Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-08-2024

–– President Ali tells Amerindian leaders

‘Today, you’re not dreaming, you are achieving’

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has emphasised the accelerated development of Amerindian rights under PPP/C Governments, highlighting the positive impact of programmes and initiatives that have provided them with more opportunities to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

The Head of State underscored the progress during the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2024 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday.

Amerindian villages now benefit from a range of experts and resources, contributing to their overall enhancement, and the enjoyment of freedom of expression.

These freedoms, according to President Ali, stand in stark contrast to the previous reality of marginalisation and exclusion from national development experienced by the First Peoples prior to 1992.

“Amerindians were underrepresented, and had little influence over national policies. Your needs were inconsequential to the PNC government at that time; your affairs were handled by a department within the Ministry of Regional Development. That is where the affairs of the Amerindian people of this country were handled,” President Ali said.

He highlighted the significant increase in poverty rates, reaching almost 80 per cent in Indigenous villages across Guyana, with limited access to education, healthcare, and social welfare.

“As a result of this, our Amerindian young people never had the opportunity of dreaming or secondary education. You never had the opportunity of dreaming of a university education; you never had the opportunity of dreaming to become a doctor, a teacher, a lawyer, an engineer, an architect, or a specialist… Today, you’re not dreaming; you are achieving,” the Guyanese president underscored.

Significant progress has been made in

accelerating Amerindian and hinterland development through various initiatives, including financial support from Carbon Credit revenues, Presidential Grants, the Amerindian Development Fund, and other programmes across several ministries.

Over the past four years, the government has invested heavily in improving essential services such as healthcare, education, energy, and social welfare, with billions of dollars being allocated towards these goals.

President Ali also highlighted the

substantial investments in infrastructure, including improvements to hinterland roads, with $20 billion being invested by the Ministry of Public Works and $9 billion by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Residents are now benefitting from first-time electricity access, as the Hinterland Electrification Programme has been expanded to approximately 30,000 households.

Efforts are also being made to enhance educational facilities, with 42 nursery and

16 secondary schools under construction in 2024 alone.

In support of tertiary education, around 5,000 youths are pursuing their studies through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

Additionally, funds have been invested to train 700 teachers to enhance education in the hinterland for future generations.

“Hundreds of scholarships were given to our Amerindian communities and our Amerindian children, resulting in doctors, medics, nurses, health workers… Your villages and your communities went from zero to producing the best and finest in our country,” President Ali underlined.

The government’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in food production is evident, with over $4 billion invested in hinterland agriculture.

Youths are also being empowered through the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), which has employed nearly 2,800 youths. They are also benefitting from training opportunities across various sectors.

The First Peoples are also benefitting from the $45,000 ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, increased old-age pension, and public assistance.

The Head of State reaffirmed that Amerindian land rights are guaranteed under the Amerindian Act of 2006, enacted by the PPP/C Administration. According to him, since 2020, 14 land titles have been granted.

Further, President Ali announced plans to award contracts totalling up to $10 million directly to villages for labour-intensive projects, demonstrating the government’s commitment to empowering local communities.

The one-week conference allows Amerindian leaders to consult directly with the President and his Cabinet members on issues affecting their communities, and to offer recommendations on how to advance their development.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali (Samuel Maughn Photo)

Statement from the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

THE Government of Guyana wishes to inform the nation that the late Dave Martins, our beloved musician extraordinaire and cultural icon, will be cremated in a private ceremony tomorrow.

In honoring the family’s wishes for privacy during this solemn occasion, we ask that all Guyanese respect their space as they bid farewell to an outstanding son of our soil.

Dr. Dave Martins, through his music, captured the heart and soul of our nation, becoming an enduring symbol of Guyanese culture. He has left an indelible mark on our society, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

In recognition of Dave Martins’ immense impact on our national identity and his contributions to the arts, the Government of Guyana will organize a public memorial at a date and place to be announced later. This memorial will provide the opportunity for all Guyanese to pay tribute to his extraordinary life and celebrate the lasting influence of his work.

We once extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Dave Martins during this time of profound loss.

Seven Indigenous communities receive ‘absolute grants’, certificates of title at NTC

AS the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) Conference opened on Monday, seven leaders from Indigenous communities across the country received absolute grants and certificates of title on their village’s behalf.

The grants and titles were handed over by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali during the opening ceremony of the NTC Conference which is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre this week.

The villages of Hotoquai, Hobodia and Red Hill of Region One received the absolute grants while Akawini in Region Four received its absolute grant, Arau in Region Seven received its certificate of title and Moco Moco, Region nine received its absolute grant.

The absolute grant for Hotoquai’s extension spans some 3,764 acres

while it is 8,887 acres for Hobodia, 18,912 acres for Red Hill, 5,088 acres for Akawini, 28,875 acres for Arau, and 1,472 acres for Moco Moco.

Additionally, Karasabai also received its certificate of title from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali who indicated that this was completed earlier in the morning and signed off on.

“I am pleased to tell you that your plan was registered this morning, your minister issued the letter this morning and I have your title in my hands,” President Ali told the representatives of Karasabai.

The completion and handing over of these titles is in keeping with the government’s commitment to ensuring Amerindian

villages secure their lands and natural resources for sustained economic and social development.

The government since entering office has been on an aggressive drive to distribute all land titles and demarcations, as the Amerindian Affairs Ministry was previously challenged with a backlog.

In the last quarter of 2022, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai had told members of the media that the government is working to have all land titles and demarcations completed by the end of 2024.

Toshao of Hotoquai, Carson Thomas (centre) receives the absolute grant from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (left) and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai (right) (Samuel Maughn photo)

DDL releases ‘El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition Rum’ to celebrate 12 years as the official spirit of CPL T20

DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL), on Monday, launched the El Dorado Master Blender 2024 Special Edition Rum in celebration of its 12th year as the official spirit of the Caribbean Premium League (CPL) at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

According to a press release, aged for 12 years, much like El Dorado’s enduring partnership with CPL, this rum is a unique blend of carefully selected marques from the historical Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still, Versailles Single Wooden Pot Still, the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, and the Diamond Coffey Still.

The El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition Rum embodies the essence of DDL’s 12-year partnership with CPL—a journey marked by passion, com-

mitment, camaraderie, and countless unforgettable moments. Just as CPL brings the Caribbean and the world together through cricket, this rum unites rich flavours to deliver an experience that’s meant to be savored with every sip.

DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo noted:

“As we mark our 12th year as the official spirit of the CPLT20, we are thrilled to unveil the El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition Rum. This limited edition represents more than a decade of collaborative spirit and dedication between El Dorado and the CPL, showcasing the unique heritage and flavours of our brand.

“This new rum blend is crafted with the finest aged marques from our historical stills, offering a taste experience as rich and diverse as the crick-

eting fans we unite. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with CPL, and our supporters, and we look forward to many more years of partnership and camaraderie.”

Pete Russell, Republic Bank CPL CEO, adds: “Demerara Distillers Limited has been a fantastic partner for the CPL since the tournament’s inception in 2013 and we are delighted to still have them supporting us and Caribbean cricket as we enter our 12th tournament.

“The CPL is the Biggest Party in Sport and the responsible enjoyment of El Dorado has done much to make the tournament what it is today. We would like to thank them for once again joining us in bringing the Caribbean vibes to the world and look forward to our partnership continuing for many years to come.”

The El Dorado Master Blender’s Special Edition 12-Year-Old Rum is now available for sale at local retail outlets countrywide and all Duty-Free Shops.

Amerindian Development

THIS month is designated Amerindian Heritage Month. It is also Education Month. Indeed there is a close correlation between education and Amerindian development. Through education our Amerindian brothers and sisters are much more empowered and are taking full responsibility for the development of their own communities and that of the society as a whole.

This year's theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is: “Celebrating our traditional culture while building One Guyana”.

This theme is most apt given the great strides made by Amerindians in the preser-

vation of their cultural heritage. As the first people to have set foot in this country, their rich culture has permeated several aspects of our national life such as food, music, dance and other forms of cultural expressions.

The one- month long celebrations, initiated by the PPP/C administration every September, has gained the attention of the local and international community as more and more people are becoming aware of the contributions of Amerindians in several facets of national life including arts, culture and national development. A village host is chosen annually. For 2024, the Amerindian Heritage

Village is Campbelltown, Region Eight.

Thanks to the several policy interventions of the PPP/C administration, the face of Amerindian communities is undergoing significant changes.

