Guyana Times - Monday June 10, 2024

Guyana to conduct 3D seismic study ahead of upcoming oil block bid round

…tenders go out for internationally recognised, experienced

firm

The Government has taken a definitive step towards conducting its own 3D seismic study of the oil blocks offshore Guyana, ahead of the upcoming oil blocks bid round that is planned for later this year.

It was explained in a notice issued by

the Natural Resources Ministry, that the State is seeking a reputable and experienced firm to conduct a “3D MultiClient Seismic Survey” in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) offshore Guyana.

According to the government, the firm that is eventually contracted will be required to acquire, process and interpret the 3D seismic data, with a view of paving the way for exploration and the development of oil and gas resources offshore.

Additionally, the firm will be required

to ensure “high-quality seismic data is available for effective evaluation during future bidding and licensing rounds.”

Bids must be submitted by June 20, 2024.

The ministry also noted that for a firm to be eligible for the as-

signment, “the firm will be an internationally recognised firm with prior experience successfully completing three similar assignments/contracts at least 12 years prior to the application submission deadline.”

With respect to the upcoming auction of its oil blocks, the government wants to hold later this year, it first has to complete ongoing processes with the bidders from last year’s licensing round.

The bidding round which was launched in December 2022 closed off in September 2023 with six companies bidding on eight of the 14 blocks offshore that were up for grabs. In total, there were 14 offers made on those blocks –two deep-sea blocks and six shallow-area blocks.

Among those

The areas offshore Guyana that were auctioned last year

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 10 –04:00h-05:30h and Tuesday, June 11 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 10 –06:15h-07:45h and Tuesday, June 11 – 06:50h-08:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers are expected during the day and at night, with sunshine in the early-morning and mid-to-late afternoon hours. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Southerly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 06:41h and 19:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.29 metres.

Low Tide: 11:22h and 23:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.81 metre.

Govt to go after security firms that fail to pay workers’ NIS contributions – VP

…says companies can lose contracts with State

Security companies risk losing their contracts with the Government of Guyana if it is discovered that they are not paying employees’ remittances to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent press conference. He explained that there were a lot of complaints at last Monday’s public outreach hosted by Government about the treatment of workers by security firms that are hired to provide services to the State across the country.

One of the issues that has been prevalent is the fact that these companies would deduct NIS contributions from workers’ wages and salaries but fail to remit these payments to the insurance scheme. This, according to the Vice President, is only discovered, in most cases, by the staff when they seek to recoup their benefits from NIS.

“And so people, if they later have an injury or something of the sort, when they go the NIS, they can’t receive benefits,” Jagdeo posited.

Against this backdrop, the VP announced that the NIS will be conducting a review of the security firms providing services to the state and there will be consequences for those that engage in this practice.

“So, we’ve ordered the NIS to have an inspection of all of these companies that are providing service [to] the Government of Guyana and who have had contracts, and we’re expecting a report in two weeks’ time. And should we have an adverse finding in relation to particular companies on this matter, they run the risk of losing their contracts,” he disclosed.

Jagdeo went onto add, “The security companies, they get paid for a service and they have to pay the people who are working for them and pay them

on time, and ensure that their deductions for taxes and for the NIS, especially, that those are remitted to the [the relevant agencies including the] NIS so if people suffer injuries, then they have that recourse to get some benefits from the NIS.”

For years, security guards have been complaining bitterly about companies they work for making NIS deductions but are not paying these over to the scheme as well as the late payment of their salaries.

In fact, the Ministry of Labour has had reasons in the past to issue a statement to security firms reminding them of the rights and entitlements of Security Guards, whether or not they are nationals of Guyana.

Back in 2019, security officers attached to the Radar Security Service and Supplies in Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam) had spoken out about their NIS contributions not being paid although $3427 was deducted from their salaries.

More recently, however, security officers attached to the New Amsterdam branch of Sentinel Security Inc. made similar allegations in January 2023. In addition, some of the officers were forced to work extra hours and were not paid overtime but on the other hand, several days’ pay is deducted from their salary if they report sick for one day.

Several of these officers had told the Guyana Times last year that they made a number of reports to the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) office of the Ministry of Labour in New Amsterdam but they were penalised for doing so.

“Just after you leave the Labour Office, you

getting a call from the office; they want you to come in and is all sorts of things they accusing you of. One of my friends even get dismissed because she went to Labour,” one officer had related to this publication.

Some of them provided copies of documents from NIS which indicate that no contributions had been paid to the Scheme for the period they claimed to have been working with the security firm.

A former employee, Stefan Williams, who worked with Sentinel Inc for just over two years, had indicated that the last time contributions were paid on his behalf was in 2021, when 17 contributions were made.

Despite claims by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton that he would ensure security firms pay their workers in a timely manner and they are treated fairly, workers at Sentinel Security Inc related that the situation never changed.

Meanwhile, the National Insurance Scheme has been taking persons to court for non-compliance which includes not deducting NIS contributions from workers. They are also taken to court for not paying deducted contributions over to the Scheme. (G8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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The Indian Election

Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India/ Bharat for the third time since 2014, the second leader after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first leader after Indian Independence, to do so. India is easily the largest democracy on the planet – with a mind-boggling 970 million electorate of which 640 million voted. To facilitate the process, there were one million voting booths where the voting took place over seven phases from April 19 to June 1, using electronic voting machines (EVMs). At the end, the results were compiled in four days and the results immediately announced and followed by the swearing-in of the PM and his Cabinet. While we have been perennially complaining that our country is very large and presents logistical challenges to our elections, it is dwarfed by India’s topography where the terrain ranges from the Himalayas through jungles to the sea. India has been using EVMs since 1962 and maybe we should consider introducing them in our country since they facilitate continuous tabulations that are made available to all.

Modi had predicted that his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition would win over 400 seats (“400 paar”) in the 543-seat Lower House (Lok Sabha) improving their 2019 tally of 360 seats, but it was not to be. They actually lost an overall 67 seats and eventually garnered 293 seats – which easily surpassed the 272 seats needed to form a majority and secure the Government and the prime ministership. The Opposition INDIA bloc almost doubled their 2019 tally from 119 to 234, an increase of 115 seats with the moribund Indian National Congress bouncing back with 99 seats. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was responsible for the loss of 63 seats from the NDA, falling from 303 in 2019 to 240 in 2024.

The biggest takeaway from the 2024 India election, according to most analysts, is that it was a win for democracy. With the BJP commanding a majority on its own, Modi was able to make decisions on his own without necessarily consulting his coalition partners. And while this led to decisive actions, it was felt that the danger of authoritarian behaviour was ever-present. Modi now has to depend on the support of regional partners which provided the seats that delivered the majority. The largest are Janata Dal (Union), led by Nitish Kumar, PM of the impoverished state of Bihar, who secured 12 seats, while the Telugu Desham Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu, brought in 16 from the southern Andhra Pradesh state. The Shiv Sena (SHS) from Maharashtra, led by Eknath Shinde, brought in 7 seats.

The BJP suffered the greatest setback to its expectations in the largest state in the union – Uttar Pradesh (UP) that sends 80 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha. The BJP could only muster 33 – down from its 62 in 2019. Modi and the BJP had counted that the grand opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in UP – birthplace of Sri Ram – would have enervated the Hindu-majority electors to deliver the knockout punch to secure the “400 paar”. What the analysts have concluded is that the issues of massive unemployment among youths and rampant inflation were more pressing than the emotional satisfaction of having the long-awaited Ram Mandir built.

The same factor played out in neighbouring Bihar where BJP’s ally, JD(U) lost 4 seats even though Chief Minister Nitesh Kumar remains very popular. What all of this boils down to in practical politics is that Modi will have to give in to the demands of regional leaders which centre around bread-and-butter issues more than the glamour of being feted by the world and corporate leaders. The unemployment challenge will have to be addressed and fast. The de-risking by many manufacturing firms from China due to US sanctions and other measures to clip China’s wings offer Modi an avenue to attract more firms to both increase the “Make in India” brand and reduce unemployment.

International assistance to Afghanistan needs to adapt to the ‘new normal’

B y A lex A nder M A theou

Trucks painted bright blue, yellow, and purple dot the arid emptiness of Spin Boldak in southern Afghanistan. Their roofs are laden with the entire possessions of families who have returned from Pakistan after decades of displacement. Hundreds of thousands have preceded them in recent months following a ruling that undocumented migrants must leave or face deportation. Most have never been to Afghanistan before. They must build new lives from scratch.

Many are so poor that they don’t know where their next meal is coming from. They certainly don’t have the capital needed to start a livelihood. When they arrive in Spin Boldak, they receive medical care, some food, and a little cash from humanitarian agencies. They are grateful, but when I ask them what they want, they all underline the same thing – jobs, start-up capital – a chance to survive economically.

Very few will get such help. Not because humanitarian agencies don’t want to support them, but because international aid in Afghanistan is still largely geared towards survival, not resilience. This is true for returnees from Pakistan and for responses to floods and

earthquakes. As a result, there is a growing divergence between donor strategies and the expressed needs of Afghans facing climate and poverty-related exclusion and displacement risks.

That there is divergence is not surprising. Many of the major donors of international aid are from Europe and the United States. Memories of conflict are still fresh. On top of that, clashes in values with Taliban authorities, particularly regarding access to work and education for women and girls, make tension inevitable and necessary.

What is disappointing though is that the framing of much international assistance remains essentially negative, the emphasis being on not helping the Taliban. Whereas, what is needed is a people-first, positive framing that asks what institutions, structures, skills, and attitudes are most likely to contribute to sustained wellbeing and peace in Afghanistan, given the specificity of the context.

Some will protest that such a framing is impossible while half the population is excluded from education and the workforce. There are two main flaws to this argument.

The first is that it is not entirely true. While restrictions on women are unacceptable and severe, there are ex-

ceptions and workarounds that can support women, and these are opportunities to help.

The second is that restricting aid hurts everybody, including women and girls, who, as well as aspiring for themselves, also want their fathers, brothers, and husbands to have an income and an education. In other words, everybody loses from non-engagement, including those the non-engagement is intended to support.

What would a more positive framing consist of in practice?

