Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-09-2024

President,DrIrfaanAlirecentlyparticipatedintheInter-AmericanInstituteforCo-operationonAgriculture(IICA)panelattheClimateChangeDepartmentofColumbia University.

PresidentAlijoinedpoliticalleaders,executivesofmajorinternationalorganisations, researchersandprivatesectorrepresentativestohighlightcontributionstofoodsecurity, environmentalbalanceandglobalsocialstability.

Thethemewas“CreatingaNewNarrativeforAgricultureinLatinAmericaandthe Caribbean(LAC).”

TheeventwasheldinNewYorkonthesidelinesofthe79thsessionoftheUnited NationsGeneralAssembly.(OfficeofthePresident)

Sodturnedformajorsolar farmprojectinRegionTwo

—JagdeodismissesPNC/R’s 20-pointoilandgasplan —pointstolackofsubstance, zerocommitmenttopolicies, originality

Financialpenalties couldbeinstituted ifLindsayca/CH4 doesnotcomplete deliverablesby April2025

‘UNmustfulfilitsroleasa custodianofglobalpeace’

—PresidentAlisays,issuescallforreformsatUNSecurity Council,otherglobalplatforms

ByNaomiParris

WITHwarsragingand manyvulnerabilitiesincreasing,Guyana’sPresident,Dr.IrfaanAlion Wednesdayechoedcallsfor globalreformstoaddress thedisproportionateconcentrationofpowerthat favoursthevoicesofpowerfulnationswhilemarginalisingtheconcernsof thebroaderinternational community.

TheGuyanaHeadof State,duringhisaddress tothe79thSessionofthe GeneralAssemblyofthe UnitedNationsinNewYork, pointedoutthatdeveloping countriesarejustlydemandingmoreinclusiveandrepresentativedecision-making processesininstitutionsand organssuchastheUNSecurityCouncil.

Hesaid,too,thatreforms attheWorldBank,theInternationalMonetaryFund (IMF),andtheWorldTrade Organisation(WTO)are neededtoensurefairertrade fordevelopingcountries.

Dr.Alisaid:“Thesereformsmustgobeyondfair representation,andensure thatthepoliciesandpracticesoftheseinstitutions alignwiththedevelopmental

needsandaspirationsofall countries.”

Citingthehumanitarian crisesincountrieslikeHaiti andSudan,andtheraging warsinUkraineandPalestine,Dr.AlisaidtheUN musthonouritsmandateas the“custodian”ofpeace.

“Inthisemergingglobal order,wemustensurethe

UnitedNationsremainsat theforefrontofglobalgovernance.Ifmultilateralism istotrumpunilateralism, theUN’sroleastheworld’s foremostmultilateralorganisationispivotal,”hesaid.

TheGuyaneseleader believestheUN,withthe necessaryresources,could assisttoresolveconflicts,

andensureafutureofpeace, sustainabledevelopment,and humandignity.

“Thefutureweseek;a futurewherenooneisleft behind,demandscourageous action.TheUNmustfulfil itsroleasacustodianof greaterglobalpeace;the foremostpromoterofsustainabledevelopment,and

anunflinchingprotectorof humanrights,humandignity andinternationallaw.And sincetheUNisallofus; thisbodyofnations,thisisa collectiveresponsibilityfor usall,”Dr.Alisaid.

InJanuary2024,Guyana assumeditsseatasanelected memberoftheUNSCfora two-yearterm,2024-2025, andthismilestonewasa momentousoccasionfor thisnation.Thecountryalso presidedoverthecrucial globalbodyinthemonth ofFebruary2024,andhas receivednotablecreditfor itscontributiontothebody duringitstenure.

Guyana’sdistinguished roleontheUnitedNations SecurityCouncil(UNSC) wasdescribedasnothing shortof‘outstanding’.

Lastmonth,thethen PresidentoftheUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly, AmbassadorDennisFrancis highlightedhowthenation hasbeenusingitsplatform tocontributetoglobalpeace andsecurityeffortsworldwide,andwhenitspoke, everyonelistened.

FrancishighlightedGuyana’sroleonthisinfluential body,whichhasbeenrooted instrengtheningmultilateralism.

TheformerUNGeneral AssemblyPresidenthadsaid: “There’sonlyonewordto characteriseit:Outstanding. Guyanamadeusallvery proudasCaribbeanStates intheUnitedNations,in thewayinwhichPermanent RepresentativeCarolynRodrigues-Birkettconducted herselfasamember,andin thePresidencyoftheGeneral Assembly,becausethepresidencyrotatesonamonthly basis.

“…WhenGuyanaopened itsmouth,everyonelistened, becausewhatwasbeingput forwardwasofsuchsubstanceanddepththatitcould notbeignored.”

HesaidthatGuyanaon theUNSCisaprimedemonstrationthatsmallcountries havebigcontributionsto make,whenitcomestobeingcommittedtointernationalpeaceandsecurity.

TheSecurityCouncil hasprimaryresponsibility forthemaintenanceofinternationalpeaceandsecurity.Itcomprises15members(permanent/non-permanent),andeachmember hasonevote.Underthe charteroftheUnitedNations,allmemberstatesare obligatedtocomplywith Councildecisions.

PEOPLE’SProgressive Party(PPP)GeneralSecretaryBharratJagdeohas firmlysaidthatifLindsayca/CH4doesnotcomplete itsdeliverablesbyApril 2025,contractorswillface financialpenalties.

Duringanewsconference onThursday,heclarified thatthegovernmenthasnot acceptedanynewtimelines fortheconstructionoftheIntegratedPower/NGL[natural gasliquids]facilityaspect ofthecountry’slandmark Gas-to-EnergyProject.

“Powershouldbesuppliedintothegridfromthat projectbyApril2025.Ifthey

failtocomply,andweprevail inthearbitration,therewill beliquidatingdamagesfor thecontractor;andtheliquidatingdamagesarecalculated,Ithinkit'sUS$11million permonth,”Jagdeosaid.

Themassiveprojectisdividedintothreecomponents: Pipeline,Power/NGLPlant, andTransmissionLine/Substations.

Thepipelinecomponent includesa250-kilometre, 12-inchpipelinefromtwo FloatingProduction,Storage andOffloadingplatforms (FPSOs),todeliversome50 MCF/D(1,000cubicfeetper day)ofgastoshore,although

thepipelinehasthecapacity for120-plusMCF/D.

Meanwhile,theNGL componentoftheproject featuresa300MWCombinedCycleandNGLPlant, whilethethirdcomponent willhave85kilometresof69 KVand230KVtransmission lines,threenewsubstations, andupgradestotwoother sub-stations.

Itwasrecentlydisclosed thatLindsayca/CH4hadshiftedtoadisputeadjudication board,becauseitwasstuckin adeadlockwiththeGuyana GovernmentovertheUS$50 millionitbelieveditwas duebecausetheWales,West

BankDemeraraprojectsite hadbeenprovidedtoitthree monthslaterthanexpected.

“Foreverymonthdelayed,thecontractorwill havetopayliquidatingdamagesofUS$11million.We haveconcededathreemonths extension;orwehaveoffered thatatthearbitration.Sothat doesn’tmeanthatwehave acceptedthattimeline;our timelineisverydifferent, butiftheyaredelayedtothe endoftheyear,thenthere willbeliquidatingdamages,” Jagdeofurtherexplainedon Thursday.

HeadoftheGas-to-EnergyProjectTaskForce,Win-

stonBrassington,inastatementonThursday,saidthe GovernmentofGuyana-Lindsayca/CH4December2022 contract,deliveryofthe“simplecycle/NGLfacilities”was contractuallyscheduledfor deliveryonDecember31, 2024.Duetodelaysofthree months,causedbyExxon sub-contractors,theGOGhas acceptedascheduleextension ofthreemonthsinfavourof thecontractor.

“Thethree-monthdelay resultedfromExxonsub-contractor,GYSBI,beinglatein completionofsiteworkfor the100-acresitebythree months,andExxonsub-con-

tractor,GAICO,beinglate withrespecttocompletionof theMaterialOffloadingFacility(MOF)bythreemonths.

“Flowingfromtheabove, itistobemadeclear,thatthe GOGholdsLindsayca/CH4 contractuallyresponsibleto delivertheprojectin“simple cycle”byApril2025,”the official’sstatementread. Hepointedoutthatitis thegovernment’sintentto chargeliquidateddamages onanydelaythereafterata LiquidatedDamages(LD) rateof$377,000/dayperthe contract.Thisamountsto US$11.3millionpermonth.

PresidentDr.IrfaanAliduringhiscontributiontothe79thSessionoftheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnited NationsinNewYork

Guyanacallsforclimatejusticeto beakeyfocusatCOP29

AMBASSADORDr.

LeslieRamsammy, Guyana’sPermanent Representativetothe UnitedNations(UN) OfficeatGeneva,has madeacompelling callforfaircompensationforcarboncredits duringanInteractive DialogueonClimate ChangeandHuman Rightshostedbythe UNSpecialRapporteur onHumanRightson Thursday,September 19,2024.

Speakingonbehalfof SmallIslandDeveloping States(SIDS)andthe CaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM),AmbassadorRamsammyhighlightedtheurgentneed forclimatejusticeand fairtreatmentforcountriesthatcontributeminimallytoglobalemissions butbearthebruntofcli-

Guyana’sPermanent

matechangeimpacts.

“Inthefaceofincreasingthreats,webelieve thatclimatejusticeisa legitimatehumanrights challenge,”statedDr Ramsammy.

Heemphasisedthat ignoringthehumanrights implicationsofthedevastationcausedbyextreme climateeventsisafailure

ofmoralandlegalresponsibilityonthepartof globalinstitutions.

Hismessagewas clear:Theworldmust recognisethedisproportionateburdencarried bySIDSandprovidefair compensationfortheireffortsinmitigatingclimate change.

AmbassadorRamsammyunderscoredthe existentialthreatthatclimatechangeposesto Caribbeannationsand otherSIDS.Hesaideven a1.5°Criseinglobal temperatures,whichnow seemsunavoidable,will continuetobringextreme weatherevents,suchas moreintensestorms.

Headded:“Along withheavyorcontinuousrainfallevents,ocean acidification,increased marineheatwaves,rising sealevelstogetherwith stormsurgesresulting incoastalinundation, saltwaterintrusioninto aquifers,shorelineretreat,irrigationsystems foragriculture,aswellas moresevereagricultural

andecologicaldroughts.”

Accordingtohim, theseeventsleadtosignificanteconomiclosses, oftenwipingoutyears ofprogressinasingle storm.Hecitedtherecent devastationcausedby HurricaneBerylasanexample,wherethelossof GrossDomesticProduct (GDP)equaledseveral yearsofgainsforaffected countries.

Despitecontributing lessthan0.2percentof globalgreenhousegas emissions,hepointedout thatSIDSaredisproportionatelyaffectedbythe climatecrisis.

“Itisadenialofour humanrightsthatwe mustfacethegrowing tolloflossanddamage, withcataclysmicand existentialimplications fortheCaribbeanand SIDS,whenwearenot responsibleforthenegativedriversofdestructive climatechangeevents,” hesaid.

AmbassadorRamsammyhighlightedthe BridgetownInitiativeas

partofthebroaderclimatejusticeagendabut expresseddisappointment overthelackofsupport andprominenceithas received.

HeurgedtheSpecial Rapporteurtoprioritise climatejusticewithinthe HumanRightsagenda andcalledforastronger presenceofthisissueat the2024UnitedNations ClimateChangeConferenceorConferenceof thePartiesoftheUnitedNationsFramework ConventiononClimate Change(UNFCCC), morecommonlyknown asCOP29.

DrRamsammyalso criticisedthefailureof thedevelopedworldto meetitscommitments toclimatefinance.The promisetodeliveratleast USD100billionannually by2020hasnotbeenfulfilled,withthemajority ofresourcesstilldirected towardsmitigationefforts,whileadaptation receivesamere20per centofclimatefinance, AmbassadorRamsammy highlighted.

Headdedthatthe FundforLossandDamage,establishedunderthe ParisAgreement,hasalso fallenshortofmeeting theneedsofthosewho aremostvulnerableto climateimpacts.

“Guyanaurgesthe SpecialRapporteurto ensurethatclimatejustice hasastrongpresencein COP29.Ourdemandfor climatejusticeandtheassurancethatoursurvival willnotbecompromised isnotmerelyanother handstretchedoutfor handouts.Itisourplea forsupportinbearingthe ravagesofeventswedid notcause.”

Asignificantportionoftheambassador's speechfocusedonthe needforfaircompensationforecosystemservicesprovidedbyforests, whichplayacriticalrole

inclimateandatmosphericregulation.

Hepointedoutthat Guyana,alongwithother SIDScountries,serves asavital“lungforthe world,”preservingasizeablecarbonreservoirand sinkthroughitsrainforestsandmangroveecosystems.

AmbassadorRamsammycontinued:“The carbonreservoirsthatwe ownhavebecomeglobal assets,withoutmeaningfulcompensationfor theowners.Thecarbon market,therefore,isa humanrightsissue.Presently,thecompensation forpreservingourrain andmangroveforestsis farfromfair.”

HesaidthatGuyana hasbeenapioneerinthe carboncreditsmarket undertheREDD+(ReducingEmissionsfrom DeforestationandForest Degradation)framework.

