the Americas: the 1763 Berbice Revolt led by Cuffy and the 1823 Demerara Uprising led by Quamina.

He explained that in the first instance, some 3000 Africans or approximately 75 to 80 per cent of the enslaved population participated.

Meanwhile, in the latter, while the number of participants was significantly larger at about 12,000 persons, they represented only 17 per cent of the enslaved population, thereby showing the immense growth of slavery with-

“The lessons are many, fundamentally encapsulated in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, that all human beings are born free, equal in dignity and in rights. We must therefore work together for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance,” Todd said.

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is described as the UN’s blueprint to combat racism and related intolerance globally, and offers practical measures that can be taken by member states and civil society to address the issues.

The event at which Minister Todd delivered virtual remarks focused on the implementation of this Programme of Action.

Thirty-eight-year-old Allan Stephen, a minibus driver of Tabatinga Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was on Thursday remanded to prison for being in possession of over 11kg of ganja.

Stephen was arrested following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Commander and officers of Division 4B (East Bank Demerara) along the Providence Public Road, EBD, on Saturday last.

Police stated that during the operation, Stephen, who was driving a white Pitbull minibus (Route 94, with registration number BAB 5234) was stopped and a search was conducted on the passengers and vehicle.

During the operation, a total of 11,200 grams of cannabis was found hidden in a cardboard box on top of the vehicle.

Following his arrest, Stephen was formally charged under Section

5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10 of Guyana's legal statutes, specifically for the offence of Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Traffic.

He made his appearance at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman during which he professed his innocence and pleaded not guilty. He was remanded and will make his next court appearance on September 13, 2023.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd

Remanded: Allan Stephen

The illegal drug that was found in Stephen’s possession

Lack of staff, inadequate office space hindering work of PCA – Chairman

ment of a legal officer, who should be a qualified and practising lawyer, would “certainly reduce” the Chairman’s workload, so that he can have adequate time to perform his statutory functions.

Justice Ramlall pointed out, “The non-statutory functions can easily be performed by the legal officer. At the moment, I am performing all statutory and non-statutory functions, and administrative functions with the assistance of my administrative officer.

Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Justice (retd) William Ramlall, has said the PCA is understaffed and working out of inadequate office space, factors which are hindering the work of the authority.

In his 2022 report, which was recently handed over to the National Assembly, Justice Ramlal pointed out that the PCA has vacancies for three investigators, a secretary, and a legal officer. And while he has made several requests for these vacancies to be filled, nothing has been done.

He said the appoint-

“These vacancies need to be filled with urgency, since this shortfall of staff is negatively affecting the investigative capability of the Police Complaints Authority”, Justice Ramlall pointed out.

In addition, the retired Judge said that, since his appointment in 2018, he has made several requests to the appropriate authorities for proper accommodation.

According to him, Section 16 of the Police Complaints Authority provides for confidentiality in taking complaints, but the current state of the office does not allow for this. He

highlighted that the office is subject to constant flooding, and although some work was done to stop the flooding, nothing seems to have been achieved in this regard.

“These are not conditions conducive to work,” he declared.

The PCA is located at Lot 59 Brickdam Stabroek, Georgetown in a building that also houses the Office of the Ombudsman, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, and the Guyana Bar Association. It received 194 complaints between January 1 andDecember 31, 2022; of which 36 were rejected, 52 were closed following preliminary investigations, and three were each forwarded to thePolice Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions respectively. There are 106 open complaints in total.

The PCA is an independent organisation that receives and looks into public complaints regarding Police misconduct, as well as oversees the investigation of any criminal offences allegedly committed by Force members.

Justice (rtd) William Ramlal

Opposition to move to High Court over Pres Ali’s extension of acting Top Cop's tenure – Norton

In light of President

Dr Irfaan Ali’s decision to indefinitely extend the tenure of acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, the joint parliamentary Opposition has signalled its intention to challenge the Head of State’s decision in the courts. Hicken turned 55 –the age of retirement – in July 2023.

At his weekly press

conference on Thursday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton revealed that the party’s lawyers are of the firm view that the extension of Hicken’s tenure is unconstitutional; and thus, they will move to the High Court to have him ousted.

