Guyana Times -Wednesday, August 02, 2023.

El Dorado Offshore, NATI join forces to foster technical growth in Region 6

Emancipation Day 2023 showcases culture, unity, food of ancestors

WHAT'S INSIDE:

See pages 4&5

SMEs investment conference Opportunities grow with new GuyanaTrinidad business partnership

…as thousands flock parks for picnics, family fun day

GRA to re-establish office at Kurupukari Crossing in bid to halt illegal vehicles

…was forced to close office due to corruption – Commissioner General

Private company proposing to build US$10M solar farm on LindenSoesdyke Highway

NAREI, USAID look to advance climatesmart agriculture in Guyana

Private Sector’s infrastructural investments welcomed –Dr Singh

GCCI’s Small Business Week Businesses told of need for strategic collaboration to ensure collective success

NRF Secretariat to be established in 2023 –Chairman

…Board continues to exchange info with committees, Finance Ministry

Massive fire destroys 13 water taxis docked at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

…6 damaged, watchman in custody

2 shot by allegedly intoxicated cop during home search

US charges Trump with conspiracy for efforts to overturn 2020 election

NRF Secretariat to be established in 2023 – Chairman

the first time Guyana had used oil funds to finance a national budget. In fact, the Government made three withdrawals from the fund last year to finance Guyana’s national development plans. These withdrawals amounted to US$607.6 million (G$126 billion) overall.

Massive fire destroys 13 water taxis docked at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

…6 damaged, watchman in custody

Since the principal Act was passed, the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has gotten Investment and Public Accountability and Oversight Committees. It will also be getting a secretariat, likely in the second half of 2023.

This is according to Chairman of the NRF Board, Major General (retired) Joe Singh, who in the NRF’s inaugural report for 2022 expressed anticipation that with the establishment of the secretariat, the operational needs of the Board will be met.

“It is anticipated that a secretariat to administer the operational needs of the Board and the two committees will be established in 2023… priority was given to the drafting of an operational agreement with the Bank of Guyana (signed on January 18, 2023) and an investment mandate,” he explained.

Despite the absence of the secretariat, however, Major

Singh also assured that the NRF has been functioning in an efficient manner and has maintained contact and a healthy exchange of information with all relevant parties.

“The Board, through the Chairman, has been maintaining contact and exchanging information on a regular basis with the investment committee and the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee through their respective Chairs and with the Hon. Minister of Finance,” the Chairman said in the report.

“Monthly and Quarterly Reports on the performance of the fund received from the Bank of Guyana have been perused by the Board and shared with the two committees of the fund. These reports and the performance of the fund are publicised within the prescribed timelines on the Ministry of Finance’s website and in the public media in compliance with the Act.”

The NRF Fund Board consists of five members, while the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) is comprised of nine members, and the Investment Committee, seven members.

Since passage of the NRF Act in 2021, Government has gone on to establish the Natural Resource Fund Board. Following parliamentary approval, the Government has made several withdrawals from the fund, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, which were transferred to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities.

This year’s $781.9 billion budget was financed for the first time by both oil and climate funds. Prior to the date for the budget even being announced, it had been revealed earlier this month that a total of US$1 billion (G$200 billion) would be made available from the NRF for use in the Budget.

Last year’s Budget was

The funds from the NRF have their origins in the Stabroek Block – Guyana’s only block currently producing oil. The block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the operator and 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.

Section 3 (1) of the NRF Act 2021, Act No 19 of 2021, which was assented to by President Dr Irfaan Ali on December 30, 2021, establishes the NRF to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and future benefit of the people in an effective and efficient manner and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles.

When it comes to the NRF Board, it is chaired by Retired Major General Singh. Other members of the Board are Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett; Private Sector Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Dunstan Barrow; and former Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Compton Bourne. (G3)

Amassive fire on Tuesday morning destroyed 13 passenger speed boats and damaged six others docked at the Vreeden-Hoop Stelling, West Coast Demerara.

According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), a distress call was received at about 01:49h regarding a fire raging at the Vreed-enHoop Stelling, and swift action was taken, with Water Tender #111 and a crew from La Grange Fire Station rushing to the scene. Fire Boat Protector #8 and its crew were also dispatched to combat the blaze.

Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with the daunting sight of multiple boats engulfed in flames. The fire had rapidly spread, affecting 19 vessels moored at

the stelling, and despite valiant efforts, the relentless inferno completely consuming 13 boats and inflicting damage on six others.

Preliminary inquiries conducted by the Police reportedly indicated that the fire originated from a vessel docked on the southern side of the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling. From there the blaze rapidly spread to adjacent boats.

Authorities have taken statements from various individuals, including a watchman responsible for overseeing the vessels. That watchman has been taken into custody at the Vreed-enHoop Police Outpost to assist with further investigations. As at press time, however, the cause of the fire remained unknown. (G9)

Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga (left) and NRF Board Chairman, Major General (Retired) Joe Singh as they exchange the operational agreement in January, while overseen by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Flames engulfing boats docked at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

The aftermath of the fire

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, Aug 2 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Thursday, Aug

3 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Aug 2 – 16:50h

– 18:20h and Thursday, Aug

3 – 05:15h – 06:45h.

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 light rain showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to South South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 17:21h reaching a maximum height of 2.67 metres.

Low Tide: 10:53h and 23:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.43 metre and 0.54 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

GRA to re-establish office at Kurupukari Crossing in bid to halt illegal vehicles …was

After previously closing down the outpost due to corrupt staff, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be re-establishing its office at the Kurupukari Crossing in Region Eight on the border with Brazil.

This was confirmed by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia, who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday and was questioned about what was being done to address the issue of vehicle smuggling.

With the GRA working to clamp down on this scourge, PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul questioned what had happened to the author-

– Commissioner General

local number plate when they’re in town. So, when we find them with local number plates in town, we seize those vehicles,” Statia informed the committee.

The Auditor General report of 2019 had listed as much as 195 vehicle seizures for that year. Illegal vehicles entering Guyana continues to be a problem, according to the Commissioner General.

The GRA has always made it clear that a zero-tolerance approach is being adopted against smuggling and any form of tax evasion; and, as such, offenders may face penalties as stipulated under the laws, inclusive of prosecution.

misuse of trade plates on vehicles traversing the country’s roadway. There are laws governing the use of un-

latory body and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) taking action.

In notices published in the media, the GRA noted that it has observed with concern the increase in the number of unregistered motor vehicles traversing the public roadways. It has reminded importers, investors, and owners of unregistered vehicles of the terms and conditions of the release of these vehicles from the city wharves, which restrict their use until after registration.

Persons have 14 days to take corrective actions and engage the customs, excise, and trade operations and licence revenue office to have those motor vehicles duly entered and registered. Failure to comply will result in GRA and the Police collaborating to have such vehicles detained.

Regarding the use of trade plates, GRA noted further that it continues to observe with great concern, the number of motor vehicles affixed with trade plates that are using public roadways.

In some cases, the tax agency said that motor vehicles can be seen affixed with the same trade plate number assigned to a particular auto dealer.

ity’s office at the Kurupukari Crossing. The crossing is just a few hours away from Lethem and features a pontoon that ferries people across the Essequibo River.

“We used to have a presence there. But I closed it down. But we’re putting back one now. The reason we closed it down is because there was tremendous amount of collusion. We were paying people overtime, all kind of things there, and we weren’t getting any kind of revenues,” the Commissioner General explained.

“So, what we did, we instituted different measures to try and catch them at the Mabura Road area. So, we have to use alternative ways of finding them, rather than having a permanent presence there and we don’t get any returns on our investment.”

Statia noted that the agency is able to identify vehicles from Brazil, even when local number plates have been placed on them. He explained that in a case of an illegal vehicle trying to camouflage itself as a local one, the GRA would seize the vehicle.

“When they pass Kurupukari, that is when we say it shouldn’t pass there. It has to be within that region. They have to get permission from the GRA and the Police. So as soon as we see them in Georgetown, we know.”

“And we stop them. That’s why they put on a

It has also issued warnings over the use of unregistered vehicles and the

registered vehicles and trade plates and failure to comply will result in the tax regu-

In light of this, it had reminded in a notice earlier this year that trade plates are mainly intended for movement of vehicles cleared from the wharves, to move to premises, and to facilitate registration. (G3)

forced to close office due to corruption

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

The Kurupukari Crossing

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Drinking culture

Alcohol abuse is developing as a major public health problem even as we continue to have much discussions on alcoholism and the negative effects it has on individuals and society as a whole.

Alcohol use, and more so alcohol abuse, has always been prevalent in Guyana and in recent years, has moved to a glorification level. A quick perusal locally reveals that many alcohol promotions now feature young people enjoying themselves and having a good time.

According to a global study released in 2022 in the journal Lancet, it was stated that no amount of alcohol is healthy if you are younger than 40, mostly due to alcohol-related deaths by vehicular accidents, injury, and murder.

If we were to be honest and truly explore our local scenario, it will not be difficult to uncover the level at which alcohol has contributed to the vehicular accidents, domestic violence, manslaughter and murder statistics.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol consumption contributes to three million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people. Overall, harmful use of alcohol is responsible for 5.1 per cent of the global burden of disease.

WHO’s global status report on alcohol and health, over the years, has presented a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption and the disease burden attributable to alcohol worldwide.

In the past, several letters to the editor of this newspaper had expressed concern about alcohol being promoted by some chutney singers in their songs. A few years, back Guyanese were being bombarded with “rum songs” which featured characters who resort to rum drinking to ‘end’ their sorrows. Some of these songs are still featured at concerts and parties across the country.

One letter writer proffered that alcohol is considered to be a "downer" type of drug, so it should not be consumed if one is in a depressed state of mind. In essence, drinking while in a depressed state will certainly contribute to feelings of more depression and do more harm than good.

The negative effects of drinking too much alcohol can be divided into short-term and long-term effects. The short-term effects of drinking too much alcohol is loss of judgment, loss of coordination, blurred vision, slurring of speech, and loss of balance. These negative effects can cause one to make bad decisions while being under the influence. The long-term effects include significant loss of brain cells, liver failure, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, epilepsy, nerve damage, and heart failure. If the abuse of alcohol does not cause immediate problems, then excessive use over a period of time can cause major problems down the line.

