Kaieteur News

of university students arrested as Gaza war protests expand across the US found guilty of inflating

US$12.1 billion

...Guyana's oil to pay Exxon's lawyer fees and the fine

‘Govt. can’t prevent

from flipping mining projects’

…VP Jagdeo says in response to Canadian firm selling 57% shares in gold project for US$638 million

caught on

Screengrab captured from the video of the assault on the bar owner

Exxon and broker face GYD$25000 fine if found guilty of inflating US$12.1B invoice

...Guyana's oil to pay Exxon's lawyer fees and the fine -oilcontract

If convicted of making a false declaration to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)inthesumofUS$12.1 billion, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its former broker Ramps L o g i s t i c s G u y a n a Incorporated (RLGI), face a mere GYD$25,000 fine, together with imprisonment forthreeyears.

It was recently reported that Exxon and Ramps are facing similar criminal charges over a November 2023 declaration made by Ramps on behalf of Exxon to GRA. Ramps acted as the broker for Exxon importing oil well equipment valued US$4,467,662, but declared to Customs that the equipment was valued at US$12,192,103,923.91.

According to copies of the summons filed by the Commissioner General of

GRA, Mr Godfrey Statia, both Exxon and Ramps were summoned to appear in court in relation with the false declaration made to the Revenue Authority It was stated that Exxon on the 16th day of November, 2023 at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, a place in the Georgetown Magisterial District, caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to the Revenue Authority, to wit the defendant caused the value declared on invoice number

INV#

MVYT_1P07HP-006 dated on the 16th day of November, 2023 for a quantity of oil well equipment and supplies to be v a l u e d a t USD$12,192,103,923 91

Similarly, Ramps' summons stated that on the same date Ramps made an untrue declaration to the Revenue

Authority

Ramps Logistics Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaun Rampersad

The statement of offence listed on the summons is, “Made an untrue declaration to the Revenue Authority, contrary to 215 (1) (c) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 ” According to the section 215 (1) of the Customs Act, “Any person who,inanymatterrelatingto the customs, or under the controlormanagementofthe Comptroller- Penalty for false declaration (c)

makes or signs any declaration made for the consideration of any officer on any application presented tohim,thesamebeinguntrue in any particular…shall be

l i a b l e o n s u m m a r y conviction to a fineoftwentyfive thousand dollars together with imprisonment for threeyears.”

While the penalty for the alleged offence is miniscule, the i n f l a t e d declaration is of

operations in Guyana, the costincurredforalllegalfees or judgment handed down will be paid by Guyana. This is stipulated in the 2016 P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement(PSA).

Kaieteur News has reported that Exxon was informed that during the investigation Ramps submitted a missive to the Revenue Authority stating that it was contracted by Exxon to provide brokerage

commercial invoice and consequentlyontheCustoms declaration submitted by yourbroker.”

In response to this, the Revenue Authority indicated t h a t E x x o n ' s claims/explanationcannotbe deemed as accepted in law, particularly since a statutory duty is imposed on Exxon to verify and ensure that all informationdeclaredtoGRA by its broker is true and correct.

“In addition, evidence was obtained to prove that the untrue declaration was caused to be made and subscribed to the Revenue Authority by your company As such, be guided accordingly that this act constitutes a breach of Section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01,” GRA told the company

s i g n i f i c a n t concernasitcouldimpactoil profits had it been approved.

According to the 2016 P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA) Guyana signed with the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block. A provision in the PSA allows Exxon to deduct 75% of the revenues earned towards cost recovery or repaying the investments by the company The remaining 25% is then shared with Guyana as profit, meaning the country receives 12.5% alongwitha2%royalty

It is instructive, that should ExxonMobil be taken before the courts in Guyana or even before a regional or international court for any reason that has direct relations to the company's

and freight forward service and attributed the erroneous declaration to information obtained from Exxon's KABALsystem.

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n understands that on December 11, 2023, Exxon representatives visited GRA t o a s s i s t w i t h t h e investigation, where enquiries were made in relation to Exxon's conduct.

Further, in response, Exxon in a letter dated December 13, 2023 claimed that it learned that Ramps, “incorrectly inputted USD as the currency of the commercial invoice on the referenced Customs declaration,inplaceofGYD; and the error resulted in an overstatement of the value of the items listed on the

Exxon was given an opportunity to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted against them in accordancewiththeCustoms Act. Notably, it was stated that if Exxon fails to respond within 14 days of the letter, the Revenue Authority will be forced to take the necessary action against t h e c o m p a n y Additionally, according to another document submitted to the Revenue Authority by Exxon stated, “We thank you for your letter of 18th March, 2024, in which you have invited ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to show cause why proceedings should not be instituted against EMGLin accordance with the provisions of Section 217(1)(a) of the Customs Act Cap. 82:01 in connection with Customs Declaration GY 410 2023 C2612 dated November 16, 2023.”

Exxon response to the Revenue Authority made severalclaims:thatitwasnot the declarant and has not made any false declaration, thatthedeclarationwasmade byRamps,thatit(Exxon)has not made and subscribed or caused to be made and subscribed any false declaration, that any error made by Ramps was a typographicalerrorwhich

(Continued on page 9)

EMGL's Guyana President, Alistair Routledge

Exxon already deducting costs for gas pipeline

...although Govt. says it’s paying back through purchase of gas

The Government of G u y a n a ( G o G ) h a s maintained that it will not be paying for the natural gas in the Stabroek Block but will receive the gas for free to provide cheaper electricity to aportionofthecountry

According to the administration, it will be paying ExxonMobil for the gas to repay the costs of the 12-inch pipeline being constructed to transport the gas. This means that the company should be compensated when gas is delivered to the government. Although the pipeline is yet to be completed however, the oil giant has begun reimbursing itself for the US$1B project cost by deductingGuyana'soil.

This is according to the 2018-2020 audit report, c o n d u c t e d b y V H E Consulting, of the company's expenses.Thereportthatwas recently made public by the government shows that ExxonMobil claimed it spent some US$2 1M on the project during the period underreview

Gas-to-Energy project

“The Contractor included on the Cost Recovery Statement costs for ground and air surveys, mooring studies, and Contractor and Affiliate labour for the proposed gas-to-power pipeline and onshore NGL plant, ” the auditors explained.

T h e a u d i t t e a m highlighted that while costs for the gas-to-energy pipeline project are recoverable, those for the NGLplantarenot.“Costsfor thegas-to-powerpipelineare recoverable under the Petroleum Agreement

Body of man found at

Hope Beach

The decomposing body of a man was on Sunday found by a Mangrove Ranger at HopeBeach,EastCoastDemerara. Police said that the discovery was made around11:30hrs.

“The decomposed body of a male clad in a cream and black striped jersey and cream underwearwasseenlyingmotionless,facing up in an advanced state of decomposition”, policesaid. Policecouldnotdetectiftheremainshad any marks of violence because of the advancedstageofdecomposition. Investigators are awaiting an autopsy to determinehiscauseofdeath.Severalpersons in the vicinity were also questioned but no usefulinformationwasobtained. Investigationisongoing.

not contest costs submitted by the operator for the pipeline (see table attached for full details of costs claimed by Exxon for the project).

T h e a u d i t r e p o r t contradicts statements made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, that the country will repay ExxonMobil for the project through the purchase ofgas.

Jagdeo during a press conference in June 2022 said that, “Well the pipeline will be funded from cost oil, and we would have to repay that over 20 years. But the gas is free, and this is crucial; it is one of the things we were arguing for from the beginning.”

noted that the details of the agreement are already public knowledge According to him, “Everything that you see in the agreement you know we told you the price- US$750 million; we told you the timeline for implementation; you know how many turbines and what's the size of the turbines you know what theliquidatingdamagesare.”

Jagdeo therefore said, “Maybe soon, I don't know I don'tknow

That's for Gail Teixeira and the others” when asked when the agreements would belaidinParliament.

because the pipeline will transportgastothe“Delivery Point.”Costsassociatedwith the NGL plant, however, are not recoverable because the plant will be located past the Delivery Point,” the report states.

Notably, the auditors did

The GoG is yet to make agreements for the GTE project public, despite repeated calls from the Opposition and other stakeholders. In the absence of these key documents, the project details remain sketchy with no clear outline onthecostrecoveryaspectof theinitiative.

VP Jagdeo was asked about the release of the agreements for the project during a press conference in April when he said, “Maybe soon.”

The Chief Policymaker for the oil and gas sector

The Opposition has been calling on the government to table all agreements, relative to the massive US$2 billion GTE project, in Parliament however none of the documents have been presentedtothenation.Since 2022, the government signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA)withtheStabroekCoventures, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, that outlines the principles and conditions for the commercial and technicalarrangementsofthe deal.

Attempts made by Opposition Parliamentarians for the agreements to be laid in the National Assembly havebeenunsuccessful.

Expenses claimed by ExxonMobil between 2018 and 2020 for the

Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

GRA,RampsandExxonMobil

The arrival of oil has transformed Guyana into anAlice inWonderlandcountry InGuyana,bysomegreatmiracle, US$4.4 million ends up being US$12.1 billion. This is mindboggling, and until an alert Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA)caughtthatfalsecustomsdeclaration,the other parties were keeping their heads down, saying nothing. They are Trinidad’s Ramps Logistics, Inc., (broker) andAmerica’s ExxonMobil (company), Guyana’s make-believe oil partner. Now there is this farce making the rounds, where the broker is blaming the company, and the company is dancing away from that by passing the blameforthefalsedeclarationrightbackatthebroker Itis awonderfulsituation,yetanotherrevelationofthewaythat businessrelatedtothiscountry’soilwealthishandled.

Despite this inflated customs declaration, one of immense magnitude, and many implications, theAmerican company is taking its own sweet time to provide a persuasiveresponsetotheGRA,andbringingsomelevelof closure to this transfixing issue. In addition to blaming the broker, the Americans came up with a peculiar one: there was a conversion mix-up, in that the declaration should have been in Guyana dollars. Holding fast to the US$4.4 million cost and using a rate of US$1 = GY$220, the final amount is still miles (many countless miles) from that US$12.1billionsubmittedinthefalsedeclaration. Couldit be that the US company devalued the Guyana dollar, and it is only now that the Guyanese people are being informed? This false customs declaration is also confirmation of how theAmericancompanyhasgonenative,sotospeak. Inthis country,politiciansblamethepublicserviceandthemedia, while the public service passes on the favor to the people. On the other hand, the independent media has no one to drop the hammer on, so it just keeps digging and reporting, and there is this GRA scandal involving a broker and a nationalpartner Toconfirmourpointaboutblamedodging and blame shifting, there is the company dumping the hot potato false declaration on the broker, and the broker saying,nothanks.

From US$4.4 million to US$12.1 billion, this is a glimpseofhowtheheistofGuyanagoesonwithmostofthe activities happening behind the scenes. When the oil company is asked about project expenses, it nods in the direction of the Guyana Government. When the media (KN) pushes the government chief spokesman for some detailsandclarityonthisoilpatrimony,hesendsthemtothe American company The Government of Guyana, the oil partner, and the subcontractors, the one in this declaration instance,areallskippingrope. Theygoupanddown,while everythingstaysinplace. Nothingissaid,lessisshared,but then there is this bizarre development of US$4.4 million climbing like a space rocket to US$12.1 billion, with the stroke of a pen. Or as the oil company is representing, the slip of a thumb. Guyanese must be the most docile, most patient, people to keep absorbing these unending insults to their intelligence without flaring into a proper rage. But there is more than what is insulting that is involved in this oil sector There could be more than company concoctions at play here, which one is the million-dollar mystery for citizens to ponder They shouldn’t look for any help in findingasolutiontothismysterythatcouldbeacrimefrom theirgovernment.

This is where the GRAhas stood out before (oil audits) and does so again with this false customs declaration. It is worth thinking that if there was someone other than the current Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, whether something of this nature would ever have made it into the publicdomain. Guyanesecouldbenefitenormouslyifthey weretohavepoliticalleadersofthesamequality,thosewho refusetoknuckleunderthedemandsoftheoilpartnersnow livedwith,thosenowfoundsodestructivetolocalinterests. If Guyanese were to be similarly helped with high-caliber men and women leading national institutions, then Guyana would be a different place. Meanwhile, there is waiting to see what the American company delivers on this inflated declaration.

‘The PPP’s approach is fatal’

DearEditor 12%. In 1973, Gene Sharp community Secondly, domineering spirit that now Since about 2000 the identifiedsome198methods Suriname does not have a de pervades the political sphere Peoples Progressive Party of nonviolent protest and facto winner-takes-all sand has led to all kinds of (PPP) has been using all persuasion, and it is for the political situation. Indians disasters. manner of undemocratic and affected groups to devise are 27.4% of the population, For example, last week, discriminatory means to sensible policies to mitigate Maroons 21 7%, creoles part of the roof at the force Africans into its ranks the effects of such activities 15.7%, Javanese 13.7% and Stabroek market collapsed or migrate. But the ethnic on their agenda (The Politics mixedpeople13.4%. Power (thankfully there was no loss political situation in Guyana of Nonviolent Action has always been shared: one o f l i f e ) N o t h i n g is coming to a head as that Boston,PorterSargent). must win sixty percent of the sdemonstrates better the party comes under pressure L a s t w e e k , parliamentary vote to dangerous lengths to which from those who facilitated contextualizing the present become president. Surname the PPP is prepared to go to the transfer of power to it in dispute between the PPPand is politically a multi-ethnic establish its political 2020insist that Guyana’s IDPAD-G, I demonstrated society not a bicommunal dominance. Over decades, winner-takes-all political that from 2010, when states oneinwhichoneethnicparty the city council been system be reformed and the were called upon to develop has sought to dominate by deliberately starved of framework for an inclusive policies for the international suppressing the other group resources and more functioning democracy be year for People of African for nearly a quarter of a importantlyobjectivecentral created before the next Descent (IYPAD), the PPP century Thirdly, Guyana’s government oversight, so election. has been deliberately trying constitution gives to the that the PPP can blame the

As a result, the PPP has to undermine African leader of the ruling party in PNC for the city’s become frantic: we have solidarity Now President office effective de facto disgraceful condition to win seen its undemocratic Irfaan Ali, having heard that control over the presidency political control. The choice meanderings during the last Suriname’s President Chan and the legislature and thus this autocratic PPP has left local governments, its Santokhi, who also heads a significantinfluenceoverthe the citizens of Georgetown, ministers now openly long-established Indian- judiciary who are mainly Africans, is informing the public that it orientatedpoliticalparty,had Indeed, what Suriname to exist in these dangerous needs to vote for the PPP to beenabletowinareasonable demonstrates and what conditions under their receive community services, proportion of African votes President Ali would better democratically chosen its openly attacking inthelastelection,isseeking try to understand and representatives or vote for IDPADA-G, whose pro- to do the same in Guyana encourage is that without the thePPP!

