Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-03-2025

Guyana,Indiatalkupcontinued partnershipsforrenewableenergy

-solarpowerinitiativeforgov’tbuildingsincludedindiscussion

PRIMEMinister,Brigadier(Ret'd)MarkPhillipsonTuesdayheld pivotaldiscussionswith India’sUnionMinister ofNewandRenewable Energy,PralhadJoshi, focusingonexpanding renewableenergycollaborationbetweenGuyanaandIndia.

PMPhillipsiscurrentlyinIndiaonafourdayofficialvisitandalso participatinginthe24th WorldSustainableDevelopmentSummit(WSDS) 2025,hostedbyTheEnergyandResourcesInstitute (TERI).

Thetalksbetweenthe PMandtheIndianofficialcentredonadvancing wind,solar,andhydro powerprojects,witha particularemphasisona solarpowerinitiativefor governmentbuildingsin Guyana,whichissetto bereplicatedacrossthe Caribbean.

Thetwoleadersalso discussedrenewingthe MemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)onnew andrenewableenergy, whichexpiredpreviously,signalingacontinued partnershipbetweenIndia andGuyana.

PrimeMinisterPhillipsstressedGuyana's appreciationforIndia asakeydevelopment partnerandhighlighted thesuccessoftheIndian TechnicalandEconomicCo-operation(ITEC) programme,especially insectorslikericeproduction.

Duringthemeeting, MinisterJoshiextended hisgratitudeforthewarm receptiongiventoIndianPrimeMinisterShri NarendraModiduring hisvisittoGuyanaand thankedthegovernment forawardinghimthe country’shighestnational award.

Furtheringbilateral ties,GuyanaandIndia backinNovember2024 hadsignedatotaloffive agreementssignifyinga

milestonecommitmentto bolsteringrelations.

Oneoftheagreements establishedaframework forGuyanaandIndiato enhancebilateralcollaborationinthehydrocarbon sector.

ThisMoUencompassesinvestmentpromotion, technologytransfer,joint studiesandcapacitywith afocusoffosteringenergysecurityandadvancing mutualdevelopment.

RENEWABLEENERGYINGUYANA

OnlyrecentlyPrime MinisterPhillipsoutlined ambitiousplanstoinvest $791.4millioninrenewableenergyprojectsover thenextthreeyears.

Theinvestmentwill focusonavarietyof large-scalerenewableenergyprojects,including theinstallationof21solarmini-gridsthatwill benefitover240public andcommunitybuildings acrossRegionsOne(Barima-Waini),Three,Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),Eight (Potaro-Siparuni),Nine (UpperTakutu-UpperEssequibo)and10(Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Theprojectswillensurethatkeyinfrastructuresuchashealthcentres,schools,andICT hubsinremotecommunitiesreceivereliablerenewablepower.

“Guyana’sriseasan emergingenergypowerhouseisnotoccurring inisolation.Infact,itis partofabroaderglobal movementtowardsenergy securityandsustainability.Asoneofthenewest oil-producingnations, Guyanahasauniqueopportunitytolearnfrom andcontributetothe evolvingglobalenergy landscape,”PMPhillips saidwhileaddressingindustrystakeholdersatthe country’sEnergyConferenceandSupplyChain Expolastmonth.

Headded:“Guyana ispositioningitselfas aleaderinenergytran-

Summit(WSDS)2025,hostedbyTheEnergyandResourcesInstitute (TERI).OnTuesday,theGuyaneseleadermetwithIndia’sUnionMinisterof NewandRenewableEnergy,theHonourablePralhadJoshi

sition,ensuringthatits resourcewillbeharnessed responsiblyandinalignmentwithglobalclimate goals.Thisconference, therefore,remainsacore platformforengaging withglobalpartners.”

ThePrimeMinister alsodetailedseveralother renewableenergyinitiativesinthepipeline.These includesolarPVsystems scheduledforcompletion by2025inParamakatoi

(RegionEight),andNappi,Awarewaunau,and Yupukari(RegionNine), bringingrenewableenergytounderservedareas.

“WhenourgovernmenttookofficeinAugust2020,wemadea commitmenttothepeople ofGuyanatodeliveraffordable,stableandreliableenergytohouseholds andbusinessesacross Guyana,”Phillipsshared, notinghowtheseprojects

willdirectlyimpactover 140,000citizensinmore than240communities.

Thismajorinvestment comesaspartofGuyana’s broaderenergystrategyto diversifyitsenergymix, integratingnaturalgas, solar,hydro,andwindenergy,whilealigningwith theglobalpushforcleaner energysolutions.

Itfollowsa$7.9billioninvestmentinrenewableenergyinitiatives

from2020to2024,which includedsolarfarms,hydroprojects,andthedistributionofover30,000 solarPVhome-energy systems.

Thegovernment’srenewableenergyfocusis partofalargereffortto reduceGuyana’scarbon footprintandcontributeto globalclimategoals.

PrimeMinisterPhillipsreiteratedthatthe countryispositioningitselfasaleaderinenergy transition,takingdeliberatestepstoensurethat itsresourcewealthisharnessedresponsibly.

Hesaid:“Theresults oftheseinvestmentsare evidentintangibleand transformativeways. Solarexpansion,aone megawattsolarPVfarm inLethemhasgeneratedover3,000megawatt hoursofrenewableenergy,savingsome5,000 drumsofdieseland avoidingmorethan2,500 tonnesofcarbondioxide emissions.”

Further,hesaidthat Guyanaisdetermined tonavigatetheenergy landscapewithforesight, positioningitselfasa leaderintheglobalshift towardscleanerenergy solutions.

Brazil'scoffeestockpiles dwindleaspriceshitrecordhighs

ByRobertoSamoraand MarceloTeixeira

GUAXUPE,Brazil, March3(Reuters)-In aBraziliancoffeewarehouseusuallystuffed withaquarterofamillionbagsofthearomatic bean,voicesechointhe largelyemptyspaceat alargeproducers’cooperative.

Reelingfromoneof theworstdroughtsonrecord,Brazil’scoffeefarmershavesoldalmostall theirbeansmonthsbefore thenewcropasglobal priceshavenearlydoubled toall-timehighsinthe past14months.

Consumerswakingup tosmellthecoffeewere joltedlastyearasStar-

buckshikedthepriceof alargecupoffreshbrew about16%toasmuch as$3.85.Nespressocoffee-podsubscriberswill soonpayupto$1.45per basicpod,upfrom$1.30.

Pricesforarabica,the mostpopularbean,usedin mostgroundroastedcoffee,soared70%in2024 andnearly20%thisyear toanall-timehighabove $4.30perpoundonFebruary11.Robusta,the second-mostpopularbean, oftenusedininstantcoffee,surged72%in2024 andpeakedat$5,847per metrictononFebruary12.

Yetcaffeineconnoisseurscannotkickthehabit.Theymayagaindrink morecoffeethanisproducedgloballyin2025

-forthefourthtimeinthe pastsixyears.

FarmersinBrazil, theworld’slargestcoffeegrower,raidedtheir stockpilestocashinwith recordexportsin2024. ButexportsbyVietnam fell17.2%from2023as thetoprobustasupplier

battledbadweatherlast year.

“Weneverhadsuch lowstocksinFebruary, aperiodthatisstilldistantfromthenewcrop,” saidWillianCesarFreiria, salesmanageratCocapec, Brazil’sthirdlargestcoffeeco-op,inthetownof

FrancainSaoPaulostate.

Cocapecreceived1.1 millionbagsfromassociatedfarmersin2024, downfrom1.5million bagsin2023,duetosmallerproductionintheregion,afteranotheryearof below-averagerains.

“Untilthestartofthe nextharvestwewon’t havemuchcoffeetosell,” saidFreiria.“Anditisnot onlyus;itisthesameeverywhere.”

Suppliesonlyseem largeratCooxupe,the world’slargestcoffeecoop,inBrazil’stop-producingstateofMinasGerais.

“Youseealotofcoffee inthewarehouses,but nearlyalliscoffeealready soldtofinalclients.They areonlyherewaitingtobe shipped,”saidAndreSilva Pinto,Cooxupe’sstorage coordinator.

Coffeefarmershave alreadysold90%ofthe 2024crop,addedLuiz FernandodosReis,sales superintendentforCooxupe.“Whattheyhaveleft isthelowestamountwe eversawinourrecords.”

Bigone-tonbagsof arabicaaretakingaround 70%ofthespaceatCooxupe’sJapystoragecomplex,whilehalfoftheother45bulksilosarefilled. Thecomplexcanhold2.6 million60-kgbags,the equivalentofonemonth’s consumptionintheUnited States,theworld’slargest coffeedrinkingnation.

SOLDOUT

Cooxupe’sestimateof farmers’salesisinline withrecentdatashowing historicallylowinventory levels.ConsultancySafras&Mercadoestimated farmershavesold88%of the2024crop.BrokerPine Agronegociossaidonly 8%remained.

SilvaPintosaidthe Japycomplexwillbe80%

emptybyMay,asmost coffeewouldhavebeen shippedandtheco-op preparestoreceivethe newharvestwhichstarts aroundMayorJune.The co-opdoesnotexpect new-cropcoffeetobe readyforshippingbefore July.

OsmarJunior,aCooxupememberwhogrows arabicainPiumhimunicipalityinsouthernMinas Gerais,saidneitherhenor hisneighborshaveany coffeelefttosell.Hewill onlystarttoharvestthe newcroparoundlateMay.

PauloArmelin,who farmsnearPatrocinio intheCerradoMineiro region,isanexception, keeping40%ofhis2024 cropasaprecaution.

“Iwillhaveasmaller productionthisyear,soI decidedtoholdontosome coffeefromlastyearasa reserveincaseofneed,” hesaid.

Armelin,whosells high-qualitybeansdirectly tofourU.S.clients,isnegotiatingwithaSanFrancisco-basedroaster.Heis waitingforananswerafter askingfor$4.50apound, upfrom$3.05lastyear.

“Itisverygoodcoffee andI’mactuallycutting thepremiumIusedto haveoverthefutures,”he said,referringtocontracts tosellatapredetermined priceonafuturedate.

LuisNorbertoPascoal, ownerofDaterraCoffees,alarge,high-quality arabicagrower,ishappy thatsmallerfarmersare makingmoreprofits,but doubtscurrentpricescan besustained.

Manyroasterswill lackthemeanstobuy beansandlookforways tocutcosts,hesaid. “Qualityisgoingtogo down.”

Berbice‘hitandrun’claims lifeofnine-month-oldbabygirl

-parentsseriouslyinjured,driveridentifiedasAvineshNaidooofCorriverton

POLICEinBerbicearesearchingfor AvineshNaidooof Corriverton,whowas reportedlydriving thecarthathitan electriccycleonLine PathPublicRoadon Sundaynight,killing nine-month-oldEli Surujnarineandseriouslyinjuringher parents.

Hoursafterreleasingdetailsaboutthe tragicaccident,police saidthatfurtherinvestigationsconductedon Tuesdayrevealedthat NaidooofCorriverton, Berbice,wasthedriver ofthevehicleatthe timeoftheaccidentbut effortstoapprehend himhavesofarbeen futile.

Thepolicesaidtoo thatthecarthatwas involvedintheaccidentwaslocatedand iscurrentlylodgedat theSpringlandsPolice StationinBerbice.

“Also,theown-

AvineshNaidoowasreportedlydrivingthecar thatstruckanelectriccyclekillinganine-montholdbabygirlandseriouslyinjuringherparents

erofthemotorcar, VidawattieArjune,of CrabwoodCreekwas contactedbythepolice whogaveastatement andrevealedthevehicle'sRegistrationnumberasHC8905.She isassistingwiththe ongoinginvestigation,” thestatementsaid.

Policeintheirinitial releasesaidthatthey

areinvestigatingthe 'hitandrun'fatalaccidentwhichoccurredat about18:30hoursand resultedinEli’sdeath.

TheaccidentinvolvedawhiteFielder wagonvehicleandan electriccycle,driven byEli'sfather,17-yearoldTushanSurujnarine.Atthetimeof theaccident,Eliand

hermother,19-year-old KavitaBedsanwere pillionriders.

“Investigationrevealedthattheelectric cyclewasproceeding northalongthewestern sideofLinePathroad whenTushansuddenly feltanimpactonthe rearofhiscyclewhich causedhim,along withKavitaandtheir 9-month-oldbaby,to fallontheroadwayand receiveinjuries,”the policesaidaddingthat thetriowaspickedup inanunconsciousconditionandconveyed totheSkeldonPublic Hospitalwherethey wereseenandexaminedbyadoctorwho treatedandreferred themtotheNewAmsterdamPublicHospital.

There,theywere alsotreatedbyadoctorwholaterreferred themtotheGeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC).

Thebadly damagedcar

Thebabydiedonher waytothehospitalat about09:45hourson Monday.

HorrorMomentsandReforms

ASwereflectonthetumultuousMarch2020 GeneralandRegional ElectionsinGuyana, itisnecessarytorevisitthehorrormoments thatthreatenedtoderail ournation'sdemocratic processandthemassive progresswehavemade sincethen.

The2020elections willforeverbeetched inGuyana'shistoryas aperiodthattestedthe veryfoundationsofour democracy.

Whatwasintendedto beamereexerciseindemocraticengagementturned

intoafive-monthordeal markedbyatrociousattemptsatpreventingthe people'schoice.

TherecentCommissionofInquiryexposed the"shockinglybrazenattempts"bysenior GECOMofficialstomanipulatevotecountsin favouroftheAPNU+AFC coalition.Thisdeliberate effortto"stealtheelection"isareprehensible breachofpublictrustand agraveassaultonour democraticinstitutions. Mostdisturbingwas theapparentcomplicity ofcertainmembersofthe

GuyanaPoliceForce,and inparticulartheTactical ServiceUnit,thatoperatedunder"directpolitical direction"tofrustratethe scrutinyofStatementsof Poll.

ButtheGuyanesepeople'sresilienceandthe internationalcommunity's steadfastsolidarityinthe endprevailed.ThePPP/ C'spersistenceinpresentingtheirStatements ofPollandthenational recountthatfollowedwere instrumentalinexposing theattemptedfraudand securingajustoutcome.

