SPECIAL Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani, KC, has said he is “very concerned” about what he described as the “strange and obstructive tactics” used by the defence in the high-profile trial concerning the controversial 2020 General and Regional Elections.
The trial, presided over by Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, involves high-ranking former officials, including former Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield and former Health Minister Volda Lawrence.
One of the key witnesses, Local Government Minister Sonia Parag, took to the stand on Tuesday to continue testifying about the disputed election process, which lasted five months and had initially falsely declared the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) as the winning party.
At the time, Parag was a representative of the then-opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Ramdhani, who’d raised his concerns about Tuesday’s proceedings with the media, criticised the defence for its frequent objections and interruptions that he believes were deliberately slowing down the trial.
“The defence is continuing to object, and continuing to stand up to ask questions… This is a trial, not a trial of statements; a trial of
the evidence given in court,” Ramdhani stressed, pointing out that both the defence and the Magistrate have access to the witnesses’ statements. He argued that the defence’s repeated queries about whether certain details were included in the written statements were unnecessary and burdensome, and should be addressed during cross-examination.
I have urged the court to reconsider some of these rulings,” he said, adding that he is particularly concerned that this restriction could hinder the witness’ ability to provide a full account of the events.
“I say it’s strange because I’m an attorney-at-law for 27-plus years of practice.
I have repeatedly seen not only court rules but the law report; the official reports of the world where witnesses are allowed to testify…I’m concerned that this is not at all something that should happen; I’m very concerned about it,” he added.
“A magistrate should not have to be answering the defence lawyers every time about that material, which is contained in the witn ess statement,” Ramdhani asserted, highlighting that such tactics were prolonging the proceedings unnecessarily.
The Prosecutor was particularly taken aback by the court’s ruling that Parag could not name individuals she saw at the scene, despite this information being included in her statement to the police.
“This is startling to me;
The trial, which began on Monday, has been marked by a series of motions from the defence.
Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson has made multiple requests, including for the original Statements of Poll (SoPs) and additional security measures for the nine defendants.
Anderson also sought permission to pay a visit to the site of the former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s Command Centre, claiming that these steps are vital for a fair trial.
“This attorney-at-law, my learned friend of the opposite side, waited until this morning, the 29th of July, 2024 to speak of an occasion that occurred in 2020. This is simply a ruse! This is simply something he wants to speak about to distract!” he told the Magistrate on Monday.
Magistrate Daly has ruled that the original SoPs will be produced only when deemed necessary, and any decision on a site visit will depend on the evidence presented.
The prosecution is contending that the defendants manipulated the election results in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the country’s largest voting district, to favour the APNU+AFC coalition.
The official recount, conducted under the supervision of a high-level Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team, confirmed that the PPP/C had indeed won the election by a significant margin.
The trial, originally set to begin in early 2024, had faced numerous delays, primarily due to objections and applications from the defence.
However, Ramdhani countered that these motions appeared to be attempts to manipulate the trial’s timeline, and possibly gain media attention.
By Naomi Parris
FOCUS on accelerating programmes and projects in the region, particularly in the housing sector, will take centre stage as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) looks to muster support for the rebuilding of housing stocks in states that have been ravaged by Hurricane Beryl.
At a closing press conference for the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in St. George’s, Grenada on Tuesday, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed that leaders have already engaged with Canada’s Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, who was in attendance at the three-day conference.
“We were in discussion, for a number of months, on ways in which Canada can accelerate programmes and projects for the region, and can deploy a shorter time frame support, especially support after Beryl, focusing especially on housing, digitisation, upskilling, skills development and investment in transformation of our economies,” Dr. Ali told journalists.
— as Caribbean leaders look to rebuild housing stock postHurricane Beryl — President Ali says leaders engaging international partners
He pointed out that a request for ‘strong focus on resilience and sustainability’ was made to support the rebuilding of the housing sector in the region. While Canada was amenable to the idea, Dr. Ali further highlighted that regional efforts were also ongoing in this regard.
“Matter of fact, in all of these areas, we’re putting together a regional effort so that we can pursue these initiatives. Many countries are already working directly in a number of these areas, but we wanted to have a regional effort in pursuing the
opportunities and resources that may be available to accelerate the rebuilding efforts,” President Ali said.
Beryl set a record as the first-ever Category 4 storm in June in the Atlantic, making landfall on July 1 on Carriacou,
18,000 NIS
in Grenada, and wrecking nearby islands.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Lucia were among some of the Caribbean States that were affected during Beryl’s passage across the region.
Thousands of people across Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were left homeless by the storm, which killed at least seven people, and destroyed schools, businesses and crops.
Meanwhile, Grenada’s Prime Minister and new CARICOM chair, Dickon Mitchell has emphasised the importance of ‘building back better’ in the aftermath of the storm.
“For many of our citizens, particularly in the Grenadine Islands, it is going to be a long, slow, painful and difficult climb out of a very deep, dark place. The devastation has been tremendous. The psychological, emotional, and mental impact has been devastating. The physical impact has been devastating,” PM Mitchell said.
He posited that there is a need for a comprehensive approach involving new technologies and regional institutions working with governments and populations.
“We intend to pursue a robust and vigorous approach to raising the necessary financing to help all member states build back and build back better. We appreciate that there has to be, in some instances, a paradigm shift in how we address the issue of resilience and sustainability. Not perhaps just sticking to the conventional approaches to how you build or restore for a category four category, five hurricanes,” he added.
In a recent joint press conference facilitated by the United Nations, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and Grenada’s Prime Minister Mitchell had voiced a collective call, highlighting the importance of funding to address the climate crisis and rebuilding efforts.
Ideally, leaders are hoping to muster at least $9 million in assistance from the international community.
In an effort to assist 43,000 people, the United Nations joined the call for assistance, stating that $5 million of the $9 million being sought will go to Grenada, and the remaining amount to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
— but more work needed, says Finance Minister — notes employers’ non-compliance with NIS payment will not be tolerated
AS he delivered remarks at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS)’s graduation ceremony for Trainee Inspectors, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh, while acknowledging the 18,000 cases that were in backlog or otherwise stuck in the NIS system, noted that the government and the NIS have managed to clear up from August 2020 to present, indicated that ‘we are not where we need to be’.
“Far too many people attain the age of retirement and then encounter difficulties to get their pension, and there are still far too many people who have gone past their retirement age who are still unable to access their benefits from the Scheme,” the Minister emphasised. He pointed out that oftentimes the responsibility is not that of the Scheme but rather as a result of a number of employers, who, despite it being lawfully
required for them to pay over their employees’ contributions to the Scheme, do not do so, and therefore, upon the age of retirement, persons then discover that this was not being done or that there were gaps in the payments.
“That is not acceptable!” the Minister said, as he noted that as a result of a targeted and dedicated effort by Government and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) with a focus on the security sector, Government and NIS, over the last three
weeks to a month, were able to get several private security companies to pay contributions for more than 2,100 security guards for which they were previously not paying.
“This Government’s position is that we have zero
tolerance for employers failing to pay over NIS contributions to the Scheme, Dr. Singh said, as he charged the NIS to immediately ramp up efforts to ensure that employers are paying over NIS deductions to the Scheme for all of their (the employers’) employees.
“This is not a discretionary matter; the law requires you to deduct the employees NIS contributions and for yourself (the Employers contribution) and to pay it over to the NIS in a timely manner… and I am saying to employers out there today that Government will not tolerate the failure to pay over or remit in a timely manner NIS contributions on behalf of employees, not only current employees but if you have any backlog please make sure that you come in promptly to the Scheme and pay off that backlog,“ the Minister urged.
The Minister congratulated the graduands and charged them as new inspectors to approach their jobs in a strictly professional manner and to be proactive and diligent.
Thirty persons Tuesday graduated during a simple ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre which was attended by several officials of the NIS including its General Manager Ms. Holly Greaves and members of the NIS Board. The ceremony provided for the graduation of twenty new Inspectors, four Customer Service Representatives, two Internal Auditors, and four Nurses for Sick Visitors.
Dr. Singh also used the opportunity of Tuesday’s forum to appeal to citizens to check on their records and contributions in good time and not wait until they reach the age of 60. He urged self-employed persons as well to contribute to the Scheme and not wait until they are in their fifties or sixties when they will not be able to benefit or be able to achieve 750 contributions.
THE government, on Tuesday, signed an investment agreement with Demerara Dairy Inc (DDI) for the establishment of a $3B state-of-the-art dairy farm and milk processing facility.
When completed, the establishment is expected to create 70 direct jobs and another 150 jobs indirectly.
The agreement was handed over by Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Komal Samaroo.
“Milk is a very internationally competitive commodity and so we have designed a dairy farm with updated technology in the world so that the milk that we produce in the farm in Guyana can compete in the regional market against milk imported from other
parts of the world,” Samaroo told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The farm will be located at Moblissa. It will see the cultivation of 250 hectares of field crops, the construction of a 22-tonne per day animal feed centre, and a 13.7 tonnes per day raw milk dairy farm.
The processing plant will be at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
The first phase will see the utilisation of some 925 animals (500 milking cows, and 415 heifers). Each cow is estimated to produce 10,000 litres of milk annually. The processing plant at Diamond will be capable of producing some 19.2 tonnes or 18,600 litres of premium milk products.
