Guyana Times -Wednesday, June 14, 2023.pdf

2 friends die in Long Creek smash-up

ministered on the driver of the motor car but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. He is currently in custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that Boodna lost both of his parents and was brought up by an aunt, Rita, who explained that on the night in question, she received a telephone call from a young man who informed her that her nephew was involved in an accident.

them down…”

The aunt explained that after her son called to confirm the young man was dead, she rushed to the scene where she saw him lying on the road in a pool of blood.

Amotorcyclist and his pillion rider lost their lives on Monday evening after a motor car reportedly crashed into them in the vicinity of Long Creek, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

The dead men have been identified as 22-yearold Shazeer Mohammed of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (ECD), and 26-year-old Ryan Boodna of Long Creek Red Road, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

At the time of the accident, Mohamed was driving a black XR motorcycle while Boodna was the pillion rider. The other vehicle that was involved in the accident bore registration number PAD 283 and was at the time being driven by a 25-year-old resident of West Watooka Wismar, Linden.

Police stated that both

vehicles were travelling in the same direction – the motor car was behind the motorcycle.

However, the driver claimed that the motorcycle, which did not have rear lights, suddenly swerved into his path. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the driver reportedly applied brakes but due to the short distance, he ended up colliding with the rear of the motorcycle.

As a result of the impact, Mohamed and Boodna fell onto the roadway and sustained severe bodily injuries. They were picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious state and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where they were examined and pronounced dead.

Police stated that a breathalyser test was ad-

She stated that one of her sons immediately rushed to the scene to investigate and within minutes he called her with the dreaded news.

“He mother dead since he was 9-day-old so meh mother and we take care of he and another older brother… after meh mother dead, he stay with me all the time… right now he is like one of meh own son… and it hurt meh heart to know that he die in so horrible manner…”

The distraught woman recalled last seeing him alive on Monday morning when she left home to travel to Soesdyke to run some errands. “He does work with the other boy (Mohammed) at them sawmill but he does come home every day… but Monday afternoon like them de going to buy food at a small shop up the hill and as soon as them ride out the sawmill road and start riding up the hill, the car hit

“Like the vehicle knock them and push them some distance way…he head burst up… and he hand and foot bruk up…when I look at he, I know he dead… the Police come, pick up the other boy and rush he to the hospital… them left meh nephew on the road and it was some other people who pick he up and carry he to the hospital too… he went on the road fuh about one hour,” the woman told Guyana Times

She further explained that after the post-mortem today, Mohamed will be buried after which she will

make funeral arrangements for her nephew to be buried next to his mother and grandmother at the Long Creek cemetery.

Rita is calling on the Police to conduct a thorough

investigation into the accident since she believes that the driver did not tell the Police the truth. Boodna was described as a very friendly and humble person with a pleasant personality.

Essequibo teen crushed by reversing vehicle

An Essequibo Coast family was plunged into a state of mourning after a teenager was run over by a reversing canter on Monday evening.

Dead is 13-year-old Rovin Mark Williams, a former student of Suddie Primary School and of Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Based on the reports received, the teenager was in the canter along with another person when the driver started to reverse the vehicle. While information remains sketchy, Guyana Times understands that the young man fell out of the tray and into the path of the rear wheels of the canter.

As a result, he sustained injuries and was immediately taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to hospital officials, the teen suffered a fractured skull and several broken bones in his body.

Joshuah Ramdatt, with whom the teenager was at the time of the accident, briefly recalled, “Me and he went in the canter

when he fall out and the canter run him over... When I see [i] jump out and help he and the driver too, he hurry and rushed him to the hospital.”

The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and is assisting with investigations.

Dead: Rovin Mark Williams

Dead: Ryan Boodna

Dead: Shazeer Mohamed

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 14 – 01:30h

– 03:00h and Thursday, June 15 – 02:30h – 04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, June 14 – 13:55h

– 15:25h and Thursday, June 15 – 14:50h – 16:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect thundery showers and partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-Easterly to Easterly between 2.32 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:52h reaching a maximum height of 2.37 metres.

Low Tide: 07:24h and 19:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.84 metre.

LGE 2023

PPP/C secures landslide victory at LGE as GECOM releases preliminary results

– wins 66 of 80 LAAs – claims 7 of 10 townships

– votes in GT double from 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has scored a landslide victory at this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE), sweeping 66 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) across the country.

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) began releasing results on its website on Tuesday, one day after citizens exercised their franchise at the polls.

Preliminary results showed that the governing PPP/C won 62 of the LAAs and tied with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in four areas. However, since the PPP/C received the majority of votes cast, it will assume chairmanship.

This time around, the PPP/C has scored bigger. In 2018, when it was in Opposition, the Party had secured 52 of the LAAs. In fact, this year, APNU only managed to win 14 – a dip when compared to 23 in 2018.

At a press conference on Tuesday, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo announced that there were

massive gains for the Party, whether by outright wins or making inroads in the Opposition’s strongholds.

“This is clearly a wipeout…That’s the definition of a massive victory. That is

has won the majority of votes in seven of the country’s 10 townships. These include Mabaruma, Mahdia, Lethem, Corriverton, Rose Hall, Bartica and Anna Regina while APNU man-

the PPP/C won 12 seats while APNU secured two. Previously, the PPP/C had eight seats. APNU received 497 votes while PPP got 1491. There were 55 rejected ballots.

“We have increased another town and our support there too,” Jagdeo commented.

Anna Regina

In Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the PPP/C won 15 seats while

how you define landslide, not by winning a constituency in Georgetown that you have won for 60 years. A landslide is the total number of areas contested and the party that won the most, and we won 66,” he contended.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C

aged to regain the majority in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, and Linden –two municipalities less than the last polls.

Mabaruma

In Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini),

APNU only secured one. The PPP/C copped 3657 votes while APNU got 505. There were 57 rejected ballots. Previously, the Party had secured 12 of 16 seats for that municipality.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on the campaign trail earlier this month

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Microenterprises

The Government’s announcement some time ago: that it is exploring ways to create more opportunities for small businesses, is crucial, as persons with these types of businesses and those who want to start businesses often have neither the cash flow nor collateral.

To quote President Ali: “We have to have a discussion on the apportionment of that risk, and how we can minimise or remove the collateral requirement and take the contract at face value, and then work out a mechanism through which a contract at face value is used to support those business operations.”

The issue of cash flow for micro-enterprises has been a topic of interest over the years, not only in Guyana, but in other countries around the world, especially as it relates to women. Debates have centred around the challenges many women face in getting access to equal opportunities, and, in a general sense, programmes and policies that could be implemented to ensure their economic and social advancement.

Women, over the years, have made tremendous progress, not only in terms of their own advancement, but by playing a key role in the development of their own communities and, by extension, allowing other women opportunities to develop themselves. However, many challenges remain, and these must be tackled to ensure that women have access to the resources needed to allow them to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

We believe that when women are allowed to develop their full potential, it is not only women who gain, but the entire society. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.

According to the United Nations, investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

Here, in Guyana, women have made tremendous progress at every level of society. This country deserves commendation for the advances it has made in ensuring that, in addition to women being protected under the law, they are given relevant opportunities for their personal and professional advancement.

However, there is still a far way to go before we can safely say that women have access to the resources and opportunities they need to fully develop themselves. For example, our single-parent mothers have, over the years, found it very difficult to make ends meet. Many of them have found themselves in a position where they work from month to month and there seems to be no end to the financial hardships they experience. In terms of support from the Government, single mothers have benefitted significantly from various grants and social services’ benefits, such as the “Because We Care” programme. For some, who would like to venture out into establishing their own small businesses etc, the strict criteria set by some banks and other lending institutions make it difficult to access the necessary loans. There are, however, indeed, institutions which give grants and other forms of support, but most of them are Georgetownbased, making it a bit difficult for rural women to have easy access to them. The COVID-19 pandemic had also worsened the situation.

Certainly, the economic and social advancement of all women, including those in hinterland and rural communities, should remain a priority for this Government. Focus must be placed on providing access to financial resources, and protection from domestic and other forms of violence.

GECOM delivered 2023 LGE with equity and neutrality

Dear Editor, In the June 12, 2023 Local Government Elections, I ran as an Independent Candidate for Constituency

9: Zeeburg-DeWillem, in Region Three on the WCD. I was personally at the polling station from 6am to 11pm.

I threw my hat in the ring for the first time, and although I did not win the Constituency, I graciously congratulated the winner, Mr Jonas, and have nothing but praise for the GECOM staff and the attending Police Officers. Their conduct was courteous and professional, ensuring a smooth voting experience.

Since this was my first foray into LGE, it will be

remiss of me not to mention that Mr Kapildeo Chanderban, the Returning Officer (RO), explained in granular details the nuances and axioms therein in a courteous and professional manner. Though wearing many hats concurrently, and continuously peppering him with questions, not once did Mr Chanderban exhibit acrimony or rancour. He displayed intestinal and cerebral fortitude throughout!

I am compelled to believe that Mr Chanderban is an exceptional GECOM asset! His GECOM staff mirrored his demeanour and composure.

Secondly, true to their promise, the Ethnic

Relations Commission’s (ERC’s) presence was manifested by the entry of ERC Commissioner Ms Chandrowtie Sarran to observe whether the LGE Code of Ethics, previously signed, was being adhered to.

Thirdly, the presence of another entity to certify that folks with disabilities were not disenfranchised, and that accommodation for their presence at the polls was provided – including GECOM’s transportation to other polling stations – was as refreshing as it was most welcome!

Fourthly, and just as importantly, was the significant presence of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as well as members of the Community

Policing Group, to guarantee that the voting process was hassle-free. Although the day was long and transitioned into the night (10-11pm) their unflinching commitment to stand guard and to corroborate the efficacy and accuracy of the ballot counting is a testament to their professional responsibilities and net neutral role.

