Ramadan in Gaza begins with hunger worsening and
no end to
sight
Citizens ask full bench oil spill guarantee
to hear appeal for proof of ExxonMobil’s US$2B
at WCD supermarket
...MP Patterson says documents will reveal real beneficiaries
Govt. denies paying $75M to hotel but provides no proof …no public tender was done, rooms were obtained through quotation system
Agreements for the Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project are yet to be laid in the National Assembly despite repeated commitments by government.
This has sparked concern among stakeholders, since it remains the single largest financial project ever pursued by Guyana. Pegged at US$2B, the GTE project is not supported by a feasibility study; the government has also not released any of the agreements inkedwithExxonMobilortheother contractorsinvolvedintheproject.
Since 2022, the government signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the Stabroek Coventuresthatoutlinestheprinciples and conditions for the commercial and technical arrangements of the deal. The GTE project includes a pipeline,tobebuiltandfinanced bytheStabroekBlockoperator, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited
(EMGL), while the other two components,a300megawattpower plantandanaturalgasliquid(NGL) facility is being constructed by the government of Guyana. Former Minister of Public Infrastructure and Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson recently raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the project. He explained that Budget 2024 reveals that Guyana has already spent US$400M on the initiativebutthecountryremainsin the dark on the deals struck with governmentanditscontractors.
Patterson said that since 2022, he asked both the Prime Minister, Brigadier Ret'd Mark Phillips and the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat for the contracts signed with Exxon and others. “In 2022, the Prime Minister wrote backtotheParliamentsayingnotall
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(Reuters) - Chevron
CEOMichaelWirthisfacing a head-to-head match with ExxonMobilwithhisUS$53 billion bid for Hess and its stake in oil hotspot Guyana, andcouldwinduptrappedin a dispute between two of South America's biggest energyrivals.
On Wednesday, Exxon filedanarbitrationclaimthat could block Hess' proposed merger with Chevron. The saleincludesHess'30%stake in a consortium that has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil in Guyana's Stabroek offshore block,whichanalystssayhas potential recoverable oil at upwardsof20billionbarrels.
Exxon, which holds a 45%shareoftheconsortium, with Hess and CNOOC owning minority stakes, claims the operating agreement governing the group gives it a right of first refusal to any sale of Hess's Guyana oil assets The contest for a share of the largest oil discovery in almost two decades could soon test Wirth's famously calm demeanor But a deal would be a legacy-maker for Wirth, who is known at the second-largest U.S. oil firm
asanaffablebutfirmboss. Wirth won accolades on Wall Street for his refusal to getinvolvedinabiddingwar for Anadarko Petroleum in 2019, and then moved to boost Chevron's reserves through a series of small deals.
Hisabilitytoplayalonggame served him well in Venezuela, where he held onto the company's propertiesthereamidyearsof hyperinflationand punishing U.S. sanctions. The 63-yearold executive declined to be interviewed.
A spokesperson, however, stressed the company remains "fully committedtothetransaction, and is confident in our position.We look forward to closingthetransaction."
T W O B R O K E N
If Exxon's challenge blocksChevron'spurchase,it would be the second time a deal slipped through Wirth's fingers. His US$33 billion offer for Anadarko, just a year after he took over as Chevron CEO, was snatched away with a higher bid by OccidentalPetroleum.
“The truth is that Wirth hasbeenslowtocometothe
party and a step behind on almost everything,” said Bill Smead, founder and chairman of Smead Capital Management,whosaidWirth alsomissedanopportunityin 2022 to buy Occidental with Anadarko's assets for $32 billion, less than the 2019 offer
“Because of making decisions like that, he is in a food fight over assets in Guyana,”saidSmead.
Wirth won a $1 billion breakup fee in theAnadarko loss,butExxonsaidlastweek it would consider exercising its preemption right if Chevron pursues its bid. If
Chevrondropsthedeal,Hess could be potentially off the hook for a $1.7 billion break up fee. Exxon left open the prospect of a negotiated settlement.
Its arbitration claim before an international tribunal could take about six months or more to resolved, said Exxon Senior Vice President Neil Chapman, pushing back Chevron's goal of closing the deal by midyear HessonThursdaysaidit was reviewing the timeline forclosingthedeal.
Analystssaidthedispute couldgoeitherway "Itisstill very possible" that Exxon
sees the need to bid for Hess before a Chevron-Hess shareholder vote, which could happen in the next couple of months, said Mark Kelly, CEO of financial advisoryfirmMKPAdvisors.
"Exxon has seemingly implieditreallywantstoown Hess' stake in Guyana, so it potentially needs to put something competing on the tablepriortoaChevron-Hess vote," he said. Paul Sankey, an analyst with Sankey Research, said the other possibility is that Chevron is forcedtopayExxontoallow thedealtoproceed.
"There's the possibility that (Chevron) cuts them a checkandjustsays,"canyou go away please? And there's the possibility that they (Exxon) goes to arbitration anddelaysthedeal,"hesaid.
Wirth's misfortunes have piled up around the globe.
Lastautumn,hedelayedfora second time a major expansion project in a Kazakhstan oilfield where it istheoperatorandExxonisa partner
Later, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reactivated a century-old border dispute with Guyana
and threatened to take over Guyana's oilfields by force.
“He(Wirth)hastostaysuper neutral and lay low,” while the two countries settle the dispute, said Francisco Monaldi, an expert on Latin American energy at Rice University's Baker Institute forPublicPolicy.
"It would make sense for Chevron to treat Guyana as an investment in which they are not making any decisions,"hesaid."Itwould make it easier for the Venezuelan government not to have to acknowledge that Chevron would be on both sides" of the dispute border
As the only U.S. oil major that remained in Venezuela despiteU.S.sanctionsonthe OPEC nation since 2019, Wirth faces a new challenge to its Venezuela operations. Chevronlastmonthproduced about180,000barrelsperday from its joint ventures in Venezuela- output that could againbebarredfromdelivery to its U.S. customers if the sanctionsareallowedtosnap back "Everyone says he (Wirth)isaniceguy,heisin the right business, he will figureitout,"Smeadsaid."If not this deal, he will get the nextone."
Editor:
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
Guyanese at the bottom of the economic ladder are gaspingforbreath.Highcostoflivingisslowlysuffocating them. The ‘small’money that citizens have in their hands buyslessandlesswhentheygoshopping.
Shopping for essentials, especially food and medicines, can be a parent’s worst nightmare, a state of intensifying fearfulnesssincehigherpricescouldbewhatawaits,haveto bepaid ThePPPCGovernmenthasmoremillionsinitshands, butitdoesnotprioritizewhatishelpfultohurtingpeople,butis moreaboutprojects,whereunderhandedactivitieshavedrained thenation’scoffers,andenrichedpoliticaloperators
Strugglingcitizenshavescantinterestinanotherproject thatinvolvescementandsteel,andthemanymillionsthatgo intothem,toerectnewmonumentstoourprosperity Whose prosperity,certainlynotthemanycitizenslivinginpoverty,and often hungry? Guyanese learn of more loans taken, and more millionsborrowedforbuildingroadandeducationalandhealth capacity, and they wonder what about the yawning, gnawing capacityintheirstomachsthatcannotbehalf-filledalmostdaily Whyisitwithallthesweetpoliticalspeechesfromleadersthat citizensstillliveatthesamestandard(perhapsworse)aseight years ago, when the first announcements came about oil discoveries?ThestatisticssaythatGuyaneseareincredibly rich,yetthereareallthesecitizensofGuyanathatstruggle to buy greens and vegetables to put a simple meal on the tablefortheirfamilies. ThePPPCGovernment,anunequalled masteratpropaganda,hassaidthatitcares. Thequestionthat canbeaskediswhatdotheGovernmentanditsleadersreally careabout,asidefromtheself-enrichinginterestsofboth.When everythingelsebecomesadistantsecond,whenthestrugglesof poor and weak and vulnerable citizens amount to more opportunitiesforpoliticalgames,thencareisnotafactor But onlyanotherinstanceoftheconceitsandcorruptionsthatcontrol the minds of the government specifically, and local politiciansingeneral.
Handingoutmoneyasanexpressionofcareforchildren and the plight of their parents is not only helpful, but also inspired When, however, there is the taint of encouragement for elections purposes, because of the timing,thentalkaboutcarecomesacrossascircumstances of hardship converted into circumstances of political expediency and convenience. A good thing, what was believedtohavestartedoutasmeaningfulandhelpful,falls flatonitsface.
Whataboutwhentherearenoelectionsonthecalendar? Arethoseinneedthencallouslyleftontheirown,togetby however they can, by whatever means? Caring that is genuine is full-time, and it has no strings that tie it to anything. There is nothing that links it to the politically suspect, what could be interpreted as the calculating underhandedness of politicians with no heart, most likely littlebywayofintegrityandplainhumandecencyleft.Tens of thousands of Guyanese across the various regions are grappling with cost of living, especially in the remote hinterlandcommunitiesofourfirstpeoples,andalltheyare useful for is to fulfill some role that keeps politicians in business,andenrichthemfurther
WecanbeproudofthehundredsofbillionsinGuyanese dollarsthatisspentforwoodandglass,sandandasphalt,but ourcitizensleftbehinddonothaveenoughtobuyfood High costoflivingisnotabigtablewithnumbersonit;highcostof livingisatablewithoutenoughfoodonit,itisahousewith less and lesser hope, as the days go by When so many Guyanesearefaintwithhope,soinfirmoffeet,whenforcedto facevendorsandsellers,thenallthischatteraboutcaringand world class richness makes a mockery of their painful existence No government should be pleased to stand over such a situation No President of authentic leadership attributes should preside over what Guyanese live with, leaving them unable to cope. Only the sustained and the materiallysignificantinhandisgoingtomakeadifference andnottheusualpolitickingandself-congratulatingbythis PPPCGovernmentatthecontrols.
In honour of Jagan we must cleanse our government of corruption
DEAREDITOR, HisExcellencytheGreat Dr Cheddi Jagan said, “We (Caricom Heads of Governments) must set our face sternly against c o r r u p t i o n a n d extravagance We cannot have a Cadillac-style living withdonkey-carteconomies. Our leaders must set the example of democratic, accountable, clean and lean governance and efficient governance ” 1992
(Reference: Cheddi Jagan ResearchCentre).
Inhonourofhismemory we must cleanse our government of corruption,
we must ensure that our leaders are held accountable fortheiractionsandwemust avoidwastefulspending.
Agovernment that holds itself accountable does not delay the course of Justice, does not turn a blind eye to corruption in its midst, and does not shield its members fromprosecution.
In the spirit of our great leader we must not be hesitant in addressing the needsofourworkersandthe needsofourpeople.
Both young and old should be able to live in a homelandthatisprosperous, safe and filled with
opportunities that allow our people to never be impoverished again We mustcontinuetoembracethe U n i o n s t h a t h a v e strengthened us over the years and we must respect ourworkers.
His Excellency’s patience has taught us the importanceofholdingfastto our principles and to never allow greed to change our path. Efficient, clean and lean governance does not overpay for services, does nottakeunnecessaryrisksto oureconomy,doesnotwaste medicine bought, does not overspend on infrastructure,
anddoesnotallowthefilthof corruption to take root Roads for fancy cars and dirty water coming into our homes is not the way of the FatherofOurNation.
W e m u s t s h u n extravagance, and we must set clear and appropriate priorities for the benefit of our people. His Excellency Dr CheddiJagansaiditbest when he was alive, “Our Leaders must set the e x a m p l e ”
Bestregards,
Mr.JamilChanglee Chairman
T h e C o o p e r a t i v e RepublicansofGuyana
Discussions regarding electronic fingerprint identification is ongoing at the level of GECOM
DEAREDITOR, Mr VincentAlexanderis oneofthethreeAPNU+AFC presently serving on the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM). He has since been selected by his party to serve on the Constitutional Reform Commission. He will soon beabletoflutterbetweenthe twobodiesandtopickonthe meat of their deliberations with which he may have disagreement. Inthecaseof GECOM, whenever Mr. Alexander finds himself disagreeing with decisions inside GECOM, he transports his grievance into the public domain hoping that by doing so it would brush up his image that was tarnished due to his Party’s effortssubvertthewillofthe electorate following the 2020election.
Further,inthecontextof his recent foray in the press, itisnecessarytoremindthat Commissioner Alexander was one of the two commissioners, who fought vigorously to retain Keith Lowenfield and Roxanne Myers as GECOM’s CEO and DCEO respectively notwithstandingthefactthat the two are currently before thecourttoansweranumber ofcharges.
This time around, in a letter under the heading: ‘Thenamesofthedeadmust be removed from the ole’ published in the March 9th, 2024 edition of S/N, Mr Alexander launched an attack directed at the secretariatofGECOM.Inso
doing, he holds to the assertionthat;‘thevoterslist willsoonexceedtheresident populationofGuyanawhich is approximated to be in the vicinityof780,000’.
