Dr. Jagdeo: Security firms must remit NIS deductions or face contract termination
–– inspection finds widespread non-compliance among security companies
By Naomi Parris
SOME security firms that provide services to government agencies nationwide have been ordered to pay as much as $60 million in unremitted deductions, following an inspection by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
This was, on Thursday, revealed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a news conference.
Dr. Jagdeo told reporters that the government, following an investigation, has flagged several security companies that failed to remit NIS deductions.
“About 8,000 people out there are employed through security companies that supply these services to the government of Guyana that we found are not paying the NIS,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
Several citizens employed by various security companies across the country have complained that payments are being deducted from their salaries; however, their employers are not remitting these to the NIS.
This was among several major concerns raised during a recent government outreach.
“We launched the investigation. I have the report. They have been given time, some of them have to pay $60 million. They have to say it or it would be sent to the police force and they are not going to get any contracts again. Their contracts are going to be cancelled,” he asserted.
Jagdeo further highlighted that the government will soon go further to ensure that the minimum wage is being paid to employees.
“They are scrambling now…we are going through everyone, and we are going to ensure too that they are observing the minimum wage for the people.”
Last month, the NIS began inspections of several security firms that have been providing services to government agencies.
“The security companies, they get paid for a service. They have to pay the people who are working for them, and they have to also ensure and pay them on time and ensure that their deductions for taxes and for the NIS, especially NIS, that those are remitted,” Dr. Jagdeo had said during a previous news conference.
Only recently, Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had issued a strong warning to employers, reminding them that it is a criminal offence to withhold National
Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions from employees without remitting them to the NIS.
Following a recent ruling by the local courts, the Attorney General reminded employers that while they are allowed to make NIS deductions from their employees’ salaries, a failure to pay over those monies to the NIS constitutes a criminal offence.
Nandlall had raised this issue while addressing circulating reports regarding an appeal filed by NIS against a High Court decision.
In that decision, High Court Judge, Damone Younge, ordered the NIS to pay
Limited (TPL).
Nandlall explained that the appeal was not initiated by the Attorney General’s Chambers but by the NIS itself, shedding light on critical aspects of the case.
“No such appeal was filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers. An appeal has been filed, but it has been filed by the National Insurance Scheme.”
Zainul, through his legal representatives, solely sued the NIS, neglecting to
include his employer.
He highlighted the crucial issue at hand: Toolsie Persaud Limited was not made a party to the proceedings, and the appeal seeks to address this omission.
“The NIS records show that no remissions were made by the employer to the NIS. The gentleman apparently had records that were produced to the court to establish that deductions were made from his wages or salaries.
“However, the NIS records do not establish that those deductions were actually paid over to NIS, and that is the problem with the case. Because we know, you know that there are many employers who are actually deducting NIS payments from employees,” he said.
As such, the AG warned that deducting NIS payments from employees but failing to remit those payments to the NIS constitutes a criminal offence under the law.
NIS extends Social Insurance Coverage on a compulsory basis, to all persons between the ages of sixteen (16) and sixty(60) years who are engaged in Insurable Employment.
In accordance with the information provided on NIS’ website, contributions into the Scheme are made by both the Employer and Employee through a ‘Payroll System’. Employed contributors make a total contribution of 14 per cent of the employee’s actual wage/salary. This is a result of a deduction of 5.6 percent from the employee’s salary, with the employer covering the remaining 8.4 percent on behalf of the employee.
The actual wage/salary is, at present, subjected to a ceiling of $280,000.00 per month or $64,615.00 per week for national insurance purposes.
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali held a virtual meeting with Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, on Friday morning to discuss the advancement of Guyana’s economy, particularly focusing on innovation and technology sectors.
During the meeting, Musk commended President Ali on the impressive rate of progress and development in Guyana. He expressed interest in exploring potential opportunities for collaboration in the burgeoning technological landscape of the country.
The discussions centered on the vast potential for technological and inno -
vative advancements in Guyana, highlighting how these developments could further stimulate the nation’s economic growth.
Director of Presidential Affairs, Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma, who was also present during the meeting, underscored the importance of high-level engagements in steering Guyana towards a technologically-advanced future.
The dialogue signifies a promising step towards potential partnerships that could bring cutting-edge technology and innovation to Guyana, aligning with President Ali’s vision for the country’s economic transformation.
a pension to Sharif Zainul, a former employee of Toolsie Persaud
Dr. Irfaan Ali met virtually with Elon Musk on Friday to discuss Guyana’s economy, particularly in the areas of innovation and technology (Office of the President photo)
PPP General Secretary and Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams photo)
President Ali: Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme to drive innovation, resilience in farming sector
- to introduce farmsteads, expand poultry production and agro-businesses
By Shamar Meusa
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali announced, on Friday, the expansion of the government’s Agricultural Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme with the intended introduction of farmsteads and expansion of poultry production.
The Head of State disclosed that as he met with recent graduates of the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Mon Repos, East Coast of Demerara and stated that the plan is to have those students deployed in various aspects of the expansion.
In bringing in young people and women in agriculture, the Head of State said that the government was also bringing innovation and resilience while also making the sector competitive and viable.
As a result, he indicated that they have been working on a number of programmes which will increase productivity, diversify the cropping system, expand the production base and introduce new crops, all aimed at improving the country’s competitiveness.
He added that the programmes will also increase yield and expand the market share while also reducing imports, which was important as the sector must push towards crops that can aid in achieving the goal of reducing imports.
As such, he highlighted the importance of having them gather there to carve out areas of interest within the sector.
“We want to engage these persons and we want to bring you together under the agriculture innovation entrepreneurship programme and under [this] programme we want to build agro-businesses, we don’t only want you to get a job, we want you to
the President photos)
eventually own your own businesses that take you beyond an employee and gives you the opportunity at owning your business and being a part of this big growth of agriculture,”
President Ali said.
Poultry Production expansion
With this, the Head of State told the gathering of recent graduates that the government aims to bring them into the programme under three categories, one of which happens to be the expansion of poultry production.
He said, “So what we are going to do, we have
for example the opportunity of expanding our poultry production because the growth in the demand for poultry products is exceeding our production quite often.”
Against this backdrop, President Ali said that there was a need for more investment in the poultry industry, but it also had to be done in a more scientific and modern way that is attractive to young people.
As a result, he said that, as part of the programme, they will, on farms across the country, bring in the tunnel house approach to poultry farming, which can
be very competitive and profitable, as he noted that one tunnel house can have over 35,000 chickens.
That, he said, will allow those who recently matriculated from the various institutes an opportunity to use their theoretical knowledge to manage and support the programme and also give them an opportunity to earn and build capital.
Introduction of farmsteads
Meanwhile, President Ali said that another aspect of this programme would be the introduction of modern farmsteads.
Farmsteads can be described as the main buildings and surrounding area of a farm, which usually includes a farmhouse, livestock pens and other structures necessary for various agricultural operations.
As part of this, the government was embarking on a structured regional plan to convert some 100 acres of land to farmsteads.
Historically, farmsteads are usually on two or five acres of land. However,
they will embark on a joint project between the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Housing and Water and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission for the implementation of this programme.
“We’re taking 100 acres of land on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway…
The Ministry of Housing is going to do the low-income housing and then we are going to put shade houses at the back of these houses that give you consistent production, resilience and can combat some of the effects of climate change,” he said about the intended plan.
Additionally, he revealed that the target is to have at least 500 farmsteads and link the production from these to a market.
Meanwhile, the third aspect of the expansion of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship innovation programme will include the aquaculture programme which is ongoing in Onverwagt.
Those persons who were interested in that aspect of the programme he said, will be trained in that area and will be part of it.
However, President Ali said that this expansion is set to create prosperity and for the recent graduates to apply their knowledge in advancing farming, using technology and advancing the way things are done across the country.
He said, “We want you to have the best possible future, and food security, productivity, agriculture are an important part of diversification and the vision in building a stronger, more resilient, diversified economy in our country.”
He added, “So that is another programme we want to start within six weeks. We are hoping to start that programme so some of you will also be deployed on that programme and this programme will target the improvement of lives for single mothers, single parents, especially so that they can also have an opportunity.”
President Dr. Irfaan Ali (Office of
Vriesland residents praise rapid gov’t response to road issues
RESIDENTS of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, have expressed their satisfaction with the government’s urgent decision to repair their road.
During an inspection on Friday, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, appointed Diamond Construction based within the community to execute the works.
This swift action will alleviate the issues being faced by residents since the thoroughfare has deteriorated,
owing to heavily laden trucks traversing the area.
The road works have since commenced and Junior Garnett is among many who use the thoroughfare daily to access his home.
He told the Department of Public Information (DPI), “We needed this a long time. vehicles can’t come in or come out if we have an emergency. It is very good that the minister came.”
Another resident, Nadie Budwah, shared similar sentiments, noting that her mind is
at peace, now that restorative works have started.
As for Feroze Gulabram, she added, “Well we are happy because we have been calling for this for a long time.”
Addressing the residents, Minister Edghill said, “We have to be able to give people access immediately. Let’s start work on the entire stretch today. We are going to procure the materials to fill the craters to bring the road up to a level that people could drive,” the minister stated.
He reiterated the government’s stance against contractors who disrespect and insult citizens in their operational areas.
