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President Dr Irfaan Ali engages a mammoth crowd during the 186th Emancipation celebration at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) tarmac in Berbice on Thursday
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, August 2 – 02:30h-04:00h and Saturday, August 3 –03:30h-05:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, August 2 –15:30h-17:00h and Saturday, August 3 – 16:10h-17:40h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Light to thundery showers are expected during the day, interrupted by sunshine in the mid-morning and mid-to-late-afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 2.68 metres.
High Tide: 15:21h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.
Low Tide: 08:51h and 21:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 0.96 metre.
Pres Ali announces 1st national cultural market to be established in Reg 6
– says Govt will continue to press for reparations on int’l stage
resident Dr. Irfaan Ali while attending the 186th Emancipation Day Celebration in New Amsterdam, announced the establishment of the first-ever National Cultural Market in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) with the main aim of preserving African cultural heritage and boosting tourism.
The Head of State was the featured speaker at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute tarmac, where the celebrations were held. Following an exciting cultural performance, the Head of State spoke of his government’s intentions to invest in a National Cultural
Market in the region.
“I’ve had the opportunity to view the cultural makeup of this region. I’ve had the opportunity to see an improvement in the quality of the presentation of the culture and arts in the region. And anyone who’s following the culture and art in the region would be doing yourself a serious injustice if we do not recognise the improvement in the quality of this presentation this morning.”
“I’ve asked the Minister of Finance and a technical team, to come together and bring all of these cultural groups together in the region, because I want us to build in this region, the first
national cultural market of Guyana,” the Head of State said.
President Ali noted that this market will be the first of its kind in the entire region. According to him, the intention is to build the market in Palmyra, Berbice, where the government is also building a stadium and several hotels and other major investments are being made.
come to be part of the national cultural market. In six weeks, I want the consultation with the communities, I want a committee to be formulated and I want the architectural personalities.”
“I already have some ideas submitted to me. So that we can design what this will be. And we will build our national cultural market, here in region six. At
“Region Six must be the cultural market of Guyana. And as we build the new stadium and facilities around it and hotels, an important part of why people would come to Region Six, will
Palmyra. And this will not only be a celebration of who we are, as a people and as a nation. This will be a recognition of the importance of culture, in the evolution of every society,” President Ali said.
The Palmyra Stadium is a project of the Greater Guyana Initiative partners (ExxonMobil, HESS, and CNOOC), to the tune of $3.7 billion, and it has a 2025 completion date. The Stadium is set to be a multipurpose facility, with a capacity of 10,000.
Reparations
Meanwhile, President Ali also addressed the important issue of reparations, noting that his government is steadfast in advocating for it.
In accordance with Part V, Section 19 (1) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana
– “A person shall not undertake an activity that causes or is likely to cause pollution of the environment unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise any resulting adverse effect”.
The preceding law covers noise nuisance and all its variables and implications. The law states: “No person shall, in any road, street, public place or land or building or premises, by operating or causing or suffering to be operated any stereo set, jukebox, radio, wireless loudspeaker, amplifier, automatic piano or similar instrument of music, or by any other means whatsoever, make or cause or suffer to be made any noise which shall be so loud and so continuous or repetitive as to cause a nuisance to occupants of any premises in the neighbourhood.”
Another aspect of noise nuisance the Ministry should look at is loud music emanating from privately-owned vehicles. Noise pollution is more than a mere inconvenience; it is a serious environmental and public health issue. Despite several changes in Government, the scourge of noise nuisance seems to continue unabated, even though the adverse health effects of noise are trumpeted at various forums and complaints by those affected are plentiful. Persons seem to be oblivious to the injurious effects on the general health and well-being of society when persons uncaringly engage in activities which create a noise nuisance. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noise causes a wide range of negative health effects, including sleep disturbance; cardiovascular effects; damage to work and school performance; and hearing impairment, including tinnitus.
Additionally, WHO avers that noise has negative impacts on cognitive performance: For recall and reading, a reduction of the day and night noise level by five decibels (dB) A within the range of 65-80 dB(A) was shown to improve performance by almost 10 per cent: For attention and memory, a five dB (A) reduction in average noise level results in approximately two to three per cent improvement of performance. The organisation surmises that adverse impacts of noise on cognitive performance can lead to a reduction in productivity at work and learning performance at school.
The lack of a sustained campaign against noise nuisance has created a dynamic where the noise emanating from various sources has grown to unbearable proportions countrywide.
Indisputably, playing music loudly has become part of our national culture. The situation has become worse because of advances in electronic technology, which has helped musical sets to become much more powerful than they were a couple of decades ago. Laws are no deterrent because there is no sustained enforcement. Announcements by several Ministers of Home Affairs over the years that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will adopt a ‘no nonsense’ approach and the full force of the law will deal condignly with offenders have all come to nought.
The authorities have, over the years, admitted that various relevant bodies continue to receive numerous complaints, from senior citizens; the sick, for whom noise exacerbates their health issues; working parents; students and several other law-abiding people, to the effect that they are being seriously affected by loud, repetitive and continuous noise emanating from a range of places in the different police divisions, there is no evidence pointing to any long-term relief for victims. Little relief provided by agencies, even though, sporadically, relevant divisional commanders of the GPF have been provided with the details about the complaints and directed to take appropriate action to ensure that Subsection (1) of Section 174 A of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, as amended by Act No. 1 of 1989, is not breached. Police have, on specified days and times, re-enforced the validity and justification of the complaints, yet, somehow or the other, it would appear that the operators believe they have the right to play music as loudly as they feel. The campaign against noise nuisance must be relentless and sustained or else this scourge will not be stopped because it seems that some people get a sense of pleasure when they play loud music and disturb others, and some of the worst perpetrators are law enforcement officers. Addressing the noise nuisance in Guyana is not merely about restoring peace and quiet; it is about safeguarding the well-being of its citizens.
An ordeal in the agony of human tragedy – Slavery
Dear Editor,
Slavery may be classified as a condition in which one human being (slave/ serf) was owned by another (slaveholder) from a system of buying and selling of human beings (slave trade) for forced and unpaid labor. A slave was considered by law as property, or chattel, and was deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.
The Dutch West India Company was responsible for the introduction of the slave market from Africa since the 16th century into the Caribbean. Following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean in 1492, the Arawakan-speaking Native people known as the Taino, were destroyed by slavery, European disease, starvation, and war.
Britain’s passage of the Slavery Abolition Act marked the start of freedom for 800,000 enslaved people in all its colonies on Aug. 1, 1834. Slavery was one of the most difficult truths and greatest contradictions harbored by America. US President Lincoln, issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring “that all persons held as slaves…. are, and henceforward shall be free.”
In discussing peace and war, MK Gandhi espoused, “The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. He frees himself and shows the way to others. Freedom and slavery are mental states.”
Freedom stands dangerously alone as a concept only if the elements factored internally and externally to lay the foundation, are not entrenched to support the pillars of growth to institutionalise its principles, practices, and procurement. It is the legal agencies that have to provide the necessities and tools to protect its providence, including the government, the court, and the policing agents.
Guyana gained her independence from the colonial master, Great Britain, on 26th May 1966, after a long and tiring verbal battle. As a colony, then British Guiana, slaves from Africa and indentured laborers from India were imported to plant and produce sugar for the English to enrich
themselves and their motherland. The Portuguese and Chinese were also tried and tested. While the Indigenous people were the original inhabitants of the land, they were forced to seek refuge by hiding from enslavement and retreating further into the hinterland. And so, this land of many waters and six races grew into a Republic on February 23, 1970, divided by the PNC and politics with the advent of a barefaced and bold Burnham since 1957.
Cruel but crucial, the critique commented, “Emancipation provided legal relief from the pace and discipline of slavery, and it allowed blacks to protest old grievances by simply moving on.” Choices were constrained, communication was curfewed and there was no compensation as consolation.