“We have already prepared the case and it will be filed sometime next week. We are challenging the extension of the

Commissioner of Police by the President. As we understand the law, if he was a substantive Commissioner then the law would have provided for it, but since he has been part of the drama group and acting for a long time, he is not entitled,” said Norton.

By extending Hicken’s appointment, Opposition Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul believes that the

President is being unfair to many servicemen and women in the Police Force, noting that the Head of State is short-changing the line of succession in terms of people being promoted.

He has described this as “demoralisation.”

President Ali appointed Hicken to act as the country’s Commissioner of Police in March 2022 following the retirement of the then-acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie.

Back then, the Opposition had challenged Hicken’s appointment as being unconstitutional but in dismissing the application, the Chief Justice ruled the President acted well within the Constitution of Guyana given the peculiar circumstances with which he was confronted.

Article 211 (1) of the Constitution mandates that “the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission [PSC] after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission”.

Meanwhile, provisions for a person to act in the office of the Police Commissioner are outlined under Article 211 (2) of the Constitution, and the provisions contained in Article 211 (1), shall apply to such an appointment as they apply to the appointment of a person to hold that office.

When Hicken’s appoint-

ment took effect, the Office of the Opposition Leader was vacant following the resignation of Joseph Harmon on January 26, 2022. Norton—Leader of the PNCR—was appointed Opposition Leader on April 13, 2022. The tenure of the previous PSC expired on August 8, 2021; it was reconstituted on May 31, 2022, by President Ali.

In light of the foregoing circumstances, the Chief Justice had said that President Ali could not be faulted for making the appointment when there was no one for him to consult, adding that it was not within his power to appoint an Opposition Leader.

In the absence of an Opposition Leader and the PSC, she held that President Ali, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, acted “out of necessity” and it was reasonable for him to take action in his “own deliberate judgement” to appoint someone to act as Top Cop.

The Chief Justice had also reasoned that leaving the highest office in the GPF vacant could have had a negative impact on national security. In January of this year, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had hinted at Hicken’s term being extended because of his satisfactory leadership.

PCA report

Norton also addressed instances in which the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Justice William Ramlall accused the Top Cop of violating the law. In his 2022 report, Justice

Ramlal, among other things, called out the Police Force to stop investigating matters in relation to death and serious injuries allegedly caused by Police ranks.

According to him, the PCA is the statutory body responsible for probing such matters.

And with this unlawful conduct continuing unabated, the retired Judge has called the President to intervene. “It is my recommendation that His Excellency, the President makes it clear to the Commissioner of Police that he cannot continue to violate the law…”

In response to this, the Opposition Leader said the Government is facilitating what is happening in the Police Force.

“I’ve said on numerous occasions that if you take a man that is neither certified nor qualified for the job and give him the job, you are almost immediately compromising him. It means he cannot operate professionally; it means he cannot command the respect of the ranks below and around him. And therefore, you have created conditions for a breakdown in the line of authority.”

“And therefore, I think that the Police Force is in crisis because it does not have credible leadership and I think it will continue like this. The legal challenge is made and we believe it will succeed and we hope after that there is a proper process to have a Police Commissioner that is both certified and qualified,” added Norton.

(Fiona Morrison)

– says extension is unconstitutional

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

239 patients hospitalised with dengue – MoH

Opposition calls on Govt to tackle rise in dengue cases as priority

treatment guideline.”

Meanwhile, the Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), is urging the Government to give priority to the rising number of dengue fever cases in Guyana, noting that it is a matter of public health significance.

“The Opposition calls for responsible behaviour by the Government and all citizens to ensure that there is a clean and clear environment and that there is rapid virus detection to provide early prediction of any possible epidemic,” APNU/AFC stated on Thursday.

Most people who get dengue will not exhibit symptoms, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), but for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headaches, body aches, nausea and rashes.

The Opposition also acknowledged the large number of persons who may be infected with the virus but may not have tested for it, given their lack of symptoms.

Democratic Council (RDC),” the APNU/AFC statement read.

Two children – a nineyear-old and an 11-yearold – who were infected with dengue, died on Saturday while receiving medical treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The Ministry of Health on Thursday evening confirmed that there are 2169 confirmed cases of dengue in Guyana, of which 239 patients are hospitalised. In addition, 11 dengue-related deaths have been recorded for the year.