“Guyanaunderthe REDD+architecturehas earned33MTREES[The REDD+Environmental ExcellenceStandard]as carboncreditfortheperiod2016to2020,theonly countrypresentlythathas officiallybeencertified forcarboncredits.Itis theonlycountryatthis timethatiscertifiedto offercarboncreditsto theaviationindustry,”Dr Ramsammysaid.

However,despiteselling30percentofitscarboncredits,henotedthat Guyanahasfacedchallengesinsecuringfair marketvalueforthem.

“Thevaluethatthe worldisofferingisconsiderablyandunconscionablylessthanwhat carboncreditsoughtto beworth,”lamentedAmbassadorRamsammy.

HeurgedtheSpecial Rapporteurtoplacethe carboncreditmarketon heragendaandtoadvocateformeaningfuland faircompensationfor carboncreditsglobally.

RepresentativetotheUnited Nations(UN)OfficeatGeneva, AmbassadorDrLeslie Ramsammy

FirstLadyAryaAlireceivesGlobal ImpactLeadershipAward

INrecognitionof herworktoadvance therightsofwomen andgirls,FirstLady, MrsAryaAli,on Wednesday,received theGlobalFemale ImpactLeadership Awardduringthe GlobalPowerWomen Conference(GPWC) whichwasheldatthe CityUniversityof NewYork.

toholdtheirfamilies together,supporttheir communities,andmake smallbutsignificant stridestowardsgender equality.Istandhereas oneamongmany,humbledtorepresenttheir collectivestruggles, theirresilience,and theirunyieldingdetermination,”theFirst Ladysaidduringher acceptancespeech.

Theawardrecognisesfirstladies,globally,whohavemadea significantimpacton aglobalscalethrough theirstrategicandcompassionateleadership andadvocacy,addressingcriticalglobalissues,drivingpositive socialorenvironmentalchange,andshapingglobalpoliciesand practicestomakea tangibledifferencein

theworld.

Theawardisconferredonglobalwomenleadersfollowinga rigorousselectionprocessandthoroughmerit-basedassessmentby theBoardoftheCenterforEconomicand Leadership(CELD).

Humbledbytherecognition,MrsAlisaid thattheawardisnot justanindividualaccomplishment,buta tributetothecountless womeninGuyanawho haveworkedtirelessly forequality,recognition,andjustice.

“Thewomenwhose voiceshavesometimesbeensilenced butwhosecouragehas neverfaltered.The womenwhohaveshatteredglassceilings,as wellastothosewho areworkingeveryday

Sheaddedthatwhile theawardisasymbol ofwhatwomeninGuyanahaveachievedso far,itisalsoareminder oftheworkthatstill liesahead.Shedrew attentiontothefactthat itwilltakeseveralcenturiesforgenderparity tobeachieveddespite theprogressmade.

MrsAlialsothanked theBoardoftheCenterforEconomicand LeadershipDevelopment(CELD)forrecognisingtheworkbeingdoneinGuyanafor womenandgirls.

“Thankyouagain

forthisincrediblehonour.Letusallcontinue thefightforaworld wheregenderequality isnotjustagoal,buta reality,”shesaid. SeveraloftheFirst Lady’sprojectsalign withSustainableDevelopmentGoalfive (5)whichfocuseson empoweringwomen andachievingequality. Specifically,her groundbreakingMenstrualHygieneInitiativehasimpactedmore than32,000women andgirlswhocontinuetobenefitfromthe distributionofsanitary productsandinformationregardingmenstrualhealthandhygiene.

Mrs.Alialsopresentedthatprojectto aglobalaudienceat theconferenceinNew York,andreceiveda standingovationfor itstransformational impactonthelivesof womenandgirls.

FirstLadyAryaAlireceivestheprestigiousGlobalFemaleImpactLeadershipawardfromExecutiveDirector oftheCentreforEconomicandLeadershipDevelopment,Dr.IbifuroKen-Giami,duringtheGlobalPower WomenConferenceinNewYork

GUYANAhasavisa-free entryagreementwithover threedozencountries.The UnitedArabEmirates (UAE)hasnowbeenaddedtothatlist,following therecentsigningofa MemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU).

Thissignificantdevelopmenthasbeenmetwith excitingreactionsfromthe public,anditisimportant thatwerecognisethegood suchanagreementhasfor Guyanese,thecontinued developmentofGuyanaand theenhancementofbilateral relationsbetweenthetwo nations.

Guyanesenowhave theopportunitytotravelto theMiddleEasterncountry withoutbeingsubjectedto thetediousvisaprocess. Theexplorationofadifferentcultureandwayoflife, newsurroundingsanda countryfarmoredeveloped thanGuyanaisnowwithin reachformanywhomight havedreamedofvisiting theUAE.

Locatedontwodifferent continentsandmorethan 12,000kilometresapart, theUAEandGuyanahave afewthingsincommon, includingoilproduction. Asamatteroffact,the

UAE,withaGrossDomesticProduct(GDP)of US$504.17billionin2023, accordingtoofficialdata fromtheWorldBank,is oneoftheworld’sbiggest oil-and-gasproducers.

GuyanacanlearnalessonortwofromtheUAE whenitcomestooil-andgasproduction.Asproductionincreases,giventhatwe arenewinthegame,advice andguidancefromsucha countryshouldbebothcherishedandwelcomed.

Theliftingofthevisarequirementsignalsanevolutioninthebilateralrelations betweenthetwocountries,

andisanindicationofPresidentDr.IrfaanAliandhis government’scommitment toensuringthatGuyana fosterssolidinternational cooperationwithasmany countriesaspossible,and isputinapositionwhereit thrivesandiswell-respected globally.

Thetwocountrieshave laidthefoundationforimprovingrelations,astheir leadershadagreedlastyear toextendcooperationin keyareas,includingfood security,energy,technology, capacitybuilding,andculturalandsocialexchanges.

Withthisnewpolicyin

‘Anelaboratecon’

THEPeople’sNationalCongressReform (PNCR)’s20-pointplan fortheoilandgasindustryisauselessdocument thatlackssubstance,People’sProgressiveParty (PPP)GeneralSecretary BharratJagdeohassaid.

ThePNCR,whichwas theprimarypartyinthe formerAPartnershipfor NationalUnity+Alliance ForChange(APNU+AFC) governmentthatmadethe highly-criticiseddealwith ExxonMobil,presenteda grandioseplanonwhatit woulddofortheoiland gasindustryifelectedto office.

Inhisassessmentof theplan,Jagdeo,duringa pressconferenceatFreedomHouseonThursday, said:“Thisisauseless; totallyuselessdocument thattheylaunchedthis week…Their20-point planforoilandgas…but theyunderpressuretosay something,buttheyhave nothingtosay,sotheywill

place,entryhindrancesand frustrationforGuyanese willberemoved,andthey willnowbeassuredofhassle-freetraveltotheUAE. Hopefully,thisalsoopens thedoorfordiscussionson bettertravelarrangements, includingaUAE-basedairlineflyingtoGuyana.

Guyaneseshouldwelcometheopportunityto visittheMiddleEastwith ease,moresoDubai,which isknownforluxuryshopping,modernarchitecture, andalivelynightlifescene, andAbuDhabi,whichcan beassociatedwithluxuriousliving,skyscrapersand

thrillingthemeparks. Withthecurrentadministrationfocusedontheexpansionandmodernisation ofmanysectors,thereare opportunitiestopartnerwith theUAE’sprivatesector, particularlythebusiness community. Weshouldallbe trilled,knowingthatmany opportunitieswillnowbe available.Itisuptousto capitaliseonthem,and usethoseopportunities todevelopourselvesand country,guaranteeinga brightfutureforgenerationstocome.

—JagdeodismissesPNCR’s20-pointoil andgasplan —pointstolackofsubstance,zero commitmenttopolicies,originality

putoutthisgarbage.Ithas nothing;nothingspecific; theyarejustwritinglike it’sacademia.”

Furtherdescribingthe documentasan‘elaborate con’,Jagdeosaid,“You canwriteonanything,but runninggovernmentis verydifferent.”

Herelatedthatthepolicylacksoriginalityand commitment,noting:“In the20-pointplan,they have12thatareabout feasibilitystudiesandreview.So,nocommitment tonothing.Wewilldo feasibilitystudies.Ifwe [PNCR]comeintooffice, we'lldofeasibilitystudies andreview,”thePPPleadersaid.

ThePPPGeneralSecretarydescribedthedocumentasonethatisdevoid ofspecifics,althoughthe PNCRhastouteditas‘a greatplan”insomequarters.

“Ofthe20points,I’ll givethemcreditforthe wayitlooks.Nothing;

nothinghere!Zerooriginality,aswepredicted,” hesaid.

TheGeneralSecretary contrastedthePNCR/APNU’sapproachwiththe PPP’srecordingovernment,highlightingthat whileinopposition,the PPPpresentedclearpolicy proposals,andhassince deliveredonthosepromises.

Hesaid:“Inourmanifesto,wemadeitclear whatwewilldo…Wesaid wearegoingtomoveto

auctionblocks,moving awayfromthefirst-comefirst-servedbasisonwhich licencesintheoilandgas sectorwereawardedin thepast;wedidthat.We saidwewillpassaLocal ContentAct;wedidthat. Wesaidwewouldreview theNRF;wedidthat.We saidwewillpassanew PetroleumActivitiesAct, updatingthe1986one; wedidthat.Wesaidwe wouldstrengthentheenvironmentalpermits;we didthatineverycase.We

saidwewillpublishallof thepermits;wedidthat, boththelicencesandthe permits,aswellasthe agreementswesigned… Wesaidwewillpassanew PSA;wedidthat.Icango downalonglist.”

Ontheotherhand,in referencetothePNCR’s plans,hesaid:“It’seither revieworfeasibilitystudy; nocommitmenttodoing anythingyet.Twoother paragraphsareduplications,sothatis14points gone.Andtheagreement themselves,theyarecommittingtoreview;notto re-negotiateagain.”

UnderthePPP/Cadministration,theindustry ismanagedprudently,and itsgainsarebeingutilised toenhancethelivesofeveryGuyanese.

Regardingthedirect managementoftheinflowsfromthesector,JagdeosaidtheNRFismanagedbyanindependent board,adeparturefrom thepreviousAPNU+AFC

Coalitiongovernment’s approach.TheNRFAct of2021mandatesaBoard ofDirectorstooverseethe fund’smanagement,ensuringcompliancewithapprovedpoliciesandlaws.

Thegovernmenthas amendedtheNRFAct torequireannualparliamentaryapprovalforany withdrawalsfromthefund, furtherenhancingtransparencyandaccountability.

Additionally,significantchangeshavebeen madetothePetroleum ActivitiesBill,andthe 2016ProductionSharing AgreementtosecuregreaterbenefitsforGuyana.

TheLocalContent Act,passedin2021, hasbeenanotherkey achievement,according toJagdeo.Thelegislation hasprovidedthousands ofGuyanesecompanies withprocurementopportunities,fosteringlocal capacityintherapidly expandingoilsector.

HowtowinanelectioninGuyana

IHADacivilsocietyactivist, JonathanYearwoodandKian Jabour,GeneralSecretaryof theoppositionparty,ANUG, onmyprogramme,theFreddie KissoonShow.Ibroughtupa topicthatisdeartomyheart –themistreatmentofordinary peoplebycommercialbanks. AndIwasdisappointedbythe responseofbothgentlemen, oneofwhomwillbeaskingfor myvotenextyear.

Ihearthecriesofthosepeopleoftenonthisissue.Ibelieve allcommercialbanksoperate withcompleteignoranceofwhat isthemeaningofcontext.Ifyou donotunderstandcontext,you willneverfullycomprehend boththeordinaryandcomplex contentsofhumanexistence. Contextiseverything.Itliesat thefoundationofhumanaction. Perhapsnootherphilosopher hassoemphasisedthemeaning ofcontextinhisworkthanSigmundFreud.

Letmediverttoshowthe pricelessnessofcontext,then

returntocontextinbanking administration.Inthepressa fewdaysago,thecaptainofthe AmazonWarriors,ImranTahir, waslistedasthethirdhighest wicket-takerinCPLhistory.The firstwasDwayneBravo,then SunilNarine.Nowwhoisthe betterbowler?

ItcannotbeTahir;heis third.ButitisTahirbecause contextwillshowheisthebetter bowler.Tahiristhirdinlinebut hehastakenhiswicketsinfar lessmatchesthanBravoand Narine.Thisiswherecontext comesin.Solet’sreturnto banking.

Whentheanti-moneylaunderingactcameinatthebehest

ofWesterncountries,theintentionwastopreventthebanksin Guyanafromwashingillegal money.Illegalmoneygoing throughthebanksisinthehundredsofmillionsnotonemillion orhalfamillion.

Yetallcommercialbanks grindworkingclasscitizenson wheretheygottheir$50,000 whentheygotodepositit.How couldthedepositof$50,000in termsoftheexchangeratebe suspiciousillegalmoney?

Contextgetslostherecompletely.Howisadormantaccountrelatedtomoneylaunderingwhenthereisnomovement ofmoney,yetcustomerswith

$5Binstudentdebtstobe

writtenoffbyyearend —Jagdeosays,urgesstudentstocapitalise onthisopportunity

SOME$5billioninstudent debtowedtotheUniversity ofGuyana(UG)couldbe writtenoffbytheendof thisyear,asthegovernment pushestomaketertiary educationfree,People’s ProgressiveParty(PPP) GeneralSecretaryBharrat Jagdeohassaid.