Minister Edghill outlined conditions for operators to continue their activities within the community.
These include maintaining the roadway, respecting
residents, and adhering to a speed limit. Operators will also be required to sign an agreement committing to these conditions.
“There must be a better relationship between operators and citizens while they are executing contracts on behalf of the government. Bullyism will not be the stan-
dard which we will tolerate. People are always willing to tolerate inconvenience but they cannot tolerate people being insulting and abusive towards them,” he asserted. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, was also present during the engagement. (DPI)
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill engaged with residents of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara on repairing their roadways
The road works have since commenced and supplies have been brought to the area.
Caribbean resilience tested by record-breaking Hurricane Beryl
––Prime Ministers call for Climate-Crisis funding
By Naomi Parris
HURRICANE Beryl, an unprecedented category 4 storm, caused extensive destruction upon its arrival in the Caribbean nearly a fortnight ago.
Beryl set a record for the first-ever Category 4 storm in June in the Atlantic, making landfall on Carriacou, 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. Schools, businesses and crops were all destroyed, and, in some islands, fatalities were recorded.
“Together, they constitute Beryl’s Armageddon,” said St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as he pleaded for international community funding to address the climate crisis and rebuilding efforts.
“In just a few hours, entire islands were decimated,” Prime Minister Gonsalves told journalists and various stakeholders at a joint press conference facilitated by the United Nations last week.
“The climate crisis is too high for us alone to pay for, to bear the brunt of all people. Our societies, our islands, want to stay alive. We deserve to stay alive,” Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, said as he too highlighted the urgent need for timely assistance and capital investment in Small Island Developing States.
Despite contributing less than 10 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions- the Caribbean and Latin America continue to bear the brunt of the accelerating climate crisis; that was evident in Beryl’s passage across the region.
“Hurricane Beryl is
the first major hurricane of the season. It’s built up to category four quick and it affected many nations.
Even as [it] tapered off as a category one, the devastation has been significant,” Mitchell stressed.
ABOVE NORMAL
Back in May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year.
The Washington, D.C., United States scientific and regulatory agency charged with forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions predicted that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, could see a 85 per cent chance of an above-normal season, a 10 per cent chance of a near-normal season and a five per cent chance of a below-normal season.
The NOAA forecasted a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 4 to 7 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).
“The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favour tropical storm formation,” the NOAA said.
Beryl became the strongest June hurricane, it morphed into the earliest category 4 hurricane on record.
Hurricane Ivan in 2022 was the last strong hurricane to hit the region, causing catastrophic damage in Grenada.
RESILIENCE
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley, emphasised the need for resilience in the face of natural disasters, citing the rapid intensification of systems in the Caribbean as a future.
“CDEMA has been [underscoring] the importance of being resilient as a people…It has to do with the mental conditioning of our population, really making sure that our residents are aware, but also accept the level of vulnerability that we face in the region,” Riley said while providing an update on the regions response to Beryl recently.
In an immediate response, the Community (CARICOM) has been rounding up support for those nations that have been affected. CDEMA, Riley noted has been stepping up its capabilities in the region and participating members have been collaborating.
“One of the things that the meteorologists told us at the start of the season was about the risk of rapid intensification of systems,” Riley explained while highlighting the efforts that have been made to ensure a rapid response in the aftermath of Beryl.
“We knew we had record high temperatures in the Atlantic as well as in the Caribbean Sea. And those predictions were fully borne out with Beryl where we saw a rapid intensification from a tropical depression all the way through to a category five system in a few short days.”
Within hours of Beryl’s passage, the CDEMA coordinating unit activated the regional coordination plan. Emergency operation centres were activated across the islands that were affected.
While the region has mustered support for the islands that have been affected, the reality of what is to come still lingers.
“The realisation that what we have seen happen by Beryl is likely
to be common picture future going forward… these are the realities that we are going to be facing.”
“It’s going to be absolutely critical that we step up our own capabilities in the region. Our ability to help ourselves is going to continue to be very, very critical,” Riley added.
A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. (Photo credit: NOAA)
A summary graphic showing an alphabetical list of the 2024 Atlantic tropical cyclone names as selected by the World Meteorological Organization. (Photo credit: NOAA)
Sustainable Investments
GUYANA has once again solidified its position as a premier investment destination, offering a wealth of sustainable opportunities across various sectors, including oil and gas, housing, construction, and agriculture.
This South American nation is poised for tremendous development, a fact underscored by the 2024 Investment Climate Report, which lauded the government’s strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of its citizens.
The country's remarkable economic trajectory is evident from its impressive 33 per cent GDP growth rate in 2023, positioning Guyana as one of the fastest-growing
economies globally. The government’s efforts to foster a business-friendly environment have not gone unnoticed. The introduction of the electronic planning and development single-window system, aimed at expediting the processing of planning and building permits, is a testament to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commitment to reducing bureaucracy and facilitating business operations. Guyana’s tourism sector is also flourishing, having recently received the Destination of the Year award in the Ecological Tourism group. With the anticipated addition of over 500 hotel rooms by the end of 2024, the country is gearing up
to accommodate a surge in visitors, further bolstering its economy.
Significant strides have been made in infrastructural development, notably the gas-to-energy project, which promises to substantially lower electricity costs. Additionally, the construction of several four-lane highways will enhance commuter access and unlock new socio-economic opportunities across the nation.
The Local Content Act, passed in December 2021, has been instrumental in fostering a welcoming business environment. This legislation mandates that foreign and local businesses operating in the oil and gas industry hire Guyanese workers
and source local supplies, thereby ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are widely shared. The revised Natural Resource Fund (NRF), with its robust governance structure, is expected to exceed $3 billion by the end of the year, providing a solid financial foundation for future investments.
Investment incentives abound for both foreign and local investors, including tax exemptions, tax holidays, and the ability to repatriate capital and returns without hindrance. Although Guyana currently lacks free-trade zones, plans are underway to establish these in Lethem (Region Nine) and an industrial zone in Wales (Region Three), further enhancing
the country’s appeal to investors.
Guyana’s financial sector is robust, with its own stock market regulated by the Guyana Association of Securities Companies and Intermediaries (GASCI).
The influx of investments, particularly in the oil and gas sector, has spurred job creation and economic growth across multiple industries. The government's commitment to international anti-corruption standards, evidenced by its endorsement of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, reinforces Guyana’s reputation as a stable and transparent investment destination. Importantly, the 2024 Investment Climate
Report highlights that there have been no known instances of judicial interference adversely affecting foreign investors, further instilling confidence in the country’s legal and regulatory framework.
The United States Department of State’s climate investment statements, which provide comprehensive analyses of over 160 economies, position Guyana as an attractive market for U.S. businesses. With its open investment climate, strong legal protections, and proactive government initiatives, Guyana stands out as a beacon for sustainable investments and rapid economic growth.
Hindus will celebrate Guru Purnima tomorrow
Dear Editor,
THE rich legacy of Hindu culture is perfected, preached and propagated in the way of life as practiced not only by those following the tradition from birth, but also, by those who align themselves with the customs and teachings which have evolved from the ancient days of the rishis, munis, saints, sages and sadhus, to the modern days of yogis, swamis, gurus, pandits and devotees. With over a billion followers scattered throughout the world, it is regarded as the third largest religion and the oldest, being over five thousand years old. Its religious texts are scribed in the “mother of all languages,” Sanskrit, which influenced other languages like Latin and Greek, and
have survived the sands of time.
There are numerous events and occasions to commemorate Hindu systemic observances which bear religious and cultural significance, attesting to the historical and sociological habits of ancestral upbringing. Apart from the popular Holi, Diwali and the various manifested anniversaries, emphasis is also placed on rituals depicting respect, regards and reverence, the auspiciousness of Rakhi being an example. Another pertinent and prime precedence is the conventional ceremony of Guru Purnima on July 21st, a Full Moon, also called Buck or Thunder Moon. It is celebrated not only in India, but also Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other places where Indian descendants
reside, including Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and Guyana.
The much-embraced Hindu festival, Guru Purnima, is celebrated to honour the relationship between teachers and disciples.
On this day, the students or disciples (chailas), worship their teachers, guides, gurus and mentors. They thank and pay homage and gratitude to their Gurus for guiding them through their childhood and formative years, and for carrying them to open their minds to see the light of knowledge.
Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and is observed as the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, a great sage and author of the Mahabharata. This festival is also celebrated as Gyaan Purnima owing to its association with knowledge and
teachings.
Guru Purnima is celebrated not only by Hindus but also Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. Lord Shiva is considered as the first Guru (Adi Guru) and the Jains symbolise it as “Treenok Guru Purnima, the day when Lord Shiva transmitted the knowledge of Yoga to the Saptarishis. The Sikhs demarcate this day to pay obeisance to their Ten Spiritual Gurus. The Buddhists consider this day as Buddha Purnima, the day Buddha gained enlightenment and delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. Gur means darkness and Ru means that which is opposite to darkness. So, Guru is one who drive out fear and ignorance and replace the darkness with light. Paramhansa Ramakrishna opinioned, “He alone is the genuine teacher
who is illumined by the light of true knowledge.”
