Oneoftwobanditswasshoton Friday while attempting to rob a moneychanger at the corner of America Street andAvenue of the Republic,Georgetown.
Reports are that masked bandits on a motorcycle attacked the moneychanger,Terrance Dean around12:00hrs.Hereportedlyran into a nearby store, J's Outlet, to hide from the bandits and they fired shots behind him but the manager of the store returned fire and one of them was shot but managed to escape with his accomplice.
Kaieteur News was initially toldthatitwastheon-dutysecurity guard that shot at the bandits but police found out that it was the managerwhoreturnedfire.
KaieteurNews'sreporterswere at Georgetown Magistrates' Court when they heard gunshots at midday Theyreportedly“peeped” through the window and saw peoplerunningforcover
The reporters ventured to the locationtofindoutwhattranspired andlearntthatitwasanattempted robberyofthemoneychanger
When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, police were already there.Thevictimwasstillinsideof aclosedJ'sOutlet,hiding.
The area where the masked men shot at the moneychanger
Police opened the shutters of the building assuring the victim and others inside that it was safe forthemtoexit.
The victim, visibly traumatised, came out of the building and began to share his story with onlookers and other reportersatthescene.
Dean said the masked men approached him on a motorcycle saying,"Shootheandkillhe."
“Igetrobthe27thoflastmonth of GYD $900,000”, he said while explainingthatitcouldbethesame bandits who had robbed him before.
After hearing the men say, 'Shoot he and kill he,” the moneychangerranforhislife.
Dean ran into the nearby store but the men followed him and beganfiringseveralshots.
Dean told Kaieteur News that
shotswerereturnedfrominsidethe store, resulting in one of the masked men being shot by the store'smanager
However, the injured bandit still managed to escape the scene withhisaccomplice.
Meanwhile, a security guard stationed at the High Court, recalled seeing the men speeding along Charlotte Street on a motorcycle.When Kaieteur News left the scene, police ranks were stillconductinginvestigations.
Inastatementlaterreleasedby police, investigators confirmed that one of the suspects is under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Police were able to locate him
in the critical bay at the GPHC after he fled the scene. He had reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his left lower abdomen accordingtopolice.
Police identified him as Elijah Martine commonly known as 'Swine',a23-year-oldunemployed man of C-Field Sophia Georgetown.
Martinehadreportedlygoneto theGPHCfortreatmentandpolice stationedtherehadquestionedhim about his injury but he chose to remainsilent. Accordingtopolice, Martine and an accomplice had attacked a 51-year-old moneychanger Dean at the corner of America Street and Avenue of the Republic. One of them fired shots behind Dean as he ran for
cover inside of J's Outlet store. Police said that a 33-year-old security guard on duty at the time drew his weapon – a Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol-to fend off the shooter but the suspect ended uptakingawayhisweapon.
Police continued that the store's 29-year-old manager saw the security guard being held at gunpoint and drew his licensed weapon to protect that individual. He reportedly discharged the roundthatstruckthesuspectinhis stomach.Thesuspect,accordingto police, ended up dropping his weapon and running out of the store with the security guard's weapon before making good his escape with the accomplice along CharlotteStreet,Georgetown.
Detectives who arrived at the scene recovered the dropped firearm along with multiple 9mm spent shells. They also obtained footage from nearby security cameras and are currently reviewingthem.
Meanwhile, at around 13:20hrs, detectives received information that one of the suspects was hospitalized at GPHC. He and his accomplice were both dressed in blue jumpsuits at the time of the robbery
(ShaniaWilliamsandCelina Nathu)
New PSA finalised; companies ready to pay signing bonus
- Minister Bharrat
Followingtheclosure
of the recent bid round to auction off eight oil blocks offshore Guyana, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat told the media at his mid-year press conference on Wednesday, that the government has finalised the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), and the six companies that were awarded have indicated that they are ready to pay their signing bonusandmoveahead.
“That PSA has been finalized, I am happy to say that with no changes to the fiscalterms.
With no changes to the fiscal terms and you know the new fiscal terms it is 10% royalty;itis10%tax;itis65% costrecoveryasagainst75and itisthe50/50profitsharing.So the 50/50 remains the same, 10%royalty,itis10%tax,65% costrecovery,meaningthatwe will get more upfront than the Stabroekagreementwhereitis 75% and we get more on the backend,”hetoldreporters.
The minister said that "every single one of those six companies, its six companies, eight blocks because two companies had bid for two. Every one of those six companies have submitted their applications to us, we havegiventhemthePSA,they are currently reviewing that withtheintenttosignandallof them have indicated that they are ready to pay their signing bonus You know for the shallow water it's $10M USD and for the deepwater it's $20MUSD.”
While he admitted that the bid round took longer than expected due to challenges faced before and during the process including other countries having their bid roundaswell.
He noted that the time
frame also had nothing to do with the technical staff at the ministry but it was “mainly because we had to work with the bidders, some of them especially the locals were looking for international partners,theywerelookingfor investors, they were looking foroperators.”
Minister Bharrat said, “So we had to work with them. A few were ready but we cannot do a separate PSA for every different company We had to finalize one PSA that can be usedforallthecompanies.You can't get a PSA to suit every othercompanythatwouldbid, so a few bidders held up the others because we wanted to finalize one PSA that we can use.”
He emphasized that even though changes were made to the PSA until it suited every single company, the fiscal termsunderwentnochanges.
Theministerexplainedthat efforts were made to sort the workprogrammewiththenew companies.
“The work programme maydifferforsomecompanies andthatiswherewehadtoiron out a few issues especially withthepenaltiesbecauseyou willknowinthenewPSA,the penaltyisveryheavy That'sif yousetaworkprogrammefor $300M and you cannot fulfill thatthenyoupayus50%ofit, itisasteeppenalty Sowehad toworkthroughafewofthose issues without changing the fiscal regime,” the Natural ResourcesMinistersaid.
Additionally, the minister assured that as soon as the companies sign the PSA and pay the signing bonus, it will bemadepublic.
“Sowithregardstothebid round, I am happy to say that we are moving forward with that but I know it has taken longerthanitshouldhave,"he t o l d r e p o r t e r s
Minister Bharrat says...
Exxon's project plans cannot be released to the public
...Document “very technical” and contains proprietary information
The Field Development Plans (FDPs) outlining the blueprint of the offshore oil projectsbeingdevelopedby American oil giant
ExxonMobil cannot be made public, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrathassaid.
Bharrat told reporters during his half-year press conference on Wednesday that he observed comments from former Minister of PublicInfrastructure,David Patterson calling on the government “to disclose every single thing” and that “all Guyanese should know”.
Patterson in an invited comment told Kaieteur News thattheoilbelongsto all of Guyana, so how it is managed should be the business of every citizentechnicalornot.
An FDP outlines how a companyintendstodevelop a petroleum field, manage the impact on the
environmentandsociety,as well as forecasts for productionandcosts.These documents are critical to holding both the developer and government to account on the management of the country's oil resources- the key driver of Guyana's economy
To date, six projects have been approved for Exxon, but FDPs outlining the specifications of each project have not been releasedtothepublic. This newspaper recently acquired copies of the Liza One and LizaTwo projects. Kaieteur News inaprevious article exposed with the aid oftheFDPsthatExxonwas producing well above the design rates outlined for each project, creating fears thattheoilcouldbedrained well ahead of the 20-year projectlife.
The government is howeverreluctanttorelease thecompany'sprojectplans
forthecountrytosee.
Minister Bharrat urged that this was a highly technical document that cannot be released to the public. “I'm not sure if everybody have had an opportunity to see what an FDP looks like, it's about 1000-2000 pages; that's the size of an FDPand it's very technical with proprietary informationaswelltoo.”
To this end, he advised that persons with specific questions on the FDPs can submit questions to his officeforresponses.Bethat as it may, he noted that the proprietary nature of some information may prevent it from being shared publicly To qualify his stance on the
matter, Minister Bharrat saidhedoesnotbelieveany other country in the world affords citizens such an opportunity
On the other hand, he revealed that one FDP has beenlodgedattheRegistry, while the government has made the Licences for each project, along with the Environmental Permits public, which are products oftheFDPs.
The Minister however emphasized, “If you have anyquestions,wearefreeto provide the information. I don't know what question will arise from the FDP or what they are looking for but we would be willing to providetheanswer.”
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat during his half-year press conference
We had braced ourselves for this day PresidentAli did the honours through what wasbizarreattimes,earsplittingotherwise. In a truly cringeworthy exhibition of leadership gone topsy-turvy,thepresidenttookhisshowtotheInternational BuildingExpoandletloose. Itwasathunderousbarrageof soundattheworstpossiblemoment.
We are embarrassed that there does not seem to be anyone in the president’s party, or his cluster of close advisorsattheOfficeofthePresident,whohasthegutsto show him the ropes and the way that certain things are done. Worse yet, we shrink in embarrassment at the spectaclethatthepresidenthasmadeofthiscountrybefore an audience that included a group of foreign attendees. Members of the diplomatic corps had the best seat in the proceedings, right in the front row It is reasonable to believethattheywalkedawaywithalessthanwholesome appreciation for Guyana’s president comfort level with highvolume. Hishighlychargedbodylanguagespokeso much towards what was negative, and both his verbal comportment and demeanor were of someone who is at homewithafewoftheuncivilingredientsoflife.
Thereisanoldsayingthatthereisatimeandplacefor everything. Apparently,PresidentAlieitherdidn’tgetthat memo, or if he did, he was too casual in reading it and absorbing its substances, implications. There is another oldsayingthatmaybeseenbytheyoungheadofstateas old-fashioned. Whetherhedoesornot,itwouldbeinhis bestinterestsifheconsidersthevalueofrefinementmakes theman. Iffornootherreason,itwouldbeafeatherinthis country’s cap, if its leader sets the standard pertaining to that, while being applauded and respected for it. Aquiet wordgoesalongway,butPresidentAlihasgrownfamiliar, way too familiar some may assert, with believing and embracing the opposite. For some reason, he has concluded that most engagements are an opportunity to give a demonstration of the carrying power of his lungs. Onewondersifhewouldthinkitappropriatetosoundoffat deafening decibels during a funeral service and peel the paintoffthewallsinareligioushouseofworship.