Africanobjectivescontradict without considering how winner-takes-all situation Way back in the late those of the PPP, President fundamentally different the and the fear that one group 1990s, Desmond Hoyte’s Irfaan Ali’s award-winning twosituationsare. will dominate and use the PNCgovernmentrecognised spectacles, visits to Firstly, born in 1949, the state in the interest of its that the City Council was barbershops and African year before the PPP was ethnic supporters, the doors institutionally decrepit and Guyanese areas in New formed, and having been in open for the gradual was – as it still is - unable to York,etc. various coalitions since establishment of genuine, properly manage the city

Let me say about the last 1958, Santokhi’s party does n o t m a n u f a c t u r e d , without substantial item: it matters not how not have an ethnically multiethnic support that institutional strengthening severe a conflict, in all charged legacy in which could also lead to the Hoyte negotiated a US$2m historic multiethnic hundreds of people have and creation of real not fictional Urban Development and situations, e.g. South Africa are still losing their lives in ‘multiethnic’politicalparties Housing Project, to do a and the United States, there ethnic contestation rooted in dependent upon massive feasibilitystudyofthesector, are usually some naysayers. political majoritarianism election manipulation to resulting in a US$25m Donald Trump has made Indeed, although his party hold on the government UNDP-funded urban countless offensive remarks has been mainly supported Those propagating ‘One developmentproject.

about Africans, but by Indians over the years, it Guyana’would do well to go When therefore, in 1992 according to Edison has frequently been allied to constitutional reforms thePPPfirstcametooffice,it Research, Trump’s support with parties that have with the political structural found an urban development amongAfricanAmericans in historically represented the vision of Suriname in mind programmewith 2020 amounted to at least A f r o - S u r i n a m e s e rather than with the

(Continued on page 6)

Guyana should be a major exporter of potable water

DEAREDITOR, there is wisdom in the process. water of its iron and I was heartened when thought expounded by The A natural reservoir of aluminumcontent,aswellas The President made the President. groundwater called an p u r i f y i t f r o m t h e statement of Guyana Ourdiscussionnowtakes artesian basin is now formed accumulated pollutants becoming a major exporter us to the next point, that is, beneath the coastal plain. gathered by that water on its of clean, fresh drinking the nature of the rocks Like the Murray Darling waydownwards. water It is a grand idea beneaththesurface. Plains of Australia, large Purified artesian water which should come to Lyingbeneaththecoastal borings can be made into the are amongst the best fruition seeing we are a plain is a huge band of rocks aquifer and water flows drinking water on the planet country that is blessed with a called aquifers, these are naturally from the ground, and Guyana is truly blessed superabundance of fresh rocks that form a line where this is potable water at its is doubly blessed with water rainfall water from the best. anotherrenewableresource.

Guyana is positioned in surface has infiltrated the However, and this goes Finally, in the rich The Equatorial Region and ground. for those of us who hail from underground tapestry of precisely so in the tropical Itfillsthespacesbetween the countryside, there is a nature, lies a renewable rainforest zone, it is ideally the sediments and cracks in high ferrous oxide (rust) resourcethatourcountrycan l o c a t e d t o r e c e i v e the rock which further content in that water, which m a x i m i z e i t s u s e quadrillions of liters of fresh enhances its water holding quickly oxidizes when Diversification is in the air, waterfromtheskies.Guyana capacity In addition to this, exposed to the surface. It and the production of crystal is also one of six countries that groundwater reservoir is stains clothing, cups and clear,potable,artesianwater, that form The Guiana shield constantly fi

t is an economically viable or “The Greenhouse of the precipitation, as the water unsightly appearance to all option; why wait, let’s seize earth,” one that hosts an seeps downwards into it. householdutensils. theday ecosystem that holds 20% of Groundwater at this stage is Hence, the call for a Respectfully Submitted, the world’s fresh water, so filtered by a natural filtration filtration process to rid the NeilAdams

Assessing Good Governance in the Global Context of Guyana’s Oil Wealth Distribution Strategies

DEAREDITOR, strategies employed by Government Pension Fund

Balancing Development and dynamics demands a governance efficacy in In the dynamic landscape leadingoil-producingnations Global represents a Welfare:

recalibration of evaluative Guyana’s evolving oil of global oil markets, nations and contrasts them with the cornerstone of Norway’s Qatar and Saudi Arabia paradigms, as comparisons economy. endowed with abundant oil governance practices of strategy, with surplus oil have pursued ambitious between administrations Conclusion: Charting a resources face pivotal Guyana’s successive revenues diligently invested social welfare initiatives must consider contextual Path Towards Informed decisions regarding the administrations, highlighting to secure the future welfare alongside infrastructural disparities and evolving DiscourseandPolicyPraxis: equitable distribution of the complexities and nuances o f i t s p o p u l a c e development projects governanceimperatives. As Guyana navigates the wealth stemming from this inherent in managing Concurrently, dividends Subsidiesforessentialgoods Rethinking Comparative complexities of its oil wealth finite natural asset While newfoundoilwealth from the fund are distributed and services, coupled with Analysis: e r a , t h e d i s c o u r s e some countries have

Norway: Exemplary among Norwegian citizens, direct cash transfers and Comparisons between surrounding governance implemented robust policies ResourceManagement: facilitating direct wealth pensions, epitomize their Guyana’s successive efficacy must transcend toensuredirectcashtransfers Norway serves as a transfer and ensuring commitment to enhancing administrations warrant simplistic comparisons and to their citizens, Guyana has beacon of prudent resource intergenerationalequity citizens’ quality of life. This scrutiny through a discerning embrace nuanced analysis yet to adopt such measures management, particularly in Kuwait and the United balanced approach ensures lens that acknowledges rooted in contextual fully This comparative itsallocationofoilrevenues. Arab Emirates: Social that economic progress is historical legacies and u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d analysis delves into the The establishment of the WelfareEmphasis: accompanied by tangible contextual nuances Equating internationalbenchmarks By Similarly, Kuwait and benefitsforthepopulace. service delivery metrics drawing insights from global the United Arab Emirates Guyana’s Governance under past and present governance best practices, (UAE) have embraced Landscape: Context and administrations overlooks Guyana can forge a path comprehensive social Challenges: fundamental disparities in towards inclusive prosperity, w e l f a r e p r o g r a m s In contrast, Guyana’s resource endowment and ensuring that the benefits of underpinnedbyoilrevenues. governance trajectory is governance context its oil wealth are shared Subsidized utilities, shaped by historical fiscal Therefore, a shift towards equitably among all citizens healthcare, education, and constraints and strategic benchmarking against while safeguarding resources housing allowances imperatives. Under previous international standards and forfuturegenerations exemplify the tangible administrations, navigating bestpractices observedintop Sincerely, benefits enjoyed by citizens, fiscal challenges and oil-producingcountriesoffers Prof., Dr Stanley A. V complemented by direct technical hurdles was amorenuancedevaluationof Paul.

Huge

investments but no insurance

DEAREDITOR, one cannot help wondering I offer my sympathy to allthatinvestments,butfrom theLatchmanfamily,owners reports, no insurance? How ofthepopularColorsofIndia couldthisbe? Boutique at Bath Settlement, Was it a case of penny WCB, which was destroyed wise pound foolish? It is by fire along with a wished the family can soon workshop, dwelling house recover and overcome this and several vehicles. terrible tragedy as they seek Millions in losses...untold to rebuild their lives and despair and anguish. While livelihoods.

we commiserate with the Sincerely, family at this difficult time Shamshun Mohamed

cash transfers This paramount, rooted in policy p r o a c t i v e a p p r o a c h positions that influenced underscoresthecommitment resource extraction and of these nations to equitable wealth preservation wealth distribution and strategies However, the societaladvancement. seismic shift in resource Qatar and Saudi Arabia: endowment and fiscal

Approaching Arrival Day

DEAREDITOR, emphasis) the submissions favouring 5th

Next Sunday, May 5th, the day on which MayasaPublicHolidayrecommendedthatit the first indentured labourers from India be designated “Indian Arrival Day” as is the landed on our shores, is a Public Holiday case in Trinidad and Tobago.” The Report However, it is officially dubbed “Arrival was presented to the National Assembly on Day”, which implicitly conflates the arrival 29, April 2004 and approved. The first ofallthegroupsthatwerebroughtheretojoin “Arrival Day” Public Holiday was officially ourIndigenousPeoples. observed on May 5 of that year I made my

As usual there will be calls Indian objections known during the debate but the Guyanese groups and individuals for the government’sdecisionwascarried. holidaybegiventhedesignationproposedby In the years since, there have been the Parliamentary Committee, “Indian widespread calls from the Indian Guyanese Arrival Day”, in 2004. Before, the day was community for the government to follow the first commemorated on the 100th recommendationsofthesubmissions.

Anniversary of Indian Arrival in 1938 with That decision, in my estimation, was week-longactivities. actuated by a desire of the PPP government

After a hiatus of two decades, its not to possibly alienate other Guyanese commemoration across Guyana as groupswhohadalso“arrived”.

“Ramakhan Day” – from the first two African Guyanese has always arguedpersons, Ram and Khan, who stepped off the rightfully in my estimation –that since they Whitby - in the 1960s, was initiated by the were brought in chains as chattels, the Gandhi Youth Organization,. This morphed commemoration of “Emancipation Day” on to “Indian Immigration Day” in the 70s and August 1st was most appropriate. Indigenous then from the 1980s, “Indian Arrival Day” Peoples could commemorate their presence gradually took centerstage after the example during“AmerindianHeritageMonth”. ofTrinidadandTobagowhichinitiallynamed In the years following the passing of the their holiday in 1994 “Arrival Day” but omnibus “Arrival Day” legislation, none of changed it permanently in 1995 to “Indian the other groups – such as Portuguese and Arrival Day”. On 14th April 14, 2003, the Chinese whose arrival dates were PPP government had established a Special respectively on June 3 and Jan 12 - took the Select Parliamentary Committee, of which I opportunity to join in commemorating the was a member, “To Review The Public occasion on May 5. In fact there were Holidays Act, Chapter 19:07” More expressions of disapproval from those specificallyitwastoconsidermakingMay26 communities that their arrivals were a permanent Public Holiday (Independence subsumed with a date that clearly marked the Day) and May 5 to commemorate theArrival IndianIndentured’sarrival. of Indians to Guyana. The rationale for In 2017, however, President David considering the latter holiday was stated in Granger initiated a precedent which the introduction of the Report of the Special addressed concerns about the government Select Committee: “Guyanese of Indian “favouring” Indian Guyanese which we origin, who form a large portion of the commend. He issued a public notice in early country’s population, had for a period of in January 2017 to the effect that Jan 12 be excessofthepastfortyyears,beencallingfor henceforth designated as “Chinese Arrival 5th May to be declared a statutory public Day” but not a Public Holiday Later, on 27 holiday, in observance of the arrival of the February 2017, he likewise proclaimed 3rd firstbatchofIndianindenturedlabourerswho May each year as Portuguese Arrival Day came to the then British Guiana in 1838.”Yet The days have since witnessed the Government’s Resolution (No.12 of commemorative activities by those 2003) 14th April, 2003 to establish the communities. May 5th was designated Committeedeclaredthatitshouldreviewasa “IndianArrival Day”. We believe that as part possible public holiday “Arrival Day, that is of our nation building activities, our tosay,the5thMay,or,ifthatdayisaSunday, Guyanese society would almost universally thefollowingday.” supportthereconsiderationofthenameofthe

In its conclusions, the Parliamentary May 5th holiday as “Indian Arrival Day”. Committee noted: “While the aforesaid And I submit that the time has come for the recommendation (on the holiday be named governmenttoofficiallyrectifytheanomaly “ArrivalDay)isinkeepingwithourmandate, Sincerely, the Committee wishes to note that all (my Ravi Dev

‘The PPP’s approach is fatal’

From page 4

From a democratic perspective, the institutional strengthening as one of its main general approach of the PPP is conceptually pillars. Drafting the project began in 1993 fatal to it for almost everything it is doing to and was completed in 1995. But dealing with try and winAfrican support is demonstrating theconditionofthecitywasnotapriorityand thatitcannotwingovernmentand/orsensibly further work was suspended until January rule Guyana in a liberal democratic manner! 1998, ‘when Governmentgave the projectits Of course, there are those within its ranks highest priority’! The first disbursement was who believe that it will be able to convince made in August 2000 and the last in June the powers that be to accept that in Guyana’s 2007. Lo and behold, in the context of such ethnic political environment higher levels of decrepitude,the2009CommissionofInquiry autocratic behaviour are inevitable! into the Operations of the Mayor and City However, political theory and practice have Council of Georgetown found that while the long outgrown this kind of Singaporean UNDP’s programme was intended to focus excess and it is now widely recognised that on infrastructure development and countriessuchasGuyanacanbeorganizedto institutional strengthening, ‘the programme in a liberal democratic manner Two of the focused almost exclusively on infrastructure foremost proponents of this view, Bill development’. To this day, the anticipated Clinton, and Tony Blair, were recently in institutional strengthening results have not Guyana and just missed the collapse of the materalised as the PPP blames the PNC for Stabroeksmarketroof! being unable to properly manage the city in Regards, thehopeofwinningcitygovernment. Dr. Henry Jeffrey

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

An act of betrayal by the PPP and Jagdeo

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) and Bharrat Jagdeo's pledge on the 2020 elections campaign trail to renegotiate the oil contract had resonated deeply with Guyanese citizens who by then were convinced that the country had been shortchanged.

