- President Ali tells squatters - urges them to work with gov’t to relocate to safer, healthier living conditions
Gov’t to take firm action against contractors of delayed infrastructural projects in
- Guyana’s private sector emerges as a key player in relief efforts
By Trina Williams
REITERATING his government’s commitment to ensuring a high standard of living for each citizen, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, said squatters in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will be relocated to better living conditions.
On Saturday, the President made an impromptu visit to the community where he spoke to some of the squatters and urged them to work with the government.
"I want the best for you all. This can't be the best. By improving this, is by us having you all living in safe and healthy conditions [for] your children and everybody,” the Head of State said.
The President highlighted that some of these squatters received houselots but have sold them while others have the lots but haven’t moved. As such, several government agencies such as the Ministries of Housing and Water and Local Government and Regional Development will be conducting an assessment and deciding the way forward.
The Head of State said: “Together, we will build better for you.”
He also stated that landowners have access to the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s steel and cement programme which assists by subsidising the cost for the building materials.
Notably, houselots in the Stewartville Housing Scheme were distributed to several families who were squatting on land at the Zeelugt Sideline Dam in 2022.
The move was aimed at enhancing both the squatters' living conditions and the surroundings of Zeelugt.
The housing project had first-phase utilities and infrastructure, including water, drainage, and roadways.
Minister within the Office of the President, Kwame McCoy, previously said that the PPP/C administration’s focus is people-centred, based on an understanding that development must be for all, especially given the unique transformative opportunities that Guyana has seen in recent years.
The minister said the government’s approach to development is felt across all sectors of the economy, particularly the housing sector, which has a programme that has been revitalised with the return of the PPP/C’s administration to office.
The approach to housing development is not more squatting; it never was, and will never be, he affirmed.
According to Minister McCoy: “Ordinary Guyanese were punished, as there were no attempts to address the financial disparity in homeownership. Instead, the ‘Coalition’ focused on enriching themselves, their families, and a few of their elite friends.
“A mere 5,000 house lots were distributed during the five years of the APNU+AFC administration. During this period, the coalition also gifted acres of commercial land, twice the size of Barbados, to its few friends.”
Since returning to office in 2020, after fending off an undemocratic attempt to rig the elections, Dr Ali has delineated a pragmatic
and inclusive agenda that addresses the decades-old issue of squatting through the opening up new lands for affordable housing development, with accompanying infrastructural works to ensure roads, water and electricity are provided.
He reiterated that the PPP/C has a proven track record of addressing squatting.
“Government’s thrust is
to end squatting by providing avenues to legal homeownership,” the minister affirmed.
A total of 30,406 houselots were distributed within three years since the PPP/C government assumed office. For 2023, there were 8,578 residential lots allocated. Out of the 30,406 house lots allocated, 28,368 of them were residential.
- President Ali blazes engineers, contractors for delayed works in Zeelugt, Meten-Meer-Zorg
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has blasted those engineers and contractors who are dragging their feet on projects that are pivotal in Guyana’s pursuit of progress.
While visiting a few communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Saturday, the President noticed various road works that were either left incomplete or not done properly.
On that note, the President said that the government was investing tremendously in the nation’s development and the contractors were not even doing the work.
“The contractor is not here. The engineer is not in sight. What do you expect?” the President said in Zeelugt while highlighting that some of the road works are so deplorable that persons cannot even traverse them.
The President was even more outraged when he visited Meten-Meer-Zorg and heard that one contractor was some six months behind on an infrastructure project.
The President then asked why the contract was not terminated since it had gone way past its period and questioned officials as to why they did not implement the contractual conditions.
“This is ridiculous!” the Head of State exclaimed.
President Ali had previously stated that the government would be taking a firm stand and applying liquidated damages against contractors for unjustifiable delays.
The government has been battling insubordinate contractors for quite some time; however, with the massive number of national infrastructural works ongoing and the administration’s plans
to reel out another cycle of projects, delays cannot and will not be tolerated.
Dr. Ali recently highlighted that efforts will be made to ensure accountability in contract execution such as penalties for breaches.
“I had a report from project managers across all national projects, letters have been sent out to contractors on liquidated damages to the value of about $3 billion; those are projects that are going beyond their timeline,”
President Ali told reporters at a recent press conference.
He emphasised that institutions and agencies have been instructed to ensure that the liquidated damages for contractual breaches are applied.
“So once there is no justifiable reason for an extension of project time, liquidated damages must be charged,” he firmly stated.
Further, recently, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. unveiled a series of measures aimed at ensuring the timely execution of contracts and reinforcing the
President, Dr Irfaan Ali engages stakeholders during one of his previous visits to a project site
government’s commitment to upholding contractual obligations.
First highlighting the government’s stance on contract breaches and delays, Nandlall said, “All of this is part of the government’s no tolerance for breach of contracts and delay in the execution of contractual obligations.”
One of the key measures announced by Nandlall is the resuscitation and functionalisation of units within various ministries, tasked with evaluating contractual performance and activating relevant contract clauses.
These units will be responsible for assessing delays, breaches, and other contractual issues and imposing sanctions on delinquent contractors, including
liquidated damages, forfeiture of bonds, and termination of contracts.
Addressing criticisms from some quarters regarding increased bureaucratic layers and taxpayer burden, Nandlall clarified that these measures will not incur additional costs for the government or taxpayers.
“The intent is not to create another unit or another layer of bureaucracy,” he said, adding that existing staff within the Attorney General’s chambers will man the new unit, eliminating the need for hiring new personnel.
Nandlall further underlined the legality and transparency of the government’s actions, stating, “Under the law, under the Procurement Act, it also provides for fur-
ther sanctions. For example, blacklisting of contractors once the proper process is followed.”
“Government will not countenance negligence from contractors. The government will not countenance delinquency. The government will not countenance breaches of contractual obligations. These contracts are multimillion dollars in nature. So, it’s not a question of contractors not making money. There are cases where a delay may be justified, or a breach may be justified,” Nandlall declared, stressing the state’s commitment to upholding promises made to the public regarding project delivery timelines.
Addressing contractors directly, Nandlall warned, “You cannot breach your contracts with impunity.”
- ordered to pay $500,000 in cost to Attorney General
JUSTICE Navindra Singh, sitting in the High Court of Demerara, has dismissed a claim filed by former murder accused, Jones Raymond, who alleged a breach of several of his constitutional rights after spending almost a decade on remand awaiting trial for murder without even being indicted.
The Attorney General's Chambers announced, in a statement Saturday, that the judgment was given on Friday. Raymond’s lawsuit, initially filed on October 25, 2022, was dismissed with costs of $500,000 awarded against him, payable to the Attorney General, the lone respondent.
In his High Court action, Raymond, 60, of Micobie Village, North Rupununi Savannah, sought damages in excess of $3 million and multiple reliefs against the Attorney General, including declarations that his prolonged imprisonment without trial violated his fundamental rights under Articles 144(1) and 141 of the Constitution of Guyana.
He had been remanded in both the Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons for over nine years without trial after being charged with the capital offence of murder.
Raymond was charged with murder on December 28, 2012, after allegedly killing Gary Joseph, 33, with a bow and arrow between December 26 and 27, 2012.
According to the facts, Raymond walked into a shop where Joseph and others were drinking, fixed an arrow to his bow, and shot Joseph in the abdomen. Joseph later died from his injuries.
Following his arrest, Raymond was taken before the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court, where a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) commenced to determine if there was sufficient evidence to commit him to trial at the Essequibo Criminal Assizes. The PI concluded on October 15, 2014, resulting in Raymond being committed to stand trial. The depositions from the PI were transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on March 23, 2015. However, in April 2015, the DPP directed the Magistrate to reopen the PI to gather additional evidence.
However, during the Essequibo County’s Goal Delivery in July 2022 by High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon, it was discovered that the Magistrate had not complied
with the DPP’s directive.
Consequently, on July 15, 2022, Justice Kissoon ordered Raymond’s immediate discharge from custody and permanently stayed the prosecution of the murder charge. Raymond had spent nine years, six months and 18 days on remand, which is equivalent to 13 prison years.
Court proceedings and judgment
In his constitutional action, Raymond, represented by attorney Dennis Paul and Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas, argued that his nine-year remand without trial breached his constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
Although Justice Singh ruled that Raymond's right to a fair trial under Article 144 of the Constitution was not violated, he concluded that there was an unacceptable and unexplained delay in the prosecution of the charge against him.
The judge found that Raymond’s indication to plead guilty to a lesser offence of manslaughter effectively waived any delay period prior to this indication.
The Court also noted that Raymond had not demonstrated
any actual prejudice suffered due to the delay in preparing or leading a defence at trial, if he had opted to have his trial on the charge of murder.
The judge further clarified that a lengthy remand period does not inherently prevent a fair trial. Justice Singh emphasised that as long as a fair trial is possible, it is in the public interest to proceed with cases, especially when the charge is murder and the accused is accepting liability.
Despite the stay of prosecution ordered by Justice Kissoon, he noted that it was clear that this was not due to an inability to conduct a fair trial. In such circumstances, he ruled that a stay of prosecution of the charge is gratuitous and is an affront to
public justice.
Regarding the conditions of Raymond’s imprisonment, the Court found no violation of Article 141(1) concerning inhuman or degrading treatment.
While Raymond alleged attacks by other inmates, Justice Singh ruled that without evidence suggesting these attacks were prompted or directed by prison officers, they could not be deemed as inhuman treatment by the prison authorities.
Raymond also claimed that the unsanitary and uncomfortable prison conditions constituted degrading treatment. However, the Court noted that Raymond did not plead any serious physical or mental suffering resulting from these conditions.
The judge found no evidence that his health had suffered or that he had contracted any illness due to the alleged unsanitary environment.
Justice Singh’s judgment referenced case law authorities from the United Kingdom, the United States, the Caribbean, and Guyana, underscoring the legal principles applied in the decision.
In conclusion, the High Court dismissed Raymond’s claims of constitutional rights violations and ordered him to pay costs to the Attorney General.
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC, Senior Legal Adviser, Loretta Noel and State Counsel, Marnice Hestick, appeared for the respondent, the Attorney General.
- Guyana’s private sector emerges as a key player in relief efforts
IN the face of unprecedented devastation brought by Hurricane Beryl, the Caribbean region has demonstrated remarkable solidarity, with Guyana emerging as a key player in relief efforts.
Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier Mark Phillips, addressing a thanksgiving ceremony hosted by the Private Sector Commission, highlighted the extraordinary unity and compassion displayed in response to this natural disaster.