We respectfully caution the president that not every occasionshouldamounttoshowofstrength,asifatestof manhoodiscalledfor,mustbeproved. Further,notevery speaking opportunity, often a matter of protocol or a courtesy extended to a sitting president, should be made intowhatcomesacrossasnothingbutthefireandireofa political campaign in full swing. The heat of political campaigns,likethehighlypitchedsoundspreesinanoutof-control rum shop, has its own culture and seasoned practitioners,ofwhichthepresidentisanimpatientmaster inwaiting.
ItpainsustoremindthepresidentthatanInternational Building Expo at the Providence National Stadium, one thathasbeengracedbydiplomatsandanoticeableforeign contingentoughtnottobeunderstoodorequatedwiththat of an overheated political campaign. We believe that President Ali knows this but has reached a state of mind where such constraints matter little to him. If he doesn’t know, then it is vital that someone in his circle of senior people summon the courage to relay this to him and save him from himself. Frankly, our priority is less about the presidentandmoreabouttheregardinwhichthiscountryis held.
Likeneverbeforeinitshistory,Guyanaisatthecenter of the world’s attention. When the president, or any national leader for that matter, is a statesman, then this countryisembracedasacivilizedentity,onewithwhichto do business by investing money and time. On the other hand, if the man in charge is seen as an empty shell that compensateswithincessantvolume,moreharmthangood isdone. Inaspiritofcareforthepresidentandthenation, wehopethathewouldtakethiswell-intendedmessageto heartandmakesometimelyandnecessaryadjustments.
GuySuCo will be viable again
DEAREDITOR
, Ihavereadwithabsolute disdain the continued vicious attack on the PPP/C G o v e r n m e n t f o r implementing measures to ensure the survival and ultimate viability of the sugarindustry
There is no doubt that one particular individual whoprobablyfeelsthatheis the sugar czar despite his lack of success in that area among other failed business venturescontinuedtorehash and regurgitate the same verbiage ad nauseam in his quest for relevance and vengeancefornotgettingthe positionhewanted.
He has now become an expert in home affairs, health, oil and gas, education, sugar, rice, NDIA, infrastructures and canliterallyrunthiscountry whilstsippingaDietCoke. It would seem that instead of the CEO of GuySuCo,henowaspiresto be the President of Guyana. Itwouldseemthatthisman’s hunger for publicity and powerwillneverbesatiated. When he was a member of
the GuySuCo Board, he felt ethanol was the savior for GuySuCo, at one point, he felt that tilapia was the salvationinsteadofsugar,at some point recommended that ‘bull plough’should be used for tillage and then he feltthattheestatesshouldbe closed.
Thismanhasamyriadof solutions and harebrained schemes, no wonder he failed in all his business ventures His pretentious cries of corruption will only reverberatewithinthecavity ofhiscranium.Noonetakes these empty cries seriously without hard facts and only a s s u m p t i o n s a r e forthcoming.
WhattheOppositionand some naysayers fail to realize is that: the cost of resuscitating the Sugar Industry until now is just a miniscule of the cost of destructionwhichitinflicted inallareasofoperation.
The APNU/AFC should itemizethemassivecostand make a comparison to what isnowbeingspentinsteadof vomiting the same garbage repeatedlyinParliament.
The Minister of
Agriculturemadelightwork oftheirbaselessattacks.
This is barefaced absurdity to deliberately destroy the estates and then question the cost of rehabilitation.
The Coalition also displaced the labour force whentheyclosedtheEstates causing thousands of workers to seek alternative employment or flee abroad with visitors’ visas. It was not only the closed estates but the wage freeze in GuySuCofrom2015to2020 created a new wave of exodus from the industry These workers reminisce about the dark days of Burnhamism.
The Coalition destroyed thehumanfactorwhichthey saw as pro-PPP and in so doing annihilated tens of billiondollarsinfixedassets. ButGuySuCoisovercoming these;onedayatatime.
I am of the firm and unyielding conviction that GuySuCo will be viable
again.ThenewCEOandhis Team has their focus on: increasing the tons of cane per hectare, the increasing tillage and planting, the continued mechanization of the field and harvesting, reductionofthetonsofcane per ton sugar, the reduction of the burning to grinding interval and the trimming of wastages.
These will reduce the costperunitandincreasethe production and productivity oftheindustry Thesearenot ‘rocketscience’andwiththe critical financial support of the Government to a certain point, the strong support from the workforce and the unyielding will of the GuySuCo Team this will be achievedinnotime.
Let the naysayers chew on their nails and wait Arnold Schwarzennegger, six-time Mr Olypmpia, former Governor of California and famous moviestar,oncesaidthat,‘If I would have listened to the naysayers,Iwouldstillbein theAustrianAlpsyodeling’.
Yourssincerely,
HaseefYusuf
City Councillor, Leon Saul should use his pen to address the corruption and mismanagement at M&CC
DEAREDITOR,
I am writing in response to the recent letter by City CouncillorLeonSaul,which is replete with empty rhetoric,falsenarratives,and misguided assertions about President Irfaan Ali and his administration.
Councillor Saul’s depiction of President Ali’s public engagements as mere theatrics is both misleading andunfair
It is common for leaders to engage with the populace in a relatable manner President Ali’s interactions symbolise his approachable leadership style and efforts toconnectwithcitizensona personallevel.
Contrary to Saul’s claims, the “One Guyana” initiativeisfarfromahollow slogan.Itisacomprehensive vision aimed at fostering unity, inclusivity, and equitable development acrossthenation.
The distribution of developmental benefits under President Ali’s administration has been morebalancedandinclusive than ever before, with significant investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and housing that benefit all Guyanese,
regardless of political affiliation.
Saul’s portrayal of a strained
Government and the Georgetown municipality is a one-sided narrative that overlooks the genuine efforts made by the Central Government to collaborate on urban development projects.Ifthereareissuesof i n e f f i c i e n c y a n d mismanagement within the municipality, it is the responsibility of local leadership to address them, nottodeflectblameontothe CentralGovernment.
Moreover, Councillor Saul’s criticism of the President’sengagementwith Stabroek Market vendors highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of leadership.
The President’s direct interaction with citizens to address their concerns demonstrates a commitment to responsive governance, something that should be applauded rather than condemned.
Instead of using his platform to undermine the Central Government, CouncillorSaulshouldfocus onaddressingtherealissues
plaguingGeorgetown.
The city continues to struggle with garbage pileu p s , f i n a n c i a l mismanagement, and poor service delivery Despite receiving billions in taxes and subventions, the city remainsbankrupt.
Why are the residents of Georgetown not receiving the quality of services they deserve?
Councillor Saul should hold his PNCR colleagues accountable for their mismanagement and the inept performance of the council.
He should commend President Ali’s government for stepping in to save the people of Georgetown by investing in critical infrastructure,somethingthe M&CChasfailedtodo.
P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s administration has a commendable track record: increasing public servants’ pay, raising old age pensions, distributing over 35,000 house lots, and reinstating the “BecauseWe
Care” cash grant for schoolchildren a grant Saul’s party discontinued in 2015,claimingitwasawaste ofresources.
Dr.Ali’sgovernmenthas
made significant strides in every aspect of Guyana’s development, including agricultural diversification, effective management of oil revenues, energy security, e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability, and public diplomacy, all contributing toGuyana’simprovedglobal image and economic transformation.
The fact of the matter is, Dr Aliisagloballeaderwith a common touch, a quality manyleaderslack.
In just four years, PresidentAlihasspentmore time engaging with the citizens of Georgetown, listening to their concerns, and addressing their needs than the PNCR councillors haveinthepasttwodecades. Itiseasytocriticise,butone must ensure that criticism is based on facts, not figments ofone’simagination.
IurgeCouncillorSaulto dedicate more of his time to f u l f i l l i n g h i s responsibilities providing basic services to the people of the city instead of hiding behind his pen to make baseless criticisms of thePresident,amanwhohas walkedthewalk.
Sincerely EdwardLayne
Concerns Over Safety and Security atAmazonia Mall:ACall forAction
DEAREDITOR,
We are compelled to highlightadeeplytroubling incident that occurred on the evening of July 31, 2024, at the Amazonia Mall, which starkly reveals the abuse of power and significant safety concerns withinourcommunity
My husband and I parked our Honda CRV in front of a security hut, an areadevoidofanysignage indicatingrestrictions
After a quick stop to
the supermarket and dinner, we returned only
to find our vehicle
v a n d a l i z e d ; b o t h passenger-side tires were slashed
This wanton act of destruction not only inflicted financial distress upon us but also shattered our sense of security in a location that should be safe
Upon discovering the damage, we approached the security guard on duty, who casually remarked, “I’m lucky it’s just the tires
” Such a response
exemplifies a shocking indifference to our plight and trivializes the severity ofthiscriminalact
Itisalarmingtowitness
a security personnel dismissing the distress of victims, suggesting a disturbing normalization of violence within our supposedprotectors
The situation escalated further when the security guard called for police assistance
When the officers
arrived, armed and
s e e m i n g l y
confrontational, they implied that we were somehow responsible for inciting violence, despite ourprimaryconcernbeing the damage to our vehicle
Their recommendation to file a report at the police station instead of taking immediateactiontoaddress our situation raises grave concerns about their prioritiesandtraining
W h e n t h o s e
thority
d to v a n d a l i s m w i t h indifference and victimblaming, it sends a
dangerous message that such behaviour is tolerated and that victims are to be held accountable for their misfortunes
This incident is emblematicof a larger issue regarding power dynamics inoursociety
As citizens, we haveanunequivocalrightto feelsafeinourcommunities, andwedemandthatsecurity personnelandpoliceofficers act with diligence, respect, andempathy
It is imperative that we confront these issues head-on and advocate for comprehensive training and accountability for those entrusted with our public safety
I call upon readers and community leaders to reflectontheimplicationsof thisincidentandtoengagein meaningful dialogue about how we can collectively fostersaferneighbourhoods. We must ensure that those who serve us do so with the compassion and integrity thateverycitizendeserves.
