Guyana Times -Sunday, August 13, 2023

3 victims remain hospitalised, Police yet to arrest suspect

20,000 scholarships' target achieved 2 years ahead of PPP manifesto promise Suspect in Haslington fatal stabbing arrested, confesses to crime Use

from Youth Parliament 2023 to safeguard democracy, make crucial decisions – McCoy

Teen stabbed to death while making peace between fighting friends

Ateenager was on Saturday stabbed to death at Leopold Street, Georgetown, after he attempted to make peace between two friends who were involved in a fight.

Dead is 18-year-old Noel Richard Frazer, a driver who was attached to Banks DIH Limited and of Lot 101 Leopold Street. When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, the teen’s body was already removed.

His mother, Carol Frazer, explained that she was in her house when she heard a commotion outside and did not pay it any mind.

She said as it continued, she went out, only to see her son trying to separate his friends who were fighting. During the scuffle, one of the young men turned his anger on Noel.

The woman stated that she went to intervene but her son had already been stabbed in the chest. “I tried, I tried to part him, to part him. I held on to my son but he ran into the neighbour yard and fall down. I don’t know what is the problem the other two boys had but he was just there trying to get them to stop fighting,” the woman said.

The aggrieved mother related that her son has always been a peacemaker, and she recently warned him to stop doing so.

“Noel is a peaceful child; he doesn’t like problems… he was

wounded suddenly. Up to the other day, I warned him to stop going to part people and being a peacemaker because does get hurt in the process, and that is exactly how he lost his life.”

She further added that after the stabbing incident, the perpetrator buckled from the scene and has since gone into hiding.

“All the fence got knocked down during the fight…when I go and see and see my son in the neighbour yard, he was lying down with his eye and mouth open and I started hollering. I got so confused I ran out without a bra and run to call my big son.”

Noel was transported to the Georgetown Hospital by Police where doctors attempted to save his life but their efforts proved futile.

“My son is very intelligent and he goes to church…that is why he tries to make peace. He had no problems with the people that were fighting, they are people that he knows,” the tearful mother said.

The family said the teen’s sudden death has not only brought them pain but also a strain on their already stretched finances, given their current financial situation.

“We [she and her reputed husband] struggled very hard to take care of our children… I am so hurt about this because he is just 18 years old.” The woman said she is hoping that justice will be served for her son soon.

“I need justice, I need justice for my son,” the woman said.

Dead: Noel Frazer Carol Frazer, mother of the late Noel Frazer

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Aug 13 – 02:30h – 04:00h and

Monday, Aug 14 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Aug 13 – 15:10h – 16:40h and

Monday, Aug 14 – 15:45h – 17:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine and thundery showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres.

Low Tide: 08:20h and 20:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 1.05 metre.

Joint partnership between Ghanaian tech firm, Guyanese company launched

– partners eye tech platform for remote monitoring of offshore oil & gas

Ajoint venture (JV) partnership has been launched between a Ghanaian technology firm with experience in oil and gas and a Guyanese/ Canadian company, with aspirations of providing a technological platform to Guyana to enhance offshore monitoring of oil exploration and production.

According to a missive from the new joint venture partners, West Coast Gas Ghana will be partnering with e-Magic Incorporated, owned by Canada-based Guyanese Tony Harris. An agreement to this effect was signed during the recently concluded Ghana-Guyana Local Content and Capacity Building Conference at the Marriott Hotel.

“The JV is a realisation of the vision laid out in the strategic partnership agreement signed by the two countries in December 2021 and it brings together the deep technical knowledge and international experience of both e-Magic Inc and West Coast Gas Ghana,” the partners said.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

According to the partners, their technological solution would enable the Government of Guyana (GoG) to have (i) direct and independent oversight within the natural resources sectors; and (ii) real-time data enabling GoG to build its own review capability.

It was further noted that the Local Content Act of 2021 does not even include this service as one of the 40 service areas under the law, making the JV unique in its scope. Capital for the partnership, meanwhile, is being funded by West Coast Gas Ghana.

Meanwhile, e-Magic Incorporated will be responsible, among other things, for the recruitment of nearly all the staff. At least 75 per cent of senior management of the JV company will be Guyanese and over 90 per cent of the staff to be employed by the joint venture will also be Guyanese.

“The private sector partners will also be responsible for providing technical and operational training to the Guyanese employees so they will be equipped with all the necessary knowledge and skills ready for when the project commences operation,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of West Coast Gas Ghana, Emmanuel Johnson expressed excitement at the partnership. Harris for his part, was optimistic that the

joint venture will set new standards for the sector.

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with e-Magic," CEO of West Coast Gas Ghana, Emmanuel Johnson stated. "Our shared vision is to leverage our respective strengths to provide the Government of Guyana with visibility to real-time oil production data. Together with e-Magic, we will redefine how technology can enhance production processes, minimise risk, and drive sustainable growth,” Johnson said.

"We are confident that by combining our TwinWorX digital twins platform and deep technical expertise, and West Coast Gas Ghana’s in-depth industry knowledge, we will provide a comprehensive monitoring capability that will revolutionise how Guyana monitors its booming oil production. Our joint venture aims to set new standards for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in this vital sector,” Harris added.

West Coast Gas Ghana is a Ghanaian-owned multinational company with footprints across sub-Saharan Africa. According to the company, it has expertise in creating and providing technological solutions and services in the oil and gas sector, in particular, designing and operating systems that ensure accurate hydrocarbon accounting, oil and gas contract management and petroleum data management.

Meanwhile, e-Magic Incorporated is a glob-

al technology company that specialises in providing expertise and software for the design, development, and integration of large-scale industrial Internet of things (IoT) and Azure Digital Twins Solutions. e-Magic is incorporated in Guyana, with 100 per cent Guyanese ownership.

Back in December 2021, Ghanaian Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia visited Guyana, during which several bilateral cooperation agreements were signed to further improve relations between the two countries.

During that visit, Dr Bawumia and the delegation engaged in high-level bilateral discussions at both the Government and private

sector levels, including engagements with President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and other Ministers of Government.

Vice President Bawumia also met with members of the Ghanaian diaspora and paid a visit to the University of Guyana. Vice President Bawumia’s visit followed on the heels of the threeday visit VP Jagdeo paid to Ghana in October of that year, wherein he held talks with his Ghanaian counterpart. Following those discussions, he had announced that Ghanaian experts would be reviewing Guyana’s draft local content legislation.

From left, Canada-based Guyanese Tony Harris and CEO of West Coast Gas Ghana, Emmanuel Johnson

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Editor: Tusika Martin

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Uncompromising politics

Back in 2012, as the polarisation of politics was becoming intensified both quantitively and qualitatively in the US, political scientists Amy Gutman and Dennis Thompson offered some very salutary advice to our political elites in their book “The Spirit of Compromise: Why Governing Demands It and Campaigning Undermines It”. Since then, the polarisation has deepened both in the US and in Guyana, and the advice has become even more relevant.

“If politics is the art of the possible, then compromise is the artistry of democracy. Unless one partisan ideology holds sway over all branches of government, compromise is necessary to govern for the benefit of all citizens. A rejection of compromise biases politics in favour of the status quo, even when the rejection risks crisis.

“Compromise is difficult, but governing a democracy without compromise is impossible. Why is compromise so hard in a democracy when it is undoubtedly necessary? Much of the resistance to compromise lies in another necessary part of the democratic process: campaigning for political office. Though valuable in its place, campaigning is increasingly intruding into governing, where it is less helpful. The means of winning an office are subverting the ends of governing once in office. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that in (Guyana) “every day is election day in the permanent campaign.

“Resistance to democratic compromise can be kept in check by a contrary cluster of attitudes and arguments — a compromising mindset — which favours adapting one’s principles and respecting one’s opponents. It is the mindset more appropriate for governing, because it enables politicians more readily to recognize opportunities for desirable compromise. When enough politicians adopt it enough of the time, the spirit of compromise prevails.

“In general, compromise is an agreement in which all sides sacrifice something in order to improve on the status quo from their perspective, and in which the sacrifices are at least partly determined by the other sides’ will. The sacrifice involves not merely getting less than you want, but also, thanks to your opponents, getting less than you think you deserve. The sacrifice typically involves trimming your principles. We call these defining characteristics of compromise mutual sacrifice and willful opposition.”

Modern post-WWII Guyanese politics has been characterised by the manipulation of ethnic identities to garner electoral support within democratic majoritarian electoral rules that led to ethnic fissures and frequent eruptions of ethnically-directed violence. Because of its resort to rigging elections between 1968 and 1992 to hold on to power, the PNC felt there was no need to compromise in its policies or programmes. In fact, it declared itself paramount over the state, and ruled with an iron fist between 1964 and 1992.

After free and fair elections were resumed in 1992, it was evident that the spirit of unilateralism had percolated so deeply into the sinews of the PNC that compromise was a nonstarter. They refused to accept the result of the elections of 1997, and unleashed massive protests that careened inevitably into ethnically- directed violence. The PPP was driven to the bargaining table under the auspices of Caricom, and made massive compromises to create a political environment that would be acceptable to the PNC. Among these was the truncation of its term of office by two years; a massive constitutional revision that reduced the monarchical powers of the President and introduced four Parliamentary Sectoral Committees to scrutinize governmental activities in real-time. There was also a Parliamentary Management Committee that would schedule the Parliamentary agenda. But none of these compromises satisfied the PNC, and Guyana careened into the worst outbreak of ethnic violence in its history.

Serendipitously, however, the demographics of Guyana had become altered, so there is now no ethnic majority to automatically deliver power to any one party. Political logic would suggest that this creates a structural condition to encourage compromise and eschew appealing to ethnic sentiments, but to reach across ethnic divides. Sadly, the PNC refuses to accept this logic, and ironically criticizes the PPP for practising such cross-ethnic mobilization as “slave catching”.

Politicians must be opponents, not enemies!

Dear Editor,

Under the “One Guyana” initiative led by His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C governing party, potent strides have moved our country forward with convenient speed. Our citizens demand improved delivery from the representatives of crucial mitigating institutions, including the Judiciary, and from political proponents who ought to be more objective as opponents, but not enemies.

These are necessary to arrest the undemocratic practices such as 'rigged elections’, and ensure other suppressive approaches become a thing of the past.'

Contrasting positions exist when one examines the paradigm of varying approaches by Guyana's central political parties concerning maintaining our democratic ideals, optimizing people's welfare benefits, and successfully executing the necessary acceleration of a strategic developmental plan.

On one side, the PPP/C party's track record evidences an astute leadership and significant development strides while governing. At the same time, the PNC-led factions have been primarily associated with disruptive contrary opposites.

Over several decades, political proponents have consistently had many behavioural irrational disagreements, defining and demonstrating their self-aggrandizing focus or party loyalty purpose, instead of working for the greater good of our collective citizenry. The twenty-eight years of PNC governance before 1992 saw their political imposition of overwhelming dictatorial practices that manifested a Machiavellian approach

to exterminating any opposing politician with a growing audience.

