Hurricane Beryl: Region’s ‘25 by 2025’ food security targets suffer major setback –– President Ali says, announces plans to engage FAO, IICA, other agriculture partners
Minister Zulfikar to convene strategic meeting with regional leaders to explore ‘rebuilding’ ideas
6,000 job opportunities created in hinterland communities –– VP Jagdeo
OWING to critical investments in several communities, some 6,000 job opportunities have been created in hinterland regions of the country, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.
Dr. Jagdeo, during a press conference, last week told reporters that the revitalised Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) has seen the employment of nearly 2,700 Community Service Officers (CSOs).
Additionally, the part-time jobs programme has provided income for another 3,000 individuals.
Further, Dr. Jagdeo noted that there is significant work being done in several communities and local people are engaged in these projects.
According to him, the government has awarded millions in contracts to small contractors in the hinterland for infrastructural projects. This he noted has further boosted employment prospects.
The CSO initiative was launched in 2014 and targeted some 2,000 youths between the ages of 16-40 in
Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
YEAP was part of the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to youth development, advancement and investment in the lives of the Indigenous People.
Further Dr. Jagdeo disclosed that over the past four years, the government has generated more than 50,000 job opportunities for Guyanese nationwide.
The vice-president had previously stated that this achievement marks a tremendous accomplishment for the PPP government, which, in its 2020-2025 Manifesto, promised to provide 50,000 new jobs by the end of its first term in office.
The government, he noted, has already delivered beyond the Manifesto promises it made during the campaign period of the 2020 general elections.
“We pride ourselves on this.
If you look at our Manifesto; our promise to the people of this country, already in the first three years we have fulfilled 90 per cent of the promise. We have gone beyond those promises,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
–– President Ali says, announces plans to engage FAO, IICA,
–– Minister Zulfikar to convene strategic meeting with regional leaders to explore ‘rebuilding’
By Naomi Parris
THE Caribbean’s agriculture sector has been severely devastated by Hurricane Beryl, resulting in a setback of the region’s food security targets which aim to reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
According to Guyana’s President and the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Chairperson, Dr. Irfaan Ali, initial reports have indicated that the sector has suffered losses totalling tens of millions of dollars.
“The initial assessment is heart-wrenching to our farmers to our government and to the people of these countries. It is heart-wrenching because of the tremendous investment, policy commitment and budget support that was placed in the agriculture sector since 2020,” Dr. Ali who is also the lead Head of Government with responsi-
bility for agriculture, agricultural diversification and food security in the region’s Quasi Cabinet said on Sunday during a live broadcast.
While an initial assessment on the impact of the sector is ongoing, Dr. Ali noted that there will be a ‘comprehensive’ analysis with technical and financial stakeholders.
Last week, a category 4 Beryl made landfall on the islands of Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and several others.
Devastating damages to infrastructure were reported in the Grenadines and Grenada, while the fishing industry in Barbados took a ‘beating’ as over 200 vessels were destroyed during the passage of the storm.
“These were all islands, that were on track mostly in achieving the 25 by 25
targets set by themselves, “President Ali said.
CARICOM had outlined several initiatives over the past years to reduce its mammoth US$6 billion food import bill.
The aim is to slash this expenditure by 25 per cent by the year 2025.
According to President Ali, there have been investments in the sectors -- infrastructure, water system, technology, crop variety, farm support, farm to market infrastructure; however, many of the states would have lost these investments.
“Outside of this, you have hundreds of acres of commodities that were lost and production that was taken out instantaneously.”
Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the Ministerial Task
Force on Agriculture, has been tasked to convene a strategic meeting in the new week.
It is expected that leaders will explore ideas on how the islands affected can begin to rebuild, make technology available and plant quick yielding varieties to support farmers.
In addition to this, leaders will seek to address price stability and critical commodities needed.
President Ali explained that while the ‘quick fix’ will be to get food immediately to the islands that have been severely affected, a major concern will be ensuring that nutritional values are met.
“I’m raising these concerns as the head because sometimes we do not get from mainstream media and from the actors, international actors, this aspect of the equation when these major hurricanes hit us,” he noted. The Guyanese leader further disclosed that he would engage regional and international partners such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley, during a press conference, disclosed that the emergency operation centre on several islands have been activated.
CDEMA, in conjunction with its regional partners, activated a coordination plan at 05:00 hrs on June 29.
There was an emergency meeting of the heads of government of CARICOM
[Caribbean Community] on July 2 to discuss and make provision for how the community will be supporting its neighbours.
“We have activated within the regional coordination centre a number of thematic groups, including the relief and logistics thematic group. And this group co-chaired by CDEMA and the world food programme are in the process of establishing a relief trans-shipment hub at shed one of the Barbados port,” Riley said.
Guyana has since sent relief support to the affected islands. Several immediate aid and supplies were air-dashed to Grenada; additionally a number of ships have set sail to other island with aid.
Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also activated a special bank account s o persons can make monetary donations towards the countries that were impacted
UNICEF and partners have pre-positioned life-saving supplies and stand ready to provide services to children and families in several countries.
The first major hurricane of the year, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the southeast Caribbean on July 1, causing widespread damage. The winds, torrential rains and flash flooding could put at least 3 million children in the Caribbean at risk,
according to UNICEF estimates.
Hurricane Beryl tore through Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and Saint Lucia, bringing high winds, storm surges, and heavy rain that has damaged safe spaces for children, including homes and schools.
“As Hurricane Beryl continues its path through the Caribbean Sea, all efforts must be made to prevent loss of life, and
keep children safe,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Our teams across the Caribbean are ready to support national efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to families in need.”
While extreme weather events put the lives of the most vulnerable children and families at risk, UNICEF supports emergency preparedness efforts throughout the region.
“Investing in national capacities to prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies, and provide essential services for children is critical,” added Karin Hulshof.
UNICEF and partners have pre-positioned life-saving supplies in several countries in the Caribbean Basin, including medical kits, educational kits, essential water supplies, sanitation and
hygiene materials (such as water tanks, large bottles and water purification tablets), and key equipment such as high-quality tents, which will be deployed as needed.
Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. In the Caribbean, 1.9 million people, including half-a-million children and adolescents, are affected by disasters each year. Small Island and Developing States in the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks, due to their small size and extreme exposure to natural hazards, and the effects of climate change.
This year, UNICEF has requested US$12.4 million to prepare for, and respond to emergencies in Latin America and the Caribbean, including in countries in the Caribbean Basin. (UNICEF)
MINISTER of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Sunday night visited the Unity Beach, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, where an extensive search operation is underway for Navin Seenauth, age 20, and Daniel Boodram, age 17, both residents of Unity Village.