Sincerely, Kerensa Bart.
The stagnation of domestic football
DEAREDITOR
, On Thursday July 25, 2024, the Stabroek News reported that the Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s national football team dropped one point in the FIFA World ranking from 153 to 154. This is sad, and it reeks of a sympathetic gesture. You want to know how backwards football went under the Wayne Forde administration, well if you arereadingthis,simplytryto name one national team football player? If you passed that test, name a locallyborndomesticplayer on the senior men’s national team? Most Guyanese will havetosearchGoogletoget the answers to both questions, and well the names of such persons should be household names just as we can name local cricketers. Those who get both correct are likely employed by the GFF, coaching or involved in football administration at somelevel.
What we are witnessing inlocalfootballisthelackof vision, acceptable only becausethealternativecould mean a return to the days of
questionable football administration, governance and accounting. With the level of resources at their disposal, it’s a travesty that successive Wayne Forde administrations have failed to add real structure, organization, competition and excitement to football. And while the GFF is swift torattleoffitsachievements, the real question is what is behind the failure of these achievements to produce a
product?Whenyoudigdeep enough,youwillunderstand that Wayne Forde is a politicianandtactician. For him, it is about selfpreservation. Unfortunately, thishascausedstagnationin domesticfootball.
A case in point. The senior men’s national team has had at least three different coaches Why? How many alumni meaningfully engage with the team and domestic development. The average Guyanese could tell you more about the English Premier League, the senior men’snationalteamandhow d
organized, save for
tournaments.
Another example, despitethesizableamountof resources the GFF receives from FIFA, it still depends on corporate donations and sponsorships to stay afloat? What are the reasons for this?Whyhas
(Continuedonpage06)
Govt’s 10% proposed salary increase to teachers is insulting - PNC/R
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) on Friday described the government’sproposed10% salary increase for teachers asinsulting.
In a statement to the media, the Opposition party said that it is in full support of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) rejection of theproposal.
The statement said that, “The PNCR fully supports Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and all teachers in rejecting the PPP government’s insulting
proposal of 10% salary increase for 2024, 8% for 2025, and 9% for 2026. Jagdeo’s claim that the union’s rejection results, from GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald’s attempts to derailtheunionpoliticallyis politically hypocritical and comical It is the same Jagdeo in 2018 who, as oppositionleader,statedthat teachers should be given 40% - 50% salary increases for the year Now that the PPP is in government, with access to vast oil resources, its hypocrisy is on full displayinitstreatmentofthe nation’s teachers with its meaningless proposals of 8%-10%salaryincreases.”
The party is of the opinion that “undoubtedly, any sober and fair-minded
Guyanese will realise that the PPP would much rather feed corruption than add value to the lives of our teachersasthecost-of-living has skyrocketed far beyond what a mere 10% can compensate. We therefore believe that GTU’s counteroffer is reasonable and affordable.”
Furthermore, the party said that as the next government, it intends to ensure that “the teachers receive compensation retroactively and that all publicservantsenjoylivable wagesacrosstheboard.The nation’s human resources are our most valued asset, and as the next government, our policies will reflect that.”
As the negotiations surrounding a pay hike for
teachers continue, steps are reportedly being taken for the Government to come up with more than the 10 percent increase it is currentlyoffering.
General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald told this newspaper recently that with bigger budgets annually and several supplementary budgets, the teachers are sure that the government can cater to a feasible salary increase for teachers. She reminded that when the joint service and nurses received increases, teachers’ increases were lumped together with other publicservants.
Last week, Kaieteur News reported that the leadershipoftheGTU
(Continuedonpage15)
The stagnation of domestic football...
Frompage05
this been sensibly addressed?
In the same Stabroek Newsarticle,itwasrevealed that“Guyanain2024boasts arecordoftwowinsandfour losses Guyana defeated Cambodia 4-1 and Belize 31, but suffered defeats against Cape Verde [0-1], TrinidadandTobago[1-2,02],andPanama[0-2].”Some maysaythevictoriesagainst Belize and Cambodia were convincing, but a closer examination reveals that
Cambodiaisranked180and Belize183intheFIFAWorld Rankings. Meaning, if you think Guyana is bad, these teamsaremuchworse.Also, Guyana lost 4 matches in 2024, in 3 of these matches, the team failed to score a goal;theyscoredonegoalin the4defeats.Thisistelling! One off achievements is not thesamethingasprogress. Guyana needs a proper matriculation system that’s bothinterandintra-regional. But most of all, organized domestic football needs
leadership that understands andiscapableofgrowingthe business of football to grow the game. Imagine, in this day and age, Regional Member Associations depend on the GFF for financial resources and playing equipment. Without theGFFSecretariatfinancial support, these associations would cease to exist. But that is not the only issue, in such a situation, it becomes easytoexertinfluence.
Regards, MichaelAnthony-Sealy
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Jagdeo playing a cat and mouse game with oil PART 1
Oil czar, Bharrat Jagdeo has made Guyana's oil wealthy into a game!
He was repeatedly about the rate on Exxon's money put into Guyana…?
It could be in the form of loans, or Exxon's capital (equity).
For years, Jagdeo danced and ducked in giving a straight answer!
Now, he finally stopped hiding from the question about rate.
It is “massive,” he said earlier this week.
Past decisions cannot degut Natural Resources Committee of powers to summon ExxonMobil for questioning -Ramjattan
Former Leader of the AllianceForChange(AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan is of the firm view that the GovernmentofGuyanadoes not want oil major ExxonMobil, and other companies operating in the naturalresourcessectortobe thoroughly questioned in Parliament.
He made this conclusion on Friday during a news conference, after arguing that past decisions of a previous Natural Resources Sectoral Committee do not change the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, nor does it alter existing laws. Ramjattan said, “The AFC wishes to state that a previous committee's decision cannot fetter the decision of another committee.”
His comments came on the heels of the recent revelationbytheClerkofthe
National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, that Exxon could not be summoned to appear before the Natural Resources Committee since a decision was previously madethatprivatecompanies would not be questioned in Parliament.
Ramjattanexplainedthat the AFC was told that the decision was made on July 21, 2014. A copy of the Minutes of that Meeting of the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee detailed, “The Chairman informedtheCommitteethat with respect to visits to KwakwaniandBaiShanLin, following a conversation with the Clerk of the National Assembly who indicated that there are differing views on the m
tter; whereas the Committeecouldnotinvitea private company to appear beforeitorcouldmakevisits
to observe the general operations.
Hefurtherstatedthatthe Clerk of the National Assembly had promised to look into the matter.” (See copy of Minutes in photo attached.)
The former Minister of PublicSecuritybelievesitis “rather strange” that the present Committee is being bound by a decision of the previous body, made some 10yearsago.
Ramjattan argued that Exxon was an agent of the government for the extraction of a resource that belongs to the government and people of Guyana and should therefore be held accountable. “So now to have a situation creating the precedent that we can't call themforquestioningisgoing todeguttheStandingOrders and those Sectoral Committees of the powers
Minutes of the 2014 Meeting of the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee
ExxonMobil Country Manager, Rod Henson and team appeared before the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee in 2018 after the decision was reportedly made for private companies to not be questioned in the House.
that they have, first of all given by the Constitution andsecondlybytheStanding Orders and so the AFC is makingthestatementthatwe cannot derogate by this manner, the power to summonordenytheSectoral Committee the power not to summon,” the lawyer pointed out Ramjattan continued, “It is important that we understand that everybody must be accountable, everybody must be scrutinized who havenaturalresourcesasthe basis of their agreements withgovernmentandbethey companies or even persons...so if the present committee would like to have Exxon to be called in, Exxon ought to listen because there is a power to penalizeifyoudonotcome.”
During the most recent meetingoftheCommitteeon
July 19, 2024, Isaacs informed the body that representatives of the companycanbearrestedand detained until they appear before the Committee, in accordance with the
EvidenceActChapter1:08.
To this end, Ramjattan pointedoutthattherewasno changetothoseprinciplesin writing; as such, he urged, “we should not gallop into a regionthatisgoingtocreate a very unruly horse or slipperyslopeonthisissue.”
T h e O p p o s i t i o n
Parliamentarianalsopointed out that Exxon appeared before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources in 2018, following the “purported decision”.
He said, “That is also a rationale as to why the precedentof2014shouldnot bethelaw,becausetherewas
under the ministership of Raphael Trotman where Exxon was invited and were summoned as it were and Exxon came - four years after this alleged precedent wasset.”
The former leader of the AFC is of the view that the PPP does not want Exxon and other companies operating in the natural resources sector to be questioned He reasoned,
“We,afterafour-yearperiod, did ask Exxon to come and Exxon came, and I understand the PPP, via Pauline Sukhai had questioned very seriously, Rod Henson (Exxon's Country Manager at the time) and so why can't we now at this stage have questions asked of (current President of ExxonMobil Guyana) Mr (Alistair) Routledge?”
Jagdeo’s shallow critique of NGOs
The Vice President’s assertion that NGOs lack constituencies reflects a f u n d a m e n t a l misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of civil society organizations To conflate the notion of a “constituency” with the essence of an NGO is to
impose a political frameworkonentitieswhose veryexistenceoftendepends on their independence from popular will and political machinery
Constituencies, as traditionally understood, are the lifeblood of political
parties groups that aggregateinterests,mobilize voters, and vie for electoral power NGOs, however, operate in a vastly different
space, where their legitimacy is not derived from the number of people they can rally but from the principles they uphold and theissuestheychampion.
A constituency, in the politicalsense,isacollective of individuals united by
common interests or geographic proximity, whosesupportissolicitedby political candidates seeking election. These constituents are courted, surveyed, and mobilized by political parties, who in turn shape their platforms to reflect the desires of their electorate.
The very structure of a politicalpartyisdesignedto be responsive to its
This relationship is symbiotic: political parties exist to represent their constituencies, and in turn, these constituencies provide
the party with legitimacy throughtheballotbox.