Duringhisweeklynews conferenceatFreedom HouseonThursday,thePPP GeneralSecretarytoldreportersthatfortheyearso far,thePPP/Cadministration hassuccessfullywrittenoff $203.7millioninstudent loans.

This,hesaid,hasbenefittedapproximately346 students,noting:“Itisanticipatedthatanother2,900 wouldalsogettheirdebts writtenoff.”

Jagdeowentontosay thatthiswouldbeatthecost ofjustabout$5billion.There isabout$18billionofdebt owedbystudentsforthepast 20yearstoUG.

“Theonlyconditionfor youtobeeligibleforthis writeoffisbeingherein Guyana…Iwanttourgethe studentswhohaveoutstandingdebtstojustapplyfor thewriteoff,sothatwecan proceedwithdoingso,”the PPPGeneralSecretarysaid.

BackinMay,thegovernmenthadannouncedPhase Oneofitsplantoeraseloans ofUGstudents.Thegovernmenthadsaiditwouldwrite

offallloansowedbyGuyanesewhocandemonstrate thattheycompletedtheir studies,graduated,andwere employedinGuyanafora minimumofthreeyears.

“Theonlycriteriaforyou tobeeligibleisforyoutobe inGuyana;onceyouarehere inGuyanaandcontributing tonationaldevelopment. Thatdoesnotmeanworking inthepublicsector;you couldbeworkinganywhere, youwillbeeligible,”Jagdeo saidThursday.

HefurtherurgedGuyanesetoenhancetheircapabilitiesbyutilisingthetraining andscholarshipprogrammes beingmadeavailablebythe government.

“Youareawareofthe scholarshipsofferedtopeople;anyonewhowantsto studycanapplythroughthe [GuyanaOnlineAcademy ofLearning]GOALprogramme;thereisnoage restriction.Andonceyou getintotheprogramme,the

dormantaccountshavetosupply atonofdocuments?Context shouldinformthebankadministratorsthatadormantaccount cannotbeaccusedofmoney laundering.

Thiscrucifixionofworking classpeoplebythecommercial bankstouchesmysoulandI raisedtheissueontheshow asthediscussantsweretalking abouttheelectionnextyear.

Mr.Jabourisapoliticianand Ianticipatedhewouldhavebeen onthesamewavelengthwith me.Butinfact,hisresponsewas briefandheshowednoemotion aboutdefendingthesepoorer folks.Infact,fromthelittlehe said,Igettheimpressionthat hewasdefendingthebanksas peoplewhorunabusiness.Imay bewrong,butitcameoverlike thattome.

TheimportanceofJabour’s responseliesinthewaypeople vote.Ihavecontendedseveral timesontheFreddieKissoon Showthatthemistreatmentof smalldepositorsbythecom-

mercialbankswillbringvotes towhicheverpartyshowsan understandingfortheplightof theseworkingclassfolks.

Peopleallovertheworld, notonlyinGuyana,willvote forcandidateswhodisplaysympathy,empathy,understanding andappreciationforissuesthat arecrucialtotheexistenceof theworkingpeople.Let’slookat howthevoteswentin2020.The PPPreceived233,336.ThePNC got217,920.Thetotalamount ofpeoplethatvotedforthese twopartiesis451,256.

Thosevoteswerenotfrom thebusinesscommunity,petite bourgeoisieandthebourgeoisie. Thebulkofthosevotescame fromtheproletariatandthe lowerstratumofthepeasantry. Apartythereforecannotwin anelectioninthiscountryif itopenlysideswiththeelite classes.

WhetherwedislikethePPP orthePNC,theyarenotelitistpartiesthattieupwiththe wealthyclasses.Bothparties

speaktoworkingclassissues andevenifwefactorinethnic voting,thePPPandPNCarenot seenaspartiesthataredistant fromtheworldoftheurbanand ruralproletariat.

Moreimportantly,PPPand PNCleadershavetheiroriginin theworkingclassesanddonot appearaselitisttotheelectorate. Thisisarealitythatotherparties needtointernaliseasearlyas yesterday.

Youcannotwinanelection inthiscountryifyoudonotembracetheworldoftheworking people.IfMr.Jabourandothers likehiminoppositionparties appearinsensitivetohowpoor peoplearetreatedbythefinancialhousesitcouldandwillcost themthevotesofthebulkofthe Guyanesepopulation.

DISCLAIMER:Theviews andopinionsexpressedinthis columnaresolelythoseofthe authoranddonotnecessarily reflecttheofficialpolicyorpositionoftheGuyanaNational NewspapersLimited.

governmentwillpayforthe entirescholarship,”Jagdeo said.

Opportunities,henoted,arealsoavailableatthe MinistryofHumanServices andtheBoardofIndustrial Training(BIT).

“Ifyouarenoteligibletostartadegreeprogrammeoratechnicalprogramme,thereisaremedial programmethatwasalso found,sothatpeoplecan gothroughtheremedialprogrammeandthen getthemselvesqualifiedto accessthehighereducation.TherearealsoopportunitiesthroughHuman Services,[specifically]for women.Therearetraining programmesthere,and alsothroughBIT,”Jagdeo related,notingthatpersons needtoutilisethoseopportunitiesfully.

‘Doublestandardsinthe applicationofestablishedlegal normscannotbeaccepted’

MINISTERofForeign AffairsandInternationalCo-operation,Hugh Todd,calledonMemberStatesoftheUnited Nations(UN)torenew theircommitmenttothe principlesandpurposes oftheUNCharter,emphasisingtheneedfor aconsistentapplication ofinternationallawand rejectingdoublestandards.

Toddmadethoseremarksduringthe9732nd MeetingoftheUnited NationsSecurityCouncil (UNSC)onthe“MaintenanceofInternational PeaceandSecurity:LeadershipforPeace–UnitedinRespectoftheUN Charter,insearchofa securefuture.”

Theministeraddressed the“emergingtrendof

erodingrespect”forthe UNCharter.Hepointed outthatattheheartof everyviolationofinter-

nationalnormsliesafundamentaldisregardforthe provisionsoftheCharter.

Heindicatedthatna-

tionsthatdeviatefromthe establishedglobalstandardsshouldfaceconsequences.

“Wemust,therefore, makeitconsequentialfor thoseMemberStateswho violateestablishedglobal normsandstandards,includinginternationallaw,” Toddsaid.

Healsocondemned whathedescribedasthe “selectiveapplicationof internationallaw.”Todd calledonallMember Statestoresistdouble

standardsintheenforcementoflegalnorms, warningthatsuchinconsistenciesthreatentounderminetheveryfoundationoftheUnitedNations.

“WeasMemberStates oftheUnitedNations mustnotandcannotacceptdoublestandardsin theapplicationofthelegal normstowhichwehave allagreed,”Toddposited.

HestressedthatMemberStatesholdtheresponsibilitytoensurethe consistentapplicationof theUNCharter,noting thatmembershipisvoluntary,butadherenceto theCharter’sprinciplesis alegalobligation.

Meanwhile,ashe highlightedtheglobal consequencesoffailingto adheretotheUNCharter, ToddpointedtotheongoingconflictsinGaza, SudanandUkraine.

Againstthisbackdrop, Todddescribedthehuman sufferingintheseregions asconcerninganddrew attentiontothedevastatingimpactsofwaron civilianpopulations.

“Warstripsawaya person’sdignity,”Todd added,invokingthe strugglesofPalestinians,

Ukrainians,andSudanese people.

Heemphasisedthat theinternationalcommunitymustprioritisethe protectionofcivilians, regardlessofnationality, race,orpoliticalinterest, adding:“Everyhumanlife isvaluable,andwecannot makedistinctionsabout theprotectionneedsof civiliansbasedoninvalid criteria.”

Withthis,theminister stressedthatitisimportantthatthereiscollaborationbetweentheUN andregionalorganisations liketheAfricanUnion, EuropeanUnionandthe CaribbeanCommunity,in maintaininginternational peaceandsecurity.

Further,Toddpointed tothelinkbetweenpeace anddevelopment,and urgedtheglobalcommunitytopursue,boldand visionaryleadershipto ensuresustainablepeace. Hesaid:“Peaceisthe foundationfordevelopment,anddevelopment itselfiscriticalforsustainablepeace,”reiteratingGuyana’scommitmenttocontributingto thisglobalendeavour.

Guyana,UAEsignMoUfor visa-freetravel

GUYANAandtheUnited ArabEmirates(UAE) earlythisweeksigned aMemorandumofUnderstandingestablishing mutualvisa-freetravel betweenthenations.

Thisisaccordingto theUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)missiontothe UnitedNationsviaasocial mediaposton‘X’,formerlyTwitter,thatstated thattheUAE’sMinister ofStateforInternationalCooperationReemAl HashimymetwithPresidentDr.IrfaanAlitosign theMoU.

Thepostnotedthatthe agreementwassignedon thesidelinesoftheongo-

PresidentDr.IrfaanAliandUAE’sMinisterofStateforInternational CooperationReemAlHashimy

ingUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblybeingheld inNewYorkCity. ItaddedthattheMoU establishes“mutualexemptionofentryvisarequirementsbetweenthe twocountries”.

GuyanaandtheUAE havemaintainedbilateral tiessince1995.Lastyear, onthesidelinesofthe ConferenceofthePartiesoftheUnitedNations ConventiononClimate Change(COP28)inDubai,

MinisterofForeignAffairsandInternationalCooperationHughTodd, andUAE’sMinisterofStateforInternationalCooperationReemAl HashimysigningtheMoU

bothcountriesagreedto extendcooperationinkey areas,includingfoodsecurity,energytechnology, capacitybuildingandculturalandsocialexchanges. Atthetime,thetwo sidesalsoagreedtofortify

theirbilateralpartnership acrossawiderangeofareasconcerningsocio-economicandculturaldevelopment.

Thetwosideshadalso agreedtoopenaUAE embassyheadquartersin

theCo-operativeRepublic ofGuyana,embodying thecountries’respective ambitiontoreinforcetheir bilateralrelationswhich willservetheirmutual interestsanddevelopment goals.

Overthepastfew years,therehavebeen severalhigh-levelvisitsbetweenthetwonations,asopportunitiesto strengthenandenhance diplomaticrelationsincludingthevisitbyHis HighnessSheikhAbdullahbinZayedAlNahyan toGuyanaonSeptember 30,2023,andthevisitof AlHashimytoGuyana onJune11,2023.

Sodturnedformajorsolarfarmprojectin RegionTwo

StoryandphotosbyIndrawattieNatram

INamajorsteptowardsthe pushtouserenewableenergy,PrimeMinisterBrigadier(Ret’d)MarkPhillips onThursdaybrokeground foramajorsolarfarmprojectinRegionTwo,which willseefarmsbeinginstalledatOnderneeming andCharity.Theseprojectswillgenerateatotal of8MWpofsolarpower, supportedby12MWpof batterystorage.

AttheOnderneeming site,5MWpofsolarcapacity willbeinstalled,backedby 7.5MWpofbatterystorage. Charitywillseetheinstallationof3MWpwith4.5 MWpofbatterypower.

Bothinstallationsarepart oftheGuyanaUtility-Scale PhotovoltaicProgramme (GUYSOL),agovernment initiativetodiversifythe country’senergymixbyincorporatinglarge-scalesolar farms.Thisdevelopment marksacrucialadvancement inGuyana’sdriveforsustainableandresilientenergy solutions.

Whileatthesodturning ceremonywhichwasheldat theOnderneemingsite,PM Phillipsemphasisedthelongtermeconomicandsocial benefitsofthistransitionto renewableenergy.Hesaid thattherewillbepotentialfor thetourismandmanufacturingindustriestothrivewith increasedandreliablepower availability.

Thesolarfarmproject, slatedforcompletioninDecember2025,isbeingexecutedbySUMECComplete

PMPhillipsspeakingatthesodturningceremonyfortheRegionTwo solarfarmproject

EquipmentandEngineering CompanyLimitedincollaborationwithXJGroup Corporation.Theinitiativeis financedthroughtheGuyana/ Norwaypartnership,witha totalinvestmentofUS$83.3 million,andisbeingmanagedbytheInter-American DevelopmentBank(IDB).

PrimeMinisterPhillips underscoredthatbeyondRegionTwo,theGUYSOL projectwillbring10MWp ofsolarpowertoTrafalgar andProspectinRegionFive, aswellastoHampshirein RegionSix.Anadditional 15MWpofsolarcapacity isexpectedtobeprocured laterthisyearforLindenin Region10.

TheGUYSOLprogrammeisprimarilyfundedbytheGuyanaREDD+ InvestmentFund,aclimate initiativecreatedunderthe LowCarbonDevelopment Strategy(LCDS).Thisfund, originallyestablishedunder thepreviousPeople’sProgressiveParty/Civic(PPP/C) government,wasdesigned

tochannelrevenuefrom Guyana’sclimateservices intoprojectsthatsupporta low-carbontransition.

Theprojecthadbeen stalledforfiveyearsunder theformerAPNU+AFCgovernment,butafterreturning tooffice,thePPP/Cadministrationrevivedit.

KeshNandlall,Headof theGuyanaPowerandLight (GPL)ExecutiveManagementCommittee,statedthat theprojectisthelargestof itskindeverundertakenin Guyana.

Headdedthatitwillenhancethestabilityofpower generationinRegionTwo communities.

