‘Wearebuildingtomorrow’s economytoday’
‘Wearebuildingtomorrow’seconomytoday’
ByNaomiParris
POINTINGtostrategicpoliciesaimedatintegrating energyinfrastructure,addressinggapsandachieving keytargets,PresidentDr. IrfaanAli,onTuesdayevening,underscoredGuyana’s objectivetopursuelongtermandsustainablegrowth throughcontinuedbilateral partnerships.
Shiftingfromatraditional address,PresidentAliopened thefloorforquestionsfrom attendingstakeholdersatthe inauguralInternationalBusinessConference(IBC)being heldthisweekattheMarriott HotelinGuyana.
TheIBCisbeingco-hostedbytheSuriname-GuyanaChamberofCommerce (SGCC)andtheGuyanaManufacturingandServicesAssociation(GMSA).
AccordingtothePresident,Guyanaalongwithits easterncontinentalneighbour, Suriname,hasbeenstrengtheningitsbilaterialtieswith anoverarchingfocustocreate
opportunitiesforregional growth.
“Byintegratingourenergyinfrastructureandunderstandingtheenergymix asoneaspectoftheequation andthencreatingatransport andlogisticloop,opensup allthemarketsandallowsus, throughtheremovalofbarriers,totradefreelyalongthis loop,”Dr.Alisaid.
Hefurtheralludedtothe immediateopportunitiesthat existthroughpartnerships
withnorthernBrazil,citingexcessproductionthat couldaidinestablishinga foodmodelwhichhighlights agro-processing,valueadditionandexpansion.
“Whatwearebuilding inGuyana’sistomorrow’s economyfortoday,andwe arenotdoingthatbywords,” Dr.Alisaid.
Henotedthatbystrengtheningpolicyinterventionsas acollective,theexistinggaps canbeaddressed.
Intendedcutsinenergycoststo fuelgrowthinmanufacturingsector
-GMSAPresidenthighlights,encouragesinternationalbusinesses toestablishpartnershipsandenterthemarketnow -Suriname-GuyanaChamberChairsaysit’stimeforstrong long-lastingeconomicrelationships
ByShamarMeusa
WITHsignificantheadway beingmadeinGuyanabythe governmenttoslashenergy costsforallconsumersby morethan50percent,PresidentoftheGuyanaManufacturingandServicesAssociation(GMSA)RamsayAlihas saidthatthismovewilltrigger growthinthemanufacturing sector.
Aliexpressedthisview attheopeningsessionofthe inauguralInternationalBusinessConference(IBC)being hostedincollaborationwiththe Suriname-GuyanaChamberof Commerce,andtheGMSAat theGuyanaMarriottHotelin Georgetown.
TheGMSAPresidentsaid thatthecostofenergyinGuyanaisgoingtobereducedby morethan50percent,butwhat isimportantisnotonlythecost ofenergybutalsothequalityof energy,which,hesaid,issomethingthatissignificantforthe manufacturingsector.
“Notonlyarewegoing tobebenefittingfromthe costofenergygoingdown significantly,butthegrid.A significantamountofmoney isbeingspentonthegrid togetthattoaplacewhere manufacturerscanbecomfortable,”hesaid.
Tothisend,heprovidedan
exampleofhowthisinterventiontoslashenergycostsand provideabetterqualityofenergycanleadtoprojectssuchas thepossibleopeningofaglass bottlefactoryhere.
Astudyhadbeenongoing inthatregardtoascertainthe feasibilityofhavingsuch afacilityoperateherein Guyana.
However,hewentontoadd thatthinkingaboutthismoveis morethanthegas-to-shoreprojectthatiscurrentlyunderway, andaddedthatthemovetocut costsincludesenergyfromdifferentsourceslikehydropower andsolarenergy.
“Wearefinallygoingto moveawayfromtheplace wherewearenolongersufferingfromthecostofenergyfor manufacturersinGuyana,”Ali expressed.
Withthisinmind,hetold thegathering,whichconsisted ofregionalandinternational businessrepresentatives,thatit isanexcitingtimeinGuyanaas amanufacturerorapersonwho worksinmanufacturing,given whatisaheadforthesector.
Assuch,heencouraged thosewhoareinterestedin andarethinkingaboutgetting involvedinGuyana’smanufacturinglandscapetomaketheir movenow,asopportunitieswill notalwaysbeavailable.
Aliadded,“Thetimeis
now;there’salotofopportunitieshereinthiscountry formanufacturers,andlotsof companiesyoucanstarttowork with.”
Meanwhile,inthissame regard,ChairmanoftheSuriname-GuyanaChamberofCommerceDr.VishnuDoergahighlightedthattheIBCexemplifies thecollaborativepowerofthe privatesector,withgovernment providingcrucialfacilitation andsupport.
He,too,encouragedthe privatesectorinbothGuyana andSurinametoinvestinkey sectors,knowingthatwiththe rightbacking,businessescan thrive,andtheeconomycan prosper.
“TheIBCisnotjustabusinessevent;it’sapowerfulplatformforgrowth,collaboration andpartnership,”Dr.Doerga said.
Heurgedthosepresentto makenecessaryconnectionsthat willcontinuebuildingonthe progressalreadymadeacross theregion.
Hewentontonote,“We needeachother,”whileadding thatmovesmustbemadesothat therearemutuallybeneficial relationshipsthatarefostered toshowgainfortheirown countries.
“Wewantstrong, long-lastingeconomicrelationships,”Doergaadded.
Shiftingfromatraditionaladdress,President Aliurgedstakeholderstoposequestionsto economy,bilateralpartnershipsandpolicies (DelanoWilliamsPhotos)
“Weareapplyingtherationalethatwewillbuildfor wheretheworldwillbein 2030asagainsttowherewe oughttobeandthenworking backwardsandbringingthe populationuptospeed,”the Presidentsaid.
Headded:“Weareadjustinginrealtime,thedigital gap,thetechnologygap,the infrastructuregap,thehuman potentialgap.”
HesaidthatGuyanaand Surinamearecreatinganew nerveforstrategicdevelopmentinvestments.
“Thatiswhythepolicy matrixbetweenGuyanaand Surinamemustbeconstantly examined.Thatiswhywe establishedastrategicrelationshipwhereeverythree monthswelookatobjectives,”Dr.Alisaid.
Thecollaborationbetween GuyanaandSurinameinen-
ergyandtradeissettounlock significantbenefitsforboth nations,enhancingregional connectivityandpositioning bothcountriesasleadersin theglobalenergymarket.
Already,thetwonations haveestablishedpartnerships pursuingjointdevelopment inthemanufacturingsector. Plansarealsounderwayto constructabridgeacrossthe CorentyneRivertofurther pushtradeandpartnerships betweenthetwonations.
WhileaddressingTuesday’sconferenceviaavideo message,Suriname’sPresident,ChandrikapersadSantokhihighlightedthelong sharedbilateraltiesbuilton history,cultureandmutual rules,sharedbythetwonations.
“Thisstrongfoundationcontinuestoguideus asweexplorenewavenues
forcollaborationandmutualgrowth…Today,wefind ourselvesinauniquepositionwherediplomaticand economicco-operationare nolongeraspirationbutare becomingrealitiesthatwill shapethefutureofourregion,”Santokhisaid.
ThehostingoftheIBCis atestamenttothestrengthof bilateralrelations.
Hesaid:“Together,we haveanopportunitytoleadon theglobalstage,particularly onoilandgasexploration, whereourcombinedstrength positionsusaspivotalplayers intheenergylandscape.”
Theconference,hereiterated,servesasaplatformfor SurinameseandGuyanese businessestoforgepartnershipstoattractinternational attentionanddriveregional collaboration.
“LetusenvisionafuturewhereGuyanaandSurinamecanleadtheregionin economicprosperity,setting globalstandardsforinnovation,sustainabilityandpartnershipstogether,”Santokhi said.
Overthenexttwodays, theIBCwillfocusonstreamliningtheeaseofdoingbusinessandfacilitatinginvestmentsbetweeninternational businessesandGuyanaand Surinameinkeysectorsincluding,energy,infrastructure,finance,logistics,agriculture,andbusinesssupport services.
TheIBCisexpecting over100speakers,andmore than500delegates,with morethan15conference sessions.
PresidentDr.IrfaanAli
SOCUHeadissueslegal demandforretraction,apology from‘BigSmithNewsWatch’
HEADoftheSpecial OrganisedCrimeUnit (SOCU),Assistant CommissionerofPoliceFazilKarimbaksh hastakenlegalaction againstLeroySmith, ownerof“BigSmith NewsWatch”,forallegeddefamatoryremarksmadeonthe newsplatform.
conveyedthenotion thatKarimbakshiscorrupt,involvedinbribery, andpoliticallycompromisedinhisleadership ofSOCU.
Theysaidthatthese remarks,sharedwidelyandviewedbyover 30,000peopleand sharedbymorethan 1,500—havecaused significantreputational damagetotheirclient.
Thearticle,published onSmith’splatform, raisedquestionsabout theoriginsofa$40mil-
Inalegalnoticefiled byAttorneys-at-Law SatramandSatram, Karimbakshisseeking animmediateretractionandpublicapologyforanarticletitled, “BREAKING:SOCU headgaveBrutus/wife largeamountofcash onWeddingDaybut remainedsilent”.
liondepositmadeby CommissionerofPolice CalvinBrutusfollowing hiswedding,whileallegingthatKarimbaksh hadgiventhecouplea significantsumofcash ontheirweddingday.
Inadditiontothis article,twomorepublicationsbytheplatform areatthecentreofthe defamationclaim.
Onearticle,“No ListedQualifications
forSOCUHeadto SupportPromotionto DC”,questionedKarimbaksh’sprofessional qualifications,andsuggestedthathelackedthe academiccredentialsto justifyhisanticipated promotiontoDeputy CommissionerofPolice.
Thearticlealsopublishedwhatpurportedto beanExceltableofhis qualifications.
Thethirdarticle,ti-
tled,“TextfromGov’t Min.ExposesPlotto HaveSOCUTargetTop Cop/Brutus”,furtherimplicatedKarimbakshby suggestinghewaspart ofaschemetotarget seniorpoliceofficials, andimpliedpolitical interferenceinhisprofessionalconduct.
Ministerwithinthe MinistryofLocalGovernmentandRegionalDevelopmentAnand Persaudhasalsoissued aformaldemandfora retractionandapology fromSmith.
TheattorneysrepresentingKarimbaksh statedthatthesepublicationscollectively
“Thepublications andremarksaboutour clientarecompletely untrueanddefamatory.
“Weareinstructedto demand,aswehereby do,thatyouimmediatelypublishafulland completeretractionand apologyintermsapprovedbyourclient.
“Legalproceedingswillbeinstituted againstyoutorecover damages,ifthesame can'tbeagreed,for thereputationalharm causedtoourclientas aresultofthestatementsyouhavepublished,”theletterfrom SatramandSatram stated.
