Guyana Times Epaper - Sunday April 16, 2023

Govt will take strong action against Co-ops breaching laws

Foreman electrocuted while changing utility pole

Moneychanger robbed by toy gun

New Caribe Snackz aiming to supply local, regional markets

…to purchase plantains, cassava from farmers

Newly-introduced Caribe Snackz has been launched with intentions of supplying local and regional markets, and now provides another avenue for farmers to sell their produce.

Caribe Snackz was launched at the Guyana Manufacturing Corporation (GMC) Agro-Processing Facility at Parika, East Bank Essequibo on Friday.

Five varieties of plantain chips and cassava chips have been created by the new enterprise, with production slated to exceed 200,000 packs per week. As they penetrate new markets, this number is expected to grow. Currently, 25 persons are directly employed with over 100 indirectly employed.

Chief Executive Officer of Caribe Snackz, Chief Samsair said he took the leap to return to Guyana, having witnessed the commitment by Government in creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

“Since we took this project on, Government agencies have provided technical sup-

port in every step of the way and as a result, we’re able to launch a product…We will be supplying both domestic and regional markets and we also intend to distribute in North America and Europe in the future,” he said.

Samsair indicated that local farmers are supplying their manufacturing operations. He called for them to be assisted both technically and financially in providing these goods at competitive prices.

“We’re committed to supporting the local farmers by purchasing the products and

produce for our operations...If the farmers are unable to produce at the competitive price, then companies like ours would be forced to find alternative suppliers.”

The CEO shared that lowering Caricom’s food bill by 25 per cent by 2025 is an opportunity to establish Guyana as a leading local producer and exporter of agricultural products.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong lauded this investment, “This is a great opportunity for our farmers to in-

crease their income and for our country to showcase its agricultural potential…It is an achievement that should be celebrated and serve as an inspiration for other entrepreneurs to invest in the agriculture sector and contribute to the sustainable development of Guyana.”

In his feature remarks, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha zeroed in on what this means for the country, as he pointed to an increase in

local production and exports.

“We normally produce primary products and there must be a time where we must add value to those products that we have been producing. For too long, we have been exporting primary products. When our oranges go to the Caribbean country, we have to buy the juices,” he explained.

Over the last two and a half years, Mustapha said a revolution has struck in the

agricultural sector, where investments have been made to increase value-added goods. Some 13 agro-processing plants are earmarked for establishment this year across the country to support these goals.

“Over the next two years, I am very optimistic that Guyana and the rest of the Caricom will work hard, work assiduously to achieving the goal of reducing the food import bill.” (G12)

New Caribe Snackz ready for the local and regional markets

The processing facility where the chips will be produced (DPI photo)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Apr 16 – 01:30h – 03:00h and

Monday, Apr 17 – 02:30h – 04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Apr 16 – 13:45h – 15:15h and

Monday, Apr 17 – 14:35h – 16:05h.

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 light rain showers and partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 14:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.43 metres.

Low Tide: 07:37h and 20:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metre and 0.72 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9-member Cabinet team meets with residents of Ann’s Grove

…residents hail initiative

Ateam of nine Cabinet Ministers from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Government, on Saturday conducted an outreach in Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), with residents hailing the initiative.

The team was led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips.

Phillips was accompanied by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall; Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Housing Minister, Collin Croal; Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag; Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton; Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall.

During the meeting, issues raised included land titling, agricultural and entrepreneurial opportunities, community infrastructure and reliable power in the community. The Prime Minister, under whose portfolio energy falls, committed to having a team from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) visit the community to do an assessment. He also reassured residents that even if the subject Minister is not present, their concerns will be passed on to the relevant Minister.

“Today is Ann’s Grove day. I know when we went to the last location, people asked when you’re coming to Ann’s Grove. When you coming to Nabaclis. We want to visit every village. But we cannot go to each and every village in one month…the Ministers are here to interact and listen to you.”

“You have an opportunity to raise all the issues affecting you. And trust me, be as wide-ranging as possible. If a particular issue is raised and the subject Minister is not here, we’ll make a note and pass that information on to the subject Minister,” the Prime Minister said.

As it relates to land titling matters, of which there were numerous, both the Attorney General and Minister Croal committed to returning soon to deal with their concerns. The Agriculture Minister in response to a resident’s query about the apparent lack of extension officers in the community, took the opportunity to explain the Government’s interventions in agriculture.

“You have Dr Mingo here who is visiting this area on a regular basis. The livestock officer is here, as well as the crop extension officer, they are here visiting. And in Ann’s Grove we’ve been working very closely with the farm -

ers.”

“…And I will be coming here again on Tuesday, where we’ll be working with the farmers group and the farmers in the community, to help them with input and infrastructure in the area,” Mustapha said.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill meanwhile

lic road with the Railway Embankment. In fact, he explained that this will be a four-lane road.

“In the upper East Coast, our road projects in terms of community roads, between 2022 and the current date, we have expended more than $1 billion in 23 roads cur -

road from Sheriff Street all the way out to Mahaica and we are extending the current East Coast main road from Orange Nassau all the way up, will see us also creating linkages.”

According to Edghill, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government’s plan is to address all community road concerns, while also expanding the road networks to improve accessibility. This will cut travel time and complement the expansion of industrialisation such as what is taking place in Enmore.

assured residents that his engineer would speak with them about their community roads. He also spoke about the Government’s overall plans for road networks on the ECD, including linking the ECD pub -

rently under construction. That is between Enmore to Mahaica.”

“But you would see, right now, the project that is being spoken about by His Excellency where we’re doing the four-lane

Residents who raised personal issues were also guided by Minister Croal and Minister Parag to either speak with their staff or even themselves, with the intention of having these matters resolved. The Prime Minister meanwhile told residents that Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson, who was not present, will meet with them to advance sports development in the community.

(G3)

The team of Cabinet Ministers, led by Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips (centre)

A section of the residents at the meeting

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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More deliberation, less polemics

While the recent actions of some politicians have caused us to question our premise, we hope all political groups are seeking justice, since this might help make the political outcome "variable sum", rather than "zero sum".

Another neglected consideration would be the nature of the political institutions in this push for "justice". When the political philosopher John Rawls declared: “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions as truth is of easy systems of thought”, it was because justice goes to the content of political action and its outcome.

Justice is the paramount value of political activity.

But what about the need for "truth" in the paradigms within which we struggle for justice in social institutions? Today, neoliberalism appears to have swept the field as our ideology of choice by "all the sides". While some approaches have been highly criticised, we believe that liberalism’s stance on “truth and reason” in the variant dubbed "deliberative liberalism" offers us a practical approach towards a democratic process that can deliver "justice" in our social institutions.

As in science, deliberative liberalism holds that truth is to be found through reason, but the “truth” unearthed is never held as the “TRUTH”. It is always held provisionally, conceding that this “truth” may be overturned based on some new evidence. The outcomes of deliberative liberalism are indeterminate, and are based on empirical practice. Truth claims must be facts-based.

We commend this approach to those who are engaged in the ongoing attacks on the Government for “justice” in the distribution of the national patrimony.

Liberal democracy rests on deliberation utilising “reason” – not screaming - as the yardstick for evaluating differing perspectives. The institutions, however, would only be democratic to the extent that the citizens themselves determine their precise nature. Such a deliberation, therefore, would have to be made as open as possible to all citizens who recognise each other as citizens – that is, recognise their common political identity. We are all Guyanese citizens, with equal rights and responsibilities, and the upcoming deliberations on constitutional change offer a forum for reaching consensus on essentials.

Only public reasons should be proffered in such deliberations. That is, assertions rising solely on faith or dogma would not be accepted as “public reasons”. This requirement would obviously place burdens on some groups, but such burdensomeness itself would be evaluated by reason for its “degree of burdensomeness” caused by arbitrariness etc. We cannot escape the fact that there will be aspects of some identities that would have to be withheld from the public realm. In most cases, these are the ones that stem from beliefs that are in deep fundamental conflict with similarly held beliefs of others. We will have to agree to disagree on such nettlesome issues, and not insist on placing them on the national agenda.

For instance, we will have to be committed to democratic practices we have enshrined in our Constitution to achieve our ends. The constitutionally guaranteed “equality of opportunity” should be coupled with “equity” as values that we can all agree on in light of our common history of slavery and indentureship. However, it is possible that some groups may have differing views: we will have to deliberate with each other whether such values would be prioritised. The bottom line is whether citizens would be committed to such a process of deliberation. We believe so. The problem lies in some political leaders who have evidently abandoned our democratic process and descended into political nihilism. They will have to be practical and ensure that their proposals have incentives for the politicians sitting across from them.

We will have to be prepared to deliberate with each other in every available forum and then some: letter pages of the newspapers, community meetings, town hall meetings, callin talk shows, books etc. But we have to respect each other as citizens with equal rights. We should avoid debate in vocabularies and ideologies that force us to consider issues only in black and white.

motive for preventing development of Amerindian villages exposed – VP’s Office

The Office of the Vice President has taken note of the press release issued by the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) dated 15th April, 2023. This release is regarding APA’s complaint to the Architecture for REDD+ Transaction Secretariat (the certifying body for Guyana’s carbon programme), to suspend the issuance of carbon credits to Guyana and, therefore, future payments to Amerindian villages and local communities.

At the recently held press conference by the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, the public was informed of the complaint that was issued, in secret, by the APA, who recommended that the ART Secretariat suspends all future issuances of credits.

The Office of the Vice President invites the public to note the letter to the editor from Toshao Derrick John, Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council, published in today’s edition (see page 5). The NTC Chairman stated unequivocally, that the APA did not inform or consult with Indigenous villages, the National Toshaos Council, or any representative group of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana. This violates the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) – including the principle that villages and communities should be free to give or refuse their consent on matters which impact on them, through their own village-led processes.

The Office of the Vice President reiterates that political neutrality is a virtue that the APA cannot claim. As a nongovernmental organisation, the APA's members and leadership are free to engage in partisan politics, including standing for election. However, when purporting to represent non-partisan interests, it is important to declare relevant political allegiances to ensure transparency, and uphold credibility. It is therefore relevant to point out that leading members of the APA are - and have beenpolitically active, including the Executive Director of the APA, Ms Jean La Rose, who was the Deputy Representative of the list of political party candidates of the PNC-led coalition which was in Government between 2015 and 2020. Ms La Rose was a leading candidate within the PNC-led coalition’s list in the 2015 elections, and while she failed to win a seat in the National Assembly, the then-President appointed her to a senior Board position within the coalition Government. This should be declared as it has bearing on her commentary about public policy under various administrations.

The APA is well aware that every report of the ART TREES process is publicly available for perusal. The APA’s complaint refers to the structure of the Verification Reports, the sections of the Guyana Application documents under ART, all of which prove that they have read and are aware of the public reporting process under ART. These very reports present the background and reasons supporting the independent verifier issuing full approval for Guyana’s credits.

The Office of the Vice President notes that the APA is also deliberately hiding their

distribution of the draft LCDS to communities all across the country

Yet now the APA raises unspecific complaints about a consultation it intentionally did not participate in and seeks to drown out the views and voices of Indigenous leaders and other local and international stakeholders who participated and made very valued contributions to the consultations process.

moves into implementation, and revenues are available through the benefit sharing mechanism, individual villages will have the opportunity to continuously deepen their engagement as set out in the Strategy, which emphasizes the ongoing nature of village-led village sustainability plans which must be approved following the engagement of villagers. Each year, opportunities will be provided for input.

involvement in the very audit process about which they are complaining about. As part of the audit of Guyana’s application for 2016-2020, the independent verifier conducted an assessment mission to Guyana in April 2022. Field visits were made to several Indigenous villages to inform their findings. Further, the verifier engaged with multiple stakeholders in more than 20 sessions - a key aspect of the public scoping in the audit process.

The APA was invited and participated in the independent verifier’s session. Additionally, the APA was also invited at the end of this stakeholder meeting, to follow up with the auditor should this be needed. The APA made no such request and expressed no request for follow up or concern to the auditors in the audit process. They chose instead to trigger a complaints process for no apparent, justifiable reason.

The Office of the Vice President contends that APA cannot justifiably say they were not engaged as the evidence available to the public proves otherwise. In fact, for over two years, the APA has been invited by the Office of the President to participate in, and to help lead, consultations across Guyana concerning the LCDS 2030 and ART TREES. However, the APA was very selective in engaging in the consultation that it has now raised grievances about.

For example, the APA was asked to join other stakeholders on the LCDS Communications Sub-Committee – yet did not attend meetings or participate in any way. They neglected –even though they made an initial offer – to come up with suggestions on addressing some challenges during the national consultations process, such as identifying translators fluent in local languages, leaving this work to others. Yet, included in their complaint to the ART Secretariat, is a claim of lack of translation into the local indigenous languages.

Furthermore, the APA was asked – like other members of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee – to participate in and lead consultations.

Unlike other members of the Steering Committee who led consultations, and gathered input and feedback, the APA never fulfilled this responsibility. The public should note that after the consultation period was completed, other members of the Steering Committee discovered hundreds of the copies of the draft LCDS 2030, given to the APA to help with distribution and consultation, were still sitting in the APA’s headquarters in the city. The Office of the Vice President is aware that resources were provided to assist with the

The APA’s main concern as expressed in their press release centres on triggering their default position for any programme that will benefit Amerindian people – there needs to be more consultations and, that development cannot take place unless the conditions and ultimatums they set are met to their satisfaction. This is a position that the APA will struggle to justify by facts and is entirely unacceptable. The facts show that the initial three-month consultation period, announced by His Excellency the President in October 2021, was extended to a seven-month-long process of consultations on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, and executed from December 2021 to June 2022. The draft LCDS 2030 for public consultation is presented in a publicly available 315-page report - https://lcds.gov.gy/summaryof-feedback/ providing records showing extensive consultations were conducted on the LCDS 2030 and showing names of persons consulted, dates and minutes of discussions, including some of the persons now putting forward inaccurate information.

Thousands of persons were consulted, starting with four-hour cluster sessions, which covered in excess of 200 Indigenous communities over the sevenmonth period. During these sessions, Guyana’s jurisdictional/ national approach to ART TREES was consulted on and the benefits sharing mechanism was a main part of each session. The sessions led to suggestions, that in turn, informed the evolution of the benefits sharing mechanism that was documented in the July 2022 version of the LCDS; this was then reviewed by the National Toshaos’ Council and other key stakeholders.

Guyana’s ART TREES engagement was also (i) consulted on at the National Toshaos’ Conference in July 2022 and a resolution passed supporting this engagement: https://lcds.gov.gy/ endorsement-of-lcds-2030-bythe-national-toshaos-council/; (ii) approved by a Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee overseeing the LCDS: https://lcds.gov.gy/ mssc-approves-finalisation-ofldcs-2030/; and (iii) tabled and debated in the Parliament of Guyana with a resolution passed in August 2022: https://lcds.gov. gy/parliamentary-resolutionlcds-2030/. The Endorsement, Approval and Resolution each outline the focus of the LCDS 2030, Guyana’s Jurisdictional ART TREES engagement, and the proposed benefits sharing mechanism which were all part of this process of review and debate.