There was a yearning, and there still is, for a fairer deal. The promise of renegotiation must have been one of the reasons contributing to the success of the PPPC's election campaign.

However, the swift about-face by Jagdeo begs the questions: When did the commitment to renegotiation evaporate?

The principle of renegotiating contracts in the best interest of the nation seemed to have been conveniently abandoned in favour of embracing the notion of the sanctity of contracts.

However, this sudden shift in stance warrants a thorough explanation from Jagdeo. Why the shift?

The failure to renegotiate the oil contract cannot be dismissed merely as a broken promise. It represents an act of betrayal.

Acute hunger remains persistently high in 59 countries Global Report on Food Crises:

(FAO) According to the latestGlobalReportonFood Crises (GRFC), nearly 282 million people in 59 countries and territories experienced high levels of acute hunger in 2023 - a worldwide increase of 24 million from the previous year Thisrisewasduetothe report's increased coverage of food crisis contexts as well as a sharp deterioration in food security, especially in the Gaza Strip and the Sudan.

For four consecutive years, the proportion of people facing acute food insecurity has remained persistently high at almost 22percentofthoseassessed, significantly exceeding preCOVID-19levels. Children and women are at the forefront of these hunger crises, with over 36 million childrenunder5yearsofage acutely malnourished across 32 countries, the report shows. Acute malnutrition w o r s e n e d i n 2 0 2 3 ,

particularly among people displaced because of conflictanddisasters.

The Global Network

Against Food Crises urgently calls for a transformative approach that integrates peace, preventionanddevelopment action alongside at-scale emergency efforts to break the cycle of acute hunger w h i c h r e m a i n s a t unacceptablyhighlevels.

"This crisis demands an urgent response. Using the data in this report to transform food systems and address the underlying causesoffoodinsecurityand malnutrition will be vital," said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

Protractedhunger

Thirty-six countries have been consistently featured in the GRFC analyses since 2016, reflecting continuing years of acute hunger, and currently representing 80 percent of the world's most

...1 in 5 people assessed in need of critical urgent action

hungry Therehasalsobeen an increase of 1 million people facing Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity across 39 countries and territories, with the biggest increase in the Sudan. In 2023, more than 705,000 people were at the Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) level of food insecurity and at risk of starvation – the highest number in the GRFC's reporting history and up fourfold since 2016. The current situation in the Gaza Stripaccountsfor80percent of those facing imminent famine, along with South Sudan, Burkina Faso, SomaliaandMali.

According to the GRFC 2024 future outlook, around 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip and 79 000 people in South Sudan are p r o jected to b e in Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5)byJuly2024,bringingthe total amount of people projected in this phase to

almost1.3million. Key drivers of food crises

Intensifying conflict and insecurity, the impacts of economic shocks, and the effects of extreme weather events are continuing to drive acute food insecurity Theseinterlinkeddriversare exacerbating food systems f r a g i l i t y , r u r a l marginalization, poor governance, and inequality, and lead to massive displacement of populations globally The protection situation of displaced population is additionally impactedbyfoodinsecurity Conflict remained the primary driver affecting 20 countries with nearly 135 million people in acute food insecurity – almost half of the global number The Sudan faced the largest deterioration due to conflict, with8.6millionmorepeople facing high levels of acute food insecurity as compared (Continued on page 15)

Jagdeo now seems less enthusiastic about solar energy

At his last press significantshareofthefuture poweredbysolarenergy (HFO), expanding wind and be able to provide low-cost conference, Vice President energy demand of the DBIS The PPPC’s energy s o l a r p o w e r , a n d competitivesolarenergy BharratJagdeoraiseddoubts i s b a s e d u p o n t h e transition plans outline a commissioning a second It is shortsighted for about the use of solar power contributionofsolarenergy phased approach to meeting hydroplant.Thisplanisnow anyone to label the in Guyana, pointing to its The revised Low Carbon increased electricity in serious jeopardy with the instabilityofsolarpowerasa instability, during cloudy Development Strategy demand. Initially, from 2022 government now being significant issue. While it’s days, and the high cost of (LCDS) is unambiguous to 2028, the focus is on forced to buy emergency true that solar power battery storage. This new about the country’s tripling electricity supply energy and with serious generation is intermittent can contribute to a stable found reservation towards transition towards solar mainly through natural gas slippages on increasing due to variations in sunlight, e n e r g y s u p p l y b y the use of solar power is energy. Under the LCDS the and the Amaila Falls plannedgeneration. this doesn’t inherently make complementing existing baffling considering that his GPL was supposed to have H y d r o p o w e r p l a n t , The plan for 2032 and it unstable or unreliable. In sourcesandleveragingsmart government’s plans for the had its first on-grid PV farm alongside significant beyond anticipates that fact, solar power can be gridsolutions. energy sector are predicated in Berbice with a total expansion of solar power in advancements in battery and effectively integrated into Given Guyana’s high on increase in solar power capacity of 10 megawatts- coastal urban areas, hydrogen technology will the energy grid with proper i r r a d i a t i o n l e v e l s , generation. peak (MWp) by this year. complemented by batteries enable solar and wind plants planningandmanagement. intermittence in solar energy

The PPPC’s plan for the This now appears off the for off-grid regions. This to dominate new capacity O n e a p p r o a c h i s poses less of a problem D e m e r a r a - B e r b i c e radar The LCDS had underscores a strong increases, thereby driving diversifying energy sources, compared to many other Interconnected System projected an estimated emphasisonsolarpowerasa down electricity prices suchascombiningsolarwith countries The abundant (DBIS)istoincreaseitspeak 100MWp of Solar PV key component of the J a g d e o ’ s s e e m i n g other renewables like wind sunlight throughout the year loadfrom139MWin2021to capacity by 2030. That government’s energy d e e m p h a s i s o n or hydroelectric power, to provides a consistent source 1,881 MW in 2040. Of this capacity would be for transitionstrategy hydroelectricity is at odds mitigate fluctuations in of energy for solar panels, only 300 MW is expected to Distributed Generation solar H o w e v e r , t h e with the LCDS’s long-term supply Additionally, reducing the impact of be supplied by natural gas. rooftops and Utility-scale government is finding reliance on the development incorporating grid-scale intermittency The remainder will have to solarfarms. difficulties in restarting the and integration of solar solar farms alongside Therefore, rather than come from heavy diesels, The APNU+AFC had Amaila Falls Hydroelectric power alongside other d i s t r i b u t e d r o o f t o p viewing solar power’s solar,windandhydropower commenced an impressive Project, the brainchild of renewablesources. installations can help intermittencyasahindrance, In fact, the government’s solar energy project that saw Jagdeo Despite claiming This column had argued balance out variability, Jagdeo should recognize its energy plans for the DBIS several government how Guyana would not have before that the government ensuring a more consistent potential to contribute to a hinges on the exponential buildings utilizing solar been in the present situation would not need to invest a energysupply reliable and sustainable increaseinsolarenergyfrom energy By the time, the regardingpoweroutageshad centinsolarenergy GPLcan

Advancements in grid energy future when a mere 7 Mw in 2021 to a APNU+AFC left office the project gone ahead, the buy energy for solar power management technology integrated thoughtfully into massive 1,160 by 2040, far some 291 government government is not finding producers. It has pointed allow for better coordination Guyana’senergylandscape. greater than the planned buildings had installed about any takers to resuscitate this other countries which have of energy generation and (The views expressed in c o n t r i b u t i o n o f five megawatts of rooftop project. sourced solar power cheaper consumption, enabling this article are those of the hydroelectricity It is solar photovoltaic (PV) According to the LCDS, than then US$0.08 which utilities to forecast solar a u t h o r a n d d o n o t therefore worrying that systems as part of plans for the government’s energy energy from natural gas will output and adjust power necessarily reflect the Jagdeo should be making rooftop solar PV The plan plans from 2028 to 2032 cost. It has pointed to reports generation accordingly This opinions and beliefs of this excuses about the instability was to eventually have all involves further reducing in which it is stated that means that even without n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s of solar power when such a government buildings reliance on Heavy Fuel Oil ChinaandIndiawillby2030 battery storage, solar power affiliates.)

Dem Boys Seh...

De brand is only as good as de cricket

Wha’ gwanin’ wit President Ali and dis jus’learnhowfiholddebatyesterday whole cricket symposium? De man mek a If President Ali wan fi see real success, presentation about buildin’ a cricket brand heneedfistudydemlegends.Demnahbuild for de Caribbean. He even talk about West dem legacy in no boardroom; dem build it Indies tekkin over cricket in de Americas. pondepitch,widsweatan’skill. But yuh nah sure whether he sees this as a So, Mr President, before you go makin’ threat or an opportunity He start out talking plans fi fillin’ de stadium wid fans and aboutitasathreat.Buttodemboysitsounds merchandizing, mek sure de West Indies morelikeanopportunity buildin’ateamdatcanwalkdewalk.‘Cause PresidentAli need fi tek a good look and incricket,it’snot‘boutdebling,it’s‘boutde find out what does mek a brand successful. heartan’dehustle. When it comes to cricket, you can’t jus’slap An’until you understand dat, legislation alogoonnashirtan’callitsuccess. or no legislation, brand or no brand, West

We all know seh cricket ain’t just ‘bout Indies cricket dreams gon’ stay stranded at de money Nobody remember de size a de squareone. sponsor deal when de team playin’like dem Talk half. Leff half

Exxon and broker face GYD$25000 fine...

From page 2 information before preparing and submitting did not inure to the detriment of or cause any thedeclaration. losstotheRevenueAuthority,thattothebest “In these circumstances there are no of EMGL’s knowledge all information that apparent circumstances why proceedings was available to Ramps from the KABAL ought to be instituted against EMGL as a platform was accurate and any error was not matter of fact or law EMGL is ready to causedbyExxon. engage with the Guyana Revenue Authority

Moreover,theoilcompanyalsotoldGRA in the spirit of dialog and cooperation to that under its contract, Ramps had an address any remaining concerns that the obligation to review and verify all inbound Authority may have on this matter,” Exxon shipping documentation (such as bills of further stated. Additionally, back in 2022 lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigations certificates of origin, etc) and work to ensure Division instituted 10 charges in the thatallsuchdocumentationwasaccurateand Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for false correct and met customs requirements of the declarations made by Ramps Logistics. In Co-operativeRepublicofGuyana. April 2023, Ramps in a statement said that it RLGI was contractually obligated to hadbeenclearedofallchargesbroughtbythe review and verify all relevant shipping RevenueAuthority.

TRUTHS

NPTAB: rigidity and flexibility

T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender

Administration Board (NPTAB) is due a break, several of them The Opposition says that an investigationisdue. Istarted outthinkingthatNPTABwas due for a thorough housecleaning and all hands shown the exits. I adjusted my thinking. Let us all calm down and look at what is happening to the few principled folks at NPTAB: they are lumped with bad eggs, they are getting an undeserved bad name, and they are denounced by every Tom, Dick, and Harry The trio includes those who don't know what a tender board doesversuswhatafiretender is. Just about when the people at NPTAB were thinking that the worst was over, and they could breathe easier, entered the nation's chief policymaker, one Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. He has a menu of prescriptions for NPTAB, with each medicine on the bitter side, and sure to cause side effects, especially headaches.

The first thing that the political creature Jagdeo did was remove politicians from contract award proceedings. It is a smart move; NPTAB approves, Cabinet issues something called a noobjection. In most cases, the Cabinet doesn't have a clue about what it is not objecting to; this is not saying that its membersaredumb,thoughit istempting.

But the bid winners that Cabinet would have objected are already gone, as in eliminated. WhatIthinkthat Jagdeo did was publicized that cabinet had no real role in NPTAB contract awards, so angry citizens should look elsewhere. Asmovesgo,itis smooth.

The Cabinet has some vagueauthoritybut,thanksto the chief policymaker, it has nodutyrecontractapprovals. This is one silky policy declaration. Of course, in Guyana's world of tenders and evaluations and approvals, many cabinet memberswouldhavealready made known what they are thinking and who is favored

(through channels), so there is nothing to object to when NPTAB files come before them. Inotherwords,people in the Cabinet get to object before anything reaches them. If anybody believes that Guyana operates differently, they are due a new head. Here is a little litmus test: why is it that some contract approvals out of NPTAB reek of roguery from time to time, and which d e f i e s a n y k i n d o f justification?

The process is either not working as it should; or it is not being allowed to do so.

Interference Influence

Strange coincidence Stranger confluence of events and people. NPTAB is bolstered by procedures, but they are just that, pronouncements on paper thatmeanlessthanwhatthey say

The people to see processes and procedures for what they are, and how they should be implemented, are of the kind that delights the PPP Government and its insiders. They know how

business is done in this country, except that ever so often some awards are so horrendous that the dam collapses under the weight of theirmysteries.