Theinternationalcon-

demnationofover100 governmentswasalsoa sternrebufftothosewho triedtoannihilateourdemocracy.

Overtheyearsinoffice,PPP/Cgovernments havemadetremendous leapsinnotmerelypreservingbutreallystrengtheningourinstitutionsof democracy.

Thecontrastbetween thechaosin2020and stabilityandprogresswe seetodayissurreal.Guyanahasmadetremendous stridesundertheguidance ofPresident,Dr.Irfaan Ali,withover90%ofthe

commitmentsmadein PPP/C'smanifestohaving beenrealised.

Thetransparencyand accountabilityshownby thegovernmentistobe appreciated.

Movingforward,itis essentialthatweremain vigilantinthedefenceof ourdemocraticprocess. Thoselessonslearnedin 2020mustneverbeforgotten.ThePPP/C'sstruggleforfreedom,unity, anddemocracyremains relevanttodayasitwas 75yearsago.Theirfight touniteGuyaneseand protectourhard-fought

democraticfreedomsmust becommemorated.

Lastly,althoughthe 2020criseswereastark reminderofthevulnerabilityofdemocracy, theyalsodemonstrated themettleoftheGuyanesenation.Under thePPP/C,notonlydid Guyanasurvivethiscrisisbutprospertoday.In continuingtoforgeand evenmoreprosperous anddemocraticnation, letusre-commitourselvestotransparency, accountability,andthe ruleoflawonwhichour democracyisfounded.

Itisimpracticaltoimplementanuntested, costlybiometricregistrationsystem

DearEditor, THEyear2024wasdominatedbynewsonExxon’s lopsidedcontract,theNaturalResourcesFund,allegationsofcorruptionand racismandadebateonthe prospectsofintroducing biometricsatpollingsites.

MypositiononbiometricshasbeenpartlyexpressedinmySNletterof November30,2024.Suffice tosaythatthedebateto incorporatebiometricsinto thevotingprocesscontinues tomakeitsmarkinthiselectionyear,2025.

Iwillconfinemyanalysistothepoliticsofbiometrics.Theoppositionviews (asexpressedbyMrSherwoodLowe,MrLincoln Lewis.DrHenryJeffrey,Mr NormanBrowne,andMr LelonASaul)onbiometrics areincongruentwiththoseof thegoverningPPP/C.

ThePPP/C’sviewsapproximatethosereflectedin theindependentwritingsof

MrHargeshSingh,MrHarry Nawbatt,MrKitNascimento andMrRalphRamkarran.

Amongtheobstaclesto biometricsatpollingsites isthecostfactor,especially inthecontextthatnoone knowsifbiometricswould producebetterresultsthan theexistingfoliosystem, sincenofeasibilityorpilot projectonitsviabilityhas beenconducted.

Itisestimatedthatif Guyanaweretoprocure 1,500MobileBiometrics RegistrationKits(MBRK) fortheestimated2,500votingsites,thatwouldcostapproximatelyUS$4.8million.

Thereisalsothefurther pitfallthatanypossibility ofintroducingMBRKinto thevotingsystemcouldnot proceedunlessthereisa constitutionalamendmentin accordancewithArticle164 oftheGuyanaconstitution.

Therehavebeenmixed reactionstobiometricsinthe countriesthatembracethis

technology.InAlbania,for example,thefailureofbiometricsattheirmostrecent pollscausedadisruptionof votinginseveralcounties andtheyhadtoreverttothe mechanicalmethod.

IfthishappensinGuyana,theremightbesocial upheaval;nottomention swiftcourtchallengesto theelectionresults.Caution mustthereforebeexercised intheconsiderationofintroducingbiometricsintothe votingsystem.

“Therearenumerous waysinwhichanelection canbestolenanddevoting massiveresourcestoadvancedregistration-evenif theyarewellimplemented andworkperfectly-maydisplacefraudulentactivities tootherareasoftheprocess.”(ACEProject).This scenariohappenedatthe 2020NationalandRegional elections.

butatthetabulationcentre. Electiondatareturnswere manipulatedbytopGECOM staff.Atthedeclarationof theinitialresults,thePPP/C wasdeprivedof3,855votes whiletheincumbentAPNU+AFCwasgifted19,008 votes.

Aftertherecount,the PPP/C’svalidfigures(3,855) wererestoredandtheAPNU+AFCinvalidvotes(of 19,008)weredeductedfrom theirtotalvotes.Couldanyoneexplainhowbiometrics wouldhavepreventedthat attemptatrigging?

ThePNCRitesandothers areconcernedaboutallegationsofimpersonation,but thereisnocredibleevidence tosupportthatposition.

TheformerChiefElectionOfficer(CEO)Keith Lowenfieldstatedinthe presenceofthethenChairof GECOMDrSteveSurujbally,thattheexistingfoliosystem(inwhichtherearethe voter’sphotograph,hisbiometricsfingerprintandother personaldata)isrobust.Mr Lowenfieldindicatedthat impersonationatvotingstationsisnotpossible.

aseriesofriggedelections andpeoplearethereforeconcernedwithintegrityinthe processaswellastheneed toallaytheirfears.Itisinthe bestinterestofeveryGuyanesetohaveavotingsystem thatisfairandsturdy,and whichgeneratesconfidence inthepeople.

Theriggingoccurred notatthepollingstations

ForPPP/C-alignedadvocates,theyfeelthatshould biometricsbecomeanelementorthecentralelement indeterminingvoteridentification,thousandsofvoters, particularlyoverseas-based, wouldbecomecasualtiesin theprocess,unlesssuitable measuresareputinplace toensurethattheyarenot disenfranchised,exceptin thecaseofdeath.

“Ithinkweneedtoput toresttheconceptthata mancanleavepollingstationAinCummingsburg andgoacrosstoAlberttown orQueenstownandhop around.It’sjustnotpossible.”(GuyanaTimes:July 3,2020).Andhisviewsare supportedbyhissuccessor aswellasalltheinternationalandlocalobservergroups. Guyanahasexperienced

Nothavingbiometricsas acomponentofvotingdoes notcompromisetheexisting foliosystem.IdoubtwhetherGuyanesewouldsupport, atthistime,anuntestedand verycostlybiometricsystematvotingsites. TheresultsofaPilotProject(orfeasibility study)shouldshowthe wayforward.Itisalso notedthateveryprocessin theelectoralsystemneeds toberobustandtransparent:atvotingstations, attabulationcentre(s),at managementandoversight levels.

Yourstruly, DrTaraSingh

Pleaseleave MrKartelalone

ALETTERinthe pressyesterday,(Tuesday)caughtmyeyes becauseitsailsonthe wavesofmoralconfusionthathasdogged philosophycenturies ago.IwillcometoKartelinjustamoment. Waybackin2005,in adebatewithone-time columnistoftheKaieteurNewswhowasa friend,StellaRamsaroop,(“Whatismoral judgement?”Sunday, November6,2005)I toldherthatsetting outmoralcriteriaby whichhumansshould liveisvirtuallyimpossible,thoughitshould notbe.

Stellawasadamant thatmoralprinciplesdictatedthatSheilaHolder, KhemrajRamjattanand RaphaelTrotmanresign theirparliamentaryseats fromtheWPA,PPPand PNCrespectively.She arguedbecausethey haveeachlefttheirparty toformanorganisation oftheirown(theAFC), themorallyrightthing todowastogiveupthe seat.

Ididnotdisagree withher,butsinceI knewhowubiquitous doublestandardsand convenientmoralrules areinGuyana,Iwanted tobeprovocativeand quotesomeofthegreat namesinphilosophyto provetoherthatdefiningmoralvaluesina Sisypheantask.Iquoted fromImmanuelKant, DavidHumeandJeremy Bentham.

Icannotthinkofany philosophytextbookthat hasadequatelydefined whatmoralvaluesare. Itisaminefieldandas someonewhohasdrunk deepfromthegreatphilosophytextsgoinghun-

dredsofyearsback,I wouldurgepeopletobe extremelycarefulwhat moralcriteriatheyuse todisagreewiththeactions,beliefs,opinions andbehaviourofother humans.

Don’tletmegetreadersannoyed,soIwill comerighttothepoint. Iquotefromtheletter writtenbyananonymouswriter.Ihavea policyIadopted36years agowhenIbecamea columnist,Iwouldneverreplytopeoplewho writeaboutmeinthe newspapersandsign fictitiousnames.Ihave madeanexceptionfor PeepingTomintheKaieteurNews,because Iknowwhoheis.He knowsIknow.Because ofthatfact,forthelast 20years,PeepingTom hasnotmentionedmy nameeveninpassing.

Myreplyheretothe Tuesdayletterwriteris anunderstandableone becausehe/shedidnot attackme.Hereisthe quote:“Thiscavorting ofCARICOMheads ofstatewithVybzKartel(firstSaintVincent andtheGrenadinesnow Guyana)isaninsultto thesensitivitiesofdecent-mindedcitizensof theregion.Thepeople ofCARICOMdeserve leadershipthatupholds thehighestmoralstandards.”

Thisisanexpression thatissoveryeasyto demolish,basedonthe evasivenatureofmoral standards.Idon’tknow whatthewritermeans by“thehighestmoral standards.”Iwouldlove tohearfromhim/her whatismeantbythat. ThepresenceofVybz KartelintheCaribbeanpalesintoobscurity

whenyouthinkofthe presenceofothersfrom foreignlandswhose moralstandardscanbe questioned.

IhopeforGod’ssake (thoughIamnotabeliever)thattheanonymouspersondidnot pickonKartelbecause heisBlack.BillClinton cametoGuyanalast year.MrClintonabused averyyounggirlby enticinghertohavesex withhimwhenhewas thesittingpresidentof theUS.Thesexualact occurredintheOval Office.

MrClintonwasimpeachedbutdidnotresign.Aftertheactand theimpeachmenthe

wentontoruletheUS. Thevictim,MsMonica Lewinsky,saidinan interviewlastweekthat shethoughtheshould haveresigned.Shesaid moredamningthings abouthiminhermemoir.Mr.Clintonwasa hugeinfluenceinthe rulingpartyunderPresidentsBarackObama andJoeBiden.

VybzKartelisaninfinitesimalfootnotein theworldofwrong-doingwhenyoulookat sinners,murderersand moralpervertswho gracethehallsofpoweraroundtheworld. DrHenryKissinger orderedtheoverthrow

ofmanyleadersinthe ThirdWorldandthousandsdiedbecauseof thoseorders,including thethenPresidentof Chile,SalvadorAllendewhowasmurdered alongwithhisfamilyin thepresidentialmansion in1973(pleaseseethe brilliantmovie,“Missing”aboutthecoupand Kissenger’srolethat starredtheinimitable, JackLemmon).

Afterhisretirement frompolitics,Kissengerearnedhundredsof millionsovera40-year periodasguestspeaker atthemostpowerful Americancompanies andthemostprestigious

USinstitutions.Roman Polanskiiswantedin theUSforsodomising anunderagegirl.France hasrefusedtoextradite him.Polanskilivesin Pariswhereheiswelcomedinthecompany oftheFrenchestablishment.PleaseleaveMr Kartelalone.Thereare moredangerousones outthereintheworld.

DISCLAIMER: Theviewsandopinionsexpressedinthis columnaresolelythose oftheauthoranddo notnecessarilyreflect theofficialpolicyor positionoftheGuyana NationalNewspapers Limited.

YourDigitalFingerprint… ThePowerofInternet Protocol(IP)addresses

Inthevastdigitallandscapethatdefinesthe modernworld,onefoundationalelementworks tirelesslybehindthe scenestokeepusconnected:theInternetProtocol(IP)address.These uniquenumericalidentifiersaretheunsungheroes oftheinternet,ensuring thateverypieceofdata travelstoitsintended destinationandenabling seamlesscommunication amongstbillionsofdevicesworldwide.

Atitscore,anIPaddressfunctionslikea homeaddressfordevices connectedtoanetwork. Whetheryouarestreaming avideo,openingawebpage,orsendinganemail, yourdevicereliesonanIP addresstosendandreceive information.Thissystemis whatensuresthatwhenyou

click“play”onNetflixor downloadanappfromthe AppleStore,therequested datafindsitswaydirectly toyourscreen.Without IPaddresses,theinternet wouldbeafragmentedand chaoticspace.

IPaddressesareassignedtoeveryconnected device,includingsmartphones,laptops,smartTVs, andevenwearableslike smartwatches,toenable uniqueandreliablecommunication.Theyarethe invisiblethreadsthattiethe internettogether,ensuring trillionsofdatapacketsare routedcorrectlyeveryday withprecision.

ThesignificanceofIP addressesextendsfarbeyondpersonalconvenience. Theyplayacriticalrole inglobalconnectivityand digitaltransformationefforts.InGuyana,forin-

stance,IPaddressesare criticalelementsofpublic programmeslikeWiFiGY,thegovernment’sfree Wi-Fiinitiativeaimedat promotingdigitalinclusion. Byensuringthateveryconnecteddevicewithinthese networkshasauniqueand traceableidentifier,IPaddressesmakeitpossible forentirecommunitiesto accesstheinternetsecurely andreliably.

ThefunctionsofIP addressesareasvaried astheyarevital.Students relyonIPaddressesto attendonlineclasses,accesseducationalresources,andconnectwithpeers invirtuallearningenvironments.Intelemedicine,IP addressesenabledoctors toconsultwithpatients remotely,transfermedical recordssecurely,andexpandhealthcareaccessto

underservedareas.E-governmentservicessuchas documentapplications, programregistrations,and publicupdatesdepend onIPinfrastructureto functionsmoothlyand efficiently.

Beyondconnectivity, IPaddressesarecentralto cybersecurity.Actingas digitalfingerprints,they helpmonitorandtrack onlineactivities,making themcriticalfordetecting cyberthreatsandprotectingsensitivedata.ProperlymanagedIPsystems canidentifyanomaliesin networkactivity,prevent breaches,andensurethat publicnetworkslikeWiFiGYremainsafeforusers. Thisisespeciallyimportantastheworldgrapples withthegrowingsophisticationofcyberattacks.

