Guyana Times - Friday, March 15, 2024.pdf

The

Friday, March 15 –22:00h-23:30h and Saturday, March 16 – 22:30h-00:00h.

The Berbice

Friday, March 15 –07:20h-08:50h and Saturday, March 16 – 07:55h-09:25h.

Parika

Most Venezuelans entering country are of Guyanese heritage – VP to Opposition

A– 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

from neighbouring Venezuela are Guyanese or Guyanese descendants and according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Government has a responsibility to treat and provide for them as any other citizen here.

Jagdeo’s remarks come on the heels of Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister for APNU, Amanza Walton-Desir, questioning Government’s plan to reintegrate the Venezuelan migrants into Guyanese society.

The Vice President said Walton’s remarks exposed the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition’s discriminatory stance on migrants. He argued that of the thousands of migrants who are coming here after fleeing hardship and the worsening economic crisis in the Spanish-speaking nation, only a few are actual Venezuelan nationals with the majority being Guyanese.

“The significant majority are Guyanese… These are our people. They have our blood. They’re Guyanese,” he insisted.

According to Jagdeo, many of these persons would have left Guyana and moved to Venezuela – and other countries – years ago in search of a better life after escaping the hardship and oppression that existed here at the time. Now that they are returning – some with their families including offspring who were born in Venezuela – Government has to provide for them.

“Those who fled Guyana and even their kids, based on our Constitution, they are citizens. They’re eligible for citizenship here. They have Guyanese blood and that’s 90 per cent of them. We have to extend some help to our own people when they come back here. Of course, we have to ensure that all those who stay here, they get a great education, they get help, too, and housing and stuff. But these are our people,” the Vice President posited.

Questioned about the data-gathering process to prove that most of the Venezuelan migrants coming here are, in fact, Guyanese and their descendants, Jagdeo indicated that the Government Ministries and other State agencies have gathered a lot of information on those persons coming here and can trace their roots to Guyana.

The Vice President went on to note that the APNU/ AFC has a to- narrow political view and was caught up in an elitist approach to governance and development that makes it unsuitable to govern a multi-ethnic country like Guyana where people from all backgrounds should enjoy benefits equally. He also called for the Opposition to be

condemned for its position on the Venezuelan migrants.

Commitment to help

Earlier this week, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd reiterated Government’s commitment to provide key services to the vulnerable Venezuelan migrants in the country. Many of those coming here, including Guyanese, have little to no support here and are left to fend for themselves – most living in deplorable conditions across the country.

However, at a recent meeting of the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee, Government stakeholders and international partners met to collectively set the agenda to continue its work on providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to those migrants, inclusive of returning Guyanese fleeing economic hardship in Venezuela.

In a statement from the Ministry on Monday, Minister Todd noted that the long-term objective was to integrate these persons into Guyanese society, but in the meantime, the respective agencies are tasked with combining resources to provide services in key areas such as health care, education, labour, sanitation,

shelter, food and clothing for the most vulnerable.

On Wednesday, however, the Opposition spokesperson on Foreign Relations questioned how this objective was arrived at by Government, since no consultation was held with Guyanese nor was the matter raised in the National Assembly.

Walton-Desir pointed to the fact that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported that “there is currently no obligation of integration for migrants under international law” (Global Compact Thematic Paper | Responsibilities and obligations of migrants pg 3).

According to the Opposition Member of Parliament, “To arrive at such a conclusion, which has far-reaching implications for our sovereignty and territorial integrity, to do so without consulting Guyanese and without even the bare minimum of a clear, well-thoughtout immigration policy in place, is sheer recklessness and gross dereliction of duty by the Irfaan Ali Government. We in the APNU/AFC have repeatedly said that we will respect and protect the human rights of any migrant in Guyana, and we will provide

humanitarian relief and support, until they can safely return to their home country.”

Venezuelans have been entering Guyana’s territory in droves in recent times, fleeing harsh economic conditions in their homeland in search of betterment here.

Despite the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Government of Guyana has taken a policy decision to offer humanitarian assistance to migrants fleeing from Venezuela.

Venezuelan migrants seeking refuge in Guyana are being encouraged to present themselves to immigration authorities to get registered in order to benefit from services offered by the Government.

Registration is made easy through the implementation of “roaming immigration officers” who traverse the areas usually populated by migrants and offer registration and extension of stay services remotely.

This process is focused on regularisation of these migrants thus preventing or reducing their vulnerability to trafficking, and sexual and labour exploitation.

In Guyana, all children of migrants, legal and illegal, from Venezuela and other countries are allowed full access to be enrolled in the public school system within the host communities, and to benefit from Governmentfunded support programmes including school-feeding programmes, school uniform vouchers, and the “Because We Care” cash grants given to all students.

Reports indicate that there are about 40,000 Venezuelan migrants residing in Guyana, with only 21,704 officially documented.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo Shadow Foreign Minister Amanza Walton-Desir

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Multireligious respect

Guyana is undoubted a multireligious country. The three major world religions of Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity all have a significant presence in our country. Newer religions such as Rastafarianism and Bahaism are also represented. This fortuity presents Guyanese with the opportunity to deepen their spirituality by becoming familiar with the tenets of religions other than their own while simultaneously developing a deeper understanding of their neighbours. This can only lead to heightened societal harmony: it is what we do not know that we fear and sometimes attack.

Founded as a colony by European Protestant Christian countries such as the Netherlands and Britain, the spiritual and religious impulses of the native peoples and those brought as slaves (and later indentured servants), were denigrated as ‘pagan’ and ‘heathen’. In fact, African slaves were horribly tortured if they were caught practising their own religion. That they could see the Divine in trees and other aspects of nature was derided as ‘animism’ – even as they were told that God was ‘here, there and everywhere.” Some who were Moslems were treated in like manner.

While the Roman Catholic variant of Christianity brought by the first indentureds – the Madeiran Portuguese – was considered as <<infra dig>>> by the authorities, it was tolerated and soon found a place with their practitioners as the latter entrenched themselves in the towns and villages as businessmen. The small number of Chinese, who also followed the Portuguese off the sugar plantations into business, had already been converted into Christianity. The fact that very few women were brought from China and the men had to marry into the wider Christian population might have been a significant factor in their religious assimilation.

The Indians, however, presented a different proposition. Brought after the compulsion to forcibly convert ‘pagans’ had subsided, the Indians maintained their native practices much more stubbornly than the others. That they were brought in large numbers and forced to remain in close proximity to each other on the sugar plantations certainly contributed to their cultural and religious retention.

The Indians were primarily from North India (94%) and were practitioners of Hinduism (86% overall) and Islam (14%). There were only a handful of Christians among their numbers even though by the time of their indentureship, India had been conquered by Britain for a century. And even though in subsequent years the pressure to convert to Christianity continued, Hinduism and Islam continue to flourish in Guyana. In recent years, there has been a significant return of many Africans to Islam.

And so, we return to our religious diversity which should be seen as part of our national patrimony. It is to be hoped that if there is greater awareness of our history, there would be a greater appreciation of the need to cease the denigration of the religious practices and, in fact, move towards an acceptance to learn about those practices. And in that spirit it might be apposite to explain why Hindus are celebrating the first of their bi-annual nine nights of worshipping the Divine as female – Chaitra Navratri – starting April 9.

Against the dominant mode of worship of that Divine as male, Hindus believe that a ‘Being’ that transcends at the minimum the entire universe and – if modern science is to be believed – multiverses, has to also transcend our categories of “male and female”. They say that Brahman, as they name “It”, is gender neutral. Within human comprehension, they give names to the various functions and powers of God. Interestingly, for each of the Gods they have, his feminine counterpart actually possesses the ‘power’ to effectuate the specific function.

So, from a human perspective, for the three main functions – to project the universe, to maintain it and finally take it into dissolution in unending cycles – there are three Goddesses that are the “power” or Shakti.

At present, our Muslims community is observing Ramadan – a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. At this time also, the Christian community is observing Lent – 40 days of fasting, prayer, reflection, and alms giving. On March 25, the Hindu community will be celebrating Phagwah – Festival of Colours celebrating the triumph of good over evil. All three main religions are taking part in their holy events in harmony.

TIP bust sends a national reminder

Dear Editor,

I applaud the recent successful work of the law officers, who were able to report that a total of 44 female foreign nationals were rescued following a trafficking in persons’ (TIP) operation at a popular nightclub along Robb Street, Georgetown.

The news elaborated, “The women were reportedly taken into protective care, and an investigation has been launched into the alleged acts of TIP and other forms of exploitation and abuse.”

This is super, and I am very pleased that Guyana has not let up in this kind of security work. It is most vital, and hopefully, concomitant with the rescue, we will all hear about the prosecution of those complicit and guilty regarding this TIP horror.

I need to remind people that “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023” has the theme “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”. This means that discrimination, nationally or otherwise, must not be tolerated. So, I am quite elated that our authorities were relentless in rescuing these 44 ‘female foreign’ nationals. It is a testimony to professionalism and hard work.

Editor, I also remind people that, according to the United Nations (and common sense actually), “Displacement and socio-economic inequalities are impacting millions of people worldwide, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to education, healthcare, or decent work, face discrimination, violence, or abuse, or come from marginalized communities are often the primary targets of traffick-

ers.”

For example, in recent times, and still ongoing, many Venezuelans came to our country, and from a national standpoint, Guyana fared well, and is still doing so in terms of ensuring these ‘refugees’ and ‘escapees’ are protected.

And yet another reminder is that, worldwide, national responses - particularly in developing states - appear to be deteriorating. In fact, detection rates fell by 11% in 2020, and convictions plummeted by 27%, thus illustrating a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking.

What is also of concern is that around 41% of the victims who managed to escape their ordeal and then reached out to the authorities did so on their own initiative. This is a blow to what is deemed the ‘fight against TIP’, and is another clear sign that anti-trafficking responses are falling short.

Getting back to the recent bust in Guyana, it is that based on intelligence received, the Home Affairs Ministry, the TIP Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force, and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Countering-TIP Unit all rallied jointly to ‘pull it off.’ No wonder, then, that Guyana was given a Tier 1 ranking in the latest TIP report (Tier 1 equates with being fully compliant with the minimum standards for elimination of severe forms of trafficking in persons).

For sure, we are not where we can be, and even though, according to that latest UN report, the “Guyana Government met the minimum standards”, it could have done more, and I feel certain that the slack

will be taken up. In fact, prior to the release of the 2023 report, the Government had taken an aggressive approach towards ending the scourge of human trafficking with the passing of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023 in the National Assembly. This Bill received extensive work from local and international bodies, as well as wide con-

sultations.

