Kaieteur News

Woman arrested for

“Why with $1.146 trillion budget people still hungry”? ...Opposition MPsqueryduring NewYorkTown Hallmeeting

T&T Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young

house that was destroyed by fire

ExxonMobil says Guyana could be the largest oil producer in South America

Discussions of Guyana's future as a regional and global powerhouse took center stage in a discussion

p a n e l a t O f f s h o r e Technology Conference (OTC) 2024 - World Oil reported.

Featured speakers included Kester Hutson and Richard Rambarran of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); Alistair Routledge of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL); and Deodat Indar and Peter

Ramsaroop Minister withintheMinistryofPublic Works and the head of the G u y a n a O f f i c e o f Investment (Go-Invest), respectively.

From the private sector to government involvement, the panel delved into the optics of Guyana's “outsized role” to play in the global oil and gas industry, despite the country's small geographic size Massive resources: Kester Hutson opened the panel, describing the initial 2015 discovery of Guyana's reserves as a “monumental

shift in economic fortunes” for the country The pace of progresshasbeenswift,with efforts underway to achieve 1.2-MMbopd production by 2030. The country also aims to establish a “monumental” gasprojecttomakeuseofthe natural gas resources and cut domesticelectricitycosts—a move that would pave the way for other projects and industryactivity

Developmentdetails

Alistair Routledge took the stage next, shifting the conversation into more specifics of production and upcoming projects offshore Guyana on the part of ExxonMobil one of the earliest majors offshore Guyana. Routledge has high hopes for the future of G u y a n a ' s i n d u s t r y, predicting that the country couldbethelargestproducer in South America—second only to Brazil—within the next decade Even so, ExxonMobil's focus has been on theYellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail projects for the present, the latter two of which mark the company's

fifth and sixth projects in the region The Yellowtail project includes a new FPSO, which is expected to come online in 2025, and j o i n s t h e e x i s t i n g FPSOs—Liza Destiny, Liza UnityandProsperity—asthe company's fourth vessel in the region. While Routledge only touched briefly on the details of the Uaru project, he had a prospective start date for the more recently

announced Whiptail project: end-2027. The cumulative production of all six projects is estimated at 1.3 MMbopd, once they are operational. Routledge also noted the addition of 500 km of new flowlines on the seabed and over 250 new wells by the time all six projects are operational.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Corporation,

Darren Woods recently stated that he believes the oil and gas developments in Guyana can go down as one of the best deepwater developments in industry history During a CNBC interview, Woods spoke about ExxonMobil's operations in Guyana. “If you look at Guyana and the development there, I think it will go down as one of the b e s t d e e p w a t e r developments in the history of the industry,” he said.

ExxonMobil Guyana announced the discovery of oil in 2015 and swiftly moved to commence production activities by 2019. The company had received an award last year fortherapidpaceitsaffiliate;

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited was able to develop the country's first oil project, Liza One. The success did not end there however, as more than 11 billion barrels of oil have since been discovered in the Stabroek Block.The rapid discoveries have transformed Guyana to the world's fastest growing

economy, boasting the world'slargestdiscoveriesin adecade.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and CNOOC

Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest. Hess Corporation has agreed to sell all of the company's s h a r e s t o C h e v r o n Corporation, through a US$53B transaction. This deal affects Hess' global assets, including its share in the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil filed for arbitration since the oil giant believes it has preemptive rights, which allow shareholders access to stock beforeitisofferedtoothers.

Financial strategy:

Following Routledge, Peter Ramsaroop shifted the conversation to Guyana's strategy for the country's recent influx of revenue. He was emphatic that “the Dutch disease doesn't apply to Guyana, ” and he (Continued on page 16)

Alistair Routledge of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)

Rogue vessels without insurance, proper documentation operating in maritime industry

The recent oil spill which took place off the shores of Tobago has led to a full-fledged investigation by the government of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. With the assistance of the United States and Canada, the country has been digging deeper into the circumstances that led to the overturned vessel in Tobago which resulted in at least 35,000 barrels of fuel polluting the environment. Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young during a press conference last week in Trinidad said he recently visited London to convince the Board of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund to provide assistance to Tobago for cleaninguptheleakedfuelfromthe mysteriousbarge. According to the Minister, “It became apparent that there is an industry that is taking place out there globally in the maritime industry where you have these rogue vessels and these rogue owners who are doing exactly what the owners of the Solo Creed and the Gulf Stream did, which is they are not submitting proper documentation, they are not submitting proper ownership, may or may not have insurance, may or may not be transporting legal or illegal fuel.” Furthermore, the TT Energy Minister said the capsized vesselinTobagomayhavereceived fuel from Venezuela which was destined to Guyana. According to him, “The vessels were on the way to Guyana and we have from the

T&T Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young during a recent press conference

- T&T Energy

authorities in Guyana a request by the Solo Creed for pilots to come and assist them into Guyana during the period where it actually turned

up on the shores in Tobago so we are pursuing all of the leads that we have.”This new development and discovery by Trinidad's Energy

“Why with $1.146 trillion budget people still hungry”?

...Opposition MPs query during New York Town Hall meeting

Budget 2024 at a whopping $1.146 trillion is thesinglegreatesttransferof wealth to the contractors in Guyana, since some 59 percent of that is for infrastructureprojects.

This according to aspiring leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Roysdale Forde, who along with Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Natasha Singh-Lewis and Former Mayor Ubraj Narine, addressed a Town Hall Meeting in New York with members of the Guyanese Diaspora last Friday last. Forde in his address, noted too that, “we are at a very critical juncture in our history; for the first time in independent Guyana, resources, monies, wealth is notanissue.” “Weareliving today in a very special time in history when we are able to see at least on paper, the country transforms from a very poor country to a very wealthycountry;somuchso that it is now indisputably accepted.”Withthisinmind, he drew reference to the biggest budget ever at $1 146 trillion, and said that's the evidence “that supports my statement that we are now living in a time like no other where money

and access to resources.” He reminded however, that “despite this massive wealth 48 percent of the people are living in poverty; there is no welfare system, there is no support ” According to Forde “... this government is comfortable to build roads and bridges, hospitals where we don't need them, schools beyond the capacity that is needed and infrastructure all a b o u t t h e c o u n t r y ; infrastructure and changing the landscape is not the way to go; the way to go is to develop the lives of the Guyanesepeoplenow.”

He queried “what sort of political beast, what sort of political outfit is the PPP, knowing now that you have wealth, the people that have served, retired nurses, teachers, public servants” andknowfullywellthatthey are at the end of their lives and opt to instead build roads.” He posited that this approach would not allow the true investments to benefits, the pensioners and other such vulnerable groups “Of the $1 146 trillion; almost 59 percent of the budget is spent on infrastructure, ” and according to Forde, “it is the greatest transfer of wealth at any one time, in one budget in the history of Guyana to

one small group of people, thecontractorclass.”

Singh-Lewis, in her address to the gathering was of the view that the ruling People's Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C Administration) is at present squandering Guyana's resources, including its oil resources.

TheOppositionMember of Parliament who holds the portfolio of Shadow Minister of Human Services and Social Security, noted that this much is being related to the party's leadership during their outreaches in Guyana. With this in mind, she was adamant “we got to find a creative way to tell the PPP enough is enough; do not let the PPP divide us.” To this end, the Opposition MP argues that “one of the factors of unity is good living conditions, safety and security for all people, those are the fundamentals ” RemindingthatinJanuaryof this year, a $1.146 trillion

dollar budget was approved for government spending, she lamented that public assistance is still less than US$100 per month while pensioners get just over that at $36,000. “We pay our seniors who would have worked all their lives to prepare a Guyana for all our children; we pay them $36,000everymonth;witha budgetofmorethanatrillion that is what we give to our pensioners.”

The MP was adamant “there isn't a community without complaints about NIS, public assistance and old age pension.”According to Singh-Lewis, “ our people are so neglected economically, all sorts of things are spin off from that; with $1.146 trillion dollars, we should have systems in place that allow every single woman in Guyana to have the support of the system to b e b e t t e r , f i r s t l y economically, so you do not have to stay in a relationship thatisabusive.”

Minister

Minister,regardingtheoperationof rogue vessels could spell further trouble for this oil-rich nation, now producing over 645,000 barrels of oilperday(bpd).

While Guya

w producing a large quantity of crude oil, the hydrocarbons are all exported to other destinations for refinery as the country has not yet establishedadownstreamindustry This means that Guyana is not onlyalargeexporterofoil,butalso importsallthefuelitneeds,thereby bringing into question the inspections being conducted by the local Maritime Administration (MARAD) and assoc

regulatory bodies to ensure the ships are insured, properly inspected and certified to meet all thenecessarystandards.

Teen boys kill man during robbery

Two boys ages 14 and 15 areamongthreepersonswho allegedly stabbed a machine operator to death at the East Coast Demerara bus park, Georgetown Saturday while trying to rob him of his haversack.

Dead is John Williams, 33, of Martyr's Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police said that he was killed around 21:15hrs Saturday at Commerce Street, Georgetown between LongdenandWaterStreets.

One of the suspects was identifiedasa19-year-oldof 102 Quamina Road, Beterverwagting ECD

One of the juveniles is reportedly from Tucville Georgetown while the other isaSophiayouth.

Investigators learnt that Williams was walking north

on Water Street with a green haversackonhisback.

Whenheturnedeastonto Commerce Street, the three suspects pounced on him from behind. They tried to snatch his haversack but he put up a fight and one of them stabbed him to his left chest.

Williams fell motionless on the roadway and the suspects walked away from thescene.

An ambulance was summoned and when it arrived, the Emergency Response Team onboard pronounced Williams dead. Police have managed to arresttwoofthesuspectsand they both admitted that they wanted only to rob Willliams. They also told investigators who inflicted the fatal stab wound

Member of Parliament, Roysdale Forde

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EDITORIAL

Democracy or dictatorship?

Guyana’s leading citizen, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeoisinagony.Hesuffersfromapiercinggripeinthe gutthatjustcouldnotlethimrest,twistshimintoknots.His face is grim, conveys his pain, and what gushes out his moutharetheacidsandpoisonsthatconsumehim.Jagdeo saysthatheisaboutdemocracy,thatGuyanaisastrongand stillgrowingdemocracy

But even a cursory study of this national leader’s behaviour immediately reveals how much he is a contradictionofthedemocracythatheandthePPPloveto chant at every opportunity His relationship, his exchanges, and his overall attitude with the independent media in Guyana speak for themselves about the undemocratic ways that have become among his worst features.

A genuine democracy can rightly boast about a free media. One that is free to ask any question on the heavy, disputedissuesoftheday,onethatshouldexpectclearand complete answers. Neither of this has happened in Guyana, with Jagdeo standing out in his repugnant practices that make him into what he should not be. It is unfortunatethataformerheadofstate,amanwhoonceand still rubs shoulders with regional and world leaders, has reducedhimselftoafigureofrowdinessandridiculeinhis dealingswithGuyana’sindependentmedia. Theroleofthe mediaisapivotalone,acheckonwhatishappening,and whether such matches with what the government and its spokespeople,leadersandministers,aresaying. Innormal circumstances, senior public servants and public works projectheadsshouldnumberamongthoseclearedtospeak aboutthedevelopmentsintheprojectsthatareundertheir control. InGuyana’sstyleofgovernanceanddemocracy, however,allthatwasnormalhasbeenbanished.

Politiciansandministersaretheonesmostlyauthorised to speak and, in many instances, even the ministers are eitherovershadowedbyJagdeoorsilencedbyhim. Heis the one doing most of the talking and sharing where projects and other national issues stand. He pushes the independent media to imitate the impotent State and friendly media. He shouldn’t expect that from this publication.

Theresultisthatwhenthemediashouldbetreatedwith courtesy and respect, its professionals are held to one harangue after another by Jagdeo. His language is intemperate, his bearing is of a man that is angry and volatile, someone ready to erupt, so sensitive he has become. Heismostsensitiveabouthismanagementofthe nation’s oil patrimony; more accurately, his mismanagement of a potential US trillion-dollar sector Jagdeo is asked a polite question about ExxonMobil’s offshoreoiloperations,andhefliesoffthehandle. Isthis democracy in action, or a wild-eyed dictator, on the rampage? Heshufflesaroundvitalquestionsaboutthenew amounts of oil found in the last eight discoveries announcedbyExxonMobil. Hecomesupwithallkindsof hollowandunconvincingresponsestoquestionspertaining to an unlimited parent company guarantee from ExxonMobilforGuyanaifanoilleakor,worse,ascaryoil spill occurs at one of the company’s offshore production sites. TheWalesgas-to-energy(GTE)projectisontrackto be the most expensive project in the history of Guyana to date, and Jagdeo plays hide and seek with clear answers abouttheviabilityofthemassivethree-phaseGTEproject. ItisJagdeo’sUS$2Bbaby,onethatstirstheanticipationof energy-starvedGuyanese,buttheleaderthatistoutingand pushing the project wants the independent media, and by extension Guyanese, to blindly accept whatever he says andnothingelse. Noclearandpublishedfeasibilitystudy, or nothing related to the financial components underlying theprojectandjustifyingit,andJagdeostuffsthisdownthe

Where is the morality in our society?

