‘We have to learn to put our brainpower together’
- President Ali tells Caribbean stakeholders - emphasises Caribbean must not continue to plaster the problems affecting the legal system
Building strong institutions essential in reducing crime rates – President Ali
- emphasises Caribbean must not continue to plaster the problems affecting the legal system
By Trina Williams
THE bedrock of democracy, the rule of law and political stability must be solid, for the criminal justice system to properly function, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali.
As the Caribbean continues to advance on the path to modernising its criminal justice system, President Ali left no stone unturned in his analysis of how the region can design solutions to tackle the challenges it is facing.
At the opening of the inaugural ‘Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform – Advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration,’ earlier this month, President Ali engaged stakeholders from across the Caribbean who gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The fabric of democracy, the rule of law and maintaining political stability, were some of the topics that Dr Ali touched, emphasising that it must not be overlooked. He said, “The criminal network and enterprise feed off of certain elements. If there is political instability, if the rule of law does not exist, if society operates in an undemocratic environ -
ment, criminality feeds off of that. So, it is very important that in also examining the entire ecosystem...political stability, the rule of law and democracy form an important platform for the system to operate under.”
While the President underscored that the criminal justice system does not operate in a vacuum, he also stressed that the Caribbean region must approach societal, environmental, cultural, economic and value issues as one.
The world continues to rapidly change and so do behaviours. In this regard, President Ali highlighted that how Caribbean countries respond to this is an important part of the criminal justice system.
He believes the best approach is as a holistic community.
“As a community, we can take collective ownership and reduce the risk that sometimes prevents us from making bold moves and bold steps.”
The Head of State also urged for solutions to go beyond the surface level. He noted that if the legal ecosystem is not fixed, it is not only a problem for the judiciary or the dispensation of justice but it is a problem for the entire Caribbean.
The Head of State said that the problems that affect the Region cannot continue to be plastered while its foundation is being ignored.
“We have to learn to put our brain power together... to design and develop solutions that meet our needs and our problems.”
The President also focused on digitisation, the key role it plays and how it will shape the future.
Dr Ali did not shy away from the blunt truth that Guyana is “way behind” the curve as it relates to digitisation. Within the legal context and in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the President noted said it is important that the judiciary is given the necessary attention.
“Two years from now our Judges will be in an environment in which they will quickly need to decide what is real and what is unreal based on arguments presented…And that requires a whole different mechanism, a different support system, a different deployment of technology to support their work.”
VICE PRESIDENT, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has made it clear that any public officer caught in acts of corruption or malpractice will face the full brunt of the law.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to stamping out corruption, the Vice President told a news conference on Thursday last that all reports will be thoroughly investigated.
“Any public officer caught now with any act of corruption, there don’t have any room to wriggle out of it,” Jagdeo emphasised.
Dr Jagdeo has consistently advocated for individuals to step forward
and share any information regarding corruption in government contracts.
During a press conference last year, Jagdeo acknowledged the sheer magnitude of contracts being executed across the country, which presents challenges in monitoring corruption and collusion on these sites.
“You are talking about maybe six, seven thousand contracts under implementation now. We can’t know if a clerk of work on a project in Black Bush Polder or somewhere else is asking the contractor for money. But the contractors have to understand that, if they comply with this, they are not only breach-
Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
ing the system, they are doing something illegal. They should contact us,” the Vice President said.
Contractors are advised to promptly reach out to the Office of the President or Vice President, the Minister of Public Works,
or the National Tender Board in the event of any attempted extortion.
Dr Jagdeo explained that sometimes there is collusion on the sites.
“Where we are having more difficulties is when there is collusion…Every-
one wants their road done now. Everyone wants their health facility done now. Everyone wants a house lot now. Now they want it now. They won’t want to wait till next year” Dr Jagdeo stated. He said the authorities would take firm action.
“So, people need to see if they are being shaken down, don’t come and tell us afterwards…We can set up a sting…So, we can set up a sting and find people and then you put it before the police.” Jagdeo also observed the increasing number of individuals who are being deceived while attempting to acquire house lots through intermediaries.
“Don’t give them your money. Every week people come to cry, cry by us. Some lady run away with their money. People walk into the ministry, go and talk to the guard, they collect money from them, this is a major issue. If you do it and we find out you may not even get a house lot that you are eligible for if you apply for it. Please don’t go through middlemen. There is no middleman there.” Dr Jagdeo said.
Dr Jagdeo also announced that only recently cabinet awarded contracts for close to seven hundred community roads.
THE government will soon be procuring some 100,000 street lights which will be installed across the country to enhance communities and improve the livelihoods of residents.
This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during a recent community outreach to Roxanne Burnham Gardens, South Georgetown. The minister said that his ministry has since put out a public tender to purchase the streetlights.
“We have put out a public tender to buy 100,000 streetlights. As a matter of fact, the tender document has been prepared and we are just checking all the fine print and then we will be launching it,”
Edghill stated. He noted that the project is expected to be rolled out within the
Minister
next few months. The minister added that to accommodate the streetlights, a steady power supply is needed to keep them working. That supply, however, is not available in some of the communities.
Nevertheless, it will
soon become available with the current gas-to-energy project that is quickly moving to completion.
“A massive streetlight programme throughout the length and breadth of Guyana is coming in a wave but
it also has to be tied with us getting additional power to the grid,” the minister said.
Minister Edghill said that the streetlights will also come in handy to complement lights that have traffic cameras attached to them.
The public works ministry is urging residents to take care of the lights, since it has been observed that many were destroyed by persons within the villages where they have been installed.
(DPI)
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and a team met with leaders and residents from Campbelltown and its satellite village, Princeville in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) on Friday.
During the meeting, Minister Sukhai re-emphasised the need for prudent management of financial resources to ensure the government’s support aligns with the aspirations of the residents.
She also stressed the importance of utilising government investments to accelerate economic prosperity, urging the newly elected Village Council to be proactive in its leadership role.
Leaders were also reminded of the significance of expending approved funds for projects outlined in their proposals, ensuring their completion and tangible benefits for the residents.
“It is important because our government continues to support the development of the village… to ensure that we have a strong village economy and we have food security and that we are engaged in sustainable economic activities that will allow us to thrive,” she stated.
It is not only government funds that should be used to spur growth in the village but also resources earned from productive
activities like mining, the Amerindian Affairs Minister pointed out. Additionally, she underscored the collective responsibility of residents and encouraged their active involvement in village affairs. The team included Project Coordinator, Besham Ramsaywack; Management Development Officer (MDO) responsible for Region Eight, Antonio George; Senior Accountant, Ryan Baghernauth, and Auditor, Charles Collymore.
Newly elected Toshao for Campbelltown, Earl Gildharie and Princeville’s Senior Counsel, Lormel Williams, were part of the meeting and expressed their commitment to serving their villages’ best
interests.
Upon the council’s request, an audit was conducted into the finan-
cial affairs of both villages. A preliminary report was presented, and the Village Council was
granted two weeks to remedy any situation or provide more information and documentation.
Furthermore, residents were given the chance to voice any concerns they had. (DPI)
THERE is a positive correlation between security and development. A stable and secure environment is necessary for investors’ confidence and sustained economic development. This is all the more important as the country advances along the path of modernisation and transformation. Guyana is ranked as the fastest-growing economy in the world, which has attracted the attention of the international community.
Guyana is now at a stage in its development when its national security interests must be enhanced. Thankfully, the country is not with-
out friends at the regional, hemispheric and global levels. This has found tangible evidence in the support received by the international community in the face of ongoing threats to Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Venezuela. Defence and security relations between Guyana and several countries have reached unprecedented levels. This is especially so in the case of the United States and Britain, both of which have committed to unconditional support for Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At a recent reception hosted by the
British High Commission to celebrate the birth anniversary of King Charles 111, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali expressed Guyana's appreciation for the support of the United Kingdom in support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“I want to highlight the growing strength of our relationship at the security and defence level. Never in the history of our relationship would we have had the type of military, security, defence exchanges, training, coordination, collaboration that we have today, and that is remarkable,” President Ali said.
That unwavering support found tangible support in the recent deployment of the HMS Trent to the shores of Guyana to carry out routine defence co-operation and exercises with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Coast Guard. This point was emphasised by British High Commissioner Jane Miller, who noted that the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom is 'actively involved' in reviewing the capabilities of the GDF. According to the High Commissioner, “We will be doing some training alongside engagement with the Department of Business and
Trade and UK businesses to enhance Guyana's security and defence.”
It will be recalled that earlier this year Guyana hosted the United Kingdom and Caribbean Heads of Defence Conference attended by top security personnel from the region and the UK. Of no less significance from a security and defence perspective was the prompt visit to Guyana by the UK's Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories, David Rutley, shortly after Venezuela's controversial referendum on the Essequibo region.
During that visit, the
minister took the opportunity to express his country's unequivocal backing for Guyana in the face of Venezuela's territorial claims, which he observed were settled over 120 years ago.
These are indeed positive and reassuring developments which augur well for our continued development and progress. In addition to the strengthening of our defence and military capabilities, Guyana has been successful in the protection of its security interests by way of the creation of a 'diplomatic shield' for which the PPP/C must be given full credit.
Dear Editor,
THE death anniversary celebration of Ashton Chase is a reminder that we must always keep the memories of our past alive because they inform our present and the way forward to a brighter future.
British Guiana became a Crown colony in 1928, and in 1953 it was granted home rule. In 1950, Dr. Cheddi Jagan became leader of the newly-formed PAC, a forerunner to the People's Progressive Party (PPP), which struggled for human rights and independence. In the 1953 elections, Dr. Jagan was elected Chief Minister. The British, however, suspended the Constitution and government within months and installed
an interim government. In 1955, the PPP split, with ambitious member LFS Burnham breaking off to create the People's National Congress (PNC). In 1961 Britain granted the colony autonomy and Dr. Jagan was elected Premier (1961–1964).
Strikes and rioting, later proven to be the result of covert CIA operations, working in collaboration with the British and Burnham forced Dr. Jagan to make compromises, inimical to his leadership, in efforts to save his supporters from the genocide and destruction of the infamous X-13 Plan. The British strategised with the Americans not to confer independence to a Jagan-led country, but
instead waited until 1964 after internal and external forces had colluded to rob Dr. Jagan of victory at the polls, even though he had led the struggle and suffered much for this eventuality.