HeadoftheSpecialOrganisedCrimeUnit(SOCU) AssistantCommissionerofPoliceFazilKarimbaksh
LeroySmith,ownerof‘BigSmith NewsWatch’
NewHosororoSecondarySchooltobemost moderneducationfacilityintheCaribbean
ByNaomiParris
PresidentDr.IrfaanAli,togetherwithMinisterofEducationPriyaManickchand,andMinisterofHousingandWater CollinCroalconductedasitevisitattheongoingconstructionofHosororoSecondarySchool
CONSTRUCTEDwith thelatesttechnologyand techniques,theHosororoSecondarySchoolin RegionOne(BarimaWaini)isanticipatedto bethemostadvanced educationalfacility,not justinGuyanabutalso theentireCaribbean.
Duringasitevisit, PresidentDr.IrfaanAlion Mondaytoldreportersthat theMinistryofEducation hasincorporatedthelatest technology,techniques, andhigh-qualitymaterials intotheconstructionof thisfacility.
Worksaremovingata
fastpace,andoncecompleted,theschoolwill accommodate1,000studentsfromareascurrentlylackingasecondary schoolinthehinterland region.
“Thisisperhapsgoingtobeoneofthemost modernsecondaryschool complexinnotonlyall ofGuyana,butinallof theCaribbean.Thisfacilityincorporatesthelatest technology,latestconstructiontechniques,and highestqualitymaterial,” theHeadofStatesaid.
EducationMinister PriyaManickchandsaid thatwithmanysecondaryschoolstudentsbeing housedatprimaryinsti-
tutions,thenewfacility willprovideamuchmore conducivelearningenvironmentforstudentsat thesecondarylevelinthe area.
Thecomplexwillincludenotonlyclassrooms and‘labs’,butalsoaccommodationsforteachers,adiningarea,and dormitories,creatinga comprehensiveeducationalenvironment.
“Theschoolisgoing tohold1,000children;it's goingtotakethechildren alloutoftherivers,riverineareasthatcurrently donothaveasecondary schooltogoto.Infact, theygototheprimary schoolsfortheirsecond-
aryeducation.But,aswe godown,you'llseeit'snot justclassroomsand‘labs’ andotherfacilitiesforthe childrenacademically,but youwillseeteachersare beingbuilt,”theEducationMinistersaid.
OnMonday,thePresidentalsocommissioned theNorthWestSecondary SchoolatMabaruma.
Duringhisremarks, hehighlightedthatthe governmenthasinvested approximately$7billion toenhancethedeliveryof educationandtrainingin RegionOne.
Inapreviousengagement,MinisterManickchandhadhighlightedthat thegovernment’sgoalis
notonlytoprovideaccess, butalsotoguaranteea highstandardofeducation,life-longlearningopportunities,andrigorous monitoringandevaluation systems.
Asignificantpartof thisinitiativeincludesthe constructionof26new secondaryschoolsacross thecountry,addingtothe existing117secondary schools.
Inadditiontosecondaryschools,theministry
isalsofocusingonconstructingnewprimary andnurseryschoolsin underservedareas.
Effortsareunderway toextendandrehabilitateexistingschoolsto createcomfortableand conducivelearningenvironments.
Thisincludesrepairingceilings,fencesand washrooms,andensuringproperplumbing andelectricityinschool facilities.
SuccessStory UnfoldingIntheFields
ASthesunsetsonanothersuccessful harvestingseason,Guyanastandsatthe precipiceofahistoricachievement:the riceindustryisontracktoproduceover inthenation’shistory. sector. thisachievementcannotbeoverstated.
tivity.
icanttransformationinanindustrythatis security.
economy.
toinvestintheirfuture.
tocome.
Thericeindustryismorethanjust asourceofincome;itisasymbolof nationalprideandatestamenttothe powerofresilienceandcollaboration.
TexilaAmericanUniversity opensstudycentreinRegionTwo
ByIndrawattieNatram
TEXILAAmericanUniversity(TAU)on Tuesdaytookaboldsteptospreadits wingswiththeopeningofastudycentrein RegionTwo.
MinisterofEducationPriyaManickchand amouse.ShesaidthatthemovebyTAUto
educationeasier.
HesaidthattheSuddieStudyCentre willbehometoanacademichubthat empowersfuturegenerations.Theescommitmenttoexpandingopportunities forlearningandprofessionalgrowthin
TexilaAmerican Universityopens...
From page6 theregion.
“Thenewcentreisnot justastudycentre;itrepresentsapromisetoourstudents;apromisetoprovide themwithaccesstostudy space,mentorship,andclose communication.Wearecreatinganenvironmentwhere knowledgemeetsinnovation, andwherelearningtranscendstheclassrooms,”Dr. Bansaladded.
HealsosaidthatTAU ishappytopartnerwith GOALtoprovidescholarshipstopersons.Hesaid thatthroughGOAL,studentsnowhavetheopportunitytopursuedegreesand themwiththeknowledge andskillsnecessarytocontributetoGuyana’sgrowing economy.
RegionTwoChairperson VilmaDeSilvasaidthatshe ishappythattheservicesfor
TexilaAmericanhavebeen extendedtoRegionTwo. Shesaidit’samuch-need-
tytostudyrightwithinthe region.She,therefore,congratulatedTAUforthegreat worktheyhavebeendoing sincetheyopenedacampus inGuyana.
TexilaAmericanUniversity–CollegeofMedicineGuyanawasfounded onSeptember27,2010,and
registeredwiththeNational AccreditationCouncilof GuyanaonNovember18, 2010.
Duetoagrowingstudent population,TAUexpanded itsfacilitieswithanannex campusatGoedverwagting, EastCoastDemerara,in 2014.
In2017,itestablisheda newcampusatProvidence, EastBankDemerarafeaturingmodernclassrooms, laboratories,andalibrary.
Inthediaspora,inthecoldness,intheoil
ONEeveningmywife
andIweretravelling onthesubwayindowntownTorontoforaChristmasvisittoherbrotherin NorthYork.Althoughwe weredressedwithmultiplelayersofclothing,the coldnesswasoverbearing. Wechangedtrainsandreturnedhome.
Itisoneoftheepisodes inlivinginCanadathatIwill neverforget.Canadaistoo coldforme.Iwillnotlive inacountrythatissocold. AftertheAmericaninvasion ofGrenadain1983,Iwas offeredasyluminSweden butIneverthoughtaboutthe offerforafleetingmoment.
Iwouldnotliveinany countryinNorthernEurope. Thecoldnessnumbsthemind andfreezesthespirit.Iwas headinghometotheCaribbeanwherethetropicalbreeze keepsthesoulalive.
Iwriteaboutthecoldness ofCanadawheretheeditor
of“InTheDiaspora”(ITD), theweeklycolumninthe StabroekNews(SN),Alissa Trotzlives.Whenyouread Monday’seditionofITD intheStabroekNews,the thoughtcomesupthatinthe coldnessofMs.Trotz’smind, therearethefrozenthoughts oftheladythatnumbsher mindaboutwhattakesplace inGuyana.
Iwaseagertoreadwhat theITDwouldsayaboutthe encouragingfinancial/economicpackagethatPresident AlideliveredlastThursdayto thepeopleofGuyana.Who canhatethePPPgovernment morethanDavidHinds?
YetDaviddidnotdismiss the$200,000cashgrantcallingit“ababystepforward.” WinstonJordanprefersifthe moneywasgiventoeach citizenratherthantohousehold.Daviddidnotaccept thefocusontheindividualof Jordan.Hepreferstheunitof household.
SowhatdidITDhave tosayaboutthepresidential package?IopenedtheSN beforetheChronicle,the paperIwriteforeveryday, assoonasmypapergirl, Minky,stucktheminthegate ofmyyardbecauseIwanted toseehowMs.Trotztreated thepresidentialdeliveries. ThereIwas,staringatthe pageofITDoutofdisbelief. ITDcompletelyavoidedany discussiononthegoodies thePresidentpromisedthe nation.
Instead,thecontentof ITDforlastMondaywason lesbianisminGuyanawritten byanLGBTpersonality.On seeingthearticle,mymind wentbacktothedressing down,thethenPresidentof KenyaputonthethenPresidentoftheUSA,Barack Obama.
Mr.Obamawasonan officialvisittoKenyaandat thejointpressconferenceon PresidentObama’sfirstday, theAmericanpresidentcalled fortheinstitutionalisationof gayrights.
Inoneofthemostgraphic momentsinpost-colonial independentthinking,PresidentKenyattatoldObama thatcountrieshavedifferent valuesandthosedifferences shouldberespected.Hesaid gayrightswerenotanissue fortheKenyanpeople.
HetoldObamathatother rightsinKenyahavepriori-
tiessuchasrighttowater,education,andhealth.Hewent ontoaddthatthoserights havebeensecuredintheUS sotheUScanmoveontogay rights.Heassertedthatwhen Kenyasecuredthosebasic facilitiesforitspeople,then itwilllookatgayrights.
SotheGuyanesePresidentdeliveredaseriesof generousoffersfromstatefinancewhichnodoubtcomes fromouroilrevenuesand insteadofwelcomingfreeeducationatUG,ITDoffersSN readersanarticleonLesbian womeninGuyana.
SowhyMs.Trotz frownedongivingrecognitiontoPresidentAli’sinvitingaidpackagetothe Guyanesepeople?Hereis theanswer.Themoneywill comefromoilrevenuesand Ms.Trotzisafreneticrejectionistoftheoileconomyof Guyana.ShewroteintheSN onDecember13,2022that
Guyanashouldimmediately putaholdonoilproduction. Shedidnotoptforagradual cutoffbutwantedacut-off rightaway.
Onesuspectsthatonceoil moneybringsdevelopment successtoGuyana,ITDwill notfeatureanyarticlesonthe brightfuturefacingGuyana. ShedoesnotwantoilproductioninGuyanabecause thefossilfuelindustryharms theclimate.Ms.Trotzisyet towriteabouttheoilindustry inCanada.
Foracademicaccuracy, itshouldbenotedthatthe hatredfortheoilindustryis nottheonlyreasonwhyMs. TrotzdidnotpraisethePresident’swonderfuldeliveries. Italsohastodowithdislike forthePPPgovernment.
WeneedtoremindreadersthatITDneverwrotea paragraphaboutthefivemonthelectionhorrorsin 2020orevenalineonthe reportoftheCommissionof Inquiryintotheelectiondisaster.Acoldclimatefreezes thecapacitytothinkindependently.
DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialpolicyor positionoftheGuyanaNationalNewspapersLimited.
$63.7Mroadupgradesunderway inNorthEastLaPenitence
ROADSatNorthEastLa Penitence,Georgetown arecurrentlybeingupgradedtoimproveaccessibilityforresidentsand commuters,tothetuneof $63.7million.
Theinfrastructuralupgradesfollowresidents’ concernsoverthedeterioratedconditionoftheroads.
TheMinistryofPublicWorks’SpecialProject Unit(SPU)inspectedthe
Itwasobservedthataging asphalthadcausedraveling, which,insomeareasextendedintotheroad’sbase.
Theproposedrepairs includescarifyingthe existingsurface,adding crushedaggregateswhere necessary,andapplyinga two-inch-thickasphaltic
concretelayer.
Therehabilitationcoversapproximately2,566 metersofroad,withanaveragewidthof3.5meters.
