Guyana Times - Friday, September 27, 2024

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Power plant to start

...says contractor

Gov’t beefing up water testing mechanisms at Shelter Belt to better serve G/town

GPL must implement measures to minimize power failures from construction work – PSC Chair

– lauds short-term measures underway to meet energy demands before GtE

Construction worker accused of stealing $2M gets $200K bail

Senior police official charged with sexually assaulting constable at Kingston Seawall

4 arrested for assaulting police rank at Providence Stadium

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 27 –00:30h-02:00h and Saturday, September 28 – 01:30h-03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, September 27 –13:20h-14:50h and Saturday, September 28 – 14:10h-15:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Agreement inked between Guyana, UAE for visa-free travel

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

Currently, Guyana passport holders can travel without a visa to 90 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Ireland, Malaysia, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, and Suriname.

Back in September 2023, Guyana and the Maldives inked an agreement that would see Guyanese trav-

the Dominican Republic, which is 65th and 66th, respectively.

The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index is based on exclusive data from the

18:58h reaching minimum heights of 1.13 metres and 1.23 metres.

TGuyana Government has signed a new agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to allow visa-free travel for citizens of the two countries.

Prior to this agreement inked earlier this week on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Guyanese travelling to the UAE were required to have a visa/e-visa.

But according to a social media post from the UAE Mission to the UN, the newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) now aims at “…establishing mutual exemption of entry visa requirements between the two countries”.

The MoU was signed by UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy and Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd.

This was done during a meeting between Minister Al Hashimy and President Dr Irfaan Ali at the Guyana Mission in New York on Tuesday.

Over the years, bilateral cooperation between Guyana and the UAE has become stronger.

In June 2023, Minister Al Hashimy was in Guyana for a one-day visit during which she had several high-level meetings with the Guyana Government focused on enhancing relations between the two nations.

During that visit, Minister Al Hashimy had also participated in the sod-turning ceremony for a facility for persons with disability at Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The facility is funded by the UAE Government.

President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy first met in October 2021 when the Guyanese Leader visited Dubai and they inked a MoU to advance technical

assistance and cooperation.

With its new-found oil and gas resources making the country an economic hotspot, Guyana has seen several countries around the world lifting visa requirements for Guyanese.

In June, Anguilla made it visa-free for Guyanese who wish to travel to that country. This decision, the country’s Ministry of Home Affairs said, was in keeping with the United Kingdom removing the visa restrictions imposed on nationals of Guyana on November 9, 2022. However, the UK has since introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for travellers who do not require a visa to travel to the UK. This ETA requirement will take effect from January 2025.

elling to that country without a visa. The Visa Requirements Agreement will facilitate visa-free travel of citizens of both countries.

In July 2024, the Henley Passport Index ranked the Guyana passport at number 55, with access to 90 visa-free destinations – an improvement from its number 59 ranking, with visa-free access to 88 countries in 2022.

Guyana ties in the 55th spot with Fiji, just above Jamaica which is in the 56th spot, and outperforms nations like Suriname, which is ranked 63, and China, which came in at 60, along with Indonesia and

International Air Transport Association (IATA) – the largest, most accurate travel information database –and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research team.

Meanwhile, the Guyana passport is only projected to grow stronger as the Government forges deeper partnerships with nations around the world.

Reports are that Guyana is already in talks with Italy and Mexico on the possibility of visa-free travel. Additionally, the Government had reported that at least five European countries have agreed to support Guyana’s bid for visa-free travel to Schengen countries.

UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Al Hashimy, and Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, signing the MoU for visa-free travel
President Dr Irfaan Ali with UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, in New York

Editor: Tusika Martin

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History-based tourism

Over time, there has been much talk about Guyana’s tourism potential, with a seeming emphasis on ecotourism, given the country’s geographical makeup. While work is ongoing to build the country’s tourism profile internationally, local tourism may need a bit more focus. This does not suggest there are no related efforts in that regard; however, consistency with added innovativeness may be deemed as a challenge.

There is no disputing the beauty of this country, especially in the hinterland areas. The iconic Kaieteur Falls speaks volumes in attesting to its grandeur and that of tropical Guyana. The Orinduik Falls reminds of the many other cascades, nestled in various parts, which demonstrate the magnetism of such wonders of nature within the confines of the country.

Rolling savannahs with mountains as backdrops, dark-water creeks, and evergreen jungles add to the irresistible package the country offers. Those are complemented by the plethora of historical sites scattered from the capital city and outwards throughout the country. Space constrains details of all the relevant places with potential for tourism development.

That said, and given what is currently being offered in the context of local tourism, innovativeness comes in useful to help conjure up a more holistic approach. Guyana is the only Englishspeaking country in South America, and its history is littered with influences from other colonial masters, including the Spanish, Dutch and French. There are reminders even today of the latter two through the names of some villages. Remnants of once seemingly impregnable forts are reservoirs of untold stories, while the fabled El Dorado still excites.

Herein lies vast potential to revolutionise the local tourism drive by encapsulating history. While there are efforts in the form of tours to Fort Island and a few other historical places, consistency appears to be absent. National focus comes during November: Tourism Awareness Month. That is very useful, and is a good boost, but efforts must be channeled for a more structured approach for increased frequency, allowing ideally for weekend tours yearround by the Government’s tourism arm. There are private tour operators that offer packages throughout the year, and more than likely, a major percentage of the tourists would be overseas-based Guyanese and other tourists.

That said, the reality is that the cost factor for local tourism is prohibitive to ordinary Guyanese locally resident. It is no secret that some have stated their preference for visiting a Caribbean island like Trinidad & Tobago over visiting Kaieteur Falls, given that there appears not much difference in costs. Resorts are also costly; however, operators cannot work at a loss. While some local Guyanese can afford tourism packages here, a large percentage cannot.

There are instances when special packages were offered to attract more locals. If that can be sustained, then the potential to attract more visitors increases. That, of course, is subject to the dynamics of market forces for local operators in the context of their current clientele.

Aside from the current usual destinations, others can be added, like the historic St. Peter’s Anglican Church on the island of Leguan. That structure is over 150 years old. Working in collaboration with the custodians, weekend trips are possible. The approach has to be holistic and national in promoting that and other historical sites. The intention must be to educate and build interest, which can be converted into a desire to visit. The state media apparatus can play a crucial role in that regard.

The tours do not have to be confined to the Essequibo islands, but can include other relevant areas which are accessible, if not to ferries, then to other safe vessels. Partnerships can also be built for the creation of trinkets and souvenirs for various destinations.

Many visitors to major cities overseas purchase souvenirs, which can include a replica of the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower, just to cite a few. What stops locals here from creating souvenirs such as replicas of the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, City Hall, or even Parliament Buildings?

With a comprehensive strategic plan and commitment to bolster and revolutionise local tourism, encompassing all the necessary stakeholders, both private and state; and with consideration for justified concessions, it can be done.

When referring to history-based tourism here, Jonestown in Region 1 cannot be avoided. Despite its macabre ending, it holds tremendous tourism potential. A re-establishment of the site for that purpose would attract curious tourists. The spinoffs of air travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and souvenirs remain untapped. Sceptics just need to look at the 911 Memorial and Museum in New York.

Actor Jacob Scipio, renowned for his role in the film ‘Bad Boys’, and his brother Zach, sons of a Guyanese father from Leguan, visited Queen’s College yesterday for an engaging and enjoyable programme.

During the visit, Jacob participated in a lively Q&A session with students as he shared insights about his journey in the entertainment industry. He spoke candidly about the challenges he faced and the valuable lessons he learned, thereby inspiring students to pursue their dreams.

President Ali to address Parliament on rising cost of living

President Dr Irfaan Ali will be addressing Parliament next month, and he is expected to outline measures to address the rising cost of living in Guyana.

This is according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press briefing on Thursday at the PPP/C Headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown.

“I know we have a ton of ideas, and the President will speak at the opening of the Parliament,” he said.

The National Assembly is currently in a recess which runs from August 10 to October 10.

Jagdeo was at the time questioned about the $7 billion budgeted to implement measures to cushion the impacts of the cost of living this year. “As far as I know… the money is still in the budget, not being utilised as yet for specific interventions on cost of living,” he disclosed.

In addition to increases in subsidies and measures to boost agriculture production and improve education and healthcare, Government had, in the 2024 National Budget, allocated $7 billion to address price increases of basic commodities.