The APA’s accusations are also unfounded as the Government is on record in saying that consultation is not a not a oneoff process. As the LCDS 2030

The APA makes claims that remarks were made in the consultations that were not captured in the 315-page report on the consultation. The APA –like all members of the Steering Committee – were asked to review the 315-page report before it was finalised and to raise any issues and recommend changes. The public should note that the APA opted to absent themselves from those meetings which considered stakeholders’ feedback and later claimed they had the meeting dates confused.

Guyanese citizens –including Indigenous peoples and members of local forest communities – have a lot to be proud of in Guyana’s longstanding stewardship of the forests. They are creating a pathway to overcoming difficult issues for which there are no straight-forward answers, and where the world will benefit from these solutions. Most Guyanese stakeholders are demonstrating innovation and dedication in identifying solutions, as well as respect for others who are wholeheartedly participating in the process.

The Office of the Vice President is concerned and disheartened that thousands of citizens across hundreds of Indigenous villages and local communities who are working hard to identify how to advance developmental priorities for their people – are totally unaware that the APA has called for the suspension of the finances to fund these priorities they are formulating for their future.

The APA’s recent efforts fall woefully short on transparency and accountability which is needed by the Guyanese public now that they have been called out. The APA should also provide answers, as the Chairman of the NTC has done in his letter to the editor of the Stabroek Newspapers, has demanded.

The public must be told why the APA is seeking to prevent the process of village planning in each community? Why should this process to develop villages utilising revenues from the carbon credits programme be frozen? And why would APA, in good faith, prevent Indigenous villages and local communities from accessing carbon credits revenue from 2016 that are already in their bank accounts?

What option does the APA offer the 242 villages and communities to meet their most pressing needs, and those they have developed for their own development?

These answers will be hard to come by for the APA, as it reveals their true motive of sacrificing development of Amerindian villages, to foster their political motives. They are not protecting the rights of Amerindian people; the APA is taking that right away from Guyana’s first people.

APA’s

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

My alarm at APA’s presumptuous, unacceptable decision

Dear Editor, I write to publicly state my alarm in learning that the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) had filed a “formal complaint” to the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Secretariat against Guyana’s National Forest Carbon Programme – a key aspect of the LCDS 2030.

I have since seen the 18-page letter, with appendices dated March 8, 2023, addressed to the ART Secretariat and copied to several international institutions, including the United States Department of State and the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), among others.

It is glaring that no person or agency in Guyana has been furnished with a copy of this letter; not even the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the legislated representative of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

Further, as Chairman of the NTC, I categorically state that our Council, including its executive, was not informed about, much less consulted on, the APA’s intention to file a complaint purportedly on behalf of our Indigenous peoples. And we were not even given the courtesy of notification that the ART Secretariat was being contacted and a complaint registered.

The APA goes as far as to recommend to the ART Secretariat that “the credits issued to Guyana that have not yet been purchased be frozen and suspended, and that no further credits be issued” until the APA’s demands are met. This is presumptuous, totally unacceptable, and does not represent the wishes of our Indigenous People.

Editor, it is outrageous that the APA - a local NGO with a handful of members in two administrative regions, and with no legislated authority to represent Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Guyana or anywhere for that matter - could be so brazen as to take such a position. It is incredible that one of the main accusations the APA levels against the Government of Guyana is the alleged absence of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) regarding issues of our people. Yet, the same APA appoints itself to speak for our people, and is making demands and even challenging the integrity of Government and international institutions, while falsely claiming to be our representatives.

The APA has not informed us of its intentions; it did not provide us with any information of its complaint or demands; we were not consulted, and therefore we have not, and could not, give our

consent to its letter and complaint to the ART Secretariat.

In other words, the APA is guilty of the accusations it has unjustifiably levelled against the Government of Guyana. The APA does not honour or respect FPIC.

Editor, the APA is a member of the national Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC), which takes decisions and oversees the LCDS 2030 implementation, including the forest carbon credit programme. I have confirmed that the Committee was not informed of this move by the APA, and I am sure the Guyana Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), Amerindian Development Foundation (ADF), and the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC), all of whom are representatives of our IPLCs and are MSSC members, were not consulted or informed by the APA either.

I call upon my fellow Toshaos and other community leaders to call out the APA on its offensive actions. I urge the ART Secretariat, our international partners, and all Guyanese to see through this veil of deception. I am at a loss as to why the APA would take such an extreme position, which is not based on facts. However, I am al-

most certain that its views and opinions do not represent me, my village, or the totality of 242 villages, communities and satellites of our Guyanese Indigenous sisters and brothers.

Editor, our Indigenous leaders are currently actively engaged in developing plans and projects, in consultation with their residents, to determine developmental programmes for their respective communities. There is a hive of activity in all communities across our country. This is a process of self-determination regarding how the funds earned and already disbursed to our village bank accounts under the carbon credit scheme would benefit our people, their livelihoods, and future generations. The APA must not be allowed to deprive our villages, our communities, our people of the development funds we need to pursue the vision of our people.

Yours sincerely,

Derrick John Toshao, Moraikobai Village, Region 5 Chairman, National Toshaos Council

Doctor's Note: Paws for a CauseGuyana ("Paws") is a local animal-welfare group operating and registered in Guyana as a non-profit inc. The Group works to prevent animal cruelty; to promote humane, ethical, and responsible pet ownership; to advocate for controlling the animal population via spay and neuter campaigns; to educate the public; and to assist in cases of reported animal neglect and abuse. The Group's work extends beyond dogs and cats, and includes all wildlife in Guyana. Occasionally, the Group would contribute a "Paws Perspective" to the Sunday Times ‘Pet Care’ Column, detailing its expe

riences in animal welfare. Animal rescuers and fosters often feel pangs of despair when over

whelmed by the flow and magnitude of cases of cru

Guilt, recovery & carrying the ghosts: The story of a litter of cats (Part I)

elty to/neglect of animals. It is not uncommon to be told by our friends and family that we volunteered for this and should not be upset. Indeed, we each made the commitment to take in and care for the sick, broken, injured, inbred animals. And yes, we are acutely aware that some will not survive. But our grief is real when things go badly. We do not expect everyone to share or appreciate our passion for animal welfare, but our service to these hapless animals will continue, even as we are chided with dismissive or accusatory comments when the miracle we hope and work for does not materialise. Each case is unique, and is dealt with to the best of our capacity and limited resources. While all animals that come into our care are checked out by a Vet, we have to balance our limited budget

and avoid expensive tests if there are no symptoms that warrant concern.

Today, we'd like to tell you about the wildly diverging and complicated stories of a litter of kittens and their mother.

A beautiful, 9-day-old, grey-striped kitten came in with her mama and 3 siblings. Their eyes were not yet open, and they needed a safe place to nurse, live and grow, which we were able to provide. As time went on, we started noticing issues, particularly with the grey kitten. She was the one who was developmentally the head of the pack, or the 'forced ripe' one. She opened her eyes first.

We marvelled at all of their progress, but a few days after she opened her eyes, it started to look crossed and swollen. We thought it was a minor infection brought on by

the aggressiveness with which the kittens fought to nurse, but it got progressively worse.

We imagined that the litter may have been produced by some level of inbreeding, which potentially leads to a myriad of complications. A physical deformity almost inevitably makes an animal's chances at a normal life and home plummet further. They require extra care. All of the animals that come into our care have suffered, and there are many that have physical deformities as a result of inbreeding, abuse, sickness, or deficiencies. It is very challenging to find homes for these animals.

Our little grey kitten visited the vet frequently. The deepest corners of her eyeballs were cleaned with no sedation, because of her age. The noticeably progressive loss of vision

in one eye and the screams of the kitten twice a day as the eyedrops hit the raw parts of her eyes were difficult to witness. Some mornings her eye area looked very shredded and raw, and the eyeballs were not visible. There were such infinitesimal signs of improvement that we would pore over the dozens of pictures we took daily to figure out whether hopeful optimism was justified, or if it was just our imagination.

But she kept up that fighting spirit. She was the first one to “holler” for food when anyone entered the room; the first one to nuzzle and roll around in your lap; and she would fight with her siblings to nurse from their mom. So, we decided to continue following our policy – we would continue fighting as long as she would!

But as the days passed, the deterioration of the kitten became evident, and led us closer and closer to the dreaded discussion about quality of life. It was confirmed she was totally blind in one eye and had some amount of vision loss in the other. We discussed the need for an eye removal, and decided that we were prepared to commit to taking in a oneeyed-blind kitten into our permanent home if that would mean she should go on living happily and in good health. But the turning point arrived at some time during the night. She seemed fine in the evening, but the next morning her appetite was gone, and she could barely move. The Hail Mary never came. She had admitted defeat, which meant that we did, too. The most we could do was to euthanize her and save her the few additional hours of agony. She crossed the rainbow bridge.

The kitten's death was painful and horrendous, and it still makes this writer physically nauseous every time she thinks about the kitten's

short life being so full of pain. The grief over this kitten runs deep, and the guilt over the potential days of treatment lost before the health issue presented itself more noticeably is not something that has abated months later. This poor kitten was not named because she did not live long enough. As she got sicker, we incorrectly thought that not naming her would take some of the sting out if the worst-case scenario came to pass. She lived and died nameless and in pain.

If you're at the point in this story where you're wondering whether we should have euthanized all of them early on, we can understand. But visualize sitting in the room with them to inspect their progress. One jumps into your lap and starts to purr, and looks at you with something akin to devotion; the other manages to jump and use your arm as a ladder, and before you know it, they're chilling on your shoulder like a parrot. In the meantime, the other decides that their favourite new spot is the hollow between your lower back and the wall. Even after everything you had just been through, how on earth could you consider death when there is so much life around you?

But then her siblings started to wake up with the same squinted crosseyes.

Part II to follow

If you'd like to offer comments, support, or follow our work, find us on Facebook. com/Pawsforacause.gy, on Instagram @pawsforacause.guyana, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, drop us a line at pawsforacause.20@gmail.com, or visit our website at https:// www.pawsforacausegy. com.

Animal welfare is everyone's business. You don't have to be an animal person - you just have to be a kind person.

"Paws" PERSPECTIVE | Paws for a Cause - Guyana

Govt will take strong action against co-ops breaching laws – AG

The issue of land titles and cooperative societies (co-ops) reared its head during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) outreach to Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), where the Government assured that action will be taken where necessary to ensure co-ops are acting in the best interest of the people they represent.

During the outreach at Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Saturday, a woman raised an issue she was having with her co-op, whereby it was giving her a run-around to get documents necessary for her to receive a lease for her land, which she needed to then take to the bank to get a loan and start construction.

It turns out that troubles with co-ops are actually very widespread. However, the Government has assured it will address the issues. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, explained that while there are limits to what the Government can do, co-ops not in good standing can be regularised.

“When there’s a co-op and the land is owned by the co-op, or even if its State land and leased by the coop, the Government’s hands are tied in relation to that land. So, when you’re complaining to us here, we really can’t do anything unless we move through the co-op or if the co-op is not in

good standing in accordance with the law, we dismantle the co-op, take over the land and then do the regularisation.”

Nandlall recalled the co-op troubles in Enmore North back in 2018, when the co-op was seeking to expel persons who held land attached to it. According to Nandlall, even though his party was in Opposition at the time, they were instrumental in fighting on behalf of the residents. He made it clear that now that they are in Government, they will continue to fight to ensure co-ops walk the right path. This includes the co-op at Enmore, where Nandlall says problems have arisen again.

“The problem had subsided, temporarily apparently because I just went to the back of this tent and a whole set of people came here from Enmore North to say that the co-op is now expanding its operations be-

yond the co-op lands and now giving out house lots on the Government reserves by the sea defence. So, I just instructed that Lands and Surveys go, demarcate the boundaries of the co-op transport and Government will have to take action against the coop once they are trespassing on Government lands.”

“That is the problem we face in co-ops throughout the country. I remember one time Minister Hamilton made some statement in the Parliament about co-ops and bringing them into order. And some people want to eat out his head. But this is the problem we’re facing. Wherever there are coops in Guyana, the business of the co-op is in disarray, and the members or former members of the co-op, their lives are in turmoil because of the disarray in the co-op.” Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, who was present at the outreach and has ministerial responsibility for co-ops, also weighed in on the controversy. He echoed Nandlall’s sentiments about the pervasiveness of problems with coops and urged persons to make the distinction between what co-ops and Government were responsi-

ble for.

“The fundamental thing is, most, if not all co-op societies don’t want to run themselves transparent and accountable. And that is creating a lot of issues for members. And I hope people who belong to co-op societies [realise that] you’re suffering because [of the co-ops], not the Government.”

“Co-op society problems are made by co-ops. Once co-op societies regularise themselves and put themselves in order, all the things you’re asking for can happen. But until that happens… like getting your title. It’s like pulling teeth getting information from coop societies,” Hamilton said. (G3)

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

Essequibo Coast man escapes unhurt after vehicle turns turtle

Good fate was on the side of Nissan X-Trail driver, Gordon Williams also known as “Monkey Hardy” of Perseverance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who escaped unhurt after the vehicle he was driving turned turtle at Aurora Public Road, Aurora, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Saturday.

The accident occurred around 09:15h. Williams sustained minor injuries about his body.

According to information received, motor vehicle PZZ 5361 was proceeding north on the western lane when a white Honda Vezel proceeding south on the eastern lane was about to overtake and suddenly made a “dead stop” due to cement on the roadway. This caused to Williams to apply brakes,

but he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to flip once.

Last year, Williams was involved in a multi-vehicle accident in front of H&J Supermarket at Johanna Cecelia, Essequibo Coast.

…our fair capital

Looks like it’s “beat up on Georgetown” week. As one who works in our capital city – and therefore spends more than a fair bit of time in its environs – your Eyewitness wonders why all the brickbats all of a sudden. Rome – and Georgetown - weren’t built in a day; and Georgetown certainly falls into frequent flooding in a single day!! Rome, of course, WAS sacked in a day - 24 August 410 AD - by the Visigoths!! The way some folks are carrying on, you’d think they want our fair capital to be sacked by Maduro and his hordes!!

Now, a lot of those who’re whining about – and longing for a return of - our “Garden City” gotta realize that this isn’t how “progress” works!! Let’s look at Georgetown. How many remember it’s made up of a number of coffee (and maybe cotton) plantations that were gradually incorporated into a town, and then into a city. So, like they say, you can take a pig from the gutter and put lipstick on it, but it remains a pig!! Same with Georgetown. No matter how we keep on renaming it, it remains a collection of plantations carved out from land at least FIVE FEET below sea level!! Ain’t NOTHING gonna change THAT!!

As plantations along the Demerara River, the canals irrigating and draining the fields ran at right angles to the river. So, we have the Princess St Canal and other canals, like along Croal Street, running east-west. Separating fields as recent as the 1940s, what we now call East Street had its north-south canal – like Camp, Carmichael, Waterloo etc before – with black water and water lillies!! From Vlissengen, the canals ran north-south. And Punt Trench was used to bring cane to the Ruimveldt Sugar Factory!!

The point about all this (gratuitous?) geography lesson is that, in our drive for “progress”, we’ve blocked up most of these canals, and will continue to do so. We learnt in school that “matter occupies space”, and all the (material) buildings we’re erecting got to be put somewhere!! There go the canals!! Now it’s no use telling whatever powers that be to construct sewers like they have in, say, New York City. New York City was founded by the Dutch on what were hills on Manhattan Island – so the water can flow away by gravity. Unfortunately, those same Dutch started what was to become Georgetown from a swamp!!