In 1964, Burnham succeeded Dr Jagan as Prime Minister, through connivance between internal and external forces - a position he retained after the country gained full independence on May 26, 1966. British Guiana was renamed Guyana after Independence.
However, the story of this nation is being rewritten to make heroes into villains and vice-versa. The fact is that, even with the granting of the instruments of independence by Great Britain, this country did not achieve
real freedom but was ruled by an iron fist under a dictatorship.
Down the corridors of Guyana’s history, the villains continue to act in ways inimical to Guyana’s developmental trajectory, because the Guyanese people have become mere statistics – in the words of one politician, “collateral damage” in the drive of pseudo-leaders for self-aggrandizement/empowerment and wealth-acquisition.
After 28 years of PNC oppressive, destructive rule Oct 5, 1992 heralded the dawn of a new era as a PPP/C coalition government – a combination of the PPP political construct and civil society took the reins of administration, after which
the country’s developmental paradigm began climbing on an upward trajectory that was near-miraculous.
Sadly, unfortunately, the vehicle taking this nation on an inexorable climb toward eventual attainment of individual and national progress and prosperity tragically began nose-diving after questionable elections of 2015, when a PNC-led coalition construct attained government.
Under the Granger-led coalition administration, the country became a microcosm of Guyana under the PNC dictatorship of the past.
When PPP/C was restored to the government after agonizing years pre/ during and post-elections
of 2020, the Irfaan Ali-led administration once again was constrained to clean up the Augean stables that is the aftermath that is Guyana under PNC rule. The success of this Herculean task is visible as the visionary PPP/C leadership continues to guide this nation’s fortunes inexorably on an upward trajectory of social development, economic stability and growth. August of 2020 conferred real national freedom when democratic norms and conventions were once again restored to Guyana with the restoration of the PPP/C to administrative office.
Yours truly, Brian Azore
THE Guyana Chronicle interviewed me in July 2023 in its podcast for its programme titled, “Personality Profile.” I was asked what plans I have for my political life. I indicated that at my age, I think I want to move on and live a quiet existence (I prefer the word ‘existence” to “life” because I believe in the philosophy of existentialism and its powerful explanation of the meaning of existence as against life) and leave the space I once occupied to young people.
On my first meeting with President Ali, he asked in what capacity I would like to serve his government. My immediate reaction was whatever role could be assigned to me, I wanted to see young Guyanese be given that placement. I told my Chronicle interviewer I would like to see someone like Joel Bhagwandin take up where I left off.
There is political space for younger people like Bhagwandin and that avenue becomes exigent when one thinks of the confluence of class and colour in the oppo-
sition to the Guyana Government since Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali became President in August 2020. What has taken place in this country since August 2020 is the attempt by people driven by class, colour and culture to bring about a new dispensation that was yearned for way back in the 1940s.
Each day, there is one manifestation or the other of this confluence of class and colour and as we move closer to a general election, its viciousness will expand and get louder. It will intensify as we creep closer to November 2025. The latest manifestation is an attack on Bhagwandin by a diaspora member, Mr. Mike Persaud,
who belongs to the anti-oil lobby. The Stabroek News (SN) contacted the Procurement Commission (PC) to ask for a comment on whether a conflict of interest exists with Bhagwandin being a commissioner of the PC and his consultancy with ExxonMobil Guyana. SN ran a story on Bhagwandin and he responded. The Bhagwandin response to SN has two dimensions that need to be highlighted. The first one is the role of the press. The SN issued an advisory to presidential adviser, Professor Randolph Persaud, that it cannot publish his letters because they are critical of civil society groups. Dr. Persaud showed
me the exchange.
To discuss the controversy in my capacity as a media practitioner, I spoke with the editor-in-chief of SN, Mr. Anand Persaud. He declined to speak to me. Now let’s look at the second dimension. Is the SN in a conflict of interest with Mr. Timothy Jonas? He heads an opposition party, ANUG. Mr. Jonas is the legal officer for SN. He also sits on SN’s board.
Is that a conflict of interest? It is. And it has a more labyrinthine content than the case with Bhagwandin and the PC. Mr. Bhagwandin would have opened himself to curiosity if ExxonMobil Guyana had a tender in front
of the PC and Bhagwandin at the meeting batted for the oil major. That has never happened and there is a simple exit avenue – recuse yourself as Bhagwandin said he did.
The conflict of interest with SN and Mr. Jonas is more problematic. He is an opposition leader in Guyana that sits on the policy-making body of the newspaper. He has not resigned nor has he been requested to resign. I called the SN’s editor once more to ask about the composition of the board. Mr. Persaud declined to name the members and suggested that I do my investigation. This is the very newspaper that requested a comment from the PC on Bhagwandin.
Before I move on to Mr. Mike Persaud that attacked Bhagwandin for his consultancy, three things need to be made public. One - Denis Chabrol refused to comment on the constitutional amendments he is proposing to the Guyana Press Association (GPA). Two - as one of the biggest investors of Mr. Chabrol’s outfit – Demerara Waves - would Mr. GHK Lall inform his employee that he
has to speak to the press? Mr. GHK Lall says he is a devout Catholic (Heaven forbid!) and speaks about the importance of truths. I wonder if these truths are objective or they exist in his Catholic mind only. ThreeNazima Raghubir, president of the GPA has refused to offer me a comment on her controversial election to the GPA. Now for Mr. Persaud. He used his mental faculties to come to the analysis that Bhagwandin is selling out Guyana (his use of words) by being a consultant with ExxonMobil Guyana. But the same mental faculties disappeared when Persaud analysed the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News. He refers to two politicised, opposition-aligned newspapers as independent newspapers. Honestly, give me a Bhagwandin any day over the likes of Persaud.
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.
GUYANA’S oil and gas sector has achieved another significant milestone with the recent graduation of 24 SBM Offshore Guyana Trainee Technicians. These graduates completed their training at the Facility Simulator (FacTor) Unit of the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated (GTTCI). This cohort is the first to undergo training at the GTTCI, where they spent nine months honing their practical skills in four key areas - Instrumentation, Production, Electrical, and Me-
chanical. The next phase of their training will take place onboard the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, where they will gain handson experience in a real-world environment.
Notably, while these trainees are the first to be trained at the GTTCI facility, they represent the third group of individuals trained by SBM Offshore Guyana under the Trainee Technician Programme. In 2023, 24 Guyanese trainees completed Phase One of the programme,
which included Advanced Skills Training in Petroleum Operations at LearnCorp International (LCI) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Presently, another 24 Guyanese trainees are undergoing similar training at the LCI facility to prepare for technical roles on the Prosperity FPSO.
The FacTor facility is a groundbreaking investment, valued at US$13 million, and is the first of its kind in the region. It is a fully functional plant that simulates the operations of real offshore platforms using water and
air. This advanced facility is the result of a collaboration between SBM Offshore Guyana, Stabroek block partners - ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, and the Government of Guyana.
This facility is a live processing plant with a central control operation utilising the latest distributed control system. It enables participants to engage in practical operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance activities— skills that are crucial for the
success and safe operations of the FPSO.
The technological advancements at the FacTor facility ensure that Guyanese trainees receive internationally recognised training, positioning them for excellence in the oil and gas sector. By offering hands-on training in multiple technical disciplines, the need for overseas training is eliminated, and the programme remains free of charge, demonstrating the oil and gas companies' commitment to building local content.
The Government of Guyana, in partnership with these companies, has effectively supported local content through strategic policies and funding. The common goal is to equip Guyanese with the necessary tools to manage and excel in the oil and gas sector. As Guyana aims to produce over 1 million barrels of oil per day, initiatives like the FacTor facility are essential in preparing the local workforce for this significant expansion.
AUBREY Norton has secured a second term as PNC leader.
He has also managed to fend off any future opposition to his power grab and authority within the PNC by doing away with outspoken and independent thinkers Roysdale Forde, Amanza Walton-Desir, and Dawn Hastings-Williams, to name a few. The last PNC executive was ripped apart even before the congress by Norton, who carefully struck the chords of division, classism and suspicion among members and replaced them with ‘yes men’ and loyalists.
He engineered their replacement by the same ‘weak and compliant’ politicians at the just concluded congress, rigging and cheating the process through the hands of Sherwin Benjamin and Vincent Alexander, who took a record of one week to count ballots from 1300 delegates.
Now, he has rewarded Benjamin with the General Secretary position, a portfolio which has seen three women chosen and resigned because of alleged differences and grievances with Norton. Elson Lowe was handed the task of watching the party’s purse while Sherwayne Holder will continue to function in Norton’s shadows, never really representing the views and feelings of ordinary party folks.
Norton has seemingly
also managed to get the executive that he ‘badly needed’. Its configuration will ensure that the next presidential candidate, consensus or not, comes from the PNC. With Coretta McDonald, Mervyn Williams and Nima FluBess on the executive and watching all the members inclusive of the parliamentarians, Norton has the freedom now to focus his attention on regaining the leadership of APNU and starting talks about a new coalition with the Alliance for Change.
It did not matter the bad name and price he paid literally; it was worth it politically.
Now, all of that is in the annals of PNC’s history and after sojourning to the US over the past few days, Norton is ready to dedicate his time and energy to his cause and seemingly personal aggrandisement. If Norton was successful in becoming the leader and candidate for the PNC, amid damming allegations of division, attempted rape, internal corruption and being racist, who says that Nigel Hughes and other candidates would not be beaten easily?
After all, Norton is a political strategist. He has already reinvented, retooled and refashioned the local scene concerning the PNC's internal politics, something he watched Desmond Hoye and Forbes Burnham do
time and time again.
Now, the PNC party must shave itself of its rigging history and Norton knows just how to bring a new political movement to the fore. Just like they did by adding the Reform, APNU and One Guyana, Norton is reportedly talking about another coalition with new terms.
Sources close to the party leader say this is the reason for all his trips abroad, particularly to the US. Norton is trying to seal the deal with a broadbased alliance which will choose him at the helm as its presidential candidate. The source explained that the Working People’s Alliance and two parties from APNU are waiting and testing the political waters to see what is the mood of the people, and the political elites.
If APNU does not yield to the PNC demands, Norton will undermine it and seek to initiate talks with the AFC as PNC independently. According to
the source, if AFC does not bow to the PNC, it will go to the elections with its version of a winning coalition.