For a start, it would consider the institutional capacity in Afghanistan to provide social protection and opportunities for its citizens rather than focusing on parallel, international structures. For the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, this means supporting the country’s leading national, humanitarian institution – the Afghan Red Crescent. But there are plenty of other institutions critical to the well-functioning of the country that would benefit from support too.

Second, it would think longterm. Instead of endlessly emphasising an urgent need for food, it would design support aimed at livelihood recovery and job creation, for men and women.

Ongoing youth mentorship programme under the guidance of Men on Mission (MoM) at the One Guyana Kitchen on Main Street, Georgetown (Office of the President photos)

Mother, 3 children homeless after fire destroys Berbice home

Amother and her three children are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin on Sunday morning destroyed their Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice home.

Reports are that no one was at home at the time of the fire which engulfed the 22-footx20-foot house.

This publication was told that at about 08:30h Dian Gobin sent her three children, ages three, five and seven to church and she left to repair her elec-

International assistance to...

This is not an assertion that relief aid is never needed, only that it should be supplementary to a strategy of promoting household economic independence. This is far from where we are now.

Third, it would invest in the country’s capacity to cope with the endless climate risks. Heavy rains and flooding have killed dozens of people in both southern and northern provinces of Afghanistan over recent weeks. Cattle, agricultural land, trees, and bridges have been destroyed, pushing thousands of some of the world’s poorest people into destitution.

Relief aid is needed, but so are check dams and early warning systems. Yet such development support that may provide sustainable protection remains unacceptable to many donors who see it as somehow aiding the de facto authorities. Such policies are helping no one.

Fourth, it would focus on all possible learning opportunities. There is rightly indignation at the lack of secondary education for girls, but we should not give up on learning altogether. Every feasible opportunity for alternative education, vocational education, skills development, and learning should be

supported for both men and women. Of all the crises Afghanistan is experiencing, the least visible and most severe may well be a mental health crisis rooted in trauma from the past and a lack of hope in the future. Relief aid is a weak strategy to address that.

Supporting self-development is a strong one.

Finally, even a new framing must distinguish between engagement and endorsement. There are many good reasons why endorsement is problematic, but engagement to enable the right sort of investment that works in the best interests of the people of Afghanistan is critical.

After August 2021, many donor countries didn’t know how to respond to the shock of the change in leadership in Afghanistan. To their credit, some continued to respond to humanitarian imperatives even if they did hold back any development financing and engagement.

As we approach the third anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power, and begin to witness a relatively stable “new normal” under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan leadership, it is time for more donors to move from a reactive strategy to a proactive one. One that aims, as

much as possible and despite daunting challenges, to lay foundations not just for bare survival, but for well-being and hope.

(Al Jazeera)

(Alexander Matheou is Asia Pacific Reginal Director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)

have

tric bike in the next village. However, before she reached the repair shop the 34-year-old woman received a phone call informing her of the fire. She said she immedi-

ately returned home only to see the entire building engulfed in flames. According to her, despite the fact that her home was small, it was fully furnished.

A fireman extinguishing the fire

The Guyana Fire Service responded with two water tanks with support from Rose Hall Estate Land Rover and extinguished the fire. Gobin said that she and her children will have to stay in a small shop that is at the front of the premises.

Anyone desirous of assisting Gobin and her three kids can contract her on telephone number (592) 643-5756.

The small shop in which the family will now

to reside until the house can be rebuilt

Dian Gobin

Page Foundation

In this fun and easy weather science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate the greenhouse effect.

Materials:

Glass jar with a lid

One teaspoon of water

Sunny location outside

Instructions:

Put the teaspoon of water in the jar.

Tighten the lid securely so that no air can escape. Leave the jar in a sunny location for at least one hour. Small drops of water will form and cling to the side of the jar.

How it works:

The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat. This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere, because without an atmosphere all the Earth’s heat would dissipate into outer space. The greenhouse effect is one of the things that makes Earth a comfortable planet on which to live, but now we have too much of a good thing as too much heat is being trapped, overheating the earth.

The lid on the jar acts as the atmosphere and simulates the greenhouse effect trapping heat in the jar and making it warmer than it would be without the lid.

Make this a science project:

Try this experiment with a black piece of construction paper taped to the back side of the jar. Try adding ice to the jar. Try adding salt or food colouring to the water. Try removing the lid. (sciencefun.org)

“I’m very confident” – Forde on clinching PNC nominations for leadership

…as Norton faces further trouble after ouster as APNU Chairman

Today, June 10 marks

Nomination Day for the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde, one of two likely challengers for the post of leader of the party, is confident that he will be able to clinch the nomination.

During a brief interview with this publication, Forde made it clear that he has done quite a bit of ground work ahead of Nomination Day, including at the grass roots level. He was not only confident of being nominated for leader, but also for a number of posts.

“I am confident that I will be nominated… for a number of posts. Not just leader of the party. (So) I’m very confident that I will be nominated by party groups across the length and breadth of the country.”

“And I’m very confident and grateful that they will see in me the necessary qualities to fill whatever offices the membership would have decided I should be nominated for,” Forde said. Efforts to get a comment from PNC Parliamentarian

Amanza Walton-Desir, another likely challenger for the position of leader, and to make contact with current leader Aubrey Norton, were futile.

The lead up to Nomination Day has meanwhile been less than smooth, after it emerged that there were discrepancies with the membership register. This was revealed in sections of the media by PNC/R General Setretary Dawn Hastings-Williams, who revealed that not only were there discrepancies in the register, but a computer had also malfunctioned.

It had been expected that the register would have been submitted to the

Accreditation Committee since June 6. This was not done, however, due to the malfunctioning computer and the work load.

According to HastingsWilliams, there are also potential delays with accrediting delegates since many have indicated that they would be unable to submit their names and relevant information before the deadline.

Further, HastingsWilliams wrote a letter copied to PNC/R Chairman Shurwayne Holder, in which she informed them of the complaints from the other groups and party members on the membership register not being accurate.

Guyana to conduct 3D...

Among those awarded oil blocks during the bid round was a Guyanese female-led company, Sispro Inc., which received a shallow block (S3) and a deep-water block (D2). Other shallow blocks were awarded to: Total Energies EP Guyana BV, in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), which got Block S4; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited, which got Block S7; and International Group Investment Inc. of Nigeria, which got two blocks – S5 and S10.

Another shallow block, S8, was awarded to the Stabroek Block partners: ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

The second deep-water block – D1 – was awarded to

Delcorp Inc. Guyana, which comprises Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia.

The government has said it wants to see uniformity in the non-fiscal terms of the contracts these oil block awardees will eventually sign, so that all the oil contracts have the same conditions.

And the government had recently indicated that they are clearing the way for the consortium of TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and PETRONAS to move on to the negotiation phase of the contract award… the only awardee from the 2022 oil blocks’ auction that has reached this stage so far. There is also the expected relinquishment of acreage in the Stabroek Block. Following a one-year extension last year, ExxonMobil is now expected to relin-

Coalition elections

Meanwhile, contention arose on Thursday after the recent election held by the A Partnership for National Unity where Vincent Henry of the Guyana Action Party (GAP) – one of the small parties that formed APNU – was elected as the new chairman.

In a statement, the Aubrey Norton-led PNCR said it did not authorise the APNU meeting and called the elections “null and void.”

This development comes on the heels of division within the PNCR over Norton’s leadership with party members citing the lack of financial accountability among a host of other issues since he took over the helm of the

quish 20 per cent of its Stabroek Block holdings in October of this year.

There are relinquishment clauses, which is typically included in contracts so that companies can relinquish a portion of the block when the renewable period is up, thereby allowing other companies to buy into the respective blocks.

For the Stabroek and Canje Blocks, operators were required to relinquish 20 per cent of their blocks after the first renewal period; while those of the Demerara and Corentyne Blocks were required to relinquish 15 per cent within this period.

The Kaieteur Block’s relinquishment provision was 25 per cent, then 20 per cent by the first renewal; with the Mahaicony and Roraima Blocks at 25 per cent. By the time of the first renewal for the Orinduik Block, the operators are not expected to relinquish any portion.

main Opposition party in December 2021.

“The PNCR, which is the Chairman of the APNU, and who at present is Mr Aubrey C. Norton did not send out any notice for APNU meeting nor elections. What purports to be an APNU election is unauthorised and null and void. As is well known, the APNU has no General Secretary since none was elected after the resignation of Mr Joe Harmon,” PNC said in its statement.

“The PNCR wishes to note that any claim that the PNCR was invited to a meeting is totally untrue, as we received no such invitation. Moreover, there is no one with the locus standi to send such an invitation. The PNCR remains

committed to the necessity and principles of coalition politics in Guyana,” they added.

Back in 2011, the PNCR had joined forces with GAP, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Justice for All Party (JFAP) and the National Democratic Front to form APNU. Two other small parties, the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP) and the Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM), later joined APNU in 2021.

Before the June 6 election, PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton was the Chairman of APNU. In addition to Henry, GNBM’s founder Tabitha Sarabo-Halley was also elected as General Secretary of APNU. (G3)

Roysdale Forde, MP PNC Leader Aubrey Norton

(L-R) Courdel Joseph, Executive member of NFA; Keith Scott, Leader of NFA; Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Leader of GNB; Vincent Henry, Leader of GAP; Jaipaul Sharma, Leader of ERJP and Errol Ross, Chair of GAP

NWD taxi driver charged for causing death of 10-year-old

A23-year-old taxi driver of Hobo Hill, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) was released on bail on Friday after the charge of causing death by dangerous driving and operating an uncertified motor vehicle was read to him.

Shane Rouse was charged for causing the death of pedestrian Terensha Pierre on March 18. It is alleged that the accident oc-

Charged: Shane Rouse

curred around 15:30h on Philbert Pierre Avenue/

Mabaruma Compound Public Road.

Pierre, a 10-yearold pupil at Hosororo Primary School in the North West District, had to be medevacked to Georgetown on March 19 for treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries. The vehicle involved, a car with the registration PXX 7767, was allegedly driven by Rouse.

