Guyana Times -Friday, June 23, 2023.pdf

$585M Abram Zuil Secondary School commissioned

…$11B needed to bring all schools to minimum standard – Pres Ali

After close to two years of work, the new $585 million Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was officially commissioned on Thursday.

The new building, expected to accommodate about 810 students, includes 27 classrooms – seven of which have interactive boards and computers; administrative offices; three science laboratories; an Information Technology (IT) laboratory; a multipurpose hall; a staff room; a medical room and a learning resource centre.

In time to come, the facility will also be equipped with an elevator to aid students with physical disabilities.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained that this new facility was part of a continuous effort by the Government to provide high-quality education across the country.

“This is our commitment to you – that whichever of the eight houses that you go to here on the Essequibo Coast, we are going to deliver the same high quality of education,” Manickchand said.

“We can make education equal. We can make sure that all the services in this, those schools – the libraries, the labs, the trained teachers, the textbooks, the lab equipment, the chemicals, the sewing machine –we could make sure it is in

every school and that every school performs and the same quality of education is delivered to each child. That is our aim,” Manickchand said.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali commended the work of all stakeholders in developing the new secondary school and noted the importance of providing better services and delivering better outcomes for the people of Guyana.

He added that based on a recently-conducted condition survey of every education facility in Guyana, an estimated $11 billion is required to bring them to a minimum standard – an investment that the Government is making efforts to achieve.

“So, at Cabinet [on Thursday], we considered this condition survey and as-

sessment, and we have decided that notwithstanding the tremendous resources that we already have in the budget this year, we are going to go for supplementary provision so that we can start an acceleration of this $11 billion investment,” President Ali said.

“And then we have already decided that we're

going to projectise this investment in a multi-year, multi-programme agenda for education so that we can accelerate this investment and bring all our facilities to a minimum standard,” he added.

The President said that the Government was on a trajectory to not only to build new physical facilities, but

to build an entire ecosystem surrounding the education system that is supportive of the holistic development of children across the country.

President Ali noted that several years ago, there was approximately an 85 per cent disparity between primary education in the hinterland versus that in urban areas.

“We are now using investment in secondary education…and that is why these investments are so critical and important to the holistic approach in ensuring that our promise of having universal secondary education is realised,” Ali said.

On Wednesday, the new Good Hope Secondary School, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was similarly commissioned, with that facility expected to accommodate approximately 429 students.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the commissioning

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 23 – 04:15h-05:45h and Saturday, June 24 – 21:30h-23:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, June 23 – 06:50h-08:20h and Saturday, June 24 – 07:40h-09:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected in the morning hours with sunny conditions in the afternoon. Thundery showers are also expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.09 metres.

High Tide: 07:33h and 20:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 13:37h reaching a minimum height of 0.84 metre.

Marriott Hotel sale

NICIL to engage US firm with US$90M bid

The Guyana Government had publicly stated that the six bids that were originally submitted for the acquisition of the Guyana Marriott Hotel came in at a figure that was not acceptable. As such, on May 2, 2023, all six bidders were contacted and advised by NICIL that their submitted bids had been rejected. Each of the six bidders was then invited to resubmit a new bid with a minimum bid price of no less than US$85M.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Having received a bid of US$90 million for the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has been authorised to commence negotiations. Sharing this information on Thursday was Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who informed that now that the evaluation is completed, negotiations can come underway with the top bidder.

The company, X, LLC – is a US-based investment group founded by Ramy El-Batrawi. The American group was also the top bidder among the six bids that were initially submitted for the acquisition of the Marriott Hotel, but they were rejected by the Guyana Government on the grounds of being too low.

“The evaluation had to be completed. NICIL has completed that evaluation. They have ranked the firm that had a bid of $90 million as number one ranked, and they have been given the authority to engage in negotiations with that company,” Jagdeo disclosed.

In a notice posted back in December 2022, NICIL had announced its intention to sell the state’s shares in Atlantic Hotels Incorporated (AHI), the state-owned holding company for the Marriott Hotel. AHI is the NICIL special purpose company that fully owns the Marriott Hotel, a 197-room hotel that opened for business in 2015, the same year ExxonMobil first found oil in Guyana’s waters.

Interested bidders were required to have the financial capability, which NICIL had set as a minimum net worth of approximately US$250 million, audited financial statements for the last three financial years, and letters of financial capability from a recognised financial institution.

During the initial bidding round, the highest bid of US$65 million was received from X, LLC. Among the other bidders were Pegasus Hotel Guyana, which bid at US$55.5 million; Georgetown Investments and Management Services Inc, which bid at US$50M; Muneshwer’s Ltd at US$25 million, Integrated Group Guyana Inc at US$55 million, and NCB Capital Markets Limited at US$33 million.

Only two of the six companies that had initially vied to purchase the Guyana Marriott Hotel had resubmitted bids to meet the base price. Apart from X, LLC, the other company was Integrated Group Guyana Inc, who upped their bid to US$86.1 million.

The negotiations with NICIL can either result in the company going ahead with the sale, or, if negotiations fail, Government can either retender or move on to another bidder.

The Guyana Marriott Hotel, which opened for business in 2015, was constructed at a tune of US$58 million. The hotel has since gone on to play an important part in Guyana’s developing oil and gas sector, as it is used to accommodate local and overseas offshore workers. It is also a prime venue to host numerous private and state-sponsored events.

A feasibility study conducted by a Miami-based firm, HVS Consulting, back in 2010 had outlined that the Marriott Hotel is likely to be sold ten years after it became operational at some US$76.1 million.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had contended that

the Hotel would not be sold until an “appropriate offer that mirrors” its true value is made. He had argued that now is the best time to sell the Marriott Hotel, stating, “Now it would be best to sell the Marriott off. You could probably maximise the price that you will get when

it’s profitable, and before the seven new hotels that are privately [being] built, that are international brands, come on the market.”

He had reiterated that the hotel is operating at a profit, and provides some 500 jobs to Guyanese, directly and indirectly. (G12)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

The Guyana Marriott Hotel

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Editor: Tusika Martin

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Reducing our ecological footprint

Over the past few years, there has been much talk about climate change and the devastating impact it is having, and is likely to have, on communities and the world as a whole. However, while Governments and policymakers are busy debating the issues at the national and international levels, many believe that enough is not being done in terms of designing and implementing critical projects at the community level to encourage and sensitise individuals about the need to play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change.

In fact, it could be argued that on the global level, not many persons are educated about the issue, especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted, and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals, and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves will be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, Governments can set the framework with their policies; set targets, define standards, give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries, together with researchers, can provide the solutions; but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. As stated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the efficient management of our shared natural resources and the way we dispose of toxic wastes and pollutants are important targets to achieve this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people will enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources will be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet, as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption pattern, and can, in a way, also contribute to the fight against climate change. For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised, and the money that is saved on energy could be used instead to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate-friendly environment, the task would be much easier if they are educated about the role they can play and the benefits of their own action.

Here, in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastic items in a reckless manner, resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches, thereby leading to flooding, etc. The flooding, over the years, has exposed our vulnerability and should serve as a big wake-up call for us to treat the environment differently.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, welcomed a courtesy call from some of the distinguished jurists of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday. The jurists are currently in Guyana for an itinerant sitting of the Court. The visiting delegation was led by Justice Adrian Saunders, President of the CCJ, and included Justice Winston Anderson; Justice Peter Jamadar; and Gabrielle Figaro-Jones, Registrar and Chief Marshall of the CCJ. The Attorney General was accompanied by Nigel Hawke, Solicitor General; Deborah Kumar, Deputy Solicitor General; Shoshanna Lall, Assistant Solicitor General; Charles John Fung-A-Fatt, SC, Chief Parliamentary Counsel; and Joann Bond,

PM Phillips’s comforting words eased the pain of families of Mahdia fire victims

Dear Editor, Most Guyanese, both at home and in the diaspora, would agree that the former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips, is an excellent choice for the position of Prime Minister and Vice President. One reason is that he cares about the welfare of the people, especially the poor and downtrodden, and has always striven to solve their problems.

A second reason is that he is a keen listener and a very good communicator, who would go to great lengths to compromise and to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or party affiliation, is treated fairly and equally, and that no one is above the law.

Third, Brigadier Mark Phillips is honest, polite, courteous and considerate, and is a first-rate administrator and policymaker who continues to push for the development of the country, so that the life of everyone is improved. A strong supporter of the “One Guyana” vision, the former army chief is a steadfast believer in the unification and devel -

opment of Guyana, so that the living standards could rise, and the lives of all, especially the poor, could be improved.

A month ago, the country was in deep mourning after it became known that a fire, allegedly set by a student in the girls’ dormitory of the Mahdia Secondary School, had claimed the lives of some 20 children, leaving seven critically injured and numerous others hospitalised and traumatised. With very short notice, and with bits and pieces of information, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips led a team of Ministers to Mahdia in the wee hours of the morning, to obtain firsthand information on the causes of the terrible disaster. During their immeasurable sorrow and shattered dreams, Brigadier Phillips offered solace, compassion, and unwavering support to the families of the deceased children.

It would have been very difficult, if not impossible and perhaps heartbreaking, for most of us to visit such a tragic site, but the Prime Minister met, sympathised with, and comforted the families affected and distressed fol -

lowing the fire at the dormitory. He had the skills and wherewithal to help lessen the pain felt by the families, and restore whatever hope they had lost and confidence that was missing. He reminded the families that the Government would do everything in its power to make sure corrective measures are implemented to prevent any future tragedy, and that counsellors would assist the families with coping.

His trip to Mahdia exhibited the kind of bravery known mostly among military personnel. It was the first time in the history of the country that 20 children perished in a fire, and Prime Minister Phillips’s quick response validated and perhaps endorsed the phrase "Fortune favours the brave", which is a Latin proverb written in 161 BC by the Roman Playwright Publius Terentius After, known as ‘Terence’ for short.

The term which has been applied historically by people in the military can be referenced to Brigadier Phillips for his bravery in meeting with the suffering parents and relatives of the deceased children in their anguish.

Their pain was deep, their hurt was unbearable, and their sorrow was profoundly felt throughout the Amerindian community and the entire country.

Even though, as an experienced military personnel, the Prime Minister may have witnessed many tragedies, nothing could have prepared him for this painful experience, which would forever be etched in his mind.