The Ministry in a release to the media stated that to ensure the adequate prevention, diagnosis, and management of dengue, it has activated a Technical Working Group responsible for assessing, recommending, and implementing actions to mitigate this public health event.

“As recommended by the Technical Working Group,

several of these measures include, a heightened public awareness campaign to promote environmental sanitation and hygienic practices, and, public awareness on the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. These include several appearances on radio and television stations and frequent messages on the Ministry’s social media platforms,” the Ministry added.

Further, to ensure prevention and a curb in transmission, several environmental and entomological measures have been increased across Guyana such as fogging (fumigation), residual spray-

ing, home inspections, and distribution of larvicidal chemicals to communities through the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NCDs).

However, the Ministry has also increased the procurement and distribution of rapid diagnostic test kits and other laboratory supplies and equipment to ensure adequate diagnostic capacity.

“Considering this disease does not have a cure, medication and medical supplies have been distributed in adequate quantity to all regions to ensure symptomatic treatment of all patients throughout the healthcare system in keeping with a revised national

Unemployed man remanded over robbery of GNBS employee

It is alleged that on August 11, at Friendship School Street, while armed with a dangerous weapon, he robbed the 22-year-old complainant of a haversack valued at $7000, $15,000 in cash, a Republic Bank card, and a Samsung Galaxy S10 E smartphone valued at $75,000.

Presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman refused bail for the accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge and remanded him to prison until September 28.

Cambio on King Street to change foreign currency. Accompanying him in a State-owned vehicle was a Policeman attached to the Presidential Guard.

When he finished the transaction, Mangru exited the Cambio and started to walk toward the vehicle when Smart’s accused accomplice approached him and snatched his phone.

Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people.

“With the rise of cases of dengue at a steady pace, Guyana seems to be heading towards a public health crisis. It must be further noted that two weeks ago, Region Six recorded in excess of 107 cases of dengue, with 24 cases in 24 hours, according to the Regional

The Region of the Americas has recorded a significant increase in dengue cases in the last few months. They have recorded 2,102,848 cases from January to June 2023, of which 3210 were classified as severe dengue, with 876 deaths. The highest number of cases within this region were observed in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.

GDF Coast Guards undergo asset recovery training

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coast Guard are currently undergoing a two-day training session on asset recovery.

The training is being conducted by the Regional Security System Asset Recovery Unit (RSS-ARU), in association with its Maritime Unit, from August 17-18, 2023.

During the two-day training, the focus is being placed on financial investigations including virtual assets, proceeds of crime/ money laundering investigations and prosecutions, asset recovery investigations and prosecutions focusing on the preparation of cases and coordination of resources towards building successful cases. The topics will also include financial investigative orders, search, seizure and investigation of virtual assets, money laundering prosecutions, forfeiture and asset management.

The RSS-ARU team consisted of its Director, Kisha Sutherland, and Legal Advisor, Chanika Carrington. Also present at the meeting was AML/ CFT Officer of the Attorney General's Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Rommel St Hill.

A22-year-old man charged with robbing a Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Inspector has been remanded to prison.

Chris Charles, a 22-yearold unemployed man of Lot 34 Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared earlier this week at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts. He is charged with robbery under arms contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a man whose alleged accomplice was shot dead after they committed a robbery at King Street, Georgetown, was remanded to prison. Appearing before Chief Magistrate (ag), Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus was 19-year-old Randy Smart, of Lot 240 South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown.

On August 11, at King Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of another, the teenager is accused of robbing Chandradat Mangru of a Samsung cellular phone valued at $80,000.

The court heard that Mangru was sent by his employer, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers to a

He then jumped onto the motorcycle Smart was riding, and together, they rode north along King Street. The Policeman who was with Mangru chased after the fleeing men and caught up with them in the vicinity of North Road and King Street, where he fired several shots in their direction.

Abednego Trotman, a 25-year-old of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, was fatally shot. Smart was subsequently taken into custody after he lost his balance and fell onto the road.

In objecting to bail for Smart, the prosecutor cited the serious nature and prevalence of the offence. Police have since described the now dead man as a “known character”. Smart will return to court on September 13 to collect statements.