In totality, my opinion, though microcosmic, is that the GECOM matrix and attending logistics and personnel delivered a free and fair LGE.

Ecomium all around!

Sincerely,

Krishna Sunrian

Do our laws truly support our fathers?

Dear Editor,

In light of Father’s Day and the month-long celebration of Men’s Mental Health in June, I strongly believe that this matter needs to be addressed.

We are in 2023, and provisions for paternity leave in the National Labour Laws have not been made. Being a young adult, I am still in the process of acquainting myself with the basic laws of my country.

However, I was appalled when my colleague inquired about paternity leave at my workplace and was told that there is no provision for it.

Are we truly considering the mental health and well-being of our fathers?

During a mother’s labour in bringing a child into our land, we expect fathers to religiously attend their 9-to5 jobs. I am convinced that this is simply too much to ask! It is a fallacy to envision that our fathers would be at ease, knowing that the mother of their child is left alone for most of the day.

What about the laundry, the meals to sustain her, or if she needs to take a shower? Who will look after the child during those moments? Who will comfort

her? Not everyone is privileged to have a support system that can act in the place of the father when he is at work.

Needless to say, the matter becomes more critical if there are more children in the family, because they will need attention. Moreover, I do not believe we stopped to consider the possibility of the mother having a caesarean delivery (c-section). At these tender moments, fathers are usually on the frontline to support the mothers, but we need to give them the tools they need.

Editor, if we want fathers

to be “present”, we need to provide the avenue for it to happen. If we cannot protect men’s health, we cannot protect women’s health; we cannot protect families.

I call upon the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the President to please consider this matter with great urgency. I am confident that we have the expertise to address this issue. Let us fervently rally behind our fathers. Let us leave no stone unturned when it comes to their complete well-being.

Yours truly,

Rachel Anna Cecil

This Mike Gonsalves photo captures two fishermen anchored in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting on the right tide to set out their seines

Pres Ali approves appointment of new Moroccan Honorary Consul to Guyana

Former PNC MP challenges Norton’s claim party

in

LGE 2023

– another PNC figure calls out party for dragging its feet on SoPs

“To my fellow PNC supporters if any leader tells you that this LGE was a success for us tell them they are delusional and they are liars. Do not let another leader lie to you. Time to be honest, time to change the culture of politics.”

Anew Moroccan Honorary Consul to Guyana has been approved by President Dr Irfaan Ali, with a view to enhancing relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of Morocco and looking after the Kingdom’s interests.

This was made known by an instrument of appointment seen by this publication. In it, Looknauth Persaud’s appointment as Moroccan’s Honorary Consul at Georgetown received approval from President Ali.

It states that the appointment was made “whereas the Government of Morocco

has considered it necessary to appoint an Honorary Consul at Georgetown for the purpose of looking after the interests of the Kingdom of Morocco and its citizens.”

Guyana and Morocco established diplomatic relations on December 14, 2012. While presenting the exequatur to Persaud confirming his appointment, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd offered congratulations to the newly appointed Honorary Consul and committed to working towards enhancing cooperation in areas including agriculture and education.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023

Claims by leaders of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) that the party “won” a resounding victory at the Local Government Elections (LGE), are being challenged by former PNC Member of Parliament (MP) James Bond.

In a statement on his social media account, Bond urged his fellow PNC supporters not to fall prey to claims by the PNCR leadership – claims that have been primarily advanced by party leader Aubrey Norton, that the LGE results were a success for the PNC.

Norton has downplayed PNC’s results from the elections… even though the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) won 66 out of 80 Local Authority Areas. According to Bond, who has been vocal in saying that the party has nothing to celebrate, the party must be brave enough to take stock of what the results mean for the PNC.

“It is high time we are brave enough to see what’s wrong, find a solution and fix the problem. We are going to change the culture! We are not going to be cowards!” Bond further said in his social media post. Interestingly enough, outgoing Mayor of Georgetown and PNC Member Ubraj Narine could be seen expressing agreement with Bond on the post.

Meanwhile, one time Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes also released a video in which she urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to release the results in a timely manner. But she also railed against the PNCR leader for the slow release of the party’s own preliminary results.

“Bharrat (Jagdeo) talks about he preliminary, he preliminary. Where is Aubrey Norton? Where [are your] preliminaries? You can’t come out and say about your preliminary and so too man? [You all] get me vex. What about your preliminaries? You have Statements of Poll!” Broomes said.

So far, the PPP has won the majority votes in seven of the country’s ten townships in a move that party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has described as

a “wipeout” of the APNU. These townships include Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Rose Hall, Corriverton, Lethem, Bartica and Mahdia.

Moreover, Jagdeo told a press conference on Tuesday that based on the party’s calculations, the PPP also won the popular vote in 66 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) at this year’s Local Government polls.

He explained that the PPP outright won 62 but tied in four areas. In the tied areas, however, the party won the popular vote which would mean that, based on convention, its representative would get the chairmanship position. In contrast, Jagdeo explained that APNU only won 14 LAAs, a decrease from the 23 it had won in 2018.

Results

GECOM’s official results show that in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), the PPP won 12 seats while

APNU got two. Previously, the PPP had eight of the 12 seats. APNU received 497 votes while PPP got 1491.

In Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the PPP won 15 seats while APNU only secured one. PPP received 3657 votes while APNU got 505. In New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the PPP won six seats and APNU won eight. In 2018, APNU had 11 seats and PPP had three.

In Rose Hall, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the PPP won 11 seats while APNU got three. PPP got 1008 votes and APNU received 447. The PPP also won the town of Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) wherein in one of the constituencies, more persons voted for a deceased candidate of the PPP than the APNU representative. PPP got 2314 votes while APNU got 508.

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Sign off

was successful

Former APNU Minister Simona Broomes

Former PNC MP James Bond

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

Newly-appointed Moroccan Honorary Consul to Guyana, Looknauth Persaud (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

LGE 2023

Maintaining control of NA, Linden, GT was utmost priority – Norton

...says not worried about inroads made by PPP/C

Despite having lost significant votes and in some cases, Council seats in some of its strongholds, Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton claims that he is not worried about the results of this year’s Local Government Elections and the prospects it holds for the national polls in 2025.

Norton told a press conference on Tuesday that he is pleased with his party’s performance, particularly the fact that they retained control of their strongholds: Georgetown, Linden, and New Amsterdam.

“For us, this is a victory for the people of Guyana. The people of Guyana do not want a one-party State…we see it as a victory not only for the APNU but for the people of this country,” Norton expressed.

But the results show that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has gained more seats than it did in 2018 in some of the APNU strongholds. These include Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Mahdia and Bartica.

Confirmed results from Linden show that APNU won 14 seats, while PPP won two, both from the Proportional Representation

list. When LGE was last held in 2018, PPP had won just one seat in Linden, while APNU won 13 and the Alliance For Change (AFC) won two.

Preliminary results also suggest that PPP gained 12,265 votes in Georgetown. In 2018, PPP was only able to gain 6813 votes in Georgetown. In New Amsterdam, preliminary results indicate that PPP won three more seats this year than they did in 2018.

Norton was asked about the PPP’s inroads in APNU strongholds. He was also asked about Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s projections that the PPP would win more than 60 out of 80 Local

Authority Areas. According to Norton, however, the PNC is not deeply concerned about PPP’s inroads in its strongholds, nor the overall percentage of areas the PPP wins. In fact, he was adamant that while the APNU lost a few battles, they’ve “won the war.”

“[I’m] not deeply concerned… I wouldn’t be worried. What we will do is take our time and ensure that we continue to sensitise people so that by the next election, they [PPP] will diminish…,” Norton contended.

“I will check the data but for now, I don’t think that is the issue. What Jagdeo’s seeking to do

is shift the goalpost. Remember he set the goalpost. We’re going to beat the APNU in Linden. We’re going to beat them in Georgetown. We’re going to beat them in New Amsterdam. When you get blows, you now start talking about 65 and 85. We said from the inception that we weren’t contesting in many areas… so again, I’m not worried.”

Norton said the results of the LGE are not indicative of what could come at the polls in 2025 since the APNU will be contesting nationally at the General and Regional Elections. APNU only contested in some of the Local Authority Areas at the local government polls this year, claiming

that it was a ‘strategic move’.

“We did an analysis of the situation… we thought it to be strategically important to focus on our strongholds, make inroads in some areas. Our strategy will not be limited. In the national elections, we will contest in every area. But we thought in the present circumstances, we should not spread ourselves thin. We should focus on those areas we thought were key.”

Meanwhile, PPP and APNU tied for seats in Bartica and Mahdia, with the position of chairmanship likely to be decided from the plurality of votes. The PPP, based on the preliminaries, however, gained the majority votes in those towns. And according to Norton, there will be no runoff to determine the final results. He claimed that some people have been calling about this.

“My instructions to Bartica and Mahdia are that there should be no runoff. There’s no provision for it in the Constitution. What has to happen is that the two sides engage and since I am the Chair of the APNU, I will lead that engagement. And then we seek to solve that problem and move forward,” Norton said. (G-3)

PPP/C secures landslide victory at LGE...

Rose Hall

In Rose Hall, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the PPP/C won 11 seats while APNU managed to grasp three. The PPP/C got 1008 votes while APNU received 447. There were 21 rejected ballots.

Corriverton

The PPP/C also won all of the constituencies in the town of Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). In one of the constituencies, more persons voted for a deceased candidate of the PPP/C than the APNU representative. The PPP got 2314 votes while APNU got 508.