Rouse appeared via Zoom at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court on Friday before Magistrate Clive Nurse, who read both charges to him. He pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was granted $350,000 bail. However, he pleaded guilty to driving an uncertified motor vehicle and was fined $30,000. The trial is scheduled for August 19. (G9)

Driver nabbed near DHB with 4lbs ganja

Atargeted police operation on Friday night led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man, who was caught transporting marijuana in his vehicle.

The operation was conducted near the Demerara Harbour Bridge where his vehicle was stopped and searched, and he was found to be in possession of 2,050 grams (4lbs) of marijuana.

It was reported that the ranks observed a silver-grey Toyota Premio car, registration PNN

7493, proceeding east in the vicinity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge at about 21:30h Friday night. The Police stopped the vehicle, and the 40-year-old driver was asked if he had anything illegal in his vehicle. The driver then indicated to the ranks that he had “some weed.” According to Police, they searched the car and found a black plastic bag containing two parcels of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The driver was arrested, and escorted to the

that was found in the driver’s possession

Providence Police Station along with the narcotics, was weighed and amount-

ed to 2,050 grams. He remains in custody pending charges. (G9)

Trouble…

…in APNU camp

With the way the weather’s been acting up recently, we’re been reminded with a vengeance of the import of the phrase “when it rains, it pours”. And sadly, the leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, is finding out that import as leader of the PNC and APNU: when the shit hits the fan, it splatters everywhere!! Here it is, APNU was formed before the 2011 elections for the specific purpose of hiding the PNC from the terror they struck in the minds of half the population. Not good when folks enter the polling booths and you want them to put their Xs next to your Palm Tree!!

But leader of the PNC, Robert Corbin knew the PNC needed deep cover with a new name. He not only agreed to join up with some minnows – after several incarnations of PNCR and PNCR1G had failed – but actually stepped aside as leader to place David Granger in his stead!! Greater love hath no man for his party than RHO Corbin!! So PNC “coalesced” with a bunch of paper and one-man parties like the National Democratic Front (NDF); the Justice for All Party (JFAP); Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) – now replaced by GNB – to form “A Partnership for National Unity” (APNU). Tell your Eyewitness now, Dear Reader, did you ever hear about the NDF?? The PNC was now the elephant in APNU – and could sit anywhere it wanted because of its size!!

And the gambit worked!! APNU did quite well at the 2011 elections and with the seats of the AFC, checkmated the PPP in the National Assembly!! Coalescing with the AFC for the 2015 elections was a no-brainer – even though Ramjattan’s worry that the AFC would be “Dead Meat” proved prescient!! Now while APNU/AFC had their hands in the till between 2015 and 2020, everything was hunky dory – the folks in the paper parties providing the fig leaf to the PNC were well taken care of!!

But here we are – four years after APNU/AFC were voted out and with the PNC fighting to remain viable – having voted in the now-beleaguered Norton to replace Granger – the paper-parties worm seems to’ve turned!! They’re clearly being orchestrated to sideline or control Norton by voting him out as chair of APNU. They claim to’ve invited the PNC, but Norton denies this and says their action is illegal! But if the paper parties are taking away their cover, there’s precious little Norton can do about it!!

Unless, of course, they’re planning on supporting another (dark?) horse in the PNC leadership sweepstakes – who they’ll identify before the Congress votes end July!! They’ll become kingmakers and demand more flesh come 2025!!

…in African Guyanese orgs??

Your Eyewitness just read that some 27 African Guyanese orgs got funding from the Government. Now this is sure to raise some eyebrows – and ire – in IDPADA-G which had received hundreds of millions from the PNC (under cover as APNU/AFC), but had its money spigot turned down by the PPP Government. The PPP claimed that the money wasn’t ending up with the folks who it was intended to help – Guyanese of African Descent in their formulation – but with IDPADA-G’s staff.

PM Phillips explained that the funding of $50 million was part of the $100 million that had been budgeted under the Govt’s 2024 commitment to the UN-sponsored International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). The funds would allow various groups to tackle critical needs from agriculture to healthcare and training, to directly benefit the community of Guyanese of African descent.

Your Eyewitness hopes the groups receiving the funding highlight their work where African Guyanese learn to fish rather than being given fishes.

…with labelling

“And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.”

The ganja

Payara, Prosperity FPSO producing oil beyond expectations – EEPGL

…company continues to explore for more development opportunities

The Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which services ExxonMobil’s third project in the Stabroek Block, has been performing beyond expectations just eight months after start up.

During a recent sit down with the media, ExxonMobil Guyana Vice President and Business Services Manager Phillip Rietema spoke of the Payara project and the oil production it has been churning out. Further, he noted that the company continues to look out for additional development opportunities.

“We continue to invest heavily in Guyana. ExxonMobil Guyana alone has invested around $3 Trillion in the Stabroek Block, with our partners.

Its around $6 Trillion and with future projects already approved and committed, that will reach $11 Trillion and we’re still exploring and we’re still looking for additional development opportunities.”

“This is bringing significant value to Guyana, underpinning the growth that

we’re seeing. We’re really proud of the work we do. These deep-water projects are some of the most efficient. Prosperity that came online in 2023, has exceeded expectations. It came online earlier than planned, production has ramped up sooner than planned. And it is generating significant

value for the state,” Rietema said.

The oil executive further spoke of ExxonMobil’s desire to continue being Guyana’s energy partner, as well as to continue to invest in Guyana’s growth and development. According to him, this is even beyond oil and gas.

“We are Guyana’s energy partner; we talk a lot about being an essential partner. That’s imbued in all of our people as they look to do their work each day. And it extends beyond our oil and gas work. We continue to look for opportunities to invest in the growth and

development of Guyana,” he added.

Exxon, through its local subsidiary EEPGL, is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

The Liza Phases One and Two and Payara projects, all of which combined are producing over 600,000 barrels of oil per day, account for the three float-

ing, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s Stabroek Block in waters offshore. When it comes to the Prosperity FPSO, Exxon has been eyeing the possibility of increasing production there. EEPGL President Alistair Routledge had previously explained that they are going through reviews with government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Prosperity FPSO

Stop dumping waste in waterways – Parag to vendors

Local Government

Minister Sonia Parag has called on market vendors to stop using the waterways to dispose of their solid waste.

The minister during an engagement with vendors who operate along the roadway adjacent to the Corriverton Market called on market vendors not to use waterways to dump solid waste.

Addressing the issue of a clogged canal in the area, Parag said it would be cleared but warned the ven-

dors against the practice.

According to the minister, the cleaning of the canal will be a collaborative effort involving three Ministries noting that the necessary authorities have been engaged.

“Within two days in the upcoming week, we want to have that cleared out. I am imploring on vendors who are plying their trade along the roadway on the outer part of the market to ensure that they don’t throw their plastic bottles and their glass bottles and their garbage into the trenches

because these things are contributing to the trenches being clogged and the drainage being clogged. so, we don’t have proper drainage and because of this a lot of times, it contributes to the stagnant water and to the floods,” Parag pointed out.

The Agriculture Ministry through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the Public Works Ministry through the Sea Defense Board will undertake the cleaning of the canal, which is one of the town's major

waterways.

“We want to be able to help our communities and I want to implore upon resi-

dents and vendors to ensure that they try to keep their surrounding areas as clean as possible and don’t

contribute to that problem; be a part of the solution,” the minister admonished.

(G4)

Kitty man busted with AK-47, gun silencer, ammo, drugs

Police in Georgetown arrested a resident of Kitty, Georgetown on Saturday afternoon after finding firearms including an AK-47 with matching ammunition and a quantity of narcotics in his apartment.

According to police reports, acting on information received, the ranks went to Da Silva Street, Kitty, at about 12:30h and made contact with the 37-year-old suspect.

The Police ranks conducted a search of his apartment and found one AK-47 Rifle, one Glock 26 Pistol; 830 live 7.62 ammunition;

four live .223 ammunition, nine live 9mm ammunition; two live .32 ammunition; three AR-15 magazines; one AK-47 magazine, three Glock magazines; one gun silencer, a quantity of Ecstasy, 107 grams of cocaine; 544.3 grams of cannabis and one scale. He was arrested and remains in custody as ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department continue their investigation.

(G9)

The clogged canal at Corriverton, Berbice

The guns, drugs and ammo that were found by Police on Saturday

Local Government Minister Sonia Parag

Surge in workplace accidents triggers Labour Ministry inspections

Following a surge in workplace accidents over the past few months, the Labour Ministry has ramped up its inspection efforts to ensure compliance with occupational safety regulations.

A two-day inspection outreach was conducted at multiple construction sites last week along Eping Avenue and Lamaha Street, Georgetown, under the leadership of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer, Ray Hosannah.

The outreach is part of the ministry's initiative to intensify oversight in the construction, restaurant, and business services sectors. Accompanying Hosannah were Shadae David and Joel Mentore, work-study students from the University of Guyana (UG), who assisted in the inspections.

The inspection team scrutinised the construction sites to ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, Chapter 99:06. They checked for the implementation of safety mechanisms, the provision of hygienic restroom facilities, and other essential OSH practices.

Additionally, the team engaged directly with construction workers, provid-

ing guidance on proper safety protocols, accident prevention, fall protection, and the importance of reporting workplace hazards.

Management at the inspected sites received a detailed list of recommendations aimed at improving safety standards and were given a one-month grace period to rectify any identified breaches in accordance with the OSH Act.

The Labour Ministry's OSH Department has emphasised its commitment to continuous engagement with the construction sector through sensitisation sessions, safety talks, brochures, and other forms of outreach.

According to the ministry, it has also reiterated the powers vested in OSH officers, which include the authority to enter, inspect, and examine any industrial establishment at any time. During inspec-

tions, OSH officers will review key documents such as the Accident Register, OSH Policy, and HIV/ AIDS Policy, ensuring they are properly displayed in the workplace. They will also inspect the adequacy of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, potable drinking water, housekeeping standards, and washroom facilities for both genders.

The increased inspections are a crucial step towards mitigating workplace accidents and ensuring that all employees operate in a secure and compliant environment.

The most recent industrial accident in Georgetown occurred less than a month ago and claimed the life of Bryan Hardilall, a 19-year-old porter of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara.