The Guru/Shishya relationship shares a rich, cultural and friendly history which reflects a unison not only family-oriented but above that, a student and tutor companionship, tailoring a fine legacy of sound religious teachings, deep philosophical discussions, articulated conversations on unlimited topics and enjoying the company of a very insightful personality who may always give sound advice and positive guidance. All these events and opportunities go beyond academic instruction and may afford a realisation of spiritual awakening and provide the knowledge which can mold a person to be knowledgeable, honest, sincere and humane, capable of facing all worldly challenges on
this competitive planet.
The Guru acts as a role model and transmits knowledge to the student which molds the person to face the world. The student is expected to trust and surrender oneself while respecting and serving the teacher. A student may cordially challenge the teacher as Buddha questioned his Guru about ascetics’ practices; the 15th Century poet, Kabir, inquired about societal norms and Swami Vivekananda queried rituals. The Guru-Shishya custom (parampara), knits a spiritual passage. Reference can be made to Lord Krishna and Arjuna in the Mahabharata, Shri Ram and Hanuman ji in the Ramayana and Lord Shankaracharya and Vasishta.
According to the Vedas, the Hindu life is structurally
Misenga Jones became a failed Indiana Jones
IT is funny or amusing or mysterious how things creep into the psyche of civilisation and stay there forever, but these things never had the factual existence that civilisation has given them. So, over thousands of years, they have become part of life and are accepted in every corner of the world.
One of the most famous of these fictions that turned into fact concerns the Roman Emperor, Nero. It has been written thousands of years ago that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. Nero was not in Rome at the time and while the fire raged, there was no record of him playing the fiddle at the time of the fire.
Perhaps the most used phrase in the modern world attributed to the great English writer Charles Dickens in his book, Oliver Twist, came
from an unknown writer who wrote long before Dickens. The term, “the law is an ass” continues to be used widely in law, journalism, and politics, and whenever it is used, Dickens is cited. But it was a playwright named George Chapman in 1654 (Oliver Twist was published in 1837) who used the term in his play, “Revenge for Honour.”
On this day, July 20, in the year 2020 in Guyana, it would have been appropriate to refer to the law as an ass for the court to accept to hear a writ from a woman named Misenga Jones who wanted the courts to order GECOM to accept the declaration of the Chief Election Officer instead of the CARICOM supervised recount which was already settled by the Caribbean Court of Appeal. Before we explain the attempt by Misenga Jones to become Indiana Jones,
let’s look at a hypothetical case. John White rides his bulldozer in the National Park. The authority stopped him through a ruling from the High Court. He appeals. He loses the appeal in which the court ordered that no bulldozer can be used in the public facility. He goes to the apex court in Guyana, the CCJ. He lost there. The legal position then is that no one can use a bulldozer in the National Park.
The rule of law becomes questionable if Mary Smith files an identical writ and the court entertains her. Mary tells the court that John White filed his writ and she is not John White, she is Mary Smith, so she is filing under Mary Smith. The court throws out her case. Then Joan Edwards files an identical writ, arguing that she is not John White or Mary Smith but Joan Edwards.
The court should not entertain Mary Smith and Joan Edwards because a lower court cannot reverse the findings of the apex court. The ultimate decision in a country, or any country for that matter, is from the final court of appeal, which I refer to here as the apex court. What Mary Smith and Joan Edwards did is a mockery of the rule of law.
What I have presented here is a hypothetical example. In Guyana, this actually happened on this very day, in March 2020. A lady by the name of Misenga Jones filed a writ that was heard on this very day by the Chief Justice. Jones wanted the court to order GECOM to accept the results of the ten regions, which she said constituted the official declaration of the Chief Election Officer.
Jones asked for the in -
tervention from the lower court to accept the CEO’s declaration when Guyana’s final appeals court, the CCJ, on July 8, had ordered that there should be an open, transparent, and accountable recount. In giving her decision, the Chief Justice said that the issue was res judicata—already settled.
The Chief Justice went on to add that persons cannot be permitted to engage the court using multiple applications surrounding the same issue and shield themselves behind the claim that they were not in the previous proceedings.
This moment in the struggle for a free and fair election between March and July 2020 has faded from our memory, but I have written about it today because it constituted one of the most dangerous episodes in Guyana’s jurisprudence. A country’s jurisprudence is open to
ridicule when a litigant wants a lower court to reverse the decision of the country’s final court. It is not only ridicule that would be involved, but the actual demise of the rule of law. It becomes shambolic and unreal that a lower court could overrule a higher court. But that is exactly what Misenga Jones tried to do on this day in 2020. She did not succeed. She became a failed Indiana Jones because Guyana’s jurisprudence rejected the masquerade. One hopes this never happens in Guyana again.
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.
Hindus will celebrate Guru Purnima on...
FROM PAGE 6
ordained into four phases (Asramas), each stage affording the individual to transit into specific aspirations. With the expectation of surviving for one hundred years, the first hurdle is the student (Brahmacharya) asrama, the second block is the householder (Grihastha) asrama, the third juncture is the forest/dweller walker; hermit; social worker (Vanaprastha) asrama and the final leg is the renunciation (Sannyasa) asrama. The life cycle induces the products
of education, growth, maturity and decline, to complete the birth and death concept. In the modern world which is materialistically entrenched, this cultural and social mosaic may not be practically nuanced for most, and, the reality of aspiring with different goals and objectives to satisfy one’s lifestyle, fundamentally satiates a variable pathway in this technological era and peer persuasions, which influences a division, diversifying scriptural prescriptions from societal
perceptions.
There is need to remember that a successful Guru-Shishya pair embodies sincerity, unwavering dedication, and mutual respect. The Guru-Shishya relationship now incorporates bridging customs and tradition with modern practices and ways. Navigating these challenges requires dedication, innovation, and a commitment to student growth. The Guru-Shishya relationship is dynamic, evolving, and deeply sentimental, if not personal. This relationship
may blossom into a lifetime fruition. On this Guru Purnima, not only Hindus but all may reach out to your teacher and express your appreciation.
Om name Om gurur
brahmā gurur viṣṇur gurur devo maheśvaraḥ, guruḥ sākṣāt paraṁ brahma tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ.
To that Guru who is Brahmā, the Creator, Viṣṇu, the Maintainer, and Śiva, the dissolver. To that Guru who is the direct experience of Brahman, salutations to that great guru. Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
PNCR has ‘track record of corruption’
PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has highlighted the duplicity within the statements made by Op-
position Leader, Aubrey Norton, on corruption when he has been sub -
–– Dr. Jagdeo highlights Norton’s corruption allegations amid internal party scandals
merged in such allegations.
During a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, Dr Jagdeo addressed the comments made by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, during a recent online show with Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Sherod Duncan.
Norton’s comments regarding corruption came just after his party concluded its internal elections, which saw its own members purporting several irregularities and even the former General Secretary, Dawn Hastings-Williams, resigning because of this.
Dr Jagdeo said: “The irony could not be lost on the Guyanese people that this is a person, who has just been accused, that is, Norton, by his own party of engaging in the most corrupt act in his party, of rigging the elections...”
Further, he referenced the blank cheque scenario, which according to former PNCR Treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline, in a previous interview with this publication, from the time he assumed the position of elected treasurer, he was made to sign blank cheques with no supporting documents.
In November 2022, he signed as many as 20 blank cheques.
Dr Jagdeo then referenced the politically motivated charges that were filed against several previous PPP Ministers by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) under the former APNU+AFC government.
Despite this, he noted that the former APNU+AFC government were not successful in this political witch hunt.
However, the mountain of corruption allegations that have been
levied against the previous coalition government did not go unchecked by Dr Jagdeo.
He said: “They have a track record of corruption.”
Although, the PNCR has carried the trademark stamp of being riggers, its congress indeed showed that the party is “untrustworthy,” Dr Jagdeo previously said.
Dr Jagdeo, while explaining the history of the party, which has been slowly disintegrating on the national stage, had said that the PNCR had the opportunity at its congress to “reinvent” itself, but it failed to do so.
While the chance presented itself boldly in front of the PNCR’s eyes, the party missed the bus and is continuing to carry the stigma of being “riggers” to the Guyanese people, Dr Jagdeo outlined.
“So, the congress failed to give the people any assurance that they had a clear economic plan for this country,” Dr Jagdeo said, adding: “Their actions and the confusion surrounding the congress just doesn’t make them look less untrustworthy but even their own people, the contending parties have declared
that the entire process of the congress was an untrustworthy one, was a rigged one, was designed to achieve a particular outcome.”
“If you can’t be trustworthy to your top leadership and have them defend you, how could you come over as being trustworthy to the people of this country?” Dr Jagdeo rhetorically asked while emphasising that the PNCR failed “miserably” on the metric of trustworthiness.
From the inception, the PNCR’s own members objected to the congress as there were numerous allegations of irregularities that placed a dark cloud over the party.
And even as time progressed and the party geared up for its opening ceremony on June 28, those who challenged the leadership “suspended” their campaigns because of the lack of transparency, among other allegations of infractions.
What was even more shocking was that despite painting the PNCR as a political party with an increasing membership, the party was caught red-handed as the number of delegates constantly changed.
PPP General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
Global development partners outline key investment priorities for Caribbean
NUMEROUS international partners have reported the presence of targeted programmes intended to foster investment opportunities in the Caribbean.
vestment forum that they aim to use their tools and instruments to accelerate investments in the Caribbean.
resilient Caribbean region.