So, Norton has a plan of action, it would appear, but one would ask who is the main person or entity funding such a risky and daring plan. Well, the source said, the funders are being kept in strict confidence and the public will know whenever Norton decides to tell them or if he decides to admit it.
Norton is taking risks and sources close to the Congress Place camp, say that meetings are set to begin over the next three months with civil society and political groups such as APNU, WPA, AFC, IDPADA-G and ANUG.
Firstly, Norton may have remade the PNC but he is still not liked and is unpopular among the party membership. He has not managed to appeal to voters and party supporters across the key parts of the country. He has to fight an uphill battle with his MPs, party leaders and personalities with extreme influence in the party. The party leader may be where the decision-making power lies but the party council of Elders is equally as powerful, with Volda Lawrence, Amna Ally and
Robert Corbin being there.
He may have rigged the election, but once he does not eliminate the threat of former president David Granger and the gang, the US chapter and new talk-show hosts who do not quite like the direction he is taking the PNC, he will be fighting to keep his head above the waters.
The PNC party still has to resolve the matter with Vanessa Kissoon and the transparency concerns of every financial member. There is still no audit and financial discrepancies are happening to this day. Low knows this and the PNC is haemorrhaging away because of a lack of accountability of funds.
Secondly, if Norton tries to undermine APNU and is successful at ‘killing’ it, this will backfire on the PNC. The WPA and AFC will be skeptical about entering a coalition with it. After all, the PNC as a political force in Guyana has blood on its hands and could in no way or form sell itself without its eventful and dark history. Also, the PNC was in control of APNU for the period 2011 to 2020. It treated the WPA and AFC less than good and there are wounds which it will have to heal within the WPA and the AFC. Regardless,
this negotiation of a plan to coalesce will call for political maturity, trust, and understanding, never mind that trust was already expended and expired. This will be risky internal politics and Norton may not get his way.
Thirdly, Norton will have to apologise for his PNC party's attempt to rig elections in 2020 and every election before in his meetings with the diplomatic community. For example, he will try to justify the practice of rigging or what occurred, but he will be largely rejected. The PNC will have to explain a series of events and may have to agree to ‘giving away’ the presidential candidacy in return for its broad coalition to challenge the PPP/C. So, the meetings will be longer and less fruitful than expected. Norton may choose to go to the polls alone, and defeat is almost certain if he goes down this route.
Finally, Norton may need to go back to the drawing board with his plan because it has too many holes and cracks. It is not a strong and good plan of strategic action if sources are already talking about the deficiencies. Margaret Thatcher once said in British politics, that a political leader may have to fight the same battle more than once for there to be success. And, Norton may need to heed this very sound advice.
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.
HEALTH stories are not headline grabbers unless they are bad ones. Reporters tasked with the health beat spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how best to get public attention for a good medical story.
Negative ones -- surgery failed, a patient died, the doctor charged with malpractice, the norovirus outbreak at the hospital -tell themselves. Under the PPP/C government, there has been a stark improvement in the healthcare sector, but you couldn’t tell from a daily intake of Guyana’s private media.
A few weeks ago, I interviewed Dr Frank Anthony, Guyana’s Minister of Health, during the “Men on Mission” Father’s Day march in Georgetown. In our brief interaction, Dr Anthony exuded a degree of calm confidence like a doctor who is about to dole out the best news a patient might want to hear. He smiles easily and doesn’t look like someone in a hurry. I’ve never seen him appear impatient or annoyed. Whether he is distributing impregnated mosquito nets or announcing the expansion of healthcare centres nationwide, Dr Anthony appears focused on the task at hand -- modernising Guyana’s medical landscape and transforming the country into a healthcare hub for CARICOM states.
When I got bitten by a mosquito late last year and was told by doctors that I had contracted the worst strain of dengue a person could get, I had no idea who the Minister of Health was, even though I was about to harvest the fruits of his work. I lost consciousness and the use of my arms. I was hospitalised and had to receive a blood transfusion to get my blood count up. I was in a total state of panic. Am I getting proper treatment? Will I survive the ordeal?
I wanted to get on the next flight back to Canada, but I was too weak to do so. The nurses and doctors
who treated me, first in the emergency unit and during my six nights in hospital, were gracious, kind and diligent. My daughter, concerned for my health, flew in to keep me company and escort me back to Canada where we both felt we would get better medical treatment. It turned out that she too got bitten by a nasty dengue-infected mosquito. Her symptoms got worse on the flight from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
In the days that followed, her symptoms got worse and she went a few times to the hospital and got the same advice and treatment that doctors in Guyana had given me. They monitored her blood count, instructed her to drink loads of fluids and promised the fever would pass within three to five days. Sometimes fear can cloud our better judgment and cause us to make rash decisions. My bout with dengue focused my attention on the spread of the virus globally. I came to realise that Guyana has some of the most knowledgeable health practitioners when it comes to mosquito-borne illnesses. But why did I doubt that in the first place?
The PPP/C government has been investing a tremendous number of resources into health. The government recently commissioned a state-of-the-art pathology laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). The idea is to deliver first-class health services to the people of Guyana. Instead of waiting nearly a month for some test results, urgent tests can now be completed within 24 hours.
The construction of six new hospitals by the end of this year, working in tandem with hundreds of health care centres scattered across the country, even in the hinterland, means that every Guyanese can look forward to receiv-
ing far better treatment at zero cost than a person might get in developed countries.
Each of the new hospitals being constructed will have 75 in-patient beds, modern surgical theatres and emergency-treatment facilities.
Dr Anthony is aiming to change the image of
medicine in Guyana. He is well aware that early diagnosis means early intervention and that’s the pathway to saving lives.
The new GPHC pathology lab will be updating the country’s cancer registry and providing more accurate data for doctors doing cancer research.
Why is all of this im-
are circling the bandwagon and certainly no headline chasers to spin a story.
portant? It is important because the only ones who know how lonely it can be in a hospital ward are those who are there because they require critical care or are relatives of someone requiring critical care.
At times when people are distraught, gazing at a disease or possibly death in the face, no media reporters
That’s why I believe that Dr Anthony is the sort of hero who gets marginalised when political narratives are constructed. The truth of the matter is that he is using the scalpel in his hands to repair a healthcare system that the previous administration ran into the ground. Dr Anthony’s leadership and management of our healthcare system are making all Guyanese confident that they can get the same, if not better, treatment right here at home should they fall ill.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
THE crime rate in the Caribbean should not be glossed over, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali has made the call for the region to focus on building stronger institutions.
The President made this disclosure earlier this month at the opening of the inaugural ‘Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform –Advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration.’
While engaging Caribbean stakeholders at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Dr Ali shared some concerning statistics. He disclosed that four out of ten countries with the highest murder rates globally are Caribbean Commonwealth States.
Additionally, the rate of violent deaths in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states is nearly three times the global average.
By Faith Greene
GUYANA is ranked 28th out of 180 countries on the Global Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for 2024, for its quality of air. Out of the 180 countries, Guyana is ranked sixth for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) exposure, and 25th for Carbon Monoxide (CO) exposure. This is according to the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram, who during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, emphasised the agency’s unwavering efforts in maintaining Guyana’s air quality and promoting environmental health, despite continued environmental disturbances.
He explained that this level of CO exposure is due to more burning being done in our environment. Before the current rainy season, Guyana had been experiencing a significant dry season (El Nino) for months, which resulted in several natural fires around
Firearms are involved in over half of all homicides, on average and some countries, according to the President, are experiencing rates as high as 90 per cent.
Between 2016 and 2020, nearly 31,500 people in the Caribbean lost their lives due to interpersonal violence with more than 60 per cent of these deaths taking place in CARICOM states and associate members.
President Ali also noted that the statistics indicate that young men under 30 years of age are both the most common victims and perpetrators.
“These are the indicators that we do have a problem [with],” President Ali said. In addition to this, the President stated that one should not make the mistake of thinking that this is a problem at the executive level
or for policy-makers alone, but instead, it is one for the ecosystem.
According to President Ali, “If we don’t build strong, relevant institutions then we will not build for the future.”
President Ali called for there to be a system in place that will allow for there to be a continuation in policies even with the transition of governments.
He also highlighted the
importance of identifying the root causes of issues within the legal system to effectively address them.
He stated, “There are societal, environmental, cultural, economic, and value challenges, as well as new forms of normalisation, that the system must address as a region.” Further, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC MP, underscored that the
dynamic nature of law must adapt to an evolving society and warns against legal stagnation, which can lead to a breakdown of law and order.
He pointed out the increasing sophistication of crime in the Caribbean, facilitated by easy access to technology and firearms, and stressed the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the region’s criminal justice systems.
Attorney General Nandlall had stressed the need for the law to remain dynamic and responsive to societal changes. He warned that stagnation in the legal system could lead to social chaos, a reality faced by many jurisdictions in the Caribbean. The region’s escalating violence, organised crime, and the sophisticated operations of criminal networks necessitate comprehensive legal reforms.
“As students of the law, we know too well that the
law must remain organic; and must be nurtured, shaped and moulded to meet the exigencies of an ever-evolving society and the dynamic human conduct it is intended to govern. On the converse, stagnation of the law will result in societal evolution beyond the regulatory capability of the law. This resultant social advancement, without a commensurate legal regulatory framework, is what leads to a breakdown of law and order and consequential social chaos,” the Attorney General noted.
The Attorney General underscored the importance of judicial predictability, emphasising consistent and sound decision-making. He also highlighted the role of competent lawyers and judges in navigating the complexities of modern legal challenges, including distinguishing between AI-generated and realistic evidence.
air quality has proven to be among the best
Guyana.
According to Parsram, this happened in other countries like Suriname and other parts of South America and Central America.
Importantly, the EPA Head noted that with particulate matter (pm) 2.5, Guyana is ranked number one with several other countries. This, he said, means Guyana has perfect air quality as a result of low exposure to pm 2.5 across the entirety of Guyana.
It should be noted that there are locations that are frequently influenced by other factors resulting in a short time increase in air quality parameters.