The Tepui pump station contract award was one such dam bursting award. Now there is a whole boombox levelofnoise.

To soothe the clamor, policymaker Jagdeo came up with two quasi policies for NPTAB. First,hewasforthe evaluation criteria to be rigidly followed. Hats off to the big policy and standards man! Spoken like a man that isserious.

Then Jagdeo wouldn't be Jagdeo if he didn't mix mattersupabit. Healsosaid from the other side of his mouth that there should be some flexibility to the evaluation criteria, to give those who fell short of the requirements a chance There must be rigidity and there must be flexibility Only a political operator of the caliber of Jagdeo could get away with defying the lawsofphysics. Hispeculiar

form of political and business sciences makes mincemeat of the natural sciences. In addition to speaking from two sides of his mouth all at once, Jagdeo smartly inserted an element into the evaluation criteria process that I give a oneword label: discretionary The flexibility that he is pushing is a substitute for discretionary

And discretionary is what opens the door for any number of skullduggeries and sleights of hand to pass through on a selective basis. Whatistherenottolikeabout that from a politician's perspective?

When flexibility is built into the rigid evaluation criteria that he touted, then anything can happen, anyone can qualify Why, I could qualify to build that new DemeraraRiverBridge.

Or the Exxon state of the art Guyana High Command skyscraper and spy center

Flexibility in NPTAB's evaluationcriteriagivesitthe cover to decide arbitrarily, to f i n a l i z e c o n t r a c t s

capriciously And recall that since Jagdeo was slick enough to extricate Cabinet from that three-ring circus, NPTABwouldbeonitsown, with its marching orders. I like this setup. It was the ancient Chinese who said that out of crisis comes Christmas.

Fromthecatastrophethat is the Tepui contract award, lessons are learned, policies adjusted, to pave the way in the future via official clearance from the top. This is how a word like discretionary gets a dirty rap. Tocoverallhisbases,Jagdeo ensured that he went on record to say that NPTAB could revoke the Tepui contract. Perhaps, NPTAB should deftly pick up that smokinggun.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Guyana recorded more work place deaths thus far this year than previous three years -LabourMinister

Guyana so far this year has recorded more work place deaths than the previous three years, the Department of Public Information reported on Sunday

The government-run agency said that in 2020, there were 32 workplace deaths; in 2021, the number deceased to 27 deaths and then in 2022, there were 21 deaths. 20 were recorded in 2023. The DPI did not give any figure for 2024 thus far but stated: “However, 2024 has been challenging, recording more deaths than thepreviousthreeyears.”

It then quoted Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, in his message on Occupational Safety and Health Day, saying that the majority of fatalities occur in the mining and construction sectors “This situation causes me great concern, and should be the same for our

tripartite partners and key stakeholders. Indeed it is quite obvious that we need to act now. Decisive actions need to be taken to prevent workplace accidents and safeguarding well-being of the workers in this beloved country of ours,” Minister Hamiltonstated.

This, he said, will require concerted efforts from the government, trade unions and employers' organisations who need to collaborate

closely to develop, implement and maintain comprehensive strategies for safety and health protocols, adequate training the enforcement of safety and health regulations, proper equipment maintenance and fostering culture of safety amongallstakeholders.

“Let us rise to the challenges and reduce our efforts to create safer and healthierworkplacesforall

(Continued on page 16)

Dirt biker dies after crashing into tree

A 23 year-old man on Sunday died after he crashed into a tree along the Tapakuma Trail, Essequibo Coast,RegionTwo.

Police identified him as Chris Ramchan ofTapakuma Lake,anindigenousvillage.

Ramchan and his brother wereridingtheirmotorcycles along the trail when tragedy struckaround01:00hrs.

The victim was some distance ahead of his brother whenhecrashed.

His brother, according to police, recounted that Ramchan's motorcycle tail lights suddenly disappeared frominfrontofhim.

When he got closer he found his brother badly injured and lying next to the bike.

Ramchan was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital but he succumbed while receivingmedicalattention.

Ramchan's bike

Dead, Chris Ramchan

Labour Minister, Joe Hamilton on participants of the Occupational Health and Safety walk

‘Govt. can’t prevent companies from flipping mining projects’

Jagdeo in response to Canadian firm selling 57% shares in gold project for US$638M

Responding to concerns raised in relation to Canadian mining company, Reunion Gold Corporation selling 57% of its shares of its gold project for some US$638 million, days after disclosing thesigningofaUS$1million Mineral Agreement with the Government of Guyana (GoG)–VicePresident(VP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has stated that 'flipping' is not unusual particularly in the mining industry and it is something the Government of Guyana (GoG)cannotprevent.

W h e n a s k e d l a s t Thursday about the announcement made by Reunion selling majority shares of its Oko West gold project located in Region Seven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni),to fellow Canadian company, G MiningVenturesCorporation (GMIN), Jagdeo first noted that is he not aware of such a development. He continued, “I don't know who is walking away with six-something but remember we dealt with the issue of flipping…” the Vice President added, “I pointed out that this is not unusual in many parts of the world so I have no doubt that a company may be selling a project here…I doubt the figure.”

Jagdeo said too, “I'm saying, I'm not aware of any flipping but flipping is not something you have to

consult the government of Guyana on, and I am saying that I doubt Kaieteur News have the story accurate, I'm prepared to put my head on the block that Kaieteur has it inaccurate.”

It should be noted that on April 22, Reunion itself announcedthatitenteredinto a definitive agreement with GMIN, through which a company (New GMIN) will be created for the Oko West project. Upon completion of the transaction, GMIN will hold the majority stake in a new combined entity, with a 57% ownership, while Reunion shareholders will retain a 43% stake. Reunion said that the deal is valued C$875 million, which is equivalent to about US$638 million.

M e a n w h i l e , w h a t Guyana receives from the deal with Reunion is US$1 million for signing the Mineral Agreement with the company; the state receives tax and a royalty of 5% if the goldpriceisbelowUS$1,000 per ounce and 8% if the gold price is above US$1,000 per ounce.Underthetermsofthe agreement, Reunion is granted stable fiscal and operational conditions throughout the project's lifespan Jagdeo said, “Kaieteur News argued every time that the big miningcontractsbeputupon

the website. I asked (Senior Minister) Ashni Singh to put up everyone…” It should be noted that the Mineral Agreement with Reunion Gold is not available on the website.

According to the Vice President, Reunion will have a similar contract to other large-scale mining contracts which he said is a standard agreementinGuyana.Infact, hesaidthetermsforReunion mirrors the terms of the contract the government signed with Troy Resources, the Australian company that abandoned its mining project inGuyana.

“But let me tell you what the key elements are if you just examine them (mining contacts) they deal with the tax concessions that they get, so they do get tax concessions for the development of the mine and thetaxobligationtothestate. So the tax obligation to the state is clearly outlined in the document so as per the agreement,anythingthatisin theagreementwewillget…” Jagdeostated.

Moreover, he went on to explain past instances of flipping in the oil and gas sector In relation to that sector, Jagdeo underscored that a signing bonus is attached to the exploration licenses of US$10 million and US$20 million. “Just to

explore you have to pay a signing bonus now so we put in a big signing bonus there, because you can't prevent people from going for partnerships…even if they flip, the state earns (from the signing bonus) because you can't prevent that from happening,”headded.

Kaieteur News had reportedthatReunionGoldis actively considering both open-pit and underground mining. The company aims to reach a construction decision by 2025, marking another crucial milestone in i t s j o u r n e y t o w a r d operational readiness in Guyana's gold industry The Canadian mining company has firmly set its eyes on

reaching gold production at its OkoWest Gold Project by 2027. The company has an estimated 4.2 million ounces of gold. In February 2024, Reunion announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate(MRE)containinga total of 4.3 M oz. of gold in Indicated Resources grading 2.05g/tand1.6Moz.ofgold in Inferred Resources grading 2 59 g/t The February 2024 MRE includes an underground Resource containing 1.1 M oz. of gold at a grade of 3.12 g/t Au in the Inferred category

GMIN & Reunion Agreement W i t h h o p e s o f establishing its presence in South America, GMIN is set to acquire the majority share of Reunion's Gold Oko West project by Q3 2024, subject to the receipt of required security holder, court and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) approvals and other closingconditionscustomary in transactions of this nature. Also, the agreement includes reciprocal deal protections and a reciprocal C$31 2 million termination fee payable under certain circumstances.

The Canadian companies entered into the agreement to combine the two companies, with hopes of setting the stage for the creation of a

leading intermediate gold producer, particularly in the GuianaShieldregion.

GMIN team including through the Gignac Familyowned G Mining Services (GMS), which has an impressive track-record of executing world-class projects in the Guiana Shield region to generate industry leading returns for its stakeholders. GMIN says it plans to move Oko West quickly through technical studies to a construction decision, leveraging the considerable amount of exploration, development, and permitting work that has already been completed by Reunion, supported by the expected free cash flow from the Tocantinzinho Gold Project in Para state, Brazil which is on schedule and on budget for commercial production in the second half of2024.

In addition, Reunion shareholders will receive common shares in a newly created gold explorer (SpinCo) that will hold all of Reunion's assets other than Oko West. Notably GMIN has agreed to fund SpinCo withC$15million.

Louis-Pierre Gignac, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President of GMIN, speaking on the deal with Reunion said, “OkoWest has (Continued on page 16)

GuyanaGirlGuideAssociationcelebrates100years

Association (GGGA) on Saturday th celebrated its 100 anniversary of its continuous work of empowering girls andyoungwomeninthecountry

Since the forming of the GGGAin 1924, it has since established girl scouts' groups in RegionsTwo,Three, Four,andjustrecentlyinRegionNine. The long-standing association is entrenched based on hard work and resilient older women who have carvedoutprogrammesandpoliciesto meet the needs of the young women whoarerecruitedeachyear

While delivering the keynote address, Mrs Mignon BowenPhillips, wife of Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips stressed the importance that the association plays in molding Guyanesefemales.

“The Guyana Girl Guide Association is a crucial platform for nurturing mentorship and

leadership among young girls in Guyana. In today's expanding landscape of opportunities, this organisation offers a supportive environment for girls to develop essential life skills and selfconfidence,” Bowen-Phillips asserted.

The woman activist encouraged females across the country to use their voicesforwhattheybelievesothatthe countrycancontinuetobeanuplifting place for all types of women despite theircircumstances.

Meanwhile, President of the GGGA Patricia Gray said that the association has achieved many of its goals, including the funding of resources for girls in education. She said too it has partnered with many agencies to facilitate training and studytourstobenefitthem.

“We will continue to mold our young women to be their best selves. To be assertive, to be independent, to be career-oriented, to be leaders, and to express love and care for themselves and others,” Gray stated. One of the main challenges that the associationisfacingisgettingtoreach girls from far-stretched areas like the hinterland regions. As such, the body aims to ramp up its awareness of the benefits of the GGGA so that it can meet and target the vulnerable areas that needs female empowerment GGGA's centennial anniversary is being celebrated under the theme th'100 years of supporting girls and young women through love, empowerment, education and recreation.' (DPI)

President of the GGGA Patricia Gray presenting a certificate to a girl scout member for participating in a recent walkathon

Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo

Hundreds of university students arrested as Gaza war protests expand across the US

(ALJAZEERA) Hundreds of students have been arrested across universities in the United States as protesters continue to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from companies enabling Israel's nearly seven-month war on the Palestinianenclave.

Police were out in full force on college campuses on Saturday, some using chemical irritants and Tasers to disperse the students, as more universities witnessed protests against the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip and seeking an end to US military assistance for Israel. In Boston, police detained about 100 people while clearing a protest camp at Northeastern University, with social media posts showing security forces in riot gear and officers loading tents onto the back of a truck. In a statement on X, Northeastern said the area on campus where the protests were held was now “fully secured” and “all campus operations have returned to normal”. The school said its move came after “what began as a student demonstration two days ago was infiltrated by professional organisers with no affiliation to Northeastern” It added that detained individuals who produced a valid school ID were released and will face disciplinary proceedings, not legal action.

Northeastern claimed that “Kill the Jews” was heared at the protests, using the chants to justify thecrackdownondemonstratorsby securityforces.However,members of the pro-Palestinian protest movement at the university pushed back on those claims, and video posted from the site appears to show people holding Israeli flags using the slur, in an apparent attempt to antagonise proPalestinian demonstrators In Bloomington in the Midwest, the Indiana University Police Department arrested 23 people as they cleared a campus protest camp, the Indiana Daily Student newspaper reported. On the opposite side of the country, the Arizona State University Police Department arrested 69 people for trespassingafterthegroupsetupan “unauthorised encampment” on campus.Arizonastateofficialssaid a protest group, “most of whom were not ASU students, faculty or staff”, set up a camp on Friday and ignoredrepeatedorderstodisperse.

Meanwhile, at Washington University in St Louis, at least 80 people were arrested, including US presidentialcandidateJillSteinand her campaign manager Across the US, university leaders have tried, and largely failed, to quell the demonstrations, which often saw the police intervening violently, with videos emerging from different states showing hundreds

of students – and even faculty members – being forcefully arrested The protesters have demanded amnesty for students and faculty members disciplined or fired for protesting. About a week agoatColumbiaUniversityinNew York, more than 100 proPalestinian activists were arrested. What started at the Columbia campus has turned into a nationwide showdown between students and administrators over pro-Palestine protests and the restrictions on free speech. In the past 10 days, hundreds of students have been arrested, suspended, put on probation and, in rare cases, expelled from colleges, including Yale University, the University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University and the University of Minnesota. A few universities had to cancel graduation ceremonies, while others have seen their buildings occupied by the protesters.

Studentstaking'bigrisks' Al Jazeera's John Hendren, reporting from Princeton University in New Jersey, said “the price of protests can be high” for the students occupying college campuses.