The PNC’s applied undemocratic practices and suppression of opposing politicians as enemies has its grounding during this period, characterized by a strategy of retaining power by the 'any means necessary' principle. Among the potent tools used with damning effects was its ethnic division practice and manipulation of the Judiciary, which the party proponents still try to maintain.

Without the collective support of the nation’s majority, its flawed strategy naturally attenuated the national development agenda, due to a lack of national and international support. The failure ultimately impacted harshly, and took Guyana's economic level almost parallel with Haiti, the second poorest nation in the region.

The post-1992 period was governed by the PPP/C party, punctuated by a PNC-led APNU coalition change from 2015 to 2020. The elections informing the 1992 change saw a return to democracy primarily due to international interventions, with the Carter Center playing a leading role. Guyana had a turnaround in fortunes on the back of hard work and astute PPP/C leadership from three successive terms in office. The period, however, was synonymous with some of the most vicious non-cooperation by PNC and its subsequent coalition politicians, who collectively targeted the suppression of anything progressive for the nation.

Irresponsible Opposition politicians in the National Assembly, based on their one-seat majority, cut several PPP/C Government budgets from the 2011 to 2015 term of office. These actions significantly harmed

national spending for advancing and supporting several critical sectors, while ensuring a breach of several international obligations, such as the amendments to the 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Bill that was time-bound.

They called it collateral damage without care for the created hardships that our citizens undoubtedly had to face. The fact is that these Opposition politicians never really cared about the citizens they were elected to represent.

Editor, Guyana is a living democracy, and our people gained these rights from the hard-fought and bitter struggle for political independence. During the early post-independence struggles, we lived and endured the worst forms of 'rigged elections.' The unforgiving attempt by the PNC and other cohort 'riggers' to steal the democratically elected PPP/C Government in 2020 must never be allowed in our Motherland again.

The PNC+APNU-AFC held this nation to ransom for five long months. The riggers kept their knees on our people's necks. They lived a luxurious life trying to rig the 2020 National Elections without care while the entire world witnessed a free and fair victory by the PPP/C. Of note, officers of the Guyana Police Force investigated and instituted twenty-eight charges against some riggers based on clear-cut evidence gathered from the investigations.

Those dragged before the courts for electoral fraud are out on the streets, and the magistrates' courts appear to be dragging their feet on the trial, as if these treasonous breaches were minor offences.

This Lakhram Bhagirat photo captured the stunning landscape in Kato Village in the North Pakaraimas. It depicts the beautiful Chiung River running through the valleys of Kato

Who will win Trinidad’s local elections?

Dear Editor,

Trinidad holds local elections on Monday, August 14, to choose 141 councillors for 14 local authorities. Some one million voters are registered to vote to choose 141 candidates distributed in fourteen local authorities that vary in size. The local government’s term of office is three years. In the last election, the major parties, PNM and UNC, each won seven.

The UNC should be running away with the election, given the PNM’s unpopularity. The approval rating of the Government is in the 30s percentile; yet, this year’s outcome is unpredictable.

Unlike Guyana, which has 80 local authorities with some 1010 seats, Trinidad has 14 local entities and just 141 seats, all constituency first past the post-based. Each local authority also has four aldermen allocated by PR system similar to

Guyana’s PR.

In Trinidad, there is opposition and distrust in electoral integrity. The ruling PNM last October passed a law to extend the term of office for a year. The law was challenged in court by a voter, contending that Government cannot unilaterally extend the term of councillors. The lower court and Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Government.

The Privy Council, the final court of appeal for Trinidad and Tobago, reversed the Trinidad courts’ ruling last May, forcing the Government to hold elections within three months. Monday’s elections are unpredictable.

Since early July, this writer has been conducting a tracking opinion poll to determine popular support. I have been conducting surveys in Trinidad since the 1980s. The poll has interviewed hundreds of likely

Politicians must be...

They include former Chief Elections Officer

(CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, and former Region # 4, RO Clairmont Mingo, who should not be walking freely on the streets because of their actions during those five long months.

The riggers must be penalised because of the need for us to deter such activities and never experience rigging again in this country. The “riggers” and co-conspirators’ actions are nauseating and despicable. Enabling our people to vote, counting, and certifying the results in any elections must always be transparent and accountable.

Those responsible at the Judiciary decision-level should act to deter such recurrences, given the national impact and threat to civility. The Judiciary must never take such matters lightly. The time is most opportune for this na-

voters since Jack Warner entered the fray on the side of UNC a couple of weeks ago.

Respondents represent the demographic composition of the population. Jack’s entry has energized and excited the UNC base, and has not triggered a similar response from the PNM base. Gary Griffith, former National Security Minister and Police Commissioner, has also shored up the UNC base. Many traditional UNC supporters who were not interested in voting a month ago now indicate they will vote. A month ago, only 30 per cent of the population expressed an interest in casting ballots, with a majority going for the UNC. That turnout number has inched up, with most going to UNC. This could help the UNC in competitive marginal seats in the local authorities of Sangre Grande, San Fernando, Siparia, and Chaguanas.

in Guyana, Trinidad has a first past the post system –the largest number of votes in a constituency wins the seat.

The PNM lost the popular votes in 2019, but won a majority of seats because of the way electoral boundaries were/are drawn. There has not been any shift in boundaries since then. The UNC Alliance has closed the gap with PNM in every seat, except for a handful, where the candidate makes a difference favouring the PNM. So, a low PNM turnout will result in a defeat in a marginal seat.

There are a dozen such seats, making them very close to call. Minor parties are also polling votes, although not enough to win seats. They are the dark horses that could create some upsets and/or impact competitive marginal constituencies.

leads in four seats, with UNC leading in three seats, and two seats are toss-ups. In Grande, PNM and UNC lead in three seats, with two seats being toss-ups.

Turnout is benefitting UNC, because PNM supporters appear turned off and malcontented. If PNM is able to arrest or turn around the apathy, it will retain Sando (5-4, 6-3) and capture Grande, or tie the latter 4-4.

This is a landmark election that will have a significant bearing not only on the local election, but the general election in 2025. If UNC loses, pressure will be on the UNC leader Kamla Persad-

Bissessar to step down. If PNM loses a corporation, it still has two more years in office to rebrand itself. PNM turnout will determine the outcome of the elections, making it unpredictable. Minor parties like NTA, PEP, and PDP are not out of the contest. They could create upsets in safe seats in PNM strongholds because of widespread dissatisfaction, and/or decide the outcome in several marginal seats, including Barataria and seats in Chaguanas, Tunapuna, and elsewhere.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Bulletin should stand

FROM PAGE 4

tion to call on the Judicial Service Commission to intervene and let justice prevail in our “Motherland.” The courts must be able to function in the interest of our democracy.

These fraud cases are before the magistrates’ courts for two long years, and the fraudsters are not called upon to answer for their alleged crimes.

Our President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, charged the newly appointed members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with the responsibility to safeguard the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judicial system, which they must uphold. Hence the JSC must do its best to see that these cases that are languishing in the magistrates’ courts come to light.

The struggle and sacrifices of our people must ensure we have free and fair elections in Guyana.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

Ordinarily, the PNM, which won a majority of seats since 1983 LGE, would easily win more seats overall. But in this election, the ethnic supporters of PNM are very discontented with their party, some 70 per cent telling interviewers of NACTA that they won’t vote. A higher percentage of UNC ethnic supporters, approaching 38%, said they will vote. The ethnic distribution of the population between the two largest groups is almost balanced. This places the UNC at an advantage to win the popular vote. But unlike

The PNM has a better equipped and oiled election-day machinery than the UNC. The challenge it faces is convincing its base to come out to vote. The UNC base is energized and excited, and may not require many vehicle resources to come out to cast ballots.

The latest findings show UNC retaining local authorities in its strongholds – some six of the seven it holds, including in Siparia and Chaguanas. PNM is projected to also retain six of the seven it holds. Sangre Grande and San Fernando are tossups. In San Fernando, PNM

Dear Editor, Out of the jurisdiction, but vehicle used in the committal of an alleged crime. That demands answers and explanations. While he may not be personally involved in the actual execution of the alleged initial harassment of a citizen, which went awry and turned deadly, the fact that personal property was involved, it can be perceived would make the owner complicit, and raises serious questions about involvement.

There has been no claim the vehicle was stolen to

commit the act. Lots of questions, no answers, but only cries of recklessness. Police bulletin.

The compelling, searching question is: how were the executioners able to get hold of the vehicle when the owner is out of the country? It gets weirder with the finding of the vehicle parked in a yard in which the owner of the vehicle and occupant of the yard know each other. Funny situation. The bulletin should stand.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

CARING FOR THE ELDERLY DOG PHYSICAL CHANGES – CONTINUED

ga-3 fatty acids), digestible proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals plays an essential role in maintaining skin and coat health. Always discuss your aging animal’s diet with your veterinarian.

HEARING LOSS (DEAFNESS)

At the commencement of this series, we had mentioned that some of the signs of aging include:

* Decreased strength, flexibility and mobility.

* Reduced tolerance to heat – especially here in the tropics.

* Increased susceptibility to diseases.

* Gradual deterioration of organ functions.

Last week, our discussion centred on the muscles, limbs and joints. Today we shall discuss some of the other physical changes that take place as the dog gets older.

SKIN/COAT

The hair of an older dog mats easily – especially the coat of long-haired breeds. The skin becomes dry and scaly, due to the reduced function of the oil-producing glands. Often, the veterinarian is confronted with small skin tumours. Paw pads become thick, callused and cracked. The skin around the elderly animal’s anal and genital areas becomes pasty and foul smelling, since the stiff old dog may not have the dexterity or energy to cleanse those areas with his/her tongue. The following suggestions should be acted

upon:

* Grooming – more often than usual. Ask the groomer to cut the hair closer to the skin.

* You may wish to bathe the animal at least 2-3 times per month. Use a gentle shampoo. I advise including some Aloe Vera in the final rinse. This helps to soften the skin and keep it in a better condition.

* Claws (toenails) need to be trimmed more often (as is necessary) – bearing in mind that there is no wearing of the claws, since the dog would not be going on long walks.

* A properly-balanced diet of fats (including ome -

Here is some more bad news. Gradual loss of hearing commonly takes place as male and female dogs (and cats) get older, and there is no genuinely successful treatment for senile deafness. Of course, if there is a blockage in the ear canal, causing a partial deficiency of hearing ability, your vet may be able to remove the blockage (causative factor) with medication or sur -

gery. Quickly, in passing, I must mention that certain breeds of dogs, for example the Doberman and the Rhodesian Ridgeback, seem predisposed to deafness during and later in life. Cats with white haircoats and blue irises are commonly affected with deafness – according to

the answer to treating the deaf dog. Of course, if the deafness is caused by an obstruction (eg hardened wax in the ear canal), then the caregiver’s veterinarian would have to be consulted, and he/she will advise on the consequential treatment.