DEAREDITOR

, Theuproarhasincreased and the outcry can be heard frommany.TheAmerindian community cries for justice and has requested a Commission of Inquiry into the sexual violence and abuse in the villages. The Indigenous leaders have expressed concerns over the growing allegations of rape, “including those in position of power, who have been allegedly using their politicalinfluencetohamper police investigations” (Reference: News Source Guyana April 2024). New allegations have been broughtagainstanExecutive Committee member of the PPP/C, whose sexual activity continues to bring scrutiny and criticism of the government. Behaviour in Parliament was also previously an issue of concern.

Yet delegates show preferenceforthisindividual overthewellbehavedhighly educated and hardworking membersofthepartywhodo not embarrass their Party ThePPP/CandtheAPNU+ AFC go into national elections in 2025 Does either party have the upper hand when it comes to morality? Allegations of sexual misconduct and corruption have plagued both sides of the political divide However, neither party has shown the will to have the allegations thoroughly investigated and

neithersidehascleanedtheir respective parties using the evidence available to them. W h e n i n p o w e r investigationsarestalledand those of opponents are seldomly brought to conclusion A seemingly collaborative effort between thosethatmisbehaveonboth sides of the political divide. You don’t punish me and I willnotpunishyouseemsto be the implicit order of the day

Where is the moral compass of our country? Where is the strength of morality in our parliament? Themajorpartiescannotwin a majority in our Parliament without the support of the Amerindians, and without the support of voters who reject the status quo. Those who demand clean governance that is free of corruption and free of the current moral deficit that is ondisplayhavethepowerto control parliament This controlispossiblebygiving theirunitedvoicesincreased authority via a party that is rooted in morality and integrity Do we the people ofGuyanadesireahomeland freeofsexualpredators,free of corruption and free of disrespect for the hardworking members of our society?Dowethepeopleof Guyana desire a homeland where law and order is respected?

If so, then we must collectively stand together and make our voices heard.

Wemustbetheoneswhosit withtheunionsandthesugar workers who are on strike instead of sitting with corrupt contractors who haveunsafeworksiteswhere workershavedied.Wemust be the ones who ensure that the police make our roads and waterways safe We must be the ones who make o u r s c h o o l s a n d neighbourhoods safe for our children, where abuse does nottakeplaceandwherethe riskofdeathbyfirehasbeen eliminated. We must be the ones who ensure that the women in our country are not physically or mentally abused and raped. We must betheonesthatputanendto thekillingsintherumshops and on the roads due to the overconsumptionofalcohol. We must be the ones who willrestorelawandorderto ournation.

Wemustalsobetheones who can reject Venezuelan aggressionandhelpbringan end to the influx of illegal immigrants that make our country unsafe. We must also be the ones that say to Exxon that you will not rob usofourresources.Wemust also be the ones that say to Exxon you will renegotiate orbereplaced.Wemustalso be the ones that say that our environment and health matter more to us than the processing of dangerous chemicals, which we can safely buy from overseas.

Wemustalsobetheonesthat say that our people deserve

theirfairshareofourwealth and that they should receive a c h e c k f r o m t h e government. We must also be the ones that make this possibleandwemustalways be the ones to prevent those who would recklessly harm ourcountryfromdoingso.

We must prevent dictatorships and we must preventthemisuseofpower This will only be possible if we unite and obtain the pivotal votes to control the parliament by preventing anyofthemajorpartiesfrom gainingamajority

This will prevent the giving away of our democracy and our natural resources. This will prevent the spreading nepotism that is destroying the moral values of our society CRG stands ready to fight alongside others who share this vision for our country CRG stands ready to fight alongside others who are determinedtotakeastandto return our beautiful nation back to its rightful glory A glory rooted in integrity, honestyandthemoralvalues we have learnt from our ancestors that are also thought in our schools. We are at a pivotal moment in our country’s history Let’s choose a path that ensures that future generations live in a safe and prosperous society that reflects the valuesandmoralsthatweall holddear

Sincerely, Mr.JamilChanglee

Georgetown must be remodelled into a modern City

DEAREDITOR

In a previous article in the press, I highlighted the fact that there needs to be a general overhaul of Georgetown, I am talking a total restructuring of the present outlay of the city Having said this, we must now direct our attention to the strict adherence to town planning It entails the planning and design of all thenewbuildings,roadsand openspacestomakethearea more attractive and convenient, for those who live and conduct business

there. Town planning is the process of managing land resources, it involves the control of existing features as well as the establishment of new requirements for the urban area. It is a dynamic process that changes in response to policy, development proposals and localneeds.

Making a quick comparison of Georgetown to what town planning rules stipulate, we find the city takingontheappearanceofa large Ghetto Fabulous place where anything goes. There

throatsofGuyaneseandtellsthemtoswallowhard. Isthisa democracythatisgrowing,oradictatorshipinthemaking,a one-man reign, one that has appointed himself king and deity?

Whatever he is, we insist that Jagdeo has no clothes to concealhisweaknesses. Whenhesettlesforblusteringhis way out of tight media corners, all he succeeds in doing is makinghimselflookmoredictatorial.

areadhocsituationsexisting everywhere,withnoorderas itrelatestouseofspace.The Central Business District (CBD)whichformsagiantT - shape takes in the area of Stabroek, Avenue of the Republic, Water Street and the full length of Regent Street. It is an area that is highlycongested,markedby a conglomeration of vehicular and pedestrian traffic,buyersandsellersall competing for that limited space. The resultant effect, is a foul-smelling, garbagefilled, rat-infested mess, these are the vector-like conditions that greet you every day Georgetown has to be remodeled and, the time for such a renewal is now! Firstly, to remove that present stigma attached to Georgetown, one must get down to serious town

planning, a redesigning of the city The second aspect, which in my view is of utmost importance, is the doing away of petty politics that impedes progress, get down to solving the real issuesfacingthecityandyou willseethegrandrenewable ofacitynamedGeorgetown. I have highlighted some areas that need immediate attention.

1.Build a modern megamarketatBigMarket,thatis, the entire area that covers The Stabroek Block of buildings.

This plan goes for The Bourda, Kitty and East La Penitence Markets. It will also bring a swift end to street vending, as all street sellers would have been accommodated in the new markets around the city

2.Thevacantspaces

(Continuedonpage06)

Stop the fall in standard of cricket commentary

DEAREDITOR

, A Dancea Lipson, writing in the Dominica News Online, asked a few years ago “Whatever

happened to cricket commentary? This person detailed that “It’s no fun

listening to cricket commentarybythenewcrop

o f W e s t I n d i a n commentators. If you are a cricketfan,youralternatives are to either tolerate the cringing and sustained attack on your sensibilities, orwatchthecricketonmute.

Lipson enumerated: Just a few linguistic gems that come to mind: We saw him did;finelegandshortlegis; he is a good debt (bowler); just short of a good length; the bowler gave him too much width; the fielder was notintherightposition.Etc.

Lipson continued: “As if these offences were not grievousenough,wehavealso hadtocontendwiththevoice and hair style of a certain CurtleyAmbrose,whoneither looksthepartnorfitsthebill

Over in England, Darren Sammy has been doing TV commentaryonTheHundred, (howdidhegetthere?),andhe repeatedly talks about the inning, instead of innings Hell,isitaWestIndianthing?”

“These commentaries are listenedtoallovertheworld” Editor, that is my dread andembarrassmentto.

In“RethinkCricket-CPL failed on the bigger issues,” (Oct03,2023),Imadesome comments on cricketing

issues, and I think they fell on obstinate ears. However, thiswillnotdetermeinany wayatall,asIfeelcompelto advocate for ‘betterment’in the name of ‘using people who can and should do the job,’ and in ‘respect for listenersandreaders.’

First, I hope readers will go back to “Prescott Mann’s “There is hope for better Super50 commentary,” (October 31, 2022) and then recently, Deodat Singh’s, “Cricket broadcasting needs major overhaul,” (May 8, 2024) Also,bearinmind,that mypurposeisnottoembarrass anyone, nor expose any kind of bias inhering in any single mediaentity I add and expand on Lipson, concerning the list of major language blunders, which will be excessively long, and it keeps growing Fornow,whatirksmeiswhy musttheworldatlargelistento

G u y a n e s e c r i c k e t commentators, shouting so many basic language blunders I am talking about notrealisingandknowing,as well as not being willing to learnandbetaught,afterfirst being‘carefully’selected I mean ‘relax-ee-a-tion’ doesnotexist,neitherdoes‘ire-gard-less’ It is basic; the words are ‘relaxation’ and ‘regardless’ One can have ‘irrespective’ Is this rocket science? What Deodat Singh pointed out is not even a thin slice of what goes on and obtainsandwhatweareforced to ingest, either because of

stupid nepotism, or leaders, whoarebereftofwhatshould be the minimum standard, deciding on and making choices on who should be involved I back Lipson: “A fewquestions:whoselectsour commentators? What prerequisites should potential commentators have before qualifying as commentators, and being unleashed on the helplesslisteners?Isafacility withtheEnglishlanguageone oftheseprerequisites?Whydo almostallofthemseemtobe coming from one particular Caribbean country?” As a caveat, I am more particular about our Guyanese contingent Surely,wecando much better, can’t we? This excerpt from another letter caught my attention: “The qualityofcricketcommentary from the West Indies appears tohavefallenparipassuwith the standard of our cricket (both are in the abyss) Mediocrity has become the standard Asweworktoreturn ourcrickettothestandardsof old, perhaps we can also pay attentiontothestandardofour cricketcommentary?

Ifullyconcur AndIadd my suggestion, with the hope that Minister McCoy will engage, professionally, the help of some really qualified and experienced Guyanese, outside of the current Government lot, as these seemingly are illequipped, being picked for political reason. They will neverbeabletodothejob.

GaylordRiley.

Govt.hasnoexcuseforfailingto provideteacherswithdecentsalaries

DEAREDITOR

In our beloved country where education stands as the linchpin of personal, community and national development and progress, thetreatmentofourteachers saysalotaboutourpriorities. Still,despitetherecentHigh Court ruling affirming their right to collective bargaining,andotherrelated matters teachers find themselves in a bewildering limbo, grappling with a government- PPP/Cseeminglydeaftotheirpleas for fair and livable salaries. Thishascreatedadeepsense of discomfort and worry among our educators, in everyregionofthiscountry

The ruling, a glorious light of hope for educators across this nation, should havebeenusedtofacilitatea new era of respect and collaboration between t e a c h e r s a n d t h e government However, it doesappeartohavefallenon deafearswithinthecorridors ofpoliticalpower,wherethe echoes of justice are drowned out by clinking of

bureaucratic indifference.

Guyanese must be wondering: why does the incumbent regime stubbornlypersistindenying teachers the fundamental right to negotiate their salaries and working conditions?Itisignoranceof their pivotal role in shaping the future generations, and ournation? Isitadeliberate disregard for the value of education in our society? Or isthereahiddenagenda?

Whatever the answer, it is worrying, particularly in circumstanceswherethereis anabundanceofresourcesat the government’s disposal. With a massive influx of oil revenueliningitscoffers,the government has absolutely no excuse for failing to provideteacherswithdecent salaries commensurate with their significant role in shaping the nation’s future.

Sadly, teachers are left to fend for themselves, forced to resume strike action, a political environment where the government appear to care less about their plight and the education of our

children and more about demonstrating power, dominationandcontrol.

The inaction of the PPP/C is a grave injustice that undermines the very foundation of our democracy Collective bargaining is not a privilege to be granted at the government’s whim; it is a fundamental right enshrined inlaw,acornerstoneofafair andjustsociety Asamatter of urgency, the government needs to heed the court’s ruling and engage in meaningful dialogue with the teachers’ union to address their legitimate grievances.Thefutureofour nation depends on the dedication and commitment ofourteachers;itistimewe startedtreatingthemwiththe dignity and respect they deserve.

I encourage all of our teachers involved, in this industrial action to fight for their rights to collective bargaining and fair compensation for the importantworktheydo

(Continuedonpage06)

‘Supermajority immunity and change’

DEAREDITOR

A few weeks ago, Mr Ralph Ramkarran claimed that the constitutional immunity of the president is a ‘diabolical travestyequating our president to a monarch’ and should be cleansed from the Constitution.

In so doing, he opened

what could be an important discourse about what are the major constitutional problems the constitution reform process needs to consider andsolve

For me, a major problem revolves around Guyana’s ‘plurality’ and ‘closed list’system in the contextofethnicvoting

In response to Ralph’s uncertaintyaboutwhythe present formulation of presidential immunity in the Constitution was not expungedduringthe2000 reform process and his

suggestion that the

People’s National Congress (PNC) may be partly responsible for this

o m i s s i o n , M r Christopher Ram made the point that the PNC presented a far more substantial case than the PPP to the 2000 reform commission

This is understandable, for although the PPP had committed to reforming the ‘ d i s g r a c e f u l ’ a n d ‘undemocratic’ 1980 Burnhamconstitution,ithad tobedraggedscreamingand kicking to the reform table!

The PNC was, however, obviouslyweddedtoaspects of the old constitution that both Ralph and Chris find troubling,oritwouldhaveat leastmadesufficientnoiseto

make it impossible for Ralph, who was the chair of thecommission,tobeunsure about how the presidential immunityprovisionsarestill intheconstitution.

ContrarytoRalph,Chris argued that ‘Properly interpreted, the immunities are not unreasonable ’ I agree.

In 2020, I said that ‘The US Constitution does not grantthepresidentimmunity from liability for either official or unofficial conduct, but in practice the situation is likely to be similar to that of Guyana’ (‘Constitutional reform: presidential immunities,’ SN:19/08/2020).

What is of much greater interest to me is Chris’s position that ‘It is the executive presidency which istherealdiabolicaltravesty Andthatiswhatcriesoutfor cleansing.’

