Guyana Times - Saturday, April 13, 2024.pdf

1,500 house lots distributed at 1st ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 in Reg 3

– Guyana to reach 1.3 million bpd by 2027 – SBM Offshore secures contract to build Jaguar FPSO

Guyana to import ‘skilled technical personnel’ for electricity sector – Pres. Ali

– as deal for 36MW power ship finalised Fmr G/t Mayor questions whether Indo-Guyanese are truly accepted by PNC, after attack on Ally – calls for better leadership ahead of August congress

Corentyne woman raped, murdered & dumped in backland

Govt seeks new contractor as it engages T&T firm on termination terms

Mother, son arrested for murder of Festival City labourer

Under PPP/C more Guyanese can afford to take, pay back loans – VP Jagdeo

Taxi driver shot by brother during row over woman Driver granted $200,000 bail for fatal Church Street collision Govt greenlights Exxon’s US$12.7B

Govt greenlights Exxon’s US$12.7B

Whiptail

Project

– Guyana to reach 1.3 million bpd by 2027 – SBM Offshore secures contract to build Jaguar FPSO

The Guyana Government has approved the US$12.7B Whiptail Project – the sixth development being undertaken by United States oil giant ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

A statement from the Natural Resources Ministry on Friday said this approval of the Petroleum Production Licence for the Whiptail Development Project would inject billions of dollars into the local economy.

“Notably, oil production from this sixth development will generate billions in revenue for Guyana, thereby supporting significant economic and social upliftment for the country and its citizens,” the missive from the ministry has stated.

Guyana had retained British consulting firm Bayphase to review the Whiptail Field Development Plan (FDP) which was submitted to the Government by Exxon last October. A few months prior, in August 2023, the US oil major had approached the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to greenlight the project.

After receiving these required Government and regulatory approvals, ExxonMobil said in a statement from its Texas, US headquarters on Friday that it has made a final investment decision (FID) for the Whiptail development in the oil-rich Stabroek Block.

Whiptail is expected to add approximately 250,000 barrels of daily capacity by the end of 2027, when it is slated to come on stream, thus bringing the country’s production capacity up to approximately 1.3 million barrels per day.

“Our unrivalled success in developing the Guyana resource at an industry-leading pace, cost, and environmental performance is built on close collaboration with the Government of Guyana as well as our partners, suppliers, and contractors. The Stabroek block developments are among the lowest emissions-intensity assets in ExxonMobil’s upstream portfolio, and will provide the world with additional reliable energy supplies now and for years to come,” President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Liam Mallon, has said in the statement.

The multi-billion-dollar Whiptail project, which is expected to last for at least 20 years, would include up to 10 drill centres with 48 production and injection wells.

Jaguar FPSO

However, the floating, production, storage, and off-

loading (FPSO) vessel for the Whiptail project, to be named Jaguar, is under construction.

Back in October 2023, SBM Offshore announced that it was awarded the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Whiptail FPSO. The Dutch company had said, upon completion of the FEED contract, that it would eventually construct and install the FPSO, but this second phase of work is dependent on project approval by the Guyanese Government.

On Friday, SBM Offshore announced that ExxonMobil had confirmed the award of contracts for the Whiptail development, thus cementing the construction and installation of the Jaguar FPSO by the Dutch company.

Under the contract, ownership of the vessel would be transferred to Exxon before the FPSO’s installation, and SBM Offshore is expected to operate the FPSO for 10 years under the Operation and Maintenance Enabling Agreement signed in 2023.

The Jaguar FPSO’s design is based on SBM Offshore’s industry-leading Fast4Ward® program that incorporates the company’s 7th new build, a multi-purpose floater hull combined with several standardized topside modules.

The FPSO will be designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have an associated gas treatment capacity of 540 million cubic feet per day, and a water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. The FPSO will be spread-moored in a water depth of about 1,630 metres, and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil. “SBM Offshore remains committed to working with Guyanese companies, and

will continue to expand these activities. More Guyanese engineers will be recruited and employed as part of the FPSO Jaguar project team,” the Dutch shipbuilder said on Friday.

Currently, ExxonMobil has three FPSOs – the Liza Destiny from the Liza Phase One Project, Liza Unity from the Liza Phase Two Project, and Prosperity from the Payara Project – which are currently operating offshore Guyana and are safely producing more than 600,000 barrels of oil per day.

