Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25-02-2024

Guyana hosts high-level CARICOM summit from today

- as Guyana, IDB Group sign six key agreements

Construction of world-class biodiversity centre imminent

- President Ali announces; says ‘zeroing hunger’ and malnutrition programme to be launched soon

‘No other country recently has had such a prolonged period of growth’

- IDB President commends Guyana

President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali and IDB President Ilan Goldfajn (Office of the President photo)

More schools, reliable energy, private sector support on the cards

- as Guyana, IDB Group sign six key agreements

WITH Guyana on the cusp of a new era that assures unprecedented development, the International Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is playing an integral role in supporting key advancements in the education and energy sectors, along with providing support to the private and tourism sectors.

Guyana and the IDB Group, on Saturday, signed six crucial agreements on the sidelines of the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the IDB, which was held in Guyana at the Marriott in Georgetown.

Those agreements include two operations with the Government of Guyana that focus on enhancing the country's education sector and an amendment to a current operation to strengthen Guyana’s energy matrix diversification and reliability.

Additionally, IDB Invest, the private sector arm of the IDB Group, signed three operations with companies in Guyana for financing in the logistics sector, tertiary education and sustainable tourism.

Notably, Guyana's Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, and IDB President Ilan Goldfajn signed IDB education and energy agreements, and were also joined by IDB Invest Chief Executive Officer, James Scriven, in the signing of agreements with representatives of Texila American University Guyana, Republic Bank, Muneshwers Limited, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry and Caribbean Green Building.

“Today's signings are an important step in our continued collaboration with the government to improve the lives of the Guyanese people. We are confident that these projects will make a difference in improving education conditions, in -

creasing energy reliability and financing sustainable tourism, tertiary education and logistic sectors,” said IDB President Goldfajn.

TRANSFORMING THE EDUCATION AND ENERGY SECTORS

As the current government works assiduously towards delivering quality education, close to 9,000 primary school learners and their communities will benefit from a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP).

According to the IDB release, the CCLIP enables Guyana to access up to US$150 million of which the first operation is for US$90 million.

According to the IDB, with this investment, over 2,600 pupils are expected to benefit from the construction of six new primary schools.

Also, more than 6,000 pupils in 19 primary schools in the hinterland regions will see their schools rehabilitated.

Additionally, 7,000 learners and 300 teachers from grades two to six in the selected schools will receive digital devices to improve teaching and learning experiences.

With the aim of contributing to quality education in order to foster sustainable development, an investment grant of US$5 million, according to the IDB, will strengthen instructional leadership at the district and school levels, with financing from the Global Partnership of Education (GPE). This operation will supplement educational support by boosting leadership capabilities among 200 education leaders, spanning district and school leadership, ministry officials, and subject specialists.

Moreover, the signings also included the amendment to strengthen the energy matrix diversification for US$26.9 million, which will benefit more than 200,000 people. This averages about 90 per cent of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) customer base on

the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

The modification uses approximately 63 per cent of the funds to focus on reliability of electricity supply by replacing and upgrading two existing 12-kilometer 69kv transmission lines, and installation of capacitor banks to reinforce four power substations over the next three years.

PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT

With the goal of contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), IDB Invest partnered with the Guyana Bank for Trade Industry and Commerce (GBTI) to finance US$14 million for Muneshwers Limited to purchase two new gantry cranes for multipurpose cargo activities and to build a logistics warehouse.

According to the release, the cranes will be installed at Port Georgetown and will allow Muneshwers to double its cargo handling capacity by 2025, from the current 30,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers per year.

This operation includes a senior loan of US$10 million from IDB Invest and US$4 million from GBTI. It is Muneshwers’ second facility with IDB Invest, which provid-

ed a US$4 million loan in 2022 for the company to acquire its first mobile harbour crane.

It was said that IDB Invest's participation in this project will mobilise the private sector to develop infrastructure projects in Guyana that can be replicated in other Caribbean countries.

Moreover, with the expectation to increase student enrolment by almost 73 per cent and by 2026 increase the number of students graduating by 20 per cent, IDB Invest also partnered with Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited to help Texila American University enhance services in Guyana by expanding its accommodation facilities for staff and students.

This is IDB Invest's first private-sector education project in the Caribbean.

Total financing of US$9 million includes a senior loan of US$5 million from IDB Invest and US$4 million from Republic Bank.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

IDB Invest and Caribbean Green Building collaborated to loan US$22 million in finance for the development of a sustainable mixed-use tourism project in Georgetown, Guyana. The project includes a 172-room Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, a conference facility, and retail centre.

The project will be the first EDGE advanced-certified hotel in Guyana and is expected to contribute to the economic development of the country by generating tourism revenue, creating more than 150 jobs during construction and over 60 jobs during oper-

ations, and strengthening the local value chain.

Located in the South Ruimveldt Gardens district, Four Points Georgetown will source up to 40 per cent of food and beverage goods domestically and decor and fixtures will be sourced in part through a close collaboration with the local Arawak indigenous community.

Four Points by Sheraton Georgetown is expected to contribute to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

President Dr. Irfaan Ali (fourth from right), Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh (fourth from left), IDB President, Ilan Goldfajn (third from right) and other officials after the six new agreements were inked (IDB Photo)

‘No other country recently has had such a prolonged period of growth’ - IDB President commends Guyana

IMPRESSED with Guyana’s rapid economic growth, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, says “no other country recently has had such a prolonged period of growth.”

He made these remarks on Saturday at the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the IDB, which was held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown/ While giving Guyana high praise, Goldfajn stated that

President, Dr Irfaan Ali has been vocal on a number of issues such as climate, energy and food security and its impact on the Caribbean region.

Placing focus on climate change, as this global phenomenon leaves crippling effects on the Caribbean region, the IDB President highlighted that environmental strategies such as Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) are important.

“The region has shaped the global conversation on climate change, and it's helping to lead the way on promoting resilience,” he said.

Furthermore, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, underscored the importance of the IDB’s presence in Guyana and its role throughout the years as a long-standing developmental partner.

“We in Guyana consider it a great privilege to host these important consultations, not least because of the value we place on them as a long-standing provider of development support at scale. But also because of the IDB has demonstrated reliability and trustworthiness

as a development partner over the years...,” Dr Singh said.

Also, under President Ali’s leadership, according to Dr Singh, the current era of unprecedented transformation has been fostered, owing to the foundation which has been laid over many years, which long predated the discovery of oil and gas.

“We remain today firmly focused on delivering improvement to the lives of all of our citizens in the shortest possible time, ensuring that we build resilience for medium and long term, including by diversifying our economic base and improving our competitiveness across

all sectors and remaining at the forefront of both fiscal and environmental sustainability,” he remarked.

He added, “I also take the opportunity to encourage the bank to pursue innovative approaches towards mobilising and leveraging capital from both public and private sector operations, as we see collectively to build greater resilience in the Caribbean.”

He also highlighted the LCDS, which he said “provided a blueprint for Guyana to monetise the climate services provided by our standing forests.”

The world’s first TREES credits were notably awarded to Guyana by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) in December 2022. It was the first time a nation had

received carbon credits created especially for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for effectively preventing the loss and degradation of forests, a procedure known as jurisdictional REDD+, which was a significant milestone.

Guyana received 33.47 million TREES credits from ART for the five-year period between 2016 and 2020 after the Board of Directors of ART approved the project and concluded an independent evaluation and verification process. This made it possible for Hess Corporation and the Guyana government to reach a historic deal in which the oil giants decided to buy one-third of all of Guyana’s credits—both issued and projected—up until 2030.

President of the International Development Bank (IDB) P Ilan Goldfajn

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh

Construction of world-class biodiversity centre imminent

By Trina Williams

AS Guyana continues to champion biodiversity, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, has announced that the government is collaborating with some of the best universities to build a world-class biodiversity centre in Guyana.

President Ali revealed these plans during his address at the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the International Development Bank (IDB), at the Marriott Hotel, on Saturday.

“We have kept our biodiversity intact. In the last 50 years, the world has lost 65 per cent of its biodiversity. We have kept our biodiversity intact because that is going to be worth billions in the near term,” he said.

Additionally, after receiving high praises for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) from the IDB President Ilan Goldfajn, President Ali underscored that this strategy is critical to national development.

He said: “...This is another example of where the region is going when we talk about indigenous development and respect for indigenous people and indigenous rights, and the role of indigenous people and development. There is no other example of this in the world that could come close to this...”

Noting that when it comes to including indigenous peoples within the nation’s development, his government does not just “lecture,” the Guyanese Head-of-State remarked that 15 per cent of the sale of the nation’s carbon credits goes to these communities.

He said: “So there are some who like to lecture on indigenous rights and indigenous people, we can [give] real examples of how we structurally integrate economic development and expansion in the lives of our indigenous people.”

Furthermore, as the Guyanese Head-of-State

- President Ali announces; says ‘zeroing hunger’ and malnutrition programme to be launched soon

gave his detailed presentation on Guyana’s developmental path, he did not shy away from global issues.

Against this backdrop,

Dr Ali, who is currently the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that within a few days, a programme that aims to tackle hunger and malnutrition will be launched.

He related: “We are launching a new programme in a few days ending hunger: zeroing hunger and malnutrition in the Caribbean.... we will launch a strategic programme… to achieve this, we're looking for IDB Invest.”

President Ali is leading the charge regionally to tackle food insecurity and reduce food-import costs.

The ‘25 by 25’ initiative is a pledge by the Heads of Government of the CARICOM to reduce the region’s food import bill by at least 25 per cent by 2025.

While disclosing some of the targets that Guyana has set to achieve, the President stated that by the end of 2027, Guyana will be able to supply all of the refined sugar products that the region requires.

Additionally, he said that by the end of 2026, Guyana will also be supplying various types of beans to the Caribbean.

Notably, Guyana is already on track to be self-sufficient in corn and soya beans by next year and according to Dr Ali, by the end of 2026, Guyana will be able to supply the entire Caribbean region with all of the corn and

soya beans it requires.

NEW DIMENSIONS IN ENERGY SECTOR

As the emerging powerhouse in South America continues to advance on the path to providing more reliable and efficient energy, President Ali used the gas-to-energy project to enlighten the officials that Guyana is on track to attaining its goals.