TheGUYSOLproject willincludetheinstallation of33MWpofsolarPVby 2026,alongsidevarioussocialinitiatives,withatotalinvestmentofUS$83.3million.

Meanwhile,Regional ChairpersonVilmaDeSilva expressedhersupportforthe project,notingthegrowing demandforelectricityas moreindustriesestablisha

PMPhillips,RegionTwoRegionalChairpersonVilmaDeSilva,RegionalVice-ChairmanHumaceOodit, RegionalExecutiveOfficerSusannahSaywack,PrimeMinisterrepresentativeArnoldAdams,Guyana PowerandLightExecutiveManagementCommitteeHead,KeshNandlallandNDCChairpersonsHansoutie RamkellwanandChandrawattieCoomalturningthesodattheOnderneemingsitewhereasolarfarmwillbe installed

presenceinRegionTwo.

Shecommendedthegovernmentfortakingboldsteps towardsarenewableenergy future,statingthatthissolar initiativewilltransformthe regionandbringlong-term benefitstoitsresidents.

Thesesolarprojectsrepresentthelargestrenewable energyinvestmentinGuyana’shistory,providinga foundationforfuturegrowth inrenewablepowergenerationandsupportingthe country’stransitionaway

fromfossilfuels.

Thesolarfarmproject willalsoincludecommunity-focusedinitiatives.These willincludetraining50womeninsolarphotovoltaic(PV) installation,offeringpaidapprenticeships,andsupporting solarjobdevelopmentprogrammesthattargetmenand women,includingindividuals withdisabilities.

Thesolarfarmswill significantlyreducecarbon emissionsandlowerthecost ofelectricitygeneration,providingmoreaffordableand

reliablepowertoresidents ofRegionTwo.Theprogrammewillalsoimprovethe operationandmanagement ofisolatedpowersystems inEssequiboandLinden, enhancingenergysecurity whilefosteringlocalexpertiseinsolartechnology.

Thisprojectstandsas atestamenttoGuyana’s commitmenttoagreener, moresustainablefuture, settingthestageforcontinuedgrowthintherenewableenergysector.

LocalContentSecretariatunveils majorprocurementopportunities forGuyaneseinoilsector

THELocalContentSecretariat,whichfallsunderthe purviewoftheMinistryof NaturalResources,recently publishedkeyprocurement opportunitiesforGuyanese whichhavebeenadvertised bymajorindustryplayers.

Thisannouncement comesaspartoftheSecretariat’songoingeffortsto ensurethatlocalbusinesses andindividualsareproperly sensitisedonopportunities thatallowforthemtobenefit directlyfromthecountry’s boomingpetroleumsector.

Forthefinalquarterof 2024,anoticebytheSecretariatstatesthatBaker HughesGuyanahasprocurementopportunitiesinareas suchasmaintenanceandrepairoperations,construction workonbuildings,provisionofmethanolandbarite,

calibrationandinspection services,andrentalofoffice space.Thesecriticalservices areessentialforsupporting thecompany’songoingoperations,andtheinvolvement oflocalsuppliersisparamounttoitssuccess.

Additionally,G-Boats Inc.isofferingavarietyof procurementopportunities

forthemonthofSeptember,whichincludeoffice supplies,generalchandlery andsupplies,PPEandsafetyequipment,transportationservices,electricaland plumbingwork,disposal services,accommodations, fittings,andcustomsbrokerageservices.Thiswide scopeofservicespresents

significantopportunitiesfor Guyanesebusinessestoengagewiththecompanyin meaningfulways.

AsforKOTUGGuyana, itrecentlyoutlinedavariety ofprocurementopportunities thatwillbereleasedoverthe nextfewmonths.Startingin September,opportunitiesare availableinengineeringand machining,acriticalservice intheoilandgassectorthat demandstechnicalprecision andexpertise.Movinginto October,localbusinesses canparticipateinfoodsupply services,ensuringtheessentialprovisionofnutritionto supportoperations.

Astheyearprogresses, Novemberwillseeopportunitiesincustomsbrokerage servicesandshipandrig chandleryservices,facilitatingsmootherlogisticaloperations.ByDecember,there willbeopeningsforawide rangeofprofessionalservices,includingmanpower andcrewing,medical,legal, insurance,andaccounting services.Theseopenings providediversebusiness sectorswithchancestoparticipate.

Notably,inJanuary2025, transportationservices,adminsupport,andfacilities

managementwillbeavailable,followedbywastemanagementandofficerental spaceopportunitiesinFebruary2025.

SLBGuyanahasalso unveiledaseriesofprocurementopportunitiesforlocal businessesthroughtheLocal ContentSecretariat,offeringawidearrayofservices overthenextsixmonths. Oneofthekeyprocurement opportunitiesisforinspectionservices,whichinclude advancedmethodssuchas visualinspection,magnetic particleinspection,pressuretesting,andultrasonic testing.Thesespecialised servicesarecriticalformaintainingsafetyandoperational efficiencyinoilandgasprojects.Thispresentsavaluable chanceforGuyanesecompanieswithexpertiseintechnicalinspectionstocontribute theirskillstotheexpanding sector.

Additionally,thereisa needforcrewtransportationservices,whichinvolve providinglight-dutyvehiclesandminivansdrivenby qualifiedpersonnel.Another majoropportunityisinstaff houseservices,whichinvolveprovidingasafeand securelivingspaceforem-

ployees.Theservicescope includessecurityandhousekeepingtoensureasafeand comfortableenvironment. Thistypeofworkiscrucial forsupportingagrowing workforce,particularlyin theoilsector,wherehousingandsupportservicesare fundamentaltomaintaining operationalintegrity.

Otheropportunities includecranerentalsand maintenanceservicesand workshopandofficesecurity services.

Theseopportunitiesare beingmadeavailableasper therequirementsoftheLocal ContentLaw2021,which mandatesthatcompaniesin thepetroleumindustryprioritisetheprocurementofgoods andservicesfromGuyanese suppliers.

TheActrequirescontractorsandsubcontractorstosubmithalf-yearreportstotheLocalContent Secretariatdetailingtheir procurementactivities,employmentnumbers,andcapacity-buildinginitiatives. Thisensurestransparency andaccountability,while alsofosteringasustainable andinclusivelocaleconomy.

GWIawardsbursariestoexceptionalstudentsin recognitionofNGSAperformance

ByCindyParkinsonChowbay

INacommendableshow ofsupportforeducational excellence,GuyanaWaterInc.(GWI)awarded bursariestotaling$1.4 millionto32outstanding studentsataceremony heldatGWI’sShelterBelt officeinGeorgetown,on Wednesday.

Theinitiativeaimedto appreciatethelearner’sexceptionalperformanceinthe recentNationalGradeSix Assessment(NGSA).

MinisterofHousingand Water,CollinCroal,addressedthegathering,which includedseniorGWIrepresentatives,parents,and thebursaryrecipients.He highlightedthecrucialrole ofeducation,emphasising thatsuccessisnotdetermined

bytheschooloneattendsbut byindividualdedicationand effort.“Itdoesnotmatter whichschoolyouattend;it ishowyouapplyyourself,” hestated.

“Youarecomingupnow inacountrywheretheopportunitiesbeforeyou—the

fieldsyouchoose,thesubjectsyoupursue—aremuch broaderthanwhenwehad ouropportunities.Youmust notlimityourself.”

Thisyearmarkedasignificantmilestone,withthe highestnumberofbursary recipientsinGWI’shistory.

CourtsOpticalhosts wellnessfair,fashion showtoday

MAINStreetGeorgetown willbeabuzztoday(September27)asCourtsOptical,aleadingnamein eyewear,hostsitsfirst-ever OpticalWellnessFairand FashionShowinfrontofits Megalocation.

Theevent,whichisfree andopentothepublic,will focusonraisingawareness abouttheimportanceofeye healthandwellness.

Thefairwillcommence at09:00hoursofferingfree eyetests,screenings,and consultationsonafirst-come, first-servedbasis.CourtsOpticalChainManager,Richard Simpson,emphasisedthe importanceoftheinitiative, stating,"Ourgoalistoraise awarenessabouttheimportanceofeyehealthandprovidethecommunitywith accesstovaluableresources andinformation."

Attendeescanlookforwardtoarangeofeducationalactivitiesandexhibits aimedatpromotingregular eyewellnesschecksand exams.Opticiansandwellnessexpertswillbeon-site toshareknowledgeandanswerquestions,providing visitorswithanopportunity toengagewithindustryprofessionals.

Theeventhighlightsinclude:Freeeyescreenings

andconsultations,Educationalseminarsoneyehealthand visioncare,Exhibitsfromtop eyewearbrandsandretailers, Afashionshowfeaturingthe latesttrendsineyewear,and opportunitiestomeetand learnfromleadingindustry experts.

Inadditiontothewellnessaspect,theeventwill featureaneye-catchingfashionshow,blendingstylewith functionalityasrenowneddesignersandmodelsshowcase thelatesttrendsinprescriptioneyewearandsunglasses.

CourtsOptical’scommitmenttoopticalhealthextends beyondthewellnessfair,as theeventtiesintoitslarger BrighterViewprogramme, whichhasbeenofferingfree eyeglassesandeyetestsfor childrenaged6to10since 2017.CourtsOpticalChain Manager,RichardSemple, said,“Clearvisioniscrucial foracademicsuccessand overallwell-being.Ourteam workscloselywithschoolsto providecomprehensiveeye examinationsandprescribe

MinisterCroalurgedthestudentstoexplorecreativeavenuesandconsidercareersin emergingfieldssuchasscience,informationtechnology, andmechanicalengineering, reflectingtheexpandingopportunitiesavailableinGuyana.Heencouragedthemto commitfullytotheirendeavours,whetherinacademics orextra-curricularactivities, notingtheprofoundsatisfactionthatcomesfromhard work.

TheMinisteralsotook amomenttocommendthe parentsfortheirunwavering dedicationtobothGWIand thebroadercommunity.

Heacknowledgedthat whiletheremaybechallengesincertainregions,the ongoinginvestmentinthe watersectorisdesignedto ensureaccesstoqualitywater serviceforallcitizens.“We

areensuringthateveryone hasaccesstowater,meaning thatyoucanturnonyourtap andhaverunningwater,and eventuallyhave24hoursof runningwater,”heaffirmed. “Forthoseofuslivingonthe coastland,weareworkingto ensurethatthewatercoming throughthetapistreated.”

Additionally,Minister Croalspokeaboutthegovernment'sambitioushousing programmeandthegrowing responsibilitiesofGWIto meettheneedsofnewcommunities.Astheworkload expands,heemphasisedthe importanceofGWI’sresponsivenesstoemerging demands.

ElvisJordan,Executive DirectorofHumanResources atGWI,addressedthebursaryrecipients,reinforcing thecompany’scommitment totheireducation.Here-

markedonthesignificantrole thestudentswillplayasthe nation’sfutureleadersand encouragedthemtoremain disciplinedandfocusedas theytransitionintosecondary education.“Youaren’ttoo youngtounderstandwhat ishappeninginthecountry, andyoushouldcapitaliseon theopportunitiesavailableto you,”headvised.

AGWIrepresentative revealedthatfrom2019 to2024,thecorporation hasawardedbursariesto 140students,withtheexceptionof2020duetothe COVID-19pandemic.This ongoinginitiativereflects GWI'sdedicationtofosteringeducationandempoweringthenextgeneration, ensuringtheyarewellequippedtocontributeto thenation’sdevelopment.

glassestothoseinneed,free ofcharge."Theprogramme hasimpactedover500childrenin20schoolsandis expandingtotenadditional locationsthisyear,including theOpticalCorrivertonstore.

Courtsisalsoproudto partnerwiththeGovernment ofGuyana’sEyeTestingand SpectaclesProgramme,a nationalinitiativeproviding financialassistanceforeye careto275,000citizens. Throughthiscollaboration, citizenscanaccessvouchers worth$2,000foreyetests and$15,000forprescription glasses,whichCourtsOptical willaccepttoensuremore peoplereceivetheeyecare theyneed.

Withtheeventexpected tobecomeanannualhighlight,thisOpticalWellness FairandFashionShowwill offeranengagingmixof health,education,andstyle, helpingtofosteragreater understandingoftheimportanceofeyewellness acrossGuyana.

MinisterofHousingandWater,CollinCroal,withstudentswhoreceived bursaries

RegionTwocelebratesAmerindianHeritage Monthwithvibrantculturalfestivity

THERegionTwoAdministrationofficiallylaunched AmerindianHeritage MonthactivitiesonFridaywithavibrantcultural programme,celebratingthe richtraditionsandcontributionsoftheAmerindian people.

Theeventshowcasedthe beautyandsignificanceof Amerindianculturethrough traditionaldances,poetry, andinspiringkeynotespeeches.

VariousIndigenous groupsfromAmerindian communitiestookpartin theperformances,offeringa captivatingdisplayoftheir

uniqueheritage.Regional ChairpersonVilmaDeSilva, speakingonbehalfofthe RegionalDemocraticCouncil,extendedheartfeltbest wishestoallthecommunities,notingtheimportance ofculturalunityinGuyana’s diversesociety.

“Guyanaisanation whereweembraceeachother'sculture,”DeSilvastated, expressingherexcitement fortheupcomingvillage days.Shealsohighlighted theGovernmentofGuyana’s significantinvestmentsaimed atimprovingthelivelihoods ofIndigenouscommunities, reaffirmingitscommitment

totheirdevelopment.