Now, with us being assured that – notwithstanding all those reports from the oil majors! – global warming and its consequent rising seas ain’t gonna be reversed, your Eyewitness advises His Excellency that we better have enough land around Silica City to accommodate an abandoned Georgetown!!

Discretion is the better part of valour!!

…home ownership??

Now, our Eyewitness knows he’s been advising (with hands raised to the heavens!) the Opposition to come up with a more attractive programme than the PPPto be credible. And attract votes!! So, what’s with the new initiative they insist they’ll implement the moment they get back into Government – to subsidise rents!!?? Now, your Eyewitness knows that most of the folks in Georgetown support the PNC - and most of them rent homes.

So, is this just another ‘pie in the sky’ proposal to buy votes?? The question is why do people rent, rather than purchase homes?? For the PNC urban supporters, historically, they were unable to purchase homes, and fell into the pattern of home rentals – starting with those horrendous ranges. To its credit, the PNC under Burnham did also promise to “house” Guyanese. It’s just that he was unable to implement all the grandiose plans he unfurled!

Now, it’s not that house ownership’s impractical in towns – we got condominiums to deal with apartment ownership!! Equity for all!!

…economic democracy??

Locked in a dispute about releasing funds for AfricanGuyanese to the “umbrella” IDPADA-G, the PPP just decided to release the funds directly to the constituent groups. The latter could always turn over their money to IDPADA–G!!

Liza 1 permit could be extended in line with gas-to-energy lifespan – Vice President …progress being made on US EXIM loan to partly fund project

With the Liza Phase One permit currently under review, it is important that production of oil and gas is maintained in what is historically Guyana’s first oil producing field. This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who has revealed that the Government could extend the permit to facilitate the gas-to-energy project’s lifespan.

The transformational gas-to-energy project, which is expected to start up in 2024, has a lifespan of over 20 years. However, if the remaining years on the permit are allowed to run their course it would leave the country short of at least five years of gas from the Liza Phase One development. According to Jagdeo recently, however, there is a window to extend the permit.

“The Field Development Plan for the Liza 1 project, that would allow us to give an extension. Because if we’re building the gas-to-energy project and it comes in in 2024, 2025, and the permit expires in 2037, we would only have 12 years more of gas coming in on that pipeline. But the project is built on a 20-year lifespan, that is the numbers are run on that.”

“So, the Field Development Plan and all of that, would allow us once we’ve completed that [review] and it’s about completed, would allow us to move to do that. To allow this to happen to ensure we have adequate gas coming in to generate power. I would urge once again, for everyone here, particularly those who like

to write about solar, to look at the gas development plans in Europe. And how they’re moving to develop gas resources,” he said.

Jagdeo recalled that only three years ago, the world was wary of using natural gas as an alternative energy source to fossil fuel. Times have changed, however, and gas has now taken on increased importance on the world stage. He described it as a total turnaround.

Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed the environmental permit for the Liza Phase 1 project, with an extension of five years. The Liza Field Development Plan (FDP), has meanwhile been under the Government’s review, with assistance from the United Kingdom (UK) company Bayphase Limited.

Meanwhile, there is also the United States Export Import (EXIM) which the Government had said last year that it would approach for a portion of the funding that will be required for the gas-to-energy project. Jagdeo revealed that progress is be-

ing made on this loan, as reported to him by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

“On the loan that is being done. The Minister of Finance has had several engagements with EXIM bank. And from what he said, that is making progress, towards the conclusion of the loan. So, progress is being made in that regard,” Jagdeo said.

In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The NGL and 300 MW power plant components of the Gas-To-Shore Project, are meanwhile expected to cost US$759.8 million and will be financed through sources that include budgets and loan financing.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The pipeline would be 12 inches wide, and is expected to transport per day some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but it has the capacity to push as much as 120 mscfpd.

the

The pipeline’s route onshore would follow

same path as the fibre optic cables, and will terminate at

Hermitage, part of the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) which will house the Gas-ToShore Project. (G3)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

The Liza Destiny FPSO at work in the Liza Phase 1 development

“We Lift 3” an opportunity to level playing field for women in Guyana – Min Persaud

“We Lift 3”, the largest women-led business exhibition in Guyana, opened on Saturday at the MovieTowne Parking Lot in a continued effort by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry to advance the work of businesswomen across the country.

“We are looking comprehensively at how we can create a level playing field for women from the point of education [and] training to the actual point of being a very independent person who can have her own business and be the boss,” Dr Vindhya Persaud said at the event’s opening ceremony.

This year’s edition of the two-day event sees over 200 businesses being showcased, a step up from the first year which displayed 75 businesses and “We Lift 2” which included over 170 businesses.

Described as an “eclectic market”, “We Lift 3” showcases a wide range of businesses, from food and skincare to artwork and jewellery, with the sponsors of the event, including Nations Inc and

ExxonMobil, also displaying their services.

“Here, the participants will network with other women and business owners, share ideas and build relationships to help grow their businesses, [gain] greater brand exposure and increase their visibility among potential customers and investors [and] receive access to valuable resources and information to help them develop their businesses,” said Mignon Bowen-Phillips, Caribbean Community

(Caricom) Secretariat representative.

“But most importantly, they will inspire and empower other women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed,” she added.

In January 2022, Ashmin Brathwaite established Glamp Camp Luxury Events initially as a means to offer a luxurious outdoor event experience to clients through her signature luxury picnics. As

her business grew over the past year, she expanded to offer event planning, event decor and balloon decor.

“I actually have a Business Management degree and a Marketing Master’s but I wanted to do something with my hands and this type of business allowed me to do that and it just gives me so much satisfaction after I’m finished to see something that is so beautiful,” Brathwaite said.

The first-time We Lift exhibitor intends on using this opportunity to receive more exposure and customers. “I’m here at We Lift 3 to meet new clientele and get more people to learn about the business,” Brathwaite expressed.

Excited

A We Lift-returnee, Seema Taraman of Artsy Craft is excited to be back following her successful experience at We Lift 2 that exposed her to many new clients.

Taraman specialises in soy candles, reed diffusers, string arts and string lanterns, with her candles being the focal point of her booth at

this year’s event.

“Most of the candles that are readily available in the supermarket are made from a very harmful wax that is called paraffin [which] cases show, leads to a lot of health-related issues like cancer, respiratory problems and so forth,” Taraman said.

“I wanted to introduce a safer alternative which would be soy-based candles so I would say this is my solution to a problem not a lot of people know about,” she said, adding that expanding to produce string arts and lanterns was born out of her love to create.

Displaying locally created jewellery, miniature sculptures and wooden craft, Varshinie Singh represents Kids First Fund, a charity dedicated to providing medical and general assistance to children, adults and animals across the country.

“Basically, we kind of do the running around so patients don’t have to find the right doctors [or] get the right institution,” Singh explained.

While Singh made some of the jewellery on display at

the charity’s booth, she credited artists and women from Rupununi for creating the balata art pieces and seed jewellery, respectively, and Region 10’s (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Irene Bacchus for producing the wooden pieces.

“It’s our first year [at We Lift and] we want to promote what we’re doing and how people can help us and also to promote the work of our artisans who can’t be here,” Singh said. “We buy this stuff from them and we sell it so people can be supporting their livelihood and helping to make a difference by supporting our charity as well.”

To assist the charity, Singh advised customers to buy their unique souvenir items at the Collage Store on Sheriff Street, donate items from their wish list, publicise their activities to family and friends, sign up to be a volunteer and donate in cash or kind.

With many more businesses on display and open to explore, the Human Services Minister encouraged the public to attend “We Lift 3” today from 11:00 am to 18:30h.

Mignon Bowen-Phillips, the wife of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, along with Human Services and Social Security Ministe, Dr Vindhya Persaud and an exhibitor at “We lift 3” on Saturday

Foreman electrocuted while changing utility pole

Indian Heritage Month and Guyana “T

he most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” George Orwell.

With us now in the second half of April, we offer a prelude to observing May as “Indian Heritage Month”, within which the centerpiece is May 5th - “Indian Arrival Day”. Some still question, “Why the commemoration?”.

Dev

Maybe we should begin with the word “commemorate”, which, by most dictionaries, means a way to mark out something extraordinary from the ordinary, so that it is remembered by society. While commemorations refer to historical events, more important is the meaning we give to events or persons remembered for their impact on society.

The Irish, in the midst of commemorating their Great Famine of the mid-19th century, advise that we should 1: Start from the historical facts, 2: Recognise the implications and consequences of what happened. And 3: Understand that different perceptions and interpretations exist and show how events and activities can deepen understanding of the period.

Recently, from a political platform, we had one “perception and interpretation” of Indian Arrival, and the consequences illustrate the need for more education about this event.

In a nutshell, Indian Heritage Month should be an occasion for nation-building by providing information based on the commemorated event for inclusion in a unified national narrative.

The historical facts are stark: between 1838 and 1917, 239,909 Indian immigrants were brought to British Guiana after the abolition of slavery, and more than three-quarters chose to remain. By 1908, more than three times the acreage was being cultivated, and more than three times the quantity of sugar was being exported than during slavery.

By commemorating “Arrival”, the gaze is shifted away from India as the sole focal point to the new land in which the decision was made to remain. Indian Arrival Day, then, confirms the decision of the vast majority of the Indian indentureds to establish roots in this new land…roots that originated in India, but would be adapted to their new circumstances. It would not be a single tap root, but rhizomatic and multitudinous in its sources of nourishment.

Indian Arrival Day emphasises a new nationalism: “We have arrived in our country to build and enjoy its bounty.” To a large extent, Indian Arrival Day observance was a reaction to the refusal by some to concede to the Indian Indentured descendants what Trinidad’s National Motto promises: “Where every creed and race MUST HAVE an equal place.” They were brought to labour on the plantations, but remained as citizens, prepared to build their new country in which they had ARRIVED.

So, from a commemorative standpoint, Indian Arrival is certainly an inaugural historical event. While some may differ on specifics, all can agree that it has had a most extraordinary impact on Guyanese society. In terms of remembrance, I was raised by my Nana, who was born in 1896 and whose father arrived in 1888. He recounted that in 1938, at the cusp of WWII, the BGEIA had initiated the first commemoration of the event on its CENTENARY, which he’d attended. We should note that at that time, during the Great Depression, the Indian presence and ambitions were being questioned by others in the society.

In the commemoration, the BGEIA Chairman, Charles Ramkissoon Jacob, had offered six reasons for what they’d unabashedly declared a “celebration”. They,

1 saved the sugar industry from ruin,

2 established a rice industry,

3 “contributed very largely to every phase of industrial activity”,

4 “are found in every walk of life,”

5 the community had “made good progress”, and finally and quite pertinently, he concluded,

6 “have held our own against all sections of the community.”

In Guyana, the first post-WWII public calls for recognition of Indian Arrival Day were made in the 1960s, when Dr Balwant Singh, an Indian rights activist who was a leader in the Gandhi Youth Organization, called for “Rama Khan Day” to be commemorated during the rising ethnic tensions. From the arrival records of the ship Whitby, that landed the first Indentured Indians at Highbury in Berbice on May 5th 1838, he insisted the first persons to step onto Guyanese soil were Rama and Khan. While he may have been romanticising the event to emphasise that both Hindus and Muslims had arrived as brothers, more germanely, he was attempting to rectify our erasure from the historiography of the Caribbean to deny us legitimacy for equal rights.

Aman is now dead after being electrocuted while changing a utility pole for the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) on the Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Saturday.

Dead is Michael Benjamin, 27, of Lot 6 Dukestown, Corriverton, Berbice.

Benjamin was the foreman of a crew that was changing wooden poles between Number 52 and 56 Villages, Corentyne, when the incident occurred.

The incident also re-

sulted in 38-year-old Oddel Kyte being injured.

Reports are that Benjamin was operating a truck with a hydraulic lift, to turn the post to an up-

right position while Kyte assisted in guiding the post.

At about 12:20h on Saturday, while at Middle Walk Dam, Number 52 Village, Benjamin was operating the hydraulic lift and Kyte was holding the post, centring it into a hole, when suddenly a movement caused the post to accidentally touch the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electrical line. Eyewitnesses said that Kyte’s body immediately started to vibrate and he let go of the post. Benjamin was subsequently seen lying motionlessly on the

ground next to the hydraulic lift.

He was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

GPL has since said that preliminary investigation revealed that “the young man was employed by another utility company that was carrying out work in the Berbice area when their bucket truck came into contact with our network. Our company extends sympathy to the family of the deceased.”

An investigation has since been launched. (G4)

Money-changer robbed by toy gun bandits

ACorentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) money changer was on Saturday morning robbed of $70,000 by two bandits.

Reports are that 24-yearold Parsham Dave Sukraj called “Dave” was plying his trade at Rose Hall Town Public Road when he was attacked.

The incident occurred at about 09:30h on Saturday.

Police on Saturday said that Sukraj reported that

two men walked up to him, and one demanded that he hand over his cash. He said that as the man made the demand, he took out a long black knife from his waist.

The young money changer put up a fight until the attacker gave an instruc-

tion to his accomplice to shoot him. With that, the second bandit took out a black and brown ‘gun’ from his waist and pointed it at Sukraj. However, he continued to scuffle with the man holding the knife.

Meanwhile, a Police Constable who was performing traffic duties was alerted and approached the men but the man with the ‘gun’ dropped it on the roadway and ran through a nearby street.

However, the bandit with the knife still managed to grab Sukraj’s money and push it into his jersey, before he too escaped into a nearby street.

The Police officer gave chase but was unsuccessful in apprehending the suspects.

The suspected firearm was later taken to the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost and upon examination, it was found to be a toy gun.

(G4)

Ravi

Dead: Michael Benjamin

AG warns against unlawful conduct in hire purchase transactions

Warnings have been sounded by the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs over complaints of alleged unfair and possibly unlawful conduct in hire purchase transactions.

The main objective of the Hire Purchase Act was to bring greater balance and fairness in the relationship between the hirer and owner, which was skewed heavily in favour of the former over the latter, prior to the enactment of the legislation.

“It is principally because of these reasons that the Government of Guyana enacted a modern Hire Purchase Act which came into force in 2022… Unfortunately, based upon the complaints received, many of which have been circulating on social media, it appears that provisions of the Hire Purchase Act are not properly implemented or complied with, or are being completely ignored,” a statement from the Ministry on Saturday disclosed.

Members of the public and specifically, those who intend to

enter into hire purchase agreements were asked to get familiarised with provisions of the Act or to secure legal counsel to do so on their behalf in relation thereto.

Section 3(1) of the Act imposes the obligation on the owner, to disclose in writing the cash price before the hire purchase agreement is entered into while Section 3(4) requires all hire purchase agreements to contain clauses that state the hire purchase price and the cash price of the goods; the amount of instalments required to pay the hire purchase price; and the date each instalment is payable.

Section 5 gives the right to the

hirer or buyer to terminate the agreement while Section 6 lists the clauses in agreements which, if included, will be void and therefore unenforceable. These include, among other things: giving an owner or seller the authority to forcibly enter premises to possess goods; denying the hirer or buyer of the right to terminate or determine the agreement; subjecting a hirer or buyer on termination of an agreement to a liability which is greater than the liability provided for under the Act; or clauses which relieve the owner or seller or any person acting on his behalf from liability for any acts or defaults. Section 10 entitles the hirer or buyer to cancel the agreement within seven days of signing.