He related: “... By this time next year, you’re here in Guyana you will enjoy more reliable energy, more efficient energy... energy 50 per cent less the cost you’re paying today... We'll finish the 300 megawatt energy plant…”

For context, the project, which involves laying a 200km, 12-inch diameter pipeline, will channel natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Phase Two FPSO vessels to a stateof-the-art power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility in Wales.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), along with its co-venturers in the Stabroek Block, are behind the pipeline’s construction, which has an estimated cost of US$1 billion and is cost recoverable.

The Government of Guyana has earmarked $80 billion in the 2024 budget for the project, highlighting its significance to national development.

MORE THAN OIL AND GAS

Despite Guyana gaining popularity for its lush oil and gas, the President remarked that the nation is not being built on that, but instead it is being used as

a vehicle to drive growth and development in the traditional sectors.

President Ali said: “Whilst the energy sector is no doubt fueling tremendous transformation in the country, the energy sector is the fuel of the expansion of the economy and the building of a diversified economic portfolio, that will ensure Guyana remains sustainable, resilient and strong long into the future.”

He added: “And so doing, we are focusing heavily on three areas. One, to position Guyana to be a global leader on food security; two, to be a global leader in energy security; and three, to be a global leader on climate services and environmental services.”

BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE

Noting that prosperity is hinged on ensuring that there is a maximum level of service, the President stressed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is working assiduously to attain this, not only for the betterment of Guyanese alone but the Caribbean region, overall.

Dr Ali related: “...We have said that our [Guyana’s] prosperity must lead to the prosperity of this region. So we are establishing the benchmark of health services that every single citizen must enjoy, a benchmark of education services that every citizen must enjoy, a benchmark of infrastructure that every citizen must enjoy and a benchmark of recreational

last few years, they have granted more than 27,000 scholarships, of which more than 20,000 were given to females.

services that every citizen must enjoy.

“So regardless of the wealth [that] is created, the prosperity that comes to every home must allow every citizen to enjoy a certain equitable level of life in the country.”

HUMAN TRANSFORMATION

The Guyanese Government continues to foster human transformation, especially as the world evolves at a rapid pace.

As a result, President Ali disclosed that over the

He further remarked: “We are focusing heavily on human resource transformation and utilising the investment in training facilities to meet the expanded needs of the economy. So, in just a short time, we have built a factor simulator, that is an entire FPSO... we are focusing heavily on human resource transformation and the training of our human resource assets...”

He further noted that the government is building a second phase of that project, which will train all of the nation’s maritime human resource assets for the region.

“ .... So that is an investment of about US$120 million in a national skill training centre to meet the regional needs and our national needs,” President Ali noted.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and International Development Bank (IDB) President Ilan Goldfajn

President Dr Irfaan Ali and International Development Bank (IDB) President Ilan Goldfajn among other officials (Office of the President photos)

Guyana’s rising diplomatic profile

AMIDST a world grappling with discord and strife, Guyana emerges as a beacon of hope, poised at the forefront of a transformative era for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

As the host of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, Guyana not only showcases its burgeoning diplomatic prowess but also underscores its pivotal role in shaping the region's future trajectory.

At the heart of the country's ascendancy on the diplomatic stage lies a steadfast commitment to regional solidarity and collective prosperity.

Also, by championing adherence to international law and advocating for peaceful resolution of disputes, especially in its new role as a member and current President of the United Nations Security Council, Guyana sets a commendable precedent for global governance.

In the realm of eco -

nomic development, the nation stands at the vanguard of progress, spearheading initiatives to enhance food security and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Despite formidable challenges posed by climate variability, Guyana remains resolute in its pursuit of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy solutions.

By advocating for equitable access to financing and urging major emitters to fulfill their

commitments, the country has been amplifying the voices of vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-lying Coastal Developing States, amplifying their plight on the global stage.

And, by prioritising initiatives to facilitate free movement within the Community, foster regional capital markets, and engage diverse stakeholders, the country reaffirms its commitment to inclusive development and collective empowerment.

As Guyana carries the mantle of leadership during its tenure as Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government, the nation stands ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has affirmed.

With a firm resolve to improve the lives of all Caribbean citizens through sustained cooperation and innovative partnerships, Guyana epitomises the spirit of CARICOM as "A Community

for All."

So, as the nation gears up to host the significant regional conference of Caricom heads from today, let us celebrate the ascendance as a regional powerhouse and catalyst for positive change. Together, let us seize the promise of renewed possibilities and embark on a journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future for the Caribbean Community.

Dear Editor, Mr. Alexander of the Burnham Foundation who works very hard at helping us not forget Guyana’s Founder-Rigger, Mr. L. F. S. Burnham – is helping to make sure the PPP wins again in 2025. Any time a PNC person invokes Burnham’s name, people get diarrhea remembering how Burnham’s 28 years of dictatorship has destroyed our people and country leading to the great exodus and scattering of our people all over the world. Why would anyone want to keep

the memory of Burnham alive when that fella was a zero and not a hero?

What is worst is PNC strongman Mr. Green, the mention of whose name caused people to tremble when he was Burnham’s henchman, has reportedly called on the Burnham loyalists to resort to rigging to get out the PPP. Mr. Green likes to add “Elder” to his name when he writes letters in the papers. What is Mr. Green an elder of? Whose elder? Most Guyanese, especially PPP supporters, do not see Mr. Green as an el-

der. They may wonder if he means “elder rigger” given his association and his occupying senior positions under Burnham’s dictatorship. Mr. Green would have done well if he had instead said the PNC never rigged and that he did not participate in rigging. His remarks leave questions. We fully understand the context of Green’s comments!

The PNC should always hang their heads in shame trying to rig the 2020 election in full view of international observers. Instead of

renouncing rigging and apologising for the PNC years of rigging, here we have a PNC elder seemingly advocating for more rigging to get rid of what he calls “...these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have.” This alone should cause the Government to repeal the bill that the PNC passed to give Green a special pension, probably 10 times that of a graduate teacher. The majority of Guyanese never supported a special pension for Green nor the nation’s second highest honour. Green

‘Mouth open story jump out’

Dear Editor, As the saying goes, ‘mouth open story jumps out’ which means that sometimes when one speaks he says more than he is

expected to say. This is so especially when one’s mind and action is conditioned to think and act in a certain manner. This is so especially when 28 years of

one’s political affiliation is with a political party which rigged general elections in 1968, 1973,1978(Referendum), 1980 and again in 1985. To sum it up, the

founder leader has ensured that the rigging DNA is deeply embedded within the PNC for posterity.

Hamilton Green, the PNC’s fossilised and condi-

might be in the hall of fame of the Burnham Foundation, but the majority of Guyanese may not have warm sentiments towards Green. Many wondered why the PPP did not move quickly to repeal Green’s pension Bill in 2020 when they got in.

Regarding Mr. Alexander’s letter that we should embrace Mr. Hughes proposition that politics be restarted from Ground Zero, Mr. Hughes lost much credibility when he argued that 33 was not the majority of 65, although that was

tioned rigger, could not stop his mouth from opening and spewing the most astounding piece of reminder to his erstwhile PNC colleagues, that they should continue to rig elections ‘to save us from these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have’ (referring to the PPP/C).

The message is clear and unambiguous and no amount

the basis on which the PNC occupied the Government. That may have caused him the Senior Counsel honour although he is well deserving. Not sure what Mr. Hughes is advocating. I am wondering if he would think zero is greater than 2. (See “Burnham Foundation embraces proposition of Mr Hughes that Guyana’s politics be restarted from Ground-Zero,” SN, Feb. 24, 2024).

Sincerely,

M. Singh

of white washing will change the fact that Green meant every word he uttered at the Burnham Foundation organised lecture to mark the 101st birth anniversary of Guyana’s dictator LFS Burnham, the man who not only perfected the art of rigging in the most blatant and shameless manner but who

The true competitiveness of farmers of the Americas

By Manuel Otero Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)

(CAP) as a mechanism to stimulate the sector and its objectives and programmes are revised every five years.

CAP 2023-2027 has incorporated various sustainability targets—such as the “Farm to Fork” program, which is

ally originates in the Americas, representing more than 28% of total agricultural exports overall and the same proportion of food products.

This comp etitiveness, which seems destined to increase in the future, has been

THE converging crises that we are facing have pushed agriculture and food security to the top of the global agenda.

Wars, unmistakable signs of stagnation in the global economy and the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme climate events are significantly affecting the geopolitics of food.

Given the sluggish expansion of the global economy and international trade, coupled with the developed world’s persistent application of contractionary monetary policies, the outlook at the start of this year forecasts that in comparison to 2023, the economic growth rate of Latin America and the Caribbean could fall to a mere 1.5%, or even less if external shocks become more severe.

In the context of an increasingly complex world, protests by European farmers have rocked regions of the Old Continent in recent weeks, prompting the European Commission to immediately stall its introduction of a regulation to reduce pesticide limits.

The European Union (EU has adopted the Common Agricultural Policy

part of the Green Pact—and has allocated 386.6 billion euros to guarantee its execution. Approximately 72% of these resources have been earmarked for direct payments to farmers.

Disgruntled European farmers have been demanding greater assistance through subsidies and other support measures and have also raised concerns about the risk of an avalanche of cheap imported food, if and when a trade agreement is signed with Mercosur. Conclusion of this bi-regional pact has already been delayed and it seems condemned never to see the light.

This combination of events highlights a reality that cannot be downplayed –the undeniable competitiveness of farmers in the Americas, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean, which is a region that with practically no subsidies has assumed the responsibility of guaranteeing global food security, having now become the largest net food exporter in the world.

One in every four agricultural products sold glob-

the expansion of Agtechs for the digitalization of agriculture—are some of the factors that have fueled the development of the agriculture sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.

There we can find successful ex periences that have become examples of how to balance productivity and sustainability, such as in direct seeding, agrosilvopastoral systems, natural pasture improvement, the increasing traceability of production chains, sustainable livestock production, the expansion of the bioeconomy

and the dissemination of best practices, all of which are generating effective and viable solutions that are paving the way for this unquestionable competitiveness.

