‘We
must nurture creativity and innovation’
— President Ali says at launch of $51M refurbished Physics and Chemistry Laboratories and Staff Room of St. Stanislaus College; calls for innovation fund to support students
By Trina Williams
ASthe government continues to place emphasis on fostering better education for the leaders of tomorrow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has started to push for the establishment of an innovation fund to support student-led innovation and entrepreneurship at St. Stanislaus College.
He made those remarks on Tuesday evening during his address at the launch and dedication ceremony of the $51 million refurbished Physics and Chemistry Laboratories and Staff Room of St. Stanislaus College.
Since assuming office in 2020, the Ali-led administration has set forth on the path to stimulating a more innovative learning environment for children from all ten administrative regions.
In doing so, the government has outlined and targetted the gaps within the sector. And more so, initiatives have been rolled out to integrate technology into the development of education.
As the efforts continue to address education needs, the President said: “I also want to say that I would like to support an innovation fund for St. Stanislaus College scholars, and for us to create a new fund… And I know many persons will be willing to contribute to that fund, where we encourage innovation, and have the children of this institution coming up with innovative ideas; ideas of entrepreneurship, product development, developing new scientific models through research and development, through critical thinking, through innovative thinking.”
He said that an internal competition should be launched, and this can aid the institution in championing innovation, new product development, and technology, since this will shape the school’s current and future state.
Dr. Ali then said: “And I want us all to commit to this innovation fund, and to ensure that we use innovation as a tool to encourage our
students to be the best they can be in the future.”
He added: “This is something that I've seen in many institutions across the globe. In India, where the concentration is on STEM, in the colleges, out of the Innovation Fund, they have what we call the business development grants, and that is where the innovation fund must lead to.
“So, when we have students who can come up with a creative idea here, you must be able to work with them on making that idea viable; bankable, and then taking them through the process of building out that idea, so that it can become a growing asset for them and a product of an institution.”
TIMELY SHIFT
The Head of State, a St. Stanislaus College alumnus, continued to present his visions which will uphold the institution’s values and traditions, and also aid it in adapting to today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
The President said: “This place is special because of the experience, because of the
orientation, because of the values, because of the system of education that is delivered in this institution and we must never change that. We must never change what separates us. We must never change what mould us.”
Dr. Ali noted that the launch is much more than “brick and mortar” or “burners and lab equipment,” as this project signifies the commitment to the notion that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is needed to bolster Guyana’s economy, which is undergoing an unprecedented development.
He went on to say: “I want to challenge the Board and the teachers of this institution to ensure that this school remains relevant to national development; that whatever we do in this institution that it is linked to national development, that is linked to innovation, creativity, that is linked to creating inclusion for the children of this school that is married to where the country is going, the projection of the country
that is important.”
The President then went on to underline the value of incorporating new areas of development, which can ensure well-rounded human resource development. He said that the board of the institution must not shy away from establishing an understanding of what should and should not be done.
Dr. Ali recognised the integral role that extra-curricular activities play in the economy, especially as Guyana goes through a transformative shift.
With that said, the President said that in order for this strategy to be supported, in the secondary schools, students must be identified so that they can be shaped earlier on in their lives to take leadership in areas such as oil-and-gas and hospitality.
“So, to meet these challenges, we need a new generation of graduates proficient in STEM education. It is not enough to have dreams of progress; we must have the skills and knowledge to build those dreams into reality, and
where better to start than here within the walls of St. Stanislaus College, where a legacy of excellence already exists,” he said.
As the President called for the sense of national pride to be upheld even in the studies, he said that a new ecosystem within the institution should be created.
To put it plainly, he said that the new ecosystem should confront the challenges and opportunities of the future, and it must position the institution to be ahead of those disparities.
According to him, the institution should also be leading in the areas of environment, climate, and biodiversity studies, along with the integration of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) so that the children can understand what national leaders, like himself, mean when they say that they want Guyana to be the leader in climate, energy and food security.
As the government continues to place emphasis on fostering better education for the leaders of tomorrow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has started to push for the establishment of an innovation fund to support student-led innovation and entrepreneurship at St. Stanislaus College
US companies hit pause on Florida ops as Hurricane Milton approaches
AIRLINES,
energy
firms and a Universal Studios theme park were among the companies beginning to halt their Florida operations as they braced for disruptions with Hurricane Milton set to make landfall on Wednesday.
The hurricane has rapidly intensified into one of the area's most powerful on record, threatening a stretch of Florida's densely populated west coast that is still reeling from the devastating Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,311 flights within, into, or out of the
United States were delayed, and 701 were cancelled, with that number expected to rise, according to flight tracking data provider, FlightAware.
Southwest, one of the largest U.S. airlines, said it was adjusting its schedule at several airports that were pausing operations, including Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport.
Orlando International, one of the busiest airports in the U.S., said it would cease operations at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday (today), according to a notice on its website. Tampa International said it was closed on Tuesday.
United Airlines (UAL.O), JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), and Air
Canada (AC.TO) added extra capacity to move people out of Florida.
Hurricane Milton was expected to expand in size on Tuesday as it approached Florida's battered Gulf Coast, where more than 1 million people were ordered to evacuate.
President Joe Biden has postponed his Oct. 10-15 trip to Germany and Angola to oversee storm preparation and response, the White House said on Tuesday.
A growing number of gasoline retailers were flashing empty signs on Tuesday, as residents took to panic buying.
Motorists waited to fill their tanks in lines snaking around gas stations, only to find that some were out of fuel, according to local media and social-media posts.
Retailer Target (TGT.N) said it was temporarily closing or adjusting hours of locations of its stores in the storm's path. Department
store Kohls (KSS.N) said it temporarily closed some stores in the area.
Energy companies began shutting down their pipelines and fuel-delivery terminals in Tampa on Tuesday. Pipeline operator Kinder Morgan (KMI.N) said it shut down its Central Florida Pipeline system, two small lines that carry gasoline, diesel and other fuels from Tampa to Orlando.
Universal Studios in Orlando was also planning to close ahead of Milton's landfall, it said on Tuesday, while cruise operators Royal Caribbean (RCL.N) and Carnival (CCL.N) said they were adjusting some schedules.
Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida, causing catastrophic damage and power outages expected to last days. (Reuters)
A view of an empty beach as Hurricane Milton advances past Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on its way to Florida, in Cancun, Mexico October 8, 2024 (Reuters/Paola Chiomante)
Dominican Republic ‘to deport up to 10,000 migrants a week’
THE Dominican Republic
says it plans to deport up to 10,000 undocumented migrants a week to combat uncontrolled migration.
The plan was announced by President Luis Abinader’s spokesman, Homero Figueroa, who blamed the international community’s slow response to months of gang violence in neighbouring Haiti, and its failure to restore stability.
Tens of thousands of Haitians have fled across the border into the Dominican Republic.
Critics say the government of President Abinader has treated Haitian migrants inhumanely, many of whom are fleeing the extreme gang violence and poverty in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Mr. Figueroa said deportations would begin immediately, and follow strict protocols that guaranteed respect for human rights.
Haitian migrants in a lorry belonging to the immigration enforcement service of the Dominican Republic after being transported to Haiti
The comments by the Dominican government’s spokesman suggest the rate of deportations of undocumented Haitians is about to ramp up significantly. Since gang violence in Haiti has worsened in recent
months, the Dominican authorities have steadily been returning Haitians over their shared land border, including several truckloads of people per day at the border crossing at Dajabon.
Now, said Mr. Figueroa, that figure could reach as many as 10,000 people a week.
He spoke of what he called an “excess” of Haitian migrants in the Domin-
ican Republic, and said the border authorities would also increase their surveillance and control.
The Dominican president recently warned the United Nations’ General
Assembly that his government was prepared to take what he called “drastic measures” in the face of the humanitarian crisis across the border.
In part, these latest comments about mass deportations underline Santo Domingo’s frustration at the international community’s failure to establish greater stability in Haiti.
A Kenyan-led international security force of around 400 officers has been deployed to the Caribbean nation.
However, gangs still control most of the capital, and the humanitarian emergency in terms of hunger, access to clean drinking water, and medical attention remains critical.
According to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), last year, the Dominican Republic forcibly returned more than 200,000 people to Haiti. (BBC)
Cricket in Guyana
CRICKET is much more than a game of sports. It is a regional institution, uniting all nationalities and cultures in the Anglo-phone Caribbean. Nowhere is this fact more manifested than in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Both the finals and semi-finals were played in Guyana at the Providence Stadium which was transformed into a sea of entertainment, the likes of which were unmatched in any other region of the world.
Such was the extent of the success of the tournament that a new variant of the games have been launched- the Global Super League-which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America.
There is a positive correlation between sports and economic development. This was particularly evident during the CPL matches in Guyana. Almost all of the hotels in and around
Georgetown were filled to the full limit of their capacity. The same was true for restaurants and other places of entertainment. The mood was one of festivity with a Carnival-like atmosphere.
It is this reality that no doubt influenced the decision to have a global super league scheduled for November this year. Chairman of the Global Super League, former Captain of the West Indies cricket team Sir Clive Lloyd has correctly observed that the passion for cricket in Guyana rivals that of fans anywhere.
In a real sense, the setting up of this cricket league is a celebration of our love for the game of cricket and our rich culture.
Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has pledged the government’s full support for the new Global Super League which will include the Amazon Warriors and several other teams from around the cricketing world.
This undoubtedly is a major development which will bring this country of ours on the international spotlight. Guyana is already making a name for itself as a regional powerhouse and the introduction of the games will further catapult Guyana in the league of the bigger cricketing nations.
In all of this, full credit must be given to President Ali who has been instrumental in the hosting of the CPL finals and semi-finals for three consecutive years including 2025.
It will be recalled that the political opposition was critical of the construction of the Marriot Hotel and had disparagingly described the hotel as a ‘white elephant’. They have all been proven wrong and even with the addition of a number of new hotels and the construction of several more, finding suitable accommodation in Georgetown still remains a challenge for tourists.
Vision, it is said, is the ability to see
beyond the immediate. Both President Ali and Vice-president Jagdeo has displayed visionary leadership qualities which have had and continues to have a transformative impact on the country.
Indeed, the future of Guyana is in safe hands especially at this time of significant challenges at the international level as a consequence of wars, conflicts, climate change and the Covid-pandemic. Despite of this all, Guyana’s economic remain robust and resilient. The country’s international profile has never been higher. Guyana is today playing a lead role on critical global issues such as climate change and food and energy security.
The CPL games may be over but the celebrations continue.
The coming global super league matches scheduled for next month will certainly provide fresh impetus to the celebratory mood of the Guyanese people.
World Bank/UN data: Guyana’s net migration rate up
to 2023 was six times lower than in the 80s/90s
Dear Editor,
FURTHER to my essay published in the Guyana Times and Guyana Chronicle editions of October 7, 2024, and the Stabroek News edition of October 8, 2024, with the caption “immigration data disproves notion that Guyanese are migrating [in large numbers]’, a well-respected Guyanese professor of mathematics in the diaspora, Dr. Terrence Blackman, sought to challenge my thesis in an unusually swift response published in the opposition aligned online media, Village Voice―on the said day my essay was sent to the mainstream media for publication.
Professor Blackman contends that the immigration data does not disprove the notion that Guyanese are migrating in large numbers; that it is more complicated than that, therefore, the premise of my thesis was misleading.
The premise of my argument was that according to the net arrivals/departures data for the two international airports that Guyanese are no longer migrating in “large numbers” compared to the “large numbers” of migration during the periods of political instability and bankruptcy of the economy in the 1980s and 1990s.
Disappointingly, Professor Blackman misrepresented my contentions whereby (i) it was never stated that Guyanese are “no longer migrating”, which he incorrectly asserted, and (ii) the other variables he mentioned that
were ignored, were in fact not ignored, but acknowledged in the explanation proffered therein.
Conveniently, the professor ignored a stated and known fact that an increasing number of Guyanese are obtaining passports and/or visas to travel for both vacation and business purposes.
Notwithstanding, I wish to thank Professor Blackman for his response, albeit it was generic, lacked depth, and was unsubstantiated by any research and/or empirically constructed counter argument.
This in turn, prompted this author to conduct additional research on the internet, which only took five minutes to locate the World Bank/United Nations’ database on the global net migration rates, reported by countries and regions.
This data, which is more precise from an authoritative source―has in fact, validated this author’s original contention, which was deduced, viz-à-viz, an extrapolation of the net arrivals/departures data published by the Guyana Bureau of Statistics.
The chart hereunder was reconstructed based on the World Bank’s net migration database for Guyana.
The net migration rate is the difference between the total number of emigrants (persons leaving the country permanently) and immigrants (persons moving into the country permanently). A negative net migration rate indicates that more persons are emigrating (leaving the country permanently) than those
who are immigrating, whereas a positive net migration rate indicates that the total number of immigrants is greater than the total number of emigrants.
A careful examination of Guyana’s net migration rate since independence (19662023), shows that the net migration rate is six times lower in 2023 in contrast to where it was in the 1980s-90s. Additionally, the following points should be noted:
• In 1966-1992, a negative (cumulative) net migration rate was observed, totaling, 390,811.
• In 1950-1983, a negative net migration rate of more than 10,000 was observed annually.
• In 1984-1990, the negative net migration rate doubled, averaging 20,000 annually.
• In 1993-2015, a negative (cumulative) net migration rate was observed, totaling 280,283, bringing the total to 671,634 for the period 1966-2015.
• In 2012-2017, the lowest negative net migration rate of 7,152 was observed in 2012, which declined further to just over 6,000 annually from 2013 to 2017.
• In 2018, a positive net migration rate was observed of 30,080, however, in 2019, the highest negative net migration rate of 24,678 was observed for the entire fifty-eight (58) years since independence.
• In 2020, a positive net migration rate of 802 was once again observed.
• In 2021-2023, most notably, a negative net migration rate was observed annually
averaging 4,000, but was the lowest negative migration rate observed since independence, six times lower than in the 1980s-90s.
It is against this background, that it is imperative when considering the level of “migration” from Guyana in the current situational context of the country, that terms such as “in large numbers” must be qualified, otherwise, the discussion and/or analysis becomes subjective, easily skewed and propagandized.
Thus, when describing migration “in large numbers”, an appreciation of what occurred in the earlier period of Guyana’s post-independence history is paramount, to academically determine how large is large in the current situational context.
Summarily, the result in terms of where the net migration rate has landed presently, signals a positive outcome for the country. It points to the successes achieved from the post-1992 decades of hard work in rebuilding a resilient macroeconomic stability framework that characterizes the economy―and charting a path towards sustainable development.
These outcomes, in turn, served to retain most of the people in country.
Nonetheless, much work remains to be done in the decades ahead, aimed at transforming the economic fortunes of the country, for its people.
Sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin
The AFC puts down its untergang to one person only
THISnewspaper has reported on the AFC’s delegation that went to New York to engage the Guyanese diaspora. The Chronicle reported the AFC’s response to a member of the audience was that the AFC lost power in 2020 because of one man. The exact words used went like this: “One of our (AFC) candidates was the reason why the coalition came out of government.”
The person was not named. This is a gross distortion of political reality. There was no one person that was responsible for the untergang (German word for downfall; I like it, after seeing the movie about Hitler with that name) of the AFC. The leadership of the AFC consisted of the same mentality expressed in each individual leader.
It was a betrayal of the people of Guyana that has no parallel in contemporary Guyanese history except for Forbes Burnham accepting power in exchange for engaging the Venezuelan Government on the border issue that was signed and sealed.
To say one of the AFC’s
big names was the reason for the AFC’s untergang is an attempt to excuse the power-drunkenness and middle-class snobbery of the collective leadership of the AFC, and to obfuscate the willingness from 2015 to 2020 to subordinate itself to the PNC in order to drink at the fountain of power.
From the time the election results were made known, the middle-class incestuous shenanigans began. Here I will repeat maybe for the sixth what I have written in my columns for both the Kaieteur News and the Guyana Chronicle. The AFC met in its boardroom at its head office to select its ministers.
The hierarchy of the AFC was present and that hierarchy decided on a woman to be made Minister of the Environment. The woman had absolutely no connection with the AFC but was the personal friend of three elitist Mulatto/Creole leaders of the AFC.
In a telephonic discourse with the woman, she declined the post citing the ministerial salary that would be below that of her internationally
paid salary. Within a week of this refusal, the ANPU+AFC decided to raise ministerial pay. That offer to the lady was made in front of second-tier leaders who worked tirelessly to bring the AFC to power.
So who is this person that brought about the AFC’s untergang? It could not have been Raphael Trotman. He said in his book that after victory, he was not offered a Cabinet post and that such a position was facilitated by President Granger himself. It could not be Moses Nagamootoo.
As Prime Minister, Nagamootoo acquired four portfolios as against 18 for Joe
Harmon as gazetted in July 2015. Nagamootoo also stated in his autobiography that because he was a newcomer to the AFC, he did not want to encroach on the AFC’s decision-making machinery.
I met Moses’ wife at Mattai’s supermarket yesterday (Tuesday) and I told her if she thinks it was Moses that was being referred to. When I looked at her expression, I had the answer right there. It couldn’t have been her husband It couldn’t have been Nigel Hughes because he was not a candidate in the 2020 election and held no Cabinet position, and resigned as chairman of the AFC in 2017. It could not have been Cathy
Hughes because it is Nigel Hughes that is pointing to this particular individual so why would he describe his wife as the person that devastated the AFC while she was a minister?
It could not have been Alston Stewart who had huge power in the AFC’s hierarchy as a consultant, but was not in the government and was not a legal member of the AFC’s executive.
It could not have been Dominic Gaskin because while in power Gaskin never threw his weight around and simply did not have the clout in the AFC leadership to shape things. It could not have been Noel Holder because according to Trotman,
the AFC overlooked Holder for Cabinet inclusion and he owed his ministerial status to President Granger who offered him the Agriculture Ministry.
This leaves David Patterson and Khemraj Ramjattan. Let’s once more quote Nigel Hughes: “One of our (AFC) candidates was the reason why the coalition came out of government.” So if it is Patterson or Ramjattan, what did they do to so damage the biology of the AFC between 2015 and 2020?
I asked two persons who operated in the war-room or the engine room or the nerve centre of the AFC how would they respond. Leonard Craig said he does not want to speculate as to a name but he thinks Nigel’s statement is highly misleading. Michael Carrington surprised me by saying he does not want to offer a comment.