From the 18th century in the US, the wages of emancipation from inception were costly as adumbrated by a local anthem which was executed with violence by local rife clubs like the White Rose, Seventy-six, and Sons of the South. But the biggest group by far was the "invisible empire: known as the Ku Klux Klan, comprising white men from all classes and regions of Mississippi. The anthem was sung with lyrics: “N….g….s and [Republicans], get out of the way. We're born of the night and we vanish by day. No rations have we, but the flesh of man-- And love n…g…s best-the Ku Klux Klan. We catch 'em alive and roast 'em whole. And hand 'em around with a sharpened pole.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ on March’2023 at the General Assembly event marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in New York said, “The history of racialised chattel slavery is a history of suffering, crime, violence, and exploitation. It is a history of colossal injustice. Just as the slave trade underwrote the wealth and prosperity of the colonisers, it devastated the African continent, thwarting its development for centuries…. a history of cruelty and barbery for humanity, it was the largest legally sanctioned forced migration.”
William Wilberforce, an Englishman, was one of the abolitionists who spoke out against the atrocious crime. Those enslaved also revolted against this system. In 1811 some 500 slaves, led by a mixed-race slave driver named Charles Deslondes, marched through Louisiana in military formation before federal troops captured them. Toussaint L’Ouverture spearheaded the Haitian Revolution between 1791 and 1904. Nanny Asafo was the revered female leader of the Maroons – that group of runaway slaves who fought the British during the 18th century and established free communities in the mountainous interior of Jamaica, maintaining their freedom and independence. In Guyana, Cuffy and Akara led the Berbice Slave Rebellion in 1763.
The Middle Passage was the most fearsome trauma experienced during the Triangular Trade. It spelled a sickening, if not deadly journey for the slaves. Some 15 million Africans died during this phase. The three parts originated in Great Britain sending cloth, guns/ammunition, and manufactured goods to Africa. The Middle Passage incurred Africa sending slaves and spices to the Caribbean and America. The third phase saw the ships returning to Britain from the Caribbean with iron, lumber, sugar, rum, tobacco, and other crops.
The “owners” of enslaved people were compensated for their “loss of property.” The people whose labor and families were stolen for generations were not compensated. This inhumane practice may be traced to a historical and scriptural period dating some 11,000 years ago. Today, apologists are surfacing throughout the world, some with variable degrees of compensation in different formats. The serious question of “reparation” is still in the air. While ancient slavery may be “gone with the wind,” modern slavery is replaced with “traffic in person.”
Are all men born equal? Happy Emancipation Day Guyana.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton along with Members of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir and Nima Flue-Bess at ACDA's Emancipation celebration at the National Park
Parliament has met on the eve of various holidays and has not undermined the importance of those days
Dear Editor,
I am compelled to respond to Beverly Alert's recent letter concerning the scheduling of a parliamentary sitting on the eve of Emancipation Day 2024. Her assertion that the timing of this sitting is a deliberate attempt to disrespect our history or African ancestors is misguided. It detracts from the essential business of the people while attempting to stir the pot of racial sentiments-a signature tactic of the opposition.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that the business of the people should not be contingent upon national holidays. The Parliament of Guyana has a history of meeting on the eve of significant holidays without any accusations of disrespect or undermining the importance of those days.
For instance, the Parliament convened on February 22, 2024, the eve of our Republic anniversary. Additionally, sittings took place on May 4, 2016, the eve of Arrival Day, and
April 14, 2017, the eve of Good Friday. On these occasions, Miss Alert did not raise any concerns.
These examples demonstrate that scheduling parliamentary sittings on the eve of significant holidays is not unprecedented and does not, in any way, diminish the respect and observance of these important occasions.
The suggestion that holding a parliamentary sitting on July 31st diminishes the significance of Emancipation Day or disrespects our African ancestors is unfounded. Emancipation Day is a day of profound historical importance and national pride, and it is essential to honour it through meaningful observance and participation in ceremonies. However, it is equally important to ensure that the work of Parliament, which ultimately serves the people of Guyana, continues uninterrupted.
The Libation Ceremony and other commemorative events are vital, and Members of Parliament,
like all citizens, should strive to participate in and honour these traditions. Yet, postponing parliamentary sittings every time they coincide with the eve of a holiday would set a precedent that could hamper the efficiency and continuity of parliamentary duties.
While Ms Alert's sentiments may be understandable at face value, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective. The Parliament has historically met on the eve of various significant holidays, and this practice has not undermined the importance of those days. Emancipation Day deserves full respect and observance, but the business of the people must proceed without unnecessary interruptions. Let us work towards honouring our ancestors and history while ensuring that the Parliamentary responsibilities of elected officials are met diligently.
Yours truly, Brian Azore
Addressing traffic law breaches in West Demerara
Dear Editor,
I am writing to urgently call upon the police in West Demerara to address the continuous and flagrant breaches of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic laws. The current state of affairs is untenable, particularly during the nights and early hours of the weekends when the roads are inundated with speeding, intoxicated drivers. This poses a severe threat to public safety and demands immediate intervention.
One of the most pressing issues is the unchecked prevalence of heavily tinted windows and windshields on cars, minibuses, and trucks. These vehicles, coupled with trucks equipped with excessively bright ‘spot’ lights and others adorned with coloured lights, create hazardous conditions for all road users. The cacophony of loud music from minibuses and cars further exacerbates the danger, contributing to an environment of recklessness and chaos.
It is disheartening to observe that many traffic ranks are frequently seen mingling in bars, drinking, and socialising with the very drivers they are supposed to regulate, particularly during weekends. This behaviour not only undermines the authority of the police but also emboldens
Awareness and Govt input – Mangroves are vital
Dear Editor,
Here are some stunning facts: In a single square mile, mangroves hold as much carbon as the annual emissions of 90,000 cars; Mangroves protect coastal communities by buffering storm surges; Mangroves serve as “nurseries” for numerous species, sheltering them from predators and currents.
In other words, Guyana was ‘right on target’ on Global Mangrove Day, when the news heralded that the country is investing some $1.9B in mangrove conservation.
Let me add that mangroves support food security for coastal communities that eat and sell fish, clams, and crabs. Mangroves are in fact among the world's most productive ecosystems, as their high productivity sustains a rich food web, providing food, fiber, and fuels alongside cultural services that help maintain human well-being. They additionally support all four dimensions of food security: availability, access, stability, and utilisation.
At a higher and larger scale, mangroves play a vital role in coastal ecology and in sustaining and securing coastal communities. They reduce the harmful effects of coastal erosion, storms, and flooding and are one of the most cost-effective methods of managing disaster risk along coastlines.
Where Guyana is concerned, it is good to see that we are doing our part as regards mangroves. I was very pleased that the Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), hosted an exhibition and signboard unveiling ceremony at the Kingston Seawall Esplanade. The event marked the celebration of International Mangrove Day 2024, under the theme, “Mangroves Matter: Safeguarding Our Coastal Guardians for Tomorrow.”
Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Jagnarine Singh, on the occasion spoke on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, rightfully “… lauded the coun-
try’s progress in mangrove restoration, conservation, and management.” He detailed that “Mangroves are our coastal guardians, vital to Guyana’s environmental and economic health … They act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and surges, protecting our communities and infrastructure (and) with over 23,000 hectares of mangroves, they support fisheries, livelihoods, food security, and provide habitats for diverse wildlife.”
Editor, Guyana has indeed come a very long way, as “… since 2010, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has committed over 1.9 billion Guyana dollars to strengthen coastal district resilience through mangrove restoration.” This translates to more than 500 hectares of mangroves being restored across 35 locations in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six. For this year alone, Singh pointed out that “… an additional 275 million dollars have been allocated for rehabilitation initiatives in
Regions Two and Five.”
Without belaboring the importance of the Government’s role in the mangrove drive, I hope that our people will realise that its restoration initiatives significantly impact several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
No doubt about it, as the CEO stated” Our efforts enhance the resilience of coastal zones, biodiversity, livelihood support, and the fight against climate change.” No wonder the average rates of global mangrove loss are now slowing, and mangroves are being restored across their endemic lands despite external threats.
Let us celebrate our contribution and keep intensifying our efforts. After all, mangroves are vital to the world’s well-being.
Yours truly,
HB Singh
these errant drivers. There are alarming reports of traffic ranks accepting bribes and turning a blind eye to blatant violations, which only perpetuates the lawlessness on our roads.