There are for instance the construction of new and well equipped medical facilities such as hospitals and health centres along with the training of doctors, nurses and community health workers.

The same is true for the education sector with the construction of new schools with dormitory facilities and teacher accommodation.

Prior to October 5, 1992 Amerindian de -

velopment was neglected to a point where there were no functioning secondary schools in any of the Amerindian communities.

The St. Ignatius Secondary school in Region Nine was offering only a limited number of subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and only at the Basic level. That in effect meant that Amerindians children were effectively denied an opportunity to obtain public service jobs or to gain admission at tertiary institutions.

That neglect under the previous PNC administration was not limited to the education sector. The same was true also of the health

sector. There were hardly any functioning hospitals, health centres or health posts.

Little wonder the mortality rate of Amerindians were on the decline due to a high incidence of malaria and other preventable diseases. Today, thanks to the several interventions by the PPP/C administration, the Amerindian population is the fastest growing segment of the population.

With the return of the PPP/C to power on October 1992 after over two decades of PNC dictatorial rule, Amerindian development was placed on the front burner. A new Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was established and Amerindians be -

came an integral part of the policy-making and governance process. Amerindian communities now benefit from greater internet connectivity with the installation of solar panels. An increasing number of Amerindians live on titled lands. The village economy is much more diversified.

The PPP/C administration must be commended for restoring dignity and pride to the Amerindian population. Amerindians are now an integral part of our society which is moving inexorably in the direction of One Guyana as envisioned by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

The great Dave Martins

Dear Editor,

I AM so sad to hear of the passing of Dave Martins, as is all of Guyana.

I have known Dave for many decades and admired him for the enormous body of work he has produced as a song writer and singer, but much more importantly, as a Guyanese who was never far from his roots in his mind though, in fact, he earned his international

reputation mainly as the leader of the Tradewinds performing in Toronto, Canada.

President Ali, in paying tribute to Dave, underlined the fact that “his music not only invited us to laugh at ourselves but also encouraged us to stand tall and be proud of our Guyanese and Caribbean heritage.”

Dave was indeed the quintessential Caribbean man and Guyanese patriot

in the true meaning of the term.

Of course, he will never be forgotten for “not a blade of grass”, written and sang by Dave in defence of our territorial integrity and, in particular, the Essequibo region where Dave was born and grew up as a young man.

In my view he was much, much more than a calypsonian. His songs, which as he had said re-

flect and portray his everyday conversation with the people he has met across the Caribbean, reflect the folklore of our people.

I will always remember that, when I was President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union, and in that capacity led Guyana’s rugby team to participate in an international tournament in the Cayman Islands where Dave was living at the time, Dave coming to

the airport to meet us and Dave invited me to stay at his home and then hosting the entire rugby team of almost 30 persons to dinner at his home. Dave then did so again, a second time, a number of years later when we played rugby in the Cayman Islands.

When serving as President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, I had invited Dave to deliver the feature address at one of our dinners. We had invited Annette Arjoon to display an exhibition of her photographs depicting the

indigenous aspect of our tourist attractions.

Dave saw and admired the photographs and asked my wife, Gem, about the photographer, which ultimately led to Dave meeting and marrying her.

The nation will mourn the passing of a great and distinguished Guyanese songwriter, singer and storyteller, who has left behind a song forever to be played over and over again as our second national anthem.

Yours respectfully, Kit Nascimento

Interpretation and Analysis of the Consumer Price Index (Part II)

Dear Editor,

THE Consumer Price Index (CPI) comprises four sub-group indices, namely: (i) Food, (ii) housing, (iii) transportation, and communications, and (iv) miscellaneous.

As established in (Part I), the base year for the current CPI index is 2009. Accordingly, food prices have increased by 102 per cent, housing prices fell by 1.4 percentage points (below the base year index), transportation and communication rose by 22 per cent, and miscellaneous by 32.4 per cent, since 2009. Overall, the CPI index, which is the average of the four sub-categories, increased by 43 per cent since 2009, which means that consumer prices have increased by 43 per cent since 2009.

Credited directly to government policies, housing prices have fallen slightly below the base year. In particular, the government’s housing policy—targets lowand middle-income families. The housing programme does not only include heavily subsidized costs, including concessional mortgage in -

terest rates, but also virtually interest free loans for first time low- and middle-income home owners, viz-à-viz, the Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) programme.

Food prices have increased, on average, by 7.3 per cent annually over the last 14 years. This outturn is largely attributed to the direct intervention by the government, inter alia, policies aimed at containing inflationary pressures.

It is crucial to note that had there been zero intervention by the government since 2020, consumer prices would have risen by at least 3-4 times higher than current levels. In other words, it would have cost the average consumer 3-4 times more for the same basket of goods in the supermarket or traditional market place. Altogether, the estimated cost of government’s intervention to contain inflationary pressures amounts to an estimated $322 billion annually (8.5% of GDP) in direct and indirect subsidized costs for household/consumption expenditure. Of note, this estimated value is exclusive of two key policies designed to

minimize the impact of rising costs, while increasing disposable income. These are: (i) the subsidy provided to first time low-income home owners (assistance with free building materials) and (ii) the Mortgage Interest Relief policy.

Further, it is worthwhile to note that real wages have increased by 6.5 times or 539 per cent since 2009. Notably, as shown previously in Part I, real wages increased by 60 per cent in 2018 over 2017. This was on account of induced wage inflation in the petroleum sector, whereby the oil and gas companies and the tier-one subcontractors have been increasingly recruiting Guyanese, tripling their previous wages and salaries. Consequently, in the non-oil sectors of the economy, firms were/are forced to double and triple their salaries and benefits packages, competing with the oil and gas sector to attract local talent from the Guyanese workforce.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin, Financial Analyst

We must stand against any form of bullying

Dear Editor,

THIS week, I have been disturbed by the rise in disrespectful and baseless accusations against Guyanese women, notably from a popular social media commentator. These attacks targetting women like the First Lady, HE Arya Ali, and a skilled pilot who serves with honour and integrity are not only unfounded but also damaging.

Both of these women have demonstrated remarkable strength and commitment to their roles. The First Lady has championed numerous impactful initiatives, including projects that uplift our society and contribute to the nation’s development. The pilot, a

or defamation

member of the Disciplined Forces, exemplifies the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

It’s disheartening to witness how easily misinformation can spread and harm the reputations of those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Social media, while a powerful tool for connection and communication, can also become a platform for spreading falsehoods that cause significant emotional and professional damage.

What is often overlooked is how these baseless attacks can strain personal relationships. When false accusations are made, they can create doubt, tension, and stress in the lives of those being targetted.

Friends, family, and colleagues may find them-

selves caught in the crossfire, leading to unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings. The emotional toll of defending oneself against lies can be overwhelming, and the ripple effects can reach far beyond the individuals directly involved. We must be mindful of the impact our words can have. Instead of using platforms to tear others down, we should uplift and support those who work tirelessly to make a difference in our society. It’s crucial to stand against any form of bullying or defamation, especially when it targets individuals who have done nothing but serve our country with honour.

Sincerely, Nalinie

Singh

Eric Phillips’ second barefaced evasion

WE start with the first evasion. Here is what Phillips wrote: “Winner-takeall politics is a pernicious system that breeds and rewards ethnic domination. Bad political systems cough up bad political leaders, and when leaders are empowered by ethnic communities, the worst form of governance result.”

I then wrote the following: “Can Phillips tell us if this characterisation applies to the government he worked for that included him, Professor Clive Thomas and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine? And why did he not eschew that ‘worst form of governance’ when he became a high level-employee at the State Assets Recovery Agency?”

Phillips replied to me, abused me by describing me a “pathological liar” who suffers from “normalised schizophrenic idiocy” but he has not answered if APNU+AFC was not a winner-take-all regime that was not ethnic-based.

Here are the words of Raphael Trotman writing in the Stabroek News on December 12, 2021: “The PNC discovered this from 1966 to 1992 and 2015 to 2020. The PPP

discovered this from 1992 to 2015. What it comes down to is that almost half of the population will not accept you.”

Trotman is a far more politically honest person that Eric Phillips. What this quote forcefully revealed was that the APNU+AFC was ethnically based and half the population did not accept it. Trotman is African Guyanese and occupied a huge space of importance and power in the APNU+AFC regime. Phillips will not answer my question now or ever.

This is the way these Afro-centric activists operate and they believe that young African Guyanese are deeply gullible that they cannot detect their intellectual bankruptcy. Do you think young African Guyanese have any respect for the intellectual standing of Henry Jeffrey after they read what he wrote?