According to a statement from the ministry, reports indicate that Seenauth, Boodram, and another friend, Joshua Deonarine, a 17-year-old from the same village, went swimming at the Unity Beach.
“Deonarine stated that the water was inshore with heavy waves upon their arrival. Despite the conditions, the youths proceeded to swim. Deonarine, who cannot swim, exited the water after approximately half an hour, since the water was about chest-high. After getting dressed, he noticed his friends were no longer visible
in the water. He searched for them, but to no avail, and subsequently returned to the village to raise an alarm,” the statement said.
It added that in a united effort to locate the missing youths, a search party was immediately formed, and is actively ongoing, with members of the community participating in the search operation.
“The Guyana Police Force is on-site conducting an investigation, and the Coast Guard will be deployed at first light to assist in the search efforts.
“Authorities urge anyone with information which could assist in locating the missing youths to come forward. The community’s support and cooperation are not just important, but also greatly appreciated during this critical time,” the statement said.
IN a world often beleaguered by health crises, Guyana’s recent advancements in managing infectious diseases offer a beacon of hope, and a model for effective public health strategy.
The Ministry of Health, under the incumbent PPP/C government, has achieved remarkable progress, particularly in the fight against HIV, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis. These strides not only improve the lives of thousands, but also underscore the importance of persistent, well-coordinated health interventions.
Close to 9,000 individuals living with HIV in Guyana are now virally suppressed, a significant milestone attributed to the aggressive treatment strategies implemented by the Ministry of Health.
This state of viral suppression, where the virus is no longer transmittable, marks a critical victory in curbing the spread of HIV. Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony’s assertion that most of these
patients are virally suppressed speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the current health policies, and the tireless efforts of healthcare workers. Regular viral-load testing ensures that these individuals receive the necessary care, promoting longer and healthier lives.
Equally commendable is the Health Ministry’s progress in tackling Hepatitis C. Just a year ago, the exorbitant cost of treatment rendered it inaccessible to many.
However, through strategic partnerships, particularly with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the cost has been drastically reduced. From an initial cost of around US$80,000 per patient, the treatment now costs less than US$120.
This drastic reduction has already resulted in 42 individuals being cured of Hepatitis C, a testament to the power of international collaboration, and bulk purchasing in making life-saving treatments affordable.
Furthermore, the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) has seen notable success. The number of TB cases has decreased from 500 to 300 per year, reflecting the ministry’s effective interventions. This downward trend is crucial to alleviating the burden of infectious diseases on the healthcare system and the society at large.
These achievements illustrate a broader narrative about the importance of proactive and sustained healthcare initiatives. The ministry’s multifaceted approach—comprising aggressive treatment protocols, strategic partnerships, and continuous patient monitoring— serves as a robust framework that other nations grappling with similar health challenges might emulate.
However, these successes should not lead to complacency. Continuous public education and encouraging people to visit health facilities for regular testing and treatment are paramount. Public health
Dear Editor,
I READ with interest yet another piece by Tacuma Ogunseye, in which he wails about the lag of Afro-Guyanese in the business sector. While that claim itself is flimsy, whatever truth it does have must be partly attributed to the likes of Ogunseye, David Hinds, Lincoln Lewis, and Dr. Henry Jeffrey. These men, all of
whom enjoy lots of political and economic privileges, have spent much of their careers attacking businesses as immoral. At one point, their attacks on businesses were in sync with their anti-Indian agenda.
The real problem, though, was that they all preached cooperative socialism, an ideology that makes individuals wards of the State. What they wanted young Guyanese
is not a one-time fix, but a continuous effort requiring vigilance, adaptability, and community engagement.
Guyana’s journey in managing these infectious diseases highlights an essential truth: With dedicated effort, strategic planning, and international cooperation, even the most daunting health challenges can be overcome. As the country continues to advance its healthcare capabilities, it sets a powerful example of what can be achieved when public health is prioritised and pursued with relentless determination.
Guyana’s success showcases the power of aggressive treatment, international collaboration, and the unwavering commitment of health professionals. As we celebrate these achievements, let us also remain committed to the ongoing battle against infectious diseases, ensuring that progress continues and that every individual has access to the healthcare they deserve.
of African descent to do was join the PNC and aim for high office with big titles; business was a dirty word.
Thankfully, scores of Guyanese of African descent ignored them and opened their path to entrepreneurship. Guyana is on the move. It is refreshing to see Ogunseye say the right thing for once. In a recent letter in the
Kaieteur News, he stated that “we need to redirect African energies towards sectors of the economy that enable the building of generational wealth, as well as explore new sectors that offer similar opportunities” (KN, 7/10/2024).
Bravo Ogunseye!
Sincerely, Alvin Hamilton
Dear Editor,
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali must be applauded for having a comprehensive socio-economic plan for solving the problems facing the country, including the incessant floods, constant power outages, and last but not least, the high cost of living, which is a world-wide problem, in that it exists in almost every country.
Like the ‘COVID’ virus, no country is immune from the effects of cost of living. And even though cost of living does not only exist in Guyana, the President has taken serious and fundamental steps to combat it, thereby reducing the burden on the people, especially the poor.
Justifiably, most of these problems have been at the endemic level since independence on May 26, 1966, and are more than five decades old, which is an exceptionally long time. That said, the Head of State has a very skillful and talented Prime Minister in Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips to assist him to unite the country, end or reduce poverty, empower the people to reach their highest potential, improve production outputs in agriculture, mining, the fishing industry, and other areas, and move the country forward.
Both His Excellency and Prime Minister Phillips are aware that the successful transforming of Guyana requires transcending the society by not accepting the status quo, but to think creatively and originally. Any effective solution requires political will, the total engagement of the public, and immense patience. Along with Vice-President Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, both President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips have a clear understanding of the problems facing the country and their underlying causes, and they have developed some of the most effective, workable and requisite solutions to solve them.
Our leaders have accepted the fact that acute problems exist in the country, especially in the rural areas and the farming belt, and they have provided real and sound policies to resolve them, and not window dressing with cosmetic changes to appease the public as was done by the previous administration.
It is encouraging that during his tenure as President, VP Jagdeo had laid the groundwork to tackle this monumental task, in the interest of the people.