As if in a state of bewilderment, Mr Alexander tries to understand how come nonresident Guyanese, regardless of their support for APNU+AFC or PPP/C, are so committed to upholding their right to vote that they would purchase a planetickettoflytoGuyana to determine who should be elected to administer the affairs of the country Mr Alexander proceeds to engage in a process of selfintrospection and selfinterrogation by asking and answering his own question at the same time; ‘the voter list exceeds the resident voting population by no less than 126,439. How is this possible?’heasks;then ineureka-likefashion,he proclaims; ‘This is possible because non-resident Guyanese are also included on the voters list.’ For reasons known only to Mr Alexander he rejects any consideration to the continuous growth of the population within recent years due to remigration particularly from Venezuela and the USA. Moreover, he produced no concrete evidencetosupporthisclaim thatthecurrentpopulationis within the vicinity of 780,000. Having served in thecommissionforanumber ofyearsMr Alexandermust
know that the voters’List is not compiled on the basis of “resident Guyanese”. The list is compiled on the basis of the eligibility criteria. Thismeansthateveryperson who is listed in the National Register of Registrants (NRR)andwouldhavebeen 18 years old or over by December 31, 2023 is qualifiedforinclusioninthe current Official List of Electors(OLE).
With specific reference toMr.Alexander’sclaimthat there is evidence of “fraudulent votes’ being cast, the commissioner has never provided a scintilla of evidence to GECOM to justify his claim, instead he opted to mount his favorite hobby horse from where he declares more untruths. A question to Mr Alexander must be were fraudulent votes cast in the 2015 election that brought his partytooffice?
And as though Mr Alexander’s protestations are not enough he continues t o h a r p o n ; ‘ t h e implementationofelectronic fingerprint identification at the place of poll,’ claiming that; ‘Such a system would not have names taken off of the voters list, hence complying with the Judge`s ruling.’
Butitisdisingenuousfor Alexander to make such an outlandish statement when he is fully aware that discussions regarding the introduction of electronic fingerprint identification is ongoing at the level of the
Commission, suffice it to say,theCommissionhasnot received a single technical proposal on the matter bearing in mind that the introductionofsuchasystem will require legislative changes. Mr Alexander claimed that ‘the Judge`s ruling does not address the fact that thousands of registered Guyanese die overseas every year, yet there is no mechanism to have their names removed fromthevoters`list.’
The fact remains that todate, nothing of evidential value was ever presented to the commission purporting to show that, post 1992 elections,personsresidingin Guyana voted for electors whomayhavediedoverseas, and whose name may still, legitimately,beonthevoters thelist. Asamatteroffact, previous electoral e x p e r i e n c e s h a v e demonstrated that GECOM has a regime measures in place to guard against voter impersonation and those measures have worked well andwillcontinuetodoso,so long as efforts are not made to deliberately create mischief even at this early stage, in order to discredit preparations for, or the holding free and fair elections.
T h e A P N U Commissioner makes a hue and cry about ‘GECOM’s refusaltoaddress‘itsmindto this obvious defect in its system’, claiming that his proposal‘fellondeafears,as
(Continuedonpage09)
DEAREDITOR, P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s impassioned delivery at BabuJaan,PortMourant,to commemorate the 27th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan took his 2023 speech to another level. In 2023, he made it clear that the APNU/AFC was attempting as it did over the years,toconvertourgreatest asset-our people-as destructive weapons to achieveitspoliticalambition atanycost.
However, this year President Ali’s speech at Babu Jaan can be categorized among the best speech ever delivered- a speech so inspirational and clear in its message that the massive crowd kept on cheering throughout the duration.
Thespeechhasdelivered deep humanity, candour and raw emotions which reciprocatedwiththepeople. The President ignited the political consciousness of the people to attain new heights What is equally remarkable is the fact that it was the most multi-racial and multi ethnic crowd I haveeverseeninanypartof thiscountry-pastandpresent and that speaks volume of the achievement of the PPP/CGovernment.
The One Guyana vision is materializing rapidly and the rapid transformation has taken a firm hold on the ‘soul’ofthepeople.
This year the President highlighted to the massive
crowd at Babu Jaan that the PNC had attempted to destroy the ‘soul’ of the Guyanese nation which Dr Jagan through hard work, sacrifice and perseverance had painstakingly crafted during the darkest period in Guyana’s history when the PNC-theevilanddarkforcewas utterly bent on destroying the fundamental valuesofthisnation.
Dr.Jaganwasthebeacon of hope for the oppressed masses and that hope kept the soul of the people alive, for without hope man becomesbeasts.
‘Man is diminishedifhe lives without knowledge of his past; without hope of a futurehebecomesabeast’-P D.James.
At Babu Jaan, the Guyanese people are remindedofwhatthereality of the past was, since it is easy to lose sight of this as hadhappenedin2015andin so doing embrace the ‘evil and dark forces’ which had again raised its ugly head to devour the ‘soul’ of this nation. We must not allow any of the ‘evil and dark forces’, some masked as
intellectualstodragusdown the dark abyss of socioeconomicdeprivations.
History will bear testimony to the fact that fromthe1960’sto1992and asrecentas2015to2020,the PNC disguised as APNU/AFC has wreaked havoc on this nation, severely disintegrating racial unity as its leaders preached perceived marginalization by the PPP and inciting some of its members and followers to attack, rob, rape and kill innocent Indo-Guyanese during violent street protests.
Theseactsweremeantto destabilize the PPC/C Government at different times during the period mentioned.
Their supporters have nowrealizedhowmuchthey were lied to and used to further the political ambitions of their leaders. The Guyanese people of all races have endured untold hardships under the PNC and then under the guise of the Coalition but they have nowcometofullpolitical
(Continuedonpage06)
DEAREDITOR, StabroekNews,March4, 2024, published a timely letter, “Enforcing the new domestic violence legislation will require externalsupport.”Talkabout inthe‘nickoftime,’andwe have it. What I mean is that rightafterthisforcefulletter, really a call for help, the following made news in Guyana:
“RedThreadstillseeking answers from DPP on discontinuance of
Dharamlall rape matter”
This as we know, relates to “… an explanation into the discontinuance of the rape matter brought against a government minister by a 16-year-old girl in June 2023 ” (Stabroek News March 10, 2024) “Parika woman stabbed to death by drunken husband ” This brutality is about “A 24year-old woman, Nikesha Sutton, (who) was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband at their Parika backdam, East Bank Essequibo residence. (Mar 06, 2024 KNEWS News). The suspect has been arrested(butthedamagehas
already been done, and the culture keeps gathering momentum).
Then before this (and I ask readers to corroborate and add to the list), I read through the following: Women robbed of valuables at Chinese restaurant- Feb 29, 2024 KNEWS News; Construction worker on station bail for allegedly rapinggirl,12-Feb26,2024 KNews News; Man, 34, remanded for raping childFeb 22, 2024 KNEWS; Man, 21, granted bail for raping child under 16- Feb 18, 2024 KNEWS; Man on the run after sexually assaulting woman on boatFeb 16, 2024 KNEWS; “Lehshetalkwuhmakeshe get duh lash”- Mar 07, 2024 KNEWS.Ad infinitum.
So, like Gaylord Riley, I too think that it is a big joke thatthe“GuyaneseGovt(is) totable(a)newlegislationto deal with domestic violence.” In fact, what is neededandlikeASAPtoo,is for some international help to come our way Riley ‘hit’ upon something that might really work, stating that “I thinkwomenwhohavebeen
victims of men-beating’ should advocate that visa revocation start as soon as possible. They should also commit themselves to inform, and with evidence, the US and Canadian authorities, so that their ( w o e f u l w o m a n l y helplessness) plight can be addressed.”
Editor, concerning this “ young lady from Lusignan (who) was badly beaten up by her lover, who is the actual husband of another woman living in another village close by,” I have been informed that indeed this abuser “… is beingprocessedfortheUS.” I was also privy to i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t ‘criminalises’ him in the ‘smugglingring’asapartner with a good buddy/relative, and of incidents of ‘shootings out’ at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials If the records were not tampered with, this ‘potentially volatile and dangerous’man was guilty of stabbing a youngmanintheAnnandale MarketRoadnottoolong
(Continuedonpage06)
DEAREDITOR,
The struggle that threatens teachers threatens all workers and risks creatingprecedencethatcan change the face of the trade unions and workers’ rights wider afield Our sister federated body, FITUG (GAWU, GLU, NAACIE) must take note for they are notexemptfromitsimpact.
The strike action of the teachers was greeted with condemnation by the government. Notably none other than President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand sought to wilfully mislead the nation by misrepresenting the
actiontakenbytheteachers. We witnessed how the Government sought immediately to declare the strikeactionasillegal,andto order the teachers back to work even as it was, they who failed to engage the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) thus causing the strike issue. It is clear the positions they took against the GTU was intended at “union busting” as they willfully misrepresented both the issue and the processthatledtothestrike. The regime wanted to malign the teachers and for parents and the nation to ignore their role. The irrefutable fact still stands that the strike was started as a result of the Ministry of
Education’s refusal to negotiate a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) and the refusal of the Ministry of Labour to facilitate requests from the union for conciliation and arbitration.
Teachers’ right to negotiateconsistentwiththe grievance procedure makes provision for either party (employer or union) to seek conciliation and/or arbitration Further, the government cannot determine the teachers response when their designated Ministers failed toactingoodfaith.
It is the government’s actions and/or inactions that forced the teachers to act consistent with the
DEAREDITOR
Thepanditandformermayorinhisletter advocatingforaDiwaliVillage(SNMar11), alludedthatlaudableinitiativessuchasMoM and the Ramadan Village began under the leadership of the former president. I do not recallthisbeingso.Myrecollectiontellsme this is the first Ramadan Village and as for MoM, it was the brainchild of a president, sureenough,butnottheformerpresident. The pandit might be right about
ChristmasVillage,andithastobewondered if Ramadan Village is not new, why his advocacy for Diwali Village was not made earlier Thisbynomeansnegatetheadvocacy on the merits for Diwali Village, which it is hopednowtheseedhasbeenplanted,willbe pursued and become a reality Perhaps the good pandit would like to head the planning committee?
Sincerely
ShamshunMohamed
grievance procedure. It is further true to say that the Alli/Jagdeo regime has failed to demonstrate good will and promote an industrial environment that would be conducive for negotiations, thus forcing theteachersintoaction.
G o v e r n m e n t constructively engineered this strike action and were willfulandpredeterminedto denyworkersofGuyanaand the teachers in particular their right to negotiate for better conditions of work. These force one to conclude theremustbesomenefarious political agenda as governmentis settingatone to undermine collective bargaining for teachers. Suchactionsareseriousand not without implications for the labour movement in Guyana.Whereassomemay feel they can ignore these actions they do so at their own peril, for they too will
be affected. Every single worker will be affected if this government is allowed to have its own way dismantling time-honoured principles, customs, rules and practices as well as ignoring rights and the rule oflaw
Workers and members of the public must therefore understandtheissuesathand andresistthisoppressionby the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) We must understand that the “No strike” clause in the CLAis being used wrongly without clear understanding of the rationale, the spirit and intent behind that clause. It must be taken into considerationthatitislinked to and cannot be separated from the grievance procedureintheCLA.
Prior to nationalisation intheCLAtherewasastrike clausewhichallowedfor2472 hours’ notice before
strike. Both parties had to agree to take a matter to arbitration for resolution whennegotiationsfelldown on any issue Post nationalization, both Guybau and the bauxite union agreed in their collective bargaining that in order to minimise strike actions, there will be no strikes, no lock out, and arbitration would be voluntary This set the tone for the grievance procedure to include voluntary arbitration.
Voluntary arbitration means whichever party applies for arbitration the other will have to automatically comply. The no strike, no lock out clause was conditioned on the unionnotbeingforcedtocall a strike in order to acquire arbitration proceedings as wasthenormatthetime.
Regards LincolnLewisWomen’s‘Woes’aboundinGuyana...
Frompage05 ago.Andyes,whatisindeed quite shocking is that police officers at Vigilance, Cove and John, and Mahaica are all quite aware of this situation, but they remain docile and thus are supportiveofthissmuggling ‘woman beater.’ They need tobeheldaccountable.They are contributing to the perpetuation of a horror in Guyana.
Editor, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the likes of Dr Vindhya Persaud have never protected, and never will be able to rescue our Guyanese womenfolk.Infact,theyare incapable of conjuring up even the desire to step in on behalf of the many female
victims of any sort of violence. I ask the same question:“Whowillenforce any law where this matter is concerned? In Guyana, lawlessness abounds in all formsandateverylevel,and there is no need for me to elaborate on this. However, ponderonthis.
It is big news when a presidential entourage, led by the president himself, all gooutandcleanupavillage or some specific place. I mean this should not be published It should be clandestinely done This kind of thing is tantamount toadmittingthatGuyanaisa failed society, even in the area of ‘cleaning our own mess. Imagineapresidentis being celebrated for
‘cleaningGuyana’smess!’
So,Irestmycasewithan appeal to the US and Canadianambassadors.Iask that you please silence our women abusers and beaters. You saved our democracy withsanctionsonthosewho were attempting to rig our elections Please be compassionate on our girls, womenandladies.Ifyoudo not want to grant refugee status visas to them, or cannotdoso,thenpronounce amoratoriumonissuanceof any kind of travelling permitstotheUSorCanada, ontheseviolentbullies,who are hoping to be sponsored by their kinfolk residing in NorthAmerica.
Yourstruly,
DeodatSinghFrompage05 consciousnessandmaturitythe people will no longer be usedandabused.