Additionally, construction is underway on FPSOs for the Yellowtail Project – the One Guyana FPSO, which is set to commence production in 2025; and for the Uaru Project – the Errea Wittu FPSO, which is anticipated to start in 2026.

In addition to these six projects offshore Guyana, Exxon is eyeing the possibility of having 10 FPSOs operational by 2030.

Nevertheless, with these six developments to come on stream by 2027, production from the Stabroek block will generate tens of billions of dollars of revenue and significant economic development for Guyana.

In fact, since its first production in December 2019, more than US$4.2 billion has been paid into the Guyana Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

“We are committed to helping spread the benefits throughout the country by investing in local Guyanese communities and projects to support the country’s phased and sustainable development,” Mallon noted in Friday’s statement.

Moreover, there are currently 6,200 Guyanese working in support of Stabroek block operations – which is 70 per cent of the workforce. The cumulative spend of

ExxonMobil Guyana and its contractors with Guyanese suppliers since 2015 surpassed US$1.5 billion at the end of 2023.

ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has a majority 45 per cent interest in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, and is the operator; while Hess Corporation holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

However, Hess Corporation has agreed to merge with Chevron, and this deal is expected to be closed in the first half of this year – a transaction that could be delayed after Exxon filed arbitration proceedings to claim pre-emptive rights in the offshore Guyana operations. (G-8)

The hull for the Jaguar FPSO, which will be used by Whiptail Project

Benefits of homeownership

Homeownership is thought to be an essential ingredient of living a good life, the “American Dream.” Living in one’s own home is central to the conception of a secure and successful life.

A journal on housing studies conducted in several states in the US stated that for most buyers, homeownership leads to wealth creation as home equity increases, some homeowners may decide that they have the financial resources to secure additional education for themselves or their children.

Here in Guyana, almost every week, articles on houselot allocations are being published in the local media as the Government aims to meet its target of 50,000 distributed.

Of recent, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has been handing over keys to new homes under the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) programme and Government’s hinterland initiative. Under the IDB programme, beneficiaries are required to be landowners and contribute $100,000 towards the construction costs and under the Government’s hinterland initiative, 20 by 25 foot houses, which cost some $3 million each, are being built at no cost to the beneficiaries. Some 400 of these houses will be built in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The stories of joy and excitement of owning their own homes, as being told in the local media, by the beneficiaries is heartwarming.

If one can recall, the Opposition scoffed when, during the campaign, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) declared it would be delivering 50,000 house lots during the next five years were it to get into office. In the Administration’s previous iterations, the housing sector was one of its glowing successes, and it was not coincidental that much of that success occurred under the watch of Irfaan Ali, who was then the Minister of Housing. With him becoming President on August 2, 2020, the promise was almost guaranteed, since he knows exactly what needs to be done.

And now, we can see from the trajectory of house-lot allocations that the goal is well within sight.

This compares with the 7089 lots allocated over the five years the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition was in office. However, the Government is not stopping at house lots, but has set its sights on their owners becoming homeowners. It has done this by encouraging easier access to loans with lower interest rates, increasing the number of institutions granting mortgages and reducing taxes on construction and building materials.

But the benefits from the Government’s overall facilitation of housing for the entire population go far beyond the tax exemption, etc. One of these is that a mortgage is a form of long-term forced savings. Many persons have great difficulty in saving directly from their pay cheques or wages, which is not just a problem for the individual, but for the nation. Developing countries need savings to make investments, and when individuals take out mortgages, the banks can count on a steady income stream, which can be invested. For the homeowners, rather than paying rent, they accumulate increasing equity in their houses; which, historically, has always tended to go upwards.

Homeownership also has immediate spinoff benefits for the rest of the economy, as owners seek to furnish and constantly upgrade their properties. Businesses that cater to this trade typically employ a large number of unskilled persons as well as give a boost to local manufacturers of furniture and other household goods. The Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) can now collect rates and taxes to provide various services to the area.

But just as important are the social benefits that give families a sense of stability and security. The moment someone owns a home, the family acquires pride in homeownership, and typically sees itself as having a stake in the community. This leads to the development of social capital in the form of trust between residents. If countries do not have this kind of social capital, it is almost impossible for them to mobilise their citizens for the sacrifices a sustainable developmental thrust demands.