The Executive Director stated that over the years, the EPA has managed to ‘bring down’ that level of air quality, like in places such as Linden where the air quality has improved drastically. On the IQ Air website, Guyana is ranked as 58th globally in air pollution, with Machado, Region Two being the cleanest city and Linden being
the most polluted (again, this tested for air quality/
As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with rapid development ongoing at each turn, Guyana’s contributors to air pollution come from several other sources, including the recent wave of Sahara dust across several communities, oil and gas developments, and wildfire increases just to name a few.
“Development has changed. So, before there was low development activity. There were less pollutants. With development, road construction for example; an increased number of cars, you will have increased emissions or air emissions coming out. So, EPA steps in and makes sure that the Air Quality does not exceed World Health Standards. You will always have impacts, but we’re going to make sure that we maintain the standard that is good for human health,” the Head stated.
Within the last 10 years, Guyana has seen a significant increase in develop-
ment across the regions, and the EPA’s role is to ensure that future and present development activities do not cause significant impacts on our environment.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard for air quality is a given level of an air pollutant (for example, a concentration or deposition level) that is adopted by a regulatory authority as enforceable. Unlike an air quality guideline level, several elements in ad-
dition to the effect-based level and averaging time must be specified in the formulation of an air quality standard. These elements include measurement technique and strategy; data handling procedures (including quality assurance/quality control); and statistics used to derive, from the measurements, the value to be compared with the standard.
How air quality is measured?
Parsram indicated that there is a set of parameters used by the EPA to assess the quality of air. He mentioned that the numbers in particulate matter 2.5 and particulate matter 10 signify the size in micrograms of particulates, with pm 2.5 being extremely tiny particles, and pm10 being larger.
“So, these are two key parameters to assess the quality of particulate matter (dust),” He added that these also include the assessment of volatile organic carbon (VOC) exposure, SO2 exposure
and CO exposure.
Over the last year and a half, the EPA through government subventions invested in remote real-time monitoring. Sensors were placed in key areas across Guyana: Essequibo, Whim-Berbice, Linden, Georgetown and on Eccles on the East Bank Demerara.
These sensors provide an immediate real-time air quality index. They also utilise satellite technology to detect (for example) fires, indicating where it is happening, and possible impact in terms of their direction in impacting communities.
Moreover when visiting industrial areas and permitted facilities, the EPA takes equipment along to measure the quality of emissions at these facilities. This will show if persons operating facilities which release emissions, if it is above or below WHO’s standards.
If it is above, the EPA will enforce necessary measures.
A FORTIFIED river defence structure is being constructed along the Wismar shore to the tune of $95.7 million to absorb the impact of waves on the natural and built environment. The project spans some 175 meters in length and is slated to be completed by mid-August.
This is according to Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who inspected the project on Wednesday last.
“We are satisfied with the level of mobilisation and the speed in which the project is moving. So, this project will be completed by mid-August,” the minister disclosed.
Rip rap or rock armour is used to control erosion by guarding the surface and dissipating wave energy reaching the shoreline. Rip rap is large boulders interlocked together to form rock revetments. A gabion basket is also being used to further prevent erosion by providing a landscape
element to the structure. The application is a wired basket compacted with various rocks or soil and is typically used in streambanks and
areas with steep slopes. Minister Edghill stated that these applications were used to reinforce the structure at Spikeland and are being
used now to prevent the riverfront from breaking away and flooding surrounding areas.
He further emphasised the importance of
the sturdy sea and river defence structures to safeguard the lives of citizens and their properties. He noted that the government has been taking an aggressive approach to monitor and upgrade existing structures. As a result, some $6.9 billion was dedicated to fortifying the country’s sea and river defence infrastructure in Budget 2024. Similarly, a docking facility is set to be constructed at the Mackenzie boat landing dedicated to the people of Malali and Muritaro.
The design of the facility has already been obtained and a contractor is to be assigned. Despite this, Minister Edghill assured that works will commence in August. The $15 million dock will consist of a shed, waiting area, and washroom facilities.
CONSTRUCTION of the Palmyra to Moleson Creek road into a four-lane carriageway is scheduled to begin in August, according to an announcement made by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on Thursday last.
During discussions with members of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, the minister disclosed that the project has been segmented into three lots, with the contract for road-paving already finalised. “An
Indian company is doing two lots and that should be commencing anytime around August 26,” he revealed.
Lot one, which will begin from the Canje Bridge to Johns, is valued at $3,218,817,060, while lot two, commencing from Bloomfield to Number 54 village, is valued at $2,986,009,355. Lot three, continuing from Number 55 village to Moleson Creek, is yet to be awarded to a contractor.
Minister Edghill ex-
plained that while the contractor is responsible for designing the project, the ministry has conducted its own evaluation studies and design.
He highlighted that an alignment was discovered during these studies which traverses virgin land and avoids inhabited areas. However, it is more costly when compared to upgrading the existing alignment.
The minister noted that the existing route faces congestion points
at Rose Hall and Corriverton that cannot be expanded, therefore the construction of bypasses is being considered.
Additionally, contracts for the upgrading of the 99 structures along the carriageway have been signed and work has commenced.
“So, you are seeing works being done to expand the bridges, works being done to expand the culverts and all the structures and they have been moving apace,” the minister said.
Contracts for relo -
cating utilities necessary for construction of the road have also been finalised. These utilities include the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co Ltd (GT&T), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and the Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Minister Edghill noted that the utility relocation, particularly for GWI, has faced delays due to limited space that will cease to exist once the thoroughfare is expanded to four lanes.
He said, “We have to be able to get the civil
works contractor and the utility contractor to operate together, because we would have to establish a utility corridor that will allow for cable operators, water, telephone, and electricity.” Meanwhile, the significant infrastructural upgrade promises to enhance transportation efficiency and alleviate congestion along this vital corridor, while opening up new areas for economic opportunities and development. (DPI)
By Feona Morrison
THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has reported that Guyana filed eight cases in the court’s Appel-
late Jurisdiction during the 2022-2023 judicial year. This figure represents a significant 50 per cent decrease from the previous court year, where 16 matters
were brought by Guyana before the court’s Appellate Jurisdiction.
A summary of the court year from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, was given by
the Trinidad-based court of last resort in its 2022–2023 Annual Report, which was themed "Engage, Empower, Energise."
The CCJ serves as the final appellate court for Guyana and several other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations, namely, Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Saint Lucia.
For the period under review, the CCJ sat 36 times for 13 Case Management Conference (CMC), 15 hearings and eight judgement deliveries. The majority of sittings (86 per cent), were held in complete virtual mode. Hybrid and in-person sittings accounted for six per cent and eight per cent, respectively. The court resumed hybrid and in-person sittings post-COVID-19 pandemic.
From August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, 25 cases were filed in the court’s Appellate Jurisdiction. There were eight cases each from Barbados, Belize and Guyana and one from Saint. Lucia.
There were no new cases from Dominica. The report said that this represents an 11 per cent decrease in new matters filed for the reporting period, compared to the previous year.
Sixty per cent were civil matters while 40 per cent were criminal matters.
“The decrease in the volume of new matters being filed is likely to be accounted for by the effects of the pandemic on hearings in the courts below,” the report noted. There were only two new cases filed in the court’s original jurisdiction for the current reporting period. These two cases from Dominica relate to the same factual circumstances.
The report stressed that the court’s Original Jurisdiction function remains underutilised compared to its Appellate Jurisdiction.
For the August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, judicial
year, 28 cases were filed in the court’s Appellate Jurisdiction. Of that total, 16 were from Guyana and six each from Barbados and Belize. No case was filed by Dominica. This total comprised 14 notices of appeal and 14 applications for special leave. Fifty-seven per cent of the matters were civil, while 43 per cent were criminal.
Moreover, in the August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, judicial year, one matter was filed in the court’s Original Jurisdiction by Antigua and Barbuda.
One of the landmark cases decided by the CCJ during the current reporting period concerned the interpretation of Guyana's electoral laws following the controversial 2020 general elections.
The case was Attorney General of Guyana v. Monica Thomas and others.
On October 2, 2010, 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul's body was found in a suitcase in a creek near the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Her mother, Bibi Gopaul, and stepfather Jarvis Small were convicted of her murder. In Jarvis Small and Bibi Shareema Gopaul v DPP of Guyana, the CCJ overturned Small's conviction and reduced Bibi Gopaul's prison sentence.
The CCJ was inaugurated in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 16, 2005, and presently has a bench of six judges presided over by CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders.
Justice Jacob Wit, who was a member of the inaugural CCJ bench in 2005 and diligently served until his retirement in December 2023, passed away on January 16, 2024, at the age of 71.
In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ is an international court with exclusive jurisdiction to interpret and apply the rules set out in
the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) and to decide disputes arising under it. The RTC established the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ is critical to the CSME and all 12 Member States that belong to the CSME (including their citizens, businesses, and governments) can access the Court’s Original Jurisdiction to protect their rights under the RTC.
In its Appellate Jurisdiction, the CCJ is the final court of appeal for criminal and civil matters for those countries in the Caribbean that altered their national constitutions to enable the CCJ to perform that role. Currently, only five states access the Court in its Appellate Jurisdiction.
The CCJ persistently advocates for other CARICOM member states to join its Appellate Jurisdiction instead of using the United Kingdom’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. CARICOM’s two largest countries by inhabitants—Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica—which have a combined population of over four million, still have the Privy Council as their final court. The most populous nation among those that presently fall under the court's Appellate Jurisdiction is Guyana.
The CCJ has said that by signing and ratifying the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, member states of CARICOM have demonstrated a commitment to making the CCJ their final court of appeal.
“The court is the realisation of a vision of our ancestors, an expression of independence, and a signal of the Region’s coming of age,” the apex court has emphasised.
THE Ministry of Public Works is working assiduously to ease the frustration being experienced by residents of East and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, as it pertains to the Cemetery Road project.
The project is currently being executed by Avinash Construction and Metal Works, which has failed several times to make progress on the road. The contractor continues to move at a slow pace, which has so far resulted in the time period for completion of the project being extended twice.
Georgetown, noted that he will soon be consulting with the Attorney General on the way forward.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, during a recent community meeting with residents of Roxanne Burnham Gardens and surrounding communities of South
“I am saying it here loud and clear; we will not allow that contractor to continue to frustrate the people of East and West Ruimveldt. We will have to take over the project and we will finish Cemetery Road,” the Public Works
Minister robustly stressed. The last deadline for the project was then given as March 31, 2024. However, the contractor continued to fail at progressing works on the road, citing persistent rainfall.