RoadworkswillbeexecutedonToucanStreet, spanning140metersin length,and3.5metersin width.
LordStreet,spanning 140metersinlengthand 3.5metersinwidth,isbeingupgradedatacostof $3.4million,whileSavageStreet,measuring220 metersinlengthand3.5 metersinwidth,willsee improvementscosting$5.6 million.
Additionally,upgrades arebeingexecutedinFirst CrossStreet,measuring110 metersinlengthand3.66 metersinwidth,atacostof $2.9million.
OngoingconstructionworksinNorth-EastLaPenitence
Similarworkswill takeplaceonSecondand ThirdCrossStreets,bothof whicharealso110meters
EPAinvestigating ‘seepage’atCrane
THEEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),on October10,receivedareportfromCraneVillage, WestCoastDemerara, regardingasubstance seepingfromtheground.
Accordingtoapress releasefromtheEPA,its EmergencyResponseUnit promptlymobilisedtothe sitetoconductaninitial investigation.
“TheAgencyiscurrentlycollaboratingwith theGuyanaGeology andMinesCommission (GGMC),GUYSUCO, andthePesticidesand ToxicChemicalsControl Board(PTCCB)toidentify
thecauseandnatureofthe seepage,”theagencysaid.
TheEPAisurgingresidents,particularlythosein theimmediatevicinity,to remaincalm,andexercise patienceastheinvestigationproceeds.Affected residentswereadvisedto
avoidtheimpactedareas withintheirhomesfortheir safety.
Additionally,theagencyhasengagedExxonMobilGuyanaLimited,and theywillbeinvestigating aspartoftheirgrievance mechanism.
inlengthand3.66meters inwidth,witheachupgrade pricedat$2.9million. Further,HarpyDrive
willundergosignificant upgrades,withitssemi-circlesectionmeasuring235 metersinlengthand3.66
metersinwidthtothetune of$6.7million.Ontheone hand,theHarpyDriveMain Road,spanning775meters inlengthand3.66meters inwidth,willseeaninvestmentof$18.4million.
Ontheotherhand, KiskadeeStreet’ssemicircle,measuring261meters inlengthand3.66metersin width,isbeingupgradedat acostof$6.6million,and theKiskadeeMainStreet willreceiveimprovements valuedat$10.813million.
Meanwhile,asectionof roadfromPrincessStreetto MainStreetwillbeupgradedtoserveasakeyaccess route.
Bidsfortheproject haveclosed,andacontractwillbeawarded shortly,accordingtothe Ministry.(DPI)
Guyana:Leadingthechargeto achievefoodsecurityintheregion
ThefollowingisastatementfromGuyana’sAmbassadorandPermanent RepresentativetotheUN, Geneva,Dr.LeslieRamsammyontheoccasionof WorldFoodDay2024:
“ASGuyanajoinscountriesandcitizensaround theglobetoobserveWorld FoodDay2024,Guyana’s foodproductionandoverallagricultureproductionly.
“Since2020,Guyanahas ledCARICOM’s25x25Initiativetoincreaselocalfood production.Guyanacanfeel thedrivetoreducefoodimportsbyCARICOM.Asof today,wecanfeelrelatively
Day2025,thegoalof25 percentreductioninfood importsintoCARICOM willbeattained.Already,the reductionisapproximately 18percent.
“ButevenasGuyanaand CARICOMhavereasonsto beoptimistic,ourcountries arevulnerabletonaturaldisasters.Guyanafacesclimate changechallengessuchas floods,droughts,changing patternsofprecipitation,cation,intrusionofsaltwater intoirrigationsystems.
“CARICOMcountries alsofacethesameproblems. Butinaddition,CARICOM countriesfacehurricane challenges.Berylrecently causedseveralofthecounoftheirGDP.
“Climatechangeisreal. OurCARICOMcountries mostlyhavetopayfordamage,destructionandlost livesthatARICOMcontributedlittletonothingtowards.
“Inspiteofthemany constraints,Guyanaand CARICOMcanbeproud thatwecontinuetomake gainsinfoodsecurity.
estimatesrevealthatagrowingnumberofpeople,almost 750millionfacedhungerin 2023and2.8billionpeople aroundtheworldcouldnot
“OurownRegion–Latin AmericaandtheCaribbean –in2022had183Mpeohealthydiet.
“Evenmoreworrying, theaveragecostofahealthy
diethasrisentoalmost$US4 perdayperperson.InLatin AmericaandtheCaribbean,theaveragecostwas US$4.60.
“Analysisoffoodcost clearlyshowsthatcountries thatimportmorefoodhave ahigheraverageofcost forahealthydiet.Thisis aconcernforCARICOM. GuyanaandBelizeareCARICOMcountriesthatproduce morethan50percentof theirfoodneeds.Someof theCARICOMcountries importasmuchas80per centoftheirfoodneeds.In addition,intra-regionalimportsbetweenourcountries aresignificantlylessthan importsfromoutsideofthe dispensation.
2024,Guyana’sPresident, HEIrfaanAliisleadingthe drivetoensurethatGuyana strengthensitsstatusasa foodsecuredcountry.Considerthisoneexample,since 2020,Guyanahasincreased itsagriculturebudgetby greaterthan800percent.
“Theresultisthatinfrastructuretomitigatethe arebeingdramaticallytransformed.Inaddition,research isimprovingpaddyseeds qualityleadingtohigher yieldandgreaterresistance topestsandenvironmental factorssuchasincreased watersalinity,introduction ofnewcropsandgenetically moreproductivelivestock.
“Guyana’sPermanent MissioninGenevaisproud ofGuyana’seffortsinim-
Guyana’sAmbassador andPermanentRepresentativetotheUN, Geneva,Dr.LeslieRamsammy
provingagricultureandfood
2025,Guyana’sledgerwill demonstrateimpressiveimprovementinensuringthe righttofoodismetforall citizens.
“TheMissioncongratulatesPresident,Dr.IrfaanAli,theMinisterof Agriculture,Honorable Government.”
SkullCitytoget$91Minfrastructuralupgrade
THEcommunityofSkullCitylocatedatPatentia,WestBankDemeraraissetforasignificant transformationwith$91millionbeinginvestedin upgradingthemuddamintoaconcreteroad.
Theupgradesareinresponsetoresidents’concerns overthedeplorableconditionofthethoroughfare.
DuringavisittotheareaonMonday,theMinister withintheMinistryofPublicWorks,DeodatIndar,assuredresidentsthatworkwouldbeginpromptly.
“Thecontractorwasawardedacontractfor$91milliontofixtheroad.Iamgivinghimtwodaystoshow upheretostartworkingonitandIwillbecheckingback withthem,”theministerannounced.
Thecontract,whichhasasix-monthdeadline,was awardedonJuly2toBardonConstruction.Itcovers theupgradeof480kilometresofmuddam.Theworks weredelayedduetoillegalelectricalconnectionswithin thearea.
Afterlearningaboutthechallenges,theminister contactedGuyanaPowerandLight(GPL)andGuyana WaterIncorporated(GWI)topromptlyresolvethe issue.GPLwilltransferthecurrentelectricalwiresto newpoles.
Theseeffortsaimtoensurethesafetyofover300 childrenlivinginthecommunity.
Additionally,drainageissueswerealsoaddressed. MinisterIndarassuredthattheNationalDrainageand IrrigationAuthority(NDIA)willtakeactiontoresolve theconcerns.
Healsonotedthattheministry’sengineerswill assessthedeterioratingmainaccessbridgewithin theweek.(DPI)
ThecommunityofSkullCitylocatedatPatentia,WestBank Demeraraissetforasignificanttransformationwith$91 millionbeinginvestedinupgradingthemuddamintoa concreteroad
MinisterEdghillrespondstoinaccurateSN articleonNoitgedachtroad
PUBLICWorksMin-
ister,JuanEdghill, onTuesday,saidthata StabroekNewsarticle regardingNoitgedacht roadinRegionTenis misleadingandtheinaccurateinformationis deservingofclarification.
Thearticleinquestion isdatedOctober15,2024 andtitled"LindenMayor callsforClosureofaccess roadbuiltwithtoxicmaterial."
“Intheinterestoftrans-
parencyandpublicassurance,itisimportant toclarifythattheclaims madeinthisarticleare misleading.Theinformationreferencedisinaccurate,andthereisno evidenceofatoxicthreat totheresidentsofLinden resultingfromthematerialsusedontheNoitgedachtroad.
“Thereportreferenced byMr.Sharma,which highlightsunsafelevelsof arsenic,zinc,nickel,and
chromium,stemsfroman unsigneddocumentthat doesnotpertaintothe actualsamplestakenfrom theNoitgedachtroad,”the releasestated.
Itadded,“Duringthe stakeholders'meetingheld onOctober12,2024,atthe WatookaGuestHouse,the MinisterofPublicWorks waspresentedwiththese concerns,andhecommittedtoinvestigating themwiththenecessary urgency.
“Followingthismeeting,theMinistryofPublic Works,incollaboration witharepresentativeofthe LindenMayorandTown Council,collectedanew setofsamplesforfurther testing.Thesetestswill determineifthereareany traceelementspresentthat exceedtherecommended levelssetbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency (EPA)forresidentialareas.
“Intheinterim,the MinisterofPublicWorks hasdirectedthecontractor toimplementdailydust suppressionmeasures,includingregularwettingof theNoitgedachtroad,to minimisedustpollution affectingthecommunity.
“Additionally,the ministryiscommittedto mobilisingitsresources todevelopalong-term solutiontoaddressthe concernsraisedduringthe stakeholders'meeting.”
MinisterEdghillsaid thatastheministerwith responsibilityforRegion 10,heassuresthepeople ofLindenofhisministry'sunwaveringcommitmenttotheirsafety andwell-being,bothin thatmatterandallothers.
PublicWorksMinisterJuanEdghill
ANaccuratehousehold countwillbekeyto identifyingtheexactnumberofeligiblerecipients fortheone-off$200,000 cashgrantrecentlyannouncedbyPresident,Dr. IrfaanAli,therebyensuringthattheresourcesare allocatedequitably.
Inthisregard,ChiefStatisticianattheBureauof StatisticsErrolLaCruez gavetheassurancethatrobustsystemsareinplaceto ensurethefairandequitable distributionofthemuch-anticipatedcashgranttoeligiblehouseholdsnationwide.
Thispublicationreached outtoLaCruezonTuesday toaskwhethertheBureauof Statisticswasinapositionto supplythegovernmentwith theessentialdataneededto carryoutthedistribution.
Heexplainedthattheuse ofdatafromthe2022census wouldbeattheheartofthe distributionprocess.
Accordingtohim,the datacollectedfromthecensusiscomprehensive,encompassingabroadrange ofdemographicandsocio-
economicinformation.
Hesaidthatthedatagoes beyondthecrucialfigureson theoverallpopulationcount asitcapturesimportantdetailsaboutthenumberof householdsinthecountry.
LaCruezalsorevealed thatapreliminaryreport basedonthe2022census willbemadepublic"very, verysoon."