But, again, the bad news:

1) There is no practical treatment for congenital, inherited and nerve-damaged deafness.

2) I have been informed that custom-fit hearing aids are offered overseas by some specialty clinics, but their record of functionality is not very impressive. Also, both dogs and cats would consider these hearing aids as foreign objects, and continuously try to dislodge them.

3) One (the caregiver) must be especially careful when using medication not prescribed by a veterinarian.

the available literature.

Old age is the greatest causative factor leading to deafness in dogs and cats. But there are other risk factors, including:

* Repeated exposure to loud noises.

* Repeated exposure to systemic and topical drugs (chemicals) administered as prophylactic and therapeutic interventions by those who might themselves be under-exposed to the science of healing.

* The genetic predisposition of both dogs and cats, not lastly those whose history shows them to be especially susceptible to external and middle ear infections.

* Dogs and cats born with nerve damage, which only gets worse as the animal ages.

So, what does one do?

Clearly, beating or berating the elderly (or any) animal for not following vocal instructions is not

4) When taking your dog for a walk, keep it on a short leash, especially when near traffic.

5) Before acquiring/ adopting a dog/cat, try as best as possible to obtain the animal from breeding establishments which have records to show that their animals have no history of deafness.

6) Simple and specialized tests can be carried out to ascertain the magnitude of the hearing loss. The veterinarian should be consulted.

7) I would advise that one approaches a proven deaf dog calmly, and with caution. This advice is especially valid if it has been established that the animal also has a vision impairment.

8) Prevent children from startling the animal, so as to minimize the risk of bite injury.

9) Lastly, keep a lookout for obvious (even not so obvious) behavioural/physical changes. Report these to your veterinarian.

Evaluation of oil found at Wei-1 well to be completed within months – Frontera exec

–could see company moving forward with development

Evaluation of oil that

was found in the Corentyne Block in June 2023 by joint venture partners CGX and Frontera Energy, could wrap up within months and the results will be used to inform the company on whether it should make history as the second set of oil companies to start up production in Guyana.

This was revealed during a recent earnings call. Frontera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Orlando Cabrales explained that the rock from the well is currently being analysed in a third-party laboratory to define its net pay. He also announced that what was previously 71 feet of net oil has been updated to 77 feet.

“For the next two months, results will be integrated into the geological and geophysical models, to form an updated view of the entire northern portion of the Corentyne Block. The northern portion of the Corentyne Block (includes) the Kawa-1

and Wei-1 wells.”

“The data is exciting by the definite presence of oil in the Maastrichtian and Campanian and the presence of hydrocarbons in the Santonian. I believe there is significant potential in the block,” Cabrales further added.

Back in June 2023, CGX had announced an oil find in its Corentyne Block Wei1 bypass well, after drilling to a total depth of 20,450 feet. Previously, CGX had drilled the original Wei1 well to a depth of 19,142 feet. The bypass well was intended to further explore the Santonian target for the

well. According to CGX, 71 feet of net oil had previously been encountered.

“Prior to the bypass, the well encountered an aggregate of approximately 71 feet of net oil pay in the secondary target reservoirs in the Maastrichtian and Campanian. Following the bypass, data collected from LWD (Logging While Drilling) and cuttings indicate multiple hydrocarbons shown in the primary target reservoirs in the Santonian interval,” CGX said.

According to CGX, the results from the well are encouraging and data acquisition will be done via wireline logging and core sampling. According to the company, further information will be provided when acquisition and evaluation are done. In the meantime, they further projected that the costs to drill the well has been adjusted.

“Results from the well are consistent with pre-drill expectations. The well has confirmed the company’s

Dept of Co-Ops steps in to protect GPSCCU members against unilateral actions

The fight over the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) continues. Just weeks after the court ruled that new management should oversee the running of the union, the Department of Co-Operative Societies (COOP) of the Ministry of Labour has had to step in to prevent unilateral actions from court-appointed management.

The COOP released a statement on Friday in which it announced its intervention in the management of the GPSCCU, through the election of three new interim positions on the management committee to ensure protection for members’ interests.

“The act is in compliance with Co-operative Societies Act, Chapter 88:01 and the court order in Action No 2022-HC-DEM-CIVFDA-797 which occurred at a meeting held at the Ministry of Labour’s boardroom in the presence of Suresh Jaigobin, Assistant Chief Cooperative Development Officer, Ministry of Labour’s legal officers, and GPSCCU League representatives of and GPSCCU’s Management Committee members,” the department said.

Jaigobin has emphasised that they are not trying to thwart the court order but rather, to address the concerns of other members of management and cred-

it union staff. It was claimed that the court-appointed committee has been making decisions without consulting other members.

“As the supervisory authority, the department decided to take control of the issues in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act and the court ruling,” he explained.

According to the Ministry, the court order did not specify which offices Patrick Mentore, Rajdai Jaggarnath, and Trevor Benn would hold. As a result, two principal positions, Chairman and Secretary, were to be filled, with the remaining position being that of a committee member.

“The position of the Chairman of the Committee was filled in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Co-operative Societies Act. The position of the Secretary of the Committee was appointed in compliance with Regulation 47 of the Cooperative Societies Act.”

“Ms. Jaggernauth was the Treasurer of the Committee and was now elected to act as the Interim Chairman, hence the position of the Treasurer became vacate and was filled in accordance with Regulation 53 of the Cooperative Societies Act.

It was explained that in accordance to the court order, Jaggernauth has been appointed in the position of Chairman, Mentore as Secretary, and Benn as Committee member. It was further explained that Members of the Committee agreed with the decision of the Interim positions appointed at the end of the meeting.”

Special meeting

Meanwhile, in a statement to the media Mehalai McAlmont, one of the applicants in the very case ruled on by Justice Navendra Singh on July 25, 2023, claimed that elements within the GPSCCU continue to not comply with court rulings.

geologic and geophysical assessment of the block. As operations continue, the joint venture has revised its total Wei-1BP1 cost estimates to approximately $190-$195 million to complete the logging runs, finish well operations, and release the rig.”

“The additional costs are primarily due to the lost sampling tool and the drilling of the bypass well. The well was drilled by CGX and Frontera Energy Corporation. CGX holds a 32 per cent participating interest, with Frontera holding the remaining 68 per cent participating interest in the Corentyne Block, offshore

Guyana,” CGX further said.

Back in January 2023, after a postponement back in November 2022, the joint venture partners announced the commencement of drilling activities at the Wei-1 well offshore Guyana in the Corentyne Block.

It had been announced that the Wei-1 well would be drilled in a water depth of approximately 583 metres (1912 feet) to an anticipated total depth of 6248 metres (20,500 feet), approximately 200 kilometres offshore from Georgetown. It was expected to take approximately four to five months for the well to reach total depth.

CGX had explained at the time that the well will target Maastrichtian, Campanian, and Santonian-aged stacked sands within channel and fan complexes in the northern section of the Corentyne Block. Frontera and CGX were initially scheduled to begin drilling the well by November 27, 2022.

Additionally, the <<<Noble Discoverer>>> semi-submersible mobile drilling unit that was slated to spud the well was expected to arrive in Guyana’s waters in October last year.

However, in November, the two companies had announced that an agreement was reached with the Guyana Government to start drilling no later than January 31, 2023, to allow contractor Noble Corp Plc to complete current obligations in Trinidad.

Wei-1 is one of two wells in Guyana’s Corentyne Block that the companies have committed to drill. The other well, Kawa-1, struck light oil and gas condensate in May 2022, though the companies had not said how much oil was found or whether it was commercially viable.

The Wei-1 well is located approximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa1 discovery. (Jarryl Bryan)

– applicant in court case cries foul, claims old CoM continues to influence, hinder work of new management

The Department of Co-Operative Societies (COOP) meeting on Friday, when three new interim positions were filled

Frontera CEO Orlando Cabrales

Sophia shooting incident

3 victims remain hospitalised, Police yet to arrest suspect

Police are yet to arrest an unidentified shooter who opened fire on Tuesday evening in B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, which has left four persons injured.

A Police source on Saturday told Guyana Times that the Police are still investigating the incident, while adding that detectives are yet ascertain the identity of the shooter.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 21:30h and has left Abdool Joshua Kamal, 32, of A Field Sophia; Shellon Collins, 23, of B Field Sophia; Omale

Dick, 27, of Lodge Housing Scheme and Quincy Hoyte, 33, of B Field Sophia, injured. The victims sustained gunshot injuries to various parts of their bodies including the abdomen, face, feet, and arm.

Police stated that the victims were among a crowd that had gathered to witness a fight between two men on the access road. The suspect reportedly approached the crowd and indiscriminately opened fire, thus causing panic.

At the time of the shooting, the suspect was clad in a grey hoodie, a pair of red

and black trousers and is about 6 feet tall and dark in complexion.

Based on Police reports, the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the injured women, Shellon Collins, and another woman, Felicia Thom. Collins has accused Thom of damaging her shop.

Both women informed their respective partners about the incident.

As a result, Collins’s partner, Dion Morris, 24, a labourer, confronted Thom’s partner, Malcolm Hutson, 38, a minibus driver, of B Field Access

Road, and a scuffle broke out.

It was during this commotion that the shooter approached and fired multiple rounds into the crowd surrounding the two men, thus injuring four persons.

After the shooting, the injured were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Kamal received treatment and was discharged, while the other victims remained hospitalised.

At the scene of the incident, eight 9mm spent shell casings were discovered.

…that PNC Congress?

Your Eyewitness just loves a good mystery. But nowadays the genre seems to have withered on the (literary) vine, with the pickings getting slimmer daily. How many times can he reread Agatha Christie, PD James, Sue Grafton, or even hard-boiled Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane? So, he entertains himself with the real-life mysteries that occasionally present themselves as he trawls the dailies for his ruminations. No…he doesn’t get into those philosophical mysteries such as why Granger has pulled a Marlene Dietrich and secluded himself from the paparazzi and adoring fans. Or why – even more mysteriously - Norton seems to be following in his footsteps, even as he didn’t take to the streets as most thought he would. He takes on more mundane cases, like the one presented by a PNC Exec that the party is so broke it can’t come up with the measly $2.4M needed to host the Biennial Congress that’s supposed to be held latest by this December. Heck, there are PNC execs who spring for more than that when they dine at that spot where the steak goes for $70,000 a pop!!

Now, you know your Eyewitness’s interest would be piqued by anything having to do with the PNC Congress!! This was like red meat: “Mystery of the Delayed Congress”. When it was time for the last Congress to be held in December, there were some complaints that it might spoil the Christmas spirit. But that didn’t stop the Congress and the elections for new office bearers, did it? And that offers a clue as to who might have the motive to delay Congress!! Clearly, those who’re in office don’t want the status quo to be changed. And they’d also have the means and the opportunity to commit the crime of delaying Congress!!

But let’s be honest, shall we?? That wasn’t a great mystery to solve, was it?? Especially since we all know that so many long knives have been drawn against the incumbent leader that the poor guy can’t even shake their hands, even if he wanted to!! You know the drill: you shake hands with the guy with the knife; he smiles and hugs you - then stabs you in the back!!