“We expect to have the first milk produced in the third quarter of next year. This investment agreement here today will allow us to install the necessary equipment to process and
package that milk to an internationally acceptable standard for the domestic and export market,” Samaroo said.
He noted that the DDL is on a major expansion
programme, building brands on a competitive basis as he mentioned the launch of the Savannah Milk Brand a few years ago.
“There is an export
“To see Guyana step into the production facility, we had an earlier investor Amaya that is taking milk from Region Five, and bottling it. This is now moving to a higher level. It’s in Region Ten, significant job opportunities will be available for Region Ten residents,” Dr Ramsaroop stated.
He noted that this fits into President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vision and the vision of CARICOM reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and the efforts to brand Guyana as a major producer in agriculture.
opportunity and there is the reduction of import.
So, on all sides of the economic spectrum, there are benefits that will accrue to Guyana,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ramsaroop noted that this will revolutionise the local dairy industry and reduce dependency on such imports.
He noted that the Caribbean imports more than a billion (USD) worth of powdered and box milk from New Zealand and Australia.
The investment is a joint venture between Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited, a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited and LG Group, an Israeli company. The Guyana Office for Investment played an active role in facilitating this investment. (DPI)
By Shamar Meusa
WITH a Transitional Council in place taking charge of Haiti for some months now, the country is now on track to hold an election by the end of 2025.
This is according to Edgard Leblanc, the head of the council and former Haiti Senate President who made this disclosure at the closing press conference for the 47th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Grenada.
Over the past few days, discussions among the heads of government and delegations included steps to move Haiti ahead in its quest to return to normalcy.
Leblanc told the closing conference that since the creation of the transitional council, they are working to implement a transitional electoral process or system which will allow for the holding of general elections at the end of 2025.
Further, he stated that they have also launched a conference that will review the constitution to further redefine the relationship between the state and population and set the tone for the new state of operations.
Being particularly marked by gun violence taking place in the country’s capital and other villages, he said through an interpreter, “It is our aim to remove Haiti from this situation.”
As such, following discussions with the regional heads of government, Leblanc disclosed that Haiti will receive within 10 days a mission from the bloc’s Eminent Persons Group which was appointed last year to cater to issues surrounding Haiti will participate in discussions.
“We will soon receive within 10 days in Haiti, a mission from the EPG in
various groups and
CARICOM that will participate in the discussions between the state and the opposition groups to create the new mandate that will consist of various terms of the transitional government,” he said among other things.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell said that over the last two days, the regional body also heard and discussed the humanitarian situation in Haiti, which is one of grave concern.
“There are hundreds of thousands of persons who are displaced there are hundreds of thousands of persons who do not have adequate access to food and so CARICOM has agreed that we will also seek to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Haiti,” Mitchell affirmed.
Against this backdrop, he indicated that this is something that the bloc will continue to do and ensure that there is support for the people of Haiti.
Further to this, he highlighted the work of the Eminent Persons Group which is made up of former Prime Ministers of St
create their own homegrown solutions to the challenges faced.
Additionally, the Prime Minister extended an in-
vitation to visit Haiti in August to gain firsthand experience and engage with diverse groups and sectors. This visit aims to provide a comprehensive report to CARICOM on the current situation in Haiti and explore ways in which the bloc can offer continued assistance.
Mitchell expressed,
“They are small steps but they are important steps and we think it is Caricom’s duty given that Haiti is a member of CARICOM to continue supporting and showing solidarity to the people of Haiti.”
In April, members of a transitional council were named in Haiti and were set to take power as former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in March.
IN recent discussions surrounding the Caribbean’s security landscape, it is clear that the region is grappling with significant challenges related to transnational crime.
At the heart of this issue lies the smuggling of guns and drugs, which continues to undermine the safety and stability of Caribbean nations. The recent address by Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, at the 47th Regular Meeting of CARICOM’s Heads of Government underscores a pivotal point: While progress has been made, the fight against such crimes requires sustained inter-agency collaboration and robust international support.
Dr. Ali’s call for enhanced border security and investment in port protection reflects a growing recog -
nition that the Caribbean's security woes are not isolated but interconnected.
Transnational crime in the region, particularly the illicit trafficking of firearms and narcotics, poses a serious threat not just to individual nations but to regional stability.
The recent achievements in drug seizures by Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) highlight the successes that can be achieved through diligent, co-ordinated efforts. However, these successes also reveal the scale of the ongoing challenge, necessitating a broader and more cohesive approach.
The emphasis on inter-agency collaboration is critical. The recent co-ordination between various agencies within Guyana,
such as the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, has demonstrated the effectiveness of a united front against crime. This collaboration, which has led to significant drug seizures and the disruption of trafficking networks, should serve as a model for the entire region. Yet, the effectiveness of these efforts is inherently limited by the resources and support available.
This is where international assistance becomes indispensable. The call for greater support from the United States, as articulated by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, points to a crucial aspect of the fight against transnational crime.
The U.S. has a pivotal role to play, given that many of the firearms enter-
ing the Caribbean originate from American sources. Enhanced co-operation with the U.S. is not merely a request for aid but a strategic necessity for addressing the flow of illegal weapons. The same logic applies to other international partners, including the United Kingdom, France and Brazil, whose support in terms of resources, training, and intelligence-sharing is vital.
Moreover, the collaborative efforts with CARICOM IMPACS, the Brazilian Federal Police, and the Colombian task force, among others, are indicative of the benefits of regional and international co-operation.
These partnerships have already yielded impressive results, including the recent seizures of significant quantities of cocaine and mar-
ijuana. However, the need for continued and expanded collaboration is evident. The fight against transnational crime is ongoing and evolving, and so too must be the strategies to counter it.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for regional leaders to not only commit to bolstering their national security systems but also to actively seek and engage international partners. The Caribbean’s security challenges are complex and multifaceted, requiring a co-ordinated response that extends beyond borders.
Strengthening border and port security, investing in technological advancements, and adhering to international standards are all necessary steps. Yet, these efforts must be underpinned by a supportive international
framework that facilitates effective action against the transnational networks that plague the region.
The Caribbean stands at a critical juncture in its fight against transnational crime. The progress made thus far is commendable, but it must be complemented by increased inter-agency collaboration and international support. As regional leaders, including Dr. Ali, continue to advocate for these measures, it is imperative that the global community responds with the necessary resources and commitment. Only through a united and multifaceted approach can the Caribbean hope to secure its borders and ensure a safer future for its citizens.
Dear Editor,
“THE event was a success and is a clear manifestation of the GoG (Government of Guyana)’s interest and commitment to ensuring that the Diaspora is integrally involved is the development of Guyana and benefitting from the nation's prosperity.”
The foregoing statement by Hon. Michael Brotherson, Guyana’s Consul-General to New York encapsulated the essence of the objectives of the Job Fair held at the LaGuardia Marriott Hotel in Queens, New York on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
The stated objectives of the jointly-sponsored Job Fair (GoG and Private Sector) were to (i) learn more about the job opportunities in Guyana, (ii) to allow Guyanese to network with business leaders; (iii) to offer Guyanese the
opportunity to learn more about small and medium sized businesses, (iv) to provide information on remigration; and (v) to learn how Guyanese could contribute to the country’s rapid development.
The Guyana Consulate says that 300 Guyanese registered as participants at the Job Fair, while 17 businesses, including Exxon Mobil, were exhibitors. In attendance were the Mr. Robert Persaud (Foreign Secretary); Mr. Annand Persaud (Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development); Hon. Sam Hinds (Guyana’s Ambassador to Washington); Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (CEO Go-Invest); Rosalind Rasul (Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Mr. Fazal Yussuf (Diaspora and Investment Officer at the New York Consulate); Mr. Shyam Nokta (former Chair of the Local Cone t Panel and
currently Managing Director of Environmental Management Consultants); the Hon. Michael Brotherson (Consul-General in New York); and his entire consulate staff.
Representing the private sector was Mr. Komal Singh, chair of the Private Sector Commission. He was there with his family. Mr. Singh said that the private sector was pleased to be a part of this initiative that is the brainchild of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Ms. Rasul presented a video that depicted some of Guyana’s major infrastructure development projects for the benefits of participants. She also discussed duty free concessions for Guyanese re-migrants.
Dr. Peter Ramsaroop had a busy day discussing the investment possibilities and related tax incentives. Wood Direct’s Managing Director, Mr. Rafeek Khan, who also
serves as Chair of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), was also busy explaining his company’s role in the construction and housing sector.
Critical labour shortages in the housing, construction, transport, oil, and other sectors would hinder the rate of the country’s development.
The GoG has, therefore, embarked upon an aggressive campaign to recruit and train particularly skilled and semi-skilled labour. Pending a revision of the country’s immigration laws to accommodate migrant labour within the economy, the GoG has accelerated the skills-training programmes (BIT and TVET) to expand local capacity.
The private sector also conducts skills training programmes, but quantitative data on scope and level are not available.
For the period 2020-2025,
over 11,000 Guyanese were trained by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in various skills and semi-skilled areas, and an estimated 80% of them are gainfully employed.