“Section 13 entitles a hirer or buyer who has cancelled under Section 10 to recover monies paid under the agreement, subject to a restocking fee charged by an owner or seller to a maximum of 10 per cent. Section 23 states that where the hirer or buyer has paid seventy percent or more of the hire-purchase price or total

purchase price, the owner is prohibited from 2 enforcing any right to recover possession otherwise than by action in a court of law. Section 28 provides for rebate on early payment of five percent per annum or such rate as may be prescribed where the balance of the hire purchase price is paid at least one month before the date it is due, calculated on the amount of such balance for the period in respect of which it was prepaid,” the Ministry outlined.

This Section also provides that where a balance remains unpaid for more than one month it may attract an interest on such balance at a rate of five percent per annum or such rate as may be prescribed, calculated on the amount of such balance for the period in respect of which it is due.

Additionally, Section 29 provides that in cases where a hirer or buyer has paid less than seventy percent of the hire purchase price, the owner or seller must give at least twenty-one days prior notice of his intention to recover possession before he can enforce his right to recover possession of the goods.

“Obviously, the above is not

exhaustive but is intended merely to highlight a few provisions of the Act which appear to be observed in breach based upon complaints that are in the public domain,” it was concluded.

Data Protection Bill

On Saturday, the AG’s Chambers also shared that Government intends to lay in the National Assembly shortly, the Data Protection Bill 2023.

“As part of its policy to engage in public consultations on important pieces of intended legislation, the Government hereby invites submissions and recommendations in relation to the draft Bill from national stakeholder organisations and members of the public,” the statement outlined.

The draft Bill can be accessed on the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs website www.mola.gov.gy and submissions and recommendations are invited within 21 days to agchambersmola@gmail.com.

Additionally, the draft Bill will be circulated to relevant national stakeholder organisations for their submissions and recommendations within a similar timeframe. (G12)

Noreen Alfred’s journey to Rodeo Queen title

ing the picturesque views and thrills of nature. At other times, she would relax and enjoy the mood reading a good novel evokes. She also enjoys playing football. “This way, I can keep myself in optimum health,” she added.

Road to rodeo title

Although she had participated in previous pageants, Ms. Alfred wasn’t taking her quest for the 2023 Rodeo title lightly. “After classes and exams, I would - late in the night - go over my speeches, and continue to do extra research on my platform,” she said.

By AlvA Solomon

In their quest to win a title, some people would encounter hiccups and obstacles, and would have to settle for second place or no place at all. Others would repeat their quest with a feat of determination and grit, and that was what obtained in the case of 21-yearold Noreen Alfred last weekend, when she was crowned the 2023 Rupununi Rodeo Queen.

“I took part in the Miss Lethem pageant in 2019, and in 2022 I took part in the Miss Rupununi Expo pageant. I didn’t win, but I never gave up,”

the determined Alfred Guyana Times last week.

She said she had even clinched the first runner-up title in previous pageants, but winning the Rodeo Queen title was her ultimate dream; at least for now.

Academic journey

Ms. Alfred attended the St. Ignatius Secondary School on the outskirts of Lethem. After

sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, she gained a scholarship at President’s College, on the East Coast of Demerara, to pursue studies in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

“After writing CAPE, I came home to my hometown, where I gained employment at the Lethem Power Company. I am still employed there,” she said.

Through a Government of Guyana scholarship, the am-

bitious Ms. Alfred is pursuing online studies in Engineering Project Management. In addition, she is taking part in a General Building Construction course offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

“I have always believed that every woman should have the same opportunity as men do. I’m also heavily involved in volunteerism because I’m always overjoyed to be a part of any support group,” the young Rodeo Queen added.

She said that, during her free time, she constantly takes part in trips across the vast

On pageant night last week, she said, she was nervous when she had to introduce herself to the crowd. “However, after my talent piece, I was relaxed; and for the question-and-answer segment, I was confident,” the young woman noted. She emerged winner in the Best Rodeo Wear segment, and this, she noted, added to her being crowned Rodeo Queen. “I told myself, ‘Noreen, hold in those tears and keep smiling for the audience’. It took me a whole to understand that, no matter what, never give up,” she added.

For now, the Rodeo Queen has said, she would continue to be a role model to her peers and relatives, and in future, she plans to continue pursuing her studies while enhancing her skillset to make a difference within her community.

2023 Rupununi Rodeo Queen, Noreen Alfred

Noreen Alfred emerged winner of the 2023 Rupununi Rodeo Queen title last weekend at Lethem

Rodeo Queen Noreen Alfred says she loves to take trips on her bike across the Rupununi

Noreen Alfred says she is currently taking part in a building construction course in her community at Lethem

GUYANATIMESGY.COM FEATURE

By AlvA Solomon

On Easter Monday 2023, a tradition of the remote Deep South Rupununi village of Aishalton came to life with the marriage of five Indigenous couples.

Getting married is an eagerly-anticipated annual tradition in the village, one that continues to evolve

with the passing of time, as many couples get married on Easter Monday and Christmas Day. Two couples tied the knot last Christmas, and several days prior to the new year, several weddings took place. Residents erupted in joy as the newly-wedded couples walked out in the public as husband and wife, following the ceremonies.

“There are already four couples registered to get married in December this year,” Immaculata Casimero, a resident and Indigenous activist of the village, told <<Guyana Times>> recently.

Four of the couples who were wedded on Easter Monday belong to the Roman Catholic Church, while the other belongs to the Christian Brethren Church.

Casimero said it’s a tradition which has been happening for several years. “It is done to be in line with the Christian holidays, especially Easter and Christmas,” she said.

She said it is important within the village and within the Christian community that, once two persons are living together in a relationship, they take it to another

level by getting married.

Importantly, she said, in most of the villages within the area, the couples remain together for years after marriage.

“Most of the couples live their lifetime; but, of course, as in every society, there may be homes which are broken because of whatever disagreements,” she said.

to your marriage’. They (elders) have words of encouragement, and they give different advice. These people (elders) are married for 30 years and more, and so they offer this advice,” Casimero explained.

The Wapichan village of Aishalton is the largest Indigenous village within the Deep South Rupununi.

However, she noted, the phenomenon of a home breaking up happens at a very low rate; and, she noted, elders in the community play an integral role in counselling couples before and after their weddings.

“I was at a wedding reception…where the grandmother of the bride told the woman that she was very proud of her; but, at the same time, she reminded her that the step she took is for life, and that she made a commitment to God,” Casimero said.

“She said, ‘Marriage is not a bed of roses, but you have to stay strong and committed

Couples from that and contiguous villages get married at the churches in Aishalton. The Christian faith plays a key role in the social life of the villages of other communities within the Rupununi. As such, there are other villages where weddings are held on religious holidays. They include St Ignatius, which lies close to Lethem. Here, couples would become man and wife at the Roman Catholic Church within that community. Over the Easter weekend, there were also weddings at the villages of Awarewaunau and Pai Pang.

Mr and Mrs Fernandes following their wedding ceremony last Easter Monday (Aishalton village photo)

Johnathan and Helen following their wedding ceremony last Easter Monday (Aishalton village photo)

“You have pledged to uphold the law” –

Principal Magistrate to new prosecutors

Thirty-two officers from the Police Prosecutors’ Course and 17 officers from the Elementary Police Prosecutors’ Course (EPPC) for Station Sergeants graduated on Friday from Nations School of Law.

The three-month EPPC sees its first cohort of graduates while the six-month Police Prosecutors Course saw its second cohort of graduates.

Offered by Nations Inc and certified by ABMA Education – a UK-based certifying and quality assur-

ance body for academic and professional qualifications –these courses are designed to equip Police Prosecutors with the knowledge and skills to effectively and efficiently represent the State at the Magistrate’s Court in criminal prosecution.

“You have pledged to uphold the law, to seek justice for victims and to hold accountable those who break the law,” said Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty during the graduation ceremony at the school’s New Market location.

“As you move forward in

your career, you will face many challenges and obstacles, but you must always remain true to your principles and values [and] continue to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and commitment to fairness and justice,” she added.

In delivering the charge to the graduates, court prosecutor within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Kevin London urged graduates to understand that they are responsible for ensuring that justice is served, which does not necessarily mean to secure a conviction but to ensure that the perpetrator is properly punished. He highlighted several points for the Police officers to keep in mind as they

venture out to fulfil their new roles: focus their attention on their statutory duty, know their case file, know their witnesses and know how the court operates.

The completion of the courses marks two new cohorts of ranks that are now well versed in understanding the processes of prosecuting criminal action before the Magistrates’ Courts within Guyana and seeks to boost the Force’s prosecutorial arm across the 12 Regional Police Divisions.

The graduates now hold certificates that are internationally recognised and accepted by the University of London as an entry requirement for their LLB programme.

Of the several graduates recognised for their exemplary performances throughout the programme, three who undertook the Police Prosecutors Course were awarded the Top Paper award for gaining full marks on their final papers: Madava Barnes, Danilla Dow and Carl Pedro.

In 2022, 29 Police officers graduated from the first Police Prosecuting Course conducted by Nations Inc.

The continuation of these courses is in keeping with the first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by GPF and Nations University in October 2021 to conduct prosecutorial training for Police ranks.

Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty

Some of the prosecutors who graduated from the programme

15 new telemedicine sites for hinterland region – Health Minister announces

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has made the announcement of adding 15 new telemedicine sites across hinterland and remote areas in the country.

During the launch of the Biomedical Programme on Friday, it was shared that these new sites will add to four existing sites which were piloted in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). New sites will be added in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine.

“While we have those four pilot sites and they’ve been doing great, this year, we’re adding 15 new sites. We’ll be putting four in Region One, four in Region Seven, four in Region Eight and four more in Region Nine so that we’re increasing that complement. We

will need some technicians in the area of digital health,”

Dr Anthony informed. Government had an-

nounced an injection of some $1.8 billion for the implementation of the telemedicine programme in remote

communities.

The National Telemedicine Programme was launched as a pilot proj-

ect in 2022 in Masakenari, ‘Gunns Village’. Currently, the telemedicine programme is also present in three other Region Nine communities – Nappi, Yupukari, and Parikawarinau. The telemedicine centres in these villages have been equipped with the requisite technological devices which give Community Health Workers (CHWs) 24-hour access to medical specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). These include a digital stethoscope, pulse oximeter, infrared thermometer, blood pressure monitor, mobile ultrasound, and examination cameras.

This, according to the Minister, points towards an exciting time for new opportunities in the sector.

“It’s an exciting time to be in health because lots of opportunities, lots of new

things that we have never done before, we’re now doing in the sector.”

Through this technology, medical professionals in the hinterland can connect to those on the coastland or the nearest regional hospital when guidance is needed and get real-time assistance.

Just a few days ago, the Health Minister was keen to note that there is already a difference in the quality of healthcare in the hinterland communities, as he was quoted saying, “You would see the quality of healthcare in the hinterland being transformed. And already, what it was like three years ago, you can see that difference in the investments that we’re making, not just from the Government, but also with partners like the UK, PAHO and others, who have been helping us to do this.”

Telemedicine benefitting residents at an existing site (file photo)

32 schools to have one-day delayed reopening …to facilitate Nomination Day for LGE

While a majority of schools will be reopened on Monday for the new term, the Education Ministry has informed that 32 institutions Guyana will have a one-day delayed reopening.

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain made

the announcement in a Memorandum issued on Friday to all Regional Education Officers. According to the notice, these schools will reopen on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, instead of Monday, April 17, 2023.

In Region Two

(Pomeroon-Supenaam), the listed schools are Hackney Primary School, Queenstown Primary School and Aurora Primary School.

Greenwich Park Primary School and Malgre Tout Primary School were identified in Region Three

Construction of 2 Help and Justice Centres to commence soon

The design phase for two Help and Justice Centres within Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (DemeraraMahaica) has been completed and construction for the structures will begin shortly, Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud told reporters on Thursday.

“We are in the early stages of construction,

meaning we have already finished the design stage so I would say we are in the very first stage before starting construction, and it is envisaged we will have at least one or one and a half before the end of the year,” Persaud said.

The Help and Justice Centre is a joint initiative by the Legal Affairs and Human Services and Social Security Ministries intended to offer citizens legal

and medical services, counselling, Police protection and accommodation to families and victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The two structures earmarked for Regions Three and Four, are set to be built in Vergenoegen, West Coast Demerara and Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

Persaud added that the Ministries are also working on constructing a centre in the hinterland as well.

(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Kuru Kururu Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Friendship Secondary School, New Diamond/ Grove Primary School, Covent Garden Secondary School, Eccles Primary School, St Paul’s Primary School and Montrose Primary School will not be

opened on Monday.

Meanwhile, Zealand Primary School, Strath Campbell Primary School, Novar Primary School and Belladrum Primary School in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) are included for the one-day delayed opening.

Schools in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are Lochaber Primary School, Rose Hall Estate

Primary School, Rose Hall Primary School, Sheet Anchor Primary School, Bohemia Primary School, Fyrish Primary School, Tain Primary School, Manchester Secondary School, Kildonan Primary School, Wellington Park Primary School, Mibicuri Secondary School, Tagore Memorial Secondary School, Massiah Primary School and Crabwood Creek Primary School were listed. Kwakwani Primary School in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will be closed.

While the Ministry did not state the reason for the delayed reopening, this publication understands that these 32 schools are being used by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as offices for Returning Officers for Monday’s Nomination Day activity in preparation for the upcoming Local Government Elections in June. (G12)

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family meDicine, enDocrinology/ DiabeTes

Nosebleeds are common. They may be scary, but they rarely indicate a serious medical problem. The nose contains many blood vessels, which are located close to the surface in the front and back of the nose. They’re very fragile and bleed easily. Nosebleeds

HEALTH TIPS

NOSEBLEEDS - EPISTAXIS

are common in adults and children between the ages of 3 and 10.

There are two kinds of nosebleeds. An anterior nosebleed occurs when the blood vessels in the front of the nose break and bleed.

A posterior nosebleed occurs in the back or the deepest part of the nose. In this case, blood flows down the back of the throat. Posterior nosebleeds can be dangerous.

CAUSES OF NOSEBLEEDS

There are many causes of nosebleeds. A sudden or infrequent nosebleed is rarely serious. If persons have frequent nosebleeds, they could have a more serious problem.

Dry air is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Living in a dry climate and using a central heating system can dry out the nasal membranes, which are tissues inside the nose.

This dryness causes crusting inside the nose. Crusting may itch or become irritated. If the nose is scratched or picked, it can bleed.

• Taking antihistamines and decongestants for allergies, colds, or sinus problems can also dry out the nasal membranes and cause nosebleeds. Frequent nose blowing is another cause of nosebleeds.

Other common causes of nosebleeds include:

• Foreign object stuck in the nose

Chemical irritants

• Allergic reaction

Injury to the nose

• Repeated sneezing

Picking the nose

Cold air

• Upper respiratory infection

• Large doses of aspirin

Other causes of nosebleeds include:

High blood pressure

• Bleeding disorders

Blood clotting disorders

Cancer

Most nosebleeds don’t require medical attention. However, persons should seek medical attention if their nosebleed lasts longer than 20 minutes, or if it occurs after an injury. This may be a sign of a posterior nosebleed, which is more serious.

Injuries that might cause a nosebleed include a fall, a car accident, or a punch in the face. Nosebleeds that occur after an injury may indicate a broken nose, skull fracture, or internal bleeding.

