Kaieteur News

VP Jagdeo defends skilled

Guyanese being snapped up by oil companies

...says Guyana is a free country, citizens can seize opportunities

Three-man gang slaughters

at Eteringbang Chinese shop owner

Suspects nabbed by police

Govt. withdraws

$51.9 billion from oil fund

Two int’l firms bid to implement road weight restriction programme

Vreed-en-Hoop shore base secures US$25 million loan

‘Guyanese Critic’ says not paying Mohamed's $200M

‘Guyanese Critic’ says not paying the Mohameds over $200M - promises to defend matter in court

Mikhail Rodrigues popularlyknownas the 'Guyanese Critic' on social media is saying that he will not be paying the Mohameds over $200M which theyhavedemandedfromhimfor allegeddefamationcharacter

On the sideline of an event at the Office of the President on Thursday Rodrigues was asked: “Have you responded to the lawyer's letter from the Mohameds, and are you going to paythem?”

He responded, “I am not paying them anything, when the lawyerdotheresponse,Iwillsend ittoyouandthenwegoingtocourt. Iamnotgoingtofollowupwiththe letter (they sent), we going to court.” “I talked about it this morning (Thursday) if you watch the morning live, the morning live is about that. I lead out (with) that but as soon as the letter comes, Sanjeev Datadin is preparing the letter, I will send it to you. I will WhatsAppit.”

This publication previously reported that Team Mohamed is demanding that Rodrigues pays in excess of $200 million for defamation. Two letters drafted by

law firm Poonai and Poonai were addressed to Rodrigues who is the Director of 'They Break News.'

According to the letters, the social media commentator used his programme'MorningLivewiththe Critic' to defame businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed.

The letter pointed out that on February 17, 2024 and up to present, Rodrigues defamed the Mohameds through Facebook programmes where he publicly uttered and broadcast several untrue and defamatory statements aboutthebusinessmen.

The letters noted that these

statements and accusations against the Mohameds are patently untrue without justification, misleading, defamatoryandhavecausedinjury and significant harm to Nazar and hissonAzruddin,theirgoodname, reputation and lowered their name in the minds of right-thinking membersofsociety

The lawyer's letter pointed out that the 'Guyanese Critic' has becomeknownforslander

“In your broadcast, you introduce yourself as the realest thing. Despite this, it seems you haveapropensityfordisseminating blatant untrue, libelous and

fictitiousstatementswithoutlawful basis or justification that in their natural and ordinary meaning and by way of innuendo, are defamatory to my client and his reputation,” the lawyer's letters read. It continued: “Further you hold yourself out as a Critic, yet none of your statement is valid or constructivecriticismatall.

Simply put, none of your statements is real, no matter the decibel you speak and the amount oftimesyourepeatortheamountof vitriol and hate you heap upon my client,hissonandfamily.”

Among other things, Poonai

and Poonai is demanding that Rodriguesceaseanddesistfrom making or repeating the defamatory statements he publicized against the Mohamedsonhisprogrammeor atanypublicforum.Further,the lawyers demanded that Rodriguesimmediatelyremoves or retracts the statements by offeringhisunqualifiedapology totheMohameds.

He must also admit that the statements are false and remove the accusatory video from Facebook.

Additionally, the lawyers' letters demand that Rodrigues pays the Mohameds in excess of $200 million each as a compensation for defamation withinsevendays.Shouldhefailto comply with the demands of the letter, Rodrigues is warned that legalproceedingswillbeinstituted againsthim.

Kaieteur News contacted Rodrigues for a comment on whether he would be acceding to the demands of the lawyer's letter He, however, told this newspaper that he is not interested in settling withtheMohameds.“IguessI'llbe seeingthemincourt,”hestated.

From left to right: Nazar and his son Azruddin Mohamed and Mikhail Rodrigues also known as the 'Guyanese Critic'

VP Jagdeo defends skilled Guyanese being snapped up by oil companies ...says

Guyana is a free country, citizens can seize opportunities

A country's human resourceisoftentoutedasits mostvaluableresource.With the discovery of oil and gas, a n d s u b s e q u e n t c o m m e n c e m e n t o f production activities in the Stabroek Block, the skilled labour force has been drawn away by more attractive salaries, leaving a serious dent in the local labour m a r k e t

This has shifted the country'sgrowthprospective in light of the numerous vacanciesinanumberofkey areas However, the government said it does not believe Guyanese should be prevented from seizing opportunities for their

personal development. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo duringhisweeklyconference on Thursday, hosted at the Office of the President said that both the private sector and state agencies have complained about losing its employees to the rapidly developing sector Jagdeowasrespondingto a question from this newspaper when he noted that while the private sector has complained about losing its “people at the bottom” suchascleanerstothepublic sector since they receive better salaries, the government is losing its skilled workers to the p e t r o l e u m s e c t o r

It must be noted that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)forexample,thebody tasked with conducting audits of the petroleum companies, had complained thatthetrainedauditorswere leavingtojointheoilandgas sector The Commissioner General had pointed out that while 65 persons were required for the job, only 31 persons were on roll in August 2023. Government has however made it clear thatitdoesnothaveyolkson its people and will not prevent them from taking betterpayingjobs.“Wedon't haveserfdominthiscountry Wesharethephilosophythat youcan'tbindpeopletoajob

Govt. withdraws $51.9B from oil fund

The government on Thursdaymadeits first withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) for the year 2024, totalling US$250 million.

Pursuant to the NRFAct, as amended by the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2024, Parliamentary approval was granted for

U S $ 1 , 5 8 6 , 1 5 0 , 3 3 1 ( e q u i v a l e n t t o G$329,885,563,088) to be withdrawn from the oil accountthisyear.

In a statement on

Thursday, the Ministry of Finance said, “In accordance with this approval, the Government of Guyana has made its first transfer for 2 0 2 4 , t o t a l l i n g US$250million (equivalent toG$51.994billion)fromthe NRFonMarch5,2024,tothe Consolidated Fund, within the total of US$1.586 billion (equivalent to G$329 9 billion) approved to be withdrawnin2024.”

Almost30%ofthisyear's $1 146 trillion budget is fundedthroughoilrevenues.

Lastyear,thegovernment withdrewatotalofUS$1.002 billion (G$208.9 billion) as approved in the National Assembly

InFebruarythisyear,the governmentgotafreepassto

amend the NRF Act to increase withdrawals in the National Assembly as the Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) boycotted the debates over security concerns in the Opposition lounge.

Therevisedrulewilltake effect from this fiscal year and will replace the conservativerulethatexisted intheact.

Under the revised proposals, a sliding scale is proposed for withdrawals fromthefirstUS$5billionof depositspaidintotheFundin the immediately preceding fiscal year Beyond the first US$5 billion, 90 percent of deposits in the immediately preceding fiscal year will be saved- a move that will benefit generations of Guyanese for years to come accordingtogovernment.

because you want cheap labour We have to equip as many of our people to get betterpayingjobssotheycan improve themselves and the lives of their families so if someone has a better job offer, we're not North Korea tosayyouhavetostayhere,” h e s a i d

Jagdeo continued, “They get a better offer, they make their own decisions, they move. In as much as we are unhappyaboutitbecausethat person,aGuyanesepersonis improvinghisorherownlife and that should be the objective of the individual and the government too.”

To address the skills shortage on the local labour market, the former President pointed out that government is now removing contractual obligations for Guyanese who benefitted from scholarships, explaining, “that means they don't have toworkforgovernment,they can work anywhere, they don't have to repay if they decide to move.” In fact, he explainedthatgovernmentis accelerating training opportunities to up-skill more Guyanese through various government p r o g r a m m e s

Additionally, he told reporters that government is alsograntingworkpermitsto allow “big companies” to import the labour required. For instance, he pointed out that the Chinese company

constructing the new Demerara River Crossing waspermittedtoimporttheir workerssincethiscouldhave affected the timely delivery of the project, therefore d r i v i n g u p c o s t .

He was told that Guyanesecouldnotaffordto pay construction workers to build their homes, as the oil and gas sector was offering rates estimated at $15,000 p e r d a y

To this end, he explained that the administration has implemented various initiatives aimed at cushioning the expensive or unaffordable cost of labour Jagdeo listed for example, t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s construction of core homes and young professional homesthatcanbepurchased ataffordableprices.“Wethen saidwearepreparedtobuild foryou,ifyouhaveaplotof land, there's a programme now we launched in the Ministry, we are prepared to build for you and then we

takeyoutothebanksoifyou haveaplotoflandanywhere in the country, the third facilityiswherewebuildthe core homes then young professional homes so we've entered the building programme to assist people intheseareas,”theVPadded.

He therefore reasoned,

“You're gonna lose people but they're going for bettermentandyoucan'tstop that. Why would you stop someone leaving his job because he has a better job offer and people when they are training, that's what we expect that's why we are fundingthescholarships(so) that they (can) improve themselves and if the state sector can't yield you the salarythatyouwantandyou get an offer in the private sector that's fine

Wearenotpartingonbad terms; we are fulfilling our responsibilitiestoourpeople, thecitizensofthecountryby equipping them to get better j o b s ”

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton said by increasing the withdrawals fromtheNRF,governmentis endangering future generations.

He said, “What we must also bring to the nation's attention, is that this chaotic governance,inconcertwitha willingness to change the NRFrulesonawhim,putsthe nation's finances and economy at great risk, while also robbing future generations of the certainty that there will be resources saved to help them face their own challenges and opportunities.”

Nortonurged,“TheNRF, with its hundreds of billions ofGuyanadollarsindeposits, cannotcontinuetodriftalong in the wind, like a discarded $20 bill. We must see action onthisissueimmediately.”

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Tel:

Attacks on the press

Thepressiscomingunderfireagain,infactalmost every week some of the vilest comments are directed at this newspaper by no less a person thantheVicePresident,BharratJagdeo.

Itisnothingnew,butinthisseasonofpoliticalsilliness wewishtoplaceonrecordourconcerns.Inarecentreport theNewYork-basedCommitteeofProtectJournalists(CPJ) statedthatattacksonjournalists’livesandlibertyremained at near record-levels in 2023, documenting 99 journalists killed worldwide, the highest total since 2015. CPJ also documented320journalistsimprisonedfortheirworkasof theDecember1dateofitsannualprisoncensus—nearthe global all-time high of more than 360 a year earlier Israel made a rapid ascent on the 2023 list, becoming the source for over 75% of journalist killings, and rising to the sixthworst jailer of journalists after the start of the Israel-Gaza waronOctober7.

Atleast78journalistsandmediaworkerswerekilledin directconnectionwiththeirwork,andCPJisinvestigating the motives for the killings of eight others to determine whether they were work-related. Of the global total of 99 killings,77occurredinIsraelandtheOccupiedPalestinian TerritoryandLebanon–theIsrael-Gazawarzone–and72 of those killings were Palestinian journalists and media workers.

Outside the deaths in the Israel-Gaza war, killings droppedmarkedlycomparedto2022,from69to22deaths. But this declining number is not an indication that journalism has become safer in other parts of the world. Indeed,CPJ’sannualprisoncensusfoundthat2023jailing of journalists – another key indicator of conditions for journalistsandpressfreedom–remainclosetorecordhighs establishedin2022.

In Guyana, the work of Kaieteur News, the people of Kaieteur News are in the firing line, made the objects of palpablerage,byagroupofmeninthePPP/CGovernment, who will stop at nothing to suppress the press, suppress truth. Stop the press, stop KN, stop the revelations about how the oil is mismanaged, stop how the many people arounditaremostlybenttowardscorruptions,andstopall this from being presented in honest fashion to Guyanese, andawatchingworld.GiventhatGuyananowhasoil,and inthekindofquantitiesthatitdoes,theeyesoftheworldare sharplyfixedoneverydevelopmentoccurringhere,because ofthispreciouscommoditythattheWesternworldneedsso much.

Oilisknowntobringitsowndiseasesandothercurses, so there is vigilance the world over, on what surrounds it whenitisdiscovered.InGuyana,secrecyhasbeenthethick shroud that governs how this national oil patrimony is handled.Themorethegovernmenttriestorun,themoreit cornersitself,fallsintoahole.

Themorethegovernmentworksovertimetocover-up, themoreofwhatisunacceptablecomestolight.Themore thegovernmentlashesoutatthosedaringtopeerbehindthe curtainsofsecrecyandpullthemback,themoredetermined those attacked and lashed become in pursuing the scent of corruptionsthatgrowstrongerbytheminute.