At the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education Training), another 18,000 Guyanese have been trained during the same period, and an estimated 75% of them (BIT and TVET) are in gainful employment. But this level of training would only cover a small part of the labour shortage.
Some businesses have already imported skilled labour, while others might soon move in that direction, if the labour could not be sourced in Guyana. For example, GAICO Construction and General Services, Inc. says that they are thinking of sourcing migrant labour to fill 139 existing vacancies in various categories within their establishment.
The country’s rapid economic development, including technological changes, has caused the Government of Guyana to accelerate their skills-training programmes to expand local capacity. Notwithstanding, a recent study suggests that Guyana may need to import about 89,000 workers by 2030 to fill existing vacancies in various sectors. By 2028, Exxon Mobil would need an additional 5,000 workers.
It is too early to say how many of the 300 registrants at the New York Job Fair would follow through with their interest (whether via jobs, investment, etc) in contributing to Guyana’s development. The Job Far also helped to update Guyanese on developments taking place in Guyana.
Yours sincerely, Dr. Tara Singh
Dear Editor,
I AM compelled to respond to Mr. Eric Phillips' recent epistle in the Stabroek News of July 29, 2024, concerning the dispensation of funds for Emancipation Day celebrations, and the associated ceremonial activities.
At the outset, it is necessary to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Government of Guyana to support Emancipation celebrations throughout the country, and this commitment is not a mere symbolic gesture.
In fact, it embodies our profound dedication to the preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of African-Guyanese, through an inclusive approach, as is evident in the
allocation of funds to a diverse array of organisations, including the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).
Mr. Phillips grossly misinterprets the government's intentions, viewing a pluralistic and decentralised approach as indicative of a lack of respect or commitment to the community. It is paramount to understand that the government's strategy does not involve the centralisation of cultural expression within a singular organisation, but rather aims to diversify support across a broad spectrum of entities.
This approach, which might be misconstrued as fragmentation by persons seeking to perpetuate divisiveness, actually serves to ensure that the history and
celebration of Emancipation resonate across various communities, thereby enriching the collective cultural identity of African-Guyanese people.
The suggestion that the government should channel all resources through a single entity is both reductive, and fails to appreciate the vibrant plurality and diversity inherent in African-Guyanese cultural expression.
To characterise these financial contributions as "petty cash", as Mr. Phillips does, not only misrepresents the nature of the government's support, but also undermines the significance and intent behind these allocations.
Furthermore, the ceremonial aspects associated with the receipt of funds, such as the wearing of traditional
attire, are celebratory acts of cultural homage. These practices serve not only as a tribute to our ancestors, but also as a reaffirmation of our cultural identity.
The comparison drawn to "Zoos in Belgium and France", wherein Mr. Phillips insinuates a parallel to degrading exhibitions, is another gross misrepresentation that unjustly discredits the hard work and dedication of the recipients of the funds.
The comparison made by Mr. Phillips between the support extended to African-Guyanese communities and that afforded to Amerindian communities reveals a grave misunderstanding of the nuanced and tailored approach that the government adopts towards the cultural and economic development
of different groups.
Each community's unique historical experiences and current socio-economic needs inform the bespoke strategies we employ. This approach is not an act of marginalization, but a considered effort to uplift all ethnic groups within Guyana, ensuring equitable development and cultural preservation.
Moreover, the government's support for Emancipation celebrations is firmly aligned with the principles espoused by the United Nations General Assembly’s 'Decade for People of African Descent', an initiative aimed at providing recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent globally.
Our administration remains steadfast in its com-
mitment to the cultural, economic, and social empowerment of all African-Guyanese.
We encourage all organisations and individuals within the community to embrace the diversity of perspectives, and to collaborate in celebrating our shared heritage. The government will continue to provide unwavering support to those genuinely committed to this noble cause, ensuring that the legacy of Emancipation and the memory of our ancestors are honoured in a manner that is befitting of their profound historical and cultural significance.
Yours truly,
Brigadier Retired Mark Phillips, Prime Minister
Parliament meeting on eve of various holidays has never undermined the importance of those days
Dear Editor,
I AM compelled to respond to Ms. Beverly Alert's recent letter concerning the scheduling of a parliamentary sitting on the eve of Emancipation Day 2024.
Her assertion that the timing of this sitting is a deliberate attempt to disrespect our history or African ancestors is misguided. It detracts from the essential business of the people while attempting to stir the pot of racial sentiments, a signature tactic of the opposition.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that the business of the people should not be contingent upon national holidays. The Parliament of Guyana has a history of meeting on the eve of significant holidays without any accusations of disrespect or undermining the importance of those days.
For instance, the Parliament convened on February 22, 2024, the eve of our Republic anniversary. Additionally, sittings took place on May 4, 2016, the
eve of Arrival Day, and April 14, 2017, the eve of Good Friday. On these occasions, Ms. Alert did not raise any concerns.
These examples clearly demonstrate that scheduling parliamentary sittings on the eve of significant holidays is not unprecedented, and does not, in any way, diminish the respect and observance of these important occasions.
The suggestion that holding a parliamentary sitting on July 31 diminishes the significance of Emancipation Day, or disrespects our African ancestors is unfounded.
Emancipation Day is a day of profound historical importance and national pride, and it is essential to honour it through meaningful observance and participation in ceremonies. However, it is equally important to ensure that the work of Parliament, which ultimately serves the People of Guyana, continues uninterrupted.
The Libation Ceremony and other commemorative events are vital, and Members of Parliament, like all
citizens, should strive to participate in and honour these traditions. Yet, postponing parliamentary sittings every time they coincide with the eve of a holiday would set a precedent that could hamper the efficiency and continuity of parliamentary duties.
While Ms. Alert's sentiments may be understandable at face value, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective.
The Parliament has historically met on the eve of various significant holidays, and this practice has not undermined the importance of those days. Emancipation Day deserves full respect and observance, but the business of the people must proceed without unnecessary interruptions.
Let us work towards honouring our ancestors and history while ensuring that the Parliamentary responsibilities of elected officials are met diligently.
Yours truly, Brian Azore
Dear Editor,
I AM writing in response to City Councillor Leon Saul’s recent letter, which is replete with empty rhetoric, false narratives, and misguided assertions about President Irfaan Ali and his administration.
Councillor Saul's depiction of President Ali's public engagements as mere theatrics is both misleading and unfair.
It is common for leaders to engage with the populace in a relatable manner.
President Ali’s interactions symbolise his approachable leadership style and efforts to connect with citizens on a personal level.
Contrary to Saul’s claims,
the "One Guyana" initiative is far from a hollow slogan. It is a comprehensive vision aimed at fostering unity, inclusivity, and equitable development across the nation.
The distribution of developmental benefits under President Ali’s administration has been more balanced and inclusive than ever before, with significant investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and housing that benefit all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation. Saul’s portrayal of a strained relationship between the Central Government and the Georgetown municipality is a one-sided narrative that overlooks the genuine efforts made by the Central Government to collaborate on urban
development projects.
If there are issues of inefficiency and mismanagement within the municipality, it is the responsibility of local leadership to address them, not to deflect blame onto the Central Government.
Moreover, Councillor Saul’s criticism of the President's engagement with Stabroek Market vendors highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of leadership. The President’s direct interaction with citizens to address their concerns demonstrates a commitment to responsive governance, something that should be applauded rather than condemned.
Instead of using his platform to undermine the Cen-
tral Government, Councillor Saul should focus on addressing the real issues plaguing Georgetown.
The city continues to struggle with garbage pileups, financial mismanagement, and poor service delivery. Despite receiving billions in taxes and subventions, the city remains bankrupt. Why are the residents of Georgetown not receiving the quality of services they deserve?
Councillor Saul should hold his PNC-R colleagues accountable for their mismanagement and the inept performance of the council. He should commend President Ali’s government for stepping in to save the people of Georgetown by investing in critical infrastructure, something the M&CC has failed to do.
President Ali’s administration has a commendable track record: increasing public servants' pay, raising old age pensions, distributing over 35,000 house lots, and reinstating the "Because We Care" cash grant for school children—a grant Saul’s party discontinued in 2015, claiming it was a waste of resources.
Dr. Ali’s government has made significant strides in every aspect of Guyana’s development, including agricultural diversification, effective management of oil revenues, energy security, environmental sustainability, and public diplomacy, all contributing to Guyana’s improved global image and economic transformation. The fact of the matter is, Dr. Ali is a global leader with a common touch,
a quality many leaders lack.
In just four years, President Ali has spent more time engaging with the citizens of Georgetown, listening to their concerns, and addressing their needs than the PNCR councillors have in the past two decades. It is easy to criticise, but one must ensure that criticism is based on facts, not figments of one’s imagination.
I urge Councillor Saul to dedicate more of his time to fulfilling his responsibilities, providing basic services to the people of the city instead of hiding behind his pen to make baseless criticisms of the President, a man who has walked the walk.
Yours sincerely, Edward Layne
HERE are the words of Melinda Janki: “When Guyana’s politicians embraced the delusion of oil wealth, Ramon Gaskin looked the oil curse in the face and spat at it.” A woman who is trained as a lawyer could utter this ignorance. As for Ramon Gaskin, I will follow up on my November 1993 Stabroek News column on him very soon.