As such, he indicated that they will continue to partner with local governments, private sector bodies and regional organisations
aimed at promoting integration and resilience while supporting projects.
However, during that conference, Deputy Executive Director of the Carib-
Head of Cooperation at the EU, David Mogollon (seated second from right); USAID Representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Mervyn Farroe (seated first from right); Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Export, Leo Naut (standing at centre); IDB Representative, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar (second from left); and representative of the CAF Development Bank, Bernardo Requena (first from left)
The disclosure was made by representatives of the European Union; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and CAF Development Bank at the investment forum that took place here. These partners all highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships to foster sustainable growth in the region.
Head of Cooperation of the EU, David Mogollon, said at a press conference on the sidelines of the in -
Mogollon indicated that, as part of the EU’s global gateway strategy, the union is trying to leverage a total of 45 Billion Euros for the entire Latin American and Caribbean Region.
With this, he added that they have identified several priority areas with partners in areas such as digital transformation and renewable energy, among other things.
Further to this, the USAID representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Mervyn Farroe, said that the agency’s goal is to support the creation of a safe, prosperous and
to achieve this goal.
Farroe added that the investment forum was the perfect opportunity to make connections and partner with businesses to accelerate investments in the key areas of agriculture, digitalisation of business and the green-economy transition.
Meanwhile, a representative of the IDB Lorena Solorzano-Salazar, during the conference indicated that in its quest to foster partnerships in the region, the bank has been focused on implementing its ‘One-Caribbean’ strategy
GCCI supports Traffic Chief’s campaign against illegal sirens, emergency lights
THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has expressed strong support for the campaign initiated by Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, aimed at curbing the use of illegal sirens and emergency lights by unauthorised individuals.
Emergency lights and sirens are designated exclusively for the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Police Force, and ambulances. However, there has been a recent surge in private vehicles utilising this equipment to bypass congested traffic areas. These unauthorised actions not only violate the law but also pose signifi-
cant risks to road users, potentially causing confusion and accidents, particularly when operated by drivers lacking defensive driving training.
In light of the rising number of road fatalities in Guyana, the GCCI commends the Traffic Department’s efforts to address these dangerous practices.
The Chamber emphasises that tackling this issue requires a comprehensive approach, including stringent control over access to these items.
To this end, the GCCI is urging the Customs Authority to impose restrictions on the importation of emergency lights and sirens, ensuring that only authorised agencies can obtain them. The Chamber also highlights the critical importance of responsible road usage by all motorists and pedestrians.
By supporting these measures, the GCCI aims to contribute to the safety and well-being of all road users in Guyana.
bean Export Development Agency, Leo Naut, which is the parent company of the Caribbean Investment Forum, said that with bringing together these
international development partners, the region can leverage their expertise, resources and networks to drive impactful projects forward.
‘I
wish it wasn’t as it is’ –– Norton admits AFC Leader has conflict of interest with ExxonMobil
DESPITE the Alliance for Change (AFC) denying that its leader, Nigel Hughes, is embroiled in a conflict of interest with ExxonMobil, its parliamentary partner, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has contended that it is indeed an issue.
PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, during a press conference on Friday, was asked whether the conflict of interest with Hughes was a worrisome factor as it related to the PNCR working along with the AFC.
He subsequently admitted that he hoped the matter wasn’t as it was, despite his efforts to avoid discussing the Hughes’ controversial conflict of interest.
He said: “Ideally, I wish it wasn’t as it is but as we progress, I think it’s an issue we can address.”
Adding to this, Norton once again rubbished the idea of Hughes being a consensus presidential candidate for the PNCR-led A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) at the 2025 Gen-
eral and Regional Elections.
The issue of the conflict of interest arose after Hughes, on June 30, 2024, hours after being elected as AFC leader, was quoted by a local news outlet, saying that he would not break ties from his law firm – Hughes, Fields and Stoby – which represents ExxonMobil unless he is elected to the government.
Further, the online outlet reported that when asked what would happen if he has to draft a contract or represent ExxonMobil or any other oil and gas sector compa-
ny in a court case that might go against the grain of the welfare and interest of Guyanese who he is representing politically, Hughes’ response was, “You seriously couldn’t be asking me to compromise my client’s integrity because the interest of Guyana is at stake because I happen to be the leader of a political party….if you hired me in a case against the government of Guyana and you’re going to get an advantage to the disadvantage to the citizens, are you saying I should compromise the quality of advice I give to you and the quality of representation I give to you because Guyana is on the other side? That can’t be right.
You’re putting any professional in a position where they have to make a biased decision and they will not be giving their clients the best possible legal service which they are hired to do.”
CLYDE & CO. REPORT
Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who called attention to this conflict of interest, had recently referred to the findings of a report by Clyde & Co. International Law Firm, which was commissioned by the former government. Clyde & Co International Law Firm, a company headquartered in London, England, was commissioned to conduct an “independent” report based on an investigation into the circumstances leading to the execution of the Petroleum Agreement June 27, 2016 – the renegotiated ExxonMobil contract.
Dr Jagdeo, who also serves as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, said that there were “very telling things” within the report.
He said: “…the report said, ‘On 19 May 2015, we understand EEPGL sent a proposed ‘Escrow Process’ flowchart, setting out the various steps and timeline for the execution of a new petroleum agreement (what would become the 2016 Agreement).
“…so, in the period from May 2015, when Nigel Hughes was still Chairman of the AFC, the negotiations started. Their own report said that Exxon sent this document over in May 2015.”
The report also stated that an ExxonMobil official, Brooke Harris, drafted Guyana negotiating position for the new ExxonMobil deal. It added that the Cabinet Memorandum that was approved to green-light the renegotiation with ExxonMobil was based on email correspondences and drafts exchanged between the APNU+AFC Coalition and ExxonMobil.
The report, on page 29, said: “We understand that on May 25, 2016, Mr (Brooke) Harris provided by email a first draft Cabinet Memorandum.” Page 30 added, “We understand that the Cabinet Memorandum was prepared further to the email correspondence and draft versions exchanged between Mrs Homer and Mr (Brooke) Harris during the period 20 May to 31 May 2016.”
The Clyde & Co International Law Firm’s 30page report was completed on January 30, 2020.
GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT
Dr. Jagdeo had also called attention to the 2020 Global Witness Report, which further underscored the conflict of interest involving Hughes.
Referring to page 15 of the report, he stated that the report read: “Hughes has denied that his relationships with Trotman and Exxon represent a conflict of interest. In July 2019, he told the Global Witness that his time as AFC Chairman did not really overlap with Trotman’s time as Minister of Natural Resources. Hughes did resign his post as AFC Chairman near the start of the Stabroek negotiations and was not in this post when Trotman was negotiating with Exxon in June 2016. However, as reported in the Guyanese press, Trotman became a minister in May 2015, eleven months be -
fore Hughes relinquished his AFC position in April 2016.”
He added, “Hughes said I was not Exxon’s lawyer when Trotman was Minister, but it wasn’t true. Eleven months after Trotman was Minister that is when he resigned. So, what we had was the General Secretary of AFC (Trotman) negotiating with Exxon and the Chairman of AFC (Nigel Hughes) is Exxon’s lawyer.” Conflict of interest concerns were initially publicised in February 2020 with the publication of a Global Witness Report titled ‘Signed Away’. The renegotiated deal with ExxonMobil was done “quickly” and “apparently without a competitive bidding process” in 2016, according to the report. The report clarified that the rushed signing of a re-negotiated deal with ExxonMobil was also due in part to the company’s “seemingly aggressive tactics” that succeeded with the engagement of Trotman. “Trotman had reason to know that his Stabroek negotiation terms were weak…. Exxon needed a new deal, and it aggressively pursued one. In early April 2016, the company opened negotiations in Texas by confronting two inexperienced Guyanese officials,” the report said. The renegotiated deal was signed on June 27, 2016. Further, while the APNU+AFC Coalition’s Trotman was legally responsible for the oil and gas sector in 2016, during which period the ExxonMobil agreement was renegotiated, concerns about the role of his then partner in the AFC, Nigel Hughes, were spotlighted in a damning report.
Notably, when the renegotiated ExxonMobil contract was finally released, on page 4, the address of Hughes’ law office is listed as the registered office—62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown – of the oil company. Although the report was withdrawn in 2021, Global Witness in a statement said: “We stand by the integrity of the evidence we have presented.”
Global Witness had called for the relationship between Trotman, Hughes, and Exxon to be investigated to determine the existence or extent of any conflict of interest.
PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton
GDF top officers complete rigorous leadership course
A TOTAL of 18 officers, consisting of one lieutenant commander and 17 captains have successfully finished the Senior Command and Staff Course Number 19 (SCSC#19).
The 16-week course, overseen by the Colonel Cecil Martindale Command and Staff School (CCMCSS), concluded on July 12, 2024, with a notable ceremony at the Executive Room, Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands.
The SCSC is the highest internal level of training for officers of the force, offering a unique and privileged opportunity. It is crucial in preparing the officers for the future leadership of the force and is intricately and comprehensively designed to equip the officers with the necessary competencies to function as Grade Two Staff Officers and Combat Team Commanders.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, during his feature remarks congratulated the officers on their successful completion of the course.
Brigadier Khan also utilised the opportunity to charge the officers to demonstrate competencies suitable for future leaders of the force.