The agriculture sector plays an invaluable role in the economic and social life of our countries, which have taken on the task of feeding the world in a sustainable manner, while recognising the need to drive family farming as a pillar of greater social peace in the region. Our agricultural producers and family farmers are the backbone of

rural life in the Americas.

If the challenges of the global agenda are to stimulate growth; create quality employment; combat poverty and inequality; build resistance to climate change; protect water resources, biodiversity, health and nutrition; and mitigate the factors triggering migrations, we must inevitably perceive agricultural development within a systemic and sustainable vision—with the farmers of the Americas as the leading players and as part of the solution and not of the problems.

decades in the making.

The region is endowed with natural wealth that contributes to the efficient ecosystem governing its agrifood production. In addition to these resources (land, water, biodiversity), the region has a history of policies that despite not supporting the sector through financial assistance, have been successful due to their long-term vision targeting international markets, combined with a private sector equipped with exceptional production and business capacities, as well as creativity and tenacity.

The collaborative interaction among these interconnected spheres, coupled with science, technology and innovation, have given rise to a powerful production sector.

Sectoral policies, seed and variety improvement, land lying fallow, the development of health surveillance institutions, proper equipment, new forms of association and innovation in the types of production—including

Burnham’s psychic foundation at the Burnham Foundation

I interviewed Hamilton Green for publication twice. I will never ever do that again. As a practicing social scientist with space in the media, my requirement is to read what is said in and about Guyana. But I have made Green an exception. I do not read what Green writes because I feel that Green is a departure from human ordinariness.

For me, Green is a politician beyond redemption. My first interview was published in the Kaieteur News of Monday, October 16, 2017. Three aspects of that interview pierced my heart and I wondered why Guyana was so unfortunate to have a man with such enormous power for almost three decades.

First, he justified President Burnham not allowing Walter Rodney a job at UG. He said he, Hamilton Green, got word from top Tanzanian officials to stop Rodney from coming to Guyana because he was going to create trouble. So Green and Burnham

arrogated to themselves the authority to decide the rights of Guyanese citizens. And do not forget, this decision was one year after the 1973 rigged election.

Secondly, he said he was aware from information, provided by state intelligence, that WPA activist, Ohene Koama had guns in the car trunk. These are his exact words in the interview: “We were waiting for him.” From his words, it appeared that the decision was made to shoot Koama. He was shot and killed by the police outside his home.

Thirdly, at the end of the interview, I asked Green if he had any regrets during his long reign of power, he said, “none whatsoever.” The Monday morning when the newspaper came out, Andaiye rang me to say how incredible she found that attitude of Green. The interview was conducted in the study of Green‘s home and when he uttered those words, I got goose bumps.

Green is in the news for his remarks about the need to rig future elections to keep the PPP out of power. But his controversy has obfuscated the massive irony of the event out of which came Green’s words. The occasion was the 101 birth anniversary of Forbes Burnham observed by the Forbes Burnham Foundation headed by Vincent Alexander.

For the event, a number of speakers presented blueprints for the democratisation of Guyana. These presentations made no mention of Burnham’s role in the destruction of post-Independence democracy and Walter Rodney’s ultimate sacrifice in trying to stop the further erosion of democracy under Burnham.

Was it not a huge irony, maybe the word “colossal” is more appropriate in that a blueprint for democracy came from within the walls of an organisation named the Burnham Foundation? Guyana lost its immediate

post-colonial stability, removed the right of people to vote for their leaders and had some of its freedom fighters murdered during the reign of Forbes Burnham.

This descent into autocracy came about because the foundation of Burnham’s psyche rested on narcissism, omnipotence and messianic cultism. Armed with visionary zeal on how to transform a dilapidated economy wrecked by sugar plunder by the British empire, Burnham set out on a one-man journey of transformation that had no place for democratic values, rule of law, rights and liberties and recognition and tolerance for opposition parties.

For Burnham, these were humbugs in building the new Guyanese and the new nation. The psychic foundation of Burnham did not allow for a united post-colonial society where the transition from colonial brainwashing and colonial economy to self-reli-

ance and resource ownership would be pursued through what Bob Marley referred to as “one love.”

There was no “one love” in the building of a new society in Guyana after 1966. It was Burnham’s love only. This explains the obsession with purple - the colour of the Roman emperors, the need to speak to the masses from the balcony of the Bank of Guyana, riding horseback at Hope estate unto the pathway of workers and seeing the masses scramble for safety, riding horseback in south Georgetown with high top purple boots and seeing the masses running toward you for scare cigarettes, and smoking Cuban cigars at mass games while school children belt out the words, “follow de leadah” in rhythmic style.

This constituted the psychic foundation of Burnham. His sister, Jesse,

wrote her little booklet and warned Guyanese about this psychic foundation but global events conspired to allow this psychic foundation to roam freely. At the Burnham Foundation event, Hamilton Green used the words, “devil”, “bastard”, and “demon” to describe the PPP leaders. Those were the very words Walter Rodney employed to describe Burnham.

I was told by the closest comrade Burnham had, Elvin Mc David, that after the assassination of Rodney, Burnham stopped listening to Marley. Burnham ran from a particular set of Marley’s lyrics which I leave with you below.

“How long shall they kill our prophets?

While we stand aside and look

Some say it’s just a part of it

We’ve got to fulfill the book”

Taxi driver shot dead during row over parking space

TRAGEDY struck early Saturday morning near Bourda Market as a taxi driver fell victim to a fatal shooting. Eon Holder, 43, of Lot 2498 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, lost his life around 05:30 hours after being shot in the face, according to a report from the police.

The incident unfolded shortly after Holder had dropped off a passenger at the market to buy vegetables. Reports indicate that two assailants, one armed with a handgun, approached Holder's vehicle and unleashed the deadly attack.

Investigations revealed that at approximately 04:40 hours, Holder had been hired by a 50-year-old businessman from Queenstown, Georgetown, to transport him to Bourda Market for vegetable shopping. Upon arrival at Al-

Dead: Eon Holder

exander Street, the businessman exited the vehicle while Holder sought parking space.

Moments later, a loud explosion shattered the calm of the early morning, prompting the businessman to turn and witness Holder lying on the ground, about 15 feet away from his car. Two individuals, one brandishing a handgun, were seen fleeing from the scene.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) rushed to

the scene and transported Holder to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Tragically, medical personnel pronounced him dead upon arrival. An examination of his body revealed a gunshot wound to his rightside face.

Holder's body currently rests at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

In a statement, the police revealed that initial inquiries suggested a possible altercation between Holder and the suspects. Allegedly, Holder had parked his vehicle in the center of the road, obstructing traffic, which reportedly led to a confrontation resulting in gunfire.

Authorities are actively pursuing the suspects as investigations into the tragic incident persist.

A New Era of Prosperity - How Guyana’s Oil Boom Can Fuel Regional Integration and Sustainable Development

GUYANA is rapidly emerging as a key player in the regional energy sector, with significant developments that extend beyond its borders. The nation's newfound prominence in the energy landscape is largely attributed to substantial oil discoveries, particularly in the offshore Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil is a prominent player.

However, what makes Guyana's evolving role distinctive is its recognition that these energy developments are not isolated endeavours but integral components of broader regional integration and economic cooperation initiatives. Guyana's strategic vision extends beyond mere self-sufficiency, as it aims to actively contribute to the eco-

nomic growth and collaboration of the wider Caribbean region.

One notable aspect of this regional integration is the focus on improved infrastructure, including transportation networks and shipping assets, positioning Guyana as a central hub for energy distribution. While delivering remarks at the opening of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024, President Irfaan Ali highlighted that a key strategic approach to harnessing the nation's oil and gas sector is generating significant regional implications. An illustrative example of this strategy is the collaborative effort with Trinidad and Tobago to launch a shipping asset, a venture aimed at demonstrating the economic viability of regional transport

infrastructure investments.

The proposed shipping project, designed to facilitate the movement of containers, passengers, and ferry services, underscores a broader vision of positioning Guyana as a central hub within CARICOM.

In the pursuit of regional integration, the role of infrastructure, particularly transportation and logistics networks, is paramount. President Ali in his speech noted that, "It is important for us to understand the role logistics and transport systems and investment will play in the building out of our economy, but more importantly, in the full and complete integration of our economy with CARICOM, South America, Dominican Republic and further afield."

Transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and shipping assets, is the backbone that connects nations within a region. Efficient and well-developed transport systems facilitate the movement of goods and people across borders, reducing trade barriers and fostering economic collaboration. This interconnectedness is vital for regional integration as it enables smoother cross-border trade, encouraging shared economic activities and mutual development.

Moreover, logistics networks play a pivotal role in optimising the flow of goods and services within and between countries. Streamlined logistics enhance the efficiency of supply chains, reduce costs,

Selective outrage, retention

LAST Friday, former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green, was allowed to give an address to an audience that gathered for the commemorative symposium of former President, Linden Forbes Burnham organised by the APNU/AFC and its affiliates in the form of IPADA-G, Forbes Burnham Foundation and the PNC/R.

Apart from twisting the truth and seeking to rewrite history, the 89-year-old politician told the predominantly African Guyanese audience that “the history of this country suggests that the only people who deserve to be ‘pon top’ are those whose ancestors suffered for centuries without a cent. We welcome[d] the indentured people, gave them an education and Burnham sought to unite the people but based on the demographics, the new Indians were a larger group, they didn't want that...”

Green, in essence, said the PNC government at that time welcomed all the other ethnic groups in the country. By using the word ‘welcomed’, he meant that those ethnic groups and their descendants, except for Africans and their descendants, were never really seen as bonafide Guyanese but were always considered visitors. Never mind that the Amerindians were here first and the Africans were brought to British Guiana after.

He then said the ethnic groups were “educated” by Burnham’s government which was pursuing a type of national unity construct but in the end did not succeed because the largest bloc, the Indians, did not want that. So, it is logical, to assume that through Green’s

eyes, all other ethnic groups and their descendants were considered uneducated and ungrateful of this herculean task to get them involved in the movement to allegedly build Guyana. This is absolute rubbish and wrong on so many levels that it borders on racism and ethnic prejudices. It is simply not true.

