Guyana Times -Sunday, October 8, 2023.pdf

Mother of 5 crushed by speeding GDF vehicle

Amother of five met her demise in the wee hours of Saturday after she was struck down by a speeding vehicle attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along the Foulis Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Dead is 38-year-old Lavi De Sade Longe also known as “Dee Dee” of El Dorado Village, WCB. She was attached to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NARIE), where she worked as an analyst.

Based on reports received, the accident occurred at about 01:05h

and involved a bus bearing registration number DFB 1661, driven by a 46-yearold Staff Sergeant from Timehri North, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Police stated that the bus was travelling west on the southern side of Foulis Public Road, WCB, allegedly at a fast rate, when it collided with Longe, who was allegedly in the centre of the roadway. Longe suffered severe head injuries and lost her life instantly.

Police ranks were alerted of the accident and subsequently visited the scene

at about 01:40h. The body of the deceased was picked up and taken to Bailey's Funeral Parlour.

However, after committing the accident, the vehicle sped away but was later intercepted along the Vigilance Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The driver was immediately taken into custody where a breathalyser test was conducted but there were no traces of alcohol in his system.

The Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the accident as investigations continue.

That CCTV footage, which was seen by <<<Guyana Times>>>, showed Longe staggering along the El Dorado Village Public Road. The woman then walked into the centre of the road and later lay flat.

A minibus, upon seeing the woman, stopped and activated its hazard lights. However, the GDF vehi -

cle, instead of stopping, ran straight over the woman, crushing her in the process.

Following the accident, a friend of the dead woman told Guyana Times that Longe was under the influence of alcohol at the time of her demise.

“We heard that she had been at a wake somewhere and had been drinking. She was probably walking home when she decided to lie in the middle of the road and was crushed by the GDF bus. However, what we can’t understand is why the first bus driver didn’t help her if he realised she was drunk,” the friend said.

“Additionally, the bus driver saw the hazard lights on; why didn’t he stop? He was just speeding. He took that girl away from her family.”

Meanwhile, Elouise Longe, the dead woman’s mother, recalled being awakened at about 2:00h by a resident who informed

her of the woman’s demise.

“You all lie down in there and ‘Lovie’ dead on the road; an accident on the road,” the mother recalled the person saying. At that time, a relative was sent to enquire and after a while, she returned bearing the devastating news.

The aggrieved woman related that based on reports gathered, her daughter suffered head injuries. “Her brains scatter on the road; her head buss open and one of her hands crushed.”

She recalled seeing her daughter alive on Friday after work when she was given some money.

Longe is said to have left for a wake on Friday evening which was at Burma. Her mother related that after the wake, she stopped off at Profit Village, two villages away from her home, where she attended a party.

Longe leaves to mourn her mother and five children.

Dead: Lavi De Sade Longe

The area where the woman was lying when she met her demise

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Demerara – Sunday, Oct 8 – 13:30h –14:15h and Monday, Oct 9 – 00:30h –02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Berbice – Sunday, Oct 8 – 12:45h – 14:15h and Monday, Oct 9 – 13:30h – 15:00h.

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 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 12:00h reaching a maximum height of 1.94 metre.

Low Tide: 17:53h reaching a minimum height of 1.31 metre.

Guyana-Canada Chamber critical to fast-tracking development – Pres Ali

– urges local, Canadian companies to get on board ‘digitised world’ to survive

The Canada-Guyana

Chamber of Commerce

(CGCC) has been described by President Dr Irfaan Ali as critical to fast-tracking development, with the President urging Canadian and Guyanese companies to partner and ensure the transfer of technology in the process.

On Friday, President Ali was the recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award from the CGCC at their Maple Leaf Ball Awards ceremony. During the ceremony, the President spoke of the important work the chamber does.

Specifically, he pointed to the chamber’s potential to ensure the networking of companies between the two countries. And with the disparity in technology between Canada and Guyana, President Ali stressed the

today, apply the technology and innovation that exists in Canada, bring it together,

It allows that smooth networking, between companies here and companies in

For this, the Head of State noted that a change in mindset is necessary.

“No company can survive in a business environment, in a world 2030 and beyond, if we don’t understand the role of digitisation. And what it means for business and transactions. And the Government has to drive this change. Change in mindset, change in thinking, change in the way of doing things.”

“And some people say, ‘oh it takes time’. But guess what? Look at your own homes. Look at some of our grandparents who never went to school. Give them a smart device and you’re astonished to see what they do on that device,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, the President assured the investors gathered there that Guyana will

LOTTERY NUMBERS

need for technology transfer.

“We have to build products, island by island, that position the Region in the strongest and most competitive environment. That is why this chamber is very critical. Because we have to fast forward,” President Ali said.

“We have to take the rawness of what we have here

and work together on developing that competitive product. Every company must be looking for an international partner. And that is the usefulness of these chambers.

Canada.”

The President made reference to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitisation, noting that companies must get on board if they are to survive.

go through dramatic changes for the better, so that by 2030, Guyana will be a leader in energy and food security, with a tourism product that’s “second to none.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali collecting his award

A section of the gathering

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The US Congressional Black Caucus

Two weeks ago, the Opposition PNC/APNU and some of its allied organizations went to Washington, DC to participate in a putative “Conference on Guyana” organized by a Brooklyn-based extremist supporter. In a carefully orchestrated tango, the Guyanese delegation was hosted at the National Press Club to confer an illusion of authority, even though it can be rented as an “event venue…for hosting professional and social events”. There were supposed to be high-level members of Congress and the US Government present, but their absence had to be “excused”.

The highlight in their promotion of the event was their meeting with the “Congressional Black Caucus” (CBC) which - unfortunately for them - turned out to be a damp squib after they were asked to provide “data” as evidence to support their exhaustive and exhausting claims of discrimination against African-Guyanese and were unable to do so. These claims have been made ever since they reluctantly vacated office five months after their rigging of the March 2, 2020 elections was thwarted through the evidence gleaned from a recount of the votes cast. And though the PPP Government has also been requesting evidence of the alleged discrimination, evidence has also not been forthcoming.

The CBC has been an important facet of modern US governance since it was launched in 1971 in the heat of the Civil Rights Movement to deliver justice denied to African-Americans since the abolition of American slavery a century before. Even though they had not named themselves as a caucus, the White Representatives from the Southern states had been meeting as such to deny Blacks the rights they theoretically won at abolition. The Black Congressmen and women had experienced, to their cost, the power of working as a united group.

In 1971, even though there were thirteen Black members of Congress, none of them was in a position on any Committee where they could influence governmental policies. They were routinely passed over when those appointments were to be filled. Today they number 56 members in the House and Senate, and are represented in the widest and highest strata of the US Legislative Branch. According to their website, they are “committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African-Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”

While their raison d’etre was to further the rights of Black Americans, from early on – perhaps because some of the founders, like Shirley Chisholm, were descended from Caribbean Blacks – they took an interest in US Foreign Policy, as it affected Blacks abroad. On their website, they signal this by stating as one of their policy agendas: “promoting U.S. foreign policy initiatives in Africa and other countries that are consistent with the fundamental right of human dignity.” In the eighties, they played a critical role in influencing US policy on ending apartheid in South Africa, and later to ensure that refugees from Haiti were treated in the same manner as other refugees.

Against this background, the CBC can be a powerful voice for Blacks outside of the US, which is very strategic, since the US is still the most powerful country in the world, with the capacity and means to influence other nations. But its protestations notwithstanding, it will only do so in line with its realist stance, when its interests are affected. Interests are ends, and policies are the means crafted to achieve those ends. As such, even though the CBC may have some “epidermal sympathy”, for interventions, they will have to demonstrate that US interests will be furthered, and this must be backed up with hard evidence for appropriate policies to be crafted. For its domestic agenda, the CBC created the “CBC Foundation” as its Washington research and policy arm. In Guyana, the Official Opposition is funded by the state, and perhaps they could take a page from the CBC’s book, so they – and Guyana - would not be embarrassed again.

President Ali’s announcements of fixing NIS, passport backlogs most commendable

Dear Editor,

The announcements by President Ali to fix problems at NIS (National Insurance Scheme) and fix the slow processing of passports are to be highly commended. We need the same for birth certificates, TIN numbers, other Government documents, and approvals.

High fives for the President. It means people will get NIS benefits before they die. It shows the President understands these ongoing issues that are vexations to the working class. When Government agencies fail to do their jobs or operate in a persistently inefficient mode, it brings much embarrassment to the President’s administration.

It also means Ministers are not on top of things in their Ministries. The Ministers themselves are problems when they don’t return your calls or texts, or you can’t meet with them. Ministers being arrogant and inaccessible is not good leadership. They are supposed to be servants of the people. The Public Service Ministry should lead in this area. Maybe find better Ministers or train the current ones on what good customer service looks like. I can do it for free.

The NIS has forever been a poster child for governmental inefficiency in Guyana. After dealing with the NIS on my 88-year-old cousin being given the royal run around for 28 years, I have concluded that the NIS is like Humpty Dumpty – all the King’s horses and all the King’s men cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again.

The NIS was supposed to be a

safety net for retired people at a time when they are most vulnerable and in need of support. When you call the NIS and can’t reach anyone, when you call until you are blue and they will not return your calls, when they deal with you in callous ways devoid of any empathy or sympathy, this agency needs a makeover with a new crew.

President Ali is doing the right thing to jack them up. With 10,000 angry, upset, frustrated people, the NIS can cause the Government to suffer electorally. Ten thousand working-class people given the run around is almost two seats! In my cousin’s case, the minister’s office arranged meetings for us to meet the General Manager, but she cancelled twice and never responded to many emails.

The NIS keeps saying my cousin is missing contributions, when in fact he did work. Not because NIS does not have all your contributions means you did not work. It means the NIS did not do its statutory duty of monitoring employers and making sure all records are up-to-date. They bully people. So, when you reach 60 and you apply for NIS, it is then you find out they had not been doing their jobs and your contribution record is incomplete.

So why is NIS punishing poor people when missing contributions record is not their fault? The courts had already ruled that if employers had deducted money from your paycheck for NIS but did not turn the money in, you still have to give the employee credit. It was not the employee’s fault.

There needs to be a similar court ruling or policy change for cases where employers did not submit com -

plete records of employees’ contributions. Mr. President, there needs to be a more worker-friendly, humane approach when contribution records are missing and incomplete.

Punish the NIS for doing a bad job, don’t punish the employee. Since incomplete records are not the fault of the employees, how will the NIS resolve that issue? They simply cannot tell people we don’t have your records, you do not qualify for monthly benefits, go away. That’s what they said to my cousin and many others.

As for the current NIS Board, it is useless because they go along with the NIS story and don’t listen to the employee’s story. It’s not an honest broker.

Regarding the Passport Office, not too long ago, you could get a passport in one week. Then it moved to one month. Now they tell you to come back in 10 weeks. The reason why people come to Georgetown for passports is because it takes longer in the region. If the regions can process as quickly as the Georgetown Office, we can eliminate the daily long lines in the Georgetown Office. Can we stop this inequity in treatment, and reduce the sloth of Government in the regions?

Let’s end this culture of inefficiency which seems calculated to fuel the bribery industry.

On the brighter side in the Government, the Drivers’ Licence Section needs to be commended, as you can get a licence renewed the same day at the Georgetown Office. Congratulations to the GRA.

Sincerely,

Dr Jerry Jailall

During an Open Day hosted by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Friday, a hydraulic platform, a water tender, and an ambulance were utilized in a simulation exercise by firefighters and EMTs to rescue a person who had become trapped inside the control tower of a building

GPL alone might not cut it!

Dear Editor,

Given the size and character of the demand for electricity in the present day, it is clear that the burden on GPL is unreasonable. In just a few years, the demand for power is set to further outstrip GPL’s capabilities by orders of magnitude.

All the while, the existing mode of power pro-

duction leaves us vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of a fuel source that has probably surpassed its potential life cycle in the story of civilization.

Might it be time to consider reconceptualizing and reorganizing the grid? What if, in some future Guyana, GPL becomes solely a transmission provider of high

voltage? What if GPL is the provider whose primary function is to collect over the “big power” sources? What if GPL is to bring high-voltage power to localized distributors? Localized distributors then take on the burden of distribution installation, maintenance, billing, and customer service, while GPL focuses on large-scale infra-

UG should host seminars and conferences on Indian Indentureship

Dear Editor, Supporters of the opposition PNC party should be commended for remembering their founding leader on his birth anniversary. Forbes Burnham was a very controversial figure in Guyana. He was a most charismatic figure for his supporters and one of the leading orators of his generation.

He and Dr Cheddi Jagan, and others, came together to found the PPP in 1950, but he broke away from Jagan in 1955 ethnically splitting the PPP and contested the election on August 12, 1957, as the Burnham faction of the PPP against the Jagan faction. The Burnham faction was soundly defeated, and Burnham formally renamed it PNC in October of that year. Guyanese politics has been polarised till today between the two major parties and races who alone have been on the ruling saddle alternately.