What we need to do, as worthy citizens, and without fear of being known, is to act if we suspect someone is being trafficked. We can utilise social media, call, or email etc. In this era, ‘spreading news’ is most easy, and no trafficker likes publicity.

Yours truly,

HB Singh

To be, or not to be City Engineer?

Dear Editor,

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

First, not following promptly on Council's cease order, he offered what he believed to be clarity on the ownership of the land. This did not find favour with the Chief Citizen, and the CE was duly scolded and reprimanded.

Second, the City Engineer, having been instructed, placed the Council's notice on the fence of the controversial premises, but subsequently removed it; for, as he put it, the notice was inadvertent, since no work on the premises had commenced or was ongoing. Now the CE is the subject of disciplinary considerations for defying the Council's instructions regarding the notice.

This entire matter: regarding ownership and ascertaining rightful ownership of the lands and the CE’s actions, reeks of pressure be-

ing brought to the Mayor and that part of the Council which supports him.

When objections arose about the lands and ownership, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission issued a statement on the matter. When that did not suffice, a detailed statement was then issued with all the supporting evidence.

The M&CC has responsibility to seek and clarify its own records and those of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. Instead, it is jumping on a political high horse. The due diligence undertaken by the CE cannot be faulted. It is what is expected of a professional. The discipling of the CE is perceived as face saving for the mayor and his band of councillors. The CE should not be penalised or be made a scapegoat for carrying out his functions in a clear, unbiased, and transparent manner.

It still begs the question: to be, or not to be City Engineer?

Sincerely,

Shamshun Mohamed

Mohammed El-Dahshan, 39-year-old "Mesaharati", or dawn caller, riding his camel wrapped with coloured lights as he gets about waking up Muslims in the Delta city of Dikernis, Egypt for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (VOA)

First Lady commissions 2 parks on East Bank Berbice

As part of the National Beautification Initiative which is being undertaken by the Office of the First Lady, First Lady Arya Ali on Thursday commissioned two recreational parks on the East Bank Berbice corridor in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

At the commissioning,

the First Lady said that, just over three years ago, she committed to using her office to the best of her ability and for the advancement of Guyana and its people.

“I decided that cleaning up Guyana and beautifying it and creating wholesome safe spaces would be my utmost priority, and it would help to amplify the

massive developmental projects taking place across this country. So, I launched the National Beautification Project, which aims to not only improve the scenic quality of our country, but also to raise awareness and appreciation for our natural environment,” the First Lady said as she commissioned Brothers

WCB rice mill boiler explodes, operator’s foot severed

…3 injured

TThose injured are boiler operator Sukra Harrygobin, a 25-year-old resident of Bath Settlement, WCB; boiler operator Farad Uddin, a 19-year-old resident of Blairmont, West Bank Berbice; and Anthony Ramlochan, called ‘Booby’, a 20-year-old resident of Bush Lot, WCB.

Reports are that workers at the mill heard an explosion, and upon investigating found the three men with

what appeared to be burns to their bodies. Harrygobin has said that immediately after the loud explosion, he felt pain and raised an alarm.

All three of these injured men were rushed to the nearby Fort Wellington Hospital, where it was revealed that Harrygobin had lost his left ankle and had suffered minor burns to his upper right chest; Ramlochan had received burns to more than 50 per cent of his body, and Uddin had received lacerations to his right leg.

The Labour Ministry has since commenced an investigation.

In December 2021, an 18-year -old labourer was crushed to death at this rice

standing along with a child at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday Recreational Park. The other park that was commissioned was the Lonsdale Recreational Park.

The First Lady was high in praise of the Public Works Ministry for its role in making the projects a success. According to her, the parks hold enormous value which can be easily taken for granted. Public parks like the ones she commissioned fall under the category of potential public services, she explained.

A robust ecosystem of public parks followed by frequent recreational programmes for public participation can significantly elevate the status of a community and improve the lives of residents, the First

Lady noted, while referring to such parks as a free alternative to the gym.

“Parks also create employment opportunities. Apart from the persons who were employed to design and build these parks, we will have part-time workers managing them, and that will create additional employment opportunities for the residents of these two communities,” she declared.

The First Lady added that public parks help to improve the quality of life by promoting physical activities and appreciation for the natural environment.

“Such interactions promote social cohesion and strengthen bonds,” she added, while noting that skills acquired in playgrounds

contribute immensely to a child’s social and psychological development.

“Playground activities enable children to learn problem-solving, teamwork, and skills which will benefit them into their adulthood. It also provides an opportunity for children to benefit from parental guidance if parents participate in the activities,” she has said. She said assistance would be provided to set up a management committee for each of these two parks.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan, in highlighting the importance of recreation, has called on residents of the two communities to care for, and ensure the security of, these facilities. (G4)

First Lady Arya Ali and Region Six Chairman David Armogan

mill by a reversing truck being driven by a 24-year-old man. (G4)

Hack Rice Mill of Bush Lot, WCB

Page Foundation

You already know most of the units of time. They are seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Sometimes, people also talk about decades and centuries.

1 minute = 60 seconds

1 hour = 60 minutes

1 day = 24 hours

1 week = 7 days

1 month = 28 or 29 or 30 or 31 days. (Months can vary in length. Some have 30 days, while others have 31. February has only 28 days, except in a leap year when it has 29.)

1 year = 12 months = 52 weeks = 365 days. (A leap year has 366 days. The extra day is added to February.)

A decade = 10 years

A century = 100 years

Example:

How many days are in a three-year span of time that has a leap year?

Add 2 times 365 + 366 = 1096 days

Exercises: Solve

1) 24 hours = __________ seconds

2) 365 days = __________ minutes

3) 104 weeks = __________ days

In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate density by making grapes float.

Materials:

Several grapes

Masking tape

Marker

Sugar

Four drinking glasses Measuring cup

Instructions:

Place a piece of masking tape on each glass.

Label each #1 through #4 using the marker.

Fill the #4 glass part ways with warm water and stir in several table-

spoons of sugar.

4) 26 days = __________ weeks

5) 4000 years = __________ centuries

6) 3 weeks = __________ seconds

Test the sugar mixture and see if the grape floats. Keep adding sugar until the grape floats. Do not worry if there is a little sugar that does not dissolve completely.

Fill the #1 glass with warm water.

Place a grape in the #1 glass and observe what happens.

Fill the #2 glass with some of the sugar solution. Place a grape in the #2 glass and observe what happens.

Fill the #3 glass with the remaining sugar water.

Next, carefully fill the rest of glass #3 with water. You want to do so in a way that does not disturb the heavier sugar water in the bottom of the glass. You may want to place a spoon

just above the sugar solution layer and gently trickle regular water down over the spoon. Now place a grape inside glass #3 and observe what happens.

How it works:

A grape is denser than water and will sink in regular tap water. As sugar is dissolved into water, the water eventually become denser than the grape. The grape will then appear to “float” on top of the denser solution.

Make this a science project:

Test other items that sink in water and then try to make sugar solutions to see if you can get the item to float. Try making solutions with salt or other materials. (sciencefun.org)

BY ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Ere frost-flower and snow-blossom faded and fell, and the splendour of winter had passed out of sight, The ways of the woodlands were fairer and stranger than dreams that fulfil us in sleep with delight; The breath of the mouths of the winds had hardened on tree-tops and branches that glittered and swayed Such wonders and glories of blossomlike snow or of frost that outlightens all flowers till it fade That the sea was not lovelier than here was the land, nor the night than the day, nor the day than the night, Nor the winter sublimer with storm than the spring: such mirth had the madness and might in thee made, March, master of winds, bright minstrel and marshal of storms that enkindle the season they smite.

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

GTU turns down Govt’s 3-year offer of salary increases from 2024 – VP Jagdeo

…issues ultimatum to Govt in threats to resume strike

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday disclosed that the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has walked away from a three-year proposal submitted by the Government for salary increases from 2024 onwards.

On Tuesday, GTU abandoned negotiation talks with the Education Ministry. The two sides had agreed last week to recommence negotiations on the union’s proposed multi-year agreement covering the period 2019 to 2023. However, GTU President Mark Lyte said on Tuesday that talks have collapsed after the ministry refused to discuss salaries for 2019 to 2023, and only wanted to deal with increases for 2024.

Government has already said it is unfair for the GTU to request pay hikes for years when teachers were at home during the COVID-19 pandemic; those years are from 2020 to 2022; and that the budget cannot accommodate a retroactive increase that spans several years.

These positions have been reiterated by VP Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday at the Office of the President, where he added that an alternative proposal was offered to the GTU.

“We were unprepared to do a multi-year (agreement) going forward, but we conceded that we will now offer the teachers or the GTU a multi-year agreement. We said to them that we can’t go retroactive, but we’re prepared to sign a threeyear agreement from beginning 2024, and you have one to two weeks to go back and come up with what you would like to see in the multi-year proposal, and we would start the negotiations. [But] they walked out,” the Vice President noted.

Jagdeo pointed out that the 25 per cent retroactive increase being demanded by the GTU is unacceptable. In addition to the 25 per cent pay hike, the GTU also wants Government to address a two per cent increase from 2017 and 2018.

Jagdeo has argued that while Government wants to see an end to this ongoing dispute, it is unreasonable to expect the PPP/C Administration to address matters that should have been dealt with by the then

APNU/AFC Coalition regime.

“To go back and ask for 25 per cent increase in the two years that we had COVID, it’s unacceptable… We want our teachers back in the classroom, we want our children to be taught, but we want to ensure that we also preserve the finances of this country in a manner that don’t harm us in the future. What the union wants cannot be accommodated by the fiscal framework, [and] it’s not right… So, if you reopen that for teachers, out of fairness, you have to ensure that every other category [of public servant] would get the same retroactive increase. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise, [and] we can’t sustain that in the budget,” VP Jagdeo contended.

Motive Education Minister Priya Manickchand questioned on Wednesday whether it is reasonable to pay salary increases to teachers for 2020 to 2022 when they were at home. She has told reporters that she hopes good sense would prevail in the best interest of the country’s children, and has maintained that there was no breakdown in talks between the MoE and the GTU.

However, the GTU President insisted on Thursday that while the union is available for continued talks with Government, those negotiations have to cover the period outlined in the 2019 to 2023 multi-year proposal.

“We are willing to compromise on the years in the multi-year proposal. What

that compromise will be is to be fleshed out over the table. The Government has to return to the table to say, ‘We want 2024 and beyond, but we hear you [on] 2019 to 2023’. Come and talk to us! Let’s have a compromise,” he said.

“The union is ready to accommodate those kinds of discussions, but we are not prepared to negotiate 2024 and beyond; that will not happen. Our position is resolute in that regard: the retroactive period has to be accommodated,” Lyte declared during a Facebook live on Thursday.