Green did not stop there and took his statements further to justify using alternative means, which were illegal and outlawed in these modern times, to remove the PPP from office so that the PNC can get back power.

Giving a very false and politically skewed account of our history, Green would sum up his presentation by stating his belief that young people need to be given this sort of information to make informed decisions about our future. He stressed throughout his talk that the ruling PPP were allegedly wicked, cruel and all about money.

So, the end justifies the means, Green posited.

He said verbatim, “Tell them, that it was Burnham's wisdom which got him into office in 1964. I was general secretary at a critical time. And if, as I told one of the groups, I met this morning, if they say he rig elections, I say we should keep rigging to save us from the devils, these bastards, these demons, that we have.”

Let’s analyse his statements and other politicians who asked a series of thought-provoking questions that deserve answers from Green and the PNC/RAPNU/AFC leadership.

Firstly, Green, being a political guru, former prime min-

ister, and elder, should have known better than to twist the facts and tell the audience untruths.

Afterall, there were recording cameras present at the event and it was being broadcast for the world to hear. Green’s utterances were stupid and nonsensical to say the least.

Green got comfortable because he was speaking to African descendants and among people who share his view and could sympathise with it. Any objective thinker would reach the inescapable finding that Green was losing his senses and suffering from dementia in his old age but a sharp political analyst would say differently.

They would think that what Green was able to give insight into the psyche and mindset of the PNC/R and APNU/AFC. Those folks that sheepishly allowed him to speak and were egging him on should be held accountable at the least.

Every politician knows that what the former prime minister said was not true and should move to so declare to avoid any future race problems or ethnic issues. Nigel Hughes and Vincent Alexander, should be mature enough, to set this conflicting revisionist version of Guyana’s history right. Ethics in both politics, law and academia requires it but all Guyanese demands it.

Secondly, no one ethnic group and their descendants in Guyana deserves to be “pon top”. This is dangerous talking of a politically spent force who is having difficulty understanding the current configuration that he is seen before him. That configuration involves every ethnic group living side by side

and improve overall economic competitiveness. In the context of regional integration, a well-orchestrated logistics framework ensures that products and resources can move seamlessly across borders, creating an environment conducive to shared economic growth.

Investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure contribute not only to economic development within individual countries but also to the broader regional context. The development of interconnected networks facilitates collaboration and coordination among nations, making it easier to implement joint projects, share resources, and address common challenges. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of economic interde-

pendence, crucial for sustained regional integration.

The potential of Guyana's oil and gas sector to serve as a foundation for regional integration is significant. By leveraging the wealth generated from the sector, Guyana aims to strengthen ties within the region, fostering economic interdependence and shared prosperity. The reference to 'Little Dubai' underscores the transformative impact expected, as Guyana's oil and gas resources become a driving force behind regional integration, positioning the country as a key player in the South American and Caribbean landscape.

and equally benefitting from the resources while Guyana’s morphs into a multicultural society of peace and unity.

In any case, it would still not be African descendants that deserve to be on top in Guyana. It’s the Amerindian and indigenous people who deserve much more rights since they were here already. The other ethnic groups came here and some would say took away the land from the Amerindians.

Additionally, the former prime minister is foolish seeking to conflate two very different issues. African Slavery and reparations are two different things but are easily confused. African slavery is and was wrong. Period. Reparations is something that we as a country are still fighting for from the persons and their descendants that enslaved the Africans. The PPP/C and President Irfaan Ali is championing reparations at various CARICOM and international forums. The PPP/C Government has done single handedly more than APNU/ AFC to empower Afro-Guyanese in every sector of this country through scholarships, contracts, homeownership and business development.

What has Green done for Afo-Guyanese in this country when he was prime minister? What is his legacy and how did he pave the way as General Secretary of the PNC so that upcoming Afro-Guyanese and other groups could coexist? And, why did he slide into the background for all these years?

Green was just playing racist politics. He was not interested in national unity and shared governance matrix in either the Burnham or Granger eras.

Further, he is still not interested in inclusive politics and government. He is happy to die, leaving the youth to struggle to fit the pieces of Guyana back together because he is mixing race and politics.

Guyana and all of its resources belongs to every ethnic group in this country.

Thirdly, Aubrey Norton’s statement issued to the media on this entire debacle is the reason why he will never be president. He said Green was taken and quoted out of context. He pointed fingers at the media and said foolishness but “if” was left out of the quotation.

Norton skirted the real issue. He was being backed up by PNC cheerleader, Ganesh Mahipaul who disappointedly lied about PNC and APNU/ AFC records in relations to free elections and democracy.

Norton could not bring himself to do the honourable thing and lay blame at Green’s feet where it rightfully belongs. He could not even condemn his political leader for the revisionist version of history which he told the world. He thinks that he will benefit in the long run but he nor any person will benefit from the spoils of rigging elections.

It's anti-democratic and against the law to suggest that “…they should continue rigging” elections and Norton knows this. If Norton cannot stand up to Green on principle, how could he ever stand with

President Ali.

Finally, where is the outrage from Civil Society and the media? Where are the statements from the independent arms of the state? Apart from the PPP politicians that spoke and condemned Green’s verbiage, no one else has said anything inclusive of the Ethnic Relations Commission.

The general silence is astounding and telling. There are no attempts to hold his feet to the fire and to reform or change the narrative of past behaviours. This is truly sad that this political demi-god, fossil and snail is allowed to break the law, revise history and hurt the movement of all Guyanese towards unity.

The onus is on government to act now, repealing or scaling down the Parliamentary package which he enjoys under the false pretense of making significant contributions to Guyana development. The government should look at having the entire event examined, specifically Green’s statements, to ensure that there were no other violation of the law or libel occurring.

Should they find, charge them because it will serve as a deterrent to other politicians from displaying the same contentious behaviours. This is no game and not the time to be speaking so loosely. This selective outrage and selective retention are killing Guyana! History will not be kind to us if we don’t do something now.

Reluctant to seek help

MY recent articles have been directed at helping people to recognise mental health challenges in themselves and others, encouraging them to seek professional advice and persuading other sufferers to do the same.

I have also had the opportunity to speak to someone, over the course of several months, whose

conversation has gradually deteriorated to the point that it is verging on incoherence.

This young adult's parents have also described behaviour that has been wavering between open hostility and a surprising calmness, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

There have been instances of verbal abuse,

temper tantrums, alternating with periods of friendliness and even humour. These rapid mood shifts led the parents to seek out mental health counselling in an effort to understand what was happening to their child.

Consultations were arranged and for a while parents and child attended sessions where they were

all encouraged to talk freely, discussing the problems they faced. However, this individual now seems to be entering a phase where counselling is seen as unnecessary; they no longer attend the therapy sessions and insist that all that is needed is a change of environment.

The conversation between us is rambling,

with parents regularly being blamed for giving incorrect advice, such as counselling. Friends and relatives too are accused of not being helpful, particularly if they support the parents’ viewpoint.

While I am no mental health expert it seems to me that this young person is now, more than ever, in need of a mental health intervention, as their condition seems to be deteriorating. And this brings me to the question, 'How do you get someone to seek help when they don't feel they need it?'

I asked Psychotherapist, Shane Tull this and his response was, "There's really not much you can do." He, however, recommended that the lines of communication be kept open with that person and that family members and friends be encouraged to help.

It is also important to listen to what that person has to say, ask questions and find out in what way you can help them achieve their goals. For, as Mental Health America (MHA), points out, "You can't push someone to do something unless they want to do it. But you can find out what they want and find ways to support...in a way you both can agree on".

The organisation also makes the pertinent observation that, "People are naturally inclined to want to control aspects of their lives...The more we push at times, the more likely the other person will withdraw and double down on taking control of their own life."

From my conversa -

tions with the person mentioned, I certainly subscribe to the MHA's view that, “...to help someone who doesn't want help...feels frustrating, exhausting and scary."

However, both Shane Tull and the MHA concur that when persons present a danger to themselves or others, they may need to be hospitalised against their will. But, as the Psychotherapist acknowledges, "This is kind of hard because you don't want to take away (his) rights," which he says is the "conundrum" that families face and can only be done through the courts.

In this country, the Mental Health Unit can provide advice on such matters. But if the person presents no such risk, then the most we can do is listen, try to find ways to help and, as the MHA cautions, "Resist the urge to fix or give advice," unless the person asks for it.

And these cautionary words from the MHA, we all should take heed of, "In the end, if someone really doesn't want help, forcing them can be an option...but doesn't seem to work very well.

In many cases, when we force people to do things, we want them to do, it only ends in fighting and resentment. Letting people make their own choices, even when their choices are the wrong ones and it leads to more pain, DOES NOT MAKE YOU (AS THEIR FAMILY, FRIEND, OR ANY KIND OF LOVED ONE) A FAILURE.

‘Mouth open story...

FROM PAGE 6

pauperised an entire nation when it was criminal to have food on the table. Even after his death, the late Desmond Hoyte shocked the world when he perpetrated the worst rigging in Guyana’s history. Hoyte was an ardent disciple of Burnham and showed that he had mastered well the art of rigging.

However, not to be outdone, another of Burnham’s disciple, David Granger tried to pull an even more blatant and shameless rigging in 2020 in full view of the whole world-he simply used a fabricated spread sheet which cannot be substantiated by Statement of Polls. Burnham would have been so proud of him since there was no election day violence, no using of the GDF to steal ballot boxes, no stuffing the boxes with fake ballots, no gerrymandering,

no fake names on voters’ lists, no repeated voting, no manipulation of the voters’ lists-it was rigging made simple. This crime against democracy is still before the Court.