Government had, in 2023, acknowledged that

many people were being affected by the rising cost of

living, and $5 billion had been set aside to imple-

ment additional measures to help alleviate the burdens. Those measures included a $25,000 one-off bonus paid to all public servants, including teachers and members of the Disciplined Services, semi-autonomous agencies, and public enterprises such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

In addition, old-age pensioners had received a $25,000 one-off payment in December 2023, which had seen some 72,000 pensioners benefitting. A one-off grant of $28,000 had been paid to all old-age pensioners in 2022, and they had received a $25,000 one-off

grant in 2021. Further, persons living with disabilities who were on the public register had received a $35,000 one-off bonus in 2023. Government had allocated $850 million to purchase fertiliser for distribution to farmers. This measure had benefitted 287,000 acres of cultivation and 35,000 farmers. Further, under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), community enhancement workers’ monthly earnings had been adjusted upwards to $40,000, which had seen over 2000 workers benefitting.

Guyana earned $897M from agro-processing exports in 2023

The Agriculture Ministry continues to prioritize agro-processing across Guyana, and the country has earned a whopping $897 million from agro-processing exports in 2023.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who made this disclosure during a recent high-level dialogue themed “Reflections on the Fight Against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean”.

According to Mustapha, this record is solely due to the Government’s prioritizing of agro-processing.

“Agro-processing is another area that we have been seriously focusing on; it is a priority area within the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). Introducing over 140 new local products in 2023, export volumes grew by 61%, with $897 million earned from agro-processing,” the minister has said.

Taking the opportunity to reveal other enhancements recorded in the agriculture sector, Mustapha highlighted that due to significant results from the initial Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, some 600 persons are on board for the next edition.

To top it off, the minister further related that various regions have already been targeted, and Government would focus on ensuring that a percentage would be geared towards inclusion of youths.

“This initiative would have generated approximately $30 million in revenue, and this programme has been driven by young people. We have over 1,000 youths involved in agriculture, because of the successes that we have had in this programme. We are now rolling out this programme to other regions in the country — Regions Two, Five, and

Ten — where we will be investing another $4.5 million (to target) another 600 young people to be part of this programme,” the minister has said.

The Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Program has played a significant role in this transition. From 2021 to 2023, the programme established over 500 shade

houses, producing high-value crops.

“That’s the way we are empowering the vulnerable groups in our country. Thus far, this programme has proven to be a very successful programme; and as a stakeholder in the agriculture sector, as a decision-maker… Government continues to ensure that more persons are included.

However, not only have agro- processing and the shade house project seen uphill growth, but the Agriculture Ministry has also ensured proper diversification of crops being marketed to regional markets.

“With corn and soybean expansion, the target of cultivating 250,000 acres by 2025 is on track. Guyana has been importing over 40 million U.S. dollars in corn and soya annually for the livestock industry. By 2025, we hope to be self-sufficient, reducing that expenditure and redirecting the US$40 million to other vulnerable sectors to improve the country’s development,” the minister has said.

Guyana’s agriculture diversification includes the introduction of biofortified crops like enriched rice and other crops, such as wheat,

chickpeas and millet. Over 100 agro-processing businesses have displayed their wares at this year’s Uncapped Marketplace, which was held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara between August 31 and September 1. Guyana is well on its way to becoming a major food exporter for the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and countries in Latin America, as the production of food continues to increase.

President Dr Irfaan Ali announced last Saturday that legume production for 2024 increased by 106 per cent, peanuts’ production increased by 286 per cent, coconut production saw a 55 per cent increase, while ground provisions and vegetables increased by an average of 218 per cent.

President Irfaan Ali

Maths as art Page Foundation

CONTINUED FROM THURSDAY

In Maths, theorems can be proven. Maths has rules that must be followed. And those proven theorems that mathematicians come up with, that can take centuries to solve, have been there the whole time.

“The Maths was there, waiting for someone to need it,” Associate professor of pure mathematics Keppelmann said. Waiting for a mind to pull the idea out of thin air.

“If you can imagine yourself as an explorer trekking to the South Pole for the first time, being excited about what you’re going to find there, it’s like that,” Maths Professor Jabuka said. “Some of these spaces, no one has studied before. You get to look at them and say, ‘Oh, look at this wonderful property that I discovered that we didn’t know this space could have.’

That still happens.”

Professor Emeritus Johnson differs from Mathematician Hardy in that he acknowledges the practicality of numbers.

“There are applications,” Johnson said. “There are

several faculty members in the department that are applied mathematicians. Their interest is in mathematics that is applicable to some real-world thing. I can see both sides of it.”

One of those applied mathematicians is associate math professor Paul Hurtado, who uses statistics and other processes to analyse models of ecology. He said the beauty of applied math becomes apparent when he’s developing models, and sometimes the beautiful parts are in what he’s missing.

“Sometimes it’s very illuminating not because you discover this wonderful, beautiful new thing, but you discover this void of knowledge nobody else has recognised

as being important, and that gives you something to fill in,” Hurtado said. He also mentions that art is largely benefitted by creativity, but that creativity isn’t limited to art.

“In the same way that once you know how to carve or paint, once you get the Math basics under your belt, then you can do creative things with them,” Hurtado said.

Maths is often found in art, but many mathematicians feel the Maths itself is art, that the formulas are elegant and the graphs are beautiful.

“You find these problems to work on and they become fascinating,” Johnson said. “You want to solve the problems for their own sake and so you can share it with your colleagues.”

(Excerpt from unr.edu)

Staring at a bird out of reach.

His stomach feels like a fist

Gripping and wringing out

The mere idea of food.

He calls for food. Everything edible Out of the sea and earth. When it comes Dearth is all he sees where tables bend Under the spilling plenty. Emptying

Bowls of heaped food, all he craves for Is bigger bowls heaped higher. Food For a whole city cannot sate him. Food For a whole nation leaves him faint with hunger.

As every river on earth

Pours its wealth towards ocean

That is always sweeping for more, Draining the continents,

And as fire grows hungrier

The more fuel it finds, So, famished by food, The gullet of Erysichthon, gulping down

Gas-to-Energy Project

Power plant to start supplying national grid by April 2025 – VP

…says contractor could face liquidated damages if Govt wins arbitration

The contractor for the model Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc (LNDCH4) is expected to deliver power to the national grid by April 2025 and failure to do so could result in it having to pay hefty sums in liquidated damages if the Guyana Government wins the ongoing arbitration.

LNDCH4 was awarded the US$759 million contract in December 2022 to build the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Coast Demerara (WCD), that will utilise the rich gas that will be piped from offshore Guyana. Initially, the deadline to deliver the power was this year end, but owing to delays in handing over other aspects of the project, the contractor was given a three-month extension.

Consequently, LNDCH4 and the Guyana

Government are currently in a dispute over the deadline and associated costs, resulting in an arbitration process being activated.

But Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo believes that the three-month extension is justified and this is the basis of the Government’s arguments in the arbitration process. Already, a three-member panel has been established to resolve the dispute.

“We offered that [threemonth extension but] the company doesn’t want that… They’ve asked for a longer extension… [But] we believe that the delay in handing over the site …will justify just a three-month extension and that’s what we’re arguing for in the arbitration. Therefore, power should be supplied to the grid from that project by April of 2025,” Jagdeo explained at a press conference on Thursday.

He was at the time clarifying recent reports that

the completion of the GtE Project was delayed to the second half of next year due to some setbacks with the civil works, including soil stabilisation at the site. In fact, GtE Project Lead Winston Brassington said during a recent presentation at the American Chamber of Commerce Guyana (AmCham Guyana) Energy Mixer held last week that “…the parties have all agreed that sometime in the second half of next year [the project will be completed].”

While the Government has given a three-month extension, LNDCH4 was initially pushing for a sixmonth extension over the delays which stemmed from ExxonMobil’s sub-contractor, Guyana Shore Base

by another three months.

However, LNDCH4 has submitted a new timeline schedule that pushes the delivery of the power plant to October 2025. In addition to the extension, the contractor is also making financial claims to the tune of US$50 million, stating that the delays would cost the company.

But Jagdeo clarified that the Government has not agreed to that new timeline set out by the contractor, warning that any delays in delivering power to the na-

they would have only by April [next year] to deliver this project. They have given a schedule which shows [a delivery date] later in the year… But I did not want the public to think that we agreed to their schedule. We have only approved a threemonth extension. So, if we win the arbitration and we stick with that schedule, then there would be liquidating damages at US$11 million per month… So, for every month delayed, the contractor will have to pay liquidating damages of

Inc (GYSBI), being late in completion of site work on the 100-acre site by three months, and GAICO being late with respect to completion of the Material Offloading Facility (MOF)

tional grid would result in liquidated damages to the tune of US$11.3 million per month.

“We have an arbitration now taking place and if we win the arbitration,

US$11 million,” the VP contended.

The GtE Project consists of five key components: laying the pipeline to bring the gas onshore, construction of

the power plant and NGL facility, installing transmission lines, building a new control centre, and upgrading the aged power distribution system.