Whenquestionedabout ifhouseholdsthatwerenot includedinthe2022census wouldbedisenfranchised, thechiefstaticiansaidthat
heisconfidentthatthegovernmenthasestablishedappropriatesystemstoaddress thisissueaswellasthe emergenceofnewhouseholds.
Tofacilitatecashgrant distribution,thecensuswill definewhatconstitutesa household,henoted.
InhisaddresstotheParliamentlastThursday,PresidentAliannouncedthat the$200,000cashgrantis partofthegovernment’s broaderstrategytoimprove thequalityoflifeforciti-
zens,injecting$60billion ofnewdisposableincome intohouseholdsacrossthe country.
Stand-alonehouseholds, rentalapartments,condominiums,andotherresidencesinmulti-spacebuildingswillallbeconsidered eligiblehouseholds.One oftheresourcesthatwillbe usedtodeterminethenumberofhouseholdsinGuyana willbetheGuyanaPower andLightInc.(GPL)database.Villagecouncilswill beusedtoverifyhouseholds inAmerindiancommunities.
Inarecentinterview, Vice-PresidentDrBharrat Jagdeoemphasisedtheimportanceofestablishinga
robustsystemtoensurethe grantisproperlyandequitablydistributed.
Hehighlightedthatwhile thegovernmentisworking expeditiouslytocommence sharingoutthemoney,such large-scaleinitiativesrequire carefulplanningtoavoid potentialmishaps.
“Wewanttogetthesysteminplace.So,Ianticipate thatwithinthenextfive monthswewouldcomplete the[distribution]process,” Jagdeoexplained.
“Wehavetodoitproperlyandthatiswhyweare tryingtodeviseasystemso thateveryeligiblehousehold cangetitandthatthey’re notleftout.Butatthesame
time,wehavetosafeguard taxpayers’moneytoo,and notallowpeopletocheatthe system,”hesaid. Thegovernmenthassaid thattheAuditOfficeand theFinanceMinistrywill playanimportantroleinthe verificationandpayment processtoensuretransparencyandaccountabilityin thedistributionofthecash grant.
Theannouncementof paymentmethods—includingcheques,direct bankaccounttransfers, andcashwhereapplicable—providesflexibility forrecipients.
ChiefStatisticianErrolLaCruez
$111MinchequesfoundinRegionSevensafeinJanuary2020
—AuditorGeneraltodeployteamtocollect,examinedocuments
THEparliamentaryPublicAccountsCommittee (PAC)wasonMondayassuredthatateamfromthe AuditorGeneral’sOffice willbedeployedtoRegion Sevenaspartofthecommittee’squeryofthediscoveryofsome$111million inchequesinasafe.
Thiscametotheforefront asthecommitteedelvedinto theAuditorGeneral’sreport of2019fortheregion.
Accordingtothe2019
report,aninspectionofthe sub-treasury’ssafeonJanuary20,2020,revealedthat therewere142chequestotallingsome$111.024million.
Thereportwentonto notethatnoevidenceofpaymentvouchersandrelated documentswereseeninrespecttothechequescutand asaresult,itwasdifficultto determineiftheitemswere deliveredortheworkscompleted.
Thisissuewasreportedly
raisedwhentheregionalrepresentativeappearedbefore thecommitteeandquestions raisedwerenotentirelyanswered.
Asshesearchedforanswers,MinisterofParliamentaryAffairsandGovernance, GailTeixeira,asked,“How werethechequespaidwithoutpaymentvouchers?Did youeventuallyfindthepaymentvouchersandthedocumentsandweretheseprovidedtotheAuditorGeneral’s
Officeandwhosignedthese thingswithoutthepayment vouchersbeingavailable?”
TheRegionalExecutive OfficerKevinWardnoted thatthesevouchersordocumentswerenotmadeavailabletotheAG’soffice.
Tothisend,Teixeiranotedthatitiscriticalthatthe informationbeprovidedto theAG’sofficesothatthe querycouldbeclearedand thattherewouldnotbea recurrenceofsuchanissue intheregion.
Withthis,sheaskedthe committeewhethertheAuditorGeneralcouldhavea teamfromhisofficecollect thevouchersoranyotherevidenceinthisregard,sothat
RegionSevenREOKevinWardandtheregionalteam beforethePAConMonday
thequeryonthatissueraised intheAuditorGeneral’sreportcouldbeclearedup.
AuditorGeneralDeodat Sharmatoldthecommittee thatshortlyhewillhavea teamvisittheregiontodeal withthequery.
Priortothisarrangement beingagreedto,Teixeira notedthatinthelastmeeting whenthecommitteemet withtheREO,theissuehad todowiththedatesaswell asmissingsignaturesonthe documentsandthepayment vouchers.Atthattime,she statedtherewereonlypartial answerstoquestionsthatthe committeehad.
Shehighlighted,“The committeeaskedforthefol-
lowinginformationfromthe REO:thedatethecheques werecut,thenameofthe contractorsontheprojects. Sothelisthegaveuscomplieswiththat.Thedateon whichthedocumentswere correctedandqueriesaddressed.”
Documentsreceivedshe said,providednoinformation astowhenthechequeswere paid,acopyoftheregional engineer’slogbook,among otherthings.
Sheaddedthatitwas alsoagreedattheprevious meetingthatthevouchers besubmittedtotheaccountantgeneralforfurther examinationtoensuredue diligence.
—formerAFCmemberGaskinhighlights;sayswillnotbeactivelyinvolvedinacampaignthatisheadingnowhere —convincedthatcollectiveoppositionalreadylostthe2025electionstothePPP/Cwayinadvance
GUYANESEarestill
scarredfromtheblatantattemptsofthePeople’sNationalCongress-Reform(PNC-R)/APartnershipforNationalUnity (APNU)+AllianceFor Change(AFC)tounderminethewillofthepeople andinfluencetheoutcome ofthe2020Generaland RegionalElections.
Thoseactions,witnessed bypeopletheworldover,had furtherdiminishedtheintegrityofthosepartieswhich nowoccupytheseatofopposition.However,despite therealitytheyfaceandthe factthatanotherelectionis aroundthecorner,therehas beennoindicationbythe collectiveoppositionthatit ispreparedtorecogniseand respectthewillofthepeople regardlessoftheoutcome.
“[Allmembersofthe opposition]needtodemonstratetothepublicthatthey arepreparedtorecognise thewillofthepeopleatthe nextelection…Iamhoping thatthecurrentopposition ispreparedtorecogniseit [theresultsoftheelections] asthelegitimatewillofthe
people,”son-in-lawofformer PresidentDavidGranger andformerAFCexecutive memberDominicGaskinsaid duringanappearanceona recenteditionoftheFreddie KissoonShow.
Thepeople,in2020,went tothepollsandpeacefully gaveamandatetothePPP/C togovern.But,aftercasting theirvotes,Guyanesehadto endureafive-monthwaitfor theresultsoftheGeneraland RegionalElectionsasthey witnessedallegedunlawful actsandaslewoflegalchallenges.
Duringthistime,the patienceoftheelectorate wastested,aselectorsobservedwhatwasdescribed asattemptsbythethenAPNU+AFCadministrationto ripthedemocraticfabric ofthenation,with“delay tactics”whichwereopenly criticisedbyawidesection ofsociety.
Itwasonlyafterthelegal challengesandinternational interventionthatanational recountofallvotescastwas convenedandthefigures showedthatthePPP/Creceived233,336votes,while theAPNU+AFCCoalition got217,920votes.
Confidentthattheoppositionparties’historyalready cementedawinfortheincumbentPPP/Catthenext election,Gaskinsaid:“Iam notsayingifthereareirregularitiesthey[opposition] can’tobject,butIamsaying don’tloseelectionsandtake tothestreetsandtrytodiscreditelections.
“Peoplecasttheirvote [sic]andtheycastit[sic] withtheexpectationthat thetotalityofthosevotes willberecognisedindeter-
miningwhoformsthenext government,[soyoucannot] participateinthatprocess anddiscredititbecauseyou didn’twin.”
TheformerAFCmember believesthattheoddsare stackedagainsttheoppositionparties,anditishighly unlikelythatitcouldrecover anytimesoonfromwhat happenedin2020.
Therefore,whenasked whetherhewouldrejointhe AFCaheadofthe2025elections,Gaskinsaid:“Ican’t supportapartyorbeactively involvedinacampaignthatis notheadinganywhere.”
Infact,hewentasfaras tosay:“They[theopposition] [have]lostthe2025elections inadvance.”
Asidefromtheopposition’sshortcomings,Gaskin believesthatthePPP/Cis likelytowinthe2025GeneralandRegionalElections sinceitisdoingagoodjobin spendingthe“oilmoney”in
waysthatpeoplerespondto.
Over100governments fromaroundtheworld hadcondemnedtheAPNU+AFC’sattemptstoderail theelectoralprocessin2020, andthepresidentialCommissionofInquiry(CoI)intothe March2,2020,Generaland RegionalElectionsfurther exposedtheblatantactions ofthecoalition.
ChairmanoftheCoI StanleyJohnandcommissioners—formerChancellor, CarlSinghandSeniorCounselGodfreySmitharrived attheirconclusionsbased onevidencefromthemany witnesseswhotestifiedalong withthereportsofinternationalobservers.
“…ourinquiryreveals thattherewere,infact, shockinglybrazenattempts byChiefElectionOfficer (CEO)KeithLowenfield; DeputyChiefElectionOfficer(DCEO)RoxanneMyers andReturningOfficer(RO)
ClairmontMingotoderail andcorruptthestatutorily prescribedprocedureforthe counting,ascertainingand tabulationofvotesofthe March2election,aswellas thetruedeclarationofthe resultsofthatelection,and thattheydidso–toputitin unvarnishedlanguageofthe ordinaryman–forthepurposeofstealingtheelection,” thecommissionerssaidin theirreport.
Thereportfound, amongotherthings,that Lowenfieldblatantlymade decisionsandemployed proceduresindirectcontradictiontothelawand thewillofthepeople.The findingsrevealedtoothat GECOMstaffersignored specificinstructionsfrom thecourt,usedmaterials thatwereillegalandor manipulated,andsided withAPNU+AFCagentsto berateobserverswhenever objectionswereraised.
FormerAFCmemberDominic Gaskin
Schoolcounsellors,welfareofficers
engageinrestorativejusticetraining
ADELEClarke,thePer-
manentSecretary(PS) oftheMinistryofLegal Affairs,onTuesdayhighlightedatransformative initiative—restorativejustice—thataimstoredefine Guyana'sapproachtoboth justiceandeducation.
Shedeliveredthismessagewhileaddressingschool counsellorsandwelfareof-
ficersattheopeningofa two-dayrestorativejustice trainingatthePoliceOfficers’TrainingCentre,Camp Street,Georgetown.
ShesaidtheMinistryof LegalAffairsandAttorney General’sChambers,inpartnershipwiththeMinistry ofEducation,isworkingto integraterestorativejustice practicesnotonlyinthecrim-
inaljusticesystem,butalso withinschools.
Accordingtoher,this transformativeinitiativeaims toreducerelianceonpunitive measuressuchascustodial sentencesandpre-trialdetention,aswellasimprove classroommanagementand studentbehaviour.
