environment, solid policies foster creation of thousands of start-ups
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday attended a cocktail reception to mark the 248th Independence Anniversary of the United States of America. During his address, President Ali spoke of the strong bilateral and trade relations between Guyana and the United States, and praised the country for its tremendous support in strengthening security cooperation with Guyana. The President also made it clear that the current military cooperation between Guyana and the United States are rooted in ensuring peace and stability in South America and the Caribbean (Office of the President)
- rise of over 2,000 contractors, Dr. Jagdeo says - reading riot act to procurement officers, taking strong disciplinary approach with agencies, Jagdeo says
Gov’t ‘weeding out’ corrupt practices in procurement process
- reading riot act to procurement officers, taking strong disciplinary approach with agencies, Jagdeo says
By Naomi Parris
PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has affirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, and the elimination of corrupt practices within the local public procurement process.
Dr. Jagdeo made the foregoing disclosure during his weekly press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, following reports of a $2.1 billion contract being awarded to Kares Engineering Inc. for the construction of a wharf for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The reports at reference intimated that Kares’ bid was lower than 80 per cent of the engineer’s estimate for the project, and should have been deemed “unresponsive”.
However, a press statement issued by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) sought to
explain that this criterion was discontinued years ago, and that Kares was the lowest evaluated and overall bidder.
“We remain open in ensuring that the process grows, in terms of transparency, and that we can weed out people who are engaged in corrupt practices. And we have done so on several occasions; we have seen the growth of the system,” the General Secretary said at his party’s Georgetown Headquarters.
According to Dr. Jagdeo, there were eight bidders through an open public tender for the project.
Four of the bids received were significantly higher than the engineer’s estimate for the construction of the wharf.
NPTAB further related that the GDF advertised for the construction of a reinforced concrete wharf at its Coast Guard headquarters at Ramp Road, Ruimveldt, and bids were received, via public tendering, in November 2023. Subsequently, bids were evaluated by
an independent evaluation committee.
Evaluators had recommended the lowest responsive bidder, and an award was made in December 2023. The contract award for the project was published in January 2024, and the Government of Guyana entered into a contract agreement in February 2024 with the bidder, who submitted the lowest
“We now have to take a strong disciplinary approach with these agencies that do procurement out in the public domain that depart from the standardised process. The standardised process was created for a purpose, and the purpose was to ensure that we don’t have multiple solicitation for bids that are different in each of these agencies that can prejudice the process,” he said.
making changes; you are going to hear more about some of these changes in the short-term. We have already been reading the riot act to many of the people and the procurement officers in the regions; that if you violate this particularly deliberately, you will have to face the consequences,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
evaluated bid, which is also the lowest overall bid.
In March, one of the bidders, citing the “any bidder whose bid is less than 80 per cent of the engineer’s estimate will be non-responsive” clause, submitted a request for a review.
However, NPTAB noted that this engineer’s estimate was never published or given to the bidders prior to the opening of bids.
Further, the criterion cited was discontinued years ago, and is not included in the numbered criteria in the approved Standard Bidding Document.
Dr. Jagdeo, on Thursday, stressed that the government has been working to address the irregularities and biases within the public procurement process.
Dr. Jagdeo reiterated that the government has been fighting against breaches in the public procurement process; however, it must be noted that there are “tens of thousands” of projects ongoing across the country.
“There are thousands of contracts every day that are being done. If you go anywhere in this country, you will see schools being built, hospitals under construction, sea defences being rebuilt, roads being built everywhere, bridges being built. The whole country is being transformed infrastructure-wise,” he related.
The government, the General Secretary added, has managed to “fight against” and keep most of these contracts out of corrupt practices.
However, he related that the government has flagged concerns that were raised about personnel in public offices that are engaging in breaches.
“Every week we are
Last month, he had said that the government intends to conduct ‘sting’ operations to clamp down on officers and other personnel who engage in procurement breaches.
The government, Dr. Jagdeo said, has undertaken a review of the procurement system at every level, and is examining the procurement procedures for compliance, and activities for compliance with the laws.
If persons are found to be in breach of the law, they would be held accountable, the General Secretary said.
The government, he also related, will be scrutinising delays in processing contract payments, and dishonest supervisory on projects.
Back in April, the government had clamped down on delinquent contractors for delayed works.
Back then, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had instructed all relevant ministries and agencies to issue letters for liquidated damages to contractors for delayed projects.
PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
Conducive environment, solid policies foster creation of thousands of start-ups
- rise of over 2,000 contractors, Dr.
Jagdeo says
OWING to critical investments made by the government, Guyana has seen thousands of new start-ups and small businesses being established, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.
Dr. Jagdeo pointed to this at a press conference at his party’s Georgetown Headquarters on Thursday, when he also disclosed that some 2,000 new small contractors have also entered the country’s buzzing construction arena.
“Thousands of new start-ups, small businesses, even contractors; we have had about 2,000 new contractors who have been bidding below $15 million for small works. Almost all those concrete roads in
the villages, around the country, around the region are done by small contractors,” Dr. Jagdeo told reporters.
He said that this was made possible due to the government’s efforts to empower small business owners and contractors.
“We have put in place a system where more people have received direct transfers from the government. We have done this through co-investment in some areas to allow small business growth, and we have seen a proliferation,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
In 2023, the Government of Guyana signed a $100 million agreement with the Small Business Development Finance Trust Incorporated, targetting lending to small and micro-en-
terprises in various sectors of the economy.
The government, Dr. Jagdeo highlighted, recognises the role of small businesses in the country’s economy, and as such, there is a specific support system for them.
In 2023, over 2,500 grants were given to small-business owners at a value of over G$680 million.
Also, 61 loans were
guaranteed through the Small Business Bureau (SBB)’s partner financial institutions valued at $569 million.
Senior Communications Manager of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Cordell McClure had previously said that since 2020, over 7,000 clients have benefitted from training in their respective fields, which aims to
build the capacity of small businesses and to contribute to a more robust sector.
McClure had said that grants are meant to serve as a launching pad or start-up initiative, and incentives and loan guarantees offer competitive interest rates and facilitate business expansion by providing access to much-needed capital.
He also said that
the government and the SBB support and investments are geared towards realising growth in the small business sector. It is expected that these businesses would utilise these resources to develop innovative approaches, explore larger markets, and consequently generate greater revenue and employment opportunities.
Boeing woes will not erode workers’ readiness to strike, union says
(Reuters) Boeing's (BA.N), opens new tab financial and production challenges following a January mid-air panel blowout will not change its workers' readiness to strike to make gains in bargaining, a union local president said on Thursday.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents more than 30,000 Washington
state workers building Boeing jets, wants better retirement benefits and wage increases exceeding 40% over three to four years after what it termed years of stagnant earnings.
"We are going to maximise this opportunity no matter what,"
Jon Holden, president of the IAM's District 751 representing the Seattle-area workers, said in an interview with Reuters.
"Our members want
an agreement, they want a good agreement but they are willing to strike if they have to."
IAM workers are scheduled to vote for a strike authorisation mandate on July 17, but they cannot strike before the contract expires on September 12.
Boeing did not respond to a request for comment on the union's potential strike plans.
The planemaker is trying to manage a sprawling crisis that erupted after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines (ALK.N), opens new tab 737 MAX jet on January 5.
Boeing's chief financial officer said last
month the company would burn rather than generate cash in 2024 and deliveries would not increase in the second quarter.
Workers held a noisy rally on Tuesday at Boeing's Renton plant outside Seattle, coinciding with a media visit to showcase quality improvements at the factory.
Holden said the IAM's talks with Boeing have not resolved any significant points yet and the planemaker has pushed back on union demands for higher wages and to gain a seat on the company's board of directors.
"They're not open to it at this point," he said of the board seat. "But it's important for us to continue to push because it is about ensuring that those at the highest level of this company understand that they are missing the voice of workers."
U.S. investigators on Thursday sanctioned the planemaker for revealing details of a probe into the panel blowout incident at the media event, prompting Boeing to apologise.
Holden said he was not aware of changes at the Renton factory described by Boeing to reporters and had not yet seen the plane-
maker's 90-day plan to improve quality that has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration.
He said he expected to get a copy of the plan and had held earlier discussions with Boeing as it was being developed.
"I don't see a difference," Holden said of factory changes. "I haven't seen the 90-day plan yet. We're still trying to get a copy of it."
Boeing said in a statement that it had hosted Holden in its factory multiple times to walk him through its safety and quality plan and to listen to his concerns and feedback.
ExxonMobil’s partners Hess, CNOOC do not require separate petroleum licences
- CCJ rules; case marks first time regional court asked to decide an issue of direct concern to the
By Feona Morrison
IN a landmark decision, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upheld a previous ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, affirming that Hess Guyana Exploration and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana do not require separate petroleum production licences (PPL) from their co-venturer ExxonMobil Guyana to conduct oil production offshore in the Stabroek Block.
This ruling brings closure to political commentator and activist Ramon Gaskin's bid to challenge the legality of the single PPL issued to ExxonMobil and its partners.
The Chief Justice concluded that because Hess and CNOOC were in a joint venture, their operations would be covered by ExxonMobil Guyana, the operator of the Stabroek Block.
Her ruling, which was upheld by the Guyana Court of Appeal, was further appealed to the CCJ.
ExxonMobil, along with its partners, Hess and CNOOC, operates the offshore 6.6 million-acre Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil Guyana holds a 45 per cent stake, followed by Hess Guyana Exploration with 30 per cent and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana with 25 per cent.
Gaskin had questioned the legality of the PPL, arguing that the two companies should be issued separate licences.
Only ExxonMobil had secured an environmental authorisation, and Gaskin contended that under the Environmental Protection Act, Hess and CNOCC required separate environmental permits before the two corporations could be given PPLs.
The activist was seeking an order of certiorari quashing the Minister of Natural Resources granting of a PPL to the oil companies, on the basis that the single PPL granted to ExxonMobil could not cover Hess and CNOOC.