Evenineverydaysce-

narios,IPaddressesquietlyshapedigitalexperiences.Theydeterminethe contentavailableonplatformslikeNetflix,where yourIPaddressdetermines thelibraryofshowsand moviesyoucanaccess. Similarly,appstoresrely onIPaddressestotailor appstospecificregions, ensuringusersdownload onlywhatisrelevantto theircountry.WithoutIP addresses,manyofthese convenienceswouldcease toexist.

Asthenumberofconnecteddevicesgrowsthe demandforIPaddresses continuestorise.This hasdriventheshiftfrom InternetProtocolversion 4(IPv4),whichwasintroducedin1981,toInternet Protocolversion6(IPv6), anewerprotocoldesigned tomeettheneedsofan

ever-expandingdigital ecosystem.IPv6ensures thattherewillbeenough IPaddressestosupport innovation,allowingfor afuturewhereeveryconnecteddevice,nomatter howsmall,hasitsunique address.

Astechnologyevolves, understandingtheimportanceofIPaddresseshighlightshowdeeplyintegratedtheyareinthesystems wedependoneveryday. Theymaybeinvisible,but theirimpactisundeniable, shapingaconnectedfuture forindividuals,communities,andnationsalike.

Formoreinformationonthisandothertrendingtechtopics andontheworkofthe NDMAvisitourwebsite atndma.gov.gyoruse ourQRcodetofollowus onsocialmedia.

Gov’taccelerating effortstoclear RegionTwo housingbacklog

THEgovernmentis acceleratingeffortsto clearover2,000housing applicationsinRegion Two.

Workisunderwayto developthreehousing schemesatOnderneeming,BuxtonandStJosephinCharity.

MinisterofHousing andWaterCollinCroal toldtheDepartmentof PublicInformation(DPI) thatinfrastructurework isanticipatedtostartby Marchmonth-endatthe OnderneemingHousing SchemePhaseIVextension.

Duringasitevisitto thelocationlastSaturday, theministersaidtheaim istoensuretheallottees haveaccesstotheirlands bythelastquarterof 2025.

About500houselots wereallocatedatOnderneeminglastSaturday.

Thegovernmentapprovedanother$1.45billionlastThursdaytodevelopaportionoflands atOnderneemingTracks AandB.

DEVELOPMENTAT CHARITY

MinisterCroalexplainedthatthegovernmentistacklingthe floodingissueatCharity sincetheGuyanaLands andSurveysCommission

hasidentifiedadditional landstoaddresstheregion’shousingneeds.

Accordingtohim,the floodinghasprevented personsfromaccessing theirlandsatBuxton andStJosephinCharity. Closeto500lotshave beenallocatedatCharity.

TheNationalDrainageandIrrigationAuthority(NDIA)hasalreadycommencedwork todesilttheentirearea.

TheNDIAplanstodevelopanewdrainage canalequippedwitha pumpinCharity.

Atotalof$1.2billionhasbeeninvestedat BuxtonandStJosephin Charitysince2020.

TheCentralHousing andPlanningAuthority (CHPA)willworkalong withNDIAtoformulate long-termresolutionsto addresstheflood-prone areathisweek.

“Wewanttobeable toshowpersonstheirlots bytheendofAprilwho havebeenallocatedto dateinthatarea.Weare workingtomakethearea bettersothatpersons canoccupyit,”Minister Croalstated.

Some$1.9billion hasbeenspenttodeveloptwohousingareasin theregionoverthelast fourandahalfyears. (DPI)

MinisterCroalduringasitevisittothehousingareainCharity

FAOunveilsupdatedmethodologyfortracking thesustainabilityoffisheries

THEFoodandAgricultureOrganisationofthe UnitedNations(FAO) hasrevealedthedetails ofamajorupdatetothe methodologyoftheState ofStocksIndex(SoSI)at theHoniaraSummitin SolomonIslands(24-27 February).

Thismarkedasignificantstepforwardin trackingandmanaging fisheriesmoreefficiently, supportingglobalefforts topromoteeffectivemanagementoftheoceanand itsresources.

Besidesdetailsofthe updatedmethodology, resultsfromFAOFishing Areas71and81,bothlocatedinthePacific,were presented.Fullresults willbepublishedlater

thisyearinaReporton theStateofWorldFishery Resources,tobelaunched attheUNOceansConferenceinNice,France.

METHODOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS

TheStateofStocks Indexiscomputedevery twoyearsandpresentedintheStateofWorld FisheriesandAquaculture (SOFIA)flagshipreport. Theenhancedmethodologyhasbeenupdatedto deliveramorepreciseand comprehensiveanalysis ofthestateandhealth ofstocks,andadoptsa three-tierassessmentapproach,ensuringgreater adaptabilitybasedondata availabilityandquality acrossdifferentfisheries. Akeyimprovementisa

significantexpansionin thenumberofassessed stocksineachFAOMajor FishingAreafromabout 500toapproximately 2600,offeringhigh-resolutioninsightsintothe stateandhealthoffishery resourcesatbothregional andgloballevels.

Themethodologywas builtandtestedin19 workshopsandconsultationsthatengaged200na-

tionalandregionalfisheriesinstitutionsandstakeholdersfrom92countries. Morethan650scientists andpolicyanalystscontributedtorefiningand validatingthefindings withinacollaborative framework.Additionally, theapproachenhanced capacityinresource-limitedregionsbyworking closelywithscientiststo assessthestateoftheir resources.Endorsedatthe 36thsessionoftheFAO CommitteeonFisheries, theupdatedmethodologywillhelpregional scientistsandfisheries institutionsassessfisheriesmoreeffectively, providingpolicymakers withstrongerdatatoimplementtargetedsustainabilitypoliciesatregional andnationallevels.

“Thesemethodologicalenhancementsare partofongoingeffortsto ensurethatglobalfisheriesmanagementdecisions areinformedbythebest availablescience,balancingconservationefforts withfoodsecurityneeds,” ManuelBarange,FAO AssistantDirectorGeneralandDirectorofthe FisheriesandAquaculture Division,saidduringthe summit.

AREA71,WESTERN CENTRALPACIFIC: AMOREACCURATE PICTUREREVEALS URGENT SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES

TheWesternCentral Pacific,hometothelargestnumberofartisanal andsmall-scalefishers globally,isoneofthe mostcomplexregionsfor fisheriesmanagement. Coveringtheexclusive economiczones(EEZs) of23countriesandterritories,thisareahaslong facedchallengesindata collectionandstockas-

-resultsfromPacificfishingareaspresented atHoniaraSummitinSolomonIslands

sessments.

Until2021,only43 stockswereassessedin thisarea;undertheupdatedmethodology,data from265stocksarenow incorporated,providingamoreaccurateand representativepicture. SoSInowestimatesthat 52.5percentofassessed stocksarebiologically sustainable,downfrom 80percentin2019,and 77percentin2021.However,thisdeclinedoesnot necessarilyreflectworseningstockconditionsbut ratheramorepreciseand comprehensiveassessmentthatismoreaccurate thanpreviousestimates.

Thefindingshighlight persistentchallengesin keyfisheries,particularly inSoutheastAsia,where skipjackandyellowfin tunafacetheimpactsof climatechangeandovercapacity.Theanalysis alsorevealsthatsmall pelagicfish,coastalreef species,andsharksin SoutheastAsiafacesignificantdeclinesdueto overfishing,habitatloss, andweakenforcement. Compoundingtheseissuesisthelimitedaccess toreliabledatawhich hinderseffectivestock assessmentandmanagement.Addressingthese datagapsiscriticalto strengtheningdatacollection,governance,andsustainablefishingpractices acrosstheregion.

Despitethesechallenges,theWesternand CentralPacificFisheries Commission(WCPFC) hasplayedacriticalrole inensuringthesustainablemanagementofdifferentstocksofkeytuna species,includingskipjacktuna,yellowfintuna, albacoretuna,andbigeye tuna.Thesespeciesdrive thearea’stunaindustry andremainsustainably managedthankstoscience-basedregulations, catchlimits,andmonitoringprograms.Northern Australia’ssharkfisheries alsoremainamongthe best-managedintheregion.

AREA81, SOUTHWEST PACIFICFISHERIES:

CLEARERPICTURE, STRONGER SUSTAINABILITY

IncontrasttothesustainabilitypictureinArea 71,amorecomprehensivedatasetandexpandedstocklistsreveala strongersustainability outlookforArea81in theSouthwestPacific, whichincludestheEEZs ofNewZealandandpart ofAustralia(thestateof NewSouthWales),as wellasextensiveareasof highseas.

Theupdatedmethodologyestimatesthat85.5 percentoftheassessed stocksarebiologically sustainablyfished,slightlyhigherthanthe75.9 percentin2021,when theoldmethodologywas inuse.Therisereflects anincreaseinthenumber ofstocksevaluated–166 ratherthantheprevious 29combinedstockevaluations.

Area81showsahigh variabilityinstockstatus. Whilesomestocks,such asbluegrenadierandrock lobster,arethriving,otherslikeorangeroughly andstripedmarlinremain overfished.

Somefisheries,such astheNewZealandscallopandpipiwedgeclam, havebeencloseddueto lowstocks.Ascatchlimitsrestorefishstocksand productivityimproves, thisregionissettinga globalbenchmarkforsustainablefisheriesmanagement.

ABOUTTHE HONIARASUMMIT

The2025HoniaraSummitfocusedon meaningfulactionand innovationtowards achievingSDG14:Conserveandsustainably usetheoceans,seasand marineresourcesfor sustainabledevelopment.TheSummitwas jointlyhostedbythe GovernmentofSolomon IslandsandthePacific IslandsForumFisheries AgencyincollaborationwithFAOandthe UNSecretaryGeneral’s SpecialEnvoyforthe Ocean,AmbassadorPeterThompson.(FAO)

Farmerswillnotbepaidlessthan$4,000for abagofpaddythiscrop–MinisterMustapha

FOLLOWINGweeks ofnegotiationsbetweenH.E.thePresident,DrIrfaanAli, theMinistryofAgriculture,theGuyana RiceDevelopment (GRDB)andlocal ricemillers,anofficialagreementwas inkedonTuesdaythat willseericefarmers receivingnolessthan $4,000forabagof paddyforthefirst cropof2025.

Thiswasdisclosed byAgricultureMinister,HonZulfikarMustapha,duringameeting withricefarmersfrom Mahaica.

Duringthemeeting, MinisterMustaphatold thefarmersthatPresidentAlihadengaged

thericemillersonseveraloccasionsafter farmersraisedconcerns aboutthepricesbeing offeredforpaddyfor thecurrentcrop.

“ThePresidentengagedthemillerson severaloccasionsto determinehowwecan worktogethertokeep thepriceofpaddyata stablerate.Themillers wereabitreluctantto maintainthelastcrop’s pricebecausetheysaid itisbeinginfluenced bytheworldmarket price.Today,wewere finallyabletoreachan agreementwherethe millerswillnotpurchasefarmers’paddy forlessthan$4,000 perbag.

Thismeanswe’ll

alsohavetomakea contribution.Wedidit before,andwe’lldoit again.Likeanyother responsiblegovernment,wearealways ensuringthatwebring relieftopeople.The farmersknowthatthis government,underthe leadershipofHisEx-

cellency,PresidentIrfaanAli,hasandwill alwaysensurefarmers getafairdeal,”heexplained.

HisExcellency,the President,DrIrfaan Ali,duringhisaddress atthe55thRepublic Anniversaryflag-raisingceremony,said riceproductionhasincreasedsignificantly andthatthegovernmenthasbeeninvestingtoupgradetheinfrastructuretosupport enhancedproduction andeasetheburdenson farmers.

“Guyana’sagriculturalsectorhas achievedsignificant milestones.Riceproductionhasexpanded, withmorethan227,000 acresundercultivationproducingmore than600,000metric tonnesannually,supportedbyhigh-yield seedvarieties.Over $70billionhasbeen

spentonimprovinginfrastructuretosupport enhancedproduction, higheryield,andease totheburdensofour farmers.Asagovernment,wewillcontinuetoevaluateglobal situations,including pricechangesandprice differentials,andyou canbeassuredthatthis governmentwillwork towardsmakingnecessaryadjustmentsso thatourfarmerswill notbeburdenedand willnotfeeltheweight ofchangesintheinternationaltradingand marketconditions,” PresidentAlinoted.

MinisterMustapha alsodisclosedthatfor thefirstcropof2025, approximately230,000 acresoflandwerecultivatedandapproximately9,000,000bags ofpaddyareexpected tobeharvested.He alsosaidthatriceproductionforthisyearis projectedtobe804,000 metrictonnes.

Hetoldthefarmers thatthegovernment hasbeenmakingthe necessaryinvestments totransformtheagriculturalsector,adding thatthisPPPgovernmenthasneverabandonedorneglected farmers.

“Overthelastfour years,we’vetransformedtheagriculture

sectorandtherice industry.Youallcan recallthatwhenthe priceforpaddywas downandthemillers werereluctanttopay farmersaparticular price,weabolishedthe salescommission.That wasover$498million. PresidentAlimetwith themillersandinstead ofpayingthatmoney totheGRDB,itwas paidtothefarmers. Ontwooccasions,we gavefarmersalmost$2 billioninfertiliser.We aremakingseedpaddy available;wearebuildingtheinfrastructure. Wegavefloodrelief. Thisgovernmenthas notabandonedyou,so donotbetrickedby thosewhowanttotake advantageofaglobal situationforpolitical gain.Thisgovernment neverpromisedfarmers $9,000forabagofpaddyandthensaidrice wasaprivatebusiness. Weneverincreasedthe costoflandrentalsand D&Icharges.Theseare thethingswehaveto remember,”henoted. In2024,riceproductionsurpassedits targetandreached anall-timehighof 725,282metric tonnes,representinga record-breakingmilestoneinthecountry’s agriculturalsector. (DPI)

Cabotagepermissiongrantedto businessownedbytheMohameds hasnotbeenrenewed–MARAD

THEfollowingisthe fullpressreleasethat wasissuedbythe MaritimeAdministrationDepartment (MARAD)onTuesdayconcerningthe non-renewalofthe cabotagepermission thatwasgrantedto Hadi’sWorld:

“TheMaritimeAdministrationDepartment(MARAD)wishestoclarifyamatterof publicinterestwhich hasgeneratedconsiderableattentionand inquiries,particularly fromthemediaoutlet, DemeraraWaves.