The ongoing training exercise targeted a mixture of law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners focusing on financial investigations and the asset recovery cycle from cradle to grave.

The RSS-ARU team will return to Guyana in October 2023 to provide training for Judges and Magistrates. In a separate dedicated exercise, they will also provide training for law enforcement officials across several State sectors, officers of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and State prosecutors.

Meanwhile, during their visit to Guyana, the RSSARU team paid a courtesy call to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, at his Carmichael Street, Georgetown, office.

Wednesday’s meeting saw discussions being held on matters relating to asset recovery and civil forfeiture, asset management, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) upcoming 4th Round Mutual Evaluation of Guyana and international cooperation.

The RSS expressed a willingness to offer technical support to Guyana as it prepares for this important assessment in September 2023.

In preparation for this review, the Guyana Government moved to update the local Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act as well as several other areas which had deficiencies that were flagged by CFATF.

The amended AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act was passed in the National Assembly. The Bill seeks to modify the act to meet the best-practiced

standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and improve the abilities and powers of law enforcement in combatting money laundering, and terrorism and proliferation financing. Countries are required to periodically update their AML/CFT laws by implementing recommendations from these international regulatory bodies such as FATF.

This AML/CFT amendment was one of the Bills tabled in Parliament that are central to Guyana’s upcoming CFATF assessment.

The other Bill is the Guyana Compliance Commission Bill of 2023, which allows for the provision of adequate supervision to designated non-financial businesses or professions and non-bank financial institutions, for compliance with obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

Another area where Guyana’s AML/CFT laws had deficiencies was the unregulated real estate sector.

This was changed with the passage of the Real Estate Agents and Brokers Bill, which sought to regulate the functions and operations of real estate agents and agency.

Robbery accused Chris Charles

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, with the two officials of the Regional Security System Asset Recovery Unit and a staff at the AG Chambers

World Men's Juniors and Sub-Juniors Classic Championships

Guyanese Tyrell and Hunter primed to take on the world

Following on the heels of the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships which took place in June in Malta, and in which Guyana was represented by Carlos ‘The Show Stopper’ Peterson-Griffith, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation is gearing to be present at another world championship.

Come next week, August 24 to September 3rd, the Golden Arrowhead

Sankar’s Auto Works Golf Tournament set for this weekend

The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) golfers will be itching to get much-needed tournament exposure this Saturday, when the Sankar’s Auto Spares golf tournament kicks off with a bang. The action will commence from 12:30h and the format will be Medal play over 18 holes and shotgun start.

This tournament would see many of Guyana’s top golfers taking to the course and engaging in healthy competition; something they have not done since the May-June rainy season.

Miguel Yunes was the 2022 winner then, having scored 40 points in the Stableford tournament. However, with the format changing this year, Yunes will have to work hard to retain his title.

Speaking on behalf of the Lusignan Golf Club President Patanjilee Persaud said, “We are looking forward to this tournament. As you know, Sankar’s Auto Works is a regular sponsor at the LGC, and it is a pleasure to be hosted by them. The last time we had a sponsored tournament was in April, so this tournament will be a first since the rains have halted.

“The golf course is in excellent condition, and we expect a lot of players. Players are looking forward to this tournament, as they will now be able to enter into competition mode as the course was upgraded during the break we had. We look forward to having more of Sankar’s and more partnerships in the future.”

The prizes up for grabs are trophies from first to third place. Prizes will be awarded for Nearest to Flag – Hole #4 and Longest Drive – Hole #12.

All participants are advised to contact the club’s manager on the day of the tournament, to collect their scorecards, pay their tournament fees, and proceed to their allocated tee boxes to begin play at 12:30h. Once on their respective tee boxes, players must await the sounding of the horn or siren as indication to begin teeing off. Presentation of prizes will be done upon completion of the tournament, at approximately 5:30pm.

Sankar’s Auto Works has been providing customers with a wide range of products that meet their automotive needs as well as deliver a level of service that makes them unique from their competition. Sankar’s delivers automotive products at reasonable prices, and offers an exceptional level of service to wholesale customers in all regions of Guyana.

would be flying high at the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Juniors & Juniors Powerlifting Championships set for Cluj Napoca, Romania. Guyana would be represented in the Sub-Juniors category by Romeo Hunter, and in

the Juniors category by T&Tbased Dominic Tyrell.