“One of the candidates unfortunately passed away and you cannot replace the candidate before the election…But they didn’t win the area, because although the guy passed away, he still secured the votes which means that they don’t want an APNU person to take control.”

Bartica

In Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the PPP/C won the majority of the votes. In 2018, APNU got 1443 votes and the PPP/C got 1144 and AFC 470, but this year, APNU got 1601 and the PPP increased its numbers to 1787.

“Isn’t that a major change? That’s the definition of change. People rejected APNU in Bartica,” Jagdeo expressed.

Mahdia

In Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the PPP/C also won the majority of votes, with APNU securing 327 votes and the PPP/C, 330 votes. This gives both parties an equal number of seats.

Lethem

In Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the PPP/C had a clean sweep of all 10 seats as there was no contest in that township. In 2018, the PPP/C secured three out of

the five seats, with APNU earning the other two.

New Amsterdam

Over at New Amsterdam, Region Six, the PPP/C won six seats with 2336 votes and APNU won eight with 3074 ballots in its favour.

In 2018, APNU had 11 seats and the PPP/C had three when those results were tabulated, pointing to dwindling support for the former.

Linden

Votes in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) at this year’s polls reflected a win for APNU with 8002 votes. The PPP/ C’s votes moved from 402 in 2018 to 2464, earning it two seats as opposed to one at the last LGE. APNU will take up 14 seats on the Town Council.

Reflecting on the Party’s 500 per cent increase in votes, Jagdeo disclosed, “These are not small numbers; 2000 votes more is a significant amount of votes and that is what happened

Former PNC MP challenges...

In Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the PPP won the majority of the votes. In 2018, APNU got 1521 votes and the PPP got 1145 and AFC 346; but this year, APNU got 1601 and PPP increased to 1784. “Isn’t that a major change? That’s the definition of change,” Jagdeo expressed.

In Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the PPP also won the popular vote. In Lethem, Region Nine (Upper

Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the PPP won all ten seats as there was no contest in that township.

In Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), at this year’s polls, the PPP’s votes moved from 402 in 2018 to 2464. This year, the PPP earned two seats while APNU received 14. Previously, the PPP had one seat.

In Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica),

FROM PAGE 5

the PPP won five of the 15 constituencies, up from three in 2018. In 2018, the PPP had gotten 6813 votes but at this year’s polls, the party got 12,265 votes.

In the heart of Sophia, the PPP gained some 500 more votes than in 2018; in Charlestown/Albouystown, it secured 473 more votes than in 2018 and in Tucville/North Ruimveldt, it got some 500 more votes than in 2018.

in Linden.”

Georgetown

Finally, in Georgetown, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) while GECOM is yet to release the preliminary results, the PPP declared that it has won five of the 15 constituencies, an increase from three in 2018. In 2018, the PPP had secured 6813 votes, but at this year’s

polls, ballots in its favour almost doubled to 12,256.

The Party’s support base increased in areas such as Kingston, Sophia, Albouystown, Tucville, East Ruimveldt, and West Ruimveldt. Commenting on this development, Jagdeo said he was pleased with such a turnout in their favour.

“That is major by any

FROM PAGE 3

standard when you can increase your votes so significantly. We have increased our votes by nearly 6000 in the city…It’s evenly spread across Georgetown if you look at the results. This is like the definition of a wipeout in your base. This is the definition of massive victory in your strongholds,” the General Secretary told media operatives.

From left: PNC Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul, Party Leader Aubrey Norton, Parliamentarian Nima Flue-Bess and party Chief Scrutineer Carol Joseph

Suspect wanted for murder of GDF Lieutenant nabbed in Sophia

Department (CID) where he is being interrogated in connection with the brutal murder. With Parris in custody, detectives are hoping to get information on the whereabouts of Jamie Ghanie – the other suspect wanted for the murder.

Days after the issuance of a wanted bulletin for two men in connection with the murder of Army

Lieutenant Rondel Douglas, the Police apprehended one of them during an operation in Sophia, Greater Georgetown,

on Tuesday. Upon his arrest, Joshua Parris was taken to the Criminal Investigations

Lieutenant Douglas, a 32-year-old resident of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, worked part-time as a taxi driver for Alladin Taxi Service in La Grange. Tragically, on June 7, Douglas was stationed at the base when a man approached him and requested a ride to Cul-de-Sac Street, North Ruimveldt.

Looking back...

…at strongholds

Well, it’s all over, baby!! That is: the feverish excitement of the hustings, with the masses in their party-signalling, coloured T-Shirts screaming; balloons festooned across bright stages, and political leaders pumping them up (the people and the balloons!!) with promises of milk and honey. It’s done!! Your Eyewitness is speaking, of course, about the PPP, since the PNC could barely scrape together enough money to rent a canter to mount at street corners to harangue the passers-by in their strongholds.

But they had the last laugh…didn’t they?? The results show that while the PPP did make some gains, by and large, the PNC strongholds remained just that – PNC strongholds!! But the PPP knew that was gonna be the case, and that’s why the GS was emphasising the GAINS they’d make in the said strongholds. And they did gain!! Check every constituency and you’ll notice in every one of those strongholds, the PPP picked up votes where there was absolutely NONE before!!

The PPP’s playing the long game. They now have a core in those strongholds, from where they will expand their reach in the coming years. The oil revenue gonna be increasing from the stream it is now into a mighty Amazon in that time – so the wherewithal’s gonna be there to deliver the goods. Through those who stick with them!! While there’s gonna be no Damascene Conversion – think Saul on the way to Damascus! – the PPP expects to slowly wear down the resistance that has accreted over the decades since the 1950s.

And the PNC?? They’re gonna have to address their leadership conundrum and quit with the Hamletian “to be or not to be”!! They gotta BE – right now!! It’s just been demonstrated they have the base to work with – and that it’ll take a long time to wean that base away. 2025’s just around the corner, so they still have time to consolidate their base and mount a counter-offensive into the PPP’s base!! Do fuh do nah obeah!! Ain’t it so??

Now, dear reader, you might be saying that the PNC got nothing to offer – but that ain’t true. It’s been shown that when the incumbent’s using its access to largess to gain support – as many as who’re pleased will be those who’ll feel they ain’t getting enough. That’s how we humans think. If the PNC’s smart, they’ll quit with the foaming-at-themouth, fire-and-brimstone threats to PPP supporters and start courting the ones who feel aggrieved!!

The AFC showed it can be done – all it takes is a less pugnacious leader with an inclusive programme that stresses peace and security. Folks are smart enough to figure out that who owns the dog can call off the dog!!

…in anger

One of the challenges we face comes from those who want to keep the cauldron of hate bubbling among our people. Remember the three witches of Macbeth?? Like them, ever since the present Government finally took office in 2020 Aug, we’ve had their counterparts in Guyana fomenting darkness, chaos and conflict. Also, like in the play, they inveigled their way with the new leader of the Opposition to predict what’s ahead and what he should do.

Most insidiously, they promised he’ll be the President one day – if he does as they say. Which is to accuse the Government of creating an “apartheid state” that must be confronted violently. That planted the idea in the LoO’s mind. They knew it was already there, beneath the surface; all they were doing was bringing it to the surface, knowing he’d take the bait. They knew his weak point was his overreaching ambition.

And as they led Macbeth to his doom, that’s coming any day now, when the LoO will be replaced!!

…to the future

Democracy started in Guyana with Local Government that the ex-slaves established after forming the Village Movement. And it’s gonna be strengthened when the individuals within those same villages – now supporting the PPP

spread the word!!

Jamie Ghanie and Joshua Parris

Dead: Rondel Douglas

Jagdeo calls on ERC to investigate APNUaligned entity’s “racist messages” during LGE

“On the day of the election itself, we saw some of the vilest campaigns waged by arms of APNU…I hope that the ERC will investigate this. If they don’t, then they will not be fulfilling their mandate…The APNU was putting out these racist messages,” Jagdeo said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The General Secretary added that such instances, done to “drive fear among

properties from residents along the newly beautified Independence Boulevard.

“Lies all day. They were targeting people with racist messages throughout the day. In spite of all of that, they failed miserably to stop the red wave because the wave was real,” he highlighted.

As such, he reiterated his calls for the ERC to do the job that it is mandated to carry out.

Disciplined Services.

cation of Guyana and bridging gaps by reaching out to those in need.

Under Article 212D of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the ERC has 24 functions – one of which is a mandate to investigate complaints from citizens across the country where acts of alleged ethnic discrimination have been committed. Also, the Commission

After what he described as racist messages allegedly peddled by the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) during the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE) on Monday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has called on the Ethnic Relations Commission to launch an investigation.

Subliminal racist messages, according to General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, surfaced throughout polling day on a particular APNUaligned online media entity. In a bid to address such concerns, he called on the Commission to execute its duties and probe such reports.

people”, have been documented by the PPP.

Moreover, he recounted that persons came out to spread rumours in Georgetown, informing persons that the PPP would target vendors and take away

This is not the first time the APNU has been condemned for racist remarks. Back in March, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member Tacuma Ogunseye made a reference to the use of guns in the hands of the

Thereafter, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarians Ganesh Mahipaul and Natasha Singh-Lewis, Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine, and Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram, also took issue with another part of the meeting in which a speaker denigrated the origins of Indo-Guyanese and distanced themselves from the remarks made.

President Irfaan Ali has declared on previous occasions that these actions would not stop his Government from unifying and uplifting Guyanese on this path of development. During this instance, he called for a collective condemnation against those who continue to spew such

“dangerous” words. He had launched the One Guyana mission, which calls on citizens to rally behind an effort towards the unifi-

is mandated to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act. (G-12)

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP/C requests recounts in 4 constituencies

To cement its massive win at the Local Government Elections 2023, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has moved to request a recount by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in four areas the party had contested.