DIAGNOSING A NOSEBLEED

If persons are seeking medical attention for a nosebleed, their doctor will conduct a physical examina-

tion to determine the cause. They’ll check the nose for signs of a foreign object. They’ll also ask questions about your medical history and current medications. Tell doctors about any other symptoms and any recent injuries. There’s no single test to determine the cause of a nosebleed. However, doctors might use diagnostic tests to find the cause. These tests include:

Complete blood count (CBC), which is a blood test to check for blood disorders

• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT), which is a blood test that checks how long it takes for your blood to clot

Nasal endoscopy

CT scan of the nose

• X-ray of the face and nose

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

TREATMENT

Treatment for nosebleeds will vary depending on the type and cause of the nosebleed.

• Anterior nosebleed

If persons are having an anterior nosebleed, they bleed from the front of their nose, usually the nostril. This can be treated at home. While sitting up, squeeze the soft part of the nose.

Make sure that the nostrils are fully closed. Keep the nostrils closed for 10 minutes, lean forward slightly, and breathe through the mouth.

Don’t lie down when trying to stop a nosebleed. Lying down can result in swallow-

HEALTH TIPS

ing blood and can irritate the stomach. Release the nostrils after 10 minutes and check to see if the bleeding has stopped. Repeat these steps if bleeding continues.

Persons can also apply a cold compress over the bridge of their nose or use a nasal spray decongestant to close off the small blood vessels. See a doctor immediately if persons are unable to stop a nosebleed on their own. They might have a posterior nosebleed that requires more invasive treatment.

Posterior nosebleed

If persons have a posterior nosebleed, they bleed from the back of their nose. The

blood also tends to flow from the back of their nose down their throat. Posterior nosebleeds are less common and often more serious than anterior nosebleeds.

Posterior nosebleeds shouldn’t be treated at home. Contact a doctor immediate-

ly or go to the emergency room in case of a suspected posterior nosebleed.

• Nosebleeds caused by foreign objects If a foreign object is a cause, the doctor can remove the object.

• Cauterization

A medical technique called cauterization can also stop persistent or frequent nosebleeds. This involves the doctor burning the blood vessels in the nose with either a heating device or silver nitrate, a compound used to remove tissue.

Doctors may pack the nose with cotton, gauze, or foam. They may also use a balloon catheter to apply pressure to the blood vessels and stop the bleeding.

PREVENTION

There are several ways to prevent nosebleeds. Use a humidifier in your house to keep the air moist.

Avoid picking the nose. Limit the intake of aspirin, which can thin the blood and contribute to nosebleeds. Discuss this with a doctor first because the benefits of taking aspirin might outweigh the risks.

Use antihistamines and decongestants in moderation. These can dry out the nose.

1. Use a saline spray or gel to keep the nasal passages moist.

Nosebleeds are common and not usually serious. Most are anterior nosebleeds and can often be treated at home. These usually occur suddenly and don’t last long.

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTA trains bartenders to improve hospitality services in Berbice

As part of providing training to improve the overall performance of the hospitality sector across Guyana, the Tourism Ministry exposed Berbicians to the art of mixing beverages. The oneday mixology training programme was held on Friday in New Amsterdam.

Cocktails are alcoholic mixed drinks. Most commonly, cocktails are either a single spirit or a combination of spirits, mixed with other ingredients such as juices, flavoured syrups, tonic water, shrubs, and bitters.

The art of mixing these ingredients so that the user gets a unique experience that stimulates their taste buds is only known by some. Many crave finding mixers who will please their unique taste.

The demand for mixers in the local hospitality industry continues to grow, and with Region Six on the verge of a developmental take-off, the art of mixology is being sort after.

The Tourism Ministry through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is seeking to improve the quality of service being offered in the local tourism industry.

As such, a mixology training programme was held for persons in Region Six on Friday. The training took place at Leisure Inn in New Amsterdam

GTA’s Training and Tourism Development Officer, Chetnauth Persaud, explained that it was one of about 15 training programmes conducted by the agency.

“All of these training; from delivering quality service top advanced tour guide, culinary, housekeeping, first aid and CPR and mixology; all of them are done with the intention of improving the quality of service in the tourism industry.”

Persaud said the GTA has found that tourism is growing in Guyana and more tourists are arriving in here. Hence the need to have Guyanese trained in all areas of hospitality services and tourism.

“This training in particular started after we found

the need to have bartenders trained. Every time we do delivery in quality service training which was geared towards the hotel, restaurants bars and taxi drivers, we found that hotels and bars were only sending waiters or waitresses or supervisors; the bartenders were not really included. So we started a programme, especially for the bartenders. Not only for them to get training on delivering quality service or customer service or what is required of them as a bartender but for them to get a little bit more understanding and appreciation for the craft that they do as it relates to mixing the drinks. This training is basically a beginner’s training but it goes as in-depth as how to cut a lime from the start and how to prepare drinks.”

He explained that the focus was on the ten most called-for drinks at bars. These include mojito, margarita, mudslide, piña colada among other cocktails.

In addition to that, Persaud said the training also included information as it relates to the responsibility as a bartender.

“As it relates to having underage persons drinking at the bar; as it relates to having persons going over their limit. So, when persons come to the bar just because they are buying drinks it doesn’t mean that you feed them more; we talk to them about their responsibility as a bartender to that customer.”

Meanwhile, a similar training programme is being planned for the Upper Corentyne, Region Six. (G4)

The bartenders being trained

100 prison inmates start IT classes

Some100 inmates at the various prison facilities across the country have started to undergo Information Technology (IT) training.

The Welfare and Corrections Department of the Guyana Prisons Service said this move is in keeping with their mandate to rehabilitate inmates. IT programmes have been launched at the Timehri Prison in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and at the New Amsterdam Prison in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The GPS is aiming to have IT programmes introduced at all the prison loca-

tions across the country by the end of April.

According to the Prison Service, this initiative is made possible through the donations received from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. With that support, all prison locations are being afforded computer labs.

Director of Prisons, Niklon Elliot in his comments stated that the initiative comes at a time when technology is becoming more valuable to society. He said the labs will allow inmates to access online training programmes, videos and foreign language programmes.

Meanwhile, Officer

in Charge of Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant remarked that the inmates welcomed the initiative. In fact, she noted that there is already a wait list of in-

terested inmates to benefit from the computer classes.

Bristol-Grant also stated that this opportunity will allow inmates to function in a technological society upon their release from prison.

The IT programme is three months long and inmates are expected to be computer literate upon their completion.

Currently, approximately 100 inmates from the three prison facilities are benefiting from the IT programme. These include 20 inmates at the Timehri Prison, 50 inmates at the Mazaruni Prison and 30 female inmates at the New Amsterdam Prison.

Only last month, the GPS received ICT equipment to the tune of $30 million under the IDB-funded Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme (SCJS).

A total of 100 desktop computers, 10 laptops, four

Wi-Fi routers, four LaserJet printers, and five projectors with screens were handed over to the Prison Service with the aim of educating the prisoners, creating and nurturing an environment conducive to rehabilitation and upliftment so that these persons are better equipped to be reintegrated into society upon their release.

The Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme enabled the Ministry of Legal Affairs to draft the Restorative Justice Bill, as well as put systems in place for the development of standards, guidelines, and rules of procedure for the implementation of restorative justice in Guyana. (G8)

Complaints decrease as GWI works on being “customer-friendly” – Croal

Complaints against service provided by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) have significantly decreased in recent time with the introduction of new measures to keep consumers engaged and updated.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Friday announced that since action was taken to become more customer-friendly, reports have dropped. Customers now have 24-hour service to acquire information, which the Minister lauded as a testament to bettering relations with consumers.

In enhancing its response, GWI is already focused on a National Electronic Database, which was announced as part of a Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management+ Guyana Project (CReW+).

“The establishment of the National Electronic Database and Platform is very important because as we move forward, develop and move to an

automated, electronic management of our delivery of water, we also need to respond.

A lot of work has already gone into GWI in being more customer-friendly. Many of the complaints, I can say as a fact that used to come, have decreased because now, persons can log in,” Croal explained.

In recognising that complaints have surfaced over the water quality in some communities, the Minister highlighted intentions of having at least 95 per cent treated water by 2025.

He underscored, “When persons get water, the next thing they complain about is the quality of the water coming to their household. That is why you have a department that was set up in GWI that focus specifically at designing new treatment plants that will see on the coastland, where about a year ago you have only 52 per cent treated water coming to the household, we want to move this to a minimum of 95 per cent by 2025.”

In October 2022, GWI signed three contracts to the tune of $8.5 billion for the construction of seven water treatment plants, taking treated water coverage closer to their targets. Three companies – Sigma Engineering Limited from Bangladesh, Toshiba Water Solution PVT Limited from India, and HiPro Ecologicos from Mexico – were awarded the contracts to construct the plants.

This is part of the plan to establish 13 plants with an additional 10 smaller plants and upgrades to 12 existing plants. Together, 181,000 persons will benefit from these projects.

Most importantly, it has been shared that planning for GWI must match that of the housing sector, which means satisfying new consumers while supplying new areas. In this Government’s tenure so far, over 20,000 house lots have been distributed – part of the 50,000 lots in five years manifesto promise.

Gang clash leaves at least 12 dead in Ecuador prison

At least 12 inmates were killed in an Ecuadorian jail amid a new clash between gangs, the SNAI prison agency said on Saturday, in the latest chapter in the South American nation’s prison violence.

The confrontation occurred on Friday in the prison known as La Penitenciaría, in the city of Guayaquil, one of the country’s most dangerous.

Ecuador has been plagued by prison riots since 2021, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of inmates, which the Government attributes to clashes between drug gangs fighting for territory and control.

“Through the use of technology, it was established 12 people died,” SNAI told reporters.

The entity added that the prosecutor’s office and the Police are in the prison for the identification of the dead bodies.

Last year, a United Nations delegation found that the violence in Ecuador’s prisons was caused by years of State neglect of the penitentiary

system.

President Guillermo Lasso, a conservative former banker facing impeachment hearings on corruption charges he denies, has struggled to address the growing violence in Ecuador, a country used as a transit point for cocaine moving to Europe and the United States.

Earlier this month, Ecuador’s Government amended a decree to allow the civilian use of firearms and pepper spray, citing ris-

ing insecurity in the South American country.

Friday’s clash follows the murder of three female prison officers outside the prison in Guayaquil. This week, SNAI reported that six prisoners were found hanged in one of the wards of La Penitenciaría.

Lasso has increased the presence of the security forces and has repeatedly declared an emergency in the prison system in an attempt to control the violence. (Reuters)

Fire in a children’s shelter in Brazil leaves

at

least 4 dead, 13 injured

At least four people died and 13 were injured in a fire at a shelter for children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil on Friday, the local fire department said.

Firemen were called to fight a fire at the Lar Paulo de Tarso charity institution in Recife, capital of the Pernambuco state, at around 4:20 a.m.

A boy and a woman died

targets

Argentina is considering how to persuade the International Monetary Fund to further ease the economic targets embedded in the country’s US$44 billion IMF loan programme, a source said, as a severe drought hits exports and threatens to push the economy into recession.

“All alternatives are on the table. Work will be done on the programme,” said a source familiar with the IMF programme and discussions between Argentina and the IMF. The source did not wish to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the talks and declined to provide further details.

The IMF already cut the level of foreign currency reserves the country needs at the end of this year by US$1.8 billion. The IMF cited the drought’s impact on soybean and corn, Argentina’s main export products, and some analysts expect more easing will be needed.

IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said on Saturday she held a “good meeting” with Argentina’s Economy Minister Sergio Massa to discuss the programme.

“We talked about the impact of the worst drought in Argentine history and we committed to contin-

ue working closely together to strengthen the programme under this difficult scenario,” Gopinath said on Twitter.

Some analysts say that the economic targets baked into the programme look overly optimistic, especially in light of Argentina’s deteriorating macroeconomic outlook.

The IMF projects annual inflation for 2023 at 60% compared to analysts’ forecasts of more than 100%.

In March, retail prices increased by 7.7%, above analyst expectations, as Argentina’s annual inflation rate soared to 104.3%.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil riots: Jair Bolsonaro ordered by Supreme Court to testify

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered ex-President Jair Bolsonaro to testify over his alleged role in his supporters storming Government buildings to protest his election defeat.

Prosecutors say he incited the riots in January by questioning the legitimacy of the election result.

Bolsonaro has been told to appear in court within 10 days.

at the site of the fire, the firemen said, while the other two victims died on the way to the hospital.

“The moment is one of pain and solidarity. ... The NGO has been providing shelter to children and adolescents in situations of social risk for more than 30 years. We remain mobilised to provide full support in this very difficult time,” he said on Twitter.

Governor of Pernambuco Raquel Lyra also took to Twitter to mourn the tragedy.

“Pernambuco is in mourning with what happened this early morning in Recife. ... Firefighters and police are already working, as well as our health teams. I leave here my condolences to the families of the victims in this moment of pain,” Lyra said. (Reuters)

He left Brazil in December, days before he was due to hand over power, and returned in March.

The former far-right leader’s supporters, who claim the election was rigged, rampaged through offices and vandalised artworks in the country’s Supreme Court, Congress, and presidential palace on January 8.

They also camped outside army barracks, calling for a military coup to oust new President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is known

as Lula.

More than 1500 people have been arrested over the incident, including several top officials, but Bolsonaro denies any role in encouraging the riot.

He was in Florida at the time but investigators argue his rhetoric incited the rioters. He repeatedly questioned the validity of the result and said that only God or death could remove him from office.

Lula narrowly beat Bolsonaro in a tense presi-

dential run-off on October 30, a defeat Bolsonaro never publicly recognised.

Prosecutors want him to face questioning over a video he posted online, and later deleted, in which he claimed that President Lula was not voted into office but rather chosen by the Supreme Court and Brazil’s electoral authority.

They said their probe would be a “full investigation of all acts before and after” the riots. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The digital news outlet

El Faro, founded in El Salvador in 1998 and hailed for its independent investigative reporting, has decided to move its administrative and legal operations out of the country amid what it describes as a campaign of Government harassment.

In an editorial on Thursday, the outlet said that it registered on April 1 as a non-profit in San Jose, Costa Rica, though it stressed that its newsroom remains in El Salvador and plans to continue work as usual.

“Under the government of Nayib Bukele, campaigns originating in Casa Presidencial [the

Presidential House] have sought to defame and discredit El Faro and its employees,” the editorial states.

“We have faced physical surveillance and threats, Pegasus spyware attacks, harassment of advertisers, and defamation from public officials and ruling-party legislators.”

The decision comes as human rights and press freedom groups express growing concern over the state of democracy and civil liberties in El Salvador.

First elected in 2019, President Bukele has led a brutal crackdown on gangs over the last year, a campaign that has proved widely popular and brought

respite to many in El Salvador after years of violence.

But critics say any gains in public safety have come at a steep price. Key civil liberties have been suspended under a “state of exception” that has been in place for more than a year, and tens of thousands of people have faced arbitrary detention, with reports of abuses such as torture and in-custody deaths.

Bukele has also been criticised for removing checks on his authority and attacking perceived rivals, with the investigative reporting of El Faro among his favourite targets. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidadians plead guilty in US for role in Caribbean arms trafficking

Two Trinidadians were among three men who admitted to their roles in a Caribbean arms trafficking ring.