Janki has given off one of the most ignorant statements a human in the post-colonial world could utter, and in the coming days and weeks and months, there will be no attempt by the intellectual spheres of this country to educate the very young population of Guyana on why Janki’s outlook is not only ignorant, but contains all the evil seeds of colonial indoctrination that, after 60 years of Independence, still plague the minds of those psychologically unable to see the light of day.
Let us attempt to bring some knowledge to our young population, so that they could understand the remnants of the colonial mentality that millions died fighting against since slavery, right up to the violent overthrow of European imperial subjugation after the end of
World War II. We will break down Janki’s sordid mental gymnastics into several parts, and look at the asininity of each dimension. We start with the word “delusion”. Janki refers to the “delusion of oil wealth”. Any primary school child knows that delusion is not reality, and exists in imaginative form. A delusion is a hope that lies in the womb of impossibility. We can refer to the delusion of a Bermuda Summer Olympics; it will never happen, because the Summer Olympics takes billions of American dollars to hold, and the land mass to accommodate the games have to be much more that the few square miles that Bermuda consists of. It is the nurturing of a delusion to think Antigua or Barbados or Fiji or Singapore can hold the Summer Olympics. How can one refer
to the export sector of a country as the delusion of wealth when it brings in income for the country? Is Silicone Valley in the US a delusion of wealth? The answer is no, because Silicone Valley is a top earner in the world for the US. Is there the delusion of wealth for the software industry of India? The answer is no, because India is the world’s largest software exporter.
Is there the delusion of wealth in China’s export of rare earth elements (REEs)? REEs are 17 elements that are indispensable in hightech industries. The US is heavily dependent on REEs. China is responsible for 58 per cent of REEs mining, and is the world’s largest producer, with other countries coming in a poor second. China’s main supplier is the United States. Can one speak of the delusion
transfer of oil wealth into the public sphere has been phenomenal. The Georgetown Public Hospital is unrivaled in the Caribbean. Very expensive treatments, surgical operations, and pharmaceuticals are available at that hospital for free.
Guyana has large deposits of oil, the bulk of which is yet to be touched. It exports this material that has made some Middle East countries the richest nations in the world. With giants like India and China, which have successfully challenged European and American dominance in the global economy, Guyana’s oil is needed in addition to our traditional buyer: The US. Since the successful production of oil, the economy of Guyana has literally taken off. The
Twelve new hospitals are in the process of being constructed. New schools located in areas that were not financially possible before Guyana had an oil economy are being built. Efforts are underway to make studies at UG free.
The bulk of money behind these projects did not come from sugar or agriculture or sea food export; it came from oil. How then it is possible to speak of the delusion (the fiction; the imagination) of oil wealth when Guyana is getting that wealth which will peak fantastically from 2028 onwards.
It is an attractive sociological argument to
discuss how oil wealth will be distributed in a country, but to speak about the delusion of oil wealth is unadulterated ignorance and unprecedented asininity. If Gaskin spat at the oil curse, he was perhaps spitting at the curse he always harboured in his psyche since I knew him 54 years ago.
Ms. Janki said the politicians have embraced the delusion of wealth. The entire country of Guyana has welcomed the oil industry. It is not the politicians, but the Guyanese nation as a whole. Maybe Janki did an imaginary poll that showed Guyanese see oil as a curse.
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.
By Feona Morrison
MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag resumed giving testimony on Tuesday, revealing more details of alleged fraud during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
Parag’s testimony highlighted the continuous use of spreadsheets for vote tabulation by Clairmont Mingo, former Returning Officer for District Four (DemeraraMahaica), despite the explicit orders of Chief Justice Roxane George to adhere strictly to Statements of Poll (SoPs).
The high-profile trial, which has gripped the nation’s attention, commenced at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday under the conduct of Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.
The defendants are People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) activist Carol Smith-Joseph; former Health Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government Volda Lawrence; former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers; Mingo; and GECOM staffers Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. They are collectively facing 19 conspiracy charges related to alleged electoral fraud.
It is alleged that between March 2, 2020 and August 2, 2020, Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo, while in Georgetown, conspired with the other six defendants and others to defraud the electorate of Guyana by declaring a false account of the votes cast
at the highly-contentious elections.
Minister Parag continued with her testimony, stating that on March 5, 2020, at around 09:00 hours, she went back to the GECOM Command Centre, located in the Ashmins Building at the intersection of High and Hadfield Streets, in downtown Georgetown, to continue the tabulation process for District Four.
She reported seeing Lawrence about noon, followed
by Mingo, who was holding a piece of paper.
The witness added that since the tabulation exercise was halted on March 3, 2020 due to the then-Returning Officer’s complaint of fatigue, she had not seen him before.
‘YOU CAN’T DO THIS!’
Minister Parag stated that in accordance with Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), Mingo notified her and other election agents, as well as local and international observers, such as those from the Carter Center, United States Embassy, Canadian High Commission, and the European Union, that he had a decla-
ration to make regarding the List of Candidates.
Essentially, Section 84 mandates that the Returning Officer determine the total number of votes cast in support of each list, in accordance with the Statements of Poll.
“Immediately, I got up. I was frustrated and I objected strenuously to what Mr. Mingo said. “I said, ‘You can’t do this; the count for Region Four is not completed’,” the government official added.
She continued by stating that Mingo’s declaration was met with opposition from other people, and that the outcry was so loud that it drowned out his voice.
She then recalled that a Fixed Date Application (FDA) had been filed at the High Court in order to get an injunction that would prevent the declaration until all of the votes had been tallied.
“THAT IS NOT WHAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE ORDERED”
Minister Parag pointed out that on March 11, 2020, the Chief Justice ruled, granting an injunction restraining Mingo or the Deputy Chief Elections Officer from declaring valid votes cast in District
She mentioned that Lawrence and another APNU+AFC party agent (name withheld) were present, but that they both sat “quietly” in response to Mingo’s actions.
Minister Parag said that Mingo then left the room and went up the escalator after mayhem and shouting broke out, “but I didn’t see him after that for a period of time”. She recalled that others were using their cellphones to take pictures and videos of the situation.
“I saw Mr. Mingo on the balcony of the third floor, and he appeared to be reading from something. The moment that I heard that, I heard people saying, ‘Thief, thief, thief!’ I saw him disappear from the balcony. When I looked around me, I saw Volda Lawrence heading up the escalator. Everyone continued to shout,” Minister Parag said, as she detailed the tense atmosphere at the Command Centre.
She testified that Lawrence was gesticulating and shouting at the persons, and that there had been an aggressive verbal confrontation between Lawrence and those on the ground floor.
The witness further stated that she discovered a Form 24 published with two signatures, stating the total number of votes cast in District Four, when she visited GECOM’s website later that day.
when Mingo was in the room, Justice Claudette Singh, the Chairperson of GECOM, entered and inquired as to the nature of the problem.
People then brought up the issue of Mingo’s reluctance to comply with the Chief Justice’s orders, according to her.
According to Parag, she went to the GECOM Secretariat in Kingston, Georgetown on March 13, 2020, to continue the tabulation process. When she arrived, she reported seeing two GECOM employees working quickly as they took
Four until there is compliance with section 84 of RoPA.
She said another injunction was granted to restrain the Chief Elections Officer from declaring votes until there had been compliance with section 84 of RoPA.
According to her, Justice George also ruled that the Returning Officer must comply with section 84 of RoPA in tabulating the votes for Distrcit Four by 11:00 hrs on March 12, 2020.
The minister stated that even though she was wearing her badge, she was not allowed to enter the facility when she returned to the Command Centre on the above-mentioned date. She added that at approximately midday, Mingo announced that he intended to continue the tabulation procedure with spreadsheets, but she strongly objected.
“That is not what the Chief Justice ordered,” Minister Parag said she protested. Lawrence was there, too, she added, but she did not see her voice any complaints.
The witness continued by stating that Mingo had left the room after promising to obtain the SoPs but had come back and declared he would utilise the spreadsheets for tallying the votes.
VERY QUICKLY
She testified that
turns counting the votes.
“They were going at a fast rate,” she stated, noting that she was unable to make a comparison between the figures on her party’s SoPs and the numbers that the employees were calling out.
This witness said that because she could not see what was being shown on the projected screen, she had to raise another objection, but her concerns went unanswered.
Following his non-compliance with court instructions, Minister Parag stated that she was informed that Mingo was facing contempt of court proceedings.
The counting process finished at around 19:00 hours, she added.
The government official stated that she took part in a recount of all the votes cast in the elections on March 2, 2020, as her testimony came to an end for lunch.
At 13:15 hours, Minister Parag began testifying again. She described how, on August 26, 2020, she and Mingo had a confrontation at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Eve Leary, Georgetown, and that Mingo chose not to comment.
Following her evidence-in-chief, the minister faced brief cross examination
POLICE are investigating a tragic accident that occurred Tuesday morning at approximately 09:57 hours on the public road at Montrose, East Coast Demerara.