ThisiswhereweareatKN.Iftheobjectiveistoterrorize into surrender, then consider that a failed objective from rightnow

This oil patrimony is too vital to the nation’s interests, toosignificanttothepeopleexpectingsomuchfromit,tobe left to what government, or leaders, say that that is happeningwithit.Bettergovernmentsandcleanermenthan those we have in Guyana have been near oil, and only the worstofdevastationshasbeenthelotofdependentcitizens of those countries. There is no secret about the kind of governmentsandleadersthatGuyanesehavehad;theyare not what inspires, or comforts that the nation is in good hands. We must be watchful like never before, and we committodoingso. Tothosewhowehaveworktodo,and wewilldoit,byGod’sgrace.

Nailing the lies of Indian right-wing nationalists

DEAREDITOR, Roopchand Sharma’s letteryesterdayislaughable, to say the least- Bisram did absolutely nothing to help President Cheddi political careerandIdoubtthatJagan evenknewwhoBisramwas.

Sharma’s letter is full of falsehoods and betrays his confused loyalty to East Indian nationalism, Guyanesestyle.

The most striking lie is that I am a communist and that I work with the present

PPPregime-therecordover theyearswillshowhislying ways. What’s interesting is how I have needled these Indian right-wing nationalists and they are certainly going after me while pretending to love

Jagan - to Bisram, Sharma and Dev - keep leaping into the political abyss while kowtowing to the present PPPregime.

Yourssincerely,

Cheddi(Joey)

Jagan(Jr.)

An appeal to govt. people and humanity for amnesty to illegal immigrants to prevent exploitation

DEAREDITOR, For the past year, I have travelled several times from Crabwood Creek to Parika a n d o b s e r v e d t h e exploitation of illegal immigrants sexually and labour just like what happenedinTrinidadduring the oil boom in the 1970s. I discussed this with the VP Dr Jagdeo at the oil conference.

The following are some concerns with the impact on society.

1 ) M a n y i l l e g a l immigrants’, women in particular are using their bodiesatunlicensedbrothels

as lucrative employment which is destroying society, increasedhealthcost,illegal drugs, creating a culture of crime on the long term with divorces.

Many youths and marriedmenarebeinglured, which cost money, hence, more stealing and wife beating, etc. The wives on t h e o t h e r h a n d , psychologically damaged start cheating on the husband.

2 ) T h e i l l e g a l immigrants’ labour is being exploited, being underpaid for a day’s work, because accommodation is provided

by some of the employers, plus some of the employers know that they are illegal and if they don’t work cheaplywouldthreatentheir deportation and even have intimate relationship with theirwivesanddaughters.

3)Their children are deprived from school and would likely in the future increase crime by being uneducated, untrained and needs-driven in a competitivesociety

4 ) To f a c i l i t a t e exploitation weed/drugs are provided, which is going to allofsociety

5)Guyana needs the

labour and skills of all the illegalimmigrantsduetothe shortlivetrickleoilboom,to prevent inflation due to supplyanddemand.

I appeal to the government, the people of Guyana, humanity grant resident status to all illegal immigrants.

I am sending a copy to the President and the Vice President who seldom listen and think that they know everythingcreatingamessin the country by their inexperience to handle this trickleboom.

Sincerely

JoePersaud

TIPbust sends a national reminder

DEAREDITOR, I applaud the recent successful work of the law officers, who were able to report that a total of 44 female foreign nationals were rescued, following a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) operation, at a popular nightclubalongRobbStreet, Georgetown The news elaboratedthat“Thewomen were reportedly taken into protective care, and an investigation has been launched into the alleged acts of TIP and other forms ofexploitationandabuse.”

This is super and I am verypleasedthatGuyanahas not let-up in this kind of security work; it is most vital, and hopefully, concomitantwiththerescue, we will all hear about the prosecution of those complicit and guilty regardingthisTIPhorror

I need to remind people that “World Day Against TraffickinginPersons2023” hadthetheme,“Reachevery victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.” This means that discrimination, nationally or otherwise, must not be tolerated. So, I

am quite elated that our authoritieswererelentlessin rescuing these 44 ‘female foreign’ nationals. It is a t e s t i m o n y t o professionalism and hard work.

Editor, I would like to also remind people that, according to the United Nations (and common sense actually), “Displacement and socio-economic inequalities are impacting millions of people worldwide, leaving them vulnerabletoexploitationby traffickers. Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to education, healthcare, or decent work, face discrimination, violence, or abuse, or come from marginalized communities areoftentheprimarytargets oftraffickers.”Forexample, in recent times, and still ongoing, many Venezuelans came to our country, and from a national standpoint, Guyanafaredwill,andisstill doing so, in terms of ensuring these ‘refugees’ and‘escapees’beprotected.

And yet another reminder is that worldwide,

national responses, particularly in developing states, appear to be deteriorating In fact, detectionratesfellby11%in 2020 and convictions plummeted by 27%, thus illustrating a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking. What is also of concern is that around 41% ofthevictimswhomanaged to escape their ordeal and then reached out to the authorities did so on their owninitiative.Thisisablow towhatisdeemedthe‘Fight against TIP’ and is another clear sign that antitrafficking responses are fallingshort.

Gettingbacktotherecent bustinGuyana,itisthatbased on intelligence received, the Home Affairs Ministry, the TIP Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Countering-TIP Unitallralliedjointlyto‘pull it off’ No wonder then that Guyana was given a Tier 1 ranking in the latest TIP report (Tier 1 equates with

being fully compliant with the minimum standards for elimination of severe forms oftraffickinginpersons).

Forsure,wearenotwhere we can be and even though, according to that latest UN report, the “Guyana Government met the minimumstandards”,itcould have done more, and I feel certain that the slack will be taken up In fact, prior to the releaseofthe2023report,the Government had taken an aggressive approach towards endingthescourgeofhuman trafficking, with the passing of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023 in the National Assembly ThisBillreceived extensive work from local and international bodies, as wellaswideconsultations.

What we need to do as worthycitizens,andwithout fearofbeingknown,istoact if we suspect someone is being trafficked. We can utilise social media, call, or email, etc In this era, ‘spreading news’ is most easy, and no trafficker likes publicity

Yourstruly,

HBSingh

The Main Responsibilities of Government: Protect, Provide, and Invest

DEAREDITOR,

Recentreportsonthe(1) murders of a popular gold miner Mr Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff and his worker Mr Donavan Washington at Arimu Backdam, Region 7, while theyweretransportinggold; (2) the brutal killings (chopping) of Mr David Gomes and his mother Elizabeth Gomes allegedly over a land dispute at Saxacalli, Region 7; and (3) the killing of a security guard Paul Waterman in a supermarket at Vreed-enHoop,West Bank Demerara during a robbery attack on March 11th have all p r o v i d e d a n o t h e r opportunityfortheMinistry of Home Affairs to elevate crime to the center of the politicalradar

A review of official reports on serious crimes (covering the decades of 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s) shows a fluctuating pattern.

For example, the average annualincidenceofcrimein the 1990s was 4,844; for 2000s it declined by 36.3% to 3,085; and it rose by 89.9% in 2010s to 5,860. In 2022 the incidence of crime was 4,151. However, there was a significant anomaly during2014whentherewas an astronomical increase in crime which more than doubled (2 6 times) compared with the previous year,2013.

Larceny accounted for most (80%) of this super steeprisein2014.Itwasthe first time ever that the incidence of larceny exceeded “burglary and break and enter” offenses.

Why this dramatic upsurge in larceny? Did it have any connection with the prevailing political

instability (deemed a politicalcrisisbyVOA)that manifested itself in the Parliamentary gridlock as well as reflected in an Opposition’sNoConfidence Motion that was tabled in Parliament against the Donald Ramoutar PPPC government in November 2014?

The fashionable thing that policy makers and law enforcerssayis;“thelevelof crime in this 1st quarter is lower than the previous year’s 1st quarter.” While this statement might be accurate that would not howevergiveanycomfortto victims’families,nordoesit improve the public’s confidence in the law enforcement capability to protect them. The World Economic Forum (WEF) states that the 3 most importantresponsibilitiesof a government are to “protect, provide and invest.”

People’s nerves have been rattled when several men armed with high powered rifles opened fire on a group of people at Mandela Avenue and P r i n c e s s S t r e e t , Georgetown And the public’s confidence was furthershakenwhenaPolice sergeant Alex Vaughn was shot in the pursuit of prison escapee Akeem Wong, a primesuspectintheGomes’ doublemurder

What is also critical to note is that the public’s reaction to crime varies according to the modus operandi, who are the perpetrators, who are the victims, and the gravity of theoffence.Toputitsimply; one ‘crime’ could have greater negative impact on society than several others

combined. So, any assessmentontheincidence of crime must take into consideration the varying societalimpact.

The murders referred to abovewereinrelationtothe theft of property Other murders are driven by jealousy,revenge,turfbattle (drugs), anger (rage), or mental incapacity Social adaptationhasfailedtotame the instinctual desires and negative emotions (generatedbyalienationand relative deprivation) of people who are further tempted by the growing opportunities associated withanexpandingeconomy Murders and other crimes committed could be classified as either impulsiveorplanned.

The former category (e.g., rage and jealousy) by t h e i r v e r y n a t u r e (unplanned)hasahigherrate of detection and successful prosecution The latter category (e g , property, revenge, turf battle) being planned, has a lower rate of detectionandprosecution.

The disparity in sentencing is well known and the government is moving to reduce this through the implementation of Sentencing Guidelines.

Otherreformslike

(Continuedonpage06)

Why aren’t small contractors from Region 2 or local NDCs getting a break?

DEAREDITOR, Reference is made to “Agriculture Remains Bedrock of Economy” (KN Mar 13) from Janell Cameron of Ministry of Agriculture in response to complaint about wasted resources at the Ministry of Agriculture and the higher prices Guyanese pay for local foods when contrasted with imports. Ms. Cameron has not provided a satisfactory answer to waste of resources and why local produce are more expensive than imports and she also failed to respond to critical complaints on awarding contracts. Contractors are favoured based on the Ministry’s own bias or instructions from above What stands out is local contractors from Regions andNDCsareby-passedfor favouredones.

The latest example is a contract for $800 million to dredge Pomeroon River, Region 2, that was awarded to a favoured contractor fromCanal,Region3.

The contractor lacks the capacity and equipment to dredge the river. His company never performed dredging work. The same is true in awarding contracts for purchase of pumps and constructing pump stations in which inexperienced contractors were awarded contracts delaying jobs or havingthemredone,costing more than originally budgeted. A contractor with

limited experience and no requisite equipment got the contract to dredge the PomeroonRiver

A NDIA pontoon with excavator was sent to the riverasthecontractorlacked equipment.

The contractor did some w o r k u s i n g N D I A equipment that had almost no effect to the desilting of theriver

The job could have been done by local contractors using NDIAequipment. My region is neglected in infrastructure work and in the awarding of contracts.

Contractors from the Pomeroon area or Region 2 could have been given job since they hardly get contracts or NDIA could have done the job by itself since its equipment and pontoon were used by the privatecontractor

TheMinistrywouldhave saved most of the $800M giventotheRegion3private contractor Smallcontractors from my region could have been given the dredging contract, saving NDIA a lot ofmoney.

Why was this contractor from Region 3 handpicked whenlocalscouldhavedone a better job for less than the $800M.

The rainy season is comingagain,andweexpect to be flooded again because thejobisnotcomplete.

Why aren’t small contractorsfromRegion2or localNDCsgettingabreak?

Onpricesofproduce,the explanation for higher local prices than imports is utter nonsense. Foreigners face the same challenges as Guyanese farmers The foreigners produced perishable foods overseas, transportedthemtoGuyana, pay duties, put them in our market,andsellcheaperthan the same local produce Why?

Something has become fundamentally wrong with the agricultural sector over thelastfewyears.

Why was this situation never obtained before, not even during the coalition tenure and not even under Burnham’s oppressive rule?

Ourproducehistoricallywas always cheaper Even with current subsidies, our produce cost more than imports.

Howcomeforeignersare producing cheaper than us now?

Isn’t the real reason for more expensive produce is the massive corruption and misdirection of resources?

No number of distortions of the facts can fool the public ofthestateofaffairsatNDIA and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The situation is deplorable. Staff, including engineers,arewalkingaway from the Ministry A recent advertisement lists vacancies for 26 positions. Thatsaysmuch!

Yourstruly,

ChandradatSharma

GTU threatens massive industrial action over salary talks with Govt.

President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Dr Mark Lyte has threatened to return to the street if the GovernmentofGuyanafails toreturntothetalkswiththe Union on the proposed multi-year salary increases forteachers.

Dr Lyte during a Facebook live broadcast via the Union’s page on Thursdaysaid,“Iamissuing here,averbalultimatumthat withinthenextfewhours,if the government does not indicate their willingness to cometothetable…andIam sending a very clear message, if you are not willing to come to the table to discuss 2019-2023, or to negotiatearoundthatperiod, what years we are going to focuson,thereisgoingtobe a resumption of a massive industrial action, a resumption of industrial action...”