Jeffrey noted that in the 2020 general election, every one of the 10 Regions (except Region 8 which Jeffrey did not include) was massively rigged by the PPP and in most cases the rigging was from 30 per cent to 60 per cent.

Jeffrey will never explain

how the PPP did it. He knows he wrote appalling nonsense but his contempt for African Guyanese allows him to believe he can fool them.

Now for the second evasion of Phillips in which he exposes himself once more in the eyes of the nation and particularly African Guyanese, the audience that Phillips targets.

A letter-writer asked Phillips one of the simplest questions you can ask in politics- which country has a power-sharing government. Phillips hasn’t learnt one of the fundamental lessons of life which is pathetic and shameful on his part. It goes like this – if you do not know what to say, shut your mouth

so you cannot be accused by anyone of talking nonsense.

Here is Phillips’ shocking, mediocre, jejune and asinine response. “I hope you traverse the internet because you will realise there are many countries where power is shared including the United States of America.”

There is no adjective more suitable to describe this response than “asinine.” Philips used 19 words to tell the letter-writer there is power-sharing elsewhere rather than naming the countries. Why should the questioner use the internet to search when Phillips was asked the question and he could save the gentleman time and energy by naming the countries?

He cannot name any country that has power-sharing, not even Belgium and Switzerland. Not even Northern Ireland (NI) because ultimate power lies with the British Government. Unable to cite examples of power-sharing governments, in a paroxysm of embarrassment, Phillips blurted out – the USA. What a comical response!

The USA never had a power-sharing government. What Phillips did was try to fool his target audience by substituting minority presidency for power-sharing. Minority presidency is when the president’s party does not have a parliamentary majority. Bill Clinton was

a minority president. In his second term, Obama was a minority president. Macron in France is a minority president. We don’t read about minority presidencies in the Western democracies because Western academics and the Western media do not use the term “minority presidency.” They reserve it only for the Third World.

But even with minority presidency in the US and France, there is hardly substantial diminution of presidential power. The House of Representative impeached Bill Clinton and he remained in office. The House impeached Trump and he remained in office. The French Assembly was ready to vote down a policy by Macron when he invoked special presidential power. Can Phillips tell us which two parties shared power under the Trump presidency?

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.

AFC is shouting in an echo chamber

THIS past Friday, AFC launched its reinvigoration campaign tour in Linden.

That is very symbolic. A typical campaign launch sets the direction for the remainder of the campaign, it is a tone setting activity, (this one was lackluster), it gives notice of the type of demographics being targeted and it identifies priorities.

There are three main ingredients that goes into the choice of areas for a campaign launch, the party feels close to the community based on demonstrated support in the past (these are our people), and a large organic invigorating turnout is expected to launch the campaign on a high note.

Location choice may also be influenced by the desire to signal to that community that a premium is placed on their support and that their territory represents the battleground. Further, a choice of location can reflect a major policy initiative the party wants to drive and the particular community holds symbolic value for honing the pillars of that policy prescription that is expected to benefit the rest of the nation. All other considerations for choice of campaign location are secondary.

In my column published on Monday last, I outlined why the opposition will be unable to expand its impact at the ballot box in the 2025 elections. The top leadership structure of the parties that are either in a current arrangement or consider themselves co-operating parties are all designed to appeal to a narrow segment of the voting population.

AFC’s launch of its campaign in Linden confirms the validity of views I espoused last week. AFC is claiming Linden as its people, it is their election battleground and symbolic policy platform. AFC has now confirmed, cemented and left no doubt that it has serious intentions competing with PNCR/ APNU for its support base.

Word in the spit press has it that the WPA will also launch a series of public meetings and engagements. I bet they will do so in an APNU stronghold. Their battleground is the same; same leadership composition, same leadership styles, same message, same territory, same demographics, same comfort zone.

This strategy cannot win anything. In fact, the 2025 General and Regional Elections will be a repeat of the trends observed in the results of the 2023 Local Government Elections, PPP will gain grounds.

The AFC is supposed to be resurgent; they are supposed to be reinvigorated, reclaiming their mojo and well on their way to getting their groove back. After all, the AFC is attempting to revive its headquarters, the Center for Change, from its necropolistic state through sponsored staffing, regular weekly meetings and press conferences coupled

with “listening tours” and now public meetings.

Despite all these attempts, AFC remains uninspiring, politically insipid and unimaginative. The much-anticipated growth in support is not happening. AFC is shouting in an echo chamber, hearing its own voice and mistaking it for support.

AFC’s behaviour in government is one of the main reasons why the coalition lost government and it will be the reason why any coalition for the 2025 elections will not be successful.

Based on the results of the last five elections, including 2015, APNU has maxed out its support, it has reached its electoral plateau under the current configuration. APNU is incapable, on its own, to cross the threshold needed to win the seat of government. To be able to even dream of capturing additional support, APNU will need major restructuring and overhaul of both its message and messengers.

It is not for the want of trying. The PNC became PNCR then morphed into APNU along with changes in leadership and messaging, yet, despite all of its efforts it remained stagnant at the ballot box.

APNU needed a party with the size, leadership structure and support base of the AFC to push them over the threshold, take them out of plateau. Therefore, any loss to the AFC is a loss to the coalition.

APNU held its plateau but AFC declined, partly because APNU spent a lot of time and energy trying to put AFC in its place and diminishing its role in government. They couldn’t see they were eroding the support base of the AFC, which were mostly inconvertible to APNU. There was a fundamental misunderstanding in the APNU camp of how much that “last mile” held by the AFC was worth.

That said, it is the lack of an appropriate regimen of responses from AFC that caused it to rapidly lose support. Despite the current level of shenanigans, AFC cannot regain a sufficient support base in coalition to win power or out of coalition to create a minority government.

The AFC no longer has the leadership format, support base, internal machinery, nor ability to capture the imagination of the voting public, and will be under tremendous pressure to retain seats in the National Assembly.

Too much trust has been lost, the damage has already been done and AFC is politically blunt and practically “dead meat.”

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.

Housing Ministry debunks Opposition’s Mocha-Arcadia land allegations

THE Ministry of Housing and Water has strongly refuted claims made by Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton and journalist, Adam Harris, regarding the use of land at Mocha-Arcadia (Cane View), where squatters were recently removed to make way for the construction of a highway.

In a statement issued Monday, the Ministry emphasised that the land in question was being used exclusively for the publicly-announced

purpose of constructing the highway. The Ministry made it clear that there were no plans to re-purpose the land or allocate it to any individual or entity.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, recently addressed the issue in an article published on August 13, 2024, in the Stabroek News, where he confirmed, “the lands are not allocated to anyone…there are no structures on the land.”

The Ministry criticised

the statements made by Harris and Norton, labelling them as “erroneous and mischievous” and accusing them of attempting to incite racial and ethnic tensions.

According to the Ministry, most of the squatters who were relocated were moved to developed housing areas at no cost and received compensation, with many now becoming legal landowners. The Ministry noted

that the success of the housing programme over the past four years has been a sore point for the Opposition, given its poor performance in the sector during their time in government from 2015 to 2020.

The Ministry also acknowledged that some squatters who were dissatisfied with the government’s actions have initiated legal proceedings, with the cases currently pending in the High Court.

President’s College to get $386M teaching block

IN a significant development for Guyana’s educational landscape, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, officially turned the sod for the construction of a new $386 million teaching block at President’s College, on Monday.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Education, this ceremony marks the beginning of a major project aimed at enhancing the educational infrastructure of the institution.

The construction contract has been awarded to Jaspal Mohabir of Mohabir’s Construction, and is expected to be completed within 12 months, bringing advanced educational facilities to President’s College.

The new teaching block will be a modern two-storey building designed to enhance both teaching and learning environments. The ground floor will include nine advanced classrooms, a sanitary block, and an administrative office, while the upper floor will feature eleven additional classrooms and a comprehensive library.

The integration of mod-

President’s College will soon have a new $386M teaching block

ern science ‘labs’ into the new building will significantly enhance the college’s science curriculum, providing students with innovative hands-on learning opportunities.

Minister Manickchand, who led the sod-turning ceremony, emphasised the importance of investing in education and infrastructure, noting that the new teaching block will not only address the immediate needs for mod-

ern educational facilities but also pave the way for future advancements in teaching and learning.

The ceremony was attended by notable figures from the educational and construction sectors, and highlighted the collective efforts and commitment to advancing education in Guyana, with a shared vision of fostering an enriching environment for both students and educators.