In terms of the judiciary and the backlog of hundreds of cases, President Dr. Ali has fulfilled one of his campaign promises to solve this legal glitch. He has appointed ten new puisne judges, eight of whom are female, which is another great example of ensuring the equal rights of women, thus shattering the glass-ceiling of a male-dominated legal institution. At the international level, he has become a strong advocate of a number of international, hemispheric and regional concerns, and has positioned Guyana as a global lead-
er in food, environmental and energy security, and the effects of global warming, which is already having dire consequences, especially on the underdeveloped countries whose contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is less than a quarter of that of the developed countries. It has severely impacted the poor rural communities which depend on the land to earn a living.
Even with a population of less than one million, Guyana, under President Dr. Ali’s leadership, has become a model country with unprecedented growth in GDP. It has heralded a new international system, based on fairness, with the primary goal to secure global food security, environmental security, energy security, global climate change, and a reduction of global poverty for the more than 750 million in Africa. With increased production in agriculture, Guyana is poised to show the world that agriculture remains the
mainstay of the economy.
Truth be told, selflessness has become the cornerstone of Dr. Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips, and Vice-President Dr. Jagdeo’s ethos, and, needless to say, patriotism is intrinsic in the execution of their duties.
In their quest and determination to solve the nation’s problems, unify the country, develop the economy and improve the living standards of the people, they have made huge sacrifices as they put country first before self, and excellence in all they do.
They have opened Guyana to the world and delivered the policies the people have yearned for. Simply put, they have proven that politics can be a force for good.
Sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose
THE PNC has a new central executive committee of 15.
It took one week to count less than 1,500 votes. After the results were announced, some of the names synonymous with the PNC did not appear on the new executive.
In a small society like this where politicians are quite known for their energy, erudition and popularity, the contorted result can fool no one in this country.
When you look at the covert decapitation of some of the names that kept the PNC alive after 2020, then, the PNC is facing demise in 2025. The most popular beverage at the congress was Kool-Aid.
Let’s start with Jermaine Figueira. He is a Member of Parliament and one of the known faces in the PNC. He came in dead last with 527 votes, beaten badly by people this country has never heard of. I am an analyst whose job is to read about the activities of every high profile political activist in Guyana. Figueira was beaten by people that even PNC supporters never heard off.
Each one of the newcomers pulled in hundreds of votes more than Figuiera. It is not that they beat Figueira by 20 or 30 or even 50 votes. Figueira lost by hundreds of votes to his competitors except the man who brought second to last.
Where did the newcomers come from? After the 2020 election, PNC groups country-wide became dormant. So, the question is, where these names were that beat Figueira? I am going to answer my own question – they did not beat Figueira just as Norton did not beat Amanza
Walton-Desir and Roysdale Forde. The PNC Congress was fixed and in fixing it, the PNC drank the Kool-Aid and will be buried in the month of November 2025 assuming the general election is not called earlier.
Next is Annette Ferguson. If you ask anyone in Guyana to name women in the PNC, they will automatically say, Amna Ally and Annette Ferguson. Ferguson is one of the most known faces in the PNC, known for conduct that may be referred to as extremist. She was seen in a fracas in Parliament which in trying to secure the Mace she fell. That was all over the news. She is of course a Member of Parliament. She was also a former minister.
Why would someone so popular among PNC supporters, especially the women folks, unable to secure 700 votes when you look at those who pulled in that amount? Ferguson was doomed since she made a suicidal statement in October 2022, when in contesting the chairperson position for the Georgetown chapter of the PNC, she alluded to irregularities.
In the recent congress, she was the campaign manager for Roysdale Forde. Once Forde pulled out claiming suspicion and conspiracy, Ferguson’s fate was sealed. There is no way, the PNC could have a congressional election and Ferguson failed to win a seat on the executive. Ferguson was denied a seat. Those results were not legitimate. Based on what happened to her in October 2022, one would like to think, Ferguson had to know what was coming to her.
There is no need to put any analysis on
the absence of Dr. Gary Best, Roysdale Forde and Amanza Walton-Desir. All three of them in a clean, free voting, would have garnered more votes than several of the unknown personalities that are now in the PNC hierarchy. Forde stands out as the legal face of the PNC. He has done all the high profile cases for the PNC from the no-confidence vote in 2018 to all the 2020 election legal battles that the PNC brought to the court. He said on the Freddie Kissoon Show that he did those matters for free. What happens to the PNC now? That should be easy to predict once the KoolAid has been drunk and the Kool-Aid was swallowed. Norton says he will not be opposed to a consensus candidate and he named Carl Greenidge. But who in 2025 will want to tarnish their credibility by being the electoral front-man for the PNC
under Norton and under the circumstances in which he was elected and the current central committee was elected.
There are two questions today and in the coming months that need to be answered. One is, will there be the birth of a new party by people like Forde, Best, Walton-Desir and others? The other is, what kind of electoral losses will the PNC endure after 2025? Corbin lost six seats in 2006. That will be an infinitesimal drop in the ocean compared to what is going to happen in 2025.
The chant for the PPP in 2025 will be:
“Go Irfaan, go, and get the 2/3rd.”
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, in his message in observance of International Day of Co-operatives, highlighted the many steps that are being taken to ensure that Guyanese are aware and are able to benefit from the co-operative societies that exist locally,
According to the minister, this year’s theme, ‘Co-operatives build a better future for all’, underscores his ministry’s efforts in showcasing the significant role each co-operative has in aiding in the development of Guyana and creating a better future for all.
The 2023 UN Secretary General’s report on co-operatives and social development, acknowledged that co-operatives have a track record of promoting the economic and social development of all people, including marginalised groups.
“Co-operatives consistently show their resilience in times of social and economic crises. The United Nations recognises the co-operative movement as its key partner in accelerating sustainable development and calls on its member states to support and strengthen
co-operatives entrepreneurial ecosystem,” the minister said.
That he explained can increase their capacity to create more social, economic and environmental impacts in society.
“Co-operatives are people-centred not capital centred. They do not perpetuate or accelerate capital concentration, and they distribute wealth more fairly. Through dialogue, democratic governance and shared ownership, co-operatives set an example for peace and stability, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together, on equal terms and fostering mutual understanding and respect,” he stated.
According to the minister, in Guyana, it is believed that co-operatives are the key to enhancing and uplifting the standard of living of people. As such, the establishment of multiple co-operative societies in areas such as agriculture, land, housing, utility services, consumers and credit unions and for fishermen is encouraged.
Further, he said that those types of co-operatives have the potential to create a better future for all.