A statement issued on Thursday by United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B Handberg disclosed that Jameal Kaia Phillip and Tevin OBrian Oliver, both 30, and Edward Soloman King III, 31, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Oliver, who lived in Homestead, Florida, and Phillip pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal

prison.

King, who pleaded guilty to disposing of a firearm to an alien who had been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa, faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

The three also agreed to forfeit various firearms, ammunition, and related items, which facilitated their crimes.

According to the plea agreements, Oliver, Phillip, and King were part of a ring that unlawfully exported firearms, firearms components — including upper/lower receivers and gun parts kits — and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago be-

tween 2019 and 2022.

The firearms, which included pistols and long rifles, and related equipment were concealed within boxing/fight equipment, speakers, and other household items to avoid detection by law enforcement and customs authorities.

King helped the Trinidadian nationals acquire and transfer firearms in the Tampa area. Conspirators also acquired firearms from different sellers through straw purchases, falsely representing the identities of the actual purchasers and recipients of the firearms, as well as their ultimate destination. (Excerpt from CMC)

Argentina looks to ease economic

in IMF loan programme, source says

Security personnel arrive at the Penitenciaria del Litoral prison after a riot, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 14, 2023

‘Criminalising journalism’: Famous Salvadoran outlet to relocate

There is also a probe into whether he tried to illegally import and keep millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery gifted to him and his wife by Saudi Arabia in 2019

Around the world

Ukraine war: Civilians killed in Russian strike on Ukraine homes

OPEC+ cuts risk oil supply deficit, threaten economic recovery – IEA

Output cuts announced by OPEC+ producers risk exacerbating an oil supply deficit expected in the second half of the year and could hurt consumers and global economic recovery, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Friday.

OPEC+ and the IEA have jousted in recent months over their outlooks for global oil supply and demand.

Consumer countries represented by the IEA have argued that tightening supplies drive up prices and could threaten a recession, while OPEC+ blames Western monetary policy for market volatility and inflation which undercuts the value of its oil.

“Oil market balances were already set to tighten in the second half of 2023, with the potential for a substantial supply deficit to emerge,” the IEA said in its monthly oil report.

“The latest cuts risk exacerbating those strains, pushing both crude and product prices higher. Consumers currently under siege from inflation will suffer even more from higher prices.”

The IEA saw 2023 demand at a record 101.9 million barrels per day, up 2 million barrels per day on last year and on par with its prediction last month.

OPEC+ called its surprise cut decision a “precautionary measure” and in a monthly oil report published on Thursday OPEC cited downside risks to summer oil demand from high stock levels and economic challenges.

The IEA said it expected global oil supply to fall by 400,000 bpd by the end of the year citing an expected production increase of 1 million bpd from outside of OPEC+ beginning in March versus a 1.4 million bpd decline from the producers’ bloc.

Gains outside the producer alliance were due to be led by the United States and Brazil, with Norway and Ecuador also making significant contributions.

Rising global oil stocks may have influenced the OPEC+ decision, the IEA added, noting the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) industry stocks in January hit their highest level since July 2021 at 2.83 billion barrels.

The demand picture will be skewed between lacklustre growth in OECD countries and rebounding demand led by China after the relaxation of its COVID-19 restrictions, the IEA said.

Meanwhile Russian oil exports in March hit their highest levels since April 2020 on robust oil product flows, the IEA said, despite a seaborne import ban from the European Union and a price cap sanctions policy spearheaded by the United States.

Russia’s March revenue rose by US$1 billion month on month to US$12.7 billion, but was still 43% lower than a year earlier partly due to capped prices on its seaborne oil exports. (Reuters)

At least eight people - including a two-year-old childhave been killed in Russian shelling of Slovyansk in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said around 21 others had been wounded in the attack on a residential district of the city.

Gov Kyrylenko added that several more were missing, warning that they could be trapped beneath the rubble.

In a post to social media, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he called a brutal and evil attack.

“The evil state once again demonstrates its essence,” he wrote on Telegram. “Just killing people in broad daylight. Ruining, destroying all life.”

Officials confirmed that one of those killed was a two-year-old child. A senior adviser to Zelensky said the child had been pulled alive from the rubble, but died in an ambulance while

Ukraine

being taken to hospital.

Gov Kyrylenko said five houses and five blocks of flats were hit in the strike, while businesses and shops were also damaged in the blasts, which took place at around 18:00 local time (16:00 BST).

He added that the strike had likely been carried out using repurposed S-300

Fighting erupts in Sudan after months of tension

Sudan woke up to heavy clashes between the army and a powerful paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces on Saturday. The two rivals have long competed for relevance and power, but an internationally backed political process launched last year exacerbated tensions between them, analysts and activists say.

Civilians in the capital of Khartoum reported seeing armoured vehicles from both forces roaming the streets, while hearing heavy gunfire in multiple urban quarters.

A doctors’ group said at least three civilians were killed as the fighting escalated, including two at the Khartoum airport and one in North Kordofan state.

Not long ago, the RSF and the military cooperated to derail Sudan’s transition to democracy by spearheading a coup on October 25, 2021. The move triggered

a year of anti-coup protests and international pressure, prompting both forces to sign the Framework Agreement on December 5.

That settlement ushered in a new political process that promised to address key issues before a final deal that would restore a civilian administration tasked with steering the country to elections in two years.

Security sector reform was the most vital and challenging issue to sort out in order to rein in the security forces. But the process was rushed and ad hoc, with the international community hoping to wrap it up in merely days or weeks in order to celebrate the signing of a new agreement, according to four diplomats that were not authorised to comment.

As a result, the political process accelerated a confrontation between the RSF and army. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Kenya launches 1st operational satellite into space

Kenya launched its first operational earth observation satellite on Saturday onboard a SpaceX rocket from the United States, a live feed from Elon Musk’s rocket company showed.

The satellite, developed by nine Kenyan engineers, will collect agricultural and environmental data, including on floods, drought and wildfires, that authorities plan to use for disaster management and to combat food

insecurity.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Taifa-1 satellite, took off at about 0648 GMT without incident from Vandenberg Base in California, after three postponements due to bad weather.

“Taifa-1 separation confirmed,” Space X said in its broadcast when the satellite was released about an hour and four minutes after the rocket’s launch.

“We have the challenges that have been brought about

by climate change, which the satellite, by virtue of being able to capture images (will be able to help monitor)”, Capt Alloyce Were, an aeronautical engineer and deputy director of Navigation and Positioning at the government-run Kenya Space Agency, told Reuters on Friday before the satellite’s launch.

“We can monitor forest changes, we can monitor urbanisation changes.”

The satellite was put

missiles. The system was originally designed as a surface-to-air defence system, but Russia has increasingly used it to strike ground targets in Ukraine as the war has progressed and Moscow’s stores of munitions have been depleted.

Earlier, Andriy Yermak - the head of Zelensky’s private office - said seven ex -

plosions had been heard in the city, some of which took place near a school.

Russia has been trying to capture the city since last summer, and on Friday defence officials in Moscow said mercenaries from the Wagner group were continuing to attack the city. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Japan PM Kishida unhurt in ‘smoke bomb’ scare, resumes campaigning

together with the help of Bulgarian aerospace company Endurosat at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings (US$372,000) over two years, the space agency said.

The agency says it will operate for five years and then decay over 20 years, entering the atmosphere and burning out.

The launch rocket had 50 payloads from other countries, including Turkey, under SpaceX’s rideshare programme. (Reuters)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech in western Japan on Saturday.

Kishida took cover after a loud explosion was heard while Police subdued a man at the scene, Japanese media footage showed. A Police officer suffered minor injuries in the incident, the Nikkei newspaper reported, citing Wakayama prefectural police.

“Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches. “I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together.”

The incident echoed the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving modern leader, who

was shot with a homemade gun last July while campaigning for a parliamentary election.

Abe’s killing shocked the nation, where gun crimes are exceedingly rare, and prompted a review of security for politicians, who routinely press the flesh with the public.

By-elections in various regions for the lower house of Japan’s Parliament are to be held on April 23.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Police have been instructed to boost security, and that the Government will do what is necessary to ensure security at a summit Kishida will host next month of the Group of Seven industrial powers in Hiroshima.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said there would be no change to the security plan for a G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting starting on today in the resort city of Karuizawa.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

insists that it will continue to defend Bakhmut, which military analysists say has limited strategic value. But Russia is believed to have suffered extremely high casualties in trying to capture the city

A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by Police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans. Stick close to home, where you can spend quality time with loved ones or work on a project that brings you joy. Do what feels right.

Think about every move you make from beginning to end. Take the initiative, lend a helping hand and set an excellent example for others. Listen to suggestions. Protect your financial position.

Don’t make impossible promises. Put more effort into meeting your professional goals. Don’t hesitate to speak up if you have a valid complaint or suggestion. Protect your well-being.

CANCER

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

The thirst to learn is your ticket forward. An open mind will help put your plans in motion. Keep track of your spending. Offer advice or hands-on help, not cash, to someone in need.

Observe what others decide to do, but don’t follow them. Look for opportunities that suit your needs. Taking charge of your life and following your heart will help build confidence.

Embrace change, knowledge and awareness, and you will devise a sound plan. How you help others will change how they view you. Well-balanced partnerships will pay off.

You have what it takes to come out on top if you believe in yourself and give it your all. Don’t overlook what you can do. Precision and attention to detail will be crucial.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Change what you don’t like. Take action and let everyone see what you are willing to do. Refuse to let personal matters cloud your vision or hold you back.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Be observant. Listen and ask questions. Protect your health, money and position. Don’t trust others with personal information. No one will sell what you have to offer better than you.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Don’t jump into something without sufficient preparation. Take nothing for granted, and don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Be ready to give it your all.

Don’t share personal information or make changes that leave you open to criticism. Personal improvement looks promising. Get to know a certain someone a little better.

Emotional matters will escalate if you challenge a friend or relative. Keep your distance and let situations settle before you stick your oar in. Focus on self-improvement.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Pickles

Bartica Easter Regatta: ‘We Outside’…

Reinvesting in the product is a priority

- 2023 edition was resounding financial success, says Chairman Williams

Thisyear’s edition of the Bartica Easter Regatta was a huge success on every front.

So says Chairman of the Regatta Committee, Region 7 Chairman Kenneth Williams. The multi-faceted event, which has been around for decades, caters to sporting and other social events which have now become a staple for Guyanese here and hundreds who return to these shores to absorb the many activities. Apart from the marquee powerboat races that take place at the Golden Beach Circuit, grass-track racing, cricket, cycling, river swimming, and football were the other sports events. There was also the pageant, gospel extravaganza, children’s hat show, One Guyana concert, and a few other social events,

all of which were successful.

Williams, in proffering sincere gratitude to the athletes from all disciplines who made the necessary sacrifices to make the event efficacious, has said, “I would also like to express the gratitude of the Organising Committee to the fans who supported all the events; the Government of Guyana and the various Ministries; as well as Corporate Guyana, whose combined efforts really propelled the entire event to a successful one.”

Williams shared that the preliminary financial analysis of the Easter Regatta has shown that what has been raked in is well above five million dollars in profits, which is very refreshing. “I do believe in letting the public know of the positives, because when we suffer losses we tell of it, so it is quite nec-

essary for us to let the people know that we did fairly well in this ‘We Outside’ edition of Regatta. And this is a result of combined efforts from all and sundry. To all, we say a big ‘Thank you!’.” Williams has posited that a number of plans would be activated to make the event even more solid. “It is the…

intention of the Organising Committee to ensure that we re-invest in this Regatta product to make it better. We would also like to help empower our local small businesses to help them compete with those who come to Bartica to also earn. So, we’ll be working with small Bartica vendors to scale

TATA IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings…

up their businesses so that they can compete with large vendors from Georgetown.

“We’ll make soft loans available to them to purchase chicken and tents, for example, and promote local partnership arrangements,” he divulged.

Chairman Williams also noted that the Organising Committee is very conscious of the challenges being faced by boat owners and those desirous of racing, and has come up with an approach that would bring some relief in this regard.

“We have discussed this at length with some other stakeholders also, and have decided that some of the finances would be plugged into making more boats available for races. One of the other approaches is that we will be approaching the Government of Guyana

for tax breaks in relation to high-powered acquisitions for the powerboat racers, so that the locals and enthusiasts can be encouraged to be part of the racing spectacle. This is in direct response to the paucity of racers and the high cost of participation,” he explained.

Speaking about hosting of the pageant, Williams said there is always room for improving all the events, but there will be benchmarks and safeguards in terms of monitoring the franchise holders for all events that are franchised out, so that they’ll be held accountable.

“More or less, we’ll be working hand in hand on a higher scale to ensure full accountability of all and sundry in making this product a truly huge one for Bartica, and by extension Guyana,” he promised.

Raza, Shahrukh deliver for Punjab Kings in Dhawan’s absence

Sikandar

Raza’s maiden IPL gig at the age of 36 was reward for his compelling performances with bat and ball at the T20 World Cup last year. But three games into this season, his rich form seemed to elude him.

The delayed arrival of Liam Livingstone and a subsequent niggle meant that Raza had a fourth chance to impress. And he didn’t miss a beat, at least for the most part.

Needing to turnaround Punjab Kings’ chase of 160 from a precarious 45 for 3 on a sluggish surface in Lucknow, Raza held the middle order together for much of the innings. But when he picked out Marcus Stoinis at

deep backward square leg on 57, with Kings needing 21 off 13 balls, there was another twist.

Shahrukh not giving up

At one end, he had to contend with Mark Wood’s ferocious pace and hard lengths. At the other, there was Ravi Bishnoi’s wrong’uns. Another tightrope of a finish loomed, and Shahrukh held on to finish unbeaten on 23 off 10 balls, to seal victory with three balls to spare.

For Kings, the victory was particularly heartening because they were without their regular captain, Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the game with a shoulder niggle. There was also the matter of try-

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ing to arrest a slide of two consecutive defeats, which they did to rise to #4 in the points table.

Lucknow Super Giants will look back on the last five overs of their batting innings, where they lost 4 for 48 after KL Rahul had played anchor once again with 74 off 56 balls.

Mayers gives LSG a start

On a surface that had a smattering of grass amid barren patches, the ball was doing all sorts of things. Offspinner Matt Short got it to turn, Arshdeep Singh was able to zip it through, and Kagiso Rabada rapped Rahul with a lifter from a length.

Kyle Mayers wasn’t too fussed, and threw his bat at anything in his zone. If the ball was drifting onto his pads, he swung hard. If there was room, he fearlessly lofted through the line. If it was bowled into the pitch, he flat batted it. But his daredevilry didn’t last long, as he picked out deep square leg when he could have hit Harpreet Brar’s half-tracker wherever he liked on the leg side. Kings had broken LSG’s flourishing half-century opening stand in the eighth over.

Rahul drops anchor

In the next over, Raza had Deepak Hooda lbw with a skiddy delivery, but Rahul fed off Krunal Pandya to keep the innings ticking in third gear. His knock had its moments - like the outrageous loft to the cover boundary off Kagiso Rabada - but his mellow tempo during his half-century meant that LSG were always searching for ac-

celeration.

Curran delivers at the death LSG lost their way when Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the 15th over. He first had Krunal caught at deep midwicket, and then, after a failed caught-behind appeal that was called wide down the leg side, he had Nicholas Pooran out first ball, pulling to deep midwicket.

