Kaieteur News

Exxon looking to buy two more FPSOs from owner by year-end

FPSO Destiny

FPSO Prosperity

ExxonMobil Guyana

purchasetheothertwo.SBM approximately US1 6 designed to produce 220,000 Limited (EMGL) is now made the announcement on billion.“Shouldthepurchase barrelsofoilperday,withan lookingtopurchasetheother Thursday According to of FPSOs Prosperity and associated gas treatment two Floating Production SBM, ExxonMobil Guyana Liza Destiny occur in 2024, capacityof400millioncubic Storage and Offloading has indicated that it is the guidance will be revised feet per day and a water vessels (FPSOs) Prosperity contemplating the exercise accordingly once the final injectioncapacityof250,000 and Liza Destiny that are of its contractual purchase details of the purchase are barrels per day It will be operating offshore Guyana option to acquire FPSOs confirmed,” the company spread moored in a water in the prolific Stabroek Prosperity and Liza Destiny stated First oil was on depth of about 1,900 meters Block. in the second half of 2024, December 20, 2019 at the and will be able to store

EMGL currently has ahead of the end of the Liza Destiny The vessel was around 2 million barrels of three FPSOs operating maximum lease terms in designed to produce some crude oil. The vessel, which offshore. The three vessels November 2025 and 120,000barrelsofoilperday measures 342M in length, were contracted from Dutch D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 9 withastoragecapacityof1.6 60m in width, and 25m in ship-builder SBM Offshore respectively million barrels After height, has a minimum and leased from the The Liza Destiny was debottlenecking activities, lifespanof20years.Roughly company Last year Exxon built to the tune of US$1 Exxon increased this to 4,000 persons have been purchased one of the vessels billion while FPSO 150,000barrelsperday workingontheFPSOwhich and is now gearing up to P r o s p e r i t y c o s t s FPSO Prosperity is (Continued on page 11)

Jagdeo claims: ‘No major shift in oil reserves’

…but US firm says oil reservoir grew by 7.7 billion barrels since 2022

There has been no

remain with no significant

s i g n i f i c a n t improvement.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

change in the Notwithstanding, Ally

country’s oil said that over 4 billion reserve, Vice President barrels more have been Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed on discovered.Addedtothis,he Thursday explained, “If you have the

The Vice President who time, I can explain to you is the chief policy maker in what has happened. You see the oil and gas sector told atonestage,AfricaandLatin reporters that based on

ExxonMobil’s second

together So West Africa is quarter report no major closertotheSouthAmerican change has been seen in the coast, of which Venezuela, reserves. Guyana, Suriname, a part of

Jagdeo’ s statement andthereisunderthatcoasta comes despite international basin of oil, huge basin of experts from US analytics before there has been no During an interview at oil.”

company S&P Global major change You quoted the conference he made the

putting the current reserves some agency from abroad disclosure of an additional 4 f

“High-quality, low- reporters, “Right now, there

“Every day we are emissions and cost-effective is an assumption that the

barrels have already reached i

at 18.7 billion barrels, an that has given a high figure, billion barrels of oil being discoveries Nobody European markets,” the withheld, that’s false I increase from a previous there has been no major discovered. knows the full extent (but) analysts said. “Currently, all pointedouttoyouthatweget

estimation by the Chairman change in the report that we “As of this point in time everyday they are finding gas production is associated these reports every three of the Wales Development receive, so the minister on wedon’tknowthefullextent more,”headded. with oil and reinjected, but months and the reports that Agency Asgar Ali who put Wednesday will let you of the oil deposits but it’s

Meanwhile, in a May the marketed gas is expected we have state what the the reserves to at least 15B know the exact of barrels of huge and I could explain report American analytics toincrease.” reserves are and that has not barrelsinMayofthisyear thereserve ” what that means. It’s about... company S&P Global Inc.

Concerns have been changed materially over the

Aftereachrevelation,the In contradiction to the I would say they have said that Guyana’s oil raised about the lack of past maybe year or so, so Vice President was VP’s and Exxon’s country identified at least 15 billion reserves has increased to transparency about the that’s not withholding repeatedly asked about the m a n a g e r A l i s t a i r barrels of oil in the approximately 18.7 billion country’s oil reserves. The informationthatwehave.” status of the reserves to Routlegde’s maintained (Stabroek) Block. So at this barrels of recoverable Government of Guyana has According to him, which his response has been statements of no significant point in time, I would say resourcessince2015. failed to regularly update the “Information about the ‘there has been no major change, Chairman of Wales Exxon has identified about The report was compiled public on the status of the reserves have been part of changeinthereserves.’ Development Authority, 25 to 35% of that,”Ally who by S&P Global Commodity reserves and how they are thatreportandit’saroundthe

Two weeks ago, he Asgar Ally in January said isaneconomiststated. Insights analysts Fernanda beingmanaged. same 11 billion barrels. I’ve promised to provide the that some 15 billion barrels Although eight new Machado, Mariana Anjos In April, Vice President pointed out that a number of barrels in the of oil have already been discoveries were made since andJerryJarvis.

Bharrat Jagdeo explained discovery doesn’t mean that reservewhenExxonpresents discovered to date in the Guyana’s last resource “In just nine years, it has that while the recent you know the size of the itsquarterlyreport. StabroekBlock. update in April 2022, with established itself as the fifth

This week at his press Ally, a former Finance one of those estimated to largest [basin] in Latin ExxonMobil are substantial, reserve, long after the conference this publication Minister and former Deputy hold some 746 million America, while continuing they do not represent a discovery, you have to do asked for the promised Governor of the Bank of barrels of oil, Exxon and togrow,”theanalystssaid. significant increase in the appraisal, see the type of update and he said that, Jamaica, represented Guyana’s Vice President

Productionisexpectedto c

y reserve.That to get to size of

rock, a complex process “You will get the exact Guyana at the Jamaica Stock havestatedthatthecountry’s peak in 2037 at 2.3 million reserves. before you get to the figures next week from the Exchange Conference held estimated 11 billion barrels boe/d, with oil accounting

The Vice President told reserve.” minister, but, as I said inJanuary of recoverable resources for90%,theysaid.

Burke implicated in alleged extortion of businessman

- says police should focus on cleaning up its image tarred by money laundering, corruption

charged at the Vigilance claiming the businessman was the GNN website, and Wayne was is therefore foolish for the Guyana Magistrate’sCourtontwocountsof defraudingthegovernment. to approach Mohamed pretending Police Force to, on behalf of Vice Conspiracy to Commit a Felony According to the main witness, tobeareporter President Bharrat Jagdeo, claim against businessman, Afras Bess then sent the alleged Meanwhile, in a swift response thatIcommittedacrimeinGuyana. Mohamed. In August 2023, Burke fabricated article to him, which he BurkesaidtheGuyanaPoliceForce I have been reliably informed was also charged with the same forwarded to Mohamed The (GDF) is now in the business of by a GPF source that the GPF Rickford Burke, a U.S.-based offences, as it was alleged that he witness said that after the article writing fake articles on its website a

Guyanese national, has been conspired with the other three waspublishedontheGNNwebsite, for political purposes to smear instructions from Guyana’s Vice implicated in an extortion individuals to extort money from he and Eleazar met with the Bharrat Jagdeo’s personal enemies. President Bharrat Jagdeo, who on conspiracy targeting a local the businessman. The trial is being businessman and demanded a “Today (Friday), the leadership of Thursday attacked me at a press businessman. heard at the Vigilance Magistrate’s paymentof$150,000toremovethe the GPF published an article on its conference. I responded forcefully The Guyana Police Force Court before Senior Magistrate article Eleazar, had reportedly Facebook Page claiming that Bharrat Jagdeo is a coward. He (GPF) in a statement on Friday FabayoAzore. admitted to writing the article, damningevidencewaspresentedin should stop pretending to be a provided an update on the ongoing According to the police, the receivedaninitial$50,000payment court against me. This article was strong man, and stop hiding behind trial It was reported that the witness stated that he was from Mohamed, but was unable to accompanied by a distorted the GPF, and face me like a man.” prosecution’s main witness has introduced to Burke by Bess, who log in and remove the content from photograph of me…this is gutter “I challenge the leadership of the testified fingering Burke’s in the described Burke as his former the website at the time. Wayne had politics. No wonder the GPF’s Guyana Police Force to take time alleged criminal scheme. The trial business partner and close friend. admitted that he, Bess, and Eleazar image is in tatters and it is the off from their money laundering is set to continue on September 13, He further alleged that Bess had tried to extort money from laughingstockofthenation.” and various other criminal with the cross-examination of the instructed him to contact Afras Mohamed, and that it was a Burke argued that there can be corruption schemes, and find and prosecution’s main witness. Back Mohamed, posing as a reporter threefold plan initiated by Bess. no evidence against him. “I do not present this so-called evidence in2022,DorwinBess,MarlonGary from Burke’s GNN website, and Bess had Eleazar write the article, live in Guyana and I have not against me to the public,” Burke Eleazar, and Alex Wayne were demand a response to an article thensentittoBurketobepostedon visited Guyana for over 25 years. It said.

Rickford Burke, a U.S.based Guyanese national

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Supplementary spending money

Themoresupplementarymoneythereis,themorethere is opportunity for the financial skullduggery at which the PPPC Government is so skilled. What is happening to Guyanese at the hands of an addicted government is unbelievable. This is government leadership driven to madness by its addictions to the people’s oil money, the loan money borrowed in Guyana’s name, and any other moneyofthepeoplethatsticktotheirhands.

Yearafteryearofrecordbreakersfornationalbudgets andthePPPCGovernmentisbacktoitsoldtricks. Seven monthsinto2024andaSupplementaryBudgetofGY$40B is put in parliament and will be approved once the formalities are over, given the government’s one-seat majority

The2024budgetisawhopper,thebiggestinGuyana’s history At $1.146Tit is this country’s first trillion-dollar budgetandis46.6%largerthanthe$781.9B2023budget. Initstime,the2023recordnationalbudgetof$781.9Bwas over41%ofthe$552.9Bnationalbudgetrecordfor2022. Thealmost$553B2022budgetwasitself30.1%morethan the record 2021 budget of $383.1B. Year after year, and with budget landmarks falling, the PPPC Government’s lust for supplementary budget money continues unabated since2021.

Whenanationalgovernmentispilotingrecordbreakers of national budgets annually, and still must approach parliamentforsupplementarybillionsseveraltimesduring most of the years, then something is seriously deficient. Whatisthemeaningoftheserecordbudgets,andtoahuge extent,whentheystillmustbesupportedbysupplementary fundstothetuneoftensofbillions?

We think that it is more than slipshod planning that is amongtheweaknesses. Itismorethanalackofvision,an absenceofstructure. Tobefrank,weatthispaperthinkthat thereissomuchdrunkenexcitementoverallthemoneythat thePPPCGovernmenthasinitshandsthatitthrowscaution tothewindsandjustdreamsupnumbers.

Inadditiontothatthegovernmentanditspeoplesimply tickoffboxes,andrushforwardwithanyhaphazardbudget programthatisshortoncomprehensivethinking,butlong ontheprospectsoffinancialshenanigans. Webelievethat these are among the elements that override any principled andcarefulconsiderationofbudgetneedsleadingtothese revealingsupplementarybudgetdevelopments. Torepeat our earlier assertion, the more supplementary spending moneythereis,themorethethieveryofpoliticalcroniesis madepossible.

The failed sugar industry is a vacuum for additional billions. Sugar is a sinkhole and blackhole in which an additional$9.5Bpouredintothesectorwithlittletonothing being reaped from it by the Guyanese people. From the visionsofcunningpoliticalleadersintherulingparty,sugar istheperfectcovertoraidthenationaltreasury Therecord is of severe management incompetence which serves as a distractionforthecorruptpracticesthathavetakenoverthe sugar industry during the separate reigns of the PPPC Government.

Guysuco functions as the instrument for corrupt exploitation Old PPPC Government, new PPPC Government,itisthesamedirty,costlystoryforGuyanese. Theonlybeneficiariesarethoseinthegovernment,orclose to it. Those who use supplementary spending as a tool to open Guyana’s wallet and siphon off millions, as much as billions, when the overall damage from widespread corruptionisfinallycalculated.

Electricity is another dog that bites deeply into Guyanese. Secondhand and failing machinery, and questionable procurement standards, have fattened the electricityparasitethatfeedsoffthefleshofGuyanese,with no end in sight. Some of the $40B supplementary funds ($16B)forthenationalelectricitycorporation,plusanother

Corruption, a growing and worrying concern in Guyana

DEAREDITOR

,

An opinion survey of adults being conducted by this writer finds corruption (and or its perception) as a growing and worrying concern among Guyanese that will impact on the 2025 election. The public feels that corruption pervades almost every aspect of governanceandhasnotbeen c o n f i n e d t o t h i s administration but also widespread among the preceding APNU+AFC coalition. The survey finds everyonecomplainingabout c o r r u p t i o n a m o n g politicians (at all levels of government, even down to the NDC that seemingly are starved of resources) and other high politically connected functionaries, civil servants, bureaucrats, and police, among others. Among the few politicians who the public feel is not corrupt, not on the take, are Dr Vindyha Persaud, Dr Frank Anthony, and Gail Teixeira. They and a few others are described as beyondreproach.Peoplesay they don’t solicit bribes and are not on the take In addition, people say they show compassion for the poor but are powerless in handing out contracts and overseeing contracted works.

Thepublicisoftheview that politicians (in government) and police, regardless of which party in office, with rare exceptions among both, are extremely corrupt. In general, people feel police are corrupt. Very few ranks in the police are not perceived as collecting bribes Almost every motoristinterviewedsaidhe orshecameintocontactwith a police officer who sought oracceptedabribetomakea traffic offense disappear; someoffenseswererealand others contrived to fetch a bribe. Even police complain about other police in taking bribes.Highpoliceranksare known to make serious criminal offenses disappear or close their eyes to crimes with‘therightoffering’.

People stated that several, but not all, M i n i s t e r s , n a m e s mentioned, other high functionaries, bureaucrats, ranking police and civil servants, many names mentioned, have companies that do business with government agencies and or engage in contracting work. Some contractors and severalbusinesspersonsalso complain about corruption that they say is affecting the fabric of the nation. Some (competent, efficient, honest)contractorssaidthey

refused to give a bribe or kickback and have been denied work. The corrupt usually sought a percentage ofthecontractasakickback. Thecontractorsdon’thavea choice but to give in to the demand in order to get the contract. Some interviewees pointed out that some Ministers and high government functionaries and police officials, with names given, have multiple companies (under names of others) that have been engaged in government contracting, taking work away from legitimate and serious contractors who are interested in national development as opposed to others who pursue contracts tofattentheirpockets.

Thepublicwelcomedthe measures, such as cancellation of visas and deportation of the corrupt when they visit the USA, beingtakenbytheAmerican government to counter corruption among Guyana government officials, business persons, and high ranks in the police Mainstream and social mediaarerepletewithnames of individuals whose visas were believed to have been revoked by the US. “Good for dem”, was a common response among the public that also feels the visas of

other corrupt government functionaries, business persons, and police should also be cancelled. They feel sinceinvestigationshavenot been conducted and local criminal charges not filed against the corrupt, then the American government should urgently indict the corrupt and seek their extradition to face justice in USA.