The president ‘is more answerable to his Party’s Congress and to a Cabinet appointedbyherorhimthan to the people or their p a r l i a m e n t a r y representatives; makes an overwhelming majority of constitutional and statutory appointments, including members of the Integrity Commission, Boards and Agencies; who is the sole a u t h o r i t y f o r t h e a p p o i n t m e n t o f a CommissionofInquiry;and o f a l l d i p l o m a t i c representatives;whopaysno taxes but yet grants concessions as if s/he owns Guyana;andwhocanrefuse to assent to legislation passedevenunanimouslyby the people’s parliamentary representatives.

Worse, the President

exercises these powers even as Head of a Minority Government.’

Given the ‘iron law of oligarchy’, particularly when supplemented by that undemocratic n o n s e n s e c a l l e d ‘democratic centralism’, things might be worse thanChristhinks

When, for example, a PPP president is head of the party, he is de facto answerable to no one except the acolytes that he has placed on the executivecommittee

Whenthepresidentisnot the head of the party, as in S

, h

s answerable to the leader of the party who is de facto answerable to no one!

I agree that the constitutionalpowers of the president sho

e opportunities to abuse the constitutional rules are almost universal, what is much more important is the willingness of any government that purports to be democratic to capriciously manipulate the rules - as the PPP has been doing - to further its autocraticends

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary system that has for centuries been on the democratic road but take note of ‘10 Times (Prime Minister) Boris Johnson Nearly Broke Democracy ’ in his 2 years and 348 days i n o f f i c e (https://unlockdemocracy org uk/) ’

For example, the Supreme Court found that he illegally shut

down Parliament in September 2019 for five weeks to avoid scrutiny of the Brexit legislation; in 2021, he let one of his ministers found guilty of breaking the Ministerial Code by bullying her Civil Service team keep her job; he endorsed cronyism by trying to abolish the cross-party Parliamentary Standards Committee and replace it with his party-led alternative when it found one of his MP in breach of lobbying rules; he changed the Ministerial Code to protect himself in the middle of an inquiry into his holding parties during the COVID lockdown; he ignored national security adviceandplacedthesonof an ex-KGB agent in the House of Lords, and althoughheresignasPM,he stayed on as leader of the Conservative party for months with one quite sure howthatwasgoingtowork.

The author concluded that the grey areas of the B r i t i s h u n w r i t t e n constitution are bad for democracy and that a written one will help to safeguard democracy, andsoitmay However, Boris Johnson ran afoul of a strong judiciary and the existence of a united publicopinion

Heeventuallydecidedto resignwhenthelatterkicked in and by-election defeats keptcoming,andtohisown

MPs, he became ‘damaged goods’.

Guyana is a good example of the absence of both these normal democratic ways of preventing a determined government from abusing constitutional weaknesses that undermine democratic aspectsoftheconstitutionto achievetheirends.

Desmond Hoyte did not have to pay much attention tothesebecausehehadinhis armorytheonlysurewayof stopping a recalcitrant regime: direct political action, popularized by him as‘morefire!’

But knowing fully well that its ethnic vote would not shift, the PPP sensibly used a range of g o v e r n m e n t interventions such as e

recognition by avoiding collective bargaining, u n

related institutions, etc to make the lives of PNC supporters impoverished and uncertain, as it seeks t

heir taking direct political action! Guyana has a m i x e d presidential/parliamentar ypoliticalsystem,andasI have previously observed, this mixture ‘coupled a most questionable e l e m e n t o f t h e parliamentary system to presidentialism and thus created a potentially toxic brew (SN: Future

Notes 25/05/2011)!’ One can become the president of Guyana if their party receives, say, 20% of the votes at the national and regional elections so long as no other party receives asmuch

At a minimum, this plurality system should be scrapped and replaced withamajoritarianone:an individual/partymustgainat least50%ofthevotestowin thepresidency

I n d e e d , g i v e n Guyana’s problematical ethnic bicommunal nature, a supermajority of 60% or more of support shouldbetherequirement, asinSuriname

The closed list proportional system makes MPs unable to act independently because they are usually beholden to their oligarchic party leadership rather than to their constituencies, and this should also be s c r a p p e d (Constitutional reform: d i s m a n t l i n g t h e ‘Burnham’ constitution,’ Future Notes, SN: 26/08/2020)

These two acts will mitigate some of the n e g a t i v e e f f e c t s resulting from the fact that mainly because of ethnic voting, Guyana does not have an effective united public opinion to automatically hold governments accountable

Regards

Dr.HenryJeffrey

Govt. has no excuse for failing...

Frompage05 whichcontributetonational development.

Oureducatorsshouldnot succumb to the pressures of this authoritarian regime; they must continue to raise their voices against the injustice meted out to them by the government; this is not the time for teachers to falterorlookawayfromthe

uneven distribution of the nation’s wealth by the government.

IappealtoallGuyanese not to lose sight of the historyofthePPP/C.

We have a duty to hold thegovernmentaccountable for the duties and functions bestowed upon it to protect and care for the welfare of allofourcitizens.

The source of power exercisedbythegovernment islocatedamongthepeople. Guyanese must use this powertoforcethePPP/Cto c r e a t e a s o c i e t y characterised by fairness and justice. We must refuse tosettleforanythingless.

Sincerely Roysdale Forde S.C M.P.

Georgetown must be remodelled...

Frompage04

aremaining after the vendors have been removed,canbeusedfortheparkingofroute buses and taxi operators.3.In this way, the streets of Georgetown can be properly cleaned,thealleywaysandguttersclearedof all debris and proper drainage restored.4.Construct a high-rise car park in theheartofthecity,theBourdaCemeteryis theideallocation.

This long-condemned burial ground would accommodate vehicular traffic coming into

thecitytoconductbusiness. Ahigh-risecar parkwouldalsosolvetheproblemofillegal parkinginthecity

Therecouldbenoexcuseforillegalparking. Theproposedplanforamoderncityisin keepingwiththedevelopmentofGuyanaon awhole.

Forthisplantoachieveitsfullpotential, the Municipality of Georgetown must adopt andadapttothebroaderfutureoutlook.

Respectfullysubmitted

NeilAdams

BLUNT BLUNT

Attacking the press

The PPP in government has been notorious for attacking the press. Led by Bharrat Jagdeo, that party has even used its supporters to throw faeces on a former columnist of this newspaper. Jagdeo himself has called reporters derogatory names.

Back in office, after a five-year in opposition, the PPP has returned to its old, dirty tricks. In fact, of recent, things have gotten worse with certain media houses and reporters facing weekly attacks and abuse.

But even prior to the recent developments, independent media outlets, such as Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, have faced targeted attacks under Jagdeo when he was president. Under him, the attacks took various forms, including: the withholding of State advertisements, pressure to dismiss editors and attempts to even encourage private advertisers to withhold ads from media houses. Under him, the State media had become increasingly partisan, echoing a troubling trend reminiscent of the authoritarian regime of the past. A television station was taken off the air for one month and a journalist was banned from covering presidential press conference–a ban that was eventually removed. The media faces a number of challenges presently.

Access to senior decision-makers is exceedingly challenging due to a pervasive atmosphere of fear and apprehension among public officials, deterring them from engaging with the press openly. Many officials opt to remain silent or communicate off-therecord to avoid potential repercussions or victimisation.

Bill to abolish preliminary inquiry laid in National Assembly

Last week, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira tabled the Criminal Law

P r o c e d u r e ( P a p e r Committals)Bill2024.

The Bill provides for the abolition of preliminary inquiries and the substitution t h e r e o f w i t h p a p e r committals, which involves reviewing the evidence and arguments presented by both the Prosecution and the Defence in written form, rather than conducting an inpersonhearing.

The Bill was tabled by Teixeira on behalf of the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C and it was read for the first time at the 81st sittingofthe12thParliament.

The Attorney General's Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs drafted the Bill with the aim of making the criminal justice system more efficient. Under the new system, the magistrate will review the written submissions and make a determination based on the available evidence The paper committal process saves time and resources by eliminating the need for witness testimony and crossexamination during the preliminary inquiry stage This will inevitably save judicial time, reduce the backlogofcriminalcasesand reduce the prison population onremand.

(

Committals) Bill 2023 Submissions were solicited from the Chambers of the

Prosecutions (DPP), the Office of the Police Legal Advisor, the Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association, and the Law ReformCommission.

The Attorney General's office had previously stated that the Bill will bring Guyana on par with jurisdictions across the C a r i b b e a n a n d t h e Commonwealth that have already abolished the use of Preliminary Inquiry The Paper Committal system was first introduced into Guyana bytheSexualOffencesActin 2010. It has survived several legal challenges and has worked reasonably well. The Attorney General Chambers andMinistryofLegalAffairs in June 2023 invited comments in writing on the

Part I, which includes Clauses 1 to 4 of the Bill deals with the preliminary matterspertainingtotheBill. Clause 1 provides for the s h o r t t i t l e a n d commencement of the Bill. Clause 2 sets out the definition of key words and expressions used throughout theAct.Clause3providesfor the application of the Act to all proceedings in respect of indictable offences, except for proceedings under the Sexual Offences Act, Cap. 8:03. Clause 4 provides for the abolition of oral preliminary inquiries and the substitution thereof with

papercommittals.

Part II includes Clauses 5 to20.

Clause 5 sets out the procedure to be followed in paper committals. Clause 6 empowers the magistrate to adjourn proceedings before beginning a paper committal or anytime during the proceedings Clause 7 providesfortheadmissionof evidence and sets out the timeline for which all credible evidence should be filed by both the prosecutor or person acting on behalf of theprosecutoror,theaccused or counsel on behalf of the accused. Clause 8 provides f o r t h e e v i d e n t i a l requirements that must be met with respect to written statements sought to be admittedasevidenceinpaper committal proceedings Clause 9 sets out the requirements which must be met for depositions to be admissible as evidence for the purpose of a paper committal Clause 10

provides for the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to other statements sought to be admittedasevidenceinpaper committal proceedings

Clause 11 provides the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to otherdocumentssoughttobe admittedasevidenceinpaper committal proceedings

Clause 12 requires evidence

to be read aloud in paper committal proceedings

Clause 13 provides for a statement, deposition or document admitted in evidence to be proved by the production of a copy thereof.

Clause 14 empowers a magistrate to issue a summons or warrant directing that a person's evidencebetakenasa (Continued on page 10)

Pres. Ali promises 1500 new jobs for Region 7 in mining sector

Approximately 1,500 residents of Region Seven are poised to gain employment opportunities from two new large-scale mining operations set to commence constructionshortly

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made this disclosure, during a community engagement at the BarticaCommunityCentreGround lastFriday

He said each mining site is expected to employ around 700 workers, all of whom will undergo requisite training. “The two new large mines that will come into operation before the end of this yearwillseetrainingforfull-time employment of more than 700 persons. So, we have to find 700 persons to work in one of those mines,”PresidentAlirevealed.

President Ali emphasised the ongoing discussions between Bartica's mayor and regional stakeholders to facilitate these trainingprogrammes.Furthermore, the government is exploring the feasibility of establishing a call centre within the region, offering additional employment prospects for young individuals. Meanwhile, in line with efforts to bolster agriculture in the hinterland, President Ali highlighted the MinistryofAgriculture'sinitiatives to develop large-scale honey, citrus, and sweet cassava

production programmes. These endeavours,hesaid,aimtoenhance food sustainability and security withintheregion.

“In this region, you will have between 400 to 500 new hives when you look at all the communities, we are going to support. We want to have largescale citrus farming and we have

already identified areas for this. We are working now to expand the sweet cassava programme, looking at higher-yielding variety,” the head-of-state explained.

To promote sports activities among residents, plans are underway to rehabilitate six r e c r e a t

complementing ongoing works on others Acknowledging the significant investments made by the government in the region, President Ali underscored the allocation of over $4.2 billion in education, $13 billion in housing and water projects, and an additional $500 million in agriculture over the past three

years. “We are going to continue to make these investments to ensure that the people of this regionbenefit,toensurethatlives are made easier and better the level of services that will be brought to the people,” the presidentasserted.

President Ali reaffirmed his government's unwavering commitment to realising these initiatives, emphasising that no effort will be spared to ensure the region's residents benefit from i m p r o v e d s e r v i c e s a n d opportunities. For the past two days, President Ali led an outreach to Bartica and surrounding communities in Region Seven, actively listening to residents' concerns and providing immediate interventionstoaddressthem.

Meanwhile, also during the outreach to Region Seven last week, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the village of Agatash is poised to benefit from more agricultural interventions, as President Irfaan Ali has committed to constructing two shade houses to promote production of high-value crops. The president made the announcement during a meeting with residents on Thursday He chargedtheMinistryofAgriculture andtheNationalAgricultural (Continuned on page 16)

Residents of Agatash at the outreach on Thursday last in Region Seven

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C

Ideologicalpluralismwithinpoliticalpartiesisamyth

The PPP is engaging in myth-making in seeking to perpetuate the narrative that it is now an ideologically plural party Nothing could befurtherfromthetruth.The party has been seized by the bourgeois class. This class has completed its capture of thepartybyforcingtodelink fromMarxism-Leninism.

Thenotionofideological pluralismisoftentoutedasa hallmark of democracy and inclusivity But this only applies to the wider society and nation and not to political parties. Ideological pluralism within political partiessuggeststhatpolitical parties can accommodate diverse ideologies under a single umbrella. It implies thatapoliticalpartycanhave representedawidespectrum ofbeliefsandvalues.