The accident resulted in the death of 31-yearold Akeem Lewis, a self-employed resident of Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
The accident involved a motorcar with registration PAF 9125, driven by Lewis, and a minibus, with registration BAH 1874, driven by a 57-year-old resident of Airy Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
According to initial inquiries, Lewis was driving his car westward in the northern lane of the southern carriageway of Montrose public road at a high speed when he lost control. The car swerved southwest and collided with the rear left side of the minibus, which was travelling in the same direction. The impact caused the car to crash into the southern footpath and overturn multiple times before coming to a stop.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrived at the scene and found Lewis in a conscious state. He was transported by ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and admitted with multiple injuries. Sadly, Lewis succumbed to his injuries at around 15:05 hours Tuesday afternoon.
The driver of the minibus is currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation into the accident.
From page 10
from the defence.
The second witness to take the stand was Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rosalinda Rasul. She told the court that she was an election observer for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana.
Her account provided a detailed narrative of the alleged misconduct and fraudulent activities that transpired at the GECOM Command Centre. Rasul will continue testifying today from 09:30 hours.
The case for the prosecution is being led by King’s Counsel Ramdhani while the defence attorneys include Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels, Eusi Anderson and Darren Wade.
The APNU+AFC Coalition received 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C received 166,343 votes, according to former CEO Lowenfield’s election report.
It was evident from the official findings of the recount process, which was supervised by GECOM and a high-level Caribbean Community (CARICOM) team that the coalition had received 217,920 votes, while the PPP/C had received 233,336 votes, which was enough to win.
In order to help the APNU+AFC caretaker administration stay in power, Mingo and the other defendants, allegedly inflated the results in Region Four, as the recount process also revealed.
In August 2021, GECOM made the decision to sack Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo.
Following the filing of charges against the defendants in late 2020, there had been multiple delays in the start of the trial, primarily due to requests from the defence.
Five months after the polls closed, on August 2, 2020, GECOM announced the official results of the 2020 elections.
THE following is the full text of a statement from the Government of Guyana: “Elections are about people exercising their constitutional right to elect a government of their choice in a free, fair and transparent process.
It behooves all to ensure the integrity of that process through the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and strict adherence to the rule of law, including the rules governing elections, to guarantee respect for the will of the people.
Guyana therefore, supports the call for a transparent process of verification of the will of the Venezuelan people, as exercised on July 28,
2024. The people of
deserve nothing less.”
TWO members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were formally charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking following their arrest on Saturday.
The charges come as a result of a successful intelligence-led police operation.
Edward McCalmont, 40, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, and John Johnson, 24, of Timehri Docks, East Bank Demerara, were apprehended on July 27, 2024 with 316 pounds of narcotics.
Both men faced charges
on Tuesday under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance Control Act, Chapter 10:10.
The defendants appeared before Principal Magistrate Ms. Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where they were read the charges. Both McCalmont and Johnson pleaded not guilty, and were remanded to prison. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2024.
By Trina Williams
THE government’s ongoing efforts in the gas-to-energy project signify significant advancements towards the realisation of a more cost-effective and dependable electricity infrastructure in Guyana.
On Tuesday, during a simple ceremony, the government signed a US $8.6 million contract for the establishment of a national control centre, which is a key component of the project.
Power China Caribbean has been awarded the contract, and the completion of the Centre is anticipated within 384 days.
The agreement was officially signed at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with Chief Representative Dan Shen signing on behalf of Power China Caribbean, and OPM’s Permanent Secretary Alfred King signing on behalf of the government.
Kesh Nandlall, who holds the position of Head of the Executive Management Committee at Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), observed the signing.
The equipment for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management Systems/ Generation Management System (SCADA/EMS/
GMS) will be housed in the facility once it is finished.
According to the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, the awarding of the contract was done through an open and competitive tendering process.
Indar recalled: “The totality and the sound effect of all of this work is to give a single promise that we made as a PPP government when we were in opposition. We campaigned to reduce electricity costs by 50 per cent. This entire [load] of work is to deliver on this single promise.”
Further, the Minister told representatives from both the government’s side and Power China that the initiatives being rolled out by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is not “guess work” but it is “painstaking and crafted” hard work.
The Minister then stressed the importance of the contractors following the project’s specifications and its timeline.
“I want to implore on the contractor to keep on specifications and keep on timeline,” he said.
Indar then explained how the gas-to-energy project will transform Guyana in various ways, such as significantly lowering
the cost of manufacturing for companies by utilising its natural gas resources.
He stated: “This is designed to help Guyanese people.”
However, despite this project being a game-changer for the nation, the Minister did note that there are detractors of development who are trying to erode the benefits of the project.
Additionally, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips emphasised that in 2025, the PPP/C will deliver on its manifesto promise and the Guyanese people will be able to benefit from reliable and cheap electricity.
He stated: “It will be reliable and as mentioned by Minister Indar the costs will go down. We promise the people that we [will] reduce the cost of electricity by 50 per cent and we will deliver on that promise.”
Speaking to the contractors, the Prime Minister said: “We look forward on signing of this contract to see work start immediately and progress to the completion of this project, so that we are ready to deliver to the people the promise electricity and the
necessary comfort that comes with that.”
Together with CNOOC and Hess, its co-venture partners on the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil is working with the Government of Guyana to advance the gas-to-energy project.
The gas-to-energy project will see a 200-km, 12-inch diameter pipeline channeling natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels to a powerplant Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility that will be built in Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
That pipeline will be landing on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) shore and continue approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL and powerplant facilities.
It has an estimated total cost of US$1.8 billion and is cost recoverable. The powerplant and NGL facilities will be funded by the government.
In December 2022, the government and US-based integrated energy solutions group – LINDSAYCA –in partnership with a local
AN early-morning police operation led to the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition on the Albion Public Road in front of the Albion Police Station.
The operation, conducted at approximately 06:28 hrs on Tuesday, resulted in the arrest of two individuals.
Police stopped and searched a Toyota Premio motorcar, registration number HD 2128, driven by Selwyne Gray, a taxi driver from Leeds Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
The lone passenger in
the vehicle was Otis Victor, a farmer from Nurney Village, Corentyne, Berbice. During the search, officers found a black plastic bag in the right-side driver’s door. Inside the bag was a .38 revolver and seven live matching rounds of ammunition.
Both suspects were immediately taken into custody and transported to the Albion Police Station. The firearm and ammunition were lodged, and the vehicle was impounded.
Police are continuing their investigations into the matter.
From page 13
firm – CH4 Group – signed a US$759 million contract for the construction of the facilities.
The conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity is a key component of the government’s objective to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix which incorporates gas, solar, wind, and hydropower.
As major groundwork continues for the project, it is expected to be up and running by the first half of 2025 and has a 25-year lifespan.
THE Government of Guyana is making significant investments in the development of the nation’s human resource capital and labour force through extensive technical and vocational training programmes across the country. These initiatives aim to equip Guyanese citizens with the skills necessary to embark on various entrepreneurship opportunities and en-
hance their marketability in today's evolving economy.
Upon completing these programmes, graduates are encouraged to utilise the services provided by the Central Manpower and Recruitment Agency (CRMA). These training programmes have also contributed to the economic strengthening of numerous communities.
From 2023 to date, over
4,500 Guyanese have been certified in various technical and vocational skills through the Ministry of Labour-Board of Industrial Training (BIT). In 2023 alone, 4,371 individuals were trained, with 157 trained so far in 2024. The breakdown of certifications by region in 2023 is as follows: Region One: 187; Region Two: 617; Region Three: 320; Region Four: 1,187; Region Five:
254; Region Six: 697; Region Seven: 265; Region Eight: 113; Region Nine: 190; and Region Ten: 543.
This year, the government has allocated $500 million to expand skill training programmes, benefitting 7,890 individuals. So far in 2024, 45 heavy-duty equipment operators have been certified, and 112 individuals have been trained in various disciplines, including floral designs and events décor, information technology, office administration, commercial food preparation, elementary sewing, cosmetology, and automotive electrical skills.
One of the programme graduates, Jonathan Garnett from Kitty, highlighted how the training enriched his skill set and prospects. Now licensed, Garnett looks forward to employment opportunities in his field and plans to pursue online courses offered through a collaboration between Coursera and the Ministry of Labour. Another graduate, Remona Williams from La Parfaite Harmonie, shared her experience of breaking traditional gender norms by pursuing typically male-dominated programmes. She expressed, “It is an overwhelming feeling because at first when I started, I was scared of getting onto the machine and doing the basic stuff. Now, I was able to overcome that feeling… And they cannot get me out of the machine.”
Following the launch of several more technical programmes countrywide, over 300 individuals are currently undergoing various courses. The BIT programmes and their respective beneficiaries by region are as follows: Region One: Small Engine Repairs (20 beneficiaries); Region Two: Cosmetology (45 beneficiaries); Region Three: Heavy Duty Equipment Operation (30 beneficiaries); Region Four: Heavy Duty Equipment Operation, Plumbing, Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation (82 beneficiaries); Region Five: Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation, Commercial Food Preparation (30 beneficiaries); Region Nine: General Building Construction, Welding and Fabrication (30 beneficiaries); Region Ten: Heavy Duty Equipment
Operation, Electrical Installation, Commercial Food Preparation, A/C Servicing and Repairs (83 beneficiaries).
To ensure Guyanese have access to the necessary facilities for their training sessions, several technical training centres are under construction in Oronoque in Port Kaituma in Region One, and in Corriverton and New Amsterdam in Region Six. These modern training centres are being constructed in accordance with the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) standards.
