‘We
building tomorrow’s economy
The new Hosororo Secondary School, once completed, will feature state-of-the-art facilities, and house students from several riverine and far-flung areas in the region. It will also be equipped with housing quarters for up to 30 teachers New Hosororo Secondary School to be the most modern educational facility in the Caribbean
‘We are building tomorrow’s economy today’
By Naomi Parris
POINTING to strategic policies aimed at integrating energy infrastructure, addressing gaps and achieving key targets, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday evening, underscored Guyana’s objective to pursue longterm and sustainable growth through continued bilateral partnerships.
Shifting from a traditional address, President Ali opened the floor for questions from attending stakeholders at the inaugural International Business Conference (IBC) being held this week at the Marriott Hotel in Guyana.
The IBC is being co-hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).
According to the President, Guyana along with its eastern continental neighbour, Suriname, has been strengthening its bilaterial ties with an overarching focus to create
opportunities for regional growth.
“By integrating our energy infrastructure and understanding the energy mix as one aspect of the equation and then creating a transport and logistic loop, opens up all the markets and allows us, through the removal of barriers, to trade freely along this loop,” Dr. Ali said. He further alluded to the immediate opportunities that exist through partnerships
with northern Brazil, citing excess production that could aid in establishing a food model which highlights agro-processing, value addition and expansion.
“What we are building in Guyana’s is tomorrow’s economy for today, and we are not doing that by words,” Dr. Ali said.
He noted that by strengthening policy interventions as a collective, the existing gaps can be addressed.
Intended cuts in energy costs to fuel growth in manufacturing sector
- GMSA President highlights, encourages international businesses to establish partnerships and enter the market now - Suriname-Guyana Chamber Chair says it’s time for strong long-lasting economic relationships
By Shamar Meusa
WITH significant headway being made in Guyana by the government to slash energy costs for all consumers by more than 50 per cent, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ramsay Ali has said that this move will trigger growth in the manufacturing sector.
Ali expressed this view at the opening session of the inaugural International Business Conference (IBC) being hosted in collaboration with the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, and the GMSA at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The GMSA President said that the cost of energy in Guyana is going to be reduced by more than 50 per cent, but what is important is not only the cost of energy but also the quality of energy, which, he said, is something that is significant for the manufacturing sector.
“Not only are we going to be benefitting from the cost of energy going down significantly, but the grid. A significant amount of money is being spent on the grid to get that to a place where manufacturers can be comfortable,” he said.
To this end, he provided an
example of how this intervention to slash energy costs and provide a better quality of energy can lead to projects such as the possible opening of a glass bottle factory here.
A study had been ongoing in that regard to ascertain the feasibility of having such a facility operate here in Guyana.
However, he went on to add that thinking about this move is more than the gas-to-shore project that is currently underway, and added that the move to cut costs includes energy from different sources like hydropower and solar energy.
“We are finally going to move away from the place where we are no longer suffering from the cost of energy for manufacturers in Guyana,” Ali expressed.
With this in mind, he told the gathering, which consisted of regional and international business representatives, that it is an exciting time in Guyana as a manufacturer or a person who works in manufacturing, given what is ahead for the sector.
As such, he encouraged those who are interested in and are thinking about getting involved in Guyana’s manufacturing landscape to make their move now, as opportunities will not always be available.
Ali added, “The time is
now; there’s a lot of opportunities here in this country for manufacturers, and lots of companies you can start to work with.”
Meanwhile, in this same regard, Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce Dr. Vishnu Doerga highlighted that the IBC exemplifies the collaborative power of the private sector, with government providing crucial facilitation and support.
He, too, encouraged the private sector in both Guyana and Suriname to invest in key sectors, knowing that with the right backing, businesses can thrive, and the economy can prosper.
“The IBC is not just a business event; it’s a powerful platform for growth, collaboration and partnership,” Dr. Doerga said.
He urged those present to make necessary connections that will continue building on the progress already made across the region.
He went on to note, “We need each other,” while adding that moves must be made so that there are mutually beneficial relationships that are fostered to show gain for their own countries.
“We want strong, long-lasting economic relationships,” Doerga added.
Shifting from a traditional address, President Ali urged stakeholders to pose questions to him, as he offered insights on Guyana’s growing economy, bilateral partnerships and policies (Delano
“We are applying the rationale that we will build for where the world will be in 2030 as against to where we ought to be and then working backwards and bringing the population up to speed,” the President said.
He added: “We are adjusting in real time, the digital gap, the technology gap, the infrastructure gap, the human potential gap.”
He said that Guyana and Suriname are creating a new nerve for strategic development investments.
“That is why the policy matrix between Guyana and Suriname must be constantly examined. That is why we established a strategic relationship where every three months we look at objectives,” Dr. Ali said.
The collaboration between Guyana and Suriname in en-
ergy and trade is set to unlock significant benefits for both nations, enhancing regional connectivity and positioning both countries as leaders in the global energy market.
Already, the two nations have established partnerships pursuing joint development in the manufacturing sector.
Plans are also underway to construct a bridge across the Corentyne River to further push trade and partnerships between the two nations.
While addressing Tuesday’s conference via a video message, Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi highlighted the long shared bilateral ties built on history, culture and mutual rules, shared by the two nations.
“This strong foundation continues to guide us as we explore new avenues
for collaboration and mutual growth…Today, we find ourselves in a unique position where diplomatic and economic co-operation are no longer aspiration but are becoming realities that will shape the future of our region,” Santokhi said.
The hosting of the IBC is a testament to the strength of bilateral relations.
He said: “Together, we have an opportunity to lead on the global stage, particularly on oil and gas exploration, where our combined strength positions us as pivotal players in the energy landscape.”
The conference, he reiterated, serves as a platform for Surinamese and Guyanese businesses to forge partnerships to attract international attention and drive regional collaboration.
“Let us envision a future where Guyana and Suriname can lead the region in economic prosperity, setting global standards for innovation, sustainability and partnerships together,” Santokhi said.
Over the next two days, the IBC will focus on streamlining the ease of doing business and facilitating investments between international businesses and Guyana and Suriname in key sectors including, energy, infrastructure, finance, logistics, agriculture, and business support services.
The IBC is expecting over 100 speakers, and more than 500 delegates, with more than 15 conference sessions.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali
Williams Photos)
SOCU Head issues legal demand for retraction, apology from ‘Big Smith News Watch’
HEAD of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Assistant Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh has taken legal action against Leroy Smith, owner of “Big Smith News Watch”, for alleged defamatory remarks made on the news platform.
conveyed the notion that Karimbaksh is corrupt, involved in bribery, and politically compromised in his leadership of SOCU.
Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)
The article, published on Smith’s platform, raised questions about the origins of a $40 mil-
In a legal notice filed by Attorneys-at-Law Satram and Satram, Karimbaksh is seeking an immediate retraction and public apology for an article titled, “BREAKING: SOCU head gave Brutus/wife large amount of cash on Wedding Day but remained silent”.
lion deposit made by Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus following his wedding, while alleging that Karimbaksh had given the couple a significant sum of cash on their wedding day.
In addition to this article, two more publications by the platform are at the centre of the defamation claim.
One article, “No Listed Qualifications
for SOCU Head to Support Promotion to DC”, questioned Karimbaksh’s professional qualifications, and suggested that he lacked the academic credentials to justify his anticipated promotion to Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The article also published what purported to be an Excel table of his qualifications.
The third article, ti-
tled, “Text from Gov’t Min. Exposes Plot to Have SOCU Target Top Cop/Brutus”, further implicated Karimbaksh by suggesting he was part of a scheme to target senior police officials, and implied political interference in his professional conduct.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Anand Persaud has also issued a formal demand for a retraction and apology from Smith.
The attorneys representing Karimbaksh stated that these publications collectively
They said that these remarks, shared widely and viewed by over 30,000 people and shared by more than 1,500—have caused significant reputational damage to their client.
“The publications and remarks about our client are completely untrue and defamatory.
“We are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that you immediately publish a full and complete retraction and apology in terms approved by our client.
“Legal proceedings will be instituted against you to recover damages, if the same can't be agreed, for the reputational harm caused to our client as a result of the statements you have published,” the letter from Satram and Satram stated.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh
Leroy Smith, owner of ‘Big Smith News Watch’
New Hosororo Secondary School to be most modern education facility in the Caribbean
By Naomi Parris
CONSTRUCTED with the latest technology and techniques, the Hosororo Secondary School in Region One (BarimaWaini) is anticipated to be the most advanced educational facility, not just in Guyana but also the entire Caribbean.
During a site visit, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday told reporters that the Ministry of Education has incorporated the latest technology, techniques, and high-quality materials into the construction of this facility.
Works are moving at a
fast pace, and once completed, the school will accommodate 1,000 students from areas currently lacking a secondary school in the hinterland region.