Since becoming Prime Minister three years ago, Brigadier Mark Phillips has engaged people throughout the country, in times of natural disasters such as floods and other man-made and natural misfortunes, but this was a completely different encounter for him, and he has handled it extremely well.

The Prime Minister should be complimented for his bravery and comforting words of healing to the families of the deceased children. Most of us would agree that Brigadier Phillips is an extraordinary leader with the ability to deal with such ghastly occurrences.

Sincerely, Dr

Asquith Rose

Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel (Attorney General’s Chambers photo)

Govt to invest more in hot meals school programme – President Ali

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government plans to pump more money into its hot meals programme in schools, to continue to benefit thousands of students countrywide.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during the commissioning of the new stateof-the-art Good Hope Secondary School, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday.

According to the Head of

State, the Government has already spent about $135 million over the last nine months on the project.

“In the hot meal programme, across the country this year, I think we’ve spent in the last nine months or so maybe $135 million. We intend to spend more money on ensuring that our children have access to basic nutritional complements that aid development, that aid learning. This is an important aspect of the holistic education system we want to

$18M carbon credit grant

develop,” President Ali explained.

In its 2023 budget, the Government allocated $2.1 billion to expand the national school feeding programme which will benefit over 85,000 children across the country.

The Ministry’s hot meal programme serves meals to primary and primary top students in Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Seven, Eight, Nine, and 10. This amounts to some 13,000 children benefitting.

Education Minister

Priya Manickchand, in a televised programme, had stated: “The village does whatever the meal is going to be. The village cooks it and we give them the money and they prepare the food for the entire primary population.”

This undertaking is just one of the Ministry’s projects focused on enhancing academic achievement and attendance. It also aligns with the Government’s goal to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians.

Massara to establish clay brick factory, expand farine bakery

weather conditions. Massara has a population of approximately 543 people, occupying 143 households.

$4.7B distribution

The North Rupununi village of Massara has identified four priority projects in which it would invest its $18 million carbon credit grant to establish its economic plan. These are: establishment of a clay brick factory; expansion of the community’s Farine bakery, expansion of the women-owned poultry farm within the village, and expansion of the hot meal kitchen to better accommodate the increased number of school children.

During a telephone interview with this publication on Thursday, Massara Toshao Lenny Moses shared that these investments would also provide jobs for persons within the community.

“We identified four priority projects. Our priority is [to establish a] burn brick factory. There’s a demand for this brick, and we looked at creating employment for residents. I want to believe that

would create employment for at least 20 persons,” Moses said.

The Toshao explained that, at the poultry farm, the women are currently rearing broilers, and the aim is to expand their farm to rear layers as well.

“We have a poultry farm that is owned by the women’s group; we’re going to expand the project. Right now, they’re dealing with broilers, and we’re going to expand and they’re going to go into layers. So, again we looked at creating employment for more women who didn’t have jobs before. It’s a good project; so far, they’re doing well, and that is why we chose to give some money toward that project for expansion,” Moses told <<Guyana Times.>>

According to Moses, some of the plans to expand the Farine Bakery include introducing the grilling of meat, catering for special events, and operating on a daily basis to sell food and

snacks to interested persons.

“We’re going to expand on the project. They would also do Farine stuff, [like] Farine pizza, Farine cake, Farine bread and more. We want to expand by doing some grills on elected days, where they would grill chicken, grill beef, fish, etc. We [also want to] look at bread production and to do food as well, that would operate on a daily basis,” Moses explained.

He clarified that though the expansion of the hot meal kitchen is not an economical project, it is of great need to the community.

“I know it’s not an economical project, but then there’s a great need. Then enrollment of the school, they’re expanding as well, and the one we did before it’s overcrowded. We going to do some extension on the existing building to accommodate more children.

We already collected the first tranche of the money.

As of Monday, we’re going to start implementing the burn brick factory and the poultry expansion,” Moses told this publication.

The Village Council will oversee all of the projects, as well as the Finance Committee, which was elected.

Moses added that Massara is exploring tourism from a more competitive standpoint, as he shared that the village has tried to implement an obstacle course at the bottom of a mountain, but the project was futile.

“We looked at going into tourism, but this time around we’re focusing on sports/ adventure tourism. We created a track on the mountain that was for motorcycles, and then we created an obstacle course at the bottom of the mountain, but it never came through. So, we’re looking at this sport tourism in a different way. All our events are going to be competitive ones, so that is how we’re looking at going into tourism,” Moses shared.

He noted that, unfortunately, the village might most likely not host the Rupununi Regatta, due to

In February of this year, a total of 241 Amerindian communities across the country each received grants ranging from $10M to $35 million. This initiative followed the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation for Guyana’s carbon credits in 2022, which will see the country earning US$750 million for its forest. A total of $4.7 billion (US$22.5 million), which represents 15 percent of Hess’s payment for Guyana’s carbon credits, was disbursed in the various communities.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has explained that a strict mechanism would be followed to ensure accountability and transparency regarding how the funds would be expended. Each community is required to create a separate bank account so the spending of the funds could be properly monitored. Moreover, the community cannot utilise the funds until a Finance Committee is named and the Village Development Plan is completed and endorsed by the village. Jagdeo had expressed that the plans should be focused on either empowerment projects in the social sector, job creation, and/or on food security efforts.

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday

Toshao of Massara, Lenny Moses

Massara Village (Photo by TBTC)

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B y M artin C arter

O we have endured such absurd times and waited so long, so weary with time. Over the city our souls will fly like birds crying in the night. There will be wild cries in the still night. Over the city they will sound like the cries of the ghosts of homeless birds flying to the forest flying from the sea.

And what in dreams we do in life we attempt, But where are free men, where the endless streets? Since we were born our wings have had no rest Our prison of air is worse than one of iron!

WORD SEARCH

LGE 2023

PPP/C candidates win tiebreakers in Berbice constituencies

After there were ties in the numbers of votes between contesting candidates in two different constituencies of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), an exercise was held on Thursday to resolve the deadlock. In both instances, the candidates representing the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) were declared winners of their respective constituencies.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had explained that after the ascertainment and declaration of election results by Returning Officers, there were ties at the constituency level in two areas, namely: Seafield/ Tempie – Constituency 4 and Plegt Anker/Kortberaadt –Constituency Four.

In order to resolve these ties, the respective Returning Officers were required to draw lots in the presence of a magistrate.

This was done on Thursday at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Renita Singh, where Ramdat Baitu of the

Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) emerged victorious for the Seafield/Tempie –Constituency Four.

Baitu was tied with Milton Christopher Cummings of the APNU for that constituency. They both received 27 votes.

Meanwhile, in Constituency Four of the Plegt Anker/ Kortberaadt NDC, there was also a tie, with Deodan Ramdatt who represented APNU and Odesh Tamberine who was the candidate for the PPP/C each getting 23 votes.

Again, the PPP candidate won the tiebreak.

After the preceding both Tamberine and Baitu promised to work for the betterment of their respective constituencies.

Resounding success

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday, assured that the party, through its candidates, would stick to the promises made on the campaign trail. This, he said, is notwithstanding the fact that the party lost in some of the Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

“We didn’t win Georgetown or New Amsterdam or Linden; we are encouraged by those results, we are happy about them in almost every area of the country where APNU has contested.”

Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary for the PPP, said the LGE results are a resounding success for the party, even though the PPP/C won sixty-six of the eighty LLAs.

Even in many of the areas the party lost, it would have

gained significant ground.

“In Mocha, we won more votes; significantly more –from 17 votes to more than 200 votes. In Kwakwani, we won more votes – we more than doubled our votes there. In Georgetown, we increased our votes by over 75 percent. In Linden, our votes increased by 500 percent – that is over 2000 people in Linden voted for this party, and in New Amsterdam, our votes increased by over 100 percent.”

He pointed out that in the New Amsterdam Town Council, there is now a twoseat difference which the party narrowed from an eightseat difference.

“In Bartica and Mahdia, we won the popular votes. So, I don’t know what they are celebrating about,” he said in referring to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“We said to people that we will work with you to improve your communities, and that means that we have to work harder now.”

This, the former Head of State said, is so because regional and general elec-

tions are likely to be held in November 2025.

Following the awarding of the constituency seat to the PPP/C in the Seafield/ Tempie NDC, the PPP/C now has 7 seats and APNU 8 on the council.

Meanwhile, APNU says it was not going to accept the decision to have the PPP/C candidate for Constituency 4 in the Plegt Anker/ Kortberaadt NDC as the councillor for that constituency. The Party says it will take its agreement to the courts.

Regional Coordinator for the party, Kirk Fraser, says

the Party is contending that there were five tendered ballots that were counted for the PPP/C, thus resulting in the tie.

“A tendered ballot is a ballot issued to a perceived voter who does not reach certain basic requirements. For example, one may vote before, and just to appease the voter, they are issued with a tendered ballot so that they can feel that they would have participated in the process,” Fraser explained. When persons make claims that they would not have voted but records at the Police station suggest that they would have voted, a tendered ballot is issued, allowing the polling officer the opportunity to later have a full investigation and adjudicate. Meanwhile, with the seat going to the PPP/C in the Plegt Anker/Kortberaadt NDC, the PPP/C and APNU each has four seats on the NDC.

If, after two sittings to elect a chairperson for the NDC, the Councillors are at a deadlock, the Minister would appoint a chairperson. (G4)

Construction to start on 4-lane Wismar bridge before year end – VP

Construction of the Wismar-Mackenzie bridge across the Demerara River, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) will commence before the end of the year. It is an essential linkage as Government builds out the Linden-to-Lethem Road.

This was announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at Thursday’s press conference.

Having received three offers which were deemed competitive, Government is ready to get the ball rolling on the four-lane bridge. The project is estimated to cost about US$35 million.

“We’re at a stage where we’re ready to start negotiations. We have received three offers and when the details emerge, you will see that the offer that we have received is very, very competitive…There was a previous study showing a twolane bridge there across the river with a higher sum, so this is a competi-

The current Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge

tive bid,” he disclosed at the Office of the President (OP).

According to Jagdeo, one of the bids were from the same company building the new Demerara River bridge – China Railway and Construction Corporation Limited. The same team which negotiated this contract will engage with the company to finalise the contract. The team includes Finance Secretary Sukrishnalall Pasha; Attorney-at-Law

Ronald Burch-Smith, and Consultant/Engineer Marcel Gaskin.