A tribute program was organized on the late Forbes Burnham held at and co-hosted by the University of Guyana last week on the occasion of his birth centennial. Burnham was born on 20th February 1923 and died on August 6, 1985. Rich tributes were paid to the PNC founder. It was attended by prominent members and supporters of the party including MPs.

The forum was planned and organized by the Burnham Foundation with support from UG. It is noted that a similar honor was not accorded to the late Cheddi Jagan, founder/leader of the PPP, on his centennial in March 2018 at UG; no party supporter or lecturer, or social science department at UG organized a tribute to the great freedom fighter and trade unionist who was kept out of power through fraudulent elections.

The Jagan Foundation organized a seminar in 2018 at the Red House and has housed a Jagan Center since 2012. Jagan was widely admired as a humble and grounded leader who was sensitive to people’s problems. He served people, everyone regardless of race, diligently and respectfully, and he devoted his life towards improving living conditions for the poor masses. He never talked down to his supporters or to anyone. There has not been another leader who was like him.

In New York, a small group of us organized a public tribute to the iconic leader in March 2018. The organizers were chided for inviting former Speaker and Jagan’s legal confidante Ralph Ramkarran to deliver the keynote address; Ramkarran served Dr Jagan for some four decades. His father, Boysee, was Jagan’s deputy. Ralph Ramkarran was the last speaker to pay tribute to Jagan at Babu Jahan before his mortal remains were cremated in March 1997. Several Guyanese from the diaspora flew down to attend the funeral.

Raj Singh, Chuck Mohan, Mel Carpen, and several others from the USA went to the funeral. Randy Depoo accompanied then T&T Prime Minister Basdeo Panday to the funeral tribute for Jagan. This writer flew from Manila, Philippines, where I was on study sabbatical from teaching, to attend the funeral. Ramkarran left the PPP in 2012 after a fallout with some of the members of the party’s executives. He gave one of the best tributes I ever heard on Jagan at Babu Jahan. He gave an almost equally remarkable tribute in New York on Jagan’s centennial.

The supporters of the

structure and shipping power to sub-divided optimizing localities.

Is it reasonable to imagine an optimal number of localised power distributors that serve communities and zones, efficiently distribut-

ing power at scales suited to the demands of the localities?

With greater respect for the ancient principle of modularity (which provides the basis for efficient extensibility), might we be able

to overcome the limitations of having GPL bear the tremendous burden of transmission, distribution, and everything in between?

Sincerely,

Emille Giddings

Don’t insult the intelligence of Guyanese, Mr. Forde

Dear Editor,

PPP need to emulate those of other parties in saluting their leaders. The PPP did hold a tribute to Jagan at Babu Jahan last March and did so annually on his death anniversary. It is not too late for UG to host a tribute program for Dr Jagan who founded the university amidst criticism from Burnham who derogated the university calling it Jagan’s night school and vowed to shut it down when takes power. It is also noted that there were seminars at UG on the 1823 rebellion but nothing on rebellions during indentureship most notably the 1872 Devonshire Castle uprising. Indian academics and politicians need to organize seminars on the historical episodes of their ancestors as Africans have done or else their history would be erased.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

Even for those who do not support the current Government, it would seem that PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, on October 5, 2023, was correct to question “what else” would the PNC/APNU/AFC lie about?

In less than 24 hours, Mr. Roysdale Forde, on October 6, 2023, released a statement alleging that Mr. Jagdeo claimed that the US Congresspeople never met with the PNC/APNU/AFC.

As an attorney, Mr. Forde’s ability to play with words is a given, but his attack on Mr. Jagdeo failed, and what was left exposed was his belief that Guyanese are gullible.

The PNC/APNU/AFC had two events in the US in September 2023 – a Diaspora Conference and a meeting with US officials. For those who followed the press conference on October 5, 2023, at no point did Mr. Jagdeo say the second event did not take place. Mr. Jagdeo did, however, say that the “much vaunted” attendance of US Congresspeople at the Diaspora Conference did not take place. Everyone who watched the livestream by Sherod Duncan knows this. In fact, Rickford Burke, on

day one of the conference, apologized for the absence of the US Congresspeople, who included Mr. Hakeen Jefferies.

Finally, Mr. Forde opened his October 6, 2023 statement by saying: “If you lie about that, what else would you lie about?” A most pertinent question posed by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his October 5, 2023 Press Conference.

Guyanese are no fools, Mr. Roysdale Forde. For those who tuned into the press conference, we heard Mr. Jagdeo talking about the PNC/APNU/AFC claims about the 2020 Elections. It was in that context that he said:

“Imagine APNU going to Washington to say the PPP tried to steal, or stole, the 2020 Elections. How divorced, it’s not how divorced they are from reality, but how shameless could you be? And how could you do

that with a clear conscience, when everything points to the contrary, including the State Department that was part of the charge – the United States’ State Department and the staff there they don’t change with Administration. Except for the political leadership, they have stability in government. They know of the attempts to steal the election, because they helped to fight it off, the US Government. Therefore, people have to think, if you lie about that, what else wouldn’t you lie about. What else would you not lie about.”

Mr. Forde would be well advised to not follow the path of his leader Aubrey Norton, and try to distinguish himself as a politician who, unlike his peers, does not insult the intelligence of the Guyanese people.

Yours truly, Anson Paul

CANINE ARTHRITIS

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY DOG (continued)

Over the past few weeks, we have generally discussed the extra care that a caregiver should expend on an elderly companion animal, as well as dealt with specific ailments that tend to make the senior pet uncomfortable.

Today we will deal with the last of the major ailments that contribute to the older companion animal’s declining health – Arthritis.

We are lucky to have received permission from a colleague in Trinidad, who has written comprehensively on the subject. Her name is Kristel-Marie Ramnath. Her publication was exactly the easily understandable yet detailed explanation on all aspects of Canine Arthritis that the caregiver needs to know. With thanks, we are publishing her comments on Canine Arthritis.

What is Canine Arthritis?

Canine Arthritis, also called Osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that

occurs in dogs, and is characterised by pain and inflammation in the joints. Arthritis is caused by the breaking down of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the bones that form a joint. Painful wear-andtear occurs once the bones are exposed. There are several causes for Arthritis, including inherited conditions such as Hip Dysplasia; injuries or trauma such as dislocation, fracture of bone that involves a joint, injury to muscle, ligaments or tendons; joint infections (septic or bacterial Arthritis); immune system complications (rheumatoid Arthritis) and, of course, the natural aging and erosion of cartilage as the dog gets older.

Arthritis can develop in all breeds of dogs (including mixed breeds), although larger breed dogs and overweight dogs may be more susceptible due to the additional weight pressure on the joints. Cold and

damp surroundings also increase stiffness and pain in the joints. Regardless of the reason(s) for your pet’s Arthritis, the common factor is that this disease is incurable. However, certain treatment regimens can substantially improve the dog’s quality of life.

Symptoms of canine Arthritis include walking stiffly; limping, or favouring certain limbs; slowness or discomfort when getting up from a lying-down position; displaying lameness in certain limbs; swollen or sore joints; reduced agility caused by a loss of flexibility in joints; hesitation to jump, run or climb stairs; and exhibiting pain when touched in certain areas. The dog may become more irritable, and even display aggression due to pain.

Arthritis is diagnosed

ical history for previous injuries or possible inherited conditions. You can help to prevent or possibly slow the progression of the disease by keeping your dog at a healthy weight and providing adequate exercise, but once a diagnosis of arthritis has been correctly made, there is no genuine cure.

However, it is import-

by your dog. This may include the use of antibiotics, analgesics (painkillers) or anti-inflammatory medications, but these should be used with strict adherence to directions from your veterinarian, because of the side effects of these drugs, such as gastric ulceration, liver failure, and kidney failure. Never administer human medication to your pet without consulting your veterinarian. It is recommended to minimise the use of medications by employing other types of treatment simultaneously, or in lieu of.

Alternative options include the use of nutritional or herbal supplements to help replenish cartilage. Examples include flavonoid-containing vitamin

maintaining your dog at a healthy body weight. Extra weight increases stress on the joints. A low-carbohydrate, moderate-fat, high-protein diet is recommended for elderly dogs with arthritis. A diet too low in fat actually makes the dog hungrier, and more likely to overeat.

In addition to a healthy diet, moderate low-impact exercise such as swimming is important, because such exercise will help to maintain joint flexibility. Welldeveloped muscles provide strength to help stabilize the joints.

Complementary alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage are often effective in controlling the pain associated

by a veterinarian through a physical examination, radiographs (x-rays), and also by checking your dog’s med-

ant that you and your veterinarian devise a treatment programme to minimize the pain being experienced

C, and fish oil supplemented with vitamin E. Fish oils such as salmon oil are sources of omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation (not fish liver oil which is high in vitamins A and D but lower in omega-3 fatty acids). Nutraceutical supplements called glycosaminoglycans are beneficial because they protect the joint by helping to rebuild cartilage and restore synovial (joint) fluid, rather than just reducing the symptoms. These include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

An important key to controlling arthritis is

with arthritis.

Finally, consider simple changes around the home, such as providing soft bedding; placing food and water bowls on a low table, or a raised feeder to avoid neck and spine strain.

Grooming areas of the dog which may be difficult for him to reach independently, and getting a portable ramp for the stairs or other areas where he will have to climb or jump can all be used to lessen physical stress to the joints. These would all help to make your dog as comfortable as possible.

Govt partnering with RSS to “swiftly” address AML/CFT gaps – as Pres Ali meets & holds talks with visiting team

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government will be partnering with the Regional Security Systems (RSS), which is presently in Guyana and has met with President Dr Irfaan Ali to foster discussions to boost the country’s Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) capacity as quickly as possible.

President Ali received a visit on Saturday from the leaders of the RSS team, who are here for its annual meeting. While hosting the delegation at State House, President Ali informed them of the importance of a regional approach to security when it comes to confronting conflicts and disasters.

The Head of State also highlighted to the RSS team, the importance of food and energy security, both of which Guyana has been prominent in promoting on the regional and international stages.

The Guyana delegation consisted of Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, and National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia. Meanwhile, the visiting delegation was led by the Executive Director of the RSS and Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Errington Ricardo Shurland.

The RSS delegation also included Heads of the Defence Forces and Police Forces from St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St

Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Guyana (Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, and Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken).

The RSS was set up through an agreement within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) for the defence and security of the Eastern Caribbean region. Only last year, Guyana was asked to become a member of the steering group of one of the RSS’s operating arms.

Partnership

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Legal Affairs explained in a statement that they will be partnering with RSS to host a Financial Investigation and Asset Recovery Workshop in Guyana from October 9 to October 13.

According to the

Ministry, the workshop will be focused on building the capacity to handle civil and criminal forfeiture of proceeds of and properties acquired through these crimes. Among the State agencies that will be participating are the Judiciary and Magistracy and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Additionally, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Bank of Guyana, the Guyana Police Force, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), among others.

“The workshop will focus on the following areas: Digital Evidence, Investigative Orders: Procedural Requirements and Appropriateness,

Disclosure Orders: Procedural Considerations, Restraint Orders: Procedural Considerations, Cash seizure, Reseizure and Detention, Investigative Orders: Application, Evidential Burden and Procedure and Civil Recovery: building a Civil Recovery Case,” the statement said. It was further explained that the workshop will seek to strategically address

some of the deficiencies that were identified in Guyana’s legal and Anti Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism/ Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) systems.

The Ministry made it clear that the Governments want to address these deficiencies “swiftly”.

AML/CFT

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)

only recently completed its on-site visit and assessment of Guyana’s AML/ CFT framework and has since applauded the steps Guyana has taken to fix the framework.

According to a statement from the Legal Affairs Ministry, the CFATF team completed its on-site visit and assessment of Guyana’s compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations and Methodology last month.

During this visit, they interviewed and examined a number of Government Ministries, law enforcement agencies, State agencies, financial institutions, as well as private sector and professional organisations.

The Ministry explained that following the assessment, the CFATF team found that Guyana, as a jurisdiction, had made satisfactory progress and was praised during the exercise. According to the Ministry, the CFATF team lead, Avelon Perry, and her team presented a summary of their initial findings to the Attorney General and the AML/CFT National Coordination Committee.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Guyanese delegation during the meeting with the RSS team

Labour Ministry probing death of crane operator

The Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Department of the Labour Ministry has initiated an inquiry into an accident that occurred on Thursday at a shore base facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The accident resulted in the tragic death of Shawn Anthony Joseph of Number 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (Upper Corentyne-Berbice).

Joseph’s body was discovered pinned under a heavy-duty machine at about 11:30h on Thursday.

According to the Police, the operator was alone in the crane, equipped with a hammer to drive concrete piles, at the time of the accident.

His brothers, Devon DeSantos, a 43-year-old groundsman of Number 50 Village, Corentyne, and Nigel Bourne, a 34-yearold groundsman of the same village, along with other workers, were in close proximity to the accident site.