Verbal ultimatum

The GTU President also issued a verbal ultimatum that if the Government does not indicate before the end of the day that it would return to the table to discuss the 2019 to 2023 multi-year proposal, then the union would return to the streets.

Last month, the GTU led a countrywide strike, which went on for more than five weeks, demanding better pay for teachers. With the Education Ministry maintaining that negotiations were still ongoing mere days before that industrial action was held, the strike has seen teachers not showing up for work. The Ministry, for its part, had also ceased facilitating the GTU by deducting union dues from teachers’ salaries on behalf of the GTU. This resulted in the GTU moving to the courts to reverse the Ministry’s decisions in regard to both cutting the salaries of teachers who had been on strike since February 5 and ceasing the deduction of union dues.

High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon has granted Conservatory Orders for the Government to continue paying teachers and deducting the union dues until the legal proceedings have been determined.

The court has also appointed two mediators to engage the Education Ministry and the GTU, which had led to the resumption of negotiations last week.

After abandoning Tuesday’s meeting – the second engagement since resumption of talks – Lyte has indicated during his live broadcast that the GTU would return to the court, since it is believed that the mediation agreement has

been breached.

“We will go back to the court…and let the court adjudicate on the matter,” he has said.

However, with the GTU threatening to go back to the court, VP Jagdeo has said during Thursday’s press conference that Government would await that move to ascertain the way forward.

“I want to wait to see what their pleadings would be when they go back to the court…So, let’s see how it plays out in the court; but we’re trying to be fair…,” the Vice President has posited. (G8)

GTU President Mark Lyte

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Over 3000 grams of ganja found at abandoned house in Grove, EBD …as Sparendaam man nabbed with drugs during Police search

Police have unearthed a large quantity of marijuana at an abandoned house at Grove, East Bank Demerara, after receiving information that narcotics were being stored on the property.

On Wednesday, at about 16:50h, ranks on

mobile patrol received information that narcotics were being stored in an abandoned building at Grove. On arrival at the location, ranks searched the lower flat of an unpainted two-storey concrete building, and found two plastic barrels -- one blue and the

other light green in colour -- inside of which were nine bulky transparent plastic parcels containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, as well as several bed sheets.

Remembering…

…Marx

Over the last couple of weeks, there’s been a lot of ink spilled over and around Cheddi Jagan – mainly whether he was a Commie or not. This is a regular feature of the month of March in our dear Mudland – occasioned, to be sure, because the man from Port Mourant was born and died in the month of March. The former on the 22nd and the latter on the 6th. The infamous “Ides of March” –which is supposed to be very unlucky and on which Julius Caesar was assassinated – falls on the 15th of March –and just happens to be today!! All your Eyewitness can say is he hopes that today would be just another regular day in Mudland – meaning that the Opposition or one of its proxies would be out there creating some kind of dissent or another. Resumption of teachers’ strike, anyone??

The barrels with the parcels were removed to the Grove Police Station, where the illicit substance was weighed and amounted to 3,730.4 grams

Several persons have been questioned as investigations continue.

And a 24-year-old man of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara has been arrested after police unearthed a quantity of marijuana during a search.

At about 18:45h on Wednesday, a party of police ranks in a vehicle in the vicinity of Victoria Road, Sparendaam observed this self-employed male removing items from a location in a suspicious manner. He was contacted, and a search carried out in the area unearthed a black plastic bag containing a quantity of small Ziplock bags with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

He was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested and escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station with the suspected narcotic. There, the narcotic was weighed and amounted to 52.8 grams. (G12)

Anyhow, your Eyewitness wants you to know that Karl Marx – the fella whose theories led our Cheddi into all sorts of bother – also died in March – on the 14th, to be exact. He was also born exactly a hundred years before Cheddi, so maybe their destinies were intertwined?? Maybe you think that Marx was a hard-nosed kinda guy who didn’t have much truck with signs and portents and such stuff. But you would be wrong!! But then, you wouldn’t think that the man who wrote “Das Capital” and “The Communist Manifesto” wrote reams of love poems - but he did!! And this even though he suffered from headaches, eye inflammation, joint pain, insomnia, liver and gallbladder problems, and depression!!

So, here’s one of his poems, titled “To Jenny”! Jenny! Teasingly you may inquire/ Why my songs "To Jenny" I address,/ When for you alone my pulse beats higher,/ When my songs for you alone despair,/ When you only can their heart inspire,/ When your name each syllable must confess,/ When you lend each note melodiousness,/ When no breath would stray from the Goddess?/ ’Tis because so sweet the dear name sounds,/ And its cadence says so much to me,/ And so full, so sonorous it resounds,/ Like to vibrant Spirits in the distance,/ Like the gold-stringed Cithern’s harmony,/ Like some wondrous, magical existence.

See! I could a thousand volumes fill,/ Writing only "Jenny" in each line,/ Still they would a world of thought conceal,/ Deed eternal and unchanging Will,/ Verses sweet that yearning gently still,/ All the glow and all the Aether’s shine,/ Anguished sorrow’s pain and joy divine,/ All of Life and Knowledge that is mine./ I can read it in the stars up yonder,/ From the Zephyr it comes back to me,/ From the being of the wild waves’ thunder./ Truly, I would write it down as a refrain,/ For the coming centuries to see –/ LOVE IS JENNY, JENNY IS LOVE’S NAME.

…Haiti was a star

Black holes are stars that exploded as Supernovas -expelling all lighter elements. The gravitational pull of the remaining mass is so intense that nothing – not even light - can escape. The star then becomes black – total absence of light - and the powerful gravitational field sucks in and crushes everything it encounters. The social replica of this process is Haiti.

Haiti was once a star whose enslaved masses overthrew the French occupiers and became the world’s first black Republic. But it exploded when the French – in conjunction with the new American Republic – imposed a “war debt” that expelled all the hard-earned finance the new republic was able to earn – for a hundred years!! What was left in Haiti remained so pitiful that dictators like Papa Doc and his son Baby Doc ensured that the remaining Haitians remain crushed.

And it’s for this reason that the Int’l community mustn’t just change leaders - but destroy the system!!

…resiliency

So, UG just won a prize for teaching courses in resiliency and security strategy. So, hadn’t the ex-VC, who was an expert in this area, develop a programme to make THE INSTITUTION resilient and self-sufficient?? What happened??

The quantity of marijuana unearthed at Sparendaam

Marijuana found at the Grove property

Prudent cost management, operational efficiency led to $3B profit in 2023 – GBTI

…lending grew by 18%

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited has earned $3 billion in net profits for the financial year 2023, representing a 30 per cent increase over the previous year’s profits.

GBTI, in a statement on Thursday, reported that its financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by prudent cost management and a focus on improving operational efficiency. According to GBTI – Guyana’s largest indigenous bank - its continued growth trajectory last year marked increased financial profitability.

Chairman of the GBTI Board of Directors, Robin Stoby, has said the report on the financial performance of the bank and its subsidiary for the 2023 financial year was approved by the Board on February 16, 2024. He said he is pleased to report that the bank has shown resilience and has achieved significant milestones over the year.

Stoby disclosed that, in 2023, the Bank and its subsidiary recorded a total asset base of $201 billion, reflecting an increase of 15 per cent from the previous year. This growth, he not-

ed, was primarily driven by a strong performance in GBTI’s lending portfolio, which also saw an 18 per cent increase in overall loans and overdraft portfolio compared to 2022.

The bank’s deposit base also grew by 17 per cent to reach $168 billion – an indication of a high level of trust and confidence from customers, the Chairman stated. Stoby has said that GBTI remains cautiously optimistic about the future, going forward.

“As the local economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, we believe that our strong financial position, coupled with our focus on innovation and customer service, will enable us to

leverage through these opportunities and continue to deliver value to our shareholders,” Stoby has said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, shareholders, and employees for their continued support and dedication. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Board of Directors for their guidance and oversight throughout the year. I am confident that with the collective effort and commitment of all stakeholders, the bank will continue to grow and succeed in the

years to come,” the GBTI Chairman has said.

In 2022, the bank recorded a net income after tax of $2.3 billion, and ended with $175 billion in total assets, along with an exponential improvement in its asset quality.

Last July, in its 2023 interim report, GBTI reported earning $1.415 billion in profits for the first six months of the year – an increase of 10 per cent, or

$124 million, when compared to the same period in 2022; and at the time, the group’s total assets also grew from $160 billion to $186 billion, a solid increase of 16 per cent.

The bank had said this improved performance has been influenced by an improving loan portfolio as well as by more favourable market conditions.

GBTI’s after-tax profit also increased over the first

six months of 2023 to $1,384 million, compared to $1,163 million recorded during the same period in the previous year. At the end of that half year, the bank’s total assets also went up to $185 billion from the $159 billion net in the first half of 2022.

Further, the GBTI Board had declared an interim dividend of $13 per share in its 2023 mid-year report.

GBTI had noted back in 2022 that its improving performance is as a result of the transformative digital drive through upgraded software computer systems overall, and “Go-Banking” that was rolled out in the last quarter of 2022 without negative impact on its increasingly digital-savvy customers.

“The upgrade process is ongoing; staff training is continuous, and clients are sharing expressions of support and greater confidence in the bank and Guyana’s economy. GBTI’s competitive performance in 2022 was fuelled further by an empowered team conversant with, and committed to, achieving its strategic priorities,” the bank had noted in a release. (G8)

Farmer on bail for discharging loaded firearm with intent …slapped

Kwith assault, illegal ammo charges

eon Norville, a 30-year-old cattle farmer of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, was on Wednesday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on charges of discharging a loaded firearm with intent at Kenya Stoby and Donna Simon.

These charges have been laid as being in contravention of Section 55 (a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01, and Norville has pleaded not guilty to either charge. He has been placed on bail in the sum of $150,000 on each of the charges, and the matters have been adjourned to April 22, 2024.

Norville has also been made to answer two other charges when he appeared before Magistrate Orinthia Schmidt at the Vigilance Magistrates Courts. Those charges are in relation to assault causing actual bodily harm, committed on Kwesi Daniels in contravention of Section 30 (a) of

Charged: Keon Norville

the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act Chapter 8:02, and possession of ammunition without licence, in contravention of Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.

Norville has pleaded not guilty to either charge, and has been placed on $25,000 bail for the assault charge and $45,000 bail for the possession of ammunition without licence charge. These matters have been adjourned to April 24. (G12)

GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby

GBTI Headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown

Chinese national killed during robbery of supermarket at Eteringbang

…throat slit; wife's face injured; 3 suspects arrested

The body of Chinese businessman Yang Lison of Guizhou, China was on Thursday found with his throat slit, while his wife Wen Shuping was found alive but with lacerations sustained to her face following a suspected robbery at their supermarket at Eteringbang Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to reports received, at about 14:00h on Wednesday, Sergeant Schultz, the officer in charge of the Eteringbang Police Station, received a telephone call from the owner of the building that houses the supermarket,

Murdered: Yang Lison

who reported that an incident had occurred at the building.