While it is not our intention to call for the closure of liquor establishments, it is imperative that the police strictly enforce the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill. This legislation imposes several duties on bar owners to prevent the misuse of alcohol and should be upheld to ensure public safety.
Moreover, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2022 has introduced stringent measures to combat drunk driving, including classifying the act of causing death through drunk driving as vehicular manslaughter. As Attorney General Anil Nandlall rightly stated during the debate and sub-
sequent passage of the Bill, “Our citizens must be able to traverse our roadways with a sense of security and psychological peace of mind that some erratic, drunken driver is not using his vehicle as a lethal weapon along the roadways of this country. We must have that sense of security.”
I commend Commander Siwnarine for his efforts in addressing these issues, but it is clear that he cannot do it alone. It is essential that all his ranks fall in line and support this mission to curb the madness on our roadways. Consistent and fair enforcement of traffic laws is crucial to ensure safer roads and peace of mind for all citizens.
I urge the police in West Demerara to take immediate action to rectify this situation and restore order and safety to our roads.
Yours sincerely, Kevin Mohamed
Temperature
Temperature Page Foundation
The unit of temperature is the degree. It is written as a small circle above the number: 22o = 22 degrees.
Temperature
Customary degrees are measured on the Fahrenheit scale. However, in Guyana, for temperature we normally use the metric scale of degrees Celsius. To make it clear which scale you are using, you must add the letter F for Fahrenheit or the letter C for Celsius.
The unit of temperature is the degree. It is written as a small circle above the number: 22o = 22 degrees. Customary degrees are measured on the Fahrenheit scale. However, in Guyana, for temperature we normally use the metric scale of degrees Celsius. To make it clear which scale you are using, you must add the letter F for Fahrenheit or the letter C for Celsius.
22o C = 22 degrees Celsius.
22o C = 22 degrees Celsius.
On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0o C. The boiling point of water is 100
On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0o C. The boiling point of water is 100o C.
On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32o F. The boiling point of water is 212o F.
On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32o F. The boiling point of water is 212
Exercises: Convert
Exercises: Convert
Exercises: Convert
To convert from one scale to the other you use the following formulas:
(F – 32) x (5 9 ) = C and C x (9 5) + 32 = F
To convert from one scale to the other you use the following formulas: (F – 32) x (5 9 ) = C and C x (9 5) + 32 = F 1)
1) 32o F = __________C
2) 100o C = __________ F
3) 0o C = __________ F
4) 212o F = __________ C
5) 212o C = __________ F
Cloud in a bottle
Learn how to make a cloud in a bottle with this super simple and really cool weather science experiment.
Materials:
Empty plastic water bottle with cap
Scissors
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
Safety goggles
Instructions:
Use the scissors to carefully remove the label from the plastic water bottle.
Put on your safety goggles.
Pour a small amount of alcohol into the bottle.
Put the cap on the bottle.
Slowly rotate the bottle so the alcohol coats the inside of the bottle.
Grab the bottom one third of the bottle and twist. This will create pressure in the bottle.
Release and watch your cloud in a bottle form right before your eyes.
How it works:
The pressure you created inside the
By Mariana LLanos
Invisible children fall through the cracks of the system like Alice in the rabbit hole.
bottle forced the water vapor to compress together, heat up, and evaporate into gas. When you released the pressure, the water vapor molecules cooled quickly and condensed to form a visible cloud in a bottle.
Make this a science project: Try the cloud in a bottle demonstration is areas that are significantly colder or hotter and record any noticeable differences. (sciencefun.org)
But these children won’t find an eat-me cake or a drink-me bottle. They won’t wake up on the lap of a loving sister. They’ll open their eyes on the hand of a monster called Negligence who’ll poke them with its sharp teeth and bait them with its heartless laughter, like a wild thing in a wild rumpus. But the children won’t awake to the smell of a warm supper, nor will they find a purple crayon to draw an escape door or a window. Instead they’ll make a mirror of a murky puddle on the city street which won’t tell them they’re beautiful but it’ll show their scars, as invisible to others as these children are.
Source: Poetry (March 2021)
PPP/C's 4th anniversary
Govt has made many long-term investments within 4 years in office – VP Jagdeo ... says citizens will be reaping the benefits for years to come
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s ascension to office, after a five-month delay that was caused by the refusal of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to demit office after losing the March 2020 general and regional elections.
Reflecting on those four years in office during his most recent press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that many things were accomplished by the PPP/C Government, and still more remains to be done.
Jagdeo noted that many of the long-term projects and
during the unprecedented May-June floods. As far back as 2021, the government had announced that similar structures would be constructed in other regions to curb devastating floods. These include Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
“The Hope-like canals would bring hundreds of thousands of arable acres of land, under better drainage conditions. So that we can increase production and productivity, apart from the impact it would have on preventing flooding. And those are still in the works. The benefits have not been felt as yet, because we think long-term. So, a lot
programmes his government has started, such as the transformational Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project, will allow citizens to reap benefits well into the future.
“I’m very pleased about these four years. And a lot that we’ve worked on, in the past four years, putting together, will yield benefits in the future. So, the benefits don’t come immediately. The construction is going on, so we have more jobs for people. But when these seven hotels are running, 3000 Guyanese will work in there. That’s 3000 more jobs for our people, good paying jobs.”
“When the gas-to-energy project is completed next year, we will become an exporter of cooking gas. Now we import all our cooking gas. The electricity will be more stable and the price will be cut by 50 per cent. And we’re working on that, the benefits have not come fully as yet,” the Vice President said.
Canals
Mention was also made of the work being done to construct Hope-like canals, in different parts of the country. The Hope Canal, or Northern Relief Channel, which is located at Hope/Dochfour, is a multi-component channel that allows excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to be drained into the Atlantic Ocean via an eight-door sluice, to avoid overflowing and possible flooding.
The Hope Canal has been instrumental in preventing massive flooding along the East Coast of Demerara
of the improvements are yet to be seen,” Jagdeo said.
“When the 12 hospitals are completed, we’d have 13 new operating theatres across this country. We’d have about 30 in the public sector. about 30 CT scans in almost all these hospitals. We’ll move primary healthcare up to a different level. And they’re unfolding now, for the benefits in the future. So, in another two, three years, our people will see this benefit.”
Infrastructure
A frequent gripe from the APNU/AFC opposition has been that the PPP/C Government is spending too much on infrastructural projects. Jagdeo put this gripe into context, however, as he noted that citizens along the coast are still plagued by transportation woes due to the lack of roads… an issue the PPP/C Government is addressing even now.
“The opposition says we spend too much money on infrastructure. And up to a couple of days ago, I met some people from the East Coast. And they said they spent nearly three hours on the road, getting into Georgetown, because of traffic jams. That’s three hours of their lives, wasted. There were about four persons in the car.”
“And they don’t want us to build a four-lane road from Mahaica to Georgetown. Well, we’re building it, it's already awarded. But they’re opposed to that. So, these four years have been tough.”
Jagdeo also pointed to the government’s achievements on the oil and gas and envi-
ronmental front. These include the passage of the 2021 Local Content Act, which carves out 40 different service areas that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese and Guyanese-owned companies, as well as the multi-year agreement Guyana has with United States energy-major Hess Corporation, to sell high-quality carbon credits. The deal is worth a total value of US$750 million.
“I didn’t even talk about
our achievements on the environment front. We have moved from zero to a world-leading strategy that has earned more money than any country in the world, in the forestry sector, through a market-based mechanism,” Jagdeo pointed out.
Record
The PPP’s first year in office got off to a feverish start, with a $330 million emergency budget passed within two months in office and several
projects that had stagnated under the former APNU/AFC Government taking off.
One of the major concerns persons had with former President David Granger's Administration was the increase in the tax burden on the ordinary man. President Ali, in the 2020 emergency budget, prepared in a record 29 days, made sure to roll back these measures.
Making good on an issue it campaigned on and criticised the former APNU/ AFC Government for, the President Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Government rolled back the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duties on mining equipment.
VAT was also removed from exports, cell phones, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and building and construction materials, as well as pesticides and agricultural chemicals. VAT was also removed from the importation of stones as the construction sector set up for a boom.