As Guyana's economic landscape continues to accelerate, the government remains committed to investing in educational opportunities for its citizens, recognising that such investments are key to the nation's development.
IN a proactive effort to secure the well-being and rights of workers in the oiland-gas industry, a team from the Ministry of Labour conducted an inspection
A Ministry of Labour team conducted an inspection on the
Monday on the 752ft Offshore Drillship, Nobel Bob Douglas.
The inspection team, comprising of Occupational Safety and Health Officer (OSH)
Ms. Nazmoon Jafarally Prittipaul, and Labour Officer Mr. Martin Murray, carried out a thorough physical inspection to ensure the drillship’s compliance with the OSH Act 99:06, international safety standards, and the labour laws of Guyana.
During their recent visit, the team evaluated several key aspects
of the Labour Laws, including the company's Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) policy, workers' training and competence, emergency response systems, risk assessments, and the maintenance of reports and records. Discussions also covered important topics such as the National Minimum Wage Order, working conditions, overtime regulations, termination of employment, probationary periods, notice periods for termination, and leave with pay.
In addition to the inspection, the team engaged with both the management and employees on board the drillship, as well as representatives from Eldorado Offshore. These interactions were aimed
at educating the workers about their rights under the Labour Act and informing them about the services being offered by the Ministry of Labour.
The visit is part of a series of initiatives by the Labour Ministry’s OSH Department to protect the rights and
well-being of workers across various sectors, with a particular focus on the oil-and-gas sector. Through these initiatives, the Ministry seeks to ensure that workers operate in safe environments, and are fully aware of their legal rights and protections.
By Cindy Parkinson
MINISTER of Housing
a nd Water Collin Croal has expressed gratitude
to the public for their patience and understanding during the construction of the four-lane interconnection (Red Road) be -
tween the East Bank Public Road and the Heroes Highway.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Croal emphasised the significant scale of the development, highlighting that such projects cannot be completed overnight.
Minister Croal acknowledged the high expectations of the public, but stressed that the government's primary goal is to enhance the lives of all Guyanese through robust and enduring infrastructure.
“Even though we are working to ensure that we give our people better roads and infrastructure, we are very watchful in making sure that these roads are built to withstand the weight and pressure that will be on them on a daily basis," he stated.
Quality remains a top priority for the government, as Minister Croal pointed out. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the infrastructure can endure weather conditions and the constant use by heavy-duty machinery and trucks.
"While we are looking at the contractors to complete the work in the allotted time that is agreed upon, we have to also look at the quality of work that is being done. It is not fair to us as a government and for the people to deal with substandard work after huge investments," he explained.
The rapid growth of Guyana has motivated the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government to continue its mission of widening roads to support national development and international trade. Minister Croal highlighted that the temporary inconveniences caused by road construction are a necessary part of improving the overall quality
of life.
"Not trying to justify anything here, but we have to be real with ourselves, anywhere in the world. As long as there is infrastructural development of this volume, people are going to be inconvenienced. However, the bright side to that is knowing that when all of the work is completed, hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from improved and enhanced access to these road networks," he said.
Minister Croal also noted the interconnected nature of the road projects, mentioning that the new roads are linked with the development of the overpass for the Demerara Harbour Bridge. These access points will facilitate smoother connections to the East Coast of Demerara.
Despite the government's strict oversight, Minister Croal praised the dedication of contractors and their collaborative efforts with utility companies. The road-widening project required the relocation of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) pipelines and utility cables, among other challenges. "These types of work require skills; it is not just about digging up the sides of the roads. And I must say that we are also concreting the drains, which will also bring ease to the residents, as well as the businesses in the area," he added.
The completion of the Red Road project promises to bring significant improvements to Guyana's infrastructure, in terms of enhancing connectivity and supporting the country's continued growth. Minister Croal's message to the public is clear: The benefits of these developments will far outweigh the temporary inconveniences, thereby leading to a better quality of life for all.
MOBILE Money Guyana (MMG), a lead in innovative e-commerce solutions, recently announced the launch of their new E-Commerce API.
This cutting-edge API will enhance e-commerce in Guyana by providing shoppers with a convenient way to pay online for goods and services using MMG and giving local businesses a boost in their shopping experience offered.
MMG recently hosted an exclusive webinar for developers on Friday, July 26 at 16:00 hrs, recognising developers as key players who will be the bridge to provide support to local businesses to integrate their online platforms successfully with MMG.
"We are thrilled to offer this API to the developer community," said Elizabeth Timal-Tatkan, Director of Merchant Services at MMG.
She added: "Our goal is
to empower developers to create exceptional e-commerce experiences that drive growth and customer satisfaction."
MMG team with some of the developers
The webinar featured a live demonstration of the e-commerce API, extensively showcasing its functionality and benefits to
businesses and consumers. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with MMG's team of experts, which
included Deson Alleyne, Systems Administrator at MMG who conducted the presentation. Of over 100 virtual at-
tendees, public figures and well-known developers such as Rowen Willabus and Carl Handy also joined as panelists in partnership with MMG to show support for this initiative.
“Kudos to the MMG team...we really appreciate you and thank you for creating a warm space for us [developers],” Rowen Willabus said.
This initiative was the first of its kind in Guyana and it was positively received by all attendees of the webinar. Efforts will be continued by the MMG team to remain close to the developer community to further enhance the e-commerce landscape in Guyana through future collaborations.
Elizabeth Timal-Tatkan also encouraged the developers to target local businesses to provide them with the tools and talent to help them digitalise their payment options.
THE Ministry of Agriculture has strongly refuted allegations made by Vinceroy Jordan in a recent Stabroek News article regarding the management of Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) in Guyana's poultry industry.
Jordan emphasised the se-
vere economic and health impacts of the disease but failed to acknowledge the proactive measures taken by the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration to combat it.
IBH, first detected in Guyana in 2005 and confirmed in 2006 at the DIDCO farm, has significantly threatened the poultry sector, leading to substantial economic losses and the closure of the DIDCO facility.
The Ministry swiftly responded by recruiting regional poultry pathologists and initiating a national IBH control plan, which has effectively reduced the disease's incidence over the years.
The Agriculture Ministry noted that the resurgence of IBH in 2015, particularly in the Berbice region, highlighted the persistent threat of the disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and historic flooding further exacerbated the situation, challenging existing vaccination Programmes.
In response, the Ministry implemented several critical interventions: Sourcing and Procurement of Vaccines: An investment of 29 million GYD has been made to secure vaccines for combating IBH; Recruitment of International Experts: The Ministry has hired poultry pathologists, virologists, and nutritionists to enhance disease management capabilities.; Legislative Support: Key legislation has been passed to support staff activities and ensure hatchery compliance; Virus Isolation and Typing: Efforts have been made to isolate and type the virus, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions; Development of an Autogenous Vaccine: In 2021, an autogenous vaccine was developed for the first time in Guyana; Sourcing of Hatching Eggs from Vaccinated Flocks: This strategy aims to improve chick immunity from the outset, reducing disease transmission; and Broiler Breeder Programme: A 20 million GYD investment has been made to establish a broiler breeder Programme, ensuring national self-sufficiency and enhancing poultry immunity.
While many countries continue to battle diseases like Newcastle and Bird Flu, Guyana has managed to keep these threats at bay through the Ministry's strategic interventions. This success highlights the effectiveness of the national disease control strategies and the dedication of the agricultural sector. Under the PPP/C govern-
ment, the Ministry noted that the poultry sector is thriving, bolstered by support from the oil and gas sector and extensive research on hepatitis. In contrast,
during the APNU+AFC administration from 2015-2020, poultry farmers received minimal support, leaving them to fend for themselves. It was only with the
return of the PPP/C to office that significant actions were taken to address these challenges.
In conclusion, while IBH remains a significant chal -
lenge, the Ministry of Agriculture's comprehensive and proactive approach has significantly mitigated its impact. Continued vigilance,
investment, and innovation will be crucial in safeguarding Guyana's poultry industry and ensuring its resilience against future threats.
LAST week, from July 21 to 26, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), in collaboration with Smile Train Guyana successfully hosted an intensive Cleft Palate Speech Therapy Training for local speech therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants.
This initiative aimed to enhance the skills of professionals in diagnosing and treating cleft palate speech disorders across Guyana.
Dr. Crowley, who is also a member of Smile Train's Global Medical Advisory Board, led the training sessions, providing invaluable expertise and guidance.
The training not only focused on building the capacity of local professionals to diagnose and treat cleft palate speech disorders, but also aimed to empower these newly trained therapists to further train others in regions that
from the expertise of the newly trained therapists and assistants.
Speech therapy is crucial for patients with cleft palate repairs to help them utilise their new palate to produce correct sounds and overcome habitual errors caused by the previous condition.
Dr. Crowley emphasised the importance of speech therapy following surgical interventions, stating, "While the surgical repairs
The training saw participation from representatives of the David Rose School for the Handicapped, Palm’s Rehabilitation Clinic, Diamond Special Need Speech Therapy and Audiology Centre, Ministry of Education Diagnostic Centre, Ptolemy Reid Centre, Fort Wellington Hospital, and Lethem Regional Hospital.