It was reported that the young man died after being electrocuted and fall-

ing from a three-story construction site on Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

In March the department launched an investigation into the death of a Pritipaul Singh Investments’ worker.

Ravichandra Seemangal succumbed three days after the inci-

dent occurred on March 13.

Reports were that Seemangal was riding his bicycle while a tele hoist operator was reversing the vehicle and hoist collided with him.

In 2023, the Labour Ministry recorded a total of 20 occupational deaths due to accidents in the

mining, construction, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Additionally, the ministry recorded 175 non-fatal accidents that were investigated out of the 577 reports received in 2023. Most of these reports emanated from the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Ravichandra Seemangal

Occupational Health Officers conducting inspections

Dead: Bryan Hardilall

Linden teen dies in accident

An accident on Saturday claimed the life of a teenage motorcyclist at Amelia’s Ward in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara -Upper Berbice).

Dead is 17-year-old Stephen Burnett of Lot 5946 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Reports are that the accident occurred around 14:00h at the intersection of Amelia’s Ward Public Road and Toucan Drive in Linden. It involved motorcar, PAC 9289, driven by a 31-year-old pregnant woman from Amelia’s Ward, and Burnett’s motorcycle, CM 971.

According to police reports, the car was traveling west on the southern drive lane of Amelia’s Ward public road and as the driver approached the intersection, she signaled a right turn to head north onto Toucan Drive.

During the turn, the motorcyclist, who was also heading west and was not wearing a safety helmet, allegedly overtook a line of vehicles at high speed. He collided with the car’s right front door and windshield, resulting in him falling onto the road and sustaining severe injuries.

Burnett who was unconscious and, along with the injured driver, were taken to Linden Hospital Complex. Upon arrival, Burnett was pronounced dead and the pregnant woman was treated for neck and bodily injuries and admitted to the hospital.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing. (G9)

Site preparation ongoing for construction of nursing school at NA

Preparatory works for the construction of a new nursing school in New Amsterdam, Region Six, has commenced. However, not much information is available on what would be a multi-million-dollar project.

The new nursing school is being constructed at the site that was occupied by the old New Amsterdam Hospital.

Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that a new nursing school would be constructed in New Amsterdam. The facility will include a dormitory to allow individuals from other regions to attend the school and benefit from the training.

Back in February, the Head of State disclosed that the Government is working on securing degree accreditation from the University of the West Indies the new nursing school in Berbice.

President Ali also announced on Friday that Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has been tasked with ironing out the arrangements for this initiative so that persons training at the facility would receive a UWI Nursing Degree.

However, while works have commenced to prepare the site for construction, details such as the cost of the project and the contractor have not been made public.

Regional Chairman

David Armogan would only say that the contract was awarded to a local company and subcontracted out to another foreign company.

Nevertheless, Armogan recently visited the project site to inspect the land preparation works.

“I went there the other day and I saw a lot of Chinese working on the project. The land has been cleared and the people who were occupying the front area, we removed them. We would have to do some landfilling there. I understand that the contract was subcontracted to a Chinese company. I was there and the guys couldn’t understand what I was saying; they don’t understand any English. The project is to build a nursing school on the old hospital compound,” Armogan told reporters.

Meanwhile, this publication visited the site on Friday and the foreigners on site claimed not to be able to communicate in English and could provide no information.

In May 2012, the old New Amsterdam Nursing School was upgraded. The $49M project saw the facility for the first-time having accommodation for some student nurses.

“At this new one we want to have accommodation as well so that nurses can come from other regions, live there and study there,” the Regional Chairman pointed out. (G4)

Dead: Stephen Burnett

The car that was involved in the accident

The motorcycle that Stephen Burnett was riding at the time of the accident

Preparatory works at the site for the new NA nursing school

Career Fair: The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recently engaged students of Queen's College and St Joseph's High School by giving them the unique opportunity to learn about the daily life of soldiers and understand the essential tasks they perform. The engagements, also aimed at providing students with insights into various career paths, saw enthusiastic participation from students eager to learn about the GDF (GDF photos)

“We have a caring government” – Swan

Toshao

The residents of Swan, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway are now better equipped to generate income with the opening of a $7 million Block House and Multipurpose Centre, supported by the addition of two sand trucks worth $24 million.

These two adjacent buildings were funded by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s COVID relief, the Presidential

on $31M community investment

on Saturday, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with re -

The block-making project and centre exemplify the government’s

Grant, and proceeds from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Through careful financial management, the village leader and residents also managed to procure two trucks, costing $24 million, to assist in transporting the blocks.

An additional $1 million was spent on constructing a sanitary facility to benefit workers and those using the Multi-purpose Centre, a DPI report stated.

During the commissioning ceremony

sponsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, expressed his admiration for the village’s prudent use of funds.

“Swan has done it again… today, we are on to another set of developments within the community. This, however, is just part of the [ongoing] journey to prosperity,” Minister McCoy is quoted as telling residents, according to DPI.

The minister asserted that the hallmark of the PPP/C Government is to improve people’s livelihoods and transform their communities.

commitment to enhancing the lives of citizens, whether they live near or far.

“This is deliberate because it is part of our commitment to understanding who people are, what are their needs, and what investments we as the government need to make to have our people progress,” the minister stated.

Toshao of Swan, Finton Ragnauth, emphasised the importance of wise financial management to meet the community’s needs.

Residents of Swan using for the first time the multi-purpose centre

“Today, I am very grateful to stand as the village leader and say we have a caring government that continues to invest in us,’ he said.

The village leader continued “I am blessed to know we have some young people right in here who are making the blocks. I believe that this will take us further in life.”

Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the Lamaha\Yarrowkabra Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Michelle Drepaul highlighted Swan’s leadership in executing development projects along the highway.

He explained,” it was a struggle to get certain things done within this village. However, with the support from you, the people of Swan, and the PPP\C Government…We have achieved…so many things in such a short time.”

She encouraged residents to continue working together to achieve even more.

The current production figures will be further buttressed by the Yellowtail and Uaru developments, which are already underway and are anticipated to contribute 250,000 barrels of oil each following their respective start-ups.

An application for the sixth development, the Whiptail Project, was submitted by the Stabroek Block operator to the Guyana Government last year, and has already received the necessary approvals, with Exxon making its Final Investment Decision (FID) in April.

This project will see Guyana producing just over 1.2 million barrels of oil per day by 2027.

In addition to at least these six projects offshore Guyana that Exxon anticipates will be online by 2027, it is also eyeing the possibility of having 10 FPSOs operational by 2030. Production has already started on three

projects, with the Liza Destiny and Unity and the Prosperity FPSO vessels in operation.

The third project – the Payara development –targets an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels, and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana. Meanwhile, the Yellowtail development, which will be Exxon’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, has an anticipated start-up of 2025.

The Uaru oil development, which will be the fifth one for the company offshore Guyana, is targeting between 38 and 63 development wells, including production, water injection, and gas re-injection wells.

Exxon had also previously made known that first oil from the Uaru development is anticipated by late 2026 or early 2027. (G3)

Some of the concrete blocks that were made by youths within the village

One of the trucks that were procured to transport the blocks

Moderate child food poverty exists in Guyana – UNICEF

..Govt budgeted $4.9B for school feeding programme in 2024

A2024 Child Nutrition Report released recently by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has detected levels of severe and moderate child food poverty in Guyana.

Released over the weekend, the report titled ‘Child Food Poverty: Nutrition deprivation in early childhood’ examines the status, trends, inequities and drivers of child food poverty in early childhood across the globe.

It features country-level estimates of the percentage of children living in severe food poverty in 92 countries with a recent national survey between 2016 and 2022 on less than 50 per cent of the population in each nation. The prevalence of severe child food poverty in each country is classified as ‘high’ – more than 30 per cent; ‘medium’ – below 10 to less than 30 and ‘low’ –10 per cent and below.

UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood. It said children living in severe child food poverty are missing out on many nutrient-rich foods, while unhealthy foods are becoming entrenched in the diets of these children.

Globally, one in four children are living in severe child food poverty in early childhood, amounting to 181 million children under five years of age, the report states.

According to UNICEF, children who receives 0–2 food groups per day are living in severe child food poverty; 3–4 food groups per day are living in moderate child food poverty, and 5 or more food groups

per day are not living in child food poverty.

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, there is a 38 per cent of total child food poverty prevalence. The report states that the LAC region has the lowest percentage of children living in severe child food poverty with country estimates ranging from as low as three per cent in Costa Rica to 32 per cent in Haiti.

With regards to Guyana in terms of global ranking, the country was placed in the medium category for severe child food poverty with 20 per cent alongside Bangladesh.

According to the report, data from the 2016 to 2022 surveyed period shows that 20 per cent of Guyanese children are living in severe child food poverty receiving only two food groups per day and 40 per cent in moderate child food poverty, receiving three to four food groups per day.

A further breakdown of the data in the report revealed that when it comes to diet content of children living in severe child food poverty, less than 20 per cent of children are breastfed only, just under 40 per cent have dairy only or with breastmilk, nearly 70 per cent are given starchy staple only or with breastmilk/dairy, and more than 90 per cent of children get other foods like eggs, flesh foods, fruits and vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.

Based on these figures, the report highlighted that there was a significant increase over the past decade of the percentage of children living in severe child food poverty in Guyana, moving from just over 10 per cent in 2012 to the 20 per cent in 2022

According to UNICEF, growing inequities, conflict, and climate crises, combined with rising food prices, the overabundance of unhealthy foods, harm-

ful food marketing strategies and poor child feeding practices, are condemning millions of children around the world to child food poverty.

“Child food poverty harms all children, but it is particularly damaging in early childhood when insufficient dietary intake of essential nutrients can cause the greatest harm to child survival, physical growth, and cognitive development, trapping children and their families in a cycle of poverty and deprivation,” it noted.

However, the report states that while progress towards ending severe child food poverty is slow, some regions and countries are proving that progress is possible and is happening.

It added that severe child food poverty is experienced by children belonging to poor and non-poor households thus indicating that household income is not the only driver of severe child food poverty.