Itisimportantto recallthatonJune11, 2024,theUnitedStates Government,through theDepartmentof Treasury’sOfficeof ForeignAssetsControl (OFAC),announced sanctionsagainstNazar Mohamedandhisson, AzruddinMohamed, citingtheirinvolvementinlarge-scaletax evasion,goldsmuggling,moneylaunderingandotherforms ofpubliccorruption

inGuyana.Sanctions werealsoextendedto Mohamed’sEnterprise, Hadi’sWorld,and TeamMohamed’sRacingTeam,allofwhich areentitiesownedor controlledbytheMohameds.

Inviewofthese developments,andin adherencetoOFAC’s advisorywarningthat ‘financialinstitutionsandotherpersons thatengageincertain transactionsoractivitieswiththesanctioned entitiesandindividuals

mayexposethemselves tosanctionsorbesubjecttoanenforcement action,’MARADhas takenthedecisionnot torenewthecabotage permissionpreviouslygrantedtoHadi’s World.

Thispermission, whichallowedforeign-flaggedvessels tooperateoncoastal

voyagesinGuyana’s waters,expiredonFebruary12,2025,andhas notbeenextended.

Accordingly,MARADherebyadvisesthatanyforeign-flaggedvessel currentlyoperatingon behalfofHadi’sWorld withinGuyana’smaritimespace,including MotorTugs:Amelia

andMachelo,andDeck Barges:Miriamand Carmelia,isdoingso illegally.

MARADremains committedtoupholdingtheintegrityof Guyana’smaritime operationsandensuringfullcompliance withbothnational lawsandinternationalobligations.”

ObesityratesincreasinginGuyana

OBESITYisbecoming anincreasinglyserious concerninGuyana,with alarmingprojectionsshowingrisingratesofobesity andrelatedNon-CommunicableDiseases(NCDs) thatarethreateningthe country’spublichealth.

Astheworldobserves WorldObesityDay2025 todayunderthetheme, “ChangingSystems,HealthierLives,”thegovernment isurgentlyaddressingthe growingcrisis.

“Withobesityandrelated Non-CommunicableDiseases(NCDs)posingamajor challenge,theGovernment ofGuyanaremainscommittedtotacklingthiscrisis throughpolicyinterventions, publiceducationandimprovedhealthcareservices,” Guyana’sHealthMinisterDr FrankAnthonysaidinamessagetomarktheoccasion.

AccordingtotheWorld ObesityFederation,by2025, obesitywillaffect20.2per centofmen,35.5percentof women,and15.7percentof childrenaged5-19inGuyana.Thissurgeinobesityis contributingtoasharprisein NCDs,whicharealreadythe leadingcausesofdeathinthe country.In2016,NCDswere responsiblefor68percentof alldeaths,withcardiovasculardiseasealoneaccounting for34percent.

Theincreaseinobesityis tiedtodietaryshiftsinGuyana,wherefast-foodchains andprocessed,high-calorie foodshavebecomemore accessible,contributingto pooreatinghabits.Sedentary lifestylesarealsoworsening thesituation,makingiteven hardertocombatthisgrowinghealththreat.

Inresponse,DrAnthony notedthatGuyana’sgovernmenthaslaunchedaseries ofinitiativesaimedatcombattingobesityandNCDs. Theseincludepublicawarenesscampaigns:nationwide

educationalprogrammes andcampaignstopromote healthyeatinghabitsand activelifestyles,empowering citizenstomakeinformed healthchoices;bodymass index(BMI)education:the MinistryofHealtheducates thepubliconBMIcalculationtohelpindividuals monitortheirweightand takeproactivestepstowarda healthierlifestyle;collaborativeefforts:thegovernment worksalongsideschools, workplaces,andcivilsociety organisationstofosteracultureofwellnessandhealthy living;childhoodobesity prevention:specialisedprogrammesandworkshopsfor kitchenandadministrative staffinresidentialfacilitiesensurechildrenreceive nutritious,balancedmeals andimprovedhealthcare services:thegovernmenthas enhancedhealthcareaccess andresourcesforindividuals strugglingwithobesityand NCDs,ensuringbetterprevention,management,and treatmentoptions.

“Itiscrucialforgovernmentagencies,privateorganisationsandindividualsto worktogetherincombatting obesityandreducingthebur-

denofNCDsbycontinuing toinvestinhealthcare,promote[sic]healthylifestyles andstrengthen[sic]public education,Guyanacanmove towardahealthier,stronger future,”hesaidinhismessage.

Further,theminister urgedallGuyanesetoadopt healthiereatinghabitssuch as Increasingintakeof fruitsandvegetables,aimingforfiveservingsdaily togetessentialnutrients andfibre;choosingwhole grainsbyoptingforbrown rice,wholewheatbread andoatsforbetterdigestionandprolongedsatiety; limitingsugarybeverages byreducingintakeofsodas,fruitjuices,andenergydrinks,replacingthem withwaterorherbalteas; controllingportionsizes byusingsmallerplatesand bowlstomanagecalorie intakeeffectively;reducing fast-foodconsumptionby prioritisinghome-cooked mealsmadefromfresh, wholeingredientsandoptingforhealthysnacksby choosingnuts,seeds,yogurt andfruitsinsteadofprocessedsnacks.

THETransportandHarboursDepartment(T&HD) saidthatanincidentinvolvingaheavily-ladentruck hasbeenresolvedandan investigationisunderway.

Inastatement,T&HD saidthatat10:45hrsonTuesdayanincidentoccurred whileaheavily-ladentruck

whichwastransportedfrom ParikatoBarticaonboard theM.V.Malaliwasbeing offloaded.

Thetruckwasoneofthe 18vehiclesoccupying31 spacesaboardthevessel.

“TheTransportand HarboursDepartmentis currentlyconductinganin-

vestigationtopreventareoccurrence,”thestatement said,addingthatthevessel wassubsequentlyloadedto capacitywith17vehicles, occupying31spacesbefore itdepartedBarticaatabout 14:30hrsenroutetoParika withoutfurtherincident.

Duoconvictedin2018murderof BourdaMarketvendortolearnfatetoday

THEcaseofthetwo menconvictedofthe 2018murderofBourdaMarketvendorTroy Ramalhoissettoconcludetoday,withthe killersbeingsentenced. Themen’ssentencing hearingisbeingpresided overbyJusticeNavindra SinghattheDemerara HighCourt.

AkeemMorris,32,and RoySandiford,39,had bothpleadednotguilty tochargesrelatedtothe fatalshootingofRamalho duringarobbery.However,followinglengthy deliberations,ajuryfound themguiltyofthecrime

onJanuary31,2025.

Morris,aminerfrom SandyBabbStreet,Kitty, Georgetown,andSandiford,aresidentofSection "A"Sophia,Georgetown, werepartofathree-man gangthatambushedRamalhoonAugust15, 2018,nearBourdaMarket inGeorgetown. ProsecutorsMuntaz AliandChristopherBelfieldarguedthatthecrime occurredaround11:00 p.m.,whenRamalho,a well-knownvendorsellingcheeseandeggsin frontof"Rambarran's"

onRobbStreet,Georgetown,resistedtherobbery attempt.Theassailants, armedwithweapons,fatallyshotthe45-year-old vendorduringtheconfrontation,beforeescapinginawaitingcar.

Despiteeffortsbybystanderstoassist,RamalhosuccumbedtohisinjuriesattheGeorgetown PublicHospitalCorporation(GPHC).

MorrisisbeingrepresentedbyattorneyKiswanaJefford,whileDexter ToddservesasSandiford's defencecounsel.Incon-

nectionwiththecase,Nya John,initiallycharged withRamalho’smurder, wasacquittedafterajury returnedaunanimousnotguiltyverdict.

Meanwhile,George Paton,anaccomplice oftheconvicts,pleaded guiltytomanslaughter in2022andwassentencedto12yearsin

prisonbyJusticeSimone Morris-Ramlall.Paton, whowasthedriverof thegetawaycar,received areducedsentencefollowinghisguiltyplea.

TroyRamalhoAkeemMorrisRoySandiford

JusticeNavindraSingh

AmnaAllyexposesMahipaul’s attemptstounseatNortonafter blisteringattackagainsther

FORMERlongstanding memberofthePeople’s NationalCongressReform(PNCR)AmnaAlly hasmadestartlingrev-

elationsaboutrepeated attemptsbyGaneshMahipaultounderminepartyleaderAubreyNorton.

Inaletterseenbythe

GuyanaChronicle,AllyrespondedtoMahipaulwho tookaimandrebukedher forexercisingherrightto walkawayfromthePNCR

whichshesaidnolonger alignswithherprinciples.

Intheletter,shedescribedMahipaulas“ungratefulandopportunistic,”remindinghimof severalinstanceswherehe

becauseyouwanthimto takeyoubackinParliament,”shesaid.

Allywentontostate thatMahipaulhas“never spokenagoodwordabout yourso-calledLeader,”

madeattemptstounseat Norton.

AccordingtoAlly,Mahipaulsoughttocanvas supporttoremoveNorton asOppositionLeaderby firstapproachingexecutive memberJermaineFiguera whorefusedtosupport themotion.Shesaidthat hethenapproachedother memberswhoalsoturned himaway,resultinginhim abandoningtheplanaltogether,andprofessinghis supportforNorton.

“…notforgettingyou couldn’tgetthesupport fromtheotherMPstoget themotionpassed.So,you hadtoabortitandprofess tobeaNortondiehardall

andthat“itwasyouwho startedanegativecampaignagainstNortonbut afterthedepartureofthe previousLeaderofthe Oppositionyougravitated toNortonbecauseyousaid youwantedNortontoput youbackinParliament.”

TheformerPNCR memberdisclosedtoothat itwasMahipalwhotaped andreleasedtherecording ofaphonecallinwhich thenpartytreasurer,Faaiz Mursaline,allegedthathe wasforcedtosignblank chequesforNorton.

Allynotedtoothat whenNortonwaschallengedfortheleadership ofthepartybyRoysdale

Forde,itwasMahipaul who“initiatedtheTeam Fordegroup”andwhen hedidnotgetwhathewas lookingforinreturn,departedfromtheteamand divulgeddetailsofwhat transpiredinthatgroup totheteamthatsupported Norton.

“IknowbecauseItoo waspartofthatgroup,” Allysaid.

Shedisclosedtoothat Mahipaulhadhopesthat theTorontochapterofthe PNCRwould“pressure” Nortonintorecognising himandofferinghimthe PrimeMinisterialcandidacyheadingintothe2025 election.

Allyendedherletter bystatingthatthereis alitanyofeventsofthis natureinvolvingMahipaul,andsheawaitsthe opportunitytoelaborate further.

AmnaAlly

GaneshMahipaul

EducationMinisterpromotes‘One GuyanaDigitalSchool’atG/townschools

EducationMinisterPriyaManickchand discussingdigitallearningwithSt.Rose’sHigh Schoolstudents

THE‘OneGuyanaDigitalSchool’initiativewas officiallylaunchedon Tuesday,demonstrating thegovernment’scommitmenttomodernising theeducationsystem.The programme,auniqueand revolutionaryconceptof President,DrIrfaanAli, aimstointegratedigital technologiesintoclassroomsacrossthecountry andthewiderCaribbean region.The‘OneGuyana DigitalSchool’isbeing implementedinpartnershipwiththeGuyanaOnlineAcademyofLearning (GOAL).

Thisprogrammeseeks tobridgethedigitaldivide byensuringthatstudents fromvarioussocio-economicbackgroundshave accesstomoderneducationaltools.

EducationMinisterPriyaManickchandmarked thelaunchwithvisitsto severalschoolsinthecapitalcityofGeorgetown, includingStRose’sHigh SchoolandtheNorthRuimveldtMultilateralSecondarySchool,whereshe engagedwithGrades10 and11students,teachers, andadministratorstodiscussthetransformativepotentialofdigitaleducation.

MinisterManickchand emphasisedtheimportance ofthisinitiative,stating, “Youdon’tpayforthis. Thisisliterallyfreeto you,butitrequiresyour

StudentsfromtheNorth RuimveldtMultilateral SecondarySchool eagerlyparticipatein theonlineschool

StRose’sHighSchoolstudentsutilisedthecomputerlabtoaccessthe ‘OneGuyanaDigitalSchool’

interest.Whatyouhaveis theconvenienceofthisat anytime…itisrightthere atyourfingertips.Weare invitingyoutoregister.”

“The‘OneGuyanaDigitalSchool’isgoingtoput allthecontentrequired fortheCaribbeanSecondaryEducationCertificate(CSEC)examinations ontoaplatforminvarious forms,whereyoucanaccessit.So,therearenotes, videos,crosswords,tests, andmultiple-choicequizzeswheretheytestyou,” sheexplained.Usingartificialintelligence,shesaid thesystemanalysesthose answerstoidentifyareas whereaparticularstudent isweakormayneedreinforcement.

AsregardstheDigital School,shenotedthatthe governmentisinvestinga significantsumtopurchase thenecessarytextbooks relevanttothesubjects. Sheurgedstudentstoremaindisciplinedandcompletetheirassignedtasks, emphasisingthegovernment’ssignificantinvestmentsintheireducation. Duringhervisits,Minister Manickchandparticipated ininteractiveclassroom sessionswheredigitaldeviceswereusedtofacilitate lessonsinsubjectssuch asMathematics,English, SocialStudies,Principles ofAccounts,Principles ofBusiness,Spanishand IntegratedScience.Stu-

dentsalsohaveaccessto pastCSECexamination papersfromthepast10to 15years.Whileinteracting withtheminister,students demonstratedtheirability tousetabletsandeducationalsoftwaretosolve problemsandcollaborate onprojectsinreal-time.