Restorativejustice,as definedbytheCanadianju-
dicialsystem,is“anapproach tojusticethatseekstorepair harmbyprovidinganopportunityforthoseharmedand thosewhotakeresponsibility fortheharmtocommunicate aboutandaddresstheirneeds intheaftermathofacrime.”
Thesystemisfounded onthebeliefthatcrimeisa violationofpeople’srights andrelationships,aswellas
principlesofrespect,empathy,andinclusion.
Theapproachalsoseeks tomitigatetheprisonpopulationandavoidrecidivism.
“…thefoundationwas laidfortherestorativejusticepracticestobecomean alternativetocustodialsentencesforminoroffencesin ourcriminaljusticesystem throughthedevelopmentof relevantstructuresandprocesses,”Clarkeadded.
Shesaid,too,thatthe processofinstitutionalising restorativejusticeisalready underway,withtheAttorney General’sChambersandthe MinistryofLegalAffairs takingthelead.
Importantly,theministry isnotworkinginisolation.
Clarkenotedthatthe MinistryofLegalAffairshas partneredwiththeProbation DepartmentoftheMinistryofHumanServicesand SocialSecuritytoadvance theexpansionofrestorative justiceandthereisastrong focusoncreatingawareness amongcitizensaboutitspotentialtoimprovejustice outcomesacrossthenation.
Thepermanentsecretary emphasisedthatoneofthe mostinnovativeaspectsof thisinitiativeisitsapplicationinschools.Shestated thatrestorativejusticepracticeswillbeintroducedin schoolsastoolsforclassroom
managementandbehavioural challenges.
This,shenoted,isastrategicmove,recognisingthat traditionaldisciplinarymeasuressuchassuspensions, expulsions,andcorporal punishmentcansometimes exacerbatetheveryissues theyseektoaddress.
“Thesepracticeshave beenshowntodramatically reducediscipline,referrals, suspension,expulsionand corporalpunishment,offering ahopefulfutureforourcommunities,”thePSsaid.
Inthisregard,shepointed totheEducationMinistry’s hopesoffosteringamore empatheticandharmonious schoolenvironment,where studentscanreflectontheir behaviourandmakeamends, ratherthanbeingexcluded fromtheeducationprocess.
DirectoroftheRestorativeJusticeCentre,Orrin Boston,inhisopeningremarksdiscussedthecommon misconceptionthatrestorativejusticeissolelyassociatedwiththelegalprofession,despiteitbeingbacked byaRestorativeJusticeAct.
Hesaidthatrestorative justicerepresentsashiftin approachtohandlingwrongdoing,extendingbeyond thecourtsystemtoinclude schoolsandcommunities.
PermanentSecretaryoftheMinistryofLegalAffairs,Adele Clarke(right)andSeniorSchools’WelfareOfficer,Cornella Leitch
DirectoroftheRestorativeJusticeCentre,OrrinBoston
Schoolcounsellors,welfareofficersengage...
Frompage18
Bostonadded:“Itisa paradigmshiftindealing withdissidents,notonlyas itrelatestoacourtsystem, butasitrelatestoschools andcommunity.Itismoreor lessthemodern,holisticway ofdealingwithissuesthat aremoreorlesswrong,or categorisedaswrongdoings.”
“Sometimeswefailto recognisethatactualpunishment,thatis,whatwe knowtraditionally,becomes moreahindrancethanahelp. Researchhasshownthat,in alotofcases,thepunitive measuresthatweemploy withtheaimofcorrection donotnecessarilydothe correction.
“Researchhasalsoshown thatrestorativepracticesgive farmoreremedialresultsas itrelatestoamicableresolutions,asitrelatestorehabilitationandasitrelatesto reintegrationbecausenobody wantstobeexpelledfroma society.Itwasnevermeant tobe,”heexplained.
CornelleLeitch,Senior Schools’WelfareOfficerat theMinistryofEducation saidthatrestorativejustice ispresentedasamethodto handlesituationsmoreeffectively,andthetrainingaims tobroadentheparticipants' knowledgeandperspectives. Sheacknowledgedtheim-
portanceofthistrainingfor addressingissuesfacedin educationalsettings.
Leitchemphasisedthat theultimateobjectiveistoreduceissuessuchasbullying andviolencebyimproving behaviourandfosteringa moresupportiveeducational environment.
“Thispracticewould besuccessful…Wewould beabletocurbmostofthe behavioursinschools.We knowbullyismandviolence inschools,andallthese thingsarehighoutthere.Let ususethistechniquetosee howwecandobetterinour schools,”shepointedout.
InGuyana,significanteffortsareunderwaytoprepare forthefullimplementation ofrestorativejustice.Extensivetrainingsessionshave beenconductedforjudges, magistrates,prosecutors,policeofficers,prisonofficers, probationofficers,andcommunityleaders.
Thetrainingalsoencompassesreligiousleadersand schoolteachers.Inthehinterlandregions,traininghas beenextendedtotoshaos, theleadersinAmerindian communities.
Thecentreislocatedat Lot341EastStreet,South Cummingsburg,Georgetown.Itwaslaunchedunder theSupportfortheCriminal JusticeSystemProgramme (SCJS).
TheSCJSprogrammeisa partnershipbetweentheGovernmentofGuyanathrough theMinistryofLegalAffairs andtheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBank(IDB).
GivenGuyana’svastgeographyanddispersedpopulation,thegovernmenthas admittedthatimplementing restorativejusticenationwidepresentsasubstantial challenge.
Toaddressthis,thegovernmenthasinitiatedthe integrationofRestorative JusticeUnitswithineach ProbationDepartmentacross Guyana,whichareunder theMinistryofHumanServicesandSocialSecurity. Thesedepartmentsmaintain afunctionalrelationshipwith thecountry’scourtsystems, particularlytheMagistrates’ Courts.
Notably,inGuyana,restorativejusticeisavailableonlyforminor/petty offences.Seriouscrimes suchasrobbery,manslaughter,murder,offences againstminorsandsexual offencesarenotcoveredby restorativejustice.
ARestorativeJustice Centrehasbeenestablished, ledbyaqualifieddirector, tooverseetheapplication ofrestorativejusticeasper theRestorativeJusticeAct, whichwasenactedin2022.
attransformingGuyana’sjusticeandeducationsystems
Schoolcounsellorsandwelfareofficersparticipateinarestorativejusticetrainingsessionaimed
Avoidbaselessspeculations,relyon officialcensusdata,statistics
Thefollowingisthefull textofastatement fromtheBureauofStatistics:
“TheBureauofStatistics hasnotedrecenterroneous claimsmadeonsocialmediasuggestingthatpolitical interferenceisresponsible forthedelayedpublication ofthe2022Populationand HousingCensusresultsand wishestoprovidethefollowingresponse.
TheBureauofStatistics isasemi-autonomousagency,legallymandatedbythe StatisticsAct(1965)Chapter 19:09to“collect,compile, analyse,abstractandpublish statisticalinformationrelatingtothesocial,agricultural, mining,commercial,industrialandgeneralactivities andconditionsoftheinhabitantsofGuyana.”
Intheexecutionofits responsibilities,theBureau isalsoguidedbytheFundamentalPrinciplesofOfficial Statisticsthatwereadopted bytheUNGeneralAssembly10yearsagoin2014.
Thelegalframeworkand officialprinciplespromote andensuretheindependence oftheBureau.
Ourworkisguidedby scientificprinciplesand soundstatisticalpractices thatadheretothehighest internationalstandardsand conventions.Accordingly, thecensusiscoordinated internationallyandregionally,followingagreed-uponprinciplesandpractices thatwithstandscrutinyand promoteconfidenceinthe results.
Anydelayinthepublicationofthe2022Population andHousingCensusresults isstrictlyaconsequenceof ourunwaveringcommitment toprofessionaldiligencein thefaceofconsiderablechallengesencounteredduring thiscensusround.Moreover,censusesacrossthe Caribbeanregionhavebeen significantlydelayed,with countriessuchasBarbados, Grenada,Jamaica,Dominica,St.Luciaandothersexperiencingprotractedcensus activitiesextendinguptoand beyondtwoyears.
Thiswasduetoseveral factors,includingrespondentsuspicion,apathyand fatigueinapostCOVID environment.
TheBureauofStatisticsisdedicatedtoensuringappropriatestatistical confidenceintheaccuracy ofthecensusresultsandis notpoliticallyconstrained, assuggestedbysome.Fur-
thermore,claimsthatthe 2022Population&Housing CensusinGuyanashows thatGuyana'spopulation declinedfrom746,955in the2012censusduetomigrationareunfoundedand erroneous.
Thesoon-to-be-released PreliminaryReportofthe
—‘Stats’Bureausays
censuswillprovideanevidence-basedexpositionof Guyana’spopulation.The BureauencouragesallGuyanesetoavoidbaselessspeculationsandtorelyontheofficialcensusdataandstatisticsproducedandsanctioned bytheBureauofStatistics.
Forofficialinformation
onthecensusandother dataproductsfromthe BureauofStatistics,please visitourwebsiteatwww. statisticsguyana.gov.gyand followtheBureau’sofficial socialmediaaccountson Facebook,Instagramand TikTok.”
THEBygevalSecondary Schoolemergedwinner oftheGuyanaNationalBureauofStandards(GNBS) PublicSpeakingCompetitionhostedincollaboration withtheMinistryofEducationinobservanceofWorld StandardsDay(WSD)2024. Accordingtoapressrelease,thecompetitionsought topromoteawarenessonthe useandimportanceofstandardstoschool-agedchildren, buildingafoundationforthe inclusionofstandardsintheir choicesthroughoutadolescenceandadulthood.
Thecompetitionwas hostedinRegionFive(Mahaica–Berbice)forparticipatingschoolsRosignol Secondary,FortWellingtonSecondary,andthehost schoolBygevalSecondary. BushLotSecondaryand MahaiconySecondarywere alsoinvitedtoparticipatein
TheBygevalSecondarySchoolemergedwinneroftheGuyana NationalBureauofStandards(GNBS)PublicSpeaking CompetitionhostedincollaborationwiththeMinistryof EducationinobservanceofWorldStandardsDay(WSD)2024
thecompetitionbutdidnot showup.
Twostudentsfromeach schoolweregivenquestions inadvancetoresearchahead ofthecompetitionandfive minutestospeakontheassignedtopic.Thejudging criteriaincludedrelevance totheassignedtopic,useof examples,pronunciation/ enunciation,delivery,grammarandadherencetothe timelimit.
TheRegionFiveDepartmentofEducationwasrepresentedbytheHeadTeacherof BygevalSecondarySchool, LorrieLeeFarley.
Inherbriefremarks,she toldtheparticipantsthat “publicspeakingisaskill… itisoneofthemostimportant toolsyouwilltakewithyou intothefutureandwhether you’releadingateam,you’re advocatingforchangeor you’resimplysharingyour personalstory,youarepracticingaskillthatwillserve youincountlesswaysinyour life.”