He also reminded the officers that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is pledged in service to Guyana and its people, and it is their responsibility to propel the force
professionally to achieve and maintain its mandate.
The CDS also reiterated his command philosophy, which abbreviates SIM and speaks to Sound, Image, and Movement.
“You must consider yourselves as leaders in every sense of the word: in your sound, image, and movement. It is important that you recognise your achievements and the importance of the contributions you will have to make for the betterment and progress of this force,” he posited.
Commanding Officer of the Training Corps and Director of SCSC#19, Lieutenant Colonel Harold Fraser, during opening remarks highlighted the importance of the officers’ presence on the course. He underscored that the objective and achievement of the course were to stretch the officers’ capabilities and prepare them for the multifaceted demands of senior leadership. “Over the past 16 weeks, you have been engaged in a transformative experience that tested your intellect, challenged your perspectives, and forged lasting professional bonds.
SCSC#19 has not only enhanced your strategic and operational knowledge, but [it has] also challenged your leadership abilities and tested your resilience,” he said.
SCSC#19 was organised over three terms, covering the following subject areas:
Minor Staff Duties and Operational Staff Work; Communication Skills Studies; and Joint Operational Planning. Its content included Military Components; Command and Leadership; Internal Security and Stability Operations; Peace Operations; Military Law and Law of Armed Conflict; Military Theories, Administration and Logistics; and Research Paper Writing, among others.
Additionally, for the first time, students of the course were exposed to new content, including Business Analytics, Big Data, problem-solving involving Harvard University Case Studies, and Mind Mapping.
Major Kareem Graham was adjudged Best Graduating Student, a testament to his outstanding performance and dedication. He also received the prize for Best Service Paper. The Runner-up prize went to his counterpart, Captain Wavon Samuels, whose exceptional work was also recognised.
The CDS, branch heads, senior officers, officers, warrant officers, senior non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and civilian staff extend their heartfelt congratulations to the officers for their recent achievements.
We are grateful for your dedication and hard work and wish you all the best in your future endeavours on your military journey.
Sentencing for 2022 Easter Day murder imminent
CHRISTOPHER Van Nooten, a resident of Mabaruma in the North-West District, aged fifty, is scheduled to receive his sentence on July 30, 2024, for the murder of Sherwin Smith, who was forty-four years old at the time of the crime.
Van Nooten, who had been indicted on a charge for the capital offence of murder, pleaded guilty when he appeared this week before Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus of the Demerara High Court. Smith of Kumaka Water Front, NWD was killed on April 18, 2022. Van Nooten is being rep-
resented by attorney, Ronald Bostwick, while State Counsel Marisa Edwards and Alvaro Ramotar are appearing on behalf of the prosecution. According to reports, Van Nooten stabbed Smith at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground.
A statement from the police had said that, on the day in question, a policeman at the eastern gate of the ground saw when Van Nooten walked towards Smith holding a knife. Van Nooten then walked up to Smith and dealt him several stabs about his body. The law enforcement
officer promptly intervened and successfully disarmed the criminal.
Smith, who was injured, made his way to a nearby car and subsequently collapsed.
He was then urgently transported to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, where medical attention was provided for injuries sustained to his left abdomen and neck.
He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at about 20:00hrs on the same date.
It is believed that an old grievance between the two led to the stabbing.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Brigadier Omar Khan (seated at centre) flanked by the top officers who completed the rigorous leadership course along with other senior GDF ranks (GDF photo)
CANU seizes cocaine, firearms, ‘ammo’ during separate operations
IN a series of successful operations on Friday, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) seized significant quantities of cocaine, firearms, and ammunition during two separate raids in the Georgetown and lower East Coast Demerara (ECD) areas.
Although the exact location was not disclosed, CANU said that the first raid took place in lower ECD, where a joint intelligence operation led its officers to an abandoned house.
During the search, officers discovered two AR-15 rifles, two matching magazines, 25 5.56 rounds, one 7.62 round, and a bulletproof vest. These items were concealed in a black garbage bag.
In a separate operation on the same day, CANU officers conducted a search in an unfinished house in Premniranjan Place, Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown.
The raid led to the seizure of one 7.62 assault rifle and two brick-like parcels containing a whitish powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine, weighing 2.3 kilogrammes.
Two individuals are in custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.
The parcels of cocaine and firearms that were seized at the Prashad Nagar property
The items that were uncovered at the abandoned house
Amendments to Matrimonial Act to promote ‘gender equality’ – Nandlall
–– as spousal support for men imminent
By Clestine Juan
GUYANA is poised to make a significant stride in its legal approach to marriage and divorce by amending the Matrimonial Causes Act, which has been in effect for a decade.
This amendment aims to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all individuals, regardless of their gender.
This is according to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC., during his online programme, ‘Issues in the News,’ which was aired on Tuesday.
The Matrimonial Causes (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2024 was presented during the 83rd sitting of the twelfth parliament earlier this month by Nandlall.
The amendment will enable former husbands to apply for maintenance or spousal support following divorce proceedings, which are traditionally exclusive to women under the nation’s longstanding alimony laws.
“One party could have gone to the court, in particular the husband, and get an order to make the wife come back in the matrimonial home. Now that perhaps was what was legally and socially accepted 100 years ago, but now we have reached a position in society where the law itself permits a husband to be charged for raping his wife…that law didn’t exist 100 years ago.
“So essentially, when a court is directing, the restoration of conjugal rights, the court is also authorising that man to have sexual relationship with that woman, even though the woman may not be consenting today, that is rape, but that’s still in our law, so that will be removed once this bill is passed,” Nandlall explained.
The Minister also highlighted that there are certain “facilities” that men are excluded from, which could be seen as “offensive,” not due to their gender equality and entitlement to fair treatment, regardless of gender, race, religion, class, stature, and so forth.
“In environment with equal treatment is now a guaranteed fundamental right, you cannot have unequal treatment. And throughout this legislation, women were treated differently from men, and men treated differently from women.
“We have now changed that. Wherever we found this inequality of gender, and we have now changed the language to ensure that
there is gender equality and equal treatment to both the husband and the wife. So that’s another important aspect of these amendments,” Nandlall highlighted.
This legislative revision follows a pivotal ruling by Chief Justice (AG) Roxane George-Wiltshire, who recently deemed Section 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, Chapter 45:02 discriminatory based on sex and gender, as it exclusively permitted wives to obtain maintenance post-divorce.
The case emerged when a divorced man, represented by attorney Tamara Evelyn-Khan, contested the prevailing legal structure after being barred from seeking maintenance from his exwife.
The Chief Justice highlighted that the current stipulations of the Matrimonial Causes Act unjustly discriminated against men, contravening constitutional mandates against sex and gender-based discrimination.
In response, the Attorney General, a respondent in the case, acknowledged the act’s inconsistency with Article 149 of the Constitution, which safeguards against discrimination on various grounds, including sex and gender.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the act has also incorporated significant provisions outlining the factors that the court must consider in deciding whether to award maintenance, as well as the amount of maintenance applicable to both husbands and wives.
While Guyana’s current divorce law requires proving fault, leading to separation and hardship, Nandlall said that the news amending the divorce law will allow couples to agree on divorce terms without publicly airing their disputes.
According to him, the amendments are expected to significantly influence future divorce proceedings in Guyana, promoting a fair approach to post-marital financial support.
Nandlall added that this reform underscores the nation’s commitment to gender neutrality in legal rights and responsibilities, mirroring the evolving societal values and the vital importance of upholding individual rights without gender bias.
“This amendment has been in the pipeline for several years. Other segments of the society wanted this change in the law, so we are finally putting it will finally be changed.
“I don’t think this bill will attract opposition from the parliamentary opposition. I believe that they are also of the view that the
time for this bill has come and we are proceeding with it at the next sitting of the National Assembly,” Nandlall said.
U.S. Gov’t donates 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests to Guyana
–– partnership with PAHO aims to strengthen malaria response, support health goals
IN a significant boost to Guyana’s efforts to combat malaria, the U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Guyana, has donated 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests to the Guyana National Malaria Programme.
This donation addresses a critical shortage of malaria test kits in the country and is expected to greatly enhance Guyana’s malaria response capabilities.
U.S. Ambassador, Nicole Theriot, emphasised the importance of the donation, stating, “The United States
is a committed and long-term partner in Guyana’s development. This donation supports the Government of Guyana’s vision of a Malaria Free Guyana by 2030.”
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed his gratitude for the support, noting, “The Ministry of Health expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of the United States of America for its generous donation of 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic kits. The kits will significantly enhance our capacity to promptly and precisely diagnose malaria in many rural communities across Guyana and will safeguard the well-being of our citizens. We are thankful for the ongoing partnership, which has assisted Guyana tremendously over the years.”
The donated kits will be distributed to Regions one, seven, eight, nine, and 10, which, together, account for more than 95 percent of malaria cases in Guyana.
Since 2016, the U.S. Government has played a crucial role in supporting Guyana’s malaria control efforts through its regional malaria Programme, collaborating with PAHO and the USAID Breakthrough Action team. Achievements under this partnership include mapping high malaria rate areas, distributing 3,000 bed nets to vulnerable populations, enhancing malaria management in Regions seven and eight, and facilitating a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, government entities, and mining associations.