The success of a developing country depends on the development of a growing middle class. There can be no middle class unless they are facilitated to own their own homes. There is no uncertainty that the benefits of homeownership are indisputable.

Berbice High School in New Amsterdam has implemented a shade house cultivation project. It is growing vegetables to empower students and teachers through climate-resilient agriculture, and to assist with the practical aspects of their School-Based Assessments (SBA). Students in the photo are attending to a wide range of vegetables that are resistant to extreme weather conditions

Government has a right to appeal any case in the best interest of the people

Dear Editor, Melandi Janki et.al.

have an issue with the Government of Guyana (GoG) moving to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to appeal the case involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ExxonMobil Guyana (EMGL) about the provision of financial assurance. How they have protested this move by the Government suggests that the Government has committed a wrongful act.

But the absurdity of such protestation seems to have escaped the proponents and others alike. What is so wrong with filing an appeal to the CCJ, the highest Court of Appeal for Guyana, for the full and final determination of such legal matters? Of course, the Government is perfect to do so because it is a matter that would have dire consequences for the country and its people, either way.

The proponents strongly contend that the ruling handed down by the High Court whereby EMGL was ordered to lodge an unlimited parent company guarantee is provided for in the law and that the ruling is consistent with the law?that is, the Environmental Protection Act (1996) (the EPA Act), inter alia, the Environmental Permit (EP).

Having previously examined the High Court’s ruling together with the Environmental Permit and the EPA Act, there appears to be an unfortunate error in the findings of the High Court’s ruling. The learned Judge relied, to a large ex-

tent, on Condition 14 of the EP as the basis for his ruling. However, there is no such provision under Condition 14 of the said Permit, wherein it is expressly stated that EMGL is obligated to comply with an “unlimited” Parent Company Guarantee Agreement. Rather, the provisions set out in Condition 14 establish an insurance liability amount that conforms to that which is the norm in the international petroleum industry. In other words, insurance liability coverage is in keeping with international best practices in the global industry.

Further, the provisions in Condition 14.3 establish that “the forms of financial assurance shall be guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities that may arise from any breaches of this Permit.” Emphasis hereof is placed on the phrase “estimate of the sum of the reasonably credible costs…”. Most unequivocally, there is no such provision in Condition 14 of the EP, or in any other Conditions set out in the EP that implies, or explicitly states that EMGL shall provide coverage for uncapped liability, viz-á-viz, an “unlimited” insurance coverage or parent company guarantee. Bearing in mind that there is no such thing as an “unlimited insurance coverage”.

Insurance coverage is a financial risk mitigation and/or hedging instrument, which means that no insurance company will ever provide an unlimited coverage,

simply because an unlimited liability cannot be priced.

Moreover, specific reference was made to condition 14.10 by the learned Judge in his ruling where he stated that the conditions therein imposed upon Esso “unlimited parent company guarantee”. To the contrary, condition 14.10 stated that the Permit Holder and its CoVentures undertake to provide “adequate financial resources”, which contradicts the ruling of unlimited liability. The terms “adequate” and “unlimited” have very different meanings by definition.

The procedure in ascertaining or quantifying the value of the liability insurance or assurance coverage and/or guarantee?is at best a subjective process. It is precisely for this reason that the EP did not impose a defined time frame by which such insurance must be obtained and be in place, other than to state, by a “reasonable” time frame. In this regard, due consideration has to be given to all of the other conditions that would have to be complied with by EMGL as set out in the EP about minimizing and/or mitigating the potential adverse environmental damages or risks. For example, the safety procedures in place; training; and capacity building in oil spill response; coupled with the requirement for a capping stack in the country and the maintenance of a subscription with a manufacturer of the equipment. These are some of the factors that would have to be considered to reasonably estimate the amount for the in-

surance liability.

It is worth noting that before the 2010 catastrophic BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which cost BP over US$60 billion in liabilities, the capping stack device was not yet developed. It was after this event that the capping stack was developed which can be placed on top of a wellhead to control the flow of an emergency or unplanned release of hydrocarbons. The capping stack can be operated remotely to control the flow of oil and gas.

While the threat of an oil spill could have dire consequences, which can be mitigated?equally, the cessation of oil production can also pose dire consequences for the economy and the people. To this end, at current levels of production and current crude oil prices, the revenue flow to the treasury finances over 20% of the national budget and at peak production, the annual losses from the oil and gas sector would be more than $2 trillion.