In the 83kg class, Hunter will battle 20 other lifters from Finland, Italy, USA, New Zealand, Great Britain, Slovakia, India, Czechia, Ireland, Canada, Turkiye,

Thailand, South Africa, and Japan.

Dominic Tyrell will be seeking glory in the 74kg division as he takes on 19 other athletes from Canada, Spain, India, France, Italy, Singapore, Hungary, Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain, Philippines, Czechia, Kuwait, and Turkiye.

Both athletes have been going through rigorous training by their respective coaches, and have been following a

very strict schedule as well as a deliberate diet plan in order to be in the best possible shape for this marquee event.

Over 112 lifters have been nominated in the various categories for the Sub-Juniors competition, with 150 set to face off in the Juniors showdown.

Accompanying the duo would be IPF Category 11 Referee Franklyn BrisportLuke, who would also be performing official duties.

Dominic Tyrell is about to deadlift 684lbs at the GAPLF 2022 Senior Champions

Romeo Hunter

Franklyn Brisport- Luke

LGC President, Patanjilee Persaud

GFF Summer Grassroots Programme…

Fruta Conquerors benefit from M-FAP for hosting programme

Fruta Conquerors Football Club have received a timely donation of football gear from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) for hosting their Summer Grassroots Programme.

The Tucville, Georgetown club received cones, balls, bibs and hurdles during a simple handover ceremony on Friday, August 10, at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara; and GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph said the donation is part of the Federation's efforts to ensure its members' grassroots activities are successful.

"The support given to the Fruta Conquerors Summer Grassroots activity is all part of the continued efforts of

the Federation to support its members in every way it can through M-FAP," Joseph said.

GFF President Wayne Forde had, in late July, launched the Federation’s much anticipated nationwide Summer Grassroots Programme with the distribution of key equipment to the nine Regional Associations through M-FAP.

The kids summer training programme, which kicked off in August in Georgetown, Linden, Essequibo and Berbice, is an integral part of President Forde's vision to increase the number of players across Guyana by ensuring young boys and girls have access to training programmes throughout the year.

Fruta Conquerors Football Club partnered with Travel Foundation to execute their summer programme in Georgetown.

The GFF’s pioneering M-FAP programme was launched in 2020 by Forde with the full approval of the GFF Congress. It aims to provide support to the Federation’s members under four pillars: Administration and Operations, Equipment and Materials, Competition and Technical Development, and Infrastructure Development.

In the three years since the M-FAP was launched, the entire football fraternity has seen the positive impact M-FAP has had on football development in Guyana, with the distribution of equipment and millions of dollars to Regional Associations.

In June, a total of $12.4M was given to the Federation's Regional Associations to support the staging of the 2023 Senior Men’s Leagues across Guyana.

John Fernandes on board with GAPLF for 2023 FESUPO Powerlifting C/ships

John Fernandes Limited (JFL), the leader in customised shipping and logistics solutions in and out of Guyana, connecting with any worldwide destination, is on board as a sponsor of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) to the 10th South American Men’s and Women’s Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships (FESUPO).

The competition, bringing together the best athletes in the South American Region, will take place from September 6-10th in Lima, Peru.

Yesterday, at the company’s Head Office at 24 Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana, Office Manager Ms. Alisa Maxwell handed over a sponsorship cheque to the Treasurer of the GAPLF, Mr. Maxwell Denny, in the presence of President Franklin Wilson, and expressed her company’s delight at being able to contribute to the GAPLF’s expenses for Team Guyana's participation at the event.

“John Fernandes has been very supportive of Guyana's sportsmen and women over the years across many disciplines, and we are proud to maintain this legacy. We are well aware of the exploits of our powerlifters over the years, and we are happy to be of assistance to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation. We wish the team every success, and look forward to you continuing to do our nation proud,” she said.

Mr. Denny conveyed his gratitude and that of the Powerlifting Federation to John Fernandes Limited for their support, which he said would certainly assist the Team in getting to Peru and doing the nation proud.