POLICE in Regional Division No.2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are investigating the discovery of a decomposed body at Henrietta, Essequibo Coast.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a 64-year-old resident of Henrietta, on Monday morning, reported to the Anna Regina Police Station that he was getting a foul smell emanating from

an abandoned house located north of his yard.

“As such, he went and made checks and observed the body of a male in a decomposing state (with flies and worms on the body),” police said.

Ranks of the Divisional Headquarters at Anna Regina and crime scene technicians visited the scene.

The body, observed to be about 60 per cent decom-

posed, was photographed and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where it was officially pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. The body is at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigators were told that the deceased man (no name given) had no fixed place of abode. Investigations are ongoing.

Jumbo Jet Auto Sales secures prestigious ‘dealer of the year award’ in Mexico City

JUMBO Jet Auto Sales, a name synonymous with excellence in the heavy-duty equipment industry in Guyana, has achieved a remarkable milestone.

On August 18, 2024, Nasrudeen Mohamed, the founder of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, was awarded the prestigious “Dealer of the Year” title during the annual SINOTRUK Global Partners Conference in Mexico City.

According to a press release from Jumbo Jet, established in 1994, the company has cemented its position as the largest dealer of heavy-duty equipment and trucks in Guyana.

With a legacy of delivering quality and reliability, the company has long been recognised for its expertise in foreign-used equipment. Over the years, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales has catered to a diverse clientele by offering flexible payment options tailored to individual needs.

A pivotal moment for the company came three years

ago when it signed a contract with SINOTRUK, becoming the exclusive distributor of brand-new SINOTRUK trucks in Guyana. SINOTRUK, a leading name in the global trucking industry and part of the China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co., Ltd., has a storied history of innovation, including the development of China’s first heavy-duty truck.

The “Dealer of the Year” award highlights Mr. Mohamed’s exceptional performance in selling the highest number of trucks within SINOTRUK’s Americas division, which spans Central America, South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Competing against over 600 dealers across 30 countries, Mr. Mohamed’s achievement is notable, especially given SINOTRUK’s impressive export volume of 68,000 units this year.

The award ceremony, attended by key figures including Wangzhijian, General Manager of Shandong

Heavy Industry Group and Chairman of SINOTRUK, as well as Zhaohua, Chairman of SINOTRUK International, was a testament to Mr. Mohamed’s success.

Wangzhijian personally presented the award to Mr. Mohamed, who also had the opportunity for a one-on-one meeting with the Chairman, reinforcing the strong partnership between Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and SINOTRUK.

During the ceremony, Mr. Mohamed’s daughter, Melissa Chattergoon-Shariff, delivered a presentation on his behalf, showcasing the growth and achievements of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales. The presentation highlighted the company’s evolution and its commitment to upholding a legacy of excellence.

“This accolade underscores Jumbo Jet Auto Sales’ dedication to delivering top-tier products and services while reinforcing its crucial role in the heavy-duty equipment market in Guyana and beyond,” the company said.

Labour Ministry investigates fatal mining accident in Region Eight

THE Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has launched an investigation into a tragic workplace accident that claimed the lives of two miners in Region Eight.

The incident occurred on August 15th, 2024, at an unregistered land dredge in St. Elizabeth, Mahdia, within the Potaro Mining District number two.

The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Imran Blake of Kuru Kuru College, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, and 26-year-old Sherwayne Joseph.

According to the Ministry of Labour, the miners, along with six others, began their workday at approximately 06:00 hrs. However, the day took a deadly turn at around 23:15 hrs. when the pit walls suddenly collapsed.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing rumbling sounds before the walls gave way, trapping both Joseph and Blake beneath the debris. Despite efforts to raise the alarm and evacuate the area, the two men were unable to escape in time.

In response to the incident, Occupational Safety

and Health Officer, Ray Hosannah and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Safety Officer, Irvie London, were dispatched to the site. The officers commenced a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the accident and to develop recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has extended his deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He emphasised the critical

Looking forward, Mr. Mohamed has secured thousands of new trucks to meet the growing demands of the Guyanese market. Additionally, the company is expanding its operations with the construction of a new parts and service station exclusively for SINOTRUK trucks, further solidifying SINOTRUK’s position as the leading truck brand in Guyana.

An opening ceremony for this new expansion will be announced soon, marking another significant milestone for Jumbo Jet Auto Sales as it continues to drive innovation and excellence in the industry.

importance of adhering to safety and health practices in the workplace to prevent such avoidable tragedies.

“Employers must ensure that their operations are conducted with the highest regard for safety,” Minister Hamilton stated. “We must all work together to protect the lives of our workers.”

The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to uncover the factors that led to the fatal collapse and to hold accountable those responsible for maintaining safety at the worksite.

Nasrudeen Mohamed with his award in Mexico City

The accident site

Guyanese businesses urged to upskill as economy booms

By Feona Morrison

IN a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast, Robin Singh, a sales expert and professional development strategist of Sandler Mississauga, brought attention to the urgent need for businesses in Guyana to promptly conform to the rapidly developing economic scenario of the nation.

Sandler is one of the leading sales training companies in the world.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently urged the private sector to adopt a proactive and aggressive approach to development and

Sales expert and professional development strategist of Sandler Mississauga, Robin Singh. He is also a leading franchise holder for Sandler

innovation. Singh’s observations addressed this call to action.

According to Singh, upskilling employees is more important than ever for businesses as Guyana’s economy grows at an unprecedented rate, mostly due to the country’s booming oil and gas sector. According to him, the traditional business mindset, which often prioritises short-term gains over long-term investment in human capital, needs to shift.

He therefore advised Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and business owners to adopt a proactive mindset rather than a reactive one if they want to succeed.

He emphasised that businesses need to recognise the speed at which change is taking place and take prompt action to guarantee that their staff members have the skills needed to succeed in this new economic climate.

“Investment in skills is critical. When you think about it, they [employees] are the face of your company and they can dictate whether the reputation of your company is of high standard or low standard. We have got to upskill our people. And what does upskill mean? It has got to be training, technical training. It has got to be soft skills training: communications, team work…”

Singh stated that there is a greater need for worker training because of the significant investment taking place, which has made the economic sector more competitive.

“The competitors that are coming in are pretty skilled.” He reasoned that companies will spend money on employee training if they value their human resources.

“We [businesses] have a mindset of if I

train you and I spend money on you, you will leave the company and take it somewhere else. That is a mindset. So, how do I change that mindset? Well, if I keep it the way it is and I don’t train them, I might go out of business or I might not grow.

“But what happens if I do train my people? Think about how they [employees] feel. The commitment that they now have to the organisation. I believe that they will stay because they value the investment that you are making on them. If you have the right culture and the right tools to help them grow, I think they will stay with you…,” the expert said.

Singh urged companies to communicate their vision to their employees and cautioned them against becoming complacent.

He explained that communicating a company’s vision to workers is crucial for several reasons, as it ensures alignment, motivation, and a shared sense of purpose among employees, ensuring the overall success of the company. “I have to document that [vision]. I have to put it in writing. And I have to communicate that to my team. If I have the right people in the bus, they are the people that will implement that vision.”

Singh stated that, although local businesses have an edge over foreign corporations, they still need to remain competitive. “Whoever is coming in, is coming in with a different culture. The Asians have a different way of conducting business. The Canadians… they have a different way. The Americans…they have a different way. We need to understand what those cultural differences are when we try to conduct business. So, what does that mean?

“We have to upskill again. I’ve got to upskill my negotiation skills to understand what that is. I’ve got to have a competitive advantage…I’m a local. What are those competitive advantages that I have and how well am I articulating that local competitive advantage versus the competition.”

He emphasised the need for high-quality public service, urging top officials, including government ministers, to undergo proper training to deliver exceptional service to citizens.

“We have to change the mindset from the perspective that starts from the top of that ministry. How well is that minster trained? How will is he coaching his different management levels? And how well is that different management levels training those employees,” Singh stated.

He pointed out that public sector employees must remember their salaries are funded by taxpayers, highlighting their responsibility to serve the public effectively.

Singh also highlighted government’s role in supporting the upskilling effort by providing businesses with incentives. He highlighted that governments in North American do this.

Founded by David H. Sandler in 1967, Sandler is a global organisation specialising in sales training, management training, and professional development.

Training thousands of employees per year, the company is known for its distinctive approach to sales, which emphasises relationship-building, understanding client needs, and a consultative selling process which are designed to help individuals and organisations improve their sales performance, leadership skills, and overall business strategies.