Minister Hamilton made mention that the Attorney General’s Chambers, in collaboration with the Co-operatives Department at the Ministry of Labour, has been working to ensure that all members of housing co-operatives on the East Coast of Demerara, receive their transports, and titles for their houselots. The acquiring of these documents allows members to use them as assets for bank loans to build their houses or to do general improvements that would positively impact their lives.
Notably, it was stated: “Lands were given to several agricultural co-operative societies to facilitate the engagement of farming, with some of them being able to engage in large-scale farming,”
One example of this is the current farmers’ co-operative society which oversees the cultivation of some 3,000 acres of rice, and the Hopetown Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited which has evolved from being a housing co-operative into what it is today.
Apart from dealing with houselots, the minister pointed out that, today,
this Hopetown co-operative society is involved in the transportation and rice cultivation sectors.
Additionally, Minister Hamilton stated that the co-operatives not only benefit their members economically, but have a ripple effect across society.
He said: “Jobs are created for many within the communities, such as heavy equipment operators and labourers to work in the fields. These employees take home a weekly income to their families which assists them to build a better future.
“Many persons were able to own a houselot and build a house by being a member of a co-operative society. The Friendly Societies are being converted to co-operative societies, and will become compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act at no cost to the department, and, at the same time, the co-operatives will assist
the Forestry Commission to ensure that the harvesting of logs is done in a more structured manner and that the members of these societies adhere to the laws,” the minister stated.
He added that this collaboration between the Co-operatives Department and the Guyana Forestry Commission has resulted in the building of a better future for many Guyanese residing in hinterland communities.
Many persons residing in these communities are now engaged in their own businesses from which they are able to benefit economically, while at the same time creating jobs for persons within their communities.
Additionally, by being a member of a registered group, persons can reap from benefits such as access to small grants and equipment from local and international organisations when they are available.
Beginning in 1927, International Co-operatives Day was observed on the
first Saturday in July annually by the International Co-operatives Alliance (ICA), which was formed in 1895.
In 1994, the United Nations (UN) recognised and reaffirmed that co-operatives were vital to the economic, social and cultural development of the world. As a result, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the first Saturday in July from 1995 onward as the International Day of Co-operatives.
GIVEN the mountain of allegations of procedural breaches, it has come as no surprise to many that the Alliance For Change (AFC) has admitted to having some rather peculiar voting operations.
AFC Chairman, David Patterson, had disclosed that party delegates from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) voted via their telephones.
During the party’s press conference on Friday, he said: “Unfortunately, Region Nine delegates who were slated to
come out were unable to attend in person, primarily due to the conditions of the roads...our delegates from places like Aishalton, Wowetta, etc. were unable to even get to Lethem, because of the state and conditions of the road…
However, those delegates who made it to Lethem were able to vote via their telephones.”
This damning revelation has left more questions than answers and Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had weighed in on this.
During an interview on Friday, Dr Jagdeo said: “It raises more concerns about their membership and about the conduct of the elections that were recently held.”
However, prior to the AFC’s internal elections, a letter by someone purported to be “David Fitzgerald,” made waves as this person expressed worry over the party’s nomination process.
The letter read, “As per the AFC’s protocols, the General Secretary is entrusted with handling delegate and nomina -
tion forms.” However, it was said that the delegate forms were “improperly disseminated” to regions where the party chapters were “non-functioning”, such as the United Kingdom (UK), Canadian, and the Caribbean.
“The situation took a disturbing turn when a senior party member shared purported nomination forms from the Caribbean chapter via various communication channels,” the letter writer further disclosed.
The letter then read that upon questioning by the then General Secretary, Sherod Duncan, regarding the legitimacy of these forms, it was uncovered that the forms had not been officially issued or authorised by the General Secretary.
Despite this being such a bold claim that would shake any party’s structure, the person claimed that senior AFC members swept these allegations
under the rug.
The person who penned the letter also revealed that since the withdrawal from the leadership race by the former party leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, a renewed power struggle within the AFC’s ranks has sparked.
Dr Jagdeo has also recently stated that the AFC has failed to reinvent itself and instead, a group of “recycled” politicians are leading the party.
During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, he highlighted the track records of those senior members of the AFC, who served under the previous coalition administration.
Dr Jagdeo said: “This is a recycled party, a party of recycled politicians. Not a single one of them is new and doesn’t have baggage. It’s a bunch of corrupt people who have huge overload of issues… they’re yet to answer the people of this country.”
He later stated: “The AFC emerged into politics claiming that it was multiracial, that it was better than the two old political parties, PPP and PNC, that it had these great lofty ideas for the future of our country, that they brought great intellectual bearing to the task of government, that they were different, that they were incorruptible.
“Their experience in government showed a very different light.”
WHILE a marginal increase was recorded in Mathematics at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), the Ministry of Education will, in September, begin the roll out of a Mathematics intervention to bring improvements at the primary and secondary levels.
This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during the release of the NGSA results last week, where she noted that, while the improvement recorded this year is good, more must be done to ensure
there is sustained improvement.
According to Minister Manickchand, the ministry will launch an entire Mathematics intervention aimed at seeing sustained improvement in the subject area for primary and secondary schools.
“You are going to see us launch an entire maths intervention that’s aimed at seeing better results which really means we will have more children matriculating and being able to enter tertiary [institutions] as well as the workforce,” she said.
To this end, she stated that the intervention will happen as soon as September for the new school term with the resources for this being placed in the hands of the learners even before then.
As part of this, Minister Manickchand said that it will include the training and retraining of teachers, the provision of resources like textbooks and other things along with monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the programme.
In May, the minister had told members of the media at a press conference that
MORE than 16 Co-operatives Officers of the Ministry of Labour’s (MoL) Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies recently benefitted from a three-day capacity building training exercise.
The training commenced on July 3, 2024 and concluded on July 5, 2024.
According to the labour ministry, the training was designed to enable the participants to carry out their duties as Co-operatives Development Officers through a collaboration between the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies (CCLCS), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) - Office for the Caribbean.
This training ensured that officers possess comprehensive knowledge of co-operative philosophy and its application, contemporary office management and operations, developing co-operative ecosystems, conflict management for co-operators, co-operative entrepreneurship and innovation, and co-operative strategy and planning, among others, to better serve co-operative and friendly societies countrywide.
CCLCS’ Manager of Finance and Corporate Services, Marlon Caesar facilitated the programme, along with Programme Dean of Co-operatives Studies and Credit Union Management, Colin Barthomelew, and Deputy Director of Academic Services, Sheldon Salino. ILO Caribbean Specialist John Bliek also participated in the exercise.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, while interacting with the Co-operative Officers, stressed the importance of innovation, creativity and
diversity in pursuing co-operative business ventures.