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.
New Amsterdam Hospital to be converted into mental health facility
VICE-PRESIDENT
Bharrat Jagdeo, on Tuesday, announced that once the new hospital comes on stream in New Amsterdam, Region Six, the existing facility will be transformed into a mental health facility. The Government of Guyana is constructing a US$161 million New Amsterdam General Hospital in Fort Canje Berbice to enhance healthcare delivery to residents of
the ancient county.
The Vice-President, during an engagement with residents at New Amsterdam, said that the new hospital will be European standard with five operating theatres, explaining: “The kind of care here is what you will get in Europe.”
He added: “We plan to the take the old hospital (currently on operation), rehabilitate it and that will then become the mental health facility for
the country, so the old hospital would be converted into the mental health hospital.”
This, the Vice-President said, will change the quality of healthcare altogether.
Further, he told those gathered that with the completion of six of the twelve hospitals which are being constructed nationwide, about 3,000 people will be hired and that figure would double when all are completed.
“We have started recruiting and training doctors, nurses, people at every skill level,” Jagdeo told residents.
The facilities will have 24-hour accident and emergency, 24-hour labs, a suite of
imaging services, including ultrasound, digital X-Ray, and CT scans, along with operation theatres and more.
The six hospitals are being constructed through a partnership with China’s Sinopharm International, and serve as part of a larger $37.2 billion initiative that will modernise the regional healthcare system in Guyana.
50 vendors allocated spaces on new Plaisance Market tarmac
FIFTY vendors from Plaisance Market along the East Coast Demerara corridor now have an alternative location to conduct their business operations.
A new tarmac was made available to vendors and it can easily accommodate 69
stalls with greater public accessibility.
The move is part of a commitment made by Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, after vendors were required to relocate due to the construction of the four-lane highway from Sheriff Street to Orange
Nassau along the railway embankment.
Celestine Blackman is one of the vendors who says she is grateful for the new location on the tarmac.
“Because it is more uniform…I sell [ground] provisions and fruits. My grand-
Another vendor, Mbekia X, welcomed the government’s initiative and said she was pleased to have a spot to conduct her business.
X added, “I appreciate the
fact that they [government] have made accommodations for those who normally sell during the course of the week.
At first, we were a bit concerned as it relates to what would happen to those who ply their trade on a day-to-day basis.”
During an engagement with vendors on Tuesday afternoon, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, stated that the government has taken a comprehensive approach to guarantee a seamless relocation process.
He said that even though some developments may cause inconveniences, the government continues to work to curtail any problems that may arise while maintaining a consultative form of governance.
Minister Edghill explained that, “while we bring devel-
opment and we expand infrastructure, we will not stifle economic opportunities…If people have to be displaced or relocated, it must be done in a manner that ensures that their livelihoods are not interrupted.”
All vendors must relocate to their designated spaces on the tarmac by Friday afternoon in order to prevent costly delays.
“When a contractor gets a job and [it] isn’t finished by a certain time, he is penalised on a daily rate…The government will also have to pay him on a daily rate when he goes over his contract time. That is one of the reasons why we had to get [this] fixed,” Minister Edghill explained.
The minister said that six lights will be strategically placed along the tarmac for security purposes. (DPI)
daughter sells fruit juice,” Blackman told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Fifty vendors from Plaisance Market along the East Coast Demerara corridor now have an alternative location to conduct their business operations
Small contractors get the lot of $6.9B in contracts for road works in Region Six
— another $7B worth of projects to be tendered soon
By Bebi Oosman
HUNDREDS
of Berbice contractors, especially small entrepreneurs, on Tuesday, signed contracts for road works throughout Region Six totalling $6.9 billion, which is expected to greatly improve the lives of residents throughout the ancient county.
Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who met with the contractors in New Amsterdam, reiterated that the government’s intention is to incubate a large number of contractors.
He then announced: “Today, 389 persons getting [contracts] totalling 6.9 billion.”
Emphasising the challenges the government faced in ensuring more persons are able to benefit from con-
tracts, Jagdeo said: “We have had all sorts of difficulties in trying to bring this new group of people into the bidding process, and even now, the reason it took so long after I spoke to you is that we have had a difficult time even now trying to separate people from multiple family owned businesses bidding and getting contracts.”
This, the Vice-President said, has become unconscionable where four or five members of a family are bidding for contracts.
“If we go that route, we will not be able to broaden the contractor core and secondly when people find this out, you don't get the blame we do. First thing they say is the PPP tolerating this and it is something we are very intolerant of,” Jagdeo said.
To address these challenges, a rating system has
been introduced to allow small contractors to secure work without being subject to a competitive bidding process.
Pointing to the newly implemented rate system, Jagdeo said: “I explained to you the rate system, you don't have to bid today.”
He said the government had to pursue a system that was fair as well as maintains money for the state “because we also have a duty to taxpayers of this country.”
According to him, the rate that was established is set where the taxpayers can get value and the contractors given the historic rates of tendering, “can also make some money.”
He then pointed out to the contractors: “[If you were to bid] many of you may not get a single work because one person could potentially win
10-15 contracts. But we also have to leave room for the big contractors to grow.”
In terms of the government’s expectations, the Vice-President said: “Do not pay any bribe to anyone who come and tell you we help you get this work; nobody helped you get this work, you got this work because of your own efforts.”
Secondly, he advised: “If anyone accepts a bribe from you for doing shoddy work, any engineer or anyone, you let us know.”
Vice-President Jagdeo said while they want to create opportunities, contractors need to be cognisant that
the quality of work is also paramount.
“We expect you to do quality work because if you don't, you are not going to get work in the future. We will just put you on a list that you didn't do well on a project, so it's left on you.
The work you do here leaves room for you to make money but don't think it's a one off thing. If you want to grow, we will provide you with the opportunities for growth and I expect you to do proper work,” he related.
On the topic of opportunities, Vice-President Jagdeo announced that $7 billion more worth of works will be
tendered shortly, and these are for people who have greater capacity but that is where you will be judged on the basis of your bid.
“Not everyone will be allowed here to bid if you are just starting here you can't bid because these are big projects, big roads in the region,” he related.
According to the Vice-President, the contractors who would have done work beyond $20 million- $30 million before will get a chance to bid; this is a competitive process.
Hundreds of Berbice contractors, especially small entrepreneurs, on Tuesday, signed contracts for road works throughout Region Six totalling $6.9 billion, which is expected to greatly improve the lives of residents throughout the ancient county
Florida coast facing historic flood threat from Hurricane Milton
–– the hurricane is headed for Tampa Bay, one of the most vulnerable areas of the country to flooding from storm surge
HURRICANE Milton
has weakened slightly but remains a powerful Category 5 hurricane in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, threatening to flood the west coast of Florida with historic storm surge.
Almost the entirety of the west coast of Florida was under a hurricane or tropical storm warning on Tuesday as the storm’s
270km/h (165mph) winds spun towards Tampa Bay, one of the largest urban areas of the state, sucking energy from the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters.
A massive evacuation is already under way as residents of the Tampa Bay area head inland, seeking shelter after Milton rapidly strengthened from a tropical storm to Category 5 hurricane on the Saf -
fir-Simpson wind scale on Monday.
“This is the real deal here with Milton,” the mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, told a news conference. “If you want to take on Mother Nature, she wins 100 per cent of the time.”
In an interview with CNN, Castor issued a dire warning to residents of her city. “This is literally catastrophic and I can say without any dramatisation whatsoever, if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re going to die,” she said.
“This is something that I’ve never seen in my life and I can tell you that anyone who was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before.”
STORM SURGE
A flood warning has been issued for coastal Southwest Florida with some areas including Tampa Bay forecast to get 10-to-15 feet of storm surge (3m to 4.5m).
“That level of storm surge would be catastrophic for the Tampa metro area, inundating low-lying areas,” Phil Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University, told Al Jazeera.
At 4pm local time (21:00 GMT), the storm was about 775km (480 miles) southwest of Tampa as of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and has picked up in forward speed now moving to the east-northeast at 15km/h (9mph).
“While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida,” the NHC said.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45km (30 miles) from the centre, but the wind field is
expected to nearly double in size as the storm nears landfall late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
Tampa Bay is still recovering from Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago, which reported seven feet (2m) of storm surge, according to the National Weather Service.
“West coast Florida residents like myself are looking at as much as 15 feet (4.5m) of storm surge – double what we saw with hurricane Helene,” said Susan Glickman, with the CLEO Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to climate education and advocacy.
Glickman’s home in Belleair Beach, a barrier island just north of Tampa, was flooded during Helene and the contents destroyed.
While Helene was a far larger storm than Milton, with storm force winds extending hundreds of miles, it made landfall in a far less densely populated area in the Big Bend area, well north of Tampa.
VULNERABLE URBAN POPULATION
With a population of almost four million people, Tampa Bay is one of the most vulnerable areas of the country to flooding from a powerful storm.
“It’s a huge population. It’s very exposed, very inexperienced, and that’s a losing proposition,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel said. “I always thought Tampa would be the city to worry about most.”
Tampa is also the US city with the highest risk of flooding from a hurricane, according to a report by the consulting firm Karen Clark and Company, and the seventh-most at-risk city in the world, according to
Florida coast facing historic flood threat ...
From page 10
the World Bank.