The PPP under the late Dr CheddiJaganhasalways preachedracialunitybutthe PNC was always successful in derailing this process but afterDr Jagan’sdemise,his Party shouldered and embraced fully his legacy and continued the quest to unite the races, affording equal opportunity to all, regardless of color, class or creed.
Today, the PNC has become impotent against this avalanche of unified goodwill which the PPP/C has extended to each and every Guyanese. The words
of the President rang true when he declared that, ‘the soul of the nation is its identity, its values and aspirations then you know by now that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has consistentlystoodonavalue system that protects the rights of people, that fights fordemocracyandfreedom, that upholds the oppressed and that lead in the revolution of thinking and advancement of our country…the soul of our country though tested is aliveandwell….’
The General Secretary, Dr Jagdeo in his own inimitable style made it pellucidthatthePPP/Cisthe only Party which can offer
sustainable progress whilst the APNU ‘is fighting for themselves’only
He gave a stark reminder to beware of empty promises of ‘moon and stars’ and Guyanese must peruse and compare the programs (manifestos) and track records of politicalparties
Theperiod2015to2020 isnotsuchadistantmemory
When a country has leaders like Dr Irfaan Ali and Dr Jadgeo, Guyanese can be assuredofabrightfuture,Dr Jagan’s Party is in good hands and his ideals and legacyarealiveandthriving witheachpassingmoment.
Yourssincerely, HaseefYusuf
“…what he (Bharrat Jagdeo) sees as constraining factors, we, in the Opposition, see as imperatives or compelling reasons for Guyana to urgently talk to the Stabroek Block companies to get the best for Guyana, while not jeopardizing their ability to earn a profit.
If, as projected, the push to Net Zero would gradually reduce demand for oil in the future, then, for us, that should compel the government to seek a greater share of revenues now for the benefit of present and future generations. Let's therefore call Jagdeo's challenge for what it is: an attempt to deflect attention from the fact that he has no intention to defend the interests of the people of Guyana,” Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton March 10, 2024
TheGovernmentof Guyana (GOG) through the MinistryofHealth(MOH)on Sunday night issued a statement denying that $75 millionwaspaidtoahotelto house several trainee health workers on the Essequibo Coast,RegionTwo.
On Sunday, this publication reported that the governmenthasbeenrenting nine rooms, since December 2022 Kaieteur News reported that the cost being paid per room daily at the hotel is $18,500. Calculating the daily rate for the use of nineroomsmeantthatitcost $166,500 daily This figure accumulates to $4.9million monthly,amountingto$74.9 million for the last 15 months.
In its response to the article the ministry confirmed that rooms are being rented at Jaigobin Hotel However, the ministry stated that it is not paying the regular rates for the rooms The ministry noted too that the trainee students are being accommodated at the hotel, “at a considerably reduced cost that the MOH
negotiated.”
It should be noted that while the Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Two, Dr Ranjeev Singh told this publication that nine rooms are being rented – the Ministry's statement said 11 rooms are being rented at a reducedcost.
“TheMOHhasrented11 roomsatacostof$1.1Mper month and has so far paid $16.5M. The sum stated in theKNismischievousandis overstated by about 78%,” theHealthMinistrysaid.
When contacted on Monday for the contract the government has with the hotel,theRHOstated,“Your newssourcewillbegettinga lawsuitfrommeveryshortly, for putting me in your newspaperandforputtingan exorbitant amount of money thatwasspent.”
Itshouldbenotedthaton Fridaywhencontactwasfirst made with the RHO for confirmation on the number of trainees staying at the hotel, the number of rooms beingrented,thecostandthe period – he confirmed the hotel, that the rooms are being rented, the number of rooms being rented, the
period, and the number of students being housed at the hotel.
However, Dr Singh opted not to comment on the amountofmoneybeingpaid for the rooms as well as whether the hotel was sourced through public tenders.
According to the ministry, quotations were obtained from hotels and facilitiesintheRegion,when the need arose for additional housing space. “The MOH was able to complete satisfactory arrangements with Jaigobin Hotel,” the ministrystated.
On Monday, contact was made to the Health Ministry Permanent Secretary (PS), Mr Malcolm Watkins, and Officer-in-Charge of Health Communications Ms Shabana Shaw for evidence oftheamountofmoneypaid thus far to the hotel and to clarify the number of rooms sourced,andtheprocessused to obtain the rooms initially However,uptopresstime,no responsewasforthcoming.
Kaieteur News had reportedthatsinceDecember 2022 the Government have beenutilisingJaigobinHotel
to house several trainee health workers on the Essequibo Coast. The RHO had confirmed that there are twosetsofstudentsstayingat the hotel, seven trainee midwives and 12 nursing assistants.
The first 18-month N u r s i n g A s s i s t a n t Programme in Region Two was launched on December 22, 2022 with 46 students. The trainees began their training on January 2, 2023. Notably, upon completion of the programme this year, successful students will be employed by the Health Ministry
It should be noted that while the NursingAssistants programme started since December 2022, the midwives programme only began in January 2024. The Nursing Assistant Programme is slated to conclude in June 2024, while the midwives programme is scheduled to be completed between December2024andJanuary 2025.
Moreover, the ministry stated that there are presently 48 nursing assistants, 19 post-basic
(REUTERS) Record Guyanese flows are adding to pressure on Johan Sverdrup crude in Europe at a time when refinery maintenance is already reducing demand, forcing values for the Norwegian grade to a 14-month low, according to export data, traders andanalysts.
Europe-bound loadings of Guyanese crude hit a record high of 432,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to data from analytics firm Kpler The South American nation's crude exports have been bolstered by the new Payara Gold stream, which is very close in quality to Sverdrup and therefore serves as a suitable replacement when price mismatches make the long-haul transatlantic voyage worthwhile for European refiners.
“Inflows from Guyana are weighing on Sverdrup,” said Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler Sverdrup's price had soared to multidollar premiums to benchmark dated
Brent at the tail end of last year when Red Sea shipping issues first began to threaten the flow of Middle Eastern sourcrudeintoEurope.Butpriceshave been in freefall since February and touched their lowest since January 2023 at dated Brent minus $3.13 a th barrel FOB Norway on March 5 according to price reporting agency S&P Global Commodity Insights, knownasPlatts.
Reduced overall crude demand in Europe because of springtime refinery maintenance is also pushing Sverdrup lower,twotraderssaid,madeworseby the fact that persisting Red Sea shipping issues are impeding sales of the grade to its traditional demand outletinAsia,causingsuppliestoswell locally
“It's a combination of refinery maintenance in Europe, also the high costofshippingittotheeast,meaning ithastodiscountlocally,”atraderwho asked not to be named told Reuters. Norway's Equinor, which operates the
midwifery and 22 laboratory assistant students in training in Region Two presently. It was noted that among the students in the Region Two for the trainingprograms are also students from Region One. Notably, it was noted that similar programmes are beingdoneinallregions.
“Clearly, some of these trainingprogramsrequirethe MOH and the local health
departments to provide housing for students who come from distant places,” theministrysaid.
The ministry said that it could not wait until the construction of the training centre and dormitory is completed in 2025 and embarked on renting facilities to accommodate some of the students who requirehousing.
A 34-year-old man was granted bail in the sum of $200,000,whenheappeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Monday to answer to a charge of possession of ammunition without being a holderofafirearmlicence.
Sverdrupfield,soldacargoofthegrade to Shell for late-March delivery at dated Brent minus $2.30 delivered Rotterdam in the Platts window on Tuesday, over $5 below where the company was offering the grade towardstheendofJanuary
“Pricesinthemarketareafunction of the supply and demand situation,” Magnus Frantzen Eidsvold, press spokesperson for Equinor, told Reuters Rising exports of the Norwegian grade in March and April are further adding to pressure, sources said.
“Sverdrupisamassiveprogramme and for that to clear there has to be decent demand,” another trade source said.Butcurrentlyweakerdifferentials couldsoonspurarecoveryindemand, K p l e r ' s K a t o n a a d d e d “Sverdrup differentials will most definitely strengthen once the March programme is all sold and the market realises what an incredible bargain it is.”
The accused Osafo DeionAllenofLot27North Sophia, Georgetown made his first court appearance before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse, who read the charge to him He was charged for having in his possession 50 live rounds of 9mmAmmunitions, without beingtheholderofafirearm licence. The father of two pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Accordingtothefacts,on March 7, 2024 around 16:40hrs, ranks from Alberttown Police Station, Criminal Investigation Department(CID),actingon information received ventured off to Brickdam, where they made contact with Allen, who was at the time sitting in a vehicle, acting in a suspicious manner After ranks identified themselves as police, a search was then
conducted on Allen. Upon searching,ranksfoundinhis left side pocket 50 live roundsof9mmammunition. Thereafter, Allen was reportedly asked if he was a holder of a firearm licence andheresponded,“No.”
He was then told of the offence committed, cautionedandescortedtothe Alberttown Police Station, where he was placed in custody
The court heard that Allen is the supervisor at a security firm and is responsiblefordailyvisiting locations of his security officers who have firearms belongingtothecompany,so hecancheckonthefirearms and for those who need additional rounds, he would offersuch.
The court was told that the ammunition found belong to the security company and not to Allen. The prosecutor had no objection to bail but suggested that bail is to be granted in a substantial amount. In light of this, Magistrate Nurse placed Allen on $200,000 bail and the case was adjourned to A p r i l 1 2 ,
Foreign intelligence agencies have always had spieswithingovernments.In many instances those spies are usually planted within thepoliticalExecutive.
MalcolmGladwell,inhis book “Talking to Strangers” has recounted how the Cuban intelligence services – the best in the world –penetratedtheAmericanspy network and planted numerous double agents within the CIA. During the PPPgovernmentof1961,the British government had a spy high up within the PPP That person fed information to the British government. Similarly,theUSandBritain would have had spies over the years within the leadershipofthePNCandits governments. Cuba is also believed to have had its
intelligence agents in Guyana But while the western powers may still be gathering intelligence about Guyana, the Cubans have longexitedthistypeofwork inGuyana.Afterthe‘Special Period’Cubawouldnothave been able to sustain their wide network of spies. But the Americans and British wouldhave.
The foreign intelligence agenciesareknowntospyon visiting foreign officials When Forbes Burnham and CheddiJaganvisitedBritain in 1953, the British intelligence agencies, bugged their phones and monitored their mails. It is through the work of these spies that western governments gather intelligence about what is taking place in the country
Some agents are usually employed within the embassies and high commissions. They actively court government and Opposition interlocutors for information, under the pretext of discussing bilateral matters The intelligence gathered forms the basis of assessments aboutthecountry
B u t w e s t e r n governments also recruit spies from within the government One of the waysinwhichtheydothisis to provide scholarships to foreign nationals and what they do is to identify certain persons (not all) who they would approach to provide themwithinformationwhen those persons return to their homeland Or they may simplyplantanagentwithin
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GECOM merrily prepares for elections that are due, no later than 2025.’ But the Commissionerdoesn’tstopthere,hegoeson tomaketherecklessandunfoundedassertion that, ‘There are those in GECOM and the political circles who are complicit in not rectifyingtheflawedsystem,whileprobably participating in, or condoning, its exploitation.’
Just in case the commissioner has forgotten, he should be reminded that the Attorney General prepared and circulated a number of proposed amendments to the National Registration Act and RepresentationofthePeopleActforperusal andcomment.
Public consultations were held on the proposed amendments, including with the
GuyanaElectionsCommission. Noneofthe Opposition Commissioners made inputs in theprocess.
The Amendments were passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the PresidentinDecember2022.
Mr Alexander must know that GECOM isnotconstitutionallyempoweredtomakeits own electoral laws nor to whimsically implement any act contrary to the RepresentationofthePeopleAct.
However, now that he has been nominatedbyhispartytoserveonthesoonto be established constitutional commission he willhavetheopportunitytopushhisideasfor electoralreform.
Yoursfaithfully,
ClementJ.Rohee CommissionerSpeed is like a twofaced jumbie. It nah know friend from foe. It don’t discriminate; it only devastates.
So dem boys did she, whendemreadwahhappen to de biker He meet he demisebecauseofspeed.
Dem boys see enough fuh know what happened and to arrive at dem own conclusion.Wemustalluse de opportunity to take a pauseanmourndelossofa soulcaughtindecrosshairs ofrecklessness.
But wah does mek dem boys vex is after a major accident like dis, de police does mek Tom, Dick and
Harry,thosewhoinderight andthosewhoindewrong, go down to de station.And dem does hold yuh overnightfuhsitpunbench, fighting sleep, stress and tiredness.
It don’t matter if yuh innocent, de police does hold yuh overnight fuh questioningonceisamajor accident. De innocent and dem ones at blame does all gat to go through de same routine: sit down on de benchbehinddecounter Dem Boys seh dis nah right.
Disain’tjustice;disisa circus. We mourn de fallen but we also must rally
the government But the western missions in Guyana do not really need to go to great ends to obtain inside information about what is happening locally There are many Guyanese who are all too willing to go into the embassies and high commissionsandsnitch.