“We’ve asked the Minister of Finance to put together back the team…

We anticipate that before the end of this year, construction of the four-lane bridge concrete structure across the river at Wismar will start,” he told media operatives.

Earlier this month, Government signed a historic US$150 million loan agreement with the Saudi

Fund for Development (SFD) which will finance a number of transformation-

al infrastructural projects in the country. One of the projects financed under

this agreement will be the much-anticipated Wismar bridge.

Ramdat Baitu

Odesh Tamberine

…and food security

Last year, with great fanfare, we had the first ever “Agri Investment Forum & Expo” at our Convention Centreand it was a biggie!! You could’ve gauged its magnitude and strategic importance by the fact that EIGHT Caricom leaders jetted in to participate. These folks from tourist islands are used to an exhibition per day (including that of nekkid bodies!!), so the Expo had to be special to drag them in. So, why was it such a big deal??

Well, if for nothing else than, for donkey years, Caribbean leaders had been moaning and groaning - to no effect - about rising food bills draining their treasuries!! Since early in the year, world food prices had skyrocketed, and their “natives” were about to storm the barricades!! Political unrest does tend to focus the minds of politicians wonderfully!! Think Sri Lanka!! That Expo was their last best chance to, at last, get in on a plan that could’ve solved their problems.

Ironically, they had the same opportunity two decades ago. Then President Jagdeo had the lead on food security for Caricom, and came up with a plan they dubbed (very creatively!) “The Jagdeo Initiative”. Each territory was asked to use its comparative advantage – eg, we had land, TT had money, Barbados had marketing etc…and collaborate to solve the problem. But guess what?? The Caribbean crabbarrel mentality came to the fore, and thinking that Guyana would benefit most, they all folded their hands and sat on the sidelines!!

Manning from Trinidad – Rowley’s PNM predecessor –went so far as to flex his oil wealth by launching 18 “Mega Farms” that would’ve supposedly taken care of THEIR needs!! Well, they all flopped, and now they’re not even back to square one – since their oil money’s run out and their food bill has ballooned!! Well, let’s see what they’ll do now that Guyana, at long last, has its own funds (from oil) and can go it alone if necessary.

But it all comes down to leadership, and from what we’ve seen, Barbados’s Mia Mottley is a cut above the rest, and she and Pres Ali seem to be quite simpatico!! Your Eyewitness hopes now they’ve taken the lead in explaining to her peers that “there’s strength in numbers” - especially when it comes to taking on a strategic project like food security.

Ironically, all of us in Caricom are here because of agriculture – and in fact pioneered agriculture as an industry with our sugar, cotton, coffee, and cocoa plantations!! At that time, we were shipping our production (and profits) to the imperial masters. Can we now use agriculture to feed ourselves?? Back in the (rigging!) day, Burnham had a slogan: “Produce or perish!”

Maybe Caricom might heed his call!!

…protecting our democracy

We, in Guyana, owe a great debt to Caricom for saving our democracy in 2020. You don’t want your Eyewitness to regurgitate that sordid episode, do you?? What a change they were from the old Caricom old boys club, which allowed Burnham to rig for two decades while our country was destroyed and Guyanese refugees washed up on their shores! Your Eyewitness believes the least we can do is to acknowledge our debt to them. Even with the Barbados “Guyanese Bench” and all!!

At a minimum, Mia should get a medal for being so forthright in calling out the riggers! Remember when – on seeing the rigmarole from the PNC camp on challenging the legality of their leader-initiated recount – she declared there were “forces here who didn’t want the recount”?? She was the leader who lent her great moral weight to the stance of Jamaica’s Golding to call a rig a rig!!

Even T&T’s dour Rowley was a prophet with his, “This will not end well”! Let’s big them up!!

…at twenty-five

So, what brought on this maudlin paean to Caricom?? Well, just that, in a couple of weeks, they’re gonna be commemorating their 25th anniversary!! Imagine that!! Twenty-five years the little Caesars have been protecting their prerogatives…umm… “sovereignty”.

DPP to advise on rape allegations against Minister soon

– as Police complete investigations

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday confirmed that the probe into allegations of sexual assault levelled against Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall has been completed, and the file is with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, for advice on the way forward.

“The file is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice,” the Police stated in a release to the media.

A source at the DPP Chambers has since confirmed that the file was hand-delivered to the DPP’s office on Thursday morning. The official did not give a timeline for when the DPP would pronounce on the matter, but noted it can be very soon.

Days after the alle-

gations against the minister surfaced on social media, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) sprang into action.

On Monday, the Police Force confirmed that an investigation has been launched in relation to an allegation of rape against Dharamlall. In fact, the sitting minister had presented himself at the Brickdam Police Station in the company of his lawyer, Nigel Hughes, where he was told of the allegation and subsequently arrested.

The defense attorney related that his client has since denied the allegations, and wishes to clear his name. The minister in question has since proceeded on administrative leave, following a request which was granted by President Irfaan Ali. However, on Monday, he

Man” wanted by Police for chopping miner to death

East Coast Demerara, and the suspect Rastaman, of Mackenzie, Linden, were involved in a heated argument over the suspect's girlfriend, a Venezuelan national. The argument eventually led to an altercation, during which the suspect armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Roberts two chops to his left hand, resulting in him sustaining severe injuries.

was released on $1 million bail.

Since the allegations hit social media, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and Education Minister Priya Manickchand have both stated that if found culpable, their colleague must face the full brunt of the law. In fact, Manickchand has detailed in a statement that she was sent screenshots of the victim’s statement, which documented the alleged assault.

According to the Minister, the information was eventually passed on to the Chief Education Officer, who has statutory responsibility for learners in the country.

A request was made for the child to be found, and for full support to be given her.

She added that the Ministry of Education would

be offering whatever support is needed or requested, and would act only in the best interest of this child, and in accordance with her wishes, as is mandated by law.

On Wednesday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo emphasized that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has a tough stance on sexual abuse. According to the Vice President in a broadcasted interview, all the processes outlined in the Sexual Offences Act have been followed from the time the allegations were made. Jagdeo echoed sentiments earlier expressed by President Ali in making it clear that, should the minister be found guilty, he would have to face the consequences. “We have no tolerance for any abuse of women or children in our midst. Secondly, that there must be a full in-

vestigation of the allegations, and if the Minister is found guilty, he faces all the consequences associated with the charge and the court imposed,” Jagdeo was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, several organizations have called for an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations. In some cas-

es, calls have been made for the minister to be dismissed from public office. Callers feel that without an independent investigation, the truth of the alleged sexual misconduct would not come to light.

Now with the file being perused by the DPP Chambers, the country awaits the final developments.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday issued a wanted bulletin for David London Jnr, also called “Rastaman”. He is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Eon Roberts, popularly known as “Youthman”, or “Lilman”.

This incident, according to the Police, occurred at Granny Backdam Landing at Omai in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in the wee hours of Monday, June 19, 2023.

Based on reports received, Roberts, of Mahaica,

A shop owner in the area reportedly assisted others in transporting the injured Roberts to the Mackenzie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The scene was reportedly processed and statements were taken as Police continue their investigations.

The suspect has, however, fled the scene, and has since not been seen or heard from.

As such, the police are asking anyone with information that may lead to his arrest to contact them on telephone numbers: 2258196, 226-6978, 911, or at the nearest Police station.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack

Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall

Wanted: David London Jnr, also called “Rastaman”

“Rasta

Family calls for probe into death of national powerlifter at Diamond Hospital

says attitude of staff unbecoming

As a result of that fall, he hit his head and died almost immediately.

The aggrieved wife, in recounting the harrowing experience, stated that when her husband fell to the ground, she called for assistance. The hospital staff allegedly stated that he was too heavy to be lifted, and Richards had to seek help from a security guard and her son while the nurse had rudely walked away.

I need someone to look into this and hold those nurses accountable. If they don’t take action, this will continue. We are losing lives every day… they were calm while the family was in distress…it was as if it was just another dead body, and they went about their business,” she expressed.

Family members of Rawndel Clementson, late national powerlifting champion and resident of Farm, East Bank Demerara, are calling for a thorough investigation into the operation of the Diamond Regional Hospital, and are holding that institution responsible for the death of their loved one.

Rawndel Clementson, 44, passed away one hour after he was admitted to the hospital. He had reportedly complained of feeling unwell, and without hesitation, his wife Oslyn Richards had taken him to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the facil-

ity, Clementson had informed the nurses and doctors about the difficulty he was having in breathing and the dizziness he was experiencing, and had requested an oxygen mask. However, the hospital staff had reportedly responded with an attitude, speaking harshly and claiming to have protocols to follow that could not be influenced.

Despite the urgency of Clementson’s condition, he was instructed to wait. It was while he was awaiting medical attention that he reportedly fainted, thus causing him to lose balance and fall off the chair in which he was sitting.

“I took out my phone to record, and they asked me to leave. About 20 minutes later, they called me in and said they couldn’t detect a pulse. I begged them to do more, and started to pray,” Richards said.

Richards has expressed her profound distress in describing the experience at the hospital as horrific. She has accused the hospital staff of rudeness and a lack of care, and is urging the authorities to thoroughly investigate her husband’s death and address the alleged misconduct at the medical facility.

“They had nobody to lift him and put him on the bed…

The suddenness of Clementson’s death shocked his family, as he had been working the day before and seemed fine. A postmortem examination conducted on Wednesday revealed that his cause of death was complications arising from high blood pressure.

However, efforts to obtain comments from officials at the Ministry of Health regarding the matter have been unsuccessful.

In April 2021, the Diamond Hospital had undergone significant renovations, totalling over $200 million, in order to operate as a Smart Health Care Facility.

However, according to this family, this recent tragedy has brought the hospital’s standards of care into question, and has highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of its operations to ensure the well-being and safety of patients.

This is not the first time this medical institution has come in for heavy criticism from members of the public. The main contention is the manner in which citizens are treated and spoken to at the medical facility.

Moruca

man

busted with ganja in home

A38-year-old resident of Rincon Village in Moruca, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) was on Wednesday arrested following the discovery of a quantity of ganja in his home.

Police have said that on the day in question, between 13:30h and 14:45h, a party of Police from the Moruca Police District went to the home of the suspect and requested to conduct a search.

He agreed, and during the exercise, a bulky black plastic bag with a quantity of cannabis was found in his bedroom. As such, he was told of the offence committed and was cautioned. He responded, “Officer, I buy it from a man”.