More importantly, adequate provisions are in place in the laws of Guyana, namely the EPA Act and the Petroleum Activities legislation mandating that the oil companies (Contractor (s)) shall be fully liable in the event of an oil spill or any damage to the environment.

Against the foregoing, it is the respectful view of this author that the Government is in perfect order to appeal the High Court’s ruling at the level of the CCJ.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin

Incidents of domestic fires are frightening Conflict of interest and potential corruption in Essequibo Archers Club leadership

Dear Editor,

I am writing to urgently address a troubling matter concerning the leadership of the Essequibo Archers Club and its recent affiliation with Archery Guyana. The crux of the issue lies in the dual role assumed by Ms. Wazeeda Bacchus, a distinguished sports organiser associated with the National Sports Commission in Essequibo, who has taken on the presidency of this private sports club.

This alarming situation raises serious ethical questions regarding conflict of interest and the potential for corruption within both the Essequibo Archers Club and Archery Guyana. While the affiliation is commendable in showcasing the region’s burgeoning passion for archery and the shared commitment to fostering the sport’s growth across Guyana, it is crucial to address a significant ethical issue that has arisen from this affiliation.

President Wazeeda Bacchus holds a dual role that raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Serving as both a Government official and the president of a private sports club intro-

duces a clear conflict of interest. This dual role could potentially compromise the impartiality and integrity of sports governance within the region, as it not only undermines the principles of fairness and transparency, but also creates fertile ground for nepotism and favouritism, thereby posing a direct threat to the integrity of the sport.

Moreover, the affiliation of the Essequibo Archers Club with Archery Guyana, coupled with the recent commendation for Ms. Bacchus’s outstanding efficiency in mobilising the first batch of participants and securing transportation, venue, and logistics for the successful hosting of the archery event in Essequibo, further underscores the potential for corrupt practices.

Further, the affiliation of the Essequibo Archers Club with Archery Guyana under these circumstances casts doubts on the legitimacy of the affiliation process and raises concerns about the influence of conflicted leadership on organizational decisions. It is imperative that sports organizations, especially governing bodies, operate with the utmost

transparency and accountability in order to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all athletes.

It is imperative that the Guyana sports authority and the relevant authorities conduct a comprehensive investigation, since transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining the credibility of sports organizations and ensuring that they serve the best interests of the athletes and the public.

In conclusion, while the affiliation of the Essequibo Archers Club with Archery Guyana is a positive step for the sport of archery in Guyana, it is crucial to address the potential conflicts of interest and investigate any allegations of corruption, in order to uphold the integrity of sports governance in the country. The integrity of the sport and the trust of its athletes and supporters must be safeguarded, and transparency and accountability must prevail, as they are paramount and must be protected at all times.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

Y. Lall

Dear Editor,

The incidents of electrical fires in Guyana are a frightening phenomenon, and if not dealt with swiftly, would result in great loss of human and financial resources.

The incidents of local fires are debilitating and frightening, especially when the poor and vulnerable are involved. There is the loss of place of permanent stability that they can call home. It makes the situation more pitiful when children get trapped in this sad state of affairs.

Now, I have spoken to a few experts in the field of electrical matters, and have come up with the following three main causes.

1.Damaged wiring: Electrical wires can become worn, frayed, or loose over time.

2. Malfunctioning appliances : Fires can result from faulty or poorly maintained electrical appliances.

3. Overloaded circuits : Plugging too many devices into a single circuit can overload it. In my view, the main cause of house

Importance of improving livestock breeds in Guyana

Dear Editor, The livestock industry has great potential for development, and has many spinoff industries. It can provide a cheap protein food source for the population, provide employment, and earn foreign exchange. To realize this potential, efforts are being made through the MOA to improve the local breeds and to be able to increase productivity efficiently and economically.

The sheep and goat industry is important in Bartica and the Rupununi. Sheep are also reared on the coastland. The animals are generally of the improved breeds which were imported in the 1940s and 50s. Crossbreeding has led to some improvement in the quality of animals. Pigs are found all across the country, especially in Amerindian and rural areas. Poultry is the most common animal in the backyard farming system. Horses are kept by some farmers as draft animals and for transportation.