The risk to Tampa stems in part from not having suffered the direct impact of a major hurricane for almost a century, with few buildings constructed to withstand such large storms.
The Tampa Bay region has not suffered a direct impact from a major Category 3 or greater hurricane in nearly a century.
The last time it was hit came in 1921; a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 miles per hour (185 kms/h) that caused severe damage. Then, only 160,000 people lived in the four counties of the Tampa metropolitan area, mostly in highland areas.
The 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane generated an 11foot (3.3m) storm surge, said Klotzbach. The last time the bay experienced anything close to 15 feet was the 1848 Tampa Bay Hurricane, he added.
Another risk factor is the continental shelf, a submarine geological formation sticking out from the west coast of the Florida peninsula, resulting in shallow water less than 300 feet (90m) deep that extends 140km (90 miles) offshore.
As a result, the effects of sea level rise are more severe on the west coast of Florida than in the east which faces the deeper Atlantic Ocean, meteorologists say.
Despite this risk, the region has not taken sufficient steps to mitigate the effect of rising sea levels, environmental activists say.
Few buildings in the Tampa Bay area were built with modern hurricane safety codes.
Some key facilities could have their flood protections severely tested by Milton, such as the 100-year-old Tampa General Hospital, which sits on an island just off downtown Tampa.
The hospital perimetre is protected by the socalled AquaFence, a water-impermeable barrier that can withstand storm surges up to 15 feet (4.5m) above sea level. It requires a team of 60 and three days to complete installation before a storm.
FLORIDA TAKING A BATTERING
Milton will be the third hurricane to thrash Florida in just 13 months, including Helene which killed 227 people, mostly in North Carolina.
Other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast are still recovering from previous storms. The Fort Myers area in southwest Florida is still rebuilding from Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused $112bn in damage. It has been two decades since so many storms crisscrossed Florida in
such a short period of time. In 2004, an unprecedented five storms struck Florida within six weeks, including three hurricanes that pummeled central Florida.
Many environmentalists point the finger at climate change for the increased intensity of recent storms.
“Our home is unlivable and we are evacuating inland but I can barely contain my rage at the oil companies that have allowed unchecked climate pollution so they can profit,” said Glickman.
“The warming from climate pollution is causing seas to rise, extreme heat, monster hurricanes and storm surge,” she added. (Al Jazeera)
PAHO, IDB sign agreement to broaden collaboration
THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a new framework agreement that marks a significant step in their partnership.
This agreement enables both PAHO and the IDB to broaden their collaboration, which grew considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering a more
robust framework for longterm health initiatives in the region. The expanded partnership will enable a more efficient and impactful response to the diverse health challenges faced by the region. With the new agreement, PAHO will seek to leverage its comparative advantage in delivering technical cooperation, particularly through its Revolving Funds, to enhance health out-
comes across Member States.
“We are proud to reaffirm and expand our enduring partnership with the IDB, a collaboration dedicated to improve health across the Americas. Together, we are committed to the sustainable development of our Member States, and to build resilient communities throughout the region,” PAHO’s Director Jarbas Barbosa said.
PAHO and the IDB have
a long history of cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, regional production of health technologies, disease elimination, primary healthcare and emergencies. In response to the COVID-19 emergency, approximately US$140 million were mobilised in the past four years to support efforts in countries such as Belize, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
PAHO and the IDB signed a new framework agreement that marks a significant step in their partnership
These funds enabled the implementation of timely technical cooperation activities, and the delivery of life-saving health commodities.
“The IDB’s new institutional strategy underscores the importance of partnerships, resource mobilisation, and collaboration with other multilateral agencies.
By systematically harmonising and simplifying our frameworks with UN agencies, we will build stronger synergies that accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Ilan Goldfajn, President of the IDB. (PAHO)
Stevedore woman fined for wounding, disorderly conduct
A 24-year-old woman from the Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown was on Monday fined $45,000 after admitting to wounding her neighbour and throwing bottles at her during a heated altercation.
Bibi Richards, a mother of one, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful wounding and causing public disturbance.
The incident occurred on September 25, 2024, at the Stevedore Housing Scheme.
According to the details presented in court, Richards was engaged in an argument with her neighbour, Eunice Gordon.
In the midst of the confrontation, Richards threw bottles at Gordon, causing a disturbance and endangering her safety. The situation escalated when Richards used a broken bottle to slash her neighbour, resulting in injuries.
For the offence of unlawful wounding, Richards was fined $35,000, with an alternative sentence of two months in prison if she fails to pay. Additionally, she was fined $10,000 for throwing bottles, with the option of serving two weeks imprisonment if the fine is not settled. In a related charge, Richards was also accused of damaging a window belonging to Gordon, valued at $18,000, during the same incident.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge of property damage and was released on $20,000 bail.
The matter has been adjourned, and Richards is expected to return to court on October 21, 2024, to collect statements in this matter.
Bibi Richards
Persons found practising illegal waste disposal will be prosecuted
–– Minister Edghill says, calls for attitudinal change among Guyanese in this area
By Cindy Parkinson-Chowbay
AIMING to change the mind-set of people via their “Removal of Derelicts” campaign, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill said that persons found disposing of abandoned materials on the roadways or in communities will be charged and prosecuted.
Edghill, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, said that while Guyana is in the spotlight
being encumbered. The culture of dumping garbage on government reserve or any other form of littering must change, and we will prosecute those persons who are found guilty.”
The minister further said that the government reserve is not owned by anyone, and it is only there for particular purposes, and as such, individuals are not allowed to do anything that they want with it.
Noting that while the campaign team removed a significant amount of der-
for its massive transformational changes, among other positive shifts, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Works, is also working to ensure that the country is recognised for its tidiness as well as safety on the roadways.
One of the main goals of the campaign, according to the minister, is to restore normalcy to the communities across Guyana and sensitise the public on the advantages and disadvantages of keeping their environment and country clean.
Minister Edghill said: “We must develop a culture in Guyana where people understand that they cannot just dump old vehicles, old fridges, old freezers, and unwanted building materials, among other things, on the shoulders of the roadways and get away with it.
“Apart from this behaviour being bad for the aesthetic of our country, it is also a traffic safety issue when the road shoulders are
priority has been the main access roads and the main thoroughfares, and they will not stop until all of the debris is clear and the public understands the importance of keeping the roadways clear.
He emphasised: “Again,
I want to make it clear to the public that as long as we clear an area or a spot along the roadways, we expect that it remains clear. However, if people go back to that area to start dumping again, we will charge and prosecute them.”
Since entering office in 2020, the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with his government has spearheaded and participated in multiple “clean-up campaigns” throughout Guyana.
The aim of these cam-
paigns is to impact a positive lifestyle change on cleanliness throughout the nation and to ensure that the drainage, waterways, road shoulders, and general surroundings are kept in a clean, healthy, and usable condition.
elicts from Regions Four, Three, and Six, Minister Edghill said that Region Five has some amount to be removed but not as massive as the other regions mentioned.
Further, Minister Edghill said that this exercise will continue throughout the other regions. He also commended the Ministry of Local Government, Regional Development, and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) in the respective regions for their support and co-operation in ensuring that the campaign is a success.
The Public Works Minister also said that while the Ministry of Public Works has been removing the debris from the main thoroughfare, he was pleased to mention that they have been rendering assistance to the NDCs to ensure that derelicts are removed from the shoulders of streets within the respective communities as well. Additionally, Minister Edghill said the ministry’s
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill
More capital will help to nurture emerging local markets
–– NCB Capital Markets CEO says
HIGHLIGHTING that Guyana is at a pivotal moment in its development, Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of the NCB Capital Markets limited, Angus Young has said that there is much need for capital that will nurture emerging markets here.
Young made those remarks during the launch of
the Second Regional Investments and Capital Markets in Guyana being hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCB Capital Markets limited, Angus Young at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.
As he spoke about the pivotal role of broker dealers in facilitating the growth and expansion of business, he noted that it is the role of broker dealers to democratise access to wealth creation opportunities in Guyana.
“The broker dealer will also bring fresh capital from the region into Guyana as investors seek to participate in the fastest growing economy in the world,” Young said.
Against this backdrop, he indicated that the NCB’s support for the conference signals its enduring relationship with the Guyana capital markets and its relationship which he noted predates oil production.
With this, Young said: “Guyana is at the defining moment in its history, driven by the growth of its energy sector and the subsequent opportunities it has unlocked. The rapid developments we are witnessing is unprecedented.
“On one hand, with this progress comes the need for capital, patient capital that would nurture emerging industries, support infrastructure and ultimately fuel the growth of businesses on all levels.”
On the other hand, NCB’s CEO added that to truly unlock the benefits of the development, there must be collaboration in all levels to develop a capital market structure that democratises wealth for every Guyanese citizen.
Additionally, he said that they look forward to the day that the Guyanese capital market is hailed as one of the most robust a world and commensurate with the economies with the country’s current economic standing.
The second day of the Second Regional Investments and Capital Markets continues today under the theme, “Financing for Success: Where Passion, Prosperity and People Align.”
Highlighting that Guyana is at a pivotal moment in its development, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCB Capital Markets limited, Angus Young has said that there is much need for capital that will nurture emerging markets here
New law in Israel blocking UNRWA
‘would be a catastrophe’–– Guterres warns
TWO bills before the Israeli parliament could put a halt to the lifesaving operations of UN Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, which has been indispensable and irreplaceable “more than ever” over the past year of war in Gaza, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday.