“The support of corporate

Guyana for athletes in their quest to represent the Golden Arrowhead is always important, and we at the GAPLF would like to express our thanks to John Fernandes for being a partner in this journey. We can assure you that the team will be ready to take on the challenge that’ll be presented by the athletes from the other competing nations, and will do Guyana proud,” he said.

Some ten nations, including the host Peru, will be batting for podium positions from September 6-10 in the equipped and classic segments of the championships. Over 230 athletes (male & female), along with officials and executives of the contesting nations, will be converging in Peru to participate in these championships.

Guyana, Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay and Bolivia will be testing each other on the platform in the three lifts, squat, bench press, and deadlift events.

A look at several of the young players who stand to benefit from the donation

JFL’s Office Manager Alisa Maxwell handing over cheque to GAPLF’s Treasurer Maxwell Denny in the presence of President Franklin Wilson

Additional RBL CPL playoff/ final tickets on sale today

Alimited number of tickets for this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBL CPL) will go on sale tomorrow, the League has announced.

The tickets will be on sale at the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) Box Office at 233-234 Camp Street, Georgetown from 9am.

tickets were first made available

Dindyal, Thorne named in U19 squad for Sri Lanka tour

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, starting on 25 August.

The Selection Panel has named 15 players for the Tour, which will feature three 50-over matches and two four-day matches against the Sri Lanka Under-19 team at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

According to the CPL, tickets being made available would include those for the stands.

Eliminator 1 will be played on Tuesday, September 19, and Qualifier 1 on Wednesday, September 20. Qualifier 2 is set for Friday, September 22, and the final is billed for Sunday, September 24. Each of these matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium at

Providence, EBD, and each match bowls off at 19:00hrs.

In addition to playoffs and final tickets, the CPL has reminded, tickets for the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ 4 home games are still available online and at the Box

Office.

The CPL action will head to Guyana on Wednesday September 13, when the Guyana Amazon Warriors take on defending Champions Jamaica Tallawahs in their first home game.

Millions being expended on athletics facilities - Ramson reveals

Track resurfacing for Guyana’s only operable track and field facility at Leonora, WCD and completion of construction of two similar facilities at Linden and Berbice are carrying quite a hefty price tag, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

Ramson made this disclosure on Saturday last as he welcomed the return of Guyana’s successful Commonwealth Youth Games team, who returned with 4 medals from the multi-sport event.

In discussing investments made by various stakeholders in the success of Guyana’s track and field athletes, Ramson Jr. ventured into the topic of facilities, which are being rapidly

facing has started, as I said it would, and will be completed in maybe about 2 weeks or so, once we get good weather. That single repair was $78M,” Ramson jr. revealed.

Adding, “Just so that you get an idea of the kind of investment we have to

At Linden, the track has been laid, but supporting facilities are needed for optimal use, whereas in Berbice the track is yet to be laid. According to the Minister, use of the track in Linden for training and surfacing the Berbice Track are not too far away.

Ramson disclosed, “When we’re finished with the two stadiums, we’ll probably be investing somewhere in the region of about $500M each. That’s the two new stadiums - the one in Linden, which I just met with the athletes to start making the arrangements for them to have access as early as next week; and the other one (in Berbice, on which) we’re going to start laying the synthetic material later on in the year, this year.

Top-order batter Stephan Pascal will be captain during the white ball matches, while the left-handed slow-bowling allrounder Nathan Sealy would lead the side during two red ball matches which conclude Tour. The squad includes three players who played in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup which was hosted in the West Indies in 2022. They are: fast bowler Isai Thorne, allround er Nathan Edward, and left-handed batter Jordan Johnson. Rohan Nurse, CWI Talent Pathway Manager, is the Head Coach.

Robert Haynes, Lead Selector for the Rising Stars Men’s Under-19s, said: “This is a very important tour to Sri Lanka for the development of this group of young cricketers. We have some excellent players in the squad, who did very well in the recent West Indies Rising Stars Under19s Championships in St. Vincent, and we believe

played in Sri Lanka in January and February 2024.