Minister Hamilton told the officers that they play a crucial role in ensuring the creation and development of co-operative societies which will allow for the enrichment of many persons.
The minister further noted that co-ops enable persons to own resources and create pathways for financial development and, as such, the initiative was essential to ensuring that members of co-operative societies are allowed to become independent.
“A co-op society is just like Banks DIH, or DDL, or any of these other corporations. You have to believe that, because that is what it is. It’s a company… a co-operative society is not like a charity or Benevolent Society. It is a business,” the minister said.
As part of the training, the officers, accompanied by trainers and Chief Co-operatives Development Officer, Janaknauth Panchu, visited the lands currently owned by the defunct Urban Dairy Co-operative Society.
there will be some curriculum changes beginning in September. She had noted, too, that the production of material by the literacy unit had already started.
The minister used that opportunity to inform that the implementation of the math intervention will include provision of all textbooks, scientific calculators, geometry sets, graph books, past papers and the improved and robust training and retraining of the people teaching the subject.
THE Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday said that it has taken note of reports suggesting increases in retail prices for parboiled rice.
“Based upon the monthly market surveys conducted by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) in various areas, it was discovered that prices for parboiled rice have remained stable over the past months.
“The price for parboiled rice for the period May to June 2024 remained at $2180 per 10 kg sack, while
white rice for the same period remained at $1960 per 10kg.
“No increase has been noted since. Millers have also confirmed that there has been no increase, and they are working to ensure the prices remain stable,” the statement said.
It added that according to the data, there is enough rice in the system for consumers to access.
The ministry said that it continues to ensure that rice remains an accessible staple food, while also supporting the economic stability of rice farmers.
The balance is crucial for sustaining the agricultural
sector and meeting the needs of the population.
“The Ministry believes that the reports suggesting an increase in prices may be the actions of some unscrupulous persons bent on spreading misinformation,” the statement said adding that the Guyana Marketing Corporation will intervene to ensure that rice prices remain stable around the country.
Additionally, the ministry, through the GRDB, will continue to monitor market prices across the country.
POLICE are investigating an alleged murder committed on a female (age, nationality, and address unknown), which occurred on the road leading to the New Diamond Development Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, on Sunday.
According to a press release, investigations revealed that workers from a construction company were in two vehicles going to refuel the company’s excavator, which is being used to construct a bridge in the New Diamond Developing Housing Scheme.
“They were proceeding East along the road which led into the scheme when they saw the lifeless body of a female lying face down on the roadway.
“The body was clad in a white jersey with a female photograph on the front, black jeans, and a pair of black pumps. A tattoo of a butterfly was seen on the right arm. Her head was in a pool of blood,” the release said.
It added that detectives processed the scene, and a 9mm spent shell was found about ten feet away from the woman’s head. A cell phone was found next to the body.
The body was examined, and what appeared to be a gunshot wound was seen at the back of her head.
The body was escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting identification and post-mortem examination.
THE development and implementation of an Afro-Caribbean marketplace is closer to reality following the recent signing of an agreement between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Government of The Bahamas
This agreement was part of a number of partnerships
established during the recently concluded Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum which was held in Nassau, The Bahamas.
According to a release from Afreximbank, once implemented, the Afro-Caribbean marketplace will comprise 90 outlets dedicated to the sale of authentic African and Caribbean products from
more than 54 African countries and 20 Caribbean states.
Further to this, a transhipment hub is expected to be located in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
“The project preparation facility of US$1.86 million will fund essential pre-development activities that will advance the project to bankability, whereupon this is
expected to unlock further investments estimated at US$ 50 million.”
President and Chairman of the Afreximbank, Benedict Oramah indicated that they are pleased to provide funding towards the development of such a unique project.
He said: “It is a strategic investment that allows us to realise our vision of
positioning the Caribbean as the transshipment hub for Africa’s trade with the Americas. It will also support logistics related to AfriCaribbean trade.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip Davis, indicated that the agreement is a testament to the commitment to fostering strong economic and cultural partnerships.
This came on the heels of the three-day AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum, where discussions largely surrounded the improvement of trade relations between the two regions and the possible establishment of a free trade agreement between Africa and the Caribbean.
Story and photos by Indrawattie
Natram
FORTY-THREE students
and 11 teachers, on Saturday, graduated after completing the Guyana Centre for Civic Engage-
ment’s YOUthEngage592 Leadership Training in Region Two.
The graduation ceremo-
ny took place in the auditorium of Abram Zuil Secondary School.
The participating schools
change in their community.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Adrienne Galanek,
included Anna Regina Secondary School, Abram Zuil Secondary and the Charity, Johanna Cecilia, Cotton Field, and Aurora Secondary Schools.
The transformative programme aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders who are not only knowledgeable about civic responsibility but also equipped to effect real change in their communities.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, while delivering the feature address emphasised the life-changing impact of leadership and the importance of servant leadership.
She noted that ethical leaders often take paths that others might avoid.
“Good leaders recognise other leaders and work together. There must be resilience. Remember, someone is looking at you and aspiring to be you,” said Dr. Mohamed-Martin said.
She used the opportunity to praise the participants for being part of a wonderful programme and expressed confidence that each of them would bring about positive
The participants underwent an intensive two-month training which focused on civic engagement, voting
congratulated the students and teachers and highlighted the numerous opportunities and exchange programmes that are available to help young people expand their knowledge. She encouraged them to use their knowledge to make a difference.
“Your country is an amazing place with many opportunities in all sectors, and you have mentors to assist you. We also have internships to support you,” said Galanek.
Community Solutions Programme alumnus, Deodat Persaud, urged young people to volunteer and be more involved in society.
He explained that the training modules were designed to equip young people with essential skills in civic engagement, democratic participation, ethical leadership, and volunteerism.
“For every student graduating, they had to complete a project. I was amazed by what students did in volunteering and making a change. This is the beginning of your volunteering journey. Guyana is your country, and you must be willing to volunteer,” said Persaud.
education, conflict resolution, and project planning and fostering a strong ethos of volunteerism within their communities.
“The YOUthEngage592 programme seeks to increase civic engagement among high school students in Guyana, empower students to actively participate in the democratic process, and foster a sense of volunteerism and community service,” said Persaud.
During the graduation ceremony, students from various school clubs had the opportunity to present their projects to the gathering.