This was disclosed by the General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Tuesday at a press conference. In these areas, there was a close win for the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“We have a few requests

for a recount now in for a few areas. We expect that those will be pursued soon,” he told media operatives.

One of these areas is Constituency

Six (Cummings Lodge/ Turkeyen) which shows that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) secured a four-vote win. However, there were a number of spoiled ballots.

The PPP/C has secured wins in Constituencies

One (Kingston/Albertown/ Queenstown); Two (Kitty/ Subryanville); Three (Bell Air Gardens/Bell Air Springs); Four (Lamaha

Gardens/Newtown) and Seven (Bourda/Stabroek / Lacytown).

However, should this recount go favour of the PPP, it will mean that they have secured wins in six constituencies in the dominant APNU areas.

The other area where the PPP is requesting a recount is Plegt Anker/Kortberaadt in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) where there is a five-vote difference in favour of APNU. It was explained that during the voting process, the Presiding Officer at that polling station mistakenly handed out tendered

ballots to a number of eligible voters.

“These were legitimate voters and they should have gotten a regular ballot. Tendered ballots are not counted. If we succeed, it will change the whole NDC…We

believe that all of the people on the tendered ballots voted PPP. It could be a genuine mistake. I am not saying that the Presiding Officer did something deliberate. It just happened,” Jagdeo reasoned.

In La Retraite on the West Bank of Demerara, the PPP has requested a recount of two ballot boxes after it lost by a mere one vote. The fourth area is Mahaica/ Abary, owing to a similar situation.

“There are two boxes there [in La Retraite] that we have asked for a recount. We won the overall area but, in that constituency, we lost by a single vote.”

Even before going to the polls, the PPP/C had 291 of the 610 constituencies, being the lone contester.

The Opposition PNC-led

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was only contesting 260 of the 610 constituencies, while groups and individuals contested, outside of those 260 areas, in another 58 constituencies.

This means that APNU and other groups or individuals were contesting in a total of 318 constituencies.

During the 2018 LGE, the governing PPP secured massive wins countrywide with more than 45,000 votes than the APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) combined.

Overall, the PPP General Secretary lauded the work of GECOM in ensuring a successful process at the polls with minimal hiccups. There were minor difficulties that were resolved with diligence from GECOM staffers.

“We saw some minor difficulties, that with the help of some officials of GECOM who were diligent, those issues were resolved…Our assessment of the conduct of the polls is that it was well-organised and it was completed without major incidents,” he disclosed.

Additionally, Jagdeo called on elected councillors to be faithful to the developmental objectives of the party.

“I hope, in the performance of their duties as councillors in these local government bodies, that they live up to the idea of the party and the clear message that we sent to them when they chose to be a part of our platform.”

Suspect wanted for...

CCTV footage revealed that as Douglas arrived at the end of Cul-de-Sac Street, he was attacked by a man who had been waiting there while the “customer” remained in the car.

Despite a struggle, Douglas managed to exit the car but was tragically shot twice. He collapsed near his

FROM PAGE 8

vehicle as the assailants fled the scene with his car. Authorities have also recovered Douglas’ Fielder Wagon, which had its licence plates removed, in Stone Avenue, Campbellville. The Police investigation into this heinous crime continues as they strive to apprehend the second suspect.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo at Tuesday’s press conference

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

C’bean can be high-value market for spices, coffee among other products – Pres Ali tells investors at agri forum

With the right investments, the Caribbean can become a regional food hub with an extensive reach as far as North America, thereby cementing its position as a high-value specialised market.

President Dr Irfaan Ali made this disclosure on

coffee, barley, corn, soya [or] high-value fresh fruits and vegetables,” Ali said.

In fact, he said Guyana alone has adequate land to produce enough barley that can not only satisfy the entire regional demand but can also be exported to North America.

Recently, the country

Tuesday during a virtual Caribbean agro food investors conference.

“Because of our scale, our location and our own competitive advantages, [the Caribbean] has a great opportunity of positioning this market as a high-value specialised market, whether we’re talking about honey, spices, aquaculture, cocoa,

also commenced the production of corn and soya, intending to not only be nationally secure but produce all the corn and soya for feed production throughout the Region by 2026.

However, the President noted that a critical issue that needs addressing is the regional transport and logistics sector, adding that in

order to transform this part of the hemisphere into a regional food hub, there needs to be a better network for the movement of goods.

“What we are positioning now, the ecosystem to do for us, is to look at the opportunity that exists in northern Brazil, and to re-engineer the food production system in which we start by utilising the potential of northern Brazil,” Ali said.

Using northern Brazil as a transport channel can significantly save time and

money, reducing the food transport process within the region from three weeks to 72 hours.

“Food can get through the Caribbean, get through Guyana and up north in less than 72 hours coming out of northern Brazil, if that [transport and logistics sector] is invested into with the right technology, the right facilities, the right sanitary facilities,” he added.

In order to continue building out this advanced ecosystem, the President

also highlighted a need for storage facilities to decrease post-harvest losses, expand the market and target high-value crops, address sustainability and climate resilience, and involve more women in the agriculture sector.

Caribbean Region–our geographic location, the direction in which we are going, the type of incentives we’re offering is second to none. Now we’re also a Region that produces a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, fruits, and natural juices,

While it is an extensive venture, the President assured investors present at the conference of the vast potential within the Region.

“The attractiveness of the

an emerging market that is going to have great potential for coconut water. All of these are tremendous opportunities,” the Guyanese Head of State added.

...says Guyana has land to produce enough barley to satisfy market demand

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Barley

Coffee

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

LGE 2023 signal major changes in the political landscape of Guyana

There are some political events that represent milestone events, that shape how the future looks. Local Government Elections 2023 are one of them.

Politics in Guyana -- which after 1953 reflected the racial polarisation in our country, which dominated the way the vast, vast majority of Guyanese people voted -- is probably going to play a significantly diminished role in the future. This does not mean that ethnic and racial considerations would disappear forever when the Guyanese people make their political choices, but the weight that ethnicity and race play in how and why people make choices in elections will be reduced significantly. This has major implications for development, and major implications for President Ali’s ONE GUYANA promise.

The PPP is clearly the only national party in Guyana today. Nomination Day for the June 12 LGE underlined that, when the party was able to field candidates for all the 610 LGE constituencies. The other major political party, the PNC, could only run as a so-called coalition (APNU), and could only field candidates in 55 of the 80 Local Government Areas (LAAs) in 260 constituencies. A political party that sees itself as a national party when it is not able to field candidates in about 55% of the constituencies in an election raises major questions about its capacity to function as a national political party. Since 1957, no matter how questionable, the PNC was able to represent itself as one of two national parties, with reach in every region of Guyana. In LGE 2023 this has changed. The PPP competed everywhere: in all regions in all constituencies; within constituencies dominated by Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, and Amerindians, and within constituencies where other ethnic and racial groups have an influence. The PNC was able only to focus its attention on its “strongholds”, which invariably are dominated by Afro-Guyanese. Parties like the AFC, WPA, ANUG, the URP etc. are small political parties that became nonexistent or became even more diminutive.

The LGE results have now become apparent also. The PPP has grown in its national appeal, attracting support everywhere in all 610 constituencies. In a few of these constituencies, the PPP gained a small amount of support. In others, the PPP gained significant cross-over support. Clearly, the strongest support base of the PNC has been in municipalities, where the population is dominated by Afro-Guyanese. In Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Bartica, and Mahdia, the PNC was unchallengeable in past elections, either national or local. LGE 2023 completely removed this shield for the PNC.

In constituencies dominated by Afro-Guyanese in the city, and in towns controlled by the PNC from the party’s formation or from the formation of the town, the PPP gained support. In at least three towns, the ethnic and racial cross-over votes were almost or altogether enough to give the PPP control of the councils. While the PNC was able to hold on to the City of Georgetown, the PPP gained more seats, increased its overall percentage of votes, and gave a signal that the PNC’s absolute domination in Georgetown is over. Mahdia is now a PPP town. Bartica now is a tie, but with PPP-plurality. New Amsterdam will be an 8-6 Town Council, with the PPP increasing its number of councilors by 100% and its voting strength by about 140%. This is the story in the NDCs too.

People decided in LGE 2023 that ethnic and racial voting is not in their welfare, not in the interest of their families and communities. This is the trap that the PNC found itself in. It continues to exist on the basis that the party is an Afro-Guyanese party, and that the party is for and of the Afro-Guyanese people. It has always based its existence this way. This is in complete contrast to the PPP, which has always insisted that it is not an Indo-Guyanese party, and that it will not be based on promoting only the interests of the Indo-Guyanese people.

This does not mean that the party was oblivious to the reality that the Indo-Guyanese people found comfort in the PPP. After decades, the party which has been the home of the majority of IndoGuyanese and Amerindians is now finding itself the home also of a growing number of Afro-Guyanese and people of other ethnic and racial groups. The PNC, which also had been the comfort zone of the business class, has now alienated this group, which is finding a comfort zone in the PPP.

By breaking ethnic and racial barriers, the PPP has finally succeeded in its founder-leader’s mission – people must consider their political options on the basis of trust, ideas, accountability, and transparency and competence.The PPP entered the LGE 2023 with these as their major promises to people, and on their track record. The PNC, for unfathomable reasons, decided to push its ethnic and racial politics. It deemed the PPP’s efforts to have a discourse and build trust with the Afro-Guyanese population as an intrusion into the personal space of the PNC, and on stealing its God-given “property”. Thus, Afro-Guyanese who decided to support the PPP were deemed “soup drinkers” and “house slaves”. This insult to the Afro-Guyanese people was not left unpunished. Politics will never be the same in Guyana. President Ali and the PPP’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, have brought alive 1953, and have shown that ONE GUYANA is a real thing.