Despite key components of the project being behind schedule, Brassington had reported that the GtE initiative is on budget.

Back in April 2023, Guyana approached US EXIM Bank for a US$761 million loan to finance the GtE Project. Earlier this month, Vice President Jagdeo disclosed that the Bank was preparing to submit a report to its Board at a meeting in October. This was after the technical and environmental due diligence work was done by the US EXIM Bank, which had sent experts to Guyana for these assessments.

But even as Guyana awaits the approval of this loan, the Government has already spent some US$400 million on the GtE Project and could potentially fund the entire initiative if the request from the US EXIM Bank is not approved.

It was explained that the aim was to borrow approximately US$650 million from the US Bank to fund the GtE initiative, while the Guyana Government was expected to put up the other US$100 million, as advanced payment, to support the initiative.

However, VP Jagdeo had previously explained that the loan can fund retroactive expenditure hence government could use bridge financing to get the works going. Bridge financing is a short-term financing option to fund a project before the financing is expected. (G8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

4 arrested for assaulting police rank at Providence Stadium

Four persons who reside along the East Coast Demerara corridor have been arrested for assaulting a police rank during a cricket game at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Wednesday evening.

They are Trevon Williams, 31, and Kevin Williams, 29, of Annandale; Germaine Ragubir,

30, of Non Pareil; and Seretse Brittlebank, 28, of Coldingen, who was being apprehended for resisting arrest.

An investigation is underway, but a video circulating on social media has shown the four men trampling the police rank, who was lying on the ground. It is unclear whether the peace officer was seriously injured.

Senior police official charged with sexually assaulting constable at Kingston Seawall

Police Superintendent

Karl Wilson has been charged with two counts of sexual assault allegedly committed on a constable along the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown in April 2024, and has been placed on $75,000 bail on each of the charges following his appearance before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in her Georgetown court on Wednesday. Wilson, who is attached to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters, has had his next court date fixed for October 16, 2024.

Since the alleged commission of these offences, Wilson has reportedly been relieved of his command in order that an investigation might be facilitated.

It has been reported that the two men were to-

gether on the seawall when Wilson made inappropriate sexual advances towards the constable, in the process of which he allegedly groped the constable.

Construction worker accused of stealing $2M gets $200K bail

Jamal Cromwell, a 31-year-old construction worker, has been placed on $200K bail after appearing on Wednesday before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in her Georgetown court and pleading not guilty to a charge that alleges he

had stolen $2 million in cash from money changer Carl Van Rossum on September 9, 2024 at Longden and America Streets in Georgetown.

The police have said that Cromwell had previously pawned a motorcycle to Van Rossum at the said location in January 2024, and on September 9, Van Rossum had reportedly parked the motorcycle with cash secured under the seat. He later observed Cromwell in the vicinity and, shortly after, saw Cromwell ride off with the motorcycle.

The incident was reported to the police, Cromwell was arrested and, during questioning, admitted to riding away with the motorcycle, but denied stealing the money.

Before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, Cromwell declared, “I used to be a thief, but me ain’t take any money… Today is my birthday.”

As such, he has been placed on $200,000 bail, and is due to return to court on October 23, 2024.

Invoking...

…International

Law

As your Eyewitness had telegraphed, Pressie got his 15 minutes of attention at the UNGA on Wednesday. Leaders can speak for as long as they want; Fidel holds the record in this regard at 269 minutes (4 and a half hours!) in 1960; but most try to get their licks in quicker, so as not to pi55 of their peers, who’ve gotta sit through their performance. Maybe the US never forgave Fidel for his record harangue?!? Or was it because he visited Harlem and embarrassed them with the poverty the press was forced to report on?? Our Pressie visited Brooklyn to press the flesh in some African Guyanese/WI neighbourhoods, but only pi55ed off the resident PNC troglodytes!!

Anyhow, as predicted, Pressie took the opportunity to inform the 87 Heads of States, 2 Vice Presidents, 1 Crown Prince, 28 Heads of Government, 3 Deputy Prime Ministers, and 13 Ministers who showed up at the UNGA about the existential threat to our territorial integrity from Venezuela. He emphasised our country’s faith in the value of multilateralism - as epitomised by the UN itself - and implicitly asked all those leaders who were there if they wouldn’t stand up for the principles of multilateralism if they should ever see those principles being trampled by bullies like Mad Maduro; or would they merely twiddle their fingers?

Said Pressie: “International law and its strict application have been our armour and our shield in our determination to protect ourselves from this aggression. We remind this august assembly that the border between Guyana and Venezuela was fully, finally, and perfectly settled in an 1899 award by an International Tribunal.”

He then gave a very succinct but comprehensive summary of the Venezuelan Border Controversy - which was referred to the UN Secty General, who placed it before the ICJ for a judicial resolution. He highlighted Mad Maduro’s cynical and opportunistic approach to rejecting the UN and ICJ’s jurisdiction, but yet submitted a memorial to the ICJ. Meaning, if he gets a favourable judgement, he accepts; if not, he rejects!!

As you, dear readers, would know by now, at this point in time, your Eyewitness doesn’t have much confidence in multilateral institutions like the UN. They’ve all become toothless poodles; and, as we know, poodles never had much bite, to begin with!! He’s reminded of a meeting in Tehran during WWII, wherein Winston Churchill suggested to Stalin the possibility of the Pope being associated with some of the decisions taken on the eventual peace. “The Pope?” asked Stalin thoughtfully. “How many divisions does he have?” And that’s the nub of the problem with these multilateral bodies, innit?? They’ve got no independent sources of power – save moral, like the Pope - to enforce their decisions.

It ain’t coincidental that when the UN was formed in 1945, the WWII victors all conferred veto power on themselves!!

…historical revisionism …on Buxton bandits

The way David Granger’s carrying on in his weekly broadcast, you’d never think “the troubles” - as he’s dubbed the killing fields between 1998 and 2008 - had anything even remotely connected to “African Freedom Fighters” launching a frontal attack on the state!! Nah!! It was the dictatorial and nasty PPP who - without any rhyme or reason - sent out Phantom Squads along with members of the Disciplined Forces to kill young African Guyanese men.

So, what about poor Mr Eusi Kwayana and the late Andaiye, who denounced the gunmen’s attacks on Indian Guyanese on behalf of African Guyanese in a letter captioned “Not in my name”?? No mention in this revisionist account!! And what about Mr Kwayana being forced to flee the village - and eventually the country - in his old age by the gunmen and their handlers, whom Mr Kwayana mocked sarcastically as “political sophisticates”? Revised out of history!!

And that’s the problem with revisionism. Once you start playing fast and loose with facts, you distort even your own history!!

…colonial sins

The newly-elected President of Mexico “disinvited” the King of Spain from her inauguration, because he’d refused to apologise for the abuses the Spanish state had committed to conquer and exterminate the native Mexicans!! Bravo!!

Charged: Jamal Cromwell
Charged: Police Superintendent Karl Wilson
A photo of the assault on Wednesday evening

Govt working with stakeholders to address issues facing migrants

The Government of Guyana is partnering with several stakeholders to ensure that migrants receive the support deemed necessary. This has been disclosed by Labour Minister Joseph

Hamilton, who on Thursday pledged that that would continue to be the case when he met with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) IOM/ILO. He was accompanied at that meeting by Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Natecia Garraway.

According to a social media post, the focus of that meeting was particularly on addressing migration-related issues that affect the Venezuelan migrant population in this country; training and development; health and safety opportunities; and on being educated on

Mae Thomas remains on paid leave – VP Jagdeo

Nearly four months after being sent on leave with immediate effect on June 11, 2024, Mae Thomas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, remains on paid leave. This has been disclosed on Thursday by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Thomas proceeded on leave after the United States Department of the Treasury had issued a statement indicating that she had been sanctioned along with two Guyanese businessmen – Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed. These three persons have been sanctioned by the US’ Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for al-

legedly engaging in corrupt practices.

The Government of

Guyana had at the time said it “takes very seriously the claims contained in the press release, and will continue to engage relevant United States entities on these matters.”

The Government of Guyana had said it would continue to work with the United States Government on all matters of mutual interest, “including the respect for the rule of law and order.”

Thomas, who had been a member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), had resigned from that party’s Central Committee as well.

Before the issuance of sanctions, the US had revoked Thomas’s visa in April 2023.

In August 2023, the Guyana Government reassigned Thomas from the post of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs to the post of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour.

the country’s Labour laws.

The visiting delegation included Special Advisor to the IOM, Juan Francisco Espinosa; Regional Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Coordinator IOMUN, Maria-Alexandra Bassermann; Deputy Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission for Guyana, Eraina Yaw; and other officials.