During an inspection earlier in the year, Minister Edghill noted that if the road is not completed by the ad-
justed time period, then it would be terminated and given to a contractor of the ministry’s Special Project Unit.
As such, he has since assured the residents that within the next two months, the thoroughfare will be officially completed.
“By September when school reopens, four lanes of traffic must be flowing in Cemetery Road. And that is the commitment that we are giving to you,” Minister Edghill promised. Currently, the road is being used as a two-lane roadway. Upon completion of the four-lane, the road is expected to decrease the traffic woes that occur during peak hours. (DPI)
ZHONG Jin Ziang, a 34-year-old Chinese national and customer service representative was Friday arraigned for the offence of overstaying her time in Guyana.
She appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. She pleaded not guilty and was placed on $60,000 bail.
The case was transferred to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for August 14, 2024.
The offence is contrary to Section 34(1)(l) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 14:02.
Police headquarters said that Zhong Jin Ziang was arrested on July 15, 2024, during an investigation into a major money laundering and gold smuggling operation in Guyana.
The charge against her stemmed from an ongoing
investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)—an arm of the police force—concerning money laundering and gold smuggling operations within and out of Guyana, allegedly involving Chinese nationals.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Zhong Jin Ziang entered Guyana from Suriname on September 7, 2023, and on her arrival at the Eugene
F. Correia International Airport Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), she was issued a visitor's visa and granted one month’s stay in the country.
However, she started working at a local travel service and overstayed her time in Guyana.
Investigations are continuing into the money laundering and gold smuggling operations.
THE Ministry of Public Works has poured cold water on the claims surrounding the Paruima Airstrip and has disclosed that it is operational.
A statement from the ministry highlighted that works on the rehabilitation of the airstrip were completed on April 14, 2024, and the project site was handed over to the ministry on April 15. Subsequently, the ministry’s representatives, along with the contractor, conducted a joint site visit on June 19, 2024, following reports from aircraft operators that the runway was in distress.
During the inspection, several surface defects were highlighted and the contractor was given clear instructions to have these defects remedied within one week.
The statement read, “To date, these defects have since been corrected and MoPW is currently executing plans to assess the structural integrity
of the remainder of the runway structure to ensure conformity with design strength and correct any possible area of deficiency to avoid further inconvenience to aircraft operations.”
Further, to debunk any misleading speculations, the ministry said that the video that is currently circulating on social media platforms was taken before June 19, 2024.
Due to the remoteness of the location and the logistical challenges in transporting equipment and materials to the site, according to the Ministry, smaller-sized equipment and locally available materials were most feasible for the rehabilitation of the airstrip.
As it relates to the competency of the contractor, Port Kaituma and Baramita Airstrips were both rehabilitated by the Contractor in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Ministry said.
Further, the surface type of these airstrips is double bitumi-
nous surface treatment; they are in very good condition and no defects were observed to date.
“In summary, Rehabilitation of Paruima Airstrip is currently under the Defects Liability Period and the Contractor is obligated by Contract to remedy any and all defects arising thereafter,” the Ministry said.
The construction of this infrastructure was awarded to International Import & Supplies by the government, through the Ministry of Public Works, at a cost of over $397 million in 2023.
During the reading of the National Budget in 2023, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh announced that $1.6 billion was earmarked for the rehabilitation of several airstrips, including Paruima’s and the one at Matthews Ridge, in Region One (Barima-Waini). A photo of the airstrip when it was being upgraded in April
FOUR individuals, including two American citizens, have been charged with money laundering in connection to a gold smuggling ring uncovered at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Saffee Ahmad, also known as 'Chillo', 58; Shameena Ahmad, 52; Ashiana Salamalay, 33, all of 38 Roraima Scheme, Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD); and Ian Jacobis, 44, of 749 Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara (WCD), are facing separate charges under Section 3(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Cap 10:11.
The accused appeared Friday at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’
Courts before Magistrate Sunil Scarce, who read the charges to them. They were not required to enter pleas.
Bail was set at $500,000 for each of them, with the condition that Saffee Ahmad must report to the Special Organissed Crime Unit (SOCU) headquarters on the last Friday of every month.
The cases have been adjourned until July 30, 2024.
On June 3, 2024, customs officers from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) seized several pieces of gold jewelry from Shameena Ahmad, Ashiana Salamalay, and Ian Jacobis at CJIA.
The trio was attempting to board an American Airlines flight to New York with approximately 240 ounces of nearly pure (raw)
gold, disguised as silver-plated jewellery, without the necessary permits or customs declarations.
The gold, valued at over US$560,000 or approximately GY$117,001,604, was confiscated. The subsequent investigation by SOCU revealed the extent of the smuggling operation and led to the money laundering charges against the four suspects.
Last month, the quartet was charged with exporting gold without a licence and were each ordered to post bail in the sum of $600,000.
Saffee Ahmad is accused of aiding and abetting one of the accused. A parallel money laundering investigation was conducted by SOCU, resulting in the four individuals being charged.
— could result in a 35% increase if he gets his way
OPPOSITION Leader, Aubrey Norton, plans to axe the electricity subsidy, if he enters office, which is an initiative by the current government to ease the brunt effects of the global high cost of living.
Despite Norton accusing the government of dismissing the hardships of ordinary Guyanese, the Opposition Leader does not want all Guyanese to benefit from subsidies.
“What we will not allow is an abuse of it,” Norton told a news conference on Friday last.
According to Norton, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. should be economically viable and therefore, only vulnerable citizens would benefit from subsidies, if the opposition attains governance.
Guyana’s Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that GPL will receive a US$66 -$70 million subsidy to cover fuel costs. He explained that if this is not done, GPL would have to increase electricity costs.
Norton said, “The objective will be to make them economically viable so they don’t become a burden on the nation’s resources.”
Norton’s plans could result in a 35 per cent increase
in electricity if he gets his way.
Earlier last week, Dr Jagdeo pointed out that although Guyana is a much smaller country compared to the United States of America (USA), the PPP/C government has managed to keep inflation relatively stable with its prudent management. Despite attempts by those with their agendas, Dr Jagdeo placed things into perspective and highlighted how the government, since assuming office in 2020, has not only made key cost-of-living interventions but has also made long-term investments which have improved the standard of living for all citizens.
It has become the habit of some detractors of development to place focus on the negatives and portray the
image that the cost of living is not a global phenomenon.
With that said, Dr Jagdeo called attention to how the citizens of major economies are crying over rising costs in various areas such as housing, utility bills and gas for their vehicles.
With the USA being in election season, Dr Jagdeo said that, at the Republican Convention, the impacts of cost of living are a key focus area and the claim is being put forth by the speakers that the high costs are “devastating” large sections of the population.
Here in Guyana, the costof-living issue is constantly being ventilated in the public domain. The PPP General Secretary, on Thursday, used the USA experience to highlight how Guyana has
been able to successfully implement policies that have improved the well-being of Guyanese.
He expressed hope that people will examine the differences between both countries and analyse the policy responses. He pointed out that the government has kept the prices at the gas pumps
“very stable,” whereas other countries, in this case, the USA, are seeing its citizens complaining about how the high cost of living has resulted in increased prices at the pumps.
He also noted that water rates have dropped by five per cent since the PPP/C government assumed office.
While US citizens are complaining that homeownership has become a challenge, the PPP General Secretary said that in Guyana, mortgage rates have decreased.
“It’s more affordable to get a loan now and take out a mortgage for it [a house],” he stated.
In a concerted effort to advance agriculture within the Amerindian communities, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), provided residents of Akawini, in the Lower Pomeroon, with Brazilian dwarf coconut plants, as well as ginger and citrus plants.
The farmers also received two tillers to aid in their agricultural endeavours. The distribution took place at School Island in Akawini, where the Prime Minister's Representative, Arnold Adams, handed over the plants and equipment on behalf of the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture Madanlall Ramraj.
Two weeks prior, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, visited the community and met with residents. During the meetings, residents requested seeds, plants, and agricultural equipment.
In response to their concerns, the Director General assured residents that the
Government of Guyana would continue to support the community. He promised
DOZENS of prominent Guyanese companies have confirmed their participation in the inaugural Diaspora Job Fair, scheduled to take place on July 27 at the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott, 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst.
This event, which has garnered significant interest from several other companies, marks a crucial initiative aimed at showcasing career opportunities across various industries. It underscores its importance as a pivotal platform for connecting returning Guyanese professionals with prospective employers.
The job fair, a commitment by President Dr. Mohamed Ali following his recent meeting with the Guyanese diaspora in New York, aims to harness the skills and expertise of Guyana's diaspora community.
"This job fair represents a pivotal moment for our nation as we seek to harness the skills and expertise of our diaspora community," said Mr. Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
"We are delighted to partner with industry leaders
and stakeholders to facilitate meaningful connections that contribute to Guyana's development."
Attendees can anticipate direct engagement with representatives from leading companies, government agencies, and non-profit organisations, all offering a diverse range of employment opportunities and valuable insights into the remigration process. The event will include informative sessions on investment opportunities, housing options, and educational resources available to
that their requests would be fulfilled within two weeks and encouraged them to diversify and expand their agricultural activities.
Adams informed the residents that NAREI field officers would make regular visits to assist. He reiterated the government's commitment to supporting the people in the Pomeroon River area.
Chris Richards, a resident of School Island, expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, for their prompt actions.
"We want to continue to
grow, and this is a plus for our community. This will assist us and help us become self-sufficient. We are so happy for this," Richards said.
The Brazilian green dwarf coconut plants, with an estimated output of 240 coconuts per tree—an increase from the previous 160—promise a significant boost in harvests for farmers.
Additionally, the new variety's capacity to produce up to 750 ml of water per tree, compared to the previous 300 ml, offers further revenue opportunities through coconut by-products such as water,
oil, and copra.
In June, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha handed over 3,000 high-yield Brazilian green dwarf coconut plants to over 120 coconut farmers in the Pomeroon River. This initiative aimed to revitalise the coconut industry in the Pomeroon River area.
The distribution of agricultural inputs and planting materials reflects the government's dedication to fostering agricultural growth and bolstering rural incomes.
returning citizens.