ERC

One day after Guyanese cast their ballots at the Local Government Elections (LGE), the Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC) related that the voting process was free, fair, transparent and conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

A 50-member team from the constitutional body observed 250 polling stations across five Administrative Regions including Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10.

“The Commission would like to commend the Polling Day staff of the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM), for the professional execution of their duties and the resulting efficiency of the process. The ERC is thankful for the exemplary conduct displayed by polling agents from all

for early release of LGE results

history, remains mindful that these circumstances can heighten anxieties and hopes the results will be announced within the shortest possible time, and be respected.”

sides, and police officers for their security role in ensuring smooth polling,” ERC stated in a release to the media.

In addition, the Commission commended citizens for their partici-

pation in the incident-free poll while adding that it will continue to work in promoting harmony and good relations.

“As the country awaits the final results, the Commission, guided by

The ERC remains resolute that credible LGE elections are vital for the benefit of citizens and the eventual transformation of communities through local democracy - in the regions, villages, and towns. All stakeholders are therefore urged to work assiduously to ensure that communities are developed in the interest of the inhabitants.

The Commission stated that the holding of free, fair, and transparent elections is also a vital tenet of democracy and for the promotion of unity and peaceful co-existence.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

calls

...says electoral process was free, fair, transparent

A family at Harmony Secondary in Linden on Monday

Guyana’s election to UNSC testament to its distinguished record – Caricom

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have extended congratulations to Guyana on its election by an overwhelming majority, to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In a statement, Caricom shared this is a “testament to Guyana’s distinguished record of service in the United Nations and assumes heightened significance against the back-

ground of the challenges to current global peace and security for which the Council has responsibility”. It noted that as a Member State of Caricom, which strategically designated security cooperation as one of its four pillars, Guyana is positioned to offer unique perspectives to UN Security Council matters as a voice for Small Island and low-lying coastal developing states (SIDS).

Last week, Guyana became one of five new

for developing States

non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the term 20242025. Guyana’s candidacy was uncontested, being the sole candidate for a single seat available to the Latin America and Caribbean Region, where it garnered the highest vote count at 191 out of 192. The other non-permanent seats will be held by Algeria, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had expressed that Guyana is honoured and humbled by the confidence that has been expressed by the international community in electing it to this most important position of responsibility on the global stage.

“It is a responsibility that we will assume with utmost seriousness and dedication, mindful of the complex and challenging times in which we live…We intend to be a constructive and engaged partner with the members of the Council and the wider international community in the search for solutions to the myriad of momentous

challenges that beset our human family,” Ali had said.

The Head of State continued that the theme of their candidacy: “Partnering for Peace and Prosperity” serves as a guide to Guyana’s approach to service on the Security Council.

In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Temporary members hold their seats on a rotating basis by geographic region.

Guyana will serve a twoyear term on the Council from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

Areas that would be given special focus during Guyana’s tenure were touted as climate change, food insecurity and conflict; peacebuilding and conflict prevention; women, peace and security; protection of children in armed conflict; and youth, peace and security.

Meanwhile, Caricom also noted the election of Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago to the Presidency of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“President-elect Francis will undoubtedly bring to bear his trademark professionalism, negotiating skills and wide-ranging experience on his new role. We are confident that our Region will be represented with integrity, distinction and honour under their tenures and extend our best wishes for impactful and successful terms of office,” the regional bloc penned. (G-12)

Caricom Headquarters, Guyana

...says country positioned itself as a voice

Outgoing GT Mayor to facilitate smooth transition for new City Council

as $13B still owed to City Council and a $6B debt to clear

As his tenure fast approaches, Mayor of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC), Pandit Ubraj Narine will be leaving behind the burden of a $6 billion debt and $13 billion outstanding dues owed to the municipality.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Narine explained that City Council is prepared to receive a new head following the hosting of the Local Government Elections (LGE) on Monday and as such, he will facilitate a smooth transition.

“Everything is prepared for the new Mayor to take over the city of Georgetown. Everything is already set so that transition can take place very smoothly,” Narine said.

“The transition of the Mayor’s office will include policies the Mayor and the City Council had passed over the five years and other documentation which I will hand over to the next Mayor,” he added.

Narine also extended gratitude towards the resi-

dents of Georgetown, executives of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition voters, vendors, and businesses who supported him during his tenure, though he noted that this does not mark the end of his political career.

However, the new Town Council will face the uphill task of managing the heavily indebted capital city.

“When I took office, [about] $500 million was owed to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) since 1992. It is [about] $300 million now. When I took office, the credit union was over $100 million. The staff can benefit from the credit union now,” he said.

“When I took office, the garbage contract was $35 million a month. I negotiated that contract and brought it down to $15 million, then we bid and it was $13 million a month. This Council had worked for the interests of both Administration and the citizens of the city,” Narine added.

In addition, the outgo-

ing Mayor disclosed that the City Council is in turn owed about $13 billion by a number of parties including Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Government.

“The City Council owes GPL $3 billion but GPL owes the City Council $10 billion. I had a meeting with GPL three times and nothing [came] out of it. They’re supposed to pay us $25 for a pole on the reserve. We [got] zero…GRA used the entire Lamaha/Railway Embankment for parking and [putting up] buildings. They paid the Council zero,” he said.

“If we get our monies in, the Council will be able to function [and] do much more in the city,” Narine noted.

Narine also stated that the Government has neglected its responsibility to pay taxes, thereby stifling the City Council’s ability to best serve its residents.

“The revenue generated from taxes is crucial in supporting essential public

services such as infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and public safety. The non-payment of taxes by the Government of Guyana directly hampers or stifles the city’s ability to provide these fundamental services to its residents.”

Narine noted that while city officials have made efforts to engage in dialogue with the Government on these matters and assurances were given, no concrete steps have been taken to rectify the situation.

“The consequences of Government failure to pay taxes are far-reaching. It plays an undue burden to the City Council, forcing it to restore the budget cuts and put different measures in place to serve the life for its residents in the city,” he said.

Audits Meanwhile, the outgoing Mayor also reiterated that repeated efforts were made to contact the Auditor General to conduct an audit

Outgoing Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

of the accounts of the municipality. These efforts, he said, were ignored.

CH&PA engineers discuss Guyana’s highway construction at Int’l Road Federation Congress

Ateam of engineers from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is presenting a case study on the “Design and Construction of Rigid Pavement Highway in Guyana” at the 11th International Road Federation (IRF) Regional Caribbean Congress in Nassau, Bahamas.

This annual congress, being held from Tuesday to Friday, provides a platform for transportation professionals from across 30 countries and territories in the Region to address common concerns including road

safety and climate resilience.

Led by CH&PA Director of Projects Omar Narine, the team from Guyana was invited to participate in a technical session on transport infrastructure for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), during which they will present on the challenges of constructing a rigid pavement highway on a soft subgrade in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Other CH&PA team members include Deputy Director of Projects Intakab Indarjeet, Senior Design Engineer Marvin Marks,

Senior Infrastructure Engineer Anthony Ragnauth, Senior Hinterland and Building Works Engineer Cy Rodrigues and Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager Sunil Gopaul.

This comes in the wake of a massive transport infrastructure programme being executed by the Housing and Water Ministry through the CH&PA as part of the Government’s 2020-2025 Building and Infrastructure Development Agenda.

In particular, this relates to the construction of the Eccles to Great Diamond Four Lane Highway, the construction of the Great Diamond Four Lane Road, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and the construction of the Meer Zorgen to the Crane four-lane Highway,

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

In addition to delivering resilient road infrastructure, this year’s congress will also highlight themes such as low-cost road sur-

veys and inspections, public transport, non-motorised transport, traffic and congestion management, regional integrations and connectivity, and road asset management.

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) team to present at the 11th International Road Federation Regional Caribbean Congress

Corentyne man found dead after argument with son

Fifty-seven-year-old Romesh Peters, a fisherman of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Monday evening found dead moments after he was engaged in a heated argument with his son.

Police stated that the now dead man and his 29-yearold son were involved in a heated argument in front of their home. However, he walked away, leaving his

son on the street.

Soon after, neighbours reportedly heard a commotion and upon checking, they saw the now dead man lying on his back with injuries to the left side of his head. A piece of wood was seen close to him.

The injured man was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

When Guyana Times

visited the man’s house on Tuesday, his daughter, Pamella Peters, said the argument between her brother and father stemmed from an allegation made by another relative.

Peters explained that her father had taken the side of his daughter-in-law, which angered her brother. The father, in retaliation, asked his son to leave the premises and he would ensure that his wife followed suit.

Guyana reaffirms efforts to address climate change at PACC 2030 Clean Energy Summit

States (EXIM) and the Government of Guyana to explore options for utilising EXIM financing, which includes direct loans, loan guarantees, and insurance products totalling up to $2 billion for energy, water treatment, sanitation, among other sectors.

The daughter further explained that her father, who was worked up, continued to plead with his son to leave the premises while she asked him not to take on her brother.

“When my father come in, his daughter-in-law was right here. He go and hold on to the post underneath the shed and all of a sudden the post loose off and my father fall down on the ground

and he call me for a cup of water. It is all because my small brother was arguing with his wife and she come and give my father a complaint and he accept the complaint because he say if he daughter-in-law came and give him a complaint he has to take [her side]...”

Peters added that at the time, her brother was on the street calling for his wife to join him.

On this note, the woman held out that there was no physical contact between her father and brother.

“My brother did not lash my father. They did not touch each other, only argue on the street. My brother did not come in the yard. He stay outside arguing that he want his wife. Because of the argument, my father say that he could do his wife anything so he keep his daughter-in-law in the yard and he tell him ‘Boy don’t come inside the yard’. By he fret and fret, I don’t know if his heart give up,” she said.