A senior intelligence officer, during the Burnham administration, was known toberelayinginformationto the Americans about the WPA penetration of the Guyana Defence Force
Gathering credible information is however different from merely gathering information since muchofwhatmaybetoldto the embassies and high commissions may be opinions and fiction rather than facts At times, information dries up and there is a need to send off quickly an intelligence estimate without having the time to gather credible intelligence.Inthisinstance, the intelligence officers simply concoct facts and representingtheseascoming fromfirst-handsources.This seems to be the case in relation to an intelligence Brief which was recently
declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency The declassified Brief makes the most fanciful statements about Bharrat Jagdeo, as the countryapproachedthe2001 elections.
In the CIA Brief, it was claimed that two senior leaders of the PPPC were worried that there was a real possibilityofthePPPClosing the2001electionsbecauseof the poor performance of the economy and because of corruption ButtheBriefalso indicated that there were concerns within PPPC about the possible outbreak of violence Given what happened after the 1997 elections, this was always goingtobearealpossibility, except that the PPPC and many others did not predict thatitwouldtaketheformof a criminal insurgency The BriefarguedthatJagdeohad aweakbasewithintheparty and was reliant on the support of Janet Jagan for legitimacywithinthePPPC. Thismayhavebeencloserto the truth It was further claimed that there was the anxiety that should Janet Jagan pass away or be medicallyincapacitated,that the leadership could fall to
either Ralph Ramkarran or Moses Nagamootoo But what was stranger about the latest declassified Brief was thatitprovidedthenamesof the persons providing the assessment of the party’s chances at the elections, theirviewsontheleadership of the security services, the possibility of political succession in the party and the nervousness within the party about losing office in 2001 It is difficult to comprehend those persons sayingwhatwasattributedto them.
Who knows, the PPPC may be harbouring similar fears today of losing office. Given the tantrums that are being thrown at present, the PPPCmaybeconcernedthat its slender one-seat majority may be at risk in 2025.(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)
against dis injustice dat treats de innocent like villains So as we bid farewell to our fallen friend, let us raise a loud, defiant cry against dis mockery of law and order Let us demand a justice where de guilty face de music alone, and de innocentwalkfree.
Speed kills But injusticeisasilentassassin. It’stimeweshinealighton dis madness on we roads and demand better for all who traverse our roads. Dem boys seh, enough is enough! Ban de big bikes fromusingderoads!
TalkHalf!LeffHalf!
S e n a t o r M i t c h McConnell has had enough, is giving up the Republican leadershipintheupperhouse oftheU.S.Congress.Isalute him for picking the right time, for knowing when it is timetosaynomore,itistime togo.Andnotstayatthehelm a moment longer At 82, he shouldhavegoneearlier;but, all things considered, he is going out on his own steam, and while still on top. After those falls and other scary moments,itmighthavebeen better to have called it quits thereandthen.Buthetarried on,andnowatorridbrawlis going to be waged to replace him.
SenatorMcConnellknew howtogetthingsdone.When toputupablisteringpartisan fight,whentocompromise.It is what is called the art of politics, and he grew into beingamasterofit.
Let there be no mistake, hewasallfortheRepublican partyanditsinterests,butthe citizen and strategist in him
knew when it was time for compromise in the interests ofthecountry Thosearetwo of the dirtiest words around nowadays in the political lexicon.Thatis,compromise and country Take a close look at Guyana and look around and determine how much those two words (compromise and country) are missing in action, and where their absences have led us Despite President Ali's blusters and Vice President Jagdeo's Freedom House filibusters, this Guyana of ours is not even close to where it should be today. All the brick and buildingsintheworldcannot camouflage that reality; simply spare a moment and speakwithhungryGuyanese drivensillybyadreadfulcost of living sickness Incidentally, the Jagdeo filibusters are what he proudly identifies as press conferences.
Onthefewoccasionsthat
Icanabsorbhisverbalthreecard game, conclude that he is reading from the phonebook, like they do in the United States Senate. Exxon has taught him well; hemusthavestudiedsomeof McConnell's more sparkling moments.
McConnell was a loyal and tireless worker in the trenches for Ronnie Reagan; but he had more than his share of philosophical and ethical difficulties with one Donald Trump. Who wouldn't, if they are honest people who hold what is honourable dear. When he broke with Trump by refusing to provide partisan cover in the Senate for his crimes was one of his finest moments.
My calculation is that McConnell sees the writing on the wall: the return of Trump come November, which would not be such a positive for America, or McConnell himself, or this Guyana of ours. Mark my
words. My understanding is that McConnell has not spoken to Trump since the attempted coup d'etat of January 6, 2021 I can identify with that, for there are political leaders in this country that I have never spoken to, but the necessity of having to mention their names is an utter revulsion. Themostdemandingofselfsacrifices.
Yeah, my contempt for themisthatcomplete,thatfar out there. Nonetheless, duty is still owed to the country and contemporaries, even posterity. Even more importantly,Imustbetrueto my beliefs, my calling, and despise what they stand for, what they do, but not they themselves.
Like I said, it can be challenging, but it is part of theterritory,andwhatbrings out the best. This is what loveforthemotherlandstirs.
Finally, the senator from Kentuckyhadaneyeforany opening, an ear for politics
and a nose for a deal that made him and his group look good. He also knew when to be hardnosed, bareknuckled, and let things go down to the wire. I really thoughtatthebeginningthat he and President Joe Biden would work well together, break some new ground on how to get Capitol Hill and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to see eye and eye, moving again, and with much more than has been achieved. My assessment of Senate Leader McConnell is that he leaves on his own terms and could dosowithhisheadheldhigh.
It has been well-earned, distinctively so Now a bruisingbattleissuretobein theworksbeforeasuccessor canbefinalised.
The man that is most fiercelypartisan,onewithan eye to leadership longevity, couldemergeastheeventual winner He who kowtows to DonaldTrumpisthebestofa terrible lot. This is what has proven to be the surefire
formula for success in recent times, and a little while before for the Republicans in Congress since the days of Newt Gingrich.
Whoever among the contenders that identifies most closely with the man who would be president (again), the obnoxious and obstreperous and offensive New Yorker would have a clearedge.
This should remind Guyanese of a similar character in this neck of the woods, through whom just about everything must pass, mustgethisnodofclearance. Including naming a dog. Or takingatriptothebathroom.
(The views expressed in this article are 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.)
KINGSTON, Jamaica - U.S. Secretary of StateAntony Blinken said on Monday the United States would contribute an additional US$100 million to a United Nations-backed multinational security force intended to help Haitian police fight gangs and US$33millioninhumanitarianaid.
This brings the proposed U.S. contributiontotheforcetoUS$300 million. As of Monday, less than US$11 million had been deposited intotheU.N.'sdedicatedtrustfund, a spokesperson for the world body said, with no new additions since March3whenHaitideclaredastate ofemergencyduetotheworsening violence from gangs seeking to topplethegovernment.
Blinken, on a hastily arranged visit to Kingston, said this was a "criticalmoment"forHaitiandthat he hoped "progress will be made." U.S.officialshavebeenengagedin talks involving Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states and members of Haiti's political parties,privatesector,civilsociety and religious groups aimed at establishing a transitional council thatwouldpavethewaytothefirst electionssince2016.
Haiti declared a state of emergency early this month as clashes damaged communications and led to two prison breaks after Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier, a leader of an alliance of armed
groups, said they would unite and overthrow Haiti's unelected Prime MinisterArielHenry
Henry, who came to power after the 2021 assassination of Haiti'slastpresidentbutisstranded outside of the country, was in virtual discussions with CARICOM on Monday, a State Department official said His politicalalliesalsoweretakingpart in the in-person talks in Kingston, theofficialsaid.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia M o t t l e y s a i d H a i t i a n "stakeholders" had largely agreed thatapresidentialcouncilshouldbe urgently installed to identify a primeminister,whowouldtogether with the council establish a government.
Aprovisional electoral council should also be established excluding those who would be involved in future elections, Mottley added at a news conference.
The United Nations estimates thatover362,000peoplehavebeen internally displaced, half of whom are children, and thousands have beenkilledintheoverallconflictin Haiti, with widespread reports of rape, torture and ransom kidnappingssince2021.
StateDepartmentspokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington was looking to expedite the deployment of a multinational
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Guyana President Irfaan Ali and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness attend an emergency meeting on Haiti at the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Kingston, Jamaica, March 11, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via REUTERS
security mission, to be led by Kenya,intendedtorestoresecurity to Haiti, it said. Countries have been slow to offer support for the multinational force, with some raising doubts over the legitimacy of Henry's unelected government amidwidespreadprotests.
Many in Haitian communities and abroad are wary of
international interventions after previousU.N.missionsleftbehind adevastatingcholeraepidemicand sex abuse scandals, for which reparationswerenevermade.
Mike Ballard, intelligence director at security firm Global Guardian,saidifgangscompletely take control of ports and airports, they would be in charge of
humanitarian aid to the country, adding he did not believe Kenyan forces would effectively police or maintainpeace.
"Countrieswithactualstakesin the region will need to step up and help shore up security," he said, pointing to the United States, neighboring Dominican Republic andotherCARICOMmembers.
Two citizens, Frderick Collins and Godfrey Whyte have appealed the decision of Justice Rishi Persaud, who determined that the CourtofAppealhasnojurisdiction to summon the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produceevidencethatExxonMobil Guyana has lodged the US$2 billion oil spill guarantee with the agencyasorderedbytheCourt.
Collins and Whyte, through their Lawyers, Melinda Janki, Abiola Wong-Inniss and Seenuath Jairam S.C filed the appeal on February 22, 2024, requesting the fullbenchoftheCourtofAppealto hear their case. In the document seenbyKaieteurNewsthecitizens pointed out that their application was extremely urgent, given that theoperatoroftheStabroekBlock, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is continuing its petroleum operations in Guyana's ExclusiveEconomicZone,without complyingwithCondition14ofits Permit (for an unlimited parent company guarantee) as a result of the Stay granted by the Judge on
June8,2023.
They argued that the learned Judge has made it impossible for himself or any other person, including the Applicants who are actinginthepublic'sinteresttosee whether Esso- now EMGL) has compliedwiththeConditionofthe Stay to lodge the US$2B oil spill Guarantee.
Pendingthefinaloutcomeofan appeal to stay the order by High Court Justice, Sandil Kissoon, that
ExxonMobil Guyana provides unlimited liability coverage for oil spills, Court of Appeal judge, Justice Rishi Persaud had instructed ExxonMobil to lodge a US$2Billionoilspillguarantee.In theirApplicationfortheFullBench to hear their case, the citizens stated, “The learned Judge demonstrated implied bias, or at least gave the impression of bias, by himself raising the spurious question of jurisdiction before it
was raised by either Esso or the EPA, by inviting them to make submissions on jurisdiction, by taking months to hear and determine an application that any competent Judge could have determined upon the papers without submissions, and by rendering a decision which lets Esso off the hook of compliance and makes it impossible for the Applicants (and the Guyanese publicwhoseinterestsareatstake) to find out whether Esso has complied with the Stay or whether Esso is operating illegally and/ or the learned Judge has thereby deprivedhimselfoftheopportunity toascertainwhetherhissaidOrder hasbeencompliedwith.”
The applicants also contend that the Judge's decision was unjustifiable, unreasonable, erroneous at law, harsh and/or oppressive. They argued, “The learned Judge erred at law, was plainly wrong and acted without jurisdiction in varying his Order and/orpronouncingthereontorule thattheguaranteewastobelodged withtheEPAeventhoughtheOrder
New details have emerged surrounding the death of a father of 14 on Sunday March 3 at New AmsterdamBerbice,Region Six.
Kaieteur News had reported that the victim, Godfrey Daniels, 42, was found dead after a fight but his family members have now come forward with some new details claiming that he was chopped and stabbed by his son-in-law and died one day later at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Police had detained the sonin-law for questioning but had released him to conduct further investigations Kaieteur News understands that the matter was not reported immediately to police so investigators are facing setbacks in their investigationandanautopsy conductedonhisremainsdid nothelpmucheitherbecause itreturnedinconclusive.
Nevertheless, the man’s sister in a recent video interview with another section of the media is alleging that Daniels was chopped and stabbed by his son-in-law during a heated argument.“WhenIrundown on the back step and I come down (in her brother’s apartmentonthebottomflat)
I see meh brother on the ground(Nexttothebed)and alldempickneybeenawake up” the woman said before adding that she asked him whatiswrong.
“He say Joel (son-inlaw)broadsideheandcuffhe but I didn’t ask he way side he get the cuff and he didn’t tell me”, the woman said. She recalled that Daniels then pulled his shirt and showed her a wound to his rightsideshoulder “Downhaysuh(pointsto the spot) get like, he seh he getbroadside,butitlooklike
it get juck up and it was bleeding but plenty bleeding”, she explained The woman continued that she advised him to go at the PoliceStationbutherefused and told her that he was alright. Despite his refusal she returned to her quarters andsenthisdaughtertotake him there. He reportedly continued to refuse but eventuallyagreedtogoafter theykeptinsisting.
About 15 minutes later, recalled the woman, his daughter returned and said that Daniels was feeling
weak and could not walk to the station. Another relative reportedly left to meet him upandtakehimtothestation on his bicycle but returned too and advise them that it was better to take him in a taxi.
Thewomansaidthatshe decided to go and see what was wrong and found that herbrotherhadcollapsedon theroad.
“He eye d shut but he wentstillmoving”,Shesaid. They stopped a taxi and together with other relatives theytookhimtothehospital instead where doctors admittedhim.