He also sought the following remedies: An order of prohibition to prevent the minister from taking any further steps in exer-
cising any further authority pursuant to the section 35 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act and an order prohibiting the minister from granting any PPL to Hess and CNOOC until environmental authorisations were issued to the companies.
EXXONMOBIL IS THE SOLE
OPERATOR
In a ruling issued Thursday, CCJ Judge Winston Anderson said that the PPL was granted in this case because ExxonMobil was the project's operator and was subject to extensive environmental obligations, which were extended to Hess and CNOOC through joint and several liability.
He reasoned that the grant of the licence to CNOOC and Hess did not render the licence invalid for four reasons.
Firstly, the judge said that the essential requirements under section 14 of the Environmental Protection Act to obtain an Environmental Permit had been satisfied with the grant of the environmental permit to the sole operator of the Liza 1 Project.
Secondly, he noted that it was consistent with international oil and gas industry practice that Exxon
as operator functioned as representative of the joint venturers and that Hess and CNOOC be included within the licence as financial partners to secure financing.
According to him, the three companies shared liability for environmental harm guaranteed by their joint and separate liability.
Lastly, Justice Anderson said that there was no increased risk of harm to the environment under either the precautionary principle or avoidance principle by the inclusion of Hess and CNOOC in the licence.
Interpreting the Environmental Protection Act as a whole and within the context of its objectives and constitutional underpinnings, Justice Anderson concluded that environmental authorisation must be given for the undertaking of a project and that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must be convinced that a developer can fulfil their role and responsibilities and comply with the terms and conditions of the environmental permit.
As sole operator, he said ExxonMobil alone was able to comply with the obligations of the de-
veloper under the Environmental Protection Act. The judge concluded that there was no basis for finding that the Minister acted unlawfully and thus dismissed Gaskin’s appeal.
CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders and CCJ Judge Maureen Rajnauth-Lee delivered concurring judgments. Denys Barrow and Andrew Burgess were the others judges who deliberated on the case. As Gaskin had acted as a public-spirited citizen intent on advancing the constitutional protection of the environment, no costs were awarded against him.
The CCJ said this appeal marked the first occasion on which the regional court has been asked to decide an issue of direct concern to the protection and preservation of the environment.
Seenath Jairam SC, and attorneys Melinda Janki, C V Satram, Mahendra Satram, Ron Motilall, KV Jairam and Sasha Sukhram represented Gaskin. Edward Luckhoo SC, Deputy Solicitor General Deborah Kumar, and attorney Eleanor Luckhoo defended the Natural Resources Minister.
Appearing for the add-
ed respondents Exxon, CNOOC and HESS were Andrew Pollard SC and attorney Nigel Hughes. Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin and Frances Carryl appeared for the EPA.
Exxon, CNOOC, and Hess formed a consortium to find and exploit petroleum from an area offshore Guyana known as the Stabroek Block. Pursuant to section 10 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, the Government of Guyana, represented by the Minister responsible for petroleum, entered into a Petroleum Agreement with the consortium dated June 27, 2016.
The Petroleum Agreement was a production sharing agreement whose objective was the exploration for and production of petroleum in geographical areas covered by the Agreement. This 2016 Agreement, which followed the 1999 Petroleum Agreement between Guyana and Exxon, is a complex and detailed contractual document covering a number of matters.
On July 5, 2016, ExxonMobil applied to the EPA for an environmental permit for the project pursuant to the Environmental
Protection Act.
ExxonMobil was required to conduct an environmental impact assessment. The environmental impact assessment also included a Revised Oil Spill Response Plan and Wildlife Response Plan dated June 1, 2017 which is subject to the terms and conditions of the environmental permit.
Then on June 1, 2017, the EPA approved ExxonMobil’s application and granted the company an environmental permit for the project.
On June 15, 2017, further to the agreements in the Petroleum Agreement, and pursuant to section 35 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, the Minister of Natural Resources issued to Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC a licence in respect of the Liza 1 Petroleum Production Area.
The licence granted the consortium exclusive rights to carry on prospecting and production operations, sell or otherwise dispose of petroleum, and carry on other necessary works. Under the terms of the Petroleum Agreement and the licence, Exxon is the sole operator of the project.
Raymond Gaskin
CCJ President Adrian Saunders CCJ Judge Maureen Rajnauth-Lee
CCJ Judge Winston Anderson
CCJ Judge Andrew Burgess
CCJ Judge Denys Barrow
Navigating Complexities
The recent statement from Guyana's Ministry of Finance regarding the US sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) underscores the intricate dance of international diplomacy and legal co-operation.
The Government of Guyana's response highlights its commitment to transparency and due process while also revealing the bureaucratic hurdles inherent in such international matters.
When the US Department of Treasury sanctioned certain Guyanese individuals and entities on June 11, it sent shockwaves through the nation's political and economic landscape. In the
wake of these sanctions, the Guyanese government swiftly sought to engage with US authorities, signaling a proactive approach to understanding and addressing the allegations.
The Ministry of Finance, alongside the Guyana Revenue Authority, initiated requests for information under the Tax Information Exchange Agreement between Guyana and the US. This move was not only a testament to Guyana's adherence to international agreements but also an effort to maintain the integrity of its financial and legal systems. However, the update from the ministry reveals the complexity and often
frustratingly slow pace of international legal processes.
The need for the Attorney General's office to formally request information from the US Department of Justice, which will then coordinate with OFAC, illustrates the layered and procedural nature of such investigations.
This is a reminder that international co-operation, while essential, is often encumbered by formalities that can delay swift resolution.
The reliance on the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance and the Tax Information Exchange Agreement highlights the frameworks in place to facilitate such cooperation. These agreements
are designed to ensure that nations can work together to combat tax evasion, fraud, and other financial crimes.
Yet, their effectiveness is contingent on the willingness and efficiency of the parties involved. The ministry's assurance that the process will be aided by these agreements is hopeful, but it also leaves room for skepticism given the potential for delays.
The Government of Guyana's commitment to transparency is commendable. Keeping the public informed about the steps being taken and the processes involved is crucial in maintaining trust. However, the statement also subtly hints at the challenges
ahead. The mention of the potentially lengthy process is a realistic acknowledgment that resolution may not come swiftly.
In a broader context, this situation underscores the importance of robust international legal and financial systems. Sanctions, while necessary tools for enforcing international norms and penalising misconduct, must be complemented by effective mechanisms for information sharing and legal co-operation. Without these, sanctions risk being seen as punitive measures lacking in due process.
Guyana's handling of this situation is a reminder to other nations of the im-
portance of having strong, transparent systems in place to manage such crises. As the process unfolds, it will be crucial for all parties involved to prioritise efficiency, fairness, and transparency to ensure justice is served and trust in international co-operation is upheld.
The success of this endeavour will hinge on the effectiveness of international agreements and the co-operation of all parties involved. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of international law and the necessity for robust, co-operative frameworks to address such issues effectively.
President Ali made mincemeat of the PNC at the Leonora outreach
Dear Editor,
PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali held yet another successful outreach programme, this time at his Leonora residence in Region Three last Monday from 16:00 hrs.
It was attended by a mammoth crowd representing the eager faces of Guyanese, who thronged his lawns in order to interact with their home-grown President and talk face-to-face with him about their personal difficulties, and the problems affecting their communities.
Accompanying his Excellency were members of his Cabinet, including Ministers Ashni Singh, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Deodat Indar, along with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Ms. Shannielle Hoosein-Outar; CEO Mr. Saddam Hossain, and a host of other personnel from the President’s Secretariat. Personnel from various Government agencies were also present to assist with Guyanese having issues with NIS, water, electricity, land etc.
The Honourable Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha mustered the crowd with his boisterous and vociferous acco-
lades for the grand turnout by residents in the region at such short notice, and thanked them for their enthusiastic presence, which indicated their support for the Government and the PPP/C. He enumerated on the numerous projects the PPP/C Government have successfully undertaken and completed along with the many achievements which helped to catapult the nation to one of the fastest growing nation in this part of the hemisphere with the highest GDP per capita, in less than four years in office.
Minister Mustapha elaborated the point that the PPP/C has completed its Manifesto as promised during their campaign for the 2020 Election and has even soared beyond its agenda as required. He urged the enthralled crowd which reflected the diversity of Guyana’s population, to reject those who come bearing gifts of false promises and want to deny the democracy this country is now enjoying under the astute management of the Government. He also cautioned the crowd to be wary of those who insist on denouncing the positive strides this Government
has made since taking office from day one in 2020.
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, could have talked nonstop for his regular 8 hours sermon but had to be curtailed due to the arrival of the President and giving way for His Excellency’s presentation.
Nevertheless, in his short but sensational speech and with a crowd already fired up, Minister Singh managed to expound on the deficiencies of the past PNC administration when the PNC were in power from 2015 to 2020. The Finance Minister also explained that the PNC had control of the House from 2011 to 2015 when the PPP/C ruled as a Minority Government with less votes than the combined Opposition.
As such, the PNC destroyed Guyana again from 2011 to 2015 when they stifled all of the PPP/C Government’s programs and did not pass any expenditures to help finance those projects. The Amalia Falls Project and the new Demerara Harbour Bridge could have been a reality by now had the PNC supported those projects. The PNC formative 28 years of reign
(1964-1992), had grounded the nation to economic bankruptcy. Half of the population, including all races and supporters from all parties, were forced to abandon Guyana and seek greener pastures overseas as they ran from PNC paramountcy, dictatorship, poverty, unemployment, food, foreign exchange and drug shortages, crime, corruption, racism and discrimination.
Minister Ashni Singh embellished on the failures of the PNC Government when then President Granger and gang occupied office in 2015 and he even challenged the PNC to say what they did that were positive and progressive for the people and nation from 2015 to 2020.
He emphasized on the crowd by reminding them to look at the hall mark of the modernization and transformation of Leonora which is setting the pace of development in the country, and, a trend setter reflecting the progressive projection of a young nation plotting its way to prosperity.