Imagine a political party with this unenviable record would now want us to believe that a two letter word ‘if’ would change the contextual meaning and give the ‘true picture’ of what Green had said. Green’s statement should indeed be interpreted within the context of the PNC’s history of riggings. That is the sordid and dirty past and present of the PNC. It’s in the DNA. The Opposition leader, Aubrey Norton was correct when he said that Green has ‘the ability to choose his language’ and will not make ‘some wild statement’. Green believed that by using ‘if’ he can mask what the PNC did in all

those rigged elections yet made his message pellucid. ‘If’ cannot change the rigging DNA and rewrite our history. Rigging is the modus operandi of the PNC since they are fully cognizant that they cannot win any free and fair elections in this country and the 2020 rigging attempts had made even their own supporters contemptuous of them. The PNC’s track record of poor governance is an indictment against them. Green is fully aware that the PNC’s rigging history is well-documented so it is not about ‘if they say he (Burnham) rigged elections’, he indeed rigged from 1968 to 1980, then Hoyte in 1985 and the infamous attempts perpetrated by the Brigadier in 2020.The 2020 brazen rigging attempts to steal Guyana’s elections was confirmed by a COI and the Mahipauls, the Greens and

the Nortons should peruse this document and produce their SoPs which are still non-existent, if they disagree.

It is worthwhile to note that the Elections Reform Group sought to exhort the PPP/C Government ‘to understand the frustrations and fears expressed by Mr Green…’, thus justifying Green’s statement. Was it fear or a testimony or a suggestion? Should rigging be

accepted in lieu of electoral and constitutional reforms? Is this the message of the ERG? There can be no justification for rigging an election. The ERG cannot be apologetic on Green’s behalf-he said what he meant and he meant what he said, no ‘ifs and buts’. For those who have remained silent on this call to rig, their silence has condemned them.

Green’s advice, however, comes too late and will

only serve to further open the wounds which his party had inflicted on this nation. It exposed his evil and devilish mindset, out of which he cannot venture. Some people cannot change but get worse with time. If you want to change attitudes start with a change in behaviour, but will the PNC ever change its behaviour? The answer is ‘Never’.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Deadline looms: Venezuela yet to submit counter-memorial in border controversy case

- AG Nandlall informs Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations

By Feona Morrison

VENEZUELA has not yet filed its counter-memorial as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gets ready to hear the merits of Guyana’s case, which seeks a final and binding ruling that the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award settled the land boundary between the two South American neighbours.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, made this revelation on Saturday during his virtual speech at the Organization of the Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) 2024 Award Ceremony. He spoke on the topic: Border Disputes and Sovereign Rights: Issues Facing Guyana as well as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The ICJ has set April 8, 2024, as the deadline for Venezuela’s counter-memorial to be filed and has reserved the subsequent procedure for further consideration through an order dated April 6, 2023.

According to Nandlall, a date has been set aside for the oral arguments to resume, but this is contingent upon Venezuela submitting its memorial.

Therefore, Nandlall indicated that he is unsure and that anyone can speculate whether Venezuela would take part in the proceedings at the “last moment”.

He stated, “Venezuela,

though, they have repeatedly refused to engage, at every occasion, at the last moment, they actually engage,” pointing to Venezuela’s refusal to participate and eventual participation at the last minute.

He said the country initially informed the court that it would not be participating in the jurisdictional issue and then it submitted its arguments requesting a postponement of the hearing. He added that Venezuela then refashioned the same arguments, repackaged them differently, and filed a second objection to the court proceedings with the substantive hearing after that decision went against them. The World Court also dismissed that objection.

Nandlall stated Venezuela had initially declined to participate in the hearing when Guyana moved to the ICJ last year, asking for provisional measures to ensure that the Spanish-speaking nation does not “take any actions that are intended to prepare or allow for the exercise of sovereignty or de facto control over any territory that was awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Award.” The Attorney General said: “They [Venezuela] said that they will not participate but they went there with a large contingent of 28 lawyers. They had more lawyers than us [Guyana], including their Vice President, Madame [Delcy]

Rodríguez and she addressed the court.”

Guyana had asked the World Court for provisional measures after Venezuela’s National Assembly, on September 21, 2023, passed a resolution for a referendum on the territory awarded to British Guiana in 1899, now part of Guyana since its independence in 1966.

Five questions were released by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council for the referendum that was held on December 3, 2023. Particularly troubling are questions three and five, which seek to validate Venezuela’s illegitimate claim to Guyana’s oil-rich Essequibo region.

Question five asks for permission from Venezuelans to establish a new state in Guyana’s Essequibo region, incorporate it into Venezuela, and grant its residents citizenship.

Question three asks for approval for Venezuela’s reluctance to acknowledge the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the matter. Approximately 125,000 of Guyana’s 800,000 residents live in the Essequibo area, which makes up nearly two thirds of Guyana’s landmass.

The 1899 Arbitral Award, a significant ruling that established the border between what was then British Guiana (now Guyana) and Venezuela, is where the controversy first began.

Venezuela had agreed

to and signed the Arbitral Award.

On February 14, 1962, however, Venezuela notified the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General that it believed there was a “dispute” pertaining to “the demarcation of the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana” between the UK and itself. Venezuela maintains that that the border with Guyana, a former colony of the UK, was fraudulently imposed by the British.

On November 13, 1962, the UK Government said that it did not agree that there could be any dispute over the question settled by the Award and that the western boundary of British Guiana with Venezuela had been finally settled by the Award.

On February 17, 1966, the representatives of the UK, Venezuela, and British Guiana signed the Geneva Agreement following several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue.

Shortly before gaining independence, on February 17, 1966, Guyana signed the Geneva Agreement. In the decades that followed, attempts were made to settle the controversy using the various methods specified in the Geneva Agreement.

Ultimately, in January 2018, Guyana handed the case over to the UN Secretary-General, who would select a dispute resolution process in accordance with Article 33

of the UN Charter, since no agreement could be achieved in accordance with the process specified in the Agreement.

He chose the ICJ—the UN’s principal judicial organ—to bring resolution to the controversy.

As a result, in 2018, Guyana asked the ICJ to “confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the Award regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and the United States of Venezuela, of October 3, 1899,” in an application to institute proceedings against Venezuela.

However, a final decision in this significant case might take several years.

Further on in his presentation, Nandlall informed a group of attorneys that the World Court’s decisions are enforceable by the UN Security Council, expressing the government’s confidence that the court will find in Guyana’s favour and pointing out that Venezuela is bound by the court’s ruling. He explained that the ICJ orders include an enforcement component, adding that regarding international law and rulings from any of the UN bodies, including the ICJ, the United Nations Security Council serves as the organisation’s enforcement arm.

The UN has been able to enforce its directives through the Security Council, he added, and he

named numerous examples of this.

According to Nandlall, the United Nations Security Council exercises this authority through resolutions that summon the military might of the UN, as well as the armed forces of each of its members. However, that is extreme, he noted.

The Attorney General explained that the UN Security Council has a number of tools with which to force compliance, such as requiring all members to apply trade sanctions and travel restrictions.

The international community has backed Guyana in its efforts to draw attention to Venezuela’s activities, which are wholly outside the bounds of the rule of law and pose a threat to the security and peace of the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

Through the recently signed Argyle Declaration, Guyana, and Venezuela, among other things, reiterated their commitment to the Region remaining a Zone of Peace and agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries.

Additionally, both countries decided they will not, directly or indirectly, threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two states.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Fugitive arrested in connection to 2022 murder case

AFTER evading authorities for over a year, Shawn Thomas, also known as 'Troy Richards', has been apprehended by the police in connection with the September 2022 murder of Ray Narain. The arrest took place on Friday, confirmed by police sources.

Thomas, 43 years old, had been on the run since being implicated in the murder of Ray Narain, which occurred at Sand Hills Backdam, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). The victim's father, Elton Narain, who witnessed the crime, spotted Thomas at Grill King on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and promptly alerted the authorities around 13:30 hours on Friday.

Upon receiving the tipoff, detectives swiftly responded to the scene and successfully apprehended Thomas. In addition to the murder charge, Thomas also faces a commitment warrant for two years' imprisonment related to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The tragic incident, which unfolded on September 22, 2022, saw Ray Narain fatally wounded in an altercation allegedly involving Thomas and his son, Ackime Richards, both of whom were subjects of wanted bulletins at the time of the arrest.

According to police reports, the confrontation occurred late at night, between

Jehovah’s Witnesses launch invitation campaign

On March 24, millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world will gather to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ

DURING March 2024, Jehovah’s Witnesses will launch a special campaign to invite fellow residents of Guyana to two special events.

On March 24, millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world will gather to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. The annual observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal will feature a talk highlighting the significance of Jesus’ death and what it means for all of mankind. The one-hour event will begin and conclude with prayer, a press release noted.

Before the Memorial, a special talk titled “The Resurrection—Victory Over Death!" will be delivered on the weekend of March 16 and 17, 2024. The 30-minute, Bible-based public talk will focus on the scriptural hope of a resurrection and what it means for the loved ones we have lost.

Admission to the Memorial and special talk is free and open to the public.

For more information about these events and how to attend, please visit jw.org or contact local spokesman Andre Darrell at ADARRELL@ JW.ORG or on 617-9089.

23:30 hours and midnight, resulting in Ray Narain sustaining fatal gunshot wounds to the chest. His body was discovered concealed under branches, bearing additional injuries to the shoulder and abdomen.

Ron Keme Narain, Ray's twin brother, and Rakesh Chunilall were also victims of the attack, sustaining injuries during the altercation. Ron Narain was shot in the right arm, while Chunilall suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The roots of the conflict trace back to a dispute between Ron Narain and one of the suspects, during which Ron seized possession of a firearm and ammunition on September

17, 2022. This altercation ultimately culminated in the fatal shooting days later.

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, recounting how the suspects arrived on a motorcycle, approached the victims, and opened fire. Ron Narain managed to escape, while Ray succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Both Ron Narain and Rakesh Chunilall received

medical treatment for their injuries sustained during the incident.