“That’s why I have written directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express profound concern about draft legislation that could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” he said at the Security Council stakeout in New York.
He said such a measure would suffocate efforts to ease suffering and tensions in Gaza and the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory, warning that “it would be a catastrophe in what is already an unmitigated disaster.”
UNRWA’S INTEGRAL ROLE IN HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
UNRWA was established more than 70 years ago and supports Palestine refugees in five locations across the Middle East. The draft laws seek to evict the agency from its premises in territories under Israeli control and to revoke its privileges and immunities.
The development comes as the war in Gaza enters “an atrocious, abominable second year” and amid the threat of wider escalation in the region.
Operationally, the legislation – if passed by the Knesset – would likely deal a terrible blow to the international humanitarian response there, Mr. Guterres said.
He explained that as UNRWA’s activities are integral to that response, it is not feasible to isolate one UN agency from the others.
AID AND SERVICE DELIVERY AT RISK
“It would effectively end coordination to protect UN convoys, offices and shelters serving hundreds of thousands of people,” he said.
Delivery of food, shelter and heathcare “would grind to a halt” without UNRWA, while 600,000 children “would lose the only entity that is able to re-start education, risking the fate of an entire generation.”
Furthermore, many health, education and social services would also end in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
POTENTIAL SETBACK TO PEACE EFFORTS
Mr. Guterres said if approved, such legislation would be diametrically opposed to the UN Charter and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law, which national legislation cannot alter.
“And politically, such legislation would be an enormous setback to sustainable peace efforts and a two-State solution – fanning even more instability and insecurity,” he added.
NOWHERE IS SAFE IN GAZA
The draft legislation comes at a time when the situation in Gaza is in “a death spiral”. The Secretary-General drew attention to the north, which he said has witnessed a clear intensification of Israeli military operations.
He said residential areas have been attacked, hospitals ordered to evacuate, and electricity shut off with no fuel or commercial goods allowed in. Additionally, some 400,000 people are being forced yet again to move south to an area that is overcrowded, polluted and lacking the basics for survival.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
“The conclusion is clear: there is something fundamentally wrong in the way this war is being conducted. Ordering civilians to evacuate does not keep them safe if they have no safe place to go and no shelter, food, medicine or water,” he said, adding “no place is safe in Gaza and no one is safe.”
UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL LAW
Stressing that international law is unambiguous, the Secretary-General upheld that civilians everywhere must be respected and protected, and their essential needs must be met, including through humanitarian assistance, while all hostages must be released.
Meanwhile, he described the situation in southern Gaza as overwhelmed.
“Supplies are running low and Israeli authorities are only allowing a single, unsafe road for aid from the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarians face active hostilities and violent, armed looting, fueled by desperation and the collapse of public order and safety,” he said.
MIDDLE EAST ‘POWDER KEG’
The Secretary-General has warned for months that the conflict risks spreading.
“The Middle East is a powder keg with many parties holding the match,” he said, referring to rising violence in the West Bank and attacks in Lebanon that are threatening the entire region.
Recent days have seen an intensification in exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) across the UN-patrolled “Blue Line” of separation between the two countries.
Large-scale Israeli strikes in Lebanonincluding in the capital, Beirut - have killed more than 2,000 people in the past year, and mainly in the past two weeks alone. Attacks by Hezbollah and others south of the Blue Line have killed at least 49 people since last October.
The violence has displaced over one million people in Lebanon. Some 300,000 people have fled into neighbouring Syria and over 60,000 remain displaced from northern Israel. He noted that the IDF also recently started incursions across the Blue Line.
FEAR OF WAR IN LEBANON
Meanwhile, peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue to carry out their mandates to the extent possible.
They are “serving in what is today the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere”, Mr. Guterres said, urging all actors to ensure their safety and security.
“We are on the verge of an all-out war in Lebanon – with already devastating con-
sequences. But there is still time to stop,” he said.
“That is why we cannot and will not give up on our calls for irreversible action for a two-State solution between Israel and Palestine,” he said.
“All people in the region deserve to live in peace.” (UN News)
The conflict in the Middle East is “getting worse by the hour – and our warnings about the horrific impacts of escalation keep coming to pass”, the Secretary-General added, underlining the need for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and humanitarian access to desperate civilians.
ERC, UN, GNBA host Countering Hate Speech Workshop ahead of 2025 polls
HATE speech according to the United Nations (UN), refers to offensive discourse targeting a group of persons, or an individual based on inherent characteristics such as race, religion or gender that may threaten social peace.
With Guyana’s election period around the corner, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), with support from United Nations Guyana, and the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), hosted a “Countering Hate Speech Workshop”, on Tuesday, October 8, at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.
The workshop was said to be part of
the broader, “Countering Hate Speech Campaign,” officially launched on June 18, 2024.
The workshop aimed to increase awareness and knowledge among traditional and non-traditional media practitioners regarding concepts relevant to hate speech through the work of the ERC and the GNBA.
Additionally, the session was expected to equip participants with the tools and strategies to combat hate speech and solicit suggestions to form part of an action plan to address hate speech, ahead of the 2025 general elections in Guyana.
The workshop also intended to bring together political commentators, disc jockeys, social media advisors, journalists and all persons who shape public opinion in Guyana to address critical issues that may arise as a result of hate speech locally.
Tuesday’s session explored the tools and knowledge to recognise, report and counter hate speech on all platforms.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the ERC, Shaikh Moeenul Hack said: “Today, we gather to effect meaningful change and strive towards the eradication of hate speech from our society. The ERC recognises the significance media practitioners play in disseminating information to the public. With that role comes great responsibility. This workshop aims to expand your understanding of hate speech within the unique context of Guyana, equipping you with the knowledge necessary to manage hate and challenge it effectively.”
The chairman noted that while Guyanese are proud that our society is largely harmonious, as we share in each other’s culture, we cannot overlook the challenges that persist in our society, such as racial and ethnic violations.
Since the inception of the workshop, the ERC has engaged in a number of online and offline initiatives, aimed at tackling hate speech in all forms.
UN Resident Coordinator (ag), Gerardo Noto related that each person present
has a critical role to play as media practitioners in shaping public discourse, promoting inclusivity and safeguarding the values that unite Guyana as a society.
He highlighted that in today’s interconnected world, media platforms, whether traditional or digital, hold immense power to amplify messages that can either foster unity or drive division.
This he said, is especially relevant in an age where information is spread faster and farther than ever before, and where words, spoken or typed, can have a profound impact on individuals and communities alike.
“Hate speech, whether subtle or overt, has the potential to tear at the fabric of our society. It can incite violence, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and deepen divisions among different peoples and groups.
“Each of you as content creators and communicators, has the power to be part of the solution. By using your platforms and raising your voice, you may raise awareness, promote tolerance and challenge discrimination. You really can make a difference. You can help turn the tide against hate speech and foster a culture of respect, inclusion and dialogue,” Noto stated.
Meanwhile, Latchmie Rahamat, the Chairperson of the GNBA, in her remarks pointed out that the workshop is not only timely, but is important for all persons from different levels of the media, together with the constitutional and legislative monitoring bodies to come together to have this conversation.
Referencing Guyana’s national motto, she said it highlights the way our forefathers, at the time of our independence, intended for us to live. That is, in love and in unity.
Rahamat added, “It is unfortunate that hate speech is something that is a plague. It is a plague that is within our society in 2024 and it is everyone’s responsibility to do their individual part to stamp it out.”
Chairman of the ERC Shaikh Moeenul Hack UN Resident Coordinator (ag), Gerardo Noto
Chairperson of the GNBA, Latchmie Rahamat (Delano Williams photos)
Man faces charges for assaulting cop, threatening behaviour at police station
A 26-year-old man, Nicholas Escott, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, facing charges of assaulting a police officer and using threatening language.
Escott, who told the court he is a “Jack of all trades,” was accused of the offences that occurred on September 30, 2024, at the East La Penitence Police Station.
The first charge alleged that Escott unlawfully assaulted police officer Alas-
ka Burnett while Burnett was performing his official duties at the station.
Additionally, Escott was charged with using threatening language towards another individual, Dexter Thomas, on the same day at the same location.
Escott, who represented himself in court, pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The Magistrate granted him bail, setting it at $25,000. for the assault charge and $10,000. for the threatening language charge.
The case has been adjourned, and Escott is due to return to court on November 11, 2024, for further proceedings.
Chinese businessman hospitalised following shooting incident
RANKS of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are investigating the alleged discharging of a loaded firearm with intent committed on Jianqing Chen, a 50-yearold Chinese businessman.
According to a police statement, Chen is the owner of First Choice Supermarket located on the northern side of Durban Street. Chen is also the owner of a grey Nissan motorcar bearing Registra -
tion Number PAG #4518.
The statement said that the incident occurred at about 00:07 hours on Tuesday. October 8, outside the supermarket and that the suspect is said to be a male on a black motorcycle (registration number unknown) who was armed with a handgun.
It added that a 26-yearold security guard attached to the supermarket told investigators he was on duty at the
time (in the guard hut) when he observed Chen in his motorcar, which was parked in front of the supermarket. He reportedly overheard Chen arguing with someone on his phone.