But this only exists in theory In practice, the presenceofawidespectrum of ideologies, including contesting ideologies, is a recipefordivisivenessanda lackofinternalcohesion.

Theexistenceofmultiple ideologies within a political party is a myth. Political parties, by their very nature, are built on cohesive ideological foundations that guide their actions and policies. While they may exhibit some degree of flexibility or variation in specificpolicypositions,the core ideology of a party remains fundamentally singular Parties are

inherently driven by a dominant ideology that shapestheiridentity,agenda, and decision-making processes.Politicalpartiesare organizational entities with distinct ideological orientations A party’s ideologyservesasitsguiding principle,providingacoherent framework for understanding the world and articulating its vision for society Ideology permeates all levels of party politics It shapes its behaviour, responses and decisions

Forexample,conservative parties typically espouse values such as individualism, free markets, and traditional social norms, while liberal parties prioritise principles suchasequality,socialjustice, andprogressivereform These ideological orientations are notmerelabelsbutrepresent deeply ingrained sets of beliefs and values that inform every aspect of a party’sfunctioning.

A party’s ideology is essential for maintaining internalcohesionandunityof purpose Thereisareasonwhy Jagan transitioned the PPP to become a Marxist-Leninist party He was keen to build a more disciplined outfit based on the dictatorship of the workingclass

But there are also other practical benefits for a party embracing a specific ideology as opposed to having a hodgepodge of belief systems. A party’s

abilitytoeffectivelymobilize support and govern depends onitsabilitytopresentaclear and coherent ideological platform to voters Ideological consistency allowspartiestodifferentiate themselvesfromtheirrivals. This provides a clear basis forelectoralcompetitionand voter choice. When parties deviate from their core ideological principles or exhibit internal divisions over fundamental issues, they risk alienating their b

undermining their electoral viability. As such, political parties have a strong incentive to uphold the integrity of their ideological identity and minimise internal dissent that could threaten their unity and electoralprospects.

To appeal to voters and winelectoralsupport,parties must present a systematic, coherent and consistent ideologica

Attemptingtoaccommodate

ideologies within a single party – under the notion of ideological pluralism – risks diluting its electoral appeal andconfusingvotersaboutits identityandpriorities

The operational dynamicsofpoliticalparties reinforcethedominanceofa singularideology Partiesare hierarchical organisations with centralised leadership

significant control over the

DEM BOYS SEH

Like yuh leff yuh manners home!

Yuh ever notice howinGuyana mannersgettin’ rarer than a bargain?Afew years ago, we had a big campaign against bad manners It was merely fightin’againstlittering,but it end up falling flat on its face.

ThankGodforthegood old days when “Good Morning” was not just somethin’yourgrannyused tosay It was like your daily vitamins, essential for startin’ off the day right. Andifyuhfailtosay:Good Morning”yuhboundtoget pullupbyyourelders.

“Thank you” used to flow like the rum at a Guyanese wedding And

holding the door for someone else used to be second nature, not an occasional happening. Ole peopleusedtoencouragede menfuhopendedoorfuha lady, except if it is a plane door

Dis ain’t just ‘bout manners, it’s ‘bout addin’a lil’doseofhumanitytoour everyday hustle In dis world where everybody rushin’ like dey late for de bus, a simple “please” or “excuse me” could smooth out de bumps in de road. But oh gosh, de resistance we facin’! Some people gon’laughlikedemthinkin’ manners is old news, like rotary phones and blackand-whiteTV Butwesayto dem, in de face of all dis

party’sagendaanddecisionmaking processes Party leaders, often represent the ideological vanguard of the organisation. These leaders wieldconsiderableinfluence in shaping the party’s direction and enforcing ideological discipline amongitsmembers.

Whocanforgetthatwithin the PPP, Khemraj Ramjattan was summoned before a disciplinary committee for criticisms of the government, and eventually was expelled? Another low-level comrade wasreportedlyalsosubjecttoa disciplinary hearing and told that a criticism of the government in power was a criticismoftheparty.

Dissent or divergence fromthepartylineistypically discouraged or marginalised, as it undermines the party’s cohesionandeffectiveness In this context, the notion of ideological pluralism within political parties appears increasingly untenable If ideological pluralism was tenable there could hardly be objection to criticism of the party, regardless of whether the party is ruling or in the Opposition There is a tendency to ideological factions developing within political movements. This has been the downfall of many such movements However,whileitistruethat politicalpartiesmaycontain factions or interest groups

with divergent policy preferencesorpriorities,these groups must not be seen necessarily as ideological factions They are often distinguished by their differentiating interests, interests not defined by ideology Within the PPP’s leadership for example, there was opposition towardsJagdeo’spolicythat led to the withholding of advertisements to Stabroek News. But these differences werenotideological.

There has been an attempt to argue that the Democratic Party in the United States is a Big Tent formation or that the ChristianDemocraticUnion incorporates conservative and Christian democrats or that the Liberal Party of Canadaiscentristwithvarious factions But all these parties quintessentially fall within a particular position on the ideologicalspectrum

The Democratic Party, for example, is at its core a liberal party even though there may be factions that advocate for more progressive or centrist policies Despite internal disagreements and varying policy priorities among its members, the overarching ideologicalorientationofthe Democratic Party is rooted in liberal principles. While thepartymayaccommodate a diverse range of

p e r s p e c t i v e s , i t s fundamentalcommitmentto liberal values shapes its identity, agenda, and approachtogovernance.

Throughout history, political parties have undergone periods of ideological realignment and transformation in response to changing social, economic, and political conditions. H o w e v e r , t h e s e transformationshavetypically been driven by shifts in the dominant ideology of the party rather than the emergence of multiple competingideologieswithin itsranks. ThePPPistherefore only engaging in hollow rhetoric, when it claims to embrace ideological pluralism

Theoldcommunistguard withinthePPParebeingvery guardednowwiththeirpublic pronouncements for fear of beinglabelledasdeviationists by the bourgeois elements that now control the former vanguard party of Cheddi Jagan.

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

cynicism, we got a job to do!

Solet’sdodistingwith style and sass, armed with smilesandnods.

Leh we reclaim manners like we reclaimin’ welostsuitcaseatdeairport at Christmas time. ‘Cause indiswaragainstrudeness, we fightin’ with sincerity, anddewinain’tjustinclean streetsbutinbrighterspirits andcloserbonds.

Remember a lil’ courtesy could be de differencebetweenafrown andasmile.Solet’sdodis, Guyana! And also remember dat throwing the bouquet behind you to see who’s next is for weddings notfunerals. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

Business: Texas style

There is a saying in America: never give a sucker an even break. I present America'sExxonmasterclass relative to that standard: the

2016 Exxon-Guyana

P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (oil contract) with Guyana. That is a caper where one partner sees a sucker in the other partner, and kosher or not,a sucker he is made to be. But even by America's and capitalism's ruthless standards, there is an immensely more sordid style and culture of doing business in the state of Texas, where commerce mutates into a dogfight cum firefight.Greed is the name of the game, and the cabals around the PPP Governmentareputtoshame in this regard. Business is gladiatorial combat, with the fighting down and dirty, and the dirtier the better Recall thosefabledTexasoilmen.

For ignorant Guyanese, I give Clint Murchison Snr., H.L. Hunt, H. Roy Cullen, Sid Richardson Their standards, if they can be called that, were wheeling and dealing, double-dealing, undermining, betraying, during their era in the oil business. These were the type of oil barons, who didn't think twice about walking

with their own deck and slippingacardortwouptheir sleeve for insurance

Whether the competition noticed or not, didn't matter This is part of the ancestry of Texas oil and gas. Wells and pipelines and leases and refineries are only part of the story, and it is mostly tricky, dirty This is the kind of people that Guyanese hold in their bosom today, and they have not a clue. Exxon comes from that type of stock. Thinking of that GRA US$12.1 bn inflated customs declaration, and the above and much more are understoodbetter Oilmen in the Lone Star State easily buy State House and the White House and corral the House of Representatives. Governors owe them, and so do Americ

Remember George H W Bush and George Bush, the Younger Thehistoryofboth thesepresidentsoftheUnited States is steeped in oil lore, and oil camouflages. It was why Bush, a Connecticut Yankee, moved to the green oil pastures of the Texas Panhandle. Tothisday,there aremanymysteriesandmore conspiracies about their oil holdings, plus the son's

ownership of the Texas Rangers. Questionable business practices, dubious business results, and mostly lacking in persuasive power But the two ended up in the WhiteHouse. Before them, there were some even more storied figures, whose names are inseparable from American mythology Stephen F Austin and Sam Houston should resonate, one after whom the State Capital is named, the other has a highwayandtheoilcapitalof the world named after him. Texians transforming into heroic Americans. Here is the warning bell for Guyana and Guyanese: over half of what was Mexico became a part of the United States. Do Ihavetosaythatmuchofthat oil that came afterwards is really the property of the Mexican people? Manifest DestinyandMonroe.Mexico had some real desperados for l e a d e r s i n t h e embarrassments of Santa Anna and Zapata, who only made matters worse for their people. Guyaneseshouldsee a parallel here. Land gone, oil captured, under the flimsiest of concoctions, the rich spoils of war that have never stopped giving up to

this day. From Beaumont and Spindletop to Los Angeles City Oil Field in California and all the wildcatters in between what became America's sprawling Southwest, with mountains of gold in Nevada. See why Mexico is where it is today, its people picking cherries in Sacramento and sweeping floorsElPaso?

Oil is gold, and only the strong and the criminally callous emerge from the contests. It's just business, nothingpersonal.

Texas is the only State where politics could stagger the world with the sordid business of a lone assassin killing a president, then another armed manin explicably piercing the cordons and killing the Chief Executive'skiller

Yeah, they do things differently down there in Dallas and around the Rio Grande.

Then,aTexasoilman,the son of Clint Murchison Snr., was able to influence a close drinking buddy to swing the US Congress, specifically the Kefauver Antimonopoly Subcommittee to decide that Washington Redskins (now Commanders) owner George Preston Marshall “held an

Kwebanna gets $3M in solar streetlights

The community of Kwebanna, in the Moruca sub-district, Region One, received 40 solar-powered streetlights valued at $3 million.

This is in keeping with the government's agenda to e n s u r e h i n t e r l a n d communities are energysecure.

These lights will help to enhance the safety and security of the residents, businesses, and other socioeconomicactivities.

The distribution fulfils part of the request made by Kwebanna's Toshao, Troy Peters, during last year's National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference. During the simple handing-over ceremony at the information

and communication technology (ICT) hub, Saturday afternoon, Toshao Peters commended the government for its prompt response to delivering the solarlights.

“I am happy that we received these solar lamps based on our request at the

illegal monopoly” through hisRedskinsRadioNetwork. All that was required was a powerful schemer (oilman Clint Murchinson, Jnr.,) a trusted middleman (Bobby Baker, later jailed), some cash ($25,000), and some covertconversations(helpful politicians).

American Football just got the Dallas Rangers, now the Dallas Cowboys Incidentally, GM Tex Schramm signed a player already under contract with theHoustonOilers.

The point is that oilmen live for schemes like these, and that they reach the highest political levels. How could Guyana with the quality of fat-headed politicians present here ever stand a chance against these fun-loving, hard-charging, r u l e - b u s t i n g Te x a s buccaneers? The two leading Guyanese strongmen who throw their weight around these parts are empty

suits in the hands of today's breed of Texans, some transplanted,someadopted. There is the man in charge of Exxon, Darren the Kansan;whilethequasigood ole boy here,Alistair, sounds more like the UK than the USA. I think of them as the James' Brothers gang: some Guyanese see them as heroic figures, while a few others look on them as outlaws. No local [or American] should have any difficulty figuring out where these two fine fellows feature in my considerations Where business is concerned, local political operators are reduced to wet spaghetti and mashed potatoes. Check withGRAforconfirmation.

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

Bill to abolish preliminary...

From page 8 deposition or requiring that

document or other exhibit. Clause 15 provides for a magistrate to commit an accused for trial for an offence if the magistrate is

villagecouncillevel…which will benefit my people,” he expressed. Ten solar lights will be installed within the proximity of the waterfront area, while the remaining 30 will be placed along the road network in the community.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, highlighted that these lights will be placed strategically acrossthecommunity

Last year, 261 solar photovoltaic panels were

distributed in Kwebanna to improve electricity access. The community also has a minisolarfarm.

Meanwhile, various developmental projects are also underway in the community including a concrete road network spanning from Santa Rosa to Kwebanna, expansion of the h

y School “Kwebanna in

itself is a hub for the B

m

R i v e r communities and nearby villages…So, in a few weeks when you drive or ride in here in the nights, it will be very bright,” MinisterCroalsaid.

The implementation of initiatives like these aligns with the government's overall aim to improve the livesofGuyanesebymaking communities across the nationsafer (DPI)

evidence. Clause 16 sets out the procedure whereby a magistrate may commit an accused for trial without conside

n of the evidence.Clause 17 sets out the procedure for the committal or discharge of an a c c u s e d p

n o n consideration of the evidence.Clause18requires a magistrate to record the reasons for the committal or discharge of an accused person in writing. Clause 19 empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to make an application to a Judge of the High Court for a warrant for the arrest and committal for trial of a person dischargedbyamagistratein circumstances where the D i r e c t o r o f P u b l i c Prosecutions is the opinion thataprimafacecaseagainst the discharged person was established and the discharged person should have been committed for trial.