Investigations revealed that the crane toppled on

the wharf, causing Joseph to jump out of the operating area. Unfortunately, he fell onto the wharf and was subsequently pinned under the crane. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who arrived at the scene pronounced the operator dead.

Mikhail Rodrigues, also known as “Guyanese Critic”, owner of the Tepui Group with which the now dead man was employed, stated that the operator was driving piles on the worksite when he encountered difficulties. Rodrigues informed that both the Police and the deceased's family were

promptly informed of the tragic accident.

He added that the Tepui Group is offering comprehensive support to the man’s family during this difficult time.

In a statement released on Friday, the Labour Ministry confirmed that Darwin Bourne, an Occupational Safety and Health Officer, is conducting the investigation. The report stated, “The investigation has so far revealed

Straining…

…oil production

Last month, Britain gave the go-ahead for a massive oil and gas project in the North Sea, and this week Exxon announced that it’ll be plunking down a cool US$60 billion or so to take over Pioneer Natural Resources PXDN – the largest oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin. This would make it the biggest producer in this biggest US basin - spanning West Texas and eastern New Mexico. The process through which the petroleum products are brought up is called “fracking” - trapped underground in compressed layers of shale. To crack open the shale, the companies have drilled tens of thousands of fracking wells, into which water under heavy pressure is sent to free the oil and gas.

that Mr Shawn Joseph, who hails from Corentyne, Berbice, was employed as a crane operator and was fatally injured when the crane he was operating at the worksite toppled over, causing his demise.”

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton expressed his concern about workers being injured on the job, emphasising that every worker returning home safely after work is paramount to their families.

As we can expect, in addition to the warnings from scientists and the United Nations, there should be a stop to developing new fossil fuel resources if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change. This violent process of extraction has its own set of critics, so why is it that a presumably responsible country that has been lecturing us, natives, for centuries to “do the right thing” – along with a presumably responsible mega oil company – America’s largest – is going against the grain??

Well, the answer is very simple – and no, your Eyewitness isn’t gonna go with the herd and say it’s because of greed. One man’s “greed” is another man’s “profits”, and from what even the communist Chinese are telling us, profits are the most powerful motivator in human history! They tried to move out of poverty for decades by following “to each according to his needs; from each according to his ability”, but it didn’t work. Then, lo and behold – as the other book than Mao’s Little Red Book said – within two decades the Chinks are about to overtake the Americans!!

And it’s because of that latter little factoid, that even though Biden’s been cussing out Exxon for making too much profits while prices at the gas pump rise, your Eyewitness predicts that the deal’s gonna pass monopoly muster!! Whatever sentiment Biden feels for the common man = and his car at the gas pump - his rearguard action against the Chinese behemoth’s gonna override all such sentimentality!! No President wants to go down in history as the one on whose watch they became number two – to the non-white Chinese of all people!!

So, your Eyewitness wants all the woke brigade of Guyanese descent, who’s been lecturing us to leave our oil in the ground, to take notice. Most of them actually live in either the UK or US, and as a matter of principle, they should renounce their citizenship and wipe the dust of those benighted countries off their feet!!

…of Opposition credibility

Your Eyewitness continues to be entertained by the factions of the PNC vying to rise to the top of the heap. Sadly, from the goings-on here, Region 11 (Brooklyn subregion) and Washington, there seems to be a lot of political “Jumbie Umbrellas” springing up. But then that’s always the danger with dung heaps, innit??!! Take the “Conference on Guyana” inside the Beltway. As Rodney Dangerfield would respond, “Please!!”

The gathering was overwhelmingly dominated by older folks - well past their fifties and into their eighties. These are the old-line PNCites who jumped ship and are fading out! If the PNC is to have a future, you’d hope the organizers would’ve enticed some youths to come out. Especially in Washington, where a doddering 80-year-old Joe Biden heads the Government and his opponent remains the 77-year-old Trump!! After OUR population’s more than 65% youths!

Couldn’t they find even ONE American youth of Guyanese descent in Washington to show their flag?

What a geriatric bust!

…of “friend’s” word

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries - a very, very PERSONAL friend (wink, wink!!) of the fella who organized the PNC’s Washington Conference – had promised to “remove” Ambassador Lynch two years ago.

Doesn’t look good for him that she even overstayed her term!!

Dead: Shawn Anthony Joseph

GTUC calls for abolition of personal income tax

- wants baseline pension adjusted to 75% of public sector minimum wage

The Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), in its proposal ahead of Budget 2024 next year, has made a number of bold recommendations, including the abolishment of the personal income tax, also known as Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE).

This came on the heels of a meeting held on Friday with members of the Government including Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and members of the Trade Unions of Guyana.

However, in their proposal where they mentioned a PAYE and tax rebate, the GTUC noted that personal income tax should be abolished. Additionally,

they called for the minimum pension of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to be adjusted.

According to GTUC, “A comprehensive review of the NIS (should) be conducted with the view of having its minimum pension reflective of seventy-five percent (75%) of the state minimum wage.”

Another proposal by the GTUC was for the NIS unemployment laws to be activated and for a provision to be made whereby persons who are in between jobs can be paid unemployment benefits for a stipulated maximum time period. This, according to GTUC, would allow persons to sustain themselves with the basics

while they look for another job.

The GTUC further proposed that the old age pension be increased to $50,000.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been targeting the eventual increase of old age pension to $40,000 by 2025. In 2021, all oldage pensioners were given $25,000 on a monthly basis, and in 2022 that sum was increased to $28,000. This year, the old age pension was increased to $33,000.

Another recommendation was made for persons to be paid directly from the oil and gas proceeds, through cash transfer programmes. According to the GTUC, the World Bank defines a safety

net as “the provision of assistance in the form of cash to the poor or to those who face a probable risk of falling into poverty in the absence of the transfer. The main objective of these programs is to increase poor and vulnerable households' real income.”

When it comes to cash transfers, the GTUC also recommended property owners’ direct and indirect cash transfers through interest-free or very low-interest rate soft loans to improve and maintain their residences and immediate home environment.

“This will lend to the beautification of property, our communities, villages, and towns… a programme

with a requisite fund (should also be) established to meet first-time homeowners where each person can be given the sum of $3,000,000 as a grant for the purchase of a home

Another form of cash transfer that GTUC recommended is to encourage citizens to invest in clean energy by implementing cash transfers for solar or wind energy and other sustainable development programmes.

In keeping with its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the PPP/C Government itself has been making key investments to expand its solar energy sources.

Last August, residents of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper

Takutu-Upper Essequibo), welcomed the commissioning of a $472 million one-megawatt (MW) solar farm that, in addition to providing reliable electricity, is expected to generate $137 million per year in savings.

Prior to this, residents in Lethem reportedly paid $80 per kilowatt of electricity, which is higher than that paid in Georgetown, given the cost of transporting fuel from the coastland.

In April last, a $625 million 1.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm was commissioned in Daag Point, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), to provide clean, renewable energy to over 3000 residents of Bartica and its surrounding communities.

GTUC President Lincoln Lewis

Union leaders during a meeting with Government officials on Friday

Corentyne shooting Police asked to conduct further investigations

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, has instructed investigators to clarify several areas in their probe into the shooting incident of 32-year-old Ashmin Mahadeo by her fiancé.

In addition, the firearm that was discovered at the victim’s home has been sent to be analyzed.

This was reported by the Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, on Friday when he confirmed that the DPP has returned the file requesting that the Police do more work on the matter.

Particularly, he said there are four areas that need clarification before the file is sent back for legal advice. While not giving a timeline, the Commander told media operatives that this would be done as soon as pos-

sible.

Relatives of the injured woman have, however, told the media that Mahadeo’s fiancé had told them he did not know where her cellular phone was located after the shooting incident. He had also claimed that he did not know where he was.

On Friday, Commander

Contactors to pay for damaging water infrastructure – GWI

Bacchus said the Police were able to locate the cellular phones used by the couple, and those have since been sent to be analyzed. Mahadeo remains hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It was reported that, on the day in question, the Police received an anonymous call through 911, claiming that a shooting incident had taken place at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice. Upon responding to the report, Mahadeo was discovered with a gunshot wound to her neck.

She was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, where she was admitted before subsequently being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital.

Police subsequently arrested her fiancé after finding a firearm hidden in the ceiling of her room. The suspect is said to be a 29-yearold engineer attached to the Agriculture Ministry and resident at Lot 13-13 Shoe Lane in New Amsterdam.

He was, however, released on $300,000 station bail after the legal 72-hour detention period expired, and a file on the case has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

Contractors who damage water infrastructure will have to foot the bill, said GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh, as he appealed to residents to promptly report these incidents.

“We also have the issue where contractors are damaging our infrastructure in many areas where roads are being built and drainage and irrigation works are being done. These have affected our water supply, and in many instances, the contractors cannot be found. We are taking a very strong view on this matter, and all necessary action will be taken to ensure these incidents are minimised,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing at GWI’s headquarters at Shelterbelt, Georgetown, Baksh said the utility is working closely with the Ministry of Public Works, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Central Housing and

Planning Authority (NDIA) to minimise, if not eliminate this problem which has been causing hardship to residents.

Major damage to water infrastructure, aside from disruption and putting residents at grave inconveniences, requires time and money to fix and places undue strain on GWI’s resources.

In cases where damage has occurred, reports should be made promptly to GWI’s call centre on telephone number 227-8701 to minimise on wastage and reduced level of service at the earliest.

GWI has already commenced billing contractors for damaging public water infrastructure. Prompt reporting of damage to public water infrastructure cannot be overemphasised in light of the current El Nino condition being felt on the coastland, and more particularly the hinterland regions.

“We want to appeal to residents to be more prudent

and cautious in the use of water during this period so that everyone enjoys an adequate level of service,” Baksh said.

GWI is working closely with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other agencies in monitoring the extreme dry weather and visits have been made to all the regions to get a firsthand look at the situation on the ground.

The utility company has also been working to improve the response time to residents’ complaints.

“We have also read the riot act to managers, supervisors, and staff to ensure they respond promptly to complaints from residents, not only with regards to water supply but other areas of concern,” Baksh noted.

Shot: Ashmin Mahadeo

GWI CEO Shaik Baksh

GWI workers, one week ago, had to work ‘around the clock’ to fix a main in Aubrey Barker Road that was damaged by a contactor

Govt to clear 10,000 pending NIS cases

– Pres Ali

Opposition’s grievance-seeking mindset

Over the past three years, we have been bombarded by an unremitting stream of incendiary rhetoric emanating from the Opposition and its partisans – even on a trip to Washington, DC. In their daily exhortations to storm the Bastille, the revolutionary narrative immanent in our history (remember Cuffy?), with its supposedly “cathartic” orgies of violence, is invoked.

There are the meta-narratives extolling overthrowing the democratically elected PPP Government through “regime change”.

This fixation on a culture of violence leads to what psychologists call a “grievance-hunting” mindset. It is a pathological condition that betrays a state of mind uniquely incapable of seizing the opportunities and responsibilities of the present, and so must morbidly escape to the past to discover a sanctuary of grievance for itself. The fixation is due primarily to ideologues fixated on past contradictions, and in refusing to rigorously interrogate the present, mechanistically apply answers from that past to circumstances that have changed fundamentally.

Critiques being always strategic, those “answers” are not so much wrong as irrelevant. The “expired strategies” invariably lead to frustration and anger, since even though hard work may be done to implement them, success remains elusive. External malevolent forces and scapegoats are blamed for their failure, and the grievance-hunting mentality hardens.

Take, for instance, their insistence that our ethnically divided society demands power sharing because “majoritarian democracy cannot work”. This is an exemplary instance of refusing to interrogate the present and dwelling only on the past. The “problem spaces” then and now are different: the questions to be posed now must be different, and therefore so might be the answers.

Before the Oct 5, 1992 elections that were just commemorated, Indians had been estimated as more than 50% of the population, and with only a plurality necessary to secure the Presidency and form the Government, we not only accepted the thesis but identified it as the source of an “African Ethnic Security Dilemma”. What would their incentive be to participate in elections where most voted on ethnic lines? They would be legitimising a system where they would be locked out of the Executive in perpetuity.

We proposed innovations such as supermajority governments and Federalism etc. The PNC stuck with the status quo and garnered 42% of the electorate; roughly coincident with the combined African and Mixed groups.

In 1997, the PNC still felt comfortable with the plurality system, and participated in the December elections. They still misread their problem space. After losing once again (but retaining their traditional voting percentage) they precipitated riots (their grievance-mindset recourse) not over the voting system, but over the conduct of the elections. This action only served to harden the Indian Ethnic Security Dilemma about physical insecurity. In the ensuing constitutional changes imposed on the PPP, the PNC ignored modification of the electoral or governance structures in willful denial of the exigencies of their problem space.

In the 2001 elections, the PPP once again won – even though ROAR garnered one seat while the PNC maintained its usual percentage. They again precipitated violence and hardened resistance against cross-ethnic support. The PPP, in the meantime, cognisant of the inexorable shrinkage of its traditional base due to higher rates of emigration, maintained its well-oiled electoral machinery and intensified its wooing of the Amerindian and African blocs. The PPP, unlike the PNC, was adjusting to the new problem space. It should not be surprising that in 2006, the PPP repeated its majority even though Indians were then only 43% of the electorate.