NGOs, by contrast, are not beholden to a constituency in this sense. Their raison d’être is often issue-based rather than power-based, and their legitimacy derives not from numbers but from the moral or intellectual force of their advocacy Anenvironmental NGO, for instance, does not exist to serve a constituency but to protect the e n v i r o n m e n
measured by how many people it can mobilize in support of its cause but by the impact of its work on environmentalpolicy,public awareness, and the preservation of natural resources.
Indeed, many NGOs deliberately eschew the notion of a constituency because their mission is to challenge prevailing norms, question popular opinions, oradvocateformarginalized voices that may not be represented with
n traditional constituencies Their positions are often principledstancesthatdonot seek popularity or majority approvalbutaimtoadvance a cause that transcends the parochial interests of a constituency Thestrengthof an NGO lies in its ability to influence change not through numbers but through reasoned argument, strategic advocacy, and moralpersuasion.
Take, for example, the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), which Vice President Jagdeo si ngled out in his critique. T he APA did not oppose
the sale of carbon credits by Guyana; rather, it raised concerns about the process by which these credits were being put for sale, specifically the meet what the threshold of free, prior, and informed consent from Amerindian communities This is not a matter of constituency politics but of ensuring that the rights of Indigenous peoples are respectedinaccordancewith international norms that are reflectedinGuyana’slaws.
The Guyana Human RightsAssociation(GHRA), despite being dismissively labeled by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as a “oneman organization, ” commands significant influenceoutsideofGuyana. Its reports have often been used to frame the US DepartmentofStateCountry Report on Human Rights practices in Guyana. The latter has consistently quoted the reports of the GHRA For example in 2001, it referenced a GHRA report that the police killed 15 civilians through September, compared with 13 in all of 2000 and which mentioned that the police shot the victims while attempting to arrest them or while a crime was being committed.
The GHRA also wields influence with international human rights bodies, including Amnesty International. A recent international human rights publication catalogued the GHRA’scontributionstothe promotion and protection of human rights. It noted that theGHRAhasdemonstrated remarkable courage in
DEM BOYS SEH
It look like only de Vee
Pee understand dis ting!
Dem Boys Seh when yuh think yuh hear it all, de Vee Pee does come out and mek yuh scratch yuh head. He seh Exxon usin’ equity and retained earnings fuh investinGuyana.Now,deh’swherethings get funny Yuh see, de company dat doing deinvestinginGuyanaisasubsidiary Yes, is Esso Petroleum, not ExxonMobil directly
Suh dem boys wanna know, where de equityreallycomingfrom?IsitEsso,oris itdebigboss,Exxon?Andifitisdeparent company,doesdatmeanExxonadvancing deequitywithoutnointerest?Datsoundin’ toogoodtobetrue.
DendeVeePeetalk‘boutrateofreturn ondisequityinvestment.Buthowcanyuh getarateofreturnwhenyuhsharingprofits 50-50? Last time we check, 50-50 mean everybodygethalf,noextra.
documenting human rights violations in Guyana, producing annual and thematic reports that are invaluable historical resources. The GHRA, it said, had conducted pioneeringstudiesoncritical issues like democracy, Indigenous rights, and justice for rape victims.The GHRA was also credited with playing a significant role in human rights education, campaigns, and promoting racial and religious tolerance Its advocacy for the rights of marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous peoples and women, was deemedtobeinstrumentalin bringing attention to their plights.TheGHRAwasalso acknowledged for its confronting of corruption andenvironmentalconcerns. This acknowledgment by prominent international organizations signifies the GHRA’s credibility and the substantive impact of its work in highlighting human rightsissuesinGuyana.The GHRA’s influence demonstrates that the validity and importance of an NGO’s contributions are notdeterminedbythesizeof its membership but by the integrity and accuracy of its advocacy For Jagdeo, therefore to judge NGOs by the metric of constituency sizeorthenumberofpeople they represent is to misunderstandtheirroleina democratic society. NGOs often operate in spaces where political parties cannot or will not tread. They are the conscience of s o c i e t y, h o l d i n g governments, corporations, and other powerful entities accountablewhentheystray from ethical paths. Their v
lingness to take unpopular positions, and their ability to articulate
alternativevisionsofsociety thatchallengethestatusquo. It is precisely because they donothaveconstituenciesin the traditional sense that NGOs can speak truth to power without fear of electoralrepercussions.
The very nature of advocacy work often requires NGOs to take positions that are not popular, positions that challenge deeply ingrained beliefsorpowerfulinterests. The fight for human rights, civil rights, environmental protection, or gender equality, for example, has often been led by NGOs whose positions were initially unpopular or even reviled by the majority Yet these NGOs persisted, not b e c a u s e t h e y h a d constituencies to support them,butbecausetheywere driven by a commitment to justice, equity, and human rights Over time, their advocacy shifted public opinionandledtosignificant social change Their legitimacy was not derived from the number of their followers but from the righteousness of their cause andtheeffectivenessoftheir advocacy It is also important to recognize that NGOs often represent groupings that are not readily visible in the traditional political sense. Theseconstituenciesmaybe future generations, endangered species, or ecosystems entities that cannot vote or voice their concernsbutwhoseinterests are nonetheless vital to the well-being of society Environmental NGOs, for instance, may advocate for policies that protect forests or rivers, not because these natural entities have a constituency but because they are essential to the health of the planet and, by extension, to human survival To dismiss the
workoftheseNGOsbecause t h e y d o n o t h a v e constituencies is to ignore theinterconnectednessofall life and the importance of stewardship in policymaking.
The role of government officials,suchasJagdeo,ina democratic society is not to question the legitimacy of NGOs based on their membership or following buttoencourageapluralistic model of advocacy where diverse voices can be heard. Thispluralismisessentialto the functioning of a healthy democracy, where different perspectives are valued and where policy decisions are informedbyabroadrangeof views,notjustthosethatare popular or politically expedient. NGOs contribute tothispluralismbybringing issues to the forefront that mayotherwisebeignoredor marginalized.
They enrich the public discourse by introducing new ideas, challenging assumptions,andadvocating forchange.
Instead Jagdeo, seeks to label some of these NGO’s as being anti-PPP, when he should be encouraging the work of NGOs, recognizing that their contributions to publicpolicyareessentialto the health and vibrancy of the nation. Vice President Jagdeo’s critique, therefore, is not only misplaced but also indicative of a broader misunderstandingoftherole of NGOs in a democratic society,onewhichobviously islostonhim.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Dis thing gettin’ real confusing. One minute, de Vee Pee seh one thing, next minute,defactsain’taddingup.Demboys nahtoosureifheevenunderstandwhahe talkin’‘bout.
Whademboyssureofisdis—ifdebig ExxonMobil advancing money to lil Esso without interest, den Exxon gotta be de mostgenerouscompanyindeworld.Andif dem getting a rate of return on top of dat, well, dem boys seh Guyana might as well startprintingitsownmoney,‘causenutten makin’sensenomore.
But hey, dis is Guyana, where oil money flowin’ and common sense drownin’.DeVeePeesehit,suhitmustbe true, right? Dem boys seh if yuh believe dat, yuh might believe de moon made of cheesetoo. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!
H@RD TRUTHS
Corruption is a serial killer, could be 2025 gamechanger
The PPP Government enjoyed a holiday of several years duration where its corruption was concerned. Not anymore. Before, the rancor over the PNC 2020 elections shenanigans overwhelmed all other considerations. Guyanese, especially PPP supporters, knew that there was some swindling and thievery happening in government quarters, but a benign eye ruled. Then, there were the s u c c e s s i o n o f o i l developments, the heavy electricityofglobalattention and expensive national projects blanketing the news. The dullness and
dreariness of corruption got shovedtotheinsidepagesof themedia,andtothebackof the consciousness of citizens. All governments steal. TheonesintheRoman Catholic system in Vatican City,anotherunderaMuslim theocracy in Teheran, and that big one in New Delhi thatissomuchaboutdharma andkarmaarenoexceptions. IfwhereGodsupposedlyhas so much influence corruption still has life, then what about where godlessness reigns supreme. ThereisPPPGuyana.
Thinking of this, I interpreted corruption presence and corruption
power in Guyana in two ways. When it is negligible and somewhat invisible, the people are inaudible, even manageable. By negligible, I mean that everyone knows thatcorruptionisthere,butit is more of a common cold andnotalethalcancer The people shake their heads (“dem bannas dis baad…”). Some of the people smirk (“de PNCEE used to teef tuh”). AndwhenthepeoplePPPbackers,PNCoutsiders, and the mixed bag of those PresidentAlicallsnaysayers and troublemakers-manage to get by the demands of dailyliving,aslipperypeace andtranquilityprevail.
The concern is when corruption becomes such a monstrous beast that it can neither be ignored nor covered up nor condoned any longer. When corruption has reached that chronic condition (critical mass state), then it is more thanaconcern:corruptionis a crisis that threatens a catastrophe I must commend the PPP Governmentforcontributing toitsownself-destruction.
For when PPP loyalists speak alarmingly, angrily, and despondently about corruption, then Guyanese knowwhattheworldknows. PPPGovernment corruption
is bad beyond evaluation, beyond mention, maybe even reconciliation. Nothing and all the books that I can write could ever capture, contain, and convey the cultureofcorruptionthathas seized Guyanese by their necks and suffocates the life out of them. Mention the tender board and revulsion comes. Saytheprocurement commission and vomiting reflux is triggered. Talk about awards and the performance of some contractors and overseeing engineers and it is time for theurinalornumbertwo. Who can pretend not to see, not to care? To round matters off, when the honourablemenandwomen in Guyana are challenged to saysomethingstraightabout what is going on, Guyanese getastoneiftheyarelucky,a snake, if they are not. One honourable citizen reacts by hissing and spitting in venomous serpentine fashion. Matters are made worse, because knowing nods. Self-destruction in action again. Like another babbler and bluffer, the responses to rampant corruption are all coils and menaces, just like one of those shiny and speckled creatures. Thereis a degree of transparency in them, for themoretheydeny,themore they damage and damn themselves.