Other advances the Government has made have been in the area of infrastructure, healthcare, and housing, where it distributed 3500 house lots in the first four months in office – an amount that was half the number of house lots distributed during the former Government’s five years in office.
Since then, the government has distributed over 35,000 new house lots, as well as developed 40 new housing areas. Additionally, more than 3000 homes have been built, including thousands of low-income houses, at a cost of over $5.8 billion.
The Government has distributed over 35,000 house lots in its first term in office
The Government has distributed over 35,000 house lots in its first term in office
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
GuySuCo produced 6738 tonnes of sugar for 1st crop of 2024
– Cuban engineers to assist in further mechanisation of sector
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar for its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes.
This was according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha in response to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Vinceroy Jordon on the sugar indus-
Blairmont produced 2084.8 tonnes and Rose Hall with the lowest, 1779.8 tonnes.
While the three estates began grinding sugar canes between February to April 2024, it was explained that the Albion Estate ‘did not grind for the first crop due to a powerhouse fire on February 3’. The Skeldon Estate also encountered several issues when producing
tivity and to better utilise available human resources at the various estates.
This includes conducting field layouts for development and engaging in training of staff and maintenance requirements of field and factory equipment.
Additionally, during their 12-month stay, the agronomist will support the agriculture department in improving its agronomic practices and ultimately, its best practices.
Further, it was explained that as relates to the factories, the need to improve overall efficiencies in the areas of milling and process house operations, and boilers and steam generation have influenced the choice of Engineers.
“Having reviewed possible sources of engineers
try. The minister stated that the shortfall of the target is a result of the devastating effects of the prolonged drought, which “significantly restricted the growth of canes”.
In a written response to the opposition member circulated in the National Assembly on Wednesday, the minister provided a breakdown of the production at various estates.
He revealed that the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate produced 2874.3 tonnes while
its first crop.
However, in May, the first group of 12 Cuban engineers arrived in Guyana to assist in the sugar industry. In light of this development, the minister was also questioned about the purpose of the team.
In response, he disclosed that the Agricultural Engineering team is here to provide critical support to promote the mechanisation of agricultural operations, especially as it relates to improving agricultural produc-
from outside of Guyana, Cuba was found to have had a long history of cane sugar production and productivity which matched Guysuco's needs. It was therefore the logical country to go in close proximity to Guyana for highly technical competent staff. Improvement in the field and factory operational parameters to increase higher levels of cane and sugar production on all Estates,” the minister stated.
Last year, GuySuCo accomplished a noteworthy milestone by exceeding its
yearly sugar output target of 60,000 tonnes. In the sugar sector, 28 per cent growth was recorded last year. This was a result of GuySuCo having produced 60,204 tonnes in 2023, compared with 47,049 tonnes in 2022.
With the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government having injected over $17 billion into the sugar industry and currently supporting close to 8000 workers, President Ali has, for some time, made it clear that his Administration would continue to invest in the sector to bring it up to viability.
Between 2016 and 2017, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) regime closed several estates across Guyana – an action that displaced more than 7000 sugar workers, who were not only without jobs but who had no means to support their families and contribute to their villages as well as the national economy.
Since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C Government has undertaken a slew of measures to revive the sugar sector, and rehired some 2000 of those dismissed workers. The PPP/C had promised in its manifesto to revive sugar and reopen these estates.
However, after it was found that the assets at Wales Estate were sold out by the previous regime, the PPP/C Government announced plans to establish a Development Authority, where several major industrial operations would be undertaken. Similarly, the Enmore Sugar Estate is also being transformed into an industrial area.
Meanwhile, the Government’s efforts to reopen the Rose Hall Estate saw a whopping $1.1 billion being expended last year to have the facility up and running. A summary of the major works included both civil and structural interventions – including rehabilitation of the cane gantry, pre-milling, milling, boiler and process house roofing.
Pres Ali announces 1st national cultural...
The Head of State also said that an apology, such as those usually given by countries that were integrally involved in the slave trade, is meaningless without reparations.
“Slavery was not just a blemish on our past. It was an atrocity perpetrated against millions of African men, women, and children. It was a systematic violation of human rights, characterized by inhuman -
ity, brutality, and exploitation,” he further said.
“Those who instigated, condoned and profited, yes, profited, it was a business, from this heinous crime, are yet to fully acknowledge their debt to those who were oppressed. And we are going to continue in CARICOM, to struggle and struggle and struggle until we get full reparations for our people.”
On a more local scale,
African Guyanese also received an apology last year from Charles Gladstone, a descendent of John Gladstone, whose family benefitted from African enslavement and indentureship on the Demerara and other plantations owned by the Gladstone patriarch. On August 25, 2023, Charles officially apologized for slavery and indentureship in Guyana.
The Gladstone heir
Testing…
…Caricom’s interests
Yesterday, we commemorated Emancipation Day along with the rest of the formerly British Caribbean. Ruled by Britain for three centuries and up, we all ended up thinking we were one, big extended family. There were so much that brought us together – not just our culture but our identity!! But today, your Eyewitness has to ask, “To what end”??
They say “A friend in need is a friend indeed”, but today when we needed a friend in dealing with Mad Maduro who’s annexed two-thirds of our national territory, most of our erstwhile brothers and sisters in Caricom didn’t have our back. The 35-member Organisation of American States (OAS) had met to discuss a resolution to investigate that Mad Maduro did indeed win the elections as the Elections Council – which he appointed and controls – declared. They’d start by demanding Mad Maduro provide evidence – in the form of the printouts from the voting machines.
What would be more reasonable than that?? It’s not like they were voting to impose sanctions!! But the motion did not garner the needed 18 votes that constituted a majority to pass the motion!! They only could muster 17!! – Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Uruguay.
Mexico, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago were ABSENT from the proceedings, as, of course, was Venezuela. We’ve already spoken about Ralph Gonsalves and St Vincent –who’d been bought off by their Petrocaribe Debt being cancelled by Mad Maduro!! TT and Rowley just signed an agreement for them to develop a Venezuelan gas field!! Interests, baby!! Interests!! Abstaining were Belize, Bolivia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Honduras, St Kitts, St Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, and Bahamas. Now, we know not only our friends but those who will stand up for principles.
Mad Maduro, of course, announced that he has asked his Supreme Court to “audit” the results. On the surface, this appears reasonable. But when it is known that two years ago, Mad Maduro reconfigured the Court so that it is overwhelmingly packed with his loyalists, it make more sense!! This was the same Supreme Court that disqualified his most powerful opponent – Maria Marchado – from running in the elections!! Your Eyewitness notes that even Lula of Brazil who he’d counted on to do the right thing, sat on the fence. Why? Is it he sees the OAS as an American lap dog and doesn’t want to be seen in that light?
But he’s already asked Mad Maduro to produce the tally sheets from the voting machines – and agreed on this with US Pres Biden – with whom he spoke on the phone!!
…total war
With every passing day, there’s more evidence piling up that Israel has no intention of stopping its war in GAZA – whether to save the Israeli hostages or the genocidal onslaught on the Palestinian people. Over 35,000 of the latter – mostly women and children – have been slaughtered. The bombing of a Hezbollah target in Lebanon – supposedly in retaliation for a bombing that Hezbollah has denied – is almost guaranteed to draw Hezbollah into a wider front – along with its Iranian supporters.
FROM PAGE 3
had also revealed that his family has been helping to fund some work for the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at the University College of London for the past two years and has committed to this for five years. He had said they are also funding other British cultural projects that seek to highlight the horrors faced by slavery. (G-3)
But even more telling was the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The 62-year-old chairman of Hamas’s Politburo, murdered during an official visit to Iran, was the organisation’s chief negotiator in talks intended to produce a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages Hamas holds and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel’s jails. Through the years, Israel has demonstrated a violent propensity to assassinate Palestinian peacemakers and this cannot be a coincidence!!
We are therefore on the brink of a large escalation of the Mideast War – which will grab the US’s attention –away from the antics of Mad Maduro!!
…our fragile nationhood
How far will this nonsense about OWNING African Guyanese go – even during the celebration of Emancipation? So, African Guyanese mustn’t only VOTE for one party – or else they’re “slave catchers” – but only celebrate with one organisation??