Hurricane Beryl, described by Prime Minister Phillips as "the strongest hurricane to ever form in the Atlantic in June." It left a trail of destruction across the Eastern Caribbean, particularly in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The storm's ferocity continued well into July, leaving commu-
nities in dire need of necessities and prompting urgent calls for international assistance.
"It is both an honour and a privilege to address you all at this Thanksgiving Ceremony,"
Prime Minister Phillips began, "even as we keep the people of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines who have been severely affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl in our thoughts and our hearts."
His words set the tone for an evening dedicated to recognising the outpouring of support and the spirit of solidarity that has characterised the region's response.
The Prime Minister went on to detail the extent of the aid provided, emphasising the swift and coordinated efforts of both public and private sector agencies in Guyana.
"Thanks to your swift and selfless actions, you have been able to contribute to providing hope and relief to those in desperate need," he stated, acknowledging the tireless work of those involved in delivering disaster relief supplies.
One of the most important aspects of Phillips' address was his emphasis on the importance of seemingly mundane items in disaster relief efforts.
"Often, we may take these simple things for granted, but in times of devastation, these are the very items that save lives and bring hope," he explained.
The list of requested aid included necessities such as food, water, tarpaulins for temporary roofing, flashlights, toilet paper, mattresses, cooking gas, and hygiene products. Phillips stressed how these items, often taken for granted in daily life, become precious commodities in times of crisis, their absence amplifying suffering and despair.
The Prime Minister's address also highlighted the international nature of the relief efforts. Countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the United States, and Canada, along with organisations
TURN TO PAGE 7
THE cost of living in Guyana, as in any other country in the world, is determined by several factors, both endogenous and exogenous. Among the endogenous factors are imported inflation, higher commodity prices on the world market as a result of disruption in supply chains, wars, conflicts, climate change, among others.
No country in the world has absolute control over the rate of inflation. The government can implement measures aimed at controlling inflation and, as in our case, take policy measures to mit-
igate the impact of inflation.
As noted by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in a recent press conference, inflation in Guyana over the past few years has been relatively stable, thanks to many policy interventions by the PPP/C administration.
According to Dr. Jagdeo, the PPP/C administration has implemented many initiatives to absorb the impact of rising food prices. Among these are annual absorption of fuel and water charges and fuel subsidisation for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated. This, along with other budget sup-
port measures has impacted favourably on the purchasing power of consumers.
Some opposition elements opportunistically seek to convey the impression that the cost of living in Guyana is racing ahead of the spending power of consumers. In so doing, they selectively identify certain food items that have fluctuating market prices due to changing weather patterns. It is a fact that several locally produced agricultural produce are seasonal and can fetch higher than normal market prices during periods of peak demand and declin-
ing supply.
The fact, however, is that the overall price level is significantly lower than that of the rate of inflation which in effect means that for the average consumer, the basket of goods and services continues to get bigger and bigger. Real wages continue to increase under the PPP/C administration due largely to a menu of policy interventions which have impacted positively the lives of every Guyanese.
In all of this, our pensioners and the more vulnerable in our society are not being overlooked. Our
pensioners have benefitted from significant increases in old-age pensions, which along with water and electricity subsidies have impacted positively on their quality of life.
However, it is the overall impact of the several initiatives aimed at enhancing the working and living conditions of the Guyanese people as a whole that has been the defining characteristic of the PPP/C administration. This is in sharp contrast to what transpired under the previous PNC administrations when there were galloping inflation rates and currency de-
valuations to a point where the Guyana dollar was not worth the paper on which it was printed!
Guyanese still remember the days under the PNC regime when real wages lagged significantly behind money wages. The average Guyanese was unable to keep up with the cost of living due to declining real wages and high inflation rates.
The PPP/C administration deserves full credit for being able to keep the rate of inflation in check even in the face of accelerated growth and development.
Dear Editor,
MAKING a political decision by choosing from alternative leaders, may potentially be challenging. “Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils, is still choosing evil,” according to Jerry Garcia. Sometimes, people like to try the evil which they haven’t tried as yet! In the recent election in the UK, one person asked in the campaign if Kier Starmer and Rishi Sunak are the two best the United Kingdom has to offer to save the people. The AFC and the PNC brought forth their two “best” leaders.
In establishing the category of the Order of Democracy back in March 2021, President Dr. Irfaan Ali declared, “Like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, I believe in equality and justice, in freedom and multiracial democracy, built on the premise that all people are created equal.”
The will of the Guyanese people was recognised by the International Community when the 2020 election recount substantiated that the PPP/C won the election, despite the PNC attempts to
rig the results in order to retain power by foul and not fair means. To date, the PNC continues to deny the voice of Guyanese by claiming that the PPP/C Government of the day was not legally elected but was installed!
Like a broken record, the words of Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, who was then CARICOM Chair, will continue to resonate and haunt the PNC for the rest of their lives. She unhesitatingly and fearlessly surmised, “It is clear that there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted for whatever reasons. Any government which is sworn in without credibility and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy.”
While the PNC envelope unilateralism, the PPP/C on the contrary, embrace multilateralism. Democracy has once again surfaced in Guyana and the PPP/C Government is preserving its sustenance. The people’s choice will always be recognised by the PPP/C Government. On International Day of Democracy 2021, President Ali reflected, “Democracy requires all to be involved; religious leaders, civil
society and every citizen who value highly freedom and the ability to choose. All of us must ensure that democracy is safeguarded every day of our lives.”
Since the PPP/C went into power in August 2020 after a 5-month hiatus by the PNC when they created chaos and confusion in trying to deny the installation of the PPP/C in power, the PPP/C have always carefully made choices which are in the best interest of the people.
The PNC chose to increase the salaries of their Cabinet by 50 per cent and over as soon as they took over the administration of the country in 2015. They vehemently told the Public Service that civil servants have to wait. The PPP/C exercised the decency of not following their morbid example. The PNC chose to curtail salary increases between 2015 and 2019 and broke their promises with the GPSU by only granting minimal increases proportionately. The PPP/C has allowed yearly increases from 7 per cent upwards.
In addition, there has been mammoth increases for the security forces and medical personnel
along with the teachers. The PNC chose to stop the Christmas bonus to the armed forces. The PPP/C government has reinstated the much-anticipated relief at Christmas time.
The PNC chose to implement over 200 taxes on essential goods and services which caused inflation to escalate and the high cost of living to frustrate the people, resulting in hardship and becoming poor. In their first Budget in 2021, the PPP/C reversed most of those taxes to bring immediate relief and reduce the cost of living by making goods and services cheaper.
The PNC chose to ‘kill’ the children’s “Because We Care” cash grant and deny each child the $10K which the PPP/C Government had instituted. On resumption of office, the PPP/C Government has not only reinstated the program but has also increased the grant to $45,000 currently.
The PNC chose to fire some 2,000 Amerindian Community Development Officers. The PPP/C has reinstated those very workers and more. The PNC chose to close four sugar estates
and put over 7,000 workers on the breadline without immediate compensation. The PPP/C has employed those workers and revitalised the sugar industry once again.
The PNC chose to give only the chosen few who are the privileged relatives and friends of the PNC family, scholarships to study abroad. Through the GOAL scholarship program, The PPP/C has given over 21,000 scholarships to Guyanese throughout the country on an equitable basis without prejudice. The PNC chose to allocate 7,534 house lots during their 2015-2020 reign. The PPP/C is well on their way to achieving their 50,000-house lot commitment by 2025 with a distribution system which is free and fair of discrimination.
The PNC chose to cowardly and unashamedly hide their SOPs from the last general election in 2020. The PPP/C has readily and bravely made their SOPs available from day one. The PNC chose not to field candidates in all the Local Authorities areas in the Local Government Election in 2023. The
PPP/C contested all areas in all the regions and soundly whipped them and made in-roads in 90 per cent of the areas. The PNC chose to run the nation bankrupt both times they were in office. The PPP/C has clearly bailed out the nation in the past and left the economy in sound financial status when they demitted office in 2015. Now again, they are setting a path sailing on sound economic strategies which will prosper all Guyanese.
J.K. Rowling forewarned, "Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them." The PNC chose the disastrous, diabolic and detrimental practice of managing the affairs of the nation which inevitably determined only poverty, nakedness and corruption, thus, destroying Guyana during their 33 years of disingenuous reign.
On the contrary, the PPP/C has always made the choice of peace, progress and prosperity which has always cumulatively cultivated a culture of development for Guyana.
Sincerely, Jai Lall
Dear Editor,
SOMETHING strange happened at New York's JFK airport on the 11th July 2024. Vickram Bharrat, Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources arrived to visit his father who is hospitalised and ailing. Minister Bharrat was visiting in a private capacity; however, he was travelling on a diplomatic passport.
The minister did not request protocol, no request was made by any official in Guyana and yet, Bharrat was met by American officials and a Caribbean Airlines employee who informed him that the airline had made arrangements to expedite his processing in light of his status and family emergency.
Guyana's minister was escorted by a group of three persons, two men and the CAL employee as mentioned earlier. During the walk through the JFK labyrinth, one of the officials engaged in seemingly innocuous small talk about Guyana’s prosperity and progress and then made a
comment about the sanctions on the Mohamed family. The minister responded that our government was handling it (information in the public domain) and the conversation moved on seamlessly; there was no detention and/or interrogation.
Vickram Bharrat was indeed processed expeditiously and headed to his father's hospital bedside. This entire incident would not have merited retelling by the minister had he not emerged from the cocoon of the hospital to find that Enrico Woolford, a veteran Guyanese journalist had made a statement on social media to the effect that he (Vickram Bharrat) had been detained and interrogated by federal officials at JFK. Then another extremely unusual thing happened. A video made by the CAL employee, of Bharrat walking with the US officials surfaced on the Facebook page of Melly Mel (a Guyanese influencer). This is the incident in the fullest detail I could ascertain and it raises a few questions
that require answers from the US State Department and Department of Justice.
1.By what means and channels did a CAL off-duty stewardess arrange for a passenger to be expedited?
2.Who were the officials who facilitated the expedited processing?
3. Were they normal protocol officers or were they from another agency?
4.Was the 'small talk' an official attempt to breach the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic immunity and if so, who authorised it?
5.Why was a CAL off-duty stewardess allowed to video within the corridors of JFK and freely disseminate the video? JFK rules are clear. Filming for commercial purposes (including journalists, reporters, and other professionals) is permitted only with prior written consent from JFKIAT management. Photographing in Customs and Border Protection areas and the TSA Screening Checkpoints, filming airport personnel and Port Authority Police is pro-
hibited at all times.)
6.Was this entire incident designed by any public agency or official/s to cause embarrassment to the Government of Guyana?