The programme, which commenced at J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, is intended to benefit 100 students from Regions Two, Six and Seven.
The participants received certificates in recognition of their dedication and for completing a community-based project.
The best leader award was given to the Anna Regina Secondary School while the best project award was given to Charity Secondary.
The best mentor award was given to Abram Zuil Secondary School.
By Naomi Parris
LEVERAGING technological advancements in artificial intelligence in agriculture and rural revitalisation, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in collaboration with China can establish modern and efficient agricultural systems.
This is according to Guyana’s agriculture minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who, during a presentation at the recently-concluded Thematic Session on Agricultural Economic and Trade of the Third China-CELAC Ministerial Forum on Agriculture in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China, urged stakeholders to strengthen discussions on shared commitment and collaborative efforts.
Mustapha believes that together, major players from CELAC and China could propel the transformation of the agricultural sector.
“This partnership holds the promise of transforming our agricultural practices, ensuring food security, and promoting economic development across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our collaboration
with China, which we are here to solidify during this 3rd Ministerial Forum, sets a strong foundation for the future,” the Guyanese leader said.
Together, he stressed, the region can work towards achieving international goals in regards to a food and nutrition security.
“By leveraging China’s technological advancements and expertise in sustainable agriculture, we can boost productivity, improve resilience to climate impacts, and foster inclusive growth that benefits all our rural communities,” he said.
Mustapha highlighted that the two nations have shared ‘deepening’ economic ties over the years, with bilaterial trade increasing from US$180 million in 2012 to US$1.23 billion in 2023, thus making Guyana one of the Asian country’s largest trade partners.
“Both Guyana and China reaffirmed our dedication to mutual respect, sovereignty, and the pursuit of development paths suited to our respective conditions. Importantly,
we highlighted the critical need for enhanced collaboration in infrastructure development, trade, investment, and agriculture,” he said.
Mustapha noted that already there are key initiatives underway to solidify further collaboration and among these is the establishment of a consultation mechanism to address issues promptly and foster win-win cooperation through expert exchanges and joint research.
“Guyana lauded China’s initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and expressed enthusiasm for concluding a Joint Action Plan to further these goals. We also discussed the importance of promoting food security, regional integration, and sustainable development through frameworks like the Global Development Initiative.”
The Government of Guyana, he further highlighted, has already begun collaborations with the Government of China.
The country recently received a donation of 50 cages for its cage-culture project.
Additionally, 25 officers from Guyana benefitted from courses in
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha last week attended the Third China-CELAC Ministerial Forum on Agriculture in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China, where he urged stakeholders to strengthen discussions on shared commitment and collaborative efforts
aquaculture and cage farming.
Mustapha noted that this training boosted the development of the aquaculture industry of Guyana, allowing for the commencement of cage culture production in Guyana that has been very successful to date.
“I am confident that
through our shared commitment and collaborative efforts, we can achieve remarkable progress together. By fostering partnerships and expanding trade, we can drive economic growth, alleviate poverty, and ensure food security for our peoples,” Mustapha said.
As such, Mustapha
disclosed that the South American State is in full support of the Action Plan on Strengthening China-CELAC Agricultural Cooperation (2024-2028), which will provide mutual benefits and win-win results by increasing the volume of trade, and stimulating agricultural investment.
–– says it’s a ‘very complicated crisis’
THE island of Carriacou in Grenada has been virtually “flattened” by the devastating Hurricane Beryl, a senior UN official there reported on Friday, as humanitarian teams ramp up their support to communities affected across the Caribbean.
Speaking via video link from Grenada, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, outlined a scene of total devastation in Carriacou, where Beryl first made landfall on 1 July.
Four days after the hurricane hit, roads on the island are impassable, and communications were only restored last night, he said.
“Directly after the hurricane, the seas were exceptionally rough, which made it nearly impossible to get there.
The air control towers are out, so there is only fly by visibility. But also, even when things get to the airport, there are no roads to access the goods.”
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Nations near and far are dispatching
“The entire island is completely affected; that is literally 100 per cent of the population,” he stressed.
Hurricane Beryl is the strongest hurricane in history to form in June in the Atlantic Ocean. Initially a tropical depression, it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm, and briefly reached Category 5 status, with winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph).
On Friday morning (New York time), it made landfall in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and is reportedly tracking west-northwest, projected to make landfall in southern Texas, United States this morning.
‘VERY COMPLICATED CRISIS’
Mr. Springett highlighted the situation as a “very complicated crisis”; one that is marked by severe logistical and access challenges.
aid, with a French ship arriving in Carriacou later in the day, as well as assistance from Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Springett said.
“We have a large outpouring of international response; it is really an international effort, and the UN is really proud to be a part of this,” he said.
Also speaking via video link from Bahamas, Dennis Zulu, the Resident Coordinator for Jamaica and Bahamas, echoed international collaboration.
He highlighted that the UN is working in coordination with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the regional emergency and disaster response agency, to ensure
a coherent regional response.
“We are poised to mount a coordinated humanitarian response with the international development partner community, and are already engaging international partners and organisations in Jamaica,” he said.
Detailed assessment of the damage in Jamaica and in other island nations supported by his office are ongoing, Mr. Zulu said.
“The damage is widely apparent, and is felt by people from all walks of life, especially in rural Jamaica, including in the southern parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and Saint Elizabeth, and for those in vulnerable housing,” he added.
He also noted that the Government of Jamaica has put in place an effective response plan, supported by the UN and partners, including shelters for those who lost their homes.
Alongside other key requirements, including clean drinking water, access to communication and data and livelihood support.
‘PLEDGE TO BE THERE FOR CHILDREN’
According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 650,000 people, including 150,000 children, in Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago were in the path of Hurricane Beryl.
Many have lost homes, and are being housed in temporary shelters.
The UN agency, for its part, had pre-positioned life-saving supplies before the storm, and is mobilising supplies and funds for the response.
“[We are] deeply concerned at the plight of those affected by Hurricane Beryl, especially the most vulnerable – children and women; we pledge to be there for children of the affected countries,” said Pieter Bult, UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area.
Similarly, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has also deployed teams to the affected islands, supporting authorities with assessments and early response.
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the agency has been asked to provide emergency telecommunications and logistics support, while in Barbados it is assisting with emergen -
cy food kits that will be shipped and distributed to people in the affected islands.
Earlier in the day in Geneva, Vanessa Huguenin, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that while humanitarians have been preparing for this hurricane season, “such a strong storm this early is extremely rare”.