The arrest of Shawn Thomas marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the tragic events of Sep-

tember 2022, providing a semblance of closure for the families affected by the senseless violence. Thomas is currently in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Murder suspect: Shawn Thomas

Dead: Ray Narain

Guyana hosts 46th Regular Meeting

Excerpt from recent statement as incoming Chair of CARICOM: “2023 was a period of reflection as we marked the 50th Anniversary of our integration movement. We will continue to advance

these ideals with the requisite undertakings which will allow CARICOM nationals to exercise their right to free movement within the Community and to bring the regional capital market into

being. We will also participation of all nity, including the organisations and

Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Carla Barnett

Prime Minister of Dominica,

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne

Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness

Premier of Montserrat, Joseph Easton Taylor-Farrell

Prime Minister

Chairman of CARICOM, President Dr. Irfaan Ali

of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM

work on ensuring greater all sectors of our Commuthe private sector, labour and civil society, in building

our CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

We will identify new avenues for targeted partnerships, especially with our young people, to encourage innovative approaches

and renewed energy for sustained economic development and convergence.

Our objective is to improve the lives of our citizens, through purposeful and sustained cooperation, by delivering

high-quality health services, a more relevant system of education for young people, secure and amenable living environments, new jobs and a financial climate that is conducive to investments.”

Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew

Minister of Belize, John Antonio Briceño

Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry

Minister of St Lucia, Philip Pierre

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell

GBTI to finance Muneshwer’s Group expansion through IDB partnership

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Friday announced that it will provide financing for the Muneshwer’s Group expansion through a partnership agreement with IDB Invest.

“IDB Invest and Muneshwer’s (on Friday) signed the agreement at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, in the presence of Finance Minister Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh; President of the IDB Group, Ilan Goldfajn, CEO of IDB Invest James Scriven; Country Manager Lorena Solorzano, GBTI Deputy CEO Shawn Gurcharran and Business Development Manager, Rawattie Mohandeo; Muneshwer’s General Manager Chandradatt Chintamani and other IDB Invest and Muneshwer’s representatives,” GBTI announced.

According to the release, “Gurcharran ex -

pressed GBTI’s excitement about the project, noting the successful relationship it shares with IDB Invest and the potential for future collaborations.”

The following is GBTI’s statement:

It is indeed a pleasure to be part of this most significant event. It is important to summarize the events unfolding today:

IDB Invest is collaborating with GBTI, a 100% Guyanese-owned and managed bank, to finance the expansion of the Muneshwer’s group, a locally successful and rapidly expanding entity.

It is indeed a moment to celebrate as two Guyanese institutions have been able to successfully demonstrate that our capabilities and capacities are adequate to meet the expectations of IDB Invest

This collaboration today emphasizes the current economic devel -

IDB Invest has indeed been a pleasure but also has presented GBTI an opportunity to understand the risk appetite of a multilateral finance firm and importantly, the mitigants need to lend prudently. We have found IDB Invest’s approach to be one that is flexible and accommodating to the dynamic circumstances that currently prevail in Guyana.

For Guyana to continue to benefit from the plethora of opportunities that the booming economy has presented, we all must be willing to change and improve how we operate to facilitate the forging of these partnerships.

opment of our Guyana. Local entities can now pursue great opportunities that are present through partnerships with key in-

ternational players for the betterment of all stakeholders.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to the Muneshwer’s Group on this landmark achievement and wish you continued good success in all the ventures you pursue.

GBTI has enjoyed a

fruitful partnership with the IDB Invest, which goes back some time. As recent as 2021, we signed a Trade Finance Partnership and are currently exploring some keys areas to further strengthen our lending infrastructure as well as lending products.

Collaboration with

We do hope to continue to partner with IDB Invest in the many opportunities that are available in Guyana as they are critical to continued growth and success. At GBTI, like many other Guyanese, we are excited to see our much-heralded potential being realized.

It is our aim to continue working in these partnerships so that they, too, can see Guyana through our eyes.

GBTI’s Business Development Manager Rawattie Mohandeo (third from left), Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh (centre) and Muneshwer’s General Manager Chandradatt Chintamani along with other representatives of IDB and Muneshwer’s

Guyana hosts high-level CARICOM summit from today

Heads of Government at the opening ceremony of the 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in 2023

THE highly-anticipated Forty-Sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), formally opens today at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana.

With Guyana assuming chairmanship of CARICOM, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, has already set the table for talks to be held on a range of topics, which are aimed at bettering the Caribbean region. The conference is slated to run from the 25-28 February, 2024.

The conference will discuss climate change and climate financing; regional security, including the situation in Haiti and border issues; regional transportation; financial matters, including replenishment of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF); global and hemispheric issues including developments in the Middle East; Reparations; and the 2024 ICC Men’s T-20 Cricket World Cup, according to CARICOM’s website.

The conference is being convened under the chairmanship of Dr Ali, who will deliver the

feature address at the opening ceremony; Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General and the outgoing chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit will also address the gathering.

During President Ali’s New Year message, he underscored how important it is for the region to unite and address the obstacles that are attempting to detract development.

For instance, as it relates to regional security, he said: “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to return our Member

Rotary Club, Nextech collaborate to inspire peace through art

IN a bid to foster global understanding and promote peace, the Rotary Club of Stabroek joined hands with Nextech Incorporated to organise the 2024 Peace Poster Competition.

Held under the theme, “Imagine a World of Peace,” this annual event marked Rotary's World Understanding Month, traditionally observed in February.

Rotary, founded on February 23, 1905, celebrated its 119th anniversary this year, with February 23 now designated as World Understanding and Peace Day, commemorating the inaugural Rotary meeting.

The competition, now in its 10th year, serves as a testament to Rotary's commitment to fostering goodwill and peace among people worldwide.

Open to students aged 1216, participants were tasked with visually interpreting the

theme through artwork on a 30 cm x 40 cm canvas within a two-hour timeframe. Nextech's showroom provided the backdrop for the live competition, with all necessary materials provided. A panel of judges assessed the posters based on creativity, quality, artistic merit, expression of the theme, explanation of artwork, and presentation. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes of G$25,000, G$20,000, and G$15,000, respectively, to be utilised on a shopping spree at Nextech.

Emerging as the victors of the competition were Kadence Belony from St. Joseph High School, claiming the first prize, followed by Naeem Alli in second place and Sabastian Khan in third place.

CEO of Nextech, Rehman Majeed, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasising its significance

State, Haiti, to peace and stability. Our Region must remain a Zone of Peace.”

Furthermore, CARICOM Member States have made advancements towards achieving the ‘25 per cent by 2025’ target, which is aimed to reduce the region’s food import bill.

The CARICOM Chairman, as lead Head of Government with responsibility for Agricul-

ture and Food and Nutrition Security in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, will update the meeting on the Community’s 25 by 2025 initiative.

The business sessions of the four-day Meeting will be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. Heads of Government will hold discussions with the meeting’s special guest, Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio

Lula da Silva, as well as with other high-level guests. Discussions during the business sessions will include the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and an update on the implementation of the free movement of all CARICOM nationals by 31 March 2024, as mandated at the 45th Regular Meeting in July last year.

in promoting peace among children. He pledged continued support, envisioning this partnership as an annual tradition to reach more young minds.

President of the Rotary Club of Stabroek, Marva Benjamin, applauded the participants and encouraged them to embody the ideals of peace in their daily lives, urging them to leverage their imagination to interpret the theme effectively.

The 2024 Peace Poster Competition not only showcased the artistic talents of the youth but also underscored the importance of fostering a culture of peace and understanding in today's world. Through such initiatives, the Rotary Club of Stabroek and Nextech Incorporated aim to inspire a brighter, more harmonious future for generations to come.

Second from left: CEO of Nextech, Rehman Majeed with students aged 12-16, along with other officials who participated in the visual interpretation of the theme through artwork on a 30 cm x 40 cm canvas within a two-hour timeframe.

Nextech’s showroom provided the backdrop for the live competition

200 local business representatives participate in SBM Offshore seminar

OVER 200 representatives of local businesses attended SBM Offshore Guyana’s ‘Let’s Talk Local Content’ seminar at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on February 22.

A press release from the company noted that the seminar, which was held at the at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, saw the participation of these representatives from local vendors and organisations that were actively engaged in discussions about the company’s procurement process, key vendor requirements, compliance guidelines, and local content initiatives.

Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai expressed, “We wanted to see economic growth and economic development. We wanted to see investments and investments back into the economy, and SBM [Offshore] is a partner in the development of local content in Guyana; SBM [Offshore] understands local content and its impact.”

Local content is a key pillar in SBM Offshore Guyana’s integration into Guyana, and the company remains committed to its efforts to ensure that Guyanese benefit from its operations locally, and are guided in providing sustained services to the oil and gas industry.

SBM Guyana’s Local Content Officer, Garri Fraser in his remarks said, that the role of local content has never been more critical, adding, “SBM Offshore, as a leader in floating production solutions, remains steadfast in our sustainable and efficient energy production.”

The activity aligned with the company’s objective of building the capacity of businesses to provide

services to the oil and gas sector, and follows several similar routine activities including participation in the Centre for Local Business Development’s Community Business Talks, Supplier Forum 2022, and the company’s Vendor and Compliance Days.

Meanwhile, Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab in his remarks underscored the role of the secretariat in ensuring that Guyanese benefit from the industry. In a comprehensive panel discussion titled “Synergies in the SBM Offshore Ecosystem – Building Capacity, Workforce, Supply Chain, and Partnerships for Success in the Guyana Market”, SBM Offshore’s key stakeholders emphasised the pivotal role of collaboration in cultivating robust business relations.

The discussion shed light on the strategic investments made in capacity-building and training, underscoring their significance in driving forward local content initiatives.

The company works closely with various groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the National Coordinating Coalition (NCC), Guyanese Achieving Together Enterprises (GATE), and the Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services Incorporated (GOGSSI). Representatives from each group, including Miss Simone Sills from NCC, Clinton Urling from GATE, and Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer from GOGSSI, shared insights on how their partnerships with SBM Offshore Guyana have helped their organisations grow and succeed.

Furthermore, they discussed the ongoing support from SBM Offshore that has played a crucial role in advancing the work they do.