7.If all of this is just happenstance, apologies are owed to Minister Bharrat and the Government of Guyana.
Editor, it is here that I will venture into conjecture (not conclusions) and will ask for some leeway. There is a well-publicised nexus with Rickford Burke (a Guyanese-American), Letitia James (Attorney General of New York) and Congressman Hakeem Jefferies. In the recent past, Letitia James vowed to rally the support of other Democratic Attorney Generals in America to bring pressure to bear on Guyana for purported discrimination by the PPP government (after listening to Ganesh Mahipaul and Paul Slowe), a clear declaration of her intentions. Hakeem Jefferies who protested to Obama about the Ramotar administration in 2015 and, then infamously sided with
the APNU+AFC during their attempt to steal the 2020 elections. "Why in the world is the US Government engaging in foreign interference in the affairs of an independent nation in Guyana? It's outrageous," and, when visas were revoked as part of the Trump administration's pressure on the Granger-led APNU+AFC in June 2020. "We can monitor how democracy is playing itself out in different parts of the world, but to interfere in such an extraordinary way and in a manner that appears to favour one party, the opposition party, potentially to the detriment of the ruling party, is deeply troubling to a lot of us in Washington DC…" it is not a stretch to see either of these two being pressured into action by Burke.
If either of these officials were involved in this ludicrous mini-plot to embarrass Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources by way of pressuring any US agency to act and allow others to act in contravention of the Vienna Convention it would constitute
a clear case of malfeasance and that is punishable under US law.
The New York duo may escape major scrutiny now as US national elections are in full flow, but rest assured that this issue would be investigated fully by the next White House administration (Republican or Democrat) as Guyana’s hemispherical importance is growing rapidly. As an interesting side note, the prosecution of President Trump by Letitia James in her failed attempt to discredit him, mirrors the APNU+AFC attempt to prosecute Irfaan Ali in the run-up to the 2020 election; plays from the perennial failures playbook as they are forever afraid to face anyone on equal terms. It backfired in Guyana as it did in New York and so has this latest bit of clumsy shenanigans at JFK, as Confucius advised, "Seek revenge, and you should dig two graves, one for yourself"
Sincerely, Robin Singh
FROM PAGE 5
like the United Nations, have played crucial roles in providing aid and resources.
This collaborative approach underscored Phillips' message of unity: "When nations, communities, businesses and other stakeholders unite to support one another, we create a powerful force for good."
In a touching moment of reflection, Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged Guyana's own history of receiving aid,
referencing the floods of 2005. This recognition of the reciprocal nature of international support was a key theme in his address, emphasising the importance of being both a giver and receiver of aid in times of crisis.
"Just as Guyana has extended our hands to help Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, we have also been on the receivin g end of such support in our times of need," he noted.
The Private Sector Commis-
sion received particular praise for its role in coordinating relief efforts. "Your leadership and coordination have been vital in mobilising resources and support swiftly and efficiently," Phillips stated.
He encouraged the continued involvement of the private sector in humanitarian efforts, emphasising the importance of its leadership in fostering unity and compassion.
Looking to the future, the Prime Minister called for ongoing support and unity. "May we
continue to support those in need, not just in times of crisis but as a constant practice of our values," he urged.
He also emphasised Guyana's commitment to ongoing assistance, stating, "Guyana remains committed to lending a helping hand to those in need."
The impact of Guyana's efforts has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. In a separate livestream, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines expressed deep admiration for the support shown
by Guyana's president and prime minister, further highlighting the effectiveness and appreciation of Guyana's relief efforts.
Prime Minister Phillips concluded his address with a powerful call for continued solidarity and hope.
"As we move forward, we must keep the affected nations in our prayers that they may find the strength to rebuild and recover," he said. "May they also find strength for any lives lost and offer help and hope to the families and individuals who
must now pick up the pieces. With continued cross-border bonds, we can overcome, we can thrive, and we can always have hope for a brighter tomorrow."
As the Caribbean continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Guyana's response serves as a shining example of regional solidarity and effective disaster relief coordination.
ONE of the themes in my columns is about those who assert that they are interested in the rights of Guyanese when all they are interested in is vilifying the government for narrow political and publicity purposes.
The government is not coterminous with the population. A huge percentage of society is not interested in politics but wants the preservations of norms and mores that govern society and that are in their own,
private, personal interest for both themselves and their families. A majority of the planet’s people live separate lives where they show no concern about politics.
I have spent about 55 years in energetic activism and I have encountered untold numbers whose concern about the discomfort they have is unrelated to government. So many, ordinary people tell me often that they cannot mentally cope with the abuse of
the commercial banks. An account goes dormant and instead of an automatic renewal, they have to produce documents that are impossible to get.
Here is an abuse of me and my wife that occurred last Thursday at Woodlands Hospital that has absolutely nothing to do with the Guyana Government and its leaders. It is on these issues we must let our voices be heard and not only rant about the government.
My wife felt heaviness in her left ear and said it was blocked up. I took her to Woodlands Hospital. We received excellent treatment and the doctor said the prescription was sent electronically to Woodlands’ pharmacy. Please read on for the nightmare we began to swim in.
The pharmacy measures 17 feet in length and 12 feet in width. It can safely hold about six persons and two more will make it packed. As we approached the door, we could not enter. It had about 16 persons, some of them senior citizens, waiting in agony. Like me, they did not have a paper prescription to take elsewhere.
I told my wife we would have to return in the evening. I had to return because I had no prescription to take to the pharmacies I patronize. I left Turkeyen at 20:00 hours to go back to Woodlands. There was the usual line. I joined it. I reached the counter and gave my wife’s name. They got up two bottles of ear drops and instructed me to pay at the cashier in another section of the hospital. I joined another line there.
I took my receipt back to the pharmacy but was told I had to rejoin the line to hand in my receipt. Now you are not going to be-
lieve the ending part. The prescription that I never saw was for two bottles of ear drops that are obtainable at any pharmacy over the counter.
What happened on Thursday was an egregious abuse of citizens. I paid for private medical treatment and should not have been compelled to wait hours at Woodlands’ pharmacy for a prescription that was not given to me. The next day I met with the owner of the hospital, the son of the original owner, Dr. Gobin. He simply said that I should have requested a paper prescription from the pharmacist or doctor. I told him that was impossible since I could not get access to the pharmacist and I wasn’t going to knock on the doctor’s door while he was treating another patient. I told Dr. Gobin that it is impossible for any patient at the out-clinic to know that they can get a paper prescription. If I had known that why would I have put myself through that nightmare?
The next day, I did my research assisted by Akash Persaud. There are 26 private pharmacies from Middle Street and East Street to Industry on the East Coast. I live next to Industry in Turkeyen. If I had a paper prescription I would have had access to 26 pharmacies.
We went to Balwant Singh Hospital (BSH). There were about 20 persons waiting to be served at the pharmacy. BSH does the same thing that Woodlands does – electronic prescription and you are compelled to wait in line and buy the drugs from that hospital. This is a blatant erosion of the right of a citizen to choose a pharmacy of their choice.
What the prescription scandal reveals (Georgetown Hospital does not use electronic prescriptions) are the following – denial of patients’ right to choose a pharmacy even though they are paying for service; unfair capitalism because those 26 pharmacies are at a disadvantage; monopoly by the hospital where, through a system of coercion, patients have to buy the hospital’s drugs despite cost and poor quality.
I implore the people of Guyana to speak out on this violation of their rights. Government must instruct hospitals to issue paper prescriptions; in so doing, the patient has a choice.
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.
LET me get to the point of this column fairly quickly and ask the questions everyone is curious about. Is Nigel Hughes, the newly elected leader of the Alliance for Change, in bed with big oil? As the leader of a political party with larger-than-life aspirations to assume the presidency of the country, can Hughes be counted on to represent the interests of Guyana or will he continue to champion the interests of big oil?
For those who are unfamiliar with the term “big oil,” it is a media shorthand that refers to companies such as ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Shell and others with a combined revenue of $1.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Big oil does not include Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, China’s Sinopec or Russia’s Gazprom.
There are times when I hear things that cause my mind to go racing, and I tell myself
‘You’ve got to fact-check that.’
That instinct kicked in when I heard V.P. Bharrat Jagdeo made some fairly serious allegations against Hughes.
Hours after his election, the inner core of the AFC began to project him as a leader who will take them to new heights. Their chutzpah was a bit too much for Aubrey Norton who rightfully interpreted their glee as a premature ambition that cast Hughes as a “consensus presidential candidate” of the APNU+AFC coalition.
Evidently annoyed, the re-elected leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) shot down that idea in a hurry, making it abundantly clear that the Presidential candidate of the coalition would most certainly emerge from within his own party and not from any of its coalition members.
Hughes was asked by Demerara Waves Online News (June 30) whether he would resign as a managing partner
with Hughes, Fields & Stobya law firm that has represented some of the most powerful natural resources companies in Guyana including ExxonMobil. Here is how Hughes answered the question:
“No, no! This issue really only arises if and when I become President or acquire a position of power because, then, I’m in a position to influence government policy, they can claim. Right now, I can’t influence government and, therefore, it’s a theoretical conflict. If I were ever elected President, I would have nothing to do with the firm. I wouldn’t be participating in their management or decision-making but until then. You seriously couldn’t be asking me to compromise my client’s integrity because the interest of Guyana is at stake because I happen to be the leader of a political party.”
It was a strange and bizarre answer from a prominent law-
yer and an aspiring politician. Jagdeo found it to be “obscene” and so should the entire nation.
Evidence of just how “obscene” Hughes’ answer is can be found in a Global Witness Report that was first released in February 2020 and slugged “Signed Away.” A year after it was released Global Witness withdrew the report on grounds that it “overestimated the potential economic benefit of oil extraction.”
Pages 15-18 of “Signed Away” contain a timeline that ought to give pause to any Guyanese concerned about the future of this country and who leads it. Here is why.
Hughes resigned as chair of AFC on April 11 of 2016 although at the time he did not hold a government post.
Three days later - April 15APNU-AFC signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil. Why did Hughes resign?
The negotiations between
ExxonMobil and the government began on May 16, 2015. We know this because on this date Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) - ExxonMobil’s name before September 2023 - sent a document to the government of Guyana setting out several timelines for the execution of what would eventually become the 2016 PSA.
Three days earlier before the start of negotiations, David A. Granger was signed in as President and Raphael Trotman, co-chair of AFC, became Minister of Natural Resources.
On page 15 of “Signed Away,” the report states that “Global Witness believes that the relationship between Trotman, Hughes, and Exxon should be investigated to determine the existence or extent of any conflict of interest.”