In 2010, I advised the Opposition “to forge a strategy and build a mobilization machinery that could deny the PPP a majority. In such a scenario, even if the PPP at best secures the Presidency, they would need Opposition support to govern.” After the PNC and the AFC separately delivered that outcome in 2011, and then made the politically logical move of forming a coalition, the PPP was voted out in 2015.

As a nation of ethnic minorities, Guyana had arrived at the politics of “in and out” through moderation and courting of the “other”, albeit through coalition building.

The PNC/APNU then shot itself in the foot by alienating the Indian Guyanese the AFC had brought in, and continues to do so by essentializing the latter as congenitally incapable of change, and African-Guyanese having no control over being elected into office. Regime change simply delivers recolonization. They have to cast off their debilitating grievance mindset and follow the logic of democratic elections.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced that the Guyana Government has taken proactive measures to resolve some 10,000 pending cases within the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) by the end of this year.

Currently, there are approximately 10,000 open files at the NIS dealing with issues ranging from appeals, claims, queries, investigations, and other tribunal matters.

In order to resolve these pending cases, President Ali said during a live broadcast on Friday that he has instructed that a proactive approach be taken to have this done over the coming months. In fact, the Head of State instructed the General Manager of the Insurance Scheme, Holly Greaves, to come up with a proposal by Monday that will ensure the reduction of these pending cases.

“We’re gonna develop a Special Secretariat and a projectised format to bring to an end or to bring to closure, these 10,000 files before the end of the year. So, we will be back in real-time. So, the NIS will be working from now to the end of the year to close these files.”

On the other hand, the Guyanese leader outlined that some of these pending NIS cases are for persons in the Guyanese diaspora and so steps will also be taken to address those at outreaches to be held in the United States and Canada next month.

“So, separate and apart from the nationwide files that we have, we have diaspora files that are open – just about 300-plus. The NIS team in November is going to do what we call a ‘diaspora outreach’. They're going to do a diaspora outreach in New York in Toronto.”

“So, what we want is numbers with the diaspora to send to the diaspora unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, their issues in relation to NIS with all your supporting documentation so that that can be sent to the NIS now they can start looking at issues and advising you as a status of your claims, your objections or your queries or your investigations. So, I wanted to address this issue, because I know this is an issue that that we want to fix,” he posited.

Since taking office in August 2020, the PPP/C Administration has successfully closed more than 4000 historical cases, both nationally and in the diaspora – a feat that President Ali said on Friday could not have been achieved without the hard work of the NIS staff.

“Over the last two years, they've been doing a lot of

August 2020, the backlog of claims outstanding and on query was 20,106. However, by December 2022, this backlog was reduced to 10,902. Further, of the 1,362,734 suspended and invalid numbers existing in the database, the Scheme was able to resolve 1,103,835 in 2022.

tion to reducing the backlog, the NIS operationalised the connection for electronic transfers into the national payment system architecture in October 2022. This has resulted in 750 pensioners being paid directly into their bank account at one commercial bank.

work to bring to closure. A lot of these files, you know, some most of these persons do not have the relevant records [and the staff] have to go back to where you're working [but] some of those places are closed down. So, there is a lot of work, background and backroom work that has to be done, but we are committing ourselves to working towards in a specialised way in a projectised way to get this done before the end of the year,” the Head of State stressed.

Meanwhile, efforts by the Guyana Government to improve the quality of service offered by the NIS to contributors and pensioners have proven to be fruitful in recent years.

During the presentation of Budget 2023, it was revealed the Insurance Scheme had disposed of nearly half of its backlog in some two years.

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had reported that as of

The NIS has historically been the provider of social security when earnings are interrupted by illness or accident, for exceptional expenses related to birth or death, and for retirement by age. In fact, for many pensioners, this is their only source of income.

According to the Minister, it is for these reasons that the efficiency of the operation of the Scheme is critical, because, in many instances, lives, health, and wellness are dependent on this source of income.

To this end, he pointed out that Government has been proactive in its support of the agency and has in the immediate term urged the newly-appointed Board of the Scheme to prioritise: resolving the inherited backlog of long outstanding matters; addressing the deficiencies in the systems within the Scheme; and implementing programmes to improve compliance by delinquent employers to protect the interests of all working people.

Nevertheless, in addi-

“It is anticipated that this will be expanded to cover all commercial banks during 2023, thereby enabling thousands of pensioners to be paid directly into their bank account.

In addition, the use of WhatsApp to make claims and submit video-styled life certificate validations served to reduce the need for travel to the NIS office,” Dr Singh had noted back in January.

Dr Singh further disclosed that compliance campaigns and expanded outreaches will continue to be an active strategy to ensure that both employers and workers are educated about the benefits of joining the Scheme. This is especially critical given that the financial viability of the Scheme has over the years depended primarily on the contributors’ payments. Notwithstanding, Minister Singh had posited that medium- and longer-term solutions, most importantly, continue to be actively examined with a view to ensuring the longterm viability of the NIS.

Ravi Dev

by year-end

- says outreaches will be held in US, Canada to deal with diaspora issues

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Children injured following 2-vehicle collision along Aubrey Barker Road

Several school children were taken to a city hospital on Friday following a collision between a Route 41 minibus and a motorcar along the Aubrey Barker Road in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The incident occurred at about 08:00h, and eyewitnesses claimed the driver of the motorcar was responsible for the accident, alleging that his vehicle had struck the minibus. The impact of the hit caused the minibus to become uncontrollable and topple onto its side.

In a video captured at the site, the female driver of the motorcar, who is also pregnant, could be heard saying, “I did not see the bus coming.”

Bystanders rushed to help the injured children and other passengers exit the minibus. Blood was visible on the side of that vehicle, and concerned adults were observed assisting some of the injured schoolchildren.

One child was seen holding his arm tightly while gripping his haversack. Another, visibly injured and covered in blood, was carefully carried by a man and placed in another vehicle, which promptly

rushed the child to the hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

Just last month, the Public Works Ministry said in a statement that it has taken note of the increasingly alarming trend of excessive speeding and reckless driving on Guyana’s roadways, and that this practice must never be condoned.

Within the last month, several persons – young and old, male and female - have lost their lives as a result of speeding, coupled with alcohol consumption in some instances. In fact,

the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported that 109 persons have lost their lives from 91 accidents that occurred between January 1 and August 28, 2023. For the same period in 2022, there were 62 fatal accidents which resulted in 68 deaths.

“There is a level of irresponsibility that is practised by many drivers today, and one has to wonder if this is the cost of development”, the Ministry has said in a release.

Further, the Ministry said it has taken note of the increased destruction of public property as a result of accidents, and is warning that stricter fines and penalties would be introduced

to remedy the situation. In the case of reckless driving, those drivers would be held responsible and made to pay the cost of replacement and/or repairs.

Guyana-Canada Chamber critical ...

“Guyana 2030 and beyond will be very different from what we are accustomed to. It will be a country that will lead the world on climate security. It’s a country that will be around every single leadership table on energy security. It’s a country that will be in the leadership position in this Region on food security. It is a country that will offer to the world the best eco-tourism product, none will be able to compete with us.”

“We are going to put the infrastructure in place…to train our people…to invest in their education…to invest in facilities…to invest in services… [and] we are going to change our attitude, our culture and our own behaviour. There is absolutely no other option available to us. We

are done talking. We are going to do it and we are going to position our tourism product second to none,” the President said.

The Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan institution that promotes investments and trade between Guyana and Canada. Since the establishment of the chamber two years ago, significant growth has been recorded in trade between the two countries.

For instance, in 2021, merchandise trade totalled C$238.2 million between the two countries. In addition, exports to Guyana for 2021 were valued at $28.6 million, while imports from Guyana were valued at $199.6 million

Among the notable activities that the CGCC complet-

ed in 2022 was the CGCC Virtual Engagement with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, during which he discussed Guyana’s Budgetary Allocations for the Fiscal Year 2022.

The chamber also partnered for a hybrid meeting on Trade & Investment Opportunities between Canada and Guyana –which was a meeting with Minister Mary Ng (Canada), Minister Oneidge Walrond, other Canadian Members of Parliament, and members of the CGCC.

During the meeting, the CEO of the chamber and Board Members delivered presentations on inclusive business, agriculture, and clean tech as areas of development between Canada and Guyana. (G-3)

The bus shortly after it toppled

One of the students who were injured as a result of the accident

With the festive season fast approaching, several stores have already been transformed into that red, white and green ambiance that would put you in the Christmas spirit.

One of these stores is definitely Cata’s Shop, with its owner planning to give Guyanese the most memorable Christmas shopping experience.

But how it all started would amaze you to know. Inspired by a trip to

Colombia back in 2019, Lana Melendez noticed a unique set of stores that brought Christmas cheer

to their customers well before December, and she felt inspired to bring this phenomenon to Guyana.

“I was on vacation, and I saw small shops in July in Colombia that had Christmas [items] already,

and I was like ‘Wow, Christmas in July!’, and so that’s when this whole thing started. I said, ‘You know what, Guyana needs something like this’,” Melendez told <<Guyana Times>> on Saturday.

With a love for the Christmas holidays and motivation to cater to those who share these sentiments, Melendez, alongside her husband and mother, opened Cata’s Shop in October 2021, providing holiday decorations to customers looking to prepare their

homes for the festive season.

“I told my husband, but he wasn’t keen on it…I told him I needed to do this. Even when we went shopping, he was like, ‘Lana, are you sure?’, and I said, ‘Yes!’, and he was like, ‘Okay, I’m with you if you know this is going to work’,” Melendez recalled.

“When he saw the people who started coming to the store, he said, ‘You really moved smartly; your first business and it was a smart move’,” Melendez continued. Located at 17 Brickdam and Sendall Place, Georgetown, Cata’s Shop carries a range of Christmas-related items, from decorative balls and ornaments of all colours to bedroom sets, table runners, lights and wreaths.

“I also have customers whose homes I would go to decorate, but I don’t

oteric in nature brings its fair share of challenges, the 46-year-old entrepreneur finds herself continuously learning to expand the business to keep afloat beyond just Christmas time.

many other stores carried the same. Resistant to giving up the centrally-located space, Melendez decided to expand the store to provide items for other holidays throughout the year.

charge them. They have to buy everything from my store. They pick their colours, I advise them what to do, and that’s the next service I offer. For businesses, I normally charge a fee to do this,” Melendez said.

Though a store so es -

“When I opened for Christmas, I had no negative [response], because people were amazed with the store. The pieces that I picked up were unique pieces, because when I shop, I make sure that I’m there to feel everything that I’m buying,” she said.

“After Christmas, you will have Valentine’s Day coming up, then Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; so that’s what I’m doing throughout the year,” she disclosed. “Now I decided to do a complete gift shop where you can come and find pieces for your family and friends. So, after Christmas, I’ll go straight to gifts again.”

Above all, Melendez seeks to keep her customers happy, and related that the reception she’s received has always been positive.

“So, I had no disadvantage when I opened. But after that, the following year, I had a lot of difficult challenges with picking the right items,” she said, noting that bringing in artificial flowers proved to be a difficult sell, as so

“I have special customers that will come in; like one customer [comes in] all the time. So, every year, I know I’m going to see my customers. I’ve never ever had any issues with customers. That’s one of my biggest priorities – to make sure when you walk in here, you walk out back happy,” Melendez said.

Offering deliveries and facilitating MMG payments, Cata’s Shop continues to grow, and persons interested are encouraged to visit the store or check its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Lana Melendez, owner of Cata’s Shop

Christmas items on sale at Cata’s Shop

Guyanese fashion icon to host as 2023 winds down

dustry professionals, and pursue excellence in service deliverables among the burgeoning Guyanese professional landscape. Their combined experience and honed expertise afford them the privilege of industry-specific wisdom that can impact the individual lives of attendees to their workshops, seminars, and symposia.

The first event is the “Power of Mindset”, which embraces optimism and belief in our abilities and having faith in the outcome. This is set for October 14, and will be held virtually.

Mindset is a set of deeply-held, powerful beliefs that shape our perception of ourselves and the world around us. It serves as a framework for meaningful work life and holistic life chances. It is the lens through which we view opportunities and our ability to overcome challenges. Mindset plays a significant role in our relationship with success and failure.

The second event, titled “The Other Side of Fear”, focuses on conversations about living intentionally.

When people live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers in their environment or from threats they perceive, they can experience negative impacts in all areas of their lives, and can even become incapacitated. Navigating through fear to live an intentional life is important to everyone.

This event is set for October 17 at Tower Suites, Main Street Georgetown, and will commence at 17:00h. Registration is absolutely free.

The third event, titled “The Profit Profile”, will showcase branding, competitiveness, innovation, and service excellence. This event is billed for October 19 at the Tower Suites.