Sandler recently facilitated a four-day in-person training with a team from the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo photo)

Accountability, transparency critical to village development

–– gov’t will continue to make crucial investments; 203 more communities to be fully connected to the internet soon, Minister Sukhai says

MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, on Monday, highlighted to Indigenous leaders from across the country that upholding the tenets of accountability and transparency is critical to the effective leadership of their villages and the development of same.

Sukhai made those remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) conference which is being held this week at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme, “Astute Leadership for Amerindian Development.”

“Accountability and transparent leadership must be upheld to avoid extending far too much time and resources on resolving grievances. The requirement of the law on financial reporting must be upheld,” she said.

Further, Sukhai advised the NTC to impress upon its membership the need to address issues of financial reporting to their people.

She reminded them that a responsibility of the village council is to manage the resources of the village and to administer the affairs of the people.

The minister went on to add that the government will continue to invest in and support Amerindian villages, and said that the ministry remains committed to delivering training and empowerment sessions to leaders across the country, and while many leaders have already benefitted, a more aggressive session will be executed soon.

On the point of continued support, she said that the ministry continues to advance its annual programme

to support agriculture, women, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, youth and students among other areas of investments in Indigenous villages.

Sukhai told the gathering that investment grants are a key feature of the government’s financial support and investment in villages.

She pointed out that they continue to provide presidential grants and other investment grants to various communities.

“I wish to point out that since 2020 there has been a reversal of the neglect which is pervasive in many of the villages, both in the hinterland and in the riverine communities,” Sukhai said.

Additionally, she reminded the conference that the transformation taking place in villages across the hinterland has seen the replenishment of household

solar systems as the government has invested in over 30,000 solar panel household systems.

While there are still some communities awaiting their deliveries of these systems, the government has taken note of same and will cater for them very soon.

Meanwhile, Sukhai said that the government is aggressively pursuing connectivity to the internet under the Office of the Prime Minister.

She related: “In a couple of short months from now, I know that we will be able to complete the batch of 203 villages fully connected to the internet; this will open up a wider range of opportunities to our hinterland population.”

Sukhai indicated that the government has made it clear that it will continue to engage the population and

Additionally, she said that it is important to highlight that in no other country could they find the Head of State and Cabinet sitting and engaging with the Indigenous people deliberating, discussing and making commitments together.

A Timeless Voice: UG honours legacy of Dr. Dave Martins

THE University of Guyana is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished figures, Dr. Dave Martins, who passed away on August 18, 2024, after a prolonged illness.

Dr. Martins, a beloved cultural icon whose contributions resonated far beyond Guyana’s borders, was remembered by the university as a “Caribbean Hero” and a “Timeless Voice” that will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Born on April 10, 1935, Dr. Martins was not only a celebrated musician, songwriter, and storyteller but also a pivotal figure in the academic and cultural landscape of the Caribbean.

His work, characterised by its authentic use of Guyanese Creole and profound reflection on Caribbean life, earned him widespread acclaim and a place in the hearts of many.

Dr. Martins’ relationship with the University of Guyana was marked by his tenure as the institution’s second Artist-in-Residence

from 2017 to 2018. During this period, he embarked on a country-wide tour, bringing joy and cultural pride to thousands through a series of eight concerts.

His performances, some of which were live-streamed, captivated audiences both in Guyana and abroad. In

addition to his concerts, Dr. Martins shared his expertise and insights with students and faculty through master classes and lectures, enriching the university’s cultural and academic community.

The university’s Artist-in-Residence programme plays a crucial role in pre-

serving the legacies of its artists by documenting their lives and creative processes.

Dr. Martins’ time at the university was no exception.

The institution produced a documentary titled The Man Behind the Music: DAVE MARTINS (https:// youtu.be/Z0maHyv-DbI),

which provides an in-depth look at his life and work, ensuring that future generations can study and appreciate his contributions to Caribbean culture.

In 2022, Dr. Martins was conferred with the prestigious University of Guyana’s Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Letters. During the ceremony, Master Orator, Al Creighton, paid tribute to Dr. Martins’ extraordinary talent and cultural significance, highlighting his mastery of language—both in precise English and Guyanese Creole.

Creighton remarked, “Here is a writer whose prose pieces are in precise English, but whose poetic genius is articulated in Guyanese Creole. What is more, the Creole is a language that is not only his tool and resource but his declared culture and identity.”

Reflecting on Dr. Martins’ life and legacy, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, described him as “one of the most authentic human

beings to have ever graced our lives.” She praised his contributions as a “citizen scholar” and an “artistic intellect par excellence,” noting that the university was privileged to have had him as an Artist-in-Residence. She also expressed gratitude that the university had the opportunity to honour him with an honorary doctorate during his lifetime, ensuring that he felt appreciated and loved.

The University of Guyana extends its heartfelt condolences to Dr. Martins’ wife, Annette Arjune Martins, his sisters in Canada, and his extended family and friends. The university community, including alumni across the globe, joins in mourning the loss of this extraordinary individual.

As the university pays tribute to Dr. Dave Martins, it is clear that his life and work will continue to bring pride, joy, and inspiration to many. His voice, his music, and his cultural legacy will forever be a guiding light for future generations.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai delivering remarks at the opening of the National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference (Samuel Maughn photo) will have dialogue and conversations with them.

Dave Martins after he was conferred with the prestigious University of Guyana’s Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Letters in 2022. Also in photo are Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin (L) and Chancellor, Prof. Edward Greene

Indigenous communities to earn more from carbon credits

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA’S Indigenous Peoples have been the custodians of the forest for generations, and in recognition of this stewardship, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday announced that the government will be increasing the percentage paid out to indigenous villages from the country’s sale of its carbon credits.

The Head of State made the revelation during his address on Monday at the opening of the 2024 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference to thunderous applause from toshaos and village leaders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

“We do not want you to get less,” Dr. Ali said as he disclosed that Guyana has earned $US87.5 million this year from the sale of its carbon credits.

The country’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 commits 15 per cent of all revenues earned from the forest to be paid to Amerindian villages as development investments.

According to the President, this year, Guyana has earned less than it did in 2023, which saw some $US22.5 million being dispersed to 242 villages.

“Because we are a government that cares and loves you; because we are a government that believes in giving more and not less, we have taken a decision to allocate 26.5 per cent of the earnings this year to you,” he said.

This year’s earnings of $US87.5 million would have seen villages receiving less money than they did in 2023, had the government maintained the 15 per cent payout.

“Although the agreement is 15 per cent, we have in-

creased the percentage of this year’s earning to 26.5 per cent, thereby ensuring that you will get no less than what you got last year. You will get $US23 .2 million, or $4.84 billion in your villages; directly transferred to your villages,” President Ali explained.

“Isn’t this love? Isn’t this honour? Isn’t this commitment? Isn’t this belief? We believe in you as much as you believe in us,” the Head of State added.

The LCDS 2030, which is one of the many hallmarks of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, outlines a robust mechanism for the mobilisation of financing that will be accrued from the country’s

forest resources.

The LCDS 2030 paved the way for a historic agreement between Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana, whereby the oil giant opted to purchase about one-third of all Guyana’s credits (issued and anticipated) up to 2030.

The agreement will generate a minimum of US$750 million for Guyana over the coming decade, and represents a major milestone on the journey towards a vision first set out in 2007 by the PPP/C government.

“As a result of this investment, over 800 transformative projects are on the way in villages, which has resulted in growth and development, expansion, building

of ecologies, tourism facility, agriculture facility. All of this is ongoing; all of this is ongoing as a result of this investment,” President Ali further pointed out.

Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are permits or tradeable licences that represent the removal or reduction of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.

One way to value the carbon-trees store is through the issuance of forest carbon credits by independent verification organisations. Companies can purchase these tradable credits as a way of recognising that carbon stored in forests is one aspect of the solution to achieving a global climate, where one tonne of carbon dioxide has been decreased, avoided, or sequestered for every carbon credit.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) issued 7.14 million 2021 vintage carbon credits to Guyana, marking a groundbreaking achievement in the global fight against climate change.

Simultaneously, the government had announced the world’s first Paris Agreement corresponding adjustment, a significant step reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

These developments fulfilled requirements to label the credits as the world’s first eligible for use by airlines towards their targets in the 2024-2026 phase of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s global emission reduction programme, CORSIA.

The issuance by ART, known as TREES credits,

recognises Guyana’s efforts at successfully reducing emissions from forest loss and degradation, while maintaining one of the world’s most intact tropical forests through jurisdictional REDD+ initiatives.