Everybody is deeply worried about the impact of corruption on development andonliftingthestandardof living of the poor who comprise almost 50% of the population who can’t afford threemealsadaywhileafew are over eating. The public intoned that the level of corruption in the country is u n b e a r a b l e a n d unsustainable and appeal to theVicePresidentandothers inauthoritytocrackdownon the corrupt in government and the police and cancel (withhold) contracts of corruptbusinesspersons.

They public reminded interviewers and this writer that corruption (or its perception) played a decisiveroleintheelections of2011,2015,and2020and willbeamajorfactorinhow theyvoteinthecoming2025 election.

YoursSincerely, VishnuBisram

Guyana’s Inflation in Perspective

DEAREDITOR

In recent months, a heightened focus has been on Guyana’s inflation rate and its impact on households. Inflation is a broadmeasureofthecostof living in a country

Significant drivers of inflation in Guyana include thepricesoffertilizers,food harvesting machinery, and shipping costs for imported goods.TheBankofGuyana, tasked with managing inflation, has implemented measures to control it and continuestopursueeffective monetarypolicies.President Aliandhisgovernmenthave

offered relief to households through fiscal grants and pledged further assistance usingoilrevenues.

According to the World Bank, Guyana’s inflation ratewas2.8percentin2023. TradingEconomicsreportsa 3.6percentinMay2024. In contrast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimatestheglobalinflation rate for 2024 to be approximately 5.9 percent. Neighboring countries face significantly higher rates: Suriname at 20 percent, Venezuela at 100 percent, and Jamaica at 7 percent. In comparison, larger

$1.1BforLinden,istopropupelectricityforthetimebeing, withanicesliceofthatsuretobelosttotheusualpoliticallyconnectedhustlers.

Finally, roads have always been a PPPC Government favorite conduit for corruption. This $40B supplementary spendingislikelytobenoexception. Roadconstructionand rehabilitation will gobble up $904M, with government opportunists celebrating When will supplementary governmentspendingceasetobeasourceofcorruptionisthe question. Don’t look to this government for an honest answer

developed economies like the United States project an inflation rate of 2.9 percent. Thus, Guyana is faring well againsttheseeconomies.

When evaluating Guyana’s inflation rate, it is crucial to compare it to the natural rate of inflation, which allows for full employment without price increases while supporting GDP growth. Most nations peg this natural rate at around 2 percent, fostering GDPgrowthandlowinterest rates.Guyanaisclosetothis benchmark Moreover, Guyana’s inflation policies are carefully aligned with GDP growth and interest rates. The IMF and World Bank project significant GDP growth for Guyana, with an anticipated 36 percent increase in 2024.

G u y a n e s e a r e experiencing a rise in living costs,particularlyingrocery bills.However,itisessential to examine the sources of these increases Effective

inflation-combatting policies require the Bank of Guyana and the government to focus on the underlying drivers of rising costs Economists attribute inflation to two primary ca

demand-pull inflation, driven by rising salaries and consumption d u e t o i m p r o v e d employment prospects, and cost-pushinflation,resulting from increasing production costs For instance, disruptions in global agricultural supply chains can inflate prices for fertilizers and machinery, directly affecting Guyana. Until these supply chains stabilize post-COVID, the governmentmustimplement fiscalandmonetarypolicies (Continuedonpage06)

Current interest rates, at a historic low of 5 percent, encourage borrowing for investment.Thisgrowthwill necessitate a major increase in the workforce, and inflationary policies must consider their impact on futureGDPgrowth.

Govt. gazetted order to increase excise tax on vehicles for re-migrants is hypocritical

DEAREDITOR

Alittleoveraweekago,a contingent of Government officials went to the USAto woo Guyanese abroad to comebackhomeandinvest. This week the headline blared,“Govt.gazettesorder to increase excise tax on vehicles for re-migrants,”

(KN,Aug06,2024). Is everybody in the Government a dunce? Is there no sane person there w h o c a n s e e t h e contradiction that one week you are telling Guyanese in thediaspora,howniceitwill be to come back home and investandlive,thenthenext

week you are making regulations that say if you comebackwewillmakeyou pay higher excise taxes on vehicles you bring into Guyana?

Are you trying to encourage people to come back or discourage people fromcomingback?

ACDA says thanks

DEAREDITOR

TheAfricanCulturaland Development Association (A C D A) has recently concluded its 31st Annual EmancipationFestivalinthe National Park on August 1,2024

Thesuccessofthisevent couldnothavebeenpossible without the support of you the Guyanese people who cameoutinyournumbersto supportthecommemoration of African Culture and the contributions of ourAfrican Ancestors Despite the effortsofpowerfulforcesto undermine, disrupt and d i v i d e A C D A ’ s E m a n c i p a t i o n Commemorative Event, this year’sFestivalsawacoming together of all Guyanese under a banner of solidarity It was inspiring to see so many patrons dressed in traditional African attire whether they were MPs, Diplomats, neighbors, friends, visitors or entire families.

T h i s y e a r w e

commemorated, “The CultureofourForeParents” andwewereinundatedwith the performances of Guyanese artistic royalty, likegospelsensationSamuel

Medas, Charmaine

Blackman, First Born, Zion Kid,CotellaLewis,BigRed and many more. We thank youallforalwaysremaining truetoAfricaandACDA.To our International guests Ras Kofi Kwayana, The Nigerians, Surinamese and Duane Stephenson, you were memorable with such artful melodies, African Cultural Performances, dances and lyrics. To our volunteers and organizers, wehavenowordstoexpress theloveandappreciationwe haveforyouall.Thisfestival would not have been possible without the hard work of volunteers Our Volunteersworkedtirelessly without any promise of compensation We thank you.

We would like to take thistimetoacknowledgeour corporate sponsors and donors.Youallarethepillars onwhichthisfestivalstands. Thank you. Thank you all. Lastly,we would like to encourage allGuyanesetoreflectonthe various contributions and hardships overcome by persons of African descent and utilise these lessons towards the development of policies and practices that exemplify equity, inclusion and holistic environs for future generations

Rememberingthatnomatter who we are today, we were all African at one point in time

Sincerely African Cultural and DevelopmentAssociation

TheKNreportsthat“The Government has published in the Official Gazette an order that outlines the increaseinexcisetaxforremigrants.

The order outlining the amended excise tax regulationswaspublishedin thegazetteonJuly30,2024, lessthan48hoursafterChief Justice, Roxane GeorgeWiltshire handed down a ruling declaring the 30 percent imposition in excise tax for re-migrants was illegal.”

A Mr Basdeo had sued the GRA and he won his case.

This Government has a penchant for trying to overturn decisions that favourthepeople.

TheGovernmentrushed toappealacaseGuyanawon against Exxon on the insurance/environmental issue.

The Government was on the same side with the oil baronswhoexploitus.When Mr Zainul won his case against the NIS, which had denied him his rightful benefits, which he has been tryingtogetfor14years,the Government rushed to appealthecase.

That case would have benefittedallthosepeoplein similar circumstances who have been wronged by the NIS.

NowthatMr Basdeohas won his case against higher excise tax on vehicles, the Government is apparently making a move to undo the ChiefJustice’sdecision.

Guyanese in the

Diaspora should know this Government puts on a show but really does not want Diasporans to come back. They just pretending. Once you make the mistake of coming back here, those

samepeoplewhogoonthose foreignjauntstotheUSAon ourdime,willnottalktoyou orreturnyourcallwhenyou cometoGuyana.

Thesystemhere“sucks” andisa“paytoplay”system.

Instead of seeking to punishourGuyanesepeople, should this Government not be spending its energies figuring out how to make Exxon and friends pay their fair share of taxes, or is it a caseofmonkeyknowwhich limbtojumpon?

If the President wants Diasporans to take the Government seriously, he should order Minister Singh torescindthegazettedorder to increase excise tax on vehicles for re-migrants Better yet, abolish all duties on vehicles coming in to Guyana for private individuals.

Sincerely,

M.Singh

Police Clearance location in a disgraceful state

DEAREDITOR, I am writing to express my deep concern about the deplorable conditions and inefficient service at the Guyana Police Force’s Eve Leary location, specifically regarding the process of obtainingapoliceclearance.

The entrance to the compoundisinadisgraceful state. During rainy weather, the entire area becomes

flooded, making it hazardous and inconvenient

for applicants The inadequate waiting area, consisting of only six benches for a large number of people, is uncomfortable and creates unnecessary

stress. Furthermore, I have observed preferential treatment for certain individuals, (once you have connections or links the queue does not apply to that person).Whileeveryoneelse that sitting on those hard benches in the hut have to w a t c h o n H e n c e underminingtheprincipleof afairqueuingsystem. It is unacceptable that Guyanese citizens must endure such hardships to obtain a simple document.

The implementation of an online application system would significantly reduce theburdenonthepublicand improveefficiency

IurgetheGuyanaPolice Force and the relevant authorities to prioritise addressing these issues Improving the physical infrastructure, enhancing customer service, and transitioning to an online system are essential steps towards providing a more dignified and efficient service to the public. I am tired

corruption that occurs on a dailybasiswithintheGPF If youdonothaveconnections, youareboundedtosufferin this country When will the corruptionend!

Regards, ConcernedCitizen.

Oil Money not filtering down among masses

DEAREDITOR, The massive infusion of oilmoneyintheeconomyis not filtering down to the poor, the bottom 45% of the population.Theoilwealthis notimprovingthelivesofthe masses as much of it is pilfered through contract kickbacks by government figures and other state functionaries. The level of corruption involving oil money injected into the

economy is eating away the veryfabricandfoundationof the country Something got to be done to put the brakes on corruption so that everyone benefits from oil funds. Honest government bureaucrats and engineers are compelled to close their eyestomassivecorruptionas a show of loyalty to the corruptcabalthatisincharge of the state. The honest and

decent staff of certain ministriesmustpretendallis well with contracting works orevenjointhecorruptcabal iftheywishtoremainintheir jobs and enjoy perks of position. Some honest staff are forced to approve paymentincertainministries forworkneverdone. Related to above, some engineers are banned from inspectingareas,particularly (Continuedonpage24)

Guyana’s Inflation in Perspective...

We need an update

on the drowning atAquatic Centre

DEAREDITOR, I write this letter to bring attention at this time to a fundamentalissuerelatingto a society with credentials claiming democracy. A cardinal matter is the sanctity oflife Alllife,irrespectiveof the person’s station, age or achievement As such, the organs of the State have the responsibilitytoensurethatall livesaretreatedwithalevelof sanctity.

There is the question to:(a) 14 year old Joel Adams

who losthislife,whileinthe care of the Ministry of Sport Hewasattendingaswimming programme at the National AquaticCentre We’vehad no indicationwhatthecauseisof this youngster’s cause of death A requirement in a functionaldemocracy Earlier questions, such as weretherecertifiedlifeguards at the National Aquatic Centre? Was the protocol of therebeingavailable,acertain number of lifeguards to persons who were neither

regular nor accomplished swimmers?Infact,thesewere traineesbeingtaughttoswim

(b) My earlier question: Every lifeguard everywhere is trained to perform CPR andFirst-Aid. Wasthisdone whileawaitingthearrivalof theambulance? Iwritethis lettersincetheHon.Minister of Sport, His Excellency Ramson, seems not fond of replying to concerns raised byordinaryfolksasmyself.

HamiltonGreen Elder

Frompage04 to cushion households from the impact Guyana’s approach mirrors those of theUnitedKingdomandthe United States, which have provided relief to their citizens.

TheBankofGuyanaand the government are continuing their antiinflationary strategies. The Bank is adjusting interest rates to prevent stifling business investments, requiring a long-term approach to inflation management. On the fiscal side,thegovernmentshould maintain itsprice controls andsubsidiesforhouseholds w h i l e p r o m o t i n g investments in agriculture and local industries—key

initiatives of President Ali. This policy addresses price pressures and supports job creation across local communities Import substitution, specifically in the agricultural sector, has gained traction as the government seeks to bolster domestic production and reduce import dependency Effortstoenhancelocalfood production include support for farmers, infrastructure investments, and agroprocessinginitiatives,which willpositivelyimpactentire Caribbeancommunities.

Inflation is a long-term challenge, and in Guyana, both the Bank and the governmentarededicatedto finding solutions Immediate fiscal policy

responses have already made a difference The government is also addressing energy costs, a major inflation segment, through the gas-to-shore project, which will benefit allGuyanese. As economic conditions change, the government’s approach to managing inflation will likely evolve, especially in light of the country’snewoilwealthand the challenges of rapid growth. This dedication to finding long-term solutions should instill optimism about Guyana’s economic future.

Sincerely, Dr. Tilokie Arnold Depoo Economist

PRESIDENT TAKES PARLIAMENT TO BUILDING EXPO

An energetic President IrfaanAli Thursday evening took Parliament to the launch of the International Building Expo, shouting at the top of his lungs the government’s progress to his colleague “Mr. Speaker”.

Those listening online and in the audience were forced to endure an agonising presentation by the Head of State who shouted throughout his remarks. This was an embarrassment to the people of this country at the “international forum” with members of the diplomatic corps subjected to a front seat view of what sounded more like a rum shop quarrel rather than a feature address at what is dubbed an international exposition.

Mr. President, an Irish Proverb states, “Aloud voice can make even the truth sound foolish.”

BLUNT

BLUNT

Roxanne Myers awarded $2M for wrongful arrest

Former Deputy

Chief Elections Officer (DCEO)

of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Roxanne Myers was on Friday awarded $2 Million in compensatory damages for wrongful arrest anddetention.

The ruling was handed down by High Court Judge Justice Simone MorrisRamlall.

According to reports, back on October 6, 2020, Myersturnedherselfinatthe Criminal Investigation

D e p a r t m e n t ( C I D )

…AG files notice of appeal

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, Roxanne Myers

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC

Headquarters in the companyofherlawyerNigel Following the ordeal, Myers, that the judge erred Hughes, after the Guyana Myers through her lawyers when she held that the Police Force (GPF) had had initiated a civil case evidence before her did not issued a wanted bulletin for seeking damages for her support any reasonable basis her questioning in relation to arrest. forthearrestanddetentionof the investigation into the The judge found that the theformerGECOMofficial. alleged fraud of the March 2 arrest and detention was The AG is arguing that General and Regional unlawfulandacontravention the judge erred by Elections. ofMyers’sfundamentalright concluding that Myers’ Hughes had told this under Article 139 of the refusal to cooperate with the newspaper that when his Constitution of Guyana police could not be seen as client arrived at the CID she While the judge awarded perverting the course of was arrested and exercised compensatory damages, she justice. her right to remain silent did not award exemplary “…judge erred when she when the allegation of damages. held that (Myers’) refusal to obstructingjusticewasputto Moreover, on Friday answer questions about the her afternoon the Attorney G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s She was reportedly taken General Chambers issued a Commission’s Statement of into a room where a video document disclosing that the Polls from March 2020 recording interview was Attorney General, Anil electionscouldnotbeseenas conducted. Thereafter, the Nandlall, SC has filed a perverting the course of lawyer said that his client notice of appeal of Justice justice,”itwasfurtherstated. was then placed in a vehicle Morris-Ramlall’sruling. As it relates to the orders a n d t a k e n t o t h e According to the being sought, the AG is Beterverwagting Police document, the grounds for seeking to set aside part of

Station, East Coast appeal inter alia, is that the the decision by Justice Demerara,whereshewasput judge erred in law finding Morris-Ramlall; that Myers in a cell and detained until that there was no reasonable payscostandanyotherorder October9,2020. basis to arrest and detain thatthecourtmaydeemfit.