This programme heightens your sensibilities and engages your senses to create brand identity, fostering occupational pride, instilling an added-value work ethic, and ensuring high-calibre service deliverables. A morning session will be facilitated from 9:00h to 12:00h, and then the evening session will be hosted from 17:00h to 21:00h.

The signature event, the “Model Image – Fashioning the Future”, will tackle stage dynamics, camera awareness, and runway prowess, preparing aspiring models to exemplify best-practice modelling techniques as well as enrich the looks and styles of those who don’t necessarily want to model, but want to exude the confidence of the trailblazers of style.

TURN TO PAGE 16

Founder of Sonia Noel Foundation

Guyanese fashion icon...

This will be held on October 21 at 10:00h for toddlers and teens. Then from 15:00h, those from age 18 and over will take the spotlight. Registration for Profit Profile and Model Image costs $7000 respectively.

“We encourage you to join the mission and give the world the best version of you. I am a testimony of what is possible when we become intentional and take action regarding our growth,” Sonia Noel has said.

Sonia Noel is celebrating 26 years of steadfast application of creative excellence to her inimitable fashion brand, while di -

versifying her skillset to include transformational authorship, proactive mentoring, motivational speaking, sustainable philanthropic actioning, and production management.

Richard Young is celebrating 35 years of institutional strengthening in the regional fashion industry, Caribbean storytelling advocacy, creative strategy/branding development in the West Indies and in the Diaspora, model/talent/image management, pageant coaching, events management training and execution, show production, script writing and editing, and customer service/hospitality consul -

tancy. “I am happy to partner again with Sonia Noel and Richard Young to make a difference in our society,” General Manager of Tower Suites, Keisha Phillips, has stated.

Creative Consultant Richard Young

After 19 years in prison, Ahzarudin Khan gets 2nd chance at life via ‘Fresh Start’ initiative

In a testament to the indomitable spirit of human resilience, Ahzarudin Khan of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was once confined within prison walls for 19 years, has been given his freedom, new opportunities, and ultimately a second chance at life.

Released in May of this year, Khan's story stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating the transformative impact of the Government's “Fresh Start” initiative.

In a society often quick to judge, Khan's journey from incarceration to empowerment highlights the essential human need for redemption, and the potential for change, even in the most challenging circumstances.

With determination and the support of Government's groundbreaking programme, Khan is not only rebuilding his life, but is also inspiring others to follow his path.

The “Fresh Start” ini-

tiative, spearheaded by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, is a revolutionary step towards reducing criminal recidivism. This programme embodies the Government's commitment to providing a second chance for individuals with felony convictions, facilitating their reintegration into society, and nurturing their potential for a brighter future.

Khan receiving his 'Fresh Start' kit

After 19 years in prison, Ahzarudin...

At the heart of this initiative lies a fundamental belief in the power of rehabilitation and the importance of addressing the needs of ex-offenders transitioning from incarcera-

tion into the community. For Khan, this fresh start comes in the form of a weeding machine and several other essential tools provided by the Government. These tools

not only represent a means of livelihood, but symbolize a newfound sense of purpose and self-worth.

“I want to thank the administration for this fresh start…at least now

I get a start. Since I came out, I have been doing construction, but this [the weeding machine] will help me a lot to get a better and new life. Since I was released, I have been getting myself together, because I know the struggle I went through. I just try to make life easier for me now”, the ex-prisoner has said.

By expanding opportunities for occupational training and creating pathways to financial independence, the programme empowers individuals like Khan to rewrite their life stories.

During his time behind bars, Khan became a beacon of hope for his fellow inmates, encouraging them to believe in the possibility of a better future. His story became a rallying point, demonstrating that change is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible reality within their grasp.

“I am so happy for my freedom…I would like to

encourage people to just keep away from prison, because it is not a nice place. But, for those who are in there, just take the rehab and everything, so that you can help out your situation. At least, when you are free, you can do something on your own, and you will get to move on.”

Benn’s vision for the “Fresh Start” initiative encompasses more than just reducing recidivism rates; rather, it is about fostering a society in which everyone is given a chance to rectify their mistakes and contribute positively. By creating a support system that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by ex-offenders, the Government is not only transforming individual lives, but also revitalising communities.

As Khan steps into a new chapter of his life, he stands as a living testament to the power of rehabilitation, second chances, and the belief in human potential. His story is a reminder that, with the right support and opportunities, individuals can overcome even the most daunting obstacles, paving the way for a future defined by hope, redemption, and endless possibilities.

Ex-prisoner Ahzarudin Khan

Step into the world of dance with Natalie Adams, a passionate and dedicated dance teacher who has made it her mission to inspire others through the art of movement.

Adams discovered her love for dance from a young age, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Despite feeling like she didn’t always fit in or excel at choreography, her unwavering passion kept her going.

Hailing from Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, Adams has spent some time at the House of Israel, an African organization that would, from time to time, put on cultural presentations which would allow the youths to explore

Members of the Joro Dance Group

their talents in singing and dancing. Thus, Adams grew up immersed in dance culture, and realized that her true calling wasn’t to be a fantastic dancer her-

self, but rather to put stars on the street by teaching and imparting her knowledge to others.

TURN TO PAGE 20

Some of the little ones during session

Her journey led her to join the National School of Dance at the age of 16. She joined Teacher Vivian Danielle’s class and simultaneously taught dance at her local church. However, she recalled that while being at Green Acres Nursery School, she started to dance, but they never entered the children’s dance competitions.

Of course, the beginning of the journey came with its challenges. “I don’t know how I used to cope at that time. But I think (that) as I grew older, like in my 20s, it was just like, hey, just get dressed, go out there, and make it happen”. Adams noted.

She nevertheless had the chance to work with her class teacher, who one day asked her to assist in making a few costumes. “To me, you know, in the mind, thinking this is nice and I could become a little big designer,” she laughed.

At that time, that was one of her achievements.

Now, at 40, Adams believes

that dance is all about expression and connection. She encourages her students at Joro Dance School to explore their creativity and trust their instincts; but, more so, they should try unlocking the magic that lies within them.

Seeing her students progressing and achieving their goals brings immense joy to Adams, and she continues to learn and grow alongside them. She understands and is aware that not all of them would grasp the concept at the same time, but she has

still been encouraged by their consistency.

Adams’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her love for dance and her desire to share it with others. Her students’ success stands as a testament to her talent and dedication as a dance teacher, making her an inspiration in the local dance community.

When asked about her advice to aspiring dancers and teachers, Adams emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and never giving up on dreams. She

believes that everyone can be the best version of themselves, as long as they continue walking towards achieving their dreams.

“I’m going to say this: I know there’s a lot of teachers out there who will say that,

‘Oh, I brought this child to the art’. But, you as a teacher, also learn from the students. For example, you can do an improvisation session where you tell the child to improvise and use their own level of creativity, and you see that child create. You see that child create something miraculous, and is like I can put this into something…I can use this idea. So, you always allow yourself to learn from your students even while teaching. So, all that’s another factor of growing,” she detailed.

She added that no one is ever too old to learn, and we are always a work in progress.

Adams is known for her choreography skills, as she led her dancers to success by winning the Men on Mission/ Guyana Police Force ‘Flava De Stage’ Dance Competition earlier this year. In fact, she is the founder of the Joro Dance School. The group has performed at several national events, including performing at State House, and is set

to represent Guyana at the Guyana Folk Festival in the USA in early 2024. This is an event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Guyana.

Adams is hoping to have some new dance routines to captivate the audience. As such, she and her team will be pooling their ideas to come up with some of the best-choreographed dance pieces.

One of her main focuses over the years is to have routines that are different from the others – some that suit the environment and the occasion. As such, a lot of emphasis is being placed on choreography.

“Choreography is that piece of music that no one can take from you. They have no idea what it means, and only you see that vision… As a choreographer, you don’t have to be fantastic, because a fantastic dancer is not always a fantastic choreographer,” she explained.

Adams has declared herself proud of all her achievements, both as a dancer and dance teacher.

One of the dancers carrying a float

Members of the Joro Dance Group

Allied Arts Unit teams up with Kross Kolor to launch Music Producer Incubator Programme

The Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit has teamed up

During the launch, Head of the Unit of the Allied Arts, Nicholas Fraser said this is in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s vision of ensuring students are exposed to some aspect of music before graduating secondary school. He explained that the Unit’s Music Coordinator, Joel Gonsalves, is part of the team which is spearheading the programme.

Every Saturday, the students will be required to attend the programme at the Unit of Allied Arts located in the Queen’s College compound.

gramme. He stated that the Music Producer Incubator Programme was made possible through UNESCO and Caricom, and is being administered by the University of the West Indies.

The course will cover basic music theory, and the use of keyboard controllers to make rhythm tracks within standard music creation/au-

dio software. It will also feature audio engineering basics for sound recording, music marketing basics, and understanding the functions of music industry specialists like producers, arrangers, publishers, road managers and music managers.

Simon explained that the selection process for the students started earlier this year

and thirteen of the best students were selected to participate in the programme.

Upon the successful completion of the Music Producer Incubator Programme, five of the best students will be presented with music production equipment. These students will also be registered with a regional performing rights organisation.

with Kross Kolor Records to launch the Music Producer Incubator Programme in secondary schools.

Over the next six months,

and

engineering, to

The Chief Executive Officer of Kross Kolor, Burchmore Simon, who is a local music teacher and producer, will be the lead instructor on the pro-

13 students from several secondary schools will undergo training in music production

recording

become independent emerging producers capable of creating professional-sounding rhythm tracks.

Officials and students at launch of the programme

One of the pieces of equipment that will be used in the programme

Some of the students selected to participate in the programme

Berbice man beaten, threatened by trio charged with multi-million-dollar robbery at RDC

- Police investigating matter – Commander

Days after they were granted bail by the court for the multimillion-dollar robbery committed on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in New Amsterdam, the three men are now accused of assaulting and threatening a civilian, thus leaving him traumatized and living in fear.

Twenty-six-yearold Shawn Simon has told <<Guyana Times>> that, at about 02:00h on Wednesday, he went to visit a friend who works at a hotel in New Amsterdam, and while there, the three men and two women walked in – all of whom he knows. He said a few of them approached him, and from there, the situation escalated.

“Two came to the front desk where I was talking to my friend, and the (name given) turned to me and said that he don’t want no ‘antiman’ around here. My friend told him that I was not there for him but that I came to her.

“We continued our conversation, and then he

came up in my face and started ranting, and I got upset and that is when I retaliated. I told them the time you all taking to study me, you should study the RDC money that you all stole.”

“The victim said he was then punched in the face by another member of the group, causing him to fall to the ground, where he was punched two more times.

“My friend came and she grabbed him, and I got to run out,” Simon detailed.

According to the victim, he was confused as

he ran out of the premises, and instead of going to the Police station, he went in the direction of the New Amsterdam Prison.

“When I went to the Prison, I started to bang on the door, and when I looked back, they were driving in a car coming behind me,” Simon detailed.

He said an officer at the New Amsterdam Prison told him he needed to go to the Police station, and as he left, he saw the men who had assaulted him coming towards him; thus he was forced to take refuge in the compound of the Prison Officers Sports

Club.

“The gate is always open, so I rushed in there and I hid. I know that they saw when I ran in there, so while the car was passing, they slowed down and they said if I only go to the station, they would find me and they would shoot and kill me,” he related.

Despite the threats, he still went to the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, and an officer took a statement from him and asked that he return the following day. He said that even though his face was partly swollen and he was bleeding, the officer did not give him a form to obtain a Police medical report from a doctor.

In fact, Simon said he even begged for the Police patrol vehicle to take him home, since one of the persons who attacked him and made the threats also resides in his community. However, the officer reportedly said there was no vehicle available.

The young man is claiming he now fears for his life.

“There are many reasons for me to be scared. Number one is the record that they uphold as a gang, and for them saying if I went to the Police station they were going to kill me, I am fearful. We LGBTQ persons, the law doesn’t focus on us that much. We have to fight to get through

in the system,” he added.

When contacted, Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus told Guyana Times the Police had made checks for the RDC robbery accused in relation to this assault, but they have not been located.

Those who were charged with the $40 million robbery at the RDC are O’Neil Lampkin, a 32-year-old construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje Berbice; Damion Morgan, a 25-year-old resident of Ordnance Fortlands, East Canje Berbice; and Shkeel Grant, a 27-year-old businessman of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam Berbice.

Assaulted: Shawn Simon

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

Oil blocks’ auction

Evaluation of bids likely to wrap up this week – VP Jagdeo

With the aim of signing the contracts by year-end, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday revealed that the evaluation of the 14 bids received for the remaining oil blocks offshore Guyana could wrap up as early as next week.

Following its launch in December 2022, the bidding round closed off in September with six companies bidding on eight of the 14 blocks offshore that were up for grabs. In total, there were 14 offers made on those blocks.

Last month, the Government said the evaluation of those bids would finish in early October with the aim of concluding the agreements before the end of the year.