And the report explains why.
“As the AFC head, Trot-
man’s political interests were aligned with Hughes – the party’s deputy head. Given that Hughes’ firm has represented Exxon since 2009, and given that Hughes himself has represented Exxon on other matters, a Stabroek deal that was favourable to the company may have preserved or promoted that lucrative relationship.”
In the interest of accountability and transparency, Hughes must come clean on his role in the negotiation of the 2016 PSA that gave big oil giant ExxonMobil a lucrative deal at the expense of his nation’s sovereign wealth.
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.
THE long-awaited capping stack was commissioned in Guyana on July 9, 2024. The equipment is used to plug a blown-out oil well to prevent the further flow of hydrocarbons in the unlikely event of an oil spill offshore.
Strategically housed at the Guyana Shore Base Inc., in Houston, the equipment significantly bolsters Guyana’s oil spill capacity. The equipment in the country is noteworthy and historic as Guyana continues to blossom into an oil-producing giant, on pace to produce over one million barrels of oil per day by 2027.
The progression of Guyana’s petroleum sector has been deemed the fastest-growing from discovery to production. The rapid development has sparked conversations ranging from the prosperity oil production can bring to Guyana to the destruction it can cause if an oil spill occurs, not only to Guyana’s economy and eco-system but also to neighbouring countries. Importantly, Environmental Impact Assessments have consistently stated that a major oil spill is unlikely to occur. It must be highlighted that the commissioning of the capping stack makes Guyana one of 13 oil-producing countries in
the world and only one of two in Latin America to have this equipment in place. Oil-producing nations in Latin America include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Bolivia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Brazil is the only other country to have a capping stack.
Procurement of the capping stack subscription by ExxonMobil Guyana was part of the requirements of the Yellowtail production licence which was issued in 2022.
According to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, at the commissioning of the state-of-the-art equipment, they are now an inaugural subscriber to the new Guyana-based capping stack service provided by Oil Spill Response Limited. The One Guyana Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is slated to commence operation in 2025 under the Yellowtail production licence, producing an average of 250,000 barrels of oil per day.
Having the capping stack in the country signals a conscious effort by both the Government and ExxonMobil to ensure all safety measures are in place to protect Guyana’s environment. Since production commenced, new technologies have been
implemented to ensure offshore activities are conducted safely and sustainably. This includes the Fast4Ward FPSO design which prioritises safety while achieving efficiency through standardisation and optimised execution. Guyana’s third oil production vessel – Prosperity – achieved background flare in a record 39 days. Meanwhile, onshore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now receives daily satellite imagery intakes across the country through the SecureWatch platform, Vessel Alerts through the Crow’s Nest Maritime solution, SAR oil spill detection services and change monitoring over specified areas of interest. This has been made possible through a collaboration between the EPA and Maxar Technologies, announced last year. These accomplishments point to a commitment to efficient and environmentally responsible offshore operations.
Coupled with the capping stack, the Government will soon table the National Oil Incident, Emergency Response, and Financial Responsibility Bill of 2024 in the National Assembly. While the Bill does not speak solely to oil spills, it is expected to define clear responsibilities and liabilities for
THIS week, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, maintained that a conflict of interest is brewing between newly elected AFC Leader and Presidential Candidate, Nigel Hughes and the oil and gas company, ExxonMobil Guyana. He rejected both Hughes’ argument and comments by ExxonMobil which seem to suggest that there is no conflict of interest, and it was going to be business as usual.
The AFC leader then announced a committee to deal with the oil and gas sector as he explained he was not prepared to sever ties with ExxonMobil Guyana now but would not resign from the leadership either.
The General Secretary vowed to shed light continuously on the conflict of interest as Hughes may be “hiding something”. Dr Jagdeo said, “…So, you (Hughes) will hear more from us at the appropriate time and place. Today is not the appropriate
time and place for that…We believe it is a serious case of conflict of interest. It is paying for influence in policies.”
He took the public back in time, telling them about the historical case of a Prime Minister who was still on the CIA payroll after acceding to that office in Guyana. Dr Jagdeo said Hughes, other leaders in the AFC and the opposition have a history of lying, corruption, and conflict of interest sagas.
It seems that Dr Jagdeo, who also serves as Vice Pres-
ident of the PPP/C Government, may have an insight into something that the public does not know about Hughes and the AFC. He is telling the public that the government is mulling a full-scale investigation into this conflict of interest but stopped short on definitively pronouncing on that matter.
He does not want to divulge too much or let the cat out of the bag too early as there is still much time until the election or ‘silly’ season officially starts. This perhaps is why he alleged that Hughes may be “hiding” something from the public about his dealings with the foreign company.
In the coming weeks and months, the public may have to brace themselves for these revelations that Dr Jagdeo may be making at his weekly press conferences. The PPP/C Government could also have the conflict of interest investigated by some regional or international firm.
As for the rumours that Dr Jagdeo feels threatened by or fears Hughes or the AFC, anyone who understands Guyanese politics or politics, in general, would offer a different opinion. They are likely to suggest that the General Secretary is toying with both the AFC and Hughes before he is ready to give them the ‘political death lash.’
Secondly, if one is objective, then research and facts are one’s friends. It doesn’t take a needle here to see how ExxonMobil could be at work here. After all, ExxonMobil has a history, across the world, of leaving economies like Guyana in much more corruption and political mess than they found them when they first
went into business. If the public is politically smart, they would see why ExxonMobil would say quickly that it has no conflict of interest with Hughes. It is giving me a Pontius Pilate vibe. And, the term ‘my hands are clean’ has become so relevant now.
Dr Jagdeo may be onto something when he said on Thursday last that ExxonMobil allegedly found a backdoor to have their say in the outcome of any future elections. They could be funding Hughes and getting him to the AFC helm, and eventually challenging Aubrey Norton for the consensus presidential candidate position.
And, if he wins and becomes President, which he will not, then Guyana belongs to ExxonMobil and the oil and gas industry will be under serious strain. Think for a moment about it. ExxonMobil has its wild horse in the race and may be hiding its hands.
Why else would Hughes say, “You seriously couldn’t be asking me to compromise my integrity because the interest of Guyana is at stake because I happen to be a leader of a political party?”
What does that mean? Does he mean he would sacrifice Guyana and its interest for ExxonMobil? What integrity is Hughes talking about? Whatever integrity, he might have had went out of the door when the details of the Booker Tate deal came to the fore. Also, his integrity went out the window when he resigned as the Chairman of the AFC, not once but twice. Anyways, he that pays (very well) the piper, calls the tune. So, Guyana is merely collateral damage in the quest for big bucks? Sad.
Thirdly, the opposition is reeling from the divisions and infighting in its camp caused by the mess that occurred at the party’s Congress and conference. Norton is badly wounded and the party’s elders are busy quietly investigating the Vanessa Kissoon saga while Sherod Duncan is ringing the bell somewhere in the West and crying about his unbelievable loss. Dr Jagdeo cleverly unmasked the leaders that will contest with his party next year. If one reads too much, way too soon, from the posture of the PPP or Dr Jagdeo, one will have committed oneself to political suicide. It’s not that straightforward. One will have many turns and thrills to go through until the elections.
Finally, hate him or love him, Dr Jagdeo is well ahead of the PNC and AFC. He quizzed, “Why do [you] have to lie so blatantly if you don’t have things to hide”. What is in the dark, must come to light.
Dr Jagdeo may be hitting the nail right on the head because of this glaring infraction and conflict of interest. The AFC is like a sick patient and a dying patient searching for treatment while the treatment is right there in front of its eyes. The treatment may be Hughes, and he will make Guyana come to its knees should the opposition elect him. Guyana’s opposition will decide. Better must come! UNDERSTAND THE GS’s CONCERN.
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.
A LANDMARK Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Saturday between Guyana, Suriname, Canada and the Dominican Republic (DR) business chambers, and the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency to foster greater relations.
During an interview with reporters, the Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Vishnu Doerga outlined how these MoUs formalise a framework for collaboration between Guyana and these partners while building capacity through joint ventures.
between ourselves and for all of us to operate more effectively to serve our members more effectively. And we have already been collaborating but today (Saturday) we've decided to put this formally on paper to ensure that we clearly outline the rules by which we will operate to make it a lot more efficient.”
Dr Doegra further stated within the coming days, MoUs will be signed with several other chambersAmerican Chamber of
ada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce underscored the importance of trade flowing freely in both countries.
She further stated that the MoU will address any challenges so that investors can know “Guyana, is open for business.”
Director of the SITA, Amar Alakhramsing (left) and Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Vishnu Doerga (right)
The MoUs signified collaboration among the three agencies and were signed by a representative from the European Union (EU)-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Alista Bishop; Executive director for the Dominican Republic (DR)-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Leonida Foo Lily; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Rochelle Parasram; and the Chairman of the Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr Doerga.
The signing of these MoUs took place after the launch of the International Business Conference at the Mariott Hotel in Georgetown.
Dr Doerga said, “We've been meeting now for months, looking at ways how we can better collaborate to reduce redundancy, to share more information
Commerce Guyana (AmCham Guyana), British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham Guyana) and India-Guyana Chambers.
Further, the representative from the EU-Guyana Chamber of Commerce highlighted how the EU wants to strengthen its relationship with Guyana and Suriname.
She also noted that there is much more that will blossom from the relationship between Guyana and the EU, especially with the France embassy being established next year. Additionally, Lily from the DR-Guyana Chamber of Commerce pointed out how the joint venture tackles the challenge of connectivity within the Caribbean region.
She highlighted that the opportunities for connectivity and trade between Guyana and the DR have now increased with the opening of Sky High Dominicana Airlines. Then, the CEO of the Can-
There was also a MoU signed between the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) and the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. The MoU was signed by the Director of the SITA, Amar Alakhramsing and Dr Doegra.
Alakhramsing, in an interview with reporters, said that the promotion of Guyana and Suriname is now crucial.
He also highlighted the fruitfulness of the previous agreement between Guyana Office for Investment and the SITA that targeted enhancing trade and Foreign Direct Investment between the two countries.
These MoUs stand firm to what was expressed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal, on the sidelines of the launch.
Speaking on the relationship between Guyana and Suriname business chambers, she said: “It is the intention of both Presidents (Guyana and Suriname) that when it comes to trade, that the goods to Suriname and the goods to Guyana can go to each other's country without any challenges.”