Attendeesweretreated totraditionalAmerindian delicaciesattheendofthe event,addingaflavourful conclusiontothefestivities.

TheHeritageMonth celebrationscalendarincludevillagedaysatMainstay/WhyakaonSeptember 22,followedbyKarawabon September24,Akawinion September25,St.Monica onSeptember26,Wakapoa onSeptember27,KabakaburiandSt.DenysonSeptember28,Mashaboand CapoeyonSeptember29, andBethanyonOctober6.

Womanacquittedof manslaughterarguedselfdefenceinhusband’sdeath

A12-memberjuryat theDemeraraHigh CourtonTuesday found28-year-oldKisa Halleynotguiltyof manslaughterinthe deathofherabusive husband.Thewoman, formerlyofSwan,Soesdyke-LindenHighway, hadbeenontrialfor thecrimebeforeJustice PeterHugh.

Thechargestatedthat sheunlawfullykilled DailsonHalley,30,on July29,2017.State CounselMikelPuran representedtheprosecution,whileattorney DamienDaSilvaledthe defence.

DaSilvamadeanocasesubmission,arguing thattheprosecution’sevidence,evenatitsstron-

gest,couldnotsupport aconviction.Hefurther contendedthattheprosecutionfailedtodisprove thepossibilitythatHalleyhadactedinself-defenceonthefatalday.

Theprosecution’s casewasheavilyreliant onthetestimonyofan eyewitnessandacaution statementmadebyLisa Halleyfollowingtheincident.

Despiteseveralwitnessesbeingcalled,JusticeHughacceptedthe defence’sno-casesubmissionanddirectedthe jurytoreturnaformal, not-guiltyverdict.With thecourt’sruling,Lisa Halleyhasbeencleared ofthemanslaughter chargeandisnowfree. Reportsindicatethat

themanwaskilledatLot 30QueenStreet,Kitty, Georgetown.

Accordingtoreports, thecouple,whoshared twochildren,hadatroubledrelationship,with LisaHalleyfrequently enduringabuse.Itwas allegedthatDailsonHalleyhadforcedhiswife intoprostitutionandconfiscatedherearnings.

Onthenightofthefatalincident,duringanargument,DailsonHalley reportedlythreatenedhis wifewithaknife.Lisa Halleymanagedtograb theweaponandusedit tostabhim.

Helatersuccumbed tohisinjuriesatthe GeorgetownPublic HospitalCorporation (GPHC).

Oneoftheculturalperformances

DailsonHalley

LisaHalley

JusticePeterHugh

—projectiscurrently80 percentcomplete

workingenvironment.The Ministerpraisedthestafffor theircommitmenttoenhancingtheregion'swatersupply andencouragedthemtocontinuouslyimproveservice efficiency.

Furthermore,Minister RodriguesinspectedtheconstructionofthenewRegionalHousingOfficelocated withintheGWIcompound. Thisnewfacilityaimsto expandtheCentralHousing andPlanningAuthority’s

(CH&PA)operationalcapacity,astheagencyiscurrently housedinanofficewithinthe RegionalDemocraticCouncil compound,makingthenew officeacrucialupgradefor theiroperations.

MinisterRodrigues’ visitunderscoresthegovernment’scommitmentto improvingwatertreatment anddeliverysystemsacross Guyana,ensuringthatcommunitieshaveaccesstosafe andreliablewaterservices.

MINISTERwithintheMinistryofHousing&Water, SusanRodrigues,along withMemberofParliament,FaizalJaffarallyand GuyanaWaterInc.(GWI) RegionalManager,Heralall Darsan,onTuesday,visitedtheCottonTreewater treatmentplantinRegion Fivetoevaluatetheongoing upgradeworks.

Followingtheirinspection,MinisterRodriguesannouncedthattheproject80 percentcompleteandwason trackforcompletionbythe endoftheyear.

“Weareinvestingjust over$400millionintheupgradeofthiswatertreatment plant,whichisallpartofour largerobjectiveofensuring that,by2025,weprovide 90percenttreatedwater coveragetothecoastland,” shestated.

TheMinisteremphasised GWI’sstrategicplanforRegionFive,whichaimsto deliver100percenttreatedwatertothecoastland.

TheplanincludestheongoingupgradesattheCotton Treefacility,expansionof transmissionanddistribution lines,andtheconstructionof anew$2billionwatertreatmentplantatBath.

Theconstructionofthe newfacility,fundedbythe CaribbeanDevelopment Bank(CDB),issettobegin soon,withan18-monthtimelineforcompletion.Itisexpectedtoserveapproximately43percentoftheregion’s population.Additionally,the strategicplanincludestheinstallationofsmallwatertreatmentsystems(inlinefilters) inabouteightcommunities, includingIthaca,DeHoop, andStrathCampbell.

Duringhervisit,Minister Rodriguesalsostoppedby GWI’sRegionalOfficeat FortWellington,whereshe engagedwithbothstaffand customers.Openedin2022, thisofficehassignificantly enhancedGWI’soperational capacityandimprovedthe

TheCottonTreewatertreatmentplantinRegionFive

CouncillorandExecutiveMember,TimothyTucker,CouncillorRayadBoyce,andMemberIanDhanraj,recently metwithLCCI’sHeadofInternational,MartaKozlowska(secondfromright)andotherseniorofficials

THEGeorgetownChamber ofCommerceandIndustry (GCCI)iscontinuingto strengthenitsinternational partnerships,withrecent effortsfocusedonreviving along-standingcollaborationwiththeLondon ChamberofCommerceand Industry(LCCI).Thisinitiativeisaimedatfostering strongertradeandinvestmenttiesbetweenGuyana andtheUnitedKingdom. Therelationshipbetween thetwochambersdatesback to1996whenaMemorandum ofUnderstanding(MoU)was

signedtopromotebilateral trade.Inabidtoreignitethe agreement,adelegationfrom theGCCI,includingCouncillorandExecutiveMember, TimothyTucker,Councillor RayadBoyce,andMember IanDhanraj,recentlymet withLCCI’sHeadofInternational,MartaKozlowskaand otherseniorofficials.

TheLCCI,representing over9,000members,includingmicro,small,and medium-sizedenterprises, isoneoftheUK’sleading businessnetworks.During themeeting,TimothyTucker updatedtheLCCIofficialson thegrowthanddevelopment oftheGCCIovertheyears, advocatingforclosercollaborationtocreatebusiness opportunitiesformembersof bothorganisations.

Throughdiscussions,the GeorgetownChambersecuredadiscountedmembershipsubscriptionfor GCCImemberstojointhe LCCI,enhancingopportuni-

tiesforGuyanesebusinesses toexpandtheirpresence inLondon.Bothchambers alsoagreedtofacilitatetheir members'participationin seminarsandeventshostedin GuyanaandLondon,further strengtheningtiesbetween thetwobusinesscommunities.

Duringtheirvisit,the GCCIdelegationalsopresentedcopiesoftheBusiness GuyanaMagazineandthe GreenMagazinetotheirLondoncounterparts,showcasing thepotentialandongoing developmentsinGuyana’s businesslandscape.

TheGCCI,asGuyana’s leadingBusinessSupportOrganisation,continuestoplay apivotalroleinadvocating forpoliciesthatbenefitthe localbusinesssector.The Chamber,whichoperatesundertheGeorgetownChamber ofCommerceandIndustry ActChapter89:03,hasnearly 1,000members,rangingfrom microtolargeenterprises.It

ismanagedby21Councillors andsupportedby14committeesthatdriveitsmandate.

Overtheyears,GCCIhas beeninstrumentalinvarious keyinitiatives,including advocatingforlocalcontent laws,providingmulti-disciplinarymanagementtraining forgovernmentandprivate sectoremployees,andpromotingastablebusiness environmentinGuyana.The Chamber’smissionremains focusedonbuildingcapacity, stimulatingtradeandinvestment,andcreatingopportunitiesthatwillcontributeto Guyana’ssustainableeconomicgrowth.

AstheGCCIcontinues torepresentthevoicesof thelocalbusinesscommunity,itsrenewedcollaborationwiththeLCCI signalsapromisingfuture forexpandingGuyana’sinternationaltraderelations, particularlyintheUK.

Tellingstories,changing livesthroughdance

ByFaithGreene

LOCALchoreographer, KeltonJennings,isaforce ofpositiveenergywhenit comestodance.

Hispassionandinterest inthisexpressiveartform wassparkedseveralyears ago,afterheparticipatedin thefirstrealitytelevision showtohitGuyana,‘Guyana Star’.

Afterreceivingpositive feedback,Jenningsenrolled intheNationalSchoolof Danceandatthesametime waspartoftheDominion Dancegroup.

Jennings,whoistheChief ExecutiveOfficer(CEO)of UniqueArtsEntertainment beganteachingdancearound age17inBerbice. Forhimdancingisa universallanguage.“Ittells stories.Itchangeslives.It

helpstomotivate.So,itisa languageinmyopinion,”he explained.

HerelatedtotheBuzz thatwhenhestartedUnique Artsitwasn'tonlytodance, butitwasmoreforthearts. “Iwantedtoputallthreedisciplinesinoneandfindone name.SinceIwasalready inMashramanicompetition teaching,Istartedoffwitha groupatSt.AgnesPrimary. Sixteenyoungchildren…I taughtthemfortheMashramanicompetitionandthen theparents.Afterthis,Idecidedthatwe’regoingto continuedoingthis.And that’swhereUniqueArts wasbirthed.Istartedand Icontinuedandwestarted doingproductionafterproductiondealingwithteenage pregnancies,childabuse, trafficking,”hesaid. AccordingtoJennings,

theproductionsbroughttogetherdance,drama,and song.Allthiswashappening around2008.

Atpresent,UniqueArts hasmorethan100dancers whoarescatteredaround theCaribbean,specifically Jamaica,Trinidad,Suriname, andGuyana,andintheUnitedStates.

Henotedthatheismost proudofhisproductions. “Mybiggestachievementis thegrowthofmyproduction andthemessagethatIam tryingtosendtotheworld. Differentmessages;things likechoreography.When someonecomesupandsays, Iseewhatyouaredoingand IunderstandandIfeltit,it givesmeasenseoffulfillment.So,tellingstoriesin myproductionandhavingit gotothismagnitude,Iwould sayismybiggestachieve-

ment.Oneofmybiggest achievements.”

Addedtothis,hesaidit wasalwaysadreamofhisto traveltheworld.Herecently representedGuyanaonthe internationalstageatafolk festivalinNewYork.The eventisanannualcelebration thathighlightstheachievementsofGuyaneseandJenningstravelledwith16performersthistimearound.

Herelatedthattheyare currentlypreparingfortheir Christmasproduction.

“Ourdatehasn'tbeen setasyet,butitwillbein December.Nextyear,our calendarisalreadybooked uptoAugust.WewereinvitedtoAtlantaintheUSto doashow.Also,toArizona todoashow.Andweare headingbacktothefolk festivalagainnextyear.So, thatistheplanforthefuture

oftheproduction.Andwe continueourwork,whichis Kaya,withAfrica,unitingthe Caribbean.”

Jenningspointedoutthat oneofthingshehasbeendoingtochangetheculturalpart ofthedanceindustrylocally, istotakesome27personsto danceinJamaicathroughthe CSMEprogramme.Thishe saidwasdonein2022.

“So,thatisachangethat Ihavebeenmaking.And Ihavebeendoingproductionsinschools,Mashramani competitions.Butlooking aroundthearena,therehave beenimprovementsinsome areasandsomeareasneed moreattentionIshouldsay. WhenIsayattention,Imean intermsofthearts.Wewant personstopaymoreattention totheartform;thatisapart ofachild’sgrowth,having toexpresstheirownwhether

throughdance,orwhatever,” heremarkedbeforeadding thatthisgoeshand-in-hand withacademics.

“Topersonsthathavea dream,justgodoit.There willbenegativecomments. Therewillbedisappointing days.Therewillbedaysthat youwanttogiveup.But mykeywordsthatI'vebeen usingforthepast15years ispatienceandpersistency. Thosearethetwowordsthat keptmepushing.So,Iwould advisepersonstoexercise patience.Everythingwill nothappenovernight…keep going.”

Parentswhomightbe interestedinsendingtheir childrentoUniqueArts cancontacttheCEOat jennings895@gmail.comor on619-6195.

KeltonJenningswhohasbeen teachingdancesincehewasa teenager

‘Nomads’comeshomefor CricketCarnivalseason

NOMADSCarnivalBand ishomeforGuyana’s CricketCarnivalandis promisinganunmatched carnivalexperiencethat willelectrifyGeorgetown onSeptember28and29.

Afterastellardebutatthe renownedBrooklynLabour DayParadeonSeptember2, wherethousandsofGuyanese inthediasporaflockedto support,thebandisreadyto continueitsjourney,bringing theenergyandvibranceback toitsroots.

Ledbyentertainment prodigyMarlonJacobs, Nomadsmadeanindelible markattheBrooklynparade, standingoutasGuyana’sfirst bandentryinthecelebration’shistory,undertheFreedomEntertainmentbrand,a releasesaid.

ThelaunchofNomadsCarnivalBandattheBrooklynLabourDayonSeptember2drewamammothcrowd

“Theband’sparticipation wasmetwithoverwhelmingsupport,notonlyfrom theGuyanesediasporabut alsofromtheGovernment ofGuyana,whosedelegationtravelledtoBrooklyn towitnessandpartakeinthe historicmoment.