“This is perhaps going to be one of the most modern secondary school complex in not only all of Guyana, but in all of the Caribbean. This facility incorporates the latest technology, latest construction techniques, and highest quality material,” the Head of State said.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said that with many secondary school students being housed at primary insti-
tutions, the new facility will provide a much more conducive learning environment for students at the secondary level in the area.
The complex will include not only classrooms and ‘labs’, but also accommodations for teachers, a dining area, and dormitories, creating a comprehensive educational environment.
“The school is going to hold 1,000 children; it's going to take the children all out of the rivers, riverine areas that currently do not have a secondary school to go to. In fact, they go to the primary schools for their second-
ary education. But, as we go down, you'll see it's not just classrooms and ‘labs’ and other facilities for the children academically, but you will see teachers are being built,” the Education Minister said.
On Monday, the President also commissioned the North West Secondary School at Mabaruma.
During his remarks, he highlighted that the government has invested approximately $7 billion to enhance the delivery of education and training in Region One.
In a previous engagement, Minister Manickchand had highlighted that the government’s goal is
not only to provide access, but also to guarantee a high standard of education, life-long learning opportunities, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation systems.
A significant part of this initiative includes the construction of 26 new secondary schools across the country, adding to the existing 117 secondary schools.
In addition to secondary schools, the ministry
is also focusing on constructing new primary and nursery schools in underserved areas.
Efforts are underway to extend and rehabilitate existing schools to create comfortable and conducive learning environments.
This includes repairing ceilings, fences and washrooms, and ensuring proper plumbing and electricity in school facilities.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, together with Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, and Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal conducted a site visit at the ongoing construction of Hosororo Secondary School
Success Story Unfolding In the Fields
AS the sun sets on another successful harvesting season, Guyana stands at the precipice of a historic achievement: the rice industry is on track to produce over 700,000 tonnes of rice for the first time in the nation’s history.
This remarkable milestone is not merely a statistical victory; it reflects the hard work and determination of Guyanese farmers and the effectiveness of strategic government investments in the agricultural sector.
The pivotal role of the government in this achievement cannot be overstated. Through substantial investments, the administration has provided farmers with the resources, training, and access to modern technology necessary to enhance productivity.
This commitment has empowered local producers to optimise their yields while improving crop quality, marking a significant transformation in an industry that is
critical to the country’s economy and food security.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha’s announcement at Tarlogie underscores the significance of this accomplishment.
With an average yield of 6.7 tonnes per hectare, the record production is a testament not only to the resilience of farmers in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), but also to the collaborative spirit fostered between the government and the agricultural community. Such partnerships are vital for driving innovation and sustainability within the sector, ensuring that rice continues to be a cornerstone of Guyana’s economy.
Yet, this journey has not been without its challenges. Earlier this year, the rice industry faced a serious threat from paddy bugs, pests that can devastate crops.
However, the proactive approach taken by the government, in concert
with farmers and stakeholders, demonstrated the power of collaboration. By convening meetings and developing targetted solutions, they managed to mitigate the impact on this season’s crop. This ability to adapt and respond effectively to challenges is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
As Guyana celebrates this milestone, it is imperative to recognise that the road ahead requires ongoing commitment. Continued investments in research, innovation, and infrastructure are essential to maintain momentum. Moreover, the focus on sustainability must be paramount; the industry must navigate the delicate balance between maximising production and preserving the environment for future generations.
In a world increasingly concerned with food security and sustainable agricultural practices, Guyana’s rice sector can serve as a model for other nations.
The success story unfolding in our fields illustrates what can be achieved when governments prioritise agriculture and work hand in `13rfhand with farmers. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to double down on their efforts, ensuring that this landmark achievement is not an endpoint but a stepping stone towards a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.
As we stand on the brink of this historic milestone, let us celebrate not only the numbers but the people behind them—the farmers whose sweat and dedication have brought us here, and a government willing to invest in their future.
Together, they have forged a pathway to success that could redefine the agricultural landscape of Guyana for generations to come.
The rice industry is more than just a source of income; it is a symbol of national pride and a testament to the power of resilience and collaboration.
Texila American University opens study centre in Region Two
By Indrawattie Natram
TEXILA American University (TAU) on Tuesday took a bold step to spread its wings with the opening of a study centre in Region Two.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand officially opened the centre with the click of a mouse. She said that the move by TAU to open a study centre in Region Two coincides with the Government of Guyana’s vision of transforming the education sector and changing lives for the better.
She said that it creates a unique opportunity for those living in Region Two to continue their studies within the region.
Manickchand said that the government is committed to providing the necessary in-
frastructure in the region to make access to education easier.
She thanked Texila American University for launching the initiative, and urged persons in the region to support TAU.
The government, Manickchand related, will continue to improve the education sector, and, currently, 26 new schools are under construction, while many others in various regions are under rehabilitation.
As it is now, some 2,703 Essequibians are studying for degrees, masters, and PhDs at no cost to themselves at foreign universities through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme.
Director of GOAL
Professor Jacob Opadeyi said that GOAL is happy to partner with TAU in offering scholarships to students to
continue their academic journey.
He said that many persons in Region Two are eager to continue, and thousands of persons are currently studying.
Professor Opadeyi said that GOAL was launched in 2021, and is part of the Government of Guyana’s transformative agenda to have an educated workforce.
GOAL, through partnerships with several international universities such as TAU, provide myriad pertinent academic and vocational programmes: Certificate, Diploma, Bachelors, Postgraduate, Masters, and Doctorate.
He said that the primary objective was to provide 20,000 scholarships, but that was surpassed, and many persons are interested in pursuing different academic studies.
Dean of the College of Medicine at TAU,
Dr. Dheeraj Bansal said the opening of the study centre is another step by the university driven by a vision of helping to deliver accessible and world-class education in Guyana.
“When Texila American University was founded under the leadership of Ms. Chithra Lakshmi and Mr. Sajubhaskar, our goal was to provide an educational platform that blends academic excellence with innovation that fosters critical thinking alongside hands-on experience,” Dr. Bansal said.
He said that the Suddie Study Centre will be home to an academic hub that empowers future generations. The establishment of the centre signifies a deep commitment to expanding opportunities for learning and professional growth in
Texila American University opens ...
the region.
“The new centre is not just a study centre; it represents a promise to our students; a promise to provide them with access to study space, mentorship, and close communication. We are creating an environment where knowledge meets innovation, and where learning transcends the classrooms,” Dr. Bansal added.
He also said that TAU is happy to partner with GOAL to provide scholarships to persons. He said that through GOAL, students now have the opportunity to pursue degrees and certifications that will equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to Guyana’s growing economy.
Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that she is happy that the services for
Texila American have been extended to Region Two. She said it’s a much-needed service, and it will afford Essequibians the opportunity to study right within the region. She, therefore, congratulated TAU for the great work they have been doing since they opened a campus in Guyana.
Texila American University – College of Medicine Guyana was founded on September 27, 2010, and
registered with the National Accreditation Council of Guyana on November 18, 2010.
Due to a growing student population, TAU expanded its facilities with an annex campus at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, in 2014.
In 2017, it established a new campus at Providence, East Bank Demerara featuring modern classrooms, laboratories, and a library.
In the diaspora, in the coldness, in the oil
ONEevening my wife and I were travelling on the subway in downtown Toronto for a Christmas visit to her brother in North York. Although we were dressed with multiple layers of clothing, the coldness was overbearing. We changed trains and returned home.
It is one of the episodes in living in Canada that I will never forget. Canada is too cold for me. I will not live in a country that is so cold. After the American invasion of Grenada in 1983, I was offered asylum in Sweden but I never thought about the offer for a fleeting moment.
I would not live in any country in Northern Europe. The coldness numbs the mind and freezes the spirit. I was heading home to the Caribbean where the tropical breeze keeps the soul alive.
I write about the coldness of Canada where the editor
of “In The Diaspora” (ITD), the weekly column in the Stabroek News (SN), Alissa Trotz lives. When you read Monday’s edition of ITD in the Stabroek News, the thought comes up that in the coldness of Ms. Trotz’s mind, there are the frozen thoughts of the lady that numbs her mind about what takes place in Guyana.
I was eager to read what the ITD would say about the encouraging financial/economic package that President Ali delivered last Thursday to the people of Guyana. Who can hate the PPP government more than David Hinds?
Yet David did not dismiss the $200,000 cash grant calling it “a baby step forward.”
Winston Jordan prefers if the money was given to each citizen rather than to household. David did not accept the focus on the individual of Jordan. He prefers the unit of household.
So what did ITD have to say about the presidential package? I opened the SN before the Chronicle, the paper I write for every day, as soon as my paper girl, Minky, stuck them in the gate of my yard because I wanted to see how Ms. Trotz treated the presidential deliveries. There I was, staring at the page of ITD out of disbelief. ITD completely avoided any discussion on the goodies the President promised the nation.