Local businesses and suppliers in attendance at the seminar

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS

TURFFONTEIN

08:35hrs Lollapalooza

09:10hrs Celestial City

09:45hrs Lucky Lad

10:20hrs Lil Miss Moneybags

10:55hrs There She Goes

IRISH RACING TIPS NAAS

09:25hrs Wodhooh

09:55hrs Tounsivator

10:25hrs Evies Vladimir

10:55hrs Ferny Hollow

11:25hrs Zoffanien

11:55hrs Cleatus Poolaw

12:25hrs Wingmen

ENGLISH RACING TIPS HEREFORD

10:10hrs Innisfree Lad

10:40hrs Don Virginia

11:10hrs Largy Force

11:40hrs Fire Dancer

12:10hrs Sammy's Guarantee

12:40hrs Iron D'ex

Slingerz FC signs Jamaican Alex Thomas as head coach

SLINGERZ FC has announced Jamaican Alex Thomas as the club’s new head coach ahead of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League.

Thomas, 41, steps in for Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, who resigned from his position as head coach of the Vergenoegen-based club.

Thomas brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as head coach for Jamaica Premier League teams Arnett Gardens FC and Molynes United.

In his playing days, Thomas captained Jamaica's Under-17 team during the 1999 World Cup in New Zealand and

Bashir spins England in sight of win

SHOAIB Bashir spun India into the danger zone with a four-wicket haul that ensured England ended the second day of the fourth Test still 134 runs ahead and needing only three more wickets to secure a crucial first-innings lead on a deteriorating pitch in Ranchi.

Bashir, the 20-year-old off-spinner playing only his second Test after making his debut in Visakhapatnam, snared 4 for 84 during a marathon unbroken spell of 31 overs that began before lunch and ended after tea. It was broken only to change ends in the fading light of the evening to squeeze out one more over. His haul included the wicket of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose half-century was India's only score of over 40. At the close, Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 30, joined by Kuldeep Yadav on 17.

James Anderson had Rohit Sharma caught behind for just two in the third over of India's first innings. With the pitch behaving better than its appearance suggested it might early on, before keeping increasingly low as the day wore on, Jaiswal settled in as expected of a player who had scored double-centuries in his previous two Tests.

Jaiswal and Shubman Gill started to find their

groove after lunch. Gill brought up the 50 partnership with a couple of fours in one Anderson over before Jaiswal lifted Bashir over mid-on for six. England thought they'd broken their flow when Jaiswal, on 40, edged a wide delivery from Ollie Robinson low towards a diving Ben Foakes, who thought he'd taken the catch, but the third umpire ruled that it was grounded.

Bashir returned to the England side after missing the third Test, replacing Rehan Ahmed, and doubled his wicket tally, his latest efforts putting England in position to level the series 2-2 with three days remaining.

He had Gill lbw after an 82-run stand with Jaiswal, which allowed India to recover from 4 for 1 to 86 for 2, with one that turned sharply to beat the inside edge. He then rapped Rajat Patidar on the pad with one that skidded on from outside off stump and would have gone on to ping leg.

Ravindra Jadeja crashed back-to-back sixes over the leg side off Tom Hartley after surviving England's lbw review the previous ball, but he was Bashir's third wicket, defending a top-spinner from a good length which hooped into Ollie Pope's hands at short leg.

But it was Bashir's fourth wicket that was the

was a part of Jamaica’s Under-20 squad that competed in the 2001 U20 Youth World Cup held in Argentina.

He also earned one cap for Jamaica's senior team under Serbian

Coach Bora Milutinovic during the Lunar Cup in China.

Slingerz FC expressed enthusiasm about Thomas’ appointment, citing alignment with the club’s vision. They are

confident in his ability to lead them to their second Elite League title.

Thomas will make his debut as head coach on Sunday in the league's opening match against Monedderlust.

most crucial. Jaiswal was the steadying influence after Rohit's early exit, reaching 73 off 116 balls with eight fours and a six, moving down the wicket and thrashing Bashir over long-on. But when he moved back to a length ball that stayed low and crashed into middle stump, India were well and truly in trouble.

Bashir's performance signalled the arrival of a player for whom the journey hadn't been smooth. Plucked from relative obscurity with a first-class average of 67 ahead of the tour, he returned home from England's pre-series training camp in the UAE while a visa delay was ironed out and missed the first Test. On Saturday, all that seemed a long way behind him.

Left-armer Tom Hartley, the third prong in England's young spin brigade, chimed in with the wickets of Sarfaraz Khan, who ground through 53 balls for 14 before he was well caught by a diving Root at slip, and R Aswhin, lbw to one that stayed low and struck the batter just above the boot. Ashwin tried in vain to overturn the decision, the third umpire's call in England's favour after the furore of the previous match.

Jamaican Alex Thomas is Slingerz FC’s new head coach

Green U-11 League Champions to be crowned today

THE fifth edition of the National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsored Ralph Green/East Bank Football Association Under-11 League is anticipated to come to an exciting end on Sunday afternoon when the final is contested at the Agricola Community Ground. Set to battle for the championship trophy are city sides Santos FC and Fruta Con -

querors, who had won their respective semi-final contests against East Bank clubs, Swan, and Friendship AllStars.

Santos was pushed to the brink against Swan, with that semi-final contest decided via kicks from the penalty mark after a riveting 2-2 regulation time duel. Conquerors, on the other hand, eased to a 2-0 win over Friendship All-Stars.

All the players from the final four teams are guaranteed to walk away with something. The winner will cart off a beautiful trophy and 12 replicas, while the losing finalists will receive 12 replicas.

Players from the third and fourth-placed teams will each be presented with medals, while there will be six individual prizes on offer: the

Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Most Promising Player, Most Disciplined Player, and the Best Coach.

The competition had initially catered for 16 teams but only 14 competed; each team received branded and numbered tops along with two footballs.

Friendship All-Stars - Ezekiel Lynch, Jaden

Glasgow, Christopher Hunte, Omario Welch, Mario Welch, Ronaldo Hubbard, Phillip Sealey, Andre Sullivan, Keon Yaw, Jahfree Davson, Trinity Bruce, Keimo Depeazer.

Fruta Conquerors - Gilbert Frank, Keion Alexis, Shines Authur, Kendo George, Troyce Bascom, Fabio Kowlessar, Clive Jacobs, Dane Vancooten, Dazell Fer-

nandes, Dontay Kowlessar, Kareem Milton, and Kenyatta Saul.

Swan - Eleon James, Stefon Singh, Kevon Charles, Jonathan Charles, Avanish Hoosain, Marcus Andrews, Ezekiel Loncke, Samuel Loncke, and Akeem Daniels.

Harpy Eagles register first win of season with round three...

Solozano who struck an unbeaten 42 off 61 balls with half-dozen fours.

Solozano put on 37 for the first wicket with Kimani Melius (20) before off-spinner Romario Greaves struck twice to end with two for 64.

At Sabina Park in Jamaica’s capital Kingston, Barbados Pride marched to their second win of the competition with a six-wicket victory over

hosts Jamaica Scorpions.

Chasing 173, Pride reached their target courtesy of 43 from Roshon Primus, 29 from Kevin Wickham and 25 from Shayne Moseley, off-spinner Peat Salmon claiming three for 69.

Salmon struck twice early to leave Pride stumbling on 52 for three but Moseley posted 45 for the fourth wicket with Wickham before adding a further 44 for the fifth

wicket with Primus, who slammed seven fours in a robust 34-ball knock, as Pride recovered well.

Scorpions had been earlier dismissed for 292 after resuming on 220 for eight, with pacer Shaquille Cumberbatch finishing with five for 46.

Number nine Derval Green resisted with 48 not out off 78 deliveries with seven fours and a six, putting on 40 for the ninth wicket with Gordon

Bryan (26) and 37 for the last wicket with Ojay Shields (4).

At Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts, Hurricanes too helped themselves to their second win of the campaign when they beat Red Force by four wickets.

Set 162 for victory after bowling Red Force out in their second innings for 342, Hurricanes got a top score of 53 from West Indies white-ball

stroke-maker Keacy Carty while 17-year-old Jewel Andrew missed out on his second fifty of the game with 48.

With the hosts in trouble at 26 for two, Carty put on 45 for the third wicket with Jahmar Hamilton who made 29 from 38 balls, and a further 70 with Andrew for the fourth wicket, to put Hurricanes in touching distance of victory.

While Carty faced

136 deliveries and struck half-dozen fours, the Under-19 World Cup star Andrew belted three fours and two sixes in an entertaining 53-ball knock. Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre claimed four for 69.

Resuming earlier from 285 for six, Red Force were undermined by left-arm spinner Daniel Doram (3-80) who snatched three of the last four wickets to tumble.

Fruta Conquerors U-11

Santos FC U-11

Indoor Pan American Cup set for next month

Guyana confident but cautious – Coach Fernandes

GUYANA national hockey team is preparing to field a team for the Indoor Pan American Cup set for March 19th in Alberta, Canada.

Long time national head coach Robert Fernandes believes that the indoor game gives the country the strongest opportunity of breaking into the International Hockey federation World Cup.

Coach Fernandes says, “Indoor represents Guyana best chance of qualifying for a world cup and the top two finishers will qualify

for the world cup next year and we have consistently been right just outside the medals.”

According to Fernandes, while they have beaten Argentina in the past, they are conscious it’s a new team.

“A lot of our players are new and this will be the first time they will be competing at the Pan Am indoor and it’s been seven years since Guyana has sent their men’s team to the tournament.”

The coach says he optimistic but cautious, adding, “I’m confident in that we

have quality players but it’s difficult to say how we will match up, considering the experience of the other teams and the conditions.”

The coach said that training has been less than ideal with the premier facility, the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall which is the closet in quality to an indoor venue under renovation.

According to Fernandes, they have had to utilise the St Stanislaus tarmac and GCC hockey pitch at Bourda.

Guyana which is ranked

number 32nd in the world in indoor hockey will slug off their campaign against number 10 ranked Argentina then they lock horns before battling with number 8th ranked USA.

The Guyanese next face host Canada, who is number 19 in the world followed by their battle with neighbor and number 17 in the world Trinidad and Tobago.

The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for March 22.

Guyana last played the Indoor Pan Am Cup in

2017 in Georgetown, placing fourth after losing to Canada in the bronze medal match-up.

Guyana Medroy’s Scotland picked up goal keeper of the tournament.

The nation’s last hardware in the indoor game came in 2014 in Uruguay where they took a bronze.