“Students are taking some big risks at these protests. If they violateuniversityrules,theycanbe expelled. And here at Princeton, tuition is over $50,000 a year,” he said. “For many of them, it's an education they have been looking forwardtoalltheirlives.”

Princeton student Sam Bisno told Al Jazeera taking such risks

showed how “passionate” students were about the issue. “People are willing to put it all on the line. But we know we have the power in numbers,”hesaid.

MomodouTaalwasamongfour students whom Cornell University in New York state “temporarily suspended” on Saturday for setting up an encampment on its campus. He told Al Jazeera the protesting students received threats and were subjectedtodoxing,whichrefersto the posting of the personal information of an individual on the internet without their consent. He said such students received no

protection from their school. “We no longer have faith in the administrationtobeaplacesafefor Muslimstudents,forArabstudents, for Palestinian students and by and large those students of colour and pro-Palestinian students,” Taal said Maysam Elghazali, an organiser of the protests at Emory University in Atlanta, said the demonstrating students had three demands “Number one, that Emory disclose all of its financial investments.Numbertwo,thatthey divest from all Israeli companies, andnumberthree,thattheyprovide continued amnesty and protection

Cops caught on camera assaulting Linden bar owner

The Guyana Police Force's (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility have launched an investigation after ranks from McKenzie Police Station, Linden, Region Ten were caughtoncameraassaultingabarowneronSundayMorning.

A video seen by this media house depicted an officer kicking and punching the businessman as he lay curled up on theground.

“This matter is already engaging the Guyana Police Force's Office of Professional Responsibility”, police said. GPF is alleging that the bar owner had assaulted one of their ranksfirst.Policesaidthatrankshadvisitedhisbararound07: 00 hrs. on Sunday and instructed his DJ to turn off the music. The DJ reportedly refused and was promptly arrested and taken away to McKenzie Police Station.Police said that shortly after the owner of the bar visited the station to inquire about his DJ but reportedly began behaving disorderly and allegedly assaulted one of the police while leaving.Other ranks present reportedly rushed to assist their colleague and theexchangewascaughtoncamera.

to all the students who were unjustly arrested,” she told Al Jazeera Meanwhile, college protests against the “genocide” of the Palestinians in Gaza have also spread to schools in Canada, EuropeandAustralia.

Canada's first campus protest camp for Gaza came up at McGill University in Montreal on Saturday Broadcaster CBC reported protesters were demanding McGill and Concordia universities “divest from funds implicated in the Zionist state as well as [cut] ties with Zionist academicinstitutions”.

Students gather for a Pro-Palestinian protest at the Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona [Liliana Salgado/Reuters]

Screengrab captured from the video of the assault on the bar owner.

DCEO underscores importance of maximizing use of new technologies at inaugural AI4 Education Conference

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) Dr Ritesh Tularamhasunderscoredthe importanceofembracingthe use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)inaworldthatisrapidly exploring the benefits of the newtechnology.Dr.Tularam was at the time addressing the opening of the inaugural CaribbeanAI4Education conference held at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence East Bank Demerara.

The two-day forum hosted by Camille's Academy Inc (CAI) engaged teachers and students from both public and private schools in Guyana as well as private sector representatives on the topic of maximizing the benefitsAI.

The meetings were sponsored by Camille Academyinassociationwith Georgetown Investment & Management Service, Princess Ramada Hotel, Silvie's Industrial Solutions, Starr Computers, Office of the Prime Minister, A. Ally and sons-bronze sponsor, J S B I n v e s t m e n t , Lead2Influence-bronze,

Autoport Guyana, 401 Furniture store, Nexus hub Inc, Cerulean Inc, Styles Guyana, Gupta groups-, FitnessExpress. Participants of the conference were treated to introductory courses and interactive sessions on the uses of various AI tools will help make the learning and teaching experiences simpler and less timeconsuming. Speaking to a room full of teachers on day one of the conference, the DCEO emphasized the importance of investing in forums that will prepare people, particularly students to remain relevant in an AIinclusive world. “I want to congratulate Camille's Academy a leading private school in this country for takingonthisveryimportant initiative. That is to bring to ushereinGuyanaatwodays engagement on this very important topic,” Dr Tularam said. He noted that in a world where technology israpidlydeveloping,people in the countries must be trained to ensure that they remain upskilled and on par withthedevelopedworld.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Dr.

Ritesh Tularam

“We are living in an existing ethos that is considered the 4th industrial revolution…Now what does that mean; of course as a country, we are on the verge of development. We would have seen the significant transformation enveloping our society in the respective spaces…As a country that is now positioning itself to be categorized as a developed nation, technology plays a pivotal role in Guyana's upward incline,” the DCEO

asserted.

He explained that Guyana has already been exposedtofaucetsofAI.“As it relates to AI, there are things such as augmented reality, virtual reality, robotics, cloud management and data, BIT data analytics…I can safely say that here in Guyana we have moved to engage augmented reality in our secondary and tertiaryinstitutions.Thenext step is ensuring that persons learn its correct usage and

how to maximize it…”Dr Tularamsaid.

He continued “I know a lotofushavesmartwatches. The internet of things work in such a manner that I can connect to my doctor information right at my fingertips…I don't have to go there physically and be in a waiting room…The use of this technology can save yourtimeandmoney.”

Additionally, the DCEO stressed that embracing the use of AI is important to ensure that Guyanese workforce is on par with the restoftheglobe.Dr Tularam said “We have to ensure that we are relevant, current, of course marketable It means that persons that are responsible for the future they, themselves ought to be exposed to what these realities in a way which m a k e s o u r s k i l l s transferrable in the developedworld.”

“We will have to ensure that we upskill and reskill them to ensure that the technology that is available to us is used in a manner that makes our work more efficient and provides an

opportunity for our graduates to be transferable inwhatisthenoviceworldof technology,” he added. In this regard, Dr. Tularam said thatthefocusisoneducators tokeepthemabreastwiththe technologies. He explained that such technologies should have an impact in schools particularly in terms of developing teachers' pedagogical practice. “It might be true that the uses of artificial intelligence in around classroom may have the capacity to bring real benefits to teachers and s t u d e n t s W e s e e tremendous promises in AI and its usability to educators around the world and here in Guyana” “We need to reorient our energies to e n s u r e t h a t o u r administrative task towards accelerating students growth and learning thus making teaching more fulfilling, interactive purposeful and evenmoreworthwhile.”

As such, the DCEO noted that AI usage should benefitteachersandstudents throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. "It want

(Continued on page 15)

Two new local manufacturers join GNBS's Made in Guyana certification programme

TheGuyanaNationalBureauof Standards (GNBS) has certified two new local manufacturers under its Made in Guyana Certification ProgrammesduringApril2024.

Under the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Certification Mark programme which aims to promote quality in the local manufacturing market, Marcia's Products of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was on Tuesday, April 02, 2024 certified to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark on its locallymanufacturedproducts.The newly certified products which wereapprovedtocarrythemarkare Marcia's Products cassava bread andcassavacassareep.

According to a GNBS press release, the certificate was handed over to Marcia's Products' Chief Operating Officer and Manager, Ms. Marcia Gonsalves-Kwang by GNBS Executive Director (Ag.) Mr Al Fraser, who extended congratulationstothemanufacturer and highlighted the importance of maintainingtherequirementsofthe certification programme. Mr. Fraser encouraged the company to continue to pursue continuous improvement. In response, Ms. Gonsalves-Kwang noted “I am extremely grateful and proud to be part of this programme. My team and I have worked tirelessly with the support of the GNBS Team to

Proprietress of Maliyah's Kitchen, Ms. Alyssa Singh receives Made in Guyana Certificate from GNBS Head of Certification Services, Mr. Keon Rankin

get here today; this moment is truly rewarding ”Meanwhile, on Monday, April 22a second local manufacturer was given the green light to use the Made in Guyana Certification Mark on its locally manufactured products. Maliyah's KitchenofPikeStreet,Georgetown joined the Made in Guyana list of enterprisesthatarebenefittingfrom marketrecognitionandelevationof thequalityoftheirlocalproducts. Maliyah's Kitchen was granted the esteemed privilege to display the Mark on their locally

manufacturedMithai,MilkPowder FudgeandSalSev Duringthebrief hand-over ceremony, the Made in Guyana Certificate was presented toMaliyah'sKitchen'sProprietress, Ms. Alyssa Singh by GNBS Head of Certification Services, Mr Keon Rankin.Ms. Singh, with a proud smile relayed, “This is a great achievement for us at Maliyah's Kitchen. We are so grateful to the GNBS Team for its support and for being so easy to work with. With this certification, we urge other local manufacturers to get Made in

CEO of Marcia's Products, Ms. Marcia Gonsalves-Kwang receives Made in Guyana Certificate from GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Mr. Al Fraser

Guyana Certified to get into local andregionalmarkets.”

These two companies now join thirty-eight (38) other companies that are apart of the GNBS Made in Guyana Certification Programme. The Made in Guyana Standards Mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic GuyaneseProducts.Consumersare encouraged to make products branded “Made in Guyana– GNBS

Approved”theirproductsofchoice when shopping Meanwhile, businesses considering applying for the Made in Guyana Standards Mark or any other GNBS Certification can contact the Certification Services Department oftheGNBS,whichstandsreadyto offer the requisite guidance. The application form along with the detailed requirements of the Programmes and the process of acquiringcertificationcanbefound ontheGNBSwebsitehttps:

IPED says it disbursed $4.3B in loans last year

The Institute of institution’s international PrivateEnterprise presence was strengthened

Development through partnerships such as Limited (IPED) announced the Memorandum of on Saturday that it disbursed Understanding with the a total of 4,881 loans valued C u b a n C h a m b e r o f at$4.3billionlastyear Commerce, aimed at

According to IPED, the providing capacity-building loans contributed to the trainingtoentrepreneurs.” creation and maintenance of Looking ahead, IPED 8,655 jobs. Komal Samaroo, said it remains committed to Chairman of the Board at leveraging technology for IPED in a press release was improved service delivery, quoted as saying: “The with plans to implement a strategic decision to focus state-of-the-art integrated the company’s resources on loan management system. expanding micro and small Additionally,theagencysaid loans ($2M-$7 5M) and initiatives like the Technical reducing the micro loan S k i l l s - b a s e d interest rate by 31% Entrepreneurship Program supportedIPED’sgrowthfor reflect the company’s 2023 in its efforts to meet dedication to fostering market demands for sustainable business financing.” practices and empowering

He said IPED had a individuals with technical “renewedfocusonengaging expertise. “I am proud of m i c r o a n d s m a l l IPED’s achievements in entrepreneurs exclusively, 2023 and grateful for the servicing 4,750 small and dedication of our team, micro enterprises, with non- partners, and stakeholders,” performing loans reduced to s a i d M r J a g d e s h $95 million “The company H a r i p e r s h a d , C h i e f demonstrated financial ExecutiveOfficeratIPED. resilience and operational He added that, “As we efficiency, with total embrace the opportunities of o p e r a t i n g i n c o m e the digital era, we remain increasing by 12% to $952 steadfast in our mission to million and operating create a more inclusive and surplus surging by 35% to dynamic landscape for $301million entrepreneurship ” IPED’s

Strategically, IPED said c o m m i t m e n t t o it expanded its micro and environmental sustainability small loans portfolio, was also highlighted, with lowered interest rates, and initiatives like the Green enhanced support services LoanProductcontributingto f o r e n t r e p r e n e u r s climate-resilient practices in F u r t h e r m o r e , “ T h e Guyana.

DCEO underscores...

From page 14 conference was to expose to ensure that the people in teachers and students in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Guyanatothebenefitsofthe and Nine that they have technology “Therearehosts equal access to whatever we of benefits that this aredoing…” technology can bring to the

Heurgedstakeholdersto education sector in Guyana explore ways to collaborate so after having my teachers and network for effective introducedandtrainedinthe training in the usage of AI. use ofAI…I started looking “Invest in digital and AI for ways to collaborate literacy to mitigate the because my main concern g r o w i n g d i g i t a l was how I can bring this divide…Support teachers to veryusefultooltotherestof a c c e s s a n d a p p l y the education sector…And technologies to reduce so I decided to invest in administrative burdens and hosting the first AI provide more time for conference to along with the personalized learning by help of a few generous providing open access stakeholders and sponsors I resources by providing was able to bring make the collaborative spaces to help conferenceareality.” them integrate AI in the The CEO said that work,”theDCEOsaid. AI4educationconference is C a m i l l e D e o k i e - just the beginning in the list Gorakh, CEO of Camille’s ofplannedundertakings,the Academy shared a similar private school plans to bring view Deokie-Gorakh said to the education sector in that the intention of the Guyana.

$384M to rebuild 3 police stations

During a recent reading rebuild this year With over of tenders, it was revealed $44 billion approved in the that Sisters Police Station in 2024 budget for the Home Region Six, Timehri Police Affairs Ministry, the agency Station in Region Four, and intends to use part of the Imbotero Police Station in allocation to reconstruct a RegionOneareallslatedfor number of police stations reconstruction. across the country and These works are being complete ongoing works at undertaken by the Ministry other police stations that of Home Affairs and beganlastyear according to a total account This publication of the engineer’s estimate it understands that the would cost $384 million to reconstruction of the police execute the works. Kaieteur stations is aimed at News understands that transforming the decadesSisters station is estimated old buildings and their to cost $82 million, Timehri environment into ones that is estimated to cost $139 a r e m o r e m o d e r n , million and Imbotero is accommodating and ‘userestimated to cost $163 friendly’ to visitors and milliontoreconstruct. ranks that are stationed in

These three stations are thefacilities. part of several facilities, the B e l o w a r e t h e ministry is looking to companiesandthebids:

Ministry of HomeAffairs

Re-construction of Sisters police station, Region Six.