It was the vernal vigour of a vibrant, virtuous and voracious President Ali, who electrified an already stimulated crowd with
his dynamic vitality, to send the crowd roaring and clapping in high crescendo. The people were swayed with Dr. Irfaan Ali’s persuasive words, wisdom and wits, as he mesmerized the PNC’s senseless insensitivity as they dictate their agenda to stop the development of Guyana.
President Ali proposed his love for the people, the party and the nation, a tradition he inherited from his parents and grandparents, teachings which are profoundly and morally responsible as the catalyst to unite all Guyanese regardless of background, to build a ‘One Guyana.’
President Ali made mincemeat of the PNC’s feeble but fearless attempts as they tried their stained hands to taint the immaculate image of the PPP/C and the Government since Dr. Ali and his Cabinet came into power in 2020. He refuted their deviousness when the PNC tried unsuccessfully to play the race card to divide and conquer the people. That did not work because Guyanese saw through their mischievous plan.
Guyanese became politically conscious especially since the 2020 Elections when the PNC
attempted to rig the elections but failed miserably. Since then, many members have left the PNC Party and crossed the floor. Many more Guyanese are now professing their intentions to vote for the PPP/C rather than the PNC. They listen to their conscience and are convicted by the reality of what the government is doing for all Guyanese. When the race card failed, President Ali charged the PNC of resorting to spreading lies and propaganda. But he cautioned Guyanese not to fall preys to their deceits and expose the wounds created by them. Daily, the PNC are found to be wanting and their corrupted agenda reveal their intentions, dedicated to dismantling all that the PPP/C government have pained for the nation and people.
President Ali reiterated that, the PPP/C Government will always lead with a vision and a mission which guarantee that the PPP/C is committed to building Guyana, unlike the PNC, who is bent on destroying Guyana.
Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
Julian Assange should move to Russia
JULIAN Assange is a person overflowing with experience on the convenient, opportunistic and hypocritical ways in how global democracy works. Mr Assange tried to change the world for the better but he paid a horrendous and tragic price. But it is doubtful Mr. Assange will hang up his gloves.
Humans like Mr. Assange do not easily forgive and forget. Mr. Assange brought out video clips showing American military helicopters in Iraq firing at civilians. The civilians died of course. For that, he lost 14 years of his freedom. The feeling around the world was that President Trump was vindictive in instituting 18 charges against him and that a Democratic Party president would free him.
That was not to be. The only reason Mr. Assange was freed was because the Australian Prime Minister told the American government that Australia cannot accept an innocent Australian being hounded down by the previous American president and that the current American president understand that. Whatever is written about the story behind the scene that led to Assange’s freedom there was in fact no story behind the scene.
The US and Australia are
very close allies, closer than many European countries that worship the American global dominance. What the Australian PM did was to use non-nonsense but quiet diplomacy to get the Americans to listen to him. Naturally the Americans were insensitive but there is no doubt that the Aussie PM kept insisting.
What happens now to Assange in Australia is something Assange will know quite profoundly. Assange once exclaimed years ago during the Swedish and American efforts to arrest him that the Australian Prime Minister betrayed him. Several Australian Prime Ministers and Australian Foreign Ministers supported the American efforts to have him arrested. Then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, once said that Australia is offering “every assistance” to US authorities in their investigation of Assange.
It is doubtful Assange will avoid politics and live a quiet life. Hundreds of millions of people around the world expect Assange to continue his whistle-blowing activities. But should he do so and rub the American security system the wrong way what happens to him if the US complains and Australia has a right-wing, pro-American government (no country in the European Union
is more pro-American than Australia- Australia should become the 51st state of the US) and Mr. Trump is in the White House?
For this reason Mr. Assange needs to live outside the Western hemisphere. His best shot is Russia. Should Mr. Trump wins the US presidency and Australia has a fanatical right-wing Prime Minister, Mr. Assange could end up in an American jail. Brazil is not an option is President Lula is not in office. China is not a reliable place if the Americans request Assange and he is in China. The whole of Europe is out. European countries will extradite Assange if Trump issues such an order.
I cannot think of any country except Cuba, Russia and Byelorussia where Assange will be safe if Mr. Trump wins in November and wants to renege on the plea agreement negotiated with Assange and Australia. Presidents and Prime Ministers do not as a policy stay with the decisions their predecessors make. Mr. Trump reversed the Obama treaty with Iran and reversed Obama’s opening up to Cuba. Assange was kicked out of Ecuador after a new president from another party was elected.
What is known is that Assange has more incriminating videos. Knowing how he operates, he would not have
released all that he had. And after his arrest in London, he would have issued instructions to Wikileaks not to release any more stuff for fear of jeopardizing his situation while in prison.
How long he takes before he resumes his whistle-blowing activism is anyone’s guess. It is only natural he will want to spend extensive time with his two boys that he has not seen. And after his resumption, he may write a book and go on a lecture tour. But knowing the pas -
sion of Assange, he will go after countries that he thinks are doing harm to global democracy that they profess to protect. That instinct is in his DNA.
As soon as he begins a new stint of whistle-blowing, Julian Assange should call it “George” and move to Russia. It is his safest bet.
President Putin and the West are now permanently split.
I don’t think in decades to come Russia will seek friendly relations with the West.
Against that background
should Assange be targeted by any Western country based on what he has released, he will be arrested. If he is in Russia, they can’t touch him. One thing for sure, he will teach Wikileaks newcomers how to hack. He is a genius in that art.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Silvio Simac in Guyana
ALTHOUGH he had barely been here a day, Silvio Simac said it has been “a very warm experience so far". The martial arts action star, who arrived in Guyana Monday night, already announced in an interview Wednesday that he wants to return to this country with his family.
His enthusiasm is fuelled by a trip on Tuesday, with Amazon Rainforest Tours Guyana, to the Arrowpoint Nature Resort, nestled in the ancestral lands of the Santa Mission Amerindian community. He was enamored of the lush vegetation along the way and the peace and quiet, “away from the
noise". His pleasure at 'dipping into' all things local was apparent as he spoke of his enjoyment
of Guyanese food and not backing off of the spicy flavours owing to his familiarity with Indi-
an and Asian cuisine. Fresh from a meditational retreat in Thailand, with others from
on his own to give up all forms of sweet, especially candies and chocolate, on Thursday and Friday of each week.
Simac's own decision to take up martial arts came when he was 11 years old, after a bloody fight with his 13-yearold brother. It became the "turning point" in his life, as they opted to properly learn this fighting style.
around the world, the actor says that even their cell phones were confiscated to reduce contact with the outside world.
The Croatian-born star, who has spent most of his life in England, now wants to repeat the rainforest experience here with his partner, Nikki and nine-year-old son, Skyler. He smilingly refers to their family unit as “a synergy of a trio" and travels with his son whenever he can, exposing the youngster to diverse cultures, terrains and foods.
This personable body- building champion considers his role as a father to be his “biggest and proudest duty" in life, marveling at the discipline of his young son, who has followed in his footsteps.
“He has been practising martial arts since he was three...and got his black belt last December", says the proud father, who realises that his son has been influenced by his own approach to dietary discipline. Showing a maturity beyond his years, the boy decided
He recalls, “The first time I walked into a dojo I said, ' I want to be a black belt'." He has achieved great things since then.
And while he seeks to be an inspiration to young people, as the iconic martial arts phenom, Bruce Lee, was for him, he credits renowned actors in the discipline, Michael Jai White and Jet Li with providing him with needed mentorship. He recommends sport as a means of combating mental health issues, now being revealed as affecting so many across the globe.
Simac's foray into acting began with a giant leap of faith, when he packed in a good job in the family business to pursue an invitation from an agent to play the role of a stuntman in a movie.
He later felt, as he put it, “This is my calling" and attended acting school to learn all he could. But his journey to fulfilling his dream was far from easy. "I slept on a friend's sofa for two years...no one could know." He recounts, with a rueful smile that he even hid this from his concerned family.
Now, at the pinnacle of his career, the action star refers to martial arts as a way of living, saying, "It's one of the things you don't give up (with age) like other sports...it's physical and spiritual".
Clearly it is a continuing learning experience too, as the 14time British Tai-kwando champion, admits to being "blown away" by techniques developed by fellow Grand Master, Guyanese Max Massiah, himself a nine-time martial arts Hall of Famer, who runs the Maxido dojo here in Guyana. The two have been communicating for two years, though they only met a year ago.
A friendship, built on mutual respect and a deep-seated love of martial arts, brought these champions in their field together and has led Simac to visit Guyana.
One of the highlights of his stay, with engagements over five days, is a Gala Awards dinner and banquet at the Pegasus Hotel at 19:00 hrs, Saturday June 29. All are invited for an admission fee of G$20,000.
The actor's final appearance will be at a three-hour training session, along with Soke Max Massiah, at the Pegasus Savannah Room on Sunday June 30 from 15:00 hrs. Admission is G$5,000 and all are welcome.
I'm sure I speak on behalf of all Guyanese when I welcome Silvio Simac to these shores and look forward to his return accompanied by his family.
‘You
can’t run this country stirring the same issue’
- Dr. Jagdeo grills media entities for ‘major distortion’ of President Ali’s press conference
By Trina Williams
WHILE there is a pressing need for credible reporting of Guyana’s development, personal arrogance has flouted and consumed the media landscape, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.
During a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo grilled those sections of the media that ignored the positives and thorough dissemination of information by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.
While many, especially PPP critics, have constantly called on Dr. Ali to speak, the General Secretary highlighted that when the President spoke, there was the circulation of insignificant issues by some individuals and sections of the media.
“You can’t run a
country by, every day, stirring the same issue; it’s a braindead sort of environment,” the PPP General Secretary firmly said.
He related: “I’m so disappointed that instead of focusing on the substantive issues that he addressed, that an entire section of the media has just been focused on a few issues of a personal nature rather than reporting on the important things for the country.”