A total of nine therapists and four Rehabilitation Assistants were trained, including one Rehabilitation Assistant and two Speech Language Therapists based at the Speech Therapy Department, GPHC.
In March 2024, four representatives from Guyana attended a similar training in Barbados. Inspired by this experience, the idea was conceived to invite Dr. Catherine Crowley, Speech Language Pathologist and Professor of Practice at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, to Guyana.
could not attend the session.
Rehabilitation Assistants, strategically placed at various health facilities across all ten regions of Guyana, perform essential physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Currently, Regions Four, Five, and 10 have dedicated speech language therapists.
During the training, ten patients who had previously undergone cleft palate surgeries, along with their parents, participated and received two daily therapy sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Remarkably, two patients were discharged after demonstrating significant competency in their therapy sessions.
The impact of this training extends beyond children who have benefitted from cleft palate surgeries. Adults who have lost speech capacity due to conditions such as tracheostomy or swallowing disorders will also benefit
are life-changing, patients need support to use their new palate effectively, which is where speech therapy plays a vital role."
During the training, Dr. Crowley was supported by ten graduate students from Columbia University, who volunteered to assist with the sessions.
Ideally, patients who have undergone cleft repairs should receive quality speech therapy for 12 weeks to a year to achieve optimal speech improvement.
This collaborative effort between Smile Train Guyana and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation underscores a shared commitment to improving the lives of individuals with cleft palate conditions and ensuring that both children and adults in Guyana receive the necessary support to enhance their speech and overall quality of life.
FORMER West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd has been described as a statesman by current president of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh who congratulated the ‘supercat’ being conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Region’s exclusive award.
According to the GCB President, “The quintessential statesman continues to receive outstanding awards and accolades from around the world 39 years after the curtain fell on his illustrious playing career.”
The award has been de-
scribed as a “celebration of excellence among the peoples of the Region. Honourees represent the interest of their Nation States and the Region in the wider international arena and by their service craft a niche for the Caribbean in the international community. Sir Clive is the second Guyanese after Sir Shridath Ramphal (1992) to be awarded the OCC and also the fourth cricketer after Sir Garfield Sobers (1998), Mr. Brian Charles Lara (2008) and Sir Viv Richards (2022).
Sir Clive has added his name to a select group of distinguished West Indians who
have contributed outstandingly to regional development.”
The President, Executives and Members of the GCB join the nation in congratulating Sir Clive Lloyd on being the recipient of this prestigious accord at the recently-held 47th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM. The modest and soft-spoken national hero has once again added to his expanding honour roll which includes his Knighthood in January 2022 from the Duke of Cambridge Prince William at Windsor Castle and his induction into
the ICC Hall of Fame in 2019.
In his international playing days, Sir Clive Lloyd blazed a trail of outstanding achievements from 1966 to 1985 during which time he played 110 tests, was captain for 74 and won 36 of those matches making him the most successful captain in West Indies Cricket.
This included a sequence of 26 tests without a loss including 11 consecutive victories.
His highest score of 242 not out was among his 19 test centuries.
Sir Clive’s crowning moment was on June 21, 1975 when as captain he held aloft the Presidential Trophy presented to him by Prince Phillip of England after West Indies had defeated Australia by 17 runs at Lord’s to win the inaugural One-Day World Cup (60 overs) in what was described as the longest day in cricket.
Sir Clive also played and made an indelible mark for 20 seasons with Lancashire in English County Cricket and was captain for 5 of those seasons. He was also outstanding for Guyana in Regional First-Class Cricket
and was captain when Guyana in 1983 became the first territory to win both the fourday and the one-day titles in a Regional Season.
After his playing days, Sir Clive served as an ICC Match Referee and in 2008 was appointed Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.
The GCB is once again proud of yet another achievement by our legendary cricket hero on his conferral of the OCC and takes the opportunity to congratulate him and wish him the very best.
Loyal Company
IN an unprecedented and thrilling development for the horse racing community in Guyana, seven top-tier thoroughbreds from around the globe have touched down on Guyanese soil in preparation for the highly-anticipated 16th running of the prestigious Guyana Cup, set to take place on August 11 at the renowned Rising Sun Turf Club in Berbice.
This historic event marks the first time such elite equine athletes have graced the tracks of Guyana or the wider Caribbean region, promising an unforgettable spectacle for all racing enthusiasts.
Among the distinguished lineup of equine stars are some of the finest graded stakes winners and stakes-placed horses, each boasting an illustrious pedigree and a track record of remarkable achievements on prestigious racetracks worldwide.
Leading the charge is Stat, a five-year-old chestnut gelding hailing from Florida, USA. Bred with exceptional lineage as the grandson of the
legendary Unbridled's Song with impressive career earnings exceeding G$260 million in international competitions.
Sired by the acclaimed Will Take Charge, who himself has garnered over G$800 million in winnings, Stat has triumphed in 7 out of his 23 career starts, including a remarkable victory in the Soldier's Dancer Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Florida. With a total earnings surpassing G$65 million, Stat arrives in Guyana as a formidable contender poised for success. Joining Stat is Novo Sol, a seven-year-old bay colt originally bred in Brazil, South America. With a lineage going back to the esteemed Sunday Silence and the prolific Agnes Gold, who has earned over G$1Billion overseas, Novo Sol brings a wealth of racing experience to the Guyana Cup, having competed in 32 races and secured 7 victories totaling over G$48 million in earnings. Having previously raced in the USA, and showcased his talent in graded stakes events, Novo
Sol's arrival in Guyana signals a new chapter in his illustrious career.
The lineup further includes Loyal Company, a fouryear-old bay gelding bred in Kentucky, USA, under the prestigious Godolphin stable, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai. Acquired by a Guyanese through an auction in late July 2024 from the renowned Godolphin Stables, Loyal Company inherits his exceptional pedigree from the likes of Tapit and Frosted, with career earnings exceeding G$140 million. With only 13 starts to his name, Loyal Company has already clinched 2 victories, and amassed over G$36 million, showcasing his potential for greatness on the Guyanese turf.
Also on board out the quartet is Stormy Entry, a promising four-year-old bay gelding originating from Kentucky, and boasting a lineage tied to the successful Point Of Entry, with a career earnings record exceeding G$500 million.
Stormy Entry brings a blend of talent and potential to the upcoming Guyana Cup, having commenced his racing journey in Ireland before returning to the USA. With 2 wins in just 6 career starts, Stormy Entry's arrival in Guyana signals a new chapter in his quest for racing glory.
Adding to the stellar lineup of elite thoroughbred horses set to grace the tracks of Guyana for the historic Guyana Cup is Stormy Victory, a fiveyear-old Kentucky-bred colt. Descended from the illustrious Storm Cat, renowned for his exceptional progeny and earnings exceeding G$100 million, Stormy Victory carries the legacy of greatness in his bloodline. Son of Stormy Atlantic, Stormy Victory brings a wealth of experience to the racing scene, with 21 career starts and 2 victories under his belt. With a pedigree steeped in excellence, and a proven track record of competitiveness, Stormy Victory is poised to make his mark on the Guyanese turf, and vie for victory
in the upcoming prestigious event.
In the esteemed lineup of Thoroughbred contenders set to compete in the highly anticipated Guyana Cup, the sixth horse to make a grand entrance is Morning Colors, a seven-year-old New Yorkbred mare poised to showcase her talent on the racetrack. Another descendant of the illustrious Unbridled's Song, Morning Colors adds a touch of elegance and power to the competition. As the second female contender to join the Guyana Cup alongside Bosalina, Morning Colors brings a unique blend of speed and determination to the racing scene. Daughter of Midshipman, a respected sire known for producing top-tier performers, Morning Colors boasts an impressive resume with 29 career starts, 5 victories, and earnings exceeding GYD$20 million. With a proven track record of success and a lineage steeped in excellence, Morning Colors is set to captivate audiences and vie for victory in the
prestigious event.
Lastly, the seventh horse to grace the Guyana Cup with his presence is the youngest competitor in the lineup, Oy Vey, a threeyear-old Kentucky-bred bay colt. Another grandson of the esteemed Tapit, Oy Vey carries the legacy of greatness in his bloodline. Son of Constitution, a sire with career earnings exceeding GYD$200 million, Oy Vey represents the new generation of talent in the world of Thoroughbred racing. Despite his young age and limited racing experience, with only 8 career starts and one victory to his name, Oy Vey brings promise, potential, and a fresh perspective to the Guyana Cup. As the youngest entrant in the field, Oy Vey's participation adds an element of excitement and anticipation to the competition, as he seeks to make his mark and showcase his burgeoning talent on the grand stage of the Guyana Cup.
AS the countdown to the second Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast nears an end, Digital Technology has gotten onboard as a key partner in enhancing the quality of the 2024 tournament.
Digital Technology is a professional engineering and consulting firm that offers Technology, Cloud Computing, Software Development, Project Management, and Managed IT Services.
At their Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara location, Public Relations Consultant Janelle Persaud underscored that the partnership is about bringing awareness of the company’s services, using the most evolving Tapeball tournament in the region.
The second installment
of the pulsating tournament bowls off on August 3 at the Police Sports Club, Lusignan Community Centre Ground, and Queen’s College Ground, where the best 32 Tapeball teams in Guyana will be on show in a straight knock-out contest.