Further, alcoholism contributes to a range of social problems, for example domestic and other forms of violence in our society.

In addition, research shows that alcoholism contributes to suicide, which has been, and continues to be, a major social problem in Guyana.

The effects of alcohol abuse are well-known. Citizens should, therefore, be encouraged to make better decisions in every situation in the interest of one’s self, family and community, and ignore the messages that encourage rum drinking. While it is not our intention to place the blame for all our problems on alcohol, one cannot dispute the fact it is indeed a contributory factor to some of the social ills we face in our country today. There is, therefore, urgent need for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and step up the campaign to spread more awareness and education about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Achieving a reduction in the harmful use of alcohol is included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and according to the WHO, this requires “concerted action by countries, effective global governance and appropriate engagement of all relevant stakeholders. By working together effectively, the negative health and social consequences of alcohol can be reduced”.

While the Government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies and legislative framework and other support mechanisms aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol, this burden must be shared by everyone.

Emancipation Day 2023 showcases culture, unity, food of ancestors

…as thousands flock parks for picnics, family fun day

Once again, this year, the Emancipation celebrations were held at the National Park, drawing thousands of Guyanese together to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in Guyana. This year's event at the National Park was particularly significant as the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) marked the 30th anniversary of these celebrations.

In addition to this, the festivities also acknowledged the bicentennial anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Revolt in Guyana. This historic event symbolised the determination of thousands of enslaved individuals in Guyana who courageously rose up against the oppressive British imperial plantation system. The theme for this year's celebrations was "Tu Ta Shinda, We Will Rise.”

A representative from the organisation expressed deep gratitude for the continuous support of 30 years of Emancipation celebrations at the National Park. They emphasised the importance

bration of freedom and unity among the Guyanese people. Several parks along with the Botanical Gardens were filled with persons who hosted family picnics in these areas.

Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, attended the Revival Awareness and Perpetuation of African Culture (RAPAC) Emancipation Festival, in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The Prime Minister was also joined by the Senior Minister within the Office of

Singh; Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, and several regional officials.

In his Emancipation Day message, President Dr Irfaan Ali lauded the contributions of African-Guyanese and urged persons to reject all who seek to stoke divisions.

According to President Ali, African Guyanese will share in the benefits that will flow from Guyana’s transformative development, both now and in the future. He further assured that they will have a stake in national development and governance. However, he also

anniversary of this historic day, let us recommit to working to create a brighter future where resilience and

achievements resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in build-

ing a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity and inclusivity,” the President added.

of fostering unity among the Guyanese people and encouraged everyone to come together in fellowship.

The day's festivities commenced with a centre stage opening at 15:00 pm, providing a platform for new and emerging talents to showcase their skills, including poets, dancers, acrobats, and singers. The National Park's tarmac hosted various activities, featuring outstanding local performers such as O.K.C, Akeem Alexander & Fame Band International, cKush, Big Red, Abel Stokes, and the KAST Dance Company. To add to the excitement, spectators were treated to captivating parades by Glaston twirling dancers and fire dancers.

The event garnered immense interest, with ticket booths crowded. Many expressed their excitement, eagerly anticipating the chance to dress in full cultural wear and proudly embrace their African heritage, as this celebration offered a unique opportunity to showcase their fashion. However, the day's significance extended beyond fashion, encompassing various activities, including football games, food and craft exhibitors, centre stage performances, and the highly anticipated ANSA McAL chief cook-up competition.

Overall, the Emancipation celebrations of 2023 proved to be a momentous occasion, filled with cultural pride, commemoration of historical struggles, and the cele-

the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni

warned of forces both within and outside of Guyana, seeking to stoke divisions.

“I am mindful that there are forces inside and outside our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion. As I have done in the past, I want to encourage Guyanese to continue to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fearmongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress.”

“Emancipation Day was a milestone in our country’s history. As we celebrate the

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023

Page Foundation

Adding with negative numbers

When you add a positive number and a negative number, compare the numbers as if they do not have positive and negative signs. If the positive number is larger, just subtract. You identify them by adding a minus sign to the front of a number. So – 1 is 1 less than 0. – 35.5 is 35.5 less than 0.

Exercises: Solve

In this fun and easy magic science experiment for kids, we’re going to see if we can put paper in water and keep it dry.

Materials:

Piece of newspaper

Glass

Sink or large bowl full of water

Instructions:

Crumple a sheet of newspaper up in a ball.

Push the ball of newspaper into

the bottom of the glass tightly so it does not fall out when turned upside down.

Turn the glass upside down.

Hold the glass by the bottom and push it down into the water so that the glass is fully submerged. Remove the glass after several seconds and check to see if the newspaper is wet.

How it works:

The air pressure around the cup is the same as the air pressure in

the cup. When the cup is pushed into the water, the air molecules and the air pressure within it remain and acts as an air cushion. The trapped air acts as a cushion and blocks the water from entering and getting the paper wet.

Make this a science project: Try different sized cups. Try using a straw or tubing to blow air into an upside down cup that is under water and full of water. (sciencefun.org)

By John Keats

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains

My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk, Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains

One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk: ‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot, But being too happy in thine happiness,— That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees In some melodious plot Of beechen green, and shadows numberless, Singest of summer in full-throated ease. O, for a draught of vintage! that hath been Cool’d a long age in the deep-delved earth, Tasting of Flora and the country green, Dance, and Provençal song, and sunburnt mirth! O for a beaker full of the warm South, Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene, With beaded bubbles winking at the brim, And purple-stained mouth; That I might drink, and leave the world unseen, And with thee fade away into the forest dim: Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget What thou among the leaves hast never known, The weariness, the fever, and the fret Here, where men sit and hear each other groan; Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last gray hairs, Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies; Where but to think is to be full of sorrow And leaden-eyed despairs, Where Beauty cannot keep her lustrous eyes, Or new Love pine at them beyond to-morrow. Away! away! for I will fly to thee, Not charioted by Bacchus and his pards, But on the viewless wings of Poesy, Though the dull brain perplexes and retards: Already with thee! tender is the night, And haply the Queen-Moon is on her throne, Cluster’d around by all her starry Fays; But here there is no light, Save what from heaven is with the breezes blown Through verdurous glooms and winding mossy ways. I cannot see what flowers are at my feet, Nor what soft incense hangs upon the boughs,

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

Private company looking to build US$10M solar farm on Linden-Soesdyke Highway

As Guyana continues its trajectory towards the use of more renewable energy in the power grid, a private company is looking to build a 5.8 Megawatt (MW) solar farm on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and has approached the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

According to the project documents, the Loo Creek Solar Farm is being built by Caiman Industries Environmental, which they said is currently under incorporation. The almost US$10 million solar farm, which will include solar panels, batteries, generators and a site control office, will be located 20 kilometres north of Linden.

“Once built, the facility will be able to provide a maximum of 5.8 MW of uninterrupted electrical power, 24 hours a day, to anyone within a 10 km radius and can eventually be connected to a power grid when one becomes available, in the area,” the company stated.

To construct the solar farm, it was explained that they will be clearing an estimated 40 acres of exist -

ing forest adjacent to the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The land, according to the company, is leased and in the names of two directors of Caiman Industries. It will take 14 months from land preparation to startup.

“The Loo Creek Solar Farm Project area is proposed to cover approximately 10.1 hectares. All

construction and waste generation activities will be conducted on site therefore there will be no impact to nearby countries and only temporary environmental impacts to the surrounding geographic area beyond the project boundaries.”

“The majority of the negative environmental impacts will only occur during the build phase of the proj-

ect and once the facility is built, all acute environmentally harmful activities shall cease. Furthermore, there will be no cumulative impacts as the energy production has very few by products that require disposal,” the company also said. According to Caiman Industries, the chance of any significant local or re-

gional environmental impacts will be minimal due to the low quantities of wastes generated and by the limited number of natural resources required to build and sustain the facility.

The company said that they have contacted the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to notify them of their intention to build. They also assured that within the next two months, overtures will be made to the Office of Prime Minister, Guyana Lands and Surveys and the municipal council for the Loo Creek area.

Only a few months ago, the Government had commissioned a $625 million

1.5 megawatts (MW) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farm in Daag Point, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), to provide clean, renewable energy to over 3000 residents of Bartica and its surrounding communities.

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, who has oversight of the energy sector, had described the project as evidence of the Government’s dedication to the low-carbon future envisioned in the Low Carbon Development

Strategy 2030, which accelerates the use of natural gas as a transitional fuel between heavy fuel oil and solar, hydropower, wind, and biomass.

Designed to accommodate increased levels of solar PV penetration as Bartica’s load grows, the 1.5 MW solar PV farm will generate and supply a total of 1988 MWh to the grid, at maximum capacity. This will result in an estimated annual reduction of 4500 drums of diesel consumption and 1.5-million-kilogram reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. This project is also projected to save Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) some $210 million annually.

The Prime Minister had also said that the success of the solar farm would encourage the increase of solar and hydro projects throughout the country, with plans in place to establish micro-solar projects at Waramadong, Jawalla and Paruima by the end of May, 2023. At the time, the Prime Minister had also projected that Guyana would see an increase in solar farm projects, including private ones. (G3)

Proposed location of the Loo Creek solar project

Dealing with what…

…we got in oil

Some folks still don’t get it. They don’t deny that PNC’s “Nassau” Trotman sold us down the river on the sh*tty oil contract he signed back in 2015. They also know about the sh*tty bonus and royalty he accepted, unlike what other countries from Africa thru Suriname to Brazil got. But what your Eyewitness can’t fathom is why all these “experts” - presumably wellmeaning and having Guyana’s interest at heart? - are insisting the PPP MUST “renegotiate” the contract.

Let’s put this in terms the ordinary Joe or Jhaat can understand. Say you have a house and you authorise your adult son to sell it. He observes all the legalities, does so for a pittance, and the transport is passed. You hit the roof when you see the crumbs he brought home. But what can you do? Can you tell the buyer you want more money? Can you go to the courts and tell them you want to “renegotiate” the contract? Or you want to cancel the contract? The answer is you can’t!