Before that meeting had

concluded, Hamilton had pledged his support – and, by extension, that of the Government of Guyana -- to partner with both the IOM and the UN to address matters discussed in a meaningful way.

In Guyana, all children of migrants from Venezuela and other countries, whether legal or illegal, are allowed to fully access the public school system within their 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 presently residing across various administrative regions of Guyana, and only about 21,704 of them are officially documented.

“More support needed to ensure vulnerable populations have access to food” – Mustapha

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has issued a call for more support to be made available to ensure that vulnerable populations across the world, particularly in this region of Latin America and the Caribbean, have access to food and agricultural resources.

He raised this issue during his address at a high-level dialogue that reflected on the fight against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Guyana has already committed (substantial) resources to (the) food security initiative, and we are ready to continue doing so; but we also need more support at the regional and global levels, to ensure that (members of) the most vulnerable population have access to food and agricultural resources,” Mustapha has said.

The minister shared Guyana’s experiences and success stories in revitalising the agriculture sector and making it more food secure, not just for the country, but for the entire Caribbean region; and reflected on vulnerabilities of the regional agriculture sector.

“Grenada, the entire agriculture sector was wiped

out (by) Hurricane Beryl. St Vincent and the Grenadines were affected severely, and this is a continuous…process that the Caribbean region has to face. In Guyana, our Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 is key to this recovery,” he detailed.

“We are building robust drainage and irrigation systems, improving food control infrastructure, (and) promoting the use of climate smart technology such as shade houses and hydroponics.

Guyana has committed over 60% of our agriculture budget to drainage and irrigation. You know (that) Guyana, as a country, is below the level of the sea,” he explained.

The category-four Hurricane Beryl devastated several Caricom states, including Grenada, and especially Carriacou; the state of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica. Against this backdrop, Minister Mustapha emphasized that Guyana is committed to doing its part in achieving food security, and he underscored the importance of regional leaders working together.

“Guyana is committed to sharing our experience and learning from our neighbours. The issues we face, from climate change to economic volatility, have significant regional implications, and our solutions must be regional as well; it must cover the Caribbean and Latin America. We must align our policies, leverage regional strength, and deepen our partnership to ensure that the entire Latin America and the Caribbean region can achieve food security,” he stated as he made clear that this dialogue is very critical.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Stakeholders at the meeting on Thursday
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas

Guyana’s First Lady receives Global Impact Leadership Award

centuries for gender parity to be achieved, despite the progress made; and she further thanked the Board of the Center of Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) for recognizing the work being done in Guyana for women and girls.

“Thank you again for this incredible honour. Let us all continue the fight for a world where gender equality is not just a goal, but a reality,” she said.

Several of First Lady Arya Ali’s projects align with Sustainable Development Goal Five (5), which focuses on empowering women and achieving equality.

Specifically, her groundbreaking Menstrual Hygiene Initiative has impacted more than 32,000 women and girls, who continue to benefit from distribution of sanitary products and information regarding menstrual health and hygiene. The First Lady also disclosed that project to a

global

In recognition of her work to advance the rights of women and girls, First Lady Arya Ali was on Wednesday conferred with the Global Female Impact Leadership Award during the Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) which was held at the City University of New York.

The award recognizes global ‘first ladies’ who have made a significant impact on a global scale through their strategic and compassionate

Lady Arya Ali has declared the award is not just an individual accomplishment, but a tribute to the countless women in Guyana who have worked tirelessly for equality, recognition, and justice.

“The women whose voices have sometimes been silenced but whose courage have never faltered. The women who have shattered glass ceilings, as well as to those who are working every day to hold their families together, support their

leadership and advocacy; or by addressing critical global issues; or by driving positive social or environmental change; or by shaping global policies and practices to make a tangible difference in the world.

The award is conferred on global women leaders following a rigorous selection process and thorough merit-based assessment done by the Board of the Center for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD).

Saying she is humbled by the recognition, First

communities, and make small but significant strides towards gender equality. I stand here as one among many, humbled to represent their collective struggles, their resilience, and their unyielding determination,” she said during her acceptance speech.

She added that while the award is a symbol of what women in Guyana have achieved so far, it is also a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. She drew attention to the fact that it would take several

audience at the conference in New York, and received a standing ovation for its transformational impact on the lives of women and girls.
Attendees of the Global Power Women Conference listened keenly as First Lady Arya Ali made a presentation on her Menstrual Hygiene Initiative
First Lady Arya Ali receiving the prestigious Global Female Impact Leadership Award from the Executive Director of the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development, Dr. Ibifuro Ken-Giami, during the Global Power Women Conference in NY
First Lady Arya Ali making a presentation on her groundbreaking Menstrual Hygiene Initiative to a global audience during the Global Power Women Conference

Ten young ladies – each representing an administrative

slated for Monday, September 30, 2024. The young ladies will be competing in several segments, including traditional wear and talent.

Miss Region 1 – Arinna Williams

Hailing from the picturesque Kwebana village on the Waini River in Region One (Barima-Waini), Arinna Williams, born on September 12, 2004, is a proud descendant of the Carib nation. From learning to swim at a young age to mastering fishing, Arinna spent her childhood in a harmonious blend of adventure and responsibility. Her educational journey began at Kwebana Nursery School and continued at Kwebana Primary School. After excelling in the National Grade Six Assessment, she advanced her studies at Bladen Hall Multilateral School on the coastlands.

Currently, Arinna is a teacher and is eagerly awaiting her results from the Cyril Potter College of Education’s teacher training programme. She plans to pursue a degree in education or a related field, aiming to integrate modern technologies to enhance her academic pursuits.

Miss Region 3 – Miss Natasha Neblett

Representing Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Natasha Neblett is a dynamic and determined young woman from the village of Santa Mission/Aratak.

At just 20 years old, Natasha has already made a profound impact on her community and beyond.

As a survivor of domestic violence, Natasha has transformed her struggles into a powerful advocacy platform, focusing on enhancing youth education about domestic violence. In 2024, she earned the position of second runner-up in the Miss Region 3 Pageant, building on her earlier success as Miss Santa Mission/Aratak.

Tickets for the pageant cost $5000, $3000 and $2500, and can be purchased at the National Cultural Centre. Showtime is 19:00h.

Miss Region 2 – Jennel Henry

Jennel Henry is a 21-year-old visionary from the vibrant Amerindian village of Capoey in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). A dedicated educator and current student at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Jennel is pursuing an Associate Degree in Primary Education. Her journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, including becoming the youngest elected councillor in her village. She serves as the Village Council secretary, a role that, while demanding, allows her to honour the legacy of her ancestors.

In her free time, Jennel delights in connecting with nature, enjoying invigorating swims in the blackwater lake, and expressing herself through singing.

Miss Region 4 – O'statia Simon

O'statia Simon, a 20-year-old proud Arawak descendant from St Cuthbert's Mission/Pakuri in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), is a remarkable young woman with a strong commitment to her cultural heritage and community development.

O'statia recently completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management at the University of Guyana and is currently making a difference at Giving Health to Kids (GHTK).

Her story of overcoming adversity, her commitment to inspiring change, and her accomplishments in pageantry highlight her grace and determination.

Miss Region 5 – Marcelina Budburgh

Marcelina Budburgh is a 21-year-old Arawak descendant from the scenic village of Moraikobai, born on April 13, 2003.

Marcelina completed her nursery and primary education in Moraikobai before relocating to Mahaicony for her secondary education at Bygeval Secondary School. The distance from home was challenging but fuelled her determination. Her interest in the medical field guided her to the science stream, where she excelled, passing eight subjects after five years of dedicated study.

Currently, Marcelina is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at the University of Guyana. In her free time, Marcelina enjoys watching cricket, especially supporting the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL.

In addition to her community work, O'statia is an accomplished model with the Nine Nations group, where she celebrates her Arawak heritage and promotes cultural awareness. In her leisure time, O'statia enjoys visiting new places, dancing, hiking, and acquiring new skills. Her motto, “Keep moving, no matter the pace” reflects her resilient and forward-thinking attitude.

Miss Region 6 – Shania Peneux

Shania Peneux is a proud Lokono (Arawak) descendant, representing Owyara (Orealla), the only Amerindian reservation in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Shania completed her nursery and primary education in Orealla, where she was awarded a hinterland scholarship. She furthered her studies at Line Path Secondary School, achieving 11 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) passes.

Miss

Marcelina aspires to inspire young people, particularly those from her village, to envision a future beyond their current circumstances. She believes that with perseverance and faith, dreams can become a reality.