Meanwhile,several teachersexpressedoptimismabouttheinitiative,notingthatdigital toolscancatertodiverse learningstylesandmake complexconceptsmore accessible.

Recognisingthatthe successofdigitalintegrationdependsontheproficiencyofeducators,the ministryhasimplemented comprehensivetraining programmes.Theseprogrammesaredesignedto enhanceteachers’digital literacysothattheycan effectivelyincorporate technologyintotheirlessonplans.Tosupportthe ‘GuyanaDigitalSchool’ initiative,significant investmentshavebeen madeinupgradingschool infrastructure.Thisincludesimprovinginternet connectivity,establishing computerlabs,andprovidingschoolswithdigital devicessuchastabletsand interactivewhiteboards. MinisterManickchand concludedhervisitsby reaffirmingthegovernment’sdedicationtoeducationaladvancement, stressingthatitis“President,DrAli’sdreamof howtoequaliseandmake everythingavailableto everyone.”

The‘OneGuyanaDigitalSchool’issaidtobe thefirstofitskindinthe Caribbean.

Sincereturningto officein2020,thegov-

ernmenthaslaunched severalinitiativestoenhanceeducationacross thecountry.Theseincludetheestablishment of‘smart’classrooms, theconstructionofnew schoolsandrenovation ofexistingones,aswell asincreasesinteachers’ salariesandbenefits, alongwithhighercash grantsforschoolchildren.

Gaza’srecoverymustbebuiltonmore thansteelandconcrete–Guterres

THEUNSecretary-GeneralonTuesdaystressed thatthe“truefoundation”ofrecoveryand reconstructioninGaza mustbebasedona clearandagreedpoliticalframework,notjust bricksandmortar.

SpeakingattheemergencysummitofArab nationsonthesituation intheMiddleEastand Gaza’sreconstructionin Cairo,AntónioGuterres welcomedArab-ledeffortstomobilisesupport forGaza’srecovery.

Hestressedthatrebuildingthewar-ravaged territorymustbeguided byprinciplesthatrespect internationallawandpreventfurthercyclesofviolence.

“Thetruefoundation ofrecoveryinGazawill bemorethanconcreteand steel,”hesaid.

“Itwillbedignity, self-determinationand security.Thismeansstayingtruetothebedrock ofinternationallaw.It meansrejectinganyform ofethniccleansing.Andit

meansforgingapolitical solution.”

POLITICAL FRAMEWORK ESSENTIAL

Mr.Guterreshighlightedthatreconstruction effortscannotbeseparatedfromthebroader politicalsituation.

“Endingtheimmediatecrisisisnotenough. Weneedaclearpolitical frameworkthatlaysthe foundationforGaza’s recovery,reconstruction andlastingstability,”he said.

AcknowledgingIsrael’ssecurityconcerns,he addedthatthereshould notbealong-termIsraeli militarypresenceinGaza.

UNPRECEDENTD

DESTRUCTION

ThewarinGazahas leftanunprecedentedlevelofdestruction,with anestimated51million tonsofrubbleblanket-

allcoststheresumption ofhostilities,”heurged, callingonbothparties toupholdtheircommitmentsundertheceasefire andhostagedeal,and toresumenegotiations withoutdelay.

“Allhostagesmust bereleased–immediately,unconditionallyand inadignifiedmanner,”

lisecurityforceshave launchedlarge-scaleoperations,includingairstrikesandalsothedeploymentoftanks.

ingthelandscapewhere bustlingneighbourhoods oncethrived.

Accordingtoanew UNdamageandneeds-assessmentreport,over 60percentofhomes –amountingtosome 292,000–and65percent ofroadshavebeendestroyedacrosstheapproximately360-square-kilometreenclave.

WorkingwithPalestinianauthorities,UN developmentandenvironmentalagenciesand non-governmentalorganisationsarelooking athowtosafelyclearthe rubblesothatfamilies canrebuild.UNteams aredrawingonsimilar experiencesinMosul, Iraq,andtheSyriancities ofAleppoandLatakia, alldecimatedbywar.

UNagenciesalong withpartners,including theWorldBank,estimate that$53billionwillbe neededforrecoveryand reconstruction.

CEASEFIRE MUSTHOLD

Withhumanitarian conditionsstilldire,Mr. Guterreswarnedthatrenewedhostilitieswould plungemillionsbackinto sufferingandfurtherdestabilisetheregion.

“Wemustavoidat

hesaid,addingthatthe releaseofPalestiniandetaineesmustbecarried outperthetermsofthe dealandalsoinadignifiedway.

“Thepartiesmustensurehumanetreatment forallthoseheldunder theirpower.”

ENSURE UNHINDEREDAID

TheSecretary-Generalhighlightedthatimportanceofhumanitarian aidforciviliansinneed inGaza,callingforthe removalofallobstacles toaiddelivery.

“Humanitarianaidis notnegotiable.Itmust flowwithoutimpediment,”hesaid,urging alsodonorstoensure adequatefunding.

HeapplaudedthededicationofUNstaffand allotherhumanitarian workersinprovidingessentialservicesunder themostdifficultcircumstances,appealing fortheurgentandfull supportoftheUNRelief andWorksAgency(UNRWA)’swork,including financialsupport.

ESCALATIONIN THEWESTBANK

BeyondGaza,Mr. Guterresexpressedalarm atrisingviolenceinthe WestBank,whereIsrae-

“Over40,000Palestinianshavebeenforciblydisplacedinthelast month—thelargestdisplacementintheWest Bankindecades.Meanwhile,demolitions,evictionsandsettlementexpansionscontinue,with settlerviolenceisonthe rise,”henoted.

Hecalledforanurgentde-escalationofthe situation,andthestoppingofunilateralactions, includingsettlementexpansionandthreatsof annexation.

“Israel,astheoccupyingpower,mustcomply withallitsobligations underinternationallaw, includinginternational humanitarianlaw,”Mr. Guterressaid.

Inaddition,thePalestinianAuthoritymust besupportedtogovern effectively,and“dosoin compliancewithitsown obligationsunderinternationallaw.”

TWO-STATE SOLUTIONTHE ONLYPATH

TheUNchiefreiteratedthatatwo-Statesolutionremainstheonlyviablepathtolastingpeace.

“Theonlypathto lastingpeaceisone wheretwostates–IsraelandPalestine–live side-by-sideinpeace andsecurity,inline withinternationallaw andrelevantUNresolutions,withJerusalem asthecapitalofboth states,”hesaid.(UN)

THEongoingeffortsof theIwokramaInternationalCentretogetherwith supportfromgovernment agenciestostemtheillegal goldminingsituationwithintheProtectedArea,has resultedinfurtherarrests.

AccordingtoapressreleaseissuedonTuesday,a missionbytheGuyanaGeologyandMinesCommission alongwiththeGuyanaPolice ForceandtheMinistryof NaturalResourcessawseveralpersonsbeingarrestedon February23,2025.

“TheseillegalminersincludedaBrazilianwithfamilytiestoanearbycommunity,whohasalonghistory ofillegalincursionsintothe Iwokramaforest,alongwith twootherGuyanese–from theEssequiboCoastand ParamakatoiVillage,”the releasesaid.

ItaddedthatIwokrama overthepastyearshasbeen “besieged”byillegalgold miningintheSiparuniarea andhassentsternwarnings thatsuchintrusionswillbe forcefullydealtwith.Several enforcementactivitiesledby theGovernmentofGuyana’s regulatoryagencieshave beenundertakentocurbthese illegalactivities,whichsaw 14personsarrestedin2024.

CommunityleadersassociatedwithIwokramahave alsostronglycondemned residentcommunitypersons’ involvementinillegalgold miningwithinIwokramaand signedontoajointcommuniqueinOctober2024.

Thereleasepointedout thattheIwokramaandNorth RupununiDistrictDevelopmentBoard(NRDDB)have agreedtostronglycondemn theseillegaloperationsinthe IwokramaForest,undertake toensurethatmembersof thecommunitiesunderstand thatgoldminingisillegal intheIwokramaForestand thatsupplyingtheseillegal operationswithmaterials andsuppliesisalsoillegal andworktogetheronacomprehensivemonitoringprogrammethatwillinclude communicationandreporting mechanismsamongsteach otherandreportonanysuspiciousactivitiesinandaround theircommunitiesandthe IwokramaForest.

Accordingtothecommunique,theyaregrateful fortheGovernmentofGuyana’ssupportineradicating thismajorproblemandwill continuetoengagewithand

IllegalmininganddamageintheIwokramaForest(PhotoscourtesyoftheIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainForest ConservationandDevelopment)

supportthegovernmentin theireffortstocurbthisactivityandwishtoremind thegeneralpublicofthe importanceoftheIwokrama Foresttothelivelihoodsof thecommunitiesofRegions EightandNineandthenationalreputationofGuyana asacountryknownforits biodiversity-conservation initiatives.

Thereleaseaddedthat thecentrewouldliketoonce againremindthepublicthat gold-miningactivitiesare absolutelynotallowedinthe IwokramaForest.

“Furthermore,suchillegalactivitiesareathreat tothecentre’sinternational certificationandtoGuyana’s forest-managementsystem asawholeandwill[not] betolerated.Iwokramareservestherighttopublish thenamesandphotographs ofpersonsfoundconducting illegalgold-miningactivities ontheProtectedArea.

“Iwokrama’smanagementacknowledgesthatcollaborationisthemosteffectivewaytotargetsuchillegal activitiesandaregratefulfor thecontinuedsupportfrom theMinistryofNaturalResources,theGuyanaGeology andMinesCommission,the GuyanaPoliceForce,the ProtectedAreasCommission andtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,”therelease said.

Forfurtherinformationonthemanagement oftheIwokramaForest andtoreportanyillegal activitiesintheforest,Dr RaquelThomas,Director, ResourceManagementcan becontactedatrthomas@ iwokrama.org.Moreinformationonthecentre’swork isavailableonthefollowing websites:www.iwokrama. org,www.iwokramariverlodge.comandwww. iwokramacanopywalkway. com

LabourMinistryLaunches‘SkillsConnect’App toboostemployment,serviceopportunities

TheMinistryofLabour, throughitsCentralRecruitmentandManpower Agency,haslaunchedthe SkillsConnectapp—an innovativedigitalplatform aimedatbridgingtheemploymentgapandenhancingjobaccessibilityfor blue-collarworkersacross Guyana.

Thelaunch,whichtook placeonTuesdayattheMinistryofLabourboardroom, wasattendedbyMinisterof LabourJosephHamilton, ChiefLabourOfficerDhaneshwarDeonarine,ChiefRecruitmentandManpower

ChiefLabourOfficer, DhaneshwarDeonarine

MinisterofLabour, JosephHamilton

OfficerYolandaGrant,and otherkeyofficials.

TheSkillsConnectapp isdesignedtoconnectjob seekerswithemployment opportunitieswhilealsoallowingserviceprovidersto advertisetheirskillsandbusinesses.AccordingtoChief LabourOfficerDeonarine, theplatformcomplementsthe Ministry’sonlinejobbank byprovidingamoreaccessibleandinteractivespace forworkerstocollaborate, engage,andestablishtrusted professionalrelationships.

“Thisappisspecially designedforblue-collar

workers—whetherunskilled, semi-skilled,orskilled—to easilyaccessjobopportunitiesandmarkettheirexpertise,”Deonarinestated.

skillsandservices;Browse joblistings;Engagein directnegotiationswith employers;andreceivejob updatesandfeedback

ENHANCEJOB ACCESSIBILITY

Inhisremarks,Minister Hamiltonunderscoredthe government’scommitment tomakingemploymentopportunitiesmoreaccessible tocitizens.

“It’sanotherinitiative bythegovernmenttoget peopleclosertojobsandjobs closertothepeople,”hesaid. “Unliketheonlinejobbank, whichconnectspotential employeeswithcompanies, SkillsConnectallowsfor directengagementbetween serviceprovidersandthose seekingshort-termorspecializedlabour.”

Theministeralsohighlightedthebroaderimpact ofdigitaltransformation withingovernmentservices. HenotedthattheNational DataManagementAuthority (NDMA)playedakeyrole indevelopingtheappandis activelyworkingonsimilar projectsforotherministries.

“Ateverylevelofgovernment,wearestrivingfor amoresystematicandefficientrelationshipwiththe public.Thisappisjustone exampleofhowwe’rereducingbureaucratichurdlesand makingservicesmoreaccessible,”Hamiltonexplained.

FEATURESAND ACCESSIBILITY

TheSkillsConnectapp isfreetouseandcomes equippedwithabuilt-in translationfeaturetosupportSpanishspeakers.Itis compatiblewithallsmart devicesandprovidesa seamlessinterfaceforusersto:Registerviaamobilenumber;Advertise

Additionally,theapp allowssmallbusinessownersandtrainedprofessionalstomarkettheirservices,ensuringabroader reachandgreateremploymentprospects.

STRENGTHENING PUBLICEMPLOYMENT SERVICES

ChiefLabourOfficer Deonarinealsohighlightedtheministry’songoing effortstomodernizepublicemploymentservices. HenotedthattheSkills Connectappbuildsupon previousinitiativessuch asthelaunchoftheonlinejobbankin2022and theLabourAdvicemobile app,whichprovidesquick accesstoadvisoryservices andfacilitatestheresolutionoflabourdisputes.

“WithSkillsConnect, wearetakinganothermajorstepforwardinempoweringworkersacross Guyana.Itisdesignedto ensurethatjobseekers,regardlessoflocation,havea reliableandefficientplatformtoaccessemployment opportunitiesandconnect withpotentialemployers,” Deonarineaffirmed.

Attheconclusion ofthelaunch,attendeesweregivenavideo demonstrationshowcasingtheapp’sfeatures andfunctionality.The MinistryofLabouris nowencouragingalljob seekers,skilledworkers, andemployerstodownloadtheSkillsConnect appandtakefulladvantageofthisinnovative employmenttool.