"We encourage all skilled Guyanese professionals in the diaspora to participate in this unprecedented event," Mr. Persaud added. "Whether you are considering returning to Guyana or seeking to make a meaningful impact from abroad, the Diaspora Job Fair promises to be an invaluable networking and career advancement opportunity."
For more information about the Diaspora Job Fair and to register, please visit https://guyanaconsulatenewyork.org/
FAMILIES and ultimately, the children of Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be able to benefit greatly from a $17 million play park and gym equipment, made possible by Cabana Marketing Ser-
and play equipment that will keep children engaged outdoors for hours.
Mahdia’s mayor, Eslyn Romascindo-Hussain expressed his gratitude to Cabana Marketing for this initiative. According to
vices Incorporated and maintained by Fantasy Sports.
In March of this year, Cabana, joined by the Mahdia Mayor and Town Council, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for this initiative at the Oval Play Park in the township. On July 17, the company held a brief ceremony for the official opening of the Fantasy Fun Park and Outdoor Gym.
The carefully planned out recreational space has several children-friendly gym
utilise this facility for quality times together,” the mayor stated. Cabana Marketing and Fantasy Sports Marketing Manager, Diana Persaud said the company was excited to finally open the play park to the com-
the mayor, this is the first and only play area for the town’s children.
“The installation of the play park and outdoor gym has significantly enhanced our Oval Ground, undoubtedly bringing joy and gratitude to the children of Mahdia and surrounding communities by providing a secure and enjoyable recreational space.
“Moreover, this endeavour has the potential to strengthen familial ties, as our community members
munity. Both Cabana Marketing and Fantasy Sports are committed to the development of communities and believe in giving back to communities. With this in mind, they set out to build a safe recreational area where children, and families, will be able to go and relax in a safe and family-friendly environment.
According to Persaud, Cabana intends to expand this initiative to other regions across Guyana.
By Cindy Parkinson
MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, has outlined the government’s ambitious plans for the housing and infrastructure sectors. In a recent televised interview, Minister Croal provided updates on key projects and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Guyanese citizens.
Minister Croal announced an active tender for constructing a four-lane highway connecting the New Demerara Harbour Bridge to Hero's Highway, near Nandy Park. This project aims to enhance connectivity and will include additional branch-offs for improved traffic flow.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the New Demerara Harbour Bridge on the East Bank of Demerara and revealed that President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will soon commission the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway on the western side of the bridge. This new infrastructure is expected to significantly benefit road users, reducing travel time and easing access to various destinations.
Expansion of House Lot Allocations
Minister Croal highlight-
ed the government's efforts in allocating house lots, revealing that nearly 34,000 lots have already been distributed. The upcoming Building Expo will see the allocation of at least 2,000 more lots. By the end of 2024, the government aims to intensify these allocations to meet the target of 50,000 house lots. For 2024, the ministry has allocated close to 4,500 house lots, with plans to allocate an additional 6,000 to achieve their annual goal.
The minister also mentioned that approximately 1,750 houses have been handed over, with many more in various stages of completion
across Regions Three, Four, Six, Seven, and Nine. Preparations are also underway to commence projects in Region 10.
Minister Croal noted that the government's housing programme has provided significant relief to aspiring homeowners. Despite challenges in construction costs, the government remains committed to offering houses at minimal costs, focusing on breaking even rather than profit-making. The minister encouraged citizens to consider private contractors for building their homes.
President Ali has been a strong advocate for constructing houses for young professionals and low-income families, reinforcing the government's dedication to providing affordable housing.
Minister Croal addressed the issue of squatting, urging people to avoid illegal settlements. He acknowledged ongoing efforts to manage and regularise squatting in various regions, including Hill Foot on the Soesdyke
Prime Minister’s
HEALTH professionals at the Akawini Health Post in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will now be able to send reports faster now that the Government of Guyana through the Prime Minister's office installed free Wi-Fi at the health post.
The Prime Minister’s representative and Chairman of the Health and Sanitation Committee of Region Two RDC, Arnold Adams said that the Wi-Fi was installed under the National Data Manage-
ment Authority (NDMA). He said that it was a challenge for health personnel in the past to send reports because there was no internet.
Adams said that the Health Post has a midwife and a community health worker. Referrals are made to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital and Suddie Public Hospital from the health post.
He said there is sufficient medication at the facility to treat patients. There is also a health boat to transport pa-
Highway, Johanna on the East Bank of Demerara, and Zeelugt on the West Coast of Demerara.
While some squatter communities have expanded, the government is monitoring these areas to ensure proper relocation. The minister clar-
ified that squatters are not given priority over other citizens and stated that no new squatting will be regularised.
About 1,100 squatters in unregulated areas have already been regularised, with further plans for some residents living alongside the railway line in Region Three. The government's housing and infrastructure initiatives aim to improve living conditions and support the nation's development, ensuring that all citizens benefit from these advancements.
tients out of the community if there is an emergency.
Many persons in remote areas rely on the health post to treat their alignments. Community Health Workers (CHW) also conduct home visits to elders in the community.
“We are trying to make Wi-Fi available in all public buildings in the region, when this happens persons can have access and stay connected,” Adams said.
JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz have fallen six places in the latest FIFA global rankings, following a dismal performance in the 2024 Copa America. The recent rankings, released on Wednesday, also saw drops for other CONCACAF teams, with the USA and Mexico slipping down the order.
The Reggae Boyz, now ranked 59th globally after slipping six places, faced a string of defeats in the tournament, losing 1-0 to Mexico, 3-0 to Venezuela, and 3-1 to Mexico, finishing at the bottom of Group B. This poor showing prompted immediate repercussions, with Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson resigning post-tournament. Hallgrímsson has since accepted a new role as the head coach of the Republic of Ireland.
The Jamaica Football Federation is currently in an advanced stage of hiring a new head coach, who is expected to re -
verse the team's flagging fortunes. Mexico, now ranked 17th, experienced a downturn as well, falling two places in the rankings after their struggles. They were defeated 1-0 by Venezuela and held to a goalless draw by Ecuador.
The USA, previously the highest-ranked CONCACAF team, slipped five places to 16th. Their Copa America campaign started promisingly with a 2-0
victory over Bolivia, but subsequent losses to Panama (2-1) and Uruguay (10) saw them finish third in Group C, leading to the dismissal of Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. In contrast, Canada saw a significant boost, climbing eight places to 40th after an impressive run that saw them finish fourth in the Copa America. Coached by Jesse Marsch, Canada's journey in the
tournament included a second-place finish in Group A, with a win, a loss, and a draw. They advanced to the knockout stages and eliminated Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Although they lost 2-0 to Argentina in the semi-finals and succumbed to Uruguay in the thirdplace playoff, their performance was enough to propel them up the rankings.(Sportsmax).
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two partnerships. First Duckett, who faced 92 balls and counted 11 fours, posted 119 for the second wicket with first innings century-maker Pope who struck half-dozen fours in a 67-ball knock.
The partnership left England well placed on 116 for one at tea, but the hosts were set back twice on resumption when Alzarri Joseph (2-58) struck two key blows – re-
moving Pope in the fourth over to a low catch by Sinclair at gully and then hitting Duckett plumb in front with a yorker.
Any hopes of further inroads were then dashed, however, as Brook punched eight fours in a 78-ball knock, to inspire an unbroken 108-run, fourth wicket partnership with former captain Joe Root (37 not out).
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Z Crawley run out 3
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TOTAL (3 wkts, 51 overs) 248
Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Crawley), 2-127 (Pope,), 3-140 (Duckett) Bowling: A Joseph 12-0-58-2 (nb1), Seales 12-1-62-0, S Joseph 100-36-0 (nb1), Holder 9-0-38-0,
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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shiv Chanderpaul (21 Tests) (2) Mike Atherton (16 Tests)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) Which WI batsman has scored most Test runs in England?
(2) Which ENG player has compiled most Test runs in the West Indies?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
THE prospect of ring-fencing money for Afghanistan women's cricket could be raised at the ICC's annual meetings in Colombo this weekend, as the global body comes under growing pressure to act over the Afghanistan Cricket Board's (ACB) inability to field a women's team.
A number of boards, among them Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), are believed to be eager to discuss possibilities of such a move at the ICC Board meeting on Sunday. The suggestion involves keeping aside a percentage of the annual revenue that is distributed to Afghanistan by the ICC as a Full Member, to be used - or saved - specifically towards Afghanistan women's cricket.
The discussion on what to do with Afghanistan - the only Full Member without a
women's team, which is a key criterion of that membership - has gained urgency after a group of Afghanistan women cricketers contracted by the ACB before the Taliban takeover, wrote to the ICC chair, Greg Barclay, asking for help in setting up a refugee team for them in Australia, where many of them fled. The letter was sent in the aftermath of the Afghani -
TADEJ Pogacar continued his fairytale Tour de France with a fifth stage win to further extend his dominant lead with just one day remaining.
The Slovenian, riding for UAE Team Emirates, sprinted away from defending champion Jonas Vingegaard inside the final 500 metres on the Col de la Couillole.
The two-time winner extended his advantage over the Visma–Lease a Bike rider by seven seconds and now leads the general classification by five minutes and 14 seconds.
Pogacar has become the first rider to win five stages at a single Tour de France since German sprinter Marcel Kittel in 2017.
Today’s time trial in Nice is the final stage of this year's
tour, and Pogacar is likely to put even more time into his rivals.
Richard Carapaz crossed the line in third, having already collected enough points to secure the King of the Mountains jersey earlier in the stage.
Green jersey holder Biniam Girmay safely finished inside the time cut and is set to become the first black African to win the tour's points classification, boasting an unassailable lead over his rival sprinters.
Britain's Mark Cavendish, who is racing in his last Tour de France and also beat the cut, crossed the line in tears supported by three team-mates. (BBC Sport)
stan men's team reaching its first-ever global semi-final at the T20 World Cup 2024, and acknowledged the men's achievements as well as the fact that the ACB cannot recognise a women's team because of the Taliban's restrictive policies. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, women's rights in the country have been hit especially hard, with sec -
ondary education and work, as well as sporting activity, denied to them.
The 17 women cricketers have asked the ICC to recognise them as a refugee team administered by the East Asian Cricket office based at Cricket Australia.
Cricket Australia has refused to play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan, withdrawing from three series, though
AT one point, the thought of Dwight Yorke leading Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz setup would have been farfetched, but not anymore.