FULL SQUAD

Stephan Pascal (co-Captain): right-handed bat

Nathan Sealy (co-Captain): left-arm spin/ left-handed bat

Jewel Andrew: right-handed bat/wicket-keeper

Mavendra Dindyal: right-handed bat

they will continue to grow and develop on this upcoming tour.”

et-keeper Tamarie Redwood: rightarm leg-spin

Isai Thorne: right-arm fast

Steve Wedderburn: left-handed bat

Adrian Weir: right-handed bat

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Rohan Nurse (Head Coach)

Rohan Clarke (Assistant Coach)

Nick Wilton (Assistant Coach)

Gibbs Williams (Team Manager)

Dominic Angoy (Physiotherapist)

Gregory Seale (Strength and Conditioning Coach)

MATCH SCHEDULE

August 25: 50-over warm-up match at Colts Cricket Club, Colombo

August 27: 1st Youth

ODI at Rangiri Dambulla

International Cricket

perused by the Government.

“…our investment from the Government side, which is significant on the facilities that we’re doing right now, and on the programme, etcetera. So, for example, you’ll see that the Leonora resur-

make from the Government side just for the facilities”, the Sport Minister ventured into sharing an update on the other two facilities at Linden and Berbice, which are in various stages of construction.

“Those are significant bits of investment that we’re making on the Government side,” he added on the topic of investment. “But no amount of investment that we’ve made can ever compare to the investment that you, as parents, would’ve made.”

Haynes added: “This is an integral part of the preparations for next year’s ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup, which will also be played in Sri Lanka. The players will get a first-hand look at the conditions, and become acclimatized. We are also very happy that we will have the chance to play two four-day matches. We see the red-ball format as very important and

Joshua Dorne: right-handed bat

Nathan Edward: left-handed bat/left-arm fast

Tarrique Edward: right-handed bat/right-arm off-spin

Reon Edwards: left-arm fast

Deshawn James: rightarm fast

Jordan Johnson: left-handed bat

Devonie Joseph: left-handed bat/wick-

Stadium

August 30: 2nd Youth

ODI at Rangiri Dambulla

International Cricket Stadium

September 1: 3rd Youth

ODI at Rangiri Dambulla

International Cricket Stadium

September 5-8: 1st Youth

Test at Rangiri Dambulla

International Cricket Stadium

September 12-

15: 2nd Youth Test at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Scores of CPL fans queued up outside the Camp Street Box Office when final/playoff

Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr

Minister Charles Ramson jr made certain disclosures while welcoming home Guyana’s Commonwealth Youth Games team

Guyana’s Isai Thorne

Guyana’s Mavendra Dindyal

Royal shipwreck for Barbados as Kings win by 54 runs

By Brandon Corlette in St luCia

Acomplete team effort from St Lucia Kings helped them to their first win of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in a match played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

Sean Williams and Faf du Plessis played cameos to lead Kings to 201-6 in 20 overs, while Matthew Forde broke the back of the Royals’

chase. Royals were restricted to 147 all out in 20 overs, to enable the Kings to clinch victory by 54 runs.

The drizzles came before the chase began, and Royals had a poor start, with Rahkeem Cornwall being too slow to his crease and getting run out for a golden duck. Justin Greaves was

clean bowled for a duck by Matthew Forde, and Royals were 4-2 in the first over.

Forde continued to pitch the ball up while extracting movement, and was rewarded with the wicket of Kevin Wickham (10) in his second

over. When Rovman Powell came to the crease, Royals on 21-3 after 2.3 overs. Forde was not finished yet, as he outfoxed Powell, who was caught at long-on for a duck.

At 21-4, Mayers and Holder were on a major rebuild of the innings. Mayers (16) played some delightful shots, but was caught at the edge of third-man trying to uppercut. Royals were now a shipwreck at the powerplay, being 49-5.

Holder (10) was bowled all ends up by Scottish pacer Chris Sole as the Royals ship sank further. The rain came at 89-8 after 12.5 overs.

Nyeem Young (48)

Compliments of

showed some resistance, but it was not sufficient. Forde ended with 3-12 from three overs.

Earlier, St Lucia King won the toss and elected to bat first. The Kings made two tactical changes in bringing in Sadrack Descarte and Khary Pierre while Kimani Melius and Peter Hatzogulu missed out. Openers Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles had a decent start, but Charles was again lucky af-

ter being dropped. Faf was fluent on the other end, taking apart Joshua Bishop, hitting him for three fours and one six in as many balls. Charles and Faf went past 50 runs in the fifth over, but Jason Holder picked up two wickets in his first over. Charles was dismissed first for 30 from 19 balls when he chopped on, while Descarte made four before finding deep mid-wicket.