The donation of the rapid diagnostic tests represents a continued commitment to combating malaria and supporting the health goals of Guyana.
Bartica’s tourism gets boost with launch of eco-friendly bicycle tours
By Faith Greene
THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) unveiled an exciting new experiential tourism product in collaboration with Ride Along GY in Bartica, Region Seven, on Thursday. This initiative marks a significant milestone in expanding Bartica’s tourism offerings and fostering partnerships with more tour operators, enriching the town’s appeal as a premiere destination.
The launch ceremony, attended by key stakeholders, signified the beginning of a series of collaborations between private operators and the government, supported by the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce and the GTA.
Candace Phillips, Manager of the Product Development Department at the
GTA, emphasised the event’s importance, noting that it not only introduced a new tourism product but also highlighted the impact of promoting eco-friendly activities in Guyana’s “green town.”
Phillips pointed out the renewed efforts to enhance Bartica’s tourism potential, particularly with the re-election of the head of the Tourism Committee and the introduction of new members.
She stated, “This one step is just a beginning point of all the experiences that will be launched here. The Product Development team has been working here for about three years now, but within the last year we’ve been able to step up that work in partnership with the Tourism and Hospitality Association Guyana (THAG).”
As part of this launch, Phillips mentioned an ongoing project titled “Discover Essequibo,” which aims to connect the Essequibo Coast with the lower Essequibo Region, including the Bartica community. She highlighted
the collaboration with local communities such as Batavia, Riverview, and Karrau, as well as private enterprises like Aruwai, Sloth Island, and Baganara. “We recognise that for tourism to thrive in
this area, we need to build collaboration and work together towards a greater vision,” she added.
Bartica’s Mayor, Anthony Murray, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, noting that it would greatly benefit the entire town.
He remarked, “Lots of people do not know the layout of Bartica. This will help them to see the terrain, the natural beauty as they ride along and have the trip with the cycles. We’re happy to have this product with us and we’ll continue to support it.”
Founded in 2021, Ride Along GY is Guyana’s first bicycle rental and tour service, offering an eco-friendly mode of transportation for recreation and leisure.
Cherry-Ann Greene, the company’s founder, shared her passion for cycling and her excitement about bring-
ing this unique tourism experience to Bartica. “Cycling has always been a passion of mine, and turning it into a tourism experience has been a dream come true. Bringing Ride Along to Bartica is truly an awe moment for me,” Greene said.
The new experience, which lasts about 30 minutes, allows participants to explore Bartica’s scenic beauty. Highlights of the tour include visits to popular sites such as Golden Beach and the Bartica Municipal Market, providing an exhilarating glimpse into the town’s vibrant community and natural landscapes.
With this launch, Bartica is poised to become more than just the gateway to the interior, offering diverse and engaging tourism experiences that attract both locals and visitors.
Suspect in sex worker’s murder remanded
AKEEM Fraser, 31, of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, was remanded to prison on Friday after being charged with the murder of transgender sex worker, Shawn Anthony Simon.
The charge was read by Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Fraser, who was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge, was ordered to remain in custody until his next court appearance on Monday, July 22, 2024.
The police have identified Fraser as one of two suspects in connection with Simon’s murder.
The other suspect, 23-year-old Shaggy Mo -
hamed, is already in custody at Lusignan Prison on an unrelated robbery charge. Due to Mohamed’s absence in court on Friday, the murder charge will be formally read to him at the next hearing on Monday.
The murder of Shawn Anthony Simon, 28, from Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 11, 2024. According to police reports, the incident took place around 02:00hrs at the intersection of King Street and South Road, Georgetown.
On the night of the murder, Simon was standing with a 26-year-old male companion from West La Penitence Housing Scheme, Georgetown. A heavily tinted silver Toyota Premio motorcar approached from Croal Street, Georgetown, and several gunshots were fired from the vehicle.
As gunfire erupted, Simon, and his friend fled
east onto South Road, where Simon eventually collapsed. The car sped away north on King Street and disappeared from the scene.
Responding detectives found Simon face-down in a pool of blood, dressed in a black dress, a black shower cap, and black socks. Dr. Harry Kissoon from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) pronounced Simon dead at the scene.
Crime scene investigators discovered what appeared to be a gunshot wound under Simon’s right arm and recovered nine 9-mm shells from the area.
In recent years, Guyana has witnessed a disturbing series of targeted murders against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly sex workers.
These heinous acts have included the brutal killings of transgender individuals like Noel Wilson Luthers,
also known as Nephi, who was shot dead in 2015. Luthers, a 20-year-old transgender sex worker from D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was shot
dead at Quamina and Carmichael streets, Georgetown, where he usually carried out his trade.
In June 2017, Andel Forde, also known as
“Ron Forde,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in connection with Luthers’ death.
Participants of Ride Along GY’s Bartica experience (Japheth Savory photo)
Akeem Fraser and Shaggy Mohamed
Murdered: Shawn Anthony Simon
Massy Distribution, partners send aid to Grenada, St. Vincent following Hurricane Beryl
–– four 40-foot containers of food supplies to support relief efforts
MASSY Distribution Guyana Inc., in partnership with Nestlé Anglo-Dutch Caribbean, the Private Sector Commission Guyana, and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), on Thursday announced the shipment of four 40-foot containers of food supplies to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This generous donation aims to bolster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on the Caribbean.
The press release from Massy Distribution highlighted that the food supplies include MAGGI soups and seasonings, MILO, cereals, and Nestlé’s liquid milks. Those items are essential for supporting the affected communities as they recover from the hurricane’s destruction.
Hurricane Beryl, which struck on July 1, 2024, as a Category 4 storm with maximum
sustained winds of up to 150 mph, caused extensive damage across the Caribbean. The hurricane led to severe power outages, widespread flooding, and life-threatening storm surges, affecting infrastructure, homes, and key services throughout the region.
Massy Distribution and Nestlé’s initiative reflects their commitment to aiding fellow Caribbean nations in their time of need. The support comes as part of a broader regional effort, with countries like Guyana actively contributing to the rehabilitation and recovery of impacted areas.
The donation underscores the solidarity and co-operation among Caribbean nations and private sector partners in addressing the aftermath of natural disasters and providing critical assistance to affected communities.
US, Guyana hold virtual strategic dialogue on key bilateral issues
THE United States and Guyana conducted their inaugural virtual Strategic Dialogue, addressing critical issues of mutual concern, including climate resilience, food security, and energy transition.
The high-level discussions, on July 16, featured U.S. representatives led by Special Assistant to the President and Senior Di-
rector for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Daniel P. Erikson, State Department Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, and Special Advisor to the Vice President for the Western Hemisphere, Scott Winton.
The U.S. delegation also included officials from the Department of State, USAID, the Department of Defense, and the Ex -
port-Import Bank of the United States.
Leading the Guyanese delegation was Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, who was joined by representatives from various Guyanese ministries and the Guyana Defence Force.
The dialogue marked the first formal engagement of its kind between the two nations, setting the stage for a collaborative
approach to advancing their bilateral economic agenda. Both sides emphasised the importance of good governance and institutional strengthening, while also pledging to maintain robust defence and security co-operation.
Key topics of discussion included preparing for an active 2024 hurricane season in the Caribbean. Both delegations expressed
support for those affected by Hurricane Beryl and reaffirmed their commitment to the success of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti.
The meeting underscored the strengthening of ties and co-operation between the U.S. and Guyana, with a focus on addressing shared challenges and opportunities in the region.
From left: Chairman of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission(PSC), Komal Singh; Deputy Director General of the Civil Defence Commission(CDC), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Mark Thomas; CFO of Massy Distribution Guyana (Inc), David Dharamraj; Senior Manager of Massy Distribution, Teisha Milner and Senior Business Development Manager of Nestle, Candice Canzius
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols
TVET initiative aims to bridge gap between theory, practice in education
By Cindy Parkinson
IN an effort to ensure that every student acquires essential information, abilities, and skills, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme, organised a oneweek workshop from July 15 to July 19 for students across various regions in the country.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Yonette Crandon, an Agriculture Officer with the TVET Unit, emphasised the primary goal of the workshop: promoting skill training to as many students as possible nationwide.
“We want our students to be able to develop their skills, despite their regular work at school,” Crandon explained. “In the school system, most of our children do a lot of theory, even though they are exposed to practical work as well. So, we are working on reinforcing that aspect for them and taking it to another step. I am pleased to say that within one week of having this programme with them, 14–16-year-old boys and girls have developed and some have almost mastered their skill, and now they can return to school and share with their peers how certain things are made or being done.”
The workshop, which hosted 20 students per centre, ran from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs daily, with occasional extensions based on the students' enthusiasm. The participants, aged 14 to 16, were exposed to six diverse programmes including basic electronics, pastry making, entrepreneurship, agro-processing, and art. These programmes were designed to enhance their academic skills through practical application.
Crandon praised the Guyana government for its swift support, ensuring that all necessary materials were provided for the workshop. “These students didn’t have to come with anything; everything was provided for them, from materials to adequate water, juice, lunch, and snacks. We must thank our government for being so supportive and recognising the need for our young people to be equipped with the necessary skills after leaving school.”
Throughout the workshop, Crandon observed the excitement and collaboration among the students. “I cannot express how happy and pleasing it is to see these students discover and help each other along this journey. They have not only demonstrated their ability to master their skills, but they have also shown the importance of working and learning together and from each other.”