“Underthe‘OneGuyana’brand,thegovernment's presenceunderscoredtheir commitmenttopromoting socialcohesionandnational pride,highlightingGuyana's ingenuitybothathomeand abroad,”itadded.

Itwasfurthernotedthat thesuccessofNomadsCarnivalBandinBrooklynhas nowsetthestageforwhat promisestobeanevenmore spectaculardisplayduring CricketCarnival.

FirstuponSeptember

28istheNomads‘Ultimate CoolerFete’attheMarriott BeachfeaturingJamaican Dancehallsuperstar—Kraff, andlocalpowerhouseperformerslikeCarlvinBurnett, Ckush,LolaDoll,Charmaine Blackmanwithmoretobe added.

Thefollowingday,carnivalrevellerscanexpecta culturalshowcaselikenoother,asthebandhitthestreets withitsdynamic,all-inclusivepackages.

“Fromvibrantbody weartoexhilaratingmusic, Nomadsisofferinganexperiencedesignedtounite Guyanesefromallwalksof life,celebratingthevibrancy ofourheritageandculture. Thecallisoutforallthose whowanttobeapartofthis specialevent–registrationis

nowopenforthechanceto jointheroadwithNomads andbepartofcarnivalhistory inthemaking.”

MarlonJacobs,thevisionarybehindNomads,continuestopushtheboundaries ofentertainmenttourismin Guyana.Ayoungpioneer intheindustry,Jacobshas facedadversity,buthisdeterminationandpassionhave solidifiedhisplaceasoneof Guyana’smostinfluential figures.

Withasocialmediafollowingofover150,000,he hasinspiredthousandsof youngpeopletochasetheir dreams,creatingripplesof changenotonlyinentertainmentbutintheentrepreneuriallandscapeaswell.

HiswellcelebratedsuccessattheBrooklynLabour

DayParadeisyetanother featherinhiscap,representinghisknackforinnovation andabilitytorallycommunities,bothathomeandabroad, aroundasharedlovefor Guyaneseculture,therelease pointedout.

AsJacobsbringsNomads tothestreetsofGuyanafor theupcomingcarnivalparade,hismissionremains clear:tocreateunforgettable experiencesandfosterunity.

"Carnivalismorethan justacelebration.It’sanopportunitytoembracewhowe areasGuyanese–resilient, diverse,andproud.Bringing Nomadshomeismywayof givingbacktotheculturethat hasshapedmeandinviting everyonetocometogether underbrandGUYANA," Jacobsshared.

Theupcomingevents sponsoredbytheMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSport, Pressy’sandMagicCity,not onlymarksahistoricmoment fortheNomadsCarnival Bandbutalsosignifiesanimportantchapterinthewider narrativeofGuyanesepride andunity.

Aswegearupforthe festivities,Nomadsispoised todeliveranextraordinary carnivalexperience. Organisersareurging thepublicnottomisstheir chancetobepartofthe ground-breakingmoment andtosignupandgetready torevelinacarnivalexperiencethatwillgodownin Guyana’shistory. Formoreinformation onhowtoregister,persons cancall592-624-4628.

INhonourofits20thanniversary,localartists,in collaborationwithEiripan, withsupportfortheChristmasforMakanaima’sAngelsproject,arehostingthe ‘ArtforAngels’exhibition andsale.

Theexhibitionwhich isbeingheldattheBlack MagentaonCampStreet, Georgetown,beganon Wednesdayandendstoday.

Foreveryartistpresent,a portionoftheproceedsfrom theirworkthatissoldgoes towardtheArtforAngels project.ArtofAngelswas createdinanefforttonotonly raisefundsfortheChristmas

project,buttoshowcaseand bringattentiontotheunique talentoflocalartists.

Oneoftheco-founders ofEiripan,MelanieMcTurk, duringherspeechatthe shortopeningceremonyon Wednesday,statedthatthe ArtforAngelsprojectcame onasawaytomarrytwo passions:createaspacefor theartworkofartiststobe seen,andtocelebratelocal Guyaneseartists.

Eiripanisderivedfroma Macushiwordmeaning‘to share’.DuringhertimeresidinginKaranambo,Region Nine,withhernewbaby, Melanienotedthatwithall

theadvantages,support,and friendsshehad,sherealised howincrediblydifficultit wasforparentswhoarejust tryingtogettheirchildren intoschoolandkeepthemin schoolinthosecommunities. Withthisinmind,she approachedseveralofher friendsandproposedheridea tothemtopromoteliteracy inhinterlandcommunities, leadingtothecreationofthe Eiripan.

Annually,anestimated1,000childrenbenefit fromEiripanprojectssuchas ChristmasforMakanaima’s Angels,GoodJobAwards, ClassroomEnhancement

Kits,SanitationDriveand theBookDrive. Eiripanworksdirectly withlocalinstitutionssuchas villagecouncils,healthworkers,schoolteachers,andcommunity-basedNGOsinallour projects.Thevolunteerscome fromvariousbackgrounds, rangingfromUniversityof Guyanastudentstointernationalvolunteersandoffice workers.

Throughtheorganisation,afewyoungvolunteers fromthecoastalareasof Guyanaaregiventheopportunitytovisitandlearn aboutGuyana'shinterland communities.

PackedCricketCarnival scheduleliesahead

THE2024CricketCarnivalseasonhassomething foreveryone.Thepacked scheduleincludeswatch

parties,aWetSocaBlock PartyonMainStreet,the much-anticipatedCricket Parade,concerts,Regional

FoodFestivals,afashion showcase,amongotheractivities.

Thingsgotunderwayon

September19,with‘Welcome Vibes’attheCheddieJagan InternationalAirport(CJIA), acollaborationthatinvolved

theGuyanaTourismAuthority.Scoresofpassengerswere welcomedintoGuyanawith sweetsoundsofthesteelpan,

carnivalmodels,andtokens.

Thefinaleventwillbe theCPLCricketFinalsAfterPartyonOctober6.

NigeriancompanytargetsJamaicancreatives

STANDINGanimposingsix feetnineinches,Nigerian BakareMubarakisdeterminedtobecomeagiantin Africancommerce.Early thisyear,helaunchedBILATERAL,aLagos-based companywhichhopestoestablishtieswithCaribbean creatives.

Pointingtoglobalacceptanceofthecountry’sculture, the28-year-oldMubarakis projectingJamaicaforhisfirst stopintheregion.

“Iabsolutelyintendto visitJamaicaforthefirsttime, nextyearduringsummer.It willbeaholisticnetworking, researchandbusinessdevelopmenttrip,theultimategoal

willbetointegrateintothe Jamaicancreativemarket,to fosteranddriveculturalapplicationandculturalexchange inartbetweenJamaicaand herWest-Africanorigin,”he toldObserverOnline.

Basedonhisresearch, Mubarakbelievesmostblack JamaicansarefromSub-SaharanAfricawhichincludes WestAfrica,whereNigeria, GhanaandTheGambiaare located.ReggaeandJamaican artistesincludingtheMarleys,MadProfessor,Third WorldandFrankiePaulhave strongconnectionswiththose countries.

Inrecentyears,withthe riseofAfrobeats,Nigerian

starslikeBurnaBoyhave foundalargeaudiencein Jamaica.InDecember2022, heperformedtoover20,000 fansattheNationalStadium.

Itisthatenthusiasm Mubarakiskeentocapitalise onthroughBILATERAL.

“Wepromoteandamplify thevoicesofemergingand establishedcreativeartistes throughexhibitions,artfairs, dialoguesandmediawhilst leveragingtechnology,for globalawarenessandeven moreacceptabilityofAfrican andAfricanDiasporaarts, fosteringgrowth,learningand effectivetalentmanagement withintheAfricanandAfrican Diasporaartscene,”hesaid.

AformermodelwhoexcelledontheAfricanfashion scene,Mubarakwasrecently namedbytheMostImportant PeopleofAfricanDescent (MIPAD)amongitspersons under40towatch.MIPAD wasestablishedbyNigerian KamilOlufowobiin2015, whentheUnitedNations GeneralAssemblyproclaimed 2015-24theInternational DecadeforPeopleofAfrican Descent.

FromSeptember2629,MIPADwillhonour itsawardees,including Mubarak,inNewYorkCity, duringitsMostInfluential 100RecognitionWeek.(JamaicaObserver)

BoyzIIMentoheadlineconcertin JamaicaonOctober26

MEMBERSoftheR&B group,BoyzIIMen,areset toheadlineanupcoming concertinJamaica,andexpectationsarehighfortheir returntoTheRock.

Fanscanlookforwardto aneveningofentertainment, filledwithtimelesshitsand soulfulharmoniesthathave establishedthegroupasone ofthemostdecoratedgroups inR&B.

OnthelineupisadynamicmixoftopJamaican artistes,deejaysandemcees thataresettoenhancethe concertexperience,blending localflavourwithworld-class entertainment.

Theconcerttakesplace ontheLawnsoftheUniversityoftheWestIndies,Mona Campus,startingat19:00hrs

R&Bmusicgroup,BoyzIIMen,inperformance.ThegroupisexpectedtoperforminKingstonon October26

onOctober26.

Live&Direcisafull-serviceentertainmentbrandthat specialisesintheproduction

ofhigh-qualitymusicand captivatinglivestageperformances.

LiveandDirecExecutive

BryanGrantisexcitedtolead thecharge.

Hesaidinastatement, ‘Wearethrilledtopresent

BoyzIIMen.Theirremarkablevocalabilitiesandengagingstagepresencemake foracompellingliveshow. Thiseventisdesignedto appealtomusicloversof allagesandpromisesan unforgettableeveningofentertainment.’

Grantalsonotedthatthis isagreatopportunityfrom aneconomicandtravelpoint ofview.

‘Ourstrongappreciation forR&Bandsoulmusic made[Jamaica]anatural choiceforthisconcert.The timelessappealofBoyzII Men’smusicresonatesdeeplywithourJamaicanaudiences,andtheirappearance isahighlyanticipatedmomentonourentertainment calendar.Thishastaughtus

thatculturally,themusicwe grewuponsomehownever getsold.’

TheBoyzIIMenconcert isexpectedtoprovidesubstantialeconomicbenefits, includingboostingtourism andsupportinglocalbusinesseswhileshowcasingJamaicaasaprimedestination forhigh-profileevents.

Ticketsareavailablefor purchaseonlineatCaribTix withpricesstartingat US$100andUS$170forVIP. Patronsarebeingencouraged tosecuretheirticketsearly.

TheconcertispresentedbyLiveandDirecand sponsoredbyMayberry, MainEvent,SupremeVenturesLimited,amongother backers.(LoopNews)

ATRADEMARK,enterprising centuryfromDineshChandimalledSriLanka'schargetowardsabigscore,makingNew Zealandruemultiplelapsesin thefieldontheopeningday inGalle.

Chandimalswitchedgears acrossthefirsttwosessionson hiswaytoa16thTestcentury, helpingthehostsfinishona commanding306for3.Unbeatenhalf-centuriesfromAngelo MathewsandKaminduMendis providedthesupportact.

(Score:SriLanka306for3 (Chandimal116,Mathews78*, Kamindu51*,Phillips1-33)vs NewZealand NewZealandwouldhave pickedupmorethanthreewicketsinthedayhadDarylMitchellnotputdowntwocatches atfirstslip,TomBlundellnot missedDimuthKarunartne's stumping,andWilliamO'Rourke notoversteppedwhenhehad Mathewscaughtbehind.Itwas Chandimal'schancelessinnings, however,thathurtthevisitorsthe most.Heraisedhissixthhundred inGalleandhisfourth50-plus scoreineightTestinningswhile

battingatNo.3-outofhisusual positioninthemiddleorder,to accommodateKaminduatNo.5 andKusalMendisatNo.7.

Theonlythingthatwent NewZealand'swaywastheearly wicketofPathumNissankawho edgedanoutswingerfromTim Southeebehindattheendofthe firstover.Chandimaltookon thefastbowlerswhenthenew ballwasstillswingingaround tosetanearlybaseforhisteam, andoncetheballgotolderand conditionseasedoutforbatting, withthesunbeatingdownnicely, thehostspiledontheruns.

Karunaratnewasthebeneficiaryoftwolives;firstdropped atslipon5,offO'Rourke,and thenhesurvivedastumping chanceon17whenhecame downtoattackAjazPateland tookabigswingbutmissed. Chandimalalsoedgedtheball afewtimesearlyonagainstthe pacebowlersbutthatdidn'tdeter himfromgoingforhisshots.

Hegotoffthemarkwitha fiercescythethatcrashedtheball tothedeep-pointboundaryand thenwentoverthecoversagainst Southee'soutswinger.Hetookon Ajaz'sleft-armspinfromaround

thewickettoscorequickruns.

Themostpicture-perfect ofhisboundarieswasagainst O'Rourkewhenhedroveafull deliveryontheup,squareon theoff-sidewithalotofpower andimpeccabletiming.When heracedto41off42,Southee broughtonleft-armspinfrom bothendstostemtheflowof runsbeforelunchandthetactic workedasAjazandMitchell Santnerbowledintandemfor15 oversfor36runs,withtheodd ballturningsharply.Anow-patientChandimalwason49for13 ballsbeforefinallygettingtothe landmarkonhis79thball.