A short while later, the security guard related that he heard several loud explosions, suspected to be gunshots. He then observed and saw the suspect riding away at a fast rate, heading west on
Durban Street. He also observed that Chen’s hand was out of the vehicle door. He went up to the car and observed Chen in the driver’s seat, covered in blood.
According to the statement, he immediately called Marvin Crawford, a 49-yearold businessman who owns the guard service, and told him what had transpired. Shortly after, Crawford ar-
rived at the location and took Chen to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted as a patient and is slated to undergo surgery. His condition was listed as serious.
The scene was processed and three 9MM spent shells were found. Police also found an iPhone which was on the driver’s seat.
Investigations are ongoing.
Nicholas Escott
TikTok sued by 13 states and DC, accused of harming younger users
TIKTOKfaces new lawsuits filed by 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday, accusing the popular social media platform of harming and failing to protect young people.
The lawsuits filed separately in New York, California, the District of Columbia and 11 other states, expand Chinese-owned TikTok's legal fight with U.S. regulators, and seek new financial penalties against the company.
The states accuse TikTok of using intentionally addictive software designed to keep children watching as long and often as possible and misrepresenting its content moderation effectiveness.
"TikTok cultivates
social media addiction to boost corporate profits," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "TikTok intentionally targets children because they know kids do not yet have the defences or capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content."
TikTok seeks to maximise the amount of time users spend on the app in order to target them with ads, the states say.
"Young people are struggling with their mental health because of addictive social media platforms like TikTok," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
TikTok said on Tuesday that it strongly disagreed with the claims,
"many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading," and that it was disappointed the states chose to sue "rather than work with us on constructive solutions to industrywide challenges."
TikTok provides safety features including default screentime limits and privacy defaults for minors under 16, the company said.
Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian
Schwalb alleged TikTok operates an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency features.
"TikTok's platform is dangerous by design. It's an intentionally addictive product that is designed to get young people addicted to their screens," Schwalb said in an interview.
'VIRTUAL STRIP CLUB WITH NO
AGE RESTRICTIONS'
Washington's lawsuit accused TikTok of facilitating sexual exploitation of underage users, saying TikTok's live streaming and virtual currency "operate like a virtual strip club with no age restrictions."
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Wash-
ington state also sued on Tuesday.
In March 2022, eight states including California and Massachusetts, said they launched a nationwide probe of TikTok impacts on young people.
The U.S. Justice Department sued TikTok in August for allegedly failing to protect children's privacy on the app. Other states previously sued TikTok for failing to protect children from harm, including Utah and Texas. TikTok on Monday rejected the allegations in a court filing.
TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance is battling a U.S. law that could ban the app in the United States. (Reuters)
Minister McCoy joins Hindu community in observance of Navaratri at Diamond/Grove Vishnu Mandir
DURING
a heartfelt address at the Diamond/Grove Vishnu Mandir, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, highlighted the significance of Navaratri in the Hindu calendar.
The nine-day observance, marked by fasting and prayers, fosters unity and strengthens the bonds of family and community.
“Navaratri allows us to worship Goddess Durga and reinforces essential values such as strength, resilience, and unity,” McCoy said.
He emphasised the importance of the Hindu community’s contributions to Guyana’s rich tapestry of religious tolerance and cultural diversity.
In his remarks, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the “One Guyana” platform, encouraging all citizens to celebrate religious and cultural observances together.
“Navaratri, like every other religious, cultural, and national observance, must be observed across our communities and the country. These traditions belong to all of us and should be embraced with pride,” McCoy related.
He expressed his admiration for the Hindu community’s vital role in the moral, spiritual, social, cultural, and economic development of Guyana.
“I salute you for your profound contributions to our beautiful country,” he concluded, reinforcing the spirit of inclusivity and shared identity that defines the nation.
As the Navaratri observance continues, the minister's call for unity and celebration resonates, highlighting the importance of embracing cultural diversity in building a harmonious society.
During a heartfelt address at the Diamond/Grove Vishnu Mandir, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, highlighted the significance of Navaratri in the Hindu calendar
UG aims for global research excellence — with launch of cutting-edge molecular laboratories
By Feona Morrison
WITHthe goal of becoming a regional and international hub for research excellence, the University of Guyana (UG) on Tuesday unveiled its state-of-the-art molecular laboratories.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences, through its Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, now boasts a DNA Barcoding Laboratory, while the College of Medical Sciences has introduced a new Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to enhance research and diagnostics.
The official inauguration of the molecular laboratories took place at the university’s Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown campus at The Hogben Drayton Math and Science Centre.
It marks a new era in the operations of Guyana’s only national university, providing a space for advanced research in molecular biology, bio -
technology, genetics, and related fields.
The labs are equipped with advanced technologies for genetic sequencing, DNA analysis, and bioengineering, positioning UG to contribute significantly to scientific knowledge and innovation in these areas. Researchers, students and faculty members are now able to conduct
high-level scientific work that was previously out of reach due to the lack of sophisticated infrastructure.
UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, during her remarks, emphasised the university’s commitment to elevating its research capacity and enhancing Guyana's contribution to the global
scientific community.
“These two important labs are there not only for us to map, to understand, to study, to store, to share international what we know about these things in Guyana but also to affect how they impact life,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the university faced a major challenge: While it had the technical expertise to diagnose the different strains of the virus, it lacked the necessary
resources.
With only one lab available in the country, she said all other samples had to be sent abroad for analysis.
The Vice-Chancellor added: “So, the initial conversation about one of these labs was really about how we could bring the technical human expertise together with the hardware and the architecture and the infrastructure so that the university could do this...”
She said the aim was not only to diagnose COVID-19 but also to build capacity for
handling other diseases.
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The objective, Mohamed-Martin noted, was to teach others these skills, so that in the event of a future outbreak, the university could respond effectively—not just as an academic institution, but as the national university, contributing to solving public health challenges.
Director, Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj highlighted the shift in biodiversity research in Guyana from species and ecosystem levels to little work on genetic analysis.
Previously, samples were sent abroad for analysis, leading to a lack of local understanding, she noted.
Now, with new DNA technology on campus, Dr. Maharaj pointed out that researchers can identify new species, study their evolutionary relationships, and monitor ecosystems.
According to her, the DNA Barcoding Laboratory is crucial for informed
Continued on page 21
UG’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin
Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Director, Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity
Advisor on the GGI for ExxonMobil Guyana, Alicia Bess-Anderson
UG aims for global research..
biodiversity protection and training future researchers.
“These facilities will now ensure that our researchers and our students have that ability to not just understand what happens in between but to be able to do that science on their natural resources,” she said.
Dr. Maharaj made reference to the tropical moth from Guyana that was recently discovered in South Wales, Great Britain.
“Not only were they [researchers] able to use DNA technology to determine it was a new species, they were able to look at the relationships to other clearwing moths, and they were even able to tell what plant the larvae were feeding on,” she said.
Dr. Maharaj related that the new ‘lab’ will not only aid in identifying new species and understanding their evolutionary relationships, but it will also play a vital role in ecological and conservation research.
With the ability to quickly and accurately identify organisms, she said the lab will enable better ecosystem monitoring and biodiversity assessment.
“This standardised method that's used globally can now ensure that we contribute, not just nationally and regionally, but we now contribute on a global scale to studying our biodiversity with this cutting-edge technology. And the methods that we use, we can add to the efforts that we currently have,” Dr. Maharaj said.
Martina McKenzie, the Assistant Dean of the College of Medical Sciences said that the college’s first Medical Diagnostic Laboratory will enhance practical training in molecular biology for students.
She said the ‘lab’ will enable in-house research on mutations, pathogenicity islands, and virulence factors, reducing costs and time previously spent outsourcing.
According to her, the ‘lab’ will also focus on genetic diseases like hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia,
offering personalised treatment options.
She mentioned the historical challenge of teaching molecular biology theory without practical components, and how this new ‘lab’ will address that gap. Dr. Maharaj said students will be trained to utilise the ‘lab’ facilities and offer genetic testing services to the community.
McKenzie emphasised that the facility will significantly improve healthcare provision and training, potentially making the college a centre of excellence in genetic studies and molecular biology.
The project is supported by donors, including the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), and has involved collaboration with various stakeholders.
The GGI is a US$100 million (G$20 billion) investment by the Stabroek Block Co-venturers – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.
Launched in February
2021 and expected to last for 10 years, the initiative is taking a comprehensive strategy to support the country's development across various sectors.
And this includes programmes focused on building human capacity, advancing education, food security, improving healthcare and promoting sustainable economic development.
Alicia Bess-Anderson, Adviser on the GGI for ExxonMobil Guyana, said that GGI is honoured to contribute to Guyana's progress, and one key way in which it does so is by partnering with the University of Guyana to support its efforts in advancing development.
She added: “I encourage students and faculty members alike to seize the opportunities these investments bring. These ‘labs’ are not just new facilities.”
She described the new facilities as gateways to innovative research that will benefit Guyana for years to come.
The University of Guyana has unveiled its cutting-edge molecular laboratories
More development underway for Goed Fortuin, De Kinderen
SEVERAL issues affecting residents of Goed Fortuin and De Kinderen in Region Three will soon be addressed.
On Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar engaged residents of both communities, and listened while they voiced their concerns.