It was later revealed that Guyana has already begun discussions with several commercial airlines to secure a market within the aviation sector for its certified carbon units.

‘NOW A REALITY’

Meanwhile, Derick John, Chairman of the NTC, in his address, noted that in the past, ideas were

have resources. Today, we have the resources that aim to support, and that makes us transform those ideas in reality,” John said, adding:

“These resources are very critical. They’re very important, and we need to utilise these resources in a way that will bring benefits, and that will transform the lives of people. Accountability, transparency is very critical.”

John, who hails from Moraikobai, the only indigenous Arawak village found in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), urged his colleagues to use the conference as an opportunity to share successful development stories, and

limited due to the lack of resources and funding.

However, the revenue now being generated from the country’s forest has seen Indigenous leaders transforming their visions in tangible developmental projects.

“In the past, we had ideas; we had plans, but we didn’t

address ongoing challenges.

“Use this opportunity to report on how the funds from carbon credit sales have impacted your communities,” he said.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme, ‘Astute Leadership for Amerindian Development’.

Derrick John returns as NTC Chair

DERRICK John who hails from Moraikobai— the only Indigenous Arawak village found in Region Five— was, on Monday, re-elected the chairman of Guyana’s National Toshao’s Council (NTC). John, was re-elected at the opening of the NTC’s annual conference which is being held this week in Georgetown. Over 200 Toshaos and village leaders have travelled from across the hinterland regions to participate in this major, national event. Under the umbrella of the

NTC, a 20-person Executive Committee is elected, and this body is made up of representatives of the 10 Administration regions of Guyana. Bethany’s Toshao, Sonia Latchman was elected the Vice-Chairman; St. Cuthberts/Pakuri’s Alvo -

ro Simon was elected as the body’s treasurer, while Karrau’s Toshao, Shane Cornelius was elected as the secretary.

Guided by the Amerindian Act No. 6 of 2006, the Toshaos and the NTC Executive Members are elected for

a three-year term and members are eligible to contest a second term.

At the opening ceremony, John noted that NTC is a pivotal platform that promotes the relevance of indigenous peoples.

“Guyana is the only country that gives Indigenous leaders this opportunity, and we should be proud of that. I hope you use this opportunity wisely.

Let us not fail our people, use every moment of your time to think about the people,” he said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali at the opening ceremony of the 2024 NTC conference

NTC chairman Toshao Derick John (Samuel Maughn photos)

PAHO/WHO commends Guyana for its immunisation coverage in 2023

GUYANA has received official correspondence from Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for the Americas, congratulating the country for its exceptional immunisation coverage for 2023.

“The Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) wishes to congratulate the Co-operative Republic of Guyana for the encouraging results in routine immunisation coverage obtained in the last year, as reported in the Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) published by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),” the letter outlined.

Under the expanded programme on immunisation, the Ministry of Health currently administers vaccines for 17 antigens: Whooping Cough, Measles, Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis, Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Mumps, Rubella, Haemophilus Influenza Type b, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal, Human Papilloma Virus, Varicella.

Although the country is divided into 10 administration regions, with four of them being classified as hinterland regions and are hard-to-reach and sparsely populated, the Ministry of Health through its strategies and interventions have managed to stay on top of its countrywide vaccination programme.

Guyana’s success re -

flects the dedication of leadership and healthcare professionals, the strength of the healthcare system, and the government’s commitment to health investment.

This achievement is important in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and epidemics and ensuring that key sectors continue to thrive without setbacks caused by public health crises.

This success has contributed to the Region of the Americas being the only WHO region to surpass immunisation coverage levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there is a need for continued progress to maintain this momentum, restore the region to the forefront of global immunisation coverage, and advance strategies to

eliminate communicable diseases, the ministry said.

Despite the positive outcomes at the national level, PAHO/WHO emphasised the importance of achieving consistent coverage across all regions of Guyana, through the use of a detailed internal analysis.

With support from their technical co-operation, which includes innovative strategies, it will allow Guyana to reach underserved populations and overcome barriers to accessing vaccination services.

The PAHO/WHO in its congratulatory letter reiterated its commitment to supporting Guyana in advancing vaccination efforts and all initiatives that contribute to consolidating and enhancing immunisation recovery.

Land reforestation project advances with 2,500 trees already planted

THE government’s National Forest Restoration Initiative (NFRI) project is advancing rapidly, with some 2,500 trees already planted.

The initiative aims to restore forests in the country’s overused, degraded, or deforested areas.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat acknowledged that while the project is costly, it is crucial for developing the forestry sector.

“It is a costly venture but it is a necessary venture. There are many mined-out areas, especially in the bauxite belt that we are currently working to do reclamation and reafforestation,” the minister stated.

Minister Bharrat made these remarks during the ministry’s mid-year press conference last Wednesday, at the Guyana Forestry Commission Complex in Kingston, Georgetown.

He noted that a pilot project is underway in Linden, where over 2,500 trees have already been planted across approximately 20 to 30 acres of land.

“That is a project that has already started and it will continue to expand into the bauxite mined-out areas. It is being replicated in other areas in Region 10, Region One, Region Six, and Region Eight around the Mahdia township,” the natural resources minister explained.

Trees of native species such as kabukalli, soft wallaba, tauroniro, simarupa, baromalli, bloodwood, and awati, among others, are being planted in these areas.

The restoration and reafforestation project forms part of the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 which aims to foster a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Earlier in the year, the ministry established two seedling stations to support the activity, one at the Yarrowkabra Training Centre along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, and another in Wismar, Linden.

A key component of this process is community involvement and capacity building.

Youths from West Watooka, Silvertown, and HalfMile were trained in seedling collection, seedling station care and management, out-planting, as well as restoration site monitoring and management.

Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat highlighted that the government completed the National Forest Inventory last year, which will enable more efficient management of the forestry sector.

“This is something that will add to the way in which the forestry sector is managed and in the allocation of forestry concessions,” Minister Bharrat said.

He further said that the Guyana Forestry Commission has been working with the European Union on a mangrove restoration and protection project, which has shown promising results.

The minister emphasised the critical importance of this project, particularly given Guyana’s vulnerable coastline and rising sea levels. (DPI)

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, WHO Regional Director for the Americas at a recently held PAHO/WHO meeting

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday August 20, 2024)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Ryan Rickleton & Lungi Ngidi

(2) Dane Piedt & Nandre Burger

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is the highest Test score made by a WI batsman in South Africa to date?

(2) What is the highest Test score made by a SA batsman in the West Indies to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

KEMPTON

09:10 hrs Dancingontherain

09:40 hrs Metro Dubai

10:10 hrs Big Sip

10:45 hrs Top Of The Class 11:15 hrs Prometto

11:45 hrs Aliari

12:15 hrs American Fashion

BRIGHTON

09:25 hrs Premium Pass

09:55 hrs Berkshire Nugget

10:25 hrs Foinix

11:00 hrs Mon Etoile

11:30 hrs Romanovochi

12:00 hrs Dion Baker

WOLVERHAMPTON

13:30 hrs Cuban Girl

14:00 hrs Chesneys Charm

14:30 hrs Stella Hogan

15:00 hrs Lumenbourg

15:30 hrs Kinetic

16:00 hrs Street Life

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS

VAAL

08:45 hrs Diesel’s Shadow

09:20 hrs Virginia Beach

10:00 hrs What A Tiger

10:35 hrs Gaelic Dancer

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

FINGER LAKES Race 1 Miss City Girl Race 2 Sharpoon Race 3 Norgay

Race 4 Trappe The Dream Race 5 Coin Jar

Race 6 Tuckabuckaway

Race 7 Big George Kingdom

IRISH RACING TIPS ROSCOMMON

12:20 hrs Timourid

12:50 hrs J’adore Chris

13:20 hrs Barnavara

13:50 hrs Counter Culture

14:20 hrs Orandi

14:50 hrs Poetic Sound

15:20 hrs Lady Christa

Guyana retains Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys...

From page 6

the gold medallists in the Schoolboys and Girls division, on behalf of MVP Sport and Smalta.