Police officers who were in close proximity respond-

ed, and found the entrance to the supermarket locked. But as they ventured to the back of the building, they found 19-year-old Pharrell Adelph attempting to exit the building, and they promptly arrested him.

Upon making further checks in the supermarket, ranks found the body of Chinese businessman Yang Lison lying against a wall in one of the rooms with his hands bound. He

was clad in a grey jersey and dark grey trousers, and a wound was visible on his neck. His wife Wen Shuping was found in another room alive, but with two small lacerations to her right jaw.

When Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum was contacted, he added that two more suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, and that the investigation is ongoing.

Police destroy over $151M in ganja at Ebini Backdam

AThe operation was conducted by Region 10 police ranks between 07:30h and 17:00h on Wednesday, and two cannabis farms spanning seven acres, together with a quantity of marijuana which has a street value in excess of $151,480,323 ($151.4M), were found and destroyed.

The first farm was about five acres in size, and consisted of 50 beds which each had 450 plants ranging between one foot and two feet in height. This amounted to 23,000 plants, and an estimated weight of 25,300 kilograms.

A makeshift camp was found on the farm, and ranks noted that it housed kitchen utensils, a quantity of groceries; and 90.71 kilograms of dried cannabis, which carries

a street value of $81,639,000 ($81.6M).

The second farm was two acres in size, and 3,728 plants ranging from one foot to three feet in height were found there. The combined weight of those plants was estimated at 4,100 kilograms, which has a street value of $631,523,000 ($631.5M).

There was also a makeshift camp, made of wooden posts and white plastic, which had 72.57 kilograms of dried cannabis, the estimated street value of which was $65,313,000 ($65.3M).

Photographs were taken of both farms before they were set on fire and destroyed. No one was on these premises, thus no arrest was made. (G12)

narcotics’ eradication exercise conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has led to the discovery of more than $151

million worth of marijuana at Ebini Backdam, a Region 10 community situated in the upper reaches of the Berbice River.

The marijuana that was destroyed during the Police exercise Acres of marijuana plants were discovered at Ebini Backdam in Region 10

Two of the suspects after their arrest

Yang Lison was found dead at the scene

Production begins at Mohamed’s US$25M quarry

…to produce 500,000 tonnes of aggregates by year-end

Production has commenced at Mohamed Enterprise’s quarry, located in the Upper Mazaruni District of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and it is on course to produce 500,000 tonnes of stones and aggregates by year-end.

A statement from the company on Thursday announced, “We are happy to announce that, despite challenges during the initial stages of construction, production has finally commenced with the first set of stones ready to be transported to Georgetown.”

Three tugs and barges are presently in international waters en route to Georgetown and are expected to arrive in two weeks. Once here, the transport of stones and aggregates from the production site to the company’s Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) waterfront property will commence. There, the commodity will be available for purchase.

“It has been a long and expensive journey, but with resilience and determination, we are finally at the production stage. May God Almighty bless this project, since it will bring prosperity and also help to many,” the Mohameds stated.

With several massive infrastructural projects underway, there is undoubtedly an increase in demand for

stone, and Mohamed’s quarry is ready to supply the local and foreign construction markets.

The project will not only bring benefits to the construction sector by supplying operators, but will also see the creation of jobs for locals.

Apart from employment, the necessary framework has been put in place to ensure that the company fulfils its corporate social responsibility to the community whether, economically, educationally or through infrastructural development.

In June 2021, Hadi’s World Inc, a subsidiary of Mohamed’s Enterprise, secured its quarrying licences from the Natural Resources Ministry for Kwapau Quarry Areas 1 and 2, and ATANA

Quarry Blocks 1 and 2 in the Mazaruni Mining District Three, after receiving the green light from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

One year later, the company signed a longterm Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Harbour Engineering Company Guyana Inc to pursue the US$25 million quarry project to cater to the needs of the country’s booming construction sector.

The long-term agreement sought the establishment of the quarry along the Mazaruni River, where the

Chinese company will produce boulders and quarry aggregates for local and foreign construction markets.

Since 2022, it was an-

nounced that Mohamed’s Enterprise was developing a facility at a prime waterfront property in Providence, to support its quarry opera-

tions as well as the oil and gas sector.

The intention is to supply one million tonnes of aggregate on an annual basis to

the Guyanese market – filling a crucial demand as the construction sector takes off.

Last year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that massive road projects for the public sector in 2023 required a whopping six million tonnes of aggregate ,and while this was viewed as a positive sign, Government was now faced with the challenge of meeting these demands.

At that time, the country could have only produced about 600,000 tonnes at the national level, representing just 10 per cent of demand. For this, he had shared that Government was exploring various options to keep the construction sector going. Neighbouring countries such as Suriname and Trinidad were also unable to fulfil these needs. (G12)

The quarry in the Upper Mazaruni District of Region Seven

Heightened interest for investment displayed by Diaspora – Head of Diaspora Unit

…challenges Public, Private Sector to enhance service delivery

Guyana is witnessing an upsurge in interest from the Diaspora community across the globe, which has resulted in many new investments.

The Diaspora Unit was reestablished in 2021 with the intention of mobilising and harnessing the skill and interest of the Guyanese Diaspora across the globe for national development priorities.

Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul relayed that across several sectors, interest has been growing as the country scales new heights on the developmental front.

Rasul outlined, “What has been happening in our country has generated quite a lot of interest from foreigners and our Diaspora. Whether it is for

oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing…there has been a heightened interest that we have seen over the past years. Whilst Guyana is receiving interest, we are seeing tangible projects.”

Rasul used the US$3 million Timehri Sands Golf Course and Country Club, undertaken earlier this year, as a testament to the Diaspora’s confidence and interest.

However, with these investments, she said, come the onus on public and Private Sector entities to ensure that there was efficient delivery of service.

She urged, “With what is happening in Guyana, it, therefore, means that all stakeholders, that is the Private Sector and Public

Sector, need to improve and enhance the way in which we deliver service to Guyanese people, whether it is our locals here or whether it is foreigners overseas. It is one thing to see the infrastructure that we have going up and that daily really helps our daily lives, but what the public also looks forward to is an enhanced and efficient delivery of customer service.”

By virtue of its oil and gas investments, Guyana is leading the Caribbean as the country with the largest amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Guyana’s natural resources sector, in fact, accounted for 99 per cent of FDI inflows for 2022.

This is according to the annual report “Foreign Direct

Investment in Latin America

and the Caribbean 2023” released by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Guyana’s FDI inflows totalled US$4.389 billion – the highest in the Caribbean. It is a similar result to the record inflows in 2021. All in all, Guyana played a critical role in the overall 55.2 per cent rise in FDI in the Caribbean –a historic rise.

According to the report, the rise in FDI project announcements in Latin America and the Caribbean was mainly a result of a higher number of projects in Guyana, Mexico, Brazil, and Panama. In Guyana’s case and the Caribbean in general, companies from the United States were responsible for a significant chunk of these investments.

The report noted that six investment projects in Guyana

Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda

were announced in 2022, including an oil exploration project announced by the United States company ExxonMobil for US$10 billion. In giving an idea of the size of these projects with respect to Guyana’s economy, ECLAC pointed out that in 2021 Guyana had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$6.8 billion and a

population of 800,000.

According to ECLAC, the type of projects announced in Guyana in 2022 indicates that the country’s hydrocarbon sector will continue to receive large investments in the coming years. In fact, Guyana is one of six countries that accounted for US$7.2 billion in FDI from global sources. (G12)

Rasul

Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base project

US$25M financing secured through New Hayven Merchant Bank

The Vreed-enHoop Shore Base Incorporated (VEHSI) has received financing to the tune of US$25 million, approved through the New Hayven Merchant Bank for a landmark project.

This disclosure was announced by the Bank on Thursday. New Hayven said it was a leading financial institution committed to fostering economic development.

This financing marks a significant milestone in facilitating VEHSI's first-of-akind oil and gas infrastructural project in Guyana. Collaborating closely with an external financial entity, New Hayven Merchant Bank spearheaded the structuring and deployment of this financing arrangement, tailored specifically to meet the unique requirements of VEHSI's project.

“The collaboration underscores New Hayven's dedication to providing innovative financial solutions and supporting transformative initiatives that drive economic progress. Guyana's emergence as a pivotal player in the global energy landscape presents unparalleled strategic investment and development opportunities,” the Bank shared.

New Hayven Merchant Bank said it recognised the immense potential of the Guyanese economy and re-

mained steadfast in its commitment to empower businesses operating within the Region.

Floyd Haynes, Founder and Chairman at New Hayven Merchant Bank, stated, "Our partnership with VEHSI in this landmark project exemplifies our commitment to fuelling growth and fostering sustainable development. As Guyana undergoes profound transformation, we are proud to serve as a trusted financial partner, providing tailored financing solutions and expertise to enable businesses to thrive in this dynamic environment.”

The Bank added that its commitment extended beyond this collaboration, as it continues to actively engage with other providers of risk capital to deliver bespoke financing solutions and deploy capital across diverse sectors within Guyana. By facilitating access to capital and fostering strategic partnerships, New Hayven aims to catalyse growth and drive economic prosperity throughout the Region.

VEHSI is a joint venture between a fully Guyaneseowned consortium – NRG Holdings Incorporated, and Jan De Nul Group, the Belgium-based company undertaking the project that specialises in offshore, marine, civil, environment, and

project development.

The consortium includes Hadi’s World Inc, owned by businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, Nicholas Boyer and Eddie Boyer of National Hardware Guyana Limited, and Andron Alphonso of ZRN Investments Inc. NRG holds a majority stake of 85 per cent in VEHSI, while the remaining 15 per cent is owned by Jan De Nul – the company that constructed the facility.

The shore base project started in June 2022, with the dredging of the access channel in the Demerara River, including the deepening/widening of the existing nautical channel, berth pockets, and turning basin.

In April 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana and the VEHSI signed a 20-year

Golden Grove, Nabaclis youths charged for stealing cattle

Charged: Matthew Hugh

Two young male residents of East Coast Demerara communities were arraigned on Wednesday before Cove and John Magistrate Peter Hugh in relation to cattle larceny charges, and they have both been placed on bail.

Matthew Hugh, a 20-year-old unemployed resident of Centenary Street in Golden Grove; and Royan Shamar Roberts, called 'Pooksie', a 19-yearold unemployed resident of Nabaclis, were both arrested last Sunday on cattle larceny charges.