$719M in contracts awarded to repair Harbour Bridge pontoons

The Demerara Harbour Bridge three years we have been rehabilitating Corporation (DHBC), an agency under the pontoons,sothesearetheremainderoftheset Ministry of Public Works, is set to spend that would have passed that rehabilitation $719,361,557 to repair 30 pontoons on the period,”hebrieflyexplained. bridge.

Watson noted that the repairs must be

This is according to information obtained done to ensure commuters’ safety on the from the National Procurement and Tender bridge. When asked if the rehabilitation Administration Board’s (NPTAB) website works on the pontoons would affect the flow which stated that the projects will be done in of traffic on the bridge, the General Manager two lots. The contracts were awarded earlier assuredthatthiswouldnotbethecase. thisweek. He explained that when the pontoons go

It was revealed that Lot1 of the project for repairs, temporary ones would be which is for the rehabilitation of 28 regular installed, and the cycle would continue until pontoons was awarded to EC Vieira allarerepaired.

Investment Limited to the tune of $ This publication understands that apart 631,546,797, while Lot2 which is for the from other structural works, there would also rehabilitation of two large pontoons was bethereplacementof20anodesperpontoon. awarded to S. Jagmohan Construction & At his year-end press conference in GeneralSuppliesInc.for$87,814,760. December, Minister of Public Works Juan

It was reported that in its initial tender Edghill stated that in 2023, the DHB would document the works for Lot1 were estimated haverehabilitatedsome56pontoons.Watson to cost $639,329,431 and Lot2 was estimated related that each year they would try to repair to cost $111,377,810, according to the 25 to 30 pontoons, and the set that is out to governmentengineer tender now would be the last to be

This publication understands that the rehabilitated.WatsonalsosaidthattheDHB’s pontoons are being repaired to ensure safety 2024 budget is expected to last for the life or onthe45-year-oldfloatingbridge. operation of the bridge, which would see General Manager (GM) of the DHBC, them carrying out maintenance works from Wayne Watson had told Kaieteur News that timetotimeonthecarriageofthebridge. the pontoons are the last set to be This year, the DHBC was allocated $935 rehabilitated. million for rehabilitative works. The floating

“After a period, you have installed a new bridge would soon be replaced by the new pontoon, you have to rehabilitate those Demerara River Bridge which is currently pontoonstheyhavealifecycle.So,forthelast underconstruction.

The current Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Consensus politics is a lost cause under Jagdeo

At a p r e s s conference held on July 19th, NigelHughes,Leaderofthe Alliance for Change (AFC), called for a unified effort among political parties to develop a comprehensive 10-15yearplancoveringkey areas such as education, the economy, foreign affairs, poverty,andhealth.

In making this call, Hughes emphasized that bringing together the expertiseofvariouspolitical partiesandthecountry’stop economists would create a stable plan that endures regardless of which party is inpower

He highlighted the importanceofsuchaplanfor thenation’sprogress.Andhe urgedPresidentIrfaanAlito convene a meeting with all politicalpartiesandrelevant expertstodevelopthislongtermstrategy

ThePresident,asfarasis known,hasnotrespondedto this call which is consistent with the broad objectives of his One Guyana initiative.

But while President Ali did not respond, the General SecretaryoftherulingPPPC did.

He immediately poured cold water on Hughes’s proposal by questioning where were the policy plans of the AFC and the Opposition.

This was not an unexpected reaction. Jagdeo haslongbeenbelievedtobe not in favour of consensus politicsandinfactisviewed asoneofthemainstumbling block to the evolution and development of such politics.

UnderJagdeo,whenever the call was made for consensus politics or some form of shared governance, the PPPC reverted to its

trademark position of the needforthebuildingoftrust before any engagement. But how can trust be built withoutanyengagement?

The PPPC under Jagdeo isnotgoingtobeopentoany form of consensus politics. And given the unrepentant attitudeofboththeAFCand the APNU in seeking to benefit from the attempt to rig the 2o20 general and regional elections, the PPPC’s position is fully justified.

If a burglar comes into your house and tries to steal your property, you cannot speak to him about sharing theloot.

There was a blatant attempt to steal the 2020 general and regional elections.TheAPNUandthe AFC sought to benefit from thisattempt.

It is unreasonable and unrealistic therefore to

Cop who was prime suspect in lawyer’s murder dies

The prime suspect in the murder of attorney Richard Layne died Friday night while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Police sergeant, Toney Sulkerwhowasidentifiedas the prime suspect had ingested a Poisonous substance.

Dead: Attorney-at-law

Richard Layne

Sulker had initially told investigators that he had foundthelawyerdeadinhis car and bleeding from a wound to the neck around 22:13hrs.onWednesday The car, a Jaguar PYY 2850, was parked on the

bridge in front of Layne’s 183 Century Palm Gardens, D’UrbanBacklandshome.

Sulker had claimed that he saw Layne slumped over the steering wheel of his car from the kitchen window aftergettingupfromhisbed to drink some water He claimed too that after rushing out to see what was wronghefoundthecardoors locked and he could not get inandhadtoresorttocalling Layne’smother Itwasonlywhenshe

(Continuedonpage14)

DEM BOYS SEH

Newstrokesfuholdproblems

Dem boys been watchin’ this govament playin’ all kind ah strokes tuh bat down de cost ah livin’.VeePeesehdeydrop defueltaxfuhavoidaspike inthepriceatdepump.

Deycutdelightbillan’ even slash de wata rates, suh when yuh cry ‘bout de prices, at least yuh tears comin’ cheap Farmers gettin’ dem fertilizers, an’ businessmen ridin’ high pon tax concessions on dem freight costs.Yet still, when yuh go to de market, yuh pocket feelin’ like it gone pon a diet—de prices stifflikeaholemanback.

Now Vee Pee, dis ain’t like cricket where yuh jus’ change de bowler an’ expectamiracle.Nomatter howmuchstrokesyuhpull,

ifyuhbatbent,deballstill miss de boundary De problem is, all dem nice t h i n g s y u h doin’—subsidizin’ dis an’ slashin’ dat—it look good pon paper, but it nah reach de people dem. Is like dressin’upadonkeyinsilk a n ’ c a l l i n ’ i t a thoroughbred—yuh foolin’ nobody Yuh tink because yuh drop some taxes, de importers guh pass de savings to de poor man? Nah man! De small man stillpayin’premiumprices. Anddemfarmers,well,dey might get lil help wid dem fertilizers,butbydetimede crops reach de market, de middleman done mark up depricesohigh,yuhmight aswellimportitfromouter

expect the PPPC to simply put this behind them and come together with these parties to craft a long-term development plan. It is not going to happen and it will definitely not happen under Jagdeo.

Jagdeo could have dismissed the suggested by arguing that the conditions for a rapprochement among the countries main political parties do not exist. But instead, he opted to venture into the realm of the ridiculous when he said that theAFC needs to first show itsplans.

This is not how consensus politics works Jagdeo wants a sniping matchinwhichhecanassail whatever proposal is put up bytheOpposition.

In discrediting their plans, he can dismiss the needforanyjointcraftingof adevelopmentplan.

WhenitcomestoJagdeo, consensus politics is a lost cause. He is clearly not

interested in it. His record speaks for itself The National Stakeholders’ Forum is only convened at theconvenienceofthePPPC and only when it needs that body to adopt a position favourabletoit.

There is no consistent and sustained engagement withstakeholders.

At a time when this country was in a crisis the efforts at constructive engagementandconstrictive dialogue floundered under Jagdeo.

AndJimmyCarterknew itandblamedthePPPC.But ifheonlyknewthatthemain obstacle to consensus politics was Jagdeo, he wouldnothavedoneso.

At his press conference this past week, he kept repeatinghisnewmantra:he wantstoseethepoliciesand development plans of the Opposition.

But this is not how consensus politics work How it works is that both

sides sit down and agree on methodologies and then discuss and arrive at consensuspositions.

But that is not going to happen with the PPP under Jagdeo.

With him it is either his wayorthehighway

President Ali therefore faces a dilemma. His One Guyana initiative will be reduced to vacuous sloganeeringunlessthereisa political element aimed at buildingpoliticalconsensus. And the PPP and Jagdeo standasthemainobstacleto thishappening.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

space.

Vee Pee, it ain’t dat de govament ain’t doin’ nottin’—yuh doin’ plenty Butlikeyuhtryin’tuhswim wid a anchor tie to yuh waist. Dem measures only wukkin’ fuh de top, while debottomadropout.What weneednowisnotjus’new strokes,butfuhyuhtuhtek a fresh look at de whole pitch.Maybeistimetuhtry somethin’ different, like actually mekkin’ sure de benefits yuh tink yuh dishin’ out actually reach de people dem who need it most.Ifnot,demarketguh continue tuh tek every last cent outta we pocket, and no amount ah fancy footwork guh ease de pressure. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

VincentAdams:thecontradiction,therevelation

Vincent Adams is a Routledge. Everywhere I Ali said that Guyana doesn’t Tennessee? This cannot be both constitutional and “good technical” man. That turn, somebody’s slip is have quality people. Hear, the best policy for Guyana, democratic right to persist wasn’t me. It was Guyana’s showing, and it is not that of hear! Am I the dumbest when there is such an acute that a significant (and man in the know, Dr Bharrat theladies. Guyanese, more so when deficit of technical people revealing) contradiction they dread the mere mention Jagdeo who said so. When Vincent Adams is a both great Guyanese leaders (by leadership admission, I exists. I go easy on the of the name Vincent Adams. wise men speak, I listen. “good technical” person have pounded home that remind) to man and manage onions (revelation) for now Perhaps, his Linden heritage Sometimes. Somuchsaidin Aw shucks, I forgot my point about severe shortages the massive national oil We are seriously short of hassomethingtodowiththat thatsimplestatement. About grooming: Dr Vincent of high-quality technical bonanza? Rather than a technical capacity, but we horror If Mr Alistair Vincent Adams, good Adams. His doctorate was people? Fact 3: Lament and known, proven bonanza, can stuff a man like Vincent Routledge thought that he technical man About earned the old-fashioned bemoan dilute leadership perhaps it is better to say Adamsinasuitcaseandsend and Exxon are going to be Bharrat Jagdeo, good way, neither honorary nor griefs about local technical sweepstakes,inthatthereisa him to serenade the good ole spared, then he needs policymaker About heavy with uncertainty deficiencies. But they are huge element of luck-and- boysinChattanooga. another slug of his Jack Guyana, good earth that it is. First, the contradiction in thebestthatIhave,ahumble chance involved. With the Respectfully, Dr J, I Daniels. PNC stalwarts and All these goodies, yet that statement from my confession of my own honorable AG Nandlall’s think that Dr A belongs in strongmen like Carl and Joe Guyanaisgoingdownapath topsy-turvy brother, Bharrat. limitations. benevolent permission, I Guyana, and on those can be welcomed into the of self-destruction, one full I hesitate, but national duty Insteadofanotherfact,or assert that there is a offshorerigs,wheresomuch PPP reservations, but not of many contradictions, requires gently correcting a fusillade, I have an inquiry contradiction in a good rigging [of a particular kind] Vincent. And we are in dire many revelations. One of the contradiction in Dr J. for Dr Jagdeo: since Dr technical party of Dr could be going on. It is my need of technical people. each is good enough for this Fact 1: Dr Jagdeo himself Adams is a “good technical” Vincent Adams’s prowess painful duty to refresh From contradiction to sharing with Guyanese; has said that Guyana suffers presence, then why is he on put out to pasture. Dr President Dr Ali’s memory revelation:whodoesn’twant Americans are included, from a capacity shortage. the sidelines, banished to the Jagdeo may strenuously that it was he himself who Adams here? What kind of especially Dr Alistair Yes sir! Fact 2: Excellency rolling grasslands of disagree, but I persist with said that the manAdams was contagious disease does he onleave,toprovidespacefor have, other than being the Guyana to work things out, man who knows too much butthereisalwaysroomfora (aboutoil).

knowledge people (good He may not be Jimmy technical people). Three Stewart, but Exxon fears littlesubtitlesmustbeshared Vincent Adams as if he is toassistFreedomHouse,OP, Guyana’s Clint Eastwood of OVP, and the other political Dirty Harry history He will penitentiaries in Guyana see too much (oil), question First,Igetallthedirtyjobsin too much (oil), pushback too this country, i.e., having to much (oil), straighten too hold a president’s hand and many offshore and onshore point him to what came out things too much (oil). This of his head. Second, before was what the same Adams anyone gets upset, the words did at the US Department of I put in Dr Ali’s mouth are Energy, and Exxon doesn’t mine, but they represent want a repeat of that kind of what he said in layman trauma. Infairness,ifIwant terms. Third, since that was to do things my way, a man the presidential position on like Adams is my worst Dr Adams (and Dr, Jagdeo’s nightmare. Therefore, it had as well – ‘we could always to be from GT to Tennessee use a skilled man’), then I forVinny Politics was not a think that these leading men, consideration nor inhibition both doctors of the realm, with Greenidge nor may have mixed up one Hamilton, but it was and is antidote to Guyana’s withAdams.

troubles with some The difference between anesthetic that induced thetwoofthemandthegood amnesia. technical man Adams is oil.

The concern is that for Where there is oil, there is most matters, the amnesia is Exxon. And where there is temporary for both men, but Exxon, there can’t be any for people like Vincent kind of Vincent Adams, not Adams and others, the even his shadow, nary his memory lapse is permanent. whisper There are two revelations I regret the loss of this embedded. good technical character in

The first is that Vincent Guyana’s continuing Adams is a political man. I political and oil soap opera. hear that, but I also see Mr It is more than how much an Carl Greenidge. Then, there Adams could tell Guyana is Joe Hamilton. If I were to today about offshore ops; it be reincarnated a million is how much he could teach times, I couldn’t be half as those saplings fresh out of PNC as them. Is Dr. Jagdeo universities. still gleaming gloriously To Drs.Ali and Jagdeo, I about who is political? handover this early Xmas Particularly when the same gift: I may be the dumbest Comrade Joseph Hamilton Guyanese, but I’m not the (not to be mistaken for stupidest Peace and JosephthehusbandofMary) goodwilltoallmen. had his own exuberant street (The views expressed in pedigree The second this article are those of the revelation is a tad torrid but a u t h o r a n d d o n o t cannot be avoided. Drs. Ali necessarily reflect the and Jagdeo are mighty opinions and beliefs of this comfortable with Messrs n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s GreenidgeandHamilton,but affiliates.)