For the benefit of the Guyanese people, the PPP General Secretary said that he hoped there would have been an analysis of important issues which were linked to the development of the nation.
“So we had the media, particularly sections of the media talking about first of all, how long the President’s press conference must be and how much time he should speak for. Now that is arrogance on the part
of these media houses,” he said.
Jagdeo then related:
“...With the era of social media, whenever the President speaks or anyone for that matter, there is a whole slew of people out there who can directly hear what the President or the presenter, the person who is convening the press conference is saying. And this is important today, in this era, particularly when you have sections of the media that will never intermediate truthfully what is being said at these press conferences.”
He further said that if it was not for social media where persons can directly tune in, then those sections of the media would have fed the populace a “major distortion” of what was said.
Despite attempts to paint the President in an unflattering light, the PPP General Secretary dismantled this perception that is being
pushed by well-known critics of the PPP.
The PPP General Secretary said that on numerous occasions, Dr. Ali has answered the question of how his administration has boosted disposable income and more so, even he, Dr. Jagdeo, had provided statistics showing that it was actually the PPP/C Government that prioritised the well-being of persons in the
public service with significant increases since 2020.
He had previously told reporters: “We looked at the wages and it’s self-explanatory, the wages between 2014 and 2019, the APNU period, it was a 56 per cent increase, and from 2020 to 2024 it is 66.1 per cent increase.”
Looking at the nominal value, he highlighted that the public sector
wage increased by $83 billion more under the PPP/C administration.
“Increase in 2014 to 2019 was $43 billion so when they started in 2014, by 2019 the wage bill for these three areas had gone up by $43 billion. From 2020 to 2024, the increase has been $83 billion, more than 100 per cent of what APNU gave for the five years,” he said.
PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams Photo)
FAO Chief urges innovation, focus on production, smallholders to tap benefits of agri-food trade
- participates in Global Review of Aid for Trade hosted by WTO in Geneva
GLOBAL hunger is on a “dangerous” rising trajectory and achieving a sustainable and food-secure world requires not just economic policy measures but strong political and social commitments, Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), said recently at a high-level session during the Global Review of Aid for Trade hosted by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva.
stake, said Atangana, who said that clear and binding rules are critical for developing nations and emphasised that Aid-forTrade initiatives must be in the service of helping the supply side and developing production, without which infrastructure has less value.
and storage facilities to improve access to markets by smallholders who produce most of the world’s food and, while major private investors, cannot do everything on their own.
Second is to invest in research, development and innovation – all of which he described as part of the “bottom line for any trade policy” - to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of agrifood systems while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Fair trade practices are part of the promotion of inclusive and equitable growth, he said, noting that trade by nature should be complementary.
The Director-General spoke on a panel with Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Mathieu Guibolo Fanaa, Chad’s Minister of Trade and Industry, and other experts. The discussion focused on how to make trade policy an enhancing variable in achieving global food security goals.
Feeding the world is not just a technical issue but a security challenge with humanity’s future at
Food security should be a priority for the WTO, said Fanaa, adding that this will require increasing agricultural production in Africa, which in turn will require equitable conditions in international markets.
Food security and agricultural trade featured prominently in the breakout sessions of the three-day Aid For Trade conference, with FAO officers participating in several of them.
FIVE POINTS
The Director-General offered five suggestions for how to improve global food insecurity, noting that FAO’s modelling forecasts there will still be nearly 600 million chronically undernourished people in 2030.
First is to support growth by investing in rural infrastructure, including broadband and financial services, roads,
and fostering integrated and sustainable water management and use.
“This is the only way to produce more with less,” he said.
Reducing food loss and waste is a third cardinal point, Qu said.
His fourth point was that the best way to achieve the previous goals is to focus on smallholders and vulnerable populations.
Lastly, stronger global collaboration and governance will be required to achieve a food-secure and sustainable world.
“We have to look after our own planet before it’s too late,” the Director-General said.
NGSA results to be announced next Thursday - Education Minister says
THE results for the 2024 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will be announced next Thursday, according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.
Pupils sat those exams on May 2 and May 3 at schools across the country, and it was announced that the results would be announced on or before July 5.
Manickchand, during a post on her Facebook page, congratulated all the pupils who sat the exams and indicated that they were already winners. Against this backdrop,
she reminded them that schools have limited spaces and some pupils might not be able to make it into their dream schools based on these limited spaces.
However, she said that the ministry’s aim is to ensure that each school across the country provides students with the same high quality of education across the board.
“Our aim is to make sure whichever school you
go to, whichever school you earn, that you can get a solid high-quality education through trained teachers, equal resources like in your dream school, easy access and everything else that would have made your dream school your dream school,” she added.
Previously, the Education Minister declared the exams a massive success, as it was conducted without any hiccups.
Manickchand said that over the period, based on preliminary numbers, there was a 95 per cent attendance registered as numbers from far-flung regions had not been reported at that time. However, she noted that there was a three per cent absentee rate which the ministry hopes to decrease in the future.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand
Gov’t does not intend to participate financially in second major gas project - Dr. Jagdeo says
WITH Guyana’s second major gas project requiring billions in investments, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the government does not intend to participate financially, at this stage, to advance this major project.
His revelation comes in light of announcements that the government has identified Fulcrum LNG, a United States energy company, as the potential partner to develop Guyana’s untapped gas resources.
According to a release, the Ministry of Natural Resources has engaged the US company along with ExxonMobil to advance this major project, with discussions in a preliminary stage.
“At this stage, we don’t have any intention to participate financially, as owners.
Because that means putting aside large sums of money into the venture, which we don’t have, and secondly, it’s a risky undertaking,” Dr. Jagdeo said on Thursday during a press conference at Freedom House in direct response to a reporter.
The government plans to use and profit from all the associated gas resources in the Stabroek Block to bring in more revenue for the country and offer new opportunities for the people of Guyana.
Jagdeo reminded reporters that the administration was determined to move forward with the project, with or without Exxon, and would engage a capable independent third-party operator to collaborate with ExxonMobil or carry out the project independently. Consequently, Request
for Bids (RFB) for the design, financing, construction, and operation of essential gas infrastructure to support upstream developments in Guyana were published both locally and internationally.
In response, 17 companies, including the US energy firm, submitted proposals. The US energy firm was identified as the most responsive and compliant bidder, ranking No.1.
As a result, Fulcrum LNG was selected as the company that will support the government and the Stabroek Block operator, ExxonMobil, in utilising the non-associated gas.
“The most comprehensive proposal came from Fulcrum and they had some of the top US companies as their partners. You had McDermott, who’s the lead
contractor as part of this company. You had Baker Hughes as part of this company…these are some of the top companies in the world…they had clearly the best proposal,” the General Secretary affirmed.
Now that the partners are fully interested, Dr. Jagdeo said that the government intends to push fully, the project.
He noted that there was no conflict of interest regarding questions about Fulcrum LNG’s CEO, Jesus Bronchalo since he had severed all ties with ExxonMobil, where he served as vice president.
“Exxon has confirmed
that there is no conflict of interest here. They said if he had stayed on and was getting benefits from the company, then there would have been a conflict. But he resigned some time ago from Exxon, and therefore there is no conflict of interest,” Dr. Jagdeo further underscored.
He added, “Now, people raise questions of start-ups, this is a new company…. but when you look at the partners…these are massive companies.”
The Guyana government has openly stated that one of its primary objectives in the oil and gas sector is the development of the country’s natural gas resources. As a
result, shortly after taking office in August 2020, the government began work on the gas-to-shore project. This project is expected to reduce electricity costs by at least 50 per cent and spur significant economic growth, particularly in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
The Natural Resources Ministry has made it clear that the government intends to advance transparently, the development of the infrastructure needed to harness Guyana’s vast resources in the interest of national development and the Guyanese people. (DPI)
Amanza, Roysdale drop out of race for position of PNCR Leader
LEADER of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton now has a clear path to victory after his fellow contenders bowed out of the race one day before the opening of the party’s overdue congress.
Both Amanza Walton-Desir and Roysdale Forde “suspended” their campaigns on Thursday due to what they claimed are alleged irregularities and lack of transparency surrounding the congress.
In a letter, Forde said that despite several written communications addressed to the Central Executive Committee and the General Secretary regarding concerns about the integrity of the electoral processes for the party’s elections, he did not receive any response.
He went on to say: “There have been noticeable irregularities
concerning the list of delegates, which raise serious concerns about the transparency of the election process,” adding: “Unreasonable timelines have been imposed to meet certain requirements for holding the congress, which have placed undue pressure and constraints on the democratic process.”
Forde also said that party members from various regions across the country have expressed dissatisfaction with the extremely limited time provided to organise logistics to
attend and effectively participate in the Congress.
“Further, my decision is rooted in the fundamental principles of accountability, transparency and democratic governance, which I believe are essential for the integrity of the party’s electoral processes,” he said.
Additionally, Walton-Desir said that her decision was “incredibly difficult” but one that was made after “deep reflection and extensive discussions” with her team and close advisors.
of our party and while I believe it is vital to address these concerns, I also recognise the importance of doing so in a manner that preserves our unity and strength.”
liams cited a number of reasons including the lack of preparation for the party’s upcoming congress, along with financial and membership discrepancies.
Walton-Desir said that the recent developments have raised serious concerns about the process.
She said: “As of the morning of June 27, 2024, one day before the commencement of our Congress, a preliminary list of delegates has not been made available to me as a candidate to allow for claims or objections and further, there is a lack of agreement among all candidates contesting on the procedures for conducting the elections.”
She went on to say: “These and several other issues necessitate careful consideration and resolution to ensure the continued integrity
Additionally, just a few days before the party’s overdue congress, Dawn Hastings-Williams had tendered her resignation from the post of General Secretary of the PNCR.
Hastings-Williams called it quits with the party and admitted that she was a “rubberstamp” while serving as General Secretary.