Instead, the content of ITD for last Monday was on lesbianism in Guyana written by an LGBT personality. On seeing the article, my mind went back to the dressing down, the then President of Kenya put on the then President of the USA, Barack Obama.
Mr. Obama was on an official visit to Kenya and at the joint press conference on President Obama’s first day, the American president called for the institutionalisation of gay rights.
In one of the most graphic moments in post-colonial independent thinking, President Kenyatta told Obama that countries have different values and those differences should be respected. He said gay rights were not an issue for the Kenyan people.
He told Obama that other rights in Kenya have priori-
ties such as right to water, education, and health. He went on to add that those rights have been secured in the US so the US can move on to gay rights. He asserted that when Kenya secured those basic facilities for its people, then it will look at gay rights.
So the Guyanese President delivered a series of generous offers from state finance which no doubt comes from our oil revenues and instead of welcoming free education at UG, ITD offers SN readers an article on Lesbian women in Guyana.
So why Ms. Trotz frowned on giving recognition to President Ali’s inviting aid package to the Guyanese people? Here is the answer. The money will come from oil revenues and Ms. Trotz is a frenetic rejectionist of the oil economy of Guyana. She wrote in the SN on December 13, 2022 that
Guyana should immediately put a hold on oil production. She did not opt for a gradual cut off but wanted a cut-off right away.
One suspects that once oil money brings development success to Guyana, ITD will not feature any articles on the bright future facing Guyana. She does not want oil production in Guyana because the fossil fuel industry harms the climate. Ms. Trotz is yet to write about the oil industry in Canada.
For academic accuracy, it should be noted that the hatred for the oil industry is not the only reason why Ms. Trotz did not praise the President’s wonderful deliveries. It also has to do with dislike for the PPP government.
We need to remind readers that ITD never wrote a paragraph about the fivemonth election horrors in 2020 or even a line on the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the election disaster. A cold climate freezes the capacity to think independently.
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.
$63.7M road upgrades underway in North East La Penitence
ROADS at North East La Penitence, Georgetown are currently being upgraded to improve accessibility for residents and commuters, to the tune of $63.7 million.
The infrastructural upgrades follow residents’ concerns over the deteriorated condition of the roads.
The Ministry of Public Works’ Special Project Unit (SPU) inspected the thoroughfare, and identified significant surface damage. It was observed that aging asphalt had caused raveling, which, in some areas extended into the road’s base.
The proposed repairs include scarifying the existing surface, adding crushed aggregates where necessary, and applying a two-inch-thick asphaltic
concrete layer.
The rehabilitation covers approximately 2,566 meters of road, with an average width of 3.5 meters.
Road works will be executed on Toucan Street, spanning 140 meters in length, and 3.5 meters in width.
Lord Street, spanning 140 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width, is being upgraded at a cost of $3.4 million, while Savage Street, measuring 220 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width, will see improvements costing $5.6 million.
Additionally, upgrades are being executed in First Cross Street, measuring 110 meters in length and 3.66 meters in width, at a cost of $2.9 million.
Similar works will take place on Second and Third Cross Streets, both of which are also 110 meters
EPA investigating ‘seepage’ at Crane
–– urges affected residents to remain calm, exercise patience
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on October 10, received a report from Crane Village, West Coast Demerara, regarding a substance seeping from the ground.
According to a press release from the EPA, its Emergency Response Unit promptly mobilised to the site to conduct an initial investigation.
“The Agency is currently collaborating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), GUYSUCO, and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) to identify
the cause and nature of the seepage,” the agency said.
The EPA is urging residents, particularly those in the immediate vicinity, to remain calm, and exercise patience as the investigation proceeds. Affected residents were advised to
avoid the impacted areas within their homes for their safety.
Additionally, the agency has engaged ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, and they will be investigating as part of their grievance mechanism.
in length and 3.66 meters in width, with each upgrade priced at $2.9 million.
Further, Harpy Drive
will undergo significant upgrades, with its semi-circle section measuring 235 meters in length and 3.66
meters in width to the tune of $6.7 million. On the one hand, the Harpy Drive Main Road, spanning 775 meters in length and 3.66 meters in width, will see an investment of $18.4 million.
On the other hand, Kiskadee Street’s semicircle, measuring 261 meters in length and 3.66 meters in width, is being upgraded at a cost of $6.6 million, and the Kiskadee Main Street will receive improvements valued at $10.813 million.
Meanwhile, a section of road from Princess Street to Main Street will be upgraded to serve as a key access route.
Bids for the project have closed, and a contract will be awarded shortly, according to the Ministry. (DPI)
Ongoing construction works in North-East LaPenitence
Guyana: Leading the charge to achieve food security in the region
The following is a statement from Guyana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Geneva, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy on the occasion of World Food Day 2024:
“AS Guyana joins countries and citizens around the globe to observe World Food Day 2024, Guyana’s food production and overall agriculture production have increased significantly.
“Since 2020, Guyana has led CARICOM’s 25 x 25 Initiative to increase local food production. Guyana can feel proud that we led effectively the drive to reduce food imports by CARICOM. As of today, we can feel relatively confident that by World Food
Day 2025, the goal of 25 per cent reduction in food imports into CARICOM will be attained. Already, the reduction is approximately 18 per cent.
“But even as Guyana and CARICOM have reasons to be optimistic, our countries are vulnerable to natural disasters. Guyana faces climate change challenges such as floods, droughts, changing patterns of precipitation, rising sea level, sea acidification, intrusion of salt water into irrigation systems.
“CARICOM countries also face the same problems. But in addition, CARICOM countries face hurricane challenges. Beryl recently caused several of the countries to lose significant parts of their GDP.
“Climate change is real. Our CARICOM countries mostly have to pay for damage, destruction and lost lives that ARICOM contributed little to nothing towards.
“In spite of the many constraints, Guyana and CARICOM can be proud that we continue to make gains in food security.
“At the same time, FAO estimates reveal that a growing number of people, almost 750 million faced hunger in 2023 and 2.8 billion people around the world could not afford a healthy diet in 2022.
“Our own Region – Latin America and the Caribbean – in 2022 had 183M people who could not afford a healthy diet.
“Even more worrying, the average cost of a healthy
diet has risen to almost $US4 per day per person. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the average cost was US$4.60.
“Analysis of food cost clearly shows that countries that import more food have a higher average of cost for a healthy diet. This is a concern for CARICOM.
Guyana and Belize are CARICOM countries that produce more than 50 per cent of their food needs. Some of the CARICOM countries import as much as 80 per cent of their food needs. In addition, intra-regional imports between our countries are significantly less than imports from outside of the region. We must change this dispensation.
“On World Food Day
2024, Guyana’s President, HE Irfaan Ali is leading the drive to ensure that Guyana strengthens its status as a food secured country. Consider this one example, since 2020, Guyana has increased its agriculture budget by greater than 800 per cent.
“The result is that infrastructure to mitigate the risks of flood and droughts are being dramatically transformed. In addition, research is improving paddy seeds quality leading to higher yield and greater resistance to pests and environmental factors such as increased water salinity, introduction of new crops and genetically more productive livestock.
Guyana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Geneva, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
“Guyana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva is proud of Guyana’s efforts in improving agriculture and food production. We are confident that on World Food Day 2025, Guyana’s ledger will demonstrate impressive improvement in ensuring the right to food is met for all citizens.
“The Mission congratulates President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Zulfikar Mustapha and the Government.”
Skull City to get $91M infrastructural upgrade
THE community of Skull City located at Patentia, West Bank Demerara is set for a significant transformation with $91 million being invested in upgrading the mud dam into a concrete road.
The upgrades are in response to residents’ concerns over the deplorable condition of the thoroughfare.
During a visit to the area on Monday, the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, assured residents that work would begin promptly.
“The contractor was awarded a contract for $91 million to fix the road. I am giving him two days to show up here to start working on it and I will be checking back with them,” the minister announced.
The contract, which has a six-month deadline, was awarded on July 2 to Bardon Construction. It covers the upgrade of 480 kilometres of mud dam. The works were delayed due to illegal electrical connections within the area.
After learning about the challenges, the minister contacted Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to promptly resolve the issue. GPL will transfer the current electrical wires to new poles.
These efforts aim to ensure the safety of over 300 children living in the community.
Additionally, drainage issues were also addressed. Minister Indar assured that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will take action to resolve the concerns.
He also noted that the ministry’s engineers will assess the deteriorating main access bridge within the week. (DPI)
The community of Skull City located at Patentia, West Bank Demerara is set for a significant transformation with $91 million being invested in upgrading the mud dam into a concrete road
Minister Edghill responds to inaccurate SN article on Noitgedacht road
PUBLIC Works Min-
ister, Juan Edghill, on Tuesday, said that a Stabroek News article regarding Noitgedacht road in Region Ten is misleading and the inaccurate information is deserving of clarification.
The article in question is dated October 15, 2024 and titled "Linden Mayor calls for Closure of access road built with toxic material."