GWI to spend $41.1M to drill wells in Reg.9 villages

The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is is aimed at achieving 100 percent water planning to further expend approximately access in riverine and hinterland $41.1milliontodrillpotablewaterwellsfor communities by 2025 At the threeAmerindianVillagesinRegionNine. commissioning ceremony for two water Thisisaccordingtoaninvitationforbids wells in Region One earlier this year, issued by the agency seeking contractors to Minister of Housing andWater Collin Croal carryouttheworks. had mentioned that $1.5 billion is set aside ItwasstatedinthedocumentthatJawari, this year to drill 40 more wells in the Curicock and Wichabai which are satellite hinterlandregions. villages in the region will benefit from the During this year’s budget presentation, project. SeniorMinisterintheOfficeofthePresident Bids for the project are expected to open with the Responsibility for Finance, Dr on August 27, 2024 at the National Ashni Singh had mentioned that Procurement and Tender Administration governmentspentatotalof$16.8billionlast Board (NPTAB) office. With a number of year to improve water quality and supply wells drilling in the hinterland villages this systems across the country This year, year,itwasreportedthattheprojectsallform government has budgeted $22.5 billion for part of the governmental macro plan, which furtheradvancementsinthewatersector

Exxon looking to buy two more FPSOs from owner by...

From page 2

reported that last year, billion The net cash weighs 110,000 metric EMGLpurchasedLizaUnity proceeds will primarily be tonnes. last year for the sum of used for the full repayment

To date, SBM projects in US$1.3billion. of the US$1 14 billion Guyana, includes FPSOs SBM had said the projectfinancingandassuch Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, purchase occurred a few w

S

M Prosperity, and the months ahead of the end of Offshore’snetdebtposition. upcoming ONE GUYANA. the maximum lease term, in SBMsaidviaastatement Exxon had recruited the February2024.SBMsaidthe that the Liza Unity had been services of Japanese ship p u r c h a s e a l l o w s on hire since February 2022 builder,MODEC,foritsfifth ExxonMobil Guyana to and up to 2023 it was FPSO, E

ea Wittu assumeownershipoftheunit

However, back in April, while SBM Offshore will integrated operations and SBM had announced that it continue to operate and

secured a contract with maintain the FPSO up to combining SBM Offshore EMGL to build and install 2033. and ExxonMobil’s expertise Guyana’ssixthFPSOJaguar, T h a t t r a n s a c t i o n and experience to deliver theWhiptaildevelopment. comprises a total cash outstanding operational Kaieteur News had consideration of US$1 26 performance.

Cop who was prime suspect in...

From page 09 and exiting with a white plastic bag arrived on the scene and instructed him to containingwhatlookedlikeChinesefood.He break the car window that an ambulance was entered the front passenger seat of Layne’s summoned. carandittookoff.

Police had detained Sulker for The car was last seen on camera heading questioning but he had denied any towards D’Urban Backlands around 21:39 involvement in Layne’s Killing. Police said hrs. Layne was reportedly found dead after that in a written statement Sulker stuck to his 22:00 hrs. Before police could arrest him for story that he went to bed after Layne and his further questioning, ranks received a call cousinMichaelHardingleftthehouse. from Layne’s mother that Sulker was rushed However, Video evidence obtained by to the hospital. The woman said that she was police showed that he was dishonest in his leaving Layne’s house when Sulker drove statementsrelativetothemurderofLayne. intotheyardatafastrate.

Meanwhile,Hardinginhisstatementsaid She reportedly turned back to see what thathehadtakenLaynetogetsomeStarbucks waswrongandfoundhimlyingontheground Coffee at Movietowne in his (Harding) car inthebottomflatofthehouseandvomitinga beforedroppinghim(Layne)backhome. green substance. An ambulance was called He said he left Layne’s residence around and Sulker was rushed to the Georgetown 20:17 hrs. and claimed that the lawyer was PublicHospitalCorporation(GPHC). safe in his home and the attorney’s car was Police ranks were sent to the house and parkedinthegarage.Withoutanyevidenceto insideSulker’s cartheyfound bottlesof what link Harding and Sulker to the crime, police wasassumedtobeapoisonoussubstance. releasedthemonThursdaynight. They also found the clothes that Sulker However, there was a plot twist when was seen wearing on camera but they were police found video evidence contradicting washedandalreadydried. Sulker’sstory. They took those with some other dirty

The evidence proved that Sulker might clothes in a nearby basket and some DNA have been the last one to see Layne alive and Samples from Sulker for forensic not his cousin. Police in a statement said that examination.

CCTV footage obtained from cameras on Sulker told police before his death that he Sherriff Street showed that Layne and Sulker met Layne four years ago and they became were at Kamboat Chinese Restaurant around friends. Layne had asked him to move in and 21:31hrs.thatnight. they have been living together since then. He Sulker was seen entering the restaurant deniedbeingintimatewithLayne.

House approves $40B more for Govt.spending

The National Assembly on Friday upgradestoFerryVessels. evening approved an additional $40B Further, another sum of $904.8 Million spending for the government, following a for the construction and rehabilitation of nine-hourlongdebateintheHouse. hinterland roads and $600 Million for the ConsiderationofFinancialPaperOne,for completion of infrastructure for the critical Current Estimates, totaling $8,566,812,000 supply of water to hinterland communities commenced shortly after 11:00 hrs. with were also approved by the National PrimeMinister,MarkPhillipsandMinisterof Assembly Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha facing The National Assembly also deliberated questions on respective allocations for power on the supplementary provision of $77.5M generation and operational costs to support for the Ministry of Labour to make the Guyana Rice Development Board outstanding payments to the Board of (GRDB) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation IndustrialTraining. (GuySuCo).

Another $16B was approved for the Meanwhile, Financial Paper Two for Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and another Capital estimates totaling $32,182,604,021 $1.1 Billion to support the electricity wasdebatedintheHousefrom13:15hrsuntil companies in Linden, Lethem, Mabaruma 20:30hrswhentheHouseapprovedthesum. andMatthew’sRidge.

After copping the largest portion of this The agriculture sector was also given a year’s $1.146 trillion Budget, the Ministry of boost of $10.8B with GuySuCo alone to Public Works was granted $7.5B more for receive$9.5B. road projects, sea defences, stellings and The National Assembly also approved reconditioningofferryvessels. $2.3 Billion to settle outstanding payments

Thesumof$1.6Billioninsupplementary owed to a number of suppliers of goods and funding was approved for Sea and River services to various Government agencies for Defence works, $297.4 Million for the severalyears.

support of operations of the Transport and The Ministry of Finance in a statement Harbours Department, $159 2 Million said the additional funding will assist in its towards completion of the Bartica Stelling “Continued robust economic expansion in and$680.5Milliontopavethewayforcrucial keysectorstomoveahead.”

Embassies unite with Travel Company to host Latin festival in Guyana

Glimpses of what to expect from Fiesta Latina.

“So what we found is that a lot of travellers from Guyana attempt to go to the traditional polls and don’t go to the Latin countries which are very close by and have really beautiful settings that they can enjoy” Oderson said while adding, “So what we are doing is having this festival so they can get a tasteofLatinAmerica”

The first Latin Festival hosted by Global Tours andTravelwas on May 5, this yearand it was called “Fiesta Cubana”. It was well received,accordingtoOrderson,butfocused mainlyonCubaanditsculture.

“This one (Fiesta Latina) is focused on a wider Latin American community As you know there is a growing Latin presence in Guyana particularly amongst the Cultural foods and drinks will also be Venezuelans and Cubans and other Latin available. “We are having chefs from the Americans like the Dominicans, Mexicans various territories who will be using their and so forth are here,” he said while own ingredients to prepare their traditional explaining that today’s event is a full drink, dishesforyoutotaste” musicanddancefestival”. A Dominican food tent will be at the

“The venue (Promenade Gardens) is venue along with a large bar offering Latin

All of the Latin Embassies in Guyana to introduce the Latin culture to Guyanese going to be divided into three sections.There cocktails and drinks. Orderson said too that have joined hands with Global Tours and travellers via festivals by partnering with all is the band stand area that will be the cultural there will also be a “brewtopia” with all the Traveltohost‘FiestaLatina’latertodayatthe of the LatinAmerican embassies based in the area”, Oderson told Kaieteur News. There different brands of Latin beers for patrons to Promenade Gardens, Middle Street, country The embassies on board are from will be live performances by a Cuban band sample. “There will also be wine from Georgetown. Gates will be opened at 17:00 Mexico, Venezuela,Argentina, Brazil, Chile, that is headlined by its lead singer Maria Argentina and Chile along with well-known hrs. sharp and admission is only $1000. CubaandtheDominicanRepublic. Rodriguez and other musicians including a cigars from Cuba and the Dominican Childrenunder12willbegrantedfreeentry According to GlobalTT’s Chief violinist,theGlobalTTCEOadded. Republic.” Global Tours and Travel (GlobalTT) is a Executive Officer (CEO), Waynewright “We also have performances from other Apart from the performances, patrons Guyanese Company that has partnered with Orderson, his company’s Latin festivals are Latin territories but it’s not going to be just will have the opportunity to participate in othercompaniesacrosstheglobetooffertour aimed at allowing Guyanese the opportunity music, there is also Latin dance routines, Karaoke, Domino games and there will be a packages for a number of tourist destinations toimmersethemselvesintheLatincultureso there is gonna be display of traditional KidZonefortheChildren. Oneluckypatron especiallythoseinLatinAmerica. that they can better appreciate what Latin clothing and popular wear from the various will also leave with a surprise prize from Sky This year the travel company has chosen Americahastooffer countries,”hecontinued. HighDominicaAirlines.

Underaged Brazilian girls rescued from traffickers in Guyana Model of Silica City completed - Pres. Ali

The planning model for Silica City, the government of Guyana’s first ‘smart’ urban city is completed President Irfaan Ali disclosed on Thursday at the opening of this year’s International Building Exposition 2024 being held at the National Providence Stadium,EastBankDemerara(EBD).

The Head of State was at the time speakingattheopeningceremonyofthe2024 event themed ‘Building on the foundation of SustainabilityandUnity.’

The smart urban city is located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and was initiated bythePresidentin2009.

President Irfaan Ali at the opening of the International Building Exposition 2024.

“Irememberitwasin2009thatwestarted from partners in the process making specific todreamofSilicaCity,westartedtoputplans mentionoftheSchoolofArchitectureandthe together,westartedtothinkabouthowweare University of Maimi. “...The University of going to make it happen,” Ali said Miami became our partners as we work on enthusiastically completing the comprehensive outlay of President Ali recalled that even while he [what]SiliciaCitywillbe,”hesaid. was in the opposition, the dream for Silica Furthermore,PresidentAlisaidthatSilica City never died, instead his party, along with City will be, “a city that is sustainable, planners worked hard to put together the resilient, the city that is naturally beautiful, smartcity thecitythatismodernandinnovative,thecity He said, “We [Government] continue to that is advance, in advance of its time, a city add to the dream because we know that [by] that will be built a hundred years ahead of thewillofthepeoplewillallowus,onedayto what time will be, a city that will bring completethatdream.” tremendous interest and position Guyana as TheHeadofStatedescribedthecitytobe, one of the most sustainable story in urban “a most desirable city that one may want to development.” live in.” He said that over the years, the He continued, “It is built on nature, it is Governmentsharpenedtheedgesinplanning built on our culture, it is built on our tradition theframeworkforSilicaCity and it is built on innovation and sustainable President Ali noted the support received development.”

Labourer on $250k bail for allegedly raping a minor

A 24-year-old labourer of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two was on Thursday, granted $250,000 bail after he was charged with raping a minor The accused, Saied Mohamed, appeared at the Suddie Magistrates' Court before HerWorship,TamiekaClarketoanswertothechargeofRape ofaminor TheincidentreportedlyoccurredonSeptember19, 2022atSuddie,EssequiboCoast.

Mohamed was granted bail with the condition that he is nottointerferewiththevictim.

The case was adjourned to August 23, 2024 for the disclosureofstatements.

...joint probe launched

Guyana and Brazil enforcement officials, the investigation into the have launched a Ministry of Human Services circumstances surrounding

y, thisheinousact.

investigation executed an operation to This investigation will into trafficking of four safely locate, identify, and in

ough underaged Brazilian girls placetheallegedvictimsinto examination aimed at who were rescued by local p

identifying and prosecuting law enforcement officials operation was successfully all perpetrators involved, the hererecently conducted between August statementsaid.

In a statement, the 4thand7th,2024.” Human Trafficking Ministry of HomeAffairs on The Ministry of Human remains a deeply entrenched Friday said the joint Services and Social Security global issue, affecting investigation between law (C-TIP Unit), along with the millions of individuals enforcement authorities in Child Care Protection across borders, age groups Guyana and Brazil concerns Agency, has initiated the and social- economic the alleged smuggling and provision of counseling, b a c

s traffickingoffourunderaged medical care, psychosocial N

girls, all foreign nationals support, and other essential universal challenges of this from Brazil to Guyana. In its services to the alleged crime, the 2023 US State statement the ministry said victims,thestatementadded. Department Report had preliminary information “The Ministry of Home recognised Guyana’s efforts indicates that the girls, all Aff

between the ages of 14 and commitment to ensuring the traffickers, identifying more 17,wereillegallytransported safety and protection of all victimsandreferringthemto across the border with the individuals, both locals and victim support services, intentofexploitation. foreigners, with a special consistently implementing a

“In response to this focus on vulnerable groups 10day–reflectionperiodfor information, and as a matter such as minors,” the victims, raising awareness in of priority, the Trafficking in statementaffirmed. Indigenous languages, Persons and Migrant Furthermore, the Guyana expanding the inclusivity of Smuggling Unit, in PoliceForcehascommenced the Ministerial Taskforce on collaboration with local law a c o m p r e h e n s i v e Trafficking in Persons, establishment of a new interviewing and screening centre, continuous training oflaw-enforcementofficials, initiating a programme to screen children in situations ofhomelessness.

Further, the report had included a number of recommendations that is expected to enhance Guyana’s efforts to combat this crime and offer greater support to victims of human t r a f f i c k i n g T h e recommendations from the reportwerewelcome.

Notably, some of the recommendationsemanating from the 2023 Report focusedonfurtherincreasing i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a n d prosecutionofsexandlabour trafficking cases, review existinglegislationonlabour requirement practices in Guyana, increasing the

ce restitutionorders,andreduce our reliance on victims to serves as witnesses in prosecutioncases.