Your Eyewitness believes there will be a PNC Congress this December. If for no other reason than for its members to say to the PPP – as they did the last go around – that they are more ‘democratic’ in choosing their leaders! And that’s a one-upmanship that’s too precious to give up for a party like the PNC, that just can’t shake its antidemocratic tag. Especially after being caught with its hands in the ballot box at the last elections of 2020!!

…the Police?

It is with very good reason that the Police are always in the news. After all, they’re the most ubiquitous arm of the state among the people. Secondly, they’re supposed to maintain “law and order”. Meaning that they have to provide visible deterrence to keep folks from breaking the law. And since laws are only made when folks are already doing something the state figures they shouldn’t be doing, the Police start from a position of being spoilsports! Who doesn’t take “chances” when driving on the roads? But that’s defined as “illegal”, and the Police are there to nab you!

And as with every person and institution, once you give them power, it’s susceptible to being abused. And that’s a fact, Jack! Our problem with our Police began with Burnham and the PNC giving the Police power to harass citizens for all sorts of things back in the dayeven for being caught with bread!!

And with that kind of power, once it’s bestowed, it’s very difficult to take back.

…courtesy?

Did you notice the look of “cow bruk rope” the PNC mayor-elect of Linden gave Pres Ali when he had to shake the latter’s hand after being sworn-in??!! He’s clearly signalling the brothers he’s shaking hands but he’s not a “slave catcher”!!

Dealing with social reality

In the ongoing debate on the merits and demerits of “ethnic” representation by some of our politicians and public intellectuals, those who insist there are specific “ethnic” concerns and issues that must be articulated and represented are dubbed “tribalists”. Now, I have always been deeply offended when this particular term is used in odium, and contrasted with being “nationalist”.

First, it connotes the image of societies that have tribes, especially in Africa, as irredeemably backward and needing to get on with it to become “modern” and develop into a “state”. But what is the modern “nation” - constructed in Europe - but the “tribe” writ large? And which tribe has been more violent than, for instance, those same nations as they fought their “world wars”? Witness the survival of European “tribalism” in the Brexit brouhaha through the different reactions of the English, Scots, Irish, and Welsh, not to mention the expelled Eastern Europeans.

Rather than condemn the phenomenon, therefore, our elite and opinion-makers ought to try to understand the wellsprings of ethnicity and ethnic aspirations – even as we have become a nation of ethnic minorities. The norm of not publicly conceding the pre-eminence of ethnicity in Guyana is one result of the ideological blinders imposed by a Eurocentric scholarship to which most of the opinion-shaping elite still subscribes. Modern social science developed in a Europe that had already ‘solved’ its ethnic problem by transmuting it from a ‘national’ problem into an international one when it formed more or less ethnically homogenous states. “State” and “nation” were generally synonymous to the early European theorists, who focused on economic cleavages rather than ethnic ones, which were peripheral to their reality. The few who did, such as J.S. Mill, pessimistically concluded that: “Free institutions are next to impossible in a country made up of different nationalities”.

The dominance of ethnicity over class in most multiethnic societies does not imply that class is negated; they both exist objectively and subjectively. The two interact dynamically, and as to which preponderates depends on the situation. The transformation of class and ethnicity from analytic categories into social groups is a contingency that involves the same set of actors, where the class and ethnic motives may either conflict or reinforce each other. In multiethnic, multi-class societies such as Guyana, situations that pose perceived threats to the survival of a group, be it violence or domination by other groups, tend to evoke “ethnic” responses, while local economic issues which pose threats at the individual level may evoke a “class” reaction. The lived experience of individuals will determine to which type of group they perceive their fates to be linked, and they will react accordingly.

Ethnicity is particularly susceptible to politicisation, since it fulfills the instrumental economic demands of “class” while simultaneously satisfying the affective, emotional, cultural, and moral needs of its group members (ethnic interests). In a world of scarce resources and all-pervasive governments, ethnic political entrepreneurs do not find it difficult to persuade fellow group members that their economic interests are better served if their group controls the state. The affirmation of themselves as a people, and the economic interest served, mutually reinforce each other.

Ethnicity is based on the perception by a group that it possesses common traits, primarily cultural and ascriptive, and common origins, which taken together make them distinctive from other groups. Objectively, when, as in Guyana, the ethnic groups are from different phenotypical “races”, the exclusiveness of each group is intensified as the cultural markers of different religions, mores, and social institutions become reinforced by the disparate racial characteristics of skin colour, hair texture, etc…

The cultural basis of ethnicity – tied to identity - makes it impossible to compartmentalize from other aspects of life - political, social, and economic. Instead of disappearing, as most had postulated, the opposite has occurred with ethnicity, as modern man searches for meaning, struggles against atomization, and seeks transcendence. ‘The ethnic group is the only social institution that defines and accepts persons for what they are, and not by what they do’.

Subjectively, the individual’s perception of self and identity is formed in the early years of socialization, when typically, the ethnic markers themselves become a part of the individual’s identity. In our estimation, therefore, political and other leaders have to acknowledge the legitimacy of ethnic concerns, and deal with them objectively, rather than pretending that they are distasteful and must be swept under a rug. Even within a “multi-racial” party, this must be demonstrated. Ethnic caucuses anyone?

Use experience from Youth Parliament 2023 to safeguard democracy, make crucial decisions – McCoy

Returning for its eighth year, Youth Parliament 2023 opened on Saturday, offering 86 young people the opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills while working to find solutions to key political, social, and economic issues.

During the opening ceremony at the Chamber of the Public Buildings, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy emphasised the role Youth Parliament plays in improving the debating skills of young people on critical issues affecting them and the country.

“Our Youth Parliament

has always provided a forum for young Guyanese to develop and express their opinions

on societal topics in a kind and positive environment where they are all embraced,

mentored, and provided a platform to debate and jointly brainstorm on the possible solutions to a wide range of current challenges,” McCoy said.

“To our young people, your participation in Youth Parliament holds tremendous benefits. You take so much more back with you to your communities, homes, schools, and other parts of your life,” the Minister added.

He stated that in his own experience, he has observed participants learning to recognise and respect different perspectives as well as become more confident in expressing their views publicly.

Ravi Dev

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy

Use experience from Youth Parliament...

These are crucial skills, he said, which are needed, with Guyana being in the midst of unprecedented accelerated growth in both oil and non-oil sectors.

The Minister expressed his belief that as this development continues, there are a number of young people committed and ready to seize available opportunities to make tough decisions and safeguard the country’s democracy.

“We have, in our midst, young people who are able to formulate plans for the participation in our oil economy, while championing the adaptation of modern approaches to traditional sectors of agriculture, health and education,” McCoy said.

Meanwhile, Speaker

of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir explained that parliamentary democracy is built on a foundation of persons having a voice and being able to use it, while also being a system of majoritarian rule.

“So, if you’re a minority, you have to work even harder to convince more persons so you could end up in the majority – to convince them of your views but more particularly must be done in an orderly fashion with respect for each other’s rights. You have a right to speak, a right to associate with people of your own views and a right to democracy,” Nadir said.

“If we can do things in an orderly fashion, if we can do things with respect to each other, we will make more

progress,” Nadir added.

The 86 young people participating in this year’s Youth Parliament were selected from a series of debates held under the Speaker’s Youth Debating Competition throughout the country over the past few months.

In July, the competition concluded with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Young Influencers team securing the coveted win.

Before the sittings of the Youth Parliament on August 17 and 18, participants will be receiving mentorship and relevant information on the role of the Parliament, as well as public speaking skills. (Pooja Rambaran)

Opening of Youth Parliament 2023

Newly-crowned Miss Caribbean Culture Queen, Shemina Peroune, returned to local shores on Friday, and re-

ceived a warm welcome when she arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, EBD.

The Guyanese beauty

outshone her competitors to cop the title in St Kitts and Nevis on Monday evening before a massive Guyanese contingent of spectators.

The 20-year-old Aeronautical Engineering student dazzled the Caribbean crowd with her poise, eloquence, talent and beauty; won the award for the Best Interview, and was also deemed Miss Photogenic at the pageant. She plans to utilise her platform to promote women’s empowerment against the backdrop of regional integration.

“My platform for the Guyana Culture Queen pageant was ‘women empowerment’, and now that I have a greater platform of Caribbean integration, a regional platform, I intend to ensure that I play a role in strengthening regional integration, and I intend to do so through past and future queens, through the creation of a body,” she explained.

She is encouraging other young women to exercise their full potential despite what challenges may befall them.

“I would say try to make spaces in rooms that you are not welcome in, and that competition is always within. Strive to always com-

pete with yourself, and not the persons around you,” Peroune has urged.

Peroune says she is incredibly grateful for these successes, and has credited her family, friends, and team as a valuable support system.

When asked to describe the environment on the island of Nevis and the overall experience, she commended the hospitality of both the delegates and the members of the committee, adding that their beauty and hospitality mirror that of Guyana. She also shared her appreciation for the bonds forged with the other delegates.

TURN TO PAGE 14

Miss Caribbean Culture Queen, Shemina Peroune

Meanwhile, the Franchise Holder, Fashion Designer Randy Madray, has said the experience was an exciting journey that saw hard work from all parties involved.

“It became much larger than what we anticipated, and I am very grateful for the very experienced, professional, and dynamic team that I

had. The people on my team were all experts in pageantry, and I think that is what made this such an amazing

success. We knew that we had the ability to achieve the crown,” he has said.

He added that the overarching aim going forward is to ensure that this platform promotes Caribbean Culture, and that the new Queen is robustly involved in advancing this agenda.

“We want to ensure that we uphold the mandate of high standards, and promote and market our culture. In this case, the aim is to ensure that we integrate the Caribbean’s true culture,” he disclosed.

The Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant saw contestants from nine Caribbean countries competing in a variety of categories, including interviews, talent, swimwear, evening wear, and question and answer.

Shemina Peroune with Franchise holder Randy Madray and a staff member

The welcoming contingent at the CJIA on Friday

R6. The previous record of 1:19.3s was also set by him back in March 2023. In addition, he holds the best time at the 2016 Caribbean Super Bike championship. This phenomenal young racer was born on June 11,

fore completing his secondary education at the School of the Nations.

Confident, straightforward and outgoing, this young man enjoys riding motorbikes, swimming, playing billiards, and

spending a lot of time at

As a young man growing up, his role models were superbike rider Valentino Rossi, F-1 racer Michael Schumacher and footballer Lionel Messi. He got involved in motor racing at the age of 12 through his father, who also is a household name in the racing fraternity. He started by racing go-karts, but has evolved into one of the best in the superbike category.

He has represented Guyana in Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica, but his most memorable race meet was in May of 2018, while representing Guyana in Jamaica at the Jam West Circuit, which is also one of his favourite tracks. He had secured a qualifying time one day prior to the grand event, but was not sure about the outcome. On race day, however, he found his confidence and knack, and went on to win the “Champion

In fact, he is the only Guyanese rider to win races in all three countries, and he describes the experience as overwhelming, since he is conscious that he was representing his country. Those accolades did not come without competition.