After just over a month ofindustrialaction,theGTU called off the nationwide teachers’ strike following a successful mediation process that brokered an

agreementforsalarytalksto take place between the GovernmentandGTU.

T h e a g r e e m e n t between the GTU and the Attorney General the S t a t e ’ s l e g a l representative followed almost two days of mediation that was ordered by High Court judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon.

The mediation process was presided over by Senior Counsel, Robin Stoby and Edward Luckhoo

Teachers returned to

work on March 6, 2024

Since then, the Union and thegovernmentmettwice At the second meeting held on Tuesday, talks deteriorated and the Union indicated that it is preparing to return to the HighCourt

During an emergency press conference held at the GTU’s headquarters on Woolford Avenue, the GTU President accused the Ministry of Education of reneging on an earlier agreement that the two sides would discuss salary increases for teachers for

Azruddin and Glenn should not be intimidated by Jagdeo andAli’s threats

DEAREDITOR, At Babu Jaan, President Ali and Vice President Jagdeothreatenedthosewho are thinking of launching political parties that would most definitely upset the status quo The official oppositionisdiscreditedand can’t win an election, certainly not under present leadership The President and VP know that the PPP will easily defeat the APNU+AFC Their combined threat is directed against two aspiring leaders of potentially new political movements or parties. Mr GlennLallandMr Azruddin Mohamed are credible figures who could launch successful political parties capable of winning seats, if not the presidency, and holding the balance of power Irfaan and Jagdeo know these men are enormously popular, much more than them. People are fed up of Ali, Jagdeo, Norton,andRamjattan.

They want new credible leaders.Jagdeoispolitically deathly afraid of Azruddin and Glenn as either one can

the period 2019-2023 in accordance with the multiyearagreement.

“We are going to take thismatterbacktotheCourt fortheCourttoadjudicateon thematter

We are at present, in consultation with our lawyers,andwebelievethat renegingonthefirstposition taken, and the legitimacy of the signed agreement coming out of the first meeting is placing this administration as one that we cannot trust,” Dr. Lyte toldreporters.

M e a n w h i l e , o n

DEAREDITOR

unseat Ali and Jagdeo from their high horses. Glenn and Azruddin are generous with their private wealth, assisting the poor and disadvantaged and the workingclass.

They don’t use state wealth to assist people They don’t depend on state wealth to influence people. And when they control the government, people can be assuredthattheywillnotloot the Treasury Others run for office to loot. Glenn and Azruddin are interested in helping people. This PPP government has been the mostcorruptinthehistoryof country Jagan must be turning in his grave. Several government functionaries andMinisters,barringBenn, Vindya, and the PM, have been raping the treasury since 2021. The poor and workingclassaredismissed. Theyneedgoodleadership.

The public has been appealingtobothGlennand Azruddin to launch political partiestoendthecorruption.

Peoplearefedupofthelies, brokenpromises,corruption, favouritism, discrimination

that has been part of the political culture since the deathofJaganin1997.Only

Mr Lall and Mr Mohamed have the potential to change the politics of the country

Mr Lall and Mr Mohamed shouldnotbackdown.

They should not allow themselvestobeintimidated by the threatening remarks of Jagdeo and Irfaan. I hope

Mr Lall and Mr Mohamed will form separate political party and contest the next general election to be held beforeAugust2025.

They will appeal to separate constituencies

Those who like Azruddin may not want to support Glennandviceversa.Soitis better they have separate parties.

They will win several seats each if not the Presidency and can then collaborate in parliament to end corruption and discrimination They represent the only hope for the country to experience real development and lift livesofall.

Yourstruly, NigelPilgrim

Thursday, the GTU

President urged teachers to be prepared to return to the streets. “Teachers with the way things are going, I urge you to get your slippers out, get your boots out, get your feet ready, get your water ready

Wediditforfiveweeks, andwecandoitforhowever long is required The Government must respect the teachers of this nation, and I stand here as a leader withintegrity,thatIwillnot, thatIwillnot,allowanyone tobullyus.”

Dr Lyte said that the particulars of the ultimatum will be communicated formally to the Government asheurgedteacherstobeon standby

Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, while speaking at a press conferenceearlierintheday said the Union’s call for retroactive salary increases for the years 2019 – 2023 is “unacceptable”.

The VP maintained that the 2024 Budget does not have the fiscal space to facilitate a retroactive

The City Engineer (CE) has found himself embroiled in a matter between the Government and M&CC which clashes and treads on his remit and purview as City Engineer

First, not following promptly on Council’s cease order, he offered, what he believedtobeclarityontheownershipofthe landissues. Thisdidnotfindfavourwiththe Chief Citizen and the CE was duly scolded andreprimanded.

Second, this City Engineer, instructed, thenplacedtheCouncil’snoticeonthefence of the controversial premises, but subsequentlyremovedit,forasheputsit,the noticewasinadvertent,sincenoworkonthe premises had commenced or was ongoing. Now the CE is the subject of disciplinary considerations for defying the Council’s instructionsregardingthenotice.

This entire matter as to ownership and ascertaining rightful ownership of the lands

Frompage05

‘alternative dispute resolution’ (arbitration) and ‘plea bargaining’ as part of theCriminalProceduresBill was tabled in Parliament in 2023.Apartfromimproving theadministrationofjustice, would these measures also reduce the level of crime?

Would the death penalty be the subject of ongoing law reform? There has been no judicial execution since August1997.Ifalawexists,

payment of salary increases to

teachersfortheyears2019 to2023.

“What the Union wants cannotbeaccommodatedby thefiscalframework.

They want us to sign a multi-year agreement retroactively, a multi-year agreement retroactive to 2019, and then also address 2% from 2017, and another 2%from2018.

So, they want us to go back seven years back to address wages and salary issues that were not addressedunderAPNU,”the VicePresidentsaid.

Jagdeo posited that any decision to offer retroactive salary increases for the periodrequestedbytheGTU could result in other categoriesofpublicservants makingsimilardemands.

“If you reopen that for teachers,youhaveto,outof fairness, you have to ensure that every other category would get the same retroactiveincrease.

It wouldn’t be fair otherwise; we can’t sustain that in the budget,” theVice Presidentreasoned.

and the CE actions, reeks of pressure being brought to the mayor and that part of the council which supports him When objections arose about the lands and ownership, the lands and survey authority issuedastatementonthematter Whenthat didnotsuffice,adetailedstatementwasthen issuedwithallthesupportingevidence. The M&CC had a responsibility to seek and clarify its own records and that of the lands and survey authority Instead, it is jumping onapoliticalhighhorse.

The due diligence undertaken by the CE cannotbefaulted. Itiswhatisexpectedofa professional. The discipling of the CE is perceived as face saving for the mayor and hisbandofcouncillors.TheCEshouldnotbe penalized or made a scapegoat for carrying out his functions in a clear, unbiased and transparentmanner Itstillbegs-tobeornot tobecityengineer?

Sincerely

ShamshunMohamed.

why not enforce it? If not, discard it! Both sides of the death penalty debate have goodpoints.

Whilere-socializationor rehabilitation is a long-term solution, for the short-term what is needed is firm enforcement The logical questionis:“wouldfirmlaw enforcement conflict with the notion of restorative justice?”Fownowmybasic contention is that since government alone cannot

controlcrime,theymustalso reach out to various stakeholders to get their inputs. One such powerful medium is to tap into the proceedings of a National Conference on Crime and the Penal System where opinions and facts could be d i s s e m i n a t e d a n d crystallized, and then incorporated into crime fightingpolicies/strategies.

Sincerely Dr.TaraSingh

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo President of the GTU, Dr. Mark Lyte

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Jagdeo: A broken record

Every week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo repeats the same things at his news conference whether he holds it at Freedom House or Office of the President, it is the same boorish diatribe.

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What is unfortunate is that valuable state resources are being wasted on the weekly bile coming from his mouth. Like a broken record, he regurgitates the propaganda that Guyanese have set their faces against. It must be a good thing from the standpoint of any opposition to see the government's top leader bogged down so much that since 2020- he has not said anything new.

We as ordinary citizens however are disgusted.

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Teachers' Union was within its right to strike -GTUCtellsCourt

The Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) has expressed its support for the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU)'s decision to engage inindustrialaction.

In a document submitted to the High Court by Attorney-at-law, Roysdale Forde, the GTUC contended that given the circumstances of the case, the teachers' union was within its right to strike.Earlierthismonth,the GTUC was granted permission to join the High CourtcaseoftheGTUversus the Government of Guyana. The GTU has challenged Government's decision to deduct pay from the salaries of striking teachers and also blocking the administration from moving ahead with a decision to discontinue the

deductionofunionduesfrom the salaries of teachers on behalfoftheUnion.

The application filed by theGTUCtointerveneinthe case was granted by Justice Sandil Kissoon in the High Court According to its submissions filed on Thursday, the GTUC is contending inter alia that the GTU's right to strike is an essential component of an effective collective bargainingprocess.“Further, it is submitted that when good faith negotiations fail, the capacity to collectively withdraw services is critical to the pursuit of collective workplacegoals.”

The GTUC submitted thatinexaminingwhetherthe GTUwasentitledtostrikefor collective bargaining, the following circumstances

should be taken into consideration The circumstances include, the expiration of time for which the issues remained unresolved, unsatisfied and orunattended;theconductof theemployers;theconductof the Union; the role and effectiveness of the dispute resolutionprocess.

The Trade Union Congress submitted further that it cannot be denied that from 2020 to the 5th day of February, 2024, the date the Applicant proceeded on a nationwide strike, is an inordinately long period of time, in the context of unresolved, unsatisfied and unattendedindustrialissues.

The GTUC submitted that the conduct of the Ministry of Education/ Government of Guyana as a

whole exposes a glaring disregardofitsstatutoryduty totreatandnegotiatewiththe applicantunion“withaview to the conclusion of a collective agreement or the revisionorrenewalthereofor theresolutionofdisputes.”

It is the GTUC's contentionthattheconductof the Ministry of Education/ Government of Guyana amounts to a failure on the part of the Ministry of Education/ Government of Guyana to act in good faith andtoenterintonegotiations with the Applicant Union [GTU] , as where there is a recognised trade union, the employer does not possess the right to make an offer to the employees or to act in a unilateral manner where the employeesacceptancewould resultinoneormoretermsof

employment no longer determined by collective agreement negotiated by the TradeUnion.

The GTUC said in a statementshowingsupportto the Union indicated, that as thefederatedbody,underthe rules, it is the duty of the GTUC to represent its affiliates on matters of nationalimportance.

The GTUC says it is the largest umbrella Labour Organisation with 14 trade unions that represent teachers, and other workers at universities, and in clerical,technicalandskilled tradepositionsinavarietyof areas including mining, education, transport, maritime and local government, electricity, manufacturing, public service, works and sea

defence and minibus transportation across Guyana.

“The GTUC wants this nation….to understand that we all stand with our teachers, from nursery throughout our education pursuits.

Todaythenation'spublicschoolteachers,fromnursery t o s e c o n d a r y a r e demonstrating for better conditions of work. We all havetherightandtheGTUC as the federated body for teachers stands proud with every single teacher in the struggle.”

Further, the GTUC underscoredthattheteachers' righttocollectivebargaining is protected in the International Labour Convention,theConstitution andLawsofGuyana.

US senate leader calls for new elections in Israel

(BBC NEWS) US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has called for new elections in Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritising his "political survival" above the country.

Mr Schumer, a Democrat and the highest-ranking JewishofficialintheUS,said Mr Netanyahu had "lost his way". He warned that huge civilian casualties in Gaza risked alienating allies and turning Israel into a global "pariah".

It is a sharp escalation in US criticism of Mr Netanyahu's government Officials in Washington, including President Joe Biden, have broadly avoided directly criticising Mr Netanyahu's approach to the conflict, which began when Hamas gunmen stormed into southernIsraelon7October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage.

However, cracks have begun to emerge in the coalition in recent weeks, with the president warning Israel against expanding its invasion into the city of Rafah,whichhecalleda"red line" Nonetheless, the White House was quick to

distance itself from Mr Schumer's comments Spokesperson John Kirby said that while the Senate leader had a right to his opinion, administration officials were focused on working with Israel on its defence.

SpeakingintheSenateon Wednesday, Mr Schumer, a long-timesupporterofIsrael, harshly criticised the Israeli leader,whohesaidhadcome to allow "his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel". Israel, Mr Schumer said, must make "course corrections"andtakestepsto better protect civilians in Gaza.

More than 30,000 Palestinians-themajorityof them children and womenhavenowbeenkilledinGaza since 7 October, the Hamasrun health ministry said last month.Theactualnumberof deadislikelytobefarhigher asthecountdoesnotinclude those who have not reached hospitals, among them thousands of people still lost undertherubbleofbuildings hitbyIsraeliairstrikes.