Saied Mohamed

Vickram Bharrat provided misleading,

deceptive information to Parliament on rate of oil production - Patterson

Minister of Natural optimisation is a standard Resources, Vickram Bharrat practice globally, executed on Friday told the National across many production Assembly that the current fields, after a facility has rate of oil production is been commissioned He within the limit outlined in pointed out that while the Environmental Impact a p p r o v a l s o f F i e l d Assessments (EIAs) for Development Plans (FDPs) threeprojectsintheStabroek cater for the Licence Block, currently producing Holder’s best estimate of oil. expected production, the

The Minister in a written Floating Production Storage response to Alliance For and Offloading vessels Change (AFC) Member of (FPSOs) are designed to Parliament (MP), David accommodate higher Patterson explained, “I must productionlevels. note that the Liza Phase 2 The Natural Resources ESIA (Unity FPSO) was Ministerfurthermadeitclear approved for a maximum that production optimisation production rate of 300,000 and the resulting increased barrels per day while the production levels are not Payara ESIA was approved done casually, but is closely for a maximum production monitored by ExxonMobil rate of 264,000 barrels per Guyana, the Ministry, the day…theLizaPhase1ESIA Guyana Geology and Mines was approved for a Commission (GGMC) and maximum production rate of the EPA, until the approved 144,000barrelsperday.” production level is achieved,

The Liza Two EIA states the facility can “safely operate” at peaks of up to 250kpd. (Source: Liza Two EIA)

The Payara EIA states 264kbd was used to assess impacts from the project and 220kbd is the peak production design rate. (Source: Payara EIA)

As such, the Minister and the reservoir and facility reasoned, “These facilities performance are to this end, are clearly still operating the Minister concluded, within their approved “Production optimization, productionrates.” once done safely and Data on the Ministry of efficiently, brings benefits Natural Resources website for all stakeholders, indicates that Liza One is Governmentincluded.” producing as much as 160 Deceptive and misleading projects were in fact used by mentioned in the EIAs, F or ins tance, he Assembly and by extension thousand barrels per day Meanwhile, former expertsthatpreparedtheEIA Guyanese are left in the dark explained that with oil the citizens of Guyana “is (kbd), while production at M i n i s t e r o f P u b l i c to arrive at potential impacts o n t h e i n c r e a s e d production comes associated both deceptive and Liza Two reached over 250 Infrastructure, David from the project, rather than environmental impacts from gas and produced water misguiding and I think it’s a kbd in July Meanwhile, the Patterson told this safeoperatinglimits. theproject. which the public is clueless disservicetothisnation.” third project, Payara, is newspaper that the response Patterson said, “The “They have not done any about how it is being The MP had also producing between 230-250 furnishedtotheHousebythe operator designed these further public consultation handled. requested copies of the kbd. Minister was purely FPSOs to operate at a and the EPA is doing a Further, he questioned, technical assessments Patterson in his question “deceptiveandmisleading.” specificvalueat120,000and disservice to the nation “If they want to do conducted by the EPA and askedtheMinistertoprovide Pattersonpointedoutthat 220,000 barrels. Liza One is becauseforeachprojectthey d e b o t t l e n e c k i n g other agencies to verify copies of documents the EIA for Liza One producing 163,000 bpd are telling the nation these (optimization) why don’t safety of the operations submitted by ExxonMobil, underlinesapeakproduction which is 40,000 barrels arewhatthepossiblehazards they do the design right up above the design rate detailing the technical and of 120,000 barrels per day above the design rate…what you can have for an FPSO frontinsteadofstartingoffat however these were not environmental assessments (bpd)whiletheLizaTwoand he is not saying is the design producing200,000;however 220 and then coming six or provided.Hesaidhewastold undertaken to justify the Payara projects are designed was for exactly what is if you are going up now, like eight months later pushing it that Exxon submits these increased production above to produce 220,000 bpd nameplated.” they have, to 260 and all the way up to whatever documents to the agency the previously approved each.

The former Minister 280,000, by right, they are newnumber.” which is reviewed and ratesbytheEPA. Thefiguresquotedbythe reasoned that by ramping up supposed to have another As such, Patterson said approved. “I got no response Bharrat in his response Minister as the “maximum production beyond the public hearing because the the response provided by whyitcan’tbemadepublic,” explained that production productionrate”forthethree design rates of the FPSOs perilswillincrease.” Bharrat to the National Pattersonsaid.

Table confirming Liza One is producing above the FPSO design rate. (Source Liza One EIA)

MP David Patterson

The Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Thousands to receive land titles at 2024 International Building Expo – Minister Rodrigues

Thousands of Guyanese are set to receive highlighting sustainable, environmentally Certificates of Titles at this year’s friendly concepts, all aimed at improving the International Building Expo, Minister of experienceofthevisitorsandexhibitors. Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues said on According to the Minister, this is done by Thursday providing a platform for exhibitors to Rodriguesmadethedisclosureduringher demonstratethelatestaffordable,low-carbon address at the opening of the International building techniques and solutions BuildingExposition2024. Additionally, the event aims to support “As it’s customary, thousands of various construction projects and encourage Guyanese will walk away as proud land engagementwithindustryexperts. owners joining the already 34,000 recipients She further highlighted the Expo’s of house lots and homes in the last 4 years. reputation as a prime opportunity for Guyanahasbeguntoexperiencephenomenal entrepreneurs, including small and mediumchange as we build the infrastructure for a scale businesses and startups, to launch, sustainablefuture,”theministersaid. expand,andnetworkwithintheindustry

The 2024 Expo, themed “Building on Silica City, known for its sustainable and Sustainability and Unity,” brings together climate-resilient design, will once again be a professionals, enthusiasts, and stakeholders centrepiece, embodying President Irfaan with a shared goal of innovation in Ali’s vision of a sustainable and resilient construction Minister Rodrigues future.TheExpoisnotonlyaboutinnovation underscored the mix of local and but also about empowering Guyanese with international exhibitors, promoting homeownership. collaborationandknowledgesharing. Minister Rodrigues reiterated the Additionally,theMinisterhighlightedthe government’s commitment to providing Expoasagreatchanceforsmallbusinessesto opportunities for citizens to own land, connectandgrow preparing them to prosper in a future focused Further, the minister said that the Expo is on sustainability and community designed to ensure a smooth flow, development.

Labourer to stand High Court trial forAttempted Murder

Mark Chester, a 29-year-old labourer of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast was on Wednesday committed to stand trial at the High Court for attempted murder, when he appeared at theAnnaReginaMagistrate’sCourt.

It was alleged that Chester on April 12, 2024 at QueenstownattemptedtocommitmurderonMarlonJones.

At Chester’s first court appearance at the Suddie Magistrates’ Court, he was remanded to prison on Apr 19, 2024. The defendant on Wednesday appeared virtually from prison, before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke in which two witnessestestified.

Magistrate Clarke ruled that based on the evidence presented, there was sufficient evidence before the court for the accused to stand trial at the next practicable session at the Suddie Supreme Criminal Court for an attempt to commit murder The accused reserved his defense and witness for the High Court. As a result, bail was granted in the sum of $500,000.

Mark Chester granted bail

BrazilianplanecrashesoutsideSãoPaulokilled61,saysairline

(CNN) A passenger plane carrying 61 people crashed on the outskirts of São Paulo on Friday afternoon, killing everyone on board, according to a statement issued by air companyVoepass.Dramatic footagecirculatingonsocial media showed the plane’s fall and its destroyed fuselage in flames on the ground.

“Thecompanyregretsto inform that all 61 people on boardflight2283diedatthe scene,” Voepass said in a statement,revisingthedeath toll down from initial assessments of 62 dead There were 57 passengers and 4 crew members on board,accordingtoVoepass.

“ T h e r e a r e n o survivors,” Ana Cândida Briski, communications directorofthenearbycityof Valinhos, also told CNN, adding that there were no groundvictims.

Emergency responders areworkingatthesiteofthe crashandaninvestigationis underway

Flight tracking data

shows that theATR 72-500, a twin-engine turboprop plane, dropped 17,000 feet in just one minute, but it is not yet clear why “There is still no confirmation of how the accident occurred or the current situation of the peopleonboard,”according to a statement by airline Voepass.

Social media videos of the crash showed the plane spiraling out of the sky before hitting the ground as people in the neighborhood shoutedinfear

Another video showed thewreckageoftheplanein flamesontheground.

Interrupting a speech at an afternoon naval event to address the crash, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for a minute of silence to mark the apparent deaths of the flight’spassengersandcrew

“Iwouldlikeeveryoneto stand up so that we can observe a minute of silence because a plane has just crashed in the city of Vinhedo… and it appears they all died,” he said, in a

videoofhisstatementshared onX.

The flight left Cascavel, in the Brazilian state of Parana, and was en route to Guarulhos, in São Paulo state, when it lost signal shortly before 1:30 p m local time (12:30 p.m. ET), according to Flightradar24 data.

Itbeganlosingaltitudea minute and a half before crashing.

The plane had been cruising at 17,000 feet until 1:21p.m.localtime,whenit dropped approximately 250 feet in 10 seconds. It then climbed approximately 400 feetinabouteightseconds.

Eight seconds later, it lost just under 2,000 feet. Then, in approximately one minute, it began rapidly descending roughly 17,000 feet in just one minute.

T h e l a s t d a t a transmission from the plane wasat1:22p.m.localtime.

Authorities have found the black box at the crash site, Sao Paolo’s Security SecretaryGuilhermeDerrite

T&T firm that ‘screwed up’ Conversation Tree project blacklisted from Govt. projects – VP Jagdeo

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo onThursday said that the Trinidad & Tobago(T&T)firmthathad its contract terminated for failing to complete the Conversation Tree road project, will not be getting any further government contracts. The VP made the revelationduringhisweekly press conference where he stated that the government has already recovered all its resources from that contractor Itwasreportedin the media that the Guyana Government was forced to terminate the contract it signed with a Trinidad and Tobago firm for the western section of the Conversation TreeRoadprojectfollowing months of delays and other setbacks.

Thegovernmentthrough theMinistryofPublicWorks has now engaged the other contractorwhowasworking on another section of the road to complete the remainingworks.

At his latest press conference, the VP told the media, “The Trinidadian contractor will not get any more work because they have already not completed this work, we have made it clear we terminated a contract. This contractor was working at the airport

(CJIA) too, we had difficultiesthere.Wemadeit clear that’s how we treat them.” Kaieteur News had reportedthatthe$1.8billion road project which entails the construction of a fourlane carriageway from the EastCoastHighwaytoDelhi Street, a double-lane carriageway on the reserve west of Delhi Street for northbound traffic, concrete revetmentsbetweentheEast Coast Demerara Highway and Railway Embankment withconcretedrainsonboth sides of the proposed roadway between the railway embankment and Delhi Street, and two large concrete bridges to create a link to Dennis Street, is dividedintotwolots.

The project which was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office last year saw that Lot 8A of the project was awarded to S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. to the tune of $1,066, 358,738, whileLot8Bwasawardedto Trinidad’s Kallco Guyana Inc to the tune of $830,293,458.

It was reported that in June this year, the contract w i t h K a l l c o w a s discontinued.Respondingto

saidatapressconference.A medical team is onsite and working to identify the victims Many of the victims’ remains are too badly burned for visual identification,hesaid.

Officials say the fire outbreaks from the crash “and major risks have already been controlled; the main objective” Vinhedo CityHallsaidinastatement. “The bodies of the victims are being taken to the IML (Legal Medical Institute) in Campinas for legal proceedings,” the statement said.

The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, has announced the creation of a crisis cabinet to deal with the plane crash in Vinhedo, in the interior of thestate.

One resident recorded video of the aftermath of a plane crashing into her neighbor’s house outside of São Paulo, telling CNN’s Julia Vargas Jones she was eating lunch in her kitchen when she saw the plane goingdown.

She ducked down in terror and started praying, she said, calling it a “moment of panic” for the wholecity

Private roads leading up to the properties are now closed off to everyone, includingresidents,shesaid, and first responders are in thearea.

Aninvestigationbegins Vinhedo City Hall, whichdeclaredthreedaysof mourning for the victims, said in the Friday statement that they are waiting for the BrazilAirForceteamtostart investigatingthecauseofthe crash.

Brigadier Marcelo

Moreno,whoheadsBrazil’s aviation accidents agency CENIPA, told a press conferencethataircraftcrew had not communicated an emergencypriortothecrash.

“Preliminarily, we have this information that there was no information about the aircraft,thattheaircraftwas in any type of emergency whatsoever,” he told a press conference.

Accordingtoregistration

data from the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry, the Voepass Linhas Aéreas flight was manufactured in 2010 and purchased by the airlineinSeptember2022.

Theaircraftwas“denied operation for air taxi,” according to its registration data.Butit’sunclearwhyor whenthatdeterminationwas madeatthistime.

ATR, the plane’s manufacturer, says it was aware of an accident and is working to support investigators.

“Whatwecansayatthis pointintimeisthatATRhas been informed that an accident occurred in Vinhedo, Brazil involving anATR72-500.

Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this event. The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer,” the statement said.

CNN has reached out to Brazil’s aviation authority for more details about that determination.

Guyana Independence parade billed for Sunday in Brooklyn

Opposition MP David Patterson on the project, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill revealed last month that the contractor was then paid $465,223,474 which translates as 56% of thecontractsumforadvance work. Edghill further revealed that no liquidated damages or other penalties were applied, since the government reached an “amicable settlement” with the contractor The minister claimed too that his ministry tookpossessionof$153,600, 000, worth of equipment from the company to cover the recovery of the outstanding monies owed on theadvancepayments

Further, in response to Patterson, Minister Edghill revealed that a new contract wasawardedtoS.Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc via sole sourcing to the tune of $844,027,988.

Meanwhile, as it relates toanairportproject,backin August 2021, Minister Edghill had witnessed the signing of a contract with KallcoGuyanaIncorporated valued over $513.7 million for the construction of an office building there at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

T h e G u y a n a Independence Celebration Committee New York will hostitsannualcelebrationof Guyana’s 58th Anniversary of Independence on Sunday inBrooklyn,NewYork.

This celebration comprisestheIndependence Parade, Flag Raising and Award Ceremonies and the grandGuyanaIndependence Unity Concert, organisers saidinapressrelease.

The Parade Starts at Church&BrooklynAvenues inBrooklynat12p.m(noon) and will proceed east on Church Ave to Utica Ave, and south on Utica Ave to GlenwoodRoad.Theparade ends at Utica Ave and Glenwood Road, where the Independence concert will commence at 2:00 P.M., at 1450 Utica Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203 (between Glenwood Road & Farragut Road.

According to organisers the flag raising and award ceremonies will precede the concert. The concert will featureprominentGuyanese DJs and artistes as well as a Caribbean international superstar artiste, to be announced later “The Guyana Independence Committee New York will, at the award ceremony, present the customary Kaieteu

Distinction, and United S

,

o outstanding Guyanese at homeandinthediasporafor their outstanding service to the Guyanese American Community, and their c

development of our nation and culture,” the release read. “This celebration is the largest Guyanese celebration outside of Guyana, and the second

celebration in New York

City, after the Labor Day parade Each year, our c

thousands of attendees, and over one million online viewers via our website and social media. We look forwardtoallGuyaneseand f

celebrating our nation’s independence journey with the diaspora! Should you

celebrateguyananyc.com.”

WANTED VACANCY

Wanted hair dressers and Nail Technician. Call: 6218851.

Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100-$4900 per day. Workers paid weekly. Call: 6117839.

Female Domestic $5000, male labourer $ 6000-7000 daily ,Semi skilled worker $70008000, Skilled worker $8000$9000 Vreed En-Hoop #682 5230,615 4414.