In a nutshell, PPP corruptionissothickthatthe airinGuyanaisthickerthan that over Beijing, Bombay, andBakucombined. Because of PPP corruption thickness and darkness, Guyanese can't see; Guyanese sinuses flare; Guyanese stomachs sicken. The trouble for the PPP is that those are not only PNC and AFC believers. Those are increasing numbers of PPPdevotees who have had ituptotheireyeballswiththe corruption of their government.
They lament PPP
Government corruption on LibertyAvenue,theyscream about it on Independence Boulevard From Punt TrenchDamtoBella-damto theseadamtothebackdam, the refrain is loud and clear and commanding. Damn them Damn the PPP
Government and its thieving. Damn the rogues andreprobatesthatstealand squander and celebrate, while life is so difficult for theordinarymanandwoman andtheirchildren.
PPP Government corruption has groundings, long transformed into a groundswell, and has now swollen into what smothers citizens with its stench, sickness. It is said that all politics is local. When the pinch is felt by the individual,itislocal. When the pain pierces families, then it is localized. Matters heighten to heated intensity, when the impacts are personal, i.e., the regular mass of left behind people squeezed, the left out made intoloserswhentheworldis tellingthemthattheyarethe biggestwinners.
The losers see the winners and they are not of PNCstripes. Theycheckout who are the arrogant, swaggering bigshots, and they are not AFC operators. The distressed don't have to vote for them. Guaranteed incentivesmaybetoolateto get them to come out come 2025. Corruption is the contributor Corruption could be the difference maker PPP Government corruption looks like the gamechanger Now,ifonly enormously unhappy Guyanese had an alternative in 2025 (The views expressedinthisarticleare those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)
‘Pure terrorism’: World reacts to Israeli settler attack in West Bank
Al Jazeera- Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are reeling after Israeli settlers ravaged a village overnight, killing a 23-yearoldmanandinjuringseveral othersinthelatestincidentof deadly violence against Palestiniansinthearea.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said on Friday that Mahmoud Abdel Qader Saddawasfatallyshotinthe attack on Jit, in the northern West Bank about 10km (six miles)westofNablus.
DozensofmaskedIsraeli settlers descended on the village, opening fire on residents,settingcarsablaze and destroying homes and other property, according to witnesses and video footage fromtheassault.
The attack came amid a surge in Israeli military and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank,whichhasunfoldedin theshadowofIsrael'swaron theGazaStrip.
Nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the WestBankbetweenthestart oftheGazawaronOctober7 andAugust 12, according to the latest figures from the U n i t e d N a t i o n s humanitarian affairs office (OCHA).Rights groups also have criticised Israel for allowingitsforcesaswellas settlers to operate with “endemic impunity” in their attacksagainstPalestinians.
The assault on Jit drew widespread condemnation
from Palestinians as well as foreign leaders, including those from countries that continue to provide military and diplomatic support for IsraelamidtheGazawar
Here are some of the reactions:
PalestinianAuthority
The Palestinian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as an act of “organised state terrorism”.
“We demand the imposition of deterrent sanctions on the racist colonial system, the dismantling of the terrorist settler militias, and the prosecution of their members,” it said in a statement.
Hamas
The Palestinian faction, whichgovernsGaza,offered condolences to the man killedinJit.
In a statement, Hamas said the attack was part of I s r a e l ' s “ f a s c i s t exterminationplans”.
“Wecallonourpeoplein all governorates of the West Bank to rise up in anger to deter the settlers and repel their terrorist attacks,” the groupsaid.
Israel's “policy of incursions, assassinations and unleashing settler gangs will only increase our people's adherence to their landandholysites”.
Israel
P r i m e M i n i s t e r Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he viewed “with
utmost severity the disturbancesthattookplace” in Jit, “which included attacks on people and property by Israelis who enteredthevillage”.
“It is the [Israeli army] and the security forces that fight terrorism, and nobody else. Those responsible for any offense will be apprehended and tried,” the statementsaid.
Yoav Gallant, Israel's defence minister, also condemned the violence, which he attributed to “radicalindividuals”.
UnitedStates
A spokesperson for the US National Security Councilsaidthat“attacksby violent settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank are unacceptable andmuststop”.
“Israeli authorities must take measures to protect all communitiesfromharm,this includes intervening to stop suchviolenceandholdingall perpetratorsofsuchviolence t o a c c o u n t , ” t h e spokesperson said, as reportedbyUSmedia.
The US ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, added in a socialmediapostthatIsraeli settlerattacks“muststopand the criminals be held to account”.
EuropeanUnion
Josep Borrell, the EU foreignpolicychief,saidthe attack in Jit “aimed at terrorising Palestinian civilians”.
“Day after day, in an
A Palestinian woman inspects a vehicle destroyed during an Israeli settler attack in the village of Jit, in the West Bank, August 16 [Raneen Sawafta/Reuters]
almosttotalimpunity,Israeli settlers fuel violence in the occupied West Bank, contributingtoendangerany chance of peace,” he wrote on social media, urging Israel to “stop these unacceptable actions immediately”.
UnitedKingdom
BritishForeignSecretary David Lammy said he condemns the attack “in the strongestofterms”.
“Thescenesovernightof the burning and the torching of buildings, of the Molotov cocktails thrown at cars, of thewidespreadrampageand chasing of people from their homes,isabhorrent,”hetold reporters in Jerusalem alongside his French counterpart.“Prime Minister Netanyahuhassaidthatthere willbeaswiftinvestigation. Ihopethatthatinvestigation can ensure that those who engaged in this settler violence over the course of thelast24hoursarebrought tojustice.”
France
French Foreign Minister StephaneSejournesaid“any act that would destabilise” negotiation efforts – notably toreachaceasefireinGaza–is“unacceptable”.
“Weareveryvigilantand attentive and we denounce this situation,” he said, noting that France imposed sanctions against “violent settlers”earlierthisyear
UnitedNations Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the UN's humanrightsoffice,saidthe violence in Jit was “not an isolatedattack”.
“It is the direct consequence of Israel's policy of settlement in the West Bank. We have been reporting for the past years about settlers attacking Palestinian communities in their land in the West Bank with impunity,” Shamdasani toldreporters.
“And this really is the crux of the matter: the impunity that the
perpetrators of such grave violations have been enjoying.”
Sheaddedthattherehave been “reports of Israeli security forces standing by as attacks take place”, as well as reports of “weapons being distributed to the settlers”.
UNspecialrapporteur Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, said sanctions must be imposed on Israel afterthesettlerattack.“Time to act was decades ago: as it was not done, that time is now,”shewroteonX.
PeaceNow
The Israeli group described the settlers's rampage in Jit as a “pogrom”.
“This is pure settler terrorism—supported by the state, sponsored by our government,” Peace Now saidonX.
Govt. wants payment period to Guyanese companies operating in oil and gas sector
reduced to 21 days
TheGovernmentof Guyana (GoG) through the Local Content Secretariat (LCS) is workingtohavethepayment period to local companies operating in the petroleum industryreducedto21days.
The Government had solidified its commitment to ensuring that the benefits derived from the foreign direct investments into Guyana's petroleum sector are captured and retained in-
country, through the enactment of the Local ContentActof2021.
However,despitethelaw being implemented, there werestillseveralissueslocal companies encountered; one being the prolonged issuing of payments to local suppliers Guyanese businesses had voiced their concerns and in 2022, the government issued an ultimatum to contractors and sub-contractors operating in theoilandgassectortoissue payments to Guyanese supplierswithin30to45days following the receipt of a correctinvoice.
AttheMinistryofNatural
Resources press conference on Wednesday, Dr Martin Pertab, the Director of the Local Content Secretariat within the Ministry of NaturalResources,disclosed thatwhiletheSecretariathad reduced the payment period to35to45days,theyarenow looking to further revise that period.
“We'reindiscussionwith some of the major tier-one companies, including the contractor, to have that payment period revised downward to 21 days,” he said.
The shortened payment period is part of a broader strategybytheLocalContent Secretariat to create a more favorable business environment for local companies.
Additionally, Dr Pertab revealed that local companies have earned a totalofUS$314millionfrom the oil and gas sector within the first six months of 2024. This figure represents more than half of the projected annual earnings for the sector
“As of June 30, 2024
…LocalsearnedUS$314Mwithinfirsthalfof2024
expenditure among the related sector is somewhere around US$314 million of 54% of the 2024 projected estimate, when compare to mid-year of 2023, we are seeing growth in some areas suchasengineeringmachine services by 238%, we have s e e n g r o w t h i n accommodation services by 39%,wehaveseengrowthin equipment rental by 48.5% and catering by 18.8%,” the Directorstated.
Notably,heattributedthis to the increase in petroleum activitiesduetothearrivalof thethirdFloatingProduction Storage and Offloading (FPSO).
In addition, the Local Content Secretariat has been working closely with local businesses to identify and overcome other challenges under the local content law Dr. Pertab underscored the importance of collaboration with the private sector, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in shaping policy directions and addressing obstacles faced bylocalcompanies.
“Sofar,wehavereceived several recommendations from these stakeholders, and we are in the process now of r e v i s i n g t h o s e recommendationsandoneof course is what we are referringtoas[subsea]pipecoating,”Dr.Pertabsaid.
“As of now, we are in discussion with some of the tier-onecompaniesthatdeals directly with this particular serviceandtheconcernisthe high energy cost and we all knowtheadventofthegasto
energy project, once we can bring down that energy cost by 50%, pipe coating services is something that is highly possible would likely be done in Guyana which willlikelyboostlocalcontent activities in Guyana somewherearound10%,”he added.
Moreover, Dr Pertab noted that one of the notable successes was the expansion ofalocalcompanyproviding machine and fabrication services.
Through engagements facilitatedbytheSecretariat, this company has moved from offering basic services to manufacturing premium accessories,securingamajor purchaseorderasaresult.