Although her position is crucial to the party and its elections, Norton, in an invited comment, told the Guyana Chronicle that Hastings-Williams’ resignation will not affect the party’s congress.
The PNCR has been plunged into a state of confusion and disunity, especially with it battling a mountain of allegations regarding numerous infractions.
In the letter of resignation, Hastings-Wil -
She said: “With all the administrative task[s] that has [sic] to be undertaken by the secretariat, I believe that the one-month period for preparation for such a congress can lead to confusion rather than having a fair and transparent process and outcome.”
While the General Secretary has to be integrated in every aspect as it relates to the preparation for congress, Hastings-Williams said that in many instances, this has not been happening.
Notably, on the PNCR’s Nomination Day, Norton secured 177 nominations: Walton-Desir got nine nominations; Forde got 20; Volda Lawrence, one; Gary Best, two; Carl Greenidge got four and Simona Broomes got two nominations.
Canefield gets new $56M health centre
RESIDENTS of Canefield and surrounding East Canje, Berbice communities will now benefit from the services of a newly commissioned $56 million health centre.
The modern facility will offer essential healthcare services, including primary care,
do that then at every level of health care, we have to ensure that we make investments and build good facilities. But not only the facilities, we must have the people who are going to be running the facilities, [and] the equipment, so that when persons come, they can get good
“What we don’t want is having built the facility, that when residents come here to access care, they are having difficulty. That is what we must avoid. We can’t make such an investment and then we don’t have the services to go with the investment,” he said.
maternal and child health, and chronic disease, reducing the need for long-distance travel to the regional hospital.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted that the medical outpost is part of a wider government agenda to provide a world-class healthcare system.
“If we are going to
treatment,” Dr. Anthony stated. He pointed out that while constructing such facilities is straightforward, maintaining and providing high-quality service can be challenging. As such, the health minister urged the staff to ensure that everyone who accesses services receives the best possible care.
provide.”
Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Vishalya Sharma emphasised the importance of qual-
The minister highlighted cases where residents could not access a health post because the gate was locked or they were turned away with excuses like equipment not working.
Minister Anthony emphasised, “That’s not what we are building this facility for. We want people to come, have access, and get the service that we want to
ity healthcare service, noting that it is essential to tackling illnesses and diseases.
Dr. Sharma said the
new facility reinforces the government’s commitment to strengthening the primary healthcare network. (DPI)
Residents of Canefield and surrounding East Canje, Berbice communities will now benefit from the services of a newly commissioned $56 million health centre
90% of the teachers return to the classroom
SOME 90 per cent of the teachers, from nursery, primary, and secondary
schools countrywide, turned out to their classrooms this week, demonstrating their commitment towards the welfare of their students.
This statistic was provided to the Department of Public Information (DPI) by the Ministry of Education on Thursday.
The development emanates from the conciliation efforts between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).
According to the pact inked on June 21, both parties agreed on several conditions for the resumption of work by all teachers, thereby ending the nationwide strike by some educators.
The release also high-
lighted that there must be no victimisation and no loss of service for teachers or educators.
Furthermore, it stated that teachers or educators will return to their respective positions that they had before the strike started.
The countrywide industrial action by teachers commenced on February 5, surrounding a proposal for an increase in wages and salaries along with other interventions.
Over the years, the PPP/C government has remained committed to transforming the education sector, which is seen in the investments and initiatives towards the welfare of teachers and students.
Some 90 per cent of the teachers, from nursery, primary, and secondary schools countrywide, turned out to their classrooms this week, demonstrating their commitment towards the welfare of their charges
Five Guyanese successfully complete rigorous ‘search, rescue’ programme
Five Guyanese are now well equipped with the requisite skills to function as members of a Search & Rescue (SAR) Rear Crew, following the completion of a rigorous training programme, which lasted for six and a half months
FIVE Guyanese are now well-equipped with the requisite skills to function as members of a Search & Rescue (SAR) Rear Crew, following the completion of a rigorous training programme, which lasted for six and a half months.
Their commitment to this programme was acknowledged during a graduation ceremony at the OHI/Omni Helicopters Hanger, Ogle Airport, on Wednesday evening.
In an address on behalf of the graduates, Ishwar Parhbu, one of the participants, told the gathering that they were exposed to a rigorous and dynamic training programme hinged primarily on their physical ability in the water, from icy cold to humid temperatures which tested their reach.
He added that they started their training, which was made possible through a partnership between Omni Helicopters and ExxonMobil, in a pool to hone their skills in swimming after which they were introduced to the more complex search and rescue methods via the helicopter using the basket method.
Prabhu related that as a team, the participants bonded for the common purpose, and they encouraged each other through a moral support system to become successful.
Daniel Yorris, another participant, spoke about the training journey and heaped praises on the training team of five that guided them throughout the process.
Owing to their success, he said it was time to apply the knowledge to embrace change for growth as a team. Yorris related that they
will equip themselves with empathy and integrity to fulfill their mandate as a crucial team that supports rescue helicopters.
During the ceremony, the five graduates were presented their certificates for successfully completing the programme.
Giving an overview of the course, Chris Mackay said the five graduates successfully completed an extensive training programme to prepare them for the tasks ahead.
He related that their training began in January this year, and the aim was to equip the Guyanese team with crucial skills through exposure to extreme environments both locally and overseas.
They received hands-on training on land and in the water under the guidance of expert trainers.
Omni Country Manager, Peter Gay, told the gathering that the Helicopter Search and Rescue Course was a highly coordinated training programme geared towards sharing expertise.
He pointed out that at Omni Helicopters, 50 per cent of the workforce is Guyanese and the company remains committed to promoting partnerships to outfit the locals with the required training they need for maximum on-the-job performance with the company.
Director of Omni Helicopter, Gerald Gouveia Jr., in his remarks, said he was very pleased with the OHI/ ExxonMobil partnership to make the programme a possibility.
He urged the group to set high standards for others to follow, and by leading by example, they will follow
the Omni helicopters way of excellence with safety first. The training team which was also instrumental in per-
forming a life-saving evacuation of a patient suffering from cardiac arrest, via helicopter, was awarded for
their team effort and medical intervention in saving a life.
The persons equipped with the crucial skills
are Parhbu, Yorris, Kevin Sawh, Curt Mendonca, and the lone female, Johnelle Ogle.
Fisheries production increased by 37.8 per cent in 2023
FOLLOWING a period of declined catches, which was due to several reasons including climate change, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha disclosed that in 2023 36,396 MT for seafood was harvested in the fishing industry, representing an increase of 37.8 per cent.
Minister Mustapha made this disclosure while addressing fisherfolk from across the country who gathered at the Uitvlugt Community Centre to observe Fisherfolk Day 2024. This year’s event was held under the theme, “Protecting Livelihoods, establishing a Safe and Sustainable Environment for our Fisherfolk”.
While delivering remarks, the minister said that fishing remains an extremely dangerous profession and commended the nation’s fisherfolk for the sacrifices made for their family and the country.
“We must commend and applaud our fisherfolk for the sacrifices they make by braving the elements at sea to earn a living and provide citizens with affordable and nutritious sources of protein. As a government, we are positioning this country to
- $75M contract signed to refurbish Meadow Bank wharf; additional $50M landing site, vending area
be a major food producer and exporter in CARICOM and you have a very important role to play in these efforts.
In 2023, 36,396 MT of seafood was harvested in the fishing industry representing an increase of 37.8%. The aquaculture industry is also doing well. Last year, that sector grew by 75%. If we match these production figures with the earnings, you will see that in 2023, the sector earned US $54 million,” he noted.
He also said that since the government took office,
systems have been put in place to ensure fisherfolk have greater representation and a stronger voice in policy-making processes.
“Since our return to government, significant strides have been made to enhance the fisheries sector through initiatives aimed at improving safety, increasing sustainability, and ensuring economic security for our fisherfolk. In recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture has worked tirelessly to bolster the resilience of our fishing communities. With the
establishment of the Guyana National Fisherfolk Organisation, we have empowered our fisherfolk with greater representation and a stronger voice in policy-making processes. We’ve also resuscitated and enhanced all fishing vessel landing sites across the country. That was a programme initiated by President Ali,” Minister Mustapha explained.
The minister also said that the government is currently expending large sums of money to rehabilitate facilities like the Meadow
Bank wharf and the surrounding vending and landing areas.
“Only last week, we signed a contract valued at approximately $75 million for the refurbishing of the Meadow Bank wharf. An additional $50 million will also be expended to develop the areas around the landing site at the wharf to enhance the aesthetic. These upgrades will include the construction of sheds, water facilities, and stalls for persons who sell fish and other seafood there,” he explained.
Last March, President Ali visited the Meadow Bank wharf which is currently utilised by approximately 42 fishermen several vendors, and other stakeholders. During his visit, the Head of State instructed that a design for the necessary upgrades be completed and submitted within two weeks.
Meanwhile, FAO Country Director Dr. Gillian Smith said that the impacts of climate change, the degradation of fishing habitats, and the intersection of fisheries activities with other activities have an impact on the fisheries sector on a global scale.
“We know as we go for-
ward that the fishing sector is not an easy sector; it’s not an easy sector to make a living in. When you make a living, you make a good living. When things are bad, they are really bad. There are also all sorts of other things that impact global fisheries and I am sure that for Guyana, they are not so different. Climate change and the impacts of climate change, degradation of fishing habitats, and the intersection of fisheries activities with other activities…all these are impacting fisheries on a global scale have an impact on the fisheries sector on a global scale,” Dr. Smith said. She also encouraged the fisherfolk present to collaborate with stakeholders and collaborators and to cooperate with the technical officers and each other to meet the local and global demand for fish and other seafood. Since taking office, the government has been working assiduously to enhance the livelihoods of fisherfolk across the country. In May 2022, President Ali announced a one-off $150,000 relief grant for fisherfolk; an initiative that benefited approximately 7,500 fisherfolk. (DPI)
Guyanese, Dr. Doobay, among 83 persons to be inducted into prestigious Order of Canada
GUYANESE doctor and entrepreneur, Budhendranauth
Doobay is among a list of over 80 persons announced to be granted the Order of Canada.
mentor is said to be the only Guyanese to hold both the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada.