She said that it was around 23:00 hrs that evening.Theylefthimthere receiving treatment but when they returned the following day, Daniels was inbadshape.
“Icallingforthedoctor calling for the doctor and then the doctor come and sound he when he sound he guh and bring one big thing oneplasticwasoever,Idon’t know wa like fuh put side way and then them send me out”,thewomanrecounted.
A few minutes later the doctor called her into the room and told her that Daniels had passed away Investigationsareongoing
does not, ex facie, say it is to be lodged with the EPA and complianceisamatterfortheCourt notthepartiestodetermine...”
The citizens are therefore seekinganOrdervaryingorsetting aside the decision of the Judge, made on February 19, 2024 refusing the Application made by thecitizensinaSummonsfiledon November 1, 2023 for EPA and Exxontoprovideatruecopyofthe US$2BguaranteeandanOrderthat the Application be dealt with and heardonanurgentbasis.
They are also seeking a declarationthatExxonhasfailedto comply with the Order and that Justice Persaud was “plainly wrong”todeclinejurisdictionand/ or plainly wrong to refuse to order that the oil company/ EPA do produce a copy of the said guarantee to the Applicants Fredericks and Collins have also askedtheCourtfor“thisMotionbe consolidated with that part of the Applicants Motion filed on 5th July,2023foranorderforvariation and discharge of the said order and/orthesaidStay.”
A security was Monday afternoonshotdeadduringa robbery at a Chinese Supermarket at 'F' New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West CoastDemerara(WCD).
Dead is Paul Waterman an employee with Sheriff Security and a resident of Tushen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) Police said that around 15:00hrs three bandits armed with handguns invaded the supermarket and held Waterman at gunpoint along with the supermarket's proprietor Ping Xian Lin, and his wife Li Yan Ohen.
While robbing the supermarket of an undisclosed amount of cash, a quantity of Digicel and
GTT phone cards, a cellphone and a DVR, a scuffle ensued between Waterman and one of the bandits.
The bandit shot Waterman and he fell to the ground.
The bandit then took away his firearm and cellphonebeforehelpinghis accomplicestofinishoffthe robbery Together they escaped by running north through Evergreen Street towardsBestVillage.
The security guard was rushedtotheWestDemerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. One .32 spent shell was found at the scene. Investigationsareongoing.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians began fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Mondaywithcease-firetalks at a standstill, hunger worsening across the Gaza Strip and no end in sight to the 5-month-old war betweenIsraelandHamas.
Prayers were held outside amid the rubble of demolished buildings. Fairy lights and decorations were hung in packed tent camps, and a video from a U.N.school-turned-shelter showed children dancing and spraying foam in celebration as a man sang intoaloudspeaker
But there was little to celebrate after five months of war that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins Families would ordinarily break the daily sunrise-tosundown fast with holiday feasts, but even where food is available, there is little beyond canned goods, and the prices are too high for many
“You don’t see anyone with joy in their eyes,” said Sabah al-Hendi, who was shoppingforfoodSundayin the southernmost city of Rafah.“Everyfamilyissad. Everyfamilyhasamartyr.”
TheUnitedStates,Qatar
and Egypt had hoped to broker a cease-fire ahead of the normally joyous holiday that would include the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a l a r g e a m o u n t o f humanitarian aid, but the talkshavestalled.
Suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sees explosion near ship in Red Sea Hamas is demanding guarantees that any such agreementwillleadtoanend to the war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that demand,vowingtocontinue the offensive until “total victory” against the militant group and the release of all the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Netanyahu said Monday that Israel had killed “Hamas’ number four” leader and added that more targeted killings were tocome.
“Three,two,andoneare ontheway Theyarealldead men. We will reach them all,”hesaid.
Netanyahu was likely referencingtheassassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group’s military wing, who was killed in a blast in Beirut in January Israel was widely
believed to be behind the blast,althoughitdidnottake responsibility
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hamas to honor the spirit of Ramadan by “silencing the guns” and releasingallthehostages.
“The eyes of the world are watching. The eyes of history are watching. We cannot look away,” he said. “We must act to avoid more preventable deaths Desperate civilians need action—immediateaction.”
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel onOct.7,killingsome1,200 people,mostlycivilians,and taking around 250 hostage. Hamasisstillbelievedtobe holdingaround100captives andtheremainsof30others following an exchange last year
The war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million peoplefromtheirhomesand pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. Health officials say at least 25 people, mostly children, have died from m a l n u t r i t i o n a n d dehydration in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have largely sealed off the north since October, and aid
groups say Israeli restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of law and order have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver desperately needed food in muchoftheterritory
Israel has vowed to expand its offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, without saying where civilians would go to escape the onslaught PresidentJoeBidenhassaid anattackonRafahwouldbe a“redline”forhim,butthat the United States would continue to provide military aidtoIsrael.
Biden acknowledged in his annual Ramadan messagethattheholymonth comes “at a moment of intense pain.” “As Muslims
Twenty-four-year-old Melroy La Rose was on Friday charged for the alleged murder of his wife Nikesha Sutton, which occurred last week at their Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE)home.
La Rose on Friday made his first court appearance at the Leonora Magistrate's Court before Magistrate ZameenaAli-Seepaul,wherethecharge wasreadtohim.Hewasnotrequiredto pleadtothechargewhichallegesthaton March 4, 2024 at Parika backdam, he murdered 24-year-old Sutton. La Rose wasremandedtoprisonandisexpected to appear in court again on March 28, 2024.
Kaieteur News had reported that Sutton was fatally stabbed last week Monday by the suspect after an argument ensued between them. The police had reported that on March 4, around 15:00h, the suspect who was under the influence of alcohol, arrived home and was involved in a heated argument with Sutton, after which he lefttheirhome.
Information reaching the police furtherrevealedthataround17:00hthat day,LaRosereturnedtothehomewith
twoalcoholicbeverages shortly after another and resulted in two. It was reported intervened to stop the fight. After the scuffle, the suspect told Sutton to removeherbelongingsfromthehouse. According to the police, the woman placed some of her clothes in a bucket and was making her way to her sister's house which was nearby On her way there, the suspect picked up a beer
Charged, Melroy Sutton
gatheraroundtheworldover the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many It is front of mind forme,”hesaid.
The United States and other countries have begun airdropping aid, but humanitarian groups say such efforts are costly and insufficient The U S military has also begun transporting equipment to build a sea bridge to deliver aid, but it will likely be several weeks before it is operational.
A ship belonging to Spanish aid group Open Arms was expected to make a pilot voyage to Gaza from nearbyCyprus,thoughitwas not clear when it would depart.TheUnitedStateshas provided crucial military support to Israel and shieldeditfrominternational calls for a cease-fire while urgingittodomoretoavoid harming civilians and facilitatehumanitarianaid.
Singh performed a post mortem examination on Sutton's body at the EzekielFuneralHome.
Sutton'scauseofdeathwaslistedas a “stab wound to the neck.” La Rose whohadfledthesceneaftercommitting the act was on Wednesday evening apprehendedbythepoliceinTimehri.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Monday that at least 31,112 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including 67 bodies brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatantsinitscount,butit hassaidwomenandchildren make up two-thirds of the dead.
Israelblamesthecivilian deathtollonHamasbecause the militants fight in dense, residentialareasandposition fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers near homes, schoolsandmosques.
The military has said it has killed 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence.
Speaking on Saturday to MSNBC, Biden said Israel had the right to respond to the Oct. 7 attack but that Netanyahu “must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost.” He added that“youcannothave30,000 morePalestiniansdead.”
An18-year-oldmanwas on Monday charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to a Guyana Police Force press release Daniel Greenidge appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias. He pleaded not g u i l t y , a n d w a s subsequently remanded to prison The matter was adjourned to March 27th, 2024.
Theyoungmanwasalso charged with Unlawful Wounding He was not required to plead to the charge and was placed on $200,000bail.Bothcharges arerelatedtothereportofan
Remanded, Daniel Greenidge
alleged 'shooting incident' committed on Fay Samaroo which occurred on 27th February 2024 at Sheet AnchorVillage,EastCanjie Berbice.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday officially launched the first ever NationalRamadanVillageat t h e M u s l i m Yo u t h Organisation of Guyana (MYO) at WoolfordAvenue, Georgetown.
First Lady, Arya Ali, government ministers, DawahofCIOG,membersof the diplomatic corps and other officials were also presentatthelaunch.Withan open-air concept, the National Ramadan Village providesauniquechancefor all Guyanese to enjoy the spiritual ambience of Ramadan. The village has several booths displaying differentfacetsofIslam,such as garments, literature, local and international food, sweetmeats, and recreational spacesforfamilies.
The village will be open on all the weekends of the Holy Month on the lawns of MYO.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, reflection, prayerandcommunity.
The National Ramadan Village initiative seeks to create awareness and
appreciation among the general public about R a m a d a n T h e k e y stakeholdersofthisinitiative include the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT), the Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana (MYO) and the Government of Guyana
month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, reflection, prayer and community Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, lasting from one sightingofthecrescentmoon toanother
T h e R a m a d a n
This was disclosed during a pressconferenceatMYOlast Friday, spearheaded by the Chief Executive Officer of t h e N a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN), Neaz Subhan, Sheik Moeen-ul-Hack, Sheik Aleem Rahim, and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh.
Ramadan is the ninth
observance will be observed at the national village, inviting families to join together for the communal breaking of the fast while facilitating prayers and reflectionsduringthissacred month.
Sheikh Moeen-ul-Hack emphasised that people will have the opportunity to gather at the Ramadan village to partake in the
The National Ramadan Village will on all the V weekends of the Holy Month at the lawns of MYO
communal breaking of the fast,prayers,andreflections.
“ I n t h i s b e a u t i f u l multifaceted society of ours, participating and sharing in each other's culture, traditions and festivities are fixtures which allow for the further strengthening of bonds and enlightenment
The national Ramadan village provides yet another opportunity to build upon t h i s r i c h t r a d i t i o n , c o m p l e m e n t i n g t h e components of prayers and spiritual reflections which are associated with the holy month of Ramadan,” Hack stressed.
In the evenings, presentations will be given by Islamic scholars on the important roles of women, women empowerment, and youth The village will
feature several booths showcasing various aspects ofIslam,includinggarments, literature, and local and international cuisines, including sweetmeats, as well as recreational spaces. InadditiontoprovidingIftar, themealforbreakingthefast, the cuisine booths will offer options through the sale of theitemsondisplay.
Meanwhile, Baksh revealed that GTA will organize a special Islamic heritage tour at some of the renowned mosques throughoutGuyanaforthose attending the national
Ramadan village. This tour promises to be a historic and enlightening experience for all.
He added, “For those in the diaspora, we are teaming up with several airlines including Caribbean Airlines, and Suriname Airways to promote a concessionalrateforpersons w h o a re d e s i ro u s o f travelling throughout this period.” A series of master classes will be conducted by a seasoned facilitator for the creation of Muslim sweetmeats for everyone (DPI)
Present at the signing were Karen Roopchand, Project Manager, BNTF; Ajay Bissessar, Project Engineer, Roopchand, BNTF; Beverley Bunbury, Community Liaison Officer, BNTF; Amanda Persaud, Director, and contractor of
ThevillageofMashaboinRegion2 willbenefitfromtheconstructionofan Eco-Restaurant while a bakery will be constructed in Mainstay under the Women and Vulnerable Groups Empowermentsub-project.
valuedat$77,716,674,wassigned
According to a release from the BasicNeedsThrustFund,acontract between the Government of Guyana through the BNTF and Faldhari Singh & Son Contracting Service “The
BNTF Implementing Agency (Ministry of Finance) received an application for the construction of a bakery in Mainstay and an EcoRestaurantatMashabo.
Theproposaloriginatedfromtwo vibrant women's groups in the villages with a vision to boost their tourism product while improving livelihoods of villagers, especially women,” the statement said “In addition to the facilities,
beneficiaries will receive training in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, food management and hospitality through a collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,” the statement added The projects are designed to “generate sustainable income, directly promote asset ownership and accumulation and enhance food security,” the release stated.(DPI)
A 2 6 - y e a r - o l d motorcyclist died on Sunday night after he collided with a lorry owned by the Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) at McDoom, East Bank Demerara(EBD).
The dead man has been identifiedasDomallTrim.
According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), preliminary investigations revealedthatthedriverofthe GYBSI lorry, 24-year-old Nickell Higgins, was headed East on the Rome Access Road to proceed further East across Mc Doom Public Road.
“As the lorry approached Mc Doom public road, the traffic rank at the junction stopped all the vehicles that were proceeding South and North on both carriageways and later gave the driver of the motor lorry directions to proceed East across Mc Doom Public Road,” the statement said. The incident occurredatabout21:35h.
Police said that while the lorrywascrossingtheeastern carriageway, “a group of motorcyclists were proceeding South on the eastern drive lane of the eastern carriageway. The motorcyclists pulled to the eastern side of the road, navigating alongside the stationary vehicles and
Dead: Domall Trim (Domall Trim's Facebook Page)
started to proceed South at a fast rate, overtaking the line oftraffic.”
Trim's motorcycle reportedly collided with the rear end of the GYBSI lorry U p o n i m p a c t , t h e motorcyclist fell on the road and skidded into the rear right-side wheel of the vehicle.