Goed Fortuin residents complained about an increase
in littering, unsanitary garbage disposal, and a number of related health concerns. They also complained about the slow progress of road works caused by the obstruction of abandoned containers, structures and vehicles on the roadway.
Minister Indar instructed those responsible to immediately remove the items that are obstructing the progress
of road construction.
He promised that the community will not only receive upgraded roads, but will also get street lights.
In a similar vein, De Kinderen residents were informed that they, too, will see improvements in their community.
Minister Indar promised to investigate the reason why there is a lack of street lights
and speed bumps on the roadways, unauthorised storage facility on the community’s playground, and an increase in noise pollution.
Joan McGarrell, a resident, expressed her appreciation, and said she is happy that the minister will be looking into the issues, and hopes they will be resolved soon.
The outreach also provided a platform for residents
like Kelvin Holder, who came seeking assistance to acquire his house lot. Minister Indar pledged to assist Holder.
Holder told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he is relieved the minister listened to him, and promised to look into his request.
Regional Councillor, Besh Patty commended the government for its swift re-
sponse, saying: “This is what the government and the ministers are doing throughout the country; nip the problems in the bud, and see how early these problems can be solved.”
These types of community engagements reflect the government’s firm commitment to listen and respond to the voices of Guyanese nationwide. (DPI)
Several issues affecting residents of Goed Fortuin and De Kinderen in Region Three will soon be addressed
Guyana’s Health Minister to serve as President of PAHO Executive Committee
–– after being elected at 61st Directing Council Meeting in Washington, D.C
MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony was elected President of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Executive Committee at the 61st Directing Council Meeting, which concluded on October 4 in Washington, D.C.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anthony will serve as the President
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony will serve as President of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Executive Committee for one year
of PAHO Executive Committee for a one-year term, during which he will lead the organisation’s mission to improve and safeguard the health and well-being of the peoples of the Americas.
PAHO’s work spans critical areas such as combating infectious diseases, enhancing health systems, and promoting universal health coverage, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Upon accepting the nomination, Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude to PAHO member states for placing their trust in his leadership. He reiterated his commitment to enhancing the organisation’s ideals, stressing the importance of multilateral co-operation in addressing urgent public health issues, including pandemic preparedness, equitable healthcare access, and health system strengthening.
Dr. Anthony has been at the forefront of health policy reform in Guyana, and is credited with spearheading various health initiatives, including ongoing national campaigns to eliminate neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis.
His leadership at PAHO is expected to bring fresh perspectives and a continued emphasis on health equity, sustainability, and innovation, the Health Ministry said.
The Pan American Health Organisation, established in 1902, is an international public health agency working to improve the health and living standards of the Americas’ countries.
PAHO serves as the specialised health agency of the Inter-American System and is the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office for the Americas.
to get 95 additional street lights within two weeks
–– other communities to get solar lights
WITHIN the next two weeks, 95 street lights will be distributed to several communities on Wakenaam Island.
The lights will be supplied by the government, in the hope that they will significantly improve the well-being and security of residents, while boosting local businesses and other socioeconomic activities.
The installation of additional street lights will assist police officers in their effective administration of the island.
Of the 95 street lights, 16 will be installed at Zeelandia and Caledonia; 20 will be distributed to Meerzorg, Maria’s
Pleasure, and Free and Easy; three to Domburg, three to Fredericksburg; and 13 to Noitgedacht.
The remaining lights will be installed at strategic points across the island.
These street lamps were procured by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) through a $5 million subvention from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, Chairman of Wakenaam Island’s NDC, Sheikh Ahmad pointed out that the project will not only help to improve security, but will also transform the overall aesthetics of the island.
“It will enhance businesses and the movement of people travelling in and out of the island in the evenings. It will [act] as a safety measure for people riding during the nights; help to prevent accidents,” he added.
Ahmad also said that the NDC plans to submit a letter seeking the ministry’s approval to utilise the remaining funds to procure additional streetlights.
He revealed that 40 solar lights will be distributed to several communities, such as Friendship, Sans Souci, Melville, Rush Brook, and Ridge.
Meanwhile, the island will soon benefit from improved access to clean and reliable energy, as construction of the solar farm is scheduled to be completed in November. (DPI)
No environmental authoritisation granted to Omai
––
for proposed project
at confluence of Essequibo, Seballi Rivers
–– independent water-quality testing to be conducted, public invited to comment, EPA says
THE following is the full text of a statement from the Environmental Protection Agency:
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby provides the following comments in response to an article published in the Kaieteur News on October 7, 2024 under the headline, “Omai plans to dump water with low-level cyanide, mercury into Essequibo River.”
1. An application for Environmental Authorisation was received by the Agency on July 11, 2024, for the Omai Gold Mine Project - Avalon Gold Exploration.
2. The project intends to conduct gold mining and processing within PL #: 01/2019, at the confluence of the Essequibo and Seballi Rivers - Omai, Potaro Mining District Two, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
3. After reviewing the information submitted and conducting site studies, the EPA determined that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before a decision can be made on whether to approve or reject the proposed project. This decision was made in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, as the development may have significant environmental impacts.
4. Following this decision, a 28-day Public Notice was
published on September 11, 2024, inviting the public to provide suggestions on what should be considered in the Terms and Scope for the project.
5. No Environmental Authorisation has been granted by the Agency for any activities related to the project as proposed by the proponents.
6. Although Omai has conducted its own water quality testing, which shows that cyanide and mercury levels are within acceptable international standards, the EPA will conduct its own independent testing to verify the results and ensure compliance with environmental protection standards.
7. The proposed dewatering (removal of water) activities at the Wenot Pit does not contain cyanide or mercury. Initial water quality tests conducted by Omai indicate no detectable levels of these substances in the water intended for discharge.
8. Members of the public have 28 days from the date of the Public Notice (September 11, 2024) to submit written comments to the Agency, outlining any questions or concerns they would like to see addressed in the EIA.
9. A summary of the project can be viewed on the EPA’s website at the following link: https://epaguyana. org/download/avalon-gold-expl…-project-summary/. Copies of the document can also be obtained from the EPA’s Head Office, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, at a reasonable cost for photocopying.
10. Comments should be addressed to the Chairman, The Environmental Assessment Board, via email at: eabguyana21@gmail.com. Additional information is available on the EPA’s website: www.epaguyana.org.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, in a separate release, has confirmed points similar to those outlined above.
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
DELWARE PARK
Race 1 Sidney's Bid
Race 2 Sevens Magic
Race 3 Grand Rozzo
Race 4 Brindi
Race 5 Irish Meadow
Race 6 Caprice
Race 7 It's Hammertime
IRISH RACING TIPS NAVAN
08:51 hrs Cradle Of Love
09:21 hrs Sweet Thing
09:51 hrs Barton Key
10:21 hrs Sweet Thing
10:51 hrs Isambard Brunel
11:22 hrs Shavasi
11:57 hrs Plunkett Street
12:17 hrs Positive Energy
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
SEDGEFIELD
08:58 hrs Sayva
09:28 hrs zsean Og 09:58 hrs Bellbird
10:28 hrs Jet Of Dreams
10:58 hrs Cawthorne Cravker
11:28 hrs Crazy About Her KEMPTON
11:12 hrs Decoration
11:43 hrs Detain
12:15 hrs Detain
12:45 hrs Hucklesbrook
13:15 hrs Cast Party
13:45 hrs Beauty Generation
14:15 hrs Chalk Mountain 14:45 hrs LzVerite 15:15 hrs Hierarchy
Fifth KFC Goodwill football series launched
Theprestigious KFC Goodwill series U18 football championship which caps off the school’s football calendar is set to run off for a fifth installment in December.
This year’s competition features two top sides from Trinidad and Tobago, St Benedicts College and Speyside High School as well as 2023 champions from Jamaica Clarendon College.
The other teams will be the first and second place team from the upcoming school’s football league along with interior teams Waramadong (D C Ceasar Fox Secondary) and St Ignatius Secondary.
Jamaica’s Clarendon College, in their debut season, clinched the title by beating former champion and Trinidad and Tobago’s St Benedict’s College 2-1.
Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca expressed
thanks to the sponsors for the belief in the products and its impact, saying,
“Us being in the 5th year is a strong statement of our intention for this tournament to be a true Caribbean tournament and we are thankful for the confidence by the executives of KFC Guyana in supporting this tournament for the fifth year.”
“We are equally grateful to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports for their support and we want to thank the honorable Minister Priya Manikchand and Charles Ramson Jr., as well as Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussein and Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle,” Mendonca said.
Assistant Director of Sport Franklyn Wilson commended the organizers Petra for staying the course and keeping the tournament going despite the trying times.
‘Five years with KFC
and many more years with organizing youth football and setting a solid foundation for Guyana’s football to thrive. The MC mentioned that the Petra organization is not doing this without challenges but challenges come not to make you weaker but to make you stronger,” Wilson added.
Head of the Unit of allied arts at the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser also sent congratulations on reaching the milestone of five years.
“You have to continue to work harder. The Ministry has the good fortune of working with good organizations over the years, one of them is the Petra Organization and they have worked with us to ensure we have a calendar of events for football that spans both primary and secondary school - it is something that as a former athlete myself, I know that children look forward too,” He said.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Wednesday October 09, 2024) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Nicholas Pooran-35 sixes (2) Jason Roy & Kieron Pollard (6 catches each)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) How many dismissals wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran effected in CPL 2024?