Region 7 – Sylvany Robertson

Sylvany Robertson, a proud daughter of Paruima Village in the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), seamlessly embodies the rich traditions of her Indigenous heritage while excelling in modern science. Her dedication to education was evident early on, earning her a scholarship to attend Christ Church Secondary School in Georgetown. There, she excelled academically, achieving eight CSEC subjects.

Sylvany is currently in her third year at the University of Guyana, specialising in Microbiology. Sylvany’s passion for exploration extends beyond academics; she enjoys travelling to new places, seeking both knowledge and personal growth.

Despite her worldly experiences, she remains deeply rooted in her cultural identity. She firmly believes that “Language defines who you are”, a principle she upholds by preserving her native Arekuna language as a core aspect of her identity.

Miss Region 9 –Noreen Alfred Noreen Alfred is a remarkable 22-year-old from St Ignatius Village. She was born in the picturesque village of Aishalton in Deep South Rupununi, but at the age of one, she moved to Central Rupununi to live with her mother, who worked in the healthcare sector.

An adventurous spirit, Noreen enjoys exploring the Rupununi Savannahs on her motorcycle. Her educational journey began at Arapaima Nursery School and Arapaima Primary School, followed by her secondary education at St Ignatius Secondary School, where she achieved 10 CSEC passes. Her dedication to learning earned her a prestigious Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Hinterland Scholarship, allowing her to complete the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at President’s College. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Project Management through the Government of Guyana's GOAL scholarship programme.

Currently, Shania is a dedicated teacher at the Orealla Nursery School and is also a teacher trainee at the Cyril Potter College of Education. Her passion for education is deeply intertwined with her commitment to preserving her unique cultural heritage.

Shania is a strong advocate for promoting eco-tourism in Orealla and its satellite village, Shibaroodo (Siparuta).

Miss Region 8 – Sandra Edwards

Sandra Edwards, a 21-year-old from Monkey Mountain Village in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), embodies a strong commitment to both her community and her professional aspirations. Currently, Sandra is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health at Texila American University, to become a medical speech and language

As a dedicated phlebotomist, Sandra has built a foundation in healthcare that she aims to expand through her studies and future career. In her free time, Sandra enjoys reading, exploring nature, and experimenting with new recipes.

Her diverse interests reflect her curiosity and passion for life, which she hopes to channel into her future role as a speech and language therapist, making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Miss Region 10 – Andrena Stoby

Hailing from the serene village of Rivers’ View in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Andrena Stoby is a proud 20-year-old with a deep Lokono (Arawak) heritage. As a dedicated Registered Nursing Assistant, Andrena is driven by her passion for advancing her career in the

The tranquil beauty of her village provides a source of peace and inspiration, enriching her life both personally and professionally. Andrena’s grace and determination were recognised when she earned the position of second runner-up at the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant 2023. Now, she is poised to represent her heritage and region at the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant 2024.

With a spirit of resilience and a heart full of pride, she is ready to showcase the rich cultural legacy of her people on this prestigious platform.

region – will take centre stage at the National Cultural Centre for the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant

GPL must implement measures to minimise power failures from construction work – PSC Chair

…lauds short-term measures underway to meet energy demands before GtE

In light of recent power outages due to ongoing construction work, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Komal Singh has called for alternative measures to be put in place to avoid recurrences of such incidents.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) recently reported that vibrations from nearby construction work had been responsible for a power line tripping thus causing frequent power outages.

However, according to Singh, preventative measures are needed.

“For a lot of the infrastructure work that is currently taking place, we have construction taking

place across Guyana. Many of these constructions are taking place right next to high-powered cable. Now, we cannot do construction work next to high-powered cables. So, whenever those works are taking place, those powers need to be cut.

“And obviously, communities and villages will be affected by that. So, it’s a work in progress. I think if we continue to work together when the Gas-to-Energy power plant gets up and running, that will also interject quite a lot of power into the grid. And we can see a lot more improvements taking place when that gets on stream,” Singh said.

With the recent spate of

power outages across the country earlier this year, the Government had gone out to tender for companies capable of supplying 60 megawatts of power to the grid. Several local and foreign companies had answered this call, with the bids recently being opened.

According to the PSC Chairman, such measures are indeed necessary in the short term until the massive 300-megawatt Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project comes on stream next year – a project that is expected to also slash energy costs by half.

“It’s a viable short term. And that’s why we need to be strategic in the short-term power purchase agreement. We don’t want to have shortterm power purchase agreements, where you have to put in millions of dollars in infrastructure work.

“And that’s why the ship that was rented recently, where a barge came and it was just connected to the grid, there was no investment cost for infrastructure work. So, when you finish using that service, the boat just needs to sail and go. In the old days if you see power purchase agreement come in, we had to build infrastructure,” he said.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) GPL had issued earlier this year to supply 60 MW net power generation base load capacity to the Demerara

Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was in preparation for the expected increase in demand during the upcoming Christmas season.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) had opened five bids from companies including Karpowership Global DMCC in partnership with Urbacon Trading and Contracting Inc – the same Turkish-based company from which the Guyana Government procured the 36-MW power ship.

The other bidders had included Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) along with USbased natural gas company Andalusian Energy LLC, JP Energy Solutions and VAS Energy.

In June 2024, GPL had also issued a tender seeking to prequalify potential financiers and contractors for upgrades to the grid. Singh stressed the importance of GPL continuously looking at ways of enhancing its system capabilities. That being said, he noted that from all indications the power company seemed to be on the path of ensuring that happens.

“We all would have a concern if we have a power issue. We have seen GPL and the Government of Guyana,

Construction work had recently led to power outages

over the last six months, they’ve actually done quite a bit of work injecting additional resources within the energy sector, to curb the increasing demand.

“You would agree that with all the development taking place, the electricity demand continues to grow daily. You would also agree that many of the gen-sets they’re currently using are very old, outdated gen-sets that need servicing,” the PSC Chairman further said.

PSC Chairman Komal Singh

Sod turned for 8MWp solar project in Region Two

– project is part of Govt’s vision to transition to renewable energy – PM Phillips

The sod at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) has been turned on Thursday to signal that construction of a mega solar farm has begun.

That farm is aimed at providing more reliable electricity service to residents of that region, as this project entails installation of an eight-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system that would also include 12MWp of battery storage.

During Thursday’s sod-turning exercise, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who oversees the energy sector, declared that the project forms part of Government’s broader vision in regard to transitioning to renewable energy.

“This project is part of our energy transition, where we are moving away from traditional fuel sources like gasoline and diesel. By the end of 2025, we aim to bring 300MW of gas-to-shore, and we are also expanding our use of solar, hydro, and wind power,” the Prime Minister disclosed.

Declaring that this shift to cleaner energy would benefit both the environment and future generations, the Prime Minister stressed that the initiative is aligned with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which was initially developed in 2009, and later updated to reflect current energy needs and en-

vironmental challenges.

Noting that this solar project would play a key role in meeting Government’s ambitious targets for renewable energy by 2030, the

integrate different energy sources, from natural gas to renewable options like solar, hydro, and wind.

Declaring that the goal is to ensure Guyana has a sta-

Prime Minister explained that Government’s strategy includes a mix that would

ble and sustainable supply of power for the future, the Prime Minister elaborated on

Government’s plan to bring 500 megawatts (MW) of electrical power to the people of Guyana by 2030 -- 300MW of which would come from natural gas, while the remaining 200MW would be supplied by renewable energy sources.

He also emphasized the impact of solar energy in remote and hinterland communities, where traditional infrastructure has been difficult to build.

He said solar power, with its flexibility and sustainability, would provide those areas with a reliable supply of electricity, by which development would be driven and the quality of life for residents would be improved. This, he said, would help propel development of the Essequibo into the future by making energy more accessible to both residents and businesses.

Further, he noted that with an improved and expanded energy supply, Region Two is positioned to see greater investments in areas like tourism, manufacturing, and other key industries; and the supply of reliable energy would make the region more attractive to investors and contribute to long-term growth.

“We are building out the

electricity supply in Region Two to increase availability and promote investment in tourism, manufacturing, and other sectors. Essequibo stands to benefit tremendously from this solar investment,” the Prime Minister remarked as he highlighted that the project represents

cians to maintain the solar systems, and women would also be included in the training process for maintaining the system, ensuring broader community participation in the project.

Head of the Guyana Power and Light Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, has said this solar farm is the largest of its kind in Guyana. He explained that the initiative, funded under the LCDS by the Government of Norway, would significantly enhance energy stability in Region Two.

The GUYSOL initiative would, by 2026, install 33 MWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems nationwide, supported by an investment of US$83.3 million. Additional social programmes aimed at benefiting local communities across

the largest solar initiative in the country’s history.