“In the interest of trans-
parency and public assurance, it is important to clarify that the claims made in this article are misleading. The information referenced is inaccurate, and there is no evidence of a toxic threat to the residents of Linden resulting from the materials used on the Noitgedacht road.
“The report referenced by Mr. Sharma, which highlights unsafe levels of arsenic, zinc, nickel, and
chromium, stems from an unsigned document that does not pertain to the actual samples taken from the Noitgedacht road,” the release stated.
It added, “During the stakeholders' meeting held on October 12, 2024, at the Watooka Guest House, the Minister of Public Works was presented with these concerns, and he committed to investigating them with the necessary urgency.
“Following this meeting, the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with a representative of the Linden Mayor and Town Council, collected a new set of samples for further testing. These tests will determine if there are any trace elements present that exceed the recommended levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for residential areas.
“In the interim, the Minister of Public Works has directed the contractor to implement daily dust suppression measures, including regular wetting of the Noitgedacht road, to minimise dust pollution affecting the community.
“Additionally, the ministry is committed to mobilising its resources to develop a long-term solution to address the concerns raised during the stakeholders' meeting.”
Minister Edghill said that as the minister with responsibility for Region 10, he assures the people of Linden of his ministry's unwavering commitment to their safety and well-being, both in that matter and all others.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
2022 census data, other mechanisms to drive equitable distribution of $200,000 cash grant — says Chief Statistician
ANaccurate household count will be key to identifying the exact number of eligible recipients for the one-off $200,000 cash grant recently announced by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, thereby ensuring that the resources are allocated equitably.
In this regard, Chief Statistician at the Bureau of Statistics Errol La Cruez gave the assurance that robust systems are in place to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the much-anticipated cash grant to eligible households nationwide.
This publication reached out to La Cruez on Tuesday to ask whether the Bureau of Statistics was in a position to supply the government with the essential data needed to carry out the distribution.
He explained that the use of data from the 2022 census would be at the heart of the distribution process.
According to him, the data collected from the census is comprehensive, encompassing a broad range of demographic and socio-
economic information.
He said that the data goes beyond the crucial figures on the overall population count as it captures important details about the number of households in the country.
La Cruez also revealed that a preliminary report based on the 2022 census will be made public "very, very soon."
When questioned about if households that were not included in the 2022 census would be disenfranchised, the chief statician said that
he is confident that the government has established appropriate systems to address this issue as well as the emergence of new households.
To facilitate cash grant distribution, the census will define what constitutes a household, he noted.
In his address to the Parliament last Thursday, President Ali announced that the $200,000 cash grant is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve the quality of life for citi-
zens, injecting $60 billion of new disposable income into households across the country.
Stand-alone households, rental apartments, condominiums, and other residences in multi-space buildings will all be considered eligible households. One of the resources that will be used to determine the number of households in Guyana will be the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) database. Village councils will be used to verify households in Amerindian communities.
In a recent interview, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo emphasised the importance of establishing a
robust system to ensure the grant is properly and equitably distributed. He highlighted that while the government is working expeditiously to commence sharing out the money, such large-scale initiatives require careful planning to avoid potential mishaps.
“We want to get the system in place. So, I anticipate that within the next five months we would complete the [distribution] process,” Jagdeo explained.
“We have to do it properly and that is why we are trying to devise a system so that every eligible household can get it and that they’re not left out. But at the same
time, we have to safeguard taxpayers’ money too, and not allow people to cheat the system,” he said.
The government has said that the Audit Office and the Finance Ministry will play an important role in the verification and payment process to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of the cash grant.
The announcement of payment methods—including cheques, direct bank account transfers, and cash where applicable—provides flexibility for recipients.
Chief Statistician Errol La Cruez
$111M in cheques found in Region Seven safe in January 2020
— Auditor General to deploy team to collect, examine documents
THE parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was on Monday assured that a team from the Auditor General’s Office will be deployed to Region Seven as part of the committee’s query of the discovery of some $111 million in cheques in a safe.
This came to the forefront as the committee delved into the Auditor General’s report of 2019 for the region.
According to the 2019
report, an inspection of the sub-treasury’s safe on January 20, 2020, revealed that there were 142 cheques totalling some $111.024 million.
The report went on to note that no evidence of payment vouchers and related documents were seen in respect to the cheques cut and as a result, it was difficult to determine if the items were delivered or the works completed.
This issue was reportedly
raised when the regional representative appeared before the committee and questions raised were not entirely answered.
As she searched for answers, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, asked, “How were the cheques paid without payment vouchers? Did you eventually find the payment vouchers and the documents and were these provided to the Auditor General’s
Office and who signed these things without the payment vouchers being available?”
The Regional Executive Officer Kevin Ward noted that these vouchers or documents were not made available to the AG’s office.
To this end, Teixeira noted that it is critical that the information be provided to the AG’s office so that the query could be cleared and that there would not be a recurrence of such an issue in the region.
With this, she asked the committee whether the Auditor General could have a team from his office collect the vouchers or any other evidence in this regard, so that
the query on that issue raised in the Auditor General’s report could be cleared up.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma told the committee that shortly he will have a team visit the region to deal with the query.
Prior to this arrangement being agreed to, Teixeira noted that in the last meeting when the committee met with the REO, the issue had to do with the dates as well as missing signatures on the documents and the payment vouchers. At that time, she stated there were only partial answers to questions that the committee had.
She highlighted, “The committee asked for the fol-
lowing information from the REO: the date the cheques were cut, the name of the contractors on the projects. So the list he gave us complies with that. The date on which the documents were corrected and queries addressed.”
Documents received she said, provided no information as to when the cheques were paid, a copy of the regional engineer’s log book, among other things.
She added that it was also agreed at the previous meeting that the vouchers be submitted to the accountant general for further examination to ensure due diligence.
Region Seven REO Kevin Ward and the regional team before the PAC on Monday
Opposition yet to prove it is prepared to accept the will of the people
— former AFC member Gaskin highlights; says will not be actively involved in a campaign that is heading nowhere — convinced that collective opposition already lost the 2025 elections to the PPP/C way in advance
GUYANESE
are still scarred from the blatant attempts of the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance For Change (AFC) to undermine the will of the people and influence the outcome of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
Those actions, witnessed by people the world over, had further diminished the integrity of those parties which now occupy the seat of opposition. However, despite the reality they face and the fact that another election is around the corner, there has been no indication by the collective opposition that it is prepared to recognise and respect the will of the people regardless of the outcome.
“[All members of the opposition] need to demonstrate to the public that they are prepared to recognise the will of the people at the next election…I am hoping that the current opposition is prepared to recognise it [the results of the elections] as the legitimate will of the
people,” son-in-law of former President David Granger and former AFC executive member Dominic Gaskin said during an appearance on a recent edition of the Freddie Kissoon Show.
The people, in 2020, went to the polls and peacefully gave a mandate to the PPP/C to govern. But, after casting their votes, Guyanese had to endure a five-month wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.
During this time, the patience of the electorate was tested, as electors observed what was described as attempts by the then APNU+AFC administration to rip the democratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tactics” which were openly criticised by a wide section of society.
It was only after the legal challenges and international intervention that a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the PPP/C received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC Coalition got 217,920 votes.
Confident that the opposition parties’ history already cemented a win for the incumbent PPP/C at the next election, Gaskin said: “I am not saying if there are irregularities they [opposition] can’t object, but I am saying don’t lose elections and take to the streets and try to discredit elections.
“People cast their vote [sic] and they cast it [sic] with the expectation that the totality of those votes will be recognised in deter-
mining who forms the next government, [so you cannot] participate in that process and discredit it because you didn’t win.”
The former AFC member believes that the odds are stacked against the opposition parties, and it is highly unlikely that it could recover any time soon from what happened in 2020.
Therefore, when asked whether he would rejoin the AFC ahead of the 2025 elections, Gaskin said: “I can’t support a party or be actively involved in a campaign that is not heading anywhere.”
In fact, he went as far as to say: “They [the opposition] [have] lost the 2025 elections in advance.”
Aside from the opposition’s shortcomings, Gaskin believes that the PPP/C is likely to win the 2025 General and Regional Elections since it is doing a good job in spending the “oil money” in
ways that people respond to.
Over 100 governments from around the world had condemned the APNU+AFC’s attempts to derail the electoral process in 2020, and the presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections further exposed the blatant actions of the coalition.
Chairman of the CoI Stanley John and commissioners — former Chancellor, Carl Singh and Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith arrived at their conclusions based on evidence from the many witnesses who testified along with the reports of international observers.
“…our inquiry reveals that there were, in fact, shockingly brazen attempts by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers and Returning Officer (RO)
Clairmont Mingo to derail and corrupt the statutorily prescribed procedure for the counting, ascertaining and tabulation of votes of the March 2 election, as well as the true declaration of the results of that election, and that they did so – to put it in unvarnished language of the ordinary man – for the purpose of stealing the election,” the commissioners said in their report.