“It is also a warning for the anticipated very intense hurricane season that is coming,” she said at the regular media briefing at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).
The Atlantic storm season runs from June through the end of November, with 17 to 25 named storms expected. The average is 14 storms a year.
Of those, the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said that eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes – above the average of seven – including four to seven major hurricanes.
A major hurricane is Category three, four or five on the Saffir Simpson scale, with winds of 110 mph (177 km/h), or higher.
“This new reality of unprecedented hurricanes is becoming an annual and ever-present reality for the Caribbean countries while facing the brunt of climate change,” said Rhea Pierre, Disaster Manager at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“The severity of damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl are tangible and devastating.” (UN)
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Nathan Harnarine of 3rd Avenue Bartica has made St John the Baptist Primary and his parents proud, given his excellent performance at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). In addition to being named the top performer for his school, his good results placed him in the number two position for Region Seven.
Nathan’s journey to success was marked by unwavering determination and resilience, which contributed greatly to his good results.
With an impressive score of 484.65 marks, Nathan secured a spot at St. Jospeh’s High School. His parents are still considering whether to send him to the city school or allow him to attend Anna Regina Secondary School in Region Two.
St. John the Baptist Primary also did remarkably this year as several of its pupils were named in the region’s top 10.
Nathan’s journey was not an easy one, but his perseverance has made his parents and community proud.
Reflecting on his challenges, Nathan recalled the impact of the pandemic. During this period, he had to rely heavily on self-studying.
He attended the St. Anthony Primary School from Grade Two to Grade Four before moving to St. John the Baptist Primary to complete his primary education.
The transition between schools was tough, but Nathan remained focused.
With the support of his family, new friends, and dedicated teachers, he continued to excel at St John the Baptist Primary.
Before settling in Bartica, Nathan spent his early years in Parika, Region Three.
Despite the geographical shifts and changes in schools, he never wavered in his commitment to his education.
Nathan aspires to become an ophthalmologist or a pharmacist, driven by his passion for helping people and his belief that the medical field is his true calling.
Although Nathan had hoped for a higher score, he is still grateful that he did well at NGSA.
He drew inspiration from his aunt Shivanie Kishore, a Lab Technician, and his uncle, who is also in the medical field.
“My mom and dad taught me to be strong, to always speak up for my rights, and never to give up. They supported me and spent sleepless nights with me,” Nathan told this publication.
Consistently an “A” student, Nathan’s other achievements include being on the winning team at the STEM Science Fair in 2023. His team secured first place in Mathematics for Region Seven.
Nathan’s parents, Bari and Savetrie Harnarine, are immensely proud of their son’s achievements.
They told this publication that they admire his zest for learning and his eagerness for education. They have vowed to support him until he achieves his dreams in the medical field.
Jaden Thornhill of Two Miles Primary is the region’s top performer. The other top achievers are Shania Sears, Trivia John, and Neisa Lewis of St. John the Baptist Primary, Melania Adams and Alyssa James of Pataro Primary, and Dilma Edwards and Dilshan Welcome of 72 Miles Primary.
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Andy Sandham-325 (Kingston, 1930) (2) Brian Lara-400* (ARG, 2004)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What are the best innings figures by an ENG bowler in a Test against the WI to date?
(2) What are the best innings figures by a WI bowler in a Test versus Eng to date? Answers in
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
RIPON
13:20 hrs Bright July 13:50 hrs Rogue State 14:25 hrs Garden Oasis
15:00 hrs Paddy’s Day 15:30 hrs Barfundable Bay 16:00 hrs Jesmond Dawn AYR 09:20 hrs Wattani 09:55 hrs Be Proud 10:30 hrs Racing Vicar 11:05 hrs Dark Moon
Rising 11:40 hrs Al Muqdad 12:15 hrs Thaki
WOLVERHAMPTON 11:45 hrs Sustained 12:20 hrs Miss Sligo 12:55 hrs Monsieur Patat 13:30 hrs South Dakota Sioux 14:00 hrs Flying Panther 14:35 hrs Fantasy Navigator 15:00 hrs Willow Bank 15:40 hrs Bluebells Boy
IRISH RACING TIPS ROSCOMMON
12:00 hrs Kendancer
12:35 hrs Tell Me This 13:05 hrs Pahlavi
13:38 hrs Rockstown Girl
Aussie
hrs
RACING
IT was a tense affair in both finals of the ExxonMobil U14 Boys and Girls Schools Football tournament Saturday evening at the Ministry of Education Ground.
It was a test of who could hold their nerves
longer, and in the end, President’s College girls and Chase Academic Foundation boys emerged champions.
Defending champions
Waramuri Top got the ball rolling early through Tina Williams in the 20 th be -
fore Presidents College responded through Kimora Edwards in the 24th
The half ended with the game deadlocked until Edwards returned to complete the brace and give her team the lead in the 56 th; a lead that
(Formula 1) - Lewis Hamilton has claimed a long-awaited, and record-breaking, ninth British Grand Prix victory in a thrilling race at Silverstone, with the Mercedes driver holding off a challenge from Lando Norris to take the win.
While pole-sitter George Russell had led away from Hamilton as the event got underway, an exciting battle soon unfolded between the two Mercedes cars and the McLaren pair of Norris and Oscar Piastri amid changing weather conditions.
The lead changed hands as the field began to switch to intermediate tyres after the opening phase of the race, before the skies later became dry and Hamilton capitalised on pitting for slicks one lap before Norris, who also faced a slow pit stop, to become the new race leader.
While Russell retired with a water system issue, and Max Verstappen snatched P2 from Norris in the latter stages, Hamilton held position to clinch an emotional victory, a record ninth win in a single Grand Prix, and his first P1 result since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Despite looking increasingly quick on the hard tyres in the final laps, Verstappen did not have enough time to fight for the lead and crossed the line in P2 for Red Bull, while Norris completed the podium in third.
The other McLaren of Piastri took fourth,
ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth, and an impressive Nico Hulkenberg in sixth for Haas. It was a better weekend than of late for Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso finishing in seventh and eighth, respectively, while Alex Albon scored two valuable points for Williams in ninth.
Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top-10 for RB, with Logan Sargeant just missing out for Williams in P11 from Haas’s Kevin Magnussen in P12, and RB’s Daniel Ricciardo followed in P13.
It was a disappointing outcome for Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari man had earlier made gains, but slipped backwards after making an early switch to the intermediate tyres, and he eventually crossed the line in P14.