This, as the former Trinidad and Tobago and Manchester United stalwart was among 40 candidates that threw their proverbial hats in the ring to fill Jamaica’s Head coach spot, which was left vacant following Heimir Hallgrimsson’s resignation.
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) confirmed Yorke’s application, but with the number of potential candidates now narrowed down to five, general secretary Dennis Chung was reluctant to say whether or not the 52-year-old made the shortlist.
“We actually got about 40 applicants from Europe, South America and in the Concacaf region, and Technical Committee Chairman [Rudolph Speid] have cut that down to five. So we will be doing the interviews in another week or so and then we will announce the successful candidate,” Chung said during a press conference on Wednesday.
“He [Dwight Yorke] did apply, but as it relates to the
they continue to meet them at ICC events. They will continue with that policy in the immediate future. They are the only Full Member to frame such a policy, and act on it - no other Full Member has refused to play bilateral matches against Afghanistan.
Any such discussion in the ICC's boardrooms will come with complexities, however, given that there is little precedent for such a situation. The ICC's annual revenue distribution to members does not specify how much money they should spend on women's cricket, so working out an appropriate percentage to set aside would be a challenge.
The ACB receives approximately USD 17 million annually from the ICC as part of the revenue distribution model. It could be suggested that an escrow account is set up where the money is kept.
But who the money is directed towards will be another question. Though the 17 women who wrote in to the ICC are believed to be players contracted by the ACB in November 2020, the ICC has not officially recognised them as such. And they are unable to offer them official status, because as a member organisation, the ICC relies on individual boards to compile and recognise teams. In any case, these are all questions for after such a proposal has been agreed upon. That this will happen is by no means a given, as not all boards view the issue in the same way. There are, for example, board directors who take a more sympathetic view towards the inability of the ACB to act against the Taliban government that runs the country.(EspncCricinfo)
five, I don’t want to say who it is as yet. But certainly Dwight is someone who was in the initial 40,” he added Yorke, who took his first steps into management in 2022 when he was appointed Head coach of Australian side Macarthur FC, lifted the Australia Cup that same year with the A-League side, before parting ways with the club in 2023.
While his experience from a managerial perspective may not be as glittery as that of other potential candidates, Yorke admitted that he has gained knowledge from several legendary figures, including Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal legend, Arsene Wenger.
“I’ve spent time with the likes of Pep, Sir Alex, Steve McLaren and Arsene Wenger,” Yorke told The Mirror.
“They will tell you: everyone wants to play attacking, front-foot football. I love that, being an attacker myself. You want to just score goals but there is a balance here. If you don’t have [a] good structure and a good system in place, then you are always likely to struggle,” he added.
SportsMax.TV understands that former Reggae Boy turned coach Jobi McAnuff, and former Reggae Boyz assistant Miguel Coley were also among the candidates that applied for the job.
Meanwhile, Chung ex -
plained that the JFF has taken lessons from Hallgrimsson’s tenure and eventual departure, as the Icelandic coach was said to have had a strained relationship with the federation.
Shortly after quitting Jamaica’s programme, following a failed Copa America campaign, Hallgrimsson was appointed by the Republic of Ireland.
“We have certainly taken a lot of lessons from it, I don’t necessarily agree with some of the things that were said, having gone through the process and we know what happened. What I was referring to being surprised about is that my expectation is that if someone knows they are going to leave, they should give adequate notice that is the professional way to do it,” Chung said.(Sportsmax)
“So we know that the signs were there, but we expected that on a professional basis, the appropriate notice would have been given. But it worked out for us because as soon as the [Hallgrimsson’s] announcement was made, we started getting interest from all around the world,” he shared.
THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned USA Cricket (USAC) that it risks being “put on notice” for non-compliance with its Associate membership status, barely a month after the last game of a historic, first-ever ICC global event staged in the country.
The USA was a co-host, with the West Indies of the T20 World Cup in June, staging games at three venues as the ICC acted on its long-held ambition of breaking into North America.
But the difficulty of that ambition is evident in the warning, which says USAC is potentially in breach on two counts.
One concerns USAC not fulfilling the governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) necessary for it to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports that were last year added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
And on the second the ICC has hauled up USAC for not having a “fit-for-purpose administrative structure”, including not filling the vacant CEO position after it sacked the previous incumbent months into his job.
“USA Cricket is currently non-compliant with ICC As-
sociate Member Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(i) (governance structure) and 2.2 (b)(ii) (administrative and executive structure) and is at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’,” the ICC said in a note sent recently to all its members attending the global cricket body’s AGM, which will take place on July 22 in Colombo, immediately after the ICC board meets.
Titled “Associate Member Membership Update,” the five-page document accessed by ESPNcricinfo, was sent on July 11. The ICC noted that the USOPC had “expressed serious concerns” over the governance model of USAC.
“The USOPC has written to the USAC expressing serious concerns about the ongoing governance of USAC. Whilst this does not put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria, it reflects broader concerns regarding USAC’s governance.
“However, USOPC have stated if USAC do [sic] not achieve NGB certification, they will be required to commence a process to recognise an alternate NGB for cricket, which could put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria to be “recognised by the ICC (at its absolute discretion) as the primary governing body responsible for the administration, man-
The USA was co-host of the T20 World Cup in June, hosting games at three venues (Photo: ICC/ Getty Images)
agement and development of cricket (men’s and women’s) in its country”.
This is second time this year the ICC has put USAC on alert. After its quarterly meetings in March, the ICC sent a missive to USAC hauling it up over several issues, including warning it even back then that USAC was not doing enough to become USOPC compliant.
That email, sent by ICC CEO Geoff Allardice six days after the ICC Board met in Dubai, was addressed to USAC chair Venu Piske, who was elected to the position in July 2023.
While the ICC board acknowledged USA’s “importance” as a “cricket territory”, Allardice noted in the email,
Concacaf U-20 Champipnship opener
seen by ESPNcricinfo, it was also aware of the “long history of problems” with USAC.
The ICC board had even toyed with the idea of suspending USAC membership in March for “being in serious breach of membership obligations”, but it did not happen eventually only because Allardice said it would disrupt the USA’s preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Instead, the ICC Board decided to give USAC a “last chance” to “remedy” the non-compliance issues.
As a primary, punitive measure though, the ICC board did stop the annual funding USAC receives until it fulfilled all membership criteria, only allowing “controlled funding” on an
“exceptional basis” between April and July “to enable cricket in the USA not to be prejudiced.”
During the T20 World Cup, ICC chair Greg Barclay and Allardice once again reiterated to USAC that it was in danger of being suspended if it failed to comply with the membership criteria.
Now, in the July AGM note, the ICC said the USAC continued to still be in breach and recommended stronger sanction. “USAC still does not have a fit-for-purpose administrative structure. USAC does not currently have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent one after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process for a replacement CEO has commenced.
In April, the two remaining USAC Development staff (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these former staff members has not yet commenced. Currently, replacement staff are temporary and part-time contractors.
“It is management’s view that USAC has not remedied all areas of non-compliance as outlined in the ICC’s letter to USAC dated 21 March, 2024, and is therefore at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’.”
In its initial response,
sent on July 12, USAC is understood to have told the ICC that it had appointed an independent director – Pintoo Shah – who also took charge as the Treasurer. His appointment was ratified by the USAC board on the same day. The delay in filling up the independent position, USAC explained, was due to it amending its constitution to fall in line with USOPC regulations.
The USAC email, copied to senior USOPC officials, also said it was harsh on ICC’s part to threaten “drastic action” when it was working hard to meet compliance. USAC said it was informed of the NGB accreditation process only on January 24, so it was unfair to expect it to be compliant by March when the ICC sent the initial warning, and especially when the deadline for compliance submission to USOPC was September 30.
As for the vacant CEO position, USAC said that it had received several applications when it advertised for the position this April and shortlisted names, keeping ICC Americas in the loop. The new USAC CEO, it is understood, will be appointed immediately after the ICC AGM. (ESPNcricinfo)
IT was like lambs to the slaughter as Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz started the Concacaf Men's Under-20 Championship with a dismal performance and were mauled 9-0 by United States at the Miguel Aleman Valdez Stadium in Mexico on Friday.
The Jamaicans, who would have entered the tournament confident of a good performance, did little to show that they will be competitive in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
With the win, reigning champions, United States, took pole position on three points, ahead of Cuba and Costa Rica, who played out a 1-1 stalemate in the curtain-raiser of the Group A double-header.
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz had no response to the onslaught of three-time champions United States, which, in a frantic start, raced to a 4-0 lead inside 21 minutes.
the 16th to extend United States lead, and he too completed a brace in the 20th with another left-footed hit inside the box.
Not even a slew of early substitutions by Jamaica’s head coach, Jerome Waite, could stop the carnage, as Cruz Medina capitalised on their sloppy defending to finish off a loose ball and put United States 5-0 up at the break.
As the evening rains continued to drizzle, the one-way traffic continued on the resumption when Marcos Zambrano struck in the 54th as United States maintained their offensive efficiency.
Ruben Ramos scored in the 67th to make it seven, before Nimfasha Berchimas added another in the 77th.
Nikolas Tsakiris then capped the win with a close range effort in the 90+1 minute.
similar fashion. Pedro Soma struck with a left-footed strike of his own in
Earlier, Samuel Rodriguez’s eight-minute penalty put Cuba in front, but the
Spanish-speaking Caribbean island couldn’t maintain the lead, as Esteban Cruz (52nd) earned Costa Rica a share of the spoils.
It was a contest that could have gone either way, but for excellent glove work by Cuba’s Yurdy Hodelin and his Costa Rican counterpart Berny Rojas, as both teams had their fair share of chances.
After Leonardo Alfaro’s 23rd minute strike for Costa Rica came back off the crossbar, Hodelin kept out Andy Rojas’ 30th-minute penalty kick.
Costa Rica’s custodian, Berny Rojas, came up big twice to deny Aniel Casanova and Cristian Mendoza in quick succession.
Action in Group A will resume tomorrow with the young Reggae Boyz to lock horns with Costa Rica, while Cuba will face the United States in the feature contest at the same venue. (Spotsmax)
NOTTINGHAM, England, (CMC) – In a theme common to his rise to the international stage, West Indies batsman, Kavem Hodge, said he was glad he stuck out the tough times during his maiden Test hundred against hosts England to breathe some life into the Richards-Botham Trophy Series heading into third day of the second Test.