Mr Netanyahu said on Sunday that he could not accept the figure of 30,000. He said Israel's military had killed13,000Hamasfighters

US Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer

...saysNetanyahuprioritisinghis “politicalsurvival"abovethecountry

in Gaza and that it estimated the ratio of civilian deaths to combatant deaths was 1 to 1.5. "As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may,"MrSchumersaid."But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel."

"In my opinion, that is best accomplished by holding an election," he added. Israel is next due to hold a general election by October 2026. For peace talks to advance, Mr Schumer said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is

based in the occupied West Bank, must also step down. The Palestinian leader, who is 88, has been little seen throughout the conflict and his government has not held elections since 2006 On Wednesday, Mr Abbas, who hasbeenunderpressurefrom the US to reform the Palestinian Authority, appointed his former adviser as prime minister Mr Schumer's comments prompted a rebuke from outgoing Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, who called the 40-minute speech "grotesque" and "unprecedented".

H e s a i d i t w a s "hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about

foreign interference in our owndemocracytocallforthe removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel" Israel's ambassador in Washington, Michael Herzog, also attacked the remarks, writing on X that it was "unhelpful" and "counterproductive" to comment on "the domestic political scene of a democratically".

While the US remains Israel's closest ally and biggest provider of military aid, concerns have been mounting within the Biden administration at its prosecution of the war in Gaza. In his State of the Union address, Mr Biden calledIsrael'sresponseinthe territory "over the top". The president has also become more and more vocal in calling for Israel to let much more humanitarian aid into the territory, with "no excuses". But, in a sign of the deepening rift between the two men, Mr Netanyahu hit back at Mr Biden, maintaining that his governmentandpolicieshad the support of the Israeli people.

Mr Biden recently accused Mr Netanyahu of "hurting Israel more than helpingIsrael",whichledMr

Netanyahu to describe that assertion as "wrong" Opinion polls show most Israelis support the war, but one survey released in January suggested just 15% of voters wanted Mr Netanyahu to remain in officeoncetheconflictends.

In a statement issued following Mr Schumer's remarks, Mr Netanyahu's Likud party insisted that the prime minister was "supported by a huge majorityofthepeople"."Itis expectedofSenatorSchumer to respect Israel's elected government and not undermineit.

This is always true, but even more so during wartime, " it added

Meanwhile, the US revealed sanctions against three more settlers and for the first time againsttwoIsraelisettlement outposts it accused of undermining stability in the occupied West Bank. There werenearly500Israelisettler attacks against Palestinians between 7 October and 31 January, according to UN figures. The vast majority of the international community considersthesettlementsand outposts illegal under international law, though IsraelandtheUSdisputethis interpretation.

Jagdeoviewsdevelopmentintermsofprojects

At his press conference yesterday, this time advertisedasspeakinginhis capacity of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, highlighted the fact that the major projectscompletedunderthe APNU+AFC were all ‘legacy’ projects left in the pipeline by the PPP/C government in 2015. He is correctinthisregard.

He is also correct in pointing out that the APNU+AFC did not initiate any major public sector investment projects during its tenure. But as with most things, Jagdeo speaks half andleaveouttheotherhalf.

Hefailedtomentionthat the reason why the APNU+AFC were involved in completing the PPP/C legacy projects such as pavingtheEastCoastPublic RoadandtheroadtoParika, is because the PPP/C had failed to finish these projects. The APNU+AFC government was therefore saddled with projects which began under the PPP/C and which should have been completed under the PPP/C but which were not completed.

Butthefactisthatevery government implements projectsleftinthepipelineof the former administration.

The IDB for example had approved a project to improve the country’s energy matrix in 2018 when t h e A P N U + A F C government was in office. Those plans are presently being implemented under thePPP/C.

Jagdeofailedtopointout also the mess that the APNU+AFC inherited in

terms of failed projects Mentionwasmadeearlierof the calamitous Skeldon Modernization Project. As explained earlier, this threw the sugar industry into a deeper quagmire which led to a rapid downward spiral. During its five-year term, APNU+AFC was forced to divert tens of billions of dollars to the industry, thereby reducing the fiscal space for undertaking major public sector investment projects. Then there was the bungled fibre-optic cable which proved too expensive to fix. In 2018, Jagdeo himself was reported as having admitted that all the design parameters of the project were wrong and that the project was a failure, a costlyoneatthat.

The PPP/C also saddled the country with many unpaid and unsettled liabilities, which estimated at around G$7B, including huge judgments such as that foritsillegalcollectionofan environmental tax on CARICOM imports

AnotherG$5.4billionhadto be found to bail out the National Insurance Scheme because of the reckless investments made in now collapsed CLICO. This too reduced the fiscal space of t h e A P N U + A F C governmentandpusheditto commit the cardinal error of increasingtaxes.

But Jagdeo also has a myopic way of looking at t h i n g s F o r h i m , development is all about projects. He is judging the APNU+AFC record by virtueoftheextenttowhich it completed major projects.

He even critiqued the Green State Development Strategy asnothavingprojects.

Projects,forhim,arethe litmus test of progress Ironically, if that test was appliedtohim,itwouldgive him a fail grade considering the calamitous Skeldon SugarFactory

Buthefailstoappreciate that the APNU+AFC had a different approach to development Unlike the PPP/C which is obsessed with major infrastructural projects in the hope that there will be ‘trickle-down’ effects, the APNU had a different approach which sought to ensure that the people benefitted directly fromgovernmentinitiatives.

The APNU+AFC established ICT hubs across Guyana, including in hinterland communities. It took steps to reduce piracy and increased narcotics interdictions; access to electricity increased, new water treatment plans were established, the schools’ feeding programme was expanded and the President launched an initiative that provided free transportation to children. Fewer house lots were distributed but more deserving persons got house lots rather than the Wild West approach, under the PPP/C, known as the one-stop housing drive. The focus of the APNU+AFC was not so much on infrastructure as it was on providing direct benefits to thepeople.

But there was also a genuine reason why the APNU+AFCcouldnotboast of any new major

DEM BOYS SEH

Every week is de same thing!

Every week, dem

b o y s b i n witnessin’ deh greatest show on Earth—a political merry-go-round spin so fast, yuh get dizzy jus’ watchin’! It’s like deh circuscometotown,an’deh main act does be dis one man jugglin’ roles like he tryin’to keep all deh plates innadehairatonce.

One week, he deh as General Secretary ah he party, an’de next week, he pop up like jack-in-de-box as de Vice President of de whole country! But yuh know wah? Deh script, it nevah change it’s like Groundhog Day, Guyana style!

It start like clockwork.

Deh man come out swingin’, cussin’ up de Opposition like dem steal dehlunchmoney

He words flyin’ like birds of prey, swoopin’ downpondemenemies.

Dencomedepartwhere he open up de newspapers like he readin’ de gospel truth.

But instead, ah findin’ enlightenment, he findin’ more fuel fi de fire—more reasons fi cuss out dem critics like he life depend ponit!

A n ’ d e n , l i k e clockwork, come deh question time—an’oh boy, dis is de highlight reel! De reporters line up like deh waitin’ fi de carnival

infrastructuralproject.There is a gestation period, of at least three years, for any major project. This is the timeittakestoplanaproject andtosecurefinancing.And therefore by the time, the APNU+AFCgottothestage of financing, the noconfidence motion had been passed and the country became embroiled in a constitutionalcrisis.

Unlike the PPP/C, the APNU+AFC did not have the resources which the PPP/C presently has at its disposal The PPP/C therefore now can do more andevenprobablyundertake major projects such as the gas-to-energy projects with or without funding from the

EXXIMBankoftheUSA.

On the other hand, the APNU+AFC came into office just as oil was discovered, and it left office just as production had commenced.Itthereforehad toprioritizethedevelopment of the institutional capacity to support the new oil and gassector Itevennegotiated amajorloanfromtheWorld Bank which the PPP/C is now benefitting from and it was its commissioned studiesrelatingtonaturalgas that are believed to constitute the feasibility study for the gas-too shore project.

But don’t you dare mention this to Jagdeo before he has to devote

another press conference to dissecting what the APNU+AFC did, forgetting that it is his government’s recordthatisunderscrutiny And guess what?:Anumber of PPP/C’s government projectsarebehindschedule.

(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.)

parade,readyfuhflingdem questions like confetti. But nah mattah wah deh ask, dehmancomepreparedwid he standard-issue responses, like he pullin’ dem outta he back pocket likemagictricks.

It’s like watchin’ de same movie ovah an’ ovah again, only de popcorn gettin’ stale an’ de plot, it gettin’ ol’ fastah dan last year’scalendar!

But eh, who we fuh complainto,right?

Dis Guyana, where deh political circus nevah close shop, an’de show must go on same script, same actors, same rigmarole, weekaftahweek.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Exxon: A possibly darker shadow, a larger footprint

It is off to arbitration for Exxon in the now broiling matter involving Chevron. It is the sharpness of capitalism's ferocious competitive instincts at its best, possibly its worst also. Somewisefellowsaidonthe appearance this issue that when elephants fight those underfoot should run for any available cover In other circumstances,Icouldagree.

But not when it is the inheritance of Guyanese that

isinvolved,notwhenitisthe destiny of every Guyanese thatisatstake. AsExxonand Chevronbattleitout,andthe dragon from China watches onfromitsluxurybox,Ihave some ideas now shared with fellow Guyanese Mr. Routledge and Excellency Nicole D. Theriot are most welcome to listen in on any extension that they have arranged.

Every Guyanese should wantExxonhere. Ido. But

itmustbeonourtermsonly Not the failed ones of PresidentAli,VicePresident Jagdeo, and Opposition Leader Norton. Strangely, I would prefer Chevron here, aspotentiallyweakeningand destructive as that could be for Guyanese. I face this fact, and every Guyanese should: the presence of Chevron here with its 30% stakeislikehavinganExxon twin in the midst, and both onshore and offshore. Mike

Wirth, the CEO of Chevron, isnotgoingtobeasgarrulous asJohnHess,butthatiswhat makes him more dangerous, situation treacherous A stealth bomber, another oil usurper, one more alpha oil predator Guyana would be in for it, and with Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, and Norton already lost and limping from the weight of the challenges and demands of this heavy oil patrimony, there is only one road ahead of them. It is downwardsloping.

If a grandfatherly figure like John Hess could have tiedupPresidentAli'shands, and frozen President Jagdeo'slips(hismindalso), thenthereisnolimittowhata ruthlessCEOofMikeWirth's caliber could not do with these remarkable Guyanese sons. Mincemeat first, with lumpen national leadership sausagestofollow Ishudder at the thought, I recoil from how far these two great Guyanese in the PPP Government could be pushed,howhardtheywould fall. The concern is that as Ali and Jagdeo (and brother Norton) go, so also goes the restofGuyana. Still,Iprefer the presence of Chevron here,andherearethereasons whyIamwhereIam.

If Exxon succeeds in its arbitration fight with Chevron,thentheoutlookfor Guyanese just got grimmer, n e o n b i l l b o a r d s notwithstanding, President Ali applauding, and VP Jagdeosurrendering. Ithink that Exxon has the stronger hand,anditshouldprevail. I am not concerned with what

itmaysqueezeoutof Chevron; or where this leaves Mr Hess. My interest is of things Guyana, the reality of what such a victory of the men from Texas could mean for this land and its peoples. Taking the largest swipe and slice, an Exxon triumph means that it ends with 75% of the coveted Stabroek Block. Seventy-fivepercent is as good as a hundred percent by my calculation. With Hess Corp then banished, and Chevron probably vanquished to the sidelines, there is only the Chinese left They are content to go along to get along and grab their sweet pieceoftheGuyanaaction.

Look at what the world has come to in Guyana Commies,Yankees,andmen fromtheoldUSConfederacy ganging up to gouge Guyanese. WhereisSenator Joe McCarthy when he is needed? Well, Guyanese willhavetosettleforDonny come November I am going on record as anticipating the worst from Exxon owning 75%oftheStabroekBlockin Guyana. That means even more controlling of Guyana's executive, Guyana's legislature, and Guyana's captains of commerce and industry. TheChinesecould benextinExxon'ssights,the choppingblockwaiting. For now, there is the Exxon versus Chevron dogfight While they maul each other over the rights of primacy over Guyana's wealth, sensible Guyanese leaders

should seize the opportunity to soften the ground under their feet. Pave the way for them to collapse under their own weight and give us openings to come into our own This is what astute Guyanese would do, from leaders to any locals still breathing. Slowdown new project approvals. Nourish theEPA,sothatitgetspastits milk teeth state. Leak new discovery numbers to the public. Find a way that expensebillionsspillintothe public domain. The bad news for Guyanese is that PresidentAli,VPJagdeo,and Opposition Leader Norton are only more interested in doing what is good for Exxon.