According to the UNICEF report, this scale

of severe child food poverty the slow progress over the past decade, and the impacts of severe child food poverty on child survival, growth and development demand a step change in commitment, actions and accountability. To address child malnutrition, governments and partners must invest in actions to improve children’s access to diverse and nutritious diets and end severe child food poverty.

Guyana’s school feeding programme

In Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has introduced a number of initiatives to ensure the country’s children are properly fed. The Ministry of Education’s National School Feeding Programme is targeting some 126,000 students in 2024 for which some $4.9 billion was budgeted. Last year, some 85,000 school children benefitted from this initiative.

This school Feeding programme targets all

nursery schools and all primary Schools in Grades 1 and 2. It is implemented in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, 10 and in Georgetown, where children are given locally made biscuits and juices. Regions Seven, Eight and Nine are targeted separately.

Under this initiative, the National Breakfast Programme was also launched in 2022, providing a daily meal to Grade Six students along the coastal regions: Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

These programmes are in addition to the Education Ministry’s Hot Meal Programme which serves meals to primary and primary top students in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands -West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). (G8)

A graph in the UNICEF Report showing the diet content of children living in severe child food poverty in Guyana and other LAC countries

US$75.8M Good Success-to-Timehri

Road project to start in August

Construction works on the highly anticipated US$75.8 million East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road improvement project, spanning from Good Success to Timehri, are set to commence in August.

The project is expected to be completed within a 36-month deadline, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said on Sunday.

This initiative, aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, marks the first of its kind to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Guyana.

Undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate vital routes for efficient transportation.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, the project has been divided into three sections to ensure it remains on schedule with minimal disruption to

commuters.

Section A covers the stretch from Good Success, beginning at the Ganga Temple, to Supply, while Section B extends from Supply to the Soesdyke Junction.

Section C continues from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction, near the Timehri Police Station.

A notable feature of the project is the integration with the Soesdyke/Linden Highway through the construction of a roundabout, designed to facilitate smoother traffic transitions.

The project entails the rehabilitation of 24 kilometres of road, alongside the reconstruction and widening of over 58 bridges and culverts.

The roadway will be upgraded to a two-lane highway, complete with enhanced safety features such as sidewalks and cycle lanes to cater to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Additionally, thermoplastic road markings, LED street lighting, and traffic signs will be installed to enhance safety and nav-

igation along the carriageway.

To manage the flow of traffic during the construction period, a comprehensive traffic management plan has been developed. Construction will begin in Section B, where there is sufficient space to accommodate ongoing work without severe traffic disruption.

During that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times, with efforts to maintain two lanes wherever possible. Construction activities will be confined to one side of the roadway at a

time to further mitigate traffic issues.

Stakeholders and road users will remain informed through the RESOLV 75 app, which will provide real-time updates on the project activities.

Additionally, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will also be mobilised to maintain order and ensure a steady flow of traffic throughout the construction period.

An unpriced bill of quantities will be made available on the Ministry’s website, allowing the public to track the project’s progress and expenditure in an effort to promote transparency and accountability.

This project is part of the PPP/C government’s effort to improve the country’s infrastructure, as part of its manifesto commitment to provide enhanced transportation efficiency and safety nationwide for all road users.

As the main roadway leading to the country’s main port of en -

try – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, the EBD corridor has been massively expanded in recent years. An alternative four-lane highway from Mandela Avenue all the way to Diamond, a Diamond to Mocha Arcadia twolane road, a four-lane road at Little Diamond, a new Grove/Diamond Road, and several road ongoing expansions at Diamond to Craig, Providence and Eccles have significantly lessened traffic congestions on the East Bank.

These and other planned road works along the EBD corridor will be further bolstered by the current construction of the India-funded bypass road project that will link the EBD corridor at Eccles to the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) at Ogle, creating a new highway in the backlands. Government plans to eventually extend this four-lane road all the way to the CJIA in Timehri.

Police caution parents on allowing children to use e-bikes

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is advising parents about the dangers of allowing children to use e-bikes on the busy roadways as well as they themselves using this mode of transportation to carry their kids.

E-bikes have become a popular mode of transportation for children along the East Coast Demerara, but police are raising serious safety concerns.

According to Sergeant Kevin Leitch of the Beterverwagting Police Station during a recent televised programme, children as young as five are riding these e-bikes without proper knowledge of road safety.

Sergeant Leitch pointed out that young riders are often seen riding on the wrong side of

Sergeant Kevin Leitch

the road, into oncoming traffic, and disregarding all road signs.

These behaviors, he said, pose significant dangers not only to the riders themselves but also to other road users.

“To the best of their knowledge, they don’t know anything about the use of the road when using such motor vehicles. Some of them, would ride along the opposite lane of traffic into the incoming

traffic…”, he explained.

He said the issue is compounded by parents who not only allow but also participate in these unsafe practices.

The sergeant said officers have reported instances of parents taking multiple children on a single e-bike to school. Despite police interventions, these dangerous behaviors continue.

“These parents are giving the children these e-cycles to go to school or the shops…I would see parents with two or three children driving. You would be stopping the traffic and they would still be riding. Many times, you have to stop and talk to them and tell them the next time you will charge them,” Leitch said.

He said even when officers intervene and stop

these riders, Leitch said some parents and bystanders react with verbal abuse towards the officers, complicating enforcement efforts.

Just last year, they were amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic laws, which seek to regulate the use of electric bikes.

The new regulatory

framework aims to address the rising number of road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes. The bill was passed in the National Assembly in April last year. Supported unambitiously in Parliament the Bill defines electric cycles as motorcycles with electric motors and ef-

fective braking systems. It mandates that electric cycles adhere to the same registration and usage rules as conventional motorcycles. These bikes, costing between $70,000 and $150,000 and with speeds below 50 km/h, have become popular due to their affordability and ease of use. (G9)

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam meDicine, enDocrinology/ DiabeTes

There is not one way to prevent prostate cancer. However, several natural methods may help, such as maintaining a moderate weight and eating a balanced diet. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the type most common among men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the majority, prostate cancer is not fatal. The American Cancer Society estimates that males with prostate cancer have a five-year survival rate of 99 per cent. Prostate cancer can still carry serious consequences for quality of life and may be life-threatening.

Adding soy products to the diet may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is not possible to prevent prostate cancer, but it is possible to reduce a person’s risk. Most natural methods of reducing this risk are safe if a person follows a doctor’s instructions and has no allergic response. Incorporate these methods into a broader care plan and speak with a doctor beforehand.

The best way to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer is to

HEALTH TIPS

MEN'S HEALTH – PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION

make positive changes involving diet and exercise, according to the American Cancer Society. If a person tries to reduce their risk in other ways, these are less likely to be effective without a healthy diet and exercise programme.

• Risk factors

People aged 65 years of age or older account for many cases of prostate cancer.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include:

• Age.

Approximately 60 per cent of all prostate cancer diagnoses occur in males aged 65 or older.

• Genetics. The highest rates of prostate cancer in the US occur in African American men, followed by men who are Caucasian, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander, respectively.

• Diet. A diet rich in fat and low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of prostate cancer.

• Environment. Exposure to some industrial chemicals also increases this risk.

• Family history. If a father or brother has had prostate cancer, a person has more than twice the risk of developing it.

Natural ways to lower risk

Researchers continue to investigate the potential for medications and natural remedies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The following drugs may be effective: finasteride (Proscar), dutasteride (Avodart), aspirin

However, no study to date definitively demon-

strates that any drug can eliminate the risk. In recent years, rigorous biomedical research has tested the effectiveness of natural remedies. For example, results of laboratory studies have suggested that saw palmetto has beneficial properties. However, it is not an effective treatment for prostate cancer. Below are some natural remedies that are commonly used to lower the risk of prostate cancer.

• Soy products Isoflavones are a chemical compound with anti-inflammatory properties. The foods with the highest concentrations of isoflavones are soybean products, including:

• Tofu

• Soy milk

Other foods that contain isoflavones include:

• Chickpeas

• Beans

• Alfalfa

A 2016 study concluded that isoflavones could benefit health in several ways, including helping to protect against prostate cancer. The medical community currently holds that while isoflavones cannot treat or prevent the disease, they can play a protective role.

• Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are present in fish and other types of seafood. Additional sources include walnuts, flax seeds, soybeans

There is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce prostate cancer risk. However, many experts no longer believe that the acids have significant cancer-fighting properties.

• Tomatoes Studies suggest that tomato consumption may lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Processed tomatoes, including all cooked and canned varieties, contain a compound called lycopene. Some studies suggest that this compound may reduce the risk of cancers, especially those of the prostate, lung, and stomach. A review from 2016 found that increased tomato consumption resulted in a reduced risk of prostate cancer, though the authors note that more research is needed.

• Grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots also contain lycopene.

• Coffee In 2016, researchers published a review of 105 studies that considered the effects of coffee on cancer risk. They concluded that coffee and its

antioxidant capabilities may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and some other types of disease.

What to avoid

Some compounds in foods may increase a person’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Consider avoiding the following:

• Selenium and vitamin E

The medical community once considered selenium and vitamin E to be opponents of cancer. However, more recent research suggests that these compounds, when taken together or in isolation, can increase the risk of prostate cancer in some people. Anyone concerned about prostate cancer should avoid supplements containing vitamin E or selenium.

• Vegetable oils

A diet excessively high in fat can increase the risk of many types of cancer, and the omega-6 fatty acids in vegetable oils may promote the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Oils derived from corn, sunflowers, safflowers, cottonseed, and soybeans, for example, can contain substantial amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.

• Grilled or fried meats

The National Cancer Institute in the United States advises against eating meats cooked at high temperatures, typically by grilling or frying. When a person cooks muscle meat, including beef, pork, and poultry, at high temperatures, the meat may form chemicals that cause changes in DNA, resulting in an increased risk of cancer.

• Sugar and carbohydrates

The glycemic load and glycemic index measurements show how quickly carbohydrates and sugars affect a person’s blood sugar and insulin. Some studies have suggested that a diet with a high glycemic load may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reports that while the relationship between sugar and cancer remains complex, sugar may have the highest impact on the risk of prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.

Get regular testing

A lifestyle that includes exercise and a healthful diet can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, attending regular checkups and screenings is still the best way to handle this risk. Speak with a doctor before trying natural or alternative ways to prevent cancer.