Acute hunger remains...

From page 8 with2022.Extremeweathereventsweretheprimarydriversin 18countrieswhereover77millionpeoplefacedhighlevelsof acute food insecurity, up from 12 countries with 57 million peoplein2022.In2023,theworldexperienceditshottestyear on record and climate related shocks impacted populations, with episodes of severe floods, storms, droughts, wildfires, and pest and disease outbreaks. Economic shocks primarily affected 21 countries where around 75 million people were facing high levels of acute food insecurity, due to their high dependency on imported food and agricultural inputs, persisting macroeconomic challenges, including currency depreciation,highpricesandhighdebtlevels.

Breaking the cycle of food crises

Tackling persistent food crises requires urgent long-term national and international investment to transform food systems and boost agricultural and rural development alongside greater crisis preparedness and critical lifesaving assistance at scale, where people need it most. Peace and prevention must also become an integral part of the longerterm food systems transformation. Without this, people will continue to face a lifetime of hunger and the most vulnerable will starve. Since 2023, needs have outpaced available resources. Humanitarian operations are now desperately overstretched, with many being forced to scale-down and furthercutsupporttothemostvulnerable. Moreequitableand effective global economic governance is imperative and must bematchedwithgovernmentledplansthatseektoreduceand endhunger

To turn the tide on rising acute food insecurity the international community has made a range of bold commitments including through the recent G7 and G20 initiatives.The Global NetworkAgainst Food Crises offers to leverage its unparalleled knowledge of hunger in the most fragile countries to strengthen the linkages and build coherence where possible between these various global initiatives to ensure innovative and concrete impact for those affectedbyfoodcrises.

Re-construction of Timehri Police Station.

Re-construction of Imbotero Police Station.

Construction of wharf and boat house at Morawhanna, Region One.

Construction of wharf and boat house at Imbotero, Region One.

Construction of wharf and boat house at Mabaruma.

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Mass Net Distribution Campaign launched in Reg. 9

as part of efforts to eradicate malaria in Guyana

A campaign to distribute long-lasting insecticidetreated nets (LLINs) has been launched in the Amerindian village of Aishalton, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine, as part of the Ministry of Health’s national strategy to eliminate malaria in Guyana.

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The campaign’s goal is to reduce the transmission of the disease by providing a barrier against mosquitoes that carry the disease, in endemic communities like Aishalton and in Regions One, Seven and Eight, and mining areas.

The initiative was officially launched by the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during his visit to the community on Friday.

During the launch, the

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minister emphasised the importance of people’s responsibility in eradicating malaria. He highlighted the need for residents to dispose of garbage properly and be aware of preventative measures that they can use within their residences.

“You don’t have to get malaria if we take precautions and that is very important, to take precautions, to prevent yourself from getting malaria…it makes no sense that you have a net and you don’t use it. Once you get a net, you got to use and use it properly…government alone cannot fight malaria, its everyone’s problem,” he underlined.

Minister Anthony believes that the disease can be fully eradicated in Region Nine, and the lessons learned there can be adopted and applied to other regions.

“The lessons that we learn here, we can adopt it and move it over to the regions and use the same strategies so that in a couple of years, we’ll remove malaria as a problem in Guyana,” he stated.

The minister also stated

that substantial investments have been made to train additional microscopists and to make rapid-test kits available to detect cases.

Also attending the launching ceremony was the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot who expressed commendations to the government for embarking on an ambitious goal.

She further revealed that USAID has provided more than US$5.2 million in technical assistance to Guyana’s national malaria programme and is looking forward to continuing collaborations to advance the health and wellbeing of communities nationwide.

“Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs)…are one of the World Health Organisation’s most effective strategy to prevent malaria. To meet our shared goal to eliminate malaria in Guyana but also around the world, we must ensure 80 per cent get net coverage in endemic communities like Aishalton,” the ambassador added.

PAHO/WHO Representative, Daniel Albert also commended the government and highlighted that lessons will be learned and shared with other countries from Guyana’s initiatives.

The National Malaria Strategic Plan has identified the need to optimise distribution and use of treated nets in malariaaffected communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten as a key goal under Strategic Priority Number Four.

To achieve this, mass free distributions will be held every three years in Guyana, which will be supported by continuous net distributions through multiple channels.

This campaign aims to provide protection to the most vulnerable populations, particularly those living and working in the mining areas where the risk of malaria is highest.

The goal is to ensure that every family, child, and individual has access to the protection they need to prevent malaria. (DPI)

Guyana recorded more work place deaths...

From page 11 together we can make a difference and build a future where every worker can go to work and return home safely at the end of the work day or work period,” Minister Hamilton stated.

The Theme for this year’s observance is “Ensuring safe and healthy work now in a changing climate: We are running out of time.” Minister Hamilton said this year’s theme places emphasis, on the urgency of the situation, and the urgent need to prioritise safety and health in workplaces. “Climate Climate is already having serious impacts on the world of work, and workers particularly at risk are those who work outdoors in physically demanding sectors such as agriculture construction and mining,” he stated.

However, indoor workers in hot and poorly ventilated environments, and other workers are also at risk. The minister said action needs to be taken now as the consequences of

workplace fatalities are profound, resulting not only in the loss of precious lives, but leaving behind devastated families and communities while also disrupting productivity and progress.

Meanwhile, hundreds of persons turned out on Sunday Morning to join the Annual Occupation Safety and Health Day Walk. Minister Hamilton, while addressing the participants, noted that the large turnout indicates that the drive for Occupational Safety and Health is gaining momentum. World Day of Occupation Safety and Health was designated by the International Labour Organisation, to place emphasis on the prevention of accidents and diseases at work. It also seeks to raise awareness and promote action towards preventing workplace accidents and promoting well-being. Occupational Safety and Health Month was launched on April 3, 2024.

‘Govt. can’t prevent companies from flipping...

From page 12 all the key attributes GMIN is looking for in its next leg of growth. We are well-positioned to accelerate value creation at Oko West leveraging our unique expertise in building and operating mines on schedule and on budget in the Guiana Shield, deep knowledge of and network in the region, and over US$480M anticipated near-term free cash flow from Tocantinzinho. The acquisition of Oko West is the second step towards our vision of becoming a leading intermediate gold producer, building on the team’s success at Tocantinzinho. We look forward to continuing to advance our Buy. Build. Operate strategy to create and unlock further value for GMIN shareholders.”

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For his part, Rick Howes, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Reunion said: “We are very pleased to announce this Transaction today, which we believe is a testament to the outstanding work our team has done rapidly discovering and advancing Oko West over the last few years. We believe that this Transaction not only delivers our shareholders an attractive upfront premium, but also the ability to participate with

significant ongoing ownership in the combined company, having the opportunity to participate in an expected future re-rating as Oko West is advanced towards production.”

He continued, “The transaction significantly de-risks the advancement of Oko West given the financial strength, free cash flow, and development capabilities that GMIN brings to the table. Importantly, we believe this is a great outcome for the country of Guyana, with Oko West being taken forward by a company that will be a great steward of the asset for the benefit of the country and its communities.”

Another Deal

China’s Zijin Mining recently said it would acquire Guyana Goldfields for C$323 million ($238 million), bringing an end to a protracted takeover battle for the Canada-listed gold miner.

Toronto-based Guyana Goldfields announced on June 3 that it had received a binding proposal from an unnamed overseasbased miner to acquire the company, valuing it around 35% higher than a previously accepted offer from Silvercorp Metals.

T&Tlookstoclosenon-energytradedeficitwithUK

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) such as curries and other novelty company that has a really T&T Stephen Twining, the tenth teabagsayear Regardingwhat’sto T&T is currently experiencing a items. She said even though this interesting innovation then tell the generation of his family in the tea come, Twining said there will be a tradedeficitwiththeUKandefforts country exports energy and non- UK about it and ask us to find business, shared details about the change to its Chai blend, which is are being made by various energy products to the UK, there investors, ” Cross further new offering which contains alsopopularinthiscountry Hesaid stakeholders to close this gap not was a trade deficit, signalling that suggested. She further noted that in ginger; a staple in most local the company currently has two of only in the area of goods but also commercial activity needs to be terms of the UK investment in households and used in a variety of these blends which it is going to services. rampedup. T&T, there are funding streams ways from seasoning meats to “amalgamate.” “Both sell equally According to figures from the Asaresult,acommercialoffice such as the UK Export Finance brewing in a concoction of other wellsowethinkwewillbringthem Trade Ministry, as it relates to was created in the UK to ensure whichprovidesthelocalfacilityfor ingredients. together and that will be an T&T’s trade performance with the two-waytradeisincreased.Among financingprojectsinthiscountryas About the new blend Twining innovation for Trinidad and UK in 2023, non-energy imports the more popular local items long as they have the “20 per cent explained, “It’s on a very, light Tobago, ” Twining said were $1.10 billion while exports exported to the UK include UK element.” “Which might be delicate green tea. Green tea is Additionally, a “Lady Grey” which amounted to $71 49 million Angostura Bitters and Chief Brand insurance, it might be a piece of the known to be very refreshing and is a lighter version of Earl Grey, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.03 products. “We need to get some product,” she added. Cross also you have the right climate for another popular flavour consumed billion. Regarding the food and other products into the UK hailed local chocolates, which are needinghydrationandrefreshment. locally, will soon be introduced to beverage sector, the import figure market,” Gopee-Scoon said, found in the UK, noting they were Carefully balanced two different themarket. was $189.82 million while exports adding, “It’s a great focus of ours made with high-quality Trinitario sortsofgreenteabecausewhenyou Tea is just one of several were $25.05 million, reflecting a but again, bilateral trade both ways cocoa, which some UK chefs were process green tea you either steam products being imported into T&T tradedeficitof$164.77million. is what we want to improve and keen to get their hands on orusepanfiring.Steamingmakesit from the UK. Chocolates such as In 2022, non-energy imports again utilise the UK-Cariforum Additionally, Cross noted that the lighter while the pan fire has a little Cadbury are also high on the list as were$967.15millionwhileexports Economic Partnership Agreement, localpetrochemicalindustryisalso more body to it and that well as premium alcohol such as tallied at $74.06 million showing a which allows all of our products an area of interest for the UK. combination carries the ginger and JohnnyWalker trade deficit of $893.08 million.As into the UK almost all tariff- “Particularly in terms of green Twinings never uses artificial Then there’s cement and it relates to food and beverage free...We feel we can expose our energy, so green hydrogen is a ingredients.” Twining also paid equipment imported from the UK , imports from the UK, in 2022 it curries and some of our distinctive really good example of that,” she kudos to its partner in Trinidad, which have been growing in sales, totalled $205 88 million while products that find their way into added. distribution company LJWilliams, said Martha O’Brien-Ferguson, exports were $28 22 million restaurantsaswell.Wehavetolook Some of the brands at the event which realised that ginger had salesmanagerattheT&Tbranchof resulting in a trade deficit of at the entire value chain and were Twinings Tea, Beanie’s become increasingly popular and Kestrel Liner Agencies. “We have $177.66million. consider what would work best in Flavour Coffee, Dash Sparkling whilethereweremanyotherginger been seeing an increase in LCL

In this vein, T&T is seeking to findingaplaceintheUKmarket.” Water, Bombay Gin, Whitley Neill products on the shelves, Twinings (less than container load) cargo in increase its export capacity to the To assist local manufacturers, Gin, Highclere Castle Gin, Johnnie could offer its own unique product. terms of food products, trucks and UK, according to Trade and Cross advised they can work with Walker Gold Label Whisky, Wee This particular ginger tea was a cement.Overthelasttwoyears,we Industry Minister Paula Gopee- the T&T High Commission’s trade SmokyScotchWhiskey,Tunnock’s making an out “a year or so ago” have seen an increase of just under Scoon who spoke to the Sunday team in London as well as a similar Wafers, Cadbury, Campbell’s accordingtoTwiningandwillbeon 50 per cent of food items imported Business at the inaugural Great team at the British High Shortbread, Grandma Wild’s localshelvesinOctober out of the UK. Items such as tea, British Food and Drink Showcase. Commission in Port-of-Spain. “If a Biscuits and Kestrel Liner The product, however, is not chocolate and the Johnny Walker The event was hosted last week by company has an idea as to how it Agencies. onlylimitedtoT&Taitwillalsobe brand of alcohol,” O’BrienBritishHighCommissionerHarriet can innovate. For example, if they Amongthetopitemimportedin introduced to other countries in the Ferguson said Regarding the Crosswhoalsowelcomedthemove want to be greener but they don’t T&T from the UK is tea and more region. On how much the tea cement, she said this was of a tostrengthencommercialties. know how to do that, then there is specifically the Twinings brand. company exports to T&T annually, different kind being “concentrated Gopee-Scoon said efforts are somebody in the UK who could The company’s teas have become Twining said he “never discusses specifically for the needs of being made to have more local support the greening of that T&T so popular that it will be such figures” However, noted that customers” imported by large goods enter the UK market company introducinganewblendtothelocal it is a “seizable amount,” adding companies which require it in huge particularly non-energy exports And vice versa, if there is a market inspired by the tastebuds of that the company makes billions of quantities.

Reg. 9 district hospitals get with new Ultrasound units

Ultrasound services will these are top-quality cannot do the interpretation, now be offered to residents ultrasound machines,” the then the interpretation can of Annai, Karasabai, minister stated, adding, “the bedonebyadoctorandwith AishaltonandSandCreekin imaging quality is quite these machines, we’ll also RegionNine(UpperTakutu- remarkable, so this is going have the capability of U p p e r E s s e q u i b o ) , to be another tool that will sending some of the image eliminating the need for help the doctors to make to a central location like in residentstotraveltoLethem better diagnoses in the Georgetown,” the minister toaccesssuchservice. region.” explained.