It keeps them out of Ambassador Theriot's hair, puts a pause on any lastminute invitation from Secretary Blinken to fly to DC. This is all wasteful of theGuyaneselegacy.Hereis a parting thought: if Exxon walksoverusasitdoestoday with 45% of the Stabroek Block, what would it not do with 75% in its hands and control. With 45% in hand, Exxonisalreadyrunningthis country With75%itwillrun alloverit.

(Theviewsexpressedin 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.)

GBTIrakesin$3Bprofitslastyear

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) recorded $3B in profits lastyear,thebanksaidinapressreleaseon Thursday

The bank said this performance was driven by prudent cost management and a focusonimprovingoperationalefficiency. ChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors,Robin Stoby said the report on the financial performanceoftheBankanditssubsidiary for the financial year ended December 31st,2023,wasapprovedbytheBoardon 16th February 2024. He said the bank has shown resilience and achieved significant milestonesovertheyear

“In 2023, the Bank and its subsidiary, recorded a total asset base of G$201B, reflecting an increase of 15% from the previous year This growth was primarily driven by a strong performance in our lending portfolio, which saw an 18% increase in overall loans & overdraft portfolio compared to the previous year Our deposit base also grew by 17%, reaching G$168B, indicating a high level

of trust and confidence from our customers,” Stobyisquotedinthereleaseassaying.

He said the bank was able to produce financial performance, reporting a net profit of G$3Bfortheyear2023,a30%increasefromthe previous year, driven by prudent cost management and a focus on improving operational efficiency. “Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic about the future. As, the local economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, we believe that our strong financial position, coupled with our focus on innovation andcustomerservice,willenableustoleverage through these opportunities and continue to delivervaluetoourshareholders.Iwouldliketo take this opportunity to thank our customers, shareholders,andemployeesfortheircontinued supportanddedication.

Iwouldalsoliketoexpressmygratitudeto the Board of Directors for their guidance and oversight throughout the year I am confident that with the collective effort and commitment of all stakeholders, the bank will continue to grow and succeed in the years to come,” Stoby said.

New Hayven Merchant Bank has secured a US$25 million financing arrangement for Vreeden-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI), akeyplayerinthecountry'soiland gasinfrastructuredevelopment.

Serving as the arranger, collateral holder, and administrativeagent,NewHayven Merchant Bank tailored the

financingtomeetVEHSI'sspecific projectrequirements,underscoring the bank's commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions to drive economic progress.

The collaboration comes at a crucial time for Guyana, as the nation solidifies its position as a major player in the global energy

Shorebase secures US$25M loan

landscape. Recognizing the vast potential within Guyana's economy, New Hayven Merchant Bank is dedicated to supporting initiatives that foster growth and sustainability

Floyd Haynes, Founder and Chairman of New Hayven MerchantBank,commentedonthe partnership, stating, “Our

collaboration with VEHSI exemplifies our commitment to empowering growth and sustainable development in Guyana.As the country undergoes profound transformation, we stand readytoprovidetailoredfinancing solutions and expertise to enable businessestothrive.”

Beyond this agreement, New

Hayven Merchant Bank remains actively engaged with risk capital providers to deliver bespoke financing solutions across various sectors in Guyana Through facilitating access to capital and fostering strategic partnerships, New Hayven aims to drive economic prosperity and catalyze growththroughouttheregion.

Three-man gang slaughters Chinese shop owner at Eteringbang

A three-man gang on Thursday slaughtered a Chinese man, Yang Lisong, 40, and seriously injured his wife, Wen Shuping, after invading their supermarket at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

All three of them have been arrested; one, a Guyanese; the other, a Venezuelan national and the other's identity is still unknown.Accordingtoreports,thekilling took place around 14:00hrs hours. While police say three suspects were involved, Kaieteur News understands from residents onthegroundthatitmighthavebeenfive. Residents claimed that three of the men acted as lookouts while two went into the supermarket to commit the heinous crime. TheysaidtoothattheChineseman'swife's life might have been saved by an alert customer They claimed that the customer wenttothesupermarkettomakeapurchase andsawthatitwaslocked.Itwasreportedly against the norm for the supermarket to be closedthatearlysothecustomerreportedly asked some men she saw outside 'why the Chinese lock-up'. While they were responding, she reportedly heard “strange sounds” coming from inside and she realized that something was amiss Kaieteur News was told that the customer

left but immediately alerted the owner of the building that the Chinese Nationals were renting for their supermarket, that somethingwasgoingon.

He then alerted police and ranks were immediately sent to the location. Kaieteur News was told that when the men in front saw police approaching, they fled, while alertingthetwoinsidethebuilding. Ranks entered and caught the suspects inside and found the Chinese man murdered and his wife injured. Kaieteur News understands thattheyhadtiedupthecoupleandslitthe man's throat and had started cutting his wife's face. Police in a press statement confirmed that when ranks arrived, they found the supermarket entrance locked.

“Upon venturing to the back, the ranks found one Pharrell Adelph, a 19-year-old, attempting to exit the building. He was arrested” Ranks further checked the buildingandinoneoftherooms,theyfound the Chinese man lying against a wall, clad in a grey jersey and a pair of dark-grey trousers. “A wound about 13cm in length was observed to his neck”, police said beforeaddinghiswifewasfoundinanother room, alive, with two small lacerations to her right jaw area. Investigations are ongoing.

Man killed in Mazaruni mining accident died from drowning - Labour Ministry

The Ministry of Labour h a s l a u n c h e d a n investigation into a workplaceincidentthatlefta dredge owner dead at Cowing Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The dredge owner, 60year-old Bertram, died on March 6 last after a piece of land caved into the river where he was working and pinned him underneath the water According to the Labour Ministry, a post mortem revealed that Bertram died from asphyxiation due to drowning.

Investigations so far by theministryrevealedthathis workers used a nearby dredge to pull his body from thewater “Theinvestigation is being conducted by Mr N a i p a u l P e r s a u d , Occupational Safety and

Health Officer of the Ministry of Labour, in collaborationwithMr Sekou Walters, Senior Mining Engineer of the Guyana

Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)”, the LabourMinistrystated.

Kaieteur News had reported that One of Willie's workers told police that the incident occurred at approximately 12:45 hrs. at Cowing Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River The man

said that his boss had dived intotherivertoextractgravel from the riverbed when he [the worker] noticed that a pieceoflandwascavinginto theriverattheexactlocation whereWilliehaddived.

The man said that realising Willie was in danger and could be buried underwater; he tried signaling to him by tugging against a rope that was attached to him [Willie] but receivednoresponse.

Boy,12,crushedtodeath bytruckinBerbice

A 12-year-old boy was on Wednesday crushedtodeathbyatruckatRelianceAccess Road,EastCanje,Berbice.

Dead is Justin Titaram, a student of the NewAmsterdamSecondarySchool.

Accordingtopolice,theaccidentoccurred at about 16:00h and involved a motor lorry GMM5087ownedbyabusinessmanofNew Amsterdam and driven by a 64-year-old resident of Canefield Settlement, East Canje and attached to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate; andpedestrianTitaram,whoresidedatLot53 RelianceAbandon,EastCanje,Berbice.

Investigationsrevealedthatthelorrywas headed south along the eastern drive lane on the Reliance Public Road and the child, who was said to be headed in the same direction andonthesamesideoftheroadaswell.

Thelorrydriverallegesthathewasinthe processofmakingaleftturn,goingeastinto thesidelinedaminEastCanjewhenheheard someoneshouting,"holdboy,hold!".Hesaid heimmediatelystoppedthelorry

Thedriverexitedthevehicletoseewhyhe

The vehicle involved in the accident.

was asked to “hold” when he observed the childlyingunderthelorryincloseproximity to the left-side back wheel. The child was picked up by public-spirited citizens, placed in a police vehicle and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounceddeadonarrival.

Titaram's body is at the hospital's mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The lorry driver is in custody assisting withtheinvestigation.

Twoteenshospitalized aftermotorcycleaccident

Scenes from the accident site.

Two teenagers of

Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are nursing injuries and are hospitalized after they were involved in a motorcycle accident on Tuesdaynight.

According to police, the teens, a 17-year-old (name

withheld) who was driving motorcycle CL7572 and 19year-old Ramesh Prashad, who was driving motorcycle CK 2959 were involved in the accident which took place at the Enterprise AccessRoad,ECD.

The accident occurred at 19:25h Initial enquiries

that two police officersonmotorcyclepatrol observed two individuals riding without headlights in the area. The duo, upon observing the police, rode onto the “access road which is under construction, and leads into the Enterprise (Continuedonpage16)

disclosed

Dead: Justin Titaram

Bertram's water dredge in the Mazaruni River

New data show massive, wider-than-expected global gender gap

Theglobalgendergapfor women in the workplace is far wider than previously thought, a groundbreaking new World Bank Group reportshows.

When legal differences involving violence and childcare are taken into account, women enjoy fewer than two-thirds the rights of men. No country provides equal opportunity for women not even the wealthiest economies. The latest Women, Business, and the Law report offers a comprehensivepictureofthe obstaclesthatwomenfacein enteringtheglobalworkforce and contributing to greater prosperity—for themselves, their families, and their communities. It expands the scope of its analysis, adding two indicators that can be critical in opening up or restricting women's options: safety from violence and access to childcare services. When those measures are included, women on average enjoy just 64% of the legal protections that men do—far fewer than the previous estimateof77%.

The gender gap is even

widerinpractice.Forthefirst time, Women, Business and the Law assesses the gap between legal reforms and actual outcomes for women in 190 economies The analysis reveals a shocking implementation gap Although laws on the books imply that women enjoy roughly two-thirds the rights ofmen,countriesonaverage have established less than 40% of the systems needed for full implementation. For example,98economieshave enacted legislation mandating equal pay for women for work of equal value Yet only 35 economies—fewer than one out of every five have adopted pay-transparency measures or enforcement mechanisms to address the paygap.

Effectiveimplementation of equal-opportunity laws depends on an adequate supporting framework, i n c l u d i n g s t r o n g enforcement mechanisms, a system for tracking genderrelated pay disparities, and the availability of healthcare services for women who survive violence. “Women

...women enjoy just two-thirds of the legal rights than men enjoy

have the power to turbocharge the sputtering global economy,” said Indermit Gill, Chief EconomistoftheWorldBank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics.“Yet,alloverthe world, discriminatory laws andpracticespreventwomen from working or starting businesses on an equal footing with men. Closing this gap could raise global gross domestic product by more than 20% – essentially doubling the global growth rate over the next decade—but reforms have slowedtoacrawl.WBL2024 identifies what governments candotoaccelerateprogress toward gender equality in businessandthelaw.”

The implementation gap highlights how much hard work lies ahead even for countries that have been instituting equal-opportunity laws.Togo,forexample,has been a standout among SubSaharaneconomies,enacting laws that give women roughly 77% of the rights availabletomen—morethan any other country in the continent. Yet Togo, so far,

has established only 27% of systems necessary for full implementation. This rate is average for Sub-Saharan economies.

In 2023, governments were assertive in advancing three categories of legal e q u a l - o p p o r t u n i t y reforms pay, parental rights, and workplace protections. Still, nearly all countries performed poorly in the two categories being tracked for the first time access to childcare and women's safety The weakness is greatest in women's safety—where the global average score is just 36, meaning women enjoy barely a third of the needed legal protections against domestic violence, sexual harassment, child marriage andfemicide.

Although151economies have laws in place prohibiting sexual harassmentintheworkplace, just39havelawsprohibiting itinpublicspaces.Thisoften prevents women from using publictransportationtogetto work.

Mostcountriesalsoscore poorly for childcare laws.

Women spend an average of 2.4 more hours a day on unpaid care work than men—much of it on the care of children Expanding access to childcare tends to i n c r e a s e w o m e n ' s participation in the labor force by about 1 percentage pointinitially—andtheeffect more than doubles within five years. Today, only 78 economies fewer than half—providesomefinancial or tax support for parents withyoungchildren.Only62 economies fewer than a third have quality standards governing childcare services, without which women might think twice about going to work while they have children in theircare. Women also face significant obstacles in other areas.

I n t h e a r e a o f entrepreneurship, for example, just one in every five economies mandates gender-sensitive criteria for public procurement processes, meaning women are largely cut out of a $10trillion-a-year economic opportunity In the area of

pay, women earn just 77 cents for every $1 paid to men. The rights gap extends all the way to retirement. In 62 economies, the ages at which men and women can retire are not the same Women tend to live longer than men, but because they receivelowerpaywhilethey work,taketimeoffwhenthey have children, and retire earlier, they end up with smaller pension benefits and greaterfinancialinsecurityin oldage.