Police had arrested the 26-year-old son as the investigations continue.

As Guyana stays committed to a path of sustainable development, private sector representative Dr Rosh Khan on Friday participated in the Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) Climate Resilience Clean Energy Summit.

This one-day PACC 2030 Summit, held on the sidelines of US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ visit to The Bahamas, brought together companies from the United States (US) and the Caribbean, local leaders, technical assistance experts, policy experts, academics, and Government partners.

They sought to discuss the best practices for advancing climate-resilient clean energy in the Caribbean, identify funding/technical assistance gaps that could be bridged through greater partnership, and explore opportunities to further unleash the clean energy transition in the Caribbean while building greater climate resilience.

Connecting with key US and Caribbean stakeholders and policymakers, Dr Khan restated Guyana’s active role in addressing climate change and outlined key points of the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 to combat climate change as the country leads one of the world’s most ambitious energy transitions while growing its economy.

“Guyana stands at a pivotal junction, balancing our natural wealth with the responsibility to preserve and protect it. We are committed to the path of sustainable growth, and the PACC 2030 Summit has provided an invaluable platform to share

our efforts and learn from global counterparts,” Khan said.

“HE Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has led the charge, with Guyana being the first country to issue forest carbon credits certified by ART. The agreement will generate a minimum of US$750 million for Guyana over the coming decade and represents a major milestone on the journey towards a vision first set out in 2007. On its own, the agreement will see approximately $157 billion invested in low carbon development across the country, with $31.5 billion of this allocated to village-led development plans,” he added.

Aiming to reduce and ultimately prevent greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credits are permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas.

Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from countries like Guyana that have low carbon emissions.

Last year, US VicePresident Harris announced the launch of PACC 2030 as a way to elevate US cooperation with Caribbean countries to strengthen energy security and promote climate adaptation and resilience.

On Thursday, the VicePresident announced a series of additions and new initiatives to enhance PACC 2030, including access to development financing.

For Guyana, this refers to the Memorandum of Understanding signed last July between the ExportImport Bank of the United

The shed that collapsed

Dead: Romesh Peters

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis and Private Sector representative Dr Rosh Khan

CGX, Frontera find oil in Corentyne Block Wei-1 bypass well

...say results encouraging, estimates for drilling costs adjusted

Canadian company CGX Energy Incorporated, which is partnered with Frontera Energy Corporation, has announced an oil find in its Corentyne Block Wei-1 bypass well, after drilling to a total depth of 20,450 feet.

Previously, CGX had drilled the original Wei-1 well to a depth of 19,142 feet. The bypass well was intended to further explore the Santonian target for the well. According to CGX, 71 feet of net oil had previously been encountered.

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

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

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

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

“The additional costs are primarily due to the lost sampling tool and the drilling of the bypass well. The well was drilled by CGX and Frontera Energy Corporation.

CGX holds a 32 per cent participating interest with Frontera holding the remaining 68 per cent participating interest in the Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana,” CGX further said.

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

Putin: Ukraine losses "catastrophic"; Russia eyes "sanitary zone"

Russian President

Vladimir Putin suggested he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect Russian territory on the border, while asserting Ukrainian forces have suffered “catastrophic” losses in a new counteroffensive.

The Russian leader made some of his most detailed remarks in months on Tuesday about the war in an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers, just as Ukrainian officials claim they have captured a handful of villages in the early stages of its counterstrike.

He asserted Ukraine lost 160 tanks and over 360 other armoured vehicles in recent days of heavy fighting, while Russia only lost 54 tanks since Kyiv began the new assault. Those claims could not be immediately verified.

Referring to Ukrainian incursions and shelling of Russia’s Belgorod and other border regions, Putin said his military would take moves to stop such attacks, and if Kyiv persists: “We will have to consider creating a sanitary zone in Ukraine to prevent it from striking our territory.”

In recent weeks, Russia’s

border areas have come under increasing attack, with the Kremlin blaming Ukrainian forces for raids and drone strikes. Local leaders in Russia have pleaded with the Kremlin to do more to protect their residents, some of whom have been evacuated to safer areas.

Putin said there is no need for an additional mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine for now, but said any further troop callups would depend on what Russia wanted to achieve there.

Discussing Ukraine’s capital Kyiv – which Russian troops failed to take in the early stages of the war –Putin asked: “Should we return there? Why am I asking such a rhetorical question? It is clear there is simply no answer to this – I can only answer it myself.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaica suspends consular services in Haiti following attack on premises

Consular services in Haiti have been suspended indefinitely following an attack on a business establishment on Monday night.

According to Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, Sun Auto Dealership

was ransacked and set ablaze by gangs in Haiti’s capital, Port-au -Prince. The Consulate of Jamaica is located on the premises of Sun Auto Dealership, resulting in the suspension of services.

The Ministry is awaiting further details on the incident.

Senator Johnson Smith expressed sympathy to the owners of the business and stressed that the Government has “hardened its resolve to play a part in returning Haiti to the peace and prosperity she and her people deserve”. (Jamaica Observer)

Corentyne block.

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

CGX had explained at the time that the well will target Maastrichtian, Campanian, and Santonian-aged stacked sands within channel and fan complexes in the northern section of the Corentyne Block.

Frontera and CGX were initially scheduled to begin drilling the well by November 27, 2022. Additionally, the Noble Discoverer semi-submersible mobile drilling unit that was slated to spud the well was expected to arrive in Guyana’s waters in October last year.

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

Wei-1 is one of two wells in Guyana’s Corentyne Block that the companies have committed to drill. The other well, Kawa-1, struck light oil and gas conden-

sate in May 2022, though the companies had not said how much oil was found or whether it was commercially viable.

The Wei-1 well is located approximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa-1 discovery.

As part of the agreement when the two joint venture companies had partnered, CGX was supposed to transfer 29.73 per cent of its participating interest in the Corentyne Block to Frontera in exchange for Frontera funding the joint venture’s costs associated with the Wei-1 exploration well for up to US$130 million.

Additionally, Frontera would provide up to an additional US$29 million for the Kawa-1 exploration well, Wei-1 pre-drill, and other costs. Only last July, CGX underwent a major shakeup in management.

These changes had included the naming of a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), George Davis, who took over from Hill York Poon. Poon was retained as CGX’s Director of Finance. Meanwhile, Paul Langlois was appointed as the new Exploration Manager.

In February 2022, the partners had announced an oil find of 177 feet of oil-bearing reserves at the Kawa-1 well in the Corentyne Block. Since then, however, the company has been making moves to scale back its presence in the other blocks.

UK Police arrest murder suspect after 3 bodies found on Nottingham streets

British Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people were found dead on the street in the central English city of Nottingham on Tuesday and three were injured after an attempt to run them over with a van.

Detectives said they had an open mind about the motive for the linked incidents, which began just after 4 am (0300 GMT), and added that counter-terrorism officers were working on the investigation, although they said

this was normal.

Two of those killed were students from one of the city’s universities. A 31-yearold man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and detectives said they were not looking for anyone else.

The major operation, which led to many roads across Nottingham being closed, began after Police were called to a report of two people being stabbed and left unresponsive on a road in the city centre. Both were 19 years old.

Officers were then alert-

ed to another incident not far away where someone driving a van had tried to run over three people, leaving one man in a critical condition in hospital while the other two suffered minor injuries.

Another man in his fifties was then found dead from knife injuries shortly afterwards on a road about two miles from the first incident. Police said they believed the suspect had stolen this man’s van, which was used to injure the three people.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Human rights body finds Cuban Govt responsible in 2012 deaths of dissidents

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has found the Cuban Government responsible in the deaths of democracy activists Oswaldo Paya and Harold Cepero in a 2012 car accident, saying it had concluded that State agents were involved in the incident.

The Commission’s report, released on Monday, also said the Government had violated the two men’s rights to life, honour, and freedom of expression.

It said the Commission had “identified sufficient serious evidence to conclude that State agents had been involved in the deaths of Payá and Cepero”.

Cuba did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on the report´s findings. The Commission said it had presented the report to the Government on May 11, but to date had not received a response. Friends, family and fellow dissidents, as well as international human rights groups, have long accused the Cuban Government of causing the crash, a charge it denies.

The accident outraged rights groups and democracy activists. Cuba prosecuted and convicted the car’s driver, Angel Carromero, for reckless driving and has since considered the case closed.

“In particular, the Commission took into consid-

eration Carromero’s testimony — confirmed by an eyewitness — noting that the vehicle had been hit by an official car,” the report said.

The report says that Cepero and Paya, then among the most important leaders of Cuba’s small opposition community, had previously been subjected to violence, harassment, threats, and attempted murder ahead of the car crash.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS), a group the Cuban Government brands an imperialist instrument of the United States. (Reuters)

The Corentyne Block offshore Guyana

Russian President Vladimir Putin

T&T get Gold Cup group with USA and Jamaica

…As CONCACAF punishes Nicaragua

Trinidad and Tobago have qualified for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup without kicking a ball in the Qualifying series, after CONCACAF ruled against Nicaragua over their use of a naturalised player.

As a further consequence, Trinidad and Tobago will also replace Nicaragua in the CONCACAF Nations League A for the 2023-24 competition, which also serves as a pathway for the 2024 Copa America tournament.

The stunning decision comes after Nicaragua were found to have illegally used 30-year-old Uruguayborn midfielder Richard Rodriguez in their 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League B campaign. Rodriguez played a total of 36 minutes in two of Nicaragua’s six CNL B games, which included five minutes in the Central American team’s 2-1 win over the Soca Warriors in Managua on 4 June 2022. However, his outing was a violation of Article 7 of the FIFA bylaws regarding international eligibility, and CONCACAF did not take it lightly.