Valtteri Bottas was the lead Kick Sauber in 15th, while Esteban Ocon claimed 16th in a tough day for Alpine. Sergio Perez, meanwhile, faced another tough outing, ending the day down in 17th.
Zhou Guanyu became the final classified runner in P18 for Kick Sauber, while Russell was one of two retirees owing to that aforementioned water system issue.
Pierre Gasly also failed to make the finish, having returned to the pits at the end of the formation lap.
It later transpired that the Alpine had been suffering with a gearbox problem.
would hold to the final whistle.
In the third place play off, Bartica whipped Santa Rosa secondary 4-1.
Orlene Jameson (12th), Nerismar Williams (18 th and 26th) and Vilerky Simon (40th) were the chief architects in the Santa Rosa demise.
Meanwhile on male end of things, Chase Academy retained their title after beating Dolphin secondary by a 1-0 margin.
Things started off cautiously for both sides and that caution moved well
into the first half.
As the game wore on, both teams ventured further into each other’s half with Chase making the breakthrough in the 30 th minute from Mark Glasgow.
After that, Dolphin had no choice but to attack their opponents and while there were several close chances, Dolphin never troubled the scoresheets.
In the third-place playoff, Leonora beat South Ruimveldt 2-1 thanks to goals from Keon Grant and Quincy
Frazer in the 3rd and 9th minute respectively.
Both Chase boys and Presidents College girls have picked up $400,000 dollars for projects at their schools with the runners up in the respective classes collecting $200,000.
The tournament was sponsored by ExxonMobil, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Amerindian Affair with support from Stena Drilling, Pepsi, MVP Sports and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports.
INDIA internationals Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey have joined the Trinbago Knight Riders for the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League.
They will join Australians Meg Lanning and Jess Jonassen as the overseas players for the Knight Riders this season.
The Knight Riders have retained five of the players who represented them in the 2023 season with Deandra Dottin returning along with Shamila Connell, Kycia Knight, Zaida James and Samara Ramnath.
There are six more spots in the squad to be filled and these players will be selected at the WCPL draft which will take place in July.
The 2024 Massy CPL will take place in Trinidad from August 21 to 29 and all seven matches will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
CMC – Nicholas Pooran extended his healthy form in the newly-minted Major League Cricket campaign, but his MI New York were left cursing the weather after going down by four runs to Washington Freedom on Saturday. Having posted 154 for nine from their 20 overs, with the left-handed Pooran top-scoring with 44, MI New York watched as Freedom coasted to 55 for one in the eighth over.
Thunderstorms at Church Street Park then forced players from the field for good, with Freedom ahead on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern, thanks mainly to a terrible sixth over from South Africa speedster Anrich Nortje, which leaked 22 runs.
Sent in, Mi New York got 28 off 22 balls from opener Ruben Clinton, but still found themselves stumbling on 53 for three in the eighth over.
Pooran arrived at number to shepherd the innings, striking five fours and a six in a 30-ball knock, while Afghan star Rashid Khan blasted a 15-ball 31 with two fours and three sixes to further rally the innings.
West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein sent down one over which cost nine runs, while left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar (3-24) and medium pacer
Justin Dill (3-33) finished with three wickets apiece.
In reply, Australia’s Steven Smith punched an unbeaten 46 off 28 balls, with four fours and three sixes, as Freedom recovered from the loss of Travis Head for one in the second cover with three on the board, to get their chase back on course.
By Sean Devers
ON a day of fluctuating weather conditions at Everest yesterday, Georgetown, led by a useful all-round performance by Jaydon Dowlin, beat East Bank by 33 runs on the DLS system in a truncated game as the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) 50-overs U17 Inter-Association cricket tournament continued.
Due to a wet pitch, the game which was scheduled at 9:30 hours, commenced at 13:00 hours with East Bank winning the toss and opting to field in sweltering heat on a slow outfield in a match reduced to 29 overs.
A stoppage at 22 overs due to rain with the host on 88-5 sent the players scurrying off the field, resulting in 30 minutes being lost and the further reduction in overs, as it became 25-over contest.
The city side managed 114-5 when their 25 overs expired.
Dowlin, the 16-year-old, made 31 from 45 balls with four boundaries and added 35 with National U15 batter Shamar Apple who contributed 15.
Keshawn Silas and Dhanesh Persaud scored 14 each while Jonathan Mentore, made an unbeaten 10 and was the only other batter to reach double figures in the low scoring match.
Silas was looking set for a good score when he hit his wicket with his bat in a rare
dismissal.
Dowlin, watched by a handful of fans including his dad, returned with his offspin to take 2-16 while leggie Dave Mohabir took 3-12.
Samuel Barkoye and Persaud had two wickets each
Kishawn Silas dropped his bat onto his wicket to out in a rare dismissal in cricket
as East Bank were dismissed for 86 in 22.4 overs chasing a revised target of 121 in 25 overs.
Devin Roopnarine top scored with 24 with two sixes but only Renaldo Singh, with one four and a six in 23 be-
fore he was last out, put up a fight on a spin-friendly track.
Georgetown’s Emmanuel Lewis took three catches yesterday including the catch of the tournament.
With the score on 30-2, Barkoye found the edge of Sayyad Lakeram (9) and the ball flew high to the right of Lewis at slip for him to take a stupendous one-handed catch.
The tournament continues today with Georgetown playing East Coast at Everest and East Bank facing Upper Demerara at the Queen’s College ground.
The final round is set for the MMZ ground on the West Coast between the top two teams; East Coast and West Demerara.
Stadium, rallied to 175 for seven off their 20 overs.
The 36-year-old made exactly 50 off 36 balls with four fours and two sixes at the top of the order as Falcons, sent in to bat at the Rangiri Dambulla International
With Falcons slumping at 32 for four in the sixth over, Fletcher combined with Angelo Mathews (25) in a 45-run, fifth wicket stand to lead the first recovery.
When Fletcher perished in the 12th over, captain Wanindu Hasaranga launched a counter-attack, belting a top
score of 65 off 32 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes, as he posted a crucial 58 for the sixth wicket with Mathews.
In reply, Marvels were guided by Tim Seifert, the New Zealander stroking an unbeaten 82 off 49 balls to put his side over the line with 17 balls to spare.
Niroshan Dickwella fell cheaply for 12 in the first over with as many on the
board but Seifert controlled the chase thereafter, putting on 79 for the second wicket with Alex Hales (38), 38 for the third wicket with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (16) and 29 in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Sahan Arachchige (nine not out)
All told, Seifert struck 11 fours and two sixes in notching his 24th T20 fifty.
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