He is hailed as a philanthropist and humanitarian, and is also the founder of the Doobay Medical and Research Centre in Guyana.
The list includes Canadian Pop-punk musician Avril Lavi -
The Order of Canada is the second highest Canadian state honour which was established in 1967 and celebrates outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions.
A media statement from Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon said: “The Order of Canada recognises individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada, or who have brought honour to our country abroad.”
Dr. Doobay, a retired cardiovascular surgeon, religious leader and
gne who, according to CBC, has been made a member of the order to mark her career success and work in supporting persons with serious illnesses and disabilities.
Also being inducted to the order is the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz who also served as the president and CEO of Export Development Canada.
Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay
MoM launches empowerment, mentorship programme in Lethem
APPROXIMATELY 50 youths residing in Lethem, Region Nine, are set to gain valuable tenets and skillsets necessary for their upbringing, through the Men on Mission’s (MoM) second Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Programme.
Children, aged five years and older, will benefit from a comprehensive support system that includes exciting after-school activities. These exercises encompass academic assistance, counselling, and motivation sessions.
The initiative was officially launched at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Training Centre by the Min-
students.
“I’m very happy about this…It will bring positive change because our boys come from different villages and backgrounds,” Michael stated.
School Welfare Officer, Matthias Thomas, believes that the programme should be continuous since it had the potential for positive development.
He said, “This is not something that you should start and stop. Once you get children involved…and they put most of their trust into something…it can make a change.”
first thing. Secondly, you have to be committed, you have to be dedicated and, importantly, you have to be disciplined. Discipline is something that is lacking in our society today,” he emphasised.
MoM’s Programme Coordinator, Col. Sheldon Howell stressed the programme’s significance, which he noted was a commitment to youths, both male and female and Guyana’s future.
Georgetown, targeting 36 youths.
The MoM’s mentorship programme aims to shape future generations and leaders for the nation’s development
and prosperity while addressing pressing societal ills.
Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock; Regional Executive Officer, Karl Singh; MoM’s Secretary Major
Part of the goal, he detailed, is to equip young people with the tools and knowledge to solve complex problems, while promoting education and positive societal change.
Approximately 50 youths residing in Lethem, Region Nine, are set to gain valuable tenets and skillsets necessary for their upbringing, through the Men on Mission’s (MoM) second Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Programme
ister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, on Wednesday.
Conceptualised by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, several parents and residents of Lethem welcomed the programme.
They expressed their support while interacting with the Department of Public Information (DPI), noting its potential to bring positive change within the community.
Staff at the St Ignatius Secondary School Dormitory, Betsy Michael, said she was excited that the programme was being rolled out, especially since it will benefit her
Nikita Paulin stated that the initiative will benefit her 13-year-old son, explaining that he will be involved in meaningful activities.
In his keynote speech, Minister Bharrat emphasised that the MoM programme goes beyond constructing homes for the less privileged, but tackles various societal challenges from the grassroots.
The minister urged young people to prioritise their education and stay committed to their studies. He highlighted the pivotal role education plays in their future success.
“You must stay in school and be educated; that’s the
“It is launched with deep collaboration with the private sector…The private sector is meant to be the catalyst for this initiative and its sustainability,” he said.
Meanwhile, MoM’s Coordinator, Lt. Col Bhageshwar Murli, emphasised the programme’s mission to empower youths to reach their fullest potential through job readiness, emotional intelligence, and self-confidence.
According to him, the initiative is scheduled to be rolled out in Regions Five and Six soon.
A similar programme is being implemented in
Marvin Simpson, and President’s Youth Advisory Council Representative, Dr Josh Khanai, also attended the launching ceremony. (DPI)
Amity Schools Steelband Festival set for Sunday at Seawall Esplanade
By Telesha Ramnarine
THE Amity Schools Steelband Festival, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts, is back again with some of the best school bands across the country coming together this Sunday to perform for the public at the Seawall Esplanade in Kingston.
Across Guyana, there are currently 18 steelpan bands and, each year, the Botanical Gardens would be the venue of choice for
a concert. This year though, organisers have changed the location to allow for a smoother and more enjoyable show.
For one thing, the seawall area attracts a lot of people and also in the event of some wet weather; it wouldn’t affect the proceedings as much.
“It will also allow for a more interactive setting where you can go and sit with the bands or stand around to see them play. While they will be on a main stage, there are times
when you will get an opportunity to interact with them,” Joel Gonsalves, Education Officer – Music, shared with Buzz this week.
An exciting afternoon is expected with performances from the reigning champions Berbice High School, along with bands from President’s College, Dolphin Secondary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High, St. Roses High and West Demerara Secondary.
“These schools will be entertaining the public free of cost. It is a variety of music. Some of them will go old school; there will be a lot of patriotic songs and we will lead all the way up to present day. We will see steel pan in action and I want to see the youths in action,” Gonsalves expressed.
President’s College will be opening the show with a bang, going completely retro. The show will begin at 14:00 hours and go up to 18:00 hours, thus allowing
adequate time for each band’s performance.
According to the Ministry of Education, the art form of steelpan playing has its origin in the Caribbean. “History has shown that it is the only musical instrument invented in the early nineteenth century. Studies have shown that music education at an early age greatly increases the likelihood that a child will grow up to seek higher education. In addition, students who had an exposure to music made better team
players in the workforce,” the ministry said.
“The relationship between music education and better performance in life is not accidental. If we want to continue as a creative society, finding solutions to the ever-changing world, we need to expose our children to the arts. Music will help to shape our culture and it is the great equalizer among people of different racial, social and economic backgrounds,” it added.
Eight schools from across Guyana will be performing on Sunday
Joel Gonsalves, Education Officer – Music
An exciting afternoon is expected with performances from the reigning champion, Berbice High School and the other bands
East Coast ‘policing group’ ready to bring the community together with first Duck Curry Competition
THE 4C2 Division Community Policing Group (CPG) is ready for its fun-day tomorrow featuring a grand Duck Curry Competition and ‘Fish and Chips,’ the proceeds of which usually go towards community enhancement and offsetting some of the expenses of the CPG.
The CPG, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, would often raise funds to get its work done mostly acquiring help from volunteers and businesses which wish to lend support.
The June 29 entertainment event, featuring live performances, is aiming to bring the community together, and folks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and members from various community policing groups have been invited to take part.
Charlie Derichand has been the Divisional Chairman for the past four years,
although having been in community policing for over 25 years. His group is responsible for communities from the arch at Industry to the concrete bridge at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. It is the first duck curry competition that the CPG is attempting although they
conduct other activities like bar-b-ques and Spelling B competitions, among others, to raise funds.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has donated trophies for the event and SOL donated cooking gas. So far, eight persons/groups have indicated their interest
in participating, although Derichand said it is likely more persons will come on board at the last minute.
The event, beginning at 14:00 hours, will be held at the Chateau Margot base (the old Guyana Police Force Training complex) and the entrance fee is $10,000. En-
tertainment will be provided by Jammerz Family, DJ Golden Chyld, Mix Nash and others.
Derichand is also the Treasurer for the National Community Policing which governs the entire community policing in the country.
According to the GPF,
community policing is a philosophy and an organisational strategy that promotes partnership between the people of the community and the police. It is based on the premise that both the police and the community must work together to identify, prioritise and solve contemporary problems such as crime, drugs, fear of crime, social problems, and other forms of disorder with the goal of improving the quality of life in the community.
The concept behind the establishment of these committees was based on the premise that regardless of how efficient and technologically equipped a Police Force might strive to become, its task of dealing effectively with crime and lawlessness would be made extremely difficult if it lacks the support of the public it serves.
Purple Arts Productions to host 2024 children’s drama workshop from July 6
VETERAN actress in the local entertainment industry and Director of Purple Arts Productions, Simone Dowding, is currently in the process of registering the children who will participate in her annual Children’s Drama Workshop after school closes.
This year being the 11th workshop, the training will commence on July 6 and run until August 31 at Theatre Guild in Kingston.
Dowding told Buzz this week that she will be going with between 20 and 25 participants as she normally would since the children’s drama event got started.
Thanks to support from Theatre Guild and Continental Group of Companies, Dowding is looking forward to hosting the workshop again which she said provides numerous benefits to the children, including improving their boldness and teaching them the fundamental aspects of drama.
Children’s drama
therapy, stage breathing, stage geography, and how to master the art of listening, are just some of the topics on the agenda for the workshop which will be on from 10:00 hrs to noon during the period, with children ranging from nine to 16 years old.
The art of costume and stage management, playwriting, directing, and acting will also be taught by Dowding who has many decades of experience in the industry.
Having graduated from the E.R Burrowes School of Art and other institutions, she ended up with a total of 13 certificates and won Theatre Guild’s
cure Dowding’s help in finding the right children to perform, and she couldn’t be prouder of the fact that it is her training that helps them be less shy and learn the skills necessary.
The lessons are mostly practical because Dowding said she doesn’t like to burden the children with literature.
Best Actress Award in 2012 for the play ‘Old Story Times’.
Companies and others wishing to do advertisements would se -
The workshop usually culminates in a grand show called ‘Emerge’, which features a production that is done entirely by the participants.
Through her company, Dowding works primarily with children and seeks to provide them
with opportunities that she said she never enjoyed as a child. Having worked on the popular production ‘Link Show’ over the years, Dowding has produced ‘House of Pressure’, ‘Miriamy’, ‘Eleventh Finger’, and ‘Jezebel’, among other shows.
Reflecting on the genesis of the workshop, Dowding said she wanted to do something in theatre after being trained for many years and she eventually formed the company with the introduction of the children’s workshop.