“He was picked up in a semi-conscious condition and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital,” Police said while noting that the injured man wasexaminedbyadoctor.
He died while receiving treatmentatthehospital.
Trim's body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortemexamination.
The government's Restorative Justice Initiative is gaining momentum, with anotherbatchofpersonssetto undergotrainingaspartofthe programme.
Thetrainingwaslaunched at the Police Officers' Mess Annex in Georgetown on Monday Over the next two weeks, 23 participants will focus on effectively engaging victims, offenders, and communityleadersforamore holistic approach to addressing crime Upon completionofthetraining,the practitioners will receive certificates that qualify them to apply restorative justice in their communities and social environments.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said the programme aligns with the government's vision of creating a dynamic justice sector, strengthening and revolutionisingthewaycrime is tackled “Restorative Justice is one of the many concepts which we have incorporated into our justice system that demonstrates the government and the judiciary's commitment to ensure that our justice system continues to incorporate the innovations, new evolving concepts, and developmental trends taking place in the different parts of the world,” hetoldthosegathered.
Restorative Justice is an alternative approach that seeks to repair harm through theinvolvementofthevictim, the offender, and the community It falls under the
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme, which is aimed at addressing the overcrowding in prisons. The AGremindedthattheconcept allows for a more targeted approach to minor crimes, allowing for healing and accountability “It allows also for the practitionertodelvedeepinto the root cause, because what goesbeforethecourtissimply a symptom Restorative Justiceallowsthepractitioner to interrogate and go to that cause,andaddressthedisease, cure it, so the symptom will not arise,” AG Nandlall added.
This training was facilitated through a partnershipwiththeCanadian High Commission, under the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism, which provides technical assistancetomemberstates.A similar training was launched in January and benefitted 70 persons, which included toshaos, prison and probation officers, and nongovernmental organisations. The Restorative Justice initiative has been aligned withtheprobationdepartment of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security toextendtheseservicesacross the country Head of Cooperationfor the Canadian High Commission, Adam Loyer, and Chancellor of the Judiciary(ag),MadamJustice Yonette Cummings-Edwards also delivered remarks at the ceremony (DPI)
Recognising that traditional sectors such as sugar are highly integrated into Region Six's economic environment, the government is making another 5000 hectares of land available at theSkeldonSugarEstate,East Berbice-Corentyne.
President Irfaan Ali made the announcement as he addressed an audience gathered for the formal opening of Republic Bank's $1.2 billion Williamsburg branch last Saturday. PresidentAlialsorevealedthe production process at this location will be mechanized, t h e r e b y e n h a n c i n g p r o d u c t i v i t y a n d competitiveness. “We have
alreadysourcednewvarieties of canes that will be planted on those lands, so that not only will we achieve, or we're working on achieving the target this year, but we are also working on achieving higher levels of target next year,” the head of state disclosed.
President Ali noted too that the administration is cognizant of the need for the human resource to evolve to keep pace with the industry's modernisation.
That is why the government is actively discussingplanstoretrainand retool the sugar workers to equipthemwiththenecessary (Continuedonpage16)
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The government has been working assiduously to maintain a tier one status in Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud accredits this significant achievement to the government’s Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit and the recently passed Counter Trafficking in Persons Act.
Minister Persaud disclosed a series of initiatives set to be rolled out to aid in tackling TIP in the country, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs. “There will be a national task force, co-chaired by both ministers and there is an action plan
and whilst all of that is happening the commencement orders goes into force and we are able to utilise that.
We have also been working on the regulation and we have been working on having a standard operations procedure that directs how we respond,” she announced during an interview on Friday. Additionally, the minister underscored the ministry’s continued effort of expanding its unit to cater to cases of trafficking that exceeds successful raids.
She noted that the ministry has been ramping up on its awareness campaigns through the means of marches, public service an-
nouncements (PSA’s) and training of citizens and officers.
The training programmes are focused on educating a person on how to identify cases of trafficking, how to report and importantly, how to respond to these cases.
Considering the fact that trafficking happens in plain sight, the ministry has taken a proactive approach by developing a hand signal victims can use to seek help.
In addition, to the government’s zero tolerance approach to TIP, the ministry launched a 24- hour Spanish hotline to allow Spanish/Portuguese speaking persons to report trafficking. Comple-
menting the existing hotline that caters for English speaking persons.
“In the new law we have looked at all of those areas given guidance, look at the fines and the penalties, the punitive measures so that we can have deterrence to the occurrence of trafficking in persons.
We also look at our borders and how we can train persons and those are key areas that we are continuing to work on,” the minister emphasised.
Meanwhile, the ministry is examining new methods of approach to better cater for children that are being trafficked. (DPI)
From page 3 the agreements have been signed, as soon as all the agreements have been signed, he will lay it over in Parliament,” the former Minister pointed out.
During this year’s Consideration of Estimates for Budget 2024, the Prime Minister again committed to lay over agreements for the project to the National Assembly. He explained that the construction phases of the projects are insured and related documents can be provided to the House. He was responding to MP Patterson on whether insurance is in place for the current works to support the gas plants and whether the gov-
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ernment can lay those in Parliament. The PM said, “The EPC (Engineering, Procuring and Construction) contract has its own insurance policy.” When reminded about the latter part of the question, he said, “Certainly Mr. Speaker.”
Similarly, on the issue of Exxon’s pipeline, the PM noted, “I am advised again Mr. Speaker that Exxon has insurance coverage with the contractor, so that is catered for…we will lay it over.” He also committed to providing the total sum expended on the project to date, including costs for the transmission and distribution of electricity,
consultancy and substations, among other costs, as well as the agreements signed for the project. To date however, Patterson said no agreements have been supplied to the House on the project.
The former Minister believes that the government is reluctant to table the agreements as these would expose the beneficiaries of the arrangements.
He said, “Obviously they don’t wanna lay it because that would unravel where the feed troughs are and how unviable this entire thing is. It would show how corrupt this thing is.” The government has been reluctant to
release documents relative to this project and numerous attempts by the Opposition to seek clarity in the National Assembly have been defeated.
MP Catherine Hughes had complained last year that questions submitted by her were not allowed by Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir since these issues were addressed by Head of the GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington when Guyana hosted its Energy Conference in 2023.
This was the fourth attempt by the Opposition seeking details surrounding the controversial GTE project.
From page 15 on knowledge and skills, “But more importantly, how we’re going to integrate them in other aspects of expansion that will take place here in Berbice,” the president pointed out.
Moreover, Enmore, previously a sugar estate, is also set to undergo a transformation with the establishment of a sugar refinery. This new development is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s sugar industry by allowing for the production of refined sugar.
The head of state highlighted these developments as he recalled that the traditional sectors in the region experienced a massive downfall in the past four years. This is primarily attributed to the policies and economic management that were implemented by the previous government. The sugar and rice
industries were hit hard, with both sectors witnessing a significant decline while the forestry sector in the East Berbice-Corentyne region ceased production. And so, “Over the last three years we have had to find resources, financial and human resources to reinvigorate investments into these traditional sectors to the extent that we not only bring them back into operation and create jobs, but to the extent of bringing them back into sustainable and resilient sectors,” he said. Shifting his attention to the rice industry, the president noted significant investments were funneled into the drainage and irrigation infrastructure to sustain, increase and sustain production while incentives were reinstated. “At the same time [we are] investing in higher yield varieties to increase yield and productivity
and this is bringing tremendous results to this region and to the rice sector,” he said. Remarkable progress has also been achieved in the region’s forestry sector owing to the government’s reinvestment and policies, including the advancement of value-added products. “This is what we have been doing. This is what we have been investing in, taking up the value chain, improving the value chain, moving from raw material and the natural base productive capacity of the country into a value base productive capacity” President Ali underscored. All these investments are aligned with the government’s integrated vision of a diversified economy, utilising resources earned from the petroleum resources to expand the economy while at the same time, buildingout the traditional sectors. (DPI)
The Engineer’s Department of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has placed a cease order on the fence of CarifestaAvenuelandwhich was allocated by the Government of Guyana (GoG)forQatariinvestorsto buildafive-starhotel.
Thenoticewasplacedon the fence of the property on Monday afternoon moments after MayorAlfred Mentore instructed City Engineer Colvern Venture to ensure that the order is issued. The move comes amidst controversybetweenCentral Government and City Hall over the ownership of the land.
Days after it was announced that the lands once controlled by Guyana National Service (GNS) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) for recreational purposes would be sold for $2 billion to the MiddleEasterninvestorsforthemto build a hotel, City Hall and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) produced their individual copies of
transports claiming rights to theland.
The Georgetown Municipality has since threatened litigation to have the matter sorted out once and for all. On Monday, the ownership of the land was once more a subject for debate at the statutory meeting of the Mayor and Councillors.
When the matter came up for discussion, Mayor Mentore noted that the owners/occupier should have been issued with a cease order to stop any worksbeingconductedatthe location given the ongoing dispute over who owns the land.
He noted that City Engineer had been given an instructiontoissuethecease order at the previous statutory meeting of the council. While updating the councilonhiseffortstoissue the cease order, Venture noted that when he visited the location, no one was there.
The City Engineer explainedfurtherthathedid some research and discoveredthatthetransport
that was circulated by the M&CCclaimingownership, did not relate to the lands whichwereidentifiedforthe Qataris to build their hotel.
“The transport that was circulated does not speak to that portion of land... The transport that was circulated at the Council, speaks to a plot of land bounded by C a m p S t r e e t , J P Latchmansingh Road that is borderedbythecanalthatis immediately south of the
Queen’s College,” Venture toldtheCouncil.
Mayor Mentore, however, sought to remind Venturethathisdutywasnot toverifytheauthencityofthe transport or surveys but to servetheceaseorder
“Areyourelyingonstuff that you would have seen fromtheLandsandSurveys? You are the City Engineer, you are not a surveyor, I am notasurveyor…SoIwould rather that such matters be
treated with by the independent professionals that we can determine the veracity of the transport information ” Mentore said pointing out that the City Engineer’s Department is bound by the law and regulations to approve the construction of building projectswithinthecity.
He noted that it is common courtesy for the counciltobenotifiedofany such development within Georgetown.
“Therealityisthatthisis being done without authorisation and any unauthorised work that is beingdoneinthecityyouas the City Engineer is mandated by regulation and law to be able to treat with suchissues.
If a man is building a place somewhere in Kitty here,youaintgottofindout ifhegottransport,”Mentore asserted.
“Your job is to find out that if they doing unauthorised work… Your job is to approve the plans and provide the information and approval of the council ” he said
“Regardless of who it is…yourjobistoservethem with the notice even if you place it on the fence take a picture to say that I have been there and done that,” theMayorcontinued.
In response, Venture sought to explain to the council that when he visited the location, there was no one there and no work was ongoing. “So a notice to the owner/occupiercannotstand in Court ”the engineer said.
Mentore however reminded the engineer that he had previously advised the council that if the owner of a property is not known then the notice cannot be issuedtotheowner/occupier oftheproperty
The Mayor said too that the issue will likely be the subjectoflitigation.
“This issue will more thanlikelybethesubjectofa courtcase…Ihavewrittento the President and I have not receivedanyword,soIhave until tomorrow and I am speaking to lawyers to get legal advice on the way forward…” the Mayor told theCouncil.
Region Two will soon have for the first time, a Special Education Needs School, which would be constructed through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF)programme.
The school which will be located in the Cotton Field communityontheEssequibo Coastwillbebuilttothetune of$94,378,725.Accordingto information from the BNTF, justrecentlythecontractwas signed between the Guyana Government through the Basic Needs Trust Fund and contractor Builder’s E n g i n e e r i n g a n d Architectural Consultancy As reported previously, the BNTF programme is being implementedbytheMinistry ofFinance.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that in Cotton Field, there is a dire need for educational facilities that would allow children with specialneedsanddisabilities access to quality education and social development mechanisms that match their unique needs. To achieve
this, a Special Needs School willbeconstructedunderthe Education and Human Resource Development (Infrastructure) sector, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) throughitsBasicNeedsTrust Fund and the Guyana Government After the constructionofthisschool,it is expected that this target group have access to quality education and human resource development services.
It was reported that the Basic Needs Trust Fund is a cyclical grant funded programme by the CDB that aims to reduce the incidence of poverty by targeting the causeofinequitableaccessto quality education, specifically, schools catered to children with special needs It is also a developmentprogrammethat is jointly funded by Caribbean Development BankandtheGovernmentof Guyana. The construction of theschoolwillbesupervised by consultant, E&A ConsultantsInc.
Representatives of the BNTF programme handling over the contract to the contractor, Builder’s Engineering and Architectural Consultancy.
AFP - An unbeaten 98 from Alex Carey dragged Australia to victory over New Zealand by three wickets in a thrilling second Test yesterday to give the tourists a 2-0 sweep of the two-match series.
Carey and Mitchell Marsh have struggled for form but their formidable 140-run partnership rescued Australia at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand’s wait for a first home Test victory over their neighbours in more than three decades goes on.
“Something we spoke about today was keeping that scoreboard running, 200, 190,
180 (to get),” said Australia captain Pat Cummins, hailing Carey for his superb innings.