How many times haven’t we heard of persons forging “Powers of Attorney”, purportedly giving them the right to sell land – which they promptly do. The actual owners find out, go to the courts and complain: “Hey, I never gave permission to sell my land!! I want it back!” The case goes through our High Court, Appellate Court and then the CCJ, who all say, “Sorry, no can do!! It’s the law, budday!”

And that’s the problem with the Oil Contract, innit? We can’t say that Trotman was an “infant” and was therefore incapable of signing the contract to make it “void”. He might be an “idiot” (IQ 0-25), an “imbecile” (IQ 26-50) or moron (IQ 51-75) but he certainly wasn’t under 18 years old, which would disqualify him as an “infant!

Another disqualification that could force voiding the contract would’ve been if he had a mental DISORDER! Now, while we all exclaimed, “Da man head crack!” when we heard about his contract – sadly, that didn’t make him certifiably so!!

Now, you may say the court should accept that the contract “ain’t fair” - and every red-blooded Guyanese would swear to this! But this doesn’t cut no ice with the courts. They use some doctrine of “equity” to deal with such claims - if there was “undue influence” or “unconscionable conduct”. So, can Trotty - who insists he’s a Harvard-TRAINED negotiator! - prove Exxon did brainwash him? Truth of the matter, all that’s left for the PPP Government is “moral suasion”.

But with Exxon only now in the black, would they place Guyana’s interests ahead of their shareholders?

Didn’t think so!

…in the Police

Our Police Force is comparatively small - a beefed-up 4900 ranks, representing a 37% increase between 2014 and 2019 by the PNC. So, a couple of years ago, it was very shocking to hear that 47 of them were before the courts facing CRIMINAL charges. That’s 1% of the entire GPF! And we know, like everything else in Guyana, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Most folks don’t bother to bring action against the Police for fear of vindictive retaliation!

Now, it’s customary at this point to offer a disclaimer to the effect that “not all Police are bad”! Of course, they aren’t! But from all available evidence, the number of “bad apples” are just too high, and citizens can’t be blamed for thinking the entire barrel is rotten! The stench from the said barrel is just too putrid to conclude otherwise. So, what to do? The top brass gotta stop pussyfooting around the issue, and accept that we got a problem on our hands.

…Emancipation means

So, yesterday we all donned our Kente-fabric garbs, ate conkie and metemjee, and poured libations to our gods of yore. Your Eyewitness wishes we would now move on to making serious money, so that emancipation would finally be experienced.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Bharrat Jagdeo is a nightmare for Opposition and their sycophants

Glen Lall did a lot of begging, demanding that the Guyanese people stay at home last Monday, July 31. Overwhelmingly, the Guyanese people paid no attention to him. A couple of months ago, Glen Lall’s across-the-country walk to demand renegotiation of the EXXON contract failed. No more than a handful of persons walked, and other than one man, no one walked for more than a few miles, not even Glen Lall, who was present for a small amount of time, driving his Lexus.

We heard of a “fast” against the EXXON contract. Other than the big splash announcing the “fast”, we never heard anything again.

The Opposition and their sycophants have gone stark crazy because their nightmare – Bharrat Jagdeo – far from disappearing, has become even more unbearable for them. Everything that goes badly in Guyana is Jagdeo’s fault, if you listen to the Opposition and their sycophants. Rain falls and cricket is affected, or sugar factories cannot grind, it is because of Bharrat Jagdeo. West Indies under-performs, it has to be because Jagdeo interfered. Every road accident today is Jagdeo’s fault. The bad EXXON deal which the Opposition signed and was not bad until the PPP regained Government is Bharrat Jagdeo’s fault. Not one of the sycophants made noise about the bad EXXON deal until President Irfaan Ali was sworn in, leading a PPP Government. Now the one-sided EXXON deal is Jagdeo’s fault.

Two newspapers recently allowed the former Mayor of Georgetown to insult the Vice President without providing one iota of evidence for his many allegations. The former Mayor claimed that Bharrat Jagdeo suffers from moral decline, abuses power, engages in political manipulation, practises cronyism, disregards the environment. He further accuses Bharrat Jagdeo of corruption, with embezzlement, bribery and kickbacks. In none of these allegations did the former mayor provide any evidence, even an example. Yet the two newspapers gave the former mayor a platform to spew his hate. A newspaper cannot allow itself to be a platform for personal attacks.

If the former mayor claimed that Bharrat Jagdeo is responsible for environmental degradation, then he must provide examples of environmental degradation that Bharrat Jagdeo is responsible for. If he accuses Jagdeo of embezzlement, or that he allows embezzlement in Government, provide an example. No newspaper should permit anyone to just accuse people without any evidence or what they perceive as evidence. In the former mayor’s attack on Jagdeo, it is just hate-spewed name-calling insults. This is not a freedom of speech or freedom of the press issue.

Bharrat Jagdeo was named Champion of the Earth because of his record of environmental protection. It was under his presidency that meaningful financing of the EPA began. The LCDS has gained international plaudit. The conceptualization of the LCDS, the leadership to initiate a low-carbon strategy, the strategy to market Guyana’s carbon reservoir, resulting in the first-ever bilateral avoided deforestation deal between Guyana and Norway worth $US250M, the first ever global carbon credit authentication through the ART-TREES framework, part of which was used to generate US$750M and remaining amount that could raise almost US$2B more for the period up to 2030 are just a short list of examples that show that Bharrat Jagdeo earned his title as Champion of the Earth. Dismissing Jagdeo as irresponsible and the cause of environmental disregard and degradation without making your case, and being given a platform in the newspaper, is reprehensible; and that is exactly what the two newspapers did.

Bharrat Jagdeo was the Minister of Finance and then President who expertly managed Guyana’s debt, inherited from the PNC, the former mayor’s party, which was more than 800% Guyana’s GDP, and a servicing of the debt that was more than 150% of our export earnings.

Today, Guyana transformed itself from a bankrupt country in 1992 to the fastest growing country in the world, from a HIPC to a highincome developing country. Guyana’s debt (23% of GDP) is now among the lowest in the world, and Guyana’s debt servicing (4% of earnings) is also among the lowest in the world. But, for this success story, the Opposition and their sycophants desperately try to portray a picture of a country on a debt spree.

It is Bharrat Jagdeo as President of Guyana who started the modernization of the physical infrastructure, the health and education sectors, water and sanitation in our country. The Berbice, Mahaicony, and Mahaica River bridges were commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo. The construction of a new Demerara River bridge, which President Irfaan Ali has pushed, started under President Bharrat Jagdeo. Discussions to link Guyana, Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela through bridges were initiated by Bharrat Jagdeo. The Takutu Bridge linking Guyana and Brazil was a deal worked out between Jagdeo and Brazil’s Lula. While it did not happen, the bridge on the Corentyne River linking Guyana and Suriname is about to happen under President Irfaan Ali. The expanded and modern Cheddi Jagan International Airport was initiated by Bharrat Jagdeo. New hospitals were started under Bharrat Jagdeo, and now newer and more modern hospitals are being constructed with Bharrat Jagdeo playing a pivotal role in President Ali’s cabinet.

Bharrat Jagdeo has mobilised his country, and, in partnership with President Ali, has inspired a nation and has grabbed the attention of the world. This is the nightmare of the Opposition and their sycophants.

SMEs investment conference… Opportunities grow with new GuyanaTrinidad business partnership

AMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between Guyana’s Together We Win Business Network (TWWBN) and the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) in Trinidad and Tobago is expected to boost local business capacity while significantly promoting joint investment opportunities.

The signing of this partnership, resulting from the recently concluded Guyana Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Investment Conference held earlier in July, was facilitated at the CCIC’s office at Cumberbatch Street, Chaguanas; and a statement emanating from that signing directed, “The MoU describes intended cooperation for SME development in both Guyana and Trinidad in areas of trade, business development, strategic alliances, joint ventures, joint investments, and joint internationalization.

CCIC is the leading business association in Central Trinidad, and is actively serving and representing the interests of its members and the business community through policy advocacy and delivering a wide variety of business programmes, services and benefits to support business development, growth, connectivity domestically and internationally to advance trading, commercial, industrial, professional, agricultural and civic interest.

And the Together We Win

Business Network (TWWBN) is a Trust that functions as an umbrella organization of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), and is focused on establishing and forging a strong professional network through collaborations and support systems for greater economic development.

TWWBN has been working assiduously to elevate the quality of products and/ or services offered by SMEs by providing opportunities for knowledge transference and partnership opportunities, to increase their capacity and competitiveness.

In 2022, TWWBN signed a MoU with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, followed by a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Alliance of Business Organizations in Suriname.

Support

Last month, it was disclosed that the Guyana Government has injected a whopping $1.8 billion to develop small businesses in all 10 administrative regions for 2023. This was according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who added that a large portion of this money is yet to be distributed.

This sum accounts for two separate avenues to support small business financing. The first is the Small Business Bureau (SBB) grant, which falls under the auspices of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry. It was previously reported that over 700 applications were outstanding, given the meticulous requirements to confirm eligibility.

Based on Guyana’s grant regulations, recipients can

receive anywhere between $500,000 and $150,000 under this initiative. However, the business must be compliant with all the requirements, including being registered with the Deeds and Commercial Registry, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). A business plan must also be submitted.

The former Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme has been redesigned by Government to allow for smaller business grants to be issued to a larger pool of people. This is after several members of the former Government had been flagged during an audit that found that millions in State funds had in fact been wasted.

Apart from funding, small business owners also benefit from a series of training to augment and enhance their operations.

For 2022, the Small Business Bureau had surpassed its 2022 grant distribution target by 631. The agency had a budgetary allocation of $300 million for the distribution of 800 small business grants. However, by the end of 2022, the agency had distributed a total of 1431 grants.

The Bureau has also trained more than 2000 business owners across the country in small business management, financial management, digital marketing, and business plan writing. (G12)

NAREI, USAID look to advance climate-smart agriculture in Guyana

With countries of the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) being highly vulnerable to extreme weather patterns, representatives of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday discussed advancing climate-smart agricultural practices in Guyana.

NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jagnarine Singh and Research Scientists David Fredericks and Dr K. Bramdeo led this engagement with the members of the USAID’s Mission in the ESC.

In a social media statement, NAREI explained that the purpose of this meeting was to reduce systemic constraints to climate and disaster financing, and increase investments in resilience across the priority sectors, such as agriculture.

USAID refers to resilience as the capacity of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from, challenges and shocks

in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

Felt through increasing temperatures and extreme weather patterns and events, the negative impacts of climate change are being demonstrated on farms in the form of decreased crop yields, nutritional value and livestock productivity, and increased invasive crops and pests.

In addition to their effect on food security, these changes also have economic repercussions. According to NAREI, estimated damage from storms and hurricanes has ranged from 6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to as high as 200 per

cent of National Annual GDP from a single event.

Aiming to tackle these challenges, climate-smart agriculture refers to farming methods that aim to increase the resilience and productivity of land affected by climate change.

Notably, NAREI has been engaging in climate-smart agricultural practices through the inclusion of hydroponics, shade houses, and solar dryers within their operation.

Last year, in collaboration with the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), NAREI had even introduced the concept of climate-smart agriculture at the New Amsterdam Prison farm in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where

individuals participated in a one-day training on the use of shade houses, which allow for the cultivation of crops in a controlled environment.

Shade houses allow for a two-week jump in the development of plants and the harvesting process, thereby increasing production and providing better nutrition.

NAREI also previously produced a manual to teach farmers the process of establishing a shade house.

Last March, NAREI further signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) to offer youths and women training in climate-smart agricultural practices.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

President of the CCIC, Baldath Maharaj and President of TWWBN, Marlon Joseph during the signing ceremony

NAREI and USAID representatives discussing climate-smart practices in Guyana

Private Sector’s infrastructural investments welcomed – Dr Singh

Ashift in infrastructure - formerly viewed as a Government responsibility to now having injections from the Private Sector to fill existing gaps - has been welcomed by the Irfaan Aliled administration, with expectations of more such moves taking place as the country develops.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, spoke with the Private Sector at a recent Inter-American Development Bank event, where he made this remark: “There was a time when we thought that public infrastructure was Government’s business. Governments and only Governments provide infrastructure. Today, if we

GCCI’s Small Business Week…

Businesses told of need for strategic collaboration to ensure collective success

As the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI’s) National Small Business Week came to an end on Saturday, a final seminar engaging key business leaders urged the need for strategic collaboration between companies and all stakeholders, to ensure collective success in Guyana’s growing economy.

This seminar was one of the last activities on the event roster for the GCCI’s National Small Business Week, which aimed to aid growing businesses under the GCCI membership. Speaking at the seminar, GCCI President Kester Hutson noted that despite the competitive nature of the business sector, collaboration is vital for sustainable growth.

“By pooling our skills, finances and other resources, we can drive shared value, collectively strengthen our position in the market, and maximise our gains. In this era of unprecedented growth in Guyana, the opportunities are immense, and the potential rewards are vast,” Hutson has said.

Strategic collaboration, Hutson said, thereby enables businesses to access the benefits of knowledge transfer and capacity building, which leads to a reduction of risks that MSMEs often bear.

“This approach aligns with the Government's emphasis on joint ventures and consortiums, not only for large companies, but also for the MSMEs. Fostering collaboration encourages large enterprises to actively engage in mentorship for startups and MSMEs, and even consider outsourcing certain operations in smaller businesses,” Hutson said.

These partnerships en-

able MSMEs to scale up efficiently while avoiding the challenges of spreading themselves thin by scaling across various sectors. Hutson added that they also offer MSMEs the opportunity to enhance brand reputation and improve the quality of their products and services.

To show their commitment to inter-business collaboration, the GCCI is soon to launch a member-to-member discount programme to promote internal growth and mutual support within their membership.

Hutson also highlighted the need to have a strong partnership between the Public and Private Sectors to address the scarcity of skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Advancing & collaborations

Meanwhile, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, Director of Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services, noted the importance of listening, interpreting key information, and executing as key steps in advancing a business and maintaining collaborations.

“You have customers, employees, suppliers, financiers, the general community, regulatory bodies and agencies. And to get your products and services out ev-

look around the world, we have no shortage of examples of private market solutions to public infrastructural needs and gaps.

“We have companies that are rolling out major infrastructure projects, including in areas such as transport infrastructure.

We have major port developments taking place, financed by private capital. There was a time when we thought schools and hospitals were Government business. We have private providers of educational services (and) health care services, because there is a market. And we welcome this,” Singh outlined.

Dr Singh delved into the prospects for private entities who fund such projects, and the spinoff in not just profits, but benefits for the common man in the form of employment and access to services. “That environment, policy and infrastructure we have always expected would be responded by the Private Sector with private investment, mobilization, and deploy-

ment of private capital for the purposes of viable investments, job creating and income generating.”

Right on the forefront of private investment is the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc (VEHSI) - currently the largest Guyanese Private Sector investment in the oil and gas sector, and is expected to cost over US$300 million. According to the project directors, the support and encouragement given by the Government of Guyana have been reassuring, and augur well for additional investment and the future of Guyana.

Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Inc — a 100 per cent Guyaneseowned consortium that is the majority shareholder – and Jan De Nul, an international maritime infrastructure company headquartered in Luxembourg.

The current shore base construction will see the first phase of 10 acres made operational by December 2023, with additional acreage delivered by the second

quarter of 2024. The longterm vision of the project will eventually see the full Port of Vreed-en-Hoop completed with as many as 800 acres of port facilities.

CGX is also constructing a Deep-Water Port at the mouth of the Berbice River, that will not only support oil and gas, but the agriculture sector. Back in January, the company had said it had spent over US$22 million on the BDWP project thus far through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Grand 2 Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE). In November 2022, CGX reported that the cargo terminal aspect of the port was to commence in mid-2023, and operation of the oil and gas support base in late 2023, subject to construction schedules and supply chain accessibility.

A few months ago, the US$5 million Sheriff General Hospital was also commissioned at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), marking another major private investment in Guyana.

El Dorado Offshore, NATI join forces to foster technical growth in Region 6

ery day, you’re going to have to collaborate every day in every relationship,” DeygooBoyer said.

To be a good leader, Deygoo-Boyer stressed, there is need to also listen and collaborate with employees, in order to maintain a healthy work environment.

“You have to listen to the people you lead, and then you have to interpret what they’re telling you: What is most important to them? How do you get the best out of them? You’re going to have to figure out how to create that work contract and that work environment that gives them what they desire, so that their productivity can be built,” Deygoo-Boyer said. This mentality translates to relationships with banks, customers, and within the larger business community as well, Deygoo-Boyer added.

“When you start to grow, don’t be an isolated member in your community, because one of the best ways of getting your product out is word of mouth,” Deygoo-Boyer said.

“Your engagement with the community creates advocates who will help promote your business and you,” he added.

El Dorado Offshore (EDO) and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration and pave the way for a strategic partnership focused on technical education and career opportunities for graduates.

"We are thrilled about our partnership with EDO. Together, we will empower students with technical skills and opportunities, fostering growth in our community. This MOU strengthens ties, ensuring graduates from NATI succeed in the job market," said Fiona Rassoul, Principal of the NATI.

The MoU will remain in effect for one year, after which it would be renewed annually, with NATI each year providing EDO a list of their graduates to benefit from this initiative. That list would include graduates from technical fields that include Masonry, Furniture Making, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Motor Vehicle Repair, Welding, General Office Administration, Data Operation, Renewable Energy - Photovoltaic, Technician Certificate in Architectural Drawing, Ordinary Diploma in

Commerce, Administrative Principles and Practices, Diploma in Computer Science, Agricultural Machinery, Mechanical Fitting and Metal Machining, and Ordinary Diploma in Science.

EDO, for its part, would actively contribute to NATI students' career development by facilitating resume writing, career workshops, access to industry training resources, and lecture series hosted by EDO’s subject matter experts, who aim to provide invaluable insights and exposure to the beneficiaries.

Sherry Ferrell, Local Content and Industrial

Relations Director of El Dorado Offshore Guyana Inc., reiterated the organisation’s belief in the power of education and its positive impact on individuals and communities when she said, “By working together with NATI, we aim to not only provide career opportunities for their graduates, but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the technical workforce in the region.”

This collaboration aims to increase the skills and expertise of the region's youths, in order to allow them to better contribute to Guyana's growth and development.

From left: NATI’s Acting Deputy Principal, Michael Jacque; EDO’s Local Content and Industrial Relations Director, Sherry Ferrell; NATI’s Principal, Fiona Rassoul; and EDO’s Senior HR and Employee Engagement Coordinator, Thalia Wilson

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

GCCI President Kester Hutson Director of Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer

Trial of driver accused of dumping accident victim overboard continuing

Adate in October has been fixed for the continuation of the trial of Daniel Melbourne, the driver who is charged with causing death by dangerous driving over the passing of Reonol Williams, a pedestrian he allegedly struck down on May 23, 2022 and then dumped overboard.

This 53-year-old resident of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara is currently out on $1.8M bail for the following offences: causing death by dangerous driving; failure to report an accident; failure to render assistance; failure to produce his vehicle for examination; giving false information to the Police; and attempting to obstruct the course of justice. These matters are

continuing at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Reonol Williams, a 50-year-old father of two and labourer of Enmore, ECD, went missing on May 23, 2022 after he was struck down on the Enmore Public Road allegedly by Melbourne, who

was driving a red Toyota Fielder wagon, PAB 2552. Following the accident, Melbourne had reportedly picked up the injured Williams to take him to the hospital, but this was never done. Instead, Williams disappeared without a trace.

Williams’s family had reported his disappearance to the Police and an investigation had been launched. The owner of the car was arrested but, during interrogation, claimed he was in the interior and that one of his nephews had taken the car without his knowledge. As such, he was released on station bail.