He was arrested and taken to the Acquero Police Station, where the narcotic, when weighed, amounted to 169.6 grams. He remains in custody pending charges.

Police issue wanted bulletin for WBD man for narco-trafficking

Michael Abrahim, also called “Timmy”, a resident of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, is wanted by the Police for trafficking narcotics on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Catherine Village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of Abrahim is kindly asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers: 225-8196, 226-6978, 911, or at the nearest police station. Wanted: Michael Abrahim

Dead: Rawndel Clementson

The ganja that was found during the operation

APNU/AFC Panama rice deal Court orders GRDB to pay US$77,000 debt for rice supplied

Payment will not be made if the seller does not submit the invoices to the Guyana Rice Development Board.”

The High Court Judge reasoned that the aforementioned clause suggests that payment would be made after invoices are supplied by the subcontractor [Vilvoorden Investment] on a weekly basis, and that if these invoices were not supplied, the subcontractor could not be paid.

evidence provided, it had not so done. In this regard, the Judge held that “merely sending letters to demand payment is not sufficient, given that four years have passed.”

Vilvoorden Investment Inc, which is engaged in the business of rice cultivation and milling, has been awarded judgement by the High Court of US$77,000.20, which represents money owed to the company by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for the supply of rice to Panama.

In 2018, the Essequibo company had entered into several oral and written agreements with the GRDB to supply six containers of long-grain white rice for that state agency to sell to the Agriculture Marketing Institute, a state agency of Panama.

The company, however, moved to the High Court after the GRDB failed to carry out its contractual obligations; that is, failing to pay it for the rice it supplied for exportation to Panama.

However, while the

GRDB had acknowledged that it was indebted to Vilvoorden Investment Inc, it had argued that its obligation to effect payment was conditional and contingent on it receiving payment from Panama. Therefore, since it had not received any commission from Panama, the GRDB had contended, its obligation to pay the company had not arisen.

Moreover, the GRDB had asserted that it has made, and continues to make, diligent efforts, and has taken reasonable steps to demand payment from the Agricultural Marketing Institute of Panama, but the latter has not fulfilled its contractual obligation to effect payment.

Justice Gino Persaud, in deliberating on Vilvoorden Investment’s application, observed that the contract’s payment clause contains

the following clause: “The buyer will pay the seller the value for the white rice… after deductions as stated are made by the buyer on receipt of payment from Panama”. The Judge held that the language of the clause does not suggest that payment is contingent on the GRDB being paid by Panama, but rather suggests a pay-when-paid clause.

Ambiguous

However, the language used in the clause is ambiguous, and does not specifically refer to the entity in Panama from which payment would be made, Justice Persaud said.

According to him, further confusion is added by the latter part of the clause which states: “Invoices for each weekly shipment are to be submitted to the [GRDB].

Having regard to this, he held that GRDB cannot rely on the pay-when-paid clause, since that clause is unspecific and ambiguous. Importantly, he went on to note that Vilvoorden Investment had completed its obligation under the contract four years ago, and thus was entitled to be paid within a reasonable time for the rice supplied.

“The pay-when-paid clause did not absolve the Respondent’s [GRDB] liability to pay the Applicant [Vilvoorden Investment] even if it had not been paid,” Justice Persaud pointed out.

By relying on that clause, he said, the GRDB had to advance all means possible to obtain payment from Panama; but from the

Based on his findings, Justice Persaud granted judgement in favour of Vilvoorden Investment in the sum of US$77,000.20, or its equivalent in Guyana dollars, with interest on that sum as prayed, together with costs in the sum of $1 million to be paid in six weeks hereof.

The Judge, in his decision, noted that the circumstances surrounding this case have thrown up a “Heller’s Catch-22 situation.”

Rice deal payment

The Guyana Government is still actively trying to recover the more-than one billion dollars owed by the Government of Panama over a flawed rice deal that was struck under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government in 2018. In March, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC has revealed that legal proceedings have been filed at

the International Chamber of Arbitration in France in an attempt to recover the money owed to local rice farmers and millers.

On April 13, 2018, a contract was signed between the Government of Panama and the then APNU/AFC Administration for the supply of some 9000 tonnes of rice, with the GRDB being the facilitator. Reports indicate that after the rice was shipped, a partial payment was made, but the balance, which has now accumulated significant interest, remains outstanding to date.

There was another contract signed in 2019, for which no payment was made to Guyana, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had told the State-owned Guyana Chronicle. (G1)

File photo: Rice being loaded onto a ship

High Court Judge Gino Persaud

“Smallie” prison escape Prison officers, 2 others charged granted $750,000 bail

After spending almost one month on remand, four Prison Officers, a businessman and a Venezuelan national who have been charged with conspiring to facilitate the escape of the now late death row inmate Royden “Smallie”

statements.

Williams from the maximum-security Mazaruni Prison have each been placed on $750,000 bail following their arraignment before Bartica Magistrate Christel Lambert on Thursday.

The four prison officers are: Alexander Hopkinson, 58, Superintendent of the said prison and resident of Bartica Housing Scheme, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). He was rehired by the Prison Service after retiring. Oldfield Romulus, 50, a resident of Victoria Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). He is the officer who is second in command at the Mazaruni Prison. Conroy Hosannah, 35, a resident of East Canje, Berbice; and Omar Witherspoon, 26, of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice, Region Six.

They have been charged along with Rajmohan Autor, called “Chico”, a 48-yearold businessman of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); and Venezuelan national Frangeliz Jugandry Flores Perez, 28, of Kitty, Georgetown.

Making their second court appearance on Thursday, the defendants were each released on bail on condition that they lodge their passports with the Clerk of Court pending the hearing and determination of their trial.

The case was adjourned until July 18 for disclosure of

Jointly, they have been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 34 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, in that on May 19, in Essequibo, they

conspired with other persons unknown to assist Williams in escaping from lawful custody under a sentence of death.

It has been reported that on the day in question, Perez visited Williams before his well-planned escape.

Williams made a daring escape from the prison with the assistance of heavily armed accomplices. The escape occurred in broad daylight and involved the use of a speedboat. During the escape, the escort party accompanying Williams was attacked with AK-47 rifles by the individuals on the boat, which was in the Mazaruni River. No prison officer was injured during the ordeal.

Hosannah and Witherspoon are being represented by Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry, Romulus is represented by Attorney Eusi Anderson, and Hopkinson is represented by Attorney-atLaw Bernard Da Silva.

The late Royden “Smallie” Williams

Oldfield Romulus

Alexander Hopkinson

Conroy Hosannah

Omar Witherspoon

Int’l Road Federation Congress

Guyana’s road construction technique hailed as “pioneering success”

Apresentation on the “Design and Construction of Rigid Pavement Highway in Guyana” by a team of engineers from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) during the 11th International Road Federation (IRF) Regional Caribbean Congress has been met with resounding success and the potential for more Caribbean nations to adopt their methods.

This annual congress, held from June 13 to 16 in Nassau, Bahamas, offered transportation professionals from across 30 countries and territories in the Region the opportunity to address common challenges, including road safety and climate resilience.

Led by CH&PA Director

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Engineers presented a case study at International Road Federation Congress

of Projects, Omar Narine, the team from Guyana was invited to participate in a technical session on transport infrastructure for Small Island Developing

States (SIDS), during which they presented on the challenges of constructing a rigid pavement highway on a soft subgrade in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Cops facing larceny, forgery charges released on bail

According to a statement by the Housing and Water Ministry, the panel was impressed with Guyana’s use of rigid pavement designs over the more traditional forms of road construction, which, in an era of booming socioeconomic development, is a very feasible approach for the country.

According to the release, given the Government’s extensive building and in-

frastructure development agenda, involving the development of new housing schemes and the expansion of existing ones, the CH&PA and Housing Ministry personnel, after much research, planning, and designing, agreed to the use of rigid pavement highways, which has reportedly been successful thus far.

This rigid pavement method was first used during the construction

of the Mandela Avenue to Eccles Highway, and is being used in the construction of the Meer Zorgen to Crane four-lane Highway in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

“Based on feedback from the conference and the Guyana delegation, the panel was quite hopeful that more Caribbean nations can adopt this methodology, given the success and benefits Guyana has achieved in terms of value for money, durability, and sustainability,” the Housing Ministry statement read.

Other CHPA team members present were Deputy Director of Projects, Intakab Indarjeet; Senior Design Engineer Marvin Marks, Senior Infrastructure Engineer Anthony Ragnauth, Senior Hinterland and Building Works Engineer Cy Rodrigues; and Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager Sunil Gopaul.

Corporal Felicia Lewis Corporal

Two members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), facing charges of larceny by a public officer and forgery, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, and were each placed on bail.

Police Corporal Felicia Lewis and Special Corporal Kelroy Doris, both stationed at the GPF’s Mounted Branch at Eve Leary Georgetown, were not required to plead to the indictable charges. Corporal Doris has been charged with five counts of larceny by a public officer and one count of forgery, while Corporal Lewis has been slapped with three counts of forgery and one count of larceny by a public officer.

Corporal Doris has been placed on bail in the sum of $120,000, while Corporal Lewis has been placed on bail in the sum of $80,000 bail. Their matters have been adjourned to July 14, 2023.

Police have said that, in December 2022, the GPF paid out incentives to several ranks for outstanding performances, including some ranks of the Police Force’s Mounted Branch.

In February 2023, several ranks of the Mounted

Branch and Canine Sections reported that they were made to sign musketry and incentive pay sheet for December 2022 by Corporal Lewis and Corporal Doris at the said Mounted Branch Registry. The amount of money they were made to sign for on the pay sheets was hidden from them, and it was later revealed that they were given less money than what was allocated for them.

In instances, some ranks claimed that they did not sign the said pay sheets. As a result, seven ranks did not receive the correct amount that was awarded to them.

The matter was reported to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), and an investigation was launched.

The investigation revealed that Corporal Doris and Corporal Lewis had shortpaid several ranks of the Mounted Branch and Canine Section.

In some instances, they had forged the signatures of several ranks on the said musketry and incentive pay sheet, and had converted the money to their own use. After the investigations were completed, legal advice was sought and they were both charged with the present offences.

Kelroy Doris

Is a 26-year-old Social Worker who is passionate about volunteering, assisting vulnerable groups, educating herself, and advocating for betterment.