Beyond increasing energy availability, the project would also focus on job creation and skills development. The Prime Minister shared that 20 local men would be trained as techni-

Guyana represented

Guyana are included. Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, in expressing gratitude for the project, noted that as the region continues to expand, the growing industries have placed increasing demands on the electricity supply. (Raywattie Deonarine)

at WTC Latin America Regional Meeting in DR

Guyana is being represented at the Latin American Regional Meeting of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), which officially began on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

This meeting, which brings together key trade representatives from across the region, would also feature formal inauguration of the World Trade Center Santo Domingo Tower, officiated by His Excellency President Luis Abinader.

The World Trade Center Guyana Delegation, led by Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo and Executive Director Wesley Kirton, would engage in discussions on several key topics, including artificial intelligence as a tool to improve efficiency and competitive-

ness of small and medium-sized companies; the development of business tourism; nearshoring and free trade zoning as business detonators; and WTC Miami as a business facilitator of Latin American and Caribbean trade. Finance Minister of the Dominican Republic, Jochi Vicente, would give a brief on that nation s cur-

rent political and economic climate, and World Trade Centers from across the region will make presentations during the meeting; with Wesley Kirton, speaking on behalf of WTC Georgetown, Guyana, further contributing to the dialogue on trade and economic collaboration in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Executive Director Wesley Kirton
Executive Chairman of WTCG, Komal Samaroo
Prime Minister Mark Phillips during the sod-turning event
A section of the gathering at the event on Thursday
Officials after the sod-turning ceremony

Gov’t beefing up water testing mechanisms at Shelter Belt to better serve G/town

In keeping with its commitment to provide clean and treated water to the general public, Government plans to beef up water testing mechanisms at the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI’s) Shelter Belt network.

Approximately one month ago, hundreds of Georgetown residents were complaining of extremely poor water quality, with some indicating that their supply of the commodity was rusty and unhealthy for daily use. Preliminary investigation into the cause of this rust revealed that when the GWI had dredged the East Demerara Water Conservancy, the resultant buildup of sludge contaminated its Shelter Belt and resulted in distribution of the ‘rusty and unhealthy’ water.

Consequent to that discovery, GWI hired additional labour to clean the canals, while technicians in its laboratory conducted daily testing to monitor the quality of water being accessed.

would usually be around 15 to 20 units, but that occurrence had taken it up to 400 units. The plant is usually cleaned once a year; however, because of that situation, GWI has indicated that its team would begin cleaning the system every six to eight months.

Croal explained that the current issue is totally beyond the company’s control, and there is need for greater coordination between the East Demerara Water Conservancy and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.

“We have conducted our own internal investigation or analysis as to what took place… We have con-

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal told Guyana Times on Wednesday that while the water quality in central Georgetown has been returned to a level of normalcy, funds would soon be allocated to increase the GWI testing capability in order to prevent any recurrence of this situation.

stant testing, daily testing of the water and the turbidity of the water, (which) is done right here in this compound. But the important thing to do, moving forward now, is to ensure that we don’t ever have a repeat (of what had obtained), and to also have the warning signs. So, we will put measures in place that, if you have to up-

GPF, GDF ranks participating in UG’s specialized training on migration, diaspora studies

To bolster national security and development capabilities, 15 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are undergoing specialized training in Migration and Diaspora Studies organized by the University of Guyana(UG).

This critical initiative is aimed at equipping the officers and ranks with a deeper understanding of global migration patterns, and the role of the diaspora in shaping national development.

The training, being held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre on Camp Road in Georgetown, is being led by Dr. Coreen Jacobs, Director of the UG International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies.

With a focus on enhancing the operational capacities of security forces, this course

provides participants with insights into the challenges posed by migration, and the strategies necessary for effective diaspora engagement. As migration continues to influence Guyana’s socioeconomic landscape, understanding its impact has become a key priority for national security. Officers and ranks undergoing this training would be better positioned to address issues ranging from border security to human trafficking, and also to foster positive diaspora relations, which are crucial for Guyana’s development.

This initiative comes at a time when migration has taken centre stage in the Caribbean, with large movements of people influencing regional dynamics. Guyana, with its growing oil economy, is attracting attention from its diaspora, making

this course particularly relevant in preparing the ranks to manage and leverage these trends effectively.

The officers who complete the course would receive academic accreditation that enables them to further contribute to migration policies and security frameworks with a strong research-based foundation.

This initiative also ties into broader efforts by the Government and related agencies to address the challenges posed by migration. In September 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its commitment to collaborating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international bodies to enhance policies related to diaspora engagement, border control, and reintegration of returning nationals.

date, if you notice when they do the reading of the turbidity of the water, that will determine the course of action that has to be taken,” Croal explained.

Annual cleaning

The high levels of sedimentation at GWI Shelter Belt canals were first recognised on July 15, but the situation was not so severe at the time. The water quality of the Shelter Belt plant

Since assuming office in August 2020, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has been able to provide firsttime access to potable and treated water services to more than 35,000 Guyanese. As a result, nearly 100 per cent of coastal residents now have access to clean water.

Essay competition with focus on Guyana’s capital markets launched

As Guyana continues its emergence as a key player in the global business landscape, NCB Capital Markets Limited is giving students of the University of Guyana (UG) a chance to have their voices heard through a recently launched essay competition.

This initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of leaders to think critically about the future of financing for local businesses -- a crucial topic as the nation experiences unprecedented economic growth.

“With the rapid growth of the Guyanese market, our students will soon be the ones driving the nation’s economy forward,” Richard Rambarran, Country Manager for Guyana and Suriname at NCB Capital Markets Limited, stated as he reflected on the importance of involving youths. “We see this competition as an opportunity to engage young minds in considering the role of financing in this growth story.”

The essay competition, which was launched on September 20, 2024, asks students to tackle a complex but timely question: “While debt remains a key financing tool, businesses worldwide are increasingly tapping equity financing, with some transitioning to public listings. Should Guyanese businesses consider this path?”

Rambarran has said the topic is designed to encourage students to explore business financing opportunities that could unlock new potential for Guyanese enterprises. He believes the initiative goes beyond a simple academic exercise.

“We’re not just looking for good essays, we’re look-

for UG students

ing for ideas that can shape the future of Guyana’s capital markets. By tapping into the innovative thinking of these students, we’re hoping to bolster a culture of financial leadership that will benefit the entire country,” Rambarran has said.

In expressing support for this initiative, officials of the University of Guyana have noted how timely and relevant the topic is for students.

Head of the UG Economics Department, Dr Sydney Armstong, has declared, “I fully support this initiative as it is highly relevant to students.

Given Guyana’s economic trajectory, there is growing need for capital market development, and this initiative would help students understand the importance of capital markets and enhance their knowledge and involvement in the world of finance.”

Dr Cecil Boston, Senior Lecturer and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana, has praised the initiative for its forward-thinking approach by saying, “This competition allows our students to grapple with real-world financial issues that are directly linked to Guyana’s future economic development. It’s a powerful opportunity for them to bridge

academic learning with practical insights, all while contributing to the national conversation.”

The essay competition is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Guyana. First- and second-place winners would receive respective cash prizes of $150,000 and $100,000, along with vouchers for the Caribbean Stocks and Securities course offered by the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

All essays must be original and adhere to a 1,500word limit, and entries must be submitted to hnwmarketing@jncb.com by September 30, 2024.

The winners would be announced during the 2nd Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference scheduled for October 8-9, 2024. As part of the prize, they will also get the opportunity to present their ideas at this prestigious event, showcasing the next generation of thought leaders in Guyana. Rambarran is optimistic about the impact this competition could have. “At NCB Capital Markets Limited, we’re committed to supporting a sustainable and inclusive financial future for Guyana,” he has said.

GPF and GDF personnel following the training programme
Previous state of the water supplied in central Georgetown Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Shelter Belt

Take the necessary precautions, but don’t shy away from a physical challenge that makes you feel alive. Channel your energy into something that offers rewards.

Choose where you spend your time and energy carefully. It’s important not to exhaust yourself or deplete your budget. Prepare, strategize and execute your plan with purpose.

You can be open to suggestions, but it is only necessary to be receptive if you like what you hear. Someone will take advantage of you if you let them. Walk away from users, abusers and indulgent temptations.

Consider your plans and actions before moving. Talk to an expert, get the facts and figures, and consider what’s best for you physically before you decide what to do next. Time is on your side.

A passionate approach to whatever you pursue will give you the necessary momentum to reach your destination. Go all in, and don’t look back. Be vocal about what you want, and don’t settle for less.

Care less about what others do or say and more about what matters to you. Wrap your head around what you want and focus on making your aspirations a reality. Use your energy to take on meaningful responsibilities.