Clause 20 provides for a person whose statement, deposition, document or exhibit was not tendered in

evidence during a paper committal to give evidence at the trial of the accused person.

Part III of the Bill provides general and miscellaneous provisions and contains Clauses 21 to 26.

Clause 21 provides for a consequentialamendmentto t h e C r i m i n a l L a w (Procedure) Act Cap. 10:01. Clause 22 repeals section 95 of the Evidence Act. Cap 5:0l. Clause 23 provides for the admissibility of statements and deposition of witnesses whose statement or deposition was relied on atthecommittalproceedings butarenolongeravailableto giveevidenceatthetrial. Clause 24 provides that where any provision of any law is in conflict or inconsistent with any provision of the Act. the provision of the Act shall prevail. Clause 25 provides for the Evidence Act. Cap. 5:03 and the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Cap 10:01 to apply to the Act where necessary with such modifications, adaptations and qualifications that may be needed for the due administration of the Act. Clause 26 provides that any pending proceedings shall be disposed of or continued under the law as it stood immediately before the commencementoftheAct.

UNchiefurges‘immediateceasefire’ inGazaas35,000Palestinianskilled

(ALJAZEERA) The United Nations' SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has renewed his call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces have killed m o r e t h a n 3 5 , 0 0 0 Palestinians in the besieged territory since the attacks began in October, say officials.

In a video address to international donors gathered in Kuwait on Sunday, Guterres also called for “the unconditional releaseofallcaptivesheldby Hamas as well as an immediate surge in humanitarianaid”intoGaza.

“Aceasefirewillonlybe the start,” he said in the video,cautioningthat“itwill be a long road back from the devastation and trauma of thiswar”.

As Guterres repeated his plea, Israeli forces hit multiple points in Gaza, displacing anew hundreds of thousands of refugees already fleeing the war Israeli tanks rolled into Jabalia, while multiple strikes killed dozens of people in Beit Lahiya in the northandRafahinthesouth.

Palestinian news agency Wafareportedthatatleast12 bodies arrived at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya following what it described as the Israeli“carpetbombing”.

Emad Oudeh, resident of Beit Lahiya, told Al Jazeera they did not know where to go as Israeli attacks

intensified “We are shocked. We do not know whattodo.Wearephysically and mentally worn out. We are on the verge of going insane.”

Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said Israeli tanks have started “to go deeper” into the Jabalia refugee camp.

Jabalia is the biggest of Gaza's eight refugee camps and is home to more than 100,000 people, most of them descendants of

Palestinians who were driven from towns and villagesinwhatisnowIsrael during the 1948Arab-Israeli warthatledtothecreationof thestateofIsrael.

“We have been hearing from eyewitnesses on the ground, in that very densely populated area, that military tanks are surrounding evacuation centres and residential buildings,” Abu Azzoumsaid.

Those fleeing Israeli bombardment also have to contend with an acute shortageoffoodandmedical supplies in areas where they have taken shelter Mahmoud Basal of the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza said there were no more medical services or humanitarian aid being providedtodisplacedpeople in the northern part of the Strip. “We have lost 80 percent of our capabilities and no one is responding to the appeals we make to international institutions,”

thecivildefencespokesman saidinastatement.

Imad Abu Zayda, an emergency doctor in Jabalia, told Al Jazeera that most of the injured arriving at his hospital were women and children, describing the situationasdire.

“We are operating with minimumfacilities.Nolight due to the lack of fuel and there's no medical supplement available as Israel has expanded their operation in the area. We have no oxygen to give to patients,”hesaid.

Palestinians mourn their child relative killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, early Sunday, May 12, 2024.AP photo relative

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardments of the Gaza Strip in front of the morgue of the Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on Saturday, May 11, 2024.AP photo

'NosafeplaceinGaza'

In central Gaza, the civil defence department reported atleasttwofatalities,afather and son, both doctors, in an IsraelistrikeinDeirel-Balah onSunday

Further south in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city along the border with Egypt, the Kuwaiti hospital said it received the bodies of 18 people killed in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, gave a similar estimate of “around 300,000 people”whohavefledRafah over the past week, decrying inapostonXthe“forcedand inhumane displacement of Palestinians” who have “nowhere safe to go” in Gaza. Palestinians in Rafah, many of them displaced by the fighting elsewhere in the territory, piled water tanks, mattresses and other belongingsontovehiclesand prepared to flee again. “The artillery shelling didn't stop at all” for several days, said Mohammed Hamad, 24, who has left eastern Rafah for the city's west. “There is no safe place in Gaza where wecantakerefuge.” Residentsweretoldtogo to the “humanitarian zone” of al-Mawasi, on the coast northwest of Rafah, though aid groups have warned it wasnotreadyforaninfluxof people. EU chief Charles Michel, however, said on social media that Rafah civilians were being ordered t o “

“unacceptable”.

Single mother of three gets new home from MoM

Forty-seven-year-old Nicola Fraser, a single mother of three from Farm, East Bank Demerara, is now the newest recipient of a two-bedroom house, constructed under President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli's Men on Mission (MoM)initiative.

Fraser received the keys to her new home on Sunday during a simple handover ceremony Brimming with gratitude, she commended the government and the Men on Mission for their intervention, reflecting on the challenges she has had to overcome.

“OnthisMother'sDay,Iamveryelated to embark on this new chapter of my life. I have always dreamed and longed for a home, or to own my own house. I trulybelievedthatIwouldhavealready had my own home, but many obstacles and illnesses prevented me from working, and derailed that plan,” a tearfulFraserexpressed.

However, she never gave up hope. Sheheldontothevisionofafuturewith herownhome,abeaconthatguidedher throughthesedifficulttimes.

“I kept my faith and continued praying that God would make a way and open doors for me. I am thankful that he did this through Men on Mission. I am utterly grateful to the president…and would like to thank all theothermembers,”sheconveyed.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy said Men on Mission is a driving force behind fostering cooperation and empoweringcommunities.

He added that this gesture reflects the mandate of the government to improve the lives of Guyanese. “We have demonstrated over and over as a government our willingness and our ability to work in every segment of our

society, to work with people, various stakeholders, to be able to develop communities and create wholesome families and to make sure that altogether it adds up to a country in which we can all be proud of,” the minister said.Similar homes are being constructed in Regions Two, Three, Four,Five,SixandTen.

The Men on Mission initiative was launched in 2022 to reintegrate men into society through skills training and productivity Beyond building homes, this group has impacted vulnerable communities through a range of vital humanitarian initiatives.To date, MoM has piloted a number of campaigns and events to advance this agenda, including health outreaches, job fairs, andsummercamps.

This year's $500 million budgetary allocation promises even more support forvulnerableGuyanese.(DPI)

Elderly man dies after hit down by cop

An elderly man

diedearlySunday morning after he was struck down by a car on the Coldingen Public Road, EastCoastDemerara.

Up to press time, the man was unidentified. In a press release, police said ranks in Regional Division 4'C' are investigating the fatal accident which involved motorcar PAE 2960 driven by a Police Constable who resides at Lot 15 North Enmore,EastCoastDemerara and pedestrian name age and addressunknown(amaleEast Indian, estimated age 60 years) clad in dark blue and whiteboxers(underpants).

Enquiries disclosed that motorcar PAE 2960 was proceeding east along the northern side of Coldingen Public Road, East Coast Demerara when it is alleged by the driver that a male walk

onto the road into the path of his vehicle, he applied brakes but despite his efforts, he collided with the pedestrian. As a result of this collision, the pedestrian fell onto the road surface and received injuriesabouthisbody

The Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned, and the body was examined by a doctor and pronounced deadatthescene.

The body was then escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination. A breathalyser testconductedonthedriverof motorcar PAE 2960 showed a reading of .000%. He was servedwithnoticeofintended prosecution.

The vehicle is lodged and will be examined by a licensing and certifying officer Investigations are ongoing.

Nicola

10 families receive new houses in Warapoka, Region One

The lives of ten families from the community of Warapoka in Region One have now improved, as they received the keys to their brand-new elevated timber houses, through the government's Hinterland HousingProgramme.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, officially handed over the keystothefamiliesduringan outreach in the region, on Saturday.Thisformspartofa commitment made by the minister during a solar panel distribution in Warapoka backinNovember2023.One of the beneficiaries, 78-yearold, Doreen Fredericks said that she always wanted a s p a c i o u s h o u s e t o accommodate her family comfortably “When my family used to come here, I never used to havespaceforthem.Ialways

Housing Minister, Colin Croal and some of the recipients of the homes

wanted a big house. My grandchildrencannowspend the night with me, ” Fredericks said. She said there are plans to convert her old house into a kitchen. In the same vein, 55-year-old, SheilaAugustus is extremely happy for the new house since she has been waiting a while for it Augustus explained that it was hard on her family financially after a

snake bit her husband. “This is what I have been praying for I am at peace now When I hear the rain, I do not have togetupandsay'Oh,wewill getwet',”sheemphasised.

Another beneficiary, 43year-old, Gloria Augustus is appreciativethatshenowhas a new home for her two children. She added that her previous living condition was terrible and noted how

difficult it was for her family following the death of her husband Meanwhile, Minister Croal underlined this initiative alone has injected $39 million into the villageeconomy. He emphasised, “This is a start for you. You can expand on this. You now have a three-bedroom home for you and your family.” So far, 40 houses have been handed over to the beneficiaries under this programme.Some125outof 400 of these houses have been completed in Kokerite, Warapoka, Haimaruni, Tiger Pond, Lethem, Yakarinta, Nappi, Crashwater and Rupunau. This project has n o t o n l y g e n e r a t e d employment opportunities for residents but also provided disposable income

intheirhouseholds. This housing programme continues to improve the lives of many indigenous residents in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Over the years, the village council has received some $50 million in various grants. Similarly, heavy investments are being injected into the

water sector to increase treatedwatercoverageto100 per cent in the hinterland regions by 2025. Access to treated water stands at 75 per cent and is expected to increase by 92 per cent by year-end in the region Contracts totalling $52 8 million were recently (Continued on page 16)

A recipient of the government's house

Woman held for setting mother-in-law's house on fire

Police in Regional Division #5 are investigating an alleged 'Setting fire to dwelling house' which occurred on Saturday at about 11:00 hours at KingellyVillage,WestCoastBerbice.

The arson was allegedly committed by Treasha James, a 19-year-old unemployed female of the same address. Police in a release said that the property belonged to Jean Harte and was a two-storeyed wooden and concrete structure situated on the southern side of Kingelly Public Road, West Coast Berbice, in a well-fenced yard.

The victim is the mother-in-law of thesuspect,whoissaidtobeofunsound mind.OnSaturday,Hartestatedthatshe washomewhenthesuspectranupstairs and told her that she had lit the mattress inthebedroomonthelowerfloor

Thevictimthenrandownstairs,saw smoke,andstartedtodisconnectthegas bottle. Both of them then ran out of the buildingasthefirequicklyspreadinthe bedroom The fire service was

The house that was destroyed by fire

summoned and upon arrival, extinguishedthefire.

However, by this time, the building wasgutted.

The suspect was later contacted by

police at the Kingelly Public Road, informed of the allegation made against her,andwascautionedandarrested.She is presently in custody at Weldaad PoliceStation.

Manfoundwithgunandammo

On Sunday 12, 2024, at about 12:30 hours, acting on information received, ranks went to a home at West Minister, West Bank Demerara where they found afirearmandmatchingammunition.

Police said in a press release that upon arrival at the house on Sunday, they contacted a 31-year-old mill operator Hewastoldoftheinformation police was in receipt of and asked whether he was the holder of a firearm licence,andheanswered“No”.

As a result,he was asked where was the firearm it is alleged he had in his possession and he took the ranks to his bedroom, where a black CZ Kansas Cityfirearmwithserial#B992438,one magazine and fourteen (14) rounds of ammunition were found under a bed.

The illegal firearm and ammunition

Police probe deaths of man and woman

Police are investigating the deaths of a man and woman in separate incidents overtheweekend.

According to a police press release on Sunday, about 08:17hrs, a party of policemen who were on anticrime patrol duties received information that there was a body lying motionless, faced downward in a yard at Lot 207 Alexander Street, Georgetown.

Upon arrival, the ranks observed the body of a femalecladinapinkdress.

The body was identified by a neighbour to be Blaire Douglas, age 75-year-old. It was disclosed that Douglas resided alone and suffered from hypertension. She was last seen alive on May 11, 2024, at about 11:00hrs at home.

He was told the offence committed, cautioned, and arrested. The firearm was retrieved and he was escorted to Parfaite Harmonie Police Station along with the suspected firearm and

ammunition. On arrival at the station, the firearm was further inspected in his presence and was later initialed, sealed, and lodged. The suspect remains in custody

In another case, police said a death report was made to police in Regional Division 4 'C' on Saturday of Daneshwar Sawh called Derrickamechanicwhodied sometime between May 09 and May 11, 2024 and at River View Unity Mahaica, EastCoast.

Reports are that the deceased was an alcoholic and lived alone at the abovementioned address and would do mechanical work around the neighbouring villages.OnMay09,2024,at about 10:00hrs, Sawh was last seen alive by Bharrat Bhinauth, whom he was doing mechanical work for He thereafter left for his home and did not return to completethework.

As a result, the following day, about at 11 00hrs, Bhinauth visited Sawh's (Continued on page 16)

The Emergency Medical T e c h n i c i a n s w e r e summoned,andDouglaswas pronounced dead by a doctor from Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The body was examined, but no marks of violence were seen. Douglas' body was then escorted to the Memorial Garden mortuary, awaiting post-mortemexamination.