The Albion Sugar Estate
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP)
Vinceroy Jordon
Gas-to-Energy Project
Installation of 119km of subsea pipelines completed 10 days ahead of schedule – Subsea7 CEO
The laying of the subsea pipelines for the Gas-to-Energy project (GtE) was completed 10 days ahead of schedule, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United States-based company Subsea 7, John Evans.
During a recent second-quarter conference call, Evans made a presentation in which he revealed that the laying of the pipeline was completed early. Subsea 7 was contracted in 2022 by ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).
“This was our first project in Guyana and involved the fabrication and S-Lay of 119 kilometers of rigid pipeline using Seven Borealis. The pipelay scope was successfully completed 10 days ahead of schedule, and the Seven Borealis is now mobilising to Saudi Arabia for work on Aramco’s Zuluf field,” Evans explained.
According to the contract, Subsea 7 was tasked with fabricating and laying the 12-inch carbon steel pipes in water depths of up to 1,400 meters. And based on Evans’ presentation, there were as many as 9,608
pipe joints to work with.
The GtE Project includes the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara, utilizing natural gas from the country’s offshore operations in the Stabroek Block.
Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
A whopping $80 billion was allocated in budget 2024 to advance the project and
Berbice man remanded for stealing motorcycle from
Springlands Police Station
Remanded: Zeekel Jones, also called
Twenty-three-yearold Zeekel Jones also called ‘Ezekiel’, a laborer of No. 77 Housing Scheme Corriverton, Berbice was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a simple larceny charge.
Jones reportedly stole a motorcycle called at $290,000 belonging to Mohamed Mustafa Yardally while it was parked at Springlands Police Station on Saturday last.
However, he appeared before Magistrate T. Hardy at the No. 51 Magistrates Court and was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to him. As such, he was remanded to prison until August 8, 2024. The matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrates Court.
its associated infrastructure, including transmission and distribution upgrades to offtake the power.
In last year’s national budget, the project received a $43.3 billion allocation in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-
up of the transformational project, for the construction of an NGL Plant and the 300MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, WBD.
Between 2020 and 2023, investments have also been increased in clean renewable energy. Some 173 per cent increase in installed solar PV capacity – from 5.3 MW to 14.6MW has been recorded throughout Guyana.
For this year, work will commence on a 10MW solar farm in Berbice, an 8MW solar farm in Essequibo, and a 0.6MW solar farm in Leguan. The Government would be spending $4.8 billion to finance these projects.
Only a few days ago, an agreement was signed with Power China Caribbean to construct a national control
centre. The US$8.6 million facility is the final major piece of infrastructure needed to bring the GtE project on stream.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Kesh Nandlall was also present and signed as a witness. The facility when completed will house Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management Systems/ Generation Management System (SCADA/EMS/GMS) equipment.
The equipment will enable GPL to collect, store, and manage national or regional networks to ensure reliable and stable power quality in Guyana.
US company Fulcrum LNG has also been se-
lected by the Guyanese Government to design, finance, construct, and operate the required gas infrastructure to provide gas monetisation solutions and support the acceleration of upstream gas developments in Guyana.
This is part of the Government’s plans to safely and timely develop its gas resources and create an open-access infrastructure system, providing additional monetisation alternatives to upstream developers.
Fulcrum LNG has partnered with some of the industry’s leading global firms leveraging advanced technology and industry expertise to deploy the most robust, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Fmr security officer arrested for sending threatening email to US Embassy
Thirty-one-yearold Anand Persaud from Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and a former security officer attached to the United States Embassy in Georgetown was arrested for allegedly sending a threatening message to the embassy’s email address.
According to reports received, the email that was sent on Thursday con -
tained threats directed towards the United States (US) Government and the Embassy’s Georgetown facility.
As such, security officials attached to the US Embassy reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, and an investigation was launched.
However, through a col -
laboration between local and overseas law enforcement officers, Persaud was arrested at his Sister’s Village home and escorted to CID Headquarters where he was interrogated.
Further investigations linked the suspect to the email address used to send the threatening email to the Embassy. The probe is continuing.
"Ezekiel"
Arrested: Anand Persaud
The Seven Borealis vessel that installed the subsea pipeline
Family Violence Bill 2024 replaces Domestic Violence Act following passage in National Assembly
– Opposition calls for robust enforcement system, statistics
The 1996 Domestic Violence Act was replaced following the passage of the Family Violence Bill No. 11 of 2024 in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening.
According to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the bill offers comprehensive coverage for various types of abuse, including emotional and psychological.
The new piece of legislation builds upon the previously existing Act by introducing 58 new clauses and
a schedule, to prevent and reduce incidences of family violence in Guyana, ensure the protection of victims of abuse within families, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Further, it defines “family members” which also takes into consideration social practices of considering someone a relative though there may be no blood relations.
As it relates to family violence, it also includes intentionally damaging a family member’s property or threatening to do so, un-
lawfully depriving a family member of their liberty or threatening to do so, and causing or threatening to cause the death of/or injury to an animal.
In this regard, the bill proposes a new civil cause of action that allows a victim of family violence to claim damages and compensation against a perpetrator.
Dr. Persaud explained that the Bill’s primary objective is to ensure the safety and protection of family violence victims, including children, and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
“Now under the one Family Violence Bill perpetrators could be locked up, they could be kept in custody and not merely restrained from going into a home. And this is a very important thing because this new bill has the significant achievement of having both criminal and civil remedies and that is underscored by the practical measures to reduce the movement that could occur when
one wants to blend this kind of approach under one piece of legislation between the magistrate court and the high court,” the Minister told the House.
Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament Natasha Singh-Lewis issued a call to the government to implement a robust enforcement system to complement the new Bill.
According to Lewis, the opposition supports the legislation, however, contends that enforcing the Bill at the various levels continues to be a challenge since there is “no monitoring system in place to tackle the issue”.
“Despite the alarming prevalence and devastating impact of this violence our nation still lacks a comprehensive system to monitor, assess, and address this critical issue. This legislation is a legal framework that is going to strengthen the system that exists but if there is no monitoring, there is no assessment in this critical area then that is the problem.”
She also underscored the need for accurate data as it relates to family and domestic violence countrywide so that targeted programmes can be curated to address the prevalence.
“Do we know the statistics on the crime rate in Guyana, specifically for the purpose of this Bill? When last have we had a report
from the Guyana Police Force or the Ministry of Home Affairs on statistics on the number of family violence reported to law enforcement including arrest and conviction? It is the absence of national indicators that hampers our ability to understand the true scope of the problem,” she questioned.
In response, Minister Persaud disclosed the Family Violence Bill was derived from studies including the Spotlight Initiative which is aimed at eradicating violence against women and girls, and analysis of the Domestic Violence Act 1966, Sexual Offences Act 2010, Protection of Children Act 2009, Childcare and Development Act 2011, Cybercrime Act, Violence Against Women Act 2019 – USA, Family Violence Act 2018 – New Zealand and the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2020 of
Trinidad and Tobago. She explained that consultations were also conducted for a year to ensure the Bill closes loopholes and addressed crimes of the modern world.
“If we look at the Domestic Violence Act, it spoke to violence that would occur between two people at an interpersonal level and intimate level and it did not take into count the violence that could occur within the family construct among persons who constitute the family. As such I think it is important to acknowledge that the Family Violence Bill is much more than a change in the nomenclature… Any bill comes with the need to have education and awareness so that people understand the level of protection that it offers and it also must have the supporting structure to be able to implement and complement the legislation,” Dr. Persaud disclosed.
Opposition Member of Parliament, Natasha Singh-Lewis
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud
Election fraud case may end up at CCJ – PPP GS
... says Govt considering inviting int’l community to observe case
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has highlighted that given the direction that the elections fraud case in the 2020 general elections is heading, he has no doubts that this high-profile case may end up in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
The elections fraud trials commenced on July 29 for several individuals facing charges of alleged irregularities during the general elections in 2020.