“Today, the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the Federación Nicaragüense de Fútbol (FENIFUT) for severe violation to the applicable FIFA/ CONCACAF regulations,” a release from CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio stated, “by fielding an ineligible player in multiple matches of CONCACAF competitions.

“In view of this serious violation, the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee decided to exclude the Nicaragua National Team from competing in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and has also relegated it to League B of the 2023/24 CNL.”

The penalties did not stop there, as CONCACAF went beyond simply stripping Nicaragua of points from games that Rodriguez played —and closed any possibility that they could get to the 2023

Trinidad and Tobago celebrating during the CONCACAF Nations League 2022-23 (Copyright Jova Velazquez/ Straffon Images/CONCACAF)

Gold Cup.

“The Trinidad and Tobago National Team, which was the team with the best second (overall) place finish of all League B teams in the 2022/23 CONCACAF Nations League Group Stage,” stated the CONCACAF release, “replaces the Nicaragua National Team in position A3 of Group A of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“Additionally, the Antigua and Barbuda National Team —which was the team with the highest points (overall) in League B of the 2022/23 CNL to not have qualified to the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims —qualifies to position A of Prelims Matchup #1 against Guadeloupe.”

TTFA General Secretary Amiel Mohammed described the ruling as: “Extremely exciting news for Angus, the team, and the entire country!

“We would like to thank CONCACAF for their efforts in investigating this matter with the urgency that they have, and look forward to a really amazing next few months for the Senior Men’s Team,”

Mohammed told the TTFA Media. “This is where we want to be, and we encourage all fans and stakeholders, far and wide, to rally around the team.”

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve was preparing to tussle with Guadeloupe on Friday. Instead, he can look forward to a direct path to Group A of the Gold Cup, where the Warriors will line up against the United States, Jamaica, and possibly Curaçao. The decision could potentially have an impact on Eve’s future as head coach, too. Eve’s contract expires in July, and his mandate was to take Trinidad and Tobago back into the top tier of CONCACAF.

Now, thanks to CONCACAF’s ruling, he has done so —although FIFAappointed Normalization Committee Chairman Robert Hadad might wait to see how the Warriors fare in the Gold Cup group stage before making a final decision.

Eve would certainly have little sympathy for the

CLSS Samurais are big winners ...

Matches continue on Friday 16th June at St Stanislaus College from 4:00pm.

The current standings are:

GIRLS

GCC Challengers – 13

SHC Sensations – 12

CLSS Samurais – 9

CLSS Scouts – 9

RISS Top Shelf Titans – 4

Hikers Junior Jets – 3

FROM PAGE 22►

Multi – 0

BOYS

YMCA Old Fort – 15

GCC Outlaws – 9

SHC Minions – 6

GCB announces U19 team for ...

The full squad, which will commence encampment shortly, reads: Rampertab

Ramnauth, Shaahid

Vieira (WK), Mavindra

Dindyal (Captain), Alvin Mohabir, Jonathan

FROM PAGE 22►

Rampersaud (ViceCaptain), Zachary Jodah, Thaddeus Lovell, Aryan Persaud, Joash Charles, Zeynul Ramsammy, Shamar Yearwood, Jeremy Sandia, Rivaldo Phillips

and Isai Thorne. The reserves are Myheim Khan, Chanderpaul Ramraj, Ezekiel Wilson, Kevin Kisten, Nityanand Mathura, Krishna Singh and Sachin Balgobin.

Nicaraguan technical staff. He complained bitterly about the “dirty tactics” used by the Central American team in Bacolet during their 1-1 draw earlier this year; tactics which included throwing balls on the field to break up Trinidad and Tobago’s attacks.

Nicaragua are likely to feel hard-done, considering the scale of the punishment against a player who barely featured in their campaign and did not contribute a goal or assist.

Ironically, the source of the information that soured Nicaragua’s football programme was a Mexican website, FMFStateofmind, bit-

ter at a ruling against the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). In January, FIFA fined the FMF 10,000 Swiss francs, along with 3-0 defeats for every game in which they used national youth player Alejandro Zendejas, who attempted to switch allegiance to Mexico from the United States without filing the necessary paperwork.

So, as the Mexican site pointed out, what about Nicaragua’s use of Rodriguez?

Article 7 of the FIFA bylaws states that, where a player does not assume eligibility based on birth in the respective territory, or through his biological parents or grand-

parents, he must have lived in that country for at least five years — once he moved to that country over the age of 10. Rodriguez, according to the site, moved to Nicaragua in 2018, when he joined top-flight Nicaraguan team Real Estelí. It meant that he had been a resident for four years — a one-year stint in Paraguay in 2019 notwithstanding — when he came on to face Trinidad and Tobago last June.

CONCACAF ruled that Nicaragua’s use of Rodriguez was a “severe violation”. And just like that, Trinidad and Tobago became a top tier football nation once more. (Wired868)

Windies defeat Scotland in World Cup qualifier warm-up

West Indies’ Men, in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier set for June 18, played a warm-up match against Scotland on Tuesday, and won same by 91 runs.

Scotland won the toss, and sent West Indies in to bat. Captain Shai Hope led from the front, amassing 57 runs from 65 deliveries, inclusive of six 4s and singles. His feat was followed by Romario Shepherd’s, who scored 53 runs off 34 balls, inclusive of 5 fours and 3 sixes to take the score to 264 runs.

Scotland were outstanding in the field in taking

7 wickets, with Chris Sole who bowled 10 overs to take 4 wickets, while Jack Jarvis and Jack Greaves did not

miss out on the action, each taking 3 wickets.

West Indies managed to restrict Scotland with a massive wicket-taking effort from Yannic Cariah, who had 4 scalps. Roston Chase disturbed the opposition’s stumps on two occasions, coupled with a caught-andbowled effort for his three runs; while Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers each took one wicket.

Scotland were limited to 173 runs all out, with Brandon McMullen being the lead scorer with 38 runs off 54 balls, including seven 4s.

West Indies are confirmed to start their World Cup Qualifier against The United States of America on Sunday,18th June,2023.

Oceaneering U14 Indoor Hockey League…

CLSS Samurais are big winners on Day 4

Elizabeth Seedhan and Sarysha Phillips, both with hatricks, managed to secure two wins for their team, the CLSS Samurais, in the girls’ division of the Oceaneering U14 Indoor Hockey League.

The Samurais defeated the Hikers Junior Jets by 3-1 and Multi by 3-0. The GCC Challengers, led by four goals from Kadence Belony and a double from Hannah Percival, recorded the largest victory margin in the girls’ division with a 6-0 win over CLSS Scouts. The RISS Top Shelf Titans rounded out the girls’ matches for the evening with a 3-0 victory over Multi.

In the boy’s division, YMCA Old Fort continued their unbeaten run by cruising to an 8-0 win over Multi.

Leeman Mohabir was once

again the top scorer for Old Fort with a hattrick, while Micah Smith and Richard Marques both scored doubles. Alex Sealey completed the scoring for Old Fort with his first goal of the tournament.

The GCC Pitbulls and RISS Blade Running treated the crowd to the most exciting encounter of the evening. With RISS Blade Running surging ahead by 3 unanswered goals, GCC eventually sprung to life through

SCOREBOARD

Scotland (T: 265 runs from 50 ovs)

West Indies BATTING R B

Johnson Charles c † Cross b Sole 13 20

Kyle Mayers b Sole 2 5

Shamarh Brooks c Jarvis

b Sole 1 11

Shai Hope (c) c McBride

b Greaves 57 65

Rovman Powell c † Cross b Jarvis 10 13

Keacy Carty lbw b Greaves 32 47

Jason Holder c McMullen

b Greaves 18 30

Roston Chase c

Mackintosh b Sole 30 36

Romario Shepherd

c & b Jarvis 53 34

Keemo Paul c Sole b Jarvis 14 13

Alzarri Joseph not out 16 8

Extras (lb 3, w 15) 18

TOTAL 48.4 Ov (RR: 5.42) 264

Did not bat: Yannic Cariah,

Akeal Hosein, Brandon

King, Nicholas Pooran †

Fall of wickets: 1-9

(Kyle Mayers, 2.5 ov), 2-20

(Shamarh Brooks, 6.4 ov), 3-28

(Johnson Charles, 8.2 ov), 4-45

(Rovman Powell, 11.2 ov), 5-122

(Keacy Carty, 27.1 ov), 6-128

(Shai Hope, 29.5 ov), 7-154

the skillful exploits of Egan Bulkan. With Bulkan, of the Outlaws, and Shawn King of Blade Running each scoring early in the second half, and the score tilted 3-1 in favour of Blade Running, Bulkan closed out the game with two more goals to draw the Pitbulls within one.

Time was the nemesis of the Pitbulls and Bulkan, as RISS Blade Running enjoyed a 4-3 victory at full time.

TURN TO PAGE 21►

(Jason Holder, 35.2 ov), 8-227

(Roston Chase, 44.1 ov), 9-239

(Romario Shepherd, 46.1 ov), 10-264

(Keemo Paul, 48.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Alasdair Evans

GCB announces U19 team for Rising Stars tournament in St Vincent

spinner Aryan Persaud, and batting all-rounder Thaddeus Lovell. Andre Percival returns as the Head Coach, and Budhesh Chatterpaul returns as the Manager.

TURN TO PAGE 21►

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced a strong national under-19 team to participate in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars regional under-19 tournament, to be played in St Vincent and the Grenadines from July 2, 2023.

The Junior Selection Panel led by Chairman Andre Percival has named a 14-man squad, with ten (10) players returning from last year’s regional threeday tournament wherein Guyana finished in third place. Last year’s tournament did not feature a Super50 format.