L-R: Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Vishnu Doerga; European Union (EU)-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Alista Bishop; Executive director for the Dominican Republic (DR)-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Leonida Foo Lily and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Rochelle Parasram
TWENTY-THREEYEAR-OLD Williams
Andres Ugas Amudarain, a gold miner of Quartz Stone Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty on Friday, charged with murder. The miner was not required to plead
to the indictable charge during his appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that, on July 5, 2024, at the abovementioned location, he murdered Adrian Williams, a 21-year-old Venezuelan national and miner from San Martin, Cuyuni River,
and Quartzstone Landing. Amudarain was remanded to prison until August 9, 2024.
Police Headquarters reported that Williams, Amudarain and another Venezuelan known as ‘Barber’ were imbibing at a shop in the area on the night of July 4, 2024, at
around 23:30 hr.
According to the owner of the shop, about 23:00 hrs, he locked his shop and retired to bed. The shop owner further related to police ranks that, at about 23:30 hrs, he heard a loud noise and upon investigating, saw Williams and ‘Barber’ involved in a scuffle, but were eventually separated by onlookers.
The men left the area
and, according to another resident, just after midnight, he heard a loud noise and upon venturing outside, he saw Amudarain standing over Williams with a cutlass, attempting to chop him further. However, he was deterred by onlookers and later made his escape, leaving Williams in the middle of the walkway in a pool of blood.
ranks were
formed and
area where they found the body of Williams on the ground clad in short pants, with no footwear or top. The ranks further examined the body and observed several chop wounds to the right-side chin, throat, left-side head, and right shoulder. A small bottle of rum was found in Williams’ pants pocket.
NAASIK Alli, a 32-year-old taxi driver from Number 75 Village Corentyne, Berbice, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison and fined over $104 million following his arrest for possession of narcotics with the intent to traffic.
He was apprehended on July 10, 2024, during a police intelligence-led operation in Berbice.
The operation, executed by officers from Regional Police Division #6 and Police Headquarters, inter-
cepted the vehicle Alli was driving on the Number 45 Village Public Road.
Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered 257
pounds of marijuana, valued at approximately $35 million. Alli was subsequently charged under Section 5(1) (a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act Chapter 10:10. He appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Albion Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge. The court then handed down a sentence of three years and eight months imprisonment, along with a hefty fine of $104,977,620.
GUYANA’S rapidly growing economy continues to make its mark and draw in investors from across the region. Among the most recent and eager additions to Guyana's cosmetology field is the Trinidadian-based brand MAC Cosmetics, one of the region's leading makeup producers and retailers.
The company celebrated its grand opening on Saturday at the MovieTowne mall, where dozens of women gathered to meet skilled makeup artists and experience personalised makeovers. Vivia Dialsing, Head of Retail for MAC Cosmetics, explained that the company's move was a strategic one.
Speaking to the Sunday Chronicle during the launch, Dialsing elaborated on the motives behind the company's expansion to Guyana.
a lot of them come over to shop with us. So, we saw an opportunity and we decided to take it."
Maintaining high standards is one of the many pillars of MAC Cosmetics. Dialsing explained that the company is still finding its footing in the Guyanese economy. As she stated, “It was a lot of work and a lot of criteria getting here. But with any emerging economy, there's a lot of learning to take with,"
Emphasising the importance of standards, she further added, "When it comes to shipping, clearing stuff, and getting workers who are professional enough - because we have a lot of standards as the franchise for MAC Cosmetics International - everything has to be according to guidelines, standards, and codes."
are internationally trained, and MAC prides itself when it comes to service and that luxury experience," Dialsing explained.
She further explained, "We will sit you down. We will test. We do makeovers. Anything that you want when it comes to makeup, our make-up artists will guide you. So, when you come in here, it's a full experience. It's not just coming and just taking what you want. They're actually going to sit down, explain, and ensure you get the right treatment. They're going to ensure that when you leave here, you'll be comfortable and you'll be happy. That is our experience. That is what we offer."
just would love to invite everyone to come and visit us. We're here every day."
As MAC Cosmetics es-
"We decided to make the move with the boost in the economy and the upcoming markets. We are actually in other Caribbean islands, originally from Canada, and we saw an opportunity in Guyana because Guyana doesn't have many high-end makeup brands."
She continued, "They [MAC Cosmetics International] were involved from
Moving forward, MAC Cosmetics hopes to cater to all levels of society while maintaining its stance as a luxury brand. Dialsing expressed the company's intention to connect with Guyana's
woman getting her
Dialsing further added, "We've been seeing a lot of Guyanese in Trinidad. And we in Trinidad, we follow a lot of Guyanese. Also, we have a mix of people, and
the design of everything, and it was up to us to execute. So, it took a lot of preparation, but we got it done. Customers visiting MAC can look forward to a unique experience. According to Dialsing, one of the many things that sets MAC Cosmetics apart from similar brands is its skilled personnel and inclusive approach. "Our professional service is what helps us stand out. All of our makeup artists
of
elite and influential figures.
"I would say we would try to invite all of the who's who. Yes, we'll try to get the ministers. We'll try to get, you know, social media influencers, makeup artists who will be interested to just come in and see what we have to offer because I'm sure we have something there for them," she stated.
In closing, Dialsing extended an open invitation: "I
tablishes its presence in Guyana, it aims to blend its international reputation with local market needs, po-
tentially setting a new standard for luxury cosmetics in the country's flourishing economy.
THE agriculture sector in Guyana is facing a new challenge in the form of caterpillar infestations. Farmers across the region have been grappling with the invasion of these pests and the extensive damage they inflict on crops.
In response to this growing concern, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has developed a comprehensive plan aimed at eradicating these harmful insects.
In a statement released on Friday, NAREI attributed the surge in caterpillar populations to climate change. The impact of shifting weather patterns on agriculture poses a significant threat to crop production and has led to an increased prevalence of agricultural pests. Insect pests, particularly caterpillars from the Lepidoptera order, have demonstrated varied responses to climate change, resulting in severe economic losses in crop yields.
The current situation in Guyana exemplifies this problem, as a transition from prolonged dry conditions to rainy weather has triggered sporadic but intense caterpillar infestations. These pests, especially during their larval stage, pose a major threat to crops due to their voracious leaf-feeding habits.
Their feeding behaviour can rapidly strip plants of foliage, severely disrupting photosynthetic processes and overall plant health, ultimately leading to reduced crop yields. To combat this issue, NAREI, through its Crop Extension Department (CDSS), has implemented several strategic measures.
Training and Distribution of Pesticides is first on the list of actions to be taken. This initiative focuses on empowering farmers with knowledge about effective pest control methods. By providing necessary training and distributing appropriate pesticides, NAREI aims to equip farmers with the tools and skills needed to manage caterpillar infestations effectively. Additionally, demon -
stration exercises are also a part of NAREI’s initiative. These practical sessions are designed to provide hands-on experience in pest management techniques. By showcasing best practices, farmers can learn and apply effective methods to control caterpillar populations in their fields.
Moreover, technical assistance is another area being looked at in the fight against caterpillars. NAREI is offering ongoing support and expert advice to farmers, with a particular focus on the heavily affected areas in regions 1, 4, 6, 8, and 9. This continuous guidance ensures that farmers have access to the latest information and strategies for pest control.
Extensive work is be-
ing done in the form of ongoing interventions. The Crop Extension Department of NAREI maintains a regular presence in affected areas. This consis-
tent engagement allows for the timely distribution of pesticides and the conduct of additional demonstration exercises, helping farmers to stay ahead of pest infestations.
These adaptive management strategies are crucial in mitigating the impact of climate-induced pest outbreaks on agriculture. By providing resources, education, and ongoing support, NAREI is working to empower farmers to maintain crop health and productivity despite the challenges posed by climate change and its effects on pest dynamics.
The institute also emphasises the importance of integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, which combine biological, cultural, physical, and
chemical tools in a way that minimises economic, health, and environmental risks. This holistic strategy not only addresses the immediate caterpillar problem but also promotes long-term sustainability in agricultural practices.
As Guyana continues to face these agricultural challenges, NAREI's and the Ministry of Agriculture’s proactive approach demonstrate the country's commitment to supporting its farming communities and ensuring food security in the face of changing climatic conditions. The success of these initiatives will be closely monitored, with the potential for further adaptations and enhancements to the strategy as needed.
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) celebrated its 185th anniversary on Friday, highlighting significant improvements in crime reduction and comprehensive organisational changes.
Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken presented the force's achievements and plans during the anniversary award ceremony.
He outlined the GPF's 2022-2026 strategic plan, which is guided by six pillars: operations, partnership, developing personnel, infrastructure performance, professionalism, and accountability.
"These pillars will revitalise and enhance the police force methodologies," Hick-
$30.3 billion government investment aimed at modernising, diversifying, and professionalising the police force. This funding has facilitated extensive infrastructural developments, including the completion of 16 Cyber Security Service Provider (CSSP) projects, 15 capital projects, and 45 ongoing projects.
"We have increased the number of outposts in new housing schemes and road
The implementation of these initiatives has led to notable achievements, including an 18.9 percent reduction in serious crime.
Commissioner Hicken attributed this success to the active presence of 361 community policing groups across regional divisions and intelligence-led policing strategies such as crime mapping, the use of drones, body cameras, and CCTV.
Traffic enforcement has
en stated.
The transformation is supported by a substantial
networks," Hicken reported, adding, "Rehabilitated stations are now equipped with gender-based violence rooms, ramps for the disabled, and child-friendly spaces."
The GPF has also made significant investments in human resources. The force provided 25 sponsorships and awarded 172 scholarships to ranks. Additionally, 102 ranks participated in local and overseas training programmes, while 464 ranks took part in foreign and overseas courses, including scholarships provided by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).
Other initiatives include a mentorship and coaching programme, the establishment of an e-library, foreign language courses, an online reporting platform, and the digitisation of key human resources functions.
Youth engagement has been prioritised with the establishment of seven youth groups and 18 scout groups nationwide, aimed at stimulating community involvement and sector partnership.
also seen improvements, with fatal accidents decreasing by 26 percent and deaths by 23 percent. Serious accidents have been reduced by 10 percent, while minor and damage accidents have seen a five percent reduction.
Looking ahead, the GPF plans to establish a youth advisory council and neighbourhood watch policing programme, implement functional wellness programmes for ranks, and broaden evidence-based practices for crime detection and enforcement.
The force also aims to expand special training in ICT, marine capability, tactical studies, traffic, and criminal investigation. These efforts align with the government's broader vision of ensuring the safety and security of Guyanese citizens.
As the GPF moves forward with its transformation plans, it continues to adapt to the changing needs of Guyana's rapidly developing society, striving to provide effective and community-oriented law enforcement services.
MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has issued a formal demand for a public apology and substantial compensation from veteran journalist Enrico Woolford over a ‘defamatory’ post he (Woolford) made on Facebook.