Chairman of the 4C2 Division CPG, Charlie Derichand
The latest effort by the CPG to support a fire victim
Veteran actress and Director of Purple Arts Productions, Simone Dowding
The workshop teaches children the fundamental aspects of drama
Children aged nine to 16 are catered for
J’can short story, ‘Ocoee’, being considered for big screen
JAMAICA’S 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner, Kwame McPherson, says his award-winning story, ‘Ocoee’, is under consideration for adaptation into a television series or film.
McPherson made the announcement recently while speaking on a panel discussing the topic, ‘Harnessing the Power of Jamaica’s Creative Industries and Sport
for National Development’, at the 10th Jamaica Biennial Diaspora Conference, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.
The session explored the utilisation of Jamaica’s sport,
art and cultural resources as catalysts for sustainable growth and development, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and actionable initiatives among stakeholders.
McPherson said that he is in negotiation with a film company, which had reached out to him because “they love the story idea and because it is an award-winning story”.
‘Ocoee’ is a mixture of Caribbean folklore and African-American history. He said the company believes that the story can be made into a TV series or adapted for film due to its angles and perspectives.
(Loop News)
Jamaica’s 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner, Kwame McPherson
Shenseea hits multiple charts
EVEN though her sophomore album Never Gets Late Here has fallen off the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, dancehall artiste, Shenseea, continues to make her presence felt on multiple charts globally.
On the German R&B/ Hip-Hop chart, Flava featuring Coi Leray zooms from #28 to #10. Meanwhile, Hit and Run featuring Masicka rises to #2 in Suriname.
Honey Boy by Purple Disco Machine and Benjamin Ingrosso, featuring veteran bassist, Nile Rodgers and Shenseea, which peaked at #2 in Sweden, is steady at #4 for a fourth week. The song backtracks from #9 to #12 in Latvia in its sixth week on the chart.
Speaking of the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers continue to dominate the #1 spot with Legend clocking 232 non-consecutive weeks in pole position.
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy remains at #2, while
Stick Figure occupies #3 and #4 with World on Fire and Set in Stone.
Greatest Hits by UB40 inches up to #5, while Wisdom by Stick Figure improves by rising to #6.
Dutty Classics Collection and Dutty Rock by Sean Paul are #7 and #8, while Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze re-enters at #9.
Bob Marley and the Wailers revisits the chart with Rastaman Vibration at #10.
Even though it was recently certified platinum in Canada and gold in America, Praise Jah in the Moonlight by YG Marley is on its way down on the rhythmic charts.
On Billboard’s R&B/HipHop Airplay, it slides down from #28 to #37 in its 14th week. It got as far as #21. But over on Mainstream R&B/ Hip-Hop Airplay, it tumbles from #22 to #35. It peaked at #16.
Jump by South African singer Tyla, featuring Gunna and dancehall artiste Skillibeng, slips from #28 to #29
on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, while improving from #22 to #19 on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay.
On Hot R&B Songs, Jump moves up from #8 to #7, while on Hot R&B/HipHop Airplay, it inches up from #34 to #33.
On the US Afrobeats Songs chart, Jump revisits its original peak at #3.
Santa by producer Rvssian, featuring Rauw Alejandro and Ayra Starr, continues to make moves. On Global 200, it backtracks from #32 to #36, and it fares better on Global 200 Excluding US by inching up from #28 to #27.
Over on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, Santa rises to a new peak at #7, while stepping up from #7 to #6 on Latin Streaming Songs. Over on Latin Airplay, Santa takes a sleigh ride from #49 to #30 in its second week on the chart.
And on Latin Rhythm Airplay, it is on the move, rising from #16 to #8. (Jamaica Observer)
Shenseea
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Friday June 28, 2024) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Nicholas Pooran- 228 runs
(2) Nicholas Pooran -98 (vs AFG, St. Lucia)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) Which WI claimed most wickets in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024?
(2) Which WI had the best bowling figures in a single match? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Race 1 G T Five Hundred
Race 2 Welaka
Race 3 Highway Robber
Race 4 Delicste
Race 5 Mauna Kea Bound
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Race 7 Dreaming Of Mo
Race 8 Olivia’s Potion
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
FAIRVIEW
0810 hrs Get It Done
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CURRAGH
12:00 hrs Snapdragon
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13:40 hrs Hampshire
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DONCASTER
08:35 hrs Golden Duke
09:10 hrs Consolidation
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India steamrolls England at Providence for final spot
(ESPNCRICINFO) - IN-
DIA'S quest for a world title is well on course. It's been 11 years since they stood on the podium as champions. Now all that separates them from glory is a few hours' time and a fiery South African team.
Rohit Sharma and his men dismantled the defending champions England in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final, bowling them out for a mere 103 after first whacking them around to make 171 in Providence, Guyana. The mismatch from Adelaide 2022 was turned on its head.
Tactical battle in tough conditions
On a pitch like Guyana's - where the pace was slow and the bounce was low - runs square and behind the wicket come at a premium. That's because if a bowling unit is disciplined enough to hit a good length and keep the stumps in play, the batter just cannot force the pace. England planned to shut out half of the outfield to India but they weren't always successful: 69 runs, including eight fours and three sixes, still came from where they shouldn't have, at a strike rate of 192.
Rohit and risk
Within the powerplay period, Rohit was scoring at a strike rate of 133 with shots he was not at all in control of. For context, his overall career strike rate in T20Is is 141. This has been the difference India have been searching for. Don't just bat waiting
for the bad ball. Bat as if everything is a bad ball.
Rohit eventually settled. Since the fourth over, he was in control of 20 of 26 balls and he used that control to great effect, scoring 40 runs including four fours and two sixes. He's accepted that risk is a part of T20 cricket and there's no point being averse to it.
The Rashid recovery India's intent manifested in the form of their batters moving around in the crease. Even a bowler of the calibre of Adil Rashid found it hard to cope and that was a triumph because these were conditions where as a bowler all you had to do was hit a length to target the top of the stumps. The England wristspinner was 2-0-170. But he recovered. On the other side of the second rain break, which consumed 153 minutes of this game's time in total, Rashid decided not to worry about where Rohit and Suryakumar were positioning themselves and instead began to hold a line on off stump. His reward was the wicket of the India captain for 57 off 39. Rashid's final two overs went for only eight runs.
Spin is king
With Rashid done by the 14th over, India held Shivam Dube back believing that the quicks would be taking over. So Buttler found reason to press Liam Livingstone to work, trusting his rightarm all-sorts even at the death. The part-timer finished with figures of 4-0-
24-0. It was sign. If he was proving to be unhittable, Axar, Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja would be as well. India's spin-bowling allrounders had a hand to play in getting them to 171 as well, alongside Hardik Pandya, as they struck three sixes and two fours in the last two overs bowled by Jordan and Archer.
Box office Axar Guyana is spin-friendly. The schedule, as soon as it was announced, suggested India would play there in the semi-final. They packed their squad with spinners. Three of them found place in the XI. Each of them took turns bowling jaffas.
Axar was the game-changer. He came on immediately after Jos Buttler had whacked Arshdeep Singh for three fours in an over and with his very first ball took out the biggest threat. England's captain went down to reverse-sweep the left-arm spinner because really in these conditions you couldn't just sit in and play straight-bat shots. Rohit found the boundary when he took that gamble earlier. Buttler only found a toe-end to Pant.
Each of Axar's first three overs had a wicket off the first ball. Jonny Bairstow once again choosing to stay leg side and getting bowled, and Moeen Ali's England career potentially ending with him unsure of where the ball had gone only to realise it was right there in Pant's hand as he broke
the stumps.
Kuldeep's redemption England were 49 for 4 when Kuldeep got into the act, bamboozling Sam Curran, and then outsmarting Harry Brook. England were the team that took him down so hard he went off into white-ball wilderness after the 2019 ODI World Cup. Here, against a bat-
ter coming after him, and with unconventional shots to boot, he didn't panic. Kuldeep saw Brook going down to reverse-sweep, so he shifted the line onto leg stump, and left him in a tangle, the flatter trajectory and the quicker pace also playing a part in ball evading the swing of the bat and crashing into the stumps behind.
As further sign of their impending defeat, England's last recognised batter, Livingstone, was run-out after a mix-up with the lower order. The defending champions yielded their crown, with six of them making single-digit scores and none of them going past 25.
National Junior Singles Badminton Tourney… Robinson is among the players to qualify for finals on night two
The GBA’s National Junior Tournament sponsored by the NSC, continued last night at the National Gymnasium with matches being competed in the quarterfinals and some semi-finals.
The penultimate night saw some riveting on-court action as Jonathan Robinson beat Gabriel Felix 21-17, 1921, 21-17 to qualify for last night’s Boys Under-19 Final.
The pair used excellent lobs and drop shots and
demonstrated good use of the court as they engaged each other with Robinson taking the first set 21-17 before Felix stepped up the intensity to level the scores 2 all with a 21-19 win in the second set.
However, Robinson, the son of former National Badminton player Grandison Robinson, would win the third set 21-17 to take the keenly contested semi-final.
In another entertaining
match-up, Joanathan Debidin easily disposed of Nikolas Pollard 21-11, 21-6 to qualify for last night’s final.
On a night which attracted a good-sized gathering, the Bulkan siblings (Ethan and Egan), who depart this morning for the BVI as part of the National Squash team to compete in junior CASA, have also qualified for last night’s finals. (Sean Devers)
BS U19 SF: Xavio Alexander vs. Jonathan Robinson 21-8, 21-9
Roach out of England series
KEMAR Roach, West Indies' veteran fast bowler, has been withdrawn from their 15-man squad for the upcoming Test tour of England, after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Surrey in the County Championship.
Roach, who turns 36 on Sunday, claimed 18 wickets at 25.77 in six appearances this season for Surrey, the defending County Champions, and showcased his enduring reverse-swing abilities in a match-winning spell of 6 for 46 in his penultimate match against Warwickshire at the Kia Oval in May.