HeadofCorporateCommunicationsattheGNBS, LloydDavidextendedgratitudetotheMinistryofEducationfortheirsupportand laudedthestudentsfortaking thissteptoimprovetheir all-roundedperformance.He remindedthosepresentthat “preparationiskey”aheadof everyactivity.
Thewinningschoolwas awardedatrophyandaGift Vouchervaluing$30,000 whileRosignolSecondarywhichcameinsecond wasawardedatrophyanda $20,000GiftVoucher.Third placewenttoFortWellington Secondaryschoolwhichreceivedatrophywhilethebest performingstudentLashon SamuelsofBygevalSecondaryreceivedalaptopcomputerfromtheGNBS.
Samuelswasaskedto explainwhatitmeanstoconstructenergyefficientbuildingsandhowstandardscan helptobuildsuchstructures
forresidentialandcommercialuse.Inherresponse,she providedthoroughexamples ofenergyefficientbuildings acrosstheworldandhow theyhavecontributedtoefficiency,abetterenvironment andimprovedqualityoflife.
Inaninvitedcomment, Samuelslaudedtheinitiative andnotedthatthecompetitionhelpstodevelopmuch neededpublicspeakingskills amongadolescents.“Ifeel veryexcitedtowinthiscompetition.Iwasnervousand publicspeakingisnoteasy butitwewentupanddidour best,”shesaid.
ThethemeforWorld StandardsDay(WSD)2024 is“SharedVisionforaBetter World:SpotlightonSDG 9”whichaddressesresilient infrastructure,inclusiveand sustainableindustrialisation andinnovation.SurroundingWSD,theGNBSobservesNationalQualityWeek (NQW)torecogniseandpromoteawarenessonstandards.
TheGNBShasalistof activitiesplannedfortheremainderofNationalQuality Weekincludinga‘Madein Guyana’videocampaign aimedatpromotinglocally manufacturedproductscertifiedbytheGNBS,anda ‘LikeandShare’socialmedia campaigntocreateawareness onstandardsandquality. Further,theGNBSCorporate CommunicationsandMarketingDepartmentswillshare informationvianewspapers, radio,televisionandsocial mediatopromoteinclusion intheactivities.
Theweekofactivities culminateswiththeGNBS’ LongServingAwardsceremonywhereemployeeswho havebeenwiththeBureau forfive,10,15,20and25 yearswillbeawardedfor theirlongevitywiththe StandardsBody.Thisyear, atotalofeighteenemployeeswillbeawardedfortheir commitmenttotheBureau andStandardisation.
DirectorsGeneral ofFAO,IICAagreeto increasejoint co-operation
—withafocusontheCaribbeanandthe CentralAmericanDryCorridor
TheDirectorGeneralofIICA,ManuelOtero,andFAO counterpart,QuDongyu,decidedtostepupactionsto strengthenfamilyfarmingandfoodsecurityinboththe CaribbeanandtheCentralAmericanDryCorridor
THEheadsoftheUnitedNationsFoodandAgriculture Organisation(FAO)andtheInter-AmericanInstitute forCo-operationonAgriculture(IICA)haveagreedto stepuptheirjointeffortsaimedatstrengtheningfamily farmingandfoodsecurityintwoofthemostvulnerable regionsoftheAmericas:theCaribbeanandtheCentral AmericanDryCorridor.
QuDongyuandManuelOterometinRome,wherethe IICADirectorGeneralisonanofficialmissionandwherehe willbetakingpartinadebateonfoodsecurityaspartofthe SecondRoundtableofAfricanFarmers.Theevent,whichwill addressaccesstotechnologiesforregenerativeagricultureand effortstocombatfoodinsecurity,willbeheldatthePontifical InstituteAugustinianum,inVaticanCity.
Atthemeeting,QuDongyu,accompaniedbyFAOChief EconomistMáximoToreroandseniormembersofhisteam, andOtero,withhisspecialadvisorsJorgeWertheinandCarlos Cherniak,reviewedIICAandFAO’sjointco-operationactions,whichincludethepreparationofareportontheoutlook foragriculturalandruraldevelopmentinLatinAmericaand theCaribbean,andsupportforCELAC’sfoodsecurityplan.
“Wecandomuchmore,especiallyinregionswhereproblemsofextremevulnerabilityneedtobeaddressed,suchas theCentralAmericanDryCorridorandCaribbeancountries, whichareincreasinglyexposedtomorefrequentandmore intenseextremeweatherevents,”Oterosaidafterthemeeting withQu.“Wetalkedaboutreinforcing,steppingupthatjoint workandthat’swhatwe’regoingtodo,”headded.
QuexpressedinterestinstrengtheningFAOandIICA’s jointwork,setouthisvisionfordealingwiththesituation inHaitiandintheCentralAmericanDryCorridor,andunderlinedhisdeterminationtoboostthesynergieswithIICA.
DuringhisworkingvisittoRome,Oterowillnotonly betakingpartintheroundtableorganisedbytheWorld Farmers’Organisation(WFO),theGlobalFarmerNetwork(GFN),theBayerfoodcompany,theAfricanAgriculturalTechnologyFoundation(AATF)andIICAitself, butwillalsobemeetingwithValerieGuarnieri,fromthe WorldFoodProgramme(WFP);CarmenBurbano,from theExecutiveSecretariatoftheSchoolMealsCoalition; andRobertoColaminé,DeputyDirectorGeneralofDevelopmentCo-operationatItaly’sMinistryofForeignAffairs andInternationalCo-operation.(IICA)
CRICKETQUIZCORNER
(WednesdayOctober16,2024)
CUMMINGSELECTRICALCOMPANYLTD83GarnettStreet,Georgetown(Tel:225-6158)
Answerstoyesterday’squiz:
(1)QuintondeKock-13(7catches/6stumpings -Royals)
(2)199forthesecondwicket(K.Mayers&E. Lewis–PatriotsvsKings,St.Kitts) Today’sQuiz:
(1)WhatwerethemostrunsconcededbyabowlerinasinglegameinCPL2024?
(2)HowmanycenturieswerescoredinCPL 2024?
Answersintomorrow’sissue
SOUTHAFRICARACING TIPS
GREYVILLE
08:50hrsLamdseer
09:25hrsCrestedEagle
09:58hrsMillionVoices
10:36hrsProfessorLupin
AMERICANRACINGTIPS
DELWAREPARK
Race1PassingBayou
Race2Lagurdia
Race3BangkokBob
Race4Sabi
Race5Bordrrline
Race6DtrhaMars
Race7HotFudgeWarrior
Race8SunshineJohnny
IRISHRACINGTIPS
PUNCHESTOWN
08:50hrsTheMediator
09:20hrsFirstDare
09:50hrsPrayTell
10:20hrsMonbegPark
10:50hrsMinellaIndo
11:55hrsFascideMode
12:30hrsJerryFrom Kerry
ENGLISHRACINGTIPS WETHERBY
09:00hrsAMoments Madness
09:30hrsPrimoz
10:00hrsQuantoclkHills
10:30hrsJagwar
11:30hrsMontregard
12:03hrsDukeOf
WORCESTER
09:08hrsShuilCeoil
09:38hrsWestBalboa
10:08hrsStartAgain
10:38hrsKingRoly
11:08hrsTheKemble Brewery
11:48hrsRyder’sRock
12:10hrsDouble Powerful
KEMPTON
11:13hrsBeslauhaather
1145hrsDDayHarleyR
12:45hrsDarkLyric
13:15hrsDarkHot Mystery
13:45hrsSperiamo
14:15hrsPalaceGreen
14:45hrsMinnieWildes
15:15hrsElectricAvenue
WestIndiesfalterinsecond T20againstSriLanka
DEBUTANTDunith
Wellalageledanimpressivebowlingdisplayby SriLanka’sspinnersinan absolutelydominant73runwinovertheWestIndiesinthesecondT20internationalhereTuesday attheRangiriDambulla InternationalStadium.
WiththeWestIndieschasingSriLanka’schallenging 162forfivefrom20overs, the21-year-oldleft-armspinnergrabbedthreeofthenine wicketsthatfelltospin,as thehomesidebundledoutthe visitorsfor89,theirsixthlowesteverT20Iscoreandlowest totalagainstthem.
Theresultleftthethreematchseriestiedat1-1, withthedecidersettobe playedonThursdayatthe
samevenue.
Wellalageandthesix otherspinnersonceagain exposedWestIndies’weaknessagainstspinbowling turnandbounce,withonly threeoftheirbattersgetting intodoubledigits.
Unliketheprevious matchwheretheyposted 74runsinthepowerplay, WestIndies’openersEvin LewisandBrandonKing thepitch.
Off-spinnerMaheesh wentfortworuns,butboth LewisandKinghitpacer NuwanThusharaforboundariesinthesecondoverof theinnings.
Itwastheonlyover
ofSriLanka’sinningsnot bowledbyaspinner.
Wellalagestruckinhis inningswhenheenticed afrustratedKingtocome downthetrack,onlytobe beatenbyashort,turning deliverythatgavewicketkeeper,KusalMendis,an easystumping,toleavethe Windies12forone.
Theekshanathengotrid ofLewisinthenextover, trappinghimlbwforseven afterhemissedhisintended sweepshotandthreeruns laterWellalagehadRoston Chasecaughtatfirstslip foraduckasthevisitors slippedto17forthree.
Withfiverunsadded, AndreFletcher,whoplayed inplaceofShaiHope,only
FIFAV-PMontagliani tovisitGuyana
fromOctober17-19
THEGuyanaFootballFederation (GFF)ispreparingtowelcomethe CONCACAFPresidentandFIFA VicePresident,Mr.VictorMontafromOctober17-19,2024.
Thevisit,partofabroaderinitiativetostrengthenfootballdevelopmentacrosstheCaribbean,willfeature thatunderlinetheimportanceofsport insocialandeconomicgrowth.
Montagliani’svisitwillinclude agroundbreakingceremonyforthe constructionoftheBLUEWATER SHIPPINGStadium,acriticaldevelopmentinGuyana’sfootballinfrastructure.Thenewfacilityisexpectedtosignificantlyboostlocaland regionalfootballactivities,providing enhancedopportunitiesforthesport’s growth.Aspartofhisvisit,MontaglianiwillalsomeetwithGuyana’s President,IrfaanAliandMinisterof Sports,CharlesRamson,inaformal engagementaimedatdiscussingfoot-
ball’sroleinnationaldevelopment, particularlyitspotentialtofoster youthengagementandcommunity building.
Akeyeventduringthevisitwill betheofficiallaunchofGuyana’s SchoolChampionship.Thisinitiative isdesignedtoencouragegreaterfemaleparticipationinsports,witha focusonnurturingyoungtalentand promotinggenderequalityinfootball. Montagliani’spresenceatthislaunch highlightsCONCACAF’scommitmenttosupportinginclusivefootball programmesthroughouttheregion.
Thetwo-dayvisitwillconclude withareceptiondinnerbringingto-resentatives,andcorporatepartners.
Thisgatheringwillserveasan opportunitytofurtherdiscussthe futureoffootballdevelopmentin GuyanaandthepotentialfordeepercollaborationsbetweenCONCACAFandlocalstakeholders.
managedfourrunsfrom11 ballsbeforehisintended sweepshotskiedintheair forKaminduMendistotake thecatchrunningbackfrom sliptogiveWellalagehis thirdwicket.