However, after almost two weeks had passed without any sign of Williams, his family re-

quested an audience with Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken. After that meeting, the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was instructed to take up the case. As a result, Melbourne was rearrested, and during interrogation,

he took detectives to the location along the Coldingen Access Road, ECD where Williams’s decomposed body was discovered.

Williams’s sister had identified the body as that of her brother’s based on the clothes on the remains found. She told detectives that her brother was wearing the same clothes when he went missing.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed that Melbourne confessed that he was the driver of the motor car at the time of the accident.

He reportedly admitted that after he had struck down Williams, he placed him in his vehicle, and as he was driving, he observed that Williams was motionless. Out of fear, he

stopped the car at a bridge in Coldingen, ECD, and disposed of the body in the trench.

He reportedly told detectives that after disposing of the body, he went home and informed his mother that his vehicle was missing, and that he had made a report to the Police. Further, he allegedly admitted that the initial information he provided to the Police about him being in the interior was false.

After Williams was struck down, a friend of his who had witnessed the accident had gone to Williams’s home to inform them that he was taken to the hospital. But after checking several hospitals – both public and private – Williams was not found. (G1)

‘Profound’ transformation needed to close health gaps after COVID devastation – PAHO

paredness for future crises and greater equity in health services. It is also fundamental to reversing pandemic trends in maternal and child mortality rates, increasing immunization coverage, and accelerating

the elimination of communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria," Dr Barbosa remarked.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had expended approximately $1 billion

in 2022 to upgrade primary healthcare facilities across the country. This is continuing with more funding to revamp facilities, offer new services, and expanding their reach beyond the coastal communities.

Guyana’s advancement in delivering quality health care has direct linkages to analysis from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on the need for significant transformation to close gaps as a result of COVID-19.

Three years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PAHO has noted, disruptions to essential health services remain a significant challenge in multiple countries of the Americas. Gaps exist in access and availability of human resources, infrastructure, supplies, equipment and financing.

Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Jarbas Barbosa, has called on countries of the Americas to maintain investments in health; promote innovation in primary care, with a focus on digital technologies; and move from theory to practice through specific policies, in order to overcome challenges in access to health services.

At the Monday opening of the virtual event titled "Strategies to ensure access to health services: overcoming barriers and guaranteeing continuity”, Dr Barbosa

noted, “At PAHO, we view primary healthcare as a strategic approach that addresses the needs of people where they live. Our strategy for the expansion of primary healthcare in the 21st century is critical to address barriers in access, ensuring continuity in the provision of health services.”

Two PAHO regional reports on essential health services were presented during the meeting, providing a deeper insight into the wide range of factors that act as barriers to accessing primary health care, and taking into account the specific characteristics and needs of territories and populations.

The first report, "Analyze and Overcome the Access Barriers to Strengthening Primary Health Care", presented the results of the collaboration between PAHO and its Member States to examine ways to address access barriers to primary healthcare; and formulate innovative policies to reduce and eliminate them, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations.

The second report, "Fourth round of the national survey on the continuity of essential health services

during the COVID-19 pandemic", showed results of national surveys on essential health services during the pandemic, provided an overview on health system disruptions, and analysed data patterns from the 17 countries and territories that participated.

"Even before the pandemic began, we faced unequal access and a variety of barriers which prevented us from achieving true equality. Prior to COVID-19, approximately 29.3 per cent of the population in the Americas had unmet health needs, affecting some 295 million people,” the PAHO Director underlined.

Both reports concur that the arrival of the pandemic significantly intensified those barriers, resulting in disruptions to both supply and demand of essential health services. This reversed the progress made over the past 20 years towards universal access to health and universal coverage in the Region of the Americas.

"Primary healthcare is key to overcoming these challenges. It is the lifeblood of resilient health systems and universal health, and key to ensuring better pre-

2 shot by allegedly intoxicated cop during home search

Two men are now nursing gunshot injuries after they were allegedly shot by an intoxicated Police officer during a search at one of the victim's homes on Monday.

Injured are 35-year-old Sherwyn Benjamin, also known as “Dennis Grant”, of South Amelia's Ward, and 25-year-old Martin Fraser, also of South Amelia's Ward. Guyana Times understands that the incident occurred at Benjamin's home.

Attorney Ronald Daniels, who has since been retained to represent the victims’ interest, told Guyana Times on Tuesday that according to his clients, on Monday, someone attempted to shoot Fraser at an event Grant was attending. They claimed that the Police were in attendance at the event, and Grant alerted the Police, causing the person to run away.

The lawyer said Grant went home, and thereafter, a group of Police officers arrived at his home.

“Grant (Benjamin) opened the door, and they wanted to conduct a forced search. He inquired about a warrant for the search, but

the Police still tried to force their way in. A seemingly heavily intoxicated officer shot Grant (Benjamin), and the bullet exited him, hitting the other person (Fraser)."

He said they then proceeded to search the home in the presence of other occupants, and claimed that nothing illegal was found.

However, Police have claimed that ammunition was found in the home.

Fraser was admitted to the Linden Hospital Complex and was treated for a gunshot wound to the right knee, while Benjamin was treated for a gunshot wound to the groin area, bearing an entry and exit wound.

Fraser was charged and remanded to pris-

on in August 2021 for the September 2019 execution at Lover's Lane, South Amelia's Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

He was charged with the murder of Ian Williams called “Ojay”. Williams, of Lot 4 Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, was gunned down while his girlfriend, 20-year-old Melita Antigua, was shot twice.

Williams had travelled in a black Nissan Duke, PYY 732, to pick up his girlfriend and drop her off at a birthday party. The incident at the time was reported to have stemmed from a "gang war" in the mining community, but Fraser was eventually freed of the offence. (G9)

Daniel Melbourne Reonol Williams

Shot: Martin Fraser and Sherwyn Benjamin, also known as “Dennis Grant”

Around the World OIL NEWS

US charges Trump with conspiracy for efforts to overturn 2020 election

Oil

rises,

but

always followed the law and characterised the indictment as a "persecution" reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

posts

weekly loss as economic uncertainty weighs

Oil prices edged higher on Friday on strong economic data in the euro zone and Britain, but futures fell for the week as interest rate and demand uncertainty weighed.

Brent futures settled up 56 cents at US$81.66 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) rose 50 cents to US$77.87 per barrel.

Brent posted a weekly loss of 5.4%, while WTI fell 5.6%.

Both crude benchmarks slid by more than 2% on Thursdayto their lowest since the unexpected announcement in early April of production cuts by some OPEC countries - on recession fears and swelling US gasoline inventories.

Survey data from the euro zone and Britain lifted oil prices on Friday.

The euro zone economic recovery has unexpectedly gathered pace this month as the bloc's dominant services industry saw already-buoyant demand rise, more than offsetting a deepening downturn in manufacturing, surveys showed.

"It looks like the economy is rebounding from a feeble winter at the moment, but manufacturing weakness remains a concern and dampens the upturn," ING economics said in a note.

British businesses also reported a bounce in activity and the slowest input cost inflation in more than two years, an industry survey showed.

In India, refiners' crude oil processing stayed near record peaks in March, provisional government data showed, catering to solid seasonal demand in the world's third biggest oil consumer.

The prospect of tighter supply added support, with analysts expecting draws from inventories from next month, as a result of OPEC's reduced output targets and rising Chinese demand.

"The foreseeable tightening of supply is likely to push prices up in the medium term," Commerzbank said in a note.

Oilfield services giant SLB beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit, as elevated crude prices and tight supplies increased demand for its services.

However, economic uncertainty and the prospect of rising interest rates continued to hang over oil markets.

Uncertainty over demand, especially for the upcoming summer driving season, continues to weigh on traders' minds, said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

"The market is still under pressure with concerns about demand," Lipow said.

The US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank are all expected to raise rates when they meet in the first week of May.

In US supply, US energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for the first time in four weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said.

The oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose three to 591 in the week to April 21.

Money managers raised their net long US crude futures and options positions by 11,736 contracts to 199,622 in the week to April 18, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. (Reuters)

Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former US President has been criminally charged even as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year.

The four-count, 45page indictment charges Republican Trump with conspiring to defraud the US by preventing Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election.

Then-President Trump pushed fraud claims he knew to be untrue, pressured state and federal officials - including Vice President Mike Pence - to alter the results and finally incited a violent assault on the US Capitol in a desperate attempt to undermine American democracy and cling to power, prosecutors said.

Trump was ordered to make an initial appearance in federal court in Washington on Thursday. The case has been assigned to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was appointed by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.

The charges stem from Special Counsel Jack Smith's sprawling investigation into allegations Trump sought to reverse his loss to Biden. Despite a dizzying and growing array of legal troubles, Trump has solidified his status as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, according to public opinion polls.

Weeks of assertions that the election had been stolen culminated in a fiery Trump speech on Jan 6,

2021, as Congress met to certify the results. Soon after, his supporters stormed the US Capitol in a bid to stop Congress from formalising Biden's victory.

In a brief statement to reporters, Smith placed the blame for the violence squarely on Trump's shoulders.

"The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fuelled by lies - lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing the bedrock function of the US Government," Smith said.

Trump and others organised fraudulent slates of electors in seven states, all of which he lost, to submit their votes to be counted and certified as official by Congress on Jan. 6, the indictment said.

The indictment lays out numerous examples of Trump's election falsehoods and notes that close advisers, including senior intelligence officials, told him repeatedly that the election results were legitimate.

"These claims were false, and the defendant knew that they were false," prosecutors wrote.

When the push to certify the fake electors failed, Trump sought to pressure Vice President Mike Pence not to allow the certification of the election to go forward, and took advantage of the chaos outside the Capitol to do so, according to prosecutors. During the violence, Trump rebuffed calls from his advisers to issue a calming message.

In a statement, the Trump campaign said he had

Paraguay courts Taiwanese investors, warns against China reliance

Paraguay is seeking more Taiwanese investment to diversify its farm-driven economy focused on exporting raw materials to China, incoming Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos said in an interview.

Paraguay remains the only South American nation with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own ter-

ritory. As Paraguay prepares for the Aug 15 Inauguration Of The Next Government, it has reinforced its 70year friendship with the democratic island, even as China ramps up diplomatic and military pressure.