The most common livestock animal is cattle, which range from the improved breeds to the creole animals. Improved breeds such as the zebu and taurines were imported to Guyana in the 1900s and after. These cattle were brought to improve the beef and/or dairy industry in many tropical countries. Programs such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and

the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) still import genetic material to improve the local breeds.

The improved breeds are found mainly on the coastland and in some parts of the interior.

With the sugar industry on the rise again, many small and large-scale farmers are also keen on expanding their livestock-rearing, and the MOA has been ensuring assistance in all forms is given in that regard. A small percentage of the improved breeds is found in the Rupununi, where there are attempts by Brazilian farmers to improve the local breeds with genetic material from Brazil.

The creole animals, which are found right across the country, have adapted to the different ecological and environmental conditions. These animals are considered tough and hardy, but have a slow growth rate and poor carcass quality.

Livestock farming plays a major role in the agriculture sector in Guyana. It is a significant contributor to the way of life of many rural farmers. Livestock contributes to the livelihood of approximately 2000 low-income farmers, contributing to about 3.1% of the agriculture GDP. These farmers rear cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, and poultry. Livestock is considered an asset, is often re-

garded as insurance against hard times, and is an important means of converting crop by-products into human food. Animals also provide manual labour, power for transportation, and a source of rural employment.

With the Guyana-Brazil partnership, the enhancement of livestock production and farming is bound to set standards that the rest of the Caribbean are likely to follow.

Sincerely,

Sean Daniels

fires is overloaded circuits. Persons are in the habit of primitively plugging or adding additional wiring into circuits, which become overheated and generate fires of catastrophic proportions. Old wooden structures are a tinder box for such disasters.

We are informed that electrical fires stem from electrical sources or systems, and occur due to ignitions coming from overheating, malfunctioning, or damaged electrical components. These fires can compromise the safety of residential, commercial or industrial settings, because of their potential to spread rapidly and cause extensive damage to lives and property.

Electrical fires pose serious hazards, but their impacts can be minimised if you recognise their telltale signs. This knowledge allows you to respond quickly, and keep everyone safe in the event.

It is important to stay vigilant and take appropriate action if you notice any of the following signs.

• Burning odour : A distinct smell of melting plastic, rubber, or wiring is a common sign of an electrical fire. If you find an unusual or persistent burning

smell without any apparent source, it would be a hint of an electrical issue.

• Smoke : The presence of smoke, whether visible or faint, is a clear warning alarm that a fire is burning.

• Sparks : Visible sparks from appliances, outlets, or switches can signal an impending electrical fire.

• Discoloured outlets : Scorch marks or discolouration may suggest that outlets or switches are overheating and would consequently lead to a fire.

• Flickering lights : Frequent flickering of lights, along with a burning smell, can point out an electrical fire hazard.

• Tripped circuit breakers : Circuit breakers and fuses are bound to trip or blow up if too much current is flowing through them. If this happens frequently without getting repaired, an electrical fire can result.

• Last, but not least , don't be afraid to call GPL for expert advice to address any of the issues mentioned above.

Remember, prevention is key to being free from the devastating impacts of electrical fires.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

Page Foundation

Circle Graphs or Pie Charts

A circle graph compares parts of a whole to a whole. They are also called pie charts because each looks like a pie that has been sliced up. When you read a pie chart, it does not always matter how big the whole is, because you are comparing parts to each other and the whole. However, sometimes you can calculate a whole exactly.

Examples:

Which kind of bank note did Patricia save the most?

Step 1: Find the biggest segment of the pie chart.

Step 2:Read the label for that segment. Patricia saved more $20 bills than any other kind of bank note.

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

Patricia saved a total of 98 bank notes. How many of them were $20 bills?

Step 1: Look at the whole circle. You may not be able to tell exactly how big each part is. However, you can estimate. The $20 bills segment accounts for roughly one half of the circle.

Step 2:Multiply ½ x 98 = 49. There are 49 $20 bills. Calculate the value of the $20 bills segment: $20 x 49 = $980. Types of pie charts

In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate if the ocean can freeze.

Materials:

Dry erase markers

Spoon Water

Two large plastic bowls

Salt Freezer

Instructions:

Use the dry erase marker to label the bowls “Bowl 1” and Bowl 2.”

Pour four cups of water into each bowl.

Add two tablespoons of salt slowly into Bowl 1. Stir until dissolved. There may be a little salt remaining in the bottom of the bowl.

Put both of the bowls in the freezer and leave overnight.