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Police probe deaths of man and woman...

From page 15 home and saw him lying on his bed. He called out to him several times but got no response and he assumed he was drunk and went away. On May 11, 2024, at about

09:00hrs, Bhinauth returned to Sawh’s home to get him to complete fixing his car and found him lying in the same position on his bed, and he appeared motionless. As a result, a report was made

to the police. The police visited and the scene was photographed and processed by a “Crime Scene’ examiner however due to the decomposed state of the body, it was not possible to determine whether the body bore marks of violence. Sawh’s body was later escorted to the Memorial Gardens mortuary awaiting postmortem examination. Investigations are ongoing.

ExxonMobil says Guyana could be the largest oil...

From page 2

displayed strong optimism for the country’s current “tiger economy.”

GDP growth seems to support the tiger economy labelling, with 60% growth in 2023 and a projected 43% growth or 2024—11% of which, Ramsaroop pointed out, is non-oil growth. He emphasized that in future conversations about climate, food and energy security, Guyana would “have a seat at the table,” and Ramsaroop cited various investments into infrastructure—including hotels, scholarships and hospitals—as evidence of the

country’s dedication to create a stable environment for investment.

As Routledge touched on earlier, Ramsaroop also mentioned the country’s future plans to make use of natural gas resources to cut power costs by 50%, as soon as end-2025.

Maintaining the swift pace: Deodat Indar, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the pace of accelerated growth that Guyana is undertaking in the pursuit of oil and gas and other infrastructure projects. He mentioned the recent ap-

proval of Whiptail as one example, and he referenced future drilling prospects that had garnered interest from such companies as QatarEnergies, among others.

The swift pace, he said, was akin to cramming “30 years of development into three.” In closing, Indar made a point to mention briefly recent claims by Venezuela on Guyanese offshore territories.

Though he did not go into great detail, he mentioned prior agreements in place and did not indicate that the claims would affect current projects.

The panel was, on the whole, focused on a largely positive outlook for Guyana’s future oil and gas industry.

Routledge, in particular, seemed to indicate that Guyana’s future would begin expanding into the gas sector as soon as next year, with an existing oil industry that has the potential to continue expanding operations.

Guyana’s government, meanwhile, seems optimistic on turning this revenue into infrastructure that could support industry operations for years to come.

Pres. Ali promises 1500 new jobs for Region 7...

From page 8 Research Institute (NAREI) with identifying viable plots of land for the establishment of these shade houses. “I want NAREI and the Minis-

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try of Agriculture to see whether in those shade houses we can do carrots and high value crops. So they are going to do the assessment next week,” the president said.

In addition to this, the agriculture ministry will be training ten women in beekeeping, providing them with hives, protective gear, and market access to promote honey production. “The ministry of Agriculture will identify ten women, create a woman group that is going to get 25 hives with all the protective gears and be trained so that you could produce honey here, and we have a market that can buy the honey from you,” the president explained.

Throughout his outreach in the region, the president has been encouraging each village to explore and expand honey production, touting it as a lucrative venture. A similar training was recently facilitated for farmers swine production and poultry rearing.

mendous investments in agriculture. Additionally, close to $12 million expended on enhancing drainage and irrigation to date.

Residents also expressed concerns related to tourism, infrastructure and healthcare. In response, the president committed to exploring additional avenues for development in these sectors.

Head of the Lands and Surveys, Enrique Monize, will also return to the village in the new week to address all land issues.

The Ministry of Health will also conduct a medical outreach in the area to launch its cervical cancer programme and a special dental programme for children and the elderly. “They will have a screening for all those who need spectacles: children, the elderly, everybody. Once you need a spectacle, we are going to pay for that for you. If you need cataract surgery, we are going to take you to the hospital at Port Mourant and get that surgery completed,” the president said.

out that the Agatash village has benefitted from a series of initiatives spanning various sectors such as education and infrastructure. He pointed to the recent rehabilitation of the Agatash health post, which benefitted over 800 persons at a cost of $10.6 million. Moreover, in 2023, approximately $49 million was spent on roads, enhancing connectivity and bringing an ease to travellers and residents.

In the renewable energy and electricity sector, the village has received 97 solar home systems through the government’s Solar Home Systems project, while 15.5 kilowatts of new energy capacity was also installed for enhanced generation.

This amounts to almost $6 million in solar power and energy intervention for Agatash.

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Within the next two weeks, Agatash is set to begin production in these areas. The president noted that the village has already seen tre-

Notably, in a few days, work will also begin on a playground in the village, as per the request made by residents. The president pointed

“These are not fairytale stories. These are the reals stories of development, of your government delivering to you. You have our full commitment that as we confront the future, we will continue to work with you on the development and advancement of all of Guyana,” the president underscored.

10 families receive new houses in Warapoka...

From page 14 awarded to SRT Constructing General Supplies to drill new wells in Santa Cruz, Warapoka and Kokerite. Furthermore, Waikrebi, Kariako, Chinese Landing and Assakata will also benefit from the construction of new wells for $79.3 million. With the aim to boost agriculture production in Warapoka, cash crop seeds were distrib-

uted to the villagers. A total of 20,000 pounds of cassava sticks will be distributed next week in the region to farmers whose crops were destroyed by fire caused by El Niño. Minister Croal announced that a Presidential outreach will be hosted in Region One next weekend, where various issues will be addressed to provide the necessary interventions.

The minister was accompanied by Regional Chairman, Brentnol, Regional Vice Chairman, Annansha Peters, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Sewchand, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne, Toshao of Warapoka, Jaremy Boyle, Overseer of the Hinterland Housing Programme, Cy Rodrigues and others. (DPI)

Moonilal wants full-scale probe into gangs spying on cops, blames Hinds

( T R I N I D A D

GUARDIAN) The United National Congress’ shadow

minister of National Security, Roodal Moonilal, is calling for an immediate a n d i n d e p e n d e n t investigation into the discovery of electronic equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars illegally mounted on utility poles in the North Central Division(NCD).TheCCTV camerasandwirelessrouters are being used by the criminal element to monitor lawenforcementagents.

“This must be launched todeterminethefullscaleof the illegal electronic activity,” Moonilal said. “One wonders whether criminals are also monitoring the courthouses as witnesses come and go attendingcriminaltrials,”he added.

Moonilalsaidtheinquiry must also ascertain how the equipment was illegally imported and installed withouttheknowledgeofthe relevant agencies “This troubling matter is another indication that organised

... Calls for inventory of surveillance equipment in all public spaces

criminalsarewell-structured andbetterequippedthanthe relevant security agencies,”

Moonilal said. Moonilal described the illegal installation of electronic equipmentonutilitypolesas another “crush

g indictmentonthehopelessly incompetent Fitzgerald Hinds as Minister of NationalSecurity.”

Moonilal said, “It again exposes Hinds’ chronic uselessness in ensuring the safety and security of the traumatised people of Trinidad and Tobago.” He said the issue was a surreal development in the nation’s public affairs and “once

more reveals how the inept Rowley Government has collapsedinthefightagainst thecrimeepidemic.”

Moonilal said, having called on Hinds to fix the hundreds of CCTV cameras belonging to the State, “We now have a situation where the criminals are more competent in maintaining effective electronic surveillance and coverage over law enforcement personnel.” He said, “It is frightening that Hinds and the Police Service did not have intelligence reports on the illegal CCTV cameras and wireless routers. But Hinds has been able to

manoeuvre major resources to hound Roger Best, the displaced director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). He has also utilised modern technology to carry out surveillance on opponents of the failed Rowleyregime.

“TheRowleyGovernment has exhausted all its time, resources,andenergychasing down lawful citizens who obtainedlegalfirearms While theintelligenceagencieshave collapsed, the criminal underworld has shown more competenceandco-ordination than the Government. This is scandalous, incredibly u n t e n a b l e , a n d unimaginable.”

TheUNCMPsaidHinds must answer for his uselessness “Fitzgerald Hinds must go He has proven to be a failure in national security He cannot monitor a police station or radiostation,acourthouseor anouthouse!”Moonilalsaid. Moonilalnotedthattherehas been no denial or explanation of “this outrageously bold and sinistermatter.”

PAHO urges countries in the Southern Hemisphere to prepare for possible increase in respiratory diseases and dengue

Washington,D.C.,May 10,2024(PAHO)-ThePan

A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert urging countries in the Southern Hemisphere to prepare for a possible simultaneous increase in influenza and other respiratory viruses, and dengue.

With the onset of flu season and the persistent circulation of dengue in several countries, PAHO recommends taking measures to strengthen healthservices.Theaimisto ensure adequate medical care to patients, prevent complications and avoid overcrowding of health services.

PAHO emphasizes the importance of planning the effective use of available

resources, including personnel, equipment, and medical supplies, to cope w i t h a n e v e n t u a l simultaneous increase in casesofrespiratoryillnesses anddengue.

In the epidemiological alert issued this week, the Organizationnotesthatearly identification and appropriate management of dengue cases are crucial to reduce hospitalizations for severedengue. This will also alleviate theburdenonmorecomplex levelsofcare.

So far in 2024, the Southern Cone has reported more than 6 1 million suspected cases of dengue fever (mostly in Brazil), representing a 333% increase compared to the sameperiodin2023. The Andean region,

meanwhile, has notified morethan334,000suspected cases, 42% more than in the same period of the previous year

The circulation of respiratory viruses in the Southern Cone has varied, withanincreaseininfluenza overthelastfourweeks.

IntheAndeansubregion, although severe cases of acute respiratory infections have remained stable and low, the proportion of positivecasesforrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has increased.

PAHO also highlights the importance of providing guidance to health professionals on the appropriate clinical management of dengue and influenza cases in high-risk groups: people with comorbidities and

pregnant women, for dengue fever; and people over 65 years of age, children under 5 years of

, people with obesity, those with underlying chronic respiratory conditions, a n d t h e immunocompromised, for influenza.

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, UNC shadow minister of national Security ABRAHAM DIAZ

Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds KERWIN PIERE

- move is due to Israel’s worsening attacks against civilians in Gaza.

Egypt says joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

(ALJAZEERA) Egypt says it will formallyjoin the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its war on the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that Cairo intended to join the case due to escalating Israeli aggression againstPalestiniancivilians. “The submission comes in light of the worsening severity and scope of Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, and the continued perpetration of systematic

practices against the

Palestinian people, including direct targeting of civilians and the destruction ofinfrastructureintheStrip, and pushing Palestinians to flee,” the ministry said in a statement.

South Africa brought its case against Israel in January, accusing the country of committing

g e n o c i d e a g a i n s t Palestinians in Gaza. The death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October, has surpassed 35,000,andmostofthedead are women and children, according to Palestinian authorities. Israel launched the assault after Hamas led an attack on southern Israel, killingatleast1,139people,

mostly civilians, according to an Al Jazeera tally based onIsraelistatistics. The top United Nations court issued an interim ruling in January that found there was a plausible risk of genocide in the enclave and orderedIsraeltotakeaseries of provisional measures, including preventing any genocidal acts from taking place. The court, which sits in The Hague, rejected a second South African application for emergency measures made in March over Israel’s threat to attack Rafah Egypt will join Turkey and Colombia in formally requesting to join the case against Israel. This

month,Turkey said it would seektojointhecaseafterthe South American country asked the ICJ last month to allowittojointoensure“the safety and, indeed, the very existence of the Palestinian people”. Egypt said it is calling on Israel “to comply with its obligations as the occupying power and to implement the provisional measures issued by the ICJ, which require ensuring access to humanitarian and relief aid in a manner that meets the needs of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”. It also demands that Israeli forces do not commit any violations against the Palestinian people. It will

likely take years before the court will rule on the merits of the genocide case. While theICJ’srulingsarebinding andwithoutappeal,thecourt hasnowaytoenforcethem.

Israelhasrepeatedlysaid it is acting in accordance with international law in Gaza. It has called South Africa’s genocide case baseless and accused Pretoria of acting as “the legalarmofHamas”.

‘DIPLOMATIC BLOW’

Alon Liel, former director of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Al Jazeera that Egypt’s move was an “unbelievable diplomaticblowtoIsrael”.

“Egyptisthecornerstone

ofourstandingintheMiddle East, ” he said The connectionsthatIsraelhasin the Middle East and North Africa today, including with Jordan, the UAE and Morocco, are all “a result of what Egypt did 40 years ago”,hesaid,referringtothe 1979 peace treaty between the two countries. “With Egypt joining South Africa nowinTheHague,it’sareal diplomatic punch. Israel would have to take it very seriously. “Israel has to … listentotheworld–notonly to the Israeli public opinion askingnowforrevenge.

“We have to look overall in the wider picture, in the longterm security of Israel, not

onlyinthenextfewweeksin Gaza.”

The latest legal developmentcomesasIsrael engaged in new battles with HamasinnorthernGazaand ordered tens of thousands more people to evacuate from the southern city of Rafah, which lies close to Gaza’sborderwithEgypt.

Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of the Rafah bordercrossingonTuesday,a day after Hamas said it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated ceasefire proposal, which Israel quickly rejected The crossing had been the main entry point for aid into Gaza, but it has been closed since Israel took control of it

Tanks and planes pounded several areas and at least four houses in Rafah overnight, killing 20 Palestinians and wounding several others, accordingtoPalestinianhealth officials.