"We are very good at producing soybeans and meat, but we must diversify," Fernandez told Reuters on July 28 at his temporary office in Asuncion. "We ask

Taiwan to help us with that, through investments from its private sector."

A Taiwan delegation including business leaders will travel to Paraguay in August for the inauguration of conservative President-elect Santiago Pena, he added.

Paraguayan farmers who support switching ties to China to boost the landlocked country's agricultural exports "are not seeing the

"President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!" it added.

The indictment also includes six unnamed co-conspirators. Based on the descriptions, they appear to include Trump's former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who called several state lawmakers in the weeks following the 2020 election to pressure them not to certify their state's results; former Justice

Department official Jeffrey Clark, who tried to get himself installed as Attorney General so he could launch voter fraud investigations in Georgia and other swing states; and attorney John Eastman, who advanced the erroneous legal theory that Pence could block the electoral certification.

The most serious charge against Trump carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, though sentencing is based on numerous factors and is subject to the judge's discretion. (Excerpt from Reuters)

4 Nigerians, rescued in Brazil, survived 14 days on a ship's rudder

On their tenth day at sea, the four Nigerian stowaways crossing the Atlantic in a tiny space above the rudder of a cargo ship ran out of food and drink.

They survived another four days, according to their account, by drinking the sea water crashing just metres below them, before being rescued by Brazilian Federal Police in the south-eastern port of Vitoria.

Their remarkable, death-defying journey across some 5600 kilometers (3500 miles) of ocean underlines the risks some migrants are prepared to take for a shot at a better life.

"It was a terrible experience for me," said 38-yearold Thankgod Opemipo Matthew Yeye, one of the four Nigerians, in an interview at a Sao Paulo church shelter. "On board it is not easy. I was shaking, so scared. But I'm here."

Their relief at being res-

cued soon gave way to surprise.

The four men said they had hoped to reach Europe and were shocked to learn they had in fact landed on the other side of the Atlantic, in Brazil. Two of the men have since been returned to Nigeria upon their request, while Yeye and Roman Ebimene Friday, a 35-yearold from Bayelsa state, have applied for asylum in Brazil.

"I pray the Government of Brazil will have pity on me," said Friday, who had already attempted to flee Nigeria by ship once before but was arrested by authorities there.

Both men said economic hardship, political instability and crime had left them with little option but to abandon their native Nigeria. Africa's most populous country has longstanding issues of violence and poverty, and kidnappings are endemic. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas promises to join Kenya in security force in Haiti as support grows

risks" that Beijing presents, Fernandez said.

China, as a buyer of raw materials from Paraguay with no added value, "is probably convenient for some sectors," Fernandez said. "But as a strategy for the economic and social development of Paraguay, it is not convenient for us to continue betting solely and exclusively on the main export sectors."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The Bahamian Government on Tuesday welcomed Kenya's decision to lead a multinational force in Haiti and committed 150 people to support the effort if the United Nations authorises the force, the Bahamas' Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The announcement follows a request on Monday from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that countries in Haiti's region join forces with Kenya, which last week said it was willing to send 1000 Police of-

ficers to Haiti to help stem violence between Police and gangs.

"The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized by the United Nations Security Council," the statement said.

Haiti's Government requested international security assistance last year, attracting the UN's support for a security force deployed by member states, but no country had been willing to lead such an effort until Kenya's commitment. (Reuters)

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, US, July 29, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t settle for less than what you want. Handpick the people you want on your team and forge ahead with enthusiasm. Life is about the decisions you make. Make romance a priority.

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

SUDOKU SOLUTION

(May 21-June 20)

Take a step back and make your actions definitive. Mix business with pleasure, but be direct regarding your goals and expectations from others. Take control and offer incentives.

Refuse to let anyone talk you into something that doesn’t benefit you directly. Pay attention to how you present yourself to others, and live up to your promises. Don’t overspend unnecessarily.

Let your charm and compliments motivate others to offer their help. What you accomplish will put you in a good position for advancement. Positive change will come with financial benefits.

(June 21-July 22)

Someone will go to great lengths to withhold the information you require to make a sound decision. Pay attention to detail, and be blatant regarding what you will contribute.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Be the guiding light instead of the critical eye. By putting your vocabulary to good use, you’ll find the words that resonate with people who can help you achieve your goals.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Consider other people’s feelings and how you might feel dealing with their circumstances. Kindness and consideration are in your best interest. Make peace and love priorities.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

An emotional incident will change everything. A rational approach, direct but kind words, and an alternative solution will help you gain respect and confidence from those who can influence the outcome.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don’t mince words when defending something that matters to you. Reconnecting with someone will confuse you. A decision someone makes will cause a change of heart. Honesty is the best policy.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Be forthcoming regarding joint endeavors that can influence your reputation or financial well-being. Make an adjustment and you’ll offset an emotional dispute with a loved one.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Bide your time, resolve personal matters and avoid taking the brunt of someone else’s mistake. A last-minute change someone makes will end up being to your benefit. Do your own thing.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A direct response will help ward off retribution. Look for innovative ways to use your expertise to bring in more cash or make your life more meaningful. A change will be eye-opening.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

PM Mottley acknowledges positive strides at CWI

The Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, through the Faculty of Sport, held the 22nd Annual Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. It was presented by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, under the title "Cricket Lovely Cricket: It Is more than Bat and Ball."

During her lecture, Prime Minister Mottley commended Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow for his necessary, immediate, and transformational interventions to address the inequalities between men’s and women’s cricket.

In explaining the significance of Caribbean leaders to the development of cricket, it was noted that President Shallow, during his stakeholder engagement prior to assuming office, had met with Prime Minister Mottley to garner her perspective on the future of West Indies Cricket, and concerns pertaining to women’s

cricket were highlighted. Prime Minister Mottley said: “When he (Dr Shallow) met with me in his tour around the Caribbean, it happened to be International Women’s Day, and I mentioned to him the women had to travel last class even while they're going far, and the men travel business and better. And he looked and he doubted me, but to his credit, Cricket West Indies made the change from immediately he got into office and ensured that the

RHTY&SC summer activities… Basil Butcher Trust, King's Jewellery, Star Party Rentals, P&P lend support

women are not discriminated against in the travel arrangements.”

With immediate effect from May 2023, the members of the West Indies Women’s Squad travel business class for all long-haul international flights, and are now accommodated in single rooms for all international assignments, bringing it in line with the policy for the West Indies senior men’s tours.

President Shallow and the Board of Directors remain committed to discussing and making significant strides in achieving the other necessary interventions to reduce inequality. In an effort to do so, the recently introduced Women’s Cricket Transformation Committee has been charged with providing support to this strategic initiative. Moreover, the launch of the Women’s Academy on Sunday, 30 July, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground with the aim of identifying and developing the skillset of our next generation of women will contribute significantly to this goal. (CWI)

BFA promises to restore football in Ancient County

Anew executive body has been installed to run the Berbice Football Association (BFA) for the next two years following an election held on Saturday at the Guyana Teachers Union Hall in Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The new President is Abeja Trotman, and Andrea Johnson is the First Vice President.

The new Second Vice President is Godwin Allicock and the Third Vice President is former national goalkeeper Phillip Carrington. The new secretary is Heathcliff Peters, and Ceon Bristol is the treasurer of the Association. The two committee members on the executive are Nichelle Layne and Randy Sears.

The BFA is the governing body for football in Berbice.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s num-

The new Executive of the Berbice Football Association

ber one sport had taken a nose dive in Berbice. However, the new executive has promised to see more football being played at the club level.

Meanwhile, in the GFF/ BFA Senior Men's League, Hopetown Rangers F.C. defeated Ithaca F.C. 2–0, with Equano Small and Delquan Lewis being the goal-scor-

During the current summer holidays, cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club would be hosting several activities for youths in the ancient county of Berbice.

Widely considered Guyana’s most progressive youth and sports organization, the RHTY&SC hosts, on an annual basis, a record seven activities under a wide range of sub-headings that include sports, culture, coaching, charity, youth development, community development, publications, anti-drugs, religious, anti-suicide, anti-alcohol, and awards.

The club is currently hosting the 15th edition of the Republic Bank Summer Camp and the 34th edition of its Annual Cricket Academy.

et teams have received special gifts for the awardees from a wide range of supporters. Overseas-based former Rose Hall Town resident Dr Lenny Kudrath has donated 200 school bags in memory of his late cousin Farouk Kudrath, a former RHTY&SC Asst Secretary.

CEO of Beacon Cafe,

recently did some repairs to the internal fence of the venue and West Indies white ball allrounder Kevin Sinclair has committed to the restoration of the main pavilion.

Foster noted that the venue badly needs an upgrade to host matches, and the club has committed to spearheading the effort.

The RHTY&SC currently has a membership of hundreds of youths, including Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneeta Grimmond, who would be playing soon in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League. Jonathan Rampersaud and Jeremy Sandia, Guyana’s leading under-19 bowlers, are also members of the club.

ers. And in game two of the doubleheader played at the Paradise Ground in Region Five, Paradise Invaders F.C. played to a 1-1 draw with Rosignol F.C.

At the end of round two, Cougars are topping the points standing by virtue of the amount of goals they have scored, and four teams remain unbeaten. G-4

Young footballer gets scholarship to attend St Jago High School in Jamaica

As possibilities for young males to play and study in a sports-centric atmosphere continue to emerge, Guyanese youth continue to be favoured in this respect.

Seon Cato has been awarded a scholarship to play for St. Jago High School in Spanish Town, Jamaica; not only to play, but also to continue his education at the CAPE Level.

Cato departed the land of

Many Waters on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 for Jamaica.

The scholarships given to these players are full two-year scholarships, which will include school fees, textbooks, additional tuition assistance, medical monitoring, boarding, and meals.

Seon Cato managed to perform outstandingly to lead his team to second place in the ninth Milo Schools Under-18

Football tournament against Champions Santa Rosa Secondary.

Seon will be joined by young footballers like Kvist Paul and Matrim Martin, who will be attending Kingston College; and Jaleel Alcindor, who has been given a scholarship to attend MICO University to study on a full scholarship and represent the institution at the college level.