During his press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo was asked about the progress of the evaluation and disclosed that, “They were supposed to finish this by next week.”

According to the Vice President, he is confident that they will be able to meet these timelines set out.

“When the timelines were developed, they were developed in discussions with our consultants. So, I guess there is adequate time in that timeline to complete all of this. I can’t tell you definitively now because if it gets more complex in the negotiations or if there is slippage… But I

anticipate that this would happen [that is, it would be] completed within a timeline,” Jagdeo stated.

Of the 14 blocks in the auction, three were for deep-sea areas and the other 11 for shallow areas, ranging from 1000 to 3000 square kilometres (sq km). Offers were made on two deep-sea blocks and six shallow-area blocks.

VP Jagdeo previously said that there were no offers for the following blocks: D3, S1, S2, S6, S9, and S11. This effectively means that bids were received on the D1 and D2 blocks in the deep-sea area while for the shallow area, on the S3, S4, S5, S7, S8 and S10.

Among the six bidders are ExxonMobil; SISPRO INC (Guyana);

Total Energies EP Guyana BV; Qatar Energy International E&P LLC; Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia); Delcorp Inc Guyana and Watad Energy

and Arabian Drillers of Saudi Arabia; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghanabased Cybele Energy Limited; International Group Investment Inc and Montego Energy SA (London).

Meanwhile, for the six blocks that received no offers along with the other remaining blocks offshore, President Dr Irfaan Ali had hinted one day after the September 12, 2023 closure of the auction that these could be available for government-to-government deals.

The Head of State also expressed satisfaction with the results of the bid round, noting that it is in keeping with Government’s commitment to an open public and transparent process in awarding the remaining blocks offshore Guyana.

Similar sentiments were driven home by VP Jagdeo despite some questioning the success of the bid round.

The 2016 oil contract for the Stabroek Block signed between the ExxonMobilled co-venturers and the then APNU/AFC coalition Government has been heavily criticised for low royalty, lack of ring-fencing provisions, and cost oil claims that will see Guyana losing billions, among other issues.

For these new potential oil deals stemming from the auction, the current

PPP/C Government has established a new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). Under new conditions, Guyana stands to benefit from as high as US$20 million signature bonus for the deep-water blocks and US$10 million for the shallow-water blocks. Additionally, while it includes the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery, there is an increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to now a 10 per cent fixed rate; the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax, and the lowering of the cost recovery

ceiling to 65 per cent from the previous 75 per cent.

Guyana, with ExxonMobil as the operator, began producing oil in December 2019, in the oilrich Stabroek Block, which is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC

Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

Since last year, Guyana has been recording weekly lifts in the Stabroek Block with oil production now at some 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the <<<Liza Destiny>>> and <<<Liza Unity>>> floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels. With EEPGL making weekly lifts, Guyana’s crude entitlement of one million barrels occurs monthly from the two FPSOs.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027.

The third project –the Payara development, which comes on stream later this year – will add another 220,000 bpd when production regulates in a few months after start-up. Payara will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels, and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the Yellowtail development, which will be the US oil giant’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will target a mammoth 250,000 bpd during a 20-year period that will generate at least 1300 direct jobs. This project is slated to commence production in 2025 using the “One Guyana” FPSO vessel.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Over 30 Reg 6 workers sensitised on labour laws, rights

In a continued effort to boost awareness of healthy workplace practices and employee rights, the Labour Ministry on Thursday conducted a sensitisation exercise with over 30 workers in Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Through this initiative, the participants gained information on the national minimum wage, termination of employment, leave with pay, conditions of work, child labour, and occupational safety and health (OSH) in the workplace.

Workers were also educated about coopera -

Min Hamilton addresses challenging transition to digital era at ILO Meeting

tive and friendly societies and the services provided by the Ministry through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA).

Ministry officials that visited the communities included Labour Officer Emanuel Ramdhial, OSH Officer Nazmoon Jafarally and Regional Cooperative Societies Officer Keshri Jailall.

Thursday’s exercise commenced with a visit to the Mibicuri Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) where the Labour Ministry officers met with employees from

the agriculture sector, particularly cash crop and rice farmers, as well as residents of Lesbeholden and Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.

This outreach forms part of the Ministry’s overarching plan to educate workers across the region on their rights.

Last month, a number of business representatives in Region Six participated in a one-day seminar in Berbice on the conditions of work, OSH requirements, and employment exchange services, in a continuation of the Ministry’s efforts to push for healthier work environments.

Focus was placed on the labour laws governing overtime payments, termination of employment and severance pay, inspection and record-keeping, national minimum wage, probation period and leave with pay, safety and health at work, and the employment services offered by the Ministry.

During this engagement, it was revealed that based on an inspection the Ministry had conducted from January to August of 407 Region Six work -

places, 53 per cent of them complied with the requirements under the law, while 47 per cent were not following all of the requirements.

Meanwhile, 14 per cent of the inspected businesses and workplaces in the region had no wage records.

This discovery urged a further need for the Ministry and the business community to build a strong partnership to ensure compliance with the laws relating to working conditions and OSH.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton recently participated in Day Two of the 46th Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) of ILO/Cinterfor, where he discussed vocational training and the challenges of the transition of digital economies and societies.

Minister Hamilton highlighted the topic as a crucial component of the education system that faces challenges and needs to be resolved to ensure the next generation of Guyanese has the requisite skills to survive in the digital age.

Themed “Vocational Training as the Core of Economic and Social Development,” this TCM was held from Wednesday to Friday in the Dominican Republic, in coordination with the National Institute of Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP).

A technical service of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ILO/ Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training (Cintefor) responds to the needs of individuals, companies and countries by providing professional training and human resource development.

In addition to Minister Hamilton’s areas of focus, other key areas discussed during the event were skills forecasting for a green transition, digitalisation of training, apprenticeships for youth, social dialogue in training, inclusive training pathways for vulnerable populations, and lifelong

learning.

Hamilton was joined by a number of other Labour Ministries from other countries in the Region, as well as specialists, professionals, representatives of institutions specialising in training and development of human talent, ILO/Cinterfor members and representatives of employers and workers.

Their collective presence signalled the importance of strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) on a global scale as a means towards sustainable development of the Region at large.

The three-day event included keynote lectures and discussions that deepened the experiences and lessons learned by the various countries and institutions on these critical issues.

During the meeting’s launch in July, Dominican Republic’s Labour Minister Luis Miguel de Camps noted the impact of the 46th TCM for the Dominican Republic and the Region at large as skills training is increasingly important for workers to meet regional and global demands, and contribute to economic growth and human development.

"It is important to make it known that the challenges of the gap in the skills demanded by the labour market and the skills produced by the training systems are not exclusive to the Dominican Republic, because national markets are global," de Camps said, according to a Cintefor statement.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

Labour Ministry conducted sensitisation session for workers in Region Six

MoA hosts fitness walk in observance of Agriculture Month

We will have the different agencies showcased. We will have 13 agencies, so, it’s a good opportunity… There will be distribution of plants exercise… If you need seeds, if you need citrus plants,

[and] if you need coconut seedlings, come out on the 16th of October and this will be distributed freely,” the PS added.

From October 20 to 22, the Arthur Chung

Conference Centre will host the Agri Investment Forum and Expo. This will create networking, business, and investment opportunities with local, regional, and international partners.

Court fines businesses for breaching EPA’s prohibition notice

The Government has planned several activities in observance of Agriculture Month under the theme “Accelerating

MovieTowne, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, to Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.

Permanent Secretary of

ed with an interfaith and today it’s our walk and it’s all about fitness and you have to eat well. You have to live well. So, agriculture brings an awareness of a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

There will also be several farmers’ market days in various parts of the country starting today, Sunday, October 8, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and Albion, Corentyne, Berbice.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken strong actions to ensure safe and healthy communities.

Despite extensive efforts to assist businesses in adopting environmentally responsible practices, the EPA in a statement on Thursday said it had to resort to legal action when some businesses consistently ignored its advice.

Marlon Khadoo to pay a $300,000 fine for breaching the EPA's Prohibition Notice regarding noise and dust pollution.

The EPA was represented in court by its legal counsel, Frances Carryl and Shareefah Parks.

Vision 25 by 2025: Investing in Agri Businesses and Food Security.”

The Agriculture Ministry on Saturday partnered with the Health Ministry to host a fitness walk from

the Agriculture Ministry, Delma Nedd related that it was good to see so many people on the walk and she hopes that they are inspired to live a healthy lifestyle.

“We would have start-

The market begins at 6:00h and the public is encouraged to take advantage of cheap agricultural produce. On October 16, a World Food Day exhibition and fair will be held at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, Bourda.

“At that event, we will also have agro-processors.

It cited two recent cases involving individuals and entities failing to comply with the EPA's voluntary compliance efforts.

This led to the agency issuing Prohibition Notices under the Environmental Protection Act. These notices followed various engagement attempts, such as meetings and warning letters, to encourage safer operational practices, the EPA

said.

In response to persistent non-compliance, the EPA pursued legal action against the defaulting operators, resulting in significant fines and compliance orders.

Notably, the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court imposed a $300,000 fine on Radesh Williams for failing to mitigate noise and dust pollution, which posed environmental and health risks.

Similarly, Whim Magistrate’s Court ordered

According to the agency, it is committed to environmental protection and community well-being.

“These recent court rulings underscore the EPA's steadfast dedication to maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment. The substantial fines emphasise the strict enforcement of environmental laws, reinforcing the EPA's mission to safeguard the environment and promote compliance with environmental regulations among businesses,” the EPA added.

Participants after the walk

Some of the participants during the walk on Saturday

Around the World OIL NEWS

Israel vows 'mighty vengeance' after deadliest day for 50 years

OPEC raises oil demand view in long-term outlook, sources say

OPEC has raised its medium- and long-term oil demand outlook in a forthcoming report, three OPEC sources said, despite the transition toward renewable energy, highlighting the oil exporting group's more bullish view compared to other forecasters.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is scheduled to update its long-term oil demand forecasts in its 2023 World Oil Outlook on Oct 9, which is being launched in Riyadh, the capital of top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia.

Higher oil demand would be a boost for producers and the 13-nation OPEC and would underscore the need for continued investment. It also highlights OPEC's more bullish view on the oil demand outlook compared to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and other forecasters.

"Demand is still going up," one of the sources, who all declined to be named said, describing the upward revisions as not large. Oil use had shown resilience in the last 18 months during periods of high prices, the source added.

OPEC's Vienna headquarters did not reply to an invitation to comment ahead of Monday's launch that will be attended by OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and other officials.

In 2020, OPEC made a shift when the pandemic hit demand, saying it would eventually slow after years of predicting everincreasing consumption, although it has since begun raising the forecasts again as oil use has recovered.

The 2022 version of OPEC's report sees oil demand reaching a plateau after 2035. Predictions from the IEA and some other analysts see a peak earlier.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in an op-ed in the Financial Times in September that new IEA estimates show "this age of seemingly relentless growth" in fossil fuel demand "is set to come to an end this decade."

In response, OPEC said data-based forecasts do not support the IEA's projection, and what made the projections "so dangerous" is they are often accompanied by calls to stop new oil and gas investment.

OPEC and the IEA have repeatedly clashed in recent years, with OPEC criticising the IEA, which advises industrialised countries, for what it sees as irresponsible predictions and subsequent data revisions. (Reuters)

Scientists untangle mystery about the universe's earliest galaxies

Since beginning op-

erations last year, the James Webb Space Telescope has provided an astonishing glimpse of the early history of our universe, spotting a collection of galaxies dating to the enigmatic epoch called cosmic dawn.

But the existence of what appear to be massive and mature galaxies during the universe's infancy defied expectations - too big and too soon. That left scientists scrambling for an explanation while questioning the basic tenets of cosmology, the science of the origin and development of the universe. A new study may resolve the mystery without ripping up the textbooks.

The researchers used sophisticated computer simulations to model how the earliest galaxies evolved. These indicated that star formation unfolded differently in these galaxies in the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang event 13.8 billion

Gunmen from the Palestinian group Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns on Saturday, killing more than 200 people and escaping with hostages in by far the deadliest day of violence in Israel since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago.

More than 230 Gazans were also killed when Israel responded with one of its most devastating days of retaliatory strikes.

"We will take mighty vengeance for this black day," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"Hamas launched a cruel and wicked war. We will win this war but the price is too heavy to bear," he said. "Hamas wants to murder us all. This is an enemy that murders mothers and children in their

homes, in their beds. An enemy that abducts elderly, children, teenage girls."

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the assault that had begun in Gaza would spread to the West Bank and Jerusalem.

"This was the morning of defeat and humiliation upon our enemy, its soldiers and its settlers," he said in a speech. "What happened reveals the greatness of our preparation. What happened today reveals the weakness of the enemy."

Bodies of Israeli civilians were strewn across the streets of Sderot in southern Israel, near Gaza, surrounded by broken glass. The bodies of a woman and a man were sprawled across the front seats of a car.