The post alleged that Minister Bharrat was "met, escorted off, and questioned by Federal Agents” at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, United States of America (USA) on the night of July 11, 2024.”
Bharrat’s attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, described the post as entirely false and malicious. The formal demand letter, sent by
Minister Bharrat’s legal representative, underscored the significant damage done to the minister's reputation.
The letter said that Woolford, who manages a Facebook page with 21,000 followers, published the post on
July 12, 2024, accompanied by a picture of the minister.
The letter stated, “I am retained to act by Mr. Vickram Bharrat, the Minister of Natural Resources in the Republic of Guyana and a Member of Parliament
on the Facebook social media platform.”
According to the attorney, the post is "utterly false" and "without merit."
The letter elaborated that the publication was intended to deliberately damage Minister Bharrat's reputation and character. Consequently, Minister Bharrat’s lawyer demanded that Woolford issue a clear, unequivocal, and unconditional apology and retraction.
in the Republic of Guyana with his official office situated at 96 Duke Street, Georgetown, Guyana, in relation to a publication you made via electronic means
The letter also calls for substantial compensation for the harm caused by the false allegations, and reasonable legal costs and damages.
The attorney further warned that if Woolford fails to comply with these demands, legal proceedings will be initiated against him. The letter also highlighted the potential for criminal charges, indicating that the matter is being pursued with the relevant authorities.
The legal correspondence concluded by advising Woolford to seek legal counsel and emphasised that compliance with the demands does not preclude potential criminal prosecution.
Eyes are now on Woolford’s next move.
MORE than 80 persons from Victoria, Nootenzuil, Foulis and surrounding communi-
ties on the East Coast of Demerara benefitted from the government’s eye-testing and spec -
tacles vouchers programme, on Saturday.
Individuals under 18 years old, and those over
65, will receive a $2,000 voucher for an eye test. If they require a spectacle, they will receive a $15,000 voucher. The exercise was held at Victoria Health Centre, East Coast Demerara. Several beneficiaries welcomed the programme which provided the money needed to conduct their eye examinations.
Beneficiary, Lloyd Fraser from Victoria, had the opportunity to test his eyes for the first time at the outreach.
“I am very thankful because I have to put $10,000 more into this money for my glasses because my eyes are very bad,” Fraser expressed.
Beneficiary, nineyear-old Aseanna Lawrence from Victoria will now be able to see better with her spectacles to do her school work, thanks to this initiative.
“I am happy because my eyes have been hurting a lot. Most of the time when I am in school, my eyes hurt… I couldn’t see what I was doing. I would have to erase my work and do it all over again,” Lawrence explained.
She happily added, “I feel very happy that I have my chance to get a pair of glasses so I could see.”
Veronica Joseph from Foulis said that her daughter now has the opportunity to get new glasses because of this programme.
“It’s a good thing because my daughter needs glasses and this $15,000 voucher is very helpful for all the school children
and my daughter,” Joseph emphasised.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, underlined that the government is continuously investing in the health sector to improve access to quality healthcare services for every person.
So far, the government has distributed more than 50,000 vouchers in different regions. The government, he emphasised, will continue to bring direct healthcare services to the populace, regardless of geographic location.
“We recognised that in some communities that it might be more difficult for people to take the voucher and travel to Georgetown to get the eye test. We have started a programme in collaboration with the people doing the testing, the private sector, where we are now coming out into the communities. We are distributing the vouchers to persons 18 years and under or 65 years and older,” Dr Anthony explained.
Last week, the pilot programme started in Cane Grove which saw more than 120 persons benefitting. Similar outreaches will be held throughout the country. The eye-testing and spectacles programme was officially launched in June. It will see thousands of vulnerable individuals benefitting. (DPI)
THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has established an illicit trade desk to address issues related to unfair trading practices, smuggling, uncustomed goods, and counterfeit products. The desk will be housed at the commission’s headquarters on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.
It is open to any member of the public, and complaints can be made in person, by telephone, or by sending an email to the commission. Once complaints are received, the commission will forward them to the relevant law enforcement agencies for action.
“Illicit trade is a crime that involves counterfeiting, tax evasion, and the smuggling of consumer products. Key items susceptible to illicit trade include highly taxable commodities such as tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, designer apparel and footwear, and wildlife.
“The scope of illicit trade is extensive, and products sold illegally or unregulated pose serious health concerns
TRAGEDY struck a family on Friday when a fatal accident claimed the lives of 59-year-old Carl Hunte, a former footballer, and his nine-yearold grandson, Malique Roberts. The accident occurred at approximately 17:25 hours in the vicinity of Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The accident involved a lorry with registration number GAH 1532, driven by 26-year-old Sawdeo Persaud from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and a motor car with trade plate BMS 4, driven by Hunte.
Alongside Roberts, two
other children, aged 12 and 10, were in the car.
According to initial police investigations, the lorry was travelling north on the western side of the highway when Persaud noticed the car speeding south on the eastern side.
As the car approached, it allegedly lost control, veering into the lorry’s path. Despite Persaud’s attempt to swerve westward to avoid a collision, the car collided with the right side of the lorry, causing it to topple multiple times before coming to a halt on the eastern side of the road.
Public-spirited citizens quickly intervened, rescu-
to consumers. Despite these implications, the crime persists, affecting legitimate business operators and impacting the safety and well-being of citizens,” the PSC said in a statement.
According to the PSC, the lack of resources for law enforcement agents remains a critical hindrance in accelerating the fight against this crime, as they are faced with solving more high-level crimes.
“The Commission understands that addressing this
issue requires a collaborative effort between public and private partners and is committed to providing resources to strengthen public and law enforcement agencies to address the scourge.”
Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Komal Singh, stated, “Illicit trade continues to erode the competitiveness of our local businesses, distributors, and traders. Many of our members are losing market share, which directly impacts their longterm profitability. Employment
opportunities, business stability, and economic growth are also at stake. In doing our part, we will continue to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, and the Commission intends to continue raising awareness on this matter via public awareness programmes.”
Persons with information or complaints related to activities they suspect to be illicit trade can contact the Commission via email office@psc.org.gy or telephone 225-5347.
ing the injured occupants from the wreckage. They were transported to the Linden Hospital Complex, where Hunte and Roberts were pronounced dead. The 10-year-old was treated and subsequently released, while the 12-year-old was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. There, she was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit for further observation, and her condition is currently stable. A notice of intended prosecution has been issued to the lorry driver, who remains in police custody as investigations continue.
THE Kares One Guyana Tapeball Blast is set to ignite the cricketing world with a knockout-style tournament, as organisers unveiled the highly anticipated fixtures on Saturday. With a straight knockout format, teams will have no margin for error, as it's "do or die from ball one," according to the tournament organisers.
The action kicks off on August 3rd with the intense round-of-32 matches, spread across the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Police Sports Club (PSC), and Queen's College.
Matches are scheduled for 09:00 hours, 11:00 hours, 13:00 hours and 15:00 hours.
The surviving teams will clash in the round-of-16 on August 4, also at DCC and PSC.
More big sixes are on the cards for 2024
09:00h; EC Express v Mahdia – DCC at 11:00h; Soesdyke XI v Airport XI – QC pitch 1 at 11:00h; Renegades Cricket Club v Tarmac Titans – PSC at 11:00h; Eccles All-Stars v Eastsyde – QC pitch 2 at 11:00h; Titans All-Stars v Stripling Warriors – PSC at 13:00h; PREMIER Insurance v Min. Housing – QC pitch 1 at 13:00h; Moruca Super Giants v Lil Rams – QC pitch 2 at 13:00h; The Guards v Ma-
haica Super Strikers – 13:00h at DCC; Green Scorpions v Avinash All-Stars – QC pitch 1 at 15:00h; Brooklyn Youth Strikers v Cotton Tree Die Hard – PSC at 15:00h; Diamond Gunners v TG Titans – DCC at 15:00h; The United Crew v Bartica Bulls – QC pitch 2 at 15:00h.
Kares Engineering, Banks DIH, Star Rentals, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Montra Restau-
rant and Longue, Ministry of Housing and Water, Premier Insurance, Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Demerara Mutual Insurance, Massy Distribution, RS53 Restobar & Lounge, Jacobs Jewellery & Pawn Shop, and First Change Builders Inc. are the other sponsors on board thus far.
Tournament organizer, John Ramsingh, expressed his anticipation for the tournament, highlighting the fierce competition expected from the participating teams.
"With so many established community teams involved, we're expecting some explosive cricket," Ramsingh said.
"The fans are in for a treat."
Ramsingh also acknowledged the impact of the weather on preparations but expressed satisfaction with
The final eight teams will then battle it out at the Enmore Community Centre on August 11 to secure their spots in the semi-finals and the grand finale, which will be held on August 25 at the National Stadium.
the teams' continued training and the ongoing support from corporate Guyana.
The winner of the tournament will take home G$1.5 million, with the runner-up securing G$500,000 and the losing semifinalists each receiving G$250,000.
Matches on August 3: MS-13 All-Stars v Team Corruption – QC Pitch 1 at 09:00h; Upsetters v GPL Inc – QC Pitch 2 at 09:00h; Montra Jaguars v Falcons XI – PSC at 09:00h; Street Ballerz v Village Rams – DCC at
(Sunday July 14, 2024)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Deryck Murray-94 (90 catches/4 stumpings in 28 Tests) (2) Jack Russell-52 (50 catches/2 stumpings in 38 Tests) Today’s Quiz:
(1) Who has captained the WI in most Tests against ENG to date?
(2) Who has led ENG in most Test matches against the WI to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Planted
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar extended his overall lead in the Tour de France with a dominant victory on stage 14 in the Pyrenees.
UAE-Team Emirates' Pogacar, resplendent in the yellow jersey he has worn every day since stage four, powered up the Saint-LarySoulan Pla d'Adet summit finish, crossing the line 39 seconds ahead of defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark.
Vingegaard, of Vis -
ma-Lease a Bike, chased Pogacar up the final mountain climb after the Slovenian attacked aggressively with 5km to go, but could not hold on to his wheel.
Vingegaard did, however, move into second place in the overall general classification after Belgium's Remco Evenepoel lost time, finishing third on a stage which also included the legendary Col du Tourmalet climb.
Vingegaard now trails Pogacar by one minute 57
seconds, with Evenepoel a further 25 seconds back.
After two flat stages, the race headed back into the mountains, where the general classification contenders are set to battle it out over the weekend before enjoying a rest day on Monday.