While it is not possible to prevent prostate cancer, some lifestyle changes and natural compounds may reduce a person’s risk. Anyone concerned about their prostate cancer risk should attend regular checkups and screenings.

Regional

Patterson: Privy Council was never intended to be Jamaica’s final Court of Appeal

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has asserted that the framers of Jamaica’s Constitution never intended for the British Privy Council to remain as Jamaica’s highest Court of Appeal, hence it was never deeply entrenched in the constitutional framework.

Speaking at a forum at the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Patterson emphasised that both Norman Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante had not subscribed to the “retention of an apex court created to maintain the cause of the British Empire, through which it would maintain its dominion by way of the Privy Council as the final determinant of our legal rights.”

Patterson, Jamaica’s sixth and longest-serving Prime Minister, had an insider’s perspective during the creation of the Jamaican Constitution. He noted that with the dissolution of the West Indies Federation, the Federal

Court would automatically be dissolved. As a temporary measure, it was decided to retain the Privy Council until a Final Caribbean Court could be established.

“Our founding fathers envisaged the establishment of a Caribbean Court at the apex. This should remain a settled national position and should not be subverted because of political expediency, which has now emerged as a partisan divide,” Patterson lamented.

“Not one single valid ground has been advanced as to why this vestigial colonial institution should

remain,” Patterson declared.

He argued that if Sir Alexander Bustamante was not convinced that it was a temporary measure, “he would have insisted on the deep entrenchment of the Privy Council”.

Patterson explained that the proposal to establish a Caribbean Court of Appeal originated from a recommendation by the Officers of the Caribbean Commonwealth Bar Association in 1970 and was approved at a meeting chaired by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Hugh Shearer. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Former BVI Premier requests another delay in sentencing

Former British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Premier Andrew Fahie has once again requested a delay in his sentencing, currently scheduled for June 25.

Earlier this week, his Attorney, Theresa Van Vliet, filed a motion citing a scheduling conflict as the reason for the postponement, proposing a new date of August 5.

Fahie was arrested in April 2022 and found guilty in February 2024 on multiple charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering.

“The undersigned counsel has developed a personal conflict that cannot be rescheduled for June 25, 2024,” said Van Vliet.

In her statement to the court, Van Vliet emphasised that Fahie had been advised of the request and concurred.

She added that both the prosecution and Fahie’s co-counsel are available for the proposed new sentencing date in August.

This is not the first time Fahie’s sentencing has been deferred. Originally set for April 2024, the date was pushed to June, and now potentially further into the summer, drawing even more public and media scrutiny.

In 2022, Fahie was held with Oleanvine Maynard, the former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, in Miami after the two conspired with

Maynard’s son, Kadeem Stephan Maynard.

The trio agreed to allow large amounts of cocaine to pass through the BVI’s ports as part of a multi-million dollar deal the trio made with an informant of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who was posing as a drug trafficker at the time.

Maynard admitted guilt over her role in the plot and agreed to testify against Fahie in exchange for a lighter punishment.

Maynard’s son Kadeem was sentenced on November 20, 2023, to serve 57 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to a single count of conspiracy to import cocaine. (Trinidad Guardian)

Mexico’s ruling party wins Lower House super-majority, but falls short in Senate

Mexico's ruling Morena party and its allies have won a super-majority in the Lower House of Congress, but not the Senate, the party's President said on Sunday, falling just short of the two-thirds majority needed in both Houses to change the Constitution.

Preliminary results from the June 2 vote, which elected Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico's first woman President in a landslide, had showed her party, Morena, and its allies coming close, but missing out on the twothirds majority.

Ultimately, Morena's coalition, which includes the Green Party and the Labour Party, will control 83 seats in the 128seat Senate, just shy of the 85-seat super-majority threshold, Morena President Mario Delgado said in a social media post.

In the 500-member Lower House of Congress, the ruling leftist coalition will have 372 seats, above the 334-seat super-majority threshold, Delgado said.

"With a super-majority in the Lower House and a majority in the Senate, we will deepen the transformation to keep building a country with well-being and shared prosperity," Delgado said.

Mexico's INE electoral authority had said it would recount 60 per cent of votes. Mexican Opposition leader Xochitl Galvez, who lost to Sheinbaum in the election by some 30 percentage points, had called for a recount of 80 per cent of the ballot boxes.

Uncertainty over the makeup of the next

Congress, which takes office in September, roiled markets last week since both outgoing leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President-elect Sheinbaum signalled their support for sweeping reforms to the Constitution.

The potential reforms include the elimination of independent energy regulators, while consolidating power in the executive branch, in addition to an overhaul of the Judiciary that would see popularly-elected Supreme Court Judges. (Reuters)

Barbadian dance icon Gene Cumberbatch Lynch passes

Barbados’s cultural community is mourning the loss of one of its dancing icons.

News of the passing of Gene Carson Cumberbatch Lynch was shared via the National Cultural Foundation’s social media pages with a tribute.

Cumberbatch Lynch is considered the godfather of dance in Barbados.

The full tribute follows:

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of dance icon Gene Carson Cumberbatch Lynch.

Considered the “Godfather” of Dance in Barbados, Gene, started dancing in 1974 with The Barbados Dance

Theatre Company, where he served as teacher, choreographer and artistic director.

A graduate of dance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and the State University of New York College at Brockport where he completed his Diploma, Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Dance and Choreography, Gene went on to develop the syllabus for the Associate Degree of Dance programme at the Barbados Community College. He toured Britain, North and South America, and the Caribbean with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and the Barbados

Dance Theatre Company. His tutelage and choreographies were mounted by various dance companies such as the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, L’Acadco and Movements Dance Companies of Jamaica, The Barbados Dance Theatre Company, Dancin’ Africa, Pinelands Creative Workshop, numerous NCF programmes and many more.

He created the original Barbadian dance technique; The Gene Carson Landship Technique, which is a fusion of the Barbados Landship manoeuvres, other elements and his dance training in his over 50-year career. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Prime Minister PJ Patterson

Morena President Mario Delgado and General Coordinator of the presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party Claudia Sheinbaum's campaign, speaks onstage after polls closed in the general elections, in Mexico City, Mexico, June 2, 2024 (Reuters/Raquel Cunha photo)

Around the World OIL NEWS

Growth in US oil and gas output slows down I

Oil and gas production in the United States hit record highs at the end of 2023, but has since trended lower, and the growth in output has slowed year-over-year.

US companies have slowed production growth rates as oil prices stabilised at lower levels last year compared to the 2022 highs, and US natural gas prices saw a slump to multi-decade lows early this year.

This year's increase in shale and overall US crude production will be much lower than in the past two years, analysts and forecasters say.

The decline in oil and gas prices compared to the spikes seen in 2022, the ongoing merger wave in the US shale industry, and the focus on shareholder returns – instead of production growth –have all combined to drag output growth lower in recent months.

The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States saw no change in the last week of May, according to data from Baker Hughes. The total rig count stayed the same at 600, compared to 696 rigs this same time last year.

Meanwhile, US crude oil production stayed the same for the 11th week in a row at an average of 13.1 million barrels per day (bpd) for the week ending May 24 – down by 200,000 bpd from the all-time high of 13.3 million bpd.

Moreover, Primary Vision's Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing wells that are unfinished, fell by six in the week ending May 24, to 257.

As a result, growth from the Lower 48 basins was no more than 500,000 bpd in March 2024 from the same month last year, per data cited by Reuters columnist John Kemp. This compares to yearly growth of up to one million bpd in the second half of 2023.

In other words, US oil production is growing, but at a much slower pace than in 2022 and 2023.

Amid the ongoing consolidation in the American oil and gas industry, producers have become bigger and are focusing on shareholder returns. They wouldn't be inclined to respond to every price spike with a major boost in drilling that ultimately floods the market with oil and depresses prices.

As the US industry matured, and balance sheets and market valuations strengthened after the record-high earnings of 2022, a wave of consolidation began towards the end of 2023.

The big companies are looking to become bigger by adding premier assets of the takeover targets to their portfolios. And the key driver of the industry now is returning more to shareholders and preparing for inventory stacked up for years of production ahead without the need to grow organically by investing too much cash flow into the drilling of new locations and wells.

US natural gas production is also off the recent record highs as major producers have curtailed some output in the spring in response to the natural gas price slump earlier this year, which saw prices tumble to a three-decade low.

America's oil production growth may be slowing, but it will still be leading global supply growth from non-Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) producers, according to OPEC's latest estimates.

This year, liquids supply growth from non-OPEC+ is expected at 1.2 million bpd, pushed up by rising output in the US, Canada, Brazil, and Norway, OPEC said in its latest Monthly Oil Market Report in May.

Last year, US shale oil production rose by 600,000 bpd, mainly from the Permian, supported by improvements in drilling and completion. This year, US crude oil and condensate production is anticipated to grow by half that volume, 300,000 bpd, per OPEC's forecasts.

"Shale firms acknowledged that higher costs and falling prices forced some of them to cut back drilling and completion activities, especially during the first half of last year. However, improvements in well productivity, rig performance, and operational efficiencies supported strong production levels throughout the year, leading to the growth of 2.4 mb/d, y-o-y, in December 2023 over December 2022," OPEC said.

Slower US shale growth in 2024 could make OPEC's oil market and price management efforts easier over the next two years. (Oilprice.com)

Israel keeps pounding central Gaza as Palestinian death toll in hostage rescue raid rises to 274

sraeli forces pounded central Gaza anew on Sunday, a day after killing 274 Palestinians during a hostage rescue raid, and tanks advanced further into Rafah in an apparent bid to seal off part of the southern city, residents and Hamas media said.

Palestinians remained in shock over Saturday's death toll, the worst over a 24-hour period of the Gaza war for months and including many women and children, Palestinian medics said.

or civilians.

Hamas' armed wing said on Sunday three Israeli hostages, including one with US citizenship, were killed during the raid, but provided no names. It released a video of what appeared to be corpses with censor bars obscuring their faces.

A Hamas assertion on Saturday that some hostages had died was rejected as "a blatant lie" by the Israeli military.