Abriefspellofshowersin thefirsthourpushedthelunch breakfrom12pmto12.22pm andwhenplayresumed,itwas afieldingeffort,aidedbya mix-up,thatendedthecenturypartnership.Karunaratne flickedaballfromSantnerto midwicketandranalltheway totheotherend,butChandimal barelylefthiscrease.Glenn Phillips'throwfrommidwicket, meanwhile,reachedshortleg andnotthekeeper,andLatham hitthestumpswithanunder-arm

throwjustintimetofindthe batter-scramblingtoregainhis ground-short.

NewZealandthenhandeda lifetoMathews.WhenO'Rourke hadtore-bowlthelastballofthe 44thoverbecausehehadoverstepped,hehadMathewstickling onedownthelegsideandsaw theumpire'sfingergouponlyto seethehandstretchedtotheside secondslater.Mathewssettled hisnervesthereafterbypatiently seeingoffthespinnerswhostuck totightlinesandlengthswith slightlyflattrajectories.

Chandimal,meanwhile, continuedtodrivefulldeliveriesthroughthecovers,loftthe spinnersdownthegroundwhen thefieldwasn'tspreadout,and heevengotabonusfourruns viaoverthrowstoreach95.He soonacknowledgedhiscentury witharock-the-babycelebration havingbecomeafatherinJune. Mathewsreliedheavilyonbackfootcutsandpunchesoffthe spinners,transferringhisweight ontheballwithhispowerful armsandwrists.Chandimalfell soonafterMathewsregistered his44thTesthalf-century,when

hedanceddownandmissedan offbreaktolosehisoffstump,a rewardforPhillipsforbowling tightlinesthroughtheday. Luckcontinuedtofavour thehostseveninthelastsession. Kamindu,thecenturionfrom thefirstTest,edgedhisseventh andeighthdeliveriesinalmost identicalfashionoffSoutheenot longbeforethesecondnewball wastaken,butonbothoccasions theballflewthroughthegap betweenBlundellandwideslip. AfterbeingdroppedbyMitchell atslipoffO'Rourkeafterthe newballwastaken,Kamindu producedaflurryofboundaries, whichstartedwithaslog-swept sixoffAjazandincludedthree morefoursinquicksuccessionto bringuphis53-ballhalf-century. O'Rourkeusedhisheight andbouncetoalsodrawan edgeoffthespliceofMatthews'batlateintheday,but whentheballonlykissedTom Latham'sfingertipsbefore goingforfour,Latham'swry smilesummedupNewZealand'sday.(ESPNcricinfo)

ENGLISHRACINGTIPS

KENDALL’SUnionCricketClubofNo.19Village, Corentyne,Berbice,isthe latesttobenefitfrom“ProjectCricketGearforyoung andpromisingcricketersin Guyana,thejointinitiative betweenKishanDasofthe USAandAnilBeharryof Guyana.Theclubwasthe recipientoftwoboxesof redcricketballs,oneof whichwashandedover recentlyandtheotherto follow.

Atasimpleceremony heldrecently,GalinaHitnarine,clubrepresentative, wasthankfulforthesupport. Theprojectisalsopleased tobepartofitsdevelopmentandtheballsaretobe usedforthejuniorcricket programmeonly.Beharry, formermemberoftheclub andaformerresidentofthe community,isimpressed withtheeffortofclubpresident,AlbertBudhooand histeamandtheprojectwill continuetoprovidesupport whenpossible.

Todate,86youngplayers,maleandfemale,from

allthreecountiesofGuyana havebenefitteddirectlyfrom sevengearbags,twotrophies,fourarmguards,33 bats,threeboxes,sixhelmets, 31pairsofcricketshoes,20 pairsofbattingpads,24thigh pads,onebatgrip,34pairs ofbattinggloves,onepair ofwicket-keepingpadsand threepairsofwicket-keeping

gloves.

Inaddition,twoclubsin thePomeroonareabenefitted fromtwousedbats.Pomeroon,LeguanandWakenaam CricketCommitteesandCottonTreeDieHardalsoreceivedoneboxofredcricketballseach,ColdFusion CricketClub13coloured uniformswhileRHCCCC

receivedsixboxesofballs, 15whitecricketshirts,one pairofjuniorbattingpads, onepairofwicket-keeping gloves,twosetsofstumps andbailsandKendall’s UnionCricketClubwithtwo boxesofredballs.

Otherbeneficiaries aretheEssequiboCricket Board,theTownofLethem, youthcoachTravisPersaud(oneboxofredcricket balls),maleandfemale teamsplayingthetraditionalhardballandsoftball intheUpperCorentyne area,No.65YoungTitans with30T-Shirts,youths ofJustTryCricketClub, WakenaamCricketAcademy(oneboxofwhiteballs), ShamarJoseph,Nehemiah Hohenkirk,ShamarApple, LeguanCricketCommittee, TucberParkCricketClub andMalteenoesSports Club(ninecricketballs each).Anyoneinterested tocontributecancontact AnilBeharryon6236875 orKishanDason1718664 0896.

HAYDOCK 08:43hrsSusiesparkle 09:15hrsStormLady 09:50hrsNardra 10:25hrsKingOfLight 11:00hrsDamHawkens 11:35hrsGivemefive 12:10hrsMediaShooter 12:40hrsFlightRadar NEWMARKET 08:50hrsSpiritual 09:25hrsMistralStar 10:00hrsBubbling 10:35hrsLeadArtist 11:10hrsSecretTheory 11:45hrsMilitaryAcademy 12:20hrsMoreThunder WOLVERHAMPTON 11:15hrsEnclosure 11:50hrsGultari 12:25hrsStormAsset 13:00hrsDutchKingdom 13:30hrsGraceAngel 14:00hrsBulletPoint 14:30hrsBernalda 15:00hrsDarkzideofthemoon 15:30hrsApostle

SOUTHAFRICARACINGTIPS GREYVILLE

09:30hrsMagicMaverick 10:05hrsRastignac

10:40hrsRoyalSwanMaster

11:15hrsFieldMarshall

11:53hrsWayToBurn

12:30hrsL'ultino

13:05hrsIntrepid 13:40hrsPreemptiveStrike

IRISHRACINGTIPS

DUNDALK

11:40hrsAteenosix

12:15hrsI'mSpartacus

12:45hrsSayYesToDreams

13:15hrsVivaVoce

13:45hrsMarbleAngel 14:15hrsBrightStripes 14:45hrsRidhaz 15:15hrsArena AMERICANRACINGTIPS BELMONT Race1BackToGridlock Race2Conniving Race3Giroovin Race4Makeyourmoment Race5DancingRinca Race6Spurgeon Race7GoNyGo

CRICKETQUIZCORNER

(FridaySeptember27,2024)

CUMMINGSELECTRICALCOMPANYLTD-83GarnettStreet,Georgetown(Tel:225-6158) Answerstoyesterday’squiz: (1)RamnareshSarwan (2)10

Today’sQuiz: (1)WhoscoredmostrunsfortheFalconsinthisseason’sCPL? (2)WhoscoredmostrunsforthePatriots? Answersintomorrow’sissue

DineshChandimal,whorecentlyhadababy,made116•(SLC)

AnilBeharry(left),handsovertheballstoGalinaHitnarine.Atrightis

Guyaneseplayersgainchesstitlesat45thChessOlympiad

THEGuyanaOlympiad Chessteams-maleandfemale-deliveredcommendableperformancesatthe 45thFIDEChessOlympiad, heldinBudapest,Hungary, whichconcludedrecently. Thetournamentwasheld fromSeptember10-23.

Notablecontributions camefromAditiJoshi,Sachin Pitamber,LorisNathooand AnthonyDrayton.

Fourteen-year-oldAditiJoshi(1,535),competing intheWomen’scategory, achievedanimpressive7.5 pointsfrom10games,securingsixwins,threedrawsand onlyoneloss.Joshi’sperformancewasremarkable,especiallygivenheryoungage.

TheQueen’sCollegestudentdemonstratedconfidence andmaturitywellbeyondher years,makinghertheyoungestfemaleGuyanesetoearn theprestigiousWomanFIDE Mastertitle.

SachinPitamber(1,715), also14yearsofage,and competingintheOpenCategory,scored5.5pointsfrom ninegames.

Pitamber,anotherrising starfromQueen’sCollege, playedconsistently,securing fourwinsandthreedraws, whilesufferingonlytwolosses.

Hehasbecomethe youngestGuyaneseplayer toearntheCandidateMaster title.VeteranplayerLoris Nathoo(1,786)endedonan impressivescoreof3.5outof eight,earningtheCandidate Mastertitle.

Hisnotablevictoriesin-

cludeddefeatingCMYoboue HermannManan(2,030)from theIvoryCoastandFMSoon WeiYee(2,219)fromBrunei Darussalam,showcasinghis experienceandskillthroughoutthetournament.

FMAnthonyDrayton (1,964)contributed3.5points fromninegamesonBoard Two,withastandoutdraw againstInternationalMaster SameerLoay(2,194)from Jordaninthesecondround.

Draytonwentontodefeat CMCottle(1,804)fromSt. VincentandtheGrenadines, FMDeGondo(2,045)from theIvoryCoastandFMRodriguez(2,002)fromPuerto Rico.

Drayton’scontinuedex-

cellenceandskillremainevidentafteryearsofhigh-level play.

TheOlympiadOpenteam includedCandidateMaster TaffinKhan,FIDEMaster AnthonyDrayton,LorisNathoo,KeronSandifordandreserveplayerSachinPitamber.

CMKhan(2,066),playingonthemostchallenging BoardOne,scoredtwopoints fromninegames,including winsagainstSt.Vincentand theGrenadines’FMEnemchukwu(2,001)andCayman Islands’ChinakeKudakwashe(1,859).

NationalJuniorChampion,KeronSandiford,secured twodrawsfromninechallenginggamesagainstSt.

VincentandtheGrenadines’ Schneider(1,486)andSierraLeone’sBrianAdeshole Beckley(1,814).

OntheWomen’steam, NationalWomen’sChampionWCMJessicaCallender earned1.5pointsfromsevengames,includingawin againstGrenada’sChitanBernelandadrawwithVanuatu’s MilfirerEla.

WCMSashaShariff gained2.5pointsfrom10 games,withonewinand3 draws.Shariff’svictories includedawinoverAchazia fromGrenadaanddraws withplayersfromEquatorial Guinea,Vanuatu,andMozambique’sKatinaEfentakis (1,650).

YoungCielClement contributedtwopointswith victoriesagainsthercounterpartfromGuernseyand Bermuda’sOlgaGontcharova (1,567).

Duringthebiennialworld eventinvolvingcloseto200 chess-playingnations,the Guyanesemen’steamwere matchedwithHungary,Jordan,Palestine,Jersey,the IvoryCoast,Afghanistan, BruneiDarussalam,Sierra Leone,PuertoRicoandsister CARICOMnationsSt.VincentandtheGrenadinesand theCaymanIslands.

Despiteindividualstandoutperformances,theGuyana Openteamfinished174th

overall.

TheteamwonagainstSt. VincentandtheGrenadines 3.5:0.5,theCaymanIslands 2.5:1.5,andtheIvoryCoast 1:3.TheGuyanaWomen’s teamcameupagainstDenmark,Palestine,Grenada, Guernsey,Malta,theBahamas,EquatorialGuinea,Vanuatu,Mozambique,Liberia andBermuda.

Theteammadesignificantprogressbyclimbingto 145thintheworldrankings. ThewomenwonagainstGrenada4:0,Vanuatu1:3and Bermuda2.5:1.5,anddrew theirmatcheswithGuernsey andEquatorialGuinea.

TheGuyanaChessFederation(GCF)commendsthe teams’efforts,particularly thosewhoearnednewtitles andimprovedtheirinternationalratings.

Overall,Guyanesechess playersshowcasedtheir growingtalentandpotential ontheinternationalstage, highlightingtheincreasing strengthofourchesscommunity.

TheGuyanaChessFederation(GCF)commends theeffortsofbothteamsand expressesgratitudetoPresidentIrfaanAli,theMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSport andtheNationalSportsCommissionfortheircontinued support.

TheGCFalsoacknowledgedthecontributionsof teamcaptainCMRonuel Greenidge,GrandMaster GeorgMohrandHeadof DelegationCMLorisNathoo.(GCFPressRelease).

KINGSTON,Jamaica, (CMC)–HAITIANclub, RealHopeFAandJamaicanoutfit,ArnettGardens FC,playedouta0-0draw attheNationalStadium hereWednesdayinatightly contestedGroupAmatchup ofthe2024ConcacafCaribbeanCup.

Bothteamscreatedseveralscoringopportunities,with RealHope’sJeudyJhonson comingclosetobreakingthe deadlockinthe33rdminute, onlyforArnettGardens’ defenderAltonLewistoproduceacrucialblockinside thebox.

Earlyinthesecondhalf, ArnettGardensnearlytook

theleadthroughJaheim Thomas,whoselong-range effortinthe54thminute forcedastrongsavefrom RealHopegoalkeeper,Gooly Elien.