“As a fielding side you do notice that, you do start feeling the pressure build up.
“It’s our strongest suit — we’re all really positive batters.”
Carey and Marsh produced a vital partnership when the tourists had their backs to the wall at 80-5 in their chase of 279.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee said that partnership was the “big moment” in the Test.
The hosts losing the upper hand was the story of the series.
“We’ve been able to make early in-roads in every innings, which is pleasing, but I guess on the back of that you want to be able to nail it down,” Southee said.
“But that’s what you get when you play the top side in the world. They bat deep.”
At 220-5, a nail-biting Test took another turn on Monday afternoon when Black Caps seamer Ben Sears claimed Marsh and Mitchell Starc in successive deliveries.
It left Australia needing a further 59 runs with three wickets remaining.
Skipper Cummins joined Carey to bring the tourists
home.
“I kept to a really solid game plan and read the conditions and read the bowlers,” Carey said.
“I guess losing one wicket this morning was okay. We got through to lunch and then that’s when the game opened up a little bit and the partnership started to flow.”
The series sweep earned Australia valuable points in the World Test Championship standings.
New Zealand were left deflated after starting the fourth day with high hopes of a first home Test victory over their rivals in 31 years.
- On the attack -
Next Level, Gittens and Untouch able Boss dominoes has been set for March 24 at Next Level Sports Club starting at 14:00hrs.
Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $200,000, runner up a trophy and $100,000, third place a trophy and $40,000 and fourth place a trophy and $20,000.
The MVP will be given
one week lunch at Guinness bar, Durban Street and the best female team $20,000. All GDA rules will be in effect. The completion is being sponsored by Beck’s Lumber Yard, Tony’s Jewellery, Golden Touch Restaurant, Pressy’s Gift Store, Lloyd Rollins Ross Gas Station, ABU Transportation, HJ 94.1, Visie Tech, LG Refrigeration and Repairs, ASSI Security Service and Strikers Sports Club.
Tuesday March 12, 2024
ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)
You'll notice that your emotions are coming to a monthly climax today, Aries. Don't be alarmed but do be cautious about lashing out at people for no reason. You may feel on edge.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Extremes is the name of the game now, especially for you, Taurus. Today the emphasis is on action. You're the one to call to get the job done. You won't wait another second to simply go for it.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20)
Be adventurous and strike out into new territory, Gemini. Be a pioneer. Work to make some new discoveries in the world. Today isn't a day to worry about consequences.
CANCER (June 21–July 22)
Certain situations may be difficult to deal with today as they take an emotional spin, Cancer. You're getting anxious.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)
You should find that the general mood of the day is favorable to your personality style, Leo. Take this opportunity to present more of your thoughts and ideas to the world.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)
The fog has lifted and you're ready to take off, Virgo. The dreaminess you may have experienced lately has been nice, but now it's time to get moving again.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
This is a terrific day for you, Libra, and you'll find that there is a great deal of power at your disposal. This is a day of new beginnings. You have the opportunity now to start over.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
The fire is raging today, so be careful, Scorpio. Try not to be too impulsive in your actions. Your natural tendency may be to lash out against others without really thinking about the consequences.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Go for the gold, Sagittarius. Today marks the beginning of the rest of your life. Treat it with respect. You may be on a crusade and your combative instincts could be working overtime.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
You may feel as if someone is poking you today, Capricorn, urging you to get up and get moving. Don't be surprised if someone seems to be picking on you for no reason.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
This is a great day for you to get up on stage and make your presence known, Aquarius. Let people know that you're the leader of the pack.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)
This is a good day to add spark to your life, Pisces. If things have seemed boring and stagnating lately, you may need to infuse a bit of excitement into the situation.
When Australia resumed the day at 77-4, after a onehour delay because of rain, Marsh was dropped on 28 by Rachin Ravindra in the second over. Travis Head was out on the next ball from Southee.
New Zealand were buoyant, aware that Marsh and Carey were struggling for form, with Marsh coming off back-to-back ducks.
Carey had compiled just 27 from his three previous innings in the series.
The Australian pair found their touch when it mattered most.
Rather than be cautious, they went on the attack at more than five an over in the morning session as batting conditions became easier with the ageing ball.
The breakthrough New Zealand desperately sought came after lunch when debutant Sears took his double.
Marsh, who made 80 off 102 deliveries, went lbw and Starc followed first ball, caught at square leg by Will Young.
The hat-trick ball however was wide of the mark and the new batsman Cummins edged it for four.
Carey had an anxious moment when given out lbw to Matt Henry on 19 but on review the ball tracker placed the ball outside leg stump.
He gave few other chances in a 123-ball innings which included 15 boundaries.
For New Zealand, Sears took 4-90 while Henry’s 2-94 gave him nine wickets for the Test.
Scores:Australia 256 (Labuschagne 90, Henry 7-67) and 281 for 7 (Carey 98*, Marsh 80, Sears 4-90) beat New Zealand 162 (Hazlewood 5-31, Starc 3-59) and 372 (Ravindra 82, Latham 73, Cummins 4-62) by three wickets.
Students after the Table Tennis event organised by Sports Officer Alister
Former Windball Cricketer Rennay Shepherd, who participated in the West Indies Women’s Winball Championships in 2011, did notforgetwhereshestarted.
On Saturday the lanky player made a donation to All Sport and Tour Promotions (ASTP) of a fully equipped First Aid Kit
Receiving the Kit on behalf of ASTP was Mr Nigel Hope the current Coach of the team Also present were dedicated Parent Ms Pauline Benjamin, who is always present at Training sessions, alongside Mr. AmitDasanotherparent.
These students are part of a programme titled “A Perfect Place
for your child to be” in which there are involved in Windball cricket and also are part of the
MCYS, NSC and GTTA
Table tennis Sports A c a d e m y
Fruta Conquerors
FCrecordedtheir first-round victory in KFC Elite League Season Six on Saturday night, while SlingerzFCnotchedathird consecutive victory at the G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) National Tr a i n i n g C e n t r e , Providence, East Bank Demerara.
In the March 9th double header, Fruta Conquerors claimed a 3-1 victory over Den Amstel FC Theopeninggoalwas netted by Naron Jerrick in the 45+3rd minute, granting Fruta Conquerors a lead as they reached halftime
H o w e v e r , D e n Amstel’s Anthony Benn delivered an extraordinary goalinthe48thminute, levelling the score Nevertheless, Fruta Conquerors regained control with Makhaya Jarvis securing the win through goals in the 60th and64thminutes
This is the Georgetown team’sfirsttriumphinthree matches since the start of
theseasononFebruary25.
In the second fixture of the evening, Slingerz FC, former league champions, emerged victorious over Santos FC with a 3-1 scoreline.
The scoring action kicked off with Santos FC, with Michael Oie netting a goalinthe1stminutemuch to the delight of the club’s supporters
Butmomentsbeforethe halftime whistle, Darren Niles of Slingerz FC managed to level the score for his team in the 45th minute.
The team’s advantage was further solidified by Bryan Wharton, who securedasecondgoalinthe 45+3rd minute and Marcus Tudor goal in the 90+1 minute,ultimatelysealing the victory for Slingerz FC GFF President Wayne Forde noted that spectators have witnessed two weeks of outstanding matches from the ten Elite Clubs, featuring “some surprises but always the very highestlevelofskillanda display of absolute determinationtowinfrom
alltheplayers ”
Healsoappealedto“all supporters to continue attending the live matches at the NTC and other grounds and backing their teams as they vie for the championship title in Guyana’s premier senior men’sleague.”
Other competing teams in season six are reigning champions
Guyana Defence Force, Western Tigers FC, Guyana Police Force, Ann’s Grove United FC, Monedderlust FC and BuxtonUnitedFC
Elite clubs are contending for the firstp l a c e p r i z e o f G$2,000,000 and cash rewards of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000 for the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively
Action continues today March 12th and Fixtures show:GuyanaPoliceForce FCissetforahead-to-head clashwithBuxtonUnitedat 7 p m , while Western Tigers will take on Monedderlust FC at 9:30 p.m.,bothattheNTC.
TucberParkCricketClubbegan their quest for championship honours in the ongoing BCB/ Orvin Mangru Construction U19 competitionbytrouncingBushLotUnited SportsClubby271runs.
In their game which was played at Bush Lot,Tucber Park batted first and madeanimposing440for9
Leading the way was National U 17 batsman Kevin Kisten who clobbered 205, his maiden double century
He received good support from his brotherGavinKistenwith62
While there were contribution by Thierry Henry 38, Kurt Michael 31 and Shamar Thomas who was undefeatedon26
In reply, Bush Lot United struggled and were bundled out for 169. Bowling forTucber Park Gavin Kisten had a good all round performance as he returned to snare4wickets.
Also amongthewicketswereZemuel Felixwith3,whileBrydonFredericksand GilbertGriffithbaggedtwoeach.
The competition is continuing with matches throughout Berbice. (Samuel Whyte)
2024 CWI CG United Women’s Super50 Cup Round 4… Campbell, Munisar lead Guyana
Ashmini Munisar’s 5wicket haul backed by Shemaine Campbell’s second consecutive halfcentury, eased Guyana to a huge61-runwinoverrivals, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas yesterday at Conaree Sports Club Ground,St.Kitts.
Guyana posted 156-8 fromtheir50-overallotment after batting first. Campbell again showed her class, tappingintoherinternational experience as she grafted an 81-ball 52 with a quartet of fours.
Shabika Gajnabi had 33 whiletheopenersRealeanna Grimmond (10) and Mandy Mangru(10)added20atthe top of the order, with Ashmini Munisar chipping inwith11tohelpthemreach
-Campbell52,Munisar5-15, Guyanawinby61runs
a decent total. Divas s p i n n e r K a r i s h m a Ramharack led with 3-26 while veteran Lee-Ann
Kirby chipped in with 2-24 tofinishastheleadbowlers. Bowledoutfor95in42
(Continuedonpage19)
Archery enthusiasts and aspiring archers in Guyana have a new resource to help thematalllevelsinlearning archery using world standards.
This highly anticipated Archery Coaching Manual will enable archers and coaches to hone their skills and achieve their goals Developed by Archery Guyana (AG), the sole recognised governing body of the sport of archery, duly sanctioned by World Archery, the Guyana Olympic Association and our National Sports Commission of the Ministry ofCultureYouthandSport.
Archery Guyana in its mandated authority for archery education and training continues to work with all partners and affiliated within its framework to bring to Guyanese such resources without the need for oppressive costs attached to learninginthesport.
This First Edition Coaching Manual is aimed to revolutionise the way archery is taught and practicedinallregionsofthe country.
The Archery Coaching Manual serves as a comprehensive guide designedtoprovidecoaches, instructors,andarchersofall levels with the knowledge,
techniques, and strategies neededtoexcelinthesport.
Themanualcoversevery aspect of archery in detail, making it an indispensable resource for anyone passionateaboutthesport.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Archery Coaching Manual to the archery community in Guyana,” said Head coach Mr Nicholas Hing. “This manual represents years of expertise and experience d i s t i l l e d i n t o a comprehensive guide that will empower coaches and archers to reach their full potential.”
The Archery Coaching M a n u a l f e a t u r e s contributions from top archery experts and coaches from around the world and olympic level, ensuring that it reflects the latest advancements and best practicesinthesport.
With easy-to-follow instructions, detailed illustrations, and practical tips, the manual is suitable for archers of all ages and skill levels, from beginners toseasonedcompetitors.
President of Archery Guyana Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon announcedwithgreatdelight and pride, that the Official Manual is now available as an important resource for Guyana.
GFSCADCB U19 Inter-Association Super50 Tournament... Tournament presentation set for Easter Saturday at
- Culminates with Champs GCA playing Combined XI in feature match
-19 Super50 Tournament, the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)haveearmarkedEaster Saturday to host their festive feature match between champions Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and a Combined XI from the rest of the association, followed by a major award ceremony
Presentations for individual awards and to champsGCA,whostormedto the title this past weekend beating East Bank, will be complementedbywhatislikely to be a highly-competitive game between the aforementioned tournament winners and a combined allstarteam.
Speakingonbehalfofthe DCB Competitions Committee, Shaun Massiah
confirmed that Demerara CricketClub(DCC)willhost the day’s activities, as organizerslooktoputonone finalshowastheybringdown curtainsonasuccessfulyouth tournament Massiah also
confirmed that Easter Saturday’s festivities at DCC, including the final mouth-watering battle between GCA and the Combineteam,willbeLivestreamedforfanspurposes.
“Whether you are a beginner picking up a bow for the first time or a seasonedarcherhoningyour skills, this coaching manual is designed to be your comprehensive guide to masteringtheartofarchery.”
She expressed thanks to the WorldArchery Team, in particular, Mr Sergio Font, Secretary General of World Archery Americas, Mr Phil Graves and Ms Ludys Tejada.ShecommendedMr RyanMcKinnon,Mr Robert Singh, Mr Nicholas Hing, Mr UmasankarMadray,Mr Jeewanram Persaud and Mr Saeed Karim for working together to complete this Manual.
Archery is a sport that combines physical prowess, mental focus, and technical precision It requires discipline, dedication, and a willingness to continually learn and improve. With the right guidance and practice, anyone can excel in archery and experience the satisfaction of hitting the bullseye.