The trial is expected to run from July 29 to September 13 but was adjourned until Monday, August 5, 2024.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Jagdeo said, “Given what has happened in Venezuela and the close parallel to what we see here in Georgetown, it would be crucial to reflect on democracy especially now that the trials have started for those who the Commission of Inquiry found culpable of trying to steal the elections in favour of the APNU/AFC. We have waited for a long time to get to this stage.”
Dr. Jagdeo expressed grave dissatisfaction with the defense lawyers, for the people charged have tried all forms of delaying tactics and have succeeded so far in having the matter not heard.
The general secretary further expounded, “The last attempt was dismissed by the Chief Justice and the trial has started. And, you will see a similar pattern now and the frustration expressed by the prosecution that on numerous occasions uncalled for that the defense lawyers are again trying to
stall the trials by making frivolous objections. And often, these objections are entertained.”
The general secretary then pointed out, “And so, I have no doubt that the way this is going this matter will end up at the CCJ [Caribbean Court of Justice] ultimately. Therefore, it is crucial that the records be in the public domain if they are not going to be kept in the Court, so that what is presented and the testimonies of the witnesses will be available in the media and elsewhere.
So, ultimately, when the case gets to the CCJ, he noted that the full picture of the testimonies discounting all of the objections and the suppression of the evidence would be available to the judges and that there would be no doubts about what was presented during the case.
Dr. Jagdeo stressed that it is incumbent on the media to report almost precisely what is occurring in the courtroom relating to this high-profile case alleviating any doubts in the future what was testified to.
He said that the government fully intends to invite the international community to observe this case, given their high interest in this matter in 2020 and subsequently.
“It is crucial that we have the international community looking at it. They are urging that people who try to undermine public officials’ democracy and the will of the people must face prosecution. Now, we are at a stage where we would invite them to observe the court drama that is taking place,” he added.
Meanwhile, when the trial continued on Wednesday,
instead of witnesses being called to testify, matters of concern were discussed between the prosecution, defense, and the court.
For some time the prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor and King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani has been complaining that witnesses are not being allowed to freely testify as they should. While Ramdhani has contended that witnesses should be allowed to expand on their previous statements, the defense has countered that information not previously disclosed to them should not be admit-
ted on record.
Magistrate Daly acknowledged on Wednesday that not allowing certain testimony that concerned one of the defendants, former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff Michelle Miller, was indeed an error. As such, the Magistrate permitted the reopening of the examination of the witness, in this case, Local Government Minister Sonia Parag.
Parag testified from Monday to Tuesday on the misconduct she witnessed from GECOM staff during the 2020 General and
Regional elections. Her testimony had included witnessing efforts by GECOM staff, to alter the results by deducting People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) votes and adding votes to the then-ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).
She had also testified that despite a Court Order from acting Chief Justice Roxanne George, which compelled GECOM to use only the Statements of Poll (SOPs) to tabulate the numbers for the Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) votes, Returning Officer Clairmont
Mingo, one of those now on trial, continued to conduct the tabulation using a projector and bedsheet. In addition to Mingo and Miller, former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, his former Deputy Roxanne Myers, former People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence, PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan and Denise BabbCummings, are facing twenty-eight charges relating to electoral fraud.
PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo
Grand finale of UG’s Got Talent 2024 set to sizzle Theatre Guild this evening
Following a series of soul-stirring performances at the showdown in June, the winners of the University of Guyana Got Talent (UGGT) competition will be announced in a high-
ly anticipated event scheduled for this evening at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown.
Among other highlights, the event will feature top performances from some of the
past winners of the competition, and the action is expected to get underway at 18:30h.
The showdown of UGGT was a spectacular display of creativity and skill where contestants showcased their extra-
ordinary talents in their quest to become Talent Ambassadors for the University of Guyana. In the final round of the competition, the judges and audience had a 50/50 say in who the winners and newest Talent
Ambassadors of UG will be.
This year’s live competition began on May 8 with 19 hopefuls following the auditions on April 26 and 27. For many of the contestants, it has proven to be an exciting journey resulting in the selection of eight exceptional finalists with the highest combined judges’
melodious songs to beautiful dance routines and riveting dramatic pieces.
The first-place winner will receive $300,000 in cash and trophy, while the second and third-place winners will be awarded $250,000 and $200,000 respectively.
The Fourth and fifth-place
scores and audience votes and two wildcard contestants previously eliminated; these 11 contestants competed for the coveted top spots in the competition.
winners will cart off $150,000 and $100,000 respectively. Additionally, the top five will have the unique opportunity to star in an original UG’s Got Talent production, further
The finalists are Joel Weekes, Rani Goberdhan, Lilian Rege, Jiavon Weekes, Asiyan Kayum, Roshauna Fraser, Serena Hope, Nathania Hamilton-Samad, Kezia Nunes, Tirishatha Semple, and Cherise Roberts. Their journey through the competition has been marked by dedication and a passion for their craft. Each contestant has captivated audiences with their amazing performances— from soul-stirring poetry and
showcasing their talents and potentially launching their artistic careers. All contestants will receive a prize including prizes for original work. UGGT is more than just a competition; it was created to support UG’s Arts Programme, initiated in celebration of the university’s 60year milestone. This platform provides students and staff with a great opportunity to shine on a grand stage.
Asiyah Kayum
Tirishatha Semple
Rani Goberdhan
Jiavon Weekes
Roshauna Fraser
African culture takes spotlight during Emancipation Day celebrations at National Park
As Guyana celebrated 186 years of freedom, the Guyana National Park overflowed with the spirit of liberty, with numerous international visitors, primarily from the African diaspora, coming together to honor Emancipation Day.
As the Afrocentric energies traveled throughout the arena, the Guyana Times had an opportunity to witness how scores of local persons honored Afrofreedom. From rich cultural traditions to delicious foods, the celebration was vibrant.
Speaking to Akindeere Akinkunii, who hails from the far ends of Nigeria, a deepened expression of Afro culture was understood through the explanation of the meanings of
African-styled clothing.
news reporters that almost every piece of clothing that Africans wear has significant meaning.
Also in the National Park
Not forgetting the vast number of cuisines that were showcased at the event, the Guyana Times met up with cancer survivor Althethea
“This is my second year in Guyana, and it is very marvelous, very wonderful. Guyanese people are the best. Sincerely, it’s a kind of mind-blowing experience because I’ve gotten to see the exact African wears and everything so the African culture can be cherished to this very extent. I am very happy.”
He added, “The cap that I wear, when it is tilted to the left, tells the entire population that I am single and I am searching. If it is tilted to the right-hand side, it means that I am married. If it is tilted to the front, it means that I am not thinking about marriage yet.”
On this revelation, he told
were some American natives who had just landed on the shores of Guyana just in time for Emancipation.
One of them was Yaaquove Israel, who, in similar sentiment to other persons, stated that this event has shown that African people are beginning to recognise their true power.
“I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, but I believe that our people are becoming much more aware, especially on a day like this. It makes me unbelievably happy.”
Samuel, who had the only vegetarian African-styled booth.
According to Samuel, the form of vegetarian Africanstyled cooking has reduced the need for her to receive chemo and other chemical illness preventatives.
“In order to make African Vege-styled foods, you must know that the process is very simple. You get all the natural things from the earth, such as your greens, and you will be ready to make it.” She then gave a detailed tip to make Egusi soup.
“African Egusi soup is made with all the palm oil and okra, callaloo, mushroom—well, mushroom is my
meat—and seaweed. I make natural meat out of that as well. Yam, black-eyed peas, and ginger and stuff. I do all those different types of meat.” She added, “Health is your wealth, and we have to take good care of our health, especially with all the diabetes as well. I am a cancer survivor, so I am speaking from experience.” Also joining in the celebration at the National Park was Minister Within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues and other government officials. However, a similar event was hosted at the Sophia Exhibition Centre which also scores of Guyanese flocking to the venue.
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro blames unrest on far-right conspiracy as isolation grows
Nicolás Maduro has gone on the offensive after suspicions that he stole last Sunday’s presidential election plunged Venezuela into turmoil and diplomatic isolation, blaming the unrest on a far-right conspiracy being spearheaded by “perverse and macabre” political foes.
Addressing foreign journalists at the presidential palace in Caracas – as international condemnation of the allegedly rigged election grew –Venezuela’s authoritarian leader struck a defiant note.