He said, “In fact, just recently,theyhavereceiveda major purchase order following our engagement with the contractor and subcontractors…”
The Secretariat is also placingastrongemphasison supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, with a particular focus on women-ownedbusinesses.
Two
A standout achievement in this area is the recent awardofamajorcontracttoa female-owned business, which rapidly expanded its workforce in response to the demand.
Furthermore, the Local Content Secretariat is advancing its efforts to upskill the local workforce.
Earlier this year, the Secretariat announced an initiative to place 100 students with major tier-one companies for hands-on experience. Dr Pertab stated that as of mid-2024, 53 students have been successfullyplaced,withthe remainder expected to join byyear'send.
Notably, he also gave an update on the mobile app stating, “We have been working on the mobile app and we are hoping to have that finalised by the end of this year as of now, we are working on the interface to ensure that it is user friendly and could be used by the publicingeneral.”
AccordingtoPertab,over the past six months, 54 new women-owned companies have registered with the Secretariat, providing services such as catering, accommodation, and janitorialwork.
Two miners were killed on Friday after a mining pit collapsed at a back dam at Mahdia,RegionEight.
Dead are Sherwayne Joseph of Moruca, North West District, Region One andImranBlake.Theminers were reportedly buried alive around 02:30hrs on Friday, whileworkinginthepit. Relatives were left in a
state of shock after receiving thetragicnews.Blakeissaid tobe19-years-old.
Melisa Samantha Blake, his aunt in a Facebook post said, “I keep asking why my nephew, you only turn Nineteenacoupleweeksago son ”She continued, “God pleasegiveusthestrengthto face this especially my sister anddad”.
Dr. Martin Pertab, the Director of the Local Content Secretariat
miners die after mining pit collapses at Madhia
Dead: Imran Blake Dead: Sherwayne Joseph
Father of three on $500,000 bail for thieving cash, television, and other items
A father of three, was granted $500,000 bail on Friday after he was charged with two counts of simple larceny
Forty-year-old, Brental Charles, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court to answer to the two charges.
The first charge alleges that Charles on August 14, 2024 at Brickdam Stabroek, Georgetown stole $2,200,000 in Guyana currency from DukeshDudnauth.
Charles, who is allegedly nostrangertolaw,wascaught
o n C C T V e n t e r i n g Dudnauth'scarandtakingthe money while it was parked nearStarrComputers.
Dudnauth reported the theft to the police immediatelyafterdiscovering the money missing upon
returning to his car Subsequent investigations by policeledtoCharles'arrest.
Charlespleadednotguilty tothischarge.
The second charge states that on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at New Market Street, Georgetown, Charles allegedly stole a television valued at $100,000, three amplifiers worth $300,000, four speaker boxes valued at $68,000,and$10,000incash, totaling $478,000 in
Guyanese currency, belongingtoSadiqqiWahab.
CCTV footage captured Charlestakingtheitemsfrom Wahab'sminibuswhileitwas parked outside the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation(GPHC).
Represented by attorneyat-law, Yuborn Allicock, Charles also pleaded not guiltytothesecondchargeas well.
The defence argued that Charles was not a flight risk and had no similar cases pendingincourt.
The prosecution objected to bail, stating that Charles had similar offences while addingthattheCCTVfootage will be disclosed at the next court hearing as a part of the evidence.
Bail was set at $300,000 for the first charge and $200,000forthesecond,with reportingconditionsimposed.
Thematterisadjournedto September 13, 2024, for furtherproceedings.
Team Mohamed builds new house for Angoy's Avenue fire victims
On Friday, Mohamed handed over the keys to the newly built hometoRudolphMajeetandhisfamily
The fire left Majeet's family homeless and also destroyed his smallbusiness.
Majeet contacted the businessman for assistance after the devastatingblaze.
“As such, a response team was quickly assembled, and constructionbegan,”Mohamedsaidbeforeadding, “Oncetheroof was installed, the family was able to move into their new home, whichprovidedthemwithmuch-neededprivacyandcomfort.”
Brental Charles at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court
Businessman Azruddin Mohamed handing over the keys to the newly built home to the Majeet family.
Court rules Photographer Keron
Bruce is ‘Mudwata’
...ordered to pay $3M fine or spend 6 months in prison
The Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates' Court on F r i d a y r u l
photographerKeronBruceis 'M
characterthathasbeenvocal on social media and ordered himtopaya$3Mfinewithin one month or spend six months in prison.Bruce was chargedin2022withusinga computer to embarrass and humiliate local journalist Leroy Smith, the proprietor of Big Sm
th News Watch.The photographer of 295 Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Magistrate SunilScarce.
The charge stated that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, EBD, Bruce used a computer system to disseminate information about Smith, knowing same to be false. Smith contended t
Photographer: Keron Bruce
on subjected him to public ridicule,contempt,hatred,or embarrassment. Bruce, who was represented, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was initially granted $100,000 bail.
Fish vendor charged with discharging a loaded gun
A34-year-oldfishvendor ofTucville,Georgetown,was charged on Friday for dischargingaloadedfirearm.
The accused, Marvin Blackman, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Annette Singh to answer the charge which states that he discharged a loaded gun at Kevin Allicock at the Meadow Bank Wharf, East BankDemerara(EBD).
Reports are that on August 10, 2024 at around 04:00hrs,Allicockwasatthe
w Blackman seated as a passenger on a motorcycle from40metersaway
The victim observed the accused retrieving a black object resembling a firearm fromhispants.
Upon seeing this, the victim ran as Blackman allegedly fired two shots in his direction, both missing him Blackman was later
allegation which he denied, and was later charged. A search was conducted at Blackman's home, but no
firearmwasfound.
The accused pleaded not guiltytothecharge.
His lawyer, George Thomas, stated that the accusedhadanongoinglegal matter but was consistently presentforcourtappearances and willing to adhere to any conditions the court may have.
Thomas told the court that he believed the victim's accusationswerefabricated.
Meanwhile,Allicockwas remanded on Wednesday after being arraigned at Georgetown Magistrates' Court on an attempted murdercharge.
On the same day of the incident with Blackman, Allicock had confronted Beni(onlynameprovided)at the Meadow Bank Wharf, instructing him to keep his associates away from his brother
Beni reportedly ignored Allicock's warning and that resulted in Allicock physically assaulting Beni who collapsed, lost consciousness and sustained headinjuries.
was arrested and disclosed to police that hewastargetedinashooting incident following the altercation This led to
Marvin Blackman at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court
Allicock
Blackmanbeingarrested. Blackman was placed on $50,000 and is scheduled to returntocourtonSeptember 6,2024.
Labourer on $60,000 bail for stealing motor blower and other items
A 23-year-old labourer of Lot 150 Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice was placed on $60,000 bail on Friday after being charged with Simple Larceny.
The accused, Ravindra Totaram, known as Ravin, reportedly stole several items from Alvin Rupert, a 64-yearold rice farmer.
Among the stolen items are a motor blower valued at $120,000, an impact gun worth $75,000, a grinding machine priced at $20,000, and a Bluetooth radio valued at $5,000.
The items were reportedly stolen from Rupert’s residence between August 12 and 13, 2024.
Totaram appeared before
Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Whim Magistrates’ Court, where the charges were read to him. He is scheduled to return to court on September 17, 2024.
Govt’s 10% proposed salary...
From page 06 appeared to be divided on its position on the Government of Guyana’s new proposal of 10% salary increase retroactively for 2024.
The new proposal also entails 8% for 2025 and 9% 2026. This publication was informed, the GTU President Dr. Mark Lyte had circulated a statement to the general membership of the Union stating that the General Council met on Friday and accepted the Government’s revised proposal.
The statement said, “Colleagues, good morning. General Council met yesterday and made a decision to accept MoE’s revised offer of 10, 8, 9 % for the three-year period with the caveat that should public servants get more than our offer, the difference will be given to teachers.
These direct financial benefits will be added to other indirect financial ones outlined in the other areas of the agreement. The union wishes to have some of these benefits rolled out in the month of September.”
Lyte had told the membership he intended to sign the agreement on Monday. “Hence, an early date of signing would be beneficial to our members. Towards this end, GC was asked to engage our members by region, branch, small group, etc., so as to update members. These engagements are expected to unfold today and tomorrow so that on Monday, we can sign the agreement. Four officers (President, 1st and 2nd VP’s, and GS) will attend the signing session at 09:00hrs on Monday at MoE’s Boardroom. We are aware that what is agreed was not what was requested,” Dr. Lyte said in the statement.
However, a few hours after Lyte’s statement was issued, McDonald disseminated a statement of her own
WANTED
Wanted hair dressers and Nail Technician. Call: 6218851.
Male able- bodied Staff to work in general store. Call: 231-2029, 616-5954.
1 Cashier/ Counter clerk to work at a poultry outlet. $120,000 monthly. Call: 2275222 / 708-4374.
expressing disgust with the decision taken by Lyte.
“Colleagues good afternoon. This issue is one of grave concern to our members who have entrusted confidence in us, as such it is our responsibility to engage our members and not the GC Reps.
I am unable to wrap my head around the reason we keep shying away from our members. When we wanted their votes, we went out there to meet them and at this time, we should give them the respect. We have a Zoom platform that their dues pay for, let’s use it and lay on the table the issue that is before us,” she said.
McDonald said, “As the elected General Secretary, I disagree with the position that is being adopted at this time for several reasons...”
LEGAL NOTICE
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
Handyman to work around C/ Ville. $6000 daily.Call: 227-5222 / 708-4374.
One night Guard La Penitance area.Call: 227-5222 / 708-4374.
Wanted Maths Tutor. Contact : 223-5273/223-5274.
Cook needed to work in a bar at Providence. Call : 625-3037 / 233-5450.
Experience sales girl needed at Courtney's Boutiques. Stall B Bourda Market.Tel:2273407 / 616-7283.
Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100-$4900 per day. Workers paid weekly. Call: 6117839.
EDUCATION
Nayelli school of cosmetology is n ow enrolling for cosmetology courses beginning September 9th,2024, 211 New Market st. Call: 2262124.