They have been charged

Charged: Royan Shamar Roberts

with the offence of larceny of a goat, contrary to Section 175 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01; and neither youth has been required to enter a plea to the charge. However, they have both been placed on bail in the sum of $75,000, and this matter has been adjourned to March 27.

Meanwhile, Royan Shamar Roberts, who was made to answer to a separate charge: larceny of cat-

tle, contrary to Section 176 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01, has been placed on bail in the sum of $75,000. This matter has also been adjourned to March 27.

It has been disclosed that residents of the communities of Enmore, Haslington, Nabaclis and Golden Grove have, for several weeks now, been complaining to the Police about the loss of their cattle and goats. (G12)

agreement for shore base services to be provided at the port of Vreed-en-Hoop facility to support the US oil gi-

ant’s operations offshore Guyana. The sod was subsequently turned in June of that year on the US$300 mil-

lion facility.

The multi-billion port was expected to feature an offshore terminal; fabrication, umbilical and spooling yards; a dry dock facility; a wharf and berths, and administrative buildings, among other facilities spanning 65 hectares.

Last November, the Shore Base received its first commercial ship, the MV Virtuous Striker

Additionally, with a cargo of over 26,900 metric tonnes, it was one of the largest payloads to ever be offloaded. The docking and offloading of the vessel marked a major milestone for the facility. (G12)

96 GPL power outages occurred in 2023 – PUC hears

The management of Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc made an appearance before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Thursday, and reported that 96 countrywide power outages were recorded in 2023.

This number is higher than that recorded in 2022, which saw a reduction in the frequency of power outages by roughly 10 per cent.

The interruptions were due to a number of reasons ranging from planned maintenance to emergencies. The prolonged dry season contributed significantly to the demand for energy in November and December 2023 and hence, demand outstripping supply in several instances.

project would be implemented in other communities

“Our intention is to look at the others that’s coming in from their sub-station – the length and through certain areas that are very far from the

The company was able to grow its generation capacity by 14.5 per cent in 2023; however, the peak demand for power increased by 21.4 per cent.

GPL’s Divisional Director for Loss Reduction, Parsram Persaud disclosed that the agency’s Smart Grid pilot project at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was yielding results that may see an increase in power for households and commercial entities.

The Good Hope F2 Feeder is one of the heavily loaded and long circuits across GPL’s network at the Good Hope Sub-Station.

He notes that GPL was monitoring the feeder and based on its performance, the

sub-station. Alongside that, too, we are looking at the data that is coming in from complaints where people are complaining about low voltage situations.

“It’s the first stage in smart metering and we’re building the infrastructure piece by piece... over the next five years, we expect to update those meters to two hundred and something thousand as the customer base grow,” Persaud explained.

This project is currently in phrase one, and phrase two will be undertaken in 2026.

The goal of this pilot project is to show how the Itron bridge type meters can be used for voltage monitoring and drive corrective work re-

quired to ensure that the voltage being provided to customers are within the voltage regulation standard.

“We will continue to report on the particular circuit that we use as a pilot and other circuits that are coming out of other sub-stations. We will also share with the PUC the ranging of these feeders in terms of load and in terms of customers,” Persaud added.

2023 energy demand

A deluge of massive infrastructural projects and building programmes in Guyana has resulted in huge demand for energy, which, authorities say, will continue to increase.

Additionally, one of the biggest components of higher electricity demand would be self-generating companies that had switched to the GPL grid.

Those companies have realised that it is more cost-effective to use the GPL grid system, since the Guyana Government is subsidising the utility company to prevent any increased costs from passing onto consumers.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had also highlighted the expansion of various industries as another major contributor to increasing energy demand. He noted, for example, that there were seven hotels under construction and four more that could potentially come on stream. He said those entities alone would need about 15 megawatts of power.

As a result, GPL announced in September 2023, that the company had reached a historic peak in electricity demand recorded at an unprecedented 182 megawatts.

While several steps are currently being taken in the interim to ensure that there was sufficient capacity, VP Jagdeo said that the Government hoped to definitively fix the issue with the gas-to-power plant, which is expected to come on stream. (G1)

The Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base

GPL Divisional Director for Loss Reduction, Parsram Persaud

New US$27.5M generating plant to add to GPL’s energy supply

…apparatus slated to be operational by month end

Agenerating plant ca-

pable of producing 28.9 megawatts of additional power is expected to become operational by March month end. The plant is being sourced from Trinidad’s APAN Energy Services at a cost of US$27.5 million, and is currently being installed at the Guyana Power and Light substation at Columbia, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

This has been disclosed by GPL Executive Management Committee member Kesh Nandlall during the 13th review of the agency’s 2023 operating standards and performance targets. During that exercise, which was spearheaded by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Nandlall revealed that this plant would complement the national grid and boost generation capacity. He posited that the main objective is to give Guyanese a quality product, and indicated that efficiency would not be sac-

rificed for expediency.

“GPL has invested in a new generating plant in Columbia, which is now coming on stream. It is incrementally being added to the grid, and it is expected to be operational fully this month… Those are some of the improvements coming along, and which will see significant improvement in the quality and reliability

of service that GPL will provide going forward into the future,” Nandlall has said.

GSA receives first-ofits-kind greenhouse

While the Guyana Government works to secure funding to implement the historic gas-to-shore energy project, GPL plans to continue upgrading the physical infrastructure of the national grid.

As the agriculture sector in Guyana continues to receive vast support from national and international sources, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) has received a stateof-the-art greenhouse from an initiative made possible by the following entities: United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP’s) visionary project, “Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate, and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER)”, the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and other partners.

This greenhouse is compiled with various technologies, such as hydroponics and aquaculture facilities from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and UNDP Resident Representative Gerardo Noto made it clear that the various technologies would help Guyana to respond to

climate change with a high focus on agriculture students. Roto mentioned that this project would help to produce a gender-based perspective in climate smart agriculture, while advancing real social inclusion.

“Female students have played a leading role in making this a reality,” he said as he commended the collaborative support of all agencies as part of the new era project.

IICA Representative in Guyana, Wilmot Garnett, has said this facility is set to be a ground of training for farmers, and the UNDP would work with the GSA and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure it is in progress.

Garnett said the new greenhouse, which would effectively combat pests and diseases, would serve as a production site for safe and nutritious crops. “The greenhouse is fixated with dips,

and also within the house itself, there is closure and fixture which will reduce pests and diseases, making a way for production of fresh crops,” He stated. As the Canadian Government continues to support projects in Caricom countries, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has relayed that projects like these would show Guyana’s competence against rising climatic issues. “With this project, we are showing the world that the second most disaster-prone country’s area in the world is prepared to address the number one issue of climate change.”

Further, he drew reference to other Caribbean countries whose economies have been destroyed by climate change, and in concluding remarked that this project wholistically marks a great step for Guyana in climate- smart agriculture. (G2)

plained.

Nandlall explained that this aspect of improving access to power generation requires significant funds, and the agency is in talks with Government to secure the amount needed.

Installation

In December 2023, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) commenced work to install new generators and transformers at the substation at Columbia, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and the engines were connected to the grid. Seven of the seventeen engines which were procured had already been transport-

“We continue to experience challenges from the grid perspective. We have been working towards improving the transmission and the distribution element of the grid, and from

time to time we experience challenges. As the demand grows, the current infrastructure can be challenged, and that is something we have recognized as a significant improvement we need to make,” Nandlall ex-

ed to the site, whereas 76 containers of generators and transformers, along with radiators and fuel and oil separators, were shipped to Guyana in the MV Skystar. (G1)

Conviction quashed: Privy Council sends Kartel case back to Jamaica’s Appeal Court

The Privy Council has ordered that incarcerated dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and his three co-accused have their convictions quashed for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

“The judicial committee of the Privy Council has unanimously concluded that the appeals should be allowed and the appellants convictions should be quashed on the grounds of juror misconduct and that the case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether to order a retrial of the appellants for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams,” the Privy Council stated.

The UK-based Privy Council, the highest tier of the court system in Jamaica, handed down its decision on Thursday to have the convictions of Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Palmer, fellow entertainer Shawn ‘Shawn

Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John, quashed based on the arguments presented last month.

On February 14 and 15, the appellants presented arguments on whether trial judge Lennox Campbell should have allowed telecommunication evidence, which was obtained in a manner that allegedly breached Palmer’s constitutional rights to privacy, into

the trial.

Another ground cited for appeal was the judge’s decision to not discharge the jury or the accused juror following allegations of bribery attempts.

The appellants also argued that there was an apparent rush placed on the jury to return a verdict, even after the forewoman had told the judge earlier in the day that the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.

In April 2014, Kartel was sentenced to life in prison with the eligibility of parole after serving 35 years of his sentence. His co-accused were also handed life sentences – with Shawn Storm and Jones being eligible for parole after serving 25 years, and St John being eligible after serving 15 years.

The four men first attempted to appeal their sentences in the Court of Appeal but they were upheld. (Jamaica Observer)

Members of the GPL Executive Management Committee making their presentation before the Public Utilities Commission during the review session (photo: Newsroom)

Works are ongoing at the GPL substation at Columbia, Mahaicony, ECD to install the new generators (photo: Newsroom)

GPL Executive Management Committee member Kesh Nandlall

Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha cutting the ribbon to ceremonially commission the project

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Vybz Kartel

Regional

Haiti's top gang leader threatens politicians as fires break out in capital

Apowerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would participate in a planned transition council, as fires broke out amid a fresh surge of violence in the Caribbean nation's capital.

Nearby countries bolstered their border security and withdrew staff from Embassies while plans to send a long-awaited international security force remain uncertain.

After unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday he would step down once the council was in place, the capital, Port-au-Prince, was initially quieter, but violence appeared to be flaring up again as of late Wednesday, with a shootout in one neighbourhood and an attack on the Police academy early on Thursday.

A fire broke out at the main penitentiary, emptied of prisoners by armed men earlier this month. Thick black smoke earlier billowed out from the facility, but the fire appeared to be out by Thursday afternoon, when local media showed heavily-armed Police entering the partially-blackened site filled with mounds of trash.

Reuters could not immediately establish if anyone had remained in the jail or what sparked the blaze.

A Police union said the National Police Chief Frantz Elbe's house had also been set on fire on Thursday. It did not say whether anyone had been hurt or give details on Elbe's whereabouts.

Haiti is struggling to resolve a long-running political and humanitarian crisis. Heavily-armed gangs have taken over much of the capital, and rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

Henry, who was never elected, had been appointed Prime Minister by President Jovenel Mo se in 2021,

shortly before Mo se was assassinated. Henry repeatedly postponed elections.