Maduro castigated Edmundo González Urrutia, the presidential rival he claims to have beaten, and his adversary’s key backer, the conservative opposition leader María Corina Machado.
“We’re now facing perhaps … the most criminal attempt to seize power we have seen,” Maduro claimed, blaming this week’s disturbances on González and Machado. “All of this is being directed by a perverse and macabre duo who must take their responsibility,” said Maduro, who has ordered security forces on to the streets and urged citizens to snitch on protesters using a government app. González and Machado say their campaign secured a landslide amid widespread anger over Venezuela’s economic collapse during the incumbent’s
11-year rule and a migration crisis that has seen 8 million citizens flee abroad. But Maduro has claimed victory – thus far without providing proof –sparking street protests and a wave of international criticism, including from leading members of the Latin American left.
On Tuesday the Carter Center – a pro-democracy group that Maduro’s administration had invited to witness the election and has previously praised – added its voice the chorus of disapproval, claiming the vote could not “be considered democratic”.
“Venezuela’s electoral process did not meet international standards of electoral integrity at any of its stages and violated numerous provisions of its own national laws,” the group said, condemning the “complete lack of transparency in announcing the results” by the government-controlled electoral council. The council had a demonstrated “a clear bias in favour of the incumbent” during the electoral process, the group claimed.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House spokesperson John Kirby said the US had “serious concerns about [the] subversions of democratic norms” and reports of violence and casualties involving protesters. “Our patience and that of the international community is running out,” Kirby
said.
Brian Nichols, the US assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, urged Maduro and foreign governments to acknowledge González as the winner, telling a meeting of the Organisation of American States that the reason Venezuela’s electoral authority had not yet provided detailed results of the vote was either because it did not want to show Gonzalez’s victory or because it needed time to falsify the results.
Colombia’s leftwing president, who has a good relationship with Maduro, recognised there were “serious doubts” over the result. Maduro rebuffed such questioning on Wednesday during two encounters with journalists.
Speaking in the cavernous atrium of Venezuela’s brutalist supreme court, where Maduro announced he would share election data with officials, the president lambasted what he called a “criminal attack” designed to topple his administration and spark a civil war.
Later, during an encounter with the foreign press in the heavily guarded Miraflores palace, Maduro said he hoped to see González and Machado imprisoned. “These people must be put behind bars,” he said as hundreds of supporters gathered outside.
“If you ask me … what should happen with the cowardly and criminal González and the fascist from the criminal ul-
tra-right … named Machado, I would say as a head of state that there must be justice,” Maduro added.
Maduro claimed the attempt to remove him from power was part of a global extreme-right movement involving politicians including Argentina’s president Javier Milei, El Salvador’s president Nayid Bukele, Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, the Spanish party Vox and the billionaire owner of X, Elon Musk.
“We are facing a violent, fascist, and criminal counter-revolution,” the handpicked successor of former president Hugo Chávez proclaimed, vowing to resist – by force if necessary.
“Venezuela will not fall into the hands of fascists, criminals, and imperialists … We want to continue along the path that Chávez traced … But if North American imperialism and the criminal fascists oblige us I will not hesitate to summon the people to a revolution with other characteristics.” he said.
For all his defiance, observers say Maduro’s position remains precarious and Venezuela’s political future deeply uncertain.
“He’s counting on being able to wait this out and people will get tired of demonstrating,” Cynthia Arnson, a distinguished fellow at the Wilson Center thinktank in Washington, told the Associated Press. “The prob-
lem is the country is in a death spiral and there’s no chance the economy will be able to recover without the legitimacy that comes from a fair election.”
The streets of Caracas were eerily quiet on Wednesday with many residents deciding to stay at home for fear of further turbulence or repression. Most shops and businesses around the presidential palace were closed and long columns of security forces on motorcycles could be seen sweeping along the city’s largely traffic-free roads.
According to government figures, more than 1,000 people have been detained during the post-election crackdown. The human rights group Foro Penal says 11 people have been killed and 429 arrests confirmed.
Meanwhile, the South American country is becoming more cut off from the world by the day, as international pressure increases. Flights to and from Panama, the Dominican Republic and Peru have all now been suspended by Venezuelan authorities in response to criticism of the election from the Governments of those countries.
On Tuesday, Peru became the first country to officially recognise González as Venezuela’s president-elect. But on Wednesday, Maduro vowed that his rival would “never, ever” be able to take power.
(The Guardian)
Minister Susan Rodrigues and others
Prime Minister Mark Phillips and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips being greeted by Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond during the celebration at the Sophia Exhibition Centre
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro submits his petition for a review of the July 28 vote to the Supreme Court (Prensa Presidencial)
Persons at the National Park on Thursday
New addition Stormy Victory acclimatising ahead of Guyana Cup
Seven new horses touched down in Guyana during this week and are in full preparation mode ahead of the 16th running of the Guyana Cup, which is set for August 11 at Rising Sun Turf Club.
One of the new additions, Stormy Victory of the Simply Royals Racing Stables, began training at Port Mourant on Tuesday, and has since been acclimatising to new conditions.
According to Winston Appadu, a veteran jockey who was working Stormy Victory, the horse looks comfortable. “He is comfortable on the track, on the first day in Guyana. He has a chance to win at Guyana Cup, a very good chance. I can’t rate this horse yet, based on jogging.”
Stormy Victory was imported from Miami, and according to co-owner
Christopher Deroop, Stormy Victory entered Guyana in good condition.
“The horses should be ready for Guyana Cup. We are expecting a lot come Guyana Cup, because the horses have been running and training in Florida,” young Deroop said.
According to Equibase, Stormy Victory had seven starts this year, where he recorded one first, one second and one third place. Based on reports, Stormy Victory is expected to join stablemate Stolen Money in the Guyana Cup feature event.
Stolen Money is one of Guyana’s top horses in 2024, and with the latest addition, Stormy Victory, the Simply Royals Racing Stables will fancy their chances of claiming the Guyana Cup.
The 16th running of the Guyana Cup is organised by the Jumbo Jet
Thoroughbred Racing, with more than 40 million Guyana dollars in cash for
Budhoo, Ramdehol, Amsterdam to benefit from Project Cricket Gear
Players who competed for the Berbice Under-17 team in the recently-concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) InterCounty Under-17 cricket tournament – Afraz Budhoo, Romario Ramdehol, and Micah Amsterdam will soon be receiving equipment donated by Derek Kallicharran, Raj Rai, Kumar Dindyal, and members of the Kaieteur Cricket Club of Canada.
Kallicharran and his friends continue to support “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”, the joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.
Amsterdam is on the standby list, and Budhoo and Ramdehol were chosen for the starting line-up. Ramdehol will receive one floppy hat, while Budhoo and Amsterdam will each receive one pair of metal spiked cricket shoes. Before the squad leaves for Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the regional tournament starting on August 11, the presentation will be completed.
During the tournament, Leslie Solomon, Coach of the county team, reached out for assistance for the youths, hence the contribution from Kallicharran and friends.
The project expressed thanks to the donors for their continued support and is happy to be associated with the development of cricket, especially through youths.
Total number of cricket-related goods acquired or bought thus far: 27 pairs of cricket shoes, thirty pairs of batting pads, 30 pairs of batting gloves, 25 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, 12 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets,
one fibre-glass bat, 13 boxes of white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red balls, and 28 footballs were among the items that were collected.
In addition to the aforementioned, Sheik Mohamed, a former national wicketkeeper and batsman, provided equipment valued over $600,000. The money raised is all going towards buying the requested – but not yet available – cricket equipment.
Thirty pairs of cricket shoes, 19 pairs of batting pads, 24 thigh pads, one bat grip, 33 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads, and three pairs of wicket-keeping gloves have all directly benefited 79 young players, both male and female, from all three counties in Guyana to date.
Several others also benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also collected one box of red cricket balls each; Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received four and a half boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of
wicket-keeping gloves, a set of stumps, and bails.