The regional tournament this year welcomes the return of the Super50 format, which gives players an extended opportunity to showcase their talent. Outstanding performances during the tournament can ensure players stake

a claim for selection in the West Indies Under-19 Team that will be selected to participate in next year’s Youth World Cup.

Talented batsman Mavindra Dindyal has been appointed captain of the team this year, with Jonathan Rampersaud being his deputy. The squad also includes gifted opening batsman Rampertab Ramnauth, who has already scored centuries for Guyana at the under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels.

West Indies under-19 express pacer Isai Thorne is also in the squad, along with Shamar Yearwood who scored a senior inter-county four-day century earlier this year, and was the leading run scorer for Guyana at last year’s regional tournament.

The four newcomers are wicketkeeper-batsman Sahid Vieira, fast-bowler Joash Charles, left-arm

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YMCA Old Fort taking on Multi

The West Indies Men’s ODI team in their huddle before going out to bowl

Isai Thorne Rampertab Ramnauth

Golden Jags announce squad for Gold Cup preliminary match against Spice Boys

both Jamaica and Miami, in the United States”, reads as follows: Defenders - Samuel Cox, Jeremy Garrett, Liam Gordon, Jonathan Grant, Jalen Jones, Curtez Kellman and Marcus Simmons; Forwards - Kelsey Benjamin, Trayon Bobb, Omari Glasgow, Callum Harriott, Tre Mitford, Deon Moore and Emery Welshman; MidfieldersElliot Bonds, Kadel Daniel, Neil Danns, Stephen DukeMcKenna, Leo Lovell and Daniel Wilson; and goalkeepers - Akel Clarke, Kai McKenzie-Lyle and Renell McKenzie-Lyle.

side of our game, more defensively to ensure that we stay compact when is needed.

“But importantly, we have to focus on the offensive pattern, because we have to score goals to win games too. So, that would be a combination of the two sets of tactical drills that would be conducted this week,” the Golden Jags Assistant Coach added.

A23-man squad has been announced for the Guyana senior men’s national football team – the Golden Jaguars’ -- CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary game against

Grenada.

Comprising 8 homegrown talents and 15 foreign-based players, the team will come up against the ‘Spice Boys’ on Saturday, June 17, at the DRV PNK

Stadium in Miami. They play for a chance to enter the Gold Cup’s group stage.

The team, reportedly selected by Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz “after three weeks of intense training in

EDFA’s NAMILCO U17 football tournament… Dynamic FC, Buxton Stars, Mahaica FC secure wins

Meanwhile, Assistant Coach Wayne Dover, in a comment invited by this publication, shared his thoughts on the composition of the squad and the morale in the Guyanese camp.

“The squad is a very good squad that was composed to contest this game on Saturday, and as we started our preparation, we see some steady progress as we continue to build towards the game,” Dover related.

The Assistant Coach further stated, “Well, the morale is still high, because I think the guys understand what the programme is all about. From the start, where we were and where we’re at now, I think in the games we competed well,

we showed a good level of organization, more so defensively.

“We basically had a few off chances that, you know, if we converted, we could’ve come away with a much better result. You know, we played for a result and didn’t get a result, so we going back to the drawing board and look at the areas that we think that need to work on to give us a good chance against Grenada.”

Dover also touched on some of the areas the Golden Jaguars are looking to address before game day on Saturday. On that topic, Dover expressed, “Well, most of the physical component of the building of the team has been exhausted. This is about more managing the physical aspect going into this final week; but we will focus heavily on the tactical

The all-important clash between Guyana and Grenada is set for 9pm on Saturday, and should Guyana get past their opponents, the team would move on to play the winner of then Antigua vs Guadeloupe encounter in order to make it to the Gold Cup group stage.

Meanwhile, Grenada’s team for the preliminaries reads: Goalkeepers: Chad Phillip, Reice Charles-Cook, Jason Belfon.

Defenders: Trevon Williams, Roman CharlesCook, Sawan Mark, Kimron Marshall, Mackell Ganness and Aaron Pierre.

Midfielders: Kwazim Theodore, Antigua Kayden Harrack, Jacob Agyepong, Regan Charles-Cook, Ashley Charles and Shavon John Brown.

Forwards: Romar Frank, Saydrel Lewis, Joshua Isaac, Jamal Charles, Kriston Julien, Kairo Mitchell, Myles Hippolyte and Lucas Akins.

The East Demerara Football Association’s (EDFA’s) Under- 17 NAMILCO Flour Power tournament, being played at the Buxton Community Centre Ground, had some tremendous goals and young rising athletes on show on June 11, 2023.

Mahaica FC began the day's competition with a 1–0 victory over BV FC, Trevon Pooter scoring the lone goal in the 16th minute.

In the second match, leaders Dynamics FC destroyed Haslington FC by 4-0. Bryan Wharton, who represented Guyana on the international stage, scored a hat-trick of goals in the 24th, 51st, and 64th minutes to complete the scoring, which was started by Joshua Holder in the ninth minute.

Andrew Collins scored the goal for Buxton Stars in the 27th minute to help his team escape with a 1-0 victory over Ann's Grove FC.

Assistant Coach Wayne Dover

The Golden Jaguars’ training session

announces U19 team for Rising Stars tournament in St Vincent

Guyana to be represented in 10 disciplines at CAC Games

Fifty-two athletes from ten sports disciplines will represent Guyana at this year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, which open on June 23rd, 2023 in El Salvador.

Team Guyana consists of 67 persons, comprising of 52 athletes, 13 officials and 2 medical staff.

Guyana will be competing in archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, swimming, table tennis, and weight-lifting; and will be making their debut in fencing.

Chef de mission, Karen Pilgrim, said at a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, “All athletes will take instructions from their respective team manager, who will in turn receive the direction from the chef de mission or deputy chef de mission. Athletes are required to observe the games which prevent them from entering into any contract in a professional nature prior to the closure of the Games. They must not allow their person, name, picture or performance to be used for advertising.”

She continued, “They must not carry advertising materials on their person or clothing. All members of the team must, at all times, remember that they are ambassadors for Guyana abroad, and must conduct themselves in such a manner as to do credit to their country. This includes dressing properly, and observe general measures receiving their medals that they are wearing the team uniform portraying the team Guyana.”

Individual members of the team have, moreover, been advised to watch their diets following any nutritional guideline provided by their coach or team manager; to watch their weights, reporting any weight gain or loss to their coach or team manager; and to adhere to their stipulated training schedules, to report any mishaps to the team manager for medical attention.

List of athletes and officials:

List of Athletes and Officials: SANTO DOMINGO SUB-VENUE:

1. HOCKEY – June 28-July 6

• ATHLETES

1) Dominic Alleyne

2) Jamarj Assanah

3) Edmond Chinian

4) Paul D’Andrade

5) Shakeem Fausette

6) Shaquon Favorite 7) Robert France

8) Tahrea Garnett

9) Jael Gaskin 10) Troy Hodge 11) Kareem McKenzie

12) Simeon Moore

13) Me’Shach Sargeant

14) Oshazay Savory

15) Orland Semple 16) Andrew Stewart

• OFFICIALS

• John Abrahams

• Robert Fernandes

• Theodore Henry

• DEPUTY CHEF DE MISSION: Marisha Fernandes

Foster –

• OFFICIALS

Relay

400m hurdles

• Julian Edmonds

• Niall Stanton

4. BADMINTON – July 1-7

• ATHLETES 30) Priyanna Ramdhani –Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles 31) Narayan Ramdhani –Men’s Singles, Mixed Doubles

• OFFICIAL

•

• Naeem Haque

5. BASKETBALL 3X3 –June 30-July 2

• ATHLETES 32) Ruth Adams 33) Kirsty Thomas 34) Shania Sears 35) Kennesha Leacock

• OFFICIAL

• Sileena Arjune

6. BOXING – June 22-28

• ATHLETES 36) Keevin Allicock –Men’s 57kg 37) Desmond Amsterdam –Men’s 80kg 38) Emmanuel Pompey –Men’s 92kg 39) Joel Williamson –Men’s 63.5kg

• OFFICIALS

• Terrence Poole

• Lennox Daniels

7. FENCING – July 2-7

• ATHLETE 40) Avinash Somir –Men’s Individual Épée

8. SWIMMING – June 24-29

• ATHLETES

41) Sekhel Tzedeq – Men’s 50m freestyle, Men’s 100m freestyle, Men’s 50m backstroke, Men’s 100m backstroke

42) Latisha Blair – Women’s 50m freestyle, Women’s 50m backstroke, Women’s 100m backstroke

• OFFICIAL

• Shyka Gonsalves

9. TABLE TENNIS – June 21-27

• ATHLETES 43) Natalie Cummings –

Women’s Team, Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles

44) Priscilla Greaves –Women’s Team, Women’s Singles

45) Christopher Franklin –Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Team, Men’s Singles

46) Jonathan van Lange –Men’s Team, Men’s Singles

47) Jasmine Billingy – Women’s Team, Women’s Singles

48) Elishaba Johnson – Men’s Team, Men’s Singles

49) Chelsea Edghill – Women’s Team, Mixed Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Women’s Singles

50) Shemar Britton – Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Team, Men’s Singles

• OFFICIALS

• Idi Lewis

• Joel Alleyne

10. WEIGHTLIFTING – June 2327

• ATHLETES

51) Delice Adonis –Women’s 64kg

52) Shammah Noel –Men’s 81kg

• OFFICIAL

• Sean Cozier

• MEDICAL

• Dr Richie Vyphuis

• Ms Vanessa Wickham

• CHEF DE MISSION: Karen Pilgrim

Athletes, coaches and officials that will represent Guyana at the CAC Games