RESULTS:

Youth 63.5kg Shakquian

James (GUY) beat Leon Loudat (ANT) Schoolboys 11-12, 26kg

Kevin Klass (GUY) beat Nervon Medrick (SLU) Finals: Schoolboys 11-12, 44kg

Kenroy Klass (GUY) beat Drayson Roberts (GRN) Schoolboys 13-14, 44kg

Kenisha Klass (GUY) beat

Grace Harry (TTO)

Schoolgirls 11-12, 44kg

Tehelya Arabi Nikrui (SUR) beat Melia Barker (GUY) Juniors 66kg Jaquan Grant (BAR) beat Herve

Charlemange (SUR)

Youth Women’s 52kg

Anjali Toolsie (SUR) beat Angelina Rogers (GUY)

Youth 57kg Neraj Mahadeosingh (TTO) beat Sam

James (GRN)

Youth 60kg Chael Main (SUR) beat De Andre Hector (GRN)

Juniors 80kg Lammend

Alexander (SLU) beat Jahar Browne (ANT)

Juniors 75kg Joffes Jack-

man (GUY) beat Elroy Canchon (SLU)

Juniors 63kg Makieve Bellile (TTO) beat Simeon Haymer (GUY)

Elite 67kg Travis Inverary (GUY) beat Tony Lin (SUR)

Elite 86kg Dwayne July (GUY) beat Richard Everd (SUR)

Youth Women’s 52kg

Reyah John (TTO) beat Tofina Barker (GUY)

Juniors 60kg Ken Harvey (GUY) beat Kurt Kirton (SLU)

Juniors 70kg Chance

Niles (GUY) beat Med Charles (TTO)

National-Under 17

cricketer benefits from ‘Project Cricket Gear’

NATIONAL Under-17 cricketer Romesh

Bharrat is the latest youngster to benefit from “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers,” the initiative started by Kishan Dass of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

Bharrat was the recipient of one brand-new

pair of batting gloves. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club right-hand middle-order batsman has also represented Berbice at the Under-19 level. He is currently in Trinidad and Tobago participating in the Regional Under-17 Championship.

At a simple presentation recently, Bharrat expressed his gratitude

Wins for Guyana and

to the organisation, and promised to do his country proud.

In response, the organisation encouraged him to stay focused, take his education seriously, and be disciplined at all times.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Barbados

in CWI Under-17 championship

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – RESULTS of the second and final day of the second round of matches in the CWI Under-17 Championship, on Sunday, are below.

At Inshan Ali Park: Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago by eight wickets.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 121 and 106 in 40.2 overs (AS Basant 32, Aaidan Racha 20, Darius Batoosingh 12, Samir Saroop 12; Joshua Dorne 3-0, Jakeem Pollard 3-21, Kevion Newton 2-12)

BARBADOS 96 and

134-2 in 31.5 overs (Zachary Carter 86 not out, Joshua Dorne 38).

At the National Cricket Centre: Guyana defeated Leeward Islands by 10 wickets.

LEEWARD ISLANDS 144 and 127 in 46.4 overs (De-Antre Drew 40, Eirette Richards 32, Israel Morton 13; Golcharran Chulai 6-28, Romario Ramdeholl 3-31).

GUYANA 176 and 96-0 (Jonathan van Lange 65 not out, Rampersaud Ramnauth 19 not out).

At Gilbert Park: Wind -

ward Islands and Jamaica play to a draw.

WINDWARD ISLANDS 92 and 159-9 in 46 overs (Khan Elcock 42, Kodi Grant 35, Edmund Morancie 24 not out, Jelani Joseph 21; Perico Henry 2-30, Deshawn James 2-38, Vitel Lawes 2-46).

JAMAICA 48 and 177-9 in 70 overs (David Dewar 43, Savio Jones 39, Tyriek Bryan 27, Pajay Nelson 17, Demarco Scott 16; Joel Durand 3-38, Theo Edward 2-21).

Romesh Bharrat, left, receives the donation from Anil Beharry

CWI to hold Vice-Presidential Election on September 20

…Azim Bassarath steps down from post

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that elections for the office of vice-president will take place on September 20, 2024.

The decision follows a meeting of the CWI Board of Directors on Thursday, August 8, 2024, in response to a recent ruling by the High Court of Guyana.

The court ruling addressed a challenge initiated by the Guyana Cricket Board regarding the previous Vice-Presidential election, prompting CWI to call for re-elections.

As a result of this deci-

sion, Mr. Azim Bassarath has stepped down from his role as Vice-President.

Commenting on the situation, CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow stated, “This presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI Memorandum and Articles of Association. Policies and frameworks are bound to be tested over time.

As a Board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to that fact.”

Dr. Shallow also expressed gratitude for Mr. Bassarath’s professionalism during this process, saying,

“I am particularly grateful for the level of cooperation and professionalism in which Mr. Bassarath has handled this matter, and I extend my gratitude to him for such.”

Per CWI’s Articles of Association, a Special Meeting of Members will be convened on September 20, 2024, solely to elect a new Vice-President.

CWI remains committed to upholding democratic principles and transparency, ensuring that the upcoming election will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and in alignment with the organisation’s core values.

WCA to review 'broken' global structure of cricket

THE World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has called the global game's structure and schedule "broken and unsustainable" as it launches a review of its set-up.

Cricket's global players' union says there is "no clarity" on the interplay between the international and domestic game.

"To date, the game's leadership has collectively failed to come together to establish a clear and coherent global structure [for the game's main three formats]. We have virtually given up hope of it doing so," WCA chair Heath Mills said.

For its review, the WCA has put together a committee of ex-players and figures from sports broadcasting and governance.

They include Tom Harrison, former chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Sana Mir, who represented Pakistan more than 200 times.

The group's purpose, working alongside other independent consultants, is to produce a set of recommendations to the WCA Board on a number of key issues concerning the men’s and women’s professional games. As well as the issue of scheduling, the WCA cites the "growing disparity" between countries in terms of how the game is funded, leaving the "majority of cricketing nations with limited ability to invest in the development of the game".

Figures released by the Professional Cricketers' As-

sociation earlier this year said 81 per cent of its members believed the current scheduling had a negative effect on physical health, while 62 per cent shared concerns on the mental toll. It wants the ECB to make changes to the schedule of the game in England.

Former England men’s Test captain Joe Root said in May: "There is a large number of players who don’t think the schedule is conducive to high-level performance."

An ECB high-performance review in 2022 recommended a cut in the amount of domestic cricket, but the proposals were rejected by counties. (BBC Sport)

GFC proud of Team Guyana’s showing —

THE Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) is proud to announce the current standings of our local cyclists, riding as Team Guyana, following the completion of Stages 2 and 3 of the 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana.

The team continues to demonstrate resilience and competitive spirit as they

progress through this prestigious nine-stage race.

STAGE 2 RECAP: Briton John delivered a solid performance, finishing 33rd in Stage 2, maintaining his position in the race.

Cortis Dey completed the stage in 56th place, showcasing his endurance and

at Tour Cycliste de Guiana

determination.

The remaining Team Guyana cyclists finished in the latter part of the stage, continuing their efforts in this challenging competition.

STAGE 3 RECAP:

Briton John achieved a remarkable victory in Stage 3, crossing the finish line in

first place. This outstanding performance highlights his skill and strategy, marking a significant achievement for Team Guyana in this year’s Tour.

The results for the other Team Guyana riders in Stage 3 were still pending confirmation at the time of this release.

The victory in Stage 3 by Briton John is a proud moment for Guyana, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

The GCF is confident that this success will motivate the team to continue performing strongly in the upcoming stages.

The Tour Cycliste de Gui-

ana remains a challenging and competitive event, and Team Guyana is committed to giving their best as the race progresses.

The Federation extends its gratitude to all supporters and sponsors who have contributed to the team’s journey.

Azim Bassarath

England batter Joe Root has led calls for a review into the cricket schedule and said it was "not fit for purpose"

President Ali and Lennox Cush to lead teams in Cricket for Charity

SOME former international players, ministers of government, entertainers, and athletes will join in a noble cause to raise funds for charitable organisations in Guyana.

The event will occur when they compete in the exciting Cricket For Charity match at the finals of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast on August 24 at the National Stadium, at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The teams: Team Kanuku and Team Roraima will once again be led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and former national cricketer Lennox Cush.

President Ali’s team is expected to feature Ministers Charles Ramson Jr. and Vickram Bharat, as well as Devendra Bishoo, Ryan Ramdass, Caleb Bastain, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Steven Jacobs,

Leon Johnson, Wr Reaz, and Navin Prashad, among others.

Lennox Cush’s side is expected to comprise the likes of Ramnaresh Sarwan, young Shahid Ramzan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Clairmonte Christopher Lewis, Chief of Defence Omar Khan, Rawle Ferguson, Jeremey Garrett, Minister Susan Rodrigues, and Robbie Rambarran.