One Cook must be able to cook a variety of local and international Dishes. Call : 223-5021 / 660-4904 between (10 am - 3pm )

Male able- bodied Staff to work in general store. Call: 231-2029, 616-5954.

One experienced Skidsteer (Bobcat) / Mini-Excavator operator, Night security & Labourer. Tele: 619-0898 / 623-2728.

2 Kitchen assistant & 1 Roti Maker. Call : 665-5074 / 6031278.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.

FOR RENT

Street. Call : 681-6018 / 672-8599.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Call: 649-0956.

Josel Educational institute seeks to employ a qualified science teacher. Email: joseleducation@yahoo.com or Call: 226-7868 / 678-0652.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade 2. Email application: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

Maid to cook & clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132

Male Cleaner for Eccles. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

Female Cleaner for office in Eccles. For more information Call: 645-8443

General Domestic, must know to cook, clean , press ect. 3 days, $6000, 8-4 at Keyfood, Mcdoom village next to the post office.

Vacancy for tire/tyre Worker at 238 South Road & Alexander St. WhatsApp: 624-7333.

Vacancy exists for 3 Cashiers at F&R Supermarket, Vreeden-Hoop. Atleast 1 year experience, $33,000 gross weekly. Call: 617-2822.

Cook for breakfast from 5:30. Send application, food handler certificate, 1 reference & valid police clearance to 6190568. WhatsApp & serious enquires only.

Sale Rep/ Assistant for document centre. Send application & CV, 1 reference and valid police clearance to 619-0568. Enquires WhatsApp only.

Driver, must have valid license for Car & Van. Must be able to assist in Workshop also. Call: 615-9132.

Room Attendant, Desk Clerk , Supervisor and Receptionist 23-45 Years old. 233 South Road. 225-0198.

LAND FOR SALE

Mining equipment, Maroc nozzles starting from $3,500 & chinese engine bed starting from $21,000. Call: 6981267/657-9121.

FOR SALE

Leland DAF Truck

& 1 1/4 To Mitsubishi Truck. Tele : 6858285 / 677-3406.

EDUCATION

Nayelli school of cosmetology is n ow enrolling for cosmetology courses beginning September 9th,2024, 211 New Market st. Call: 2262124.

LEGAL NOTICE

APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDERS ACT””1, VALERIE ELIZABETH

PERSAUD of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, hereby give notice that I have applied to the Magistrate of the GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT for a Certificate under the Money Lenders’ Act, authorizing the grant to me of a Money Lender’s Licence to carry on the business of a Money Lender under the title of VALRICE PAWN SHOP of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, NOTICE of any objections to the application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT and a copy of any such notice should be sent to the subscriber, VALERIE ELIZABETH

PERSAUD of lot 59 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara,

Sworn to at Georgetown, Demerara, This 22nd day of July, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

2024-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-446 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

Between:- Petition No. FD446 (LAKERAM)

ROWENA ANGELINA nee SEWGOBINPetitioner/ Applicant -and(LAKERAM) BUDHRAM Respondent BUDHRAM

LAKERAM Lot 11 Leonora Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara.

LEGAL NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of March, 2024 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by

ROWENAANGELINA LAKERAM nee SEWGOBIN, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 14th day of June, 2024, the Petitioner/ Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of the Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana of General Circulation in Guyana and on the world wide web (online).

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney- at- Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition and Application, you must file an Acknowledgment of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 4th day of October, 2024 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Damone Younge Meeding ID: 845 1426 6584 and Password: 786 445.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service. Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.Dated the 2nd day of July, 2024.

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

2024-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-379 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-379 BETWEEN: IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY MIRIAM DAVID ApplicantTO: JOEL HARDINGADDRESS UNKNOWNTAKE NOTICE that on the 11th day of March, 2024 an Application Relating to Children was filed against you by MIRIAM DAVID, the Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown. Demerara.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 3rd day of June, 2024. The Applicant was directed to effect service of her Application on you by the publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Application Relating to Child, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Application, you must file a Reply to Application Relating to Child, an Answer and/or Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry) in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at OF GUYANA Georgetown, Demerara within (14)

fourteen days to enter an appearance or file and serve an answer after the second Publication. TAKE NOTICE that the Application is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 15th day of October, 2024 at 9:45 am before the Honourable Madam Chief Justice Roxane George via Zoom (Please Contact the Honourable Madam Chief Justice Chambers for zoom protocol either by email at victorialawcourts@gmail.com or by telephone at 592-2256823 or 226-7947, Extension 223/306).

IN DEFAULT of your filing a Reply to Application Relating to Child, Notice of Intention to Defend and/or an Answer the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting Custody.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 6th day of June, 2024

Chef jailed for hijacking taxi with ex-lover, robbing driver, beating woman

A38-year-old sushi chef was o n F r i d a y slapped with four counts of Robbery Under Arms (RUA), and unlawful woundingwhenheappeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court.

The Chef, Deon Braithwaite, pleaded guilty to the five charges and was sentenced to two years in prisonforeachchargewhich willrunconcurrently Braithwaite reportedly hijacked a taxi his 49-yearold ex-lover, whom he assaulted, threatened and robbed,wastravelingin.He also did the same to the driverofthevehicle.

The Chef also robbed Mishael Carrasquillo, a USbased citizen and Audel Roberts Braithwaite was also charged with unlawful wounding committed againstCarrasquillo.

The RUA charges state that Braithwaite on August 2, 2024 at Durban Backlands, Georgetown in the vicinity of Davis Memorial Hospital, while being armed with a knife robbedAudelRobertsofone Toyota Allion bearing registration number PAH 2112andvalued$4,350,000.

The defendant also

robbed Roberts of one Motorola radio set and $30,000 cash. According to the charge, Braithwaite also robbed Carrasquillo, of $75,000.

During the court proceedings, Braithwaite pleaded guilty and apologized to Roberts, who waspresentatcourt.Hesaid, “Sir, I know you have kids andIapologizetoyou,Iwas frustrated and I did commit theact,Iapologize.”

F o l l o w i n g h i s admission, Magistrate Annette Singh sentenced himtotwoyearsinprisonfor each charge, which will run consecutively

Meanwhile,Carrasquillo told Kaieteur News that the incident occurred between 22:00h and 24:00h on the day in question, when she wasenteringataxifollowing a visit to her aunt. Roberts, who drove the taxi, was relieved of his vehicle and Motorola radio set associated with the ConfidentialTaxiService. The mother of two said that at about 16:30h on Friday last, she visited her aunt in Durban Street, Georgetown, who is known to the Braithwaite. During hervisithereportedlyshared distasteful comments with

her As such, she asked her aunttocallataxi.

When the taxi driver

arrived, Carrasquillo ventured to the vehicle, while Braithwaite followed her “When I open the front seat he said don’t go in the front,gointhebackseatasa passenger,” Carrasquillo related,whilecitingthatshe told him she travels in the frontseatofherride(taxi).

Carrasquillo, while attempting to enter the vehicle in the front passenger’s seat, was reportedly dragged by her hair, and had her head slammed to the exterior of the car by Braithwaite. The womanmanagedtoenterthe vehicle and Braithwaite entered the said car and instructed Roberts to drive,

Chinese national in court for wounding

Liu Wei, a 45-year old man from Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Wednesday placedon$500,000bailona charge of unlawful wounding committed on anotherman.

It was alleged that Wei onAugust4,2024atEccles, unlawfully wounded 47year-old Bao Lin. He was arrested on August 5 by ranks from the Providence Police Station. Wei appeared at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court before MagistrateDylonBesswho read the charge to which he pleadednotguilty Bailwas granted in the sum of $500,000 with conditions that he must lodge his passport.Heisscheduledto returntocourtonSeptember 3,2024.

while threatening him by saying,hewillshootandkill themboth.

“He throw the wig (the wigCarrasquillohadon)out of the window and told the driver to lock up all of the windows,” Carrasquillo said.

Following that she claimed that he then pulled out a gun and started to hit her with it in the region of herhead,faceandabouther body. “I kept leaning by the driver area and say quietly, no, no station, station, crash thecar,dosomething,butthe driver was scared,” the w o m a n r e l a t e d Furthermore, Carrasquillo related that as they approachedDavisMemorial Hospital, Braithwaite instructedRobertstoexitthe

Vagrant sentenced to three months in prison for stealing women’s clothing

A 50-year-old vagrant was on Friday sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing women’sclothing.

The vagrant, identified as JuniorMcForlune,isaccused ofstealingaquantityoffemale clothingvalued$90,000from Tomica Nestor, a clothing vendor on July 6, 2024 at RegentStreet.

On July 8, McForlune appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Court He pleaded not guilty to the chargeandwasremanded. McForlune made his second appearance on Friday before Magistrate Annette Singh, where he changed his plea to guilty and admitted to theft Consequently, he was sentencedtothreemonthsin prison. According to police statements, at around 18:30 hrs, the victim had packed uphermerchandiseandwas awaitingassistancetomove

the bag containing female clothing The vagrant approached her and rendered assistanceinmovingthebags toavehiclewhichwasparked farawayfromwhereshewas While the accused was movingthebags,hetookout thebagandtoldthevictimhe wasfinishedworking. Hethenfledwiththebag and made good his escape. M

subsequently arrested and admitted to stealing the bag ofclothes.

motor vehicle to which he did and ran back to the northern direction leaving Carrasquillo screaming and cryingforhelp.

Carrasquillo said she attempted to escape by placing her feet out of the door but failed, after Braithwaite drove off with anallegedfastrateofspeed.

“Hemadeaturnandmyfoot was being dragged and the light was on in the car.And that’s the main reason I was so happy that the light was on, so if anyone pass and theyseethelighton,theycan see that something was goingonwiththiscarandit’s notnormal,”shesaid.

Duetoherfeetbeingout, Braithwaite reportedly stopped the vehicle, and allegedly slammed the passenger’s door towards herfeet,inaneffortforherto keep her feet inside of the vehicle. The woman told Kaieteur News, “So he stoppedthecarandhecame towardsmeandattemptedto lockthedoorsothelightcan comeoffandIstartfighting.

Isaidinmymind,ifyouare going to kill me, let me go fightingformylife.”

Carrasquillo said that after he realised she would not place her feet inside the car,heproceededbacktothe

driver’s seat and continued todrive.

“He said I am going to kill you, I said don’t kill me you (Braithwaite) already gotmymoneyjustdon’tkill me, please don’t kill me, don’t let my kids have to come and bury me, I have a granddaughter she is only a year old, please don’t kill me.”

Following her plea, the woman said that he parked the vehicle in a location on Hadfield Street, and ran away Carrasquillo, then highlighted that she found herphoneinthevehicleand called her aunt, who put her incontactwithsomeonewho informed her that Roberts reported the matter and policewereinthearea.

Police were later summoned and the victim was rescued She was escorted to the Brickdam Police Station, where the matterwasfiledandshewas subsequently transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)toreceivetreatment forherinjuries.Carrasquillo receivedstitchestoherface, sustained a foot sprain and was later discharged from the hospital. On Tuesday, Braithwaite was arrested by police.

Stabroek Market vendors caught with narcotics hidden in stalls on bail

Two Stabroek Market vendors were on Friday placed on bail for possession of narcotics at their stalls The duo appearedattheGeorgetown Magistrates’ Court before MagistrateAnnetteSingh.

On August 5, 2024, the

vendors, 27-year-old Shontelle Moutague, a mother of two and 31-yearoldTevinJosephwerefound with 173 grams of cannabis a n d 1 0 g r a m s o f m e t h a m p h e t a m i n e respectively The duo was arrested by police on foot patrol along Water Street, Georgetown When they appearedincourtonFriday, theybothpleadednotguilty tothecharges.

According to a police statement, Moutague’s stall was searched by police and one black plastic bag

containing two smaller black bags was found Inside the bags was a quantityofleaves,seedsand stems suspected to be cannabissativa.

Thewomanwastoldof the offence committed and cautioned. She told police, “I don’t sell weed and anybody could throw it there”.

Shewasarrestedandthe narcotics weighed The narcotics which amounted to 173 grams were sealed andlodged.

The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the mother of two noting the seriousness of the offence andthequantityofcannabis foundatherstall.

Bail was however granted in the sum of $100,000 Moutague is scheduled to return to court on September 15, 2024 for statements.

Similarly, in the case of Joseph, the police were on foot patrol when they searched his stand and found four transparent zip locked bags containing a whitishsubstancesuspected to be methamphetamine in an umbrella case at his stand.

He was then told of the offence committed and cautioned. In response, he told police, “that is not me thing” Hewasthenarrestedand the suspected narcotics lodged,The prosecutor also objected to bail being granted for Joseph noting theseriousnessofthecrime

Notwithstanding, he was placed on $20,000 bail and is scheduled to return to courtonSeptember13.

LiuWeigrantedbail

Deon Braithwaite, who admitted to committing the crime

The injuries Mishael Carrasquillo received on her face after allegedly being beaten with gun

Israel accepts proposal to attend

‘urgent’

(BBCNEWS)Israelhas agreedtosendnegotiatorsto a new round of talks over a ceasefireandhostagerelease deal,afteradiplomaticpush from the United States, EgyptandQatar

The three nations releasedajointstatementon Thursday pushing for the talks to take place between Israel and Hamas on 15 August in Doha or Cairo. Hamasisyettorespond.

The statement said a “frameworkagreement”was ready and that it had “only t h e d e t a i l s o f implementation left to conclude”. The push for new talks will be seen as an attempt by the US and its partners to stop regional tensions from spiralling out of control, after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran last week. Iran,blamingIsrael, has vowed a responsethough Israel has not commented directly on the killing The statement invited Israel and Hamas to restart talks “to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay”.

“As mediators, if necessary,wearepreparedto present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation

new ceasefire talks

issuesinamannerthatmeets the expectations of all parties,”itsaid.

The statement was signed by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh TamimbinHamadAlThani.

It said the “framework agreement” was based on “principles” previously outlined by President Biden on31May-whichproposed adealthatwouldstartwitha

fullceasefireandtherelease ofanumberofhostages.

The UN Security Council endorsed that framework.EuropeanUnion chief Ursula Von der Leyen said she “strongly” supported the efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement “We need a ceasefireinGazanow.

That’s the only way to save lives, restore hope for peace, and secure the return ofhostages,”shewroteonX,

Black Entrepreneurs Association Elects

New Leadership

T h e B l a c k Entrepreneurs Association (BEA) successfully held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, June 27, at Herdmanston Lodge Hotel

i n Q u e e n s t o w n , Georgetown where it elected a new executive to leadtheorganization.