Guyana can expect Denica to bring her unique style, passion and authenticity and have a Berbician take the title of Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2023!

Is a 21-year-old Content Creator who is passionate about promoting diversity through Performing Arts. In her transition from ‘that girl to THIS woman’ Guyana can expect Jasmaine to use this pageant as a stepping stone to learn more about her beautiful culture and educate others locally and regionally!

Is a 20-year-old Telemarketer studying Psychology at the University of Guyana. Her passion lies within behavioural sciences and aspires to make significant strides where mental health awareness is concerned.

Guyana can expect to witness Kayla as her best self and be swooned by her charisma and passion!

Is a 23-year-old General Clerk in the Guyana Police Force and a student at the University of Guyana who is passionate about dance, animals, and physiotherapy.

Guyana can expect a whole lot of confidence, assertiveness and flair from Keri throughout the Miss Guyana Culture Queen journey!

Is a 19-year-old Telemarketer who is passionate about women’s advocacy. Guyana can expect consistency from Lisa, as she aims to make an impact on her people and make a change in whatever way she can, not only while in the pageant but even after.

Is a 19-year-old Junior Clerk at a local bank, studying for a Bachelor of Chemistry degree at the University of Guyana. She is passionate about advocating for mental health in the Caribbean. Guyana can expect Quissieana to complete the mission of being a representation of dedication, resilience, and perseverance as portrayed by female leaders who are willing to inspire others.

Is a 20-year-old Aeronautical Engineering Student whose passion lies in advocating for women’s equity and empowerment, martial arts, and volunteering at youth basketball in Guyana. Guyana can expect Shemina to use this pageant to amplify her voice, as her focus is to become another one of Guyana's ambassadors for change, cultural promotion, and empowerment for all.

Guyanese can expect nothing short of an exhilarating experience on Saturday evening when the Miss Guyana Culture Queen Pageant is hosted at the National Cultural Centre.

Nine delegates are slated to take to the stage to compete in several segments including national costume, talent, swimwear, evening gown, and intelligence.

Franchise holder of the pageant, well-known fashion designer Randy Madray explained that Saturday evening will be an unforgettable experience both for the delegates as well as the audience.

The pageant will be a well-rounded one that will display the work of other creatives within the fashion design industry, artists, and corporate Guyana.

“We want to incorporate other designers, we want to incorporate artists we want to incorporate the dancers we want to incorporate our sponsors and corporate Guyana to benefit from this with opportunities to market and put their products out there and their services, with that being said…Guyanese can expect a spectacular night,” Madray told the Guyana Times.

Is a 23-year-old Advertising Assistant who is passionate about writing.

Guyana can expect a young vibrant woman who is willing to come out of her shell and stand firm for what she's passionate about, as she uses this platform to champion the change she wants to see in her country and represent people like herself.

The spectacular designer shared that the main focus of the pageant is to create a holistic experience for the nine delegates and to ensure the experience is one they can benefit and learn from. He also noted that this pageant is a great way to showcase the cultures of Guyana to the world and further put us in the limelight in the pageantry industry.

“We want to ensure our young women have such a good experience while preparing to compete and the competition really and truly is with themselves, to overcome their fears, to overcome the insecurities and really lock into their greater selves and their truest potentials and embark on journeys they never thought they could have and so we stand here to provide that opportunity.”

“I’m looking at the more holistic picture of what we can do for these young women as Guyana, and what we can do, as Guyana, to showcase [our country], celebrate it and let the world know we’re here in the pageant industry and we’re here to stay and our journey has begun to consistently win crowns and bring it back to Guyana and that is my truest vision, aim and hope for this country at this

Is a 21-year-old 2nd-year medical student and owner of Maisha's Bakery who is passionate about baking, medicine and literature.

Guyana can expect Tamasha to bring her A-game! As she aims to bring authenticity, elegance, and confidence to everything she does. Watch out for it!

point,” the designed further added.

Madray noted that he had been working with many creatives to put on a show that is spectacular, well organized, well put together, and follows international criteria. “We’ve even put a lot of thought into the red-carpet experience we believe [the] red carpet should be an experience and not just a red carpet for the sake of seeing the red carpet. We’re focused on the ambiance and the overall creativity that is being put into this is mind-blowing,” the renowned designer shared.

Madray added that even though the pageant has not been held yet, Guyana has already made quite the impact as we have caught the attention of our regional audience. Meanwhile, tickets for the pageant cost $6,000 and $5,000 and are available at the NCC Box Office and members of the committee. Showtime is 19:00h but the red-carpet experience commences at 18:00h.

The crowned queen will represent Guyana at the Miss Culture Queen International pageant billed for August.

OPR should probe Police conduct in allegations against Govt Minister – APNU

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition is calling for the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to conduct an investigation into the Police handling of the rape allegations made against Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall by a 16-year-old girl.

Calls have been mounting for action to be taken against Region Two Commander Khemraj Shivbaran, for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice. This was after the circulation of a ‘statement’ taken by Shivbaran, in which the victim allegedly denied sharing any information with Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul about the alleged sexual assault ordeal.

But the Police Commander has already denied any wrongdoing in his handling of the matter, telling a local newspaper that the family went to him only to refute the reports being

peddled on social media, and not to report the rape allegations; therefore, he could not have launched a probe into the allegations.

However, the APNU Opposition has called for an investigation into Commander Shivbaran’s actions at its weekly press conference on Thursday.

“The allegations of rape against the Minister of Local Government have moved to the level of the Police. The victim has issued an official

statement, and it is being used as a basis for a Police investigation.

“Most notably, the purported settlement agreement in the form of a quasi-nondisclosure agreement (NDA) should be the subject of an investigation. Specifically, all involved should be investigated for the possible obstruction of justice. Importantly, the Office of Professional Responsibility should immediately commence an

investigation into the actions of the Regional Commander, Mr. Khemraj Shivbaran,” a statement read by Opposition MP Dawn Hastings-Williams on Thursday detailed.

The allegations, which first surfaced on social media last week, have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The 16-yearold victim is claiming that the incident occurred in December last year. The matter was first

picked up by the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), who is currently caring for the 16-yearold girl. On the other hand, the minister is currently on administrative leave, after having requested such in order to facilitate the probe into the rape allegations.

On Monday, the Guyana Police Force confirmed that an investigation has been launched in relation to an allegation of rape against Dharamlall, who has been placed on $1 million station bail.

In a statement, the GPF said that “…on Monday the 19th day of June, 2023, Mr Dharamlall presented himself at the Brickdam Police Station in the company of his attorney [Nigel Hughes], where he was told of the allegation and subsequently arrested. The probe is ongoing.”

But according to the Opposition, there have been several procedural breaches during this investigation.

The Opposition further expressed dismay at reports that the victim is being de-

nied her constitutional right to legal representation –something which the Police has since denied.

In fact, the Force said in a statement that at no time did the virtual complainant (victim/teenager) or her parents make a request to the Police for an attorney to be present. The law enforcement agency further noted that, at all times, the alleged victim and her parents were in the presence and hearing of a child care officer.

Moreover, the Police maintain that all standard operating procedures were followed during the conduct of this probe, and that at no time whatsoever were any of the minors involved questioned in the absence of a parent or welfare officer.

The Force went on to clarify that at the time the virtual complainant walked investigators through the alleged crime scene at the minister’s home, the accused was not present, since he had already left.

(L-R) APNU Opposition Members of Parliament Coretta McDonald, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and Dawn Hastings-Williams at Friday’s press briefing

CoA to rule on AG joining challenge for EEPGL’s unlimited guarantee

an oil spill, which could have catastrophic effects on the environment.

“Esso has been carrying out oil operations in the open high sea without financial guarantee. An oil spill could send back Guyana to the Ice Age if there is no insurance, because it is not easy to contain. A parent company guarantee does not cost [Exxon] a cent, but just requires it to show that it has the financial capacity to restore and rehabilitate the environment in the event an oil spill occurs,” Jairam had submitted at a previous hearing.

The Court of Appeal is expected to rule soon on whether Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, would be allowed to join litigation challenging a High Court order for ExxonMobil's local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited (EEPGL), to provide unlimited parent company guarantee for its and its co-venturers oil operations offshore Guyana.

The appeal against that order was filed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On Thursday, the court’s full Bench heard submissions from Nandlall, who argued that he ought to be intervened because of his obligations to the citizenry and the Government.

The court also entertained submissions from

Seenath Jairam, SC, lawyer for the respondents, as well as from the EPA’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin.

The Attorney General argued, among other things, that as the legal representative of the State, and as the guardian of the public interest, he has a direct contractual and public law interest in the instant appeals, and therefore should be added without further deliberation.

To make his case, he reasoned that Guyana earns 50 per cent of profit oil and 2 per cent of royalty of the operations from the exploration and production of petroleum conducted under a Petroleum Production Licence to which EEPGL’s Environmental Permit relates.

He was keen to point out that the billions of dollars in revenue that the Government

receives, the intricate connection of this revenue stream to national development and private sector investments, and their cumulative effect on the public interest and public good are all reasons why the court should exercise its discretion and add him to the appeal.

The Bench, led by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and consisting of Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Gino Persaud, have reserved their ruling.

On May 3, Justice Sandil Kissoon issued an order, inter alia, directing the EPA to issue EEPGL with an Enforcement Notice on or before May 9, for the company to provide, within 30 days, unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/

or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, together with environmental liability insurance, as is customary in the international petroleum industry; failing which, the Environmental Permit granted to the company stands suspended.

After complying with that court order, the EPA shortly after filed an appeal against Justice Kissoon’s ruling, and later went to the Court of Appeal to request a stay of the said order, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the agency.

Then on June 8, Appeal Court Judge Rishi Persaud stayed the order issued by Justice Sandil Kissoon for the oil company to provide an unlimited parent company guarantee. In the interim, EEPGL

was ordered by him to lodge a US$2B guarantee in “an effort to allay any anxiety as to any impending doom”. The company has already lodged that guarantee as required.

Finding that the EPA’s appeal has a reasonable prospect of success, Justice Persaud reasoned, “It seems, on the face of it, that [Justice Kissoon] misconstrued the processes in relation to the acquisition of insurance, and ignored the [EPA’s] discretion under Condition 14 (5) [of the Environmental Permit] to consider any rating equivalent, as it deems appropriate.”