“My biggest competitors are: my cousin Stephen Vieira; he has been in the

sport a lot longer than me, and he’s unpredictable. Then there is Kevin Persaud, who comes out every race meet and maintains his consistency,” the young man told Guyana Times.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

He describes motor racing as hav ing evolved over the years in Guyana, and says he is confident it would con tinue to get better. He notes that a lot of people have the talent to do good, but says the sport is quite expensive.

“With sponsorships, miracles can happen and dreams can come true,” he has explained. On this note, he dis closed that the new track at the South Dakota Circuit has become one of his favourites, and he describes it as “physically demanding.”

Although racing is his sport, he still needs to work to earn a living, which can be somewhat challenging.

“It’s really hard to balance work, play, and racing. Because I

catch a movie with his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, he is advising young people who might want to join the sport to grasp the opportunities when they present themselves.

“Don’t wait for it; get up and push for whatever you want! It may take time, but the fact is time is moving very fast, and the reality is no one is going to give you what you want, so get up and go look for your opportunity! And also respect and honesty go a far way in the business,” he has advised.

The Guyanese champion rider and his team have a unique way of celebrating every

win.

“Even though we have won a lot of races, we still get super excited; because we work hard, even late at night, to train. Also, there is a lot of teasing among competitors, but in the end, we look out for each other and push each other to our fullest potential,” the young man explained as he grinned.

In ten years’ time, he sees himself helping out the younger generation and promoting motor racing in Guyana.

On a lighter note, his favourite colour is red, and he loves steak with baked potatoes. He also loves to go clubbing and meeting new and interesting people.

Flashback! Matthew during his professional go-kart days

Guyana’s First Son Zayd Ali may be small in age, but

he is being hailed as big in heart, as his second lemonade sale has earned some

$3.4 million for animal welfare. The lawns of State

House on Main Street, Georgetown were transformed into a play park for scores of children and parents who supported the charity event. Amenities included bouncy castles, swings, slides, and face-painting, but the main attraction was the neatly packaged lemonade cups and bottles with a photograph of the First Son.

With the sun’s rays beaming through the trees, the children undoubtedly had a grand time. The aroma from the snacks and fruits also added that special touch to the fami-

ly-oriented activity.

And at the end of it all, a whopping $3.4 million was raised and handed over to the Tails of Hope and Paws for a Cause, to assist them in caring for animals who were neglected or strayed.

In fact, First Lady Arya Ali was all smiles as she boasted about Zayd’s love

for animals, which has definitely inspired him to hold such an event. The first event, which was held in March, raised some 1.5 million, which was subsequently handed over to the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).

President Dr Irfaan Ali, First Lady Arya Ali and First Son Zayd Ali

A representative from Tails of Hope receiving the donation from First Lady Arya Ali

A representative of Paws for a Cause receiving the donation from First Lady Arya Ali

The First Lady was elated at the success of this event, while assuring that the funds will be used for their intended purpose –which is to take care of the animals at both Tails of Hope and Paws for a Cause. Each of these non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has received $1.7 million.

The Director of Paws for a Cause, Ravin Chandrapaul, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the First Family for

organizing such an event to raise funds to help animals. This NGO has been revered for its work over the years in the realm of animal rights advocacy. A representative from Tails of Hope also shared similar sentiments.

This fundraising event saw a massive outpouring of support from Guyanese of all walks of life, as they joined with the First Family in support of this noble cause.

The First Lady thanked

everyone who came out and supported her son with his vision for protecting animal rights here in Guyana, and implored their continued support of the venture.

Those desirous of getting on board and supporting the First Family can do so by making contact with the Office of the First Lady.

Animal welfare is everyone’s business, and all are therefore invited to join the noble cause; and more so, support young Zyad Ali and his love for animals.

Children having a grand time at the event

Persons purchasing goodies at the lemonade sale

National Youth Camp underway at Kuru Kuru

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken and Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Calvin Brutus on Saturday took a drive to the Kuru Kuru Training College along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where the National Youth Camp is

underway.

During their visit, they met and interacted with scores of youths currently participating in the camp organised by the Men on Mission (MoM) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the auspices of President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Hicken along with

Brutus and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Officer and MoM representative, Earl Edghill also met with the youth leaders to ensure the camp is running smoothly and to ensure that young people benefit from designed programmes.

Children at the camp

1000 vulnerable women, girls to benefit from hygiene packages

Aiming to continue protecting the health rights and well-being of vulnerable communities across the country, Merundoi Incorporated on Friday presented the Health Ministry

with female hygiene packages to aid some 1000 women and girls across the country.

Forming part of the European Union’s (EU) “Promoting Sustainable Livelihood for Vulnerable

Groups” project, these packages include sanitary napkins, soap, deodorant and dental hygiene products.

During the simple handing over ceremony, Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr

Dept of Co-Ops steps in to...

FROM PAGE 7

According to him, these officials did not comply with the September 30, 2022 ruling of Justice Singh that an SGM must be held by October 24, 2022. And despite being taken to court for contempt, he claimed that they are again trying to not comply with Justice Singh’s latest ruling.

He laid a hefty portion of the blame at the feet of the Chief Cooperative Development Officer (CCDO) – one of his claims being that attempts were made to obstruct and even remove certain court-appointed managers of the credit union, who include Mentore, Jaggernauth, and Benn.

McAlmont also claimed that members of the old Committee of Management (CoM), who were removed by Justice Singh’s orders, continue to attempt to influence the affairs of the GPSCCU and hinder the work of new management, even if it means further ignoring the court order

and the wishes of over 2000 members of the Credit Union.

“Additionally, we were told that instructions were passed to retrieve all financial documents which are being audited in an effort to derail the audit that was ordered by the court-appointed persons. We are deeply saddened that the membership of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union will continue to suffer if this issue is not quickly resolved,” he also said.

Back in July 2022, McAlmont was an applicant in the case brought against the members of the Committee of Management (CoM) of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union Ltd (GPSCCUL), seeking to force them to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) under certain conditions.

On September 30, 2022, Justice Navendra Singh had ruled on the side of the applicants and ordered that the SGM be held no later than

October 24, 2022, under certain specific conditions, including the utilisation of the same mechanism used to conduct the GPSCCU’s 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

However, because the CoM did not comply with the September 30 ruling, contempt proceedings were brought against them. On July 25, 2023, more than nine months after Justice Singh made his first orders, the court sat to hear the contempt motion.

Stating that none of his orders were carried out by the CoM, the Judge ordered that the Committee members be removed from their position and not be allowed to conduct any business on behalf of the credit union. The Judge had further ordered that Patrick Mentore, Rajdai Jaggernauth, and Trevor Benn be appointed to manage the affairs of the credit union. (G-3)

Ramsammy

that improving menstrual hygiene is a major public health challenge, not just within Guyana but on a global scale.

“More than 60 per cent of adolescent girls have no access to menstrual hygiene support because their families can’t afford it. In some cases, it’s not just an affordability issue – it’s an awareness and education issue,” Ramsammy said.

As such, the Health Ministry has embarked on a mission to improve menstrual hygiene, education, awareness and access to products countrywide.

“Last year, $50 million was invested in menstru-

al health, for menstrual hygiene products in the country. There is a package of products that we now include in our national formulary,” Ramsammy said.

“And we are supposed to ensure that sooner than later that the annual procurement of medicine and medical supplies include the procurement of sanitary pads, etc, for distribution through the health centres,” Ramsammy said.

Dr Ramsammy extended appreciation to Merundoi Incorporated and the EU for their generous donation, noting that this is a key step towards ensuring that every girl and woman in Guyana has access to menstrual hy-

giene products.

Programme ManagerCooperation Section within the Delegation of the EU to Guyana, Federico Esteban Suarez reaffirmed the organisation’s support for bettering this aspect of healthcare provision within the country.

“We are very happy to work together with the civil society and the Government on this very important initiative and we are sure that this will help a lot of people. That is the goal of the programme – to be realistic and to be concrete. And of course, we are always available to work together with the civil society and the Government of Guyana,” Suarez said.

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, receiving a donation of female hygiene packages from Merundoi Incorporated and the European Union

highlighted

20,000 scholarships’ target achieved 2 years ahead of PPP manifesto promise

The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme has already exceeded its 20,000 target in less than three years, some two years ahead of its manifesto promise.

President Dr Irfaan Ali made this announcement on Thursday, while speaking to reporters at an event, noting the significant progress made thus far in fulfilling the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) campaign manifesto.

“In less than three years, the GOAL scholarship programme has surpassed its 20,000 scholarships and that was our commitment in five years,” Ali said.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained that so far, some

21,000 scholarships have been issued in an initiative that will continue to expand.

“We’re not stopping here. It has really afforded persons who couldn’t imagine getting a chance to go to university and then a foreign university [with the opportunity] to do their degrees and PhDs and Master’s. It’s changing lives right before us,” Manickchand said.

“A lot of why this is useful is that people continue working. So, all of the teachers that are under this programme – we have more than 2000 on GOAL scholarships doing different things – are still in classrooms so as they learn, they’re transferring that knowledge to a large number of students every day,” Manickchand said.

Manickchand explained that the types of scholarships offered through the programme have evolved over the years to meet the needs of the country.

“When we first started [the programme], the first year, it was very traditional – the kinds of topics and areas. But we have specifically searched for what might be the needs of the country in tourism, in counselling, in enhancing teachers,” Manickchand said.

“We’re teaching teachers to teach reading with the University of West Indies (UWI). So, we’ve really tried not to do just traditional accounts and management and so on,” Manickchand said.

Since its inception in 2021, the GOAL scholarship programme has been providing Guyanese coun-

National Youth Camp...

trywide with the opportunity to increase their skills, knowledge and qualifications to improve their economic and self-development. Last year, the Government distributed 167 GOAL scholarships in Region One (BarimaWaini); 558 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 1429 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 3090 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 635 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), while 894 persons benefitted in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 191 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 46 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), and 143 and 527 in Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), respectively.

This year, $1.8 million

was allocated in the 2023 National Budget towards advancing the programme.

Offered by a number of international institutions, the GOAL pro-

gramme includes courses on Marketing, Journalism, Industrial Safety, Animation and VFX, Cybersecurity and Data Science.

FROM PAGE 20

Top Cop being updated on the camp

The National Youth Camp is being held under the theme “Embracing Diversity and Empowering Youths for One Guyana” with the main objective of educating them in a fun and recreational environment whilst promoting social development.

The camp commenced on August 11 and is slated to conclude on August 25,

2023. For the duration of the camp, the youths will be engaged in Arts and Crafts, Sports, Empowerment Talk, Poetry/Drama, Artistry, Robotics, Tours, Debate Sessions, Public Speaking, Mind Mapping Decision Making, Devotion, Developing Listening Skills, Emotional Intelligence Training, Tye-Dye, Culture

Show, Hygiene Health Talks, Wilderness Survival Training, Talent Show, Career Decision, Dance Competition, Mentorship Games, Time Management, Treasure Hunt, Singing Competition, Performing Skills and many more.