Other beneficiaries include the Essequibo Cricket Board; the town of Lethem; youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls); male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area; Number 65 Young Titans (30 t-shirts); youths of Just Try Cricket Club; Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls); Shamar Joseph; Nehemiah Hohenkirk; Shamar Apple; Leguan Cricket Committee; Tucber Park Cricket Club and Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each).
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline, and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent.
Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.
Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1-718-6640896.
prize money. Last year’s Guyana Cup saw a total purse of $24 million.
The drawing for the 16th running of the Guyana Cup will be held on Sunday,
August 4 and fans will be aware of all the top entries. This year’s Guyana Cup will certainly be the biggest horse-racing event in the history of the country, and the day will be packed with side attractions. The first-ever fun park is set to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club, where kids will witness a parading bar on spot, and multiple stages will be set up across the venue.
The biggest DJ competition will also ignite Rising Sun Turf Club, where top DJs will battle for supremacy from near and far. Ten races are listed on the provisional programme, and registration closes on Saturday, August 3. No late entries will be accepted at this year’s Guyana Cup. Guyana Cup races start at 12:00h local time at Rising Sun Turf Club on August 11.
CWI President commemorates Sir Frank Worrell’s centennial birthday with message
Cricket West Indies (CWI) President, Dr Kishore Shallow on Thursday shared a message on the occasion of late Bajan cricketer Sir Frank Worrell’s centennial birthday.
Shallow wrote, “Today, 1st August 2024, we stand at the intersection of history and aspiration, commemorating the centennial birthday of Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell. This moment invites us to reflect deeply on a man whose impact extends far beyond the boundaries of cricket, touching the very essence of Caribbean identity and resilience.
“In 1960, Sir Frank Worrell did not just become the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies team for an entire series; he became a beacon of hope and change. His appointment was a bold declaration that cricket in the West Indies would no longer be shackled by the chains of racial prejudice. Worrell’s leadership was a transformative force, a unifying call that echoed across our islands, fostering a spirit of dignity, pride, and excellence that lifted West Indies team and by extension people of colour to unprecedented heights.
“Sir Frank’s tenure as captain was more than a chapter in a cricketing saga; it was a pivotal moment in our Region’s social and cultural renaissance. Under his stewardship, the West Indies team became a symbol of possibility, a manifestation of our collective dreams and aspirations. His ability to bring together players from diverse backgrounds into a cohesive, formidable unit taught us that, as a people, unity is our greatest strength.
“As we honour Sir Frank
Worrell’s centennial, we must also confront our current realities with honesty and resolve. We acknowledge that West Indian fans are not at their proudest moment regarding our teams’ performance. This is a time of introspection and recalibration, a time for purposeful collaboration as we trust the process of change.
“Our commitment to transformation in pursuit of excellence must be evident. The continuous call for improved governance must be observed. Similarly, we must embrace innovation and creativity to strengthen our cricket systems, including coaching and selections. In a climate and industry where adversities are ever-present, and the odds are stacked against us, prudency in every aspect must be the order of the day.
“Beyond this, education must remain at the heart of our vision. A critical component of advancing West Indies cricket is for our young cricketers to learn about the history of the Caribbean, cricket being a subject of paramount importance. The legacy of legends like Sir Frank must be shared in all forms possible to inspire future generations.
“Sir Frank Worrell’s lega-
cy is a guiding light, a testament to what can be achieved when we dare to dream and work together. As we celebrate his life and contributions, let us recommit ourselves to the principles he stood for – unity, excellence, and an unwavering pursuit of progress. His story is our story, and as we move forward, let us carry his spirit with us, striving to build a future worthy of his legacy.”
A look at Stormy Victory
Reshma Mathura (left) and Anil Beharry
Sir Frank Worrell Dr Kishore Shallow
GBA Executives pleased with Guyanese performance at OECS Boxing Championships
Following Guyana’s outstanding campaign in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship, last weekend, Executive members of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) have expressed their appreciation for the stellar performances put on by the Guyanese pugilists in St Lucia.
While the Guyanese came away with six medals and a second-place finish in the Invitational category; Abiola Jackman and Ryan Rogers snatched individual awards for best female boxer and best youth boxer respectively.
GBA’s Technical Director, Terrence Poole shared that, “It was a good outing because all six came back with medals; we went for the exposure, which was the primary goal, and I think the performance was good. I think it was good for boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean. Trinidad had a very large contingent; they carried about 16 individuals,
and we didn’t carry as much, and they would have been in all the different categories. We wanted to support the event, and it’s a developmental competition. We used the opportunity and expose some of our boxers.”
He further said, “This coming Saturday, we will be staging another U-16 Championship at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis gym, and from that we will select the team for the Caribbean Championship.”
GBA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that the Association was able to achieve one of its objectives by sending the team to the competition.
“Once again, we have achieved our primary objective, which is the exposure of emerging talents to the rigours and intricacies of international competition. While our participation centred on supporting the St Lucia federation in their bid to improve the quality of the event, for us, a tournament of
Injury, focus on 200m prompt Jackson’s withdrawal from 100m at Paris …200m world record chase is off, for now
this nature falls into the developmental category, especially in light of the impending Caribbean Championships, which will feature most of the participants from the event,” Ninvalle related.
The GBA boss went on to share, “We are proud of the team’s performance, as it highlights the continuous advancement and strides that
are being made by the GBA, and we will continue to invest in our talents, fighters, and officials, for the foreseeable future, as we aim to maintain Guyana’s upward trajectory in the discipline within the English-speaking Caribbean. Congratulations are in order for a successful campaign.”
Aside from Jackman (Elite – Gold) and Rogers
(Schoolboys – Gold); Alesha Jackman, middleweight (Elite – Gold); Shakquain James, lightweight (Junior – Gold); Angelina Rogers, bantamweight (Junior – Silver); and Junior Madray, 31-33 kg (Schoolboys – Silver) were the pugilists on show for Guyana.
Trinidad and Tobago were first in the Invitational category with 33 points from a
16-member contingent, while Guyana accumulated 14 points from their six-member contingent. Barbados rounded out the top three with 13 points. The OECS Championship featured participation from several nations, some of whom will participate at the impending Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Championships in Guyana.
Citing recent injury concerns and a strategic focus on the 200 metres, two-time World Athletics 200m champion Shericka Jackson has withdrawn from the 100m event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Jackson, who has been chasing the 36-year-old world record in the 200m, emphasised the need to protect her body and concentrate on excelling in one event as the Games approach.
“It’s a combination of things,” Jackson explained at a media event on Wednesday at Puma House. “I got hurt in Hungary, and it’s a good decision to run one event. I think this is just to protect my body. For the last three years, I’ve been competing in both events, and I think this decision is a combination of both, just focusing on one event and what happened in Hungary.”
Jackson’s pursuit of the world record saw her come agonisingly close at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023, where she clocked 21.41 seconds, breaking her own championship record of 21.45 seconds set in Oregon the previous year. Her 21.41 is the second-fastest time ever run by a woman over 200m.
Despite her impressive form, Jackson has decided to focus solely on the 200m at Paris 2024. “That decision was based on coach and I,” she told
Olympics.com at a press meetup on Tuesday in Paris. “It’s a combination of a lot of stuff. And I made that decision not to contest the 100m and focus only on the 200, and I think we’re pretty happy with that. I just [want] to compete at my best, as everybody is here to win.”
Jackson is also uncertain about her participation in the 4x100m relay, an event in which she helped Jamaica secure an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020. “The focus is on the individual event first and then we speak about the relay after,” she stated.
In her last race on July 9 at the Gyulai István Memorial in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, Jackson pulled up on the home stretch of the 200m. Despite this setback, she assured fans that she is in good shape to challenge for her first individual Olympic title. “Honestly, I was only supposed to compete in that event, and as Coach stated, we only run a few races in Europe, and I think that was the only race all of us were supposed to run… I’m in pretty good shape,” said the five-time Olympic medallist.
Jackson’s primary target remains the 200m title rather than the world record of 21.34 seconds set by Florence GriffithJoyner in 1988. “Given how I have been progressing this season, I don’t think the world record is on my mind right now,” she said. (Sportsmax)
Both Jackman sisters clinched gold at the OECS Championships
Abiola Jackman receives her Best Female Boxer award