The 31-year-old Dominican, dropped on 16, made 120 in his only fourth Test, and the Caribbean side was 351 for five, in reply to the English first innings total of 416 at the close on the second day at Trent Bridge – a deficit of 65.
Hodge and fellow Dominican Alick Athanaze took advantage of good batting conditions and shared 175 for the fourth wicket to wear England down after West Indies wobbled to 84 for three a little before lunch.
“It’s a dream come true, you play the game from a youngster growing up that’s something that you want to do, especially at the highest level, in England against England,” Hodge told reporters after the day’s play.
“I’m really happy and satisfied about it, especially also the position of the team, it’s always good to help the team’s cause.”
Hodge credited the visitors for coming through the “tough periods”, including spells from England tearaway fast bowler, Mark Wood, whose quickest delivery was clocked at 97.1 miles an hour, and consistently bowled around 93 miles an hour for most of the day.
“It was brutal,” Hodge said. “It’s not every day you rock up and you face someone that’s bowling more than 90 miles an hour every single ball.
“There was one point, I made a joke to him, I said: ‘Hey, I have a wife and kids at home’. But I think that made the century a lot more satisfying. Test cricket is brutal, it’s challenging, it’s mentally draining. To experience that, facing guys like Mark Wood, it was tough, but it was satisfying.”
Hodge showed plenty of courage against Wood and the rest of the England pace attack during their first day in the field since the international retirement of the evergreen Jimmy Anderson, and he gathered
several of his 19 boundaries with hooks and pulls.
Athanaze too, also put up a brave front, especially after he was struck on the helmet, on 48, and the lefthander carried on and hit a career-best 82.
“I flinched,” Hodge
said about Athanaze being struck. “I thought I was going to get hit before him (Athanaze), but it didn’t happen like that. But kudos to him that he bounced back well and was able to stand his ground and push on further.
“We always bat good together, we play for the same franchise back home, so we’ve had a lot of big partnerships. He’s more aggressive than I am. I’m more of an accumulator, so I tend to go under the radar and go about my business quietly. It’s always good to spend time at the wicket with him.”
Hodge sealed his century when he firmly drove a delivery from England captain and fast medium bowler, Ben Stokes, through mid-off for four and erupted in celebration at his achievement with batting partner at the time, Jason Holder.
“It was amazing,” Hodge said in a post-play TV interview. “I think from 97 I blanked out… I was just trying my best to stay in the moment, and he bowled a big, booming in-swinger and everything was just a blur, everything just happened in the moment. I told Jason I was still pinching myself after the celebration, I hadn’t grasped it yet.”
Hodge made his Test debut on the Tour of Australia this past January, and he readily admitted there were times he felt his chance to play the format
may never come, but he stuck to the task.
“There were times when you start to doubt yourself, when you weren’t getting the opportunity,” he said.
“There were times when to make the Test team, because of COVID-19, we had something called the Best vs Best, when they would bring the guys in and then split the squad into two and have warm-up games to select the team.
He said: “I think I had taken part in that six or seven times and every time a selector or the coach would come to me and say, ‘We’re not going to select you, we’re looking in this direction’.
“So every time I went to a Best vs Best, it took a little bit out of me, but I’m grateful that I stuck with it and things are working out, so I’m happy for that.”
Hodge was dismissed lbw to pacer Chris Woakes, and Joshua Da Silva, not out on 32, and Jason Holder, not out on 23, battled through the last 40 minutes to put on 46 – unbroken – for the sixth wicket to cap a strong riposte from the visitors.
By Sean Devers
ACCORDING to Georgetown Cricket Club’s (GCC) head coach, Peter Persaud, the club’s annual Summer Camp is scheduled to bowl off on July 29 and conclude on August 3 and will be held at the GCC ground, Bourda.
“We are hoping that the rain will hold up but we have plans in place if it does not. The camp will run from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs each day and caters for boys and girls between the ages of seven and seventeen.
“We will create an envi-
ronment in which the Kids will have fun learning the fundamentals of Cricket” said the left-handed Persaud, who played in the 1985 and 1986 Regional U-19 tournaments.
The registration fee is $5,000 and beverages and snacks will be provided for the participants.
Peter, the elder brother of West Indies U-19 and FirstClass batter Paul Persaud, informed that the first such camp began in 1991 and was run by the late Harold ‘doc’ Dhanraj.
“Back then, it was an honour to walk on the ground at Bourda since it was the only ground in Guyana where
Test cricket was played.
The kids today have everything they need, yet the standard of cricket now is not as high as back then.
We hope that camps like this can recapture the interest in cricket for those at a very young age, instilling the passion and joy and hopefully inspire them to want to stay with the game when they get older” continued Persaud.
Only white T-shirts and white long or short pants can be worn by the participants who will be limited to 60 students.
The package includes professional coaching from National Coach, Garvin
Nedd, former Guyana Youth Coach, Orin Bailey and Persaud.
“It is not only cricket skills that will be taught. There will be lectures on discipline, game awareness, team building and the opportunity to interact with senior and junior national players.
At present GCC has Mavindra Dindyal, Thaddeus Lovell, Krsna Singh and Shahid Viera in St Vincent with the national U-19 team.
Last year GCC shared the record for the most players in a Guyana U-19 squad from one club with Malteenoes, which had seven in 1987. GCC, established in
1884, is the oldest cricket club in the West Indies and hosted the West Indie for the first Test win when they beat England in 1930.
The club has produced 18 Test players and four of the seven Guyanese who captained West Indies in Test cricket.
Alvin Kallicharran, Carl Hooper, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan were West Indies captains who played for GCC.
Two of the eight Guyanese to captain the West Indies U-19 team, Timur Mohamed (1976) and Leon Johnson (2006) were GCC players.
THE second edition of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast was launched on Saturday, igniting discussions of potential international expansion.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and former national cricketer Steven Jacobs both emphasised the tournament's potential to evolve into a global phenomenon.
"This tournament has the makings of a major international event," stated Ramson Jr. "With high-quality cricket and the right organisation, we can attract teams from around the world, boosting tourism and showcasing Guyanese talent."
The sentiment resonated with Jacobs, who highlighted the tournament's role in players development. "Beyond entertainment, this platform allows talented cricketers to showcase their skills and potentially be scouted for higher levels," Jacobs commented. (Source: Previously quoted material)
tra Restaurant and Lounge, SuperBet, Demera Mutual, ETS, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Building Expo 2024, Premier Insurance, ENet,
Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, ANSA McAL Distribution, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop,
First
Winners will take home G$1.5 million, with G$500,000 and G$250,000 awarded to the runner-up and losing semi-finalists, respectively.
The opening round will be held at the Police Sports Club, Queen's College Ground, and Lusignan Sports Club, followed by the Roundof-16 on August 4th at the same venues.
Matches will commence at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM on both days.
The competition culminates on August 25th
The 32-team knockout competition starts on August 3rd, boasting a larger prize pool than in its inaugural year.
at the National Stadium with the finals and a special "Cricket for Charity Match" led by President, Dr Irfaan Ali.
This year's launch also unveiled the meticulously crafted championship trophy, symbolising the tournament's growing prestige.
With government support, a wider sponsor base, and a clear vision for international exposure, the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast appears on track to elevate the sport's profile beyond Guyana's borders.
Kares Engineering, Banks DIH Limited, Star Party Rentals, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mon-
NOTTINGHAM, England, (CMC) – Wickekeeper Joshua Da Silva underlined a sterling West Indies fightback with a fifth Test fifty to earn his side a slim first innings lead, but England got half-centuries from Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope to regain control of the second Test at Trent Bridge here Saturday.
Resuming the third morning on 351 for five, West Indies recovered from a slide to post 457 all out at lunch of an extended session and emerge with a precious first innings lead of 41.
They were slumping at 386 for nine after four wickets tumbled for 31 runs but the 26-year-old Da Silva stroked a composed unbeaten 82 to repair the damage, in an enterprising 71-run, last wicket stand with Shamar Joseph who made a cavalier 33 from 27 balls.
England replied strongly, however, Ben Duckett (76), Harry Brook (71 not out) and Ollie Pope (51) all getting half-centuries as the hosts closed on 248 for three in their second innings – a lead of 201 heading into Sunday’s penultimate day.
“I think it was a tre -
mendous job. We got a 70-run partnership for the last wicket, we got a lead – a 40-plus lead – so that was good to see,” Da Silva told reporters afterwards.
Joshua Da Silva hits out during his unbeaten 82 on Saturday’s third day.
“It wasn’t meant to be for the hundred today. I’ll probably say I would’ve loved it but it wasn’t to be.”
He continued: “Tomorrow is the most important day of this match. Whatever happens in the morning is going to set it up for the rest of the Test,” Da Silva told reporters afterwards.
“For us, it’s how many
71 off 78 balls for the
wickets we can get quickly, how much we can restrict them to and get what they’re going to set us to get the total in the end.”
West Indies threatened to squander their gains from the previous evening when they lost wickets steadily, seamer Chris Woakes scything through the lower order with four for 84.
All-rounder Jason Holder perished in the third over after adding only four to his overnight 23, feathering an edge behind off Woakes and Kevin Sinclair followed three overs later for four, edging a drive at Gus Atkinson
(2-107) high to Brook at gully.
Woakes then removed Alzarri Joseph (10) and Jayden Seales without scoring in successive deliveries to leave the innings tottering before Da Silva and Shamar Joseph combined to frustrate the hosts.
Da Silva, unbeaten at the start on 32, faced 122 balls in just under three hours and belted 10 fours and three sixes, the first of which – an audacious carve over cover off speedster Mark Wood – brought up the righthander’s half-century.
The left-handed Jo -
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seph entertained with five fours and two sixes – both audacious pulls in one over from Atkinson – and played with gay abandon until chipping Wood to mid on to signal the end of the innings.
Bowling a second time, West Indies removed Zak Crawley cheaply for three in the second over owing largely to a stroke of luck, when a drive from Duckett clipped Seales’s fingers on the follow through and broke the stumps, with the right-hander’s bat in the air.
On eight for one, England rebuilt courtesy of