He pointed out that Justice Kissoon’s coercive order against the EPA is a cause for concern. “It is well established that, in judicial review proceedings, a court is restricted to a consideration of whether the procedural requirements in the exercise of regulatory power was followed, and not its decision…” he said.

According to him, in this particular case, it seems the EPA can be considered “an expert body”, which ought to have prompted judicial restraint. “Surely, that body [EPA] is better placed to evaluate such complex and non-legal matters within its expertise,” he declared.

The High Court order has its origin in a case filed in September 2022 by the President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte, who had moved to the court to get the EPA to enforce the liability clause in the permit. They want the court to ensure EEPGL takes full financial accountability in the case of harm, loss and damage to the environment from a well blowout, oil spill, or other failures.

Esso’s Senior Counsel, Edward Luckhoo, is contending that Condition 14 of the permit does not require an unlimited guarantee. Maintaining that Justice Kissoon had misinterpreted the clear language of this Condition, he had said that what the permit does provide for is an estimate of a finite sum, noting that the formula for arriving at that sum is set out therein.

But Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, who is among the lawyers representing Whyte and Collins, begged to differ, arguing an unlimited parent company guarantee is necessary to protect Guyana in the event of

According to him, the permit mandates that Exxon and its co-venturers shall be jointly and severally liable for any loss or damage, or pollution to the environment. In the absence of such a guarantee, he had argued, the permit should have already been cancelled by the EPA.

The EPA and Nandlall have maintained that the Environmental Permit granted to EEPGL imposes no obligation on the company to provide an unlimited parent company guarantee agreement and/or affiliate company guarantee agreement.

If Justice Kissoon’s ruling is not quashed, the Government fears it could have profound ramifications and grave economic and other impacts on the public interest and national development.

In arguing for the stay of execution, EPA lawyer Sanjeev Datadin had said the order for “unlimited guarantee makes a mockery of the clear words in the permit”, adding that the permit refers to a “fixed sum”, and not an unlimited guarantee.

Datadin had submitted, “Unlimited has come about through a misinterpretation. The court has invented an unlimited guarantee…and [held] this incorrect interpretation as a weapon…”

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

He found, inter alia, that EEPGL was engaged in a “disingenuous attempt” which was calculated to deceive when it sought to dilute its liabilities and settled obligations stipulated and expressed in Condition 14 of the permit, while simultaneously optimising production in the Stabroek Block.

“The insurance obtained by the EEPGL from its affiliate company, AON UK Ltd, both for the Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects, does not satisfy the stipulation and obligation set out at Condition 14:5 of the Environmental Permit, or even what is considered environmental liability insurance according to international standards of the petroleum industry,” Justice Kissoon had held.

From L-R: Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC Justice Sandil Kissoon

WBD security guard charged for alleged romance scheme Construction to start on 4-lane...

Asecurity officer of Vive-la-Force, West Bank Demerara (WBD) has been charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over another romance scheme.

When Danetta Charles appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, to face four counts of obtaining money by false pretense, she pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her, and was placed on bail in the sum of $120,000. Her matter continues on July 14.

According to SOCU, three females were befriended by a male Caucasian on WhatsApp, and they estab-

lished a so-called long-distance relationship and communicated regularly via social media. During their conversations, the male Caucasian told them that he would be sending to Guyana

packages containing items such as cologne, bags, watches, chains, and US currency.

Thereafter, they received WhatsApp messages from a delivery agent attached to Delta Courier Service, who informed them that the packages were in transit in the company’s Chicago Office in the USA. They were then asked to send cash to Charles to facilitate the delivery of the packages.

The virtual complainants sent a total of $590,000 to Charles, but they never received any package. As such, they filed a report with SOCU, and investigations were conducted and charges were subsequently instituted.

The loan would also go towards the construction of over 2000 houses.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SFD, Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad had pointed out during the signing that the new bridge will also link to the existing road network on both sides of the Demerara River, ensuring easier access to nearby public facilities such as Mackenzie Hospital, and other Government facilities.

The Sultan also observed that both of these infrastructure projects will support access to vital services, and represent an essential drive for achieving seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 11, Sustainable Cities

and Communities.”

The current Wismar Bridge has only one vehicle lane and is over 50 years old. Back in 2020, Italian engineering company Politecnica had unveiled designs for a new bridge. The company had been contracted by the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure to do a feasibility study for the bridge.

The company had designed a two-road approach: one for the eastern river bank and the other for the western. On both sides, the designs cater for new roundabouts which would connect the existing road networks. The bridge would also cater for two-lane traffic and pedestrian walkways. According to the design, the bridge, road approaches and roundabouts would be equipped with street

lights, underpass/culvert to maintain the continuity of existing roads, road safety barriers and sidewalks, and provision would be made for access to the Linden Hospital Complex at Mackenzie.

Last Month, the Vice President assured Lindeners that once such projects are completed trade and business opportunities will have to pass through Linden. He had made it clear that the Government has no intention of diverting any trade from Linden.

Between Mabura and Lethem, a whopping 48 concrete bridges are being built according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards to improve the commute for passengers and commercial traffic.

Danetta Charles

Tagman, Ingram Micro forge partnership to propel digital transformation

Tagman Technology, a leading provider of innovative digital solutions in Guyana, has announced its partnership with Ingram Micro, a global leader in technology distribution and supply chain solutions, which will see both parties bringing together their extensive knowledge, expertise and resources to propel digital transformation and deliver

state-of-the-art solutions to organizations in Guyana.

The collaboration combines the unique strengths of both companies, thus setting a new benchmark for the technology landscape. A statement on Thursday outlined, “Tagman Technology, born out of the merger between Tagman Media Inc and Housty Designs, is dedicated to implementing innovative and sustainable

digital solutions that enhance industry operations.

“With the support of Ingram Micro's global distribution network and profound expertise in IT, Tagman Technology is poised to enhance its service offerings and expand its capabilities to better serve clients' evolving needs.”

This collaboration brings several key bene-

fits, including an expanded product portfolio featuring renowned vendors like Microsoft, Adobe, Google, Dell, Apple, and Cisco. With enhanced logistics and support powered by Ingram Micro's robust supply chain capabilities, Tagman Technology aims to ensure efficient product delivery and exceptional post-sales assistance.

Leveraging Ingram Micro's extensive distribution network spanning

over 160 countries, Tagman Technology will gain a global presence, opening doors to new market opportunities.

By combining their expertise, both companies are set to accelerate clients' digital transformation initiatives, unlocking efficiencies, enhancing agility, and providing a competitive edge.

Chief Executive Officer of Tagman Technology, Alex Graham, shared, "We

are proud to announce our partnership with Ingram Micro…This collaboration represents a powerful synergy between two industry leaders committed to driving digital transformation in Guyana. Through our expanded capabilities and access to a broader range of transformative technology solutions, we are confident in our ability to deliver exceptional value and help our clients achieve their digital objectives."

Prison officers, 2 others charged... OPR should probe Police conduct...

FROM PAGE 12

Following Williams’s escape, a reward of $10 million was announced by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for any information leading to his arrest, but the convict was shot and killed during a Joint Service operation on June 1 at 47 Miles in Region Seven. Days prior, two of his accomplices were also shot dead by law enforcement.

Williams was found guilty of killing 12 persons, three of whom were Policemen, during the Bartica Massacre in 2008, and was sentenced to death. Another death sentence was imposed on him in September 2022 for the murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Corporal Ivor Williams, who was shot dead on January 23, 2008.

Williams had previously escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017, but was eventually recaptured on October 10, 2017 on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

At the time of his death, the mass murderer had two appeals against his murder convictions and death sentences pending at the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

He was cremated by the State on June 9.

FROM PAGE 15

Nevertheless, the APNU Opposition is calling for good governance and justice to prevail in this matter, demanding that Dharamlall be removed from public office immediately.

“By virtue of these allegations, the Minister is not fit for public office in any capacity, and must immediately resign or be removed from Government and Parliament,” Hastings-Williams has stated.

She was joined by two other Opposition MPs, Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Coretta McDonald, at Thursday’s press conference.

According to Chandan-Edmond, “As a former Member of the Bench, I am optimistic, and I have faith in the justice system, at the level of the Bench, that justice will prevail, albeit that there have been obvious hiccups in the investigative process. Justice must not only be done, but it must appear or be seen to be done… We are already on record calling on OPR to do whatever is necessary to investigate the highly irregular actions of this officer.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has already declared Government and the People’s Progressive Party/C’s intolerance for abuse of women and children, and urged against politicizing the issue. Jagdeo, who is the General Secretary of the PPP, has also made it clear that if the Minister is found guilty, he will have to face the consequences.

The Tagman Technology Team at the Offshore Technology Conference in Texas

Around The World OIL NEWS

Titanic sub destroyed in “catastrophic implosion”, all 5 aboard dead

Oil plunges 4% as interest rate hikes outweigh lower US oil supplies

Oil futures fell about four per cent on Thursday, as a bigger-than-expected Bank of England rate hike prompted worries about the economy and fuel demand that outweighed support from a surprise draw in US oil supplies.

Brent futures settled down US$2.98, or 3.9 per cent, to US$74.14 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down US$3.02, or 4.2 per cent, at US$69.51.

The benchmarks erased gains from the previous session, during which US corn and soybean prices raced to multi-month highs, raising expectations that crop shortfalls could lower biofuels blending and increase oil demand.

The Bank of England raised interest rates by a bigger-thanexpected half a percentage point to fight stubborn inflation. It was the central bank's 13th straight rate hike.

Higher interest rates could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

Feeding caution, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said two more rate hikes of 25 basis points each by the end of the year were "a pretty good guess".

"We're locked in a trading range, but prices are held back by the concerns about the economy, the larger economy," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

Equities, which often move in tandem with oil, were also down.

In supply, US crude inventories fell by 3.8 million barrels in the last week to 463.3 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 300,000-barrel rise.

US gasoline stocks rose by about 480,000 barrels in the week to 221.4 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 100,000-barrel rise.?

Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by about 430,000 barrels in the week to 114.3 million barrels, versus expectations for a 700,000-barrel rise, the EIA data showed.

"Given the decline in crude oil and the very modest increases in refined products inventories, I would have thought we would get a better response from the market, but the crude oil and refined product market is simply being weighed down by higher interest rates," said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

Investors are now awaiting Chinese factory activity data due next week, which could indicate the strength of China's economy.