TheSkillsConnectapp(JaphethSavoryphoto)

-MinisterMustaphaexpressessatisfactionwithprogressofworks, saysadditionalrequestswillbefulfilled

ByCindy Parkinson-Chowbay

INasignificantmoveto enhancetheoperational andsafetyconditionsat theMeadowBankwharf, GreaterGeorgetown,the governmenthasinvested over$200millionininfrastructuralimprovements. MinisterofAgriculture ZulfikarMustapha,during afollow-upvisitonTuesdaymorning,inspected thecompletedandongoing workswhileengagingwith vendors,fishcleanersand fishermentoassesstheir needsandconcerns.

President,DrIrfaanAliand hisadministrationforthe much-neededtransformation.

Therevitalisationeffort includestheconstructionof amodernisedwharf,multiple newsheds,areconstructed tarmacandtheremovalof dilapidatedstructures.Additionalinitiativescurrently underwayinvolveclearing lawnsfortree-planting,constructingapoliceoutpostand enhancingtheoverallaestheticsofthearea.

“Today’svisitservedas afollowuptoevaluatethe completedworkandongoingprojects.Ialsohadthe opportunitytoengagewith

tocreatingamorecomfortable,safe,andsanitarybusinessenvironmentforfishermenandvendors.Minister Mustaphanotedthatwhile newlavatoryfacilitieshave alreadybeeninstalledfor consumersandworkers,additionalworks—including concretedrains,additional sheds,vendingstallsand improvedlighting—willbe completedinthecoming weeks.

Tomaintaincleanliness andhygiene,thegovernment hasalsoemployedwashroom attendantstoensurethatthe facilitiesremaininoptimal conditionforpublicuse.

MinisterMustaphaexpressedsatisfactionwiththe progress,statingthatapproximately80percentofthe infrastructuralworkatthe wharfhasbeencompleted.He

underscoredthatthisinitiative ispartofabroadereffortby thePeople’sProgressiveParty/Civic(PPP/C)government toinvestinkeypublicspaces acrossthecountry.

“Ourpeopleareatthe centreofwhatwearedoing. Whetheritisthroughthe enhancementofourmarkets, ports,highways,wharvesor supportingourfarmers,everyinvestmentismadewith

theirwell-beinginmind,”he affirmed.

Withthecompletionof theremainingworks,the MeadowBankwharfisset tobecomeamoresecure andwelcomingspacefor vendorsandconsumers alike,reinforcingthegovernment’songoingcommitmenttonationaldevelopmentandeconomic sustainability.

MinisterofAgriculture,ZulfikarMustapha,duringhis visitandengagementwiththefisherfolkattheMeadow BankwharfonTuesdaymorning

Speakingexclusivelyto theGuyanaChronicle,MinisterMustaphaemphasisedthe government’scommitmentto revitalisingcriticalinfrastructuretoimprovelivelihoods. Hehighlightedthatlocal residentsandvendorshave expressedappreciationto

thepeopleatthewharfand whiletheyweregratefulfor theenhancementworkthat wasdone,theyhadafew additionalrequests,which wewillalsofulfil,”Minister Mustaphastated.

Theprojectaimstofulfil PresidentAli’scommitment

SYNTHETICdrugsare rapidlytransforming theglobaldrugtrade, fuellinganescalating publichealthcrisis,accordingtotheUNadministeredInternational NarcoticsControlBoard (INCB).

Inits2024AnnualReport,releasedonTuesday,

theINCBexplainsthat unlikeplant-baseddrugs, thesesubstancescanbe madeanywhere,without theneedforlarge-scale cultivation,makingthem easierandcheaperfor traffickerstoproduceand distribute.

Theriseofpowerful opioidslikefentanyland

nitazenes–potentenough tocauseoverdosesintiny doses–hasworsenedthe crisis,drivingrecord-high deaths.

“Therapidexpansion oftheillicitsynthetic drugindustryrepresentsa majorglobalpublichealth threatwithpotentiallydisastrousconsequencesfor

humankind,”saidINCB PresidentJallalToufiq.

“Weneedtoworktogethertotakestronger actionagainstthisdeadly problemwhichiscausing hundredsofdeathsand untoldharmtocommunities,”hecontinued.

TRAFFICKERS STAYAHEADOF REGULATIONS

Criminalgroupsare constantlyadaptingto evadelawenforcement.

Byexploitinglegal loopholes,theydevelop newsyntheticcompounds anduseartificialintelligencetofindalternative chemicalsfordrugproduction.

Newsmugglingmethods–includingdrones andpostaldeliveries–makethesedrugsharder todetect.

Asaresult,seizures ofsyntheticsubstances arenowoutpacingthose oftraditionalplant-based drugslikeheroinandcocaine.

PATCHWORK RESPONSE

Despiteeffortstocurb syntheticdrugs,responses remainfragmented,allowingtraffickerstostay ahead.

TheINCBiscalling forstrongerglobalcooperation,includingpartnershipsbetweengovernments,privatecompanies andinternationalorganizations,todisruptsupply chainsandpreventharm.

MEDICATIONOUT OFREACH

Whilesyntheticdrugs floodillegalmarkets,millionsofpeopleinlowand middle-incomecountries stilllackaccesstoessentialpainreliefmedication.

Thereporthighlights thatopioidpainkillers suchasmorphine,remain

unavailableinregions likeAfrica,SouthAsia andCentralAmerica–not duetosupplyshortages, butbecauseofbarriers indistributionandregulation.

TheINCBisurging opioid-producingnations toincreaseproduction andaffordabilitytoimprovepalliativecareand painmanagement.

REGIONAL HOTSPOTS CONCERNS

Thereportidentifies severalregionswhere syntheticdrugtrafficking isexpanding.

InEurope,theloomingheroindeficitfollowingAfghanistan’s2022 opiumbancouldpush moreuserstowardsyntheticalternativeswhile inNorthAmerica,despite effortstocurbthecrisis, syntheticopioid-related deathsremainatrecord highs.

Themanufacture, traffickinganduseof amphetamine-typestimulantsareincreasingacross theMiddleEastandAfrica,wheretreatmentand rehabilitationservicesare ofteninadequate.

Meanwhile,inthe Asia-Pacificregion, methamphetamineand ketaminetraffickingcontinuestogrow,particularlyintheGoldenTriangle.

CALLFORURGENT ACTION

TheINCBisurging governmentstostrengtheninternationalcollaboration,improvedata-sharingandexpanddrugpreventionandtreatment services.

Withoutdecisiveaction,thesyntheticdrug tradewillcontinueto evolve,puttingmore livesatrisk.(UN)

ByZamirAhmedAwan (People'sDailyOnline)China's economyhasdemonstratedremarkableresilienceandstabilitydespiteachallengingglobal environment.

Therecentlyreleaseddata fromChina'sNationalBureauof Statisticsshowsthatin2024,China'sGDPreached134.91trillion RMB,markingasteadyfivepercentyear-on-yearincrease.This milestoneunderscoresChina's abilitytomaintainrobusteconomicgrowthdespiteexternalpressuresandinternaladjustments.

Thecountrycontinuestoplay apivotalroleinglobaleconomic development,servingasakey driverofstabilityandprogress. Thesignificanceofthe"two sessions"intheChinese politicalsystem

AsChinapreparesfortheannualsessionsofitstoplegislature andpoliticaladvisorybody—the "twosessions"—theworldwatchesclosely.Thethirdsessionofthe 14thNationalPeople'sCongress (NPC)andthethirdsessionofthe 14thNationalCommitteeofthe ChinesePeople'sPoliticalConsultativeConference(CPPCC)will commenceonMarch5andMarch 4,respectively.

Thesesessionsserveasan essentialforumforsettingthe country'seconomicandpolitical agenda,whichholdsimmense significance,particularlyasChina movestowardsthefinalyearofits 14thFive-YearPlan(2021-2025).

The"twosessions"areacrucialelementofChina'sgovernancemodel,allowingthegovernmenttosetpolicydirections, revieweconomicprogress,and discusskeylegislativematters. TheNationalPeople'sCongress, asthehighestorganofstatepower,deliberatesonmajorpolicies, legislativechanges,andeconomic plans,ensuringnationaldevelopmentremainsontrack.

TheCPPCC,asaconsultativebody,facilitatesdiscussions amongrepresentativesfromvarioussectors,providingadvisoryinputonsignificantnationalmatters. ThesesessionsexemplifyChina's modelofwhole-processpeople's democracy.

Atatimeofrapidlyevolvingglobalgeopolitics,the"two sessions"takeonaddedsignificance.Theywillprovideinsights intoChina'seconomicpolicies, internationalengagements,and strategicinitiatives.Thedecisions takenatthesemeetingswillnot onlyimpactChina'sdomestictrajectory,butalsoshapetheglobal economiclandscape.

China'seconomicresilience andstabilityamidglobal uncertainty

China'sabilitytomaintain steadyeconomicgrowthisatestamenttoitsstrongpolicyframeworkandeffectivegovernance. Thecountryhassuccessfullynavigatedglobaleconomicchallenges, leveraginginnovation,investment ininfrastructure,andpolicyreformstosustaingrowth.Thegovernment'sfocusonhigh-quality development,digitaltransformation,andgreenenergyhasfurther strengthenedeconomicstability.

China'seconomicresilienceis particularlyevidentinitsresponse toexternalpressuressuchastrade uncertaintiesandglobalinflation.Thegovernmenthastaken proactivemeasurestosupport businesses,enhancesupplychain stability,andpromotetechnologicaladvancements.Additionally, domesticconsumptioncontinues tobeakeygrowthdriver,with risingincomesandanexpanding middleclassfuelingdemand acrossvarioussectors.

OneofthemostpromisingaspectsofChina'seconomicstrategy isitsemphasisongreendevelopmentandthedigitaleconomy. Chinahasemergedasaglobal leaderinrenewableenergy,electricvehicles,andenvironmental sustainability.Thecountryis acceleratinginvestmentsinsolar andwindpower,enhancingenergy efficiencyandadvancingcarbon-neutralitygoals.Theseefforts alignwithChina'scommitmentto buildinganeco-friendlyeconomy andaddressingclimatechange challenges.

ThedigitaleconomyisanotherkeypillarofChina'sfuture growth.Withadvancementsin artificialintelligence,cloudcomputingandbigdata,Chinaisfosteringahighlyinnovativebusiness environment.Therapidexpansion ofsmartmanufacturing,digital trade,andfinancialtechnologyis creatingneweconomicopportunities.Theintegrationoftechnology intovariousindustriesisreshaping businessmodelsandenhancing globalcompetitiveness.

Emergingtrendssuchasthe riseofsmartcities,digital-currencyinitiatives,and5G-enabled servicesfurtherillustrateChina's forward-lookingapproach.The government'ssupportforinnovationandentrepreneurshipisenablingbusinessestothriveinthe digitallandscape,makingChinaa hubforcutting-edgetechnologies anddigitaltransformation.

China'sopen-doorpolicies anditsroleintheglobaleconomy Lookingahead,China'seconomicgrowthprospectsremain strong.Keyfactorsdrivinglongtermdevelopmentincludecontinuedpolicysupport,structural reformsandinvestmentsincriticalsectorssuchastechnology, healthcare,andinfrastructure.The country'semphasisonself-relianceinadvancedmanufacturing andscientificresearchwillfurther enhanceitsglobalposition.

Amidgrowingglobaleconomicuncertainty,China'smarket continuestoinspireconfidence. Thesteadyexpansionofdomestic consumption,improvementsin thebusinessenvironment,and enhancedtradepartnershipscontributetosustainedeconomicmomentum.China'scommitmentto high-qualitydevelopmentensures thatgrowthisinclusive,sustainable,andalignedwithlong-term objectives.

China'seconomicdevelopmentpresentsvastopportunitiesforglobalpartners.AsChinadeepenstradeties,expands foreigndirectinvestment,and strengthensinternationalcollaborations,businessesworldwide

standtobenefit.TheBeltand RoadInitiative(BRI)continues toenhanceconnectivity,infrastructuraldevelopment,andtrade facilitation,fosteringwin-win co-operationacrossregions.

China'sgrowthalsohasaprofoundimpactonglobaleconomic governance.Thecountryplays anactiveroleinmultilateralplatformssuchastheG20,BRICS, andtheWorldTradeOrganization (WTO),advocatingforopentrade, faireconomicpoliciesandglobal stability.Asakeycontributorto globalsupplychains,China'srole inpromotingeconomicresilience andco-operationisincreasingly vital.

Chinahasintroducedaseries ofpoliciestoenhanceopenness andimprovethebusinessenvironmentforinternationalinvestors. Thesepoliciesfocusonmarket access,intellectualpropertyprotection,regulatorytransparency andfinancial-sectorreforms. Theestablishmentoffree-trade zones,increasedforeigninvestmentallowancesandsupportfor multinationalenterprisesreflect China'scommitmenttofosteringa conducivebusinessclimate.

Internationalinvestorsfind China'spoliciesattractivebecause oftheirlong-termstabilityand growthpotential.Thecountry's proactiveapproachtoreformand openingupensuresthatglobal businessescanintegrateintoits dynamicmarket.Areassuchas advancedmanufacturing,digital economy,greentechnologyand financialservicespresentcompellingopportunitiesforcollaboration.

Conclusion

The"twosessions"serveasa criticalplatformforshapingChina'sfuturedirectionandengaging withglobalpartners.Astheworld navigatescomplexeconomicchallenges,China'scommitmentto stability,innovation,andopenness remainsakeysourceofoptimism. Thecountry'sachievementsin greendevelopment,digitaltransformationandeconomicresilience underscoreitsroleasaleaderin globalprogress.

Withthefinalyearofthe 14thFive-YearPlanunderway, Chinacontinuestochartacourse forhigh-qualitydevelopment, fosteringeconomicprosperityand internationalco-operation.The decisionsmadeatthe"twosessions"willnotonlyguideChina's future,butalsoinfluenceglobal economicdynamics.AsChina strengthensitsroleinglobaleconomicgovernance,itsconstructive engagementandforward-looking policieswillcontributetoshared prosperityandsustainablegrowth worldwide.