The National Youth Camp caters to youths between the ages of eight and 14.

Less than two weeks before the hosting of Guyana’s premier event - International Building Expo 2023, over 70 per cent of booths have been scooped up by companies eager to showcase their products and services.

This was revealed by Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, who provided an update on the televised Guyana Dialogue programme. She explained that the goal is to make this year’s expo better than last year’s while maintaining the authenticity of the event.

Themed, “Building For All: One Guyana, Many Opportunities,” this year’s Building Expo is being held from August 24-27 at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

“We have sold so far, about 70 per cent of all the booths as of a few days ago. I believe it is more than that now. Those booths are gone. We have a lot of interest in Building Expo because of the reputation.

We’re trying to keep it authentic,” she outlined.

This event encourages companies within the building sector to display their services, thereby providing networking opportunities and fostering collaboration among local and foreign investors.

“We’re trying to attract people in the construction sector so that people who are coming to the expo have an opportunity to see as much as possible, building materials, new building technology, meeting contractors that can help them with home improvement.”

The “Dream Realised” housing programme will form part of the Building Expo this year, where some 2000 house lots will be allocated within the course of two days.

“We will have all of the financial institutions there as well so that people can consult with the banks. Those who received their house lot recently go to the expo and have the opportunity to consult with the banks there and insurance companies and have a one-on-

one. A lot of these companies usually have very good deals during the time of the expo that people can take advantage of.”

Guyana held its first Building Expo in August 2010. It was an initiative by President Dr Irfaan Ali, while he was Housing Minister, aimed at creating connections between local businesses and other regional and international companies.

Last year’s expo – the first after some seven years – featured the participation of 356 local, regional, and international companies of which at least 25 were foreign companies, including some from the Caribbean – Suriname, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados along with others from the United States, Canada, and Ghana. During the expo, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) also executed its allocation of 5000 house lots through its “Dream Realised” programme as well as the distribution of over 500 land titles and transports.

Citizens taking advantage of the initiative

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Over 70% of booths for Int’l Building Expo sold – Min Rodrigues – says 2000 house lots will be awarded to citizens

Preparations are underway for Building Expo 2023

CXC preliminary results to be released on August 24 – requests for early results now open

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has announced that preliminary results for the 2023 examinations will be released on August 24.

On the day of the release, candidates may visit CXC’s Online Student Portal and log on to access their preliminary results. Results for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) are highly anticipated in Guyana, as it determines whether the country would have retained its top spot for both disciplines.

However, CXC will be facilitating requests for the

early release of results up to August 17, 2023.

Candidates may request Early Results Release for tertiary institution applications. This process allows results to be sent quickly to universities or colleges when preliminary exam results are released.

Early Results Release requests may be submitted online at https://www. cxc.org/request-transcriptorder-form during the Transcript order process.

“During the checkout process, candidates should indicate ‘Early Release’ in the notes section, to allow for expedited processing. Transcripts are not delivered to individuals, only organisations such as edu-

cational institutions, evaluation agencies, and prospective employers,” CXC stated in a media release.

This year, there was a leak of the CSEC Mathematics Examination paper in Jamaica which has led to a probe being initiated. In addition, at least the papers for nine subjects were also leaked in the same country. The Council made a decision that tests would continue as scheduled.

While the CXC CEO was unable to identify which specific countries the leak extended to, he explained that with the use of technology and common chat groups that involve students from multiple coun-

New Micobie Secondary School to accommodate students affected by Mahdia fire

dormitory, claiming the lives of 19 female students and a five-year-old boy, and almost entirely destroying the building.

This dormitory usually housed 59 students from Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapao, given the lack of secondary schools in the individual communities.

Manickchand explained that affected parents have expressed their resistance towards seeing another dorm reconstructed on the original land.

“The parents have been very clear to us. They don’t want a dorm rebuilt at that location.

I don’t know necessarily a conclusive position on whether they would accept a dorm generally, perhaps not at that location,” Manickchand said.

tries, it is likely that a number of countries may have gained access to the paper prior to the exam.

Last year, two Guyanese emerged as the most outstanding overall performers at CAPE and CSEC. Atishta Seenarine of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School, who gained 18 Grade Ones, was the Caribbean’s most outstanding CAPE student.

Uotam Heeralall of Anna Regina Multilateral School was the Region’s best-performing student at CSEC, having attained 25 Grade Ones.

In addition, Ramoll Baboolall, who gained 25 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, and Daniel Dowding, who gained 22 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos, were Guyana’s second and third

best-performing students, respectively, at CSEC. For 2022, a total of 10,368 candidates from Guyana registered for this CSEC examination as opposed to 9808 in 2021. For CAPE, a total of 671 candidates from 12 secondary schools and four private centres sat the exams. In 2021, there were 723 candidates.

Suspect in Haslington fatal stabbing arrested, confesses to crime

Just two days after fatally stabbing his friend, Eric Fraser also called “50 Cent” during an argument at Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), the suspect, Terrence Sam, has turned himself in.

Guyana Times understands that Sam, also known as "Poke Eye," a 51-year-old security guard from Haslington, ECD, surrendered himself at the Brickdam Police Station. He was then taken to the Cove and John Police Station, where he was subjected to a video interview.

During the interview, he confessed to the act under caution and was subsequently taken into custody.

Anew secondary school will be constructed at Micobie, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), as the Government remains committed to aiding communities in the aftermath of the fatal fire at the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory back in May.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand stated that work on the design of the school is currently underway, with it expected to accommodate 150 to 200 students.

In the interim, Grades

Nine, 10 and 11 students who were housed at the Mahdia Secondary School dorm were presented with the option of attending President’s College in the academic year.

“Micobie Secondary is going to be built for the other students as well as those 29 students who just finished Grade Six,” Manickchand said.

“Primary Tops are going to be open and resourced in Chenapao and possibly El Paso,” she added.

On May 21, a fire engulfed the Mahdia Secondary School girls’

Following the tragic fire, the Government has been offering medical and mental health support as well as financial assistance in the form of a $5 million sum given to each family of the 20 children who died.

Meanwhile, the members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) were on Thursday sworn in before President Dr Irfaan Ali to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the event and make recommendations to ensure it does not reoccur.

A fifteen-year-old student was charged with 20 counts of murder for her alleged involvement in the fire, with initial reports indicating previous altercations with the school’s administration.

Based on Sam's confession, the altercation occurred between the now deceased Fraser and the suspect at Mogo Barbershop in Haslington North. The argument was reportedly rooted in an old grievance between the two.

In a fit of rage, Sam whipped out a knife and stabbed Fraser in the groin. The victim collapsed and was urgently transported to the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation for medical attention, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.

Eyewitnesses on Friday told this publication that the two men were friends and that earlier in the day, they were embroiled in an argument. The exact cause of the disagreement remains unknown.

However, it was during the course of that confrontation that Sam attempted to

stab Fraser, but the victim managed to disarm him. The dispute seemingly subsided, and both men, along with their friends, were present at the barber shop.

Fraser reportedly left briefly but returned, leading to yet another altercation during which he was fatally stabbed.

After receiving the stab wound, Fraser ran to his yard, and collapsed.

Remains of the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory after the May fire

Dead: Eric Frazer Suspect: Terrence Sam, known as "Poke Eye"

Region 5 residents to get land titles after decades of waiting

The Guyana Government, through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), have commenced a land registration exercise in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), intended to provide families with a Certificate of Title for lands they have been occupying for decades.

This exercise will benefit residents of Number 3, Number 4, and Number 5 Villages on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB).

On Saturday, Legal

Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall met with the residents and explained that the exercise commenced over a decade ago, beginning at Cotton Tree village, WCB, and is now being extended to the neighbouring villages.

He informed the residents that the Cotton Tree village exercise is about to be completed and as such, focus will be placed on other villages. In his address to the residents, he explained the importance of having a formal legal title for the lands.

“It is this legal instrument that will allow each title holder to lawfully transmit this land to their heirs and beneficiaries. It is this instrument that will lawfully allow for the lands to be sold and for the purchasers to receive a title and it is this instrument that will allow for the lands to be used as collateral for borrowing at commercial banks and lending institutions,” he said.

“While many are pontificating publicly about empowering people, pontification without action is nothing but empty rheto-

ric. What our Government is doing is not merely talking, but delivering real empowerment to people. I must emphasise that it is the Government that will be bearing almost all the costs in this exercise. The beneficiaries of these titles in the end will pay little or nothing but will get a Certificate of Title for their lands after living as glorified squatters for generations,” he added.

Nandlall also shared that the citizens’ cooperation is crucial for the process to be completed. This entails supporting the

GL&SC so that the lands can be properly surveyed and demarcated.

“You are to assist and cooperate with the sworn land surveyors from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission who will begin work in your community. It will entail a survey of the entire block of the village as well as an occupational survey of each house lot. It may involve persons being required to adjust their fences in order to have clear ingress and egress to streets in the community as well as to bring alignment to persons’ proper-

ty that may extend beyond its lawful boundaries,” he said.

The citizens expressed their gratitude to the Government of Guyana for this initiative and they thanked President Irfaan Ali and his team.

Also in attendance at the engagement were Member of Parliament for Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), Faizal Jaffarally; Vice Chairman Rion Peters and other officials. Leading the team from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission was Rene Duesbury.

GuySuCo set to achieve 60,858 MT sugar production for 2023 – as Albion/Port Mourant Estate surpasses target

ference in the objective of the corporation in surpassing the 60,000 MT benchmark for 2023.

This week, the Albion/ Port Mourant Estate surpassed its weekly production target for the second time since the commencement of the second crop of 2023.

The estate recorded an increase in its ability to supply canes to the factory as a result of the 70 per cent turnout of harvesters this week. According to GuySuCo, workers so far have responded positively to a better cane yield in the field, an incentive scheme that is motivating greater productivity, and a stable industrial relations climate.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation is on its way towards achieving a target of 60,858 metric tonnes of sugar for 2023, as the industry picks up pace amid robust strides to revive production.

It comes on the heels of Albion/Port Mourant Estate in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), surpassing weekly sugar production targets for the second time since the commencement of the second crop of 2023.

With Rose Hall Estate commencing grinding operations in late September 2023, this will further strengthen the industry’s production capacity.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the sugar company, Sasenarine Singh related, “The investment of over $17 billion in the field and factory during the last three years funded by the Government of Guyana have started to show some of the expected results de-

spite the entire project to rebuild the largest estate at Albion was constrained by the great floods of 2021.”

He further lauded efforts to overcome the flood crisis of 2021, and their efforts to plant the canes in 2022, which has culminated in the opportunity to now harvest better quality canes in 2023 and produce more sugar.