AndwhenSriLanka skipperCharithAsalanka
bowledthepromotedGudakeshMotieandSherfane Rutherfordinthespaceof threeballstorestrictthe the10thover,theoutcome
WestIndiescaptain, RovmanPowell,hitasix
andafourinhistopscore of20runsfrom17balls andAlzarriJoseph,who made16,alsosmasheda coupleboundaries,but itwasnevergoingtobe enoughtogetthemremotelyclosetotheirtarget.
KWAKWANISecondary SchoolarewinnersoftheinauguralLindenMayor’sCup BasketballChampionship whichconcludedonMonday.
TheKwakwaniSidedisposedofMackenzieHighSchool, 26-21,inthefinalwhichwas playedMondayattheMackenzie HighSchoolhardcourt.
Thechampionshiptrophy andreplicaswerehandedoverto thewinnersbyRegionalEduca-
tionOfficialMs.DawnMcCammon-Barker,whoincidentally headstheLindenAmateurBasketballAssociation(LABA).
KwakwaniSecondary’sDameionBudburgwasadjudgedthe MostValuablePlayerofthefinal andreceivedtheGuyBallersInc. MVPTrophyfromformernationalplayerandLABA2ndVice President,MsShanaChester. Inthethirdplacematch,WisburgSecondarydefeatedLinden
FoundationSecondary,25-13.
Thesevensecondaryschools drawnfromacrossRegion10 (UpperDemerara/UpperBerbice)wereselectedtocontestthe tournament.
Theseventeamsweredrawn intwogroups,withGroupA havingMackenzieHigh,WisburgSecondary,NewSilvercity SecondaryandLindenFoundationSecondary,whileGroupB comprisedKwakwaniSecond-
ary,HarmonySecondaryand ChristianburgWismarSecondary Schools.
Ms.McCammon-Barkerin aninvitedcommentsaid“This activityfacilitatedthecorevalues oftheDepartmentofEducation, initseffortstocontinueand sustaintheteaching/learning process,whilefosteringteam work,physicalhealthandhigh self-esteem.”
TheLABApresidentadded,“Thisventurewasacollaborativeeffortamongthe DepartmentofEducation10, theLindenMayorandTown Council,R-10NABORSBasketballFoundationandthe LindenAmateurBasketball Association.”(JoeChapman)
HEADoftheGuyanaBodybuildingandFitnessFederation,KeavonBess,saidthat theNationalCulturalCentre (NCC)Stageisallpreppedand readytohostthe2024edition oftheCentralAmericaand Caribbeanbodybuildingchampionship.
“WhentheCACteamvisited lastyear,wehadacompetition andtheywereabletoattendthe competitionandobservetheCul-
THEGuyanaNRAispoised tohostthe2024editionofthe WestIndiesFullboreShooting ChampionshipfromOctober 28toNovember4,2024,atthe TimehriRifleRanges,Yarrowcabra,ontheLindenSuesdyke Highway.Thechampionship waslasthostedinGuyanain 2017,whentheAssociationcelebratedits150thAnniversary. WhiletheEnglishandScottish shootersareunabletoattend thisyear’schampionship,the participatingcountriesareAntiguaandBarbuda,Barbados, Canada,Grenada,Jamaica, TrinidadandTobagoandthe USA.TheCanadiansareno strangerstotheseshoresand areexpectedtoperformwell. TheUSRifleTeamwillbe attendingtheirfirstWestIndiesChampionshipandTeam Captain,YvonneRoberts,is leadingastrongteamofex-
turalCentreinactualcompetition mode;sincethenwehavehad somemoreimprovementtothe lights,soallinalltheCultural Centreisreadyforthesuccessful hostingofCAC2024,”Besssaid.
Hesaidthattheaccommodationismorethansufficientfor the250athletessettocompete, adding,“Wehaveahugedressing roomreadthatisgoingtobeable toaccommodatethedifferent countriesandthedifferentath-
letesanddelegatesandthenwe haveaveryspaciousbackstage areathatwillkeepabout3-4categoriesofathletesatalltimesto haveasmoothflowcompetition night.”
AccordingtotheGBBFF head,theyhavemadealterations tothevenuetoensureasmooth hostingoftheevent,noting,“The foyerareathatwearegoingto beusingisalreadybeenset;we justhavetoaddsomepieceslike
chairsandtables….sothatthe weigh-incouldbedoneexpeditiously.”
Hecontinued,“Iwouldsay atthispointoftime,readiness isatabout90percentthere;the necessarypiecesarecomingtogethernicely,sobythetimewe gettotheculturalcentreonthe afternoonofSaturdayforthefirst dayofcompetitioneverythingis goingtobeinplaceforittogo smoothly.”
Bodybuildingandphysique athleteshavealreadyarrived fromSt.Lucia,St.Maartenand
periencedshooters.Theyare expectedtoperformwellalso. TheWestIndiesshootersare lookingforwardtothechallengefromthevisitingUSand CanadianTeams.
TheGuyanaNRAplanning committeehasbeenworking jointlywiththeGuyanaDefence Force(GDF),ledbyBrigOmar
(ESPNCRICINFO)–WEST INDIESpulledoffthebiggestheistofthisT20World Cupandqualifiedforthe semi-finals,againstallexpectation,andknockedoutone ofthefavourites,England.
HavinglastbeatenEnglandin2018,WestIndies brokea13-matchlosingstreak andtoppedGroupBtosetup asemi-finalagainstNewZealandinSharjah.Thatyearwas alsothelasttimeWestIndies
Khan,onpreparationsforhostingtheChampionships.There hasbeenintenseworkonthe TimehriRanges,preparingthe shootingbankstogolf-likeplayingsurfaces,thesafetybackstop wasincreasedinheightandthe twenty-fourtargetmechanisms wereallserviced.Workcontinuesonthetargetframesand
playedinasemi-finalofthe T20WorldCup.
Thisisonlythesecond timeEnglandhavemissed outontheknockoutsofa T20WorldCupafterbeing eliminatedinthegroupstage in2010.Afterwinsintheir firstthreematches,theywere confidentofmakingthefinal fourthistime.Instead,itis SouthAfricawhojoinWest Indies,withEngland'snet run-rateleavingthemthirdin thegroup.
facesandshouldbecompleted bynextweekend.VicePresidentMahendraPersaudand FullboreCaptainDylanFields havebeenspearheadingtheinfrastructuralwork.TheGDFis expectedtocompletetheareafor theflagpolesandotherworksit hascommittedto.Mr.Lennox BraithwaitehasbeentheGuyana
WestIndieswinwasmade allthemoreremarkablebecausetheywerewithoutformercaptainandveteranbatter StafanieTaylor,whoisstrugglingwithakneeinjury.In herabsence,HayleyMatthews andQianaJoseph,foundform andwipedawaythebulkof the142-runtarget.Matthews, playinginher100thT20I, scoredher14thhalf-centuryin theformatwhileJoseph,who hadacareer-bestof34before thisgame,scoreda38-ball52.
AthletesarealsoexpectedfromAntiguaandBarbuda, Bahamas,Barbados,Bonaire, DominicaRepublic,ElSalvador, Suriname,TrinidadandTobago, Venezuela,Colombia,Jamaica, Haiti,Nicaragua,Mexico,Costa Rica,St.VincentandhostGuyana.
Atthe50theditionofthe competitioninArubalastyear Guyanasecuredfourgold,two silver,andonebronzemedal.
Guyana’sbodybuildingand fitnessteamwillbeheadlinedby
NRAprojectsliaisonensuring allworksarecompleted.The GuyanaNRAwouldliketotake thisopportunitytothankthe MinisterofPublicWorks,BishopJuanEdghill,forhisdonation ofmaterialtohelprepairthe shootingrange.
TheGuyanaRifleTeam membershavebeenbusyeach SaturdayandSundayonthe rangeworkingtocomplete thepreparations.TheGuyana NRAisexpectedtofieldatenmanteam.TheteamcomprisesMahendraPersaud,Dylan Fields,LeoRomalho,Lennox Braithwaite,RyanSampson, PeterPersaud,RobertoTewari, SherwinFelicienandUSbased SigmondDouglasandJohn Fraser.Ourlonefemale,shootingforthefirsttime,isAlthea Alleyne.
Guyanaisthedefending ChampionforboththeShortand
Thepairsharedanopening standof102inside13overs andWestIndieswereontheir way.Thisisthesixthtime WestIndieshavesuccessfully chasedatotalof140-plus,and thesecondtimesincetheir recordchaseof213against AustralialastDecember.
Englandmayhave thoughttheyhadenough afterNatSciver-Brunt's half-centurybutlackedcontributionsfromtherestof theorder.Toaddtotheir
multipletimeCACmedalistsEmmersonCampbell,RawleGreen, HannahRampersaud,JulioSinclairandveteranSylvanGardner. Weigh-inandmeasurements aresetforFridayattheVenue. TheCACchampionshipis sponsoredbyBountyFarms Ltd,AndrewsSupermarket, theMinistryofCulture,Youth &Sport,theNationalSports Commission,GuyanaOlympic Association,TwinsManufacturing,FitnessExpress,Camille’s AcademyandRepublicBank (Guyana).
LongRangeTrophiesandmuch isexpectedoftheteamathome indefenceoftheirtitles.
TheNationalTeam’slast championshipwasinBisley EnglandinJulywheretheywon theJuniorKalaporeTrophy.At Bisleytherewereoutstanding performancesfrombothPeter PersaudandLennoxBraithwaite whomakeittotheFirstandSecondstagesoftheKing’sPrize respectively.PeterPersaudalso shotthehighestscoreinthat TeamMatch.
Patron,PresidentDr.MohamedIrfaanAli,hasbeen infullsupportofthehosting andisensuringthatGuyana showcasesourhospitalityand professionalism.ThePatron isexpectedtofireoffthefirst shot,indicatingthestartof thecompetition.H.E.Donald Ramotarfiredthelastopening shotin2012.
worries,HeatherKnight retiredwithacalf-injuryon 21,withthescoreon80for3, whichhaltedthemomentum Englandregainedafterthey slippedto34for3inthe seventhover.AfyFletcher andDeandraDottin,bowling forthefirsttimeinthetournament,tookfourwickets betweenthemandconceded 37runsinsevenovers,which gaveWestIndiesanadvantagetheycarriedthrough thegame.
Curacao.
GuyanatohostWestIndiesFullboreShootingChampionship
KwakwaniSecondarySchoolplayerswiththeirtrophy
TheGuyanaFullbore
THEinauguralRegionTwo
President’sCup5/5TapeballTournamentwasofficially launchedonMondayatthe JaigobinHotelConference Hall.
Theeventsawkeyofficials andorganisersinattendance, includingRegionTwoVice Chairman,HumaceOodit,Prime Minister'sRepresentativeArnold Adams,andtournamentorganisersDr.RambaraineRagoobar, AziziChristiani,FarazBaksh, AshminiRamnarine,andYugeetaOodit.