Crandon concluded by encouraging students to value and take advantage of acquiring skills both during and after their schooling, as these skills will benefit them throughout their lives.
Highlighting the agriculture sector, she noted, “It doesn’t have to be a full-time job; because it's a skill, you can still be a person who works in an office and supplies a business with fillet fish or any other product that you are versed in. Having a parttime job will not only benefit you, but it will also benefit your family as well. Because of the massive development in tourism in the country, there is a demand for certain quality of produce and skills.” Crandon also emphasised the economic benefits of having an additional skill.
The TVET workshop stands as a testament to the importance of practical skill development in empowering the youth of Guyana, preparing them for a brighter and more versatile future.
Students enhancing their skills during the TVET workshop
Republic Bank hosts ‘Make Home and Vehicle Ownership Happen’
- event commences today at MovieTowne Mall parking lot
REPUBLIC BANK
(Guyana) Limited is thrilled to announce its “Make Home and Vehicle Ownership Happen” event, scheduled for Saturday, July 20th, 2024, from 09:00hrs to 14:00hrs at the MovieTowne Mall parking lot.
This exciting event
insurance agents, and real estate professionals, all in one convenient location. This interactive environment aims to support and empower customers to make well-informed financial decisions that align with their long-term goals.
To underscore its commitment to offer -
is a key part of the bank's broader “Make Everything Happen” campaign, running until September 27, 2024, designed to meet a wide range of customer needs, including vehicle purchases, education financing, mortgages, home repairs, and even travel.
In addition to personal financing, Republic Bank has integrated a business component into the campaign, allowing entrepreneurs to explore various options to fuel business expansion and success.
The “Make Home and Vehicle Ownership Happen” event will provide a unique opportunity for new and existing customers to engage directly with banking experts, auto dealers,
ing affordable financing options, Republic Bank is providing attractive terms during this campaign, including low to no equity requirements, reduced interest rates, and extended payback periods.
“We encourage everyone to join us at the 'Make Home and Vehicle Ownership Happen' event,” said a Republic Bank representative.
“Whether you're looking to purchase a new car, your first home, or expand your business, Republic Bank is ready to support your journey. Discover how Republic Bank can help turn your dreams into reality – we’re not just making promises, we’re here to make everything happen.”
McLaren’s Noris leads second free practice in Hungary
(FORMULA 1) Lando Norris ended the opening day of action at the Hungarian Grand Prix on top, after going fastest in second practice, a session that was interrupted following an earlier crash for Charles Leclerc.
Amid air temperatures soaring to 31 de-
grees Celsius, several drivers were quick to hit the track as the green light showed at 1700 local time.
Amongst them was Nico Hulkenberg, who had sat out FP1 to hand his Haas over to rookie driver Oliver Bearman.
While Sergio Perez set an early benchmark in the initial laps, team
mate Max Verstappen reported over the radio, “My brakes are not working. They’re not biting”. Like the majority of the field, both Red Bulls were running the medium tyres for their first runs, with just McLaren bucking the trend on the hard compound.
With around 44 min-
utes left on the clock, the red flags were thrown when Leclerc took too much kerb heading into Turn 4 and subsequently spun off the track into the barriers. Fortunately the Monegasque emerged unharmed, while his stricken Ferrari was recovered by the marshals.
Following a pause in proceedings, the action resumed with less than half an hour remaining and most of the pack had bolted on the soft tyre for their fast laps. There was soon further drama, however, when Zhou Guanyu suffered a spin and only narrowly avoided collecting the Red Bull of Perez.
As the quick laps came in, Norris put himself at the top of the timesheets with an effort of 1m 17.788s in the McLaren, putting him 0.243s clear of Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz was the lead Ferrari in third ahead of Perez in fourth.
George Russell put his Mercedes into fifth place, with Kevin Magnussen going sixth in the Haas and the Silver Arrows machine of Lewis Hamilton following in seventh.
Daniel Ricciardo claimed P8 in the RB, while Williams’ Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin completed the top 10 in P9 and P10
respectively.
Valtteri Bottas was 11th for Kick Sauber as the team continue to search for their first points of the season, ahead of the Williams of Logan Sargeant in 12th and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in 13th, who seemed to lose some time in the garage during the session after suffering floor damage.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took P14 and P16, separated by the Haas of Hulkenberg in P15, and Lance Stroll – running the updates on his Aston Martin that had earlier been bolted onto Alonso’s car – ended the hour down in P17.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Saturday July 20, 2024) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Viv Richards (24 Tests) (2) Alex Stewart & Graham Thorpe (15 Tests each) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI has played most Tests against ENG in the West Indies? (2) Which Englishman has played most Tests against the WI in England? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Sheffield handed fine after Jamaican keeper abused
CMC – English League Championship outfit, Sheffield Wednesday was handed a 12 500 pounds sterling fine (US$16 150), and ordered to implement an “action plan for misconduct”, after Jamaica and Coventry City goalkeeper, Kasey Palmer was racially abused at Hillsborough earlier this year.
Wednesday fan Edward Rabjohn, 21, was
banned from attending football matches for five years after he admitted, in court, racially abusing Palmer during the Championship match between the two sides in January.
A report from the English Football Association said video footage “clearly showed the spectator performing a monkey gesture”.
According to a statement from the FA:
“Sheffield Wednesday
admitted that they failed to ensure their spectators and supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters) conduct themselves in an orderly fashion during the 94th minute [of the match], and don’t use words or otherwise behave in an improper, offensive, abusive and insulting way, with an express or implied reference to ethnic origin, colour and race.”
An independent Reg-
ulatory Commission imposed the sanction on the Owls, as Wednesday are known, following a hearing, and the club responded with a commitment to continue the work to weed out anyone who tries to tarnish its reputation.
According to a statement from Wednesday: “Following a robust investigation, the culprit was identified and subsequently brought to
justice.
“In addition to the sentence imposed in a court of law, this person is now the subject of a lifetime ban from all Sheffield Wednesday fixtures and club events, with the opportunity to attend a rehabilitation programme in line with the EDI Code of Practice for all EFL clubs after 10 years.”
The statement added: “As a community-fo -
cused, family football club, we reiterate our condemnation of the abhorrent actions of this individual.
“We have an ongoing responsibility to ensure that supporters and anyone purporting to be supporters conduct themselves in the right manner at all times whilst following the team, home and away.”
Lowry leads The Open by two at halfway stage
(BBC) - Ireland's Shane Lowry leads The Open by two at the halfway stage after a blustery second round at Royal Troon that blew Rory McIlroy out of the tournament.
Lowry, the 2019 champion, rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on the last as he followed his opening 66 with a two-under 69 to improve to seven under.
"To shoot in the 60s is very good any day on this course, even when the conditions aren't this bad. I'm very happy," he told BBC Sport NI, referring to the 30mph winds that were buffeting the links during his round.
No Englishman has won the Claret Jug since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 but two are leading the chasing pack on five under.
Former US Open and Olympic champion Justin Rose holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th to join Dan Brown, the world number 272 who was the surprise round one leader on six under and backed that up with a 72.
"That was a hard round of golf, a great round of golf," Rose told BBC Sport.
When he teed off at 12:42 BST the 366-yard first hole was playing around 100 yards longer because of the strength of the wind and despite playing through the worst of the conditions, had only one bogey in a phenomenal 68.
"It was the type of day where the course was relentless. There was no let-up and it was nice to finish with a smile on my face," said the 43-yearold, who still "dreams" of winning an Open title 26 years after finishing fourth as a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale.
'That was carnage' World number one Scottie Scheffler is three further back. The American, who has already won six times this year, including the Masters in April, hit a 70 to join compatriot Billy Horschel (68) and South African Dean Burmester (69) on two under.
Australia's Jason Day
had a bogey-free 68 and sits alongside Canada's Corey Conners (70) on one under.
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are also on that mark although Cantlay's 68 was four shots better than his good friend could manage to leave only 10 players under par.
The halfway cut mark, which sees the top 70 players and ties play the final two rounds, came at six over par.
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is in on five over, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is heading home on 11 over.
Both posted 75s on Friday. MacIntyre fought back with four birdies after dropping a scarcely believable eight shots in his opening four holes.
"That was carnage," said the newly crowned Scottish Open champion. "When I made that eight on four, my head was completely gone. I didn't think I was going to make the weekend, it was just about fighting and the fans helped me a long way."
Like MacIntyre, McIlroy had a triple-bogey eight at the fourth and he was 13 over after the sixth as he failed to cope with
the wind. Two late birdies in calmer conditions brought a rueful smile but his chase for a fifth major now extends beyond a decade. "I didn't adapt well, and the wind got the better of me," he simply said.
Hodge and Athanaze frustrate England West Indies tour of England Second test…
(CMC) - A FABULOUS maiden Test hundred from Kavem Hodge and his monumental fourth-wicket stand with fellow Dominican Alick Athanaze turned the tide for West Indies and had them trailing hosts England by only 65 in the second Test of the Richards-Botham Trophy Series on Friday.
Hodge took on the English pacers in a wonderful display of courage, and his memorable 120 enabled the Caribbean side to reach 351 for five, replying to the home team’s first innings total of 416, at the close on the second day of the match at Trent Bridge.