An executive at US shale producer EOG Resources said oil prices could rise as muted increases in US oil production and cuts by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) producers will limit supply in the months ahead. (Reuters)

CXC closes head office due to Bret

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has closed its headquarters in Barbados due to the passage of Tropical Storm Bret.

In a release on Thursday, the institution said it would be closing its offices at noon.

“We are committed to the safety of our employees and stakeholders, and will therefore advise of our reopening, in accordance with the guidance provided by the Barbados Meteorological Services. All calls will be forwarded to CXC’s office in Jamaica during normal business hours.”

Adeep-sea submersible carrying five people on a voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic was found in pieces from a "catastrophic implosion" that killed everyone aboard, the US Coast Guard said on Thursday, ending a multinational five-day search for the vessel.

A robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a debris field from the submersible Titan on Thursday morning on the seabed some 1600 feet (488 metres) from the bow of the Titanic, four kilometres beneath the surface, in a remote corner of the North Atlantic, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters.

The Titan, operated by the US-based company OceanGate Expeditions, had been missing since it

lost contact with its surface support ship on Sunday morning about an hour, 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the world's most famous shipwreck.

Five major fragments of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan were located in the debris field left from its disintegration, including the vessel's tail cone and two sections of the pres-

sure hull, Coast Guard officials said. No mention was made of whether human remains were sighted.

"The debris field here is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vehicle," Mauger said.

Even before the Coast Guard's press conference, OceanGate issued a statement saying there were no survivors among the five men aboard the

Titan, including the company's founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan.

The four others were British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, both British citizens; and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who had visited the wreck dozens of times.

"These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans," the company said. "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bolsonaro clings to his political future as electoral court case begins

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's future in office hung in the balance on Thursday, as the country's federal electoral court (TSE) began a trial that could leave him in the political wilderness for nearly a decade.

Bolsonaro, a far-right nationalist who in October narrowly lost Brazil's most fraught election in a generation, stands accused of abusing his presidential power last year when he summoned foreign diplomats to publicly vent unfounded attacks on the country's electronic voting system.

Bolsonaro's accusers have also included in the charges against him a draft

memo for how to overturn the election, found at the house of his former Justice Minister.

The outlook appears

Bridge linking Crimea to mainland hit in blow to Russian supply route

The TT Meteorological Service (TTMS) said it continued to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Bret as it approaches the northern Windward Islands.

On the forecast track, the centre of Bret was expected to move across the northern Windward Islands Thursday, and then move westward across the Caribbean Sea on Friday and Saturday.

Weakening is anticipated as Bret passes the Lesser Antilles, and the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or early Sunday. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Ukrainian missiles on Thursday struck one of the few bridges linking the Crimea Peninsula with the Ukrainian mainland, Russian-appointed officials said, cutting one of the main supply routes for Russian occupation forces in southern Ukraine.

Meanwhile on the eastern front, Ukrainian forces were containing Russian troops and have not allowed "a single metre" of Russian advances, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on the Telegram app on Thursday.

She added Ukrainian forces on the southern

front, where several villages were retaken last week, were "gradually moving forward. We have had partial success. We are pushing back the enemy and levelling the front line".

Ukraine is attacking Russian supply lines to disrupt Moscow's defence of occupied territory in the south, where Kyiv is in the early stages of its most ambitious counteroffensive of the 16-month-old war.

Kyiv says it has recaptured eight villages so far, but it has yet to commit the bulk of its forces to the fight and its troops have yet to reach the main Russian defensive lines.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

bleak for Bolsonaro, a career politician who was until recently Brazil's most powerful man.

He still retains significant backing from his core supporters, but many in Brazil have tired of his scorched-earth politics that culminated in the storming

of Government buildings in Brasilia on January 8 by thousands of his supporters.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro's fierce leftist rival who won last year's election, is meanwhile starting to reap the benefits of an improving economy.

Tarcisio Vieira, Bolsonaro's lawyer, told Reuters this week that his polarising client faces an "unfavourable" climate from the country's media and the political and judicial classes.

On Thursday, Vieira told the court that if Bolsonaro misspoke during the meeting with ambassadors, he should be fined rather than losing his right to stand in elections.

The hearing was then adjourned until Tuesday. A final ruling is expected by next Thursday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter.

A small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without having to travel abroad, one of the sources said, part of a pilot

programme that could be expanded in coming years.

Indian citizens are by far the most active users of the US H-1B programme and made up 73 per cent of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022.

"We all recognise that mobility of our people is a huge asset to us," said another US official. "And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things." (Excerpt from Reuters)

From left: Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Stockton Rush

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures as he greets supporters at Salgado Filho International Airport, on the day the Electoral Justice begins the trial to determine his political rights, as he arrives in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, June 22, 2023 (Reuters/Diego Vara)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Do something that motivates you. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos, and you’ll outmaneuver anyone trying to take advantage of you. Be considerate with a loved one.

(March 21-April 19)

Don’t go overboard. Taking on too much or trying to impress people by overspending will backfire. Aim to maintain balance and integrity and to get along with everyone without promising too much.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Take note of others’ responses. Someone will volunteer information that helps you decide whom to support. Refuse to let a fast talker mesmerize you with tall tales. Be wary of braggarts.

Be wary of anyone trying to take advantage of you. Be blunt about what you want and don’t fear moving forward alone. Learn from your experience and stick up for yourself.

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Slow down and rethink your motives. Spontaneity may be exciting but not always wise. Choose your words carefully. Don’t underestimate how much the changes you want to make will cost.

Slow down, focus on details and be resourceful. You have plenty to gain if you adapt. Choose your destiny and reward yourself for a change. Don’t rely on others; do things for yourself.

Rely on your intelligence to get you through the day. Don’t be fooled by what someone tries to pass off as the truth. Make decisions based on what you see and how others act.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Take better care of yourself. Concentrate on the people you feel responsible for. Don’t spend money unnecessarily or get involved in fast-cash scams or joint ventures.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Be observant. If someone confuses you, back away. Rely on yourself to get things done and to figure out what makes you happy. Take responsibility for yourself. Personal growth is on the rise.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Safe investments will ease your mind and motivate you to enjoy downtime. Finalize deals, restructure your lifestyle to promote better health and make positive changes at home.

Shrewd money management will be necessary. Don’t take on debt that will weigh on your mind. Make well-thoughtout decisions based on facts and figures, not on hype. Focus on self-improvement.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Make your home comfortable and peaceful. Stick to basics and work on building your dream. Refuse to let outsiders interfere. Be direct and do what makes you happy.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Chase’s Academy benefit from equipment donation

players on the team, such as Seon Cato, Bryan Wharton, Kerstyn Gonsalves, Omar Sam, Neeiaz Baksh, Manasseh Anderson, and Justin Alcindor.

Bourne urged fellow business owners to make valuable contributions to youth development so that the foundation of the future could be built. The businessman reiterated that more gear would be donated in the future.

In preparation for the Digicel Championships, defending champions Chase's Academic

Foundation have been on the receiving end of a donation from the owner of Exclusive Egg-ball, Randy

Bourne earlier this week.

The donation comprises several pairs of football shoes, presented to senior

The Digicel tournament will see more than 130 schools throughout Guyana competing this season for a major grand prize. Following the regional rounds, a roundof-32 teams will make up a national championship, of

Pakistan's foreign office evaluating team's involvement in ODI WC

Pakistan's foreign office has confirmed it is evaluating all aspects of Pakistan's participation in the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) World Cup in India. This is the first public indication from the Pakistan Government about taking up an issue that has been pending for a while and

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said in a weekly media briefing in Islamabad. "Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will be making an announcement regarding our participation in the coming days.

"Regarding cricket, Pakistan is of the view that

tainty around Pakistan coming to India. The PCB had threatened to pull out of the tournament unless they had clear and public assurance from the Indian Government about the security to be provided to their players. These negotiations eventually resulted in the India-Pakistan match having to be shifted

ICC is hoping to finalise the fixture list and provide it to the public by next week. Pakistan have until then to relay their concerns, if any. (ESPNcricinfo)

which 13 schools will come from Georgetown. Regions Three and Six would each have two teams, as would East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Region Seven and Region 10 respectively. Regions One, Five, Eight and Nine would each have one school.

The national champions will receive $1,000,000 and

the championship trophy, while the second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers would get $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 respectively.

All incentives will go towards a school project, with prizes also expected for the Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, and Most Valuable Player.

has even resulted in a delay in the International Cricket Council (ICC) announcing the tournament's fixtures list.

Pakistan's involvement in the World Cup is subject to their Government's approval.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had written to the ICC, following the release of a draft schedule to all participating countries a few days ago, to stress that they could not unilaterally approve the fixture list and the decision would eventually have to come from their Government.

"We have received the official invitation from the Indian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister for the virtual meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that is due to take place on the 4th of July," a spokesperson for the

politics should not be mixed with sports. India's policy of not playing cricket in Pakistan is disappointing. We are observing and evaluating all aspects relating to our participation in the World Cup, including the security situation for Pakistani cricketers, and we will offer our views to PCB in due course."

The 2023 World Cup, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, is slated to begin on October

5. The India v Pakistan fixture is set for 10 days later in Ahmedabad. It is one of five venues that Pakistan are scheduled to play at during the league phase.

Owing to strained political relations between the two countries, Pakistan have not toured India since the 2016 T20 World Cup, and even back then there was uncer-

from Dharamsala to Kolkata.

The PCB has requested the ICC to swap venues for two of their league matches in the 2023 ODI World Cup based on an internal assessment of the grounds they are due to play at. Pakistan are currently scheduled to play Australia in Bengaluru on October 20, and then Afghanistan in Chennai on October 23 but have asked for a change where they play Afghanistan in Bengaluru and Australia in Chennai. The request has been turned down. Normally, security is the primary reason for a venue change at an ICC event. There was no mention of a security threat in the PCB's internal assessment.

Given the already unprecedented delay – World Cup itineraries usually go out a year in advance – the

Part of the team set to represent Chase's Academic Foundation at the Digicel Championships along with Randy Bourne and Principal/Director Henry Chase

Football cleats being given to Neeiaz Baksh

Pakistan have not toured India since the 2016 T20 World Cup

Hope, Pooran centuries headline West Indies' rout of Nepal

Centuries from Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran saw West Indies post 339 and demolish Nepal by 101 runs to shore up their Super Six hopes. After early wobbles, Hope and Pooran combined for a 216-run partnership for the fourth wicket, scoring 132 and 115 respectively as West Indies registered the highest score of the tournament. Nepal were never in the chase despite extensive sloppiness in the field from West Indies, and wickets for Jason Holder, Keemo Paul and Akeal Hosein helped them bowl Nepal out for 238.