(2) What was the highest partnership by a TKR pair in the recent CPL season?
Sadia Strand, Director of Marketing at KFC Guyana said the company was elated to continue the worthwhile investment and sees the need and tremendous benefit of their support over the years with its reach to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and
Set for December 15 kickoff at MOE ground
Suriname.
The tournament had a first prize of half a million Guyana dollars equivalent to $2,500. USD which was sponsored by His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali with $300,000. equivalent
$1,500. USD for second place along with trophies
and medals.
This year winning purse it set to be provided by title sponsor KFC Guyana.
The final is set for Sunday, December 22, 2024 at the Ministry of Education ground.
Suriname Open 2024…
Guyana Represented by 12 Strong
GOLFenthusiasts from around the region are gearing up for the prestigious DSB Golfclub Paramaribo Invitational 2024, scheduled for Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the Golfclub Paramaribo, Indira Gandhiweg.
The Lusignan Golf Club will be representing Guyana with a 12-member team.
The team consists Orson Fergson, Mohanlall Dindanauth, Vishal Harry, Patrick Prashad, Avinash Persaud, Carlos Adams, Kishan Bacchus, Brian Hackett, Lakeram Ramsundar, Feroze Barkat,
Troy Cadogan, and Patanjilee Persaud.
This highly anticipated tournament will bring together top players from Suriname and neighboring countries, including Guyana, to compete in a 36-hole Stableford format, with different flights based on handicaps.
The Handicap Flights are Men Handicap 0-13, Men Handicap 14-24, Men Handicap 25-30, Senior Men Handicap 0 and above, Ladies Handicap 0-22, Ladies Handicap 23-36 and Junior Flight for ages 7-14.
LGC President Anasha Ally shared her excitement,
stating, "I am pleased to be fielding a team of 12 members from the Lusignan Golf Club. We look forward to excellent results from our team, as we do well every year we participate. I wish them the best and great camaraderie with our Surinamese counterparts. I would like to thank our Surinamese colleagues for graciously hosting us— we cherish that relationship and do not take it for granted. I am optimistic they will have a successful competition.”
Guyana’s Historical Participation
Guyana, more so Lusignan Golf Club has a
long-standing tradition of sending competitive players to the Suriname Open, with several top performers making their mark over the years. Notably, Guyanese golfers have consistently ranked among the top, showcasing their skill and sportsmanship on this regional stage. In 2022 and 2023 several Guyanese representing Lusignan Golf Club were successful.
In 2022, Brian Hackett secured first place in Flight
B, while Patanjilee Persaud took second. Carlos Adams finished third in Flight C, and Shanella London and Eureka Giddings claimed first and third in the Women's A and B categories, respectively.
In 2023, Patanjilee Persaud won Flight B, Carlos Adams repeated his thirdplace finish in Flight C, Shanella London came third in Flight D and second overall in the Ladies' category, and Eureka Giddings rounded off the team with a third-
place finish in Flight E. The camaraderie between Surinamese and Guyanese golfers is a hallmark of this event, fostering both a healthy rivalry and strong relations between the two nations.
The DSB Golfclub Paramaribo Invitational promises to be a thrilling event on the regional golfing calendar, bringing together top talent and offering an exciting experience for players and fans alike.
The Guyana team
IPF World Masters and Commonwealth PF Championships 2024
GUYANA’S
has once again kept the Golden Arrowhead aloft with another classical performance at the International Powerlifting Federations Masters and Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation Championships being held simultaneously in sun City, South Africa.
Following up on Demetri Chan’s benchpress gold medal on Friday, Taharally increased Guyana’s medal tally handsomely when she lifted her way to two (2) gold medals, one (1) silver and four (4) bronze medals against the best in the world in the Masters 11, 76kg weight class and in cold conditions while Rogers captured four (4) silver medals and two (2) bronze.
Achieving a squat of squat of 150kg (330lbs), benchpress 77.5kg (170lbs) and deadlift of 182.5kg (402lbs), total 410.5kg (Taharally achieved bronze medals at World’s in the squat, deadlift and overall whilst her numbers were solid for Commonwealth squat and overall gold, silver in the
…Taharally
rocks with 2 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze; Rogers snares 4 silver, 2 bronze
deadlift and another bronze in the benchpress.
Taking the overall ahead of Taharally at World’s was the USA’s Joah Iannotta with Heather Tagg of Great Britain, claiming silver.
At Commonwealth, Canada’s Amelie Maya and New Zealand’s Bobby-Jo Williamson had to settle for the overall silver and bronze, respectively.
With sessions running very late into the night owing to a late start, Rogers was still able to add and also better his showing at World’s in 2023, like Taharally.
He achieved a best squat of 260.0kg, benchpress of 162.5kg, deadlift 240.0kg for a total of 662,5kg.
Those numbers were good enough for Rogers to land a silver in squat and a total bronze at the World Masters whilst he hauled in silver medals in the squat, benchpress, and total with another bronze in the deadlift.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Honourable Charles S. Ramson MP, on behalf of His Excellency,
2024 ‘The best and biggest CPL
CHIEF Executive Officer of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Pete Russell speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sports said that this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League was the best tournament yet.
“100 per cent, this is by far the best and biggest CPL, we have ever had, ticket sales been up 20 per cent and that is just the number of people who have been attending the games, record crowds in St Lucia, record crowds in Trinidad…it’s fantastic numbers for us, what it mean is the whole region embraces CPL and very much see it as a collective force for everyone to come together and that is something I’m very proud.”
The 2024 tournament was bowled off from the August 29 and concluded on Sunday last with a competitive final in which St Lucia won their first title defeating defending champions and host Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Russell says Guyana has raised the bar and taken the league to a new level off the field, adding that it brought more spectators because of the added cricket carnival season.
“If you think about the whole cricket carnival concept that rally is the catalyst, 25 per cent of our ticket sales for this final have been people coming from the USA or Canada, so you see it actually pull people in which is exactly what obviously his excellency (President Irfaan Ali) is
the Government and people of Guyana extended congratulations to both Taharally and Rogers for their exceptional performances in Sun City, South Africa.
Minister Ramson said he was really impressed with the great improvement of both lifters when compared to their performances at the 2023 World’s which took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Powerlifting Federation President, Franklin Wilson also extended congratulations to the duo for another excellent year on the world stage, applauding them for their consistency and being shining examples for other lifters to emulate.
Wilson expressed the Federation’s gratitude to the Ministry of Sport, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association for their support in supporting the four athletes to compete in South Africa.
Demetri Chan would be in action today as he seeks to add to his benchpress gold medal while the other lifter, Bjorn Williams will be competing tomorrow.
looking for in terms of a tourism products, CPL diffidently draws people from just from the region but the world, that the key in terms of being able to create economic value for whoever host the final, Guyana has been a fantastic partner.”
The League which first started in 2013 is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament which had prided itself on merging dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere for what they call the biggest party in sports.
Russel also talked up the significance of the Guyana leg of the tournament regardless of whether they host the final or not.
“Playing Guyana as the first leg is almost a wasted dart, be-
Additionally, Taharally is expressing thanks to the following entities for their support towards her being able to compete Ministry of Natural Resources, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Cirkel Distributors, Machine Tech Inc., Stacy, Michael, Telicia, Alisha, Sherri Williams, Shamie, and the Gym Crew. Rogers would like to recognise the support of the Hon. Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development, Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Human Service, and Social Security, E Master Corporation and the Commissioner of the National Parks Commission.
cause everyone remembers the end of a tournament, we have had 11 games down here, always the energy is high and the look on TV is unique, you can beat it, nowhere in the world you see crowd like this, so that is the bit for me, we always want that energy to end the tournament and that is what Guyana brings, so you are never going to see Guyana play anywhere else at the end of the tournament, just because of that energy and it’s a great way to end the tournament.”
The other teams that make up the tournament are Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Saint Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders with home and away games for each team.
Panama’s OFIMAK throws support behind Prime Minister’s Softball Tournament
OFIMAK of Panama is once again supporting the staging of the eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s Softball Cup three-day tournament which bowls off on Thursday with the staging of the women’s category and the men’s division on Friday. Chief Executive Officer of OFIMAK, Abraham Woginiak recently handed over the sponsorship cheque to Bibi Hardyal, a representative of the tournament host, Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc.
Woginiak has been a staunch business partner over the past few years with Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, which is its sole distributor of OFIMAK office supplies. During the simple handing ceremony, Woginiak expressed great delight to be on board with the softball tournament. Hardyal was also appreciative of the contribution by OFIMAK and disclosed that the GSCL Inc. was happy to have OFIMAK associated with the huge softball tournament and
him that the tournament will be exhilarating from ball one.
tournament comprises of three T20 men’s categories: Legends (Over-50), Masters (Over-40) and Open (All-Stars) along with the
CPL CEO Pete Russell
— CEO Russell
Solid performances! Roger Rogers (left) and Nadina Taharally
Fifth KFC Goodwill football series launched
(from left to right) Nicholas Fraser - Head of the Unit of Allied Arts, Trophy sculptor - Rodwell Thom, Franklyn Wilson - Assistant Director of Sports, Troy Mendonca Petra Co-Director and Troy Peters - Petra Rep unveils the trophy