The event marked a significantmilestoneforthe organisation as members gathered to elect a dynamic team of leaders to steer the Association forward, BEA said in a press release According to the release a diverse pool of talented

entrepreneurs was nominated by their peers to contribute their expertise and passion to the BEA. Following a rigorous election process, the

following members were elected to serve on the

Board of D

ors: Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Ayodele Dalgety-Dean, Yonnick David, Daneile Hicks-Burnett, Lance Hinds, Richard Collymore, Rowen Willabus, Stacey

Mol

Simpson.Subsequently,the newly-elected Board of Directors convened its first meeting last Saturday, August 3, to elect the executiverolesontheBoard of Directors and the results were: Chairperson, Rowen W i l l a b u s ; V i c eChairperson, Ayodele Dalgety-Dean; Secretary, Lance Hinds; Treasurer, Daneile Hicks-Burnett; and Assistant Secretary, Joel Simpson. Thisnewlyelectedteam

ispoisedtodrivetheBEA’s mission of empowering

B

fostering economic growth, and creating a thriving business community in Guyana

The Association is excited

he opportunitiesaheadandlooks forwardtocollaboratingwith its members and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals The Black Entrepreneurs Association (BEA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black entrepreneurs in Guyana. Formed in May 2020, BEAaims to create a robustecosystemforBlackowned businesses to thrive

p, networking, education, and advocacy

formerly Twitter UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK “fully endorses” the plan for talks, addingthatitwelcomed“the tireless efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and theUnitedStates”.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Thursday evening he had spoken with Israeli Defence Minister YoavGallanttobriefhimon changes to US forces in the

region and “reinforce my ironclad support for Israel’s defence”. “I also stressed the importance of concluding a ceasefire deal in Gaza that releases the hostages,”hesaid.

Despite numerous roundsoftalks,thechallenge of reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement hassofarprovedelusive.

Hamas official Osama HamdansaidinJunethatthe group was pushing for a

“permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal [of Israelitroops]fromtheGaza Strip” and a swap-deal involving Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners heldinIsraelijails.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously said the conflict can only stop once Hamas is defeated.

On Thursday, Israel continueditsbombardment of the Gaza strip. Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defence force said it hit two schools, killing more than 18people

The Israeli military said it had struck Hamas commandcentres

Any proposed talks could be made even more difficult by Hamas’ decision to elect Yahya Sinwar as its new leader, replacingHaniyeh Sinwar, who Israel holds responsible for the planning and execution of the7Octoberattacks,isseen as one of the group’s most extremefigures.

Amid fears of an attack from Iran or its allies, Israel’s security cabinet met in an underground bunker on Thursday, insteadofitsusualmeeting place, Israel’s Channel 13 reported

Miner dies after being stabbed at Kamarang Landing

A27-year-oldminerwas fatally stabbed around 01:15hrs on Friday at the Kamarang Landing, Upper MazaruniRegionSeven.

The deceased has been identifiedasLaurexHenry

The police reported that HenryleftabaratKamarang Landinginthecompanyofa friend, 31-year-old Delon DeddJr whoisalsoaminer

A short while after

Oil Money not

Frompage06 on the Corentyne and other parts of Berbice whereworkwassupposedtohavebeendone andapprovedforpayment.

Huge amounts of payment were authorised for drainage and irrigation in Berbice but work was not inspected to determinewhethertheymeetspecificationof contracts.

Thesearenogozonesforengineerswho wish to do thorough inspection. Engineers willing to sign on to works ‘completed’ or close eyes to shoddy work or even for work

Meanwhile, when contactedbypoliceandtold of the offence the suspect admitted to committing the act telling the investigators; “I did it because he come aroundmefunny”.

Henry reportedly saw the suspect and made racial remarks that offended the suspect.The suspect, who wasatthetimearmedwitha knife, dealt the victim a singlestabtohisabdomen. Henry fell to the ground andwaspickedupandtaken to the Kamarang District Hospital, where he died while receiving medical a t t e n t i o n U p o n examination, a single stab wound was seen on the lowerleftabdomen.Henry’s intestines were also protruding from the incision.

filtering down...

not done are allowed to visit anywhere.The oilfundsthatareinjectedintothebudgetand allocatedtocertainministriesfindtheirway into the hands of corrupt officials and big contractors.

The small contractors and the masses don’t benefit from the large amounts of money withdrawn from the oil fund Shouldn’t the government consider freezing oil money that goes into the budget to stop fuelingcorruption?

Yourstruly, NigelPilgrim

Former Antiguan youth star Rai Benjamin star cops 400m hurdles gold for USA; BVI’s McMaster fifth, Ja’s Clarke fails to finish

SportsMax - A mostly disappointing day for the Caribbean ended in more disappointment at the Paris Olympic Games as Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke and Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands had tough outings in the men’s 400m finals at Stade de

Franceyesterday McMaster, who has endured a topsy-turvy season, placed fifth in a season’s best 47.79s,while Clarke,whowasupwiththe front runners at one point, lost his form, clipped obstacles in the closing stages,andfailedtofinish.

Still, there was some Caribbean connection on the podium, as American gold medal winner Rai Benjamin is the son of former West Indies stalwart Winston Benjamin.

TheyoungerBenjamin, who represented Antigua and Barbuda at the youth level, woninaseason’sbest 46.46s. He upstaged Norwegian World Record holder Karsten Warholm (47.06s), while Brazil’s

Saturday August 10, 2024

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Today you're likely focused on sex, romance, and committed relationships. The planetaryenergiessurrounding love are promising, Aries. If you're in a relationship, you and your partner could make plans.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Sometimes dreams seem like just that - dreams. Travel, a project, or a new home could be a few of the things you've beentryingto accomplishfor sometimenow

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You'll go one of two ways today, Gemini. Either you'll turn inward and meditate in a corner or you'll find a good friend and confide your dissatisfaction.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today is going to be an excellent day for meeting interesting people, Cancer And there will be nothing superficial about these encounters. On the contrary, the people you are going to meet will touch you profoundly

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You can expect today to be kind of intense, Leo. Even if you've made a conscious decision not to let anything get you down, you may still harbor some negative emotions from the last few days.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

The little fighter that you are makes it very difficult for you to join us in the great communal river that we're alltryingtonavigate,Virgo Youprefertotravelsolo

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Libra, you should be looking be

ul and fe

ng especiallypositive,warm,and loving-attractingpeopleofall kinds to you Your selfconfidence, optimism, and determination should peak overthenextfewdays.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Creative inspiration could come from deep within today, Scorpio. Visions, dreamsanything that excites your imagination-couldbringideas fornewprojects.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Group activities prove beneficial on several levels, Sagittarius. You might project powerful warmth and love for all life You're feeling especiallyoptimisticaboutthe future.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Youmightfindyourselfinthe publiceyeatsomepointtoday, Capricorn. This is fine since you're looking and feeling great.You'relikelierthanusual to project warmth and friendlinesstoothers.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)If you've considered a careerinpublishing,Aquarius, thisisthetimetogoforit.It's alsoagreatdaytoenrollinlaw school, an advanced degree program,oranyfieldofhigher education.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Your dreams could be vivid, pleasant, and full of informationtohelpyoumakea decision. New and exciting contacts could come into your life today, Pisces, possibly provinghelpfulinshowingyou waystoincreaseyourincome.

(47 26s) closed fast to claimbronze.

Maharaj’s 28-over spell applies squeeze on WI on rain-affected day

ESPNcricinfo - Keshav Maharaj bowled 28 overs unchanged from the Media Centre End, albeit with w e a t h e r - r e l a t e d interruptions, as South AfricafrustratedWestIndies on the third day of a rainaffected Test. The squeeze only brought four wickets, and with 90 minutes lost in thedayandmorerainonthe way, the chances of victory for either side seems slim, but South Africa will consider themselves as havingtheupperhand.

West Indies are 212 runs behind on a slow, dry pitch, andrunscontinuetobehard tocomebyastheyclosedon 145 for 4. SouthAfrica only added 13 runs to their overnightscorebutmanaged their highest first innings totalinnineawayTestssince Christchurch 2022 but needed quick wickets to make it count. They were blunted by the West Indies’ line-upandcommittedafew lapses in the field on a surfaceunsuitedtourgency

Batting has been labouredsofarandtheearly signs on the third morning were that it would become even more difficult The second ball, from Jayden Seales, kept low and Wiaan Mulder was fortunate that it didnotseambackinenough totakeoutoffstump.

Still, South Africa seemed to have a clear

directive to score quickly and Kagiso Rabada led the charge. He flicked Seales throughbackwardsquareleg and then attempted a drive but edged wide of second slipinaproductiveover His intent did not last long Rabadafacedfivemoreballs beforeJomelWarricanfound theedgeandJoshuadaSilva did the rest. Seales finished off when he bowled Lungi Ngidi six balls later to end South Africa’s innings 20 minutes into the session. They added just 13 runs to theirovernightscore.

West Indies were in the field for 117.4 overs and wouldhavehadenoughtime to know that batting would be tough especially against SouthAfrica’sbest.

Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi shared the new ball and had different but equally testing questions for the openers. Rabada kept it full,Ngidiwasmorebackof a length, and West Indies managed only 23 runs in their first ten overs. Mulder, playing as the third seamer, replaced Ngidi but when Rabada’s spell ended, South Africawereforcedtoturnto spinearly

Maharaj was given the ball in the 13th over and came close to an early breakthrough. In his second over, Maharaj drew Kraigg Brathwaite forward and induced the edge, which

lobbed low but carried to Aiden Markram at slip However, he could not hold on. Brathwaite was on 7 off 43 balls at the time Brathwaite went on to cut Maharaj through point for his first four but, much like South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma on day two, wascontenttospendtimeat the crease and let the runs comefromtheotherend.

Mikyle Louis was more proactive, particularly throughthecovers,withfour of his five boundaries

cominginthatregion.Hehit the single that took West Indiestofiftywhichwasalso the fourth half-century opening stand between him andBrathwaiteinthreeTests and helped West Indies nearly get through the session unscathed. But, the ball before lunch, Louis played for turn to a Maharaj armballandwasbowled. Play was delayed for 55 minutes after the scheduled second-session restart, but one over later, rain forced another 20-minute break

The interruptions had no effect on Brathwaite’s concentration as he hit Maharaj for six three overs into the second session, but left it to Keacy Carty to do most of the attacking. On debut, Carty impressed with his assuredness and played the shot of the day when he got up on his toes to punch Rabada behind point for four

With their options limited to four frontline bowlers,SouthAfricahadto keep Maharaj at one endandhekeptBrathwaitequiet for a period in which the West Indian captain scored just 6 runs off 37 balls from him - and rotate through the three seamers and matters becamepedestrian.

Noneofthemlookedlike takingawicketbutachance cameinthefieldwhenCarty, on 28, defended a Mulder ball to point and took off a run but had Ryan Rickelton tocontendwith.Cartyturned back and if Rickelton’s throwwasaccuratehewould havebeencaughtshortofhis ground but the ball went wide and Carty batted on.

Three overs later, Carty was on 32 and hit Maharaj aerially to cover. Tristan Stubbs ran back to take the catch over his shoulder but misjudgedandspilledit.

Just when South Africa may have become disheartened, a sedate

Brathwaite hit Ngidi to Mulderatmid-onandranfor the single but a direct hit foundhimonthelineandout on the stroke of tea Brathwaite35runstook131 balls, and he maintains the lowest strike rate among batters who have scored 5,000 Test runs since 2001. With the interval, came the rain and there was a further 35 minute delay before the startofthelastsession.

Seven balls into the evening, a Maharaj ball ended Carty’s debut innings as it skidded and struck him onthefrontpad.

A i d e n M a r k a m , operating as South Africa’s second spinner, could have had another five overs later when Kavem Hodge, on 3, edged but Kyle Verreynne didnotreactquicklyenough toholdon.Instead,Markram was the fielder when Maharaj struck again in the next over Alick Athanaze edgedanarmballtoMarkam to slip Markram and Maharajbowledoutmostof the rest of the session, apart from a final late burst by Rabada, who could not remove either Hodge or JasonHolder.

Scores: West Indies 145 for 4 (Carty 42, Louie 35, Brathwaite 35,Maharaj 345) trail South Africa 357 (Bavuma 86, De Zorzi 78, Warrican 4-69, Seales 3-67) by212runs.

Banks DIH pledges continuous support for Guyana Cup

The 16th running of the Guyana Cup, which is organized by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, will once again be fueled by long-time sponsors, the beverage giants of Guyana, Banks DIHLimited.

The grand showdown of this prestigious horse racing event is set for Sunday August 11 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, and fans will be treated to 10 high-octane races with over 40 million dollarsincashandprizes.

Headded:“It’sanhonor tosupportaneventthatbring such talented competitors andsupremehorsesandalso passionatefans.”

The well-established beverage company strongly believes in dedication and perseverance, and that has been the quality of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred RacingCommittee.

“Banks DIH has always believed in the value of dedication, perseverance and excellence which are valuesinsports.”

“The Guyana Cup is a wonderful opportunity to engagewiththecommunity Weareproudtobepartofan event that not only entertain

Special Events Manager of Banks DIH, Mortimer George speaking at the recent Guyana Cup press conference and drawing, pledged the company’s continuous support for this family-oriented horse race event.“WeatBanksDIH,we arethrilledtobeasponsorof the 16th running of the Guyana Cup, the biggest horseraceeventoftheyear,” Georgesaid.

but brings people together and support local businesses.”

“Once again, we are delighted to be part of this eventandwewillcontinueto support this initiative throughout,”Georgesaid.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall, with several locations around the country, joined thelistofsponsors. Sunich handed over a number of trophies that will be presented on race day to Justin Sattaur Ally of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred RacingCommittee.

The Trophy Stall and Sunich are no strangers to sponsoring horseracing and sports in general for a number of years now Sunich,whosefatherNeville was an outstanding Jockey back in the days of

horseracing at the famous Durban Park racetrack, has been on board with the Jumbo Jet Racing events fromitsinception.

Hewillalsobeproviding plaques for the outstanding jockey and Trainer along with other personnel during tomorrow’s event at Rising Sun.

The Rising Sun Turf Club will be transformed into an electrifying atmosphere for the entire family

Children will be treated toafunpark,andfanswillbe thrilled to have great vibes when the DJ competition takes center stage after the races.

Race is expected to start at 11:50h and close to 100 horses confirmed entry for thegrand-onedayhorserace event.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis saw off Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell. (AFP/Getty Images)

LGC set to tee off exciting new golf season

LGC president Anasha Ally and her executive team are gearing up for a hot new season of golf and activities.

The new executive body of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will be teeing off what is expected to be a thrilling new season of golf activitiesandtournaments.

A recent announcement was made by recently elected LGC president Anasha Ally and according to Ally, golfers will be exposed to better Greens with freshly cut Fairways, which complement upgrades across the facility located at Lusignan on the EastCoast.

One Guyana President’s Cup Badminton tournament set for today at Gymnasium

The One Guyana President’s Cup

Badminton tournament organized by the NSC & MCY&S is set f o r t o d a y a t t h e Gymnasium.