The academy is sponsored by Bakewell and the Guyana Beverage Company, and both events have attracted a large turnout of students and cricketers.

The summer camp is being held at the Rose Hall Town Primary School, and its main objective is to assist Grade Six students to make a successful transition from primary level to secondary level. The cricket academy, which has attracted close to 80 youths, has been a resounding success over the last 30 years, and has produced over 100 players at all levels for Berbice, Guyana, and the West Indies.

On Wednesday, the club received major support from several of its major supporters for the two graduation ceremonies, wherein the top students and cricketers would receive over $800,000 worth of prizes, including motor bike, gold medallions, bicycles, food hampers, packages of cosmetics, designer watches, cricket gear, clothing, and household utensils; while each youth would receive a school bag along with educational materials.

Mr Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, former cricketer Lennox Cush of Star Party Rental, Noreen Gaskin of Sentinel Security Ltd, former Berbice senior player Ishwar Singh, Allister Collins, Rion Peters and Safraz Sheriffudeen of VNet Communications have all contributed financially.

Additionally, the crick-

Ramdeo Kumar, also donated a large amount of school bags. Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, also chipped in with a contribution of educational materials.

Other donors include Canadian Surplus, Namilco, HA Snacks Co Ltd, The Gift Center, John Lewis Styles, Ministers Joseph Hamilton and Collin Croal, Ricks and Sari Agro Inc, DeSinco Trading, Roger Harper, Sheik Mohamed, Food for the Poor, PPDI, Skeldon Energy Inc, Dr Philip DaSilva, Delmur Shipping Ltd, Ansa McAl, Bank DIH Ltd.

Ryan Persaud of Kings Jewellery World has donated a West Indies Cricket medallion for the Cricketer of the Academy. Several overseas friends of the RHTY&SC also contributed cycles and other prizes. They include Bruce Butcher, Zaeer Ali, Romel Ayasammy, Yogimdra Narine, Devindra Narine, Andy Lamphins, Papie Asfrali, Francoise Culley and Lavern Lawerence.

RHTY&SC Secretary

Hilbert Foster expressed thanks to the numerous donors for their support, and expressed confidence that all the planned activities would be properly organised and be successful. He noted that the cricket teams would also be organising tribute programmes for firemen in the town ship of Rose Hall, and undertaking some restoration of the Area H Ground. The teams

The cricket teams of the RHTY&SC are Poonai Pharmacy under-11 and 13; Farfan and Mendes under-15; Bakewell under-17 and second division; Pepsi underp-19 and intermediate; Metro females, and NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour under-21 and first division.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley

Businessman Ishwar Singh handing over his support to RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster

Kesha Ramsammy Howard of P&P Insurance Brokers handing over a donation to Foster

Guyana Cup horse meet on August 13…

Bossalina came within a neck of creating one of the biggest upsets in local horse-racing on Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club(PMTC), going under by a neck to the undefeated Alado in the $3.9 million Shivtahal Cup run over eight furlongs. A rematch between these two excellent horses is expected when the Guyana Cup meet is held on August 13.

Alado, winner of the Guyana Cup and President's Cup, is owned by Master Z Racing Stables and was ridden by Colin Ross for trainer Nasrudeen Mohamed jr. He won by a neck from Bossalina and Queen Domina in the sixth race of the seven-race card, which was the second race day of the season at PMTC.

Guyana Times had a telephone conversation with Bossalina's owner/trainer Deleep Esreepersaud on Monday about the improved run from the daughter of Street Boss/Headmistress. He also spoke about his involvement in the sport, and the purchase of Bossalina

"I was confident of her running a very big race, and that is why I nominated her for the Guyana Cup very early. I grew up as a little boy in horse racing when it was held in Durban Park in the city. As

we say in horse racing, I have the pedigree; my grandfather and father were involved in the sport. I had a very good feeling about her before I bought her."

About the horses owned, he explained, "My uncle had Empire Victory and Happy Landing, which was a top horse amongst horses like

and horses ran four times in two days, winning at least three of their races."

Recounting how he purchased Bossalina, Eseepersaud said, "Stuart Gonzalves had some Canadian-bred horses for sale. He wasn't selling, but I went and took a look at them. I like the breeding of Bossalina.

Citation owned by Uncle Bula's (Fazal Habibulla) family, and Mr Crawford, who had good horses then; and we had plenty lower-class horses."

Esreepersaud, who said he migrated in 2000, recalled, "I had Firefox, Theerr, and Revolver, but racing was not as grand as when it was held in Durban Park. In those days we had back-to-back race days,

So, I went to find out the price, which was high. I struck a deal with Stuart, and I bought her on installments."

Regarding the running of the race, he admitted, "The jockey (Lil Paul) did not ride to instructions. She wasn't supposed to be on the lead. However, we could only give instructions, but when the gates fly, the jockey is in charge. I

Eccles All-Stars book 1st semi-final spot in Kares T10

Eccles All-Stars is the first team to secure a spot in the final four of the Kares One Guyana T10 tournament, after defeating Movements Family (Mahdia) on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Dubbed the ‘giant-killers’ Eccles have knocked out that formidable team ‘The Guards’ and have brushed aside the renowned Mahdia team to secure their spot. Mahdia could post only 87-6 from their allotment of 10 overs, with a top score of

Mahdia reached the Super 8 stage due to a walkover from Big B’s Blairmont Blazers.

Tarmac Titans, Team Corruption, The United Crew, and Avinash All-Stars are the other remaining teams in hot pursuit of the title and first prize of $1M on August 12 at the National Stadium at Providence.

Inclement weather on Saturday meant the intended two-day extravaganza could not be completed in the scheduled period. With support

am happy with how she ran, and will not be doing anything different heading into the Guyana Cup. She came out the race ready for battle again."

On the upliftment of the sport, Esreepersaud raised a couple of concerns about the proverbial sport of kings, and suggested what needs to be addressed. "I am asking Promoters to cater for the horses coming to compete. It took me two hours to reach to the track at Port Mourant. We are an improving country, and proper stabling has to be a priority. And it’s not Port Mourant only; all the race tracks."

Reached on the concerns, Track owner Fazal Habibulla responded, "I agree with horse

owners on that topic. We need to address trainer/ owners' concerns. It is they who keep racing go- ing. It will be dis-

22 coming from the fortuitous Ricardo Adams.

Led by Quazim Yusuf with a blazing 33 off nine balls and Anthony Antonio’s 27 from eight balls, Eccles reached their target in 8.1 overs with six wickets in the hut.

Earlier, the Guards recovered from a shaky start to post 110-6, and Eccles won the tense contest with four wickets and two balls to spare after Antonio smashed 42* from 18 balls.

Also victorious on Sunday were the Village Rams, who hammered Housing and Water One Guyana by 81 runs; V-Net Vipers surged to a massive win over Diamond Gunners, while

from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the finals have been shifted to August 12, to be played under lights at the National Stadium at Providence.

Initially, at the end of Saturday, there were to be four teams remaining, but the weather meant not all of the Super 16 and the Super 8 matches were completed, some had to be played on Sunday.

Currently, three Super 8 matches are still slated to be contested, and a venue and time are expected to be soon confirmed by the organizers.

When those matches have been completed, just four

teams would remain.

Teams have expressed great delight at being given the opportunity to play at the facility, noting it is historic for them.

Additionally, the charity match will be back in full swing.

The champions of this inaugural match will pocket $1M, while the losing finalist will collect G$300,000. The two losing semi-finalists will walk away with G$100,000 each.

There will also be prizes for outstanding individual performances. The Most Valuable Player of the series will get a motorbike valued at over G$250,000, compliments of Assuria Insurance.

The Corporate Village organised to promote brand awareness has been postponed to August 12. Some of the companies: Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Guyana Tourism Authority, ANSA Motors Guyana, Continental Transport Inc., Gafoors, and Premier Insurance are just some companies still set to be on show.

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tape ball Tournament’s organizers would like to thank the sponsors who have made the tournament possible.

Corporate support has come from Kares Engineering Inc., Banks DIH through their GT Beer Brand, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Assuria Insurance, E-Net; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Cricket Zone USA, First Change Builders, Impressions, Jacobs Jewellery, Beacon Café, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Zeus Enterprise, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, and Trophy Stall.

cussed, I assure all owners and trainers. Yes, we have the facilities, but definitely we need more stables for horses coming to compete."

Esreepersaud also observed, "The prize moneys for the small owners need to be better, and they should have a position in racing. The promoters could have a race for the small man whose horses never earned any money. This will prevent them from getting rid of their horses. Give them a chance and write some races for them to have a chance to win on the big days also. That will encourage owners. Right now, the small man feel like they left out. The problem is not getting the right people, it's doing the right thing for everybody." About a rematch with Alado, he remarked, "I am ready. Hope Junior do not have any excuse."

Digicel School's Football Championships 2023…

Charlestown, Tutorial Academy, Charity advance to Round of

Grounds on the West Coast of Demerara and in Berbice came alive on Monday evening when the Digicel Schools’ Football Championships continued in those areas.

In Region 3, visitors Charlestown Secondary upset Leonora Secondary 4-1. Andrew Carto and Malachi Barker each scored a goal in the respective 19th and 49th minutes, and two own goals scored by Leonora in the respective 61st and 70th minutes accounted for Charlestown’s 4.

Leonora’s consolation goal was scored by Findly Miggins in the 78th.

At the same venue, Westminster Secondary overcame North Ruimveldt Multilateral 5-3. All of Westminster’s goal came in the first half, as Samuel McAllister got the scoring

16

started early, netting in the 7th and 22nd minutes. Tyreese Johnson followed with a strike in the 30th, while Harod Haynes and Khy Austin added to the tally in the 32nd and 35th respectively.

North Ruimveldt attempted a comeback, as Calvin Bowlin netted their first in the 71st, then Jevon Luck extend-

ed North’s tally with a double in the 75th and 87th. However, it was a little too late for the Georgetown visitors.