FIRST AID/CPR/AED as well as home nursing courses at St. John Association starting shortly . Call 225-9082.
VACANCY
General Domestic, must know to cook, clean , press ect. 3 days, $6000, 8-4 at Keyfood, Mcdoom village next to the post office.
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.
Intropic inc looking for a female to work in factory on the East Bank. Age 35-40. Call : 716-9799.
Mining equipment, Maroc nozzles starting from $3,500 & chinese engine bed starting from $21,000. Call: 6981267/657-9121.
3 Bedroom flat house in Tuschen & High income property in Providence. Call: 644-9333 / +1 (917)771-5202.
1-320 D Caterpillar Excavator with 3066 engine in excellent condition,if interested contact: 701-4000 Monday - Friday 8am-5pm.
SERVICES
Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.
Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.
Need a bus or planning an outing. Call Matthew bus services & tours, Surniname/ Braz. Whatsapp : 639-2663/ 673-2348.
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 Applicant TO: JOEL HARDINGADDRESS
alarm, low milage. Call: 649-0956.
TOURS
SURINAME August vacation tour trip from 24-082024-29-08-2024 for more information. Call Matthew 6392663 or 6732348.(Whatsapp)
Bus tour to Suriname. 3 Nights & 4 days holiday, from Tuesday 27th August to Friday 30th. Contact : 650-3686.
UNKNOWN TAKE 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
BUS SERVICES
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,
PEN PAL
One middle age AfroGuyanese man is interested in a single female companion. Text or call : 662-2018.
One (1) electrician for Eccles Call 615-9132 or 645-8443.
Ravindra Totaram
Travellers advised to consider monkey pox vaccine
BBC - Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visting affected areas in Africa,newadvicesays.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its recommendations in responsetooutbreaksofanew strain of the virus Other continents, including Europe, can expect some cases too, it says ECDCsaystheriskofit
spreading everywhere is low, despite the World Health Organization recently declaringthempoxsituationa globalemergency Thedisease - formerly known as monkeypox-canbepassedon by close contact with anyone withtheinfection
Those who have been vaccinated against mpox in thepastmightonlyneedonetop up dose, rather than two shots.Boostervaccinedoses are typically recommended every two to 10 years if a person remains at continued riskforexposure. Mpoxhas killed at least 450 people in the DRC in recent months, linkedtoanewtypeorClade called 1b. What’s known about mpox Mpox can be passed on from person to personthrough: any close physical contactwithmpoxblistersor scabs (including during
sexual contact, kissing, cuddlingorholdinghands) touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someonewithmpox ·thecoughsorsneezesof a person with mpox when they’reclosetoyouItcases flu-like symptoms, skin lesions and can be fatal for some. Experts say there is still a lot to learn about 1b, butitmaybespreadingmore easily, causing more serious disease Pamela RendiWagner from the ECDC said:“Asaresultoftherapid spread of this outbreak in Africa, ECDC has increasd the level of risk for the general population in the EU/EEA and travellers to affected areas. Due to the close links between Europe and Africa we must be prepared for more imported Clade 1 cases” Currently,
Mpox causes flu-like symptoms and a distinctive rash (Reuters)
therearenocasesofClade1b mpoxconfirmedintheUKbut expertssaycasescanspreadif international action is not taken Acaseofmpoxhasalso beendetectedinSwedenafter a person became infected during a stay in an area of Africa where the disease is spreading The ECDC recommendsthatpublichealth authorities plan and prepare
for quick detection of any more cases that may reach Europe A previous mpox public health emergency, declared in 2022, was caused by a different, milder strain calledClade2.
Despite having effective vaccines against mpox, too few doses are currently getting to where they are neededmost.
(Reuters) - Cedrine Kerbaol became the firstever home stage winner of the Tour de France Femmes afteralateattackonthehilly s i x t h s t a g e f r o m
Remiremont to Mortgeau yesterday
Kerbaol (CeratizitWNT) broke clear on the descent of the day’s final climb with 15km to go, openingupagapthatproved decisive, winning by 21 seconds from the pursuing
group.Herdaringridelifted her to second in the general classification, 16 seconds behindyellowjerseywearer KatarzynaNiewiadomawho tooktheleadontheprevious stage following a crash involving then leader Demi Vollering.
Dutch great Marianne Vossprintedtosecondonthe stage to take over the green jersey Today’s 164-km
s
categorisedclimbs.
Saturday August 17, 2024
ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)
A challenging day is in store foryou,Aries.Ifyou'repartof a group or team or simply among friends, you may feel somewhatillatease.Couldit be that you instill jealousy in others? There's only one way tofindout.
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 makesitverydifficultforyou to join us in the great communal river that we're all tryingtonavigate,Virgo.You prefertotravelsolo.
France’s Cedrine Kerbaol in action during the Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial. (REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo)
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Be disciplined about all areas ofyourbody,Libra.Takeextra care to eat healthful, balanced meals. Make sure you get enough sleep And even thoughyougripeabouthaving no time, get out there and exercise.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
If you've been feeling deep anger,todayisn'tthedaytolet it out but rather the day to consider its source. Any large gatheringsoffamilyorfriends shouldbeavoidedatallcosts.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
If by chance you still harbor some resentment toward someone, Sagittarius, it will probably come out today.You might be uncompromising or evenvengeful.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You don't suffer fools gladly, and superficial fools even less so. You have a mind to teach those around you a lesson. You'reuncompromisingtoday, and you can't understand why others don't have your same highstandards.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Hereisadayofchallenges, Aquarius You're a pro at questioning yourself, as you'll prove today when you take a
k a t y o u r accomplishments What have youcreatedofapersonalnature inthelasttenyears.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Ifyougivetheimpressionthat you're in a reserved and introspective mood (even if you aren't), you'll succeed in avoiding confrontation Today there is no such thing as a simpleexchangewithsomeone
GFF signs exclusive kit deal...
Frompage24
The 10 years that followed The MEYBA M was worn by the likes of Maradona, Michael Laudrup, Ronald Koeman,andtheyoungPep Guardiola all managed by JohanCryuff.
MEYBA has worked withandcontinuestosupply professional football clubs globally
Today,MEYBAbringsa collection of fashion forward lifestyle product to complement our football heritage Recent fashion collaborations include the Famous FC REAL BRISTOLfrom J a p a n , R a v e Skateboards in Paris, The HueyPNewtonFoundation inOaklandCalifornia& FSTBLB&Voll-Damm in our home city of Barcelona. In addition to thisactivityin2023
MEYBAsigneda3-year exclusive Partnership to produce the first ever officially licensed “The Beatles”footballrange.
ThefirstMEYBAxGFF bespokeplayingjerseyswill be launched in December 2024 and be available from MEYBA.com and retailers globally
Sunday at Wakenaam
Kerbaol solos to stage six win of Tour de France Femmes Saudia Narine birth anniversary dominoes set for
Saudia Narine, an overseas based Guyanese, will be hosting her birth anniversary dominoes competition on Sunday at Carlosh Sports bar, Good Success,Wakenaam.
Entrance fee is $18,000 and the winning team will
collect a trophy and a cash prize. Trophies will also be given to the runner up and theMVP. Among the teams set to participate are Underdog, All-StarandTuschen.
Double six time is 10:00hrs.
Organiser Vijay Persaud (left) accepts the first prize from Ishwar Narine, a relative of the sponsor Saudia Narine.
Pooran family wins horse at Guyana Cup
Itisa‘StrokeofLuck’ o r d i v i n e intervention for the Pooran’s household. They did not run a race, but unknowinglywasaverybig winner with a 5,000 entry tickettotheraces. They were undecided
about attending last
Sunday’s Guyana Cup Day of racing at Rising SunTurf Club (RSTC). Their reason being they lost their only
horse, which was like a family member to their household.
Mourning the loss created the uncertainty of attending the most prestigious day of racing on the country’s sporting calendar
Acall from a very close friend, Randy (Dinesh Deodatt) one week before Guyana Cup changed their mindset.
Randy also an avid horsemanwasonhiswayto buy tickets for the Guyana Cup, and enquired if they wantedhimtobuyticketsfor them.
Randyshared,“Iknewa horse was going to be raffled.Soifyoudon’thave aticket.
Youdon’thaveachance. So I went with the hope we could win the horse I purchased 12 tickets, at a
cost of $5,000 each.When I returned home I told my wife, Gracelin Campbell to giveoutthetickets.Shegave the Pooran family from the stack of tickets - the first three tickets (numbers 0132 -0535).”
Shortly after reaching his milestone, Markram fell to Motie, who also trapped opposition skipper Temba Bavuma (4) LBW
The mini collapse saw Seales then dismissbothStubbsandDavidBedingham who was bowled for a duck, leaving Verreynnewithmuchtodo.
South Africa came out after the final intermission of the day looking to push theirleadtoapossible200-runmark,with the home team desperately needing wickets
West Indies vs. South Africa 2nd Test at Providence Day 2... Verreynne, Markram fifties turn Proteas luck around, as
Windies toil on tough 2nd day
Aiden Markram and Kyle Verreynne steadied the South African ship with a classy 2nd innings halfcenturies which helped extend the lead to 239 runs heading into Day 3 versus the Windies at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The second day of the final Test belonged to the South Africans, who shifted the momentum after a more composed, proactive approach to their batting duringthesecondinnings.
West Indies resumed on 97-7 but were eventually bowled out for 144 in 42.4 overs, thanks to Jason Holder who turned his
overnight score 33 into 54 notout.
The all-rounder struck 6 foursandasixasheaddeda 43-ball, 40-run 10th wicket partnership with Joseph, whofoundthefenceonfour occasions along with a maximum in his 25 off 27 ballinnings. At the close of play on Day 2, South Africa were 223-5. Markram led with 51 off 108 balls with six fours. Support came from Tristan Stubbs(24)andhispartnerat thetop,TonydeZori(39).
In-form wicketkeeper/batsman Verreynne was 50 not out while allrounder Wiaan Mulder was on34atstumps.