Gaza's dead and

wounded were carried into crumbling and overcrowded hospitals with severe shortages of medical supplies and equipment. The health ministry said 232 people had been killed and at least 1700 wounded.

Streets were deserted apart from ambulances

racing to the scenes of air strikes. Israel cut the power, plunging the city into darkness.

Western countries, led by the United States, denounced the Palestinian attack and pledged support for Israel. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 120 killed in 6.3 Afghanistan earthquake; 1000 injured

Hundreds of people are feared dead and at least 1000 are injured after a powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan, near the Iranian border.

The 6.3 magnitude quake struck about 40km from the western city of Herat at around 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT).

Many buildings were damaged, trapping people under rubble and there were

at least three powerful aftershocks.

Survivors described their terror as office buildings first shook - and then collapsed around them.

"We were in our offices and suddenly the building started shaking. Wall plaster started to fall down and the walls got cracks, some walls and parts of the building collapsed." Herat resident Bashir Ahmad told news agency AFP.

"I am not able to contact my family, network connections are disconnected. I am too worried and scared, it was horrifying," he added.

The province's disaster management chief Mosa Ashari told reporters: "So far more than 1000 injured women, children, and elderly citizens have been included in our records, and about 120 people have lost their lives."

Early reports put the confirmed toll at 15, but

this was always likely to rise once emergency workers confirmed the full scale of the widespread destruction. Unconfirmed reports put the current toll at more than 300.

Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes - especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range as it lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Haze hits Singapore as hot spots in Indonesia's Sumatra increase

years ago that initiated the universe than it does in large galaxies like our Milky Way populating the cosmos today.

Star formation in the early galaxies occurred in occasional big bursts, they found, rather than at a steady pace. That is important because scientists typically use a galaxy's brightness to gauge how big it is - the collective mass of its millions or billions of stars.

So, according to the study, these galaxies may have been relatively small, as expected, but might glow just as brightly as genuinely massive galaxies do - giving a deceptive impression of great massbecause of brilliant bursts of star formation.

Webb, which was launched in 2021 and became operational in 2022, detected about 10 times more very bright galaxies from cosmic dawn than anticipated based on most theoretical models. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Singapore's air quality fell into the unhealthy range on Saturday, official readings showed, as increased forest fires from neighbouring Indonesia brought haze to the city-state.

At 2 pm (0600 GMT), the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index readings in the eastern and central part of Singapore was above 100, levels at which people are advised to reduce prolonged strenuous outdoor activities.

Transborder haze is a perennial problem in Southeast Asia as regulatory loopholes make it hard for authorities to eliminate Indonesia's slash-and-burn land clearing practices.

Singapore's National Environment Agency said 212 hot spots were detected on Indonesia's nearby

Sumatra island on Friday, up from 65 on Thursday and 15 the day before.

A brief shift in the wind direction on Friday afternoon blew some of the lighter haze toward Singapore, worsening the island nation's in air quality, it said.

The traditional land clearing methods are used almost every year to clear land in Indonesia for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations that public records show are owned both by domestic and foreign or overseas-listed companies.

Indonesia was dousing forest fires with water sprayed from helicopters and inducing rain through cloud-seeding, the Environment Minister said on Friday, denying that hazardous haze was crossing borders.

Earlier in the

week Malaysia urged Indonesia to take action on the fires within Indonesia's borders as the air quality in Malaysia hit unhealthy levels.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo told reporters on Saturday extreme dry

weather was causing wildfires in many areas, but the situation was much better than in 2015 when 2.6 million hectares (6424739 acres) of land got burned, according to an estimate from the World Bank.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A view of an ambulance hit by an Israeli strike after Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack against Israel in the southern Gaza Strip, October 7, 2023

Police officers using a hose in effort to extinguish wildfires in Ogan Ilir regency, South Sumatra province, Indonesia, September 20, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)

CANCER

Put more energy into relationships. Share your thoughts and put your plans in motion. Keep your money and possessions safe and temptation at bay. Romance is in the stars.

Don’t let the little things get to you. If you think matters through, you’ll find a simple solution. Put your energy into positive action. Look at the big picture.

Attend a reunion, try something new or head out on an adventure. Socializing will inspire you to revamp how you use your spare time. Let inhibitions go and embrace the person you want to become.

Keep an open mind, but don’t reveal too much personal information. Pay more attention to how you look and what you have to offer. Put a game plan in place, then begin your journey.

Speak up, share your feelings and find out where you stand. What comes naturally will bring better results than forcing something. A solid commitment will help build momentum.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Do what you can to make a difference. Your input will prompt others to join in and follow suit. Changing your surroundings will spark your imagination and encourage you to entertain new adventures.

A physical activity or adventure will be exhilarating and conducive to meeting someone who touches you emotionally. If you are compassionate, your reputation will skyrocket.

Concentrate on what you can do, and bypass situations holding you back. When things slow down, switch lanes and head in the most productive direction. A unique maneuver will change your perspective.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20Mar. 20)

You don’t have to buy into someone else’s dream. Consider what you enjoy most and take the initiative to do your own thing. Someone you encounter will offer something that changes your lifestyle.

Live up to your promises and hold others to theirs. It’s up to you to deliver change that promotes personal happiness. Adjust your lifestyle and improve your surroundings.

AQUARIUS

Sit tight, contemplate your next move and refuse to let temptation sway you. A change of heart is apparent if someone disappoints you or takes advantage of your generosity.

PISCES

Take inventory and find out what you have and what you no longer need. Decluttering your life will help you save money and set better guidelines. Don’t deny yourself the freedom of choice.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Pickles

ICC World Cup 2023: SA vs Sri Lanka…

South Africa trump Sri Lanka in run-fest

-Markram, van der Dussen, de Kock ton up

Atrio of centuries, including the fastest ever in a World Cup, saw South Africa lay down a commanding marker as they kicked off their World Cup campaign with an authoritative 102-run win over Sri Lanka in Delhi.

emphatic centuries from Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram in the end proved to be the de cisive contributions as a valiant Sri Lankan outfit fell

halfway mark.

Sure, five of their bowlers went at over eight an over - three at nine or more - but a side that had major question marks over their ability to score quick runs gave a good account of themselves in what was al

This, though, was a day that belonged to the South African batters, namely Markram, whose 54ball 106 was as an innings of equal parts belligerence and control. How else would you describe a century that quite preposterously paired a control percentage of 90% at a strike rate of 196.29?

Such was his dominance that it quite honestly overshadowed the two other tons in the innings. Which is quite the statement, considering de Kock's came off 83 deliveries, and van der Dussen's off just 103.

Not to mention, the pair put on 204 for the second wicket, a stand that set the platform for the destruction that followed.

foul of a scary good South African outfit flexing their batting might.

In the process, South Africa also etched in several records. Here's a list of some of the key ones:

• South Africa's total of 428 for 5 is the highest ever total in a World Cup game, as well as the highest at the Kotla

• This was just the fourth time an ODI has seen three centurions from the same side

• Markram's 49-ball century was the fastest in World Cups, and by a South African, surpassing Ireland's Kevin O'Brien’s

• The tally of 107 boundaries across both innings is the most ever in a World Cup game

• This was the highest aggregate for a men's ODI World Cup match, going past the 714 runs in the 2019 game between Australia and Bangladesh in Nottingham. It was a day for the bowlers to forget, with the game largely decided as a straight shootout between the batters. And in that sense, while the end result may show a pretty decisive loss for Sri Lanka, this is a game that they would feel they could garner more positives than what might have seemed possible at the

fifty came off just 25 deliveries, and before any of his team-mates had scored a single run, Pathum Nissanka was out: castled for a duck, while Kusal Perera remained scoreless as Mendis cut loose.

Mendis reached his fifty at the team total of 54 - the lowest at which any batter has completed his fifty in men's ODIs (where known). He also plundered eight sixes - Sri Lanka struck nine in to tal - inside the first 10 overs - the sec ond-most in a men's ODI innings (where we have ball-by-ball data), one behind the West Indies, who hit ten sixes in their first ten overs vs England in 2019.

But once he fell, Sri Lanka's slim chances became even more faint. Fifties from Charith Asalanka (79 off 65) and Dasun Shanaka (68 off 62) kept the flame of hope briefly alive, but the task by that point was always well out of reach. Some late unexpected hitting from Kasun Rajitha then brought the margin of defeat down, which could be key if net run rate comes into play during the latter stages of the tournament.

It's arguable that Sri Lanka's only moment of relief in the innings came as early as the second over, when Dilshan Madushanka trapped Temba Bavuma in front of middle and leg with one that ducked in off a good length.

In that sense the opening 10 overs would have pleased the Lankans, who kept a lid on proceedings in that period, giving away just 48 runs.

In terms of breakthrough opportunities, all that came Sri Lanka's way were half chances at besta missed sharp chance at backward point, a hair's breadth margin on direct hit, and a mistimed chip falling just short of the fielder were pretty much the extent of it.

attack. A trio of boundaries - including a pair of textbook straight drivesoff Madushanka signified his intent early, but he saved his devastating best for Matheesha Pathirana, against whom he cracked three boundaries and a six in a brutal 26-run over near the death.

note. Heinrich Klaasen, who's been having a year most batters wouldn't dare even fantasise about, ransacked a 20-ball 36, while David Miller blasted his way to a 21-ball 39. Even Marco Jansen helped himself to a maximum during his 12 off 7.

lines and lengths tight, the pair of de Kock and van der Dussen accumulated. During their 174-ball stand, boundaries were never too difficult to find, with loose deliveries dealt with efficiently and even the good balls more often than not turned away for singles. It was a partnership that burgeoned with minimal risk-taking.

As for South Africa, to say they progressed smoothly through the gears would only suffice if the gears available were four, five and Super Saiyan. After that relatively subdued opening 10 overs, overs 11-20 saw them tick away at seven an over; overs 2130 saw a further 88 runs scored; 85 followed in the next tranche of 10; and then came the final blow, as a further 137 runs were pillaged in the final 10, to put the most emphatic of exclamation points on an exquisitely paced innings. Any wickets to fall were off miscues, but even then, the respite that usually follows the fall of a wicket soon gave way to trepidation, with each progressive batter just carrying on in an even more devastating manner than the last.

None highlighted this trend more than Markram, who arrived at the crease with a little under 20 overs, left and proceeded to take apart the Lankan

Having brought up his 50 in a relatively modest 34 deliveries, he then took just a further 15 to reach his century. The centurions aside, there were cameos that on any other day would have been worthy of more than being a foot -

It was as beastly a batting display as you're likely to see, but even more impressive might be the sense that rather than it being a one-off demolition, this South African side exudes the aura that such performances are eminently repeatable. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (50 ovs

maximum)

Quinton de Kock † c de Silva

b Pathirana 100

Temba Bavuma (c) lbw

b Madushanka 8

Rassie van der Dussen

c Samarawickrama

b Wellalage 108

Aiden Markram c Rajitha

b Madushanka 106

Heinrich Klaasen c Shanaka

b Rajitha 32

David Miller not out 39

Marco Jansen not out 12

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 21) 23

TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 8.56) 428/5

Did not bat: Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso

Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Temba Bavuma, 1.4 ov), 2-214 (Quinton de Kock, 30.4 ov), 3-264 (Rassie van der Dussen, 37.1 ov), 4-342

(Heinrich Klaasen, 43.1 ov), 5-383

(Aiden Markram, 47.1 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Kasun Rajitha 10-1-90-1

Dilshan Madushanka 10-0-86-2

Dasun Shanaka 6-0-36-0

Dhananjaya de Silva 4-0-39-0

Matheesha Pathirana 10-0-95-1

Dunith Wellalage 10-0-81-1

Sri Lanka (T: 429 runs from 50 ovs)

Pathum Nissanka

b Jansen 0

Kusal Perera

b Jansen 7

Kusal Mendis † c †Klaasen

b Rabada 76

Sadeera Samarawickrama

c Jansen b Coetzee 23

Charith Asalanka c sub (RR Hendricks)

b Ngidi 79

Dhananjaya de Silva c sub (AL Phehlukwayo) b Maharaj 11

Dasun Shanaka (c)

b Maharaj 68

Dunith Wellalage c †Klaasen b Coetzee 0

Kasun

South Africa celebrating

Aiden Markram slammed a 49-ball hundred

Rassie van der Dussen got off his feet while playing the pull

Guyana gains 2 additional Archery Continental Judges

Nicholas Hing and Robert Singh have been officially welcomed into the fraternity of Continental Judges by World Archery Americas after having successfully completed the World Archery Americas Continental Judges Seminar hosted in Tobago in early October 2023.

This has been the first ever WAA Judges seminar held in the region. This initiative is part of the World Archery Americas’ strategic development plan to train more Continental Judges in more countries. This will result in more regional Continental Judges being available for events at the Central American and Caribbean Games and Pan Am Games.

The seminar was held in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago, and was conducted by International Judge Liz Del Carmen Perez Ortiz

(Mex) and Continental Judge Kristy Wapniarski (USA). Participants were National Judges with over 2 years’ experience, from the host country and Guyana.