Thecityiscrammedwith more than one million displacedPalestinianslivingin dire conditions, and the international community has warned Israel that a full-scale Israeli ground assault would trigger a humanitarian catastropheforcivilians

ButIsraeliPrimeMinister BenjaminNetanyahuhassaid the Rafah offensive was needed to defeat Hamas About 110,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah in recent days, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees(UNRWA).a

Virginia University students walk out of graduation over Gaza protests

(BBC NEWS)

Dozens of Virginia Commonwealth University students walked out of their graduation ceremony on Saturday, partly over a speaker’s response-thestategovernor -tocampusprotests. It comes as US school officials brace for possible d i s r u p t i o n s o f commencementeventsover Israel-Gazawarprotests. Dozens of colleges roiled by protests are holding graduations this weekend.

More than 2,000 people have been arrested since protest began mid-April

Social media posts on Saturday showed Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students in caps and gowns leaving the room as RepublicanGovernorGlenn Youngkin began his commencementaddress. Some students had criticisedtheselectionofMr Youngkin as that year’s speaker, both for his opposition to a racial literacy requirement being considered by VCU as well

as for saying that encampments on college campuses should not be allowed.

Video posted online

show some of the VCU protesters chanting “disclose, divest - we will notstopwewillnotrest”.

M a n y s t u d e n t s protesters in the US are demanding that their schools,manywithmassive endowments,financiallycut tiesfromIsrael.Peoplewere

clapping so loudly, members of the audience couldn’t hear Mr Youngkin speak, Sereen Haddad, a second-year VCU student who helped organise the protest, told the BBC on Saturdayevening.

Ms Haddad said some 150peoplemarchedoutside

the ceremony, including students who walked out.

Thirteen people, including sixstudents,werearrestedat VCUwhentheencampment there was cleared by police on29April. MrYoungkin’s speech went on as planned despitethewalk-out.

He later posted a message on social media congratulating graduates anddidnotcommentonthe protest.

A t a n o t h e r

commencement on Saturday, the University of California Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ opened the ceremony by

acknowledgingtheweeksof demonstrations from protesters. “I’m saddened by how this conflict has divided students, faculty and staff,” she said, according to the LATimes. The remarks drew some applause as well as chants of: “Hey hey, ho ho, the occupationhasgottogo”.

Some 20 students stood up and began waving signs, Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free Palestine” as during another speech, theSanFranciscoChronicle reported,andtheywerelater joined in chants by more graduates.

In a statement, UC Berkeleysaid thattheevent continued despite being “unfortunately disrupted” and that protesters who left the ceremony did so voluntarily No one was arrested.

The protest came a day after eight students wore shirts spelling out “UC divest” during the law school graduation ceremony

In the past month, the BBChascountedmorethan 130 US colleges and universities with protests against the ongoing war in Gaza.

Digitalwoodtrackingsystem tobeimplementedsoon – EU Ambassador

The government in collaboration with the European Union will soon launch a comprehensive digital wood tracking system for greater sustainability and transparency in thetimberindustry

This was disclosed by the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, René Van Nes during Europe Day celebrations last Thursdayevening.

The EU ambassador pointed out that Guyana is one of the three countries worldwide that has both a forest partnership and a forest law enforcement governance and tradepartnershipwiththeEU.

It is through this partnership that the system will be launched. It will replace the current paper-based framework for wood tracking. “With a digital system, the Guyana Forestry Commission can track wood products in real time and that makes the whole system extremely transparent so that there is a very good chance that Guyana can maintain its very low deforestation rate,” heexplained.

The system will enhance the commission's capacity to monitor elements such as timber production, processing, and trade. The digital system is part of a larger Guyana-EU partnership focused on forest

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, René Van Nes

preservation and sustainable forestry practices. The collaboration extends beyond timber, with the EU's Global Gateway Initiative aiming to support Guyana's development in new sectors such as health, water management and renewable energy

According to the ambassador, through this initiative, the EU hopes to help the country develop a regulatory framework for the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals here. “We hope to see Guyana in the future producing pharmaceuticals to meet its own needs, the needs of the region and maybe even global needs,” he said, adding that discussions are already underway to bring this to fruition.

(DPI)

Djokovic ‘felt different’ in shock loss after bottle incident

(BBC Sport) - Novak Djokovic says he felt hampered by the aftereffects of being hit on the headbyabottleashefelltoa shockItalianOpendefeatby AlejandroTabilo.

The world number one was accidentally struck by thewaterbottleashesigned autographs following his second-round win over

CorentinMoutetonFriday He struggled to find any rhythm against Tabilo on Sunday, with the Chilean needing just 67 minutes to winthethird-roundmatch626-3.

“That has really impactedmealot.Afterthat I got medical care, [and went] through half-an-hour [to] an hour of nausea,

dizziness and blood,” said Djokovic.

The Serb initially made lightoftheincidentwhenhe jokingly wore a bicycle helmet to training on Saturday, but says he will nowhavefurtherscans.

“ImanagedtosleepOK, I had headaches. The next day,oryesterday,waspretty fine, so I thought it’s OK.

Maybe it is OK, maybe it’s not,”headded.

“The way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different playerenteredintomyshoes.

“Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s abitconcerning.”

It was a first career victoryoveratop-10ranked opponent for Tabilo, who is ranked32ndintheworld.

The 26-year-old was dominant throughout, breaking Djokovic’s serve fourtimesandnotconceding asinglebreakpoint.

Monday May 13, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned. Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday

CANCER(June21–July22)

Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra. How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some i

Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

It'sgoingtobealittledifficult talking to you today, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Haveyoubeenreviewingyour family history lately, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.

Cerundolo6-26-4

It means six-time

champion Djokovic will fail to reach at least the quarterfinals in Rome for the first timesince2006.

The 36-year-old, who is yet to reach a final in 2024, has played just six matches on clay this year as he prepares for the defence of hisFrenchOpentitle.

The tournament at Roland Garros begins on 26

May Elsewh

“It’s incredible. I came oncourtjustlookingaround andsoakingitallin,tryingto process everything I’m tryingtowakeuprightnow,” saidTabilo.

“Iwasjusttryingtokeep my nerves and keep swinging. Every time you feel like you are close to the end your arms get a little tighter

“I was just trying not to think about it and take it point by point. It’s crazy, I can’t believe what’s happened.”

TabiloisthefirstChilean to beat a world number one since Fernando Gonzalez beat Roger Federer at the ATPFinalsin2007.

He will play Karen Khachanovinthenextround after the Russian 16th seed beat Argentina’s Francisco

Angus Eve: Age no factor in picking...

Frompage23 said he wants his players to tighten up on specific areas movingforward.

“Defence has always beenanareathatwewantto strengthen, especially in the centre-backpositionand(in) midfield we want to be faster, we want to be a little more expansive in midfield, so those two areas (we want toimproveon).

“Thespineoftheteamis a place we want to strengthen up on. We have somereallygoodwingbacks coming through now, so we arehappyaboutthat.Denzil (Smith)andthegoalkeeping department, we are happy aboutthat.

“Up front we have players who could score, so we just need to bridge the team and bridge that gap in themidfield.”

Sabalenka eased through to the last 16 in Rome with a comfortable straight-set win overDayanaYastremska. T h e B e l a r u s i a n Australian Open champion didnotdropasingleservice game as she beat Ukrainian Yastremska 6-4 6-2 in one hour28minutes.

She will play Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the next round after the two-time

Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-36-3

Guyanese horse owner proud after first win in Jamaica

The connections of Easy as ABC after winning in Jamaica at the weekend (Photos: Caymanas Racing)

Guyanese horse

o w n e r JermeyRachpaul is over the moon after his horse,EasyasABCclinched victory at the Caymanas Racing track in Jamaica. Easy as ABC of the Night EyesRacingstableswonthe four-year-old and up native bred and imported horses in thesevenfurlungsrace.

Experienced jockey Roderick “Teddy” DaCosta who rides at Woodbine in Canada, displayed skill and class on Saturday last in Jamaica.Rachpaul, who is the owner of well-known horse, Jessica’s Pride, explained the challenges he facedwithEasyasABC,and how satisfying this win was forhim.

“I feel elated, grateful and thankful. It has been a trying road with Easy as

ABCsincehegottoJamaica, trying to get use to the surface. We had a mishap with the horse during quarantine, with some injuries.Thattookatoleand that resulted in some poor performances prior,” Rachapulsaid.

EasyasABC,whoisthe son of Arrogate, has a big reputation According to Rachpaul,hisjourneyracing horses in Jamaica began when he received an invitation from Colin Elcock.

“I was very interesting withthestructureinJamaica, and they have some very good horses. The Mouttet MileinJamaicaisoneofthe biggestracesinJamaica.Itis theirversionofGuyanaCup and it is one of the richest purse within the Caribbean. Thisyeareventisrunningoff

forUS$250,000.”

“I will be in the Guyana Cup with Jessica’s Pride. The boys (other horse owners)arebringinginsome newhorses,andIamlooking to do something similar,” he added.

Guyana Cup is set for August 11, and legislation will be put into action Rachpaul is welcoming the legislation, and he sees it as anopportunityforhorsesand trainersinGuyanatobewell recognizedworldwide.

“Legislation in Guyana has been a long road, hopefully we can get it implementedintimeandget things going and not talk it. Wewillhaveruleswherewe will all follow, so we would b e r e c o g n i z e d internationally It would be amazing to have horses cominginworldwide;itwill

be amazing to have all these horses coming in to race at JumboJet’sGuyanaCup.”

“For horses to leave Guyana and return would also be amazing. My dad talked about Durban Park days, where horses would come from England and race. Some would return, somewouldstay Legislation will put us on the map and putthingsinplace.Thereare some good horses in Guyana, and they can compete with horses around the Caribbean.As Guyanese it will help us to be recognized as trainers as well,”Racpaulexplained.

This is the first time Rachapul won in Jamaica. Rachapual who was born in Guyana, and departed for Canada when he was 10 years old is grateful to be racingaroundtheworld.

Man Utd thrash Spurs to win first Women’s FA Cup

( B B C S p o r t )Manchester United won their first Women’s FA Cup trophy in style as they comfortably beat first-time finalists Tottenham Hotspur atWembleyStadium.

England international EllaToonescoredastunning goal on the stroke of halftime and Spurs never recovered, with Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia extendingUnited’sleadafter thebreak.

It was a second successive final appearance forUnitedbuttheyshrugged off last year’s disappointing defeatbyChelseatopickup a first major women’s trophy

Having received a personal message before kick-off from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman of Ineos - who have a minority shareholding in Manchester United - this is a significant piece of silverware which

kick-starts a new era for the club.

Marc Skinner’s side played with confidence from the start and imposed their dominance on setpieces, missing several chances, before Toone eventually produced an unstoppablestrike Clutching the badge on hershirtandsprintingback to celebrate in front of family watching on in the stands, United academy

graduate Toone capped off a fairytale afternoon in London

Former Spurs forward Williams, 36, played her part and now has her hands on the trophy 12 years after glory with Birmingham City in 2012 – the last time a club outside of the Women’s Super League’s current top three had won the competition before this season

GTTA receive Competition and Developmental equipment boost from ITTF

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) received a quantity of

c o m p e t i t i o n a n d developmentalequipmentas part of the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) global development programme/plan.

The grant equipment includes ten competition tables, surrounds, table counters, nets, umpire tables, balls and racquets, which was based on the GTTA proposal for d e v e l o p m e n t a n d decentralization of the sport in Guyana and active

e n g a g e m e n t synchronizationandsupport oftheITTFprogrammes.

T h e g r a n t w i l l significantly impact the

d e v e l o p m e n t a n d decentralization efforts of the GTTA, allowing for the expansionofprogrammesin areas of athletic training, talent identification and selection, hosting of

domestic and international competitions, national team training club development coordinated and other key areas.

With the nearing completion of the table tennis facility at Woolford Avenue facility, this would also add a significant boost

to the association’s developmentefforts.

This fits into a key component of our strategic plan, which is to host and take national competitions and training camps to other partsofthecountrywiththe provision of competition tables to Regions such as Berbice, Region 2 and Bartica with a vision of gradually building capacity in the regions to allow the GTTA and Steering Committeesintheseareasto host domestic and national tournaments and training programmes in providing equity and access to more players across Guyana and

asaplatformforsustainable developmentforthesport,in addition to assisting the association with its capitalization efforts as we seektogrowthesport.

The GTTA wishes to

extend my appreciation to theeffortsofITTFAmericas Development Officer, Mrs. Luisanna and Perez Mr Carlos Esnard, Mrs K a t a r z y n a K u b a sZiemiañska- ITTF Head of

Angus Eve: Age no factor in picking Soca Warriors

(Newsday TT) – Soca Warriors head coach Angus Evereiteratedthataplayer’s age will not be a factor in selection for the national men’sfootballteam.

Eve has called up a 26mansquadfortwofriendlies againstGuyanatobeplayed on May 13 and 15 at the HaselyCrawfordStadiumin Mucurapo Both matches kick-offat7pm.

Uncapped Caledonia striker Kevon Woodley, 37, has been chosen for the matches.

Woodley, a star with the national beach soccer team in the past, has been in prolific form in the TT Premier Football League this season, leading the leaguewith16goals.

“I always say age is not anissue,”Evetoldthemedia following a friendly match betweenaLegendsXIanda TT All-Star XI at Hasely Crawford Stadium on May 10.

opportunities it is valuable for us to continue to widen the pool and give younger players the opportunity, which we are doing in this match.”