The Archery Coaching Manual is now available through Archery Guyana. For more information, pleasecontacttheFederation a t ArcheryGuyana@gmail co m and the official website
can be reached at www.archeryguyana.com.
Sada Williams breaks Barbados national 200m record with a roar at GC Foster
SportsMax - In a dazzling display of unexpected speed, twotime World Championship 400mbronzemedalistSada Williams of Barbados set the track ablaze at the GC Foster Classic in Spanish Town on Saturday Williams, who trains with the MVP Track Club in Jamaica, not only secured victory but also shattered her country’s national record with a scintillating timeof22.59.
As she crossed the finish line, Williams couldn’t contain her joy, letting out a scream that echoed the magnitude of her achievement. The 26year-old athlete’s triumph was not just a personal victory but a testament to her resilience and commitmenttoexcellence.
Williamsdominatedthe field, leaving her MVP teammates Natasha Morrison andTina Clayton inherwake.BothMorrison and Clayton delivered c o m m e n d a b l e performances with seasonbest times of 23.53 and 23 65, respectively However, it was Williams whoracedtovictorywitha significantlead.
Explaining the jubilant
screams, Williams shared with Sportsmax.TV, “Yes, because I haven’t run that fast since 2016 (when she ran22.61asajunior).Iwas just hoping that the wind was legal I wasn’t expecting much in the 200m, so I guess this only shows how fast I’ll run in the 400m this season, so I’mveryexcitedtoseehow that goes. I did not think I wasgoingtocomeouthere andrunthatfast.”
The arduous nature of her training was evident in her post-race comments “Trainingisrough,training is rough. Every day I am justtryingtosurvive.Every dayisaconstantbattle,soI am just trying to survive and hope for the best for another season,” she declared.
Reflecting on whether this year’s training was more challenging than the past two seasons, during which she earned bronze medals at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and Budapest, Williams admitted, “That’s a good question. Maybe. All I could tell is that it’s just rough right now, that’s whyIwassoshockedabout the time because I have been dying the past three
weeks ”The Barbadian sprinterisnotonetoreston her laurels, as she looks ahead to another challenge – another 200m race in Miramar, Florida in a few weeks. When asked about the expectations in Barbados, Williams expressedconfidenceinthe support she receives. “I know everybody is just hopingthatIcanmakeiton the podium for Paris. I know they’ll be very excited as they are every year.”
As her fame continues to soar, Williams admitted toslowlygettingusedtoher celebritystatusinBarbados where she has received national honours as well as enjoyed ambassadorial roles for companies in the privatesector
She anticipates the reactions of her fellow Barbadians, eagerly awaiting their support and enthusiasm. “I am slowly getting used to it. I guess that if I was in Barbados I wouldbemorepronounced everywhere I go everybodywouldbeatme, soseeingasIaminJamaica itisn’tasobvious.ButIam slowlygettingusedtoit,so I can’t wait to see their reaction.”
Secretary of the
Management Committee of the Tuschen Community Center Ground, Shazim Nasrudeen, has responded to recent social media accusations on personsarebeingdenieduse ofthefacility
Nasrudeen told Kaieteur Sportthatpersonsfromother areashavebeengoingtouse that facility and damage has been done hence they makingeffortstoensureitis used by residents in that neighbourhood.
In a statement, he noted that,“Allgroundsareowned by Government of Guyana. We would like to thank the government for their continued support we have received over the years in buildinginfrastructure.
ThisGroundislocatedin Tuschen North and solely maintained by the management committee Themanagementcommittee was elected through a democraticprocessoverseen by the Tuschen/Utivlugt NDC and this committee is also the management of Tuschen Sports Club. Like
any other club, this club has financialmemberswhopaya subscription fee The maintenance is mainly financed by the financial members of Tuschen Sports Club by making donations andvoluntaryworksdoneby members.”
Thestatementcontinued, “Over the years this ground has under gone significant changes and is faced with costly vandalism mainly the pitch, building and fence which is very challengingto repair
We have noticed that a video has surface on the internet mainly on Facebook, Guyanese Critic and Guyana Cricket Board Facebookpage.
With regards to the video,ourSecretary(Shazim Nasrudeen) is seen explaining the protocol for otherclubstousetheground and we stand by these protocols.
These guys seen in the Video are from South Side Sports Club located in Tuschen New Scheme and likeanyothersportsclubthat want to use the ground
permissionisrequiredtouse the ground There are currently3othersportsclubs using the ground, namely Zeelugt North Sports Club, Hydronie Sports Club and RubySportsClub.”
“Any resident of TuschenNorthandmembers of Tuschen Sports Club is allowed to use the ground at any time without having to seekpermission.
We have observed some comments on the FB posts that the ground is owned by the government and finance bytaxpayers.Sothequestion we would like to ask is because its government owned and finance by taxpayers shouldn’t we care for it and have rules? Rules are there to protect the facilityandpersonsusingthe ground.”
Nasrudeen further informed that, “There instances where they were broken glass bottles and otherdebrisbeingleftonthe groundbypersonsunknown that post serious safety threatstoplayersthatusethe ground.Thedayinquestion, Zeelugt North Sports Club
was scheduled to use the ground, South Side showed up without permission and used the pitch, should any damages occurred Zeelugt North SC would have been held accountable for the damages, hence not fair to them.”
“Is it wrong for us to encourageouryoungpeople to follow rules, process and procedures and to resolve
mattersincivilizedmanner?
Itseemsthatanyonecantake a phone make a video and misrepresent the facts,” he reasoned.
“We hope that persons thatmisunderstoodtheentire situation are now properly informed.
It is easy to come and utilize the facility when it’s in a good state but is very challenging to fix when it’s
indisrepair ThisGroundin maintained by members, supporters and voluntarily, the NDC does not maintain this ground,” Nasrudeen disclosed.
The Secretary furnished severalphotosofsomeofthe damage to the facility that theyhavetocontendwithas he highlighted their stance following the recent social mediaposts.
Calif. (AP) Novak
Djokovic made a winning return to the desert, beating Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday in his first match at the BNP Paribas Openinfiveyears.
The24-timeGrandSlam singles champion joined Rafael Nadal as the only players to win 400 matches in ATP Masters 1000 series events.
T h e t o p - r a n k e d Djokovic is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, tied with Roger Federer for most by a male, but hadn’t played in the event since 2019.
“Five years is quite a long time for a professional tennisplayer,butatthesame time playing here the last time in 2019 felt like yesterday,”Djokovicsaid.
“I connected with the crowd and everyone I haven’t seen in five years veryquickly”
Coco Gauff and Aryna
Sabalenka also won barely — rallying to win their opening matches in third-settiebreakers.
Gauff edged Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). The U.S. Open women’s champion trailed4-0andthen5-2inthe thirdset,leavingheragame
away from becoming the second top American upset byBurelthisyear. The No. 47-ranked playerfromFrancebeatNo.
5 Jessica Pegula in the
second round of the AustralianOpen.
Sabalenka, the two-time
Australian Open champion wholosttoGauffinthefinal at Flushing Meadows, foughtofffourmatchpoints before outlasting American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6(6).
The No. 2 seed will face Emma Raducanu, the 2021
U S Open women’s champion who reached the third round when No. 30seeded Dayana Yastremska had to retire after Raducanu hadtakena4-0lead.
The third-seeded Gauff advanced to face Lucia Bronzetti in the third round. The Italian knocked off No. 32AnhelinaKalinina6-3,64.
But Pegula was eliminated in the second round again Saturday, with Anna Blinkova of Russia beatingher6-2,3-6,6-3.
Naomi Osaka knocked out another seeded player, ousting No. 14 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, 7-5, 6-3.
The four-time Grand Slam champion who returned to competition this year after giving birth won the 2018 BNP Paribas title. She will next face No. 24 EliseMertens.
No. 27 Victoria Azarenka, who won the event twice, was upset by
American Caroline Dolehide7-5,2-6,6-3.
Djokovic avoided an upsetbypullingawayfrom theNo 69-rankedVukicin the third set of his first match since falling to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Djokovic won Masters 1000 titles last year at Cincinnati and Paris, but couldn’t play in the first two of the year in Indian Wells and Miami, still prevented at the time from traveling to the U.S. as a foreigner who was not vaccinated against COVID19.
He won in the desert in 2008 and 2011, then three straight times from 201416 The 36-year-old from Serbia is 400-86 in ATP Masters1000events
Nadal, who withdrew justbeforetheevent,has406 victories in the nine tournaments at the level belowtheGrandSlams.
Who will be m a d e o f more? That’s the question on the lips of teams and fans ahead of the start of this year’s Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition.
Scheduled to commence this Friday, at the National Park,thecompetitionwillbe played over eight days and the buzz around the town is that all thirty-two teams are chomping at the bits to see who will emerge champion in the most popular streetstylefootball.
Returning after a fouryearabsence,theOrganisers have put on offer over $1.5 million in prize monies and trophies for the top four finishers, while the winner of the Plate final and Skills
Challenge competitions will alsoberewardedfinancially Speaking at the Launch recently, Guinness Brand Executive Lee Baptiste said that they are expecting keen rivalry among the teams, adding that even after four years of the tournament’s absencethefeedbackamong teams and fans point to an excitingexperience,onethat had become a customary feature of the tournament overtheyears.
“What we have been hearing within the communities that the teams come from is that they are excited and eager to be part of the event, while similar sentiments have also been expressed by residents of those communities, ” Baptistesaid.
The winning team will takehome$800,000andthe champion’s trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000respectively
The winner of the Plate finalwillcartoff$$100,000.
Meanwhile, the first three nights of the competition will be played onaknockoutbasiswiththe winners advancing to the group phase, before the quarterfinals set for March 30.
Following are the fixtures for the first three nights:
On Friday March 15:
Alexander Village versus RisingStars;Sophiavs.Bent Street Young Gunners; Festival City vs Laing
countdown is on: Georgetown leg of Guinness Greatness of the Streets football competition.
Avenue Ballers; North East La Penitence vs. Ballers FC and Gold is Money vs; RenegadeAllStars.
On Saturday March 16: Broad Street vs. Make It Happen; California Square
vs Sophia B; North Ruimveldtvs.StreetBallers; Albouystown Airport Ballers and Back Circle vs. StabroekBallersB.
On Sunday March 17: Up Top Boss vs. Lodge All
So u t h
Essequibo/Bartica
C o m b i n e d remainedunbeatenaftertwo rounds of matches, while East Bank Essequibo and Wakenaam/Leguan
Combined chalked victories when the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) U17 50-over tournament continued recently
At Zeelugt, host East Bank Essequibo beat Wakenaam/Leguan
Combined by five wickets.
B a t t i n g f i r s t , Wakenaam/Leguan
Combined were bowled out for 98 in 16.5 overs. Trivel Evans made 38, N
Manpersaud14andBomesh
Lall 13. Shazim Mohamed claimed4-1includingahattrick while N. Lovell had 234.
East Bank Essequibo responded with 99-5 in 19.4 overs.
F Gurahooscored22,G. Persaud got 20 and N Shankar 16 Golcharran Chulai and Evans took two wicketseach.
A t W a k e n a a m
Community Center ground, Wakenaam/Leguan
Combined defeated North Essequibo/Pomeroon
Combined by eight wickets.
Skipper Golcharran Chulai
baggedeightwicketsforfive runsfrom5.1oversasNorth Essequibo/Pomeroon Combined were sent packing for 16 1 overs, taking first strike. Extras contributed 15 as Aarav Sukram supported with 214.
Wakenaam/Leguan responded with 52-2 in 9.2 overs. Justin Dowlin made an unbeaten 18 and Trivel Evansscored12notout.
At Affiance NO 1 g r o u n d , S o u t h Essequibo/Bartica
Combined beat East Bank Essequibo by five wickets. East Bank Essequibo took firstknockandmanaged130 all out in 26 1 overs
FranchisGurahooscored22, Nicholas Lovell 21 and Elisha Ramdatt and
Mahindra Sankar 15 each.
Jehniel Nurse claimed 4-9 and Eron Benjamin 2-25. South Essequibo/Bartica replied with 131-5 in 29.1 overs Ronaldo Jeffrey struck an unbeaten 56 and Benjaminmade14notout.
South Essequibo/Bartica
Combined overcame North Essequibo /Pomeroon
Combinedby39runs.South Essequibo/Bartica scored 115 all out in 31.1 overs, battingfirst.RonaldoJeffrey made 39 and Justin Sutton 26 Ravesh Singh 2-24 North Essequibo/Pomeroon
Combined were bowled out for76in14.3overs.Ravesh Singhgot17asTeddyWong bagged5-17,EronBenjamin 3-25 and Ashton Simmons 2-19. The competition is being sponsored by Kabesh Persaud, George Gill and Seeadat Ramdat of East BankEssequibo.
PresidentofECBDeleep Singh said this sponsorship ishistoricalsinceit’sthefirst time parents are coming together for such initiative which is vital for cricket development.
Marketing Manager of the ECB Kumar Dass has expressed gratitude to the sponsors and is calling for more support from the businesscommunity
Stars; Tiger Bay vs. Middle RoadBallers;BentStreetvs. Tucville Rangers; Stabroek Ballers vs. Bad A Yard; Leopold Street vs Unstoppable; Sparta Boss vs.BackRoadBallers.