The comments from gang alliance head Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier were recorded on Wednesday and distributed via a rambling seven-minute audio message widely shared on Thursday morning on messaging platform WhatsApp.

"Don't you have any shame?" said Cherizier, directing his remarks at politicians who he said were looking to join the council. "You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen," he added.

"I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti ... if your husbands are in Haiti," he said in an apparent threat to their families. "If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there."

In his remarks, Cherizier said the resignation of Henry was only "a first step in the battle" for the island nation of around 11 million.

Haiti's Government again extended a nightly curfew through Sunday, in an order signed by act-

ing Prime Minister Michel Boisvert. Henry has been stranded abroad since trying to return from a trip to Kenya to secure support for a security mission.

Regional bloc Caricom has detailed the political parties and other social sectors set to make up the nine-member transition council that will take over from Henry. Negotiations over the council were brokered by Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, but formal appointments are yet to be made.

On Wednesday, the leader of a party declined an offer of a voting member of the council, backing instead an alternate three-member transition council that would empower former coup leader Guy Philippe, who was recently imprisoned in the United States and is seeking an amnesty for gang leaders.

Embassy reductions

With Haiti's political future in limbo and the timing of the long-delayed Kenyaled security mission unclear, the already sparse international presence in Haiti has

Brazil eyes exports via China-controlled Chancay port, Peruvian Minister says

Brazil is interested in exporting soy, corn and other products through Peru's China-controlled Chancay port, Peruvian Economy Minister Jose Arista said on Thursday, according to state news agency Andina.

Brazilian Planning Minister Simone Tebet visited the port, still under construction, earlier this

week and spoke with Arista about the possibility of using it as an export route, Andina reported. It would offer Brazilian exporters the opportunity to send goods by truck to the Peruvian port for shipping to Asia via the Pacific Ocean, cutting the transit time by about two weeks.

Shipping from the port provides an alternative to

the Panama Canal, where ships have encountered delays and logjams due to the impact of dry weather conditions on the canal's water levels.

The Peruvian terminal, the first under Beijing's control in South America, will also serve as a crucial gateway for China to the region.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

been further receding.

Canada announced a reduction to its Embassy staff that will leave only essential employees in the country, and said the Embassy was temporarily closed to the public. That follows similar drawdowns by the United Nations and at the US Embassy.

The country's main car-

go port said that despite military reinforcements, it would not receive vessels until further notice, as it assesses damage to containers and infrastructure.

Major passenger cruise line Royal Caribbean Group also suspended for a week its regular visits to Labadee, its private resort in northern Haiti.

Fearing a spread of instability in the region, Britain said it was bolstering security in the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overseas territory, as did the Governor of the US state of Florida.

The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, closed its shared border with Haiti last year and has regularly deported Haitians.

The US southeast coast guard said, "At this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low."

Dominican media reported that aviation authorities in a press conference rejected a UN statement claiming that an airbridge would be set up from the country to bring humanitarian aid to Haiti, maintaining the airspace would remain closed.

Aid group Mercy Corps said Port-au-Prince resi-

dents were being reduced to "forced nomads", seeking refuge from shootings in temporary shelters with family or strangers and battling constant uncertainty, food shortages, trauma, illness, and overcrowding.

Marie Love Elucien, 25, who lost her home and shop due to gangs, told Mercy Corps that she was most afraid for her young daughter: "I'm worried she's going to have a fit and become paralysed because every time she hears the shots she jumps and screams.

"She cries incessantly and no one can touch her; she becomes hysterical and uncontrollable," she said.

More than 360,000 persons are internally displaced in Haiti, according to UN estimates.

Gina Antoine, a 43-yearold pregnant mother of three, told Mercy Corps that she was exhausted from moving between neighbourhoods and could not run anymore.

"We face inhumane situations daily, walking among corpses. Gangs can attack at any moment," she said. "I have nowhere else to go. I wish everything could return to normal."

(Reuters)

Venezuela Opposition candidate pressured by allies to choose a substitute, sources say

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado is facing increasing pressure from her allies to choose a substitute to potentially run in her place in the July presidential election, five sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer, won the Opposition's nominating contest in October by a landslide, but Venezuela's top court has since upheld a ban on her candidacy that was imposed over her support of US sanctions, among other things.

Machado has so far refused to consider a substitute, saying her ban is an effort by President Nicol s Maduro to protect himself from a viable Opposition challenger.

But the clock is ticking on a decision candidates have between March 21 and March 25 to register formally, though substitutes can be admitted until April 20. The election itself has been set for July 28.

Leaders of Opposition parties this week asked Machado to define a strategy, and though they have ex-

pressed their support for her candidacy, they want her to decide on an alternative candidate, the Opposition sources said.

"There are pressures on her to not leave (the substitution) too late," one of the sources said.

Machado did not respond to a request for comment. A representative for her party told Journalists this week it was weighing different scenarios, without giving further details.

"One day at a time," she said in the central state of

Carabobo on Wednesday, when asked about what would happen were her registration rejected.

"I think Maduro needs to think really hard about how he will look to the country," she added.

The US has insisted the Maduro government lift the ban on Machado and said recently he has not complied with an election guarantee deal signed last year.

"The United States is key in this process," another source said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan Opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado addresses supporters during a rally in Guacara, Carabobo State, Venezuela, March 13, 2024 (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria photo)

Police Officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a still-unformed transition council for the country, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 14, 2024 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol photo)

OOIL NEWS

Oil could rise more than anyone expects this year

il prices have been strengthening over the past few weeks. The trend is not of particularly noticeable proportions, with Brent still stuck in the low US$80s and West Texas Intermediate hovering around US$80 per barrel.

This could change later in the year; however, Morgan Stanley’s global oil strategist Martijn Rats has predicted. In fact, prices could rise so sharply that they might take some by surprise.

“There is a view in the market that the non-OPEC [Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries] producers can meet all of the demand growth this year and, therefore, there isn’t much incremental room for OPEC oil and that means you rely on continued OPEC cuts,” Rats told CNBC this week.

However, actual reality has proven to be a bit different from that perception, the analyst said, telling CNBC that “On the supply side, we’re seeing a slowdown in US shale, we’ve seen a wobbly start in Brazil [and] we’ve seen a wobbly start in Canada. We expected inventories to build, but year-todate, they are kind of flat. If in the first quarter, inventories [are] flat then they can draw possibly quite significantly during the summer period.”

Interestingly, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week revised upwards its forecast for US oil production growth this year, but adjusted its global production outlook downwards. The EIA also revised its oil price forecast on that basis, now expecting Brent and WTI to end the year on a higher note than previously expected.

“The lower growth contributes to significant global oil inventory declines in our forecast for the second quarter of 2024 (2Q24),” the EIA said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, suggesting the market tightening that Morgan Stanley’s Rats anticipates could come sooner rather than later.

This would certainly surprise many who see the oil market as well supplied, not least because of a slew of forecasts pointing to weaker demand from China – the biggest driver of oil demand in the world. This perception of demand weakness contributed to oil prices’ range-bound movement for much of last year despite the physical market actually showing record demand from the world’s largest importer of the commodity in absolute terms.

Worries about the global economy also served to fuel this perception that oil prices have limited upward potential. This worry has had a more solid grounding with a lot of countries struggling with their post-pandemic lockdown recovery and others, notably in Europe, reeling from an energy crunch that began in late 2021 and really got a boost in 2022.

This attitude, however, may be changing, too. OPEC, in its latest oil market report, sounded a note of optimism on economic growth, revising its forecast for this year by 0.1 per cent to 2.8 per cent. The IMF was even more optimistic last month when it revised its own global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for this year to 3.1 per cent, a 0.2 per cent upward revision from its previous projection.

This is why OPEC reiterated its expectation of strong oil demand growth this year, at over 2.2 million barrels daily, even as the International Energy Agency keeps lowering its own demand projections.

Indeed, in an environment where the dominant perception is of first, weakening Chinese demand growth; second, Europe in economic crisis; and three, energy transition, it is easy to assume that oil prices will remain weak. This assumption, like many others, may turn out to be quite wrong, serving a nasty surprise to those betting money on it.

Right now, prices are on the rise following a string of drone attacks by Ukraine on Russian refineries, sparking concern about fuel supply security. They also got a boost from another round of fuel inventory draws in the United States, which suggests strengthening demand. The temporary boost could extend as we near the start of driving season, and EV sales appear to be growing more softly than they were last year. It could extend and strengthen to an extent that might result in something of a shock. (Oilprice.com)

Around the World Israeli strikes kill at least 29 Gazans awaiting aid, say Palestinian officials

At least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Gaza's Health Ministry said.

In the first incident, Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-ruled strip said eight persons were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre in Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Later, at least 21 persons were killed and more than 150 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a crowd awaiting aid trucks at a northern Gaza roundabout, Gaza's Health Ministry said.

In a statement, Israel's military denied attacking aid centres, describing the reports as "false".

"As the IDF assesses

the incident with the thoroughness that it deserves, we urge the media to do the same and only rely on credible information," the statement said.

The Gaza conflict has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million population. Chaotic scenes and deadly incidents have taken place during aid distributions as desperately hungry people scrambled for food.

On February 29, Palestinian health authorities said Israeli forces shot dead more than 100 Palestinians as they waited for an aid delivery near Gaza City. Israel blamed the deaths on crowds that surrounded aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over.

In Deir Al-Balah, also

Russian Ambassador to Washington says Embassy has received threats over election

Russia's Ambassador to the United States said on Thursday his embassy had received a number of threats in connection with the Russian presidential election this week.

"We are getting a great many provocative calls, threats," Russian news agencies quoted Ambassador Anatoly Antonov as saying on State television.

"We know that there are plans for anti-Russian acts, around our embassies and consulates, and there will be attempts to gain entry to our embassy. Not so much to disrupt the election, be-

cause that won't work, but to make things more difficult and just to spoil our mood."

Russians cast presidential election ballots for three days starting today, with incumbent Vladimir Putin all but certain to win against three challengers, none of whom has criticised him.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev told Tass news agency he expected large-scale hacker attacks on the infrastructure of the voting system during the election. (Reuters)

60 migrants die in dinghy in Mediterranean, survivors say

At least 60 migrants have died after a rubber dinghy ran into trouble in the Mediterranean Sea, according to survivors.

The 25 survivors were picked up by the Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée.

They told their rescuers that they had set off from Zawiya on the Libyan coast several days before being rescued.

The engine of the dinghy broke down after three days, leaving the boat adrift without food or water.

The survivors said that the victims included women and at least one child. They are believed to have died from dehydration and hunger, not drowning.

SOS Méditerranée said the Ocean Viking team had spotted the dinghy, which set off last Friday, with binoculars on Wednesday and had staged a medical evacuation in cooperation with Italian coast guards.