“It is more urgent than ever to accelerate efforts to reformlawsandenactpublic policies that empower womentoworkandstartand grow businesses,” said Tea Trumbic, the report's lead author “Today,barelyhalfof women participate in the global workforce, compared withnearlythreeoutofevery four men. This is not just unfair it's wasteful Increasing women's economicparticipationisthe key to amplifying their voicesandshapingdecisions that affect them directly Countries simply cannot affordtosidelinehalfoftheir population.”

Three companies vying to develop weight-restriction programme for Linden-Mabura road project

Three companies from the United Kingdom (UK), Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), and Guyana have submitted their proposals to develop and initiate an axle load control programme in relation to the ongoing Linden to Mabura Hill road project.

This project is being executed by the Ministry of Public Works, and at the opening of tenders just recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the three bidders are: It Transport Limited (UK) in joint venture with SRK'gineering & Associates Limited, Caribbean Transportation ConsultancyService(T&T), and AI Engineers Guyana Inc.(GUY).

Theministryinitsinitial advertisement shared that the Government has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership

Fund(UKCIF)inanamount e q u i v a l e n t t o US$178,709,000 towards thecostofLindentoMabura Hillroadupgradeproject.

The agency noted that it intends to apply a portion of theproceedsofthefinancing to make eligible payments under a contract for consultancyservices.

The ministry through its Works Services Group would be the executing agency for the project According to the document, the objective of the selected consultant is to develop and initiate the implementation of a realistic programme of axleloadcontrolinGuyana. The duration of the assignmentisexpectedtobe foraperiodof12months.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the government is consultancy s e r v i c e s f o r t h e strengthening of axle load control for the US$190M Linden to Mabura road project. It was reported that this project will consist of two main highways; the width of each lane is

Works ongoing on the Linden to Mabura road project.

approximately 3.6 metres, some hard shoulders both sides measuring 2.4 metres, cyclistandpedestrianlaneof twometres,autilitycorridor, about10busstops,andnine rest areas just to mention a few

WANTED VACANCY

Experienced able-bodied Handy boy/girl willing to work & be a team player. Call: 227-8539.

Experienced furniture Maker for Aracari Resort, Vreen-nHoop. Call: 264-2946, 6265290.

Wanted! Male & Female workers preferably from WBD, for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100 per day. Call: 611-7839.

Domestic (Live in option available), female cook and male & female workers for the interior. Call: 660-9093 /6615332.

Wanted one Nanny/ Housekeeper, 8am-4:30pm at Republic Park, EBD. Call: 626-4884.

Wanted one Nanny/ Housekeeper, 3pm-8pm at Republic Park, EBD. Call: 626-4884.

One live-in Caretaker to take care of plants and keep surroundings clean. Call: 2332053,705-6937, 233-2923.

Handyboy needed. Must be willing to work and be a team player. Call: 661-1000.

Lorry driver needed. Must be experience and have a valid lorry licence. Call: 661-1000.

Porter needed for truck. Call: 661-1000.

LAND FOR SALE

20 Acres of vacant land in La grange, West Bank Demerara. Call: 622-7446 /416-9513-995.

Commercial land located at Robb and Bourda street. Call: 701-6735 /623-1615.

Two teens hospitalized after motorcycle...

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132, 645-8443.

AM/PM W/Union CSR'S, Cashier, Shelf restockers, Porter, Packers and bond Clerk. Call:609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

One Housekeeper needed, preferably from East Bank Demerara. Decent salary and NIS Included. Contact 6321047, 686-8985.

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6998486.

Experienced able-bodied Canter Driver needed, flexible hours. Call: 699-8486.

Vacancy for Carpenter & Masons, $7,000 - $8,000 per day. Call: 650-1394.

Experienced Lorry Driver, must have a valid lorry licence. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Labourer & Janitorial Staff, must have good attitude and reference. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Admin Assistant, must have 5 cxc, including English. WhatsApp application: 6092220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions@ gmail.com

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

Aracari Resort Resturant space for rent, formerly Macaw Resturant. Secure location. Free parking & Wifi. Call: 264-2946-9.

Place to rent at Vreed-enhoop junction, for lessons, church, office, storage bond, other. Call: 603-6400.

One Luxurious furnished, 4 bedroom apartment fully AC, hot and cold water etc in Campbellville, G/town. Price US$2000. Call: 6167351/624-7436.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel,WBD. Fully furnished, secure location free parking, Wifi & breakfast. Rates from $65 USD. Call: 264-2946-9.

ENTERTAINMENT

Aracari Resort weekend: pool, family fun, DJ, Sunday breakfast. Adult $3000, kids $1000. Call: 264-2946-9.

FOR SALE

FOR RENT SERVICES

Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

From page 12 backlands where a new housing scheme is being developed.”

Police said that, “At the time, motorcycle CL 7572 was proceeding East alongside motorcycle #CK 2959, on the said road (still without lights) at a fast rate when one of the motorcyclists rode into a pile

of ‘crushed stones’ that was in the centre of the road under construction. The motorcyclist lost control of his bike, causing both motorcyclists to fall onto the roadway and receive injuries on their bodies.”

Police lost sight of the two persons but continued in the direction they rode. While

proceeding, the ranks heard a call for help and responded immediately. The ranks observed the injured teens and summoned an ambulance. The duo was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where they were admitted. Investigations are ongoing.

House lots & commercial plot for sale available at blankenburg W.C.D. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Healthy vaccinated 2 months German breed, short puppies for sale. Price $30,000. Call Sharon: 666-5634/ 685-4398.

One Rav4, 4 wheel drive, fully Ac etc ideal for interior (Bush) work. Price$2.2M. Call: 621-5140.

All

FOR SALE/ RENT

Nissan X-Trail 2008 $2.3 Neg and Mitsubishi 3 stage Crone canter 4m51 Engine Manual $3.5 Neg. Call: 6718845/ 638-4755.

TO LET

1

650-0402/6520251.

Eccles 3rd floor single furnished apartment, wifi optional. Call: 233-3974/ 6003070.

GPHC now certified as Kidney Transplant Centre

The Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation (GPHC) was on Wednesday officially certified as a Kidney Transplant Centre, the Department of Public Information(DPI)reported.

The certification was conferredbytheMinistryof Health in collaboration with theHumanOrganandTissue Transplant Agency (HOATTA).

This achievement marks asignificantadvancementin the nation’s medical capabilities, with GPHC becomingthefirstinstitution in Guyana to attain this certification.

Minister of Health, Dr. FrankAnthonypresentedthe certification to the hospital on Wednesday during a simple ceremony at the ministry’s head office, Brickdam,Georgetown.

During his address, the minister emphasised the significanceofobtainingthe certification in ensuring Guyana’s compliance with internationalstandards.

“What we have done here and that extensive process is verifying that we are meeting all the international benchmarks thatexistinotherpartsofthe

world so we are happy to have engaged in this process,”Dr Anthonynoted.

Theestablishmentofthe HOATTAwasmadepossible throughtheenactmentofthe Human Organ and Tissue TransplantAct2022.

F o l l o w i n g t h i s legislative landmark, the agency’s members were officially gazetted in February 2023, with their appointments taking effect inAprilofthesameyear

Dr Anthonycommended the team at the GPHC for their diligent efforts, which have propelled the advancement of transplant practicesinGuyana.

He also acknowledged the collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), highlightingitsinstrumental roleinimplementingvarious measures.

Health Minister Dr F r a n k A n t h o n y , Representatives from the GPHCandtheHOATTA

“As we go forward, moving from living donors to cadaveric transplants, I think the public can rest assuredthatweareadhering to all the best international practices, and I want to commendtheagencyforthe

work that they’ve done so far

By this action, you’re setting a bar for all the hospitals in our country so that whatever process we have gone through here today, when other institutions would like to be certified the same high standards would apply,” the healthministerasserted.

He said there are still some crucial steps to be taken, such as building the capacity to conduct matchingtestslocally,which issettobecompletedbythe endof2024.

Dr Anthonyemphasised the enthusiasm for conducting various types of transplants but highlighted the necessity for training individuals and seeking partnerships with countries like Spain and Brazil to facilitatethisendeavour

Furthermore, he noted that the legislation also mandates the development of a bio bank, with discussions already u n d e r w a y f o r i t s establishmentshortly

Chair of the Human OrganandTissueTransplant Agency, Dr Shanti Singh, reiterated the agency’s mandatetoensureaccessible

a n d e q u i t a b l e transplantation services in Guyana, aligning with international standards and g u i d e l i n e s w h i l e emphasising ethical and high-quality practices for

d o n a t i o n a n d transplantation She highlighted the progress madesinceassumingoffice, including drafting regulationstooperationalise the act at the policy level,

building human resource capacity, and training key staff on standard operating proceduresandprotocolsfor deceased donation

(Department of Public Information)

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, Representatives from the GPHC and the HOATTA

Families of hostages held in Gaza despair as Ramadan cease-fire deadline passes

JERUSALEM(AP)—A

brother contemplated suicide A sister stopped going to school. A father barely speaks. With each passing day, the relatives of hostages held in Gaza since Oct. 7 face a deepening despair

Their hopes were raised

that a cease-fire deal was near to bring some of their lovedoneshomebythestart of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that began Monday But that informal deadline passed without any agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s

promiseof“totalvictory”in the war against Hamas now rings hollow for many hostages’ families after five emotionally draining months.

“Wearereadingthenews every single minute. Egypt says something, the Qataris say something different, the

Friends and relatives of the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group attend a rally calling for their release, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, March 9, 2024. With each passing day, the relatives of hostages in Gaza face a deepening despair.

Americans say a deal is close, Israel says it’s not,” said Sharon Kalderon, whose brother-in-law, Ofer, remainsincaptivity “Wetry toreadbetweenthelines,but we haven’t heard anything about Ofer for months Nothing that can help us breathe.” When Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, they killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages

Since then, Israel’s offensive has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and driven hundreds of thousands to thebrinkofstarvation.

About120hostageswere freed during a November cease-firethatalsoledtothe release of hundreds of Palestinians from Israeli prisons; three hostages were accidentallykilledbyIsraeli forces during an attempted rescue mission Now families are focused on bringinghometheremaining hostages,atleast34ofwhom

are dead, according to the Israeligovernment.

Some families channel their desperation into unrelenting advocacy travelingtotheU.N.inNew York,marchingtoJerusalem from southern Israel, or wearing red shirts emblazoned with the words “Bring them Home” while running the Jerusalem marathon But for other families, a quieter suffering has taken hold. “You see someofthefamiliesrunning around, going on the TV, makingnoise.

These are the ones that areholdingon,”saidRicardo Grichener,theuncleofOmer Wenkert, a 22-year-old hostage. “The ones that are not leaving the houses, they areinareallybadsituation.”

Since their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz was destroyed Oct. 7, Sharon Kalderon and her husband, Nissan, have stayed on the 12th floor of an apartment buildingintheIsraelicityof Ramat Gan. Ofer, Nissan’s only brother, remains in captivity Nissan said he’s

recently thought about killing himself “This situation is hard. I don’t sleep, I don’t eat Not working.Nothing.Ilosemy mind. That’s all. It’s too much,”saidNissan.

“Whenever he goes out tothebalcony,Igetscared,” Sharonsaid.

International mediators had been optimistic they couldbrokerapre-Ramadan deal by bundling a six-week cease-firewiththereleaseof dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of a large amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza But Hamas wanted assurances of a longer-term end to the fighting, which Israel refused. “We don’t see a prospect for a deal unless (U.S. President Joe) Biden doesamiracle.Wedon’tsee any way out. We don’t see any reason why Hamas wouldbeflexible.Theygain nothing,” said Grichener “Wearepressingthe(Israeli) government,butIthinktheir mistakes have already been made.”

(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Service Guyana and Archery Guyana Join Forces to Introduce Archery to Essequibo

Service Guyana, a leading provider of HVAC and Energy Efficiency Solutions, has teamed up with Archery Guyana, the governing body for archery in the region, to bring the exhilarating sport of archery to Essequibo.

This collaboration aims to introduce the timeless art of archery to the residents of Essequibo, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage in a sport that combines precision, focus, and athleticism. By leveraging Service Guyana’s extensive network and expertise in com-

munity outreach, alongside Archery Guyana’s passion for promoting the sport, this initiative seeks to facilitate the proposed weekend Training after which participants in the Archery Instructor Course will be sanctioned to instruct

Friday March 15, 2024

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

A large weight should lift from your shoulders today, Aries. The air has started to clear, and the winds of communication have started blowing again. Listen closely to the buzz in the air.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

People may be abrasive today, Taurus, but you will find after careful assessment that they don't mean any harm. More than likely they aren't fully informed.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't criticize the situation until you've come up with a better solution, Gemini. Be creative. You can accomplish much if you approach the situation confidently.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Your thoughts may have a dreamy quality today, Cancer. You will find that things are less stable than they have been for the past few days. Don't get discouraged by pessimistic people.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Your emotions are soaring, Leo, and you should feel free to indulge in your greatest fantasies. Take a break from reality for a while. Let your inner child play.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Reward yourself with two desserts today, Virgo. Take a bubble bath. Share your fantasies with others and express yourself fully. Don't feel like you have to say yes.

the sport of Archery in Essequibo.