Over in the ancient county, Mahaicony Technical Institute eased past Tutorial Academy 4-2. It was quite a tense encounter, as Hiswar Kiene and Dawrad Wilson found the back of the net for Tutorial in the 10th and 21st respectively.

lenged the Berbice Educational Institute in the following game, but the visitors came up short. All it took was a solitary goal off the boots of Daniel Arthur in the 65th for Berbice to secure the win.

In addition, Charity Secondary thumped Marian Academy in a single game at the NIS Ground. Led by trebles from Enrique Edwards (24th, 38th, 67th) and Oundra Sobers (27th, 35th, 60th), Aron Williams had opened the scoring in the 2nd, and Dwayne Williams struck in the 20th to secure the 8-0 win.

Goals off the boots of Dane Singh and Kadeem Henry in the 24th and 39th meant that the half expired with the scores locked at 2-2; but in the second segment, Jaheim Drakes and Ezekiel Abel added their names to the scoresheet in the 66th and 78th to secure the victory.

Queen’s College chal-

The Round of 16 begins tomorrow at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground in Georgetown. Tucville Secondary will battle Charity Secondary in the first game at 13:00hrs. Then St. Ignatius and Buxton Secondary will battle at 15:00hrs, after which Santa Rosa Secondary and Mackenzie High School will do battle at 17:00hrs. the final game of the day will see Kwakwani Secondary and Waramuri Top Primary in action from 19:00hrs.

The Round of 16 will continue tomorrow, Thursday, August 3rd, at same venue.

Alado (right) took down Bossalina (left) (Brandon Corlette photo)

Bossalina and owner are ready to take on Alado

Qualified! Eccles All-Stars are through to the semi-finals

A glimpse of what to expect at the Round of 16 today and tomorrow

India showed their batting might to beat West Indies by 200 runs in the series decider in Tarouba. They have now won 13 consecutive ODI series against West Indies, stretching all the way back to 2006.

Playing without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli once again, India rode on the half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya to post a mammoth 351 for 5.

After that, West Indies were never in the game. Mukesh Kumar wrecked their chase with three early wickets. And when Shardul Thakur also picked up two in his successive overs, it left them tottering at 50 for 6.

A 59-run stand between Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie for the ninth wicket only delayed the inevitable.

In the morning, after Shai Hope opted to field, Kishan and Gill gave India a brisk start of 143 in 19.4 overs. Both openers enjoyed the ball coming on to the bat, which was not the case in the first two ODIs in Bridgetown.

Kishan relished his luck,

WI vs India 2023 ODI Series, Game 3 of 3…

Dominant India flex batting muscle to seal series

too. He was dropped by Keacy Carty on 9, and survived a runout chance on 63, but his positive intent meant he finished with 77 off 64 balls despite not always looking in control. It was his third half-century in as many matches in the series.

Early on, Kishan was troubled by Kyle Mayers. Bowling around the wicket with the new ball, Mayers beat his outside edge twice in three overs. Kishan responded by dancing down the track and hitting him for back-toback fours.

Gill got to face just one ball in the first two overs, and got off the mark in the third with a pulled four off Seales. In the fast bowler's next over, Gill picked up two more boundaries, the first via a short-arm jab and the second via a punch between cover and point.

Gill and Kishan took India to 73 for no loss by the end of the tenth over. When the field restrictions were relaxed, Gill focused on playing risk-free cricket. Kishan, though, kept going for his shots. First, he hit Joseph for six and four, and then drilled Motie down the ground. Another six, this

time off Romario Shepherd, took him to 49 off 39 balls, and four balls later, he brought up his half-century.

12 balls, Samson raced away to fifty in 39 balls.

Samson and Gill added 69 in just 8.5 overs, the

In what is being hailed as a ‘historic’ encounter, Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, will battle the Ethiopian National Football Team tonight in a friendly encounter.

The clash at the Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, United States of America will be the first time Guyana takes on an African opponent. Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz spoke of the historic

factor embedded in tomorrow’s game.

“Of course, it will be history for us at the GFF, playing an African team. You know, we played an Indian team back in 2011; now, for the first time, we’re playing an African national team in Ethiopia, and I’m sure all the Rastafari in Guyana will be tuned into this,” the Head Coach lightly shared. Shabazz went on to highlight that this game will be the perfect test for the Golden

Yannic Cariah broke the opening stand by having Kishan stumped for 77 off 64 balls. The legspinner beat him in the flight and with the turn, as Kishan tried to use his feet.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, playing just his second ODI, didn't last long, having edged Joseph to first slip for 8.

Samson looked to attack right from the start, and hit three sixes in his first 13 balls. He was severe on Cariah, in particular, taking him for 28 runs off just ten balls. And even though Motie kept him quiet, conceding only four off

latter contributing 18 off 12. The stand was broken when Samson, soon after his fifty, failed to clear mid-off against Shepherd. His wicket also put a brake on the scoring rate: Samson fell in the 32nd over; in the next eight, India managed only 23.

India lost Gill, too, during this phase. He was looking good for a hundred, but fell for 85 off 92 balls; a length delivery from Motie got stuck in the pitch, resulting in an easy catch to short midwicket.

Batting at #6, Suryakumar Yadav gave a glimpse of his

T20 fluency. He scored 35 off 30, which includ ed a six on each side of the wicket behind the square. Towards the end of the innings, Hardik also hit a few lusty blows to finish unbeaten. It was a late acceleration by him. At one stage, he was on 11 off 22. Off the next 30, he scored almost two runs per ball to finish on 70 not out off 52. West Indies' chase never got going, with Mukesh getting Brandon King to edge on behind in the very first over. The seam er kept peppering the good length outside off, and had Mayers chopping one onto his stumps and Hope nick ing one to first slip. Those blows reduced West Indies to 17 for 3.

Jaydev Unadkat, playing his first ODI in almost ten years, took just five balls to make an incision of his own. He got Carty to edge one to the right of first slip, where Gill took a low catch.

Shimron Hetmyer and Shepherd offered little resistance, and fell to Thakur.

Just like in the first ODI,

West Indies' lower order could do little against Kuldeep Yadav's variations. Joseph and Motie kept the Indian bowlers at bay for close to ten overs before Thakur bounced out Joseph. In his next over, Thakur rattled Seales's stumps to complete the formalities. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India (50 ovs maximum)

Ishan Kishan †st †Hope

b Cariah 77

Shubman Gill c Cariah

b Motie 85

Ruturaj Gaikwad c King

Jaguars and those players looking to solidify their spot in the team.

“Well, for the last two weeks, we’ve been watching them play the Africans, the past matches in the African Nations League, in the last World Cup qualifying tournament. They had decent performances against top teams like South Africa and Ghana. So, it’s a formidable opponent, very skillful, and it will be just the test the doctor ordered for this bunch of players here,” Shabazz disclosed to Guyana Times Sport exclusively.

He added, “This will be a wonderful opportunity for us to test our skills, against not a big team in Africa, but a decent team.”

Probed about expectations for the friendly, the Head Coach guaranteed a spirited performance from the Jaguars.

“We think that Ethiopia is, as I said before, not a big team in Africa, but a good team, because we’re not a big team in CONCACAF.

It’s two countries who have the opportunity to make a mark for their Confederation; Ethiopia for Africa, Guyana for CONCACAF,” Shabazz reasoned. The Golden Jags Head Coach further stated, “So, you know, I don’t have a crystal ball for the result, but I know what we can promise is that we’ll work very hard. But it gives us the opportunity to answer some question of some of the players that we’ve selected.”

Kick-off time for the friendly game is set for 7pm this evening. (Jemima Holmes)

b Joseph 8

Sanju Samson c Hetmyer

b Shepherd 51

Hardik Pandya

(c)not out 70

Suryakumar Yadav c Cariah

b Shepherd 35

Ravindra Jadeja

not out 8

Extras (lb 5, w 12) 17

TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 7.02) 351/5

Did not bat: Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar

Fall of wickets: 1-143 (Ishan

Kishan, 19.4 ov), 2-154 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 22.6 ov), 3-223 (Sanju Samson, 31.5 ov), 4-244 (Shubman Gill, 38.4 ov), 5-309 (Suryakumar Yadav, 46.5 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Jayden Seales 8-0-75-0

Kyle Mayers 4-0-25-0

Alzarri Joseph 10-0-77-1

Gudakesh Motie 10-1-38-1

Romario Shepherd 10-0-73-2

Yannic Cariah 8-0-58-1

West Indies (T: 352 runs from 50 ovs)

Brandon King c †Ishan Kishan

b Mukesh Kumar 0

Kyle Mayers

b Mukesh Kumar 4

Alick Athanaze

b Kuldeep Yadav 32

Shai Hope (c)† c Shubman Gill

b Mukesh Kumar 5

Keacy Carty c Shubman Gill

b Unadkat 6

Shimron Hetmyer c Yadav

b Thakur 4

Romario Shepherd c Unadkat

b Thakur 8

Yannic Cariah lbw

b Kuldeep Yadav 19

Alzarri Joseph c †Ishan Kishan b Thakur 26

Gudakesh Motie not out 39

Jayden Seales

b Thakur 1

Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 4) 7

TOTAL35.3 Ov (RR: 4.25) 151

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Brandon King, 0.5 ov), 2-7 (Kyle Mayers, 2.6 ov), 3-17 (Shai Hope, 6.3 ov), 4-35 (Keacy Carty, 10.5 ov), 5-40 (Shimron Hetmyer, 11.6 ov), 6-50 (Romario Shepherd, 13.6 ov), 7-75 (Alick Athanaze, 21.1 ov), 8-88 (Yannic Cariah, 23.4 ov), 9-143 (Alzarri Joseph, 33.2 ov), 10151 (Jayden Seales, 35.3 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mukesh Kumar 7-1-30-3

Hardik Pandya 4-1-13-0

Shardul Thakur 6.3-0-37-4

Jaydev Unadkat 5-0-16- 1

Kuldeep Yadav 8-3-25-2

Ravindra Jadeja 5-1-29-0

Shardul Thakur had Shimron Hetmyer mishit one to cover

Ishan Kishan pulling one over midwicket

A look at the Golden Jaguars training camp in Guyana ahead of today’s friendly match