It said the survivors were "in very weak health condition" and were all under medical care.

Two of them, who were unconscious and in critical condition, had been flown to Sicily by helicopter for further treatment, the group added.

The remaining 23 are still on board the Ocean Viking, along with more than 200 other migrants who were rescued from two other boats. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A Palestinian holds uncooked pasta at the site of an Israeli strike on an aid warehouse, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, March 14, 2024 (Reuters/Ahmed Zakot photo)

in central Gaza, an Israeli missile hit a house on Thursday, killing nine persons, Palestinian medics said. Residents said Israeli aerial and ground bombard-

ments persisted overnight across the enclave, including in Rafah in the south, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Senegal releases Opposition Leader Sonko, presidential candidate Faye from prison

Senegalese Opposition

firebrand Ousmane

Sonko and the presidential candidate he is backing in the March 24 election, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison on Thursday, State broadcaster RTS said on its website.

Their release had been expected in the wake of an amnesty law passed by Parliament on March 6 as the authorities sought to ease tensions after their thwarted bid to postpone the vote by 10 months.

RTS did not give further details, and it was not immediately clear where the pair were following their release. Thousands of supporters massed on the street where Sonko lives in Dakar, the capital, chanting his name and dancing while holding posters of him.

Sonko has called on his supporters to back Faye in the presidential race – a concern for competitors as Sonko enjoys widespread support, particularly among young people frustrated with economic hardships and a lack of jobs in the West African country of 17 million.

Members of Sonko's dissolved Pastef party and other parties formed a coalition and picked Faye as a candidate in November after Sonko was disqualified over a defamation conviction he said was politically motivated. The authorities deny this.

Faye, who was relatively unknown and also in detention, remained eligible because there has been no ruling yet against him linked to charges including defamation and contempt of court. (Reuters)

A supporter of jailed Senegalese Opposition Leader Ousmane Sonko reacts during an electoral campaign caravan to support the detained presidential election candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who Sonko picked to replace him in the race, in the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, March 12, 2024 (Reuters/Zohra Bensemra photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

You can engage in conversations that can further your interests if you network or participate in an enjoyable activity. Think twice before you spend money unnecessarily.

Set your sights on what you want and keep pushing forward. Call on people who can help you further your goals, but don’t reveal your secrets. Be humble and pay attention to how you present yourself.

Put emotional issues aside. Participation is your ticket to rejuvenation. Work enjoyable physical activities into your daily routine. Take time to enjoy life.

Concentrate on what you can do to get ahead. Look for new ways to use your skills and create something that makes you feel young and alive. Don’t slip into a dull or unrewarding routine.

Talk to someone who sparks your interest. Sitting back, relaxing and exploring what’s available will change your life and encourage memorable moments. Take responsibility for your happiness.

Don’t let your emotions get out of control when staying calm and putting your focus where it can do you some good will be crucial. Redefine your next move. Change will be necessary.

Get involved in something that intrigues you and pay attention to what others expect of you. Team up with people who challenge you intellectually. Don’t give in to lethargy.

Too many choices will confuse you. Consider what makes the most sense and head in that direction. Following others will never satisfy your needs. Make self-improvement a priority.

Emotions will surface if you face off against a challenger. Refuse to give anyone the upper hand. Choose intelligence over force, and you’ll outsmart anyone who tries to make you look bad.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

It’s all about where you put your energy, how you handle your cash and what you want to do next. Stop dreaming and start doing what makes you happy. Life is too short to coast along.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Pay attention to what’s happening at home. A change is overdue, and it’s best to make it before someone forces your hand. Speak up, air your grievances and be willing to compromise.

Adjust your finances, rethink your future and look for exciting prospects. Know when to say no and how to move toward what’s in your best interest. Don’t fear the unknown.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES

ARCHIE

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” kicks off tonight

Finally, it’s back. The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” competition will make its return after a four-year absence with five matches this evening, at the National Park, starting at 19:00h.

Unrivalled in its appeal and popularity, the competition will see 32 of the best teams in the format in the Georgetown Zone square off for prize monies totalling more than $1.5 million, along with trophies and an automatic spot in the national finals slated for July.

The winning team will take home $800,000 and the champion’s trophy, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The winner of the Plate final will cart off $100,000.

The tournament, which also has a sponsor, Colours Boutique, will see teams decked out in uniforms compliments of the clothing and shoes store situated on Robb Street and Regent Street respectively.

As customary, it is anticipated that fans can expect

riveting action from the first game right until the final day of competition as teams battle for the top prize and bragging rights as the greatest of the streets.

Teams such as backto-back champions Gold is Money, Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Broad Street, North

JFF to send 19 promising female players to China

…for intensive training programme

In a bid to enhance the skills and capabilities of local football talent, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has handpicked 19 promising female footballers, aged between 16 and 18, to participate in an intensive two-month training programme in China this summer.

The selected players are poised to undergo rigorous technical training aimed at elevating their performance levels, with the ultimate goal of advancing to national teams. The JFF expressed satisfaction with the timing of this initiative, foreseeing its potential to bolster the depth of national squads while aligning seamlessly with both short-

and long-term development strategies.

Scheduled to depart from the island at the onset of June and return by the end of August, this endeavour marks a continuation of a bilateral sporting agreement established between Jamaica's Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, and the Asian republic. It signifies a resumption of a programme that was interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with similar contingents having embarked on such ventures in the two years preceding the global health crisis.

The chosen players underwent a rigorous selection process, having partic -

ipated in multiple training sessions at the UWICHBC over the past three weeks. Their selection underscores their talent and potential, as well as their commitment to honing their skills in pursuit of excellence on the football field.

This training opportunity not only offers a chance for individual growth, but also contributes to the broader development of women's football in Jamaica. As these young athletes embark on their journey to China, they carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation eagerly anticipating the fruits of their dedication and hard work.

(Sportsmax)

Ruimveldt, Tiger Bay, Leopold Street – all previous title holders – will have their work cut out for them with the new cadre of opponents eager to stamp their authority in the exciting format.

Among the teams leading this current list of new challengers are Stabroek Ballers, already the winners of one of the two tournaments held this year, while the experienced

Bent Street, North East La Penitence, Albouystown, Sophia, California Square and Lodge All Stars will no doubt want to prove that they are no pushovers. Also, the Guinness Skills Challenge will also make a return during this tournament.

What is promised and assured is that from kickoff there will be fireworks as teams battle for outright supremacy and a sizeable pay cheque, compliments of Banks DIH under its Guinness brand.

In addition to the predictable excitement on-field, fans will benefit from giveaways as the organisers seek to make the experience a happy one for them.

Admission is free with musical entertainment and large sightscreens set up around the venue for viewing of the matches live.

Meanwhile, the first three nights of the competition will be played on a

knockout basis with the winners advancing to the group phase, before the quarterfinals set for March 30.

Following are the fixtures for the first three nights:

Friday, March 15: Alexander Village versus Rising Stars; Sophia v Bent Street Young Gunners; Festival City v Laing Avenue Ballers; North East La Penitence v Ballers FC and Gold is Money v Renegade All Stars.

Saturday, March 16: Broad Street v Make It Happen; California Square v Sophia B; North Ruimveldt v Street Ballers; Albouystown v Airport Ballers and Back Circle v Stabroek Ballers B.

Sunday, March 17: Up Top Boss v Lodge All Stars; Tiger Bay v Middle Road Ballers; Bent Street v Tucville Rangers; Stabroek Ballers v Bad A Yard; Leopold Street v Unstoppable and Sparta Boss v Back Road Ballers.

Indian Wells: Sinner extends winning run to reach semi-final A

ustralian Open champion Jannik Sinner extended his winning run to 19 matches with a comfortable win over Jiri Lehecka to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.

The Italian beat the Czech player, ranked 32 in the world, 6-3 6-3.

"He [Lehecka] has huge potential, so I was really aware of every point that I made," said third seed Sinner, 22. Sinner will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or German Alexander Zverev in the last four.

World number two Alcaraz, who beat Sinner at the same stage of the tournament last year on his way to lifting the trophy, faced sixth seed Zverev later on Thursday. It was a re-match of the Australian Open quarter-final, which Zverev won.

Elsewhere, American 17th seed Tommy Paul held his nerve to beat Norwegian ninth seed Casper Ruud 6-2 1-6 6-3 and reach the last four of the California tournament for the first time.

He will face the win-

ner of the match between Russian world number four Daniil Medvedev and Danish seventh seed Holger Rune in the semi-final.

World number three Sinner last tasted defeat in last year's ATP Tour Finals – where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the final – and has enjoyed a perfect start to the 2024 season with 16 wins.

These include his Australian Open victory in January along with a triumph in Rotterdam last month.

In windy conditions in California, Sinner was in

fine form as he broke early in each set and saved the only break point he faced against Lehecka, who was playing in his first ATP 1000 quarter-final.

"In the morning, it was really, really windy," Sinner said after the victory. "The first set was tough to handle.

"In a way, I am just happy, because I made the semi-finals last year and this year I have again a chance to play in the semis in one of the greatest tournaments we have throughout the whole year." (BBC Sport)

A glimpse of what to expect when Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” commences tonight

Nineteen players between the ages of 16 and 18 have been handpicked for the opportunity

Jannik Sinner beat Russian Daniil Medvedev to win his first Grand Slam in Melbourne in January

Fitness, gelling non-issues

Golden Jags begin training

Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars are exactly one week away from competing on one of the biggest stages yet, with the FIFA Series competition being described as a historic opportunity.

The team will play two games in Saudi Arabia next week, during FIFA’s March international window.

While the local players have been in competition mode with their respective KFC Elite League Clubs since February, the national team’s preparation officially began on Monday last.

Citing the players’ participation in the League, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz admitted that not much was required in the fitness arena for the Golden Jags’ training.

“Well, the fact that the guys are in season, we did not have to do any fitness training. We’ve just focused on technical and tactical work and getting them to play a bit of how we would approach the game. Of course, this is just part of the squad, the rest of the squad

joins us in the UK. But we’re accustomed now, preparing like this. So, this five days before we meet the rest of the crew is very important,” Shabazz explained.

Quizzed on how he intends to bridge the gap between local and foreign-based players’ preparation, Shabazz related that more intense training locally has been a solution.

“Well, because the players on the national team find it very easy in the Elite League, they’re not challenged by the other players. Especially when you have a

bunch of them in one team, like in GDF or Slingerz right. We’ve got to force them to be more intense in the training, to take them out of their comfort zone,” the Head Coach revealed.