Thebestchanceofthe matchfelltoRealHope’s WatzLeazardinthe60th minute,whenheconnected withaheaderthatseemed destinedforgoal,onlyfor Arnettcustodian,Asher Hutchinson,toreactbrilliantly,preservinghiscleansheet. Withtheresult,Real HopeFAmovestofivepoints andsecondplaceinGroupA. Thepointkeepstheir hopesofadvancingtothe semi-finalsalive,asawin

againstMountPleasantnext Thursdaywouldsealtheir placeinthenextround. ArnettGardens,however, sawtheirsemi-finalhopes dashedwiththedraw.The Jamaicanoutfitisatthefoot ofthetableononepointfrom threegames.Theywilllook toclosetheirCaribbeanCup campaignonahighwhen theyfacelocalrivalsand groupleaders,CavalierFC. ThecompetitioncontinuesonThursdaywiththird placeMiscellaneousPolice FCfromT&Ttakingon fourthplaceJamaicanclub, MountPleasantFA,atthe HaselyCrawfordStadium.

TheGuyanachessteamatthe45thOlympiadinBudapest

FiftiesfromHope,Hetmyer&spinners

BySeanDevers

INafantasticatmosphere, a106-third-wicketpartnershipfrom61ballsbetween ShaiHopeandShimron Hetmyerandsevenwickets fromthespinnersspearheadedtheWarriorstoa 47-runwinovertheBarbadosRoyalsonWednesday nightatProvidence.

Hopemade71from37 ballswithfivefoursandfive sixeswhileHetmyer’s57was decoratedwithfourfoursand threesixesandlasted34balls astheWarriorsreached219-8 from20overs.

AzamKhan(26),RomarioShepherd(23)andDwaine Pretorius(12)weretheother batterstoreachdoublefiguresastheWarriorson165-2 inthe15thovercouldonly manage46inthelastfive oversthankstoShepherd’s 13-ballcameowhichincludedasixandtwofours.

Left-armspinner,MaheeshTheekshana,had3-15 fortheRoyals,whowere restrictedto172-9.

GudakeshMotie(3-38) ImranTahir(2-22)andAli (2-16)aidedtothedefending Championstoanemphatic win.

SHAKIBAlHasanhas saidthattheDhakaTest againstSouthAfricain Octoberwillbehislast. Speakingtothemedia aheadoftheKanpurTest againstIndia,healsosaid the2024T20WorldCup, whichwasinJune,washis finalT20assignmentfor Bangladesh,meaninghis onlyinternationalappearancesgoingforwardwill beinODIs.

TheseriesagainstSouth Africaisstilltentative,with CricketSouthAfricayetto giveitsecurityclearance afterinspectionsofthevenueearlierthisweek.That followsonfromtheunrest inBangladeshinJulyand Augustinwhichseveral hundredsofpeoplewere killed.

Shakibwasamember ofparliamentoftheAwami League-ledgovernment, againstwhomtheprotests weredirected.Sincethefall

—giveWarriorsawinovertheRoyals

Royalsslipped17-2 beforeRivaldoClarkeand 31-year-oldSouthAfrican QuintondeKockcarriedthe scoreto50intheseventh over.

Butwhenoff-spinnerAli haddeKockLBWfor35 whichtookhimto314runs, theRoyalswere63-3.

Clarke(17)wasLBW toTahirwithoutadditionto thescore.Tahirthenbowled Powell(10)at79-5.

The45-year-oldWarriors skipperranwithhisarmsoutstretchedlikeabirdaboutto flyandthedancingfanswent wildwithunadulteratedjoy.

WhenAliremovedHolder(7)at86-6itwasallover

oftheAwamiLeague-led governmentonAugust5, Shakibhasfacedcomplicationsandhasnotbeeninthe country.

"Iamavailableforthe SouthAfricaseriesbut sincethere'salothappeningbackhome,naturally noteverythingdependson me,"Shakibsaid."Ihave discussedmyplansabout TestcricketwiththeBCB, especiallythisseriesandthe homeseries.Iwasthinking thatitcouldbemylastTest series.

"Ihavetold[BCBpresident]Faruque[Ahmed]bhai andtheselectorsifthere'sa chanceandifIcanplay,my lastTestwillbeinMirpur. Theboardistryingtoensure thatIcanplayandfeelsafe, atthesametimethatIcan leavethecountrywithouta hitch."

"IamacitizenofBangladesh,soIshouldn'thave anyproblemgoingbackto

bartheshoutingdespitesome fightfromDavidMillerwho topscoredwithanunbeaten 71witheightfoursandfive sixes.

Earlier,theWarriors, whohaveused14different openingpairsinthelasttwo seasonswereaskedtobat onagoodtrackwithalightning-fastoutfield.

Anothercapacitycrowd roaredtowelcomebackRahmanullahGurbazonhisreturnfromAfghanistan,South Africa3-matchODIseries whereheearnedtwoman-ofthe-matchawards.

GurbazsweptTheekshanaforsixbeforebeingcaught atslipnextballforsevenat 8-1inthefirstover.

Bangladesh,"hesaid."My concernismysafetyand securityinBangladesh.My closefriendsandfamily membersareconcerned. Ihopethingsaregetting better.Thereshouldbea solutiontoit."

TheburlyKhanedged JasonHolderforfourbefore off-drivinghimforfourmore whileheclobberedNaveem Ul-Hak,flickedhimtofinelegandupper-cuthimtothird astheboundariesflowed.

Hopegotgoingwiththree successiveboundariesthelast onelandinginthestandsto postthe50in4.4overs.Hope celebratedthelandmarkwith anotherfourasKeshavMaharaj’sfirstleaked22runs.

Afterthesixpower-play overs,theWarriorshadgallopedto60-1tothedelight offlag-wavingfans.

Khan(26from17balls with5fours)wasremoved byHolderat59-2inthesixth over.

IftheSouthAfricaseriesdoesnotgoahead,this TestinKanpur,startingon Friday,willbehislast-but theSouthAfricaTestsare expectedtogoahead.

Shakibsaidthattherecentweekshavebeendifficultforhim,particularly whenamurdercasewas filedagainsthim."Ithas beentoughforme.OnlyAllahknowshowIamfocused onthegame.EvenIdon't know.Thereisacaseagainst me.Everyonehastherights. Youallknowwhattypeof caseitisorwhereIwas andwhatIwasdoingatthat time.Idon'twanttotalk muchaboutit."

Shakibhoweversaidthat thedecisiontoquitTestsand T20Iswasn'tanemotional one.HesaidthathediscussedthematterwithBCB presidentFaruqueAhmed andtheGaziAshrafHossain-ledselectioncommittee inrecentdays.Hesaidthat

HetymerjoinedHopeand waslovinglygreetedbythe raucousnoisewhichreached acrescendo.

TheentertaininglefthanderfromCumberlandin Berbicedidnotdisappoint. Hegotgoingwithanimperiouspunchpastextracover beforeflat-battingMaharaj pasthisanklesforfour.

HetmyergreetedObed McCoywithapugnacious sixwhileHopewasnottobe leftoutintherunsfeastasthe pairbroughtupthe100inthe 10thover.

Hetmyercontinuedhis brutalonslaughtandbrought uphisthirdfiftyfrom29balls withthreefoursandthree sixeswhileHopereached

this,atage37,istheright timeforhimtoleavethetwo formats.

"Iamnothurtordisappointed.Ithinkitistheright timetomoveon,andcreate aplaceforthenewplayers. Ihavealsoinformedtheselectorsandboardpresident thatIshouldmoveonfrom T20Isaswell.IthinkIhave playedmylastT20inthe WorldCup[inJune].Iwon't beplayingtheupcoming T20series[againstIndiaand WestIndies]wherethenew playershaveopportunities.

"Itisthebestchanceto takealookatnewplayers.It willbeagoodmovetobuild theteamtowardsthe2026 T20WorldCup.Wehave takenthisasacollective decision.

"Iamhappywiththe decision.Idon'thaveany regretsinmylife.Ihave enjoyedmycricketcareer.I thinkitistherighttimefor meandBangladeshcricket.

hisfirstfiftyinthe12thover whenhehitUl-Hakforhis thirdfour.Hishalf-century took27ballsandincluded foursixes.

Hopeputhisfootonthe gasas150cameupin14 oversbeforeMaharajbroke thethirdwicketstandwhen RovmanPowellheldastupendousdivingcatch,runninginfromlong-ontoleave theWarriorson165-3.

MoinKhan,whomade42 inthelastmatch,wascaught andbowledbyObedMcCoy foreightat178-4before Hopedepartedarunlater offTheekshanawhosoon removedKeemoPaul(1)at 181-6inthe17thoverasthe Royalsfoughtback ShepherdandDwaine Pretoriusadded33in17balls beforetheywerebothrun out.EmergingJuniorSinclair hitthefinalballforfour.

TheWarriors,whomoved to12pointsfromeight games,sittwopointsbehind StLuciaKingswhotheyface tomorrowfrom10:00hrsin theonlydaygame.

TheAmazonWarriors willthenplaytheirfinal preliminarygameagainst TrinbagoKnightRiderson Sundaynight.

Theboardpresidentandselectorsfeelthatitistheright timetoo."

Shakibleavesbehinda richlegacyinbothformats. Heistheonlycricketerin T20Istoscoremorethan 2,500runsandtake100pluswickets.Atthetime ofhisretirement,heisthe third-highestwicket-takerin theformat.

Shakib'sTestnumbers havebeeninvaluabletoBangladesh.Hehas242wickets and4,600runsinhis70 TestsleadingintoKanpur. Currentlyheisamongfive cricketers-JacquesKallis, KapilDev,DanielVettori andIanBothambeingthe others-with240wickets and4,500runs.

HewastheNo.1allrounderinbothformatsfor manyseasonstoo,andcaptainedBangladeshinboth. Shakibwillcontinue playingT20franchise leagues.(ESPNCricinfo)

Spectatorswereoutwiththeirplacards.(JaphethSavoryphotos)

MembersoftheGAWsharetimewith NationalBlindCricketteamatthehistoric BourdaCricketGround

BySeanDevers

ONThursdayinsweltering heatatthehistoricBourda CricketGroundinGeorgetowntheUnitedNations SysteminGuyanaandthe GuyanaBlindCricketAssociation,incollaboration withtheGuyanaAmazon Warriors/CPL-OPCOGuyanaINC.andNEWGPC INCsharedtimeonthe pitch.

TheGuyanesemembers ofthe‘Warriors’teamwhich willopposeStLuciaKings tomorrowfrom10:00hours, sharedspecialmomentswith membersofGuyana’sblind cricketteam,cladintheir ‘Warriors’uniformatBourda. MatthewNandu,Kelvin

Andreson,RenaladoAli-Mohamed,theunrelatedSinclair’s(JuniorandKevin) andBajanRamonReiferwho representedGCCandGuyana afewseasonsagoengaged theblindcricketers,fansand GCCduringaninteractive session,whileKevinSinclairsignedautographsand matchedskillswithdifferentlyabledcricketers.

WhennationalBlind CricketCaptainKevinDouglas(B3)bowledTestplayer KevinSinclairhewasovercomewithjoyanddida summersaultwhichishow Sinclaircelebrateswhenhe takesawicket.

Thesmilesonthefaces ofvisuallyimpairedplayers showedhowmuchtheyen-

joyedtheexperience.

PresentwereGCCpresidentJonathonYearwoodwho welcomedtheGCCplayers (Nandu,Ali-Mohammedand Reifer)homewhileDirectorofSport,SteveNinvalle madeabriefvisit.

Ninvallepositedthatthe large‘Warriors’supportin theProvidenceStadiumwas indicativeofunityofone Guyana.Ninvallenotedthe governmentissupporting bybuildinginfrastructure alloverGuyana.TheDOS predictedthattheWarriors wouldsuccessfullydefend theirtitleonOctober6.

Alsospeakingatyesterday’sinteractiveeventwere arepresentativeoftheUnited NationsandBIformerWest

IndiespacerGaneshSingh.

“Thiscollaborationseeks toleveragecricketandthe ongoingCaribbeanPremier League(CPL)CricketTournament2024topromote disabilityinclusion.Itbrings togethercricket,community, andacommitmenttoleaving noonebehind,”explained Singh

“Thisprogrammeisthe ensurethattheinclusionof disabilitysportsisonthe forefront.Thereisnotabetterstartthantohavethe AmazonWarriorsonboard andpartneringwithusin thisprocess.”SaidtheProgrammeManager,Guyana CouncilofOrganisationsfor PeopleWithWisabilities

“Itfeelssurreal…yes

theseareGuyaneseplayers butafterseeingthemon Televisionorhearingabout theminthemedia…gettingtomeettheminperson wouldhavebeeninspiringto especiallythosewhoarenow startingtoplayblindcricket.

Wecannotplayconventionalcricket,butthisisan inspirationtowhowantplay forWestIndiesinblindcricket.So,thisissignificant,” explainedtheBlindCricket PlayerDevelopmentCoordinatorGuyanaBlindCricket Association(GBCA).

“ExxonMobilisdoing alotinfundingourorientationofmobilityprogramme. Theyfundourstereometrics programmeforchildrenwith disabilities.Theyaresupport-

ingtwoprogrammesbeing implementedbytheGuyana CouncilofOrganisationfor PersonsWithDisabilities.

“Acquisitionofskillsby personswhoareblindand thatincludesblindcricketersandblindcricketinone ofthoseactiveswhichwe promoteinourorientationof mobilityprogramme.

“It’sdifficultgetting girlsinschooltoplayblind cricketwhichisafullcontactsportandwerepeople canrunintoeachother. Butismoredifficulttoget olderpeoplewhohavelost theirsightasadultstomake thattransition,”informed SinghwhoistheChairman, NationalCommissionon Disability.

TheGuyanaBlindCricketteamwiththeir‘Warriors’uniforms yesterdayatBourda