UAE came into the 151.9km stage from Pau looking to maintain Pogacar's lead, which was 66 seconds over Evenepoel at the start of day, with Vingegaard eight seconds further
GCC Outlaws and Saints Sensations Under- 16 teams picked up wins in the Guyana Hockey Board summer break junior outdoor tournament held at GCC Ground, Bourda on Friday.
The one-day event saw 17 teams competing in the Boys and Girls Under -16 and Under- 13 mixed teams for top honours.
In the Boys U16 division GCC Outlaws started relatively slow with a 2-1 win against Hikers Hatchets.
Outlaws would begin to find their touch when they faced YMCA Old Fort stunners as they claimed a 4-0 win.
They then drew with Saints Legends but stopped Saints Sigmas 2-1 to reach the finals where they battled Sigmas again winning 2-nil on this occasion.
On the distaff side Saints Sensations took a needle victory against GCC Her-ricanes 1-0.
Saints Sensations counted the likes of YMCA Old Fort Stars, GCC Her-ricanes, Hikers
Junior Jets and Ventures Hockey Club Sticklers as their victims on the day.
They won their clashes 2-1 against Old Fort Stars, 2-nil over Her-ricanes 3-1 over Junior Jets and 2-nil over Trinidad team VHC sticklers in the group round.
Meanwhile, in the U13 mixed category GCC War Dogs was the top side after making light of YMCA Old Fort Showstoppers in the finals 4-2.
In the group stages War Dogs got the day started with a 9-1
back.
Ireland's Ben Healy was part of a breakaway group which led the way on the 19km ascent of the Col du Tourmalet, with Movistar's Spanish rider Oier Lazkano claiming the honour of being the first to summit.
Pogacar's team-mates set the pace at the front of the peloton, bringing the break back within reach of the leaders at the start of the day's third and final climbto the Pla d'Adet ski resort.
Tadej Pogacar is attempting to become only the seventh rider to win the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year
With 7km to go, UAE sensed the opportunity to go for the stage win and extend Pogacar's lead and sent Adam Yates up the road to help bridge the gap.
Pogacar then launched an explosive attack to join Yates before passing Healy, with
Vingegaard and Evenepoel battling to stay in touch.
But Pogacar raced clear to send his GC rivals a message as they prepare to spend another day in the mountains on Sunday. (BBC Sport)
victory over Pepsi Hikers before also edging Old Fort Showstoppers 3-1.
They also defeated YMCA
Old Fort Uprising 5-1 before clinching the title comfortably.
The summer break continues today with indoor com-
petition as the Under- 16 and Under- 21 Boys and Girls categories conclude inside the National Gymnasium.
MARK Wood has been called into the squad for the second Test, replacing James Anderson, who retired from international cricket following England's thumping innings victory at Lord’s.
Wood returns to the England setup after below-par performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he played in five of England’s eight matches and took just three wickets, all against Oman.
His inclusion strengthens England’s pace attack for the upcoming match, which already features Gus Atkinson, Chris Woakes, Matthew Potts, Ben Stokes and Dillon Pennington.
England squad for the sec-
ond Test: Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith retains his place for the second Test after an impressive debut, where he scored 70 runs and took four catches in the opening Test of the series.
During Anderson’s farewell Test, Gus Atkinson stole the spotlight with a spectacular bowling performance, ending with impressive match figures of 12/106.
Anderson retired on a high
with a vintage display of swing and seam bowling that had the batters in a daze, recording figures of 3/32 in his final innings in international cricket. As a result of their dominant win, England has closed the gap with the teams above them in the World Test Championship standings. Although they remain 9th, they are now tied on points-percentage with Bangladesh and South Africa (all at 25 per cent) and are closing in on the West Indies, who are at 26.67 per cent.
A victory in the next match would see England leapfrog all these teams to secure the 6th spot. (ICC Media)
LONDON, (CMC)
– West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite urged his side to draw from their experience earlier this year in Australia to recover from a chastening defeat against England in the first Test of the Richards-Botham Trophy Series.
The Caribbean side plunged to an innings and 114 runs defeat on Friday at Lord’s after fellow pacer Gus Atkinson completed another memorable spell to end with 12 wickets in the match and propelled the hosts to a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
The visitors were badly let down by their batting in the match, being bowled out for 121 in the first innings after losing the toss on the first day of the match.
After England showed
the skill West Indies lacked to pile up 371 in reply, West Indies were bowled out for 136 in their second innings a little under an hour before lunch on the third day.
“For me to the boys [the message] is generally: things will not always go as planned,” Brathwaite told reporters after the match.
He added: “We can’t believe that because of this [England] win, we are out of it or anything. We’ve got to dig deep, we got to keep believing and keep stressing on it.
“It’s easy to give up. It’s easy to say, ‘well, I can’t get it done’, but we got to keep believing and keep supporting one another.”
No West Indies batsman got a half-century in the match, and none of them helped their cause with carelessness and ill-considered batting. They also failed to bat 50 overs collectively in either innings – and Brathwaite conceded the batting left a lot to be desired.
“We disappointed ourselves with the bat,” he said. “Just over 100 runs batting first, you’re behind the game. With the bat, we didn’t come to the party at all in this game, and with the ball, we still could be better. But it’s a positive that we bowled them out.
“It has to be an allround performance. The batters, including myself, have to come to the party and make West Indians proud.”
He said: “Batting first,
you want to put runs on the board in the first innings especially. We know where we went wrong. We know where we can be better. My thing for the group is stay mentally tough. It’s Test cricket.
“You go through successful periods, you go through tough periods, but you just got to be strong and believe in your ability. You got to believe that something is around the corner. Just keep doing the right things. And everything will work out.”
There were not a lot of positives that the Caribbean side could take from the match, but bowling out England was a good start.
“We got 10 wickets,” he said. “We did bowl them out albeit [for] 50 to 60 runs too many. With the bat, we got three guys that got 20-odd, they batted for
close to an hour, if not an hour. We caught decently as well.”
Brathwaite said it was not the first time his side had lost the first Test of a series, recalling the Tour of Australia in January, but he said the players will have to work extremely hard to rebound in the second Test, starting on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
“We’ve all had some bad memories, we’ve all had glimpses of doing great stuff on this level,” he said. “That’s what I call experience. That’s where experience comes in. Jason Holder has been great sharing his and I will continue to do it. As I said, we just got to dig deep down. Stay mentally tough.”
JAMES Anderson signed off from Test cricket after 188 matches over 21 years on Friday, July 12, with England beating West Indies comprehensively in the Lord's Test.
The 41-year-old English pacer had announced his retirement from international cricket after this Test match some time ago. As he prepared for his final outing with the ball, accompanied by huge cheers, Anderson admitted he was "trying to hold back tears."
“Obviously this morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd was pretty special," he told Sky Sports after the match.
“I'm just really proud of playing for 20-odd years. [It] is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler.
“Happy that I've been
lucky enough to stay injury-free pretty much throughout my career. And yeah, play for England. It's the best job in the world, so I've been privileged to be able to do it for a long time.”
Anderson, who ended on 704 Test wickets, the third highest in the world after Muttiah Muralidaran and Shane Warne, had a chance to take his 705th on day three when Gudakesh Motie offered a return chance that the seamer shelled. The pacer states he was “gutted” to have dropped that chance.
"I'm still gutted to have dropped that catch to be honest," Anderson said.
"But yeah, it's been an amazing week. I've been quite overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground and the lads as well, just proud of what I've achieved."
Anderson also reflected on having his family around for the final Test match, recalling the moment when his daughters rang the iconic bell
to signal start of play on day one of the Test.
“Yeah, has been different emotions, been so up and down. Saw my girls ring a
bell on day one. Walking out today with both teams lined up again was pretty emotional. I forgot what I was actually trying to do with the
ball," Anderson said in the post-match press conference.
"It's been incredible. As I said, the reaction of the crowds was phenomenal. I can't get my head around it right now. But yeah, it's just been an amazing 20 years.”
Anderson also lauded the game that he graced for over two decades while passing on some advice to the next generation of England players.
"And it is a really special sport. I think no other sport creates this sort of atmosphere, these sorts of friendships, and part of me is a little bit jealous of these lads get to experience that for the next few years.
As I said, we've got a young team, lots of incredible talent, and the advice I'd pass on to them is just enjoy every moment, because it's a great ride."
(ICC Media)
AFTER 122 years of existence, the Malteenoes Sports Club continues to live up to its motto ‘Our Youth our Future’ by launching its two-week Cricket Academy from tomorrow to July 27.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson, will give the opening speech for the second consecutive year as the Thomas Road club prepares to accommodate 120 participants this year between the ages of 7-18.
Topics will include teaching young Boys and Girls the basic skills, the Laws of
Cricket, etiquette, physical sessions and pitch practice.
In July/August 1993, under the presidency of GCB’s executive Claude Raphael, MSC held the first National Cricket Academy for youths from all three of the Counties in Guyana with the ‘out of Town’ players being provided live-in accommodation at the club.
“The registration fee is $12,000 and for those who are members $8000 while those children who wish to continue and become members would pay monthly dues from Jan 1, 2025” informed MSC’s President Deborah
Mc Nichol, the only female President of a club that plays first-division cricket in the Caribbean.
“Some parents asked for their children to be present for afternoon sessions because of other commitments and we will accommodate them
We are asking parents to continue supporting the academy and help their children to achieve their potential in the sport of their choice” continued Mc Nichol.
First vice-president of MSC and former National cricketer, Steven Jacobs, confirmed that there is lim-
ited space available but confirmed that participants can register during the week because some children are in other classes and can still join.
Jacobs, a former West Indies under-19 Captain, also informed that the club will be honouring past MSC presidents Neil Barry and Winston Semple.
Jacobs, former National player Lennox Cush, Guyana’s most successful FirstClass Captain and former West Indies batter, Leon Johnson, Demerara U-17 Coach Quesen Nedd and Rawl Merell are among the coaches for this year’s Academy.
The Thomas Road entity produced eight West Indies International players between 1930 and 2003, including West Indies Women’s player Indomattie Goordial, the last female player to play Test Cricket in 2006.
While there are no players presently in the Guyana First-Class team, Tilleya Madramootoo, the Barkoye sisters, Joshua Bollers, Julian Craig and Anthony Lim are National youth players from MSC.
In 1987 when Guyana played in the Regional U-19 tournament in Jamaica, Barrington Browne, Colwin Cort, Nigel Greaves, Glen Robinson, the late Nezam Hafiz, Sean Devers and
Shawn Holder were the seven MSC players in the Guyana Squad. No other club has more players in a single tournament.
Cuthbert Monchoir, the Manager of the 1986 MSC U-19 team which won every National youth tournament that year, became the first Malteenoes member to do radio commentary on a FirstClass match and write on cricket for the newspapers in the 1980s.