At the powerplay, St Lucia were 65-2. Zimbabwe skipper and Faf added 44 runs for the third wicket, but either batsman failed to score fifty. Faf was first to be dismissed, for a 32ball 46 after hitting two sixes and four fours. Williams then ran past a delivery and was stumped for 47 from 30 balls. His attractive innings was decorated with three fours and two sixes. Both Faf and Williams were dismissed by Afghan leggie Qais Ahmad.

At 154-4, Kings were looking for a big finish, but Sikandar Raza was removed by the experienced Holder for 23. At 159-5, the destructive duo from the first game joined forc-

es. Chase was given a let-off by Justin Greaves on 10, while Primus was dropped by Bishop.

The Barbadian Chase played one shot too many, and had his stumps destroyed for 14 by Holder, who ended his day at the office on 4-38 from his four overs on an expensive night for Royals bowlers. This was Holder’s second-best CPL figures, after his 4-27. Kings racked up 2016 in their allotted 20 overs, and Primus remained unbeaten on 21.

The 2023 CPL will continue on Saturday, August 19, with two matches. Trinbago Knight Riders will play St Kitts and Nevis Patriots from 10:00h, and Guyana Amazon Warriors will play St Lucia Kings from 19:00h Eastern Caribbean Time.

SCOREBOARD

St Lucia Kings (20 ovs maximum)

Johnson Charles †

b Holder 30

Faf du Plessis (c)c Bishop

b Qais Ahmad 46

Shadrack Descarte c Greaves

b Holder 4

Sean Williams st †Ferreira

b Qais Ahmad 47

Sikandar Raza c Young

b Holder 23

Roston Chase

b Holder 14

Roshon Primus not out 21

Matthew Forde not out 0

Extras (b 2, lb 3, nb 1, w 10) 16

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.05) 201/6

Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Johnson

Charles, 5.4 ov), 2-65 (Shadrack

Descarte, 5.6 ov), 3-109 (Faf du Plessis, 11.4 ov), 4-154 (Sean Williams, 15.3 ov), 5-159 (Sikandar Raza, 16.2 ov), 6-186 (Roston Chase, 18.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kyle Mayers 2-0-11-0

Joshua Bishop 2-0-26-0

Obed McCoy 4-0-46-0

Jason Holder 4-0-38-4

Qais Ahmad 4-0-35-2

Nyeem Young 4-0-40-0

Barbados Royals (T: 202 runs from 20 ovs)

Rahkeem Cornwall run out (Sole) 0

Kyle Mayers c Pierre b Joseph 16

Justin Greaves

b Forde 0

Kevin Wickham

b Forde 10

Rovman Powell (c)c Descarte

b Forde 0

Jason Holder

b Sole 10

Donovan Ferreira † c Williams

b Sikandar Raza 19

Nyeem Young c Raza

b Descarte 48

Qais Ahmad c sub (KS Melius)

b Pierre 5

Joshua Bishop c Joseph

b Chase 13

Obed McCoy not out 4

Total 147 all out in 20 overs

Extras 22

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 0.1 ov), 2-4 (Justin Greaves, 0.3 ov), 3-21 (Kevin Wickham, 2.3 ov), 4-21 (Rovman Powell, 2.6 ov), 5-46 (Kyle Mayers, 5.4 ov), 6-55 (Jason Holder, 6.2 ov), 7-79 (Donovan Ferreira, 9.3 ov), 8-89 (Qais Ahmad, 12.5 ov),

9-118 (Joshua Bishop, 15.3 ov),

10-147 (Nyeem Young, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Matthew Forde 3-1-12-3

Chris Sole 3-0-40-1

Alzarri Joseph 3-0-21-1

Sikandar Raza 4-0-21-1

Khary Pierre 4-0-22-1

Roston Chase 2-0-14-1

Shadrack Descarte 1-0-14- 1

Matthew Forde of Saint Lucia Kings celebrates the dismissal of Rovman Powell of Barbados Royals

Faf Du Plessis hits a six

Jason Holder attempts to catch Johnson Charles