In 2023, the match raised well over G$17M for charitable organisations in Guyana.

The Charity Match forms part of an action-packed day, with the first semi-finals set for 15:00h between Montra Jaguars and Mahdia (Movements Family), followed by Titans All-Stars against Diamond Gunners from 17:00h.

The charity match is from 19:00h, and the final is from 20:30h.

Each of the losing semi-fi-

nalists on August 24 will take home $250,000, compliments of Premier Insurance.

Second-place – $500,000 from SuperBet Guyana, and the winner pockets $1.5M from Star Rentals.

More so, players will vie for the titles of Most Runs, Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.

Assuria Insurance will present a motorbike, and $85,000 will go to the Most Valuable Player.

Additionally, $100,000 will be split equally between the Kawasaki Super Striker of the tournament (player with the highest strike rate—minimum of 12 balls) and the Most Economical bowler (lowest economy rate—minimum of 24 balls).

Admission to the venue is free.

The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast also enjoys the support of Kares Engineering, Banks DIH Limited, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, Demerara Mutual, ETS, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Jacobs’ Jewellery, Digital Technology, First Change Builders Inc, KFC Guyana, Hoosein’s Security Services, NEW GPC Inc., Building Expo 2024, Giftland OfficeMax, Sankar’s Auto Works, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, ANSA McAL Distribution, Camille’s Academy, R. Kisson Contracting Service, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Samaroo Investments, and Coel’s Boutique.

Prime Minister Softball tourney set to be launched tomorrow at MYO …Over $3,000,000 in prize money up for grabs

THE eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament, set to bowl off on October 11, will be launched on tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, Woolford Avenue, commencing at 17:00 hours.

The tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in conjunction with the Prime Minster’s Office and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, is expected to be graced with the presence of Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister Charles Ramson who are expected to give remarks.

The three-day extravaganza, which will see prize money in excess of $3,000,000 plus other incentive prizes, is being once more staged to coincide with the conclusion of the final

leg of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in an endeavour to get overseas players participate in the competition, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. The

final leg of the CPL is set for September 24 – October 6.

According to GSCL President, Ian John, a record 10 women’s teams have already entered for this year’s tournament, a significant increase from the six from last year with 4 R Lioness set to defend their crown. He also pointed out that that figure is likely to increase to 12.

Apart from 4 R Lioness, the others registered to date are: Yarrowkabra Top Strikers, CJ Warriors, Arrowhead Strikers, Number 64 Night Riders, Kuru Kuru Panthers, Supreme Stars, Invaders and Parika Rising Stars.

The men’s category will be contested in the usual three categories – Open All

Stars, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50. Entrance fee per team is $80 000 (Guyana) or $400 (US) while the women will be required to pay $15 000 (Guyana).

The organisers have also announced that teams in the Over-50 category will be allowed the luxury of playing one 49-year-old player.

Among the teams registered so far in the Open category are defending champions Knight Riders Ariel, Regal All Stars, Speedboat, Name Brand, Blue Steel (President’s Guard) and Premier Insurance Guyana.

The seven Over-40 Masters teams entered to date are Regal Masters, Fishermen Masters, Success Masters,

New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Masters, Ariel Masters, Softball Cricket Canada and Hibernia Strikers.

Defending champions, Regal Legends head the list in the Over-50 category which also includes GTA Storm, NYSCL Legends, Parika Defenders, Trophy Stall Legends, Aash Décor Legends, Rockaway Legends, Marine Legends and Jai Hind Legends. All finals are slated to be contested at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Sunday, October 13 while preliminary round matches will be played at grounds around Georgetown and its environs.

West Indies Women’s U-19 squad announced for tour of England

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC

– Barbadians Asabi Callender and Erin Deane have been named as co-captains of a West Indies Women’s Under-19 squad to tour England in the coming days.

The team, which was scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on Monday, was announced on Sunday by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The tour will serve as vital preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, set to run from January 18 to February 2, 2025 in Malaysia.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said

he expected the players to benefit greatly from the experience.

“This tour is a critical stepping stone in our preparation for the ICC Women’s U-19 Cricket World Cup. The matches against strong international teams will test our players and help us finetune our strategies ahead of the global tournament,” Bascombe said.

In a press release, CWI said the squad, led by co-captains Callender and Deane, represents the best of emerging talent in West Indies women’s cricket. It further pointed out that the players had shown great promise, and are expected to

gain invaluable experience on this tour as they prepare for

the world stage.

The tour will see the team participate in a series of highly-competitive matches, including an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) development tournament.

It will feature teams from Scotland and Ireland, with the West Indies U-19 Women’s team guaranteed three T20 matches.

In addition, three fixtures have been scheduled against an ECB Southern Under 19 Women’s Regional team, comprising two days of T20 doubleheaders and a 30-over match on the third day.

SQUAD

WEST INDIES: Asabi Callender (co-captain), Erin Deane (co-captain), Elecia Bowman, Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Dicoreya Collymore, Trisha Hardat, Theanny Herbert-Mayers, Brianna Harricharan, Danellie Manns, Aneisha Miller, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Kristen Sutherland, Aaliyah Weekes. Management: Steve Liburd (head coach), Shane Brooks (assistant coach), Ashley Stephens (physiotherapist), Yvonne Arthur (strength and conditioning coach), Merissa Aguilliera (team manager).

FLASHBACK 2023: President Dr. Irfaan Ali (left) and Lennox Cush, along with the son of Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Imran Tahir after the coin toss

The West Indies Women’s U-19 team will tour England as part of preparations for the 2025 T20 World Cup (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Flashback: GSCL Secretary Telesha Ousman, presents a ball to Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips at last year’s launching

Guyana retains Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys title

…Guyana’s Ezekiel Bancroft adjudged Tournament’s Best Boxer

Sean Devers

THE final night of the three-night seventh Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Girls Boxing attracted the largest turnout with six-time defending Champions, Guyana retaining their title at National Gymnasium on Sunday night.

When the dust had settled after midnight, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and debutants Surname had finished in that order, with the Dutch nation just missing out on a Bronze medal spot by a single point.

Guyana’s Ezekiel Bancroft, who won gold in the schoolboy’s 13-14, 40kg division, was adjudged the tournament’s Best Boxer.

Surname, Guyana’s South American neighbour to the east, was very impressive, while most of the other teams are improving rapidly at this level due to their participation in the developmental tournament, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.

The Girls from Suriname won two of their bouts, and demonstrated very good boxing skills, while the same can be said of the ‘Trinis’. This is an area that Guyana has to work on more.

Among those attending for the first time were President of the Guyana Boxing Board (GBB) Peter Abdool, and the former World’s top super Lightweight contender Terrance Ali, who is not doing too well.

Ali, who had 52 wins,15 losses and two draws be -

tween 1979 and 1997, will be remembered as the best fighter Guyana has ever produced to never win a world title. He was interviewed live on YouTube, where the tournament was streamed live by Pixel Perfect Productions.

In the Juniors 75 kg final, when Guyana’s Joffes Jackson matched gloves with St. Lucia’s Elroy Canchon, it was, arguably, the best fight of the night.

Both pugilists went at each other from the first bell.

They went toe-to-toe, and traded punches in bunches, firing away with left/right combinations and counter-punches.

A right hook from Jackson staggered Canchon, and as he wobbled on the ropes in the second stanza, the referee rushed in to administer a mandatory 8-count.

The battle continued in the same vein, with some clinical uppercuts to the body and well-executed straight rights to head.

Every time Jackson landed a punch, the Gymnasium erupted in a raucous crescendo of noise from the home fans.

In the end, it was the Guyanese who won the gold medal in a hard-fought contest.

The Youth Women’s 52kg

final between Guyana’s Angelina Rogers and Suriname’s Anjali Toolsie turned into a brawl.

The action was fast and furious, with the taller Surinamese demonstrating better technical skills.

In a hectic battle that entailed some ‘roundhouse’ swings, especially from Rogers, set up an entertaining contest which had supporters from both sides dancing in the stands to pulsating ‘vibes’ from the sound system.

The main sponsors of the tournament were the Guyana Government, the Sports Ministry, and GOA President Godfrey Munroe, who was on hand to present prizes, while Olympian Keevin Allicock handed out prizes to

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Story & photos by

Champions again! Guyana has never lost in the seven-year history of the tournament

Ezekiel Bancroft was the Tournament's Best Boxer

Suriname's Anjali Toolsie (left) hits Guyana's Angelina Rogers with a right to her head as the Dutch lass won on Sunday night