Devers followed in his footsteps becoming a sports Journalist and radio cricket commentator and did the first of his 13 Test Matches at Bourda for CMC in 2001.
After a break in organising Academies, Malteenoes
held a scaled-down Academy in 2016 but due to the unavailability of coaches because of the CPL, no Academy was held in 2017. The Academy resumed in 2018 when Brandon Corlette who plays cricket at the club level in Berbice and is presently a cricket journalist won the best student award. It was again held in 2019 before missing 2000 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Academy was successfully held in 2022 and last year when Sports Minister Ramson launched the Academy with an inspiring opening speech.
THE eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament, set to bowl off on October 11, will be launched early next month at a venue to be named with Prime Minister Mark Phillips slated to be in attendance.
The three-day extravaganza is being once more staged to coincide with
the conclusion of the final leg of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in an endeavour to get overseas players participate in the competition, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. The final leg of the CPL is set for September 24 – October 6. At last year’s launching
of the tournament, Prime Minister Mark Phillips praised the strides made by the GSCL ahead of the seventh edition, citing the competition as one he hopes will continue to grow from strength to strength with every coming year.
According to GSCL president, Ian John, several
women’s teams are once more down to battle for supremacy in the prestigious tournament with two-times champions 4 R Lioness set to defend their crown.
The men’s category will be contested in the usual three categories – Open All Stars, Masters Over40 and Legends Over-50. Entrance fee per team is
$80 000 (Guyana) or $400 (US) while the women will be required to pay $15 000 (Guyana).
Interested teams are required to collect registration forms from Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Greater Georgetown. Apart from local participation, teams are also expected from New York, Orlando, South Florida and Canada. All finals are slated to be contested at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Sunday, October 13 while preliminary round matches will be played at grounds around Georgetown and its environs.
THE country’s three- member athletics team have reaped rich rewards as they competed at the ongoing South American U20 Championship being held in Peru.
In the 400 metres event where Tiana Springer and Malachi Austin were vying for hardware, both booked their places in the final after fabulous runs on Friday.
Springer would finish second place in 54.84 second in the semi to advance to the final.
In the final on Saturday she was however unable to defend her title finishing
third place for the bronze medal in 55.12 seconds, far off her personal best time of 52.31 earned earlier this year at the CARFITA Games. Julia Aparecida was first in 54.32 seconds for Brazil with Colombia’s Castro Velasquez second in 54.87 seconds
Malachi Austin would however show his fitness and poise with a fabulous outing in the men’s equivalent of the 400 metres race.
Austin coming out of lane 2 had to put his heels on the track to first put himself in pole position and then to hold off stern challenges from a strong field of ath-
letes.
He passed the finish line in 47.21 seconds for the top position with Ecuador’s Ian Andrey second in 47.69 seconds and Brazil’s Vinicius Moura third in 48.29 seconds.
Sprinter Athaleyha Hinckson was the first to deliver gold in the women’s 100 metres on Friday.
After qualifying straight into the women’s semi- finals, she stormed to a place in the finals with a time of 11.98 second for first place in the semis.
In the finals also on Friday evening she bettered that
time with a blistering run of 11.76 to clinch the gold in the South American Championship.
After a strong start she easily powered through the
field in the final 30 metres to be unchallenged at the line for the top podium position.
Colombia’s Maturana Maria was second in 11.85 seconds and Vanessa Dos
Santos of Brazil was third in 11.86 seconds.
Hinckson is also competing in the women’s 200 metres finals at the threeday event.
THE Port Mourant Turf Club will come alive today, Sunday July 14 with a grand one-day horse race meet. Some 55 horses have confirmed entry to the event which now has seven races on the cards.
After a change of weather pattern, the track at Port Mourant is in immaculate condition with host stable, KP Jagdeo Racing Stables preparing the track for high-quality racing.
The feature event, which is the CARICOM Cup, will be open to all horses running at 1350 metres. Seven top horses confirmed spots for the feature race which has a top cash prize of G$ 1.5 million.
Guyana Cup winner for 2023 Easy Time, champion
horse for 2023 Spankhurst, Bossalina, Jessica’s Pride, Wild Texas Tom, Glorious Business and Beckham James are the seven horses entered. Race one in the cards will
be the J Class and Lower and seven horses will be battling it out. Regal Surprise, Sarkar, Get Them Bobby, Amazing Grace, Rescue, Trump and Princess Samiyah are the
horses for the opening race.
Race two will be the twoyear-old Guyana bred. Perfect Star, Miss Simron, I’ll Have Another, Cotton Candy, Secret Traveller, Citation,
‘History on the line’ for Djokovic in Alcaraz final
NOVAK Djokovic says "history will be on the line" when he faces Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon men's singles final.
Djokovic has the opportunity to equal Roger Federer's record of eight men's Wimbledon titles
and secure a record 25th Grand Slam singles triumph with victory on Sunday.
The Serb, 37, who had knee surgery three weeks before the start of the tournament, is level with Australian Margaret Court on the all-time list
with 24 singles majors.
"Of course, it serves as a great motivation," Djokovic said.
"But at the same time there is also a lot of pressure and expectation.
"Wimbledon just extracts the best of me and motivates me to always
show up and perform the best I can."
The highly anticipated showdown is a repeat of last year's final which Alcaraz won in five thrilling sets after four hours and 42 minutes.
Stepping Razor, Easy Bella, Jamrock and Miracle Star are the horse Beete red for race two.
The H Class race has seven horses entered. Patta Patta, Nuclear Fire, She WBO on Time, Regal Intention, Emotional Damage, Supremacy, and Blinding Lights are the horses in the H Class race.
Race four is the J/K/L maiden and 14 horses confirmed entry. The horses are; Security Rock, Get Them Reggie, Lion Heart, Swinging Jet, Money Jet, Bruk Gun, Little Africa, Bin Ladin, Scarlet Rose, Catch the Cat, Wonder Girl, Legacy, Rockstar, and Patsy Celine.
Seven horses are in race five, which is the L Class race. Princess Sasha, Rags to Riches, Shake the Bank, War-
time, Royal Flight, Perfect Dream and Top Gun are the horses for race five.
The three-year-old race has five horses. Royal Ink, Country Rock, Super Quick, Sex Appeal and Storm Again are the horses entered. All races will be run under the guidance of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority rules, and races are subject to change. Horse owners would need to show proof of horses’ vaccination at time of entry.
The Port Mourant Turf Club horse race meet, which was originally listed on the 2024 calendar as the Caricom meet, is sponsored by AJM, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, Old Broom Lounge, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, and Crown Vibes.
BARBORA Krejcikova
held off a charge from Jasmine Paolini in a gripping final at Wimbledon to claim her second Grand Slam singles title.
Krejcikova, a French Open winner in 2021, held her arms aloft as she sealed a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory on her third championship point.
She shared a warm embrace with Paolini at the net before looking up and blowing a kiss towards the sky.
With the victory, Krejcikova, 28, has emulated her late friend and coach Jana Novotna.
The 1998 Wimbledon champion died from ovarian cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.
"Jana was the one who told me I had the potential and I should definitely turn pro and try to make it. Before she passed away she told me to go and win a Slam," Krejcikova said of her fellow Czech.
"I achieved that in Paris
in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me, and I never really dreamed that I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998."
The 31st seed also followed in the footsteps of 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova to make it back-to-back triumphs for the Czech Republic in the women's singles.
In keeping with Wimbledon tradition, Krejcikova clambered up to the players' box to celebrate with her team and family, many of whom were in tears.
"I don't have any words right now - it's just unbelievable, it's definitely the best day of my tennis career and also the best day of my life," she added.
As the magnitude of her achievement sank in, Krejcikova, trophy in hand, burst into tears as she left Centre Court.
The result is a second straight Grand Slam final defeat for Paolini, who fell
to Iga Swiatek in straight sets in last month's French Open showpiece.
The 28-year-old was bidding to become Italy's first women's singles champion at Wimbledon.
'It's unbelievable I'm stood here'
With both players being unexpected finalists, it was guaranteed there would be a first-time women's champion for the seventh Wimbledon in a row.
And after nearly two hours on court, it was Krejcikova's name that was
etched on the Venus Rosewater Dish.
It had been a difficult season until now for Krejcikova, who has been hampered by a back injury and illness.
Between the end of January's Australian Open and
this month's Championships, she had played nine singles matches, winning just three.
Now she has won through seven matches in the space of two weeks.
"Two weeks ago [in the first round against Veronika Kudermetova] I had a very tough match, and I wasn't in good shape before that because I was injured and ill," Krejcikova said.
"I didn't really have a good beginning to the season. It's unbelievable I'm stood here now and I've won Wimbledon. I have no idea [how it happened]."
A seven-time major winner in women's doubles, and a three-time champion in mixed doubles, Krecjikova holds an incredible 12-1 overall win-loss record in Grand Slam finals.
She will receive £2.7m in prize money for winning this year's women's singles at Wimbledon.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Guyana were crowned the West Indies Women’s Under-19 champions for the first time after a destructive spell from pacer Trisha Hardat set the foundation for a 23-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method against Leeward Islands in the Grand Final on Saturday.
Hardat bagged a flattering four for 10 from her allotted 10 overs, and the Leewards were bowled out for a meagre 68 in 19.4 overs after they elected to bat in the rain-affected Twenty20 match at the
Brian Lara Cricket Academy. West Indies Women’s Under-19 all-rounder
Jahzara Claxton led the way for the Leewards with 25, but no other batsman reached 20, while spinner
Danielle Manns supported Hardat in the demolition with two wickets. Guyana got off to a
sluggish start and lost opener Laurene Williams in the third over before fellow opener Naomi Barkoye, whose 24 was the top score, and Shonette Belgrave with 21 put them on course for victory before rain stopped play with 51 balls remaining in the contest.
Elsewhere, hosts Trinidad & Tobago finished third in the tournament after they toppled Windward Islands by five wickets at the Diego Martin Sports Complex in another low scoring affair.
No batsman reached 20, and there were no notable bowling performances
in the contest in which T&T reached 68 for five in 17 overs, replying to the Windwards’ 67 for seven off 20 overs.
And Moniqueca Reid overcame a defiant knock from West Indies Women’s Under-19 batsman Naijanni Cumberbatch to take three for 20 from four overs and set up Jamaica for a seven-wicket win against Barbados to finish fifth in the tournament. Cumberbatch made 20, but the Barbadians were bowled out for 63 in 19.1 overs before Chrishana McKenzie led the successful Jamaican run chase with 21 not out.