Sam Curran, who was leading the Kings in Dhawan’s absence, then picked up the huge wicket of Marcus Stoinis, convinced the batter had gloved a glance to the keeper, and successfully overturning the on-field decision. Curran bowled his cutters into the pitch effectively, and picked up two more wickets in the final over to finish with figures of 3 for 31.

Yudhvir’s dream start

Yudhvir Singh made a special debut for LSG. In his first over, he dismissed fellow debutant Atharva Taide, and then flattened Prabhsimran Singh’s off stump with a rocket of a nipbacker in his second over. Matt Short, however, put Punjab’s chase back on track with a counterattack. He found support in Harpreet Singh, who was playing his first IPL game in nearly 11 years. Harpreet played the anchor role until it got to a point where he had to attack. And after a few missed attempts, he picked out deep square for a run-a-ball 22. At 75 for 4, Kings weren’t out of trouble yet.

Raza to the rescue After playing himself in and scoring his first 20 at nearly a run a ball, Raza

went after Krunal, taking 17 off the 13th over to reduce the equation to 61 off 42 balls. Rahul held back his legspinner Ravi Bishnoi until the 15th over, which meant he would not be able to complete his full quota of four overs. He struck with his third ball to dismiss Sam

Curran. Now it was down to Raza, and he brought up his maiden IPL half-century off 34 balls. But there was another twist when Rahul pulled off a diving catch to his left at mid-off to dismiss Jitesh Sharma, and Raza also picked out Stoinis at deep backward square leg soon after.

Shahrukh knocks on Wood With 38 runs needed off 25 balls, Shahrukh smashed his first delivery - off Wood, no less - over the long-on boundary. And then, with 18 to get off 11, he went hard at Wood again. This time, the top edge flew off the attempted pull and cleared the boundary behind the wicketkeeper. At the start of the final over, Punjab needed only seven runs, and Shahrukh muscled Bishnoi to the wide long-off boundary to spark off celebrations in his dugout. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Lucknow Super Giants (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

KL Rahul (c) c sub (NT Ellis)

b Arshdeep Singh 74 56

Kyle Mayers c Harpreet Singh

b Harpreet Brar 29 23

Deepak Hooda lbw b

Sikandar Raza 2 3

Krunal Pandya c

Shahrukh Khan b Rabada 18 17

Nicholas Pooran †c S

hahrukh Khan b Rabada 0 1

Marcus Stoinis c †Sharma b Curran 15 11

Ayush Badoni not out 5 6

Krishnappa Gowtham c

Sikandar Raza b Curran 1 2

Yudhvir Singh c

Shahrukh Khan b Curran 0 1

Ravi Bishnoi not out 3 1

Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 6) 12

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.95) 159/8

Did not bat: Avesh

Khan, Mark Wood

Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Kyle Mayers, 7.4 ov), 2-62

(Deepak Hooda, 8.4 ov), 3-110 (Krunal Pandya, 14.2 ov), 4-111

(Nicholas Pooran, 14.3 ov), 5-142

(Marcus Stoinis, 17.5 ov), 6-150

(KL Rahul, 18.4 ov), 7-154

(Krishnappa Gowtham, 19.3 ov), 8-154

(Yudhvir Singh, 19.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Matthew Short 2-0-10-0

Arshdeep Singh 3-0-22-1

Kagiso Rabada 4-0-34-2

Sam Curran 4-0-31-3

Harpreet Brar 2-0-10-1

Sikandar Raza 2-0-19-1

Rahul Chahar 3-0-28-0

Punjab Kings (T: 160 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Atharva Taide c

Avesh Khan b Yudhvir Singh 0 3

Prabhsimran Singh

b Yudhvir Singh 4 4

Matthew Short c Stoinis

b Gowtham 34 22

Harpreet Singh c sub (PN Mankad) b Pandya 22 22

Sikandar Raza c Stoinis

b Ravi Bishnoi 57 41

Sam Curran (c) c

Pandya b Ravi Bishnoi 6 6

Jitesh Sharma †c Rahul b Wood 2 4

M Shahrukh Khan not out 23 10

Harpreet Brar c †Pooran b Wood 6 4

Kagiso Rabada not out 0 1

Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7

TOTAL 19.3 Ov (RR: 8.25) 161/8

Did not bat: Arshdeep Singh

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Atharva Taide, 0.3 ov), 2-17 (Prabhsimran Singh, 2.2 ov), 3-45 (Matthew Short, 5.6 ov), 4-75 (Harpreet Singh, 10.6 ov), 5-112 (Sam Curran, 14.3 ov), 6-122 (Jitesh Sharma, 15.5 ov), 7-139 (Sikandar Raza, 17.5 ov), 8-153 (Harpreet Brar, 18.5 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Yudhvir Singh

Avesh Khan

Mark Wood

Krishnappa Gowtham

Krunal Pandya

Ravi Bishnoi 2.3-0-18-2

Kenneth Williams

Sikandar Raza took a special liking for Krunal Pandya’s spin

Shahrukh Khan’s 10-ball 23 sealed the win for Punjab Kings

60 participate in beginners’ swimming programme in Berbice

Sixty persons, including adults, participated in a three-week swimming programme for beginners in Berbice; and the Sport Ministry is planning to continue the programme and provide coaching for those desirous of participating in the Ministry of Education’s Schools National Athletics Championships.

The beginners' swimming programme, held at the GuySuCo pool in Albion, East Berbice, concluded on Friday.

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, it targeted persons who don’t know to swim, and young individuals from the age of 6 years old.

According to Regional Sports Officer Randy Mangru, the programme was initially for the 6-to-18 age group, but there was a high demand from adults in the region, hence it was extended to older persons.

“We, at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports

Commission, have recognized that there in not a lot of young swimmers when it comes to athletes at the national level, and so we have identified that there is the need for athletes to be trained, and young individuals to be trained and brought out into swimming,” Mangru told this publication.

The programme commenced on April 3 and concluded on April 14. The 12-

day training programme was similar to others held in other parts of the country. Programmes were also held in the mining town of Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice); Liliendaal, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); and Albion, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). “What we had was persons coming out to learn the basic techniques to swim,” Mangru

added.

Questioned why, despite Region Six having riverine communities with very good swimmers, none of them participate in swimming at the Ministry of Education’s Schools National Athletics Championships, the sports officer said plans are afoot to prepare them for pool swimming.

“Because of the good feedback that we are getting

and the high demand for the programme in Region Six, we will be bringing the programme back and having it at least twice per month,” Mangru divulged.

The sports officer said remote communities would be targeted, and where needed, transportation would be provided for those persons.

“Be assured that the programme has not ended, it is just that the Easter pro-

gramme has concluded and we will be bringing back the ‘learn to swim’ programme,” he said.

He also disclosed there are plans to have an advanced programme, so that persons can prepare themselves to compete at the national level. “We will be teaching persons other techniques which will prepare them for competition,” Mangru added.

RCB send Capitals crashing to 5th straight defeat in IPL 2023

Royal Challengers

Bangalore spent a large part of this game under the pump. Frustratingly, every time they thought they got ahead - like when Virat Kohli reached a 33-ball fifty, or when Glenn Maxwell was pummelling the spinners on a spin-friendly pitch - a wicket would fall to douse the momentum. Winning a game like this - where their crowd spent the first innings largely silent - will do wonders for their campaign, because they clawed their way back, and because their star turns came with the ball.

Mohammed Siraj (4-0-232) was phenomenal in conditions that should have cancelled him. Their debutant Vijaykumar Vyshak was the most successful bowler on the night with three wickets, including that of IPL legend David Warner. Their fielding was electric, a direct hit runout from Anuj Rawat setting the tone for the fightback. The only Delhi Capitals batters who managed to resist were Manish Pandey (50 off 38) and Axar Patel (21 off 14).

Towards the end of the game, it became clear that the pitch became better for batting under lights. That was why Capitals, having won the toss, chose to bowl in the first place. But their calamitous start to a chase of 175: 2 for 3 in three overs, and then 30 for 4 with Warner dismissed - just didn’t allow them to take advantage.

Spin vs pace

A slow pitch and spinners targeting the stumps meant it was hard for RCB to hit them off the 30-yard circle. Axar and Lalit Yadav bowled three overs in the powerplay for eight dots and just 16 runs.

When there’s no pace coming on to the bat, and you also don’t have room to free the arms, it’s really hard to get power into your shots.

That’s why Faf du Plessis felt compelled to go extra hard on

the quicks, and lost his wicket in the fifth over to Mitchell Marsh.

Andre Russell or MS Dhoni in the last four overs. Things were going

only mistake he made was dragging it to the leg side, towards the 70-metre part of the ground. He was caught right on the edge of the rope. If he had gone straight, to the 60-metre boundary, it would’ve been six.

Maxwell’s little gem

Prior to this game, among batters with at least 500 runs against spin, Maxwell had the highest strike rate (164) and the best balls-per-boundary ratio (4.6) in the IPL. He lived up to that billing, smashing 20 runs off eight balls against the slower bowlers, and that contribution proved crucial. RCB fell from 117 for 2 to 132 for 6, but still reached 174 because their spin hitter produced a cameo that allowed their unheralded Indian batters to just play out the overs. The impact sub, Rawat, made only 15 off 26 despite coming in as late as the last five overs, and yet it didn’t matter.

Capitals collapse

him plumb lbw. That wasn’t so much a wicket as an exhibition of the gulf in class between bowler and batter.

The end

Vyshak, on IPL debut, had a great game. RCB’s batters had told their bowlers that digging balls into the wicket was causing problems, and he did that all night long.

Take, for example, his first wicket: it was a slower ball banged into the surface; that length makes you pull on instinct. You know you need to delay shots on this slow pitch, but that length just overrides everything. Warner was into the pull too early. Toe end of the bat. Caught at midwicket. That, at least, amounted to the conditions working against

Royal Challengers Bangalore (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Virat Kohli c Dhull b Lalit Yadav 50 34

them.

Prithvi Shaw, Capitals’ impact sub, which means he didn’t field at all, started by refusing a two that was on, then got run-out showing zero urgency to get to the crease. Rawat produced a moment of magic at short extra cover, diving to his right, picking the ball up one-handed and nailing a throw with only one stump to look at.

Shaw apparently just didn’t cater for his shot being stopped. He was lazy getting into the run, then didn’t even try to dive when it was clear he was in trouble. His IPL reads 12, 7, 0, 15, 0. That wicket set the tone, as Capitals crumbled to their fifth loss in five games this season. (ESPNCricinfo)

Delhi Capitals (T: 175 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

RCB hit seven boundaries in the first six overs. Only one of them came off spin. Even for the rest, they often had to charge out of their crease - creating pace for themselves - to get the most bang for their buck.

Kohli on song

A 33-ball fifty on this pitch was an excellent effort, but also typical Kohli.

He knew that 1: this wasn’t a 200 pitch, so he could bat at his own pace; 2: the team would almost certainly benefit if he dropped anchor and played out the whole innings; and 3: he is a monster at the death, striking as well as

Vijaykumar

smoothly enough. He had just played not one, but two shots of the match. A stand-still and bottom-hand drill down the ground turning an almost yorker from Mustafizur Rahman into a boundary; and then another stand-perfectly-still and bottom-hand whip to a back of a length ball on his hips for six. The wristwork on that shot to get it so far was just incredible. But then came Lalit Yadav with a massive full toss. It had to be put away; it was begging to be put away, and Kohli went for it. The

They were 3 for 2 in the third over. They took 23 balls to hit the first boundary. The first innings was all about fast bowlers being dispatched. Mustafizur, for example, gave up one-third of the total boundaries that RCB hit (7 of 21). They were the ones providing release to under-pressure batters, but RCB’s new-ball attack decided to change all that.

Siraj found ways to use even these conditions to his advantage. Hitting the deck hard at high pace, and generating movement with his wobble-seam variation, Capitals were suddenly under siege against the very type of bowling they thought they’d hit around the park.

Yash Dhull certainly thought that when he tried to hit Siraj on the up and over the top, but the problem was that even though it was a full ball, and had very little distance to travel after pitching, it still seamed in to beat the inside edge and trap

Faf du Plessis (c) c

Aman Hakim Khan b Marsh 22 16

Mahipal Lomror c †Abishek Porel b Marsh 26 18

Glenn Maxwell c Warner

b Kuldeep Yadav 24 14

Harshal Patel c †

Abishek Porel b Patel 6 4

Shahbaz Ahmed not out 20 12

Dinesh Karthik † c Lalit Yadav

b Kuldeep Yadav 0 1

Anuj Rawat not out 15 22

Extras (b 1, lb 6, nb 1, w 3) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.70) 174/6

Did not bat: Wanindu

Hasaranga de Silva, Wayne

Parnell, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Fall of wickets: 1-42

(Faf du Plessis, 4.4 ov), 2-89

(Virat Kohli, 10.1 ov), 3-117

(Mahipal Lomror, 12.3 ov), 4-132

(Harshal Patel, 13.6 ov), 5-132

(Glenn Maxwell, 14.1 ov), 6-132

(Dinesh Karthik, 14.2 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Anrich Nortje 4-0-31-0

Axar Patel 3-0-25-1

Mustafizur Rahman 3-0-41-0

Mitchell Marsh 2-0-18-2

Lalit Yadav 4-0-29-1

Kuldeep Yadav 4-1-23-2

David Warner (c) c Kohli b Vyshak 19 13

Prithvi Shaw run out

(Anuj Rawat) 0 2

Mitchell Marsh c Kohli b Parnell 0 4

Yash Dhull lbw b

Mohammed Siraj 1 4

Manish Pandey lbw b de Silva 50 38

Abishek Porel † c Parnell b Patel 5 8

Axar Patel c

Mohammed Siraj b Vyshak 21 14

Aman Hakim Khan c

Kohli b Mohammed Siraj 18 10

Lalit Yadav c Maxwell b Vyshak 4 7

Anrich Nortje not out 23 14

Kuldeep Yadav not out 7 6

Extras (w 3) 3

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.55) 151/9

Fall of wickets: 1-1

(Prithvi Shaw, 0.4 ov), 2-1 (Mitchell Marsh, 1.4 ov), 3-2 (Yash Dhull, 2.2 ov), 4-30

(David Warner, 5.4 ov), 5-53 (Abishek Porel, 8.5 ov), 6-80

(Axar Patel, 12.2 ov), 7-98 (Manish Pandey, 13.6 ov), 8-110

(Lalit Yadav, 15.5 ov), 9-128 (Aman Hakim Khan, 17.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Siraj 4-0-23-2

Wayne Parnell 4-0-28-1

Vijaykumar Vyshak

Shahbaz Ahmed

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva

Harshal Patel

Scenes from the Berbice swimming programme

RCB celebrating getting back to winning ways

Virat Kohli celebrating his third half-century of the season

Vyshak picked up three wickets in an impressive outing

SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023

Ramdhani, Haynes, Alexander, Beharry among winners

Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes

have each copped two golds at the recently concluded Guyana Badminton Association’s GUMDAC Tournament, which culminated on Friday after four days of intense competition among the players.

In this tournament, players from the Nursery Badminton Academy, the Yonex Badminton Club and the Berbice team competed. Following the pattern of the previous days, the energy in the National Gymnasium was electric as the players competed in the final matches.