The report found, among other things, that Lowenfield blatantly made decisions and employed procedures in direct contradiction to the law and the will of the people. The findings revealed too that GECOM staffers ignored specific instructions from the court, used materials that were illegal and or manipulated, and sided with APNU+AFC agents to berate observers whenever objections were raised.
Former AFC member Dominic Gaskin
School counsellors, welfare officers engage in restorative justice training
ADELE
Clarke, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, on Tuesday highlighted a transformative initiative—restorative justice—that aims to redefine Guyana's approach to both justice and education.
She delivered this message while addressing school counsellors and welfare of-
ficers at the opening of a two-day restorative justice training at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Street, Georgetown.
She said the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, is working to integrate restorative justice practices not only in the crim-
inal justice system, but also within schools.
According to her, this transformative initiative aims to reduce reliance on punitive measures such as custodial sentences and pre-trial detention, as well as improve classroom management and student behaviour.
Restorative justice, as defined by the Canadian ju-
dicial system, is “an approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime.”
The system is founded on the belief that crime is a violation of people’s rights and relationships, as well as
principles of respect, empathy, and inclusion.
The approach also seeks to mitigate the prison population and avoid recidivism.
“…the foundation was laid for the restorative justice practices to become an alternative to custodial sentences for minor offences in our criminal justice system through the development of relevant structures and processes,” Clarke added.
She said, too, that the process of institutionalising restorative justice is already underway, with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs taking the lead.
Importantly, the ministry is not working in isolation.
Clarke noted that the Ministry of Legal Affairs has partnered with the Probation Department of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to advance the expansion of restorative justice and there is a strong focus on creating awareness among citizens about its potential to improve justice outcomes across the nation.
The permanent secretary emphasised that one of the most innovative aspects of this initiative is its application in schools. She stated that restorative justice practices will be introduced in schools as tools for classroom
management and behavioural challenges.
This, she noted, is a strategic move, recognising that traditional disciplinary measures such as suspensions, expulsions, and corporal punishment can sometimes exacerbate the very issues they seek to address.
“These practices have been shown to dramatically reduce discipline, referrals, suspension, expulsion and corporal punishment, offering a hopeful future for our communities,” the PS said.
In this regard, she pointed to the Education Ministry’s hopes of fostering a more empathetic and harmonious school environment, where students can reflect on their behaviour and make amends, rather than being excluded from the education process.
Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, Orrin Boston, in his opening remarks discussed the common misconception that restorative justice is solely associated with the legal profession, despite it being backed by a Restorative Justice Act.
He said that restorative justice represents a shift in approach to handling wrongdoing, extending beyond the court system to include schools and communities.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Adele Clarke (right) and Senior Schools’ Welfare Officer, Cornella Leitch
Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, Orrin Boston
School counsellors, welfare officers engage...
From page 18
Boston added: “It is a paradigm shift in dealing with dissidents, not only as it relates to a court system, but as it relates to schools and community. It is more or less the modern, holistic way of dealing with issues that are more or less wrong, or categorised as wrongdoings.”
“Sometimes we fail to recognise that actual punishment, that is, what we know traditionally, becomes more a hindrance than a help. Research has shown that, in a lot of cases, the punitive measures that we employ with the aim of correction do not necessarily do the correction.
“Research has also shown that restorative practices give far more remedial results as it relates to amicable resolutions, as it relates to rehabilitation and as it relates to reintegration because nobody wants to be expelled from a society. It was never meant to be,” he explained.
Cornelle Leitch, Senior Schools’ Welfare Officer at the Ministry of Education said that restorative justice is presented as a method to handle situations more effectively, and the training aims to broaden the participants' knowledge and perspectives. She acknowledged the im -
portance of this training for addressing issues faced in educational settings.
Leitch emphasised that the ultimate objective is to reduce issues such as bullying and violence by improving behaviour and fostering a more supportive educational environment.
“This practice would be successful… We would be able to curb most of the behaviours in schools. We know bullyism and violence in schools, and all these things are high out there. Let us use this technique to see how we can do better in our schools,” she pointed out.
In Guyana, significant efforts are underway to prepare for the full implementation of restorative justice. Extensive training sessions have been conducted for judges, magistrates, prosecutors, police officers, prison officers, probation officers, and community leaders.
The training also encompasses religious leaders and school teachers. In the hinterland regions, training has been extended to toshaos, the leaders in Amerindian communities.
A Restorative Justice Centre has been established, led by a qualified director, to oversee the application of restorative justice as per the Restorative Justice Act,
which was enacted in 2022.
The centre is located at Lot 341 East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. It was launched under the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme (SCJS).
The SCJS programme is a partnership between the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Given Guyana’s vast geography and dispersed population, the government has admitted that implementing restorative justice nationwide presents a substantial challenge.
To address this, the government has initiated the integration of Restorative Justice Units within each Probation Department across Guyana, which are under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. These departments maintain a functional relationship with the country’s court systems, particularly the Magistrates’ Courts.
Notably, in Guyana, restorative justice is available only for minor/petty offences. Serious crimes such as robbery, manslaughter, murder, offences against minors and sexual offences are not covered by restorative justice.
School counsellors and welfare officers participate in a restorative justice training session aimed at transforming Guyana’s justice and education systems
Avoid baseless speculations, rely on official census data, statistics
The following is the full text of a statement from the Bureau of Statistics:
“The Bureau of Statistics has noted recent erroneous claims made on social media suggesting that political interference is responsible for the delayed publication of the 2022 Population and Housing Census results and wishes to provide the following response.
The Bureau of Statistics is a semi-autonomous agency, legally mandated by the Statistics Act (1965) Chapter 19:09 to “collect, compile, analyse, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the social, agricultural, mining, commercial, industrial and general activities and conditions of the inhabitants of Guyana.”
In the execution of its responsibilities, the Bureau is also guided by the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics that were adopted by the UN General Assembly 10 years ago in 2014.
The legal framework and official principles promote and ensure the independence of the Bureau.
Our work is guided by scientific principles and sound statistical practices that adhere to the highest international standards and conventions. Accordingly, the census is coordinated internationally and regionally, following agreed-upon principles and practices that withstand scrutiny and promote confidence in the results.
Any delay in the publication of the 2022 Population and Housing Census results is strictly a consequence of our unwavering commitment to professional diligence in the face of considerable challenges encountered during this census round. Moreover, censuses across the Caribbean region have been significantly delayed, with countries such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia and others experiencing protracted census activities extending up to and beyond two years.
This was due to several factors, including respondent suspicion, apathy and fatigue in a post COVID environment.
The Bureau of Statistics is dedicated to ensuring appropriate statistical confidence in the accuracy of the census results and is not politically constrained, as suggested by some. Fur-
thermore, claims that the 2022 Population & Housing Census in Guyana shows that Guyana's population declined from 746,955 in the 2012 census due to migration are unfounded and erroneous.
The soon-to-be-released Preliminary Report of the
— ‘Stats’ Bureau says
census will provide an evidence-based exposition of Guyana’s population. The Bureau encourages all Guyanese to avoid baseless speculations and to rely on the official census data and statistics produced and sanctioned by the Bureau of Statistics.
For official information
on the census and other data products from the Bureau of Statistics, please visit our website at www. statisticsguyana.gov.gy and follow the Bureau’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.”
Bygeval Secondary School wins GNBS World Standards Day public speaking competition
THE Bygeval Secondary School emerged winner of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Public Speaking Competition hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in observance of World Standards Day (WSD) 2024.
According to a press release, the competition sought to promote awareness on the use and importance of standards to school-aged children,
building a foundation for the inclusion of standards in their choices throughout adolescence and adulthood.
The competition was hosted in Region Five (Mahaica – Berbice) for par -
ticipating schools Rosignol Secondary, Fort Wellington Secondary, and the host school Bygeval Secondary. Bush Lot Secondary and Mahaicony Secondary were also invited to participate in
the competition but did not show up.
Two students from each school were given questions in advance to research ahead of the competition and five minutes to speak on the assigned topic. The judging criteria included relevance to the assigned topic, use of examples, pronunciation/ enunciation, delivery, grammar and adherence to the time limit.
The Region Five Department of Education was represented by the Head Teacher of Bygeval Secondary School, Lorrie Lee Farley.
In her brief remarks, she told the participants that “public speaking is a skill… it is one of the most important tools you will take with you into the future and whether you’re leading a team, you’re advocating for change or you’re simply sharing your personal story, you are practicing a skill that will serve you in countless ways in your life.”
Head of Corporate Communications at the GNBS, Lloyd David extended gratitude to the Ministry of Education for their support and lauded the students for taking this step to improve their all-rounded performance. He reminded those present that “preparation is key” ahead of every activity.