Asked whom he is looking forward to see feature, Eve said, “We have Ezekiel Kesar, young (Lindell) Sween has been doing well – this is his first opportunity We exposed MichaelChaves(before),so we want to give some of these national under-20 players the opportunity to playwiththeseniorteam.

Development Projects for supporting and lobbying Guyana’sproposaltobenefit from the grant and also extend gratitude to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hon Minister Charles Ramson Jr, for facilitating the tax waivers, Philip Fernandes and John Fernandes Limited and the staffoftheGuyanaRevenue Authority (GRA). (GTTA PressRelease)

Thesemi-finalsof the GCB T10 Blast will get underway today, barring inclement weather as the final four teams look to bookspotsinthefinals.

The Anacondas will enter today’s battle with confidenceastableleaders, with 13 points. Anthony Adams and his men have beeninformthroughoutthe tourname

d by Johnathan Foo, Raymond Perez, Kwesi Mickle and others.

Ronaldo, 39, and Pepe, 41, are still playing professionally in Saudi

Arabia and Portugal respectively

The Soca Warriors are using the matches against Guyana as preparation for their 2026 FIFAWorld Cup

“ I h a v e a l w a y s maintained that... I used the examples of (Portuguese pair) Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe and these guys. I have never said age is an issue. If players are performing, it doesnotmatterifplayersare 26, 16 or 35 – they will be selected.”

qualifiers which begin on June5.TTwillplayGrenada intheiropener

Speaking about the Guyana matches, Eve said, “Extremely important (matchesforus).Ihavesaid before,everytimeweplayin a (FIFA) window it is actually a competition match We don’t have opportunities to expose people inside of a window, so when we get these

“Also,wehaveseasoned guyswhomwehavenothad aroundforabitandwewant togivethemtheopportunity to address us again, seeing thattheyareavailable...

“Woodley is also going to have an opportunity He has been scoring a lot of goals in the league and we think he deserves an opportunity with the locally basedgroup.”

Anexperiencedplayerin theteamisdefenderSheldon Bateau, 33, who will be captainingtheteam.Eve

(Continuedonpage21)

WithopenersUshadeva Balgobin and Kevon Boodie in form, the Anacondas could easily overpowertheJags.Kemol Savory and the Jaguars are also in good touch, with players like Shemroy Barrington, Nial Smith, Joemal LaFleur and others all match-winners. With theirfirstmatchbowlingoff at 12:00h, both teams will be keen on progressing to thefinals.

The final match which is set to bowl off from 14:30h,will see the second placeBerbiceCaimanswho sit on 12 points, looking to their leaders in skipper Kevlon Anderson, tournament’s second leading run-scorer Alex Algoo (187 runs), Kevin Sinclair, Steven Sankar among others; who have managedtotakethemdeep intothecompetition. Pitbulls on the other hand, are also likely to reach the final stretch after some form by their core players in Chris Barnwell, Damian Vantull, Leon Swamy and JuniorSinclair Barnwell, Swamy, Sinclair and Vantull have been the key players for their franchise and the likely X-factors heading intotoday’sbattle Despite rain ruining a few games last week, all fingersarecrossedasteams looktofinalthisweekend’s semi-finaldouble-headerat Enmore.

The equipment donated by the ITTFto the GTTA being offloaded, here.

Soca Warrior head coach Angus Eve (left) and Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabbazz.

Glendy Lewis impress as GDF crushes Potaro Strikers

On a damp River View Turf in Bartica, Glendy Lewis, a standout in women’s football, tore through the solid defense of Potaro Strikers, scoring an impressivefour-goalhaulin thelatestroundtwoclashof the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s League Division One on Saturday

The excitement of the league persisted with a thrilling match between Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Potaro Strikers FootballClub(FC).

G D F W o m e n , undefeated in the league, faced off against Potaro

Strikers, no strangers to successfollowingupona11 draw against Fruta Conquerors’ Ladies the previousweekend.

The game started at a measured pace, with both teamsshowcasingtheirstarstuddedlineups.

However, GDF Ladies wastednotimeinseizingthe initiative, with Glendy Lewis opening the scoring for her team in the 4th minute.

Lewis continued her goal-scoring spree, adding another goal just three minutes later, extending her team’s lead to 2-0. Jalade Trim also contributed with two goals in the first half,

scoring in the 8th and 21st minutes, while Shenessa Cornelius struck a brilliant goal in the 31st minute. Lewis later secured her hattrick with a goal in the 35th minute, ending the first half with a commanding 6-0 lead.

Astherainpoureddown ontheturfinthesecondhalf, GDF maintained their dominance, with Cornelius completing her brace in the 70thminute.

Sandra Johnson joined the scoring with a solitary goalbeforeLewisconcluded herremarkableperformance with her fourth goal in the 85th minute, sealing a resounding9-0victory

Roach bowls Surrey to brink of win against Bears

Kemar Roach’s 6-46 was his sixth five-wicket haul for Surrey - three of which have been against the Bears (Getty Images)

Holders Surrey need just 58 runs to record a third successive County ChampionshipDivisionOne victoryafterdominatingday threeagainstWarwickshire. Former Worcestershire pacemanKemarRoachtook 6-46 as the visitors, who havedrawnalltheirfirstfour games, were bowled out for 209intheirsecondinnings.

That came after a brilliant 155 from Jamie SmithhadguidedSurreytoa 121-runhalfwaylead.

Smith, who began the day on 98, was joined by Sean Abbott in a superb ninth-wicket stand of 115 in justover18oversthathauled Surrey up to 464 all out in

replytoWarwickshire’s343. Roachthentookthreeof the first four wickets to fall beforereturninglatertograb threemorescalps. Warwickshire’shopesof setting Surrey a challenging target were soon hit when Roach struck in his second over with the new ball, pinning Warwickshire captain Alex Davies lbw, whileJordanClarkhadWill Rhodescaughtbehindfor21 after a second-wicket partnership of 51 with Rob Yates.

Yates fell to the second ball of Roach’s second spell for52beforetheWestIndian trappedDanMousleylbwto make it 90-4. Warwickshire rallied with a 75-run stand

LABA receives sponsorship from Nigel Hinds Financial Services for Men’s League

Nigel Hinds’ F i n a n c i a l ServicesGroup last Saturday once more came on board to assist the LindenAmateurBasketball Association (LABA) with its 2024 programme, when he presented a $200,000 cheque towards the staging oftheLABASeniorLeague Championship set to start on Sunday, May 26, at the RetrieveHardCourt.

Receiving the cheque onbehalfoftheLABAwas its president Mrs. Dawn McCammon-Barker who thanked the firmer Guyana

betweenSamHainandfirstinnings centurion Ed Barnard.

But Abbott pulled off a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss Barnard for 44, thenRoachreturnedtobowl Jacob Bethell, Hain and AamerJamal.

And, with Craig Miles unable to bat because of damaged right ankle ligaments, Dan Worrall polished off Warwickshire’s innings by trapping Olly Hannon-Dalbyinfront.

ThatsetSurrey89tobeat unbeaten Warwickshireand skipper Rory Burns and former Bears and England openerDomSibleytookthe hosts to 31-0 at the close of play

Amateur Basketball Federationpresidentforhis kindgesture.

“We have a lot of work to do, and your generous donation helps us get that importantworkdone.None of our success would be possible without generous donors like you,” said a thankful McCammonBarker

The LABA top official

reiterated: “Thank you againforyourcommitment andkindness.

Thank you for your support,wesimplycouldn’t do what we do without amazingpeoplelikeyou.

Many people say they wanttohelp,feweractually stepuptodoit.

Thank you so much for being one of the few today and stepping up with your timely and generous donation.

Youwentastepbeyond today and became a recurringdonor Peoplelike you make a real difference inourwork.

We are so grateful for yoursupport.

Thank you for your second donation to our organization. We are so g r a t e f u l f o r o u r relationships with donors like you, who make our work possible and rewarding.”

LastmonthNigelHinds through his financial firm

shoulderedtheprizemoney for the LABA organized NABORS/ Linden Inter Secondary Schools Under 17 championship, which was won by Mackenzie High School which pocketed $100,000 and runner-up Christianburtg Wismar Secondary received$50,000,bothcash incentives are for the development of basketball intherespectiveschools. Hinds said he is aware of the financial constraints related to the promotion of basketball at the club level and thought it best to help with this $200,000 donation towards the staging of the LABA Seniortournament McCammon-Barker also announced that the LABAhasplanstostagethe LABA Sumner Jam U-23 tournamentinAugust2024 and the LABA year-end E

December2024.

GDF FC goal scorers (from left) Shenessa Cornelius, Glendy Lewis, Jalade Trim and Sandra Johnson

Golden Jaguars ready!

-Shabazz,playersexcitedtobattleSocaWarriorstonight

BYRAWLETONEY

The Golden Jaguars are poised to take on the Soca Warriors tonight, head Coach Jamaal Shabazz informed Kaieteur News ahead of another clash with Guyana’s closest regional rivals from 7:00 pm in Portof-Spain.

Since their historic 2 –1victoryonNovember11, 2011, at the Guyana National Stadium, the Golden Jaguars have yet to secure a win against Trinidad and Tobago in any of their subsequent five encounters.

Their most recent match ended in a 1 – 1 draw, with Levi Garcia scoring in the 90th minute after Neil Danns had put the Golden Jaguars ahead in the 59th minute from the penalty spot at the Hasely CrawfordStadium.

Nevertheless, this time, the game serves as part of both sides’ preparations for the 2026

F I FA Wo r l d C u p Qualifiers

Guyana will kick off their campaign on June 6 againstPanamainPanama City, while the Soca Warriors will host GrenadaonJune5

“We have had two short practice sessions and the players are eager to go,” ShabazztoldKaieteurNews yesterday

The Golden Jaguars landed in the Twin Island RepubliconSaturdaywitha 2 4 - m a n s q u a d predominantly composed of players from the GFF Elite League.

Themajorityoftheteam hails from two clubs –SlingerzFCandtheGuyana DefenceForce(GDF).

According to Shabazz, “I am excited for the guys w h o n e e d e d t h i s opportunity and backing them to go out and give a good performance The atmosphere in Trinidad is electrifying coming off the Legends vs Trinidad All Stars match, and our guys have a very positive mind setgoingintothematch ” Shabazz, in an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, said these matches

“provides a great opportunity for young

performers in the Elite League to get a taste of Nationalteamfootball.”

“When you look at players like Marcus Tudor, whoscoredabundleofgoals for Slingerz FC; Chris Macey doing well for GDF; they have reached the point now where we need to test them in the National Team, to see how will adapt to an International Senior Team match,”Shabazzstated.

Tudor leads the scoring charts in the KFC Elite League, having bagged 12 goals in nine matches, playing a pivotal role in Slingerz FC’s impressive unbeaten streak

Meanwhile, Macy has been a standout performer f o r t h e r e i g n i n g champions and current league leaders, Guyana DefenceForce(GDF)

“This is what the leagueprovides,”Shabazz stated, while adding, “It gives us people who perform, and we now give themtheopportunity So friendly matches for no points against Trinidad and Tobago, givesusthatluxury.”

Shabazz highlighted the significance of the

upcoming f

y, stressing that it facilitates

prominent locally-based players involved in the nationalprogram

“We have to get some of our regular home-based international, like Curtez Kellman, Jeremy Garrett, Daniel Wilson, Kelsey

Benjamin and Colin Nelson back on the pitch. They’re usually in the final23oftheseniorteam, so these games now give them that rhythm,” Shabazz highlighted.

He also noted, “we know who our overseasbased players will be for June, but then we have players like Darron Niles and Ryan Hackett, who in these Trinidad matches, will get a chance to be selected (for the World CupQualifiersteam).”

Also joining the squad

are newcomers GDF defenderCedricOsbornand Canadian-born Terique Mohammed.

Osborn has been a consistent presence in G D F ’s b a c k - f o u r, contributingtoadefencethat hasconcededonlyfourgoals sofarthisseason.

M e a n w h i l e , Mohammed,whopreviously represented Canada at the U20 level, has opted to switch his allegiance to Guyana, his mother’s birth country

Shabazzhasorchestrated asignificantachievementby securing the services of the speedy left wingback, especially considering Mohammed’s eligibility to play for Trinidad & Tobago aswell.

GOLDENJAGUARS SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Jamaine Cumberbatch (GDF),Amari Thompson (USA), Simon Emmanuel(SantosFC).

Defenders: Jeremy Garrett (Slingerz FC), Curtez Kellman (Slingerz FC), Quincy Adams (Slingerz FC), Colin Nelson (GDF),KevinLayne(Police

FC) and Cedric Osborn (GDF).

Midfielders: Leo Lovell (Slingerz FC), Bevan Baker (USA), Terique Mohammed (Canada), Amos Ramsay (GDF), Nicolai Andrews (GDF), Ryan Hackett (GDF), Simeon Moore (Slingerz FC), Daniel

Elite

Forwards: Kelsey

Benjamin (GDF), Marcus Tudor (Slingerz FC), Anthony Smith (France), StephenMcDonald(GDF).

Wilson (Western Tigers), ChrisMacey(GDF),Darron Niles (Slingerz FC), and Solomon Austin (Caledonia AIA).

GFF/KFC

League leading scorer, Marcus Tudor

Sports Guyanese horse owner proud after first win in Jamaica

Jockey Roderick “Teddy” DaCoasta clinched victory with Easy asABC

Former Canadian U20 player, Terique Mohammed will play for Guyana