During his visit to the He also urged the Meanwhile, Regional Rupununi region on Friday, Maternal and Child Health Chairman Brian Allicock Minister of Health Dr Frank personnel to utilise these expressedhowproudheisto Anthony formally handed machines for expectant witness the revolution of over the units to Regional mothers, to detect whether healthcare in the Rupununi Chairman, Brian Allicok at they are at risk and to region Regional Health the Lethem Regional monitortheirwell-being. Officer (RHO), Dr Cerdel Hospital’s boardroom. All Additionally, the Mcwatt also delivered brief four units were purchased Ministry of Health will soon remarks Only recently, from General Electric, a roll out Sonography or similar units were handed world-renowned American ultrasound training in over to Regions Three, Four company which produces collaboration with Mohawk and Five to expand services systems like these, at a cost College, a Canadian offered at health facilities ofUS$30,000. institution. within these regions. Since

During brief remarks, Sixteen persons have 2020, billions of dollars in M i n i s t e r A n t h o n y already been identified to be investments have been highlighted that the new among the first batch of plugged into the health units will enhance persons to receive the sector, with a staggering diagnostic capabilities in training, the first kind of $129.8 billion budgeted in these facilities. “Not just at training to be conducted. 2024 for the continued Lethem, but in other “By providing a different transformation of the health outlying areas to have the tier of training, having a sector into one that meets capacity to be able to do technician like how we have world-class standards ultrasounds.As you can see, X-ray technicians…if they (DPI)

Stolen Money secures stunning win in Jumbo Jet Race of Champions

Jockey Ronaldo Appadu caused a major upset as Stolen Money beat Spankhurst in the feature event at Jumbo Jet Race of Champions

Stolen Money sparked a away with the first-place fourth.

fracturedcollarbone. major upset in the feature prize of G$ 2 million Race four was all The penultimate race of event of the Jumbo Jet Race Bossalina and Easy Time Creemore, who took down the seven-card program saw of champions at the Rising were scratched from the fast-starter Converter Country Rock cruising to an Sun Turf Club, West Coast feature event The three JockeyRonaldoAppaduwas easy win in the three-yearBerbice The Dennis horses that ran were the architect in Creemore’s old Guyana bred. Jockey Deroop-owned horse

Spankhurst, Stolen Money victory, who rode a beautiful Appadu controlled the onedisplayed great speed and and John Bull Jockey race, and began the sprint at mile race, finishing ahead of skill in the one-mile feature Appadu finished the Race of the right time in the E, & F Bin Ladin, She’s A Monica race. Now trained by the Champions as the champion Class&Lowerrace. andEasyJetinthatorder veteran Fazal Habibulla, jockey,withthreewinsinthe In addition to Converter, More than G$ 10 million Stolen Money won a tense day who came second,American in cash and prizes were up sprint home with John Bull In overcast conditions, Traveller came third for takes on what was whocamesecondSpankurst, the race day got off to a Looking to Heaven, who deemed another successful whofinishedthird. flying start with the K Class finished fourth, found it race hosted by the Jumbo Jet Stolen Money walked & Lower horses running and difficult to jump out of the Thoroughbred Racing 5.5 furlung. In a scintillating startersgate. Committee. time of one minute, 19.63 Trinidadian jock Rico The major sponsors of seconds, Rescue (formerly Hernandez finally delivered thisRaceofChampionsmeet Tizway) sealed the top spot with a supreme victory with were Banks DIH, AJM followed by Get Them Theory of Colors in the H Enterprise, Jumbo Jet, Sino Bobby,andMoneyTime. Class race. Theory of Colors T r u c k a n d X C M G

Monday April 29, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You face a day of some conflict, Aries. Nevertheless, the discord will prove quite useful.Thisisprobablyoneof thebestopportunitiesinrecent weeks to become aware of somefamilymatters.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

If you admit you've made a mistake, people are more likelytoforgiveyou.Youhave a confrontational day ahead, Taurus. There's no doubt that you're in a stationary position concerningyourcareer

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Youmayhavebeenwishingfor some recognition and appreciationlately.Perhapsyou had your eye on a promotion at work. The day ahead will show youwhichpathwillbethemost productive.

CANCER(June21–July22)

If you happen to be training foranewtrade,learninganew technique, or perhaps you're being evaluated after an internship period, you can expect these pursuits to concludeonahighnote.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Althoughyoumightfindtheday ahead somewhat stressful, it's a key day in your professional evolution Since you've lacked inspiration lately, you must not miss the opportunity you'll be presentedwithtoday

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Todaythecelestialenergywill be trying to teach you s o m e t h i n g , V i r g o , specifically,howtosharewith others. But first you must get to a place where you truly want to share something of yourself.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today's energy will be making you think only about your relationships. It isn't easy to have relationships with others, as you may have noticed. The respective demands of each one in a relationship can be difficulttounderstand.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Some of your demons may come back to haunt you today, Scorpio You could find yourself battling some of those same old doubts and insecurities that you thought you'dleftbehind.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

It might seem like you no longer completely believe in what you're doing, perhaps because you've been going a little too quickly in your quest togetwhatyouneed.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Today's planetary energies will beverydemanding,Capricorn. As you agonize over whether or not you're up to “standard," the planets, in a very cheeky way,respondthatyouarenot!

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You seem to want to become old and wise before your time, Aquarius. Today's aspects will take you by the hand and lead you back into the heat of the action, experiencing life in all itsintensity

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

There is some probability that you'll want to escape from realitytoday,Pisces.Youaren't anxious to face a situation that demands that you commit yourself. Is this because you're afraid that you lack the ability t o a s s u m e t h i s n e w responsibility?

RacetwowastheIClass, finishedaheadofSupremacy Additional sponsors were J Class & West Indian bred andSmoothSailing. N&M Trucking & Auto three-year-old maidens. Sex Jockey Kishan Pereira Sales, SHI O

Appeal, piloted by Kiran fellforthesecondtimeinthe Distributor, Forrester’s Razackemergedvictorwhile day He fell earlier on Bolt Concrete, Knight Industries Hayley came second. Dan and Nut, then he fell off Inc Auto Sales, Spares, and Star was the other horse in Blinding Lights. According ExcavatingandTrucking. thatrace. to the stewards, Pereira fell The next race is set for

The L Class and J3 First on his own accord twice in May26atPortMourantTurf time starters saw Princess the day He suffered a Club. Samiah sealing the deal while Perfect Dream came second. Kiss came third while Three D Movie ran

More support...

From page 20 G

Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Davo Naraine of UK, Dr Cecil Beharry, Raj Mathura, Raj Bharrat, Latch Mohabir and family, Suresh Dhanai, Vishal Nagamootoo, Moses Nagamootoo Jnr, Regal Sports Store, Omkar Singh, Parmanand Dhaniram, Reshma Mathura, Booman S i n g h , K r i s h n a Rengensamy, Ishwar Singh, Ricky Deonarain of 4R Bearings, Terry Mathura of TDMJ Inc , Kennard Verapen and NY Pioneer CC, Anita and Derek Kallicharran, Subhas Powan Persaud of DX Sports,RamjitSingh,Kumar Dindial, Shazam Hussain, Ravi Lutchman of JIS&L NY and Cyber Trading, Georgetown. We thank the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact AnilBeharryat623-6875or Kishan Das at +1-718-6640896.

More support for RHTCCCC through Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana Project

The rapidly growing cricketers for Berbice, Pakistan tour, has already development of cricket pads,onebatgrip,thirty-two and Malteenoes Sports Club Rose Hall Community GuyanaandWestIndies.Isai represented the West Indies throughyoungpeople. pairs of batting gloves, one (ninecricketballseach). Center Cricket Club once Thorne, recently made his seniorteamathertenderage. Total cricket-related pair of wicketkeeping pads Cricket-related items, again benefits from this joint debut for the winning Many other junior cricketers items received/purchased so a n d t h r e e p a i r s o f used or new, are distributed initiative of Kishan Das of Guyana Harpy Eagles senior from the RHCCCC have far: $460,000 in cash, wicketkeepinggloves.Many free of cost to young and theUSAandAnilBeharryof four-day team at the age of represented Berbice and thirteen colored cricket others benefited indirectly promising cricketers in Guyana. This initiative is seventeenandisnotfaraway Guyana Club member uniforms, two trophies, In addition, two clubs in the Guyana. Skills, discipline very impressive with the from the senior West Indies Balram Samaroo on receipt twenty-five pairs of cricket Pomeroon area benefited and education are important work of coaches Ameer team. He was arguably the of nine white cricket balls, shoes, thirty-three pairs of from two used bats characteristics of the Rahaman and Seon Hetmyer fastest bowler in the expressed gratitude to this batting pads, thirty-five Pomeroon, Leguan and recipients. Talent spotting is and the President and tournament. Young female project for its continued cricket bats, thirty pairs of W a k e n a m C r i c k e t being done across the executives of the club. The all-rounder Ashmini support to the club and its batting gloves, twenty-five CommitteesandCottonTree countryandclubleadersalso club is very young but keeps Munisar who unfortunately players. We are happy to be thigh pads, three pairs of Die Hard also received one assist in identifying the producing outstanding wasn’t selected for the associated with the wicketkeepingpads,sixarm box of red cricket balls each, same. Progressive and wellguards, two chest pads, two Cold Fusion Cricket Club managedcricketclubswitha boxes, twelve cricket bags, thirteen color uniforms youth program, will also six bat rubbers, six helmets, whileRHCCCCreceivedsix benefit.

one fibre glass bat, thirteen boxes of balls, fifteen white We take this opportunity boxes of white cricket balls cricket shirts, one pair of to thank Javed and Imran of and twenty-eight footballs. junior batting pads, one pair West Indian Sports

Inadditiontotheabove,gear of wicket keeping gloves, a Complex, Option Group of worth more than $600,000 set of stumps and bails. USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish was donated by Sheik Other beneficiaries are The Panday of P and P Insurance Mohamed, former National Essequibo Cricket Board, Brokers, Sean Devers, wicketkeeper/batsman All the Town of Lethem, youth Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, cash collected is being used coach Travis Persaud (one Aaron Beharry, Leanna to purchase gear requested box of red cricket balls), Bachan and Imran Saccoor, andnotavailableatthetime. male and female teams Devon Ramnauth, Teddy

To date, seventy-three playing the traditional Singh,RomashMunna,Ravi young players, male and hardball and softball in the Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, female, from all three Upper Corentyne area, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra counties of Guyana have No.65 Young Titans with 30 Harkishun, Allan Mangru benefited directly from TeeShirts,youthsofJustTry and Dennis Mangru, Vishal seven gear bags, two Cricket Club, Wakenaam Mahabir, Sherman Austin, trophies, four arm guards, Cricket Academy (one box Huburn Evans, Rajendra thirty-two bats, three boxes, of white balls), Shemar SadeoandRameshSunichof six helmets, twenty-seven J o s e p h , N e h e m i a h Trophy Stall, Sheik pairs of cricket shoes, Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Mohamed of Star Sports nineteen pairs of batting Leguan Cricket Committee, AwardsandTrophies,Ajay pads, twenty-four thigh Tucber Park Cricket Club (Continued on page 19)

CWI backs Guyana’s push for World Super League T20 tourney

(NewsdayTT)–Guyana host the 12th edition of its even surpass the popularity President Dr Irfan Ali has tournament from August 29 of the Champions League announced Guyana’s plans to October 6, has given the T20. to launch a World Super go-ahead for the GCB and “The intention in all the L e a g u e Tw e n t y / 2 0 CWIinitsquesttolaunchthe conversations we have had tournamentinthenearfuture WorldSuperLeague. with Guyana has been — a tournament which he “We’re working with the around the Guyana Amazon hopes will serve as a GCB to try and find a Warriors, along with other replacement to the now suitable window that works invited T20 teams from the defunct Champions League for both Guyana and West other franchise leagues, to T 2 0 A l i m a d e t h e Indies cricket,” Grave told comeandplayinthisevent,” announcement during his Newsday at the regional Grave said. “Whether it will virtual presentation on day cricketconference. actuallybethewinnersofthe one of the April 25-26 “Theassumption,Ithink, respective tournaments, I Caricom Regional Cricket you can safely say it will don’t know at this stage. But C o n f e r e n c e feature the Guyana Amazon that’s the intention It’s Reinvigorating West Indies Warriors The CPL has something we will get Cricket at the Hyatt effectively given its behindanditwillbegreatfor Regency,PortofSpain. blessing, which is one of the not only Guyana but West If the vision of Ali and stipulations of their Indiesaswell.” the Guyana Cricket Board sanctioning agreement with Grave hopes the CWI (GCB) comes to life, the us. “It obviously will require canreceivetheall-clearfrom World Super League ICC sanctioning because it the ICC before the Amazon tournament will see Guyana requires four or more Warriors begin their CPL hosting eight of the world’s international players The titledefenceinAugust. best franchise teams in an view is for it to become an “ICC takes a minimum exciting invitational established event in our of three months for their competition over a week or cricket eco-system,” Grave approvals to go through, so two-weekperiod. continued. hopefully we can put an

Cricket West Indies The then-popular application in early May and (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave Champions League T20 we hope to have approval confirmed the regional spanned from 2008-2014 priortoCPLtakingplace.” body’s receipt of a proposal and involved the winning During his address at the from Guyana, and he says teams from various T20 conference, DrAli called for CWIwillnowsubmititsown leagues across the world. the “redefining of the ecoproposal to the International Both TT and Guyana had system of Cricket West Cricket Council (ICC) in representation in the Indies” and he said the early May with a view to Champions League T20, regional game should do all hosting the inaugural edition with superstar players such in its power to set itself apart of the Wolrd Super Leauge as Dwayne Bravo, Kieron from the world when it laterthisyear Pollard and Sunil Narine comestotheatmosphereand The Caribbean Premier comingintotheirown. vibrancy which is created at League (CPL), which will Ali wants to recreate and matches.

PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Monaco beaten

Gillespie appointed Pakistan men’s Test coach, Kirsten named white-ball coach

(Cricinfo) - Jason andwonthe2011ODIWorld Gillespie, the former Cup. He was head coach of Australian fast bowler, has South Africa for the two b e e n a n n o u n c e d a s years that followed, and is Pakistan’s new Test coach, currently Gujarat Titans’ while former South African battingcoach. batter Gary Kirsten has been Crucially,Naqvisaidthat named their white-ball Kirsten and Gillespie will be coach. with the Pakistan side for the

coaches, with PCB’s

Azhar Mahmood, who entire length of their had been appointed on a contracts instead of flying in temporary basis for the New for specific tours and series. Zealand series, will continue In the past, this has been a as the assistant coach in all sticking point for overseas formats.

The three coaches have negotiations with Watson been appointed on two-year thought to include clauses contracts following a high-quality appointments that permitted him to be recruitmentprocess. also present a remarkable away from Pakistan when

The position of the head opportunity for our players the white-ball side wasn’t in coach had been vacant since to glean insights from these action. Naqvi also said he Grant Bradburn, who took seasoned professionals, hoped to have Gillespie over from Saqlain Mushtaq refining their skills and involved with domestic redlast year, quit in January to fortifying their cricketing ball cricket, instead of join Glamorgan as head acumen. focusing solely on the Test coach. The Pakistan Cricket “The PCB is unwavering side.

B o a r d ( P C B ) h a d in its commitment to furnish That the PCB have approached other high- the national team with top- eventually managed to land profile names, including tier resources and facilities, two of the highest profile

Shane Watson, who fostering an environment coaching names - the first ultimately pulled out of the conducive to unlocking their time Pakistan have race.

f u l l p o t e n t i a l a n d appointed split coaches for Kirsten is expected to consistently delivering different formats - has take over from the England stellarperformances.” internally been viewed as a tour, which will feature a Gillespie has held significant win for the board four-match T20I series various coaching roles at a time of considerable starting on May 22 in Leeds. around the world, though he tumult. While the PCB did The last game of the series hasneverbeenheadcoachof not declare the details of will be on May 30 before the aninternationalTestside.He their financial agreements, it team will fly out to the USA enjoyed considerable is believed Gillespie and and the Caribbean for the success as head coach of Kirsten’srecompensewillbe T20 World Cup. Gillespie’s Yorkshire, where they were higher than head coaches first assignment will be the promoted from Division have ever been paid in BangladeshseriesinAugust, Two in his first season and Pakistan cricket before. This atwo-Testseries. went on to win titles in 2014 is both a reflection of the

The announcements and 2015. He has also taken challenges of attracting weremadebyPCBchairman up T20 coaching roles with biggernamestocommitfullMohsin Naqvi at a press Kings XI Punjab and time to Pakistan cricket, as conferenceinLahore. Adelaide Strikers, as well as well as the bolstered

“Their stellar track SussexandSouthAustralia. financialstrengthofthePCB records precede them, and I Kirsten’s most famous thanks to ICC revenue, warmlywelcomethemtothe coaching achievement came which rose from an $16 Pakistan cricket family,” asheadcoachofIndia,where million to $34 million in the Naqvi said of Kirsten and he worked from 2008-11, currentrightscycle. Gillespie.

“Jason’s coaching career has been marked by success both at the domestic and international levels, with a focusonplayerdevelopment and achieving excellence in team performance. Gary’s coaching career has been marked by his ability to instill a winning mentality, develop young talent, and achieve success at the highest levels of the game, making him one of the most respected and sought-after coachesincricket.

“In this background, I have every confidence that their expertise will guide our playerstoreachnewheights, aligning with their inherent talentandtheexpectationsof our passionate fans. These

(BBC Sport) - Paris St-Germain have PSG had the chance to seal the title with wontheirthirdconsecutiveLigue1titleafter victory on Saturday but could only manage a second-placed Monaco fell to a 3-2 defeat drawagainstrelegation-threatenedLeHavre. againstLyon. It is PSG’s 12th Ligue 1 title and their PSG are 12 points clear and cannot be 10th in the past 11 years. Luis Enrique’s side caughtwithjustthreegamesremaining. will now turn their attentions to winning the Malick Fofana scored the winner for club’s first Champions League trophy They Lyon on Sunday, with the 19-year-old face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals slottinghomefromcloserangelateon. nextmonth.

Paris St-Germain still have three games remaining in the League. (LFP)

Gary Kirsten (Getty Images)

Jason Gillespie. (Getty Images)

FL Sport assists Essequibo’s under-13 cricket team

FL Sport has provided financial assistance to the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) to prepare its Under13 squad, which will compete in the Guyana Cricket Board Inter-County tournament.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FL Sport, John Ramsingh, recently handed o v e r G $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o Norwayne Fredricks, the VicePresidentoftheECB.

Ramsingh stated, “We at FLSport are immense lovers of the sport of cricket, and without question, there is overwhelming talent in Cinderella County Over the years,wehaveseentalentsat the grassroots level who just needsomeinvestment.”

Vice-President of the Essequibo Cricket Board Norwayne Fredricks (left) collects the financial support from Chief Executive Officer of FL Sport, John Ramsingh.

Fredricks thanked FL Sport for the support, noting understood that the ECB nurserylevel. it will undoubtedly help the s h o u l d c o m m e n c e FLSporthasbeenthegoboard to offset expenses in preparationsoon. to company for live preparing the team to defend Most recently, the local streaming, and their theirInter-Countytitle. streaming company made a productions are seen on The Inter-County financial contribution to the www.flsport.gy and the FL tournament is tentatively set Guyana Cricket Board to aid SportchannelontheGuyana for August, and it is incricketdevelopmentatthe TVNetworkApp.

CWI receives TTCB statement on missing funds

(Newsday TT) - Cricket what was happening in the West Indies (CWI) president TTCB.

Dr Kishore Shallow said he He was speaking is aware of concerns of virtually on day one of a a l l e g e d f i n a n c i a l Caricom Cricket Conference mismanagement in the attheHyattRegencyHotelin Trinidad and Tobago Cricket PortofSpainonApril25. Board (TTCB), saying he “Just recently, I saw a will continue to advocate for report about something greateraccountability happening in the TTCB

In December 2023, then where someone (Chaitoo) TTCB treasurer Kiswah saw the discrepancies and Chaitoo revealed that reported it and that person approximately$500,000was was sidelined,” Holding allegedly misused over a said. “Come on, folks, we five-year period Another have to face things like that TTCB employee has since anddotherightthing.” advocate to the territorial resigned following the Shallow has campaigned boards to ensure that there is revelation. about good governance and greater accountability to TTCB board members transparency in CWI. The implement all the prudent passed a motion of no TTCB is led by president financial practices that we confidence against former Azim Bassarath, who is also expectofthem.” treasurer of the board thevice-presidentofCWI. Shallow said the TTCB K i s w a h C h a i t o o i n Asked about issue raised has been above aboard in February. by Holding, Shallow said, terms of their finances

For Chaitoo to be “ We h a v e r e c e i v e d distributedtothembyCWI. removed, two-thirds needed documented position from Questioned about the tobeinfavourofit. TTCB about this situation. TTCB’s removal of Chaitoo

At the end of the voting We understand that someone for bringing up alleged process, 35 wanted him to hasresigned. misuse of money, Shallow leave and 12 were against, “What we have done is said, “I don’t know the which is more than two- established internal control reason behind it. I have not thirds. from a CWI perspective gotten any documented

Chaitoo, an experienced where we audit the position on that, but I have forensic accountant, said he shareholders so that seen that in the media as wanted to protect his name disbursement to the well. I suspect that if it was andreportedthemattertothe shareholders are accounted inappropriate or illegal or FraudSquad. for properly. What we illegitimate there would be

Former West Indies fast continue to do is try to some position not only from bowlerMichaelHoldingsaid strengthenthat. Mr Chaitoo, but also the he was disappointed to hear “We will continue to affiliatesfromTTCB.”

Matthews propels Windies Women to 2-0 lead over Pakistan Women at Karachi

(SportsMax) - In yet from Chinelle Henry, (unbeaten 17), Matthews a n o t h e r s t u n n i n g Karishma Ramharack, and guided her team to victory in performance, West Indies Afy Fletcher, each claiming emphaticfashion,sealingthe Women’s captain Hayley a wicket to stifle Pakistan’s winwith10ballstospare. Matthews led her team to a batting efforts Matthews Matthews’ outstanding commanding seven-wicket also contributed to a crucial performance with both bat victory over Pakistan run-outthatendedPakistan’s and ball underscores her Women, securing a 2-0 lead innings. invaluable role as a leader intheirfive-matchT20series Withamanageabletarget and key player for the West inKarachionSunday of 122 for victory, Matthews Indies Women’s team. Her Matthews showcased her continued her dominance, contributions have been all-round prowess by first opening the batting for West instrumental in securing starring with the ball, taking Indies Women. She began consecutive victories against an impressive 3 wickets for her innings aggressively, Pakistan Women, setting a just 25 runs to restrict smashing 10 boundaries on strong foundation for the Pakistan Women to 121-7 in her way to a match-high 58 remainderoftheseries. their allotted 20 overs runs off just 43 balls. Her The West Indies Women Despite a resilient 55 from attacking display laid a solid will look to build on this Muneeba Ali, the hosts foundationfortherunchase. momentum as they aim to struggled against the S u p p o r t e d b y maintain their winning visitors’bowlingattack,with c o n t r i b u t i o n s f r o m streak and clinch the series Matthews leading the Shemaine Campbelle (21) against Pakistan Women in charge. She received support a

theupcomingmatches.

Motie’s heroics lead Windies A to victory over Nepal

- series leveled at 1-1

(SportsMax) - In a teaminaprecariousposition Indies A bowling attack, thrilling encounter at at 115 for 7. When Fletcher with only Gulsan Jha Kirtipur, Gudakesh Motie departed, the onus fell on offering notable support emerged as the standout Motie to provide a late with 26 runs Motie performerforWestIndiesA, surge. With only 13 balls continuedtomakeanimpact propelling his team to a remaining, Motie unleashed with the ball, claiming 2 crucialvictoryoverNepalin a blitz, smashing two fours crucial wickets for 244 runs thesecondT20International and four sixes to power his alongside Obed McCoy, tolevelthefive-matchseries team to a competitive total who showed signs of at 1-1. Motie’s exceptional of 160 for 7. Matthew Forde returning to form with his 2 all-round display, featuring contributed with an for24.

an unbeaten 33 off just eight unbeaten11asSagarDhakal Despite Paudel’s ballsandimpactfulbowling, and Kushal Bhurtel each heroics, Nepal fell short in played a pivotal role in pickedupcrucialwicketsfor their chase, ultimately securingthewin. Nepal. conceding victory to West

Battingfirst,WestIndies In response, Nepal’s IndiesAby 10 runs. Motie’s A faced early setbacks but captain Rohit Paudel led the exceptional performance rallied behind Andre charge with a magnificent earned him the Player of the Fletcher’s resilient 43 and 71 off 48 balls, keeping his Matchaward.

Captain Roston Chase’s 23. team in contention The third match in the However, wickets fell at However, Nepal’s batting series is set for Wednesday, regularintervals,leavingthe struggled against the West May1,2024.

Muneeba Ali held Pakistan’s top order together (PCB)

Cricket West Indies President Dr. Kishore Shallow.

(Photo: Jeff K Mayers)

Guinness‘Greatest of the Streets’ Berbice Championship...

East Bank Gunners crowned champion

East Bank Gunners event’sMostValuablePlayer were crowned the (MVP) and will receive a

champion of the football turf from Colours Guinness ‘Greatest of the Boutique. Streets’ Berbice Zone, In the earlier semifinal defeating two-time winner segment, the East Bank Trafalgar 1-0 on Saturday Gunners defeated the Young evening at the New Guns 1-0. Nicholson was on Amsterdambasketballcourt. targetforthevictory

Sherwin Nicholson Also, Trafalgar Square recorded the only goal of the edged the Big Ballers 1-0 on matchinthefirsthalfofextra penaltykicksafterregulation timetosecurethewinforthe time ended 1-1. Prior to the East Bank Gunners. Due to conclusion of the eventual the outcome, the East Bank fixture, Evlon Fordyce Gunners pocketed $400,000 netted for Trafalgar, while and the championship Evon Smith scored for the trophy, while Trafalgar BigBallers. walked away with $300,000 CompleteResults and the corresponding Final accolade. Trafalgar- 0 vs East

In the third-place BankGunners1 playoff, the Big Ballers SherwinNicholson-(1) crushedtheYoungGuns3-0. 3rdPlace

Neil Linton recorded a Big Ballers-3 vs. Young double,whileRyanSolomon Guns-0 scoredonce.

NeilLinton-(2)

As a result, the Big RyanSolomon-(1) Ballers walked away with Semifinals $200,000 and the respective East Bank Gunners-1 vs. trophy, while the Young YoungGuns-0 Guns received $100,000 and Big Ballers-1 vs. thefourth-placeaccolade. Trafalgar-1

On the individual side, Trafalgar won 1-0 on Nicholson was adjudged the penaltykicks.

Streets’ Berbice Zone.

The runner-up, Trafalgar, receives their prize.

Champions! East Bank Gunners receive the championship cheque and trophy after defeating Trafalgar to win the Guinness ‘Greatest of the