Other match days will be the Round-of-16 on August 4 at the Police Sports Club and Lusignan, while the quarter-finals return to the Enmore Community Centre Ground on August 11.
The competition promises to be fierce, and a larger prize pool will entice the 32 participating teams. The champions will receive G$1.5 million, while the runners-up will receive G$500,000.
Matches on August 3: MS-13 All-Stars v Team Corruption – QC Pitch 1 at
09:30h; Upsetters v GPL Inc – QC Pitch three at 09:30h; Montra Jaguars v Falcons XI – PSC at 09:30h; Street Ballerz v Village Rams –Lusignan at 09:30h; EC Express v Mahdia – Lusignan at 11:30h; Soesdyke XI v Airport XI – QC pitch one at 11:30h; Renegades Cricket Club v Tarmac Titans – PSC at 11:30h; Eccles All-Stars v Eastsyde – QC pitch three at 11:30h; Titans All-Stars v Stripling Warriors – PSC at 13:30h; PREMIER Insurance v Min. Housing – QC pitch one at 13:30h; Moruca Super Giants v Lil Rams – QC pitch three at 13:30h; The Guards v Mahaica Super Strikers – 13:30h at Lusignan; Green Scorpions v Avinash All-Stars – QC pitch one at 15:30h; Brooklyn Youth Strikers v Cotton Tree Die
Kevin ‘2feet’ Joseph/ Team 13 U-23 Basketball Semifinals
Top ranked Victory Valley Royals will take on Amelia’s Ward Jets while the Block 22 Flames face Retrieve Raiders as semi-final action in the Kevin ‘2Feet’ Joseph / Team 13 Under 23 gets going tomorrow (Thursday) evening at the Amelia’s Ward Hard Court.
The Royals remained unbeaten as they gained a 69-55 win over Central Mackenzie Kings last Saturday night in the final game of the round robin play of the tournament, while Retrieve Raiders defeated the
RACING enthusiasts can begin purchasing their tickets for this weekend’s Drag Wars 3 International Drag Racing event from Today. Tickets in Georgetown will be sold at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) office from 10:00 hours until 16:00 hours daily until Friday. According to the GMR&SC, this initiative was taken with the aim of ensuring ease of access for spectators to get into the venue early.
Amelia’s Ward Jets, 59-51, earlier that evening. In that win for the Royals Kobe Tappin netted 24 points and the next best scorer was Godwyn George with nine points while Joe Warner had a top score of 11 points for the Kings.
Shemar Savoury with 26 game high points emerged as the best player for the Raiders as teammate Damian Vincente added nine.
For the jets Joel Benjamin with 14 points and Stephan
“The Pre-selling of tickets by the Club was taken because we have seen how many drag racing fans tend to miss the action when they have to pay to come in. In this regard, we decided that if they get their tickets early, they can move through the security checkpoints faster and not miss any of the action,” a club official said.
Shortened strip
Meanwhile at a recent competitor briefing, the decision was taken to shorten
George 12 were their best players.
In the first semifinal at 18.30 hours the Flames will meet Retrieve Raiders in what should be an interesting affair seeing that Flames won via walkover in the preliminary round.
The other semifinal at 20.30 hours. will see Royals after gaining a 42-39 win over Jets, seeking to have a similar winning result against the home team come tomorrow night. (Joe Chapman).
the racing distance from the full quarter mile (1320ft) to 1000ft, owing to ongoing upgrades at the track.
The GMR&SC was hoping to complete a new, flat surface for drag racing running in the opposite directions but inclement weather had stalled any further progress in that regard.
According to the club, the area under construction poses no imminent threat to drag racing but essentially means that the braking distance of the cars after the quarter mile
Hard – PSC at 15:30h; Diamond Gunners v TG Titans – Lusignan at 15:30h; The United Crew v Bartica Bulls – QC pitch three at 15:30h.
The competition promises to be fierce, and a larger prize pool will entice the 32 participating teams. The champions will receive G$1.5 million, while the runners-up will receive G$500,000.
The losing semi-finalists each get G$250,000.
Players will vie for the titles of Most Runs, Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize, all compliments of Regal Stationery.
Assuria Insurance is not holding back either, offering a motorbike and $85,000 to the Most Valuable Player.
The Kares One Guyana
T10 Blast enjoys the support of Kares Engineering, Banks DIH Limited, Star Rentals, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, SuperBet, Demerara Mutual, ETS, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Jacobs’ Jewellery, First Change Builders Inc, KFC Guyana, Building
Expo 2024, Giftland OfficeMax, Sankar’s Auto Works, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, ANSA McAL Distribution, Camille’s Academy, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, General Marine, Samaroo Investments, and Coel’s Boutique.
Action in the Kevin ‘2feet’ Joseph/ Team 13 U-23 Basketball Tournament
has been shortened by close to 600ft.
This means that the faster cars while under normal circumstances would be able to stop before the construction area, any malfunction in equipment (parachute or brakes) would not have the buffer to stop before the area under construction.
International competition
Meanwhile the club has also confirmed that they are in the process of garnering international competition for the locals, with a Trinidadian
team already en-route to Guyana.
The team will be led by Sheldon Bissessar and his railcar along returning crowd favorite ‘The Fish Van’.
Suriname has also indicated that a team will be there to represent their interests on a weekend where more than 100 competitors are expected on show.
The GMR&SC had reached out to Barbados which had confirmed until hurricane Beryl hit the island, those competitors not
being able to do any work to their cars and thus missed the shipping date
Tickets for the August 4 event are set at 3000 dollars for adults and 2000 dollars for Kids and will be pre-sold from next week.
Patrons desirous of entering the venue on the day are asked to use the Airport route. After the event, spectators will be allowed to meet and greet the drivers.
Guyana’s Olympic swimmer Aleka Persaud was off her best in the 100m freestyle as action continued in the 2024 Paris Olympic games.
As such, the Guyanese missed out on a trip to the semifinals.
The 18-year-old, twotime Olympian Aleka Persaud missed the mark on Tuesday in the 50m pool.
Aleka going into the race, aiming to be the first Guyanese woman to break the minute barrier with a personal best 1:00.67 sec-
onds, finished in 1:01.29 seconds for fourth.
Paige Van Der Westhuizen of Zimbabwe was first in 58.19 seconds with Grenada’s Tilly Collymore second in 58.84 seconds and Maxine Egner third in 58.98 seconds
Sweden Sarah Sjoestroem was the fastest qualifier into the semifinal with a time of 52.99 seconds
Olympic coach Sean Baksh says they were on target at the half way stage.
“It was not a good time,
she was on target at the 50, because that was what the calculation were 28 to get through the 50 and come back in 28 to 31 but she didn’t do that. It’s what it is, we are done,” The coach said.
At the last Olympic Games, she became the youngest athlete to represent Guyana at the age of 15.
At the Tokyo games she copped second place in her heat but didn’t advance with a then national record of 27.76 second in the 50 free-
style which she has since lowered to 27.42 seconds.
The other remaining athletes competing at the games are two-time Olympian Emanuel Archibald in the men’s 100 metres on August 3 and three-time Olympian Aliyah Abrams turning out in the women 400 metres, on the August 5.
Table tennis player Chelsea Edghill and 400m freestyle swimmer Raekwon Noel were eliminated after decent performances in their events.
- Airy Hall registers opening round win
THE East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) on Sunday launched its Senior Men's League with an opening ceremony at the National Training Centre (NTC) on the East Bank Demerara.
The event began with a vibrant march pass by the participating clubs, followed by an address from Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President, Wayne Forde. In the opening game,
Airy Hall Stars, out of Mahaicony, defeated Golden Stars from Golden Grove by a 2-1 margin.
Elton Amsterdam found the net for Airy Hall in the 7th minute, after which Joshua Harper responded for Golden Stars in the 30th minute.
However, Daniel Blair scored the winner
for the Mahaicony boys in the 84th minute.
The league will continue on Friday evening at Buxton Ground with a double header. From 19:00hours, BV Triumph United will clash with Mahaica Determinators, while home team Buxton Stars will clash with Golden Stars.
THE Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association (GMMAKA) proudly commended its athletes for their outstanding performances at the recent tournament held in Trinidad on July 27, and 28, 2024.
A dedicated team of 11 students participated, demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and skill.
The GMMAKA reported that the athletes achieved remarkable success across various events, securing a total of 49 medals: 23 first-place, 12 second-place, and 14 third-place.
According to the GM-
MAKA, the impressive accomplishment is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Despite these successes, the organisation has been tirelessly advocating for financial support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports to enable our young karate ambassadors to represent Guyana at various international tournaments.
“Unfortunately, despite numerous letters and attempts to secure appointments, our pleas have gone unanswered, leaving our athletes without the necessary aid,” a release from the body said.
“Our Association has a proud history of participating in both local and international karate tournaments, consistently bringing home medals and honours for Guyana. This year alone, our members have competed in prestigious tournaments in the USA and Trinidad, and we are set to participate in another tournament in Suriname in the coming days. These achievements highlight the dedication and talent of our martial artists, who continue to elevate Guyana’s reputation on the global stage,” the release added.