At the simple handover ceremony at the Head office of Service Guyana located at Lot 149 Church & Light Street, Georgetown, on March 14, 2024, Chief Execu-

tive Officer Mr. Sheikh Mujeeb Ahmad opined that “Service Guyana is thrilled to partner with Archery Guyana to introduce archery to Essequibo.” Hailing from Essequibo himself, he went on to say that “We believe in the power of sports to inspire and unite communities, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to the people of Essequibo.”

Archery Guyana, known for its dedication to fostering the growth of archery in Guyana, is enthusiastic about the collaboration. “We are delighted to work with Service Guyana to expand the reach of archery in Essequibo,” said Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, President of Archery Guyana. “This partner-

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The weightiness of the past few days seems to be lifting. You will find a slight breeze building that will help fuel your fire, Libra. By building a solid foundation, you've created a reliable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Now that you have a solid grip on your situation, unexpected things may come along that change the rules again, Scorpio. It may feel like the chair you just got comfortable.

. SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

Use gadgets and electronic devices to make life easier today, Sagittarius. Why take the time to chop food by hand when you can use the food processor.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

Be careful of the information that comes your way today, Capricorn. People may make unwarranted claims and false accusations. The day has a dreamy, innovative quality to it that asks you to venture out on a limb.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Maintain an air of detachment, Aquarius. Feel free to delve into your fantasy world and let your emotions carry you to another realm. Today is one of those days when you might come up with a new invention.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may find that things are much lighter than they were the past couple days, Pisces. This is a good time to let your physical body take a rest.

ship will enable us to introduce more individuals to the joys and benefits of archery, including improved focus, discipline, and physical fitness.”

Through joint efforts, Service Guyana and Archery Guyana will continue to organise archery clinics, training sessions, and competitions in Essequibo, as the soon-to-be certified Archery Instructors will be equipped to teach the sport recreationally and in schools.

The introduction of archery to Essequibo represents a significant step forward in promoting the sport and in this regard President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed sincere thanks to Mr. Steve Ninvalle, Director of

Sport and the National Sports Commission and in particular Essequibo Sports Organiser Ms. Wazeeda Bacchus for the assistance with respect to logistics put in place for the upcoming training course.

Service Guyana and Archery Guyana are committed to making this initiative a resounding success and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the region.

Service Guyana is a leading provider of HVAC and Energy Efficiency Solutions, committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to clients across Guyana.

For more information about archery programmes in Essequibo, please contact Archery Guyana at ArcheryGuyana@gmail.com.

The GTA missed a perfect opportunit...

From page 25 time in the history of the games. Springer, who had showcased her prowess with the fastest qualifying times (54s), in the final, clocked in 53.55s. Her pace was too much for the field, relegating England’s Charlotte Henrich to second-place with a time of 55.16s, while Narissa McPherson rounded off a remarkable one-three finish for Guyana in the women’s 400m, capturing third place with a time of 54.82s.

Malachi Austin, Javon Roberts, Narissa McPherson, and Springer delivered an electrifying performance in the 4x400m Mixed Relay final, clinching not only the gold medal but also shattering the existing Commonwealth Youth Games Record for the event.

The Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, witnessed a fitting conclusion to the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games, as Guyana won the final event while breaking the previous record set by Australia.

In 2017, Australia established a new record of three minutes and 25.08 seconds in the Mixed 4x400m relay.

In 2023, Springer anchored Guyana to a new Games’ record time of 3:22.07, securing the gold, with their time being the second-fastest 4x400m Mixed Relay time in the World only behind the USA’s 3:18.07.

NO RECOGNITION

Despite her numerous record-breaking performances, unlike Joseph,

Springer has never received the recognition befitting a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

This isn’t about comparing sports; it’s about highlighting how the GTA missed an opportunity to align themselves with the only official Adidas athlete in Guyana, across all sports.

Springer made history as the first Guyanese to secure an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the renowned German sports company – Adidas.

Tianna Springer will be competing at the World U20

Championships this year, as well as the Carifta Games, where all eyes will be on the teenager.

Many regional track and field pundits are hailing her as the best local talent to emerge from Guyana in recent times.

I’m genuinely disappointed—not because Joseph is rightfully being rewarded, but because despite her extraordinary talent that caught the attention of Adidas, Guyana failed to truly recognize and support this remarkable young athlete.

2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 4 Day 2…

Permaul, Sinclair second day fifties

propel Harpy

Eagles to 377-run lead heading

into

Day 3 - GHE 1st innings (436 all out), Barbados 1st innings (59-3, Reifer 1*, Drakes 20*)

Veerasammy Permaul missed out on a likely centurywhileKevinSinclair continued his immaculate batting form as the Guyana Harpy Eagles enter Day 3 withadauntingleadoverthe BarbadosPride.

Batting like champs, Guyana posted their highest 1st innings total this season, 436 all out at the Coolidge CricketGround.

Their uprising against one of the most experienced bowling units in the tournamentwasattributedto some fantastic knocks, led by veteran spinner Permaul whohitanunbeaten90down theorder

The left-arm spinner showed his younger teammates the value of working on one’s batting despite being a bowler, cracking3sixesand10fours as he controlled Day 2’s

afternoonsession. He shared a lower-order century stand with fellow left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who is a renowned batsman down the order, scoringavital37(2x43x6).

Vice-captain Kevlon Anderson (87), Captain

Tevin Imlach (55) and opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul(40),helpedlay thefoundationonDay1.

West Indies all-rounder Sinclair continued his sublime form with the bat, powering 9 fours in his 72 whichheadlinedtheopening

sessionofthesecondday

The bowling for

Barbados Pride was primarilycontrolledbytheir seniorWestIndiescore,fastbowlersJasonHolder(2-52) andKemarRoach(2-52)and spinner Jomel Warrican (298).

By stumps on Day 2, Barbados looked in bad shape despite reaching 59 but at the cost of three wickets.Itcouldhaveeasily been four, hadn’t wicketkeeper Kemol Savory dropped Raymon Reifer (1*), who will resume today along with Jonathan Drakes (20*). The Harpy Eagles practically clawed out their opponents top-order before the close of play, thanks to West Indies U19 pacer Isai Thorne (2-19) who struck twicepriortotheendofplay, bagging the wickets of Zachary McCaskie (8) and

ShianBrathwaite(0).

Prideopenerandskipper Kraigg Brathwaite was run outfor14courtesyofadirect hit from substitute fielder, RaymonPerez,whileSavory put down Reifer off the bowling of Sinclair prior to the stoppage of play due to light.

Play resumed on the second day with Sinclair owning the morning session after restarting with just a handful of runs. The West Indies Test player, who cracked a majestic 165 not out in the last round, picked upwhereheleftoffonDay2.

The all-rounder scored his boundaries in a positive manner and at times at will, before Warrican added another huge wicket to his collection.

Guyana took their score to 335-7 by lunch as Barbadosstruggledtocreate

openings After lunch, Permaul who accepted the baton from Sinclair, then went about his own mission as the Eagles marched towardsa400-runtotal.

Permaulreachedhisfifty in a timely manner with a welcomed number of sixes, lookingmorelikeatop-order batsman.

TheBerbiceboysMotie and Permaul took on the bowlers, with Motie smacking3sixesand2fours asthepairaddedacrucial8wicketcenturystand.

It took some effort from Chamar Holder (1-80) to remove Motie, while Reifer (1-42) and Jair Mccallister (1-76) removed Isai Thorne and Nial Smith for cheap, leavingPermaulstranded,10 shy of his hundred thus bringing the innings to an end. Play resumes today from10:00h.

Barbados Pride spinner Jomel Warrican toiled for his two 1st innings wickets.

2024 Woodpecker National Junior Squash Championship

Alphonso, Sumner shine on Day Four on

The Woodpecker

National Juniors Squash Championship has been ablaze with action over the past two days at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street. Wednesday witnessed remarkable victories from Under-19 stars Safirah Sumner and MichaelAlphonso,followed by impressive performances from Blake Edwards and Rylee Lowe in the U17 divisions Rising talents Egan Bulkan and Zoey McDonald also showcased their skills with wins in the respective Boy’s U13 and Girl’s U11 categories, setting the stage for an exhilaratingremainderofthe 2024tournament.

Day four of the championshipunfoldedwith contrasting wins as 15

matchesconcludedtheday’s play In the U11 category, Zoey McDonald secured a convincingvictoryoverElla Fernandeswithscoresof111,11-8,and11-3. While,theU13category

witnessed Matthew Daby’s impressive 3-0 victory over Jacob McDonald before facing off against Egan BulkaninanotherBoysU13 matchup. Bulkan staged a remarkable comeback to

GDF and Slingerz March 13-30 matches postponed due to players’ national team duties

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Competitions Department has rescheduled all KFC Elite League Season Six matches involvingtheGuyanaDefenceForceFCand Slingerz FC between March 13 - 30 due to several players being called for national teamduties.

Since March 11, four Guyana Defence ForceFCandfiveSlingerzFCplayershave been training with their fellow Golden Jaguars teammates under the direction of HeadCoachJamaalShabazzattheGuyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

TheGoldenJaguarsarepreparingforthe upcoming FIFA Series scheduled for this month in Saudi Arabia Guyana will compete in two international friendlies in theMiddleEast,withthefirstmatchagainst

Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) scheduled for March 21, followed by a face-off against Cambodia on March 26. These historic gameswilltakeplaceatthePrinceAbdullah Al-FaisalStadiuminJedda.

The postponement of the KFC Elite League fixture adheres to the guidelines outlined in Article 2.32 of Season Six Regulations which states that “if four or more players from a club’s current GFF register are summoned for NationalDuties, that club may request the postponement of match(es) during which said players are called.Arequest for postponement shall be submitted in writing to the GFF Secretariat no later than 48 hours before the scheduled match day The GFF Competition Department shall take the final decision on allrequestsforpostponement.”

Newmatchdayswillbeannouncedlater

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets...

Frompage24 paycheck compliments of Banks DIH under its Guinnessbrand.

In addition to the predictable excitement onfield, fans will also benefit from giveaways as the Organisers seek to make the experience a happy one for them.

Admission is free with musical entertainment and large sightscreens set up around the venue for viewingonthematcheslive.

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 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 Ruimveldt vs Street Ballers; Albouystown Airport Ballers and Back Circle vs Stabroek Ballers B

On Sunday March 17:

Up Top Boss vs. Lodge All Stars; Tiger Bay vs Middle Road Ballers; Bent Street vs Tucville Rangers; Stabroek Ballers vs Bad A Yard; Leopold Street vs Unstoppable; Sparta Boss vs BackRoadBallers

Pow securing a win against Brenno Da Silva 3-0, while Richard Rodrigues triumphed over Justin Goberdanwithscoresof111,11-5,and11-9.

Lateron,theU17division featuredfivethrillingmatches, withShilohAsregado,seeded number two, defeating Justin TenPow(number4seed)with scoresof11-4,11-2,and11-6 Blake Edwards overcame JeremyTenPowwithscoresof

clinchvictorywithscoresof 11-13,11-4,11-3,and11-6.

The U15 division saw a few upsets, with Justin Ten

6-11, 11-5, 11-7, and 11-9, while Richard Rodrigues emerged victorious against Avian Wade in a four-game battlewithscoresof11-6,117,8-11,and11-8 OntheGirls’ side, Rylee Rodrigues and Safirah Sumner secured identical3-0victories.

Closingoffdayfourwith the U19 division, Sumner continuedherwinningstreak withanother3-0victory,this time against Rylee Rodrigues. Meanwhile, Malia Maikoo triumphed over Georgiana Fernandes with scores of 11-7, 11-9, and11-6.MichaelAlphonso delivered a masterclass performance against Louis Da Silva, securing victory with scores of 11-3, 11-3, and 11-1. Da Silva bounced backstronglyagainstJoshua Verwey in another U19 matchup, winning with scoresof11-6,11-4,and111. The tournament which is fueled by E-Net continued yesterdaywithmorethrilling matches.

Beharry, Lall stroke half centuries in latest EDCA 2nd Division 40-over fixtures

The action-packed weekend in the East Bank CricketAssociation(EBCA) 2nd Division 40-Over competition unfolded with thrilling encounters at #2 Canal ground and Farm ground, showcasing the prowess of Demolition, Sandpipers, and other spiritedteams.