Thetournament,whichis scheduledtobeheldovertwo weekends-October19–20and October26-27,2024-willtake placeunderlightsattheAffiance #1CricketGround.
Atotalof32teamsareexpectedtocompete,including prominentsidessuchasRelianceHustlers,ProviderViper, RenegadesCC,RoyalStrikers, PomeroonAllStars,Movement FamilyMadia,andAZSSWarriors,amongothers.
Inhisremarks,PrimeMinister'sRepresentativeAdams expressedhisenthusiasmforthe tournament,statingthatitwill notonlyfosterunitybutalso serveasaplatformforcompetitiveandcleancricket.He highlightedtheimportanceofthe tournament’sname,notingthat thePresidentisanavidcricket fan,makingthenamingofthe cupafterhimfitting.Adamsalso announcedthat“Playerofthe Match”trophiesweredonated
TheorganisingteamandofficialsatthelaunchoftheInaugural RegionTwoPresident’sCup5/5Tapeballtournament
bytheMinistryofCultureYouth andSportandwillbeawarded aftereachgametoencourage individualexcellencethroughout thetournament.
ViceChairman,Humace Oodit,praisedthegovernment'seffortsinpromoting sportsacrosstheregionand emphasisedhowcrickethas
playedapivotalroleinachievingthe"OneGuyana"vision. Hereiteratedthatthetournamentreflectsthegovernment's commitmenttocommunity buildingthroughsport.
MasterofCeremonies,Dr. RambaraineRagoobar,tookthe opportunitytooutlinetheformatofthecompetition.Henotedthatwhilethetournamentis centredinRegionTwo,teams fromoutsidetheregionhave beeninvitedtoparticipate.
“ThereasonweareallowingteamsfromoutofRegion TwotobeapartofthePresident’sCupistoencourage sportstourismandprovideour localplayerstheopportunity toplayagainsthigh-quality teams,”Ragoobarexplained.
Oneofthehighlightsofthe launchwastheunveilingofthe tournamenttrophy,designed byAziziChristianiandfabricatedbyDr.Ragoobar.This custom-madetrophymarksa significantmilestoneasitwill bethefirst-evertournament playedforaspeciallycrafted prize.
Inadditiontothecoveted trophy,thewinningteamwill walkawaywith$500,000in cash,whiletherunner-upwill pocket$200,000.TheMost ValuablePlayer(MVP)ofthe tournamentwillreceiveatrophyand$50,000.
Fixturesforthetournamentwillbereleasedtoday.
ByFrederickHalley
IN2023ittookasuperover todecidetheeventualwinnersoftheMasterscategory intheseventheditionofthe annualPrimeMinister’ssoftballtournamentwithRegal MastersprevailingoverArielMastersattheDemerara CricketClub(DCC)ground, Queenstown.
Thisyearsawnosuchdrama asArielMastersrompedtoan impressive16-runvictoryover FishermanMastersatthePolice SportsClubground,EveLeary, toclaimthecovetedtitlewhich hadalsoeludedthemin2022 versusarchrivalsRegalMasters attheGuyanaNationalStadium.
Thevictorywasengineered byafineall-roundteameffort withtheexperiencedRichard LatifandChienGittensstarring withbothbatandballanda masterful19thoverfromNew York-basedMurphSeeram,describedbymanyasthe“overof
ThevictoriousArielMastersplayersposewithMinisterof Culture,YouthandSport,CharlesRamson
thetournament.”
Set198forvictory,afterArielMastershadreachedaformidable197forsixintheirallotted 20overs,thegamesee-sawed backandforthwithFisherman Mastersstillincontentionafter the18thoverwhentheyneeded 22from12ballswithtwowicketsintact.Bowlingwithunerring accuracy,Seeramconcededa
wideintheall-important19th over,virtuallyendinganychancesofFishermanMasterscoming outvictorious.
FishermanMasterswere eventuallybowledoutfor183 withGittenscapturingtwowicketsinthefinalovertoendwith threefor35.AmeerNizamudin supportedwiththreefor39 whiletheever-reliableLatif
claimedtwofor38.
OpenerZakiSalimhadearliergavehisteamaflyingstart, hittingsixfoursandtwosixesin 46andalongwiththehard-hittingKeithFraser,whoslammed aquick-fire35,decoratedwith afourandfivesixes,gaveFishermanMastershopewithafine second-wicketpartnershipof 67followingtheearlylossof DubrajSingh(two)inthesecondover.
DhaniramLalaramchipped inwithafourandthreesixesin his22butoncewicketsfellat regularintervals,thepressure mountedonFishermanMasters middleandlower-orderbatsmen.
Earlier,thelethalcombinationofGittensandLatifproved vitalafterArielMasterswon thetossandelectedtobatfirst. Gittens,whostrokedanelegant 49withfivefoursandtwosixes, sharedinanopeningstandof53 insixoverswithAssifAliwho contributed29withthreefours andasix.
Latifthenjoinedtheparty, followingthedepartureofAli, adding84forthesecondwicket withGittensbeforedepartingfor apolished40whichcontained twofoursandfoursixes.
BowlingforFishermanMasters,Lalarambaggedthreefor21 andAnthonyArjunetwofor33.
Attheimpressivepresentationceremony,whichfollowed, Latif,whoenjoyedafineallroundtournament,coppedboth theplayerofthefinalandMost ValuablePlayerawards.Hecollectedatrophyfortheplayerof thefinalandanelectricscooter, complimentsofRegalStationery andComputerCentreforbeing theMVP.
Thewinnersalsotookhome $600,000andthewinners’trophywhiletherunner-upcollected$100,000andatrophy.All thetrophiesweredonatedby RameshSunichofTrophyStall.
Appreciationplaqueswere presentedtoJohnRamsingh, InderjeetPersaudandCanadi-
an-basedjournalistsFrederick HalleyandRaviMadholallfor theircoverageofthetournament. MinisterofCulture,Youth andSport,CharlesRamson, deputisedforPrimeMinister MarkPhillips,whowasunavoidablyabsent.
WhilepraisingtheGeorgetownSoftballCricketLeague (GSCL)foritsexcellentorganisingoftheeightheditionofthe tournament,MinisterRamson toldtheplayerswhoweren’tin thewinners’rowtonotconsider themselvesasloserssincetheir mereparticipationwasextremelyimportantforthegrassroot sport.Healsocalledontheorganiserstoseekavenuestomake thetournamentevenbigger. Theminister,whowas accompaniedbyAssistantDirectorofSport,FranklynWilson,alsoremindedtheteams aboutthestagingofthesecond Vice-presidentsoftballtournament,settobeheldonthe weekendofNovember8-10.
BySeanDevers
Inscorchingheatyesterday, Demeraracruisedtotheir secondconsecutivewinofthe GCB’sseniorInter-County Super50crickettournament whentheydefeatedBerbice bysevenwicketsatGCCto advancetoSaturday’sfinal.
Berbiceoptedtobatonanotherexcellentpitchandwith cottonlikecloudsfloatinglazily overhistoricBourdasward, theyfailedtocapitaliseongood battingconditionsandweredismissedfor129in40overs.
JuniorSinclair,whomanagedsixfoursinatopscore of37,anunbeaten24witha solitarysixfromTomaniCeaser and16fromClintonPestano weretheonlybatterstoreach15 inacarelessbattingperformance fromtheBerbicianswhowere
withoutHetmyer,Motie,ShepherdandShamarJoseph.
Left-armspinnerDevon Lordfollowedup3-21inthe openingroundwith4-28andgot supportfromBernardBaileyand RenaldoAil-Mohammedwho baggedtwowicketseach.
Asecondunbeateninnings fromTestbatterTagenarine Chanderpaulwhodemonstrated refreshingpositivityduringhis undefeated63from70ballswith fivefoursandtwosixes.
The28-year-oldChanderpaulsharedincenturythird wicketpartnershipwithfellow left-handerMatthewNanduwho made44from51ballswithfive foursandtwosixes.
OnSundayChanderpaul battedfromstarttofinishto compilehissecondtonina50overinter-countygame;apain staking103afterscoringhisfirst
againstEssequiboin2012asa 15-year-old.
Butyesterday,theeldestson oftheillustriousShivChanderpaul,playedwiththefreedom andfluencyhisfanshadnotseen inlongtime.
AfterlosingRaymondPereez(0)whoplayednoshottoa balloutsideoffstumpandwas lbwtoJuniorSinclair,withouta runontheboard,SkipperTevin Imlach(3)seemedabitunlucky tobegivenlbwtoPestanoat4-2.
Nandu,whodidnotplaya singlegamefortheWarriorsin thisyear’sCPL,joinedChanderpaulwhostrokedKevinSinclair forasixandfourinthe7thover whichcost13beforeviciously pullingPestanoforacoupleof foursinthenextover.
The50waspostedinthe 11thoverwhilethe50-runpartnershipcameupin12thwith
Chanderpaulscoring31ofthose runswhileNanducontributed 12.
ChanderpaulreachedhisfiftywithasixoffPestano.Ittook just54ballsandincludedfour foursandapairofsixes.
Nandu‘upped’thetempo anddancedintoWestIndies off-spinnerKevinSinclairwho bowledtoofastandflat,andin turnwasdumpedontotheroof oftheGCB.
Nandu’ssixbroughtupthe 100standinthe22ndover.
Theonlyflawinthepartnershipwasthelackofcomminationbetweenthetwoand indecisiverunningbetweenthe wickets.
Nandu,tryingtohitspinner NigelDeodatforasixtoreach hisfifty,wastakeninthedeep withvictory10runsaway.AkshayaPersaudwhomade79in
thefirstgame,wasonseven whenthematchended.
Earlier,Ali-MohammedinducedRampertabRamnauth(0) toedgetotheKeeperat4-1as Imlachtookthefirstofhisfour catchesbehindthestumps.
BaileyremovedKevinSinclair(3)andKevlonAnderson (2)toBerbiceon16-3. A35-runstandbetween JonathonFoo(3)andJunior steadiedtherockingshipbut onceFoowascaughtbehind offAli-Mohammedat51-4and LordbowledJuniorSinclairat 63-5itwasgoingtobeahard fortheBerbicianswhohasnot playedfirstdivisioncricket since2018.
LordbefuddledZeynul Ramsammy(13)andVeerasammyPermaul(0)whilePersaud endedtheinningswhenhe bowledIsaiThorne.
AtLusignan,Essequibo weredismissedfor169in45.2 overswithKemolSavoryleadingthewaywith51whileKevin Boodie(26),RicardoAdams (24),RicardoPeters(17)and AnthonyAdams(17)reaching 15. GolcharranChulaihad3-45 whileJohnatonRampersaud, AryanPersaudandKwesiMickletakingtwowicketseach. TheselectX1reached1716in45overswithRampersaud making32withtwofoursand asix,CarlosLaRose28with fiveboundariesandNavindra Persaudcontributing26. TheactioncontinuestomorrowwithDemeraraplayingEssequiboatBourdaand BerbiceopposingtheSelect X1atLusignan.Bothgames arescheduledtocommenceat 09:30hrs.
WestIndiesfalterinsecond T20againstSriLanka