Put your energy into something tangible and get things done. Effective time management and attention to what matters will help you achieve what you desire. Be true to yourself and your beliefs.

Get physical and change your lifestyle to ensure you achieve your goals. It’s up to you to implement positive change and follow through with your plans. Don’t blame others when you’re the one in control.

Listen, observe and make choices that satisfy your needs. Follow your passion, your heart and your dreams instead of being someone else’s workhorse. Look for opportunities.

Consider your needs and be innovative in your approach, and you will discover what works best for you. A change may appear unattainable, but you will overcome any obstacle with ingenuity and force.

Keep your finger on the pulse and run the show. Take the initiative to budget for what you want and to let go of what you no longer use or need. You have choices; with each, a new opportunity will unfold.

Cut to the chase and advocate on your behalf. There is no room for error, excess or letting someone steal your thunder. Step up and make yourself and your choices clear.

SL v NZ Test Series…

Chandimal, Mathews punish sloppy New Zealand to make it Sri Lanka's day

Atrademark, enterprising century from Dinesh Chandimal led Sri Lanka's charge towards a big score, making New Zealand rue multiple lapses in the field on the opening day in Galle. Chandimal switched gears across the first two sessions on his way to a 16th Test century, helping the hosts finish on a commanding 306 for 3. Unbeaten half-centuries from Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis provided the support act.

New Zealand would have picked up more than three wickets in the day had Daryl Mitchell not put down two catches at first slip, Tom Blundell not missed Dimuth Karunaratne's stumping, and William O'Rourke not overstepped when he had Mathews caught behind. It was Chandimal's chanceless innings, however, that hurt the visitors the most. He raised his sixth hundred in Galle and his fourth 50-plus score in eight Test innings while batting at number three – out of his usual position in

beating down nicely, the hosts piled on the runs.

Karunaratne was the beneficiary of two lives; first dropped at slip on 5, off O'Rourke, and then he survived a stumping chance on 17 when he came down to attack Ajaz Patel and took a big swing, but missed. Chandimal also edged the ball a few times

the middle order, to accommodate Kamindu at number five and Kusal Mendis at number seven.

The only thing that went New Zealand's way was the early wicket of Pathum Nissanka, who edged an outswinger from Tim Southee behind at the end of the first over. Chandimal took on the fast bowlers when the new ball was still swinging around to set an early base for his team, and once the ball got older and conditions eased out for batting, with the sun

early on against the pace bowlers, but that did not deter him from going for his shots. He got off the mark with a fierce scythe that crashed the ball to the deep-point boundary and then went over the covers against Southee's outswinger. He took on Ajaz's left-arm spin from around the wicket to score quick runs.

The most picture-perfect of his boundaries was against O'Rourke when he drove a full delivery on the up, square on the off side with a lot of power and impeccable timing.

SCOREBOARD

When he raced to 41 off 42, Southee brought on left-arm spin from both ends to stem the flow of runs before lunch and the tactic worked as Ajaz and Mitchell Santner bowled in tandem for 15 overs for 36 runs, with the odd ball turning sharply. A now-patient Chandimal was on 49 for 13 balls before finally getting to the landmark on his 79th ball.

A brief spell of showers in the first hour pushed the lunch break from 12pm to 12.22pm and when play resumed, it was a fielding effort, aided by a mix-up, that ended the century partnership. Karunaratne flicked a ball from Santner to midwicket and ran all the way to the other end, but Chandimal barely left his crease. Glenn Phillips' throw from midwicket, meanwhile, reached short leg and not the keeper, and Tom Latham hit the stumps with an under-arm throw just in time to find the batter – scrambling to regain his ground –- short.

New Zealand then handed a life to Mathews. When O'Rourke had to re-bowl the last ball of the 44th over because he had overstepped, he had Mathews tickling one down the leg side and saw the umpire's finger go up only to see the hand stretched to the side seconds later. Mathews settled his nerves thereafter by patiently seeing off the spinners who stuck to tight lines and lengths with slightly flat trajectories.

Chandimal, meanwhile, continued to drive full deliveries through the covers, loft the spinners down the ground when the field was not spread out, and he even got a bonus four runs via overthrows to reach 95. He soon acknowledged his century with a rockthe-baby celebration, having become a father in June. Mathews relied heavily on back-foot cuts and punches off the spinners, transferring his weight on the ball with his powerful arms and wrists. Chandimal fell soon after Mathews registered his 44th Test half-century when he

danced down and missed an offbreak to lose his off stump, a reward for Phillips for bowling tight lines through the day.

Luck continued to favour the hosts even in the last session. Kamindu, the centurion

from the first Test, edged his seventh and eighth deliveries in almost identical fashion off Southee not long before the second new ball was taken, but on both occasions the ball flew through the gap between Blundell and wide slip. After being dropped by Mitchell at

swept six off Ajaz and included three more fours in quick succession to bring up his 53ball half-century.

O'Rourke used his height and bounce to also draw an edge off the splice of Matthews' bat late in the day, but when the ball only

slip off O'Rourke after the new ball was taken, Kamindu produced a flurry of boundaries, which started with a slog-

kissed Latham's fingertips before going for four, Latham's wry smile summed up New Zealand's day. (ESPNcricinfo)

UG concludes thrilling table tennis tournament

The University of Guyana’s Sports Unit successfully concluded its 2024 Table Tennis Tournament with Patrick Triumph and Allimah Eastman emerging as the champions in the men’s and women’s singles respectively.

The event was held at the University’s Students Society building at the Turkeyen Campus and attracted a total of 80 entries from across all faculties and departments. Participants (23.6 per cent females and 76.4 per cent males) showcased the growing interest in sports across the university.

Present at the opening ceremony were Competition Coordinator Osafa Dos Santos, UG’s Sports Organiser Jaime Skeete, Olympian and Guest Speaker Chelsea Edghill and officials from the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), along with senior officials of the University community.

Edghill shared her inspiring journey to becoming an Olympian, urging partic-

ipants to remain disciplined in their training and to follow their dreams. After her motivating speech, she engaged participants in a warm-up session on the tennis table, setting the stage for the exciting competition ahead.

The tournament format featured a knockout structure for the men’s singles, while the women’s singles followed a round-robin approach. The competition was fierce, with nail-biting moments and intense sets throughout the event.

In the men’s singles quarter-finals, Colis Allen, Victor Rogers, Rickford Garrett, Ramesh Rajbidar, Quincy Bourne, Christopher Nelson, Stephen Butters, and Triumph battled it out for a spot in the semi-finals. After a series of thrilling matches, Rajbidar and Triumph advanced to the final.

The men’s singles final saw Triumph claim victory in two straight sets (11-5, 11-9) against a determined Rajbidar, earning him the title of Men’s Singles Champion

2024.

The women’s singles round-robin section was equally exciting, with Eastman winning all her matches to secure the title. Nicky Melville placed second, and Tirishatha Semple and Sarah Rai tied for third place. The tournament concluded with a simple awards presentation ceremony. Women’s champion Eastman expressed her satisfaction with the level of competition, but hoped for more female participation in future events. Men’s champion Triumph encouraged participants to integrate sports like table tennis into their extracurricular activities, noting its benefits in building discipline, resilience, and confidence. He also offered his coaching expertise to further nurture the talent displayed during the tournament.

This year’s tournament exemplified the University of Guyana’s commitment to fostering athletic talent and encouraging students to excel in both sports and academics.

Allimah Eastman and Patrick Triumph (with trophies) along with other participants and officials after the presentation for the table tennis competition
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal added 97 for the third wicket
Chandimal celebrates his 16th Test ton
Mathews ground his way to a half-century

Guyanese Youlander Persaud elected as FIDE Ethics Chair

Guyanese Attorneyat-Law and Director of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), Yolander Persaud, was elected as the Chairwoman of the FIDE (International Chess Federation) Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) after a fierce battle against three other candidates, ultimately leading to an unexpected win for Yolander over Daniel Florea from Romania.

With this win, she has etched herself in FIDE’s history, as the first woman to chair the EDC. The election was held at the FIDE General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary on September 21, 2024, with almost 180 delegates present from national chess federations worldwide.

Before the beginning of the proceedings, Johan Sigeman (Sweden) withdrew, after facing criticism for the EDC’s first-instance decision against the Russian Federation – to comply with international sports law and FIDE stat-

utes to cease all chess activities in military-occupied parts of Ukraine, the failure of which resulted in Russia being banned by the EDC first-instance Panel (of which Yolander was also a member).