However, after claiming four more wickets in Surrey's subsequent home win against Worcestershire, Roach missed the final match of his county stint, away to Hampshire. Now, with West Indies building towards the first Test against England at Lord's on July 10, he has
been replaced by Jeremiah Louis, the uncapped fast bowler from St Kitts and Nevis, and brother of fellow tourist and opening batter Mikyle.
"Kemar's skill and experience in English conditions will be missed," Desmond Haynes, West Indies' lead selector, said. "However this
opportunity has been long in the making for Jeremiah Louis. He certainly has the skill and experience to make an impact in England."
It is a sad blow for Roach, the elder statesman of West Indies' attack, whose tally of 270 Test wickets at 27.74 places him at No. 5 in their all-time list. Sixty-one
of those have come in 16 previous Tests against England, whom he had first faced at Lord's in 2012, a venue at which he wrote himself onto the dressing-room honours board with figures of 5 for 72 in his next visit in 2017. Speaking earlier this summer, Roach had talked up West Indies' prospects
of competing hard in their three-match series, particularly on the fast-bowling front, with Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph - the star of their victory over Australia in Brisbane this winter - all helping to form one of the most potent seam attacks since the region's heyday in the 1980s and 1990s.
Between them, Roach joked that West Indies were intent on "ruining" the farewell of England's own veteran quick James Anderson, who confirmed last month that the Lord's Test would be the last of his 21year career.
"I have no retirement time in sight," Roach had himself said in May. "I think I can go as long as I want, but obviously it's all on performances. The older you get, you need to have performances to stay in the team.
"I've been doing well, but
I just want to keep helping the youngsters so they're in a good space - mentally and physically. I'll be happy to see those guys going after me and breaking those records if they have to."
In addition to Louis' callup, Cricket West Indies confirmed that Isai Thorne, a 19-year-old fast bowler from Guyana, would be joining the squad as a development player. The squad are due to play a warm-up match against a County Select XI in Beckenham from July 3-6. West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph (vc), Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair.
Robinson (right) beat Felix on Wednesday night in their semi-final match (Sean Devers photo)
Kemar Roach has featured on three previous England tours, dating back to 2012 • Getty Images
GFF/Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ Championship — Champions to be crowned Sunday
THE Guyana Football Federation-Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls' National Secondary School Championship concludes this weekend with the eight top teams fiercely battling in the quarter-finals and semi-finals for spots in the final showdown on Sunday.
The action-packed schedule on June 29 kicks off with St. Ignatius Secondary facing President’s College, and Bartica Secondary squaring off against Queen’s College in the initial quarter-finals, starting at 10:00a.m.
Following these encounters, the day continues with a clash between the losers of the first two games at 12:00p.m.
Waramuri Primary will
then challenge Tucville Secondary, while Santa Rose battles Bush Lot at 2:00 p.m., followed by the final fixture of the day at 3:30 p.m. featuring the losers from the latter games.
GFF President Wayne Forde said "this is a historic moment for the Federation. We will crown our first champions of the national tournament on Sunday, and I can assure you these young committed players will give their all on the field.”
“Our top eight teams have tremendous talent and have all earned their spots in the quarter and semi-finals. I eagerly anticipate the matches ahead."
The Ministry of Education-supported competition commenced nationwide on May 4, involving over a
thousand student athletes and marking the start of the competitive phase of the FIFA Football For School Programme (F4S), designed to promote life skills through football. This is the largest girls’ tournament in Guyana.
Throughout the past few weeks, student athletes from nine administrative regions took part in the competition. Although Region Eight did not participate this year, preparations are underway to include them in the next edition of the tournament.
President Forde encourages football enthusiasts to attend and support Guyana’s emerging national talents on Saturday and Sunday at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Sunday’s action is set to
start at 2:00 p.m., culminating in the crowning of the inaugural champion of the GFF-Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls' National Secondary School Championship.
The top three schools will receive trophies and medals, with the champions awarded equipment valued at over $600,000.
The second-placed team will secure equipment worth slightly more than $450,000, while the third-placed team will receive football gear valued at just over $379,000.
The prize package includes essential football equipment such as balls, goals, jerseys, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, training arches, agility ladders and more.
NYSCL Independence Cup bowls off today… Regal Legends, NYSCL, Toronto Blizzards take centre stage
By Frederick Halley
THE 19th edition of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Masters and Legends Cup tournaments are set to bowl off today at venues in Brooklyn and Queens and according to the organisers, they are endeavouring to make this year’s extravaganza more attractive to all the visiting teams.
Once again, the Over-50 category is likely to take centre stage as in the past few years with defending champions Regal, hosts NYSCL and Toronto Blizzards battling for supremacy.
In a closely-fought encounter, played at Baisley Park, Queens, last year, Regal got home by nine runs despite a valiant even hundred from former Guyana player Vejai Seonarine, whose knock was trumped by Regal’s Ramesh
Deonarine’s 84 which earned him the player of the final award. Both players are slated to be in action once again for their respective teams.
Since the 2023 NYSCL tournament, Regal and NYSCL Legends have met in two finals, firstly in the 2023 Prime Minister’s Cup tournament at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown where Regal won handsomely by eight wickets and in Fort Lauderdale, playing under the Regal Hustlers New York banner, NYSCL Legends triumphed by with five balls to spare in a low-scoring game.
In Guyana, Regal were led to victory through a brilliant second-wicket stand of 108 between opener Uniss Yusuf (68) and Ramesh Deonarine (66 not out) as they chased down the challenging 179 for five made by NYSCL. The former also copped the player of the tournament
award while Deonarine was adjudged man-of-the-match in the final.
NYSCL’s Erapali Sahadeo was the hero in Fort Lauderdale in February where his team got home in a close battle. After restricting Regal New York Hustlers to
122 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, NYSCL huffed and puffed their way to the target with five balls to spare. Sahadeo was the standout with a fine 63, taking the player of the match title while Deonarine took the MVP award. Missing this year’s tour-
nament because of an injured foot, long-standing Regal skipper Mahendra Hardyal, who will serve in the capacity of manager, is extremely confident that his charges will return to winners’ row despite the “mishap’ in Florida.
According to Hardyal, the team still possess most of its core members who are intent on correcting what went wrong in Fort Lauderdale. Veteran Mohendra Arjune will lead the side.
In an invited comment, newly-appointed captain of Toronto Blizzards skipper, Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth, pointed out that his side have a great chance of lifting the Cup.
According to Parasnauth, “we have quite a few regular season campaigners along with new entrants to the team. Players such as Shiv Seeram, Vejai Seonarine Sunil Dhaniram, Jaimini Singh, Mohan Harihar, Jesh Parasnauth,
Singh.
“We have a very balanced side in both batting and bowling and the guys are all eager to get on the park and compete at this level.” Interestingly, Parasnauth led the Regal Over-40 team in last year’s final, losing to NYSCL Over-40 in cliffhanger but has since changed his allegiance.
Apart from Sahadeo, other big-name players expected to be on show in the Over-40 category are the big-hitting Essequibian Patrick Rooplall, Richard Latiff and Chien Gittens among others..
Following a meeting of all the participating teams last night, the action gets underway at 10:00 hrs today.
Trinidadian Husbands, St. Lucian Dantes win CPL Talent Search
THE winners of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Talent Search have been confirmed with two up-and-coming presenters from the Caribbean set to be part of the tournament’s broadcast team in 2024.
Whitney Husbands from Trinidad & Tobago and Chloe Dantes from Saint Lucia are the two winning contestants, and they will be part of the on-screen talent who will highlight the fun and atmosphere that makes the CPL so special. Last year, the tournament had a total viewership of 853.5 million, so this opportunity gives both Whitney and Chloe the chance to showcase their talent to a massive global audience.
Paul Pritchett-Brown, CPL’s Head of Production said: “We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of entrants that we had for the CPL Talent Search, and it was hard to get this down to a final two. But in Whitney and Chloe we have two really exciting broadcasting talents, and we are looking forward to watching their careers continue
to grow from this point onwards.”
Chloe Dantes said: “I am absolutely delighted to be the winner of the CPL Talent Search. I honestly can’t express how excited I am to be involved in this incredible opportunity. I am immensely grateful to CPL for running this initiative, giving up-and-coming presenters like myself a chance to breakthrough
and really show our talents. Thank you so much once again for this amazing platform and the chance to be a part of something so special. This opportunity is practically a dream come true and I can’t wait to jump into this incredible journey with you all.”
Whitney Husbands said: “I cannot say how much I am thankful, grateful and humbled
for this opportunity. This CPL initiative is going to showcase the talent of the Caribbean, and I am honoured to be the person representing Trinidad & Tobago. We are going to show to the world what Trinidad & Tobago is all about. I am here ready to go, and I am bringing the whole of Trinidad & Tobago with me. Are you ready?!”
Ramo Malone, Wally Bacchus Lalo Dingo Singh along with new entrants such as the dynamic Imran Ali and all-rounder Avinash
Patrick Rooplall
President Irfaan Ali joins ICC world cup celebrations
— brokers peace between England and India ahead of Semi Final
GUYANA’S President Mohamed Irfaan Ali brokered a calm of sorts before the storm, ahead of Thursday’s ICC T20 World Cup Final between England and India at the Guyana National Stadium Providence.
The head of state, the neutral ground between the two nations, stood with both envoys, India’s Dr. Amit Telang and Britain’s Jane Caroline Miller, OBE, ahead of Thursday’s semi-final.
The president also hosted several other diplomats in his booth for the ongoing tournament, which is being hosted in the Caribbean and the United States of America
India steamrolls England at Providence for final spot
ident Mohamed Irfaan Ali (centre) with India’s High Commissioner Dr. Amit Telang and staff, and British High Commissioner Jane Caroline Miller, OBE, (right)
Jasprit Bumrah struck to remove Phil Salt • Jun 27, 2024 • Associated Press