The Badminton aspect ofthemultisporteventwill be a team tournament starting from 09:00hrs and runningtoabout14:00hrs. The format is as follows:

The teams were randomly drawn last night at the Gymnasium and are asfollows:

Te a m C a p t a i n :

PriyannaRamdhani

Team: JoelRambiriche

JoanathanDebidin

YonnneilBenjamin

NaveahEastman

GenvieveBookram

TeamCaptain: AkiliHaynes

Teammembers: FrankWaddell

GabrielFelix

NikolasPollard

MishkaBeharry

MinikshiJaikissoon

TeamCaptain: NkosiBeaton

Teammembers: JonathanRobinson

EganBulkan

EthanBulkan

GabrielleFelix

MaliaHaley

TeamCaptain: JaurelHendricks

Teammembers:

AvinashRamnarine

RuelRambiriche

VishalGopaul

AnjaynesaGodette

LeshaunteBerkley

L G C C l u b Superintendent, Deno Bissessar, and his men led the efforts which were geared towards breathing newlifeintothevenue,with a host of activities on the horizon.

Nortje,

Ally and her team have sought out to refurbish the clubbyconductinganumber of repairs, cleaning campaigns among other areasofneed.

Also, former president

Per Patanjali Persaud was lauded for his successful tenure Persaud was instrumental in providing a rollerfortheclub’steeboxes and greens; among other areasofdevelopment. With systems in check,

the LGC body said it’s adamant that the upcoming season will be a resounding success with tons of competitionandfunoutlined fortheforeseeablefuture.

Shamsi to replace injured Thushara, Hasaranga for St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots

SportsMax - The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots will bewithouttheservicesofthe Sri Lankan pair Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara for the 2024 Caribbean Premier League as both players suffered injuries during Sri Lanka’s recent white-ball series againstIndia.

While Thushara missed theentireserieswithafinger injury, Hasaranga played all threeT20IsandthefirstODI beforebeingsidelinedwitha hamstringinjury

The Patriots have signed the South African pair Tabraiz Shamsi and A n r i c h N o r t j e a s replacements

Nortjeisyettomakehis CPL debut while Shamsi has played 32 games, including 27 for the Patriots. Shamsi has taken 33wicketsinthosematches

for Patriots at an economy rateof7 06

Nortje and Shamsi will join South African teammateTristanStubbson APatriotssidethatfinished lastinCPL2023withjusta solitarywinintengames. The Patriots open their

2024 campaign against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons onAugust 29 at the Sir Vivian

Stadium. F

Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, RileeRossouw,EvinLewis, Sherfa

Sikandar Raza, Anrich Nortje, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Joshua da S

Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne

Kares T10: Thrilling quarter-finals on the cards at Enmore tomorrow

From32,onlyeight remain, and four morewillgohome come tomorrow, Sunday when the eagerly awaited quarter-finals for the second Kares One Guyana T10

Tapeball Blast gets underway at the Enmore CommunityCentreGround.

Coordinator John

Ramsingh told the media on Fridaythatallsystemsarein place for a prompt start at 09:30h Several national players and former West Indies players will be in actionasteamshuntaspotin thefinalsonAugust24atthe National Stadium, Providence.

According to Ramsingh, eachofthefourwinnerswill pocket $100,000 while each loser will get $30,000, for a total payout of $520,000, sponsoredbytheMinistryof Culture,YouthandSport.

He elaborated that, at

minimum, each of these eight teams will regain its entrance fee of $25,000, whilethewinnerreceivesan earlybonus.

Each of the losing semifinalists on August 24 will take home $250,000, compliments of Premier Insurance.

S e c o n d - p l a c e –

$500,000 from SuperBet Guyana, and the winner pockets $1.5M from Star Rentals.

Moreso,playerswillvie for the titles of Most Runs, MostWickets,andPlayerof the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.

Assuria Insurance will present a motorbike, and $85,000 will go to the Most ValuablePlayer

Additionally, $100,000

willbesplitequallybetween the Kawasaki Super Striker of the tournament (player with the highest strike rate—minimum of 12 balls) and the Most Economical bowler (lowest economy rate—minimumof24balls). It will bring over G$3 4M being distributed incashprizes

The quarter-final

matches are Team

Corruption vs Montra Jaguars at 09:30h, Tarmac Titans vs Mahdia at 11:30h,TitansAll-Starsvs The Guards at 13:30h, and Brooklyn Youth Strikers vs. DiamondGunnersat15:30h. The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast also enjoys the s u p p o r t o f K a r e s Engineering, Banks DIH

Limited, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, Demerara Mutual,ETS,MetroOffice and Computer Supplies, Jacobs’ Jewellery, Digital Technology, First Change BuildersInc,KFCGuyana, H

S

Services, NEW GPC Inc , Building Expo 2024, Giftland OfficeMax, Sankar’s Auto Works,

ENet,Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc , TrophyStall,ANSAMcAL Distribution, Camille’s Acad

my, R Kisson C

M

Security, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Samaroo Investments, and Coel’s Boutique

United Stars defeat Albany Titans

in

Empire State Cricket League T20

UnitedStarsbattledhard to emerge victorious over Albany Titans last Saturday in the continuation of the 2024 Empire States Cricket League T20 competition which took place at Shen Parkvenue.

United Stars were invited to take first knock but their innings had a turbulent start as they slipped to 7-2 to 69-7 and 110alloutinthepenultimate over

But off-spinner and BerbicianKumarJosephand formerGuyanayouthplayer and left-arm orthodox spinner Ramesh Gaurav bowled brilliantly to help dismissAlbanyTitansfor65 in the 15th over when they pursued the target. Joseph

Kumar Joseph

sent down just 1.5 excellent overs while Guarav, his fellow Berbician, had delivered three economical overs conceding 10 runs.

Joseph only went for 8 runs as they kept things really tightonabenigntrack.

Ahmad Ali top-scored with a dogged 17 while extrascontributed16.

Earlier, United Stars’ innings hadn’t found great rhythm too after they were l

te frequently

Terrence Budoo batted with a great amount c

hough whacking 39 runs which included four effortless sixes.

Off-spinner Ali Awan tormented most of the ba

men to have an impressive spell: 4-19 from 3.4overs. The tournament will continuetoday

Some more big sixes are on the cards this Sunday

MarileidyPaulinoclaimsOlympicgold inrecord-breaking400mperformance

SportsMax - Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic solidified her status as one of the all-time greatsinthe400m,capturing Olympic gold in a stunning andhistoricraceattheParis 2024Gamesyesterday

Inwhatisnowthefastest 400m race in Olympic history, Paulino stormed to victory, shattering the Olympic record with an extraordinary time of 48.17 seconds.

Paulino, known for her pow erful and controlled running style, took command of the race fromthestart

She maintained her composure through the first 300m and then unleashed a devastating kick down the home stretch,pullingawayfroma world-classfieldtoclaimher firstOlympictitle.

Her time of 48 17 seconds broke the longstanding Olympic record of 48.25seconds,setbyMarieJosé Pérec at the 1996 AtlantaGames.

Trailing Paulino was

Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, who clocked a season-best 48 53 seconds to take the silver medal

Naser, who has been gradually returning to her best form after a few challengingseasons,showed glimpses of the brilliance that saw her run the third-

fastesttimeinhistory,48.14 seconds, at the 2019 World ChampionshipsinDoha.

The bronze medal went to Natalia Kaczmarek of Poland, who crossed the line in 48 98 seconds, marking her as the third woman in the race to break the 49-second barrier a t e s t a m e n t t o t h e extraordinary quality of the competition

T h e r a c e w a s exceptional from start to finish, with all eight finalists clocking sub-50second times Ireland’s rising star, Rhasidat Adeleke, finished fourth in 49 28 seconds, just a fraction ahead of Great Britain’s Amber Anning, who set a new personal best of49.29seconds.

Alexis Holmes of the USAalsosetalifetimebest, finishing sixth in 49 77 seconds, while Sada Williams of Barbados was seventh in 49 83 seconds Norway’s Henriette Jaeger rounded out the field, finishing eighth in 49 96 seconds Paulino’s victory adds another prestigious trophy to her growing collection, which already includes two World Championship silver medals. Her performance in Paris not only cements her legacybutalsoraisesthebar for future generations of 400mrunners.

Sha’Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas steer U.S. women to gold medal in 4x100 relay

USATODAY - SAINTDENIS, France – A gold medal is coming back to the U.S. in the women’s 4x100 relay

The star-powered U S women’s relay team featuring Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson, aswellasMelissaJefferson andTwanishaTerry,cruised to first place in the event,

running a season-best 41 78

Great Britain took second with atime of 41 85 and Germany ran a seasonbestforthirdin41 97

Thomas ran a good third leg and Richardson brought the victory home running the anchor leg in rainyconditions

The U S women

finished second in the Tokyo Olympics behind a star-studded Jamaican squad, but Jamaica was without all of its stars, such as Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, Shericka Jackson and Elaine ThompsonHerah, due to various injuries

The U S women were the far superior team on

the track as they got through all their relay exchanges on the way to an Olympicgoldmedal.

The gold is Thomas’ s e c o n d o f t h e s e Olympics She won the 200 on Tuesday, and it’s Richardson’s first Olympic gold.

Sheplacedsecondinthe 100lastSaturday

Sha’carri Richardson (USA) takes the baton from Gabrielle Thomas (USA) in the women’s 4x100m relay round 1 heats during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France. (Kirby Lee-USATODAY Sports)

2024 Hamilton Green’s Cup officially launched

- action set to commence October 27

The Hamilton Green Cup is back and buzzing again. Football enthusiasts

can now mark their calendars for the upcoming 2024 Hamilton Green InterWard (Village) Football Cup, which is scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 10 at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC)Ground.

T h e o f f i c i a l announcement was made on Thursday during a launch

ceremony hosted by tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur at the office of former Prime Minister and ex-Mayor, Hamilton Green.

At the launch, Arthur shared that this year’s tournament is expected to feature a blend of returning teams and new contenders. The defending champions, Stabroek Ballers Football Team, will be the team to beat, as they look to defend their title following an undefeated2023campaign.

This year’s tournament willsee32teamscompeting, with spots available for any team aiming to take home the prestigious Cup trophy Among the teams expected to participate are last year’s

Football Team, along with

Jaffar Samad

scores 66 as Superstar Colts A beat Mississauga Dolphins in T&DCA U-18 tourney

JaffarSamad,thesonof former Canada player and Canada-based Guyanese Abdool ‘Bird’Samad, hit a stroked-filled 66 to inspire Superstar Colts A to a comprehensive, 148-run win over Mississauga Dolphins last Saturday when action continued in the Toronto and District

Cricket Association (T&DCA) Under-18 T20 tournament.

Playing at Thackery ParkvenueinEtobicoke,the right-handedSamadcleared the boundary on four occasions and reached it fourtimesaswell.

His team ably rattled up aformidable189-3fromthe allocated 20-overs while Mississauga Dolphins were scuffledoutforamodest41 in the 16th over Samad got good support from Fayyaz Hanif, whose dadAzibAlli Hanif represented Guyana at the first-class level Fayyaz contributed an impressive 49, an innings laced with five fours and a six.

JamaalShamsudeenand

GoldisMoney,BackCircle, California Square, Bent Street, Airy Hall, Den Amstel, Festival City Ballers,andothers.

The tournament, endorsed by Hamilton Green, a passionate sports enthusiastwhowillcelebrate his 90th birthday on November 9, is calling on Corporate Guyana to lend their support to the 30th edition of this highly anticipated Inter-Village Footballtournament.

Football fans and supportersareencouragedto attend and witness the thrilling competition, where some of the nation’s most activeteamswillbattlefora chance to win up to one million dollars in cash and prizes. The winning team willtakehomeanimpressive $500,000, with the secondplace team earning $250,000.

Third and fourth place finishers will receive $150,000 and $100,000, respectively

Thetournamentmatches will be played on Sundays, with the final showdown set forNovember17.

JetanMehtaalsointherunscolumn with 33 and 29 not outrespectively For Mississauga Dolphins, only Kalimullah Quraushiv and Mustapha Ahmadi reaching doublefigures.Quraushivmade13 and Ahmado 10 as their team folded meekly against the spin-pace combination bySuperstarColtsAside. Samadreturnedwithhis medium-pace to take 2-1 from just a solitary over while off-spinner Metha also making an impact with the ball by grabbing 2-8 from his maximum four overs. Avi Patel, another slow bowler, was also outstanding by accounted fortwovictimsaswell. Meanwhile, in another match at the first-division level, Fayyaz Hanif registered a half-century (58) representing Noor Cricket Youth Club 2. His team overwhelmed Punjab Qalandarsby87runs. T h e T & D C A tournamentwillcontinueon Sundaywithitspreliminary stage.

Timehri Ballers, Timehri Panthers, Soesdyke Ballers,

Ex-Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green (left) and Tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur exhibiting the first-place trophy which was donated by former national footballer Patrick ‘Labba’Barton.

Jaffar Samad

GCB president meets with Guyana U17 team ahead of CWI Rising Stars tournament

President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, paid a visit to his national U17 team yesterday as they prepare for their campaign in next week’s start to the 2024 CWI Rising Stars 50OverChampionships.

The GCB president paid a courtesy visit to the Chetram Singh Indoor Facility at LBI where he met with national head coach Ameer Rahaman andtheyoungsquad

Singh engaged with the players who had been encamped as they got themselves fine-tuned

ahead of Sunday’s departureforTrinidadand Tobago, where they will look to return home with both or either of the 50Over and 2-Day titles in theirpossession.

The team underwent lots of work, being put in across the respective areas as they played a few simulation games while focusing on their physical development among other aspects of mental and physicalpreparation.

“The camp was good, we were able to do fitness

assessments, ground works, 2-Day matches where we implemented the points system and bonus points system to get the boys in the frame

of mind of what is required of them in the tournament,” outlined

Rahaman.

Rahaman thanked

GCB president Singh and Harpy Eagles /West Indies all-rounder Kevin Sinclairforshowingtheir support to the players while individually taking time to engage with the playersonvariouslevels.

The U19 quartet of Jonathan Van Lange, Gulcharan Chulai Riyad Latiff and Rampersaud

Ramnauth were also lauded by the coach for bringing leadership, and being a veteran and carrying form to the U17 team Rahaman overall thanked the GCB for their role in and emphasis which helped to prepare the boys forthetournament.

Singh imparted words of confidence and urged the players to give good accounts of themselves, while calling for the team to showcase their skills which he feels are on an elite level and can likely dominate this year’s tournaments.

Some members of the squad were graciously provided with essential cricket gear, courtesy of Mr. Bissoondyal Singh, President of the Guyana CricketBoard

Guyana fly out on Sunday with the first round of the 50-over leg starting August12th,whilethe2-day format will bowl off from August23rd.

The National U17 team had some fruitful match simulations over the past few days at LBI.

Coach

GCB president Bissoondyal Singh, Guyana U17 head Coach Ameer Rahaman and the National U17 team following the end of their preparatory camp yesterday.

National U17 Coach Ameer Rahaman said his team had a solid encampment period ahead of the upcoming CWI Rising Stars tournament.

Keshav Maharaj bowled 28 overs, unchanged, from the Media Centre end. (AFP/Getty Images)

Maharaj’s 28-over spell applies squeeze on WI on rain-affected day

Sports

Special Event Manager at Banks DIH Mortimer George.

Justin SattaurAlly of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (left) and Ramesh Sunich, owner of The Trophy Stall (right).