The pair kept the ship afloat as they saw the lead grow past 200, with their unbroken partnership of 84 setting the tone for an interestingthirdday West Indies fast-bowler Jayden Seales carried his form over into the 2nd innings, leading with 3-52 while Guyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie chippedinwith2-51.
After looking to stretch their meager lead which hovered around the 50-run mark heading into lunch, openers de Zori who hit 5 fours and Markram looked completely different from the first innings as they played more confident
Guyanese cyclists to compete in 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana in French Guiana
Th e G u y a n a
C y c l i n g Federation has informed that Guyana will be represented at the 33rd edition of the Tour Cycliste deGuiana,scheduledtotake place fromAugust 17 to 25, 2024,inFrenchGuiana.
Despite Quincy Ridley’s absence from Kaieteur AttackRacingCyclingClub, whowasunabletotravelfor the event due to unforeseen circumstances, Team Guyana remains strong and ready to compete in this prestigiousnine-stagerace.
Thecyclistsrepresenting Guyanaare:
Briton John: We Stand UnitedCyclingClub
Christopher Griffith: KFC Evolution Cycling Club Cortis Dey: KFC
Evolution Cycling Club
Alex Mendes: Kaieteur AttackRacingCyclingClub
Paul Choo-wee-nam: Team Alanis The team was officially presented in French Guiana on August 15, 2024, including team manager and mechanic where they proudly displayed their national colours and were warmly received by the local c o m m u n i t y a n d international media The cyclists have undergone rigorous training and are fully prepared to face top competitors from Suriname, French Guiana, France, M a r t i n i q u e , a n d Guadeloupe.
The President of the Guyana Cycling Federation expressed confidence in the
- South Africa lead by 239-runs heading into Day 3
cricketstrokes.
The pair put on South Africa’saswellastheir50in the 10th over of the first afternoonsession,following the resumption of play after lunchbreak.
Both batsmen found the ropes with relative ease, as
the left/right-hand combo provedtobeanirritanttothe Windies fast-bowlers, who struggledabitonthesecond daypitch.
Seales got the first breakthroughwhenhebroke theedgeofZeZori,whofell to an excellent catch from
wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva, but South Africa’s 100-runleadcameupshortly after with new batsman TristanStubbscomingtothe crease.
When tea arrived, the Proteashadalready (Continuedonpage20)
team’s ability to perform well.
“Althoughweregretthat QuincyRidleycouldnotjoin the team for this event, we are confident that our cyclists will represent Guyana with determination andexcellence.
They have trained hard, and we are proud of their commitment.
The Tour Cycliste de Guiana is known for its challenging routes and competitive field, making it a significant event in the Caribbean cycling calendar The Guy
Federation extends its
supporters, sponsors, and
preparationoftheteam.
Aiden Markram looked assured against spin. (AFP/Getty Images)
Jason Holder brought up his fifty with a six. (AFP/Getty Images)
Maurice Solomon & Co sponsors upcoming Medal Play Golf Tournament at Lusignan Golf Club T usignan
The Lusignan Golf Club is set to host a prestigious M e d a l P l a y G o l f Tournament tomorrow, Sunday, August 18, 2024,
graciously sponsored by Maurice Solomon & Co.
This event promises a showcase of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship,
attracting golfers from various handicap brackets and celebrating the region’s richgolftradition.
The tournament will
Officials at the handover of the sponsorship for the event.
follow the Medal Play format across 18 carefully designed holes, challenging golfers of all levels. The men’s division will be divided into two handicap flights: 0-14 and 15-28.The topthreeperformersineach flight, based on net scores, willberecognized,ensuring a competitive yet inclusive atmosphere.
The tournament also includes the “Best Ladies’ Prize”tohighlighttheclub’s commitmenttodiversityand inclusion in the sport Additional awards such as “Nearest to #4” and “LongestDrive-#5”willadd excitement and technical challenge.
Top honours will be
GFF
given for the “Best Net Overall” and “Best Gross” awards, celebrating both consistent play and exceptional individual performances.
Contact can be made withtheLusignanGolfClub at 220-5660 or via WhatsApp at 677-3758 for anydetails.
On tournament day, August 18, golfers should assemble by 8:45 am under the iconic tree near the clubhousefora9:00amteeoff.Theclub’sManagerand Captain will be available to distribute scorecards and handle administrative details.
F o l l o w i n g t h e tournament, around 1:00
pm, there will be a prize presentation to honour the day’s top performers Additionally, a card raffle sponsored by Froggy’s will offer participants more chances to win prizes, enhancing the event’s communityspirit. The Lusignan Golf Club’s tournament, under theesteemedsponsorshipof Maurice Solomon & Co, embodies the spirit of golf—a blend of precision, perseverance, and passion. Participants and spectators canlookforwardtoadayof competitive energy and sporting excellence as the event brings together seasoned golfers and enthusiasticamateurs.
signs exclusive kit deal with European Sports Brand MEYBA
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially appointed European sports brand MEYBA to provide both home and away kits for Guyana’s women’s and men’steamsforaperiodof5 (five)years.Inaddition,they will provide a range of branded highly quality training & travel wear + accessories.
Commenting on this newfound partnership was the President of the GFF, Wayne Forde who noted, “The Guyana Football Federation is delighted to appoint MEYBA as our official kit and apparel partner As a highly reputable global brand, MEYBA brings years of experience and expertise in this industry that will surely buttress the strategic objectivesoftheGFF.”
He added, “Through our alliance with MEYBA, we
intend to redefine what it means to wear our colours it’saboutpride,passion,and shared commitment to excellence. Over the next five years of our collaboration, we will place greater emphasis on the design and production of a range of merchandise that willreflectthepassionofour fans, the culture of our people and our love for the game. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with the Management and Team at MEYBA ” Meanwhile,
Jonathan Jones, Global Head of Marketing at MEYBA, stated, “We are thrilled to announce this groundbreakingpartnership. CONCACAF is one of the most exciting regions in globalfootball,andwecan’t wait to see the Golden Jaguars and the Lady Jaguars in their upcoming World Cup qualification campaign wearing the famousMEYBAtracks&M logoontheirchests.”
MEYBA was formed in Barcelona,Spain,createdby Josep Mestre and Joaquim Ballbé. They teamed up in the 1940s with a dream of co-creating a classic swim andsportswearline,and
“ME‘y’BA”wasborn.
In 1981 MEYBA became internationally known, by signing an agreement with FC Barcelona to become their firstbrandedKitsupplier In (Continuedonpage21)
Six teams remain in CSGI country wide pool tournament
The action promises to be intense and may the best team emerge as the winners.
Over the last 3 weeks we have witnessed many vigorous and exciting matches from 20 Pools teamscomingoutofLinden, Bartica,Berbice,EastBank, Georgetown, East Coast, West Bank, andWest Coast.
Wesawtheseteamsbattling it out on 9ft tables throughout Guyana fighting for a position in the final matches and ultimately lifting the 2024 CSAG and Ivanoff National Team ChampionshipTrophy
It’snowcrunchtimeand we are down to our final six teams:Team Predators, East Bank Snipers, Cue in Line, Chief Pool Club, Berbice StrikersandSuicideSquad.
These teams were set to battle yesterday with the final four on show today at Butchers Chill Spot on SheriffStreet.
Theseteamshaveshown throughout this tournament whytheydeservetobeinthe final six They have showcasedclassandskillsin everymatchtooutsmartand
outplay their opponents ensuring their spot in the final six and move closer to the lucrative prize fund of over2milliondollars.
Peerless Solutions East Bank Snipers and Suicide
Squad have already cementedtheirspotinthe1st semi finals. We encourage pool fans to come witness the remaining action as the otherfourteamsbattleitout for the last two semi-final spots. Yesterday, Cue in LinetookonTeamPredators at Jason Pool Bar (South Georgetown), and Berbice Strikers faced Chief Pool Club at Butchers Chill Spot (Sheriff Street) to determine thefinalfour
Thefinalfourteamswill go head-to-head today, Saturday, August 17th, to battleitoutintheSemifinals tosecuretheirpositioninthe final which is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, August 18th at Butchers Chill Spot from 2pm. The Board of Directors of Cue Sports Association Guyana Inc would like to thank and
congratulate everyone who participatedinthisfirst-of-akind tournament in Guyana, and we wish all the teams who are still in the tournamentthebestofluck. CSAGwouldalsoliketo thank the following venues for hosting the games: Sunil andSonPoolBar(Mahaica),
Canada-based Guyanese Avinash Singh pilots Better-Hope to victory with hat-trick
Dynamic all-
rounder and Canada-based
Guyanese Avinash Singh took a hat-trick last Sunday for Better-Hope in the continuation of the 2024 Ontario Softball Cricket LeagueRegularSeasonT20 competition against Leguan Warriors at Littles ground, Scarborough.
Better-Hope won by six wickets with 13 balls to spare having chased down L e g u a n Wa r r i o r s ’ competitive 175-7 from the allotted20-overs.
Singh conceded 21 runs fromthreetidyovers.
Leguan Warriors’ innings was built around a brilliant 91 from former Guyana youth player Krishna Deosaran after they insertedbythewinningside.
The left-handed Deosaran slammed 11 sixes andtwofoursduringhis41ballexhibitionatthecrease.
Avinash Singh
F a z e e m H a n i f f contributed25.Thepairalso featuredinaflamboyant84run second-wicket stand after they lost veteran batsman Naresh Bodo cheaply (4) at 11-1 in the secondover
Butchers Chill Spot (Sheriff Street), Suraj Sports Bar (Meten-Meer-Zorg) and JasonPoolBar(South). IvanoffVodkaisthetitle
sponsor, with Toucan Distributors, Farfan and M
We
Innovations Guyana, Auto Fashion, MMG and Coss Cutter are other main sponsors.
Guyanese Singh returned with the bat to make a topscore of 49 for Better-Hope while Yohandlall Sukhall supportedSinghwith34not outandRovendraMandolall anunbeaten23.
simultaneous matches before the Playoff segment startsthenextSunday
Guyanese cyclists to compete in 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana in French Guiana
Guyanese cyclists will be represented in the 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana.