Nepal won the toss and Rohit Paudel elected to field first, a trend that has seen most sides be successful in these qualifiers. It seemed to pay off immediately with his side enjoying the better of the first 10 overs. Karan KC and Gulshan Jha removed Kyle Mayers and Johnson Charles within the first five overs to leave them two wickets down for nine. Sandeep Lamichhane – much improved from the first two games, also got his first wicket of the tournament when he cleaned up Brandon King with a googly shortly af-

ter. That brought Pooran and Hope together, but a costly drop when Pooran had just scored three by keeper Aasif Sheikh would prove to be a real sliding doors moment. Pooran smacked one six each off Lalit Rajbanshi and Lamichhane immediately after as West Indies began to move through the gears, and Hope joined in on the aggression. He would soon bring up his half-century, before Pooran reached his at a much quicker clip off 51 balls.

By now, West Indies were 162 for three with a third of the innings set to go, beautifully set up for the finish.

It was a platform they took advantage of, with Pooran throwing caution to the wind thereafter as Hope played second-fiddle, willing to be a spectator to the fireworks. Jha was tonked for 15 in an over and Karan for 12, and it even appeared as if Pooran might beat Hope to three figures. In the end, they both got there in the 40th over, Hope easing to it with a brace while Pooran carved a boundary behind point to bring his up in 81 balls.

West Indies had a free rein

in the final 10 overs, through which they had 98, helped by cameos from Rovman Powell and Holder, giving Nepal 340 to get their first points on the board.

It was an overwhelming ask, and Nepal almost seemed to treat the target as a suggestion rather than a goal. Early wickets for Joseph and Holder did not help as Nepal went back into their shell. But they continued to lose wickets as the run rate climbed, despite the profligacy of the West Indian fielding, which bordered on the uninterested at times. There were at least seven catches put down all innings, as well as a number of misfields that could be put down to lackadaisical efforts.

But, true to West Indies form, it was interspersed with moments of divine brilliance in the field. A catch on the boundary by Keacy Carty was the pick of the lot, leaping over the rope before coming back in to complete a perfectly-executed catch to dismiss Kushal Malla. A sharp grab by Roston Chase sent Dipendra Airee packing too, and by now,

King, 15.3 ov), 4-271 (Nicholas Pooran, 43.6 ov), 5-310

Powell, 47.1 ov), 6-335

Hope, 49.2 ov), 7-339

(Keemo Paul, 49.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Lalit Rajbanshi 10-0-52-3

Karan KC 10-1-81-1

Gulsan Jha 8-0-64-1

Sandeep Lamichhane 10-1-50-1

Dipendra Singh Airee 7-0-45-1

Aarif Sheikh 4-0-33-0

Kushal Malla 1-0-8-0

Nepal (T: 340 runs from 50 ovs)

Kushal Bhurtel

Nepal had long been nudged out of the contest, tottering on the brink of a colossal defeat at 128 for six.

Aarif Sheikh hung around with the lower order, scoring a spirited half-century to ensure his side put up a respectable total. Nepal crossed 200 and

ensured they took the game to the final over thanks to Karan, who played his shots as West Indies went through the motions. It was a successful effort, of sorts, to delay an outcome that had been obvious for at least a couple of hours, as West Indies shook hands on their second successive win. (ESPNcricinfo)

ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival… Covent Garden clinch East Bank Regional Championship

Covent Garden Secondary claimed the coveted title in the ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival of East Bank “Diamond” Regional Champions, after defeating Diamond Secondary with one point being the decider on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Jonathon Giddings performed exceptionally, netting 13 points, 5 rebounds

Demerara (ECD), where the East Coast female and male finals will take place. Action is set to bounce off at President’s College from 15:30h.

The tournament is sponsored by ExxonMobil with support from Edward Beharry, G-Boats GY and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Covent Garden Secondary, champions of the East Bank “Diamond” Regional Championship

Shai Hope bats against Nepal

Pooran scored his second ODI ton

Nicolas Pooran was the aggressor

Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, Jonathon Giddings

GHE get 6 new players following CWI draft

…Savory, Nandu, Joseph, Ramnauth, Dindyal and Sinclair earn first-time contracts

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) named six new faces who will earn contracts for the upcoming sea son following Thursday’s 2023/24 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricketers Draft.

The respec tive Territorial Board Franchises drafted five ad ditional players from a pool of roughly 90 to add to the ‘Protected 10’ players sub mitted to CWI prior to the draft for their squads ahead of the new season, which features the CG United Super50 Cup and the West Indies Championship 4-day First-Class tournament.

Among the new faces are Junior Sinclair, Mavendra Dindyal, Shamar Joseph, Rampertab Ramnauth, Matthew Nandu, and Kemol Savory. In keeping with draft rules, at least two of the selectees were required to be under the age of 25 on October 1, 2023.

As such, the Harpy Eagles drafted six Under-25 players to their side this season – Dindyal, Sinclair, Ramnauth, Nandu, Joseph and Kelvon Anderson . They have all had success with Guyana or West Indies at the junior levels, which include the Under-19s, Under-17s, etc. Anderson regained a contract after being contracted

as a CWI Emerging Player last year.

Savory, in particular, had been among those who continuously performed and developed over the last few seasons, in both 50Over and 4-Day regional matches. The wicket-keeper was one of the Harpy Eagles’ prolific run-getters in the last 4-Day season, with an unbeaten century

MavendraDindyal

and half-century under his belt, helping his team to yet another regional championship title.

GHE’s seasoned core of young veterans like Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Tevin Imlach and others form a young yet experienced side.

Chase’s ready to “take rightful place” in Digicel tournament – Head Master

of 15 contracted players for 2023-2024 season:

When the Digicel Schools Football Championships were last contested in 2017, Chase’s Academic Foundation romped to a massive 6-2 victory against Annai Secondary to clinch their second consecutive title in the competition.

But that was the last the local football fraternity would see of the tournament, until now. The tournament is set to return this Saturday, with the preliminary rounds kicking off, and Chase’s Academy are hopeful of reclaiming the top spot.

Speaking with media operatives on Wednesday during the Petra Organisation’s customary team briefing exercise, Head Master Henry Chase shared that they were ready to “take their rightful place” in the competition.

Chase said, “We’re basical-

ly new back into football, after four years. The good thing was I never discontinued the programme so we have right now a very good crop of players. What happened with the Milo, some of our players went on to play for other schools and they were banned from the Milo tournament, but we still had reasonable reserves to step up and we went to the final.”

“For the Digicel, we hope that these players now will take their rightful place for this tournament. I tell my players, once you’re playing for Chase, you come in and even before you start playing football, you’re under pressure,” he further stated.

Chase went on to discuss the team’s preparation and training, noting that the lads were eager to compete.

“We’ve had a few practice sessions with the Georgetown Academy, we had a game

against a club team from the East Bank and we were successful. I think the guys are getting there, but also the weather is another factor that is preventing us from training,” the Head Master revealed.

“The guys are eager to play and we are hoping to defend our title. Obviously, we have other schools that are gunning for us but we are going to be prepared and with God, all things are possible.”

Additionally, he confirmed the return of their Coach, Vurlon Mills, while also divulging that the likes of Jeremy Garrett and Curtez Kellman, who were part of their last championship team, will be assisting.

“Vurlon Mills is definitely there. We’re going to be having also Jeremy Garrett, Curtez Kellman, to also work along with Vurlon,” Chase

said about the inclusion of the former Chase’s Academy players.

Quizzed about what he hopes to achieve with the inclusion of the duo in the team’s management, Chase responded, “I know in the case of Jeremy he has been our most successful captain. Jeremy’s brilliant, he understands the game as a young man and I’m hoping his knowledge could pass on to the guys. He was placed in that position before, he knows what it takes to win, the pressure that comes with it and I think he’s going to be an asset, a motivator, a mentor for our players.”

The Digicel tournament is set to kick off at various locations, including the Ministry of Education (MoE) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Grounds on Saturday, June 24. (Jemima Holmes)

Guyana and West Indies all-rounder

Kevin Sinclair has pledged to support his local club Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) with building materials for the main pavilion at the Area H ground.

In addition to his charitable work, Sinclair has also made himself available to play this weekend in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Speakers T20 Cup at Port Mourant.

"Kevin Sinclair visited the office of RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster to bear some remarkable news for the membership of the Club. The West Indies white ball all-rounder informed the Secretary that he would be undertaking some major repairs to the main pavilion at the Area H Ground at his own expense.

“The Secretary expressed gratitude to Sinclair for his support and assistance. It was agreed

that a contractor selected by Sinclair would soon visit to take an estimate. The Club would like to thank Kevin for remembering our massive input into his career and for carrying it forward with his kindness. He has also pledged his support for our cricket academy In July.

“Charity surely begins at home .Well done Kevin Sinclair," a statement from the Club read.

Additionally, Sinclair will don the RHTY&SC kit on Saturday against Skeldon at the Area H Ground. Below are the fixtures for the first round:

1.RH Canje v Police at Canje

2 Tucber Park v Berbice River

3 Blairmont v Upper Corentyne at No 69

4 YWCC v West Berbice at West Berbice

5 Albion v Port Mourant at Port Mourant

6 RHTY&SC v Skeldon at Area H Ground

RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster and Kevin Sinclair

List

1. Veerasammy Permaul

2. Gudakesh Motie

3. Tevin Imlach

4. Tagenarine Chanderpaul

5. Kevin Sinclair

6. Nial Smith

7. Ronsford Beaton

8. Matthew Nandu

9. Kemol Savory

10. Kevlon Anderson

11. Antony Adams

12. Shamar Joseph

13. Rampertab Ramnauth

14. Mavendra Dindyal

15. Junior Sinclair

Rampertab Ramnauth

Matthew Nandu

Kevlon Anderson

Flashback! Chase’s Academy celebrate their second Digicel championship victory at the National Track and Field Centre in 2017, a scene the team hope to replicate in 2023

Chase’s fresh-faced team placed second in this year’s Milo Championships