The winning school was awarded a trophy and a Gift Voucher valuing $30,000 while Rosignol Secondary which came in second was awarded a trophy and a $20,000 Gift Voucher. Third place went to Fort Wellington Secondary school which received a trophy while the best performing student Lashon Samuels of Bygeval Secondary received a laptop computer from the GNBS.
Samuels was asked to explain what it means to construct energy efficient buildings and how standards can help to build such structures
for residential and commercial use. In her response, she provided thorough examples of energy efficient buildings across the world and how they have contributed to efficiency, a better environment and improved quality of life.
In an invited comment, Samuels lauded the initiative and noted that the competition helps to develop much needed public speaking skills among adolescents. “I feel very excited to win this competition. I was nervous and public speaking is not easy but it we went up and did our best,” she said.
The theme for World Standards Day (WSD) 2024 is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 9” which addresses resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and innovation. Surrounding WSD, the GNBS observes National Quality Week (NQW) to recognise and promote awareness on standards.
The GNBS has a list of activities planned for the remainder of National Quality Week including a ‘Made in Guyana’ video campaign aimed at promoting locally manufactured products certified by the GNBS, and a ‘Like and Share’ social media campaign to create awareness on standards and quality. Further, the GNBS Corporate Communications and Marketing Departments will share information via newspapers, radio, television and social media to promote inclusion in the activities.
The week of activities culminates with the GNBS’ Long Serving Awards ceremony where employees who have been with the Bureau for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years will be awarded for their longevity with the Standards Body. This year, a total of eighteen employees will be awarded for their commitment to the Bureau and Standardisation.
The Bygeval Secondary School emerged winner of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Public Speaking Competition hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in observance of World Standards Day (WSD) 2024
Directors General of FAO, IICA agree to increase joint co-operation
— with a focus on the Caribbean and the Central American Dry Corridor
The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, and FAO counterpart, Qu Dongyu, decided to step up actions to strengthen family farming and food security in both the Caribbean and the Central American Dry Corridor
THEheads of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) have agreed to step up their joint efforts aimed at strengthening family farming and food security in two of the most vulnerable regions of the Americas: the Caribbean and the Central American Dry Corridor.
Qu Dongyu and Manuel Otero met in Rome, where the IICA Director General is on an official mission and where he will be taking part in a debate on food security as part of the Second Roundtable of African Farmers. The event, which will address access to technologies for regenerative agriculture and efforts to combat food insecurity, will be held at the Pontifical Institute Augustinianum, in Vatican City.
At the meeting, Qu Dongyu, accompanied by FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero and senior members of his team, and Otero, with his special advisors Jorge Werthein and Carlos Cherniak, reviewed IICA and FAO’s joint co-operation actions, which include the preparation of a report on the outlook for agricultural and rural development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and support for CELAC’s food security plan.
“We can do much more, especially in regions where problems of extreme vulnerability need to be addressed, such as the Central American Dry Corridor and Caribbean countries, which are increasingly exposed to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events,” Otero said after the meeting with Qu. “We talked about reinforcing, stepping up that joint work and that’s what we’re going to do,” he added.
Qu expressed interest in strengthening FAO and IICA’s joint work, set out his vision for dealing with the situation in Haiti and in the Central American Dry Corridor, and underlined his determination to boost the synergies with IICA.
During his working visit to Rome, Otero will not only be taking part in the roundtable organised by the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), the Global Farmer Network (GFN), the Bayer food company, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and IICA itself, but will also be meeting with Valerie Guarnieri, from the World Food Programme (WFP); Carmen Burbano, from the Executive Secretariat of the School Meals Coalition; and Roberto Colaminé, Deputy Director General of Development Co-operation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. (IICA)
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Wednesday October 16, 2024)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-
83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Quinton de Kock -13 (7 catches/6 stumpings - Royals)
(2) 199 for the second wicket (K. Mayers & E. Lewis –Patriots vs Kings, St. Kitts) Today’s Quiz:
(1) What were the most runs conceded by a bowler in a single game in CPL 2024?
(2) How many centuries were scored in CPL 2024?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
GREYVILLE
08:50 hrs Lamdseer
09:25 hrs Crested Eagle
09:58 hrs Million Voices
10:36 hrs Professor Lupin
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
DELWARE PARK
Race 1 Passing Bayou
Race 2 Lagurdia
Race 3 Bangkok Bob
Race 4 Sabi
Race 5 Bordrrline
Race 6 Dtrha Mars
Race 7 Hot Fudge Warrior
Race 8 Sunshine Johnny
IRISH RACING TIPS
PUNCHESTOWN
08:50 hrs The Mediator
09:20 hrs First Dare
09:50 hrs Pray Tell
10:20 hrs Monbeg Park
10:50 hrs Minella Indo
11:20 hrs Decimation
11:55 hrs Fascide Mode
12:30 hrs Jerry From Kerry
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
WETHERBY
09:00 hrs A Moments Madness
09:30 hrs Primoz
10:00 hrs Quantoclk Hills
10:30 hrs Jagwar
11:00 hrs Tintintin
11:30 hrs Montregard
12:03 hrs Duke Of Deception
WORCESTER
09:08 hrs Shuil Ceoil
09:38 hrs West Balboa 10:08 hrs Start Again 10:38 hrs King Roly 11:08 hrs The Kemble Brewery
11:48 hrs Ryder’s Rock 12:10 hrs Double Powerful
KEMPTON
11:13 hrs Beslauhaather
1145 hrs D Day Harley R 12:15 hrs Hott Shott
12:45 hrs Dark Lyric
13:15 hrs Dark Hot Mystery
13:45 hrs Speriamo
14:15 hrs Palace Green
14:45 hrs Minnie Wildes 15:15 hrs Electric Avenue
West Indies falter in second T20 against Sri Lanka
DEBUTANT Dunith
Wellalage led an impressive bowling display by Sri Lanka’s spinners in an absolutely dominant 73run win over the West Indies in the second T20 international here Tuesday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
With the West Indies chasing Sri Lanka’s challenging 162 for five from 20 overs, the 21-year-old left-arm spinner grabbed three of the nine wickets that fell to spin, as the home side bundled out the visitors for 89, their sixth lowest ever T20I score and lowest total against them.
The result left the threematch series tied at 1-1, with the decider set to be played on Thursday at the
same venue.
Wellalage and the six other spinners once again exposed West Indies’ weakness against spin bowling on a slow track that offered turn and bounce, with only three of their batters getting into double digits.
Unlike the previous match where they posted 74 runs in the power play, West Indies’ openers Evin Lewis and Brandon King struggled to get the ball off the pitch.
Off-spinner Maheesh
Theekshana’s first over only went for two runs, but both Lewis and King hit pacer Nuwan Thushara for boundaries in the second over of the innings. It was the only over
of Sri Lanka’s innings not bowled by a spinner.
Wellalage struck in his first over and third of the innings when he enticed a frustrated King to come down the track, only to be beaten by a short, turning delivery that gave wicketkeeper, Kusal Mendis, an easy stumping, to leave the Windies 12 for one.
Theekshana then got rid of Lewis in the next over, trapping him lbw for seven after he missed his intended sweep shot and three runs later Wellalage had Roston Chase caught at first slip for a duck as the visitors slipped to 17 for three.
With five runs added, Andre Fletcher, who played in place of Shai Hope, only
FIFA V-P Montagliani to visit Guyana from October 17-19
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is preparing to welcome the CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President, Mr. Victor Montagliani to Guyana for an official visit from October 17-19, 2024.
The visit, part of a broader initiative to strengthen football development across the Caribbean, will feature a series of high-profile engagements that underline the importance of sport in social and economic growth.
Montagliani’s visit will include a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the BLUE WATER SHIPPING Stadium, a critical development in Guyana’s football infrastructure. The new facility is expected to significantly boost local and regional football activities, providing enhanced opportunities for the sport’s growth. As part of his visit, Montagliani will also meet with Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali and Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson, in a formal engagement aimed at discussing foot-
ball’s role in national development, particularly its potential to foster youth engagement and community building.
A key event during the visit will be the official launch of Guyana’s first Nationwide Girls U13 Secondary School Championship. This initiative is designed to encourage greater female participation in sports, with a focus on nurturing young talent and promoting gender equality in football. Montagliani’s presence at this launch highlights CONCACAF’s commitment to supporting inclusive football programmes throughout the region.
The two-day visit will conclude with a reception dinner bringing together government officials, GFF representatives, and corporate partners.
This gathering will serve as an opportunity to further discuss the future of football development in Guyana and the potential for deeper collaborations between CONCACAF and local stakeholders.
managed four runs from 11 balls before his intended sweep shot skied in the air for Kamindu Mendis to take the catch running back from slip to give Wellalage his third wicket.
And when Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka
bowled the promoted Gudakesh Motie and Sherfane Rutherford in the space of three balls to restrict the West Indies to 39 for six in the 10th over, the outcome was effectively decided.