He went on to add, “So, sometimes we play five versus three or three versus two, to give that overload against them ,so they have to work a little hard. But this is the concern, that the players overseas [are] in a more intense and competitive environment. We’re trying to fix that here, it’s a work in progress, but we’re

International athletes show keen interest in Kares CrossFit

…organisers eager to push Guyana’s sport tourism

Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship returns April 6-7 in Georgetown, Guyana, and the third edition will be a key factor in the event's quest to become highly attractive globally.

This year, the event has already attracted the attention of top athletes from the Netherlands, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Suriname, Bahamas, and French Guiana, as well as interest from Dubai.

By attracting high-calibre athletes, Kares CrossFit has collaborated with Competition Corner, a dynamic registration, planning, and scoring software built for functional fitness and weightlifting competitions globally.

CrossFit is a branded fitness regime that involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.

Coordinator Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves states, “We have tremendous plans to grow the sport of CrossFit in Guyana and, by extension, the Caribbean. From this year, you will see significant changes to our modus operandi, and it started with us partnering with the international platform of Competition Corner.

“As part of taking the event to the next level, we have put certain systems in

place to ensure a higher level of competition, and it started by having those who wish to compete participate in open workouts. Understandably, this move may limit the numbers, but it ensures immense quality on the field,” Ramsay-Gonsalves further explained.

In August-September, Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship aims to host a scaled event in Trinidad and Tobago while the 2025 edition of their main event is headed to the United Kingdom, as they are set to receive their CrossFit licence soon.

“We see CrossFit as a product that grows sport tourism immensely in Guyana. It's massive that one of the athletes who has over 70,000 followers on Instagram is coming to compete. Additionally, the platform on which the com-

still a little way off, in terms of the level of intensity.”

With the national team jetting off to the UK on Saturday night and spending approximately two days travelling to the Middle

East, the full team will only be together for two days before their first game on March 21.

The Head Coach related that there were bigger concerns than gelling the team.

Shabazz enlightened, “Gelling them is not a problem, the team is gelled. We have a full unit; they’re no local and overseas, no international and home, everybody is Guyana. I don’t want to make it sound like a political cliché, but this crew really represents one Guyana.

“So, it’s not really a matter of gelling, it’s a matter of acclimatising to the conditions in Saudi Arabia. And also, in the two days that we have together to prepare against a high-level opponent,” the Golden Jags boss went on to add.

Guyana are in Saudi Arabia Group A of the FIFA Series and will take on Cape Verde on March 21, after which they will battle Cambodia on March 26.

Service Guyana, AG join forces to establish archery in Essequibo

Service Guyana, a leading provider of HVAC and energy efficiency solutions, has teamed up with Archery Guyana, the governing body for archery

petition is now placed has further opened the floodgates of top-level persons from around the world coming to compete. We have a big vision for the sport, and this year, we will lay the platform to go bigger.”

The organisers further revealed that they are also upskilling their judges, and another practical assessment will be conducted on March 17.

Athletes are reminded registration closes on March 24, and the fee is US$70. The link to register is https:// competitioncorner.net/

On April 6, athletes will head to the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal for a series of workouts, and they will return to action on April 7 on the National Park tarmac.

General admission is $1000 while VIP tickets are $7000.

residents of Essequibo, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage in a sport that combines precision, focus, and athleticism. By leveraging Service Guyana's extensive network and expertise in community outreach, alongside Archery Guyana's passion for promoting the sport, this initiative seeks to facilitate the proposed weekend training after which participants in the Archery Instructor Course will be sanctioned to teach the sport in Essequibo.

At the simple handing-over ceremony at the head office of Service Guyana located at Lot 149 Church and Light Streets, Georgetown, on March 14, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Mujeeb Ahmad said, "Service Guyana is thrilled to partner with Archery Guyana to introduce archery to Essequibo."

Hailing from Essequibo himself, he went on to say: "We believe in the power of sports to inspire and unite communities, and we are excited to bring this opportunity to the people of Essequibo."

Archery Guyana, known for its dedication to fostering the growth of archery in Guyana, is enthusiastic about the collaboration. "We are delighted to work with Service Guyana to expand the reach of archery in Essequibo," said Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, President of Archery Guyana. "This partnership will enable us to introduce more individuals to the joys and benefits of archery, including improved focus, discipline, and physical fitness."

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

The introduction of archery to Essequibo represents a significant step forward in promoting the sport and in this regard, President Persaud-McKinnon expressed sincere thanks to Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport and the National Sports Commission as well as Essequibo Sports Organiser Wazeeda Bacchus for assistance with respect to logistics put in place for the upcoming training course. Service Guyana and Archery Guyana are committed to making this initiative a re-

sounding success and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the region. Service Guyana is committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to clients across Guyana.

Scenes from the Golden Jaguars’ local training in anticipation of the FIFA Series

Some of the best CrossFit athletes are expected to travel to Guyana for the Kares CrossFit Championship on April 6-7

Permaul, Sinclair guide Harpy Eagles to big total on Day 2

…Thorne bags early wickets

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) posted a commanding 436 all-out on Day 2 of their fourth-round clash with the Barbados Pride and followed it up by leaving their opponents three wickets down by the end of play.

Kevin Sinclair resumed the day on an unbeaten 5 from 12 deliveries, with the experienced Veerasammy Permaul joining him at the crease. Together, the duo operated as seasoned batsmen and not bowlers, taking the Harpy Eagles from 231-5 to well past the 300-run mark.

Sinclair continued to show his all-round prowess, following up his unbeaten 165 from Round 3 of the West Indies Championships with a blistering half-century on Thursday morning.

He smashed 72 in 94 deliveries, including nine fours before being caught and bowled by Jomel Warrican.

After Sinclair’s wicket forced the lunch break,

Permaul and Gudakesh Motie combined for an attacking resistance after the break.

Permaul brought up his sixth First-Class half-century, but rain played spoilsport, halting play for over an hour.

The duo of Permaul and Motie continued their re-

sistance after the rain, as Motie went on to hit 37 from 69 balls. Permaul’s innings was the shocking one, but the spinner ran out of batting partners before he could reach the coveted 100 milestone.

Permaul eventually ended on an unbeaten 90 from

“The encampment was a success” – Team Manager Williams

The 51st edition of the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships is set to take place in Grenada commencing on Saturday, March 30 and culminating on April 1, and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has committed to ensuring the athletes are ready for the challenge.

The first training camp was scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), West Coast Demerara (WCD), on March 8-10, thus the athletes engaged in training centred around social, table, and personal etiquette, media training, and mental illness.

The Team’s Manager, who will be accompanying them to Grenada, Thelson Williams, in a social media post shared that the en-

campment was a success.

“The encampment was a success, because we would have engaged the athletes in different areas. We had media training where they were taught communication skills and how to do public speaking and talking to the media, trained in etiquette about social and personal table etiquette, and we had a session on mental illness,” Williams said.

Williams went on to divulge his expectations for the CARIFTA Team, to earn gold medals to make Guyana proud.

“We are expecting to go out there as a team and give it our all, as most of the athletes aim to accomplish their personal best and that would be good enough to earn medals and return

back to Guyana to make our country proud,” Williams said.

The team is as follows: Tianna Springer, Athaleyah Hinckson, Charissa December, Esther McKinnon, Attoya Harvey, Akilla Blucher, Nerissa McPherson, Keneta Fraser, Nalicia Glen, Marissa Thomas, Jaheel Cornette, Javon Roberts, Malachi Austin, Rodell Green, Jamal Sullivan, Robert Marcus, Danielson Gill, Deul Europe, Skylar Charles, Kaidon Persaud, Ezekiel Millington, Ryan Joseph, and Nathaniel Samaroo. The team would be accompanied by Coaches Wayne Pantlitz and Trishel Thompson, Physiotherapist Akeem Stewart, and Manager Thelson Williams.

151 deliveries, including 10 fours and 3 sixes, helping the Harpy Eagles to their mammoth first innings total.

As a result of their toil against the Guyanese batters, the Barbadian bowlers shared the wickets. Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, and Warrican took two scalps

each with figures of 2-52 from 25 overs, 2-52 from 20 overs and 2-98 from 33 overs respectively.

With figures of 2-19 from 6 overs, Isai Thorne proved to be a menace to the Barbadian top order with the ball, as the Harpy Eagles got a good start

to the innings.

Thorne took the wickets of Zachary McCaskie and Shian Brathwaite, who fell for 8 runs and a duck respectively. Then, in the 13th over of the Barbadian innings, Kraigg Brathwaite, playing a loose shot, lobbed one over the bowler’s head, which substitute fielder Raymon Perez was unable to catch.

However, Perez was lightning fast with the clean-up to run Brathwaite out at the non-striker’s end. As such, the day’s play was ended with Barbados on 59-3 from 19 overs, trailing the Harpy Eagles by 377 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

Jonathan Drakes and Raymon Reifer will resume the chase for the Pride on day 3 today, on 20 from 54 balls and 1 off 16 deliveries respectively. The 4-Day action will resume from 10:00h at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.

Cuba badminton tournament…

Ramdhani, Haynes open account on winning note

The Guyanese duo of national badminton players in Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes began competing in the XXII Torneo Internacional de Badminton Giradilla 2024 at the “Ciudad Deportiva” Sport City Hall, Havana, Cuba on Thursday.

While the pair shone in their individual match-ups and their mixed doubles division, Ramdhani was not as fortunate in the women’s doubles category.

In the men’s singles Round of 32, Haynes came up against Jose Leandro Labrada Soler and found favour in a gruelling three-set match, 15-21, 21-19, 22-20. As such, Haynes has booked his spot in the next round and will continue play in round 2 (Round of 16) today.

Over in the women’s singles division, Ramdhani secured back-to-back victories, to secure her spot in the quarter-final round. In the Round of 32, Ramdhani took on Angela Gina Pita Sanchez and defeated her opponent 21-3, 21-

3. Then, in the Round of 16, Ramdhani again made light work of her opposition, Ginnet Cuellar Galvez, securing a victory 21-10, 2112.

As such, Ramdhani will suit up for play in the quarter-finals today.

The Guyanese duo in Cuba continued on the trail of good fortunes, after securing a bye in the Round of 16 of the Mixed Doubles Division. They were sched-

uled to compete in that Round on Thursday evening.

However, it was not all wins for the Guyanese as Ramdhani suffered a loss in the women’s doubles Round of 16, alongside her partner, Chequeda Boulet of Trinidad and Tobago. The duo faced a tough test against Taymara Oropesa Pupo of Cuba and Fabiana Silva of Brazil, which they lost 21-19, 21-13.

CARIFTA Team Manager

Thelson Williams

Tianna Springer will feature at the 51st edition of the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships

Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes in action

Veerasammy Permaul ran out of partners before he could get to his century

Isai Thorne undid the Barbados batting early