Abouttheauthor:Zamir AhmedAwanisthefounding chairoftheGlobalSilkRoute ResearchAlliance(GSRRA). Heisasinologistandformer diplomat.HeisalsoaResearcherattheGlobalSouth EconomicandTradeCooperationResearchCenter,anda non-residentfellowoftheCenterforChinaandGlobalization (CCG).(E-mail:awanzamir@ yahoo.com).

UNDeputyChief:Strongfoodsystemscandeliverprogressforeveryone,everywhere

INaseriesofmeetingsinNairobi,Kenya,DeputySecretary-GeneralAminaMohammedspearheadeddiscussions onfortifyingglobalfoodsystemsandadvancingsustainabledevelopment,settingthe stagefortheupcomingfourth UNFoodSystemsSummit.

Ms.Mohammed’s high-levelmeetings,which tookplacebetween22and25 February,aimedataddressing oneofthemostpressingissues ofourtime:thetransformation ofglobalfoodsystems.

Thesediscussionsarea precursortothemuch-anticipatedUNFoodSystemsSummit+4(UNFSS+4),scheduled forJuly28-30,2025,inAddis Ababa,Ethiopia,andco-hosted bythegovernmentsofEthiopia andItaly.

Ms.Mohammedemphasisedthecriticalneedfora holisticapproachtofoodsystems.“Transformingourfood systemsisessentialtodriving progressacrosstheSustainable DevelopmentGoals(SDGs) anddeliveringforeveryone, everywhere,”shestated.

Herwordsresonateddeeplywiththediversegroupof stakeholderspresent,including

governmentofficials,private sectorleaders,andrepresentativesfromcivilsociety.

‘WENEED ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK’ ThemeetingsinNairobi werenotjustaboutdialogue; theywereacalltoaction.

Ms.Mohammedhighlighted theimportanceofpublic-private-communitypartnerships inachievingsustainable,inclusive,andresilientfoodsystems. “Weneedall-hands-on-deck toreachfoodsystemstransformationswiththeimpactto advanceonthe2030Agenda,” sheurged.

Oneofthekeythemesof thediscussionswastheurgentneedtoenhancefinancial mechanismstosupportfood systemstransformation.

TheUNdeputychiefunderscoredthesignificanceof securingconcessionalfinance, investments,budgetsupport, anddebtrestructuring.She pointedtotheproposedSDG Stimulusof$500billionayear asapotentialgame-changer, offeringfiscalspaceandresourcestodrivethistransformation.

Ms.Mohammedalsoaddressedthechallengesposed

byrisinglivingcosts,social inequalities,climatechange, andgeopoliticaltensions.She stressedthattheseglobalissuesrequireacoordinatedand comprehensiveresponse.“Our effortsmustbeintegratedand inclusive,ensuringthatnoone isleftbehind,”shesaid.

Duringhervisit,Ms.Mohammedengagedwithmember states,privatesectorleaders, andNationalConvenorsof FoodSystemsPathwaysfrom 27countries,bothinperson andvirtually.Thesesessions, heldovertwodays,emphasizedtheurgencyofcollectiveactiontotransformfood systems.

FOODSECURITYAND EDUCATIONFORALL

AspartofherengagementsinNairobi,theDeputySecretary-Generalvisited GigaKitchen,aninitiativeby Food4EducationledbyWawira Njiru,theUNinKenyaPerson oftheYearin2021.

Food4Educationhas demonstratedthepowerof innovationandcollaborationin tacklingfoodinsecurity.Injust twoyears,theorganisationhas scaledupfromfeeding10,000 childrenperdayto500,000,

UNDeputySecretary-GeneralAminaMohammed AGRA(UNEP/AhmedNayimYussuf)

provingthatcommunity-driveninitiatives,whensupported bystrategicpartnerships,can achievetransformativeimpact atscale.

Byleveragingtechnology,efficientsupplychains, andinnovativecommunity engagement,Food4Education hasnotonlyexpandedaccess tonutritiousmealsbutalso createdasustainableecosystem thatbenefitsbothchildrenand small-scalefarmers.Through directsourcingfromsmallholderfarmers,theinitiativehas ensuredaconsistentmarketfor localproducers,strengthening foodsystemswhilepromoting economicempowerment.

Thismodelhighlightshow innovative,community-drivensolutionscaneffectively andsustainablyaddressfood insecuritywhenintegrated withgovernmentsupportand multi-stakeholdercollaboration.Byrethinkingtraditional approachesandembracing scalable,technology-drivensolutions,initiativeslike Food4Educationsetaprecedentforsustainabledevelopmentinfoodsecurityand nutrition.

UPCOMINGSUMMIT

Lookingaheadtothe UNFSS+4,Ms.Mohammed expressedoptimismaboutthe potentialformeaningfulprogress.“Wehavetheopportunity toreshapetheglobalnarrative aroundfoodsystems,making themakeylevertoaccelerate andreinforceSDGprogress,” sheremarked.

Thesummit,shenoted, willbuildonthemomentum generatedbypreviousefforts andsetthestageforanewera offoodsystemstransformation.

Inconcludinghermission, theDeputySecretary-General convenedakick-offmeeting hostedatAGRAHeadquartersinNairobitolaunchthe preparatoryprocessforthe UNFSS+4.

AGRA,anagencydrivinga foodsystem-inspiredinclusive agriculturaltransformation acrossAfrica,broughttogether theUNFoodSystemsAdvisory Group,high-levelexperts,and thoughtleaderstodefinethe vision,strategy,androadmap fortheSummit.Nationalconvenorsinparticipationshared insightsonbreakthroughs,priorityneeds,andexpectations,

shapingthedirectionofthe UNFSS+4programme.

WhilestillatAGRA,Ms. Mohammedengagedwith morethan200staffmembers, commendingthemfortheir commitmenttotransformingAfricanagriculture.She acknowledgedAGRA’sAfrican-ledapproach,whichhas beeninstrumentalinscaling agriculturalinnovationstoimprovethelivesofsmallholder farmers.

“AGRAstandsasabeacon ofinnovationandresilience, offeringuniquelyAfricansolutionstothechallengesfaced bysmallholderfarmers,”she remarked.“Yourworkisnot justaboutincreasingagriculturalproductivity–itisabout empoweringcommunities, ensuringfoodsecurity,and buildingsustainablelivelihoods.”

ReflectingonAGRA’s achievementssinceitsinceptionin2006,shenotedthatits provensolutionshaveplayed apivotalroleinstrengthening Africanfoodsystems,improvingfarmerincomes,and fosteringeconomicgrowth. Sheurgedcontinuedinnovation,investment,andcollaborationtoaccelerateprogress towardsustainableagriculture andfoodsecurityacrossthe continent.

Astheworldfacesincreasingchallengesinfood security,UNFSS+4representsacriticalopportunitytorallyglobalaction,fosterinnovation,and strengthenpartnershipsto createsustainable,inclusive, andresilientfoodsystems forthefuture.(UN)

ThousandsexpectedatUG’s 2025OpenDay,JobFair

Someofthesponsorsattheuniversityof Guyana’s2024OpenDayandJobFair

Georgetown,Guyana–The UniversityofGuyana(UG) issettohostitshighlyanticipated2025OpenDay andJobFair,atwo-day eventattheTurkeyenCampusonMarch7-8,followed byasessionattheBerbiceCampusonMarch12. UnderthethemeExplore. Connect.Evolve.,thisannualgatheringservesasa bridgebetweenacademia andindustry,offeringstudentsandjobseekersan opportunitytointeract withprofessionals,explore careerpaths,andsecure employmentopportunities.

Thousandsofsecondary schoolstudents,university hopefuls,andyoungprofessionalswillconvergeon theuniversity’scampuses toparticipateinwhathas becomeahallmarkeventin thenation’sacademicand employmentcalendar.With over180programmesondisplay,theOpenDaysegment willallowvisitorstointeract withlecturers,exploreUG’s diversefaculties,andengage withvariousstudentorganizationsandserviceunits.

TheJobFaircomponent willfeatureastellarlineup oflocalandinternational publicandprivatesector companiesactivelyseeking talent.Employerssuchas AGMInc.,ExxonMobil, BanksDIH,GuyanaWater Inc.,ElDoradoOffshore, Linsayca,OmniHelicopters, Halliburton,CaribbeanAirlines,MassyMotors,Guyana DefenceForce,SLB,GMiningVentures,RepublicBank, AnsaMcAlDistributors,and GulfEngineeringareamong theparticipatingentities. Attendeeswillhavetherare opportunitytobeinterviewed andpotentiallyshortlisted forjobsandinternshipson thespot,creatingadirect pipelinefromeducationto employment.

Sinceitsinceptionin 2022,theintegrationofajob fairintoUG’sOpenDayhas successfullyfosteredknowledgeexchange,networking, andcollaborationbetween studentsandthecorporate

sector.Theeventhasbecome apivotalrecruitmenthub,ensuringthatgraduatesandjob seekersarewell-positioned forcareersuccess.

ChiefamongthehighlightsisthegrandOpening CeremonyattheTurkeyen CampusonFriday,March 7,at9:00AMattheMultipurposeAuditorium.The eventwillfeatureremarks fromkeydignitaries,includingMinisterofEducationPriyaManickchand,UG Vice-ChancellorProfessor PalomaMohamedMartin, RegistrarDr.NigelGravesande,andotherindustry experts.Asimilarceremony willtakeplaceattheUG BerbiceCampusonWednesday,March12,at9:00AMin theUGBCAuditorium.Both ceremonieswillbelivestreamedontheUniversity’s Facebookpage,ensuring accessibilityforthoseunable toattendinperson.

Theeventisopentostudentsfromsecondaryschools acrossthecountry,post-secondaryinstitutions,jobseekers,professionals,andthe generalpublic.Activities beginat10:00AMdailyand admissionisfreeofcost. Attendeeswillgainvaluable insightsintocareeropportunities,scholarshipoptions, andprofessionaldevelopment,makingitanessential eventforanyonelookingto shapetheirfuture.

Keysessionsandhighlightswillbestreamedlive viaUG’sFacebookpageat www.facebook.com/uniofguyana/andonUGBroadcastingServiceathttps:// broadcasting.uog.edu.gy. Editedrecordingswillbe availableontheuniversity’s websiteathttps://uog.edu. gy.

AstheUniversityof Guyanacontinuestochampioneducationandemploymentreadiness,the2025 OpenDayandJobFair standasatestamenttothe institution’scommitmentto shapingthenation’sworkforceandfosteringacultureofcontinuouslearning andprofessionalgrowth.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH5,2025

CUMMINGSELECTRICALCOMPANYLTD-83 GarnettStreet,Georgetown(Tel:225-6158)

ANSWERSTOYESTERDAY’SQUIZ:

(1)JoshInglis-120runs (2)IbrahimZadran-216runs

TODAY’SQUIZ:

(1)WhoclaimedmostwicketsforAUSTinthe groupstageofChampionsTrophy2025?

(2)WhichAFGbowlertookmostwicketsinthe groupstage?

SOUTHAFRICA RACINGTIPS DURBANVILLE

08:00hrsGoldenGrey

08:35hrsGreenlight Skye

09:15hrsExquisite

09:50hrsChampagne Mac 10:23hrsSooty

10:58hrsMasterOf Paris

ENGLISHRACING TIPS

LINGFIELD

08:40hrsDaaris

10:12hrsI'llGiveItA Go

10:42hrsLunanova

11:12hrsWatermelon Sugar 11:42hrsBountiful

12:12hrsSplitElevens 12:42hrsEcclesiastical 13:17hrsAllCost

CATTERICK

10:25hrsHonneur D'ajonc 10:55hrsMagical Annie

11:25hrsTreatyBoy

11:55hrsEdgewell

12:30hrsRehillRelic 13:00hrsEva'sOscar

KEMPTON

12:22hrsOneHorse Town

12:55hrsTheThames Lady

13:30hrsTooSweet

14:00hrsNaughty Eyes

14:30hrsErnie's Valentine 15:00hrsVinceLombardi

15:30hrsMrBaloo 16:00hrsShallow 16:30hrsVictoryShout

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Race1SenoritaNomas Race2GourmetDinner Race4CandyStreet Race5JohnnyPodres Race6MiamiFrank

Under-1400chesstourneyencouragesnewtalent

-Singhcapturesfirstplace

THEUnder-1400Chess Tournamenthostedbythe GambitGroupincollaborationwiththeGuyana ChessFederationwasheld attheSchooloftheNations onMonday,February24th, 2025,attractingthirty-six unratedambitiouschess players.

Thetournamentshowcasedtherisingtalentin Guyana’sjuniorchessscene, withintensebattlesunfolding acrosstheroundsasplayers foughtforthetopfivepositions.

Emergingasthetournamentchampionwaslocal veteranAravindaSingh,who deliveredastellarperformancetoclaimfirstplace with6.5points.Finishinga closesecondwasnewcomerMatthewPersaudat6 points,whosufferedasole losstothechampion.Witha surprisingoutcome,demonstratingimpressivestrategic playthroughoutthecompetition,thirteen-year-oldEthen

Pompeybattledhiswayinto thirdplacethroughresilience againsthisrivals.Pompey endedthetournamentasthe bestjuniorplayerforthe opencategory.

Meanwhile,teensMahir RajkumarandAryshRaghunauthofQueen’sCollege, roundedoutthetopfive, havingproventhemselves commendablecompetitors throughoutthetournament.

Thetopfivespotswereno easyclaim,asour4thand5th placewinnersRajkumarand Raghunauthwerelockedin points,with6thand7thgoingtoSchooloftheNations’ DarellAbramsandEthan SpencerofSt.JosephHigh School.

Eleven-year-oldRebha Lachhman,alsoofQueen’s College,dominatedthefemales,navigatinghermatchesaccuratelytosecurethe topprize.Lachhmannotonly wonthefirstfemaleprizebut alsomaintainedherposition inthetopfiveforthefemales

fortheentireevent.Lusianna Farlot(NewGuyanaSchool) chasedsecondplaceand showedstrongdetermination, whileMarianAcademy’sBiancaJessimy’scommendable effortsservedherinthird. AmayaSharma(Schoolof theNations)andAngelina Yhap(MarianAcademy) endedthefourthandfifth, respectively.