Sixty-four of the dead were children and 57 were women, the Hamas-run Gaza Government media office said on Sunday.

In an update on Sunday, Gaza's Health Ministry said 274 Palestinians were killed – up from 210 it reported on Saturday – and 698 were injured when Israeli special force commandos stormed into the densely-populated Al-Nuseirat camp to rescue four hostages held since October by Hamas militants.

Israel's military said a special forces officer was killed in exchanges of fire with militants emerging from cover in residential blocks, and that it knew of "under 100" Palestinians killed, though not how many of them were fighters

Far-right advances in EU election, France calls snap national vote

Gains by the farright in voting for the European Parliament on Sunday prompted a bruised French President Emmanuel Macron to call a snap national election and added uncertainty to Europe's future political direction.

While the centre, liberal and Socialist parties were set to retain a majority in the 720-seat Parliament, the vote dealt a domestic blow to the leaders of both France and Germany, raising questions about how the European Union's major powers can drive policy in the bloc.

Making a risky gamble to try to reestablish his authority, Macron called a parliamentary election, with the first round on June 30.

Like Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also endured a painful night where his Social Democrats scored their worst result ever, suffer-

ing at the hands of the mainstream conservatives and hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saw her position strengthened by her arch-conservative Brothers of Italy group winning the most votes, exit polls showed.

A rightwards shift inside the European Parliament may make it tougher to pass new legislation that might be needed to respond to security challenges, the impact of climate change or industrial competition from China and the United States.

However, exactly how much clout the euro-sceptic nationalist parties will wield will depend on their ability to overcome their differences and work together. They are currently split between two different families, and some parties and lawmakers for now lie outside these groupings. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Meanwhile, Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency Government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist power in the embattled leader's far-right coalition amid the monthslong war in Gaza.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia appears to make headway in key Ukrainian town

Russian forces appear to be making headway towards their longstanding goal of capturing the strategic Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar, according to reports on Sunday from both sides of the more than two-year-old conflict.

Chasiv Yar stands on high ground about 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the west of Bakhmut, a town Russian forces seized a year ago after months of battles that flattened nearly all its buildings. It is seen by both sides as a potential staging point for Russia to advance on the key cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda quoted a military source and a blogger as saying that Russian forces had begun occupying a district of the town along -

side a canal.

"Over the past week, there have been more than 1500 instances of shelling of the outskirts of Chasiv Yar from the north to the south," it quoted its source as saying.

The source said Russian troops were using guided aerial bombs to clear areas along a major road "and with the support of multiple long-range missiles and...drones they have begun to move forward and build up their forces".

Russia's 98th Paratrooper Division, posting on the Telegram messaging app, said Ukrainian forces were "doing everything possible to ensure our units do not move across the canal and take up positions in the 'New' district on the other side". (Excerpt from Reuters)

Palestinians inspect a house hit in an Israeli strike, due to an Israeli military operation, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024 (Reuters/Ramadan Abed photo)

SUDOKU

HOROSCOPES

Take on an exciting venture. A change to how you manage your money will lead to financial freedom. Disciplined spending will pay off. Take physical action or work to make a difference.

Be careful who you trust. Someone will try to pressure you into something that isn’t in your best interest. Be on the lookout for scammers. Question everyone trying to separate you from your cash.

Pay attention to your surroundings and make changes to encourage a more manageable lifestyle. Take advantage of an opportunity to expand your interests, friendships or skills.

A change may be necessary for you to make a professional advance. Keeping up with technology or adopting new methods will help you avoid falling behind. Avoid difficult situations.

Participate in functions that offer insight into new possibilities. Get the lowdown, but don’t buy into someone else’s dream. Put yourself first, and you won’t be disappointed.

You may desire a change, but you must consider it carefully. An offer will fall short of your expectations, leaving you vulnerable. Don’t get caught in someone else’s misfortune.

An open mind will help you overcome fear and encourage you to bring about positive change. Participation will enhance your awareness and offer insight into something that can enrich your life.

Use common sense. Walk away from pressure tactics and arguments. You can’t put a price on peace of mind. Proceed with caution, and don’t be afraid to walk away.

Look at the big picture, but don’t feel obligated to agree to or join something that doesn’t appeal to you or fit your budget. A partnership will lead to difficulties.

Channel your energy into meaningful pursuits. Refrain from doing what others want you to do; look out for your interests and follow your instincts. Stabilize your financial situation.

Explore the possibilities. Pursuing new activities and friendships will boost your mood and encourage you to embrace physical and mental upgrades. Romance is in the stars.

A chance to make a change will grab your attention, but you must consider it carefully. Don’t take on anything that will disrupt your life or cause you to lose sight of your responsibilities.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Bumrah spearheads India's defence of 119; Pakistan on brink of elimination

One team had Jasprit Bumrah.

The other didn't. And that was that. That was the difference. His legend is littered with incredible displays. But this will feel sweeter, not merely for the fact that it came in a T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, but for the fact that without his intervention this game would have almost certainly had a different ending. India defended 119. Pakistan lost after being 80 for 3. The finalists of the 2022 tournament are in serious danger of an early exit.

Boom in blue Pakistan need 40 runs off the last 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. ESPNcricinfo's forecaster gave them a 93 per cent chance of victory then. Poor thing. It's been left on the fritz. Bumrah's discipline, his calmness under pressure, his extraordinary skill, not just in delivering the right ball but in understanding what the right ball is, confounded man and machine alike spread his arms wide and broke into a smile. That's his usual celebration. But he didn't stop there. He roared. And over 30,000 people at the

ground roared with him. He punched the air. Millions joined him. This was the opening that India could build on. This was the crack that would

lapse. Rizwan,

the set batter, fell for 31 off 44. Bumrah, who had accounted for Babar Azam earlier, also took out Pakistan's final hope,

SCOREBOARD

India (20 ovs maximum)

Rohit Sharma (c) c Haris Rauf

b Shaheen Shah Afridi 13

Virat Kohli c Usman Khan

b Naseem Shah 4

Rishabh Pant †c Babar Azam

b Mohammad Amir 42

Axar Patel

b Naseem Shah 20

Suryakumar Yadav c Mohammad Amir b Haris Rauf 7

Shivam Dube

c & b Naseem Shah 3

Hardik Pandya c Iftikhar Ahmed

b Haris Rauf 7

Ravindra Jadeja c Imad Wasim

b Mohammad Amir 0

Arshdeep Singh run out (Babar Azam/†Mohammad Rizwan) 9

Jasprit Bumrah c Imad Wasim

b Haris Rauf 0

Mohammed Siraj not out 7

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 5) 7

TOTAL 19 Ov (RR: 6.26) 119

Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Virat Kohli, 1.3 ov), 2-19 (Rohit Sharma, 2.4 ov), 3-58 (Axar Patel, 7.4 ov), 4-89 (Suryakumar Yadav, 11.2 ov), 5-95 (Shivam Dube, 13.2 ov), 6-96 (Rishabh Pant, 14.1 ov), 7-96 (Ravindra Jadeja, 14.2 ov), 8-112 (Hardik Pandya, 17.4 ov), 9-112 (Jasprit Bumrah, 17.5 ov), 10119 (Arshdeep Singh, 18.6 ov) • DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-0-29-1

Naseem Shah 4-0-21-3

Mohammad Amir 4-0-23-2

Iftikhar Ahmed 1-0-7-0

Imad Wasim 3-0-17-0

Haris Rauf 3-0-21-3

Pakistan (T: 120 runs from 20 ovs)

Mohammad Rizwan †

b Bumrah 31

Babar Azam (c) c Yadav

b Bumrah 13

Usman Khan lbw

b Patel 13

Fakhar Zaman c †Pant

b Pandya 13

Imad Wasim c †Pant

b Arshdeep Singh 15

Shadab Khan c †Pant

b Pandya 4

Iftikhar Ahmed c Arshdeep Singh

b Bumrah 5

Shaheen Shah Afridi inot out 0

Naseem Shah not out 10

Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 4) 9

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 5.65) 113/7

Did not bat: Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf

Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Babar Azam, 4.4 ov), 2-57 (Usman Khan, 10.1 ov), 3-73 (Fakhar Zaman, 12.2 ov), 4-80 (Mohammad Rizwan, 14.1 ov), 5-88 (Shadab Khan, 16.3 ov), 6-102 (Iftikhar Ahmed, 18.6 ov), 7-102 (Imad Wasim, 19.1 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Arshdeep Singh 4-0-31-1

Mohammed Siraj 4-0-19-0

Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-14-3

Hardik Pandya 4-0-24-2

Ravindra Jadeja 2-0-10-0 Axar Patel 2-0-11-1

ers to keep the pressure up and two people in particular did that with aplomb. Hardik Pandya and his short-of-a-length offerings were always going to be a threat on that New York pitch with uneven bounce. He stopped Fakhar Zaman before he could play the kind of cameo that would kill chases like these. And then he took out Shadab Khan. Both times the

Iftikhar Ahmed, in the 19th over. Of his 24 balls, 15 were dots.

Bumrah's mastery carved out a piece of history: 119 is the joint-lowest total ever defended in men's T20 World Cups.

The support act India waited until the third over to deploy their super weapon. Then they had to wait until the 15th to bring him back. In between, they relied on oth-

batters were surprised by how high the ball was when they made contact with it. Hardik wasn't. He just shrugged, as if to say, yeah, I do that. No big deal.

Axar Patel was the other unsung hero, bowling the first of the death overs and somehow keeping it to just two runs even though he was up against a left-hand batter with the short boundary on the leg side. Imad

Wasim was never allowed to win the matchup as he was fed a diet of non-spinning deliveries that were angled across him and kept bouncing over his cut shots. Bumrah produced the biggest swing in momentum towards India according to Forecaster, 44 per cent at the end of the 19th over. Axar produced the second-biggest swing, his defensive skills earning a 13 per cent bump.

Pant doing Pant things

This was the best pitch to bat on in New York so far. But even that had its perils. Largely in the form of the ball not coming on, and occasionally with uneven bounce. Rizwan and Arshdeep Singh took blows to the hand.