At #2 Canal ground, Demolition showcased their mettle by securing a hardfought victory over Eccles, triumphing by 3 wickets. Eccles,battingfirst,posteda competitivetotalof193-8in their stipulated 40 overs, with Malcolm Mickle leading the bowling charge for Demolition, scalping 4 wicketsfor38runs.Bernard Bailey provided valuable supportwithfiguresof2-30.

I n r e s p o n s e , Demolition’s Ravindra Beharry displayed a scintillating performance, notching up a blazing 70 runs, embellished with 9 fours and 4 sixes Leon Swamy contributed significantly with 49 runs, guiding Demolition to victory at 194-7 with a coupleofoverstospare.

Meanwhile, at Farm ground, Sandpipers exhibiteddominanceasthey cruised to a commanding 131-runwinoverRuimveldt. Andy Lall and Ravindra Singh spearheaded the batting onslaught for Sandpipers, crafting impressive half-centuries to

propel their team to a formidabletotalof322runs.

Lall’smagnificentknock of 82 runs, adorned with 8 fours and 5 sixes, was complemented by Singh’s fluent 68 runs, featuring 5 fours and 3 sixes In response,Ruimveldtfaltered and were bundled out for 191-10, with Diquan Bamfield and Vinash Rampersaudwreakinghavoc with the ball, clinching 3 wickets for 36 runs and 2 wickets for 8 runs, respectively, sealing Sandpipers’ emphatic victory

Sundaywitnessedfurther gripping encounters, with Continental Raptors succumbing to Providence by 5 wickets at Laluni ground Riyad Latiff’s resilient knock of 34 runs, supportedbyTroyBenn’s18 runs, guided Raptors to a

modest total of 122-7

However,Providencechased down the target with ease, reaching 123-5 to claim victory

Additionally,PetersHall, Patrewta, and Herstelling emerged triumphant in their respective matches, adding to the excitement of the weekendclashes.

Looking ahead, the cricketing action is set to intensify with the final four first-round matches scheduled for this weekend. Eccles will lock horns with Uprising Sports Club at Farm, while Timehri will face Providence at #2 Canal on Saturday On Sunday, Ruimveldt will test their skills against Patrewta Sawmills SC at Farm, followed by a thrilling encounter between Sandpipers SC and Laluni SCathome.

Ravindra Beharry (70) and Leon Swamy (49) lead Demolition SC to 3-wicket win over Eccles.

Jeremy Ten Pow (left) serves during clash with Blake Edwards.

Some of the Boy’s U19 action between Michael Alphonso (left) and Louis Da Silva.

More

trophies, more sponsors for Kennard Memorial Turf Club Phagwah horserace meet

BySamuelWhyte

With just a few days to go before race day, more sponsors have hopped onboard to be associated with the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) annual PhagwahHorseRaceMeet.

Thelatesttogetonboard arehorseraceMagnateColin Elcock of the Delmur CompanyandtheBalkarran BrothersoftheUSA.

TheKMTCwillstageits annual Phagwah race meet at its Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice venue onSunday,March17,2024.

They have joined the likes of The Metro Stationery and Office Supplies, Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall Guyana, Torginol Paints Guyana Limited and The Kennard Family

A total of six races are listed for the day with over $5M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs Over 65 of the nation’sbesthorsesaresetto grace the starting line for highlycompetitiveraces.

The Metro Stationery and Office Supplies will be sponsoringthefeatureevent which will be for animals classified ‘C’ and Lower over a distance of 1 mile. Theyhavedoledoutcloseto $2M for the event. Those

enteredtobattleforthe$1M winning take and Metro trophy are Stolen Money, AmericanTraveller,Bechan James,Cremore,WildTexas TomandPhilinEcho.

Two other exciting top notch events are the H1 and lower event for a winning purse of $500,000 and a trophy There is also the Three years old Guyana Bred race. Both event have topnotchline-ups.

The other races are for animals classified J and K and lower, there is the race for L class open horses and the final event for L class non-winners.

Top jockeys, stables and

trainers will be rewarded withaccoladescompliments of Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall Guyana.TheKMTChasone of the best horseracing facilitiesinthecountry The track is in excellent condition and an exciting dayofracingisanticipated.

Theeventwillbestaged under the aegis of the KMTC.

Interested persons can make contact with Basil Bactowar on 661-7815, Fazal Habibulla on 6577010,T Jagdeoon618-7278 orIsaacDallooon689-0629 formoreinformation.

Racetimeis13:30hrs.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ kicks off tonight

Finally, its back. The Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets Competition will makeitsreturnafterafouryear absence with five matchesthisevening,atthe National Park, starting at 19:00hrs.

Unrivalled in its appeal and popularity, thirty-two of the best teams in the format in the Georgetown Zone will square off for prizemoniestotallingmore than $1 5 million along with trophies and an automatic spot in the national finals slated for July

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 final will cart off $$100,000.

The tournament which also has a sponsor Colours Boutique will see teams decked out in uniforms complimentsoftheclothing and shoes store situated on Robb Street and Regent Streetrespectively

As customary, it is anticipated that fans can expect riveting action from thefirstgamerightuntilthe final day of competition as teams battle for the top prizeandbraggingrightsas thegreatestofthestreets.

Teams such as back-toback champions Gold is Money, Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Broad Street, North Ruimveldt, Tiger Bay,

GFF Referee Instructor/ Assessor Natasha Lewis selected for FIFA Instructors Seminar

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Referee Instructor/Assessor Natasha Lewis will next month attend a FIFA Instructors SeminarinJamaica.

Scheduled forApril 10 to 12, Lewis will join other referees selected by FIFA from across the region, including representatives from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Curacao, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and theGrenadines,TrinidadandTobago,andthe UnitedStates,inMontegoBay

The course will be facilitated by FIFA technical instructors and will cover theoreticalandpracticalsessionsdesignedto “developandimprovetoprefereeinstructors usingFIFAmaterialsandconcepts.”

GFF 3rd Vice President and former referee Dion Inniss shared that the comprehensive workshop is a “high-level trainingprogrammewhichfromallaccounts is well merited”, adding that “I have no doubts you will represent Guyana with distinction and more importantly, return well-equipped to impart the knowledge gained.” The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) continues to make significant strides in elevating the standard of football in Guyana through continuous investment in providingplayers,coachesandofficialswith consistent access to premier-level programmes facilitated by FIFA and Concacaf. GFF President Wayne Forde reiterated that officials are “key to shaping the quality of the game, to upholding the

Natasha Lewis

highestprinciplesandstandards,thereforeit isamustthattheytooreceivethesamelevel of attention and investment as players, coaches and administrative staff in order to foster a culture of professionalism and competenceacrossallfacetsofthesport.”

Guyana currently has four FIFA registeredreferees.Leadingthecontingentis FIFAAssistantRefereeKleonLindey,whose remarkable tenure spans an impressive decade;DenishaIsaacs,thelonefemaleFIFA Assistant Referee, FIFA Referee Shavin GreeneandFIFAFutsalRefereeColinAbel.

Priyanna Ramdhani advances to Quarter-Finals in the Cuba Intl Badminton Tourney 2024

TLeopoldStreet,allprevious title holders will have their work cut out with the new cadreofopponentseagerto stamp their authority in the excitingformat.

Among the teams leading this current list of new challengers are Stabroek ballers, already the winners of one of the two tournaments held this year, while the experience Bent Street, North East La Penitence, Albouystown, Sophia, California Square andLodgeAllStarswillno doubt want to prove that theyarenopushovers.

What is promised and assuredisthatfromkickoff there will be fireworks as teams battle for outright supremacyandasizeable (Continuedonpage23)

he Guyanese Duo of Priyanna Ramdhani and Akil Haynes startedplayyesterdayintheXXII TorneoInternacionaldeBadmintonGiradilla 2024 at the “Ciudad Deportiva” Sport City Hall,LaHavana,Cuba.

Ramdhani advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s tournament The duo competedintheSingles,DoublesandMixed Doubles,resultsareasfollows:

MenSingles(Roundof32)

Akili Haynes vs Jose Leandro LabradaSoler: 15-21, 21-19, 22-20. Akili advances and will continue play in Round 2 (Roundof16)today

WomenSingles(Roundof32)

PriyannaRamdhanivs.AngelaGinaPita

Sanchez:21-3,21-3

Roundof16

Priyanna Ramdhani vs. Ginnet Cuellar

Galvez: 21-10, 21-12. Priyanna advances and will continue play in the Quarter-finals today

MixedDoubles:(Roundof32)

Ramdhani/HaynessecuredaByetothe Round of 16, play was set to continue yesterdayafternoon

WomenDoubles:(Roundof16)

Ramdhani teamed up with Chequeda

Priyanna Ramdhani has advanced to the quarter-finals of the ladies tourney in Cuba.

Mrs Chan Kennard receives the Balkarran Brothers trophy of the USA from a representative.

Hearmeout! The GTA missed a perfect opportunity with Tianna Springer

BYRAWLETONEY

When the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) appointed West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph as the country’s official “sports ambassador, ” they overlooked a significant opportunity to do the same with Tianna Springer – a 400m record holder in the Commonwealth and South America.

HearMeOutwhy!

There’s no denying that Joseph’s narrative reverberatesthroughhistory, both locally and regionally, andevenonaninternational scale, highlighting the journey of athletes who persevere through life’s hardships,makingsacrifices toachievesuccess.

Joseph’s meteoric rise to fame rightfully earned him accolades and recognition. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that Tianna Springer,a16-year-oldtrack and field prodigy, has yet to receive the recognition she undoubtedlydeserves.

Sheended2023withthe fastest400mtime(53.28s)in theCaribbeanandAmericas, andtheseventhfastest400m timebyanU18athleteinthe World.

Springer’s 23 53s in 200min2023,wastheninth fastesttimeintheworld.

There hasn’t been an athlete, male or female, representing Guyana, aside from Emanuel Archibald, who had a more successful 2023thanSpringer

Justhowremarkablewas TiannaSpringeronthetrack in2023?Well,sheconcluded the year undefeated in the 400m finals, and in the 200m, she remains unchallengedinGuyana.

CARIFTAGAMES

Springer was always a promisingathlete,butitwas attheCariftaGamesin2023 that she didn’t just put Guyana and the Caribbean on notice; she sent a clear message to the rest of the worldthatshe’saforcetobe reckonedwith.

The narrative of

Guyana’s CARIFTA Games athletes, some of whom emerged as contenders for medals,readslikeatalefrom a storybook: a story of resilience, overcoming adversity, and even achieving the seemingly impossible given their

circumstances.

Springer’s gold medal performance in the girls’ 400m left spectators at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium in Nassau spellbound, earning her a standing ovation as a testamenttoherprowess

Tianna clocked 54 32 secondstoclaimvictoryin a remarkable come-frombehind performance Her time surpassed that of Jody-Ann Daily of Jamaica(54 81s),whohad to settle for silver, and De’cheynelle Thomas of St Kitts and Nevis (55 46s)

S/AU20C/CHIPIN ATHLETICS

Fast-forward to the South American U20 Championship in Athletics, Springer etched her name in theannalsofGuyana’strack andfield.

At just 15 years old, she shattered the 400m record with a time of 53.28s on her way to securing gold in Bogota, Colombia, which wastheseventhfastest400m time in the world by an U18 athlete, and the fastest time by an athlete in the Caribbean, and the Americas, according to WorldAthletics.

Springer, a native of PlaisancevillageontheEast Coast of Demerara, became theseventhGuyaneseathlete

1959. Furthermore, she earned the distinction of being the first female to win an individual gold medal at the South American U20 Championships since Chantoba Bright’s performanceinthewomen’s LongJumpin2017.

She was merely two years old when Brazil’s Bárbara de Oliveira set the Championships’record with atimeof53.44sinSãoPaulo in2009.

Presently,Springeristhe onlyGuyanesewitharecord at the South American U20 inAthletics.

eventinColombia.

COMMONWEALTH

YOUTHGAMES

to win a gold medal at the event, which commenced in

Additionally, Springer claimed a bronze medal by running 23.72s in the 200m

Meanwhile, at the Commonwealth Youth Games last year in Trinidad and Tobago, Springer once againcreatedhistory Springer’s indelible mark on the games will foreverbeetchedinmemory, as her spectacular performance led to the hoisting of the Golden Arrowheadfortheveryfirst (Continuedonpage21)

Tianna Springer

Rawle Toney

Veerasammy Permaul led Guyana’s batting with 90 on Day 2. Permaul, Sinclair second day fifties propel Harpy Eagles to 377-run lead heading into Day 3

-GHE1stinnings(436allout),Barbados1stinnings(59-3,Reifer1*,Drakes20*)

The GTA missed a perfect opportunity with Tianna Springer