The election consisted of three rounds of voting; the first round was set aside due to electronic errors, after which the General Assembly proceeded to vote manually via ballot papers. The entire saga lasted close to nine hours. In the first round of manual voting, none of the three remaining candidates secured an absolute majority of 50.1 per cent (Babur Tolbaev, Florea, and Persaud). Persaud led the first round with 77 votes against Florea’s 59 votes and Tolbaev’s 26 votes. In the second round of voting, she emerged as the clear winner with an 86-75 margin over Florea.

The EDC is one of the most important commissions within FIDE and thrives on fairness and transparency. This Commission serves as a quasi-judicial arm of FIDE, where elected members preside over cases that infringe on the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Code. The cases range from those of a political nature to cheat-

ing, sexual assault and harassment, and fraud, etc.

Persaud possesses the experience and expertise to hold the chairmanship after serving six years on the EDC. She was the Deputy Chairperson for the period leading up to the elections,

Four athletes are slated to display their abilities when they represent Guyana on the global stage at the Barcelona and Atletico Madrid Experiences 2025. This will provide them with a platform to get exposure abroad and develop their skills.

The talented Zion Hickerson will be the only Guyanese participant in the Atletico Madrid camp, while Macaulay Defreitas, Chase Hudge, and Bradley Gabriel will showcase at the Barcelona camp, which is renowned for its capacity to nurture new talents.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Vurlon Mills, the founder of Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA), shared his sentiments on the selection process and the qualities the coaches would be seeking in candidates.

“You know, and for us it's how we can harness natural talent.

You know, so maybe we're proud of these kids being selected and we know from our experience and what we've been observing is that we have more kids who can also have this opportunity – for these kids to be selected. However, I must mention this, it was an initial investment by the parents to take them

to a Barcelona camp or the Real Madrid camp or the Atletico Madrid camp.

“But of course, once they get there, the coaches, you know, have certain attributes that they might be looking for in a particular player and these players coming from our academy demonstrate some of those attributes, you know.

few more years, right, and nurturing, they can be some of the best players that we will see play for Guyana. So, for me, it does it,” Mills said.

He went on to divulge on the positive impact this experience would have on their improvement.

Mills shared, “So, they have a couple of years before

We're fortunate they were, you know, to be selected or to be seen by these academy coaches, right? For me, these are players to look forward to in the future, right? Some of them have tremendous ability and just with a

they actually get onto one of Guyana's youth teams and eventually onto the same team. But for me, this experience will have a really good impact. It will be an experience of a lifetime.

“What happens at this

and the only woman who sat on the EDC for the past five years. She was well supported by the delegates in the General Assembly from almost all the continents.

In her statement, Persaud said, “I received the greatest recognition of my work in the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission – the confidence of the General Assembly to elect me as the Chairwoman of the EDC; the belief of the General Assembly in my integrity and independence.

“It is an absolute honour to be the first woman ever elected to chair this prestigious commission.

“FIDE celebrates 100 years and with my election, it celebrated inclusion, integrity, and equality.

Persaud, who holds an LEC from the Hugh Wooding Law School and an LLB from the University of Guyana, was admitted to the Bar in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2014. She specialises in oil and gas law, having attained her LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen through a Chevening Scholarship. Persaud is also a National Arbiter and a FIDE Arbiter.

GCF President Anand Raghunauth praised Persaud's election. He attributed her success to her skills, qualifications, and the positive reputation of her organisation. Raghunauth said that the GCF remained committed to supporting women's participation and success in all aspects of chess.

“I thank my mentor Francois Strydom, who encouraged me to contend for this position, and prepared me for the succession, my colleagues in the EDC Commission 2018-2024, in particular Johan Sigeman; the support of my family; all the delegates who bravely supported my candidacy, lobbied for me, stayed by my side through the voting and tallying.”

camp, just let me explain a bit, these players will be given the full experience of the Barcelona and the Atletico academies, and how they operate. They will have two weeks to live in, to eat like a professional, to train like a professional. They will be given the full experience of being in meetings, just like how a professional operates.

“You know, one of the key areas that these coaches and scouts look out for in this camp is how these players behave off the field, how they socialise, how they interact with teammates. I think that's one of the attributes that these players demonstrate well. This is going to be a really good impact for them, sharing this experience with other teammates when they come back to Guyana.

“Last week, I heard one of the players – we have two new players who came

in – who was like, hey, if that kid went to

the same experience.”

Barça Academy Camps focus on training young footballers. They are run by the management of the Barça School Barcelona, ??who provide the coaches, the work programme, as well as setting the guidelines to be followed at these events.

For one week, the Barça Academy Camps focus on improving the sporting qualities of athletes from nearly 40 countries around the world. During the camp, the five values ??of FC Barcelona are shared: humility, effort, ambition, respect, and teamwork. (Omar McKenzie)

Barcelona, so imag ine you com ing in, play ing against one of the same age group, but one of the child in the group had an experience of Barcelona, so you want to play with him if you're hap py to be part of the same session that he's part of, if you're happy to compete against him. That in itself brings out the competition and helps all the other kids to want to improve and to be there and to, you know, get

Persaud with Francois Strydom of South Africa (former Chair)
Macaulay Defreitas
Vurlon Mills, the founder of Vurlon Mills Football Academy

Amazon Warriors engage GBCA team members

Acollaborative effort between the United Nations system; Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW); NEW GPC INC and the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA) to foster disability inclusion in sport has put smiles on the faces of several differently-abled cricketers on Thursday afternoon.

The sound of the bellball echoed through the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, where the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) defending champions took on their GBCA compatriots.

During the formal part of the session, United Nations Resident Coordinator Jean

Echoing similar sentiments was GBCA President Ganesh Singh, who related that the blind cricketers relished the opportunity.

“Today is significant for

Kamau spoke of the importance of such an exercise.

the Guyana Blind Cricket Association and more so,

persons with disabilities in

can tell you, from the time I

general to have that opportunity to interact with the members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team. I

interacted with the players, it was as if they knew us and I’m sure my colleagues within the team will tell

NEW GPC INC played a vital role in the event’s coordination, and the company was happy to do so, according to Medical and Diagnostic Manager, Dr Uma Bux.

Dr Bux related, “Such collaborative efforts amongst institutions ae essential to provide an opportunity to add visibility to disability sports. NEW GPC is happy to be part of this, raising awareness on the importance of inclusiv-

you the same, that the interaction was seamless.

This tells us that we can get to the point where persons with disabilities have more opportunities to be included in sports,” Singh shared.

Pharmaceutical giant

ity and the need to support athletes with disabilities.” Thursday’s event was also attended by Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle, who welcomed the initiative.

“Trying to enjoy my game”

With three half-centuries under his belt in eight games, accumulating 286 runs so far, as well as fielding superbly, Shimron Hetmyer has been in fine touch in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024.

The left-handed batsman, with a top score of 91,

Pooran.

Quizzed about what has been different this season, the Berbician explained to media operatives after the Guyana Amazon Warriors win over the Barbados Royals that he has been putting in some extra work.

Hetmyer divulged, “Like I said, I was actually just doing more running than

being to enjoy the game.

“To be honest, I haven’t set myself any goals. Now I’m just trying as much as possible to enjoy my game and enjoy everything that I do. Just be on the park and enjoy the company of some good friends that I have and new friends from overseas as well. So, it’s just really nice to be here, to just play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and enjoy every moment of it,” Hetmyer explained.

Of his three half-centuries, Hetmyer came the closest to a ton in an explosive innings of 91 against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Though he joked about missing out, Hetmyer is more content with his team getting the win.

“I think I actually missed out on three of them to be honest,” Hetmyer joked.

He went on to share, “The first one more so than the other two. But for me, once we get across the line and once we win as a team, that’s all that matters to

Always a factor

Equally appreciative of Hetmyer’s good form this season was GAW Head Coach Lance Klusener, who

opined that the batsman is always a factor in any team. “Hetty’s always a factor in any team he plays and we’re just glad that he’s found some form. I think what he’s doing well is that he’s choosing his match-ups correctly and brave enough

to follow on with those decisions as well. So, he’s been able to give us a little bit of impetus in the front there and then we’re also giving him the opportunity to bat more balls as well.

He’s embraced that, it looks like he’s enjoying his cricket and that’s good for us,” the Warriors Head Coach shared during a separate press briefing. Hetmyer will be back in action again on Saturday, as the Amazon Warriors prepare to take on the St Lucia Kings from 10:00h.

Hetmyer’s has also been one of the safest pairs of hands in the field
Shimron Hetmyer is currently the fourth highest run-scorer in the 2024 CPL with 286 runs
The Guyana Amazon Warriors also got in on products produced by NEW GPC INC
United Nations Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau
Another look at the blind cricket action
Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Kevin Sinclair gets in on the concept of blind cricket

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