A bit of luck is required in these conditions. Pant got that when he survived three catching opportunities in three balls and later survived an inside edge that could have gone onto the stumps. A bit of bravery helps. Pant showed that when he smashed Haris Rauf over extra cover. A bit of imagination doesn't go amiss either. Pant epitomised that with a flick shot that he played while falling to the floor, because that was the only way he knew how to get under a good length ball and put it in the gap at fine leg. Later, to Imad's highly-accurate left-arm spin, he brought out the standing reverse sweep.

It was tough to bat out there. Pant's unorthodox methods made him successful; made him stand out. He made 42 off 31 at a strike rate of 135. The rest of India made 70 off 84 at a strike rate of 83.

The footnotes In the game against USA, Mohammad Amir was all over the place. In this one, he was spot on. Eight of the first 12 deliveries he bowled produced false shots. Early on, with the new ball, he beat the bat three times in a row. Later on, with the old one, he was on a hat-trick. Pakistan demoted him to first-change and by the time he came on, India had already lost their two best batters, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli caught off balls that stuck in the pitch, a theme that would continue for the rest of the innings. Amir had a soft entry, but he made the absolute most of it. His best work coincided with the best phase of the game for Pakistan, when they strung four overs together between the 12th and the 15th where only eight runs were scored and four wickets were taken. India went from 89 for 3 to 96 for 7. At the halfway stage, Pakistan were ahead. Twenty overs later, they were facing elimination, in part because they weren't the team with Jasprit Bumrah. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rishabh Pant was steady after walking out at number three

Jasprit Bumrah found a way through Mohammad Rizwan

Naseem Shah celebrates with Haris Rauf after getting his third wicket

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Essequibo…

All-Stars crowned inaugural Essequibo champions

The inaugural edition of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Essequibo edition culminated on Sunday evening with All-Stars emerging as the champions at the Anna Regina car park tarmac.

All-Stars bested Ballerz 1-0. D Padmore found the back of the net in the sixth minute to settle the outcome.

With the win, the AllStars walked away with $300,000 and the championship trophy. They also earned a place in the

national championship, which is slated for August. For the loser, they received $200,000 and the runners-up trophy. Meanwhile, the Gunners downed Henrietta United 2-0 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless in the third-place playoff.

With the win, the Gunners walked away with $100,000 and the thirdplace trophy. On the other hand, Henrietta United pocketed $80,000 and the corresponding trophy.

In the earlier semifi-

GABA U23 Championships…

Bartica Wranglers and Prospect Kobras

emerge victorious

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Association’s Under-23 Club Championships continued on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, with Bartica Wranglers and Prospect Kobras emerging victorious.

With their ability to counterplay to the basket, Bartica Wranglers, after many losses, came out victorious against a winless Black Caimans. Starting the game on a high, the Caimans led the first quarter with the scoreline reading 16-13.

The second quarter of the game saw the Caimans showing their ability from the three-point line as they managed to hold their lead, scoring 15 points to elevate their score to 31 points. The Wranglers scored 11 points for a total of 24 at the end of that quarter.

nal stage, the All-Stars thrashed the Gunners 5-0.

D Padmore recorded a hat-trick in the fourth, fifth, and sixth minutes, while sibling K Padmore tallied a Guinness Goal (GG) – a goal scored in the final three minutes of normal time that counts as two – in the 18th minute.

On the other hand, Ballerz downed Henrietta 2-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless.

In the quarterfinal segment, the All-Stars won 4-0. D Padmore bagged a double in the sixth and

13th minutes, while T Isles netted in the 16th minute. Adding to the score was an own goal in the 15th minute.

Ballerz downed the Young Guns 2-1 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 0-0.

Also, the Gunners downed Henrietta 1-0. C Smith scored in the 11th minute. Henrietta United overcame Chelsea 2-1 via a M Bowen GG in the 18th minute.

To date, the Georgetown, Berbice, and Linden zones have also been completed, with

the Bartica, East Coast Demerara, and West Demerara zones set to commence shortly.

Complete Results Guinness Goal (GG) – 2

1 v Ballerz 0 D Padmore 6th

Place Gunners 0 v Henrietta United 0 Gunners won 2-0 on penalty kicks

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ASTROLOGY/SPIRITUALITY

In the third quarter of the game, the Wranglers kept their composure and took control of the game, as they managed to score 15 points to elevate their score to 39 points, while the Caimans struggled offensively to score 9 points for a total of 40.

With seconds to go, the Wranglers pounced on the Caimans and sealed the deal, breaking through their defence to have the ultimate scoreline read 6664 in their favour.

Prospect Kobras upset powerhouse Pacesetters in the second matchup of the evening, handing Pacesetters their first taste of defeat in the tournament as Kobras won by five points with the scoreline reading 83-78.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Association’s Under-23 Club Championships continue at the same venue this Wednesday.

“We hope to get over the hump” – Cameron …as President’s College look to secure NSBF championship

As preparations for the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) gears up, President’s College are hoping to finally lift the title and become champions after finishing runners-up to defending champions Kwakwani Secondary Under-18 Boys and Girls in 2023.

The President’s College Boys U-18 team faced a plummeting three-point deficit while the President’s College Girls U-18 were victims of a six-point loss in the 2023 ExxonMobil/Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) National School Basketball Festival.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, President’s College Head Coach Willon Cameron discussed his expectations for the teams.

“Our girls are looking

good, we hope to make the finals and this time get over the hump. In terms of the boys, we are looking to pose a challenge; while we are not as strong as we usually are – we lost a lot of players in the male category – …we are looking to compete and we hopefully should have the most teams in the competition which is five teams and give our best effort as always,” Cameron shared. He went on to point out that the teams need to keep focused for success to be reaped.

Cameron explained, “I think is about us staying focused; you know we have the talent there, you know we have the ability, but is just times in the past – the boys have made three straight finals, they have only won one while the girls made the finals last year, so

it shows that we can play the game but were failing in the finals so we need to get over that hump.”

The President’s College Boys and Girls are currently participating in the regional tournament, which is a qualifying tournament for schools hoping to compete in the NSBF championship.

(Omar Mckenzie)

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The Ballerz Captain collects the second-place trophy

President's College Head Coach Willon Cameron

Prospect Kobras

5-star Hosein helps West Indies blow Uganda away

Akeal Hosein

scythed through Uganda in a sublime opening spell, using his swinging seam-up delivery to devastating effect, plundering five wickets for 11 runs.

That spell sent West Indies hurtling to a 134run victory on a slow Providence deck. The seamers backed Hosein's spell up, delivering some excellent wicket balls of their own. Together they sent Uganda crashing to 39 all out – the joint-lowest total in the T20 World Cup.

Earlier, in difficult batting conditions, Johnson Charles struck 44 off 42, and Andre Russell cracked 30 not out off 17, as West Indies willed their way to 173 for 5.

Uganda were doughty with the ball and, despite at least two missed chances, generally good in the field. Though several West Indies batters made starts, Uganda's slow bowlers, in particular, found ways to peg them back.

Hosein wrecks

Uganda's top order

It was a spell of dreams. From the outset, it was clear that when Hosein chose to put revs into the ball, he would get good turn, the first ball –a left-arm spinner's stock ball – ragging past Roger Mukasa's outside edge.

But it was Hosein's mastery of drift/swing and his impeccable control that gave him the most venom in this game. The

Dinesh Nakrani and Kenneth Waiswa, the first bowled and the sec ond another lbw, again using movement in the air before pitching. He left Uganda flailing at 23 for 7, all their batting re sources spent, and with little hope of even surpass ing the 58 they had made against Afghanistan last week – their previous low est score.

Charles steadies West Indies in the early going It's not often you would describe a Charles innings as an anchor, but this is effectively what it

next ball to Mukasa was a seam-up ball that curved in and struck the sweeping batter in front of middle and off. Next over, the ball that struck Alpesh Ramjani in front of middle had also moved in the air, late.

Riazat Ali Shah, perhaps Uganda's best batter, was beaten even more emphatically by the swinging seam-up ball, watching it crash into middle stump.

Then in his last over – the seventh of the innings – Hosein dismissed

was in this game. Though he struck some early fours through cover before working himself up to some six-hitting, he still only had 24 off 21 balls at the end of the powerplay. But his presence at the crease allowed other bat-

ters to play more aggressively, most in the West Indies top order just waiting for balls in their area to hit sixes off. Rovman Powell struck the biggest one of the day – his 107-metre monster down the ground off Frank Nsubuga's bowling going over the top of one of the stands.

Russell and Rutherford finish strong It says something about the nature of this surface, and also the te-

nacity of Uganda's bowling, that West Indies did not manage a six after the 14th over. But Russell and Sherfane Rutherford still found ways to provide West Indies with that final burst. Russell did this most effectively in the final over, when he blasted Cosmas Kyewuta for two fours through point, then later found another couple of boundaries off the outside edge.

All up, West Indies made 45 off the last four overs.(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Ramjani 13

Johnson Charles c Ramjani b Nakrani 44

Nicholas Pooran †

c & b Masaba 22

Rovman Powell (c) c Obuya

b Masaba 23

Sherfane Rutherford

b Kyewuta 22

Andre Russell not out 30

Romario Shepherd not out 5

Extras (b 5, lb 1, nb 3, w 5) 14

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.65) 173/5

Did not bat: Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Brandon King, 4.3 ov), 2-76 (Nicholas Pooran, 9.2 ov), 3-105 (Johnson Charles, 12.4 ov), 4-125 (Rovman Powell, 15.3 ov), 5-140 (Sherfane Rutherford, 17.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Alpesh Ramjani 3-0-16-1

Cosmas Kyewuta 4-0-42-1

Juma Miyagi 3-0-29-0

Frank Nsubuga 3-0-29-0

Brian Masaba 4-0-31-2

Dinesh Nakrani 3-0-20-1

Uganda (T: 174 runs from 20 ovs)

Roger Mukasa lbw

b Hosein

Simon Ssesazi †c Joseph

Andre Russell struck with his first ball

Johnson Charles winds up to go big

Nicholas Pooran faced 10 dots and hit three sixes in his 17-ball stay

Riazat Ali Shah was done in by an inswinging arm ball

Akeal Hosein struck on the second ball of the chase