TheUnder-1400rated playersareaspecialgroup whoseplayingstrengthis progressingandcanpose achallengetohigherrated chessplayersincompetitive chess.

Thiseventfilledagap inthecommunityforskilled playerstocompeteoutsideof thecascadingshadowofnationaljuggernauts.Itwasan opportunityforyoungminds likeLachhmanandPompey toshineandforthoselooking torejointhecommunity.

Thematchesunderscored theincreasinglevelofchess inGuyana,withplayers

demonstratingtechnical skillsandmentalendurance. Thiscompetitionprovideda tangiblestepforwardinthe cultivationofyoungchess talentinGuyana,underscoringthecollaborativeefforts ofcoachesandasupportive chesscommunity.

TheGuyanaChessFederationremainsdedicatedtopromotingthesport andexpandingpossibilitiesforyoungerplayers.

Withextratournamentson thehorizon,thefederation aimstocontinueproviding aplatformforplayersto testtheirabilitiesandrefinetheirstrategiesagainst topcompetition.

ThevariouswinnersoftheUnder-1400chesstourney

Shallow,Bassarathnominated unopposedforCWItopspots

(Pressrelease)-CRICKETWestIndies(CWI)is pleasedtoconfirmthat Dr.KishoreShallowhas beennominatedunopposed asPresidentofCWIto serveasecondconsecutive term.VicePresidentAzim Bassarath,hasalsobeen nominatedunopposed.

Thetermwillofficially commenceonMarch29, 2025,atCWI’sAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)inAntigua,wheretheorganisationis headquartered.

Thiswouldmarkthesecondsuccessiveelectionin whichPresidentShallow wouldbeelectedunopposed, reflectingtheconfidence andsupporthecontinuesto receivefromthecricketing fraternityacrosstheregion.

Hisnominationwasput forwardbytheTrinidad &TobagoCricketBoard (TTCB)andtheLeewardIslandsCricketBoard(LICB).

VicePresident Bassarath’snominationcame fromtheJamaicaCricket Association(JCA)andthe WindwardIslandsCricket Board(WICB),reinforcing thebroad-basedsupportfor theleadershipteamasthey continuetodrivethedevel-

opmentandprogressofWest IndiesCricket.

PresidentShallowexpressedgratitudeforthecontinuedtrustplacedinhim, stating:

“Now,wemustbuildon thatprogress,stayingfocused onthetaskathandandnot allowingourselvestobe distractedfromourultimate goal.Weareoneinpurpose,

“Beingunopposedfora secondtermisastrongendorsementoftheleadership anddirectionwehavetaken atCricketWestIndies.It speakstothelevelofconfidenceinourvisionandthe progresswehavemadein stabilisingandadvancing WestIndiescricket.”

workingtogetherforthe bettermentofWestIndies cricket.”

“Iunderstandfullwell theresponsibilitythatcomes withthisposition,andIremaincommittedtoupholdingthehigheststandardsof professionalismandgood governance.”

“Iwanttosincerely thanktheTrinidad&Tobago CricketBoardandtheLeewardIslandsCricketBoard fortheirnomination,aswell asallourstakeholdersfor theircontinuedsupport.It istrulyhumblingtoserve inthiscapacity,andIdonot takethistrustlightly.”

VicePresidentBassarath echoedsimilarsentiments, saying:

“Itwouldbeaprivilegetocontinueservingas VicePresidentofCricket WestIndies.Thepassion anddedicationofeveryone involvedinourcricketing ecosysteminspiresmeeveryday.”

“Asweseektoembark onanewterm,Iamcommittedtoensuringwecontinuetomakedecisions thatbenefitourplayers, fans,andthefutureofWest Indiescricket.Ithankall ourmembersfortheirconfidence,andIlookforward toworkingtogetherforthe bettermentofthegame.”

PresidentShallowand VicePresidentBassarath’s unopposednominations wereconfirmedonFebruary27,2025atthecloseof thenominationperiod.

StStanislausCollege,StRosesandStJosephsregisterwins

SAINTStanislausCollege, SaintRoses&SaintJoseph Highrecordedwinsover theweekendattheNational GymnasiuminCheddiJaganMemorialboysSchools WindballChampionship.

InthefirstclashSaintRosesmade105-3,withNarindra Isurdeen54andJoshuaSharma38.

TucvilleSecondaryinreplywererestrictedto59-2with MarkJuly25andWesleyCox 16leadingwiththebat.

Inanotherfixture,Houston Secondaryintheirdebutoutingreached55-2afterbeing putintobat;NicholasArcher hit5sixesforhis30notout.

SaintStanislausCollege inresponsereachedthetarget in2overs.

SaintJosephHighthen madea100-4whentheytook

ClassicKohlileads Indiatochampions trophyfinal

onKingstonthankstoSavir Narinewhohadthehighest scoreof37.

PremBudrampickedup 2-11bowlingforKingston Secondarywhowererestrictedto89withoutloss, JoshuaPompeymade42in alosingeffort.

SaintStanislausCollege thenreturnedtowhipCummingsLodgeSecondary. Saintshadanopening partnershipof122,Ishon Haricharranmade65and NitinBhogwandat56beforelimitingCummings LodgeSecondaryto72-1 forthewin.

Thelonematchinthe JanetJaganMemorial schoolgirls’competition sawSaintRosesHigh beatCummingsLodge Secondary.

(ESPNCRICINFO)Dubaiwillhostthe finaloftheChampions Trophy,andIndiawill beinit,afterproving theiredgeoveraweakenedAustraliaside inanabsorbingfirst semi-final.Theirwin wasn’tachievedwithoutafight,however, andAustraliamayyet lookbackonseveral momentsthatcould havemovedthecontest inother,tantalising directions. Intheend,India’s qualityandexperience madethetellingdifference,andthememberoftheirline-upwho mostembodiesthose wordswasacentral figure.ViratKohlihad madeoneofhistrademarkchase-controlling hundredsearlierinthe tournament,againstPakistan,andseemedset foranotherhere,only foranuncharacteristic attemptatabighitto cuthisinningsshortat 84.Bythen,however, hehadpassed8000runs inODIchases,andwhittledthisonedowntoa more-than-manageable 40off44balls. Theyonlyneeded 33ofthoseballs,asKL RahulandHardikPandyaallbutsealedthe dealbeforethelatter departedwithIndiaone hitaway.Andasina similarchaseduring theChennaiWorldCup clashbetweenthese sidesin2023,itwasRahulwhofinishedthings off,thistimewithasix overlong-onoffGlenn Maxwell. RahulandHardik hitfivesixesandthree foursbetweenthem, buteventhatlatespurt

didn’ttakeIndia’s boundarycount(16 foursandsevensixes) pastAustralia’s(20and eight).Theirwin,instead,wasbuiltonbusyness:theyonlyfaced 124dotstoAustralia’s 153,andran158oftheir runsbetweenwicketsto Australia’s129. Asmuchasthiswas downtothewayKohli andhiscolleagues-five otherIndiabattersgot past25-movedtheball intogapsandranbetweenwickets,itwas alsodowntothedifferenceinqualitybetween thetwobowlingattacks, particularlythespinners.India’sspinners endedthegamewitha collectivedot-ballpercentageofexactly50, andAustralia’sjustover 39.

Indiastuckwiththeir four-spinnerstrategyon abone-drypitchthat promisedplentyofturn, butasithappened,the surfacewasmerelyslow andlow.India’sspinnersdidn’tnecessarily havethemeanstorun throughtheopposition, buttheyexertedfarbettercontrolthantheir Australiancounterparts, keepingthestumpsin playandrestrictingthe batters’scoringareas.

Forallthat,Australiathreatenedat variouspointstorun awaytoa300-ishtotalafterchoosingto bat,andthreeoftheir battersplayedinnings thatcouldhavebeen match-winningonanotherday.Allthree, however,felljustwhen theyseemedattheir mostdangerous,and allthreehadahandin theirowndismissals.

CWIPresidentDrKishoreShallow

CheddiJaganMemorialSchoolsWindballChampionship…

WindiesheadcoachSammymonitoring

Josephrehabilitationclosely

WESTIndieslimitedovers

HeadcoachDarrenSammy saysthathisteamcontinues tocloselyfollowtherehabilitationofGuyanaandWest IndiesfastbowlerShamar Joseph.

Sammyspeakingforthe firsttimethisyearwiththe mediasaystheywanttosee theyoungsterplayagainst Australiaagain.

“Ihadaconversation withShamaronFridayevening,justcheckinguponhis rehab,hisjourneybackand alsotheheadcoachofGuyanafranchise,Igetweekly updates,heisoneofthe talentID’sthatcricketWest Indieshaveputinplace,I communicatedirectlywith theworkShamarisdoing,”

Sammywasquotedassaying.

habilitationandtheflowof informationfortheregional

Sammycommended GuyanaHarpyEaglescoach RyanHerculesforthework donewiththebowler’sre-

coachingstafftotrackJoseph’sprogress “He[Hercules]records allthedeliveriesthatShamar

Commendableperformancesby juniorchessplayersinBarbados

Threeyoungandtalented chessplayersrepresented GuyanaintheSITTUBarbadosOpenChessCompetition,whichlastedfrom February20thto24th, 2025,inBridgetown,St. Michael,Barbados.

bowlsandthepaceinwhich hebowls,theareaonthe

quentupdatesbecauseheis definitelyone.Weallknow

pitchmapthathelandsthe ball,soatonetimebowling fullpace,injuryfree,sowe aremotoringit.Igetfre-

howexciting,thatamazing testseriesinAustralia,our nexttestseriesisagainst Australia,soweunderstand

theimportanceofhimin thelineupandwearedoing everythingtomakesurethat heisreadyandbackonthe circuitforwestindies.”

Josephhasplayed8test matchesandtaken29wicketsatanaverageof26but mostnotablyguidedWest Indiestoamemorablewin againstAustralialastyearaftersomeimpressivebowling downunder.

TheWindiesareset toplaylimitedoverseries againstIrelandandEnglandinawayseriesbefore meetingAustraliainthree testmatchesand5T20’sat home.

TheywillplayPakistanathomeinJulyand August.

fifth-placecashprizeafter heendedwith5.5pointsin theGroupCcategoryfor ELO-ratedplayersbetween 1400-1699.

NationalJuniorChampionRicardoNarine,Candidate MasterSachinPitamber,and AlekUbaldo-Singhparticipatedinthefive-daycompetitionagainsthighlyrated playersfromBarbadosand aroundtheCaribbean. Ubaldo-Singhwonthe

Theyoungandemerging talentmaintainedhispositioninthetopsixduringthe tournament,deliveringstellar performancesagainstBarbados’ratedplayersHarewood (1637),Moore(1636),and Thompson(1669)inthefirst threeroundswithvictories. Ubaldo-Singhsufferedone lossagainsttournamentchampionAaronJaikaran(1600)of

Barbadosandthreedrawsfor theremainingroundsagainst Trinidad’sMcLetchie(1566), Grenada’sMendez(1596), andNoahClark(1654)from Barbados.

Meanwhile,Narineand CMPitamber,participatingin thehighlycompetitiveGroup BCategory(1700-2099),endedon3and2.5points,respectively.NarinesuccessfullydefeatedRochester(1815)from BarbadosandShetty(1707) fromSt.Vincent.Pitamber drewwithGilbert(1906)from GrenadaandEnemchukwu (1980)fromSt.Vincent.CM PitamberdrewwithLynch (1954)fromBarbados,Shetty fromSt.Vincent(1707),and Roachford(1827)fromBarbados.Hegainedhisremainingpointfromhisfirstround. St.Lucia’sCMMathurinwon theGroupBCategory. PresidentoftheGuyana ChessFederation(GCF), AnandRaghunauth,isdelightedthatthesejunior playershadtheopportunity toparticipateinatournamentofthiscaliber,asthis onlystrivestostrengthen theplayers’abilitiesand skillsastheyfaceoffagainst opponentsofdifferentskill levelsoutsideofthecountry. TheGCFwillcontinueto fosterparticipationinthese tournamentstobroadenthe horizonsoftalentedchess players.Formoreinformationaboutupcomingactivitiesandchesstournaments, visitguyanachess.gy.

Overtheweekendwhen YouthBasketballGuyana stagedtheirFiveChallenge Seriesandfreethrowcompetition,QueensCollege, StStanislausCollegeand GTIweresomeofthetop teamsintheirrespective categories.

Inthegirl’sfinalsMarianAcademywentdownto SaintswithOneishaTrotman leadingthewayinthepoints inagamethatsawtwohalves offiveminutes.

AlyannAdolphuswas awardedtheMVPforthe competition.

Overintheunder14categoryQueensCollegeA showedtheirclasstodefeat St.Rose’s11-4

DmitriSinghledQCwith 7pointsand3Reboundswith supportfromJoshuaAdremi.

LiamBartwasrewarded withhisMVPawardafter QCwonit. TheUnder16’ssawNew AmsterdamMultilateralSecondarypippingMackenzie Hightotakethecrown7-4 NewAmsterdam’s TyreseArcherplayedwell ontheoffensiveanddefensiveendtoleadhissideto thewin.

TheU16MVPwasSamuelWelcome The18andundersaw GovernmentTechnicalInstitute(GTI)overcomingSt. Rose’s23-10 GTI’sAlwynAdamshit 7points,3Reboundand3 Stealsintheoutingtocop thewinforhisteamandthe MVPawardinthe10minutescontest.

ShaquonRossalsoadded

hisnametothescoresheet with7points

St.Rose’sHighgot7 pointsfromNathanWilliams inalosingcause.

RisingStarBalsotipped Saints14-12withPeterLangevineleadingthewaywith 6pointsand3Rebounds whichwentafarwayingaininghimtheMVPtitleforthe category.

CalixBernardandChris Perezsupportedwith4points each.

BrandonMcKoyscored allofSaintspointsbuttono availastheywentdownby2 points14-12.

DeshawnGurrick claimedtheFreethrow championfortheladies withBradCushclaiming thewininthemenfree throwcategory.

CoachDarrenSammy

ShemarJoseph