According to Singh, workers at all estates and the Demerara Sugar Terminal have made a dif-

These factors have enabled the estate to achieve its target for the second time since grinding operations began and will boost the income of workers at Albion Estate, who have worked a minimum of eighty per cent of the days available for the week the target was achieved. This will earn them an additional day’s pay through GuySuCo’s Weekly Production Incentive (WPI) programme.

Estate Manager Yudhisthira Mana shared, “Our success is attributed to our team’s unwavering commitment and the implementation of advanced harvesting techniques. Additionally, favourable weather conditions have played a pivotal role in our accomplishments. We are immensely proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing our pursuit of excellence to achieve this crop’s target.”

The Albion/Port Mourant Estate is slated to produce 47 per cent of the expected sugar production in this second crop to meet the annual target.

Final adjustments are

being made to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, as it will be making a comeback by mid-September to recommence sugar production. The Government’s efforts to reopen the Rose Hall Estate saw a whopping $1.1 billion being expended this year to have the facility up and running. A summary of the major works included both civil and structural interventions – including rehabilitation of the cane gantry, pre-milling, milling, boiler and process house roofing. There was also the replacement of a vacuum pan, condenser structures, a chimney, and servicing of all equipment. (Rupa Seenaraine)

Residents at the meeting at Number Five Primary School

AG Nandlall addressing the residents in the presence of other officials

GuySuCo’s Albion/Port Mourant Estate

Banks DIH Guyana Cup horse-race meeting…

Slingerz acquire Brazilian horses for today’s challenge

Efforts to dethrone

Alado today in the feature race of the Banks DIH Guyana Cup have intensified, with the Slingerz Racing Stables sourcing their steeds from Brazil for this marquee event, in which $10M is involved.

This is the first time ever in the history of the Guyana Cup that horses from Brazil would be mounting such a challenge to a local race horse.

Top steeds El Tarzan, Queen Domina and John Bull, representing the Slingerz Stables, will race out of stalls 1, 5 and 7 as they aim to overthrow defending champion Alado of the Master Z Racing Stables.

In a chat with Guyana Times Sport, Javed Ali of the Slingerz Stables shared why the stables went to Brazil in pursuit of what they hope to be their championship-winning horses.

“We were looking for horses for the Guyana Cup this year, because last year was our first year and we imported from Miami. We look at the different options, the different type of horses that can suit our environment. We had a friend in Brazil that said there’s good horses there, and we could get them at good prices. So, we took the trip to the Brazil

Cup in Rio de Janeiro,” Ali explained.

“We were impressed, very impressed with the horses and what they have going on over there. The connections that we got over there was good; the trainers we met, they had some good horses, so we decided to take the chance, ‘cause we like what we saw. So, we decided to go that route and bring the horses from Brazil.”

Detailing some of the features that caught the attention of the Slingerz Stables, Ali noted that the decision was ultimately up to the Stables’ trainer. He divulged, “How they adopted to the tracks, the races over there, the timings that they did, the sizes of the horse - very big horses in

Rutherford brandishing Cricket Zone USA’s E4 at CPL 2023

Big-hitting

Guyanese batter Sherfane

Eviston Rutherford has signed with the E4 brand out of Cricket Zone USA ahead of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2023.

The destructive lefthander, who will turn out for St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, confirmed the partnership on Friday evening when he met with proprietor of Cricket Zone USA, Ravi Etwaroo, at the store in Castle Hill Avenue, New York.

Rutherford has vowed to represent the brand with excellence, while urging his fellow cricketers to try E4.

“For CPL 2023, I

it out, and to support the brand,” Rutherford has said. “Looking forward to CPL, and I just can’t wait to use the E4. It’s customised for

Rutherford, with an emblem of praying hands and a rosary carrying the name ‘Orin’ as a tribute to his late father, who passed away in September 2021.

size. From the trainer’s perspective, the features that caught his eye, he said, ‘You know, we should take the chance’.”

Quizzed by this publication about today’s big race at the Rising Sun Turf Club and the intention of the stables to win it all, Ali affirmed that winning is always the goal of Slingerz.

He confidently shared, “Definitely! The goal is always to win! That’s what we love! We love to compete, we love these kinds of stages, the big stage. Guyana Cup is the biggest horse race in Guyana, and winning the Guyana Cup definitely would be good for us.”

The feature race in today’s Guyana Cup is set for 17:30hrs. (Jemima Holmes)

will be using the new big brand that’s going to take over world cricket - the E4. I urge you guys to try

me, and it can be done for you too.”

The back of the E4 bat has been customised for

Mt Sinai and Whim CC benefit from BCB Outreach programme - Karran Ramsammy elected President of Whim CC

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to seek ways to lift the standard of cricket in the Ancient County. The BCB under the presidency of Hilbert Foster has, over the last six years, invested heavily into youth development, and recently donated cricket equipment and other much needed items to clubs across the county who have youths in their membership.

The latest club to benefit has been the Mt Sinai CC, which received a set of junior cricket gear that had been requested, while the Whim CC also benefitted from the receipt of items donated towards an upcoming fund-raising event. Cricket coach Joel Amsterdam had sought the assistance of Foster for some junior gear for the New Amsterdam club, and the BCB President positively replied in quick time.

Amsterdam explained that the items were needed to allow the club to play in the upcoming BCB under-13 tournament, which is being sponsored by West

Indies white-ball allrounder Romario Shepherd. The BCB President handed over batting gloves, batting pads, wicketkeeping pads and gloves, along with several school bags. He wished the club all the best in the future, and reassured Amsterdam that the BCB under his leadership would continue to be there to assist as much as possible.

Foster noted that the club has benefitted from the hard work of his administration in the past, and has re-

ceived items such as cricket balls, catching cribs, grass cutter, educational grant for members, school bags, scorebooks, water pitcher, practice nets and food hampers, among other things.

The Mt Sinai CC has also benefitted from the services of a cricket coach on a daily basis under the BCB Coaching programme. Foster congratulated Amsterdam for his hard work at the club, and has urged him to uphold his high standards.

Amsterdam, in brief re-

sponse, expressed thanks to the BCB for the timely response, and stated that his club is one of the few that play in all BCB junior tournaments at the under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 levels.

Foster pledged his continued support in the future, noting that he is fully committed to the development of all cricketing talents in the county.

Meanwhile cricket administrator Karran Ramsammy has been elected President of the Whim

Cricket Club. Ramsammy, a University of Guyana graduate, was elected in the presence of Foster and the Chairman of the Whim NDC, Omeshar Srikishun. His deputies are Vicky Samaroo and Tameshwar Harinarine, while Tony Sookraj is club secretary.

Foster handed over a collection of school bags and a designer watch and hampers for a fundraising match. Foster had earlier donated cricket balls, trophies, practice nets and catching cribs to the club, which has produced players like Veersammy Veerapen and the Nagamootoo brothersMahendra and Vishal.

Foster urged the executives of the club to always place the interest of the game and youths above selfish motives. He reassured the executives of his continued support, and expressed confidence in the leadership of Ramsammy. The new president hailed the positive movement of Berbice cricket under Foster’s leadership, and said Whim is happy to play its part.

Etwaroo, a cricket fanatic and successful Guyanese businessman, welcomed the all-rounder as an official ambassador of E4, and wished him well in CPL 2023, which bowls off on August 16 in St. Lucia.

Etwaroo said Cricket Zone USA and E4 are always seeking avenues to support the growth and development of cricketers, and this latest collaboration is indicative of that mission.

“On behalf of the entire team at Cricket Zone USA and the E4 brand, I would like to wish Sherfane the very best in CPL 2023, and thank him for agreeing to align himself with the brand. We expect great things from him going forward,” Etwaroo has said.

Rutherford is a hard-hitting 24-year-old left-hander, who has also represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL, and had IPL stints with Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals.

He heads into CPL 2023 on the back of some destructive innings in the inaugural Major League Cricket tournament in the USA, his MVP performances firing Montreal Tigers to the title.

This Guyanese batsman has copped the Dean Jones Man-of-the-Series prize of a half-acre plot of land in the USA, after finishing with 220 runs from eight innings, the second most behind skipper Chris Lynn, who made 234.

Rutherford averaged 44 and went a strike rate of 130, hitting 12 sixes and 16 fours. Apart from his 38* off 29 in the final, he also cracked an unbeaten 48 from 34 in Qualifier Two, and 84* off 53 in a league game against Vancouver Knights.

Rutherford joins a list of players who have endorsed Cricket Zone USA and E4, including Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gajanand Singh, Kennar Lewis, Matthew Nandu, Kimani Melius, Navin Stewart, Oraine Williams, Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud and West Indies female cricketers Rashada Williams and Natasha McLean.

Javed Ali of the Slingerz Racing Stables

Sherfane Rutherford has signed with the E4 brand of Cricket Zone USA

Rutherford’s bats will carry a special tribute to his late father, Orin

Karran Ramsammy, new Whim CC President, collecting donation from Hilbert Foster

Jaiswal and Gill dominate West Indies

-as India level T20I series

Shubman Gill has had a year to remember, and is on the way to cement his spots across formats for India.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is only taking his first steps in international cricket, but is already making the right noises. And together, they helped India do what no team had managed to do in 15 previous T20Is at Lauderhill in Florida - successfully chase down a score greater than 95.

Gill and Jaiswal added 165 for the opening wicket - the joint-highest for India

after Shimron Hetmyer's 61his second successive fifty-plus score in T20Is in Floridahelped West Indies to 178.

If West Indies had a semblance of hope of sealing the series with a game to spare, India's young guns had other ideas. Jaiswal bookended the opening over of the chase with fours, slashing the length ball from Obed McCoy through third, before lofting one over mid-off. He then greeted Jason Holder with three fours, before Gill brought his trademark short-arm jab to depos-

Odean Smith in the last over of the powerplay, that went for 16.

India rollicked to 66 without loss in the powerplay. Gill and Jaiswal did not offer any respite to the West Indies bowlers even after the powerplay, playing out only two non-boundary overs in the phase till their stand was broken.

Gill notched up his second fifty-plus score in T20Is before Jaiswal got to his maiden half-century in just his second match. It was utter domination from the pair, and it helped them equal Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul's record for the highest opening partnership for India, before Gill picked out deep midwicket with his flick.

Jaiswal, in the company of Tilak Varma, ensured India suffered no more hiccups in keeping the series alive.

On a bright and hot morning, West Indies opted to bat first on a flat surface in the first of two back-to-back T20Is in Florida, but couldn't get the ideal start. Kyle Mayers started with a couple of fours off Axar Patel, who opened the bowling for India, then

he smacked a maximum off Arshdeep Singh over deep midwicket. But Arshdeep exacted revenge with the next ball, bouncing Mayers out to get him caught behind.

Brandon King continued to bat positively to drive West Indies in the powerplay. He danced down the track to Yuzvendra Chahal's legspin and tonked him down the ground for a maximum, before heaving a length ball from Arshdeep over deep midwicket. But once again Arshdeep

struck after a boundary ball to have King caught at short third.

When Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets in his first over -- including having Nicholas Pooran miscue one to long-on off his first ball of the match -- it seemed West Indies would once again flatter to deceive after an attacking first six overs wherein they scored 55 for 2.

Shai Hope was brought in for his first T20I since March 2022, after Johnson Charles had returns of 3, 2 and 12 in

SCOREBOARD

SCORECARD

West Indies (20 ovs maximum)

in T20Is - to chase down 179 and draw level 2-2 with West Indies, with a game to go in the five-match series. This was

it McCoy over deep midwicket.

Jaiswal struck back-to-back fours off Romario Shepherd, following which Gill tore into

Kyle Mayers c †Samson

b Arshdeep Singh 17

Brandon King c Kuldeep

Yadav b Arshdeep Singh 18

Shai Hope c Patel b Chahal 45

Nicholas Pooran †c Yadav

b Kuldeep Yadav 1

Rovman Powell (c)c

Shubman Gill b Kuldeep Yadav 1

Shimron Hetmyer c Tilak

Varma b Arshdeep Singh 61

Romario Shepherd c †Samson b Patel 9

Jason Holder b Mukesh Kumar 3

Odean Smith not out 15

Akeal Hosein not out 5

Extras (nb 1, w 2) 3

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.90) 178/8

Fall of wickets: 1-19

(Kyle Mayers, 1.4 ov), 2-54

(Brandon King, 5.4 ov), 3-55

(Nicholas Pooran, 6.1 ov), 4-57 (Rovman Powell, 6.5 ov), 5-106

(Shai Hope, 12.5 ov), 6-118

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(Romario Shepherd, 14.2 ov), 7-123 (Jason Holder, 15.3 ov), 8-167 (Shimron Hetmyer, 19.2 ov) BOWLING

the first three matches. He used his feet to attack both Axar and Chahal. At the other end, though, West Indies lost three wickets for three runs to go from 54 for 1 to 57 for 4 when Hetmyer joined Hope.

After a couple of quiet overs, Hope broke the shackles by hitting Chahal for a four and six in the tenth over. Hetmyer then unleashed a flurry of boundaries - first flicking Kuldeep over midwicket, before greeting Hardik Pandya into the attack with a six and a four. They added 49 off just 36 balls for the fifth wicket, before Hope holed out to long-on.

Hetmyer then changed gears to scoop Mukesh Kumar over short fine leg for a six, before freeing his arms to send Kuldeep soaring over extra cover. He walloped Arshdeep into the deep midwicket stands, before becoming his third victim, thanks to an athletic effort from Tilak Varma, who charged in from long-on and dived forward to pouch the catch. (ESPN Cricinfo)

India locked the series 2-2 with one to play today

Hetmyer scored 61 in vain

Jaiswal and Gill demolished West Indies

Talented U19s awarded developmental scholarships from GAW franchise

The Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise is thrilled to announce that two exceptional young talents have secured scholarships to join the franchise during their home leg of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The two promising players, batting all-rounder Mavindra Dindyal and fast bowling sensation Isai Thorne, have demonstrated outstanding skills, dedication and potential in their cricketing careers. The selection process was rigorous, with the franchise keen on aiding the development of young Guyanese players.

“We are delighted to welcome Mavindra and Isai to the Warriors Family,” Chairman of the franchise, Dr. Bobby Ramroop, said. “Their exceptional talents and passion for the game (have) truly impressed us. We believe this exposure will contribute significantly to their development, and their addition is a testament to our commitment in fostering young talents and providing a platform for them to shine.”

Dindyal and Thorne have both garnered attention for their remarkable performances at the grassroots and junior regional levels, where they have demonstrated their prowess with bat and ball. Both players have featured in the recently concluded Cricket West Indies Under-19 Regional Tournament, wherein Dindyal scored over 300 runs with a best of 94, while Thorne, who has also represented West Indies at the

New over rate rules at CPL, WCPL

teams will lose a player from the field (selected by the captain), and have six inside the fielding circle.

Youth World Cup, is widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the region at the youth level.

“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Dindyal related. “Joining the Amazon Warriors has been a dream come true, and I am excited to learn from some of the best players in the game.”

Thorne, expressing his enthusiasm to be part of the set-up, highlighted, “Being part of the Warriors is an honour. I look forward to giving (of) my best, and learning as much as possible.”

CPL bowls off on August 16, but heads to Guyana on September 12; with Warriors facing Jamaica Tallawahs on September 13, Saint Lucia Kings on September 14, Trinbago Knight Riders on September 16, and Barbados Royals on September 17.

The playoffs will begin with the first eliminator on September 19, followed by Qualifier 1 on September 20 and Qualifier 2 on September 22. The final is set for September 24. All matches in Guyana will be played at the National Stadium, Providence.

New penalties for slow over rates have been introduced for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) ahead of the 2023 season.

As is customary in the T20 format, each team will have 85 minutes to bowl their overs, but this will be monitored more closely at this year’s tournament. The fielding side is expected to have completed the 17th over of the innings after 72’15, the 18th by 76’30 and the 19th by 80’45.

Over rates will be monitored by the third umpire and communicated to the captains via on-field umpires at the end of every over, as well as to the crowd and TV audience, with graphics showing how far they are behind (or ahead of) the over rate.

Dispensations will be given for injuries, DRS and time-wasting by batting side, where appropriate.

To ensure that games are finished in good time, penal-

ties for slow over rates will kick in from the 18th over, and will be as follows:

* If behind the required over rate at the start of the 18th over, one additional player must enter the fielding circle (for a total of 5)

* If still behind the rate at the start of the 19th over, two additional fielders must enter the fielding circle (for a

* There will also be an onus on batting teams to keep the game moving. After a first and final warning from the umpires, the batting team will be given a 5-run penalty for each instance of time wasting.

Michael Hall, CPL’s Tournament Operations Director, said: “We have been disappointed that our T20 games have been getting longer and longer each year, and we want to do what we can to arrest this trend. It is the duty of those involved in cricket to ensure that the game keeps moving, and we have sensitised both the franchises and our match officials to this duty ahead of the tournament. Our hope is that these in-game penalties

total of 6)

* If still behind the rate at the start of the 20th over,

are not needed, but we believe they are proportionate and necessary.” (CPLT20)

New champion to be crowned as Georgetown clash with Rupununi today

One last ‘dance’ at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue today will crown the 2023 Champions of the Digicel Schools’ Football Tournament.

St. Ignatius Secondary booked their final spot on Wednesday last through a 3-1 win over Waramuri Primary Top, while Carmel’s path to the final was a bit rockier, having to take down the D.C Caesar Fox (Waramadong) Secondary by penalty kicks.

However, both teams will be looking for the ultimate victory this eve ning, with the captains of St.

Reyaz Williams of St. Ignatius shared about the team’s morale. Williams was tight-lipped about their game plan, stating only, “The coach has a plan for us, so we we’re going to execute the plan.”

And Carmel’s Captain Shem James said, “We’re going to win, and play the football that we always play and do what we do, win. Team work! We play as a team, and we have respect for the game, because it’s a

spiritual game. Just teamwork!” he declared.

“Work as a team, play as a team, and get goals,” James further stated about the team’s game plan.

In anticipation of the humdinger that this Georgetown vs Rupununi clash is going to be, Digicel’s Communication and PR Manager Gabriella Chapman highlighted the positives of the tournament, noting that it is one that the company is proud to be a part of.

“I wasn’t a football fan before, but I am now, because I was at the edge of my seat when they were scoring.

So, I’m certainly excited for the final. And, you know, to see the joy on the field when they won and all the supporters running out on the field and hugging; to see Digicel branded across the venue and on their uniforms, I felt joy to know that I’m associated with a company who is endorsing and supporting an initiative like this, and contributing so positively to these young men’s lives,” the Digicel Communications and PR Manager shared.

Chapman added, “So, we’re definitely excited to see the finals. I can’t say who I think will win, because they’re both exception-

al teams.”

This Digicel final showdown is set for 19:00hrs tomorrow at the aforementioned venue, with the third-place playoff slated for 17:00hrs. the Champions will receive $1M for a school project; while second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $500,000, $300,000 and $200,000 for the same.

The Digicel Championships commenced on June 24th with over 140 schools from all 10 administrative regions competing.

Mavindra Dindyal

Some of the new penalties for this year’s CPL

St Ignatius Captain Reyaz Williams and Carmel Captain Shem James facing off ahead of today’s clash

The captains of St. Ignatius and Carmel, Reyaz Williams and Shem James, are flanked by their team managers, Digicel’s Gabriella Chapman, and Petra’s Troy Mendonca

CYG Team get heroes’ welcome

There was much pomp and splendour at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri on Saturday afternoon as stakeholders, family members and well- wishers welcomed home Guyana’s 8member 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games team

The team consisting 5 track and field athletes and 3 swimmers wrapped up their participation in the Games on Thursday, August 10th, with 4 medals going towards Guyana’s tally.

All four of those medals were won on the track as Guyana went on to shatter the CYG 4X400M Mixed relay record.

Minister of Culture,

Youth and Sport Charles Ramson, Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President Godfrey Munroe, Assistant DoS Franklin Wilson, National Sports Commission, (NSC) Chairman Kashif Muhammad and acting President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Amanda Hermonstine, were only a few of the dignitaries were amongst those welcoming home the athletes with cheers, flags and floral arrangements.

“You have the ability to beat the best in the world,” Sport Minister declared to the beaming athletes in the airport’s arrival lounge. Ramson went on to share

with the young athletes, “Everything that we do from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport side, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, national Sports Commission, our newfound partner in the Guyana Olympic Association and the Athletics Association of Guyana, everything that we do from our side is really for the realization and the expression of your talents.”

“You have made us proud, not just your parents, not just your family, not just your friends, not just your community, you’ve made the nation proud. And every time I see you guys running at those events, or playing different sporting events of which, our performances have really im-

proved over the last year or so, I get goosebumps.”

Ramson continued to praise the team’s outstanding performances, stating, “Just like I get goosebumps now, not because I’m nervous or not because I’m not good at public speaking, but because it really is a special feeling to know that you have been able to leave our country, go and show the world what we’re about, show them that we’re capable of being the best.”

Ramson also revealed that the Government of Guyana has taken notice of the stellar performances of the Guyanese athletes over the past week.

“I want you to be aware and I want the country to be aware that the Cabinet is paying attention. The President has actually asked me to make sure that you get a proper welcome,” the Sport Minister shared.

Guyana claimed 2 Gold,

one silver and one bronze at the Youth Games that were held in Trinidad and Tobago. One Gold came from the 4x400M team of Tianna Springer, Javon Roberts, Malachi Austin and Narissa McPherson, who clocked 3 minutes, 22.07s to shatter the meet record. Springer and McPherson copped Gold and bronze in the Women’s 400M event, while Austin sprinted to silver in the Men’s 400M event.

Scenes from the CJIA as family members and stakeholders welcomed the CYG 2023 team

Isai Thorne