The seminar included classroom and field sessions, and closed with a written exam that required an 85% pass mark. The National Judges were also given international exposure by being part of the judges’ team

CWI maintains ‘fair election’ after GCB concerns raised

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has maintained that a fair election was conducted to elect a Vice-president earlier this year. The Board’s position was made known following concerns raised by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The full CWI statement is below:

the organisation. CWI recognizes the importance of transparency and fairness in all its operations, including elections, and is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity.

led by International Judge Liz Perez that officiated at the recently held 5th Caribbean Development Championships.

The achievements of Nicholas Hing and Robert Singh bring the number of Guyanese Continental Judges to three, (3) as Mohamed Gamal Khan was certified in May 2022 after attending a seminar held in Nova Scotia, Canada.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) acknowledges the receipt of a letter from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) dated October 04, 2023, expressing concerns about the validity of the election for the post of Vice President held during the Annual General Meeting on March 25, 2023.

“The Board is confident that the election process was fair and transparent, and was conducted with due regard for the rights, views and opinions of all shareholders of CWI Inc. Such

was the case that, at the conclusion of the election process, the elected Vice President received congratulations and commitment of full support from ALL shareholder members.

“The Board of Cricket West Indies has thoroughly examined the matters raised by the Guyana Cricket Board, and wishes to assure all stakeholders that the election for the post of Vice President was conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of

“Notwithstanding, the Board continues to engage with the GCB, seeking an amicable resolution to the matter. CWI values its relationship with all member boards, and emphasizes the need for unity among the shareholders, and by extension the cricketing community.

“The Board implores the members of the GCB to put the interests of cricket above all else. CWI remains focused on its mission to promote and develop the sport in the region, and it is in the best interest of all parties to resolve this matter amicably and expediently.”

Bangladesh gets past Afghanistan in ICC World Cup 2023 match

Athree-wicket haul from Shakib Al Hasan and an all-round show from Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped Bangladesh kick off their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign with a thumping six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Dharamsala.

For Afghanistan, it was their 13th successive defeat at the World Cup, a streak stretching back all the way to 2015.

Afghanistan were sent in, and got off to a solid start before Shakib changed the momentum with the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan never recovered from there, and slipped from 83 for 1 to 156 all out.

Mehidy, who had contributed to that collapse with a three-wicket haul of his own, then struck a half-century, albeit a chancy one, from #3;

world cricket, but the sandbased outfield didn't make for pleas

Fielders had their knees sticking in when they put in slides, and puffs of dust could be seen when fast bowlers ran in to bowl. Luckily, both sides seemed to have es caped without any injury. In the morning, Shakib won the toss and opted to bowl. There was movement on offer with the new ball,

stand when Ibrahim tried to sweep one from well outside off and ended up top-edging to deep square-leg. A few overs later, the Bangladesh captain had Rahmat in a similar manner - the only difference being that this one was a catch near short exRahmat's wicket put the brakes on the scoring rate. In overs 16 to 19, Afghanistan managed just five runs.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, in particular, struggled to rotate the strike against Mehidy. In the 22 balls he faced from the offspinner, Shahidi scored just three runs.

He tried to break the shackles by pulling Mahmudullah for a four, and then charging down the track to Mustafizur Rahman to smash him through the covers. But when he tried to take on Mehidy, he ended up skying one miles into the air, and was caught at mid-on.

only to find out the seamer had slipped in a slower ball, and his miscued swing was taken by Tanzid Hasan charging in from deep cover.

Shakib then returned to pick up his third wicket, as Najibullah Zadran played down the wrong line and was bowled. In the next over, Mohammad Nabi chopped one from Taskin Ahmed on to his stumps, to leave Afghanistan at 126 for 6.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took the side to 150, before Rashid fell victim to the slowness of the surface and played on Mehidy. The innings didn't last long after

that.

Defending 156, Afghanistan had a wayward start with the ball, with both Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman struggling with their lines. Despite that, Bangladesh found themselves at 27 for 2.

Tanzid Hasan was run out after a mix-up with Litton Das. Two overs later, Litton himself got an inside edge on to his stumps against Farooqi.

All of a sudden, Afghanistan had a chance to come back into the game. That they couldn't was down to their own mistakes. Najibullah put down Mehidy

SCOREBOARD

Afghanistan (50 ovs maximum)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

† c Tanzid Hasan

b Mustafizur Rahman 47

Ibrahim Zadran c Tanzid Hasan

b Shakib Al Hasan 22

Rahmat Shah c Litton Das

b Shakib Al Hasan 18

Hashmatullah Shahidi

(c) c Towhid Hridoy

b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 18

Najibullah Zadran

b Shakib Al Hasan 5

Mohammad Nabi

b Taskin Ahmed 6

Azmatullah Omarzai

b Shoriful Islam 22

Rashid Khan

b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1

Naveen-ul-Haq c Towhid Hridoy

b Shoriful Islam 0

Fazalhaq Farooqi not out 0

Extras (w 8) 8

TOTAL 37.2 Ov (RR: 4.17) 156

and Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his excellent form with an unbeaten 59, as Bangladesh wrapped up the game with more than 15 overs to spare.

The scenic backdrop makes Dharamsala one of the most picturesque venues in

but the Bangladesh seamers switched to a short length too soon. At times they strayed in their lines, too. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim took full advantage of that, hitting a boundary in every over from the second to the eighth.

Shakib broke the 47-run

At the other end, Gurbaz became the fastest Afghanistan player to reach 1000 ODI runs. He got there in 27 innings, bettering Rahmat's Afghanistan record by four innings. But Shahidi's struggles have had an impact on him as well. In an attempt to increase the scoring rate, he gave charge to Mustafizur,

Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Ibrahim Zadran, 8.2 ov), 2-83 (Rahmat Shah, 15.1 ov), 3-112

(Hashmatullah Shahidi, 24.4 ov), 4-112 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 25.2 ov), 5-122 (Najibullah Zadran, 28.4 ov), 6-126 (Mohammad Nabi, 29.6 ov), 7-150 (Rashid

Khan, 34.2 ov), 8-156 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 35.2 ov), 9-156 (Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 36.3 ov), 10-156 (Naveen-ul-Haq, 37.2 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Taskin Ahmed 6-0-32-1

Shoriful Islam 6.2-1-34-2

Mustafizur Rahman 7-1-28-1

Shakib Al Hasan 8-0-30-3

Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9-3-25-3

Mahmudullah 1-0-7-0

Bangladesh (T: 157 runs from 50 ovs)

Tanzid Hasan run out (Najibullah Zadran) 5

Litton Das

b Fazalhaq Farooqi 13

Mehidy Hasan Miraz

c Rahmat Shah

b Naveen-ul-Haq 57

Najmul Hossain Shanto not out 59

Shakib Al Hasan (c) c

Fazalhaq Farooqi

b Azmatullah Omarzai 14

Mushfiqur Rahim † not out 2

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 4) 8

TOTAL 34.4 Ov (RR: 4.55) 158/4

Did not bat: Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Tanzid

Hasan, 4.1 ov), 2-27 (Litton

Das, 6.4 ov), 3-124 (Mehidy

Hasan Miraz, 28.1 ov), 4-146 (Shakib Al Hasan, 33.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Fazalhaq Farooqi 5-0-19-1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman 7-0-30-0 Naveen-ul-Haq

at backward point off Farooqi when the total was 38. Mehidy got another life soon after when Mujeeb dropped him at deep third off Naveen-ul-Haq. He was on 16 and 23 respectively at the time of those reprieves.

Mehidy and Shanto largely played percentage cricket after that, and were happy to pick up ones and twos. Still, it took only 58 balls for Mehidy to bring up his half-century. By the time Afghanistan broke the 97-run stand with Mehidy's wicket, Bangladesh were only 33 away from the target - just enough for Shanto to complete his half-century. (ESPNCricnfo)

Caption: Evin Lewis and Rashid Khan were teammates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season

Robert Singh

Nicholas Hing

Mehidy Hasan Miraz got among the wickets after Shakib Al Hasan had blown the door open

Najmul Hossain Shanto played his part in the Bangladesh chase

GCB Intercounty Super50…

Demerara dethrone Berbice in see-saw final

Aspectacular bowling performance from their team at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda on Saturday spurred Demerara to a thumping victory over defending champions Berbice in the final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Intercounty Super50 tournament.

Watched by a smattering of avid fans, Berbice won the toss and opted to bowl first. They dismissed Demerara for just under 200 runs. However, the Berbice batting fell apart at the seams as eventual Man of the Match, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, created much discomfiture for the visitors.

Unlike the past two games, Tagenarine Chanderpaul had an early farewell, going for just 5 runs off 7 balls. Mavindra Dindyal went soon after, for 2 from another 7 balls. With Chandrapaul Hemraj making a quick 29 from 23 deliveries before succumbing to Romario Shepherd’s bowling, Tevin Imlach and up pieces.

51-run partner ship breathed new life into the Demerara batting, but it was Richie Looknauth’s 52 off 50, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, that re ally kept Demerara going.

Persaud even tually went for 39 and 21 re-

spectively, while Sherfane Rutherford contributed a valuable 21 off 41 deliv-

notching 10 from 11 balls, while Nigel Deodat and the experiment up the or-

eries to get Demerara to a defendable 194 all out in Almost immediately, it was apparent that Berbice would make a mess of the chase.

The usually dashing Kevin Sinclair hadn’t much to contribute in the final,

der, Clinton Pestano, found themselves back in the dugout for 7 and 6 runs respectively.

All eyes were then on Shimron Hetmyer, who looked good to make a game of the chase with 5 classy hits to the boundary. However, Hetmyer’s display was short-lived as Ronald Ali Mohamed had him caught behind for 25 off 23 balls.

Kevlon Anderson was the anchor for the Berbicians, making a patient 40 off 52 balls, but as Anderson tried to grab hold of the chase, the wickets kept tumbling around him.

Rutherford picked up the wickets of Anderson and Seon Hetmyer, while Ali Mohamed scalped Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul to leave Berbice reeling at 119-8. By this time it was pretty much a case of seeking to have the tail wag the dog, and as Shemar Joseph brought out the much-needed shots, a cheeky stumping by Demerara Captain Imlach brought an anticlimactic end to the disastrous innings.

Berbice were bowled out for 131 in 28.3 overs.

As he prepared to lift the Championship Trophy, Imlach was effusive in praise for the entire Demerara unit.

“Very exciting! You know, the guys, at every point they turned up. The bowlers especially, they did well for us throughout the tournament, restricting Berbice to a low total in

the first game, and the other games they did the same; and today was an example of it. The seamers bowling excellent, the spinners…it was great. Couldn’t ask for a better team,” Imlach highlighted.

He went on to add, “It was very simple. We’ve

been doing well as a bowling unit, they’ve been very disciplined, so, it’s just about continuing down that vein, continue down that line and stay consistent; and they did it!”

While Tagenarine Chanderpaul was adjudged the tournament’s best bats-

man and ‘player of the series’, Kevin Sinclair was named the best bowler. On the premise of performances in the GCB Intercounty tournament, Guyana’s Squad for the Regional Super50 is expected to be announced soon. (Jemima Holmes)

GHB First Division Hockey League returns in grand style at GNS today

The Guyana Hockey Board is set to kickstart the Farfan & Mendes and Woodpecker Products Men’s and Women’s First Division Leagues today, October 8, 2023, at the prestigious Guyana National Stadium at Providence, with the action set to kick off at 16:00hrs.

Originally scheduled for August, the leagues had to be repeatedly postponed due to inclement weather conditions rendering the grass fields of traditional clubs unplayable. However, thanks to the intervention of the Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, and with unwavering support from Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the GHB has received the green light to utilise the Guyana National Stadium, widely regarded as one of the top

grass fields in the Caribbean, to host the league matches.

To add to the grandeur, the opening ceremony and the final two evening games will be conducted under floodlights in an exciting spectacle that underscores the significance of this event.

The Guyana Hockey Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Minister Ramson and his team for their invaluable assistance. Throughout the competition, which will be run every Sunday from October 8 to November 12, 2023, fans can expect to witness four of the country's premier clubs in action: GCC, Hikers, Old Fort, and Saints Hockey Club.

It is noteworthy that the Farfan & Mendes Men's First Division League is currently the longest-running hockey competition, span-

ning over four decades since its inception in the 1980s.

Further, WoodPecker Products has been a steadfast sponsor of the Women's First Division League for over a decade, demonstrating commitment to the hockey community.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 19:00hrs, will feature the participation of both male and female teams, creating a memorable kickoff for the league. However, it is important to note that the games themselves would commence at 16:00hrs, and all are invited to attend.

The President of the GHB has expressed great anticipation by stating, "This league has been eagerly awaited, and we are thrilled to finally be able to launch this exciting competition."

A glimpse of what to expect at the National Stadium, commencing today

The Demerara side erupted in cheer after taking the final Berbice wicket

Tagenarine Chanderpaul receiving his ‘player of the series’ award

Kevin Sinclair receiving his “most wickets” award