The team will be coached by former national player and Level 2 FIH coach, Shane Samuels with support from Fernandes in a technical capacity.

The squad will feature

UK overseas based players Jamarj Assanah and Andrew Stewart and USA based Aroydy Branford.

The shortlisted squad includes veteran Captain Robert France and keeper Medroy Scotland along with Paul D’Andrade, Raoul Whittaker, Jabari Lovell, Kareem McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant, Omar Hopkinson, Shakeem Fausette, Shaquon Favorite, Shomere Garnett, Simeon Moore, Tahrea Garnett and Warren Williams.

Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani horse race set to ignite Rising Sun today

THE best horses and jockeys will be on show today, Sunday, February 25 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice.

Eight high-quality races are on the cards for the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee Mashramani meet, and the day will run-off from 12:30hrs local time.

The feature race will be the Jumbo Jet Group Open to all imported and locally bred horses, running at 1600 metres. Top horses in

Spankhurst, Phil In Echo, Easy Time, Bossalina, Jessica’s Pride, El Tarzan, and Stolen Money are the seven entries for the feature race. The winner of the feature event will bag G$2 million.

A total of G$10 million will be up for grabs across the eight-race programme. The opening race will be the ‘G’ Class and Lower, running at 1400 metres. The ‘K’ Class race, open to J3 first-time starters will be the second

race of the day while the three-year-old Guyana-bred non-winners of two races will follow.

Race four is the ‘L’ Class and is open to J3 first-time starters; running at 1100 metres. The fifth race on the card will be the West Indian-bred four-year-old and West Indies three-year old horses. The AJM sprint –handicap E & Lower horses will be the sixth race of the day.

The penultimate race

of the day is the Handicap I Class, J Class and West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens.

According to veteran journalist and administrator Glen Mohammed, all systems are in place for race day.

“Plans have been very successful. We must commend the trainers and owners for meeting the entries deadlines. We have a very completive eight-race card. Horses from different varieties will be on show,” Mo-

hammed said.

“Easy Time looks to be unstoppable, but we have Stolen Money, a lot has been said. There will be a battle between the Corentyne horses and West Berbice horses, and that rivalry is what brings people together.

“Stolen Money is owned by Dennis Deoroop, who also owned Scores Even, so they are hoping that Stolen Money could emulate Scores Even, a grey horse also.”

The track needs to be

reconditioned every day.

Mr Nasurdeen Mohamed Jr. has invested a lot in getting these racks ready for race day. A lot has been done to improve the standard of the sport in Guyana. There are also works behind the scenes to make horses more affordable for prospective owners,” Mohammed explained. He also noted that a lot is being done to get horses regulated, and he spoke about the importance of having a breeding industry.

Flash back to Guyana at Pan American Indoor Cup in 2017 in Georgetown

England based Jamarj Assanah in play at Pan American Indoor Cup

GCIS, Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall two-day first division… Scott’s 171 highlights ordinary cricket on opening day

By Sean Devers

JEREMIAH Scott’s well compiled 171 and Shaquelle Williams’ 62 helped Malteenoes to 3538 declared on the opening day of the GCIS, Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall two-day first-division match.

By the end of the day, the opposition Transport Sports Club (TSC) had reached 884, trailing the home team by 265 runs.

Veteran off-spinner and TSC Captain Kerwin Ross dismissed Adrian Hinds (5), 13-year-old Darwin Larose

had Skipper Nickosie Barker (2) caught behind and Ewert Samuels removed first-class batter Shemroy Barrington (17) to leave MSC on 30-3.

But on fast and slightly rough ground on another hot day, Scott was joined by Williams and the pair batted for 30 overs without being separated on a flat track against an attack which included Ross, who turns 50 this year and 11-year-old Hezekiah Hohenkirk.

The fourth-wicket pair shared in a partnership of 141 and Scott was the first to reach his 50.

However, shortly after reaching his half-century, Williams, who faced 97 balls while hitting six fours and

two sixes, hit a return catch to Riyad Latif which ended his time at the crease.

Scott carried on and eventually reached his ton from 118 balls hitting six fours and two sixes, while new man Marcus Watkins missed a sweep and was struck just below his right eye, forcing him to retire on nine.

On reaching three figures, Scott ‘stepped on the gas’ before Larose had him caught at long-off as threw his wicket away with a ‘double’ in sight.

Watkins returned but added just two to his score before running himself out

at 309-7

Danile Ross (28) and Trenton Liverpool (20) tried to ‘up the tempo’ to take the score to 350, but by tea, MSC had not archieved that target.

After the break, Ross was removed by unrelated namesake Kevin Ross before Totaram Bishun (13) and Cordell Mars (12) were both unbeaten when the declaration was made.

Larose took 3-30 and Ross had 2-118 for TSC, who quickly lost openers Ryan Latif (2) and Gabriel Rookhum (3).

Jermaine Dewsbury, who hit five fours in his 23 and Hohenkirk (21) offered a

fight.

Hohenkirk however lost his patience and his wicket when he hit the 33-year-old left-arm back-of the arm bowler Bishun to mid-on, while Watkins got rid of Dewsbury.

Jadon Campbell who scored 161 in the last round was not out on 28, while Riyad Latif (5) was with him when the bails were lifted.

The other game at the GDF was not played due to absence of umpires, while only one umpire was present at Malteenoes.

Today is the final day and the action is scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM.

NAMILCO sponsors equipment for GFF Elite League Season Six

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has garnered support from The National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO), securing sponsorship for the purchase of equipment to be used at venues for the seamless operation of KFC Elite League Season Six.

On Thursday, February 22, NAMILCO presented a cheque to the GFF.

Season Six is set to kick off tomorrow, Sunday, February 25, at the National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank

Demerara, under newly installed FIFA-approved lights and an upgraded pitch.

The opening match features a clash between the newly promoted Monedderlust FC and Slingerz FC at 6 p.m., followed by the main event at 8 p.m. – an intense showdown between Santos FC and the reigning champions Guyana Defence Force FC.

GFF President Wayne Forde thanked NAMILCO for its consistent “corporate support” "as we continue to fortify the foundation of local football with the expansion of [the] Elite League at the core. Participating in Sea -

son Six alongside Monedderlust FC, Slingerz FC,

Santos FC, and Guyana Defence Force FC are Western Tigers FC, the Guyana Police Force FC, Fruta Conquerors FC, Den Amstel FC, Buxton United FC, and Ann’s Grove FC.

A production team from SportsMax, the Caribbean's leading sports broadcaster, is currently in Guyana to film the opening night of the league.

They will in addition document the progress in local football with emphasis on the KFC Elite League and the national team programme.

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and KFC Guyana have renewed their partnership which sees the fast-food company as the title sponsor for season Six of the Elite League.

The sponsorship deal is valued at $10 million dollars.

Season Six starts today, Sunday, February 25, at the National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara under newly in-

stalled FIFA-approved lights and on an upgraded pitch. The kick-off match is a face off between the recently promoted Monedderlust FC and Slingerz FC at 6 p.m., with the main event at 9 p.m.; a fierce battle between Santos FC and the defending champions Guyana Defence Force FC.

GFF President Wayne Forde thanked KFC for its continued confidence in the federation's vision for the advancement of club foot-

ball, with the Elite League at the core.

“The federation thanks KFC for consistently believing in our mission to enhance local football, placing the Elite League at the forefront. Our collaboration started in 2019, and over the years, we have witnessed the undeniable impact of the league on our national team programme, notably the advancement of our Senior Men’s National Team to League ‘A’ in the CONCA-

CAF region."

Other teams competing in Season Six are Western Tigers, the Guyana Police Force, Fruta Conquerors, Den Amstel, Buxton United and Ann’s Grove.

Additionally, the Caribbean’s foremost sports broadcaster SportsMax will film the opening night and document developments in football here, with the KFC Elite League as the focal point.

from left ( Second VP Rawlston Adams and KFC Representative Charmaine Farnum.)

GFF,

Jeremiah Scott Scored 171 for Malteenoes yesterday at his home ground

Fitzroy McLeod, Finance Controller (second from left) hands over the trophy to a GFF representative while Roopnarine ‘Bert’ Sukhai, Managing Director (NAMILCO) holds the trophy

Jumbo Jet’s Mashramani horse race set to ignite Rising Sun today

Eight races are on the cards for Rising Sun today

Cricket West Indies Championship

Harpy Eagles register first win of season with round three honours

(CMC) - REIGNING

champions Guyana Harpy Eagles completed an emphatic, record win while leaders Windward Islands Volcanoes also remained top of the standings with a dominant victory, on the final day of the third round of the West Indies Championship on Saturday.

Playing at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Harpy Eagles wasted little time

in picking up the last four CWI Academy wickets cheaply, to storm to a 221-run win – the fifth largest margin of victory by runs for Harpy Eagles in the modern era of the championship.

For Harpy Eagles, it was also their first win of the campaign following a draw in their first game against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and a heavy 273-run de-

feat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their second game.

Resuming the morning on 161 for seven in pursuit of 429 for victory, CWI Academy were dismissed for 207 all out, with veteran leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-48) claiming two of the three wickets to fall.

Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, unbeaten on 34 over-

night, top-scored with 43 while Ashmead Nedd, on two at the start, struck a breezy 30 off 28 balls.

Together, they stretched their eighth wicket stand to 32 before the final three wickets went down for 16 runs.

At Chedwin Park in Jamaica, Volcanoes notched a third straight victory with an eight-wicket verdict over Combined Campuses and Colleges

Marooners, with Test lefthander Alick Athanaze carving out his 13th first class fifty.

Left-arm spinning all-rounder Kavem Hodge grabbed two of the last four wickets to fall to end with two for 48 as CCC, resuming from 271 for six, were bowled out for 315.

Romario Greaves, unbeaten on 62 at the start, added just one while Sion

Hackett never added to his overnight 24.

Set 125 for victory, Volcanoes cruised to their target with the 25-yearold Athanaze finishing unbeaten on a cavalier 58 not out off 42 balls.

He struck half-dozen fours and three sixes at number four, posting 83 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Trinidadian left-hander Jeremy