The Boys’ Under-19 final was exhilarating, as Berbician Xavio Alexander bested number one-ranked player Johnathan Debidin in the Under-19 draw.

The last match of the evening was nail-biting and had spectators on the edges of their seats until the last point was played. The Men’s Doubles was thrilling, as the seasoned players competed against the younger ones, with the game going to two best-in-three games.

The crowd was in awe as WenYuan Che showed off his jump smash skills in competing with Marlon

Chung against Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey. In the end, Akili and Tyrese were victorious.

Below are the results of the finals.

Mixed Doubles Finals: Akili Haynes/Priyanna Ramdhani vs. Tyrese Jeffrey/Ambika Ramraj: 21-8, 21-10

Under 19 Boy’s Finals: Joanathan Debidin vs. Xavio Alexander: 17-21, 19-21

Women’s Doubles Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani/Ambika Ramraj vs. Anna Perreira/ Shivannie Persaud: 218, 21-6

Bartica Easter Regatta 2023: Powerboat Races…

Dave Scott declared winner of the lone F1 race

The battle was hyped as the ‘Clash of the Titans’, but as fate would have it, that was not to be. The Formula One races at the Regatta are always highly anticipated, and the 2023 edition was expected to be no different.

The lone race that was possible, the second of the day - with the two leading pilots on board their respective machines: Dave Scott (Jaguar) and Randy Belle (Wave Runner) - started with pace and power, as expected.

Belle took the early lead in the 5-lap contest, and was leading before an unfortunate accident occurred which put paid to the excitement for the remainder of the race day, at least for the F1 races. There was a

collision between two boats, which resulted in Belle’s boat being severed to the extent that he could not complete the race, which al-

lowed Scott to take the lead and the eventual chequered flag to win the contest.

The race was reviewed by the organisers, and the eventual decisions was made.

While Scott received the winner’s trophy and handsome first-place prize, the Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee chaired by Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams deliberated and took the collective decision to assist Belle with a cash donation towards effecting repairs to his boat.

The gesture was welcomed by Belle and his team, who expressed gratitude to the organisers for the initiative.

Under 19 Girl’s Finals: Mishka Beharry vs. Malia Haley: 21-7, 21-4

Men’s Doubles Finals: Akili Haynes/Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Marlon Chung/ WenYuan Chen: 19-21, 21-17, 21-16

The presentation was done immediately after the finals, and Vice-President Ayanna Watson thanked the sponsor, Darrell Carpenay of GUMDAC, for sponsoring this tournament for the last nine (9) years. She also thanked the National Sports Commission for sponsoring the bus that brought the team to and from Berbice every day; Ms. Christina Kumar, for providing the refreshments daily; and the parents, for their support. Gratitude was also extended to COL (Guyana) Inc for sponsoring the consolation round prizes.

Ramdhani and Haynes departed this morning to attend a Badminton Camp hosted by Badminton PanAm and PanAm Sports. Thereafter, they would attend the PanAm Individual Championship in Kingston Jamaica, starting on April 15, 2023. The camp and the tournament are a lead-up to the PanAm Games.

World-renowned English Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short to visit Guyana

Grandmaster Nigel Short MBE, one of the best English chess players in history, will embark on a four-day visit to Guyana in the coming week, with plans to engage the Government and local chess community as a catalyst for the advancement of the sport.

GM Short will arrive in Guyana on April 17th and depart on April 20th. During his visit, he will challenge 20 of the country’s top young and emerging chess champions in a simultaneous exhibition. He will also host a meet-and- greet on Wednesday April 19th at Amazonia Mall to engage the public.

Mr Short is the FIDE Director for Chess Development; a role to which he was appointed since September 2022. He is also widely regarded as one of his generation’s greatest chess players, and has made significant contributions to the development and promo-

tion of chess both in the UK and internationally.

Mr Short earned his International Master title at the age of 14, and his Grandmaster Title at age 19. Both feats had made him the youngest in the world at the time he earned those honours. Among his most notable achievements during his career as a chess player are his 1991 magnum opus against Dutchman Jan Timman, and his 1993 World Championship title showdown with Garry Kasparov.

In the famous Timman match, known fondly to the global chess community as the “King Walk” or “King’s March”, Grandmaster Short dominated the dark squares, then manoeuvred his king up the board to create a mating net.

The 1993 title match, which drew an audience of one million across television broadcasts, was a lopsided victory for Kasparov. GM Nigel Short was the

first British player to reach the final of the World Chess Championship since 1935. The match started tragically for Short, who lost on time in a superior position. The games were hard fought and thrilling, with a final score of 12½ to 7½ in Kasparov’s favour.

The three-time British Champion is also a columnist, coach, and commentator/ analyst who was ranked third in the world by FIDE from July 1988 to July 1989.

As someone who has been an influential figure in the development of chess, the Federation is thrilled to welcome him to Guyana, to reap the tremendous value of his expertise and assistance in the advancement of the sport.

The last Grandmaster to visit Guyana was Viktor Bologan, in 2018. He is a world-renowned theoretician and also a prolific chess author, having written several books on chess strategy and tactics.

The Winners’ Row after the GUMDAC tournament

Mixed Doubles Champions: Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes

Men’s Doubles Champions: Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey

Grandmaster Nigel Short, MBE, in action

Bartica Easter Regatta Committee Treasurer, Ms Natalie Tilbury, rewarding Dave Scott

Randy Belle receiving the donation from Ms Natalie Tilbury

Savory, Imlach, Charles should have been selected

By Brandon Corlette

The new First-Class cricket tri-series, Headley-Weekes, will bowl off on April 19 in Antigua, and veteran Cricket Commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira has made some valuable observations.

He is suggesting that Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach and Bryan Charles should have been selected to play in the series.

Savory, wicketkeeper/ batter for Guyana Harpy Eagles, finished as the ninth leading run-scorer in the recently concluded West Indies Championship. Lefthanded, he is regarded as the Prince of Essequibo. He finished with 269 runs at an average of 33, and also recorded a century during his debut season.

Trinidadian off-spinner Bryan Charles, who has been in and around the

West Indies ‘A’ team and President’s XI set-up, has also missed selection despite claiming 21 wickets and finishing as the fourth-highest wicket-taker.

Tevin Imlach is a wicket-keeper/batter who has also been in West Indies wicket-keeper camps and in and around the West Indies ‘A’ team. Despite not dominating the West Indies

Championship, Imlach scored 223 runs, with a high-score of 136 not out.

“Imlach is a pathway player. He is a former West Indies Under-19 player, and he is going to take over from Anthony Bramble,” Reds said.

The veteran commentator also noted that Tion Webster, who scored 261 runs; and Terrance Hinds, who had eight wickets and scored 213 runs, should have been selected. Reds also called for Preston McSween, Colin Archibald, Sherman Lewis and Abhijai Mansingh to be selected.

“Sherman Lewis played for the West Indies. He needs to be kept in the frame. Mansingh, the leg-spinner, should have

been selected. He is a rare breed in the West Indies. They could have boosted up the West Indies Academy side with young First-Class players in Kimani Melius and Matthew Nandu, both of whom scored centuries, despite they did not score much runs after that,” Reds explained. Reds believed that senior players should have been brought in to lead the West Indies Academy. “I would have picked three strong teams and disperse the Academy in the three teams. When they played by themselves, they struggled, they had no one that helped build partnership and maintain pressure. We need more First-Class cricket and we need to ensure that First-Class crick-

et is at the highest level,” he has said. Reds also asked why West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite is not playing this series. He noted that Jermaine Blackwood and Roston Chase should be playing, to get some cricket under their belts ahead of the India Test series this summer.

FULL SQUADS

Team Headley: Joshua Da Silva (captain), Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kieran Powell, Tevyn Walcott.

Team Weekes: Alick Athanaze (captain),

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Jahmar Hamilton, Brandon King, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith and Devon Thomas.

West Indies Academy: Kevlon Anderson, Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop, Teddy Bishop, McKenny Clarke, Rivaldo Clarke, Joshua James, Johann Layne, Kirk McKenzie, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Keagan Simmons, Ramon Simmonds, Kevin Wickham and Nyeem Young.

NOTES: Shai Hope was selected but was given permission to represent Yorkshire in the English County Championship. Rahkeem Cornwall and Shane Dowrich made themselves unavailable for selection.

MATCH SCHEDULE

All matches to be played at CCG, Antigua

Match 1: 19-22 April: Team Headley vs West Indies Academy.

Match 2: 26-29 April: Team Weekes vs West Indies Academy.

Match 3: 3-6 May: Team Weekes vs Team Headley.

Academy next step after Learn to Swim programme

The Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue will come alive today when the Milo Schools’ Under 18 Football tournament heads into the quarterfinal round.

Four blockbuster games are on the cards for today, inclusive of an all-Linden clash as the 8 teams compete for a chance to make it to this Wednesday’s semifinal round.

The first quarterfinal game will see Carmel Secondary opposing tournament newcomers Bartica Secondary, beginning at noon today. Ironically, both teams pulled off 3-1 victories over their opponents in the Round-of-16 to book their quarterfinal spots. Bartica overcame Charlestown Secondary, while Carmel defeated Westminster Secondary.

The second clash of the day will see Christianburg Wismar Secondary opposing long-time rivals Mackenzie High School from 14:00hrs. For defending champions Christianburg, it was an uphill task getting to the quarterfinals, having only gotten past Dolphin Secondary on account of kicks from the penalty mark.

Meanwhile, it was just as difficult for Mackenzie High eke out a slim 2-1 victory over West Ruimveldt Secondary.

As such, this game will prove to be a thriller, inclusive of the bragging rights the winner will have once

they return to the mining town.

Game three, from 16:00hrs today, will see Ann’s Grove Secondary taking on the feared Chase’s Academy. With a 7-0 victory in the Round-of-16, Chase’s will be heading into today’s clash with all the confidence they need. However, this year’s tournament has seen some refreshing football from Ann’s Grove, who are coming off of a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Patentia Secondary.

The final quarterfinal game will see Santa Rosa battling East Ruimveldt Secondary. Without a doubt, both teams have been stellar thus far, and are yet to lose a game in the 2023 tournament. For Santa Rosa, a 6-1 win over 8th of May Secondary has gotten them to this stage, while East Ruimveldt were made to work hard for their spot, having to defeat Cummings Lodge on penalty kicks last Sunday.

All in all, today’s Milo quarterfinal not only promises the best of schools’ football on show, but a handful of impressive upcoming talents in the sport. Following the quarterfinals, the semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, at the same venue. The Milo tournament is supported by Nestle Milo, Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN); General Equipment Guyana (Genequip) and MVP Sports.

Newfound

skills were displayed and the way forward for new swimming talents in the country was mapped out on Saturday morning when the annual Easter Learn to Swim programme came to a close at the National Aquatic Center at Liliendaal, ECD.

In excess of 2000 children, over the past two weeks, were taught the life skill of swimming at the Easter version of the programme, hosted by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) in conjunction with the National Sports Commission (NSC).

While the programme is primarily used to teach the skill to children between the ages of 6 and 18, a brand- new path has been forged to get more children in to the sport. According to Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., new talents will be encouraged to take up the National Swimming Academy and other available Sport Academies the country has to offer.

“The Ministry and the Nationals Sports Commission are going to

take a much larger role and presence in getting people into our Academies now, because we have hired the coaches, we’ve hired the organizers, we’ve provided the facilities and the equipment to all of the twelve core sports,” Ramson explained.

The Sport Minister added, “Now, we want you to benefit because, in order for you to have our athletes and our children get to the podium, many more of them have to be part of the programme.”

Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, after highlighting the incident- free zone that the programme was, labelled it as a promise delivered to parents.

“Something stands out this morning to me, and it is the fact that the relationship that you parents and swimmers are having with the NSC is growing stronger. The fact is that we’d asked you to place your trust in us, and we had told you that we will create and maintain a safe environment for your young children. We’ve had over 2000 persons reg-

istered, and the underlying word is that our promise was kept,” Ninvalle remarked.

Also touching on the topic of safety was Deputy Chair of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Cristy Campbell, who went on to commend the officials involved for their contribution.

Campbell shared this with the parents and children gathered, “The first thing I wish to do is commend the coordinator, all of the coaches, and support staff that undertook this very important Easter camp. And the reason that I wish to commend you is because we

have an increase in numbers by at least 3 or 4 times our initial number at last year’s camp.

“I must say I’m quite pleased that we haven’t had any incident. The conclusion of this camp sees no incident, and that, I believe, should be commended,” Campbell added.

In addition to the grand closing ceremony, children had the opportunity to show off their newfound skills in the pool. Meanwhile, the NSC took the opportunity to present swimming boards to two swim clubs from the Pomeroon and Linden.

Tevin Imlach

Kemol Savory

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle took a photo opportunity with scores of children who benefitted from the swimming camp

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr.

CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championship Qualifiers…

Guyana maul Suriname 6-0

Guyana’s Under-20 Lady Jags got their CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualifiers campaign off to a stellar start on Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 victory over continental neighbours Suriname in the Dominican Republic.

Playing at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez (Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium), Guyana’s Head Coach Paul DeAbreu opted for a start-

ing XI that read: Samantha Banfield (Captain), Nya-Grace Young (Goalkeeper), Se-Hanna Mars, Savannah Singh, Anika Sproxton, Shamya Daniels, Jalade Trim, Sandra Johnson, Glendy Lewis, Heike Clarke and Jayda Schoburgh.

After getting a feel of their Surinamese opponents’ tactics, Guyana first found the back of the net, in the 24th minute, by way of a Se- Hanna Mars goal. Fruta Conquerors’ Sandra

Johnson was the next Guyanese to strike, in the 40th minute, bringing the score to 2-0 by the half.

The junior Lady Jags enjoyed a much better second half, adding 4 more goals to their tally to kick-start the Group C action on the right foot. The first goal of the second segment came compliments of Mars, who then completed her brace in the 47th. Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Glendy Lewis made it a 4-0

game in the 55th, while captain Samantha Banfield converted a penalty in the 61st for Guyana’s fifth goal.

Fruta Conquerors staple Jalade Trim ensured she would not be left out of the excitement by beating the keeper for Guyana’s sixth goal, in the 90th minute.

Guyana is in Group C of the qualifying competition, along with Suriname, Dominican Republic, Grenada

Hutson suspended from AAG Presidency

Reports reaching Guyana Times Sport indicate that Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Aubrey Hutson was on Saturday afternoon suspended from his post at the helm of the association.

The decision to suspend Hutson for a particular period of time was taken at an AAG General Council meeting on Saturday afternoon at the National Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue.

The suspension will also go hand-in-hand with a pending investigation.

Hutson’s suspension comes

on the heels of a travel fiasco involving the CARIFTA Games 2023 team this week, in which the Government of Guyana (GoG) had to intervene. With the topic trending across social media over the last week, there had been numerous calls for Hutson’s removal or resignation.

As a result of Hutson’s suspension, AAG First VicePresident Amanda Hermonstine is likely to take over the reins of the Association.

The AAG last hosted elections in 2021, when Hutson was elected as President for a third term. Now suspended

and Dominica. With six groups in the 8-team competition, the winner of each group would advance to the May 24-June 3 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championships, joining United States and Mexico.

The U20 Women’s Championships will act as a gateway to the 2024 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup, for which the top three finishers in the CONCACAF Championships would qualify.

-says Reds Perreira

AAG President Aubrey Hutson