The 31-year-old Windward Islands Volcanoes batsman, playing in only his fourth Test, reached the milestone from 143 balls when he drove England captain and fast-medium bowler Ben Stokes firmly through mid-off for his 17th four and celebrated with a loud yelp and a leap in the air.
The only blemish came when Hodge, on 16, was dropped at first slip by Joe Root in the second over following the afternoon
drinks break from Mark Wood, the England tearaway fast bowler, who also struck Athanaze on the helmet when the lefthander, on 48, misjudged the length and the bounce of a searing delivery.
“It was amazing, and it felt good contributing to the team effort,” Hodge said in a TV interview after play ended. “Coming off the first Test where we did not do so well, it was really important that we put our heads down.
“Obviously, taking some info from the England first innings, it was really important that we made good use of a batting track.”
He added: “[The dressing room] was a difficult place after the first Test, but to be fair, I personally felt that I was too aggressive, and I could have given myself a lot more time. Coming off the practice game, in which I got a hundred, it was important that I took up the responsibility.
“Coming here and seeing how good the pitch was, it was very important for me to double down and get back into my process.”
He and Athanaze began a salvage operation for West Indies that started about 15 minutes before lunch when the visitors appeared set to enter their usual downward spiral – but the two Nature Islanders added 175 for the fourth wicket that sucked the sting out of the England attack.
Athanaze, 25, the leading scorer in 2019 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, made a career-best 82, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite supported with 48, Joshua Da Silva was not out on 32, Jason Holder was not out on 23, and opener Mikyle Louis got 21.
It was a powerful response from the Caribbean side to the widespread criticism after their batting horror show in the first Test at Lord’s, where they failed to pass 150 or bat 90 overs in total in their two innings and were beaten inside three days by an innings and 114 runs to trail 1-0 in the three-match series.
“Batting through the tough periods,” Hodge said, pleased him most
about this hundred. “The partnership with Alick and I, facing Mark Wood, it’s not every day you face a guy that bowls every single ball over 90 miles an hour.
“It was really important that we batted through that period because it would have been difficult for a next batsman to come in and try to get started. We had the momentum, so it was really pleasing that we got through that tough period and pushed on further.”
Earlier, careless batting in the final hour before lunch undid the application that Brathwaite and Louis had put into the first hour of play to come through unscathed.
The two openers endured a testing first hour from the England bowlers, but they absorbed the pressure – including a fiery spell from Wood, whose quickest delivery during the period was clocked at 97.1 miles an hour.
Neither the pitch nor overhead conditions presented any trouble, and the England bowlers simply bowled with discipline and continued to plug away be-
fore the two openers were guilty of soft dismissals after putting on 53 for the first wicket.
Louis was caught inside the long-on boundary off lanky off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the first over when he miscued an ill-advised slog-sweep, and Brathwaite was caught at short leg tamely fending away a short ball from pacer Gus Atkinson. Kirk McKenzie defied the England bowlers for almost three quarters-ofan-hour for 11, but he then chipped a delivery of no great merit from Bashir to mid-on and was caught about 15 minutes before lunch, which arrived with West Indies 89 for three.
After the interval, Athanaze and Hodge changed the complexion of the match with their defiance, batting through the entire period between lunch and tea.
They got to the half-century mark within close proximity of each other – Athanaze, playing in his sixth Test, got there from 67 balls when he pulled Atkinson through square leg for a deuce, and
ExxonMobil Guyana Youth Relay Festival set for
‘A RECORD Chance’, a new local athletics outfit is looking to make a splash on the local circuit, with the hosting of its first event this weekend at the National Track and Field Centre.
The race, which shootsoff tomorrow, is organised by local track-and-field star Arinze Chance and team.
The chief organizer, Chance, says the overarching goal of his company is to, “See more athletes go to
the Olympics in 2028”. He continued, “We only had two go this time, Aliyah Abrams and Emmanuel Archibald, and I do believe we have the potential and talent. We have the ability, but need some more structure, and that’s where we fit in.”
The event is proudly sponsored by ExxonMobil Guyana, and Banks DIH, for which chance serves as brand ambassador. He says ExxonMobil
has answered the corperate call for assistance for sports, adding, “I am happy that ExxonMobil decided to lead the charge for youth development through sport.”
The track-and-field star said, “ExxonMobil Guyana has been an active partner in sport and youth development; they would have sponsored football and basketball. So, as part of their local commitment to development, track-and-field
is just another sport they are working with, and my company and I are grateful for the opportunity to partner and actually be that conduit for transformation for sports in Guyana.”
The inaugural meet will see groups from Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice participating with several teams.
The relay competition is an event designed to help develop and promote the coun-
try’s athletics programme by giving local talent high-quality competition to thrive and advance.
The organiser says that along with the trophies and medals, they are giving cash vouchers to help the athletes grow in their discipline.
Hodge arrived from 85 balls when he steered the same bowler through the slips for his eighth four.
Athanaze drove beautifully – mostly through the off-side – that enabled him to collect most of his 10 fours and he slog-swept Bashir confidently for his only six to “cow corner”, while Hodge played a succession of hooks and pulls for most of his 19 fours.
After taking West Indies to 212 for three at tea, Athanaze fell when he was caught at gully off Stokes, driving loosely at a delivery angled across him, and Hodge was lbw to pacer Chris Woakes late in the day, playing back and across.
Holder looked disinterested and survived a period of torment from Wood, which ended when the England fast bowler limped off the field with a leg injury, but Da Silva played with a bit more intent and has so far struck seven fours, and they battled through the last 40 minutes to put on 46 – unbroken – for the sixth wicket to cap a strong riposte from the visitors.
“I think the most important part of an athlete or any person in a professional field is the tools they have, and a lot of athletes don't have access to it,” Chance said.
The competition is expected to feature close to 200 athletes competing with the hope of it being a pivot for the sport industry in the country.
‘A Record Chance’ is hoping to provide those talented athletes a pathway to the elite level of competition in career pursuits.
Admission to Sunday's event is free of cost for patrons.
GFF Academy Youth Cup kicks off
- Powered by Star Party Rentals & SQ apparel
THE Guyana Football Federation kicked off its Academy Youth Cup at the National Training Centre Ground this week.
The inaugural cup tournament continued on Thursday with Point Fortin playing Guyana Panthers Academy.
The two young sides playing the day’s opener failed to score, with the clash ending in a stalemate, nil-all.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Jaguars beat Tinto 4-2.
Tyrel Stapleton put Tinto
academy ahead in the sixth minute of play with Guyana’s Jaguars Quancy Fraser equalising in the 11th minute.
Shaquan David broke the deadlock in Jaguars favour before his teammate Jaden Harris extended the lead 3-1 in the 24th minute.
An own goal from Tinto Made it 4-1 before Stapleton pulled back the lead on the verge of the break to adjust the score to 4-2.
The second half failed to produce any goals, as Guy-
ana Jaguars walked away with the victory.
On the opening day, Point Fortin got their campaign off to a start with a victory over Tinto Academy 1-nil, with Guyana Panthers also drawing with Guyana Jaguars 0-0.
Guyana's Jaguar and Panther teams are competing against Trinidad and Tobago's Point Fortin Youth Football Academy and Tinto Sporting Academy in the six-day Under-16 boys' tournament.
The competition features a round-robin stage, followed by a Knockout Phase.
The top two teams will advance to the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams will contest for their respective positions.
SuperBet, Metro and Demerara Mutual offer support to Kares One Guyana T10
SuperBet Guyana, Metro Office & Computer Supplies, and Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited were the latest corporate entities to support the second edition of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast.
32 of the top teams in the country will battle at venues in Georgetown and East Coast Demerara next month.
At recent handing-over ceremonies, representatives from the companies expressed delight in supporting the tournament, given that it reaches the communities and families and offers a “bottom-up approach” to the development of cricket.
In addition to noting their corporate social responsibility, the companies said they were impressed with the quality of the 2023 tournament.
The stakes are higher than ever, with a larger prize-pool this year. The winning team will take home a whopping G$1.5 million, with G$500,000 and G$250,000 going to the runner-up and losing semifinalists, respectively.
The tournament opens on August 3 with matches at the Police Sports Club, Queen’s College Ground, and Lusignan Sports Club. The Round-of-16 follows the opening day, with
matches at Police and Lusignan.
Matches will be played at 09:00hrs, 11:00hrs, 13:00hrs, and 15:00hrs on both days.
The eight remaining teams will battle at the Enmore Community Centre on August 11 for a spot in the semi-finals and final, which will be held on August 25 at the National Stadium.
Kares Engineering, Banks DIH, Star Rentals, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Building Expo 2024, Premier Insurance, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall,
SuperBet Guyana Operations Manager Tariq Kerrett (left) and Romario Samaroo of FL Sport
Representatives from Metro Office & Computer Supplies flank FL Sport’s Romario Samaroo
Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Demerara Mutual, Raymond Govinda (left), and Romario Samaroo of FL Sport
ANSA McAL Distribution, RS53 RestoBar & Lounge, Jacobs Jewellery & Pawn Shop, and First Change Builders Inc. General Marine, Samaroo In-
vestments, Coel’s Boutique are the other sponsors on board thus far.
Kavem Hodge celebrates his maiden Test hundred•Jul 19, 2024•Gareth Copley/ Getty Images