West Indies captain, Rovman Powell, hit a six
and a four in his topscore of 20 runs from 17 balls and Alzarri Joseph, who made 16, also smashed a couple boundaries, but it was never going to be enough to get them remotely close to their target.
Linden Mayor’s Cup U-15 Schools Basketball Championship…
Kwakwani Secondary carts off inaugural title
KWAKWANI Secondary
School are winners of the inaugural Linden Mayor’s Cup Basketball Championship which concluded on Monday.
The Kwakwani Side disposed of Mackenzie High School, 26-21, in the final which was played Monday at the Mackenzie High School hard court.
The championship trophy and replicas were handed over to the winners by Regional Educa-
tion Official Ms. Dawn McCammon-Barker, who incidentally heads the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA).
Kwakwani Secondary’s Dameion Budburg was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final and received the GuyBallers Inc. MVP Trophy from former national player and LABA 2nd Vice President, Ms Shana Chester.
In the third place match, Wisburg Secondary defeated Linden
Foundation Secondary, 25-13.
The seven secondary schools drawn from across Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) were selected to contest the tournament.
The seven teams were drawn in two groups, with Group A having Mackenzie High, Wisburg Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary and Linden Foundation Secondary, while Group B comprised Kwakwani Second-
ary, Harmony Secondary and Christianburg Wismar Secondary Schools.
Ms. McCammon-Barker in an invited comment said “This activity facilitated the core values of the Department of Education,
in its efforts to continue and sustain the teaching/ learning process, while fostering team work, physical health and high self-esteem.”
The LABA president added, “This venture was a col -
laborative effort among the Department of Education 10, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, R-10 NABORS Basketball Foundation and the Linden Amateur Basketball Association.” (Joe Chapman)
NCC 90% ready for CAC bodybuilding championship
- St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Curacao athletes already here
HEAD of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess, said that the National Cultural Centre (NCC) Stage is all prepped and ready to host the 2024 edition of the Central America and Caribbean bodybuilding championship.
“When the CAC team visited last year, we had a competition and they were able to attend the competition and observe the Cul-
tural Centre in actual competition mode; since then we have had some more improvement to the lights, so all in all the Cultural Centre is ready for the successful hosting of CAC 2024,” Bess said. He said that the accommodation is more than sufficient for the 250 athletes set to compete, adding, “We have a huge dressing room read that is going to be able to accommodate the different countries and the different ath-
letes and delegates and then we have a very spacious back stage area that will keep about 3-4 categories of athletes at all times to have a smooth flow competition night.”
According to the GBBFF head, they have made alterations to the venue to ensure a smooth hosting of the event, noting, “The foyer area that we are going to be using is already been set; we just have to add some pieces like
chairs and tables….so that the weigh-in could be done expeditiously.”
He continued, “I would say at this point of time, readiness is at about 90 percent there; the necessary pieces are coming together nicely, so by the time we get to the cultural centre on the afternoon of Saturday for the first day of competition everything is going to be in place for it to go smoothly.”
Body building and physique athletes have already arrived from St. Lucia, St. Maarten and
Curacao.
Athletes are also expected from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Dominica Republic, El Salvador, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Jamaica, Haiti, Nicaragua, Mexico, Costa Rica, St. Vincent and host Guyana.
At the 50th edition of the competition in Aruba last year Guyana secured four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.
Guyana’s bodybuilding and fitness team will be headlined by
and veteran
Weigh-in and measurements are set for Friday at the Venue. The CAC championship is sponsored by Bounty Farms Ltd, Andrews Supermarket, the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association, Twins Manufacturing, Fitness Express, Camille’s Academy and Republic Bank (Guyana).
Guyana to host West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship
THE Guyana NRA is poised to host the 2024 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship from October 28 to November 4, 2024, at the Timehri Rifle Ranges, Yarrowcabra, on the Linden Suesdyke Highway. The championship was last hosted in Guyana in 2017, when the Association celebrated its 150th Anniversary. While the English and Scottish shooters are unable to attend this year’s championship, the participating countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. The Canadians are no strangers to these shores and are expected to perform well. The US Rifle Team will be attending their first West Indies Championship and Team Captain, Yvonne Roberts, is leading a strong team of ex-
perienced shooters. They are expected to perform well also.
The West Indies shooters are looking forward to the challenge from the visiting US and Canadian Teams.
The Guyana NRA planning committee has been working jointly with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), led by Brig Omar
Heist in Dubai!
West Indies Women KO England
(ESPNCRICINFO) – WEST
INDIES pulled off the biggest heist of this T20 World Cup and qualified for the semi-finals, against all expectation, and knocked out one of the favourites, England.
Having last beaten England in 2018, West Indies broke a 13-match losing streak and topped Group B to set up a semi-final against New Zealand in Sharjah. That year was also the last time West Indies
Khan, on preparations for hosting the Championships. There has been intense work on the Timehri Ranges, preparing the shooting banks to golf-like playing surfaces, the safety backstop was increased in height and the twenty-four target mechanisms were all serviced. Work continues on the target frames and
played in a semi-final of the T20 World Cup. This is only the second time England have missed out on the knockouts of a T20 World Cup after being eliminated in the group stage in 2010. After wins in their first three matches, they were confident of making the final four this time. Instead, it is South Africa who join West Indies, with England's net run-rate leaving them third in the group.
faces and should be completed by next weekend. Vice President Mahendra Persaud and Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields have been spearheading the infrastructural work. The GDF is expected to complete the area for the flag poles and other works it has committed to. Mr. Lennox Braithwaite has been the Guyana
West Indies win was made all the more remarkable because they were without former captain and veteran batter Stafanie Taylor, who is struggling with a knee injury. In her absence, Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph, found form and wiped away the bulk of the 142-run target. Matthews, playing in her 100th T20I, scored her 14th half-century in the format while Joseph, who had a career-best of 34 before this game, scored a 38-ball 52.
NRA projects liaison ensuring all works are completed. The Guyana NRA would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, for his donation of material to help repair the shooting range.
The Guyana Rifle Team members have been busy each Saturday and Sunday on the range working to complete the preparations. The Guyana NRA is expected to field a tenman team. The team comprises Mahendra Persaud, Dylan Fields, Leo Romalho, Lennox Braithwaite, Ryan Sampson, Peter Persaud, Roberto Tewari, Sherwin Felicien and US based Sigmond Douglas and John Fraser. Our lone female, shooting for the first time, is Althea Alleyne.
Guyana is the defending Champion for both the Short and
The pair shared an opening stand of 102 inside 13 overs and West Indies were on their way. This is the sixth time West Indies have successfully chased a total of 140-plus, and the second time since their record chase of 213 against Australia last December.
E ngland may have thought they had enough after Nat Sciver-Brunt's half-century but lacked contributions from the rest of the order. To add to their
Long Range Trophies and much is expected of the team at home in defence of their titles.
The National Team’s last championship was in Bisley England in July where they won the Junior Kalapore Trophy. At Bisley there were outstanding performances from both Peter Persaud and Lennox Braithwaite who make it to the First and Second stages of the King’s Prize respectively. Peter Persaud also shot the highest score in that Team Match.
Patron, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has been in full support of the hosting and is ensuring that Guyana showcases our hospitality and professionalism. The Patron is expected to fire off the first shot, indicating the start of the competition. H.E. Donald Ramotar fired the last opening shot in 2012.
worries, Heather Knight retired with a calf-injury on 21, with the score on 80 for 3, which halted the momentum England regained after they slipped to 34 for 3 in the seventh over. Afy Fletcher and Deandra Dottin, bowling for the first time in the tournament, took four wickets between them and conceded 37 runs in seven overs, which gave West Indies an advantage they carried through the game.
multiple time CAC medalists Emmerson Campbell, Rawle Green, Hannah Rampersaud, Julio Sinclair
Sylvan Gardner.
Kwakwani Secondary School players with their trophy
The Guyana Fullbore Rifle team
Inaugural Region Two President’s Cup 5/5 Tapeball tournament officially launched
THE inaugural Region Two President’s Cup 5/5 Tapeball Tournament was officially launched on Monday at the Jaigobin Hotel Conference Hall.
The event saw key officials and organisers in attendance, including Region Two Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit, Prime Minister's Representative Arnold Adams, and tournament organisers Dr. Rambaraine Ragoobar, Azizi Christiani, Faraz Baksh, Ashmini Ramnarine, and Yugeeta Oodit.
The tournament, which is scheduled to be held over two weekends - October 19 – 20 and October 26 - 27, 2024 - will take place under lights at the Affiance #1 Cricket Ground.
A total of 32 teams are expected to compete, including prominent sides such as Reliance Hustlers, Provider Viper, Renegades CC, Royal Strikers, Pomeroon All Stars, Movement Family Madia, and AZSS Warriors, among others.
In his remarks, Prime Minister's Representative Adams expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating that it will not only foster unity but also serve as a platform for competitive and clean cricket. He highlighted the importance of the tournament’s name, noting that the President is an avid cricket fan, making the naming of the cup after him fitting. Adams also announced that “Player of the Match” trophies were donated
by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and will be awarded after each game to encourage individual excellence throughout the tournament.
Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit, praised the government's efforts in promoting sports across the region and emphasised how cricket has
played a pivotal role in achieving the "One Guyana" vision. He reiterated that the tournament reflects the government's commitment to community building through sport.
Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Rambaraine Ragoobar, took the opportunity to outline the format of the competition. He noted that while the tournament is centred in Region Two, teams from outside the region have been invited to participate.
“The reason we are allowing teams from out of Region Two to be a part of the President’s Cup is to encourage sports tourism and provide our local players the opportunity to play against high-quality teams,” Ragoobar explained.
One of the highlights of the launch was the unveiling of the tournament trophy, designed by Azizi Christiani and fabricated by Dr. Ragoobar. This custom-made trophy marks a significant milestone as it will be the first-ever tournament played for a specially crafted prize.
In addition to the coveted trophy, the winning team will walk away with $500,000 in cash, while the runner-up will pocket $200,000. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament will receive a trophy and $50,000.
Fixtures for the tournament will be released today.
Ariel Masters whip Fisherman Masters to claim ‘over-40 title’
By Frederick Halley
IN2023 it took a super over to decide the eventual winners of the Masters category in the seventh edition of the annual Prime Minister’s softball tournament with Regal Masters prevailing over Ariel Masters at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.
This year saw no such drama as Ariel Masters romped to an impressive 16-run victory over Fisherman Masters at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, to claim the coveted title which had also eluded them in 2022 versus archrivals Regal Masters at the Guyana National Stadium.
The victory was engineered by a fine all-round team effort with the experienced Richard Latif and Chien Gittens starring with both bat and ball and a masterful 19th over from New York-based Murph Seeram, described by many as the “over of
the tournament.”
Set 198 for victory, after Ariel Masters had reached a formidable 197 for six in their allotted 20 overs, the game see-sawed back and forth with Fisherman Masters still in contention after the 18th over when they needed 22 from 12 balls with two wickets intact. Bowling with unerring accuracy, Seeram conceded a
wide in the all-important 19th over, virtually ending any chances of Fisherman Masters coming out victorious.
Fisherman Masters were eventually bowled out for 183 with Gittens capturing two wickets in the final over to end with three for 35. Ameer Nizamudin supported with three for 39 while the ever-reliable Latif
claimed two for 38.
Opener Zaki Salim had earlier gave his team a flying start, hitting six fours and two sixes in 46 and along with the hard-hitting Keith Fraser, who slammed a quick-fire 35, decorated with a four and five sixes, gave Fisherman Masters hope with a fine second-wicket partnership of 67 following the early loss of Dubraj Singh (two) in the second over.
Dhaniram Lalaram chipped in with a four and three sixes in his 22 but once wickets fell at regular intervals, the pressure mounted on Fisherman Masters middle and lower-order batsmen.
Earlier, the lethal combination of Gittens and Latif proved vital after Ariel Masters won the toss and elected to bat first. Gittens, who stroked an elegant 49 with five fours and two sixes, shared in an opening stand of 53 in six overs with Assif Ali who contributed 29 with three fours and a six.
Latif then joined the party, following the departure of Ali, adding 84 for the second wicket with Gittens before departing for a polished 40 which contained two fours and four sixes.
Bowling for Fisherman Masters, Lalaram bagged three for 21 and Anthony Arjune two for 33.
At the impressive presentation ceremony, which followed, Latif, who enjoyed a fine allround tournament, copped both the player of the final and Most Valuable Player awards. He collected a trophy for the player of the final and an electric scooter, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre for being the MVP.
The winners also took home $600,000 and the winners’ trophy while the runner-up collected $100,000 and a trophy. All the trophies were donated by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.
Appreciation plaques were presented to John Ramsingh, Inderjeet Persaud and Canadi-
an-based journalists Frederick Halley and Ravi Madholall for their coverage of the tournament. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, deputised for Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who was unavoidably absent.
While praising the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) for its excellent organising of the eighth edition of the tournament, Minister Ramson told the players who weren’t in the winners’ row to not consider themselves as losers since their mere participation was extremely important for the grassroot sport. He also called on the organisers to seek avenues to make the tournament even bigger.
The minister, who was accompanied by Assistant Director of Sport, Franklyn Wilson, also reminded the teams about the staging of the second Vice-president softball tournament, set to be held on the weekend of November 8-10.
Demerara hammer Berbice; Select X1 beat Essequibo
By Sean Devers
In scorching heat yesterday, Demerara cruised to their second consecutive win of the GCB’s senior Inter-County Super50 cricket tournament when they defeated Berbice by seven wickets at GCC to advance to Saturday’s final.
Berbice opted to bat on another excellent pitch and with cotton like clouds floating lazily over historic Bourda sward, they failed to capitalise on good batting conditions and were dismissed for 129 in 40 overs.
Junior Sinclair, who managed six fours in a top score of 37, an unbeaten 24 with a solitary six from Tomani Ceaser and 16 from Clinton Pestano were the only batters to reach 15 in a careless batting performance from the Berbicians who were
without Hetmyer, Motie, Shepherd and Shamar Joseph.
Left-arm spinner Devon Lord followed up 3-21 in the opening round with 4-28 and got support from Bernard Bailey and Renaldo Ail-Mohammed who bagged two wickets each.
A second unbeaten innings from Test batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul who demonstrated refreshing positivity during his undefeated 63 from 70 balls with five fours and two sixes.
The 28-year-old Chanderpaul shared in century third wicket partnership with fellow left-hander Matthew Nandu who made 44 from 51 balls with five fours and two sixes.
On Sunday Chanderpaul batted from start to finish to compile his second ton in a 50over inter-county game; a pain staking 103 after scoring his first
against Essequibo in 2012 as a 15-year-old.
But yesterday, the eldest son of the illustrious Shiv Chanderpaul, played with the freedom and fluency his fans had not seen in long time.
After losing Raymond Pereez (0) who played no shot to a ball outside off stump and was lbw to Junior Sinclair, without a run on the board, Skipper Tevin Imlach (3) seemed a bit unlucky to be given lbw to Pestano at 4-2.
Nandu, who did not play a single game for the Warriors in this year’s CPL, joined Chanderpaul who stroked Kevin Sinclair for a six and four in the 7th over which cost 13 before viciously pulling Pestano for a couple of fours in the next over.
The 50 was posted in the 11th over while the 50-run partnership came up in 12th with
Chanderpaul scoring 31 of those runs while Nandu contributed 12.
Chanderpaul reached his fifty with a six off Pestano. It took just 54 balls and included four fours and a pair of sixes.
Nandu ‘upped’ the tempo and danced into West Indies off-spinner Kevin Sinclair who bowled too fast and flat, and in turn was dumped onto the roof of the GCB.
Nandu’s six brought up the 100 stand in the 22nd over.
The only flaw in the partnership was the lack of commination between the two and indecisive running between the wickets.
Nandu, trying to hit spinner Nigel Deodat for a six to reach his fifty, was taken in the deep with victory 10 runs away. Akshaya Persaud who made 79 in
the first game, was on seven when the match ended.
Earlier, Ali-Mohammed induced Rampertab Ramnauth (0) to edge to the Keeper at 4-1 as Imlach took the first of his four catches behind the stumps.
Bailey removed Kevin Sinclair (3) and Kevlon Anderson (2) to Berbice on 16-3.
A 35-run stand between Jonathon Foo (3) and Junior steadied the rocking ship but once Foo was caught behind off Ali-Mohammed at 51-4 and Lord bowled Junior Sinclair at 63-5 it was going to be a hard for the Berbicians who has not played first division cricket since 2018.
Lord befuddled Zeynul Ramsammy (13) and Veerasammy Permaul (0) while Persaud ended the innings when he bowled Isai Thorne.
At Lusignan, Essequibo were dismissed for 169 in 45.2 overs with Kemol Savory leading the way with 51 while Kevin Boodie (26), Ricardo Adams (24), Ricardo Peters (17) and Anthony Adams (17) reaching 15.
Golcharran Chulai had 3-45 while Johnaton Rampersaud, Aryan Persaud and Kwesi Mickle taking two wickets each. The select X1 reached 1716 in 45 overs with Rampersaud making 32 with two fours and a six, Carlos LaRose 28 with five boundaries and Navindra Persaud contributing 26.
The action continues tomorrow with Demerara playing Essequibo at Bourda and Berbice opposing the Select X1 at Lusignan. Both games are scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.
The organising team and officials at the launch of the Inaugural Region Two President’s Cup 5/5 Tapeball tournament
The victorious Ariel Masters players pose with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson
Heist in Dubai!
West
West Indies falter in second
against Sri Lanka
Tagenarine Chanderpaul (left) and Matthew Nandu shared in a century partnership yesterday to take Demerara into