Record your results the next day.

How it works:

Fresh water freezes at zero degree Celsius. When salt is added to water, it lowers the freezing point of the water by several degrees. The salt water can still freeze, but it will require a temperature lower than zero degree Celsius to do so.

Make this a science project:

Try adding different types of salt to the water like Epsom salts or sea salt. (sciencefun.org)

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time, Who countest the steps of the Sun: Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the travellers journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire, And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow: Arise from their graves and aspire, Where my Sunflower wishes to go.

WORD SEARCH ◄

Conversation Tree Road Project…

Govt seeks new contractor as it engages T&T firm on termination terms

The Guyana Government is currently working out the arrangements to have a new contractor complete the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street Road Expansion Project – a section of which has been left abandoned by the Trinidadian contractor Kalco Guyana Incorporated.

Initially pegged at $1.8 billion, the road project was split into two lots, with the first lot having already been completed by S Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. However, the second phase, which was awarded to this Trinidadian company, has been stalled for several months now, and that contractor has been flagged on multiple occasions for poor performance.

On Thursday evening, President Dr Irfaan Ali and a technical team inspected the uncompleted section of the road, and he instructed that the team meet the following day to discuss the way forward on the road project.

That meeting was held on Friday, and according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, efforts are being undertaken to have the stalled road works completed.

“Several decisions were taken on going forward with the project…The project will be completed,” he assured when contracted by Guyana Times.

Edghill further told Guyana Times that a new contractor would be selected by Monday. “We have to engage somebody, and then I can say who (will complete the project). And we have to determine what rates would be charged, and what it would cost coming out of this contract and giving it to somebody else –what is the extra cost and all the rest of it, because that is a contract that had been issued now two years ago,” Minister Edghill has stated.

He added, “So, there are a number of things that are

happening. You don’t just take something from (one party) and give it to (another party), there is a process… When we complete everything, I will be announcing what we’re doing. This would be by Monday or so… We’ll be working through (the weekend) to get all our measurements done and everything, then we’ll be talking about that.”

Currently, works are not ongoing at the site, even though the initial project deadline was set at November 5, 2023. In fact, during an inspection conducted on March 4, it was indicated that Kalco had instructed its engineers to halt operations.

As a result, the Public Works Minister disclosed on Friday that the process to terminate the contract with the Trinidadian company has already been activated.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Government is moving to terminate the $830 million contract with Kalco after the company “did not live up to expectations.”

On Friday evening, Minister Edghill and his team had a virtual meeting with the Trinidadian company to iron out the conditions of the termination, including liquidated damages. Asked for an estimate of what this amount could look like, the Public Works Minister explained that the general rule of what the contract requires

is 0.1 per cent per day for up to 100 days of delays, or a maximum of five per cent of the total amount of the contract. In this case, the Kalco contract was to the tune of $830,293,458.

Nevertheless, as the technical team works on advancing the project, President Ali has ordered that immediate drainage and irrigation works be done at the unfinished section of the road in the meantime, to avoid flooding in the event of heavy rains.

“We have to do some D&I work here, because I don’t want this remaining work to cost us. We have to make some decisions here,” the President stated during his site visit on Thursday evening.

This move by the Government to end the contract with the Trinidadian company comes on the heels of efforts to clamp down on contractors that are lagging on projects being executed for the state.

Just last week, during a meeting with representatives of ministries and agencies responsible for awarding and monitoring Government contracts, President Ali ordered that penalties outlined in several Government contracts be enforced for companies that continue to default on their contractual obligations.

At that meeting, the Guyanese Leader also instructed that project updates for several ongoing

works be completed for review, and according to Minister Edghill, work has been ongoing to fulfil the President’s order.

The project updates will be provided to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, S.C., and letters of notice would be issued, while the Finance Ministry is tasked with calculating the liquidated damages.

Liquidated damages refer to a provision allowing for the payment of a specified sum in the case of a breach of contract. In this case, the President says the Government will go after those defaulting contractors that have gone past their project deadline and the justifiable extensions.

“All projects beyond the

contracted time, where we have exhausted justified extensions, (we will) issue a letter today instructing that the liquidated damages be instituted immediately. We cannot tolerate this,” the President has said. “The Minister of Finance (Dr Ashni Singh) will ensure that the internal auditors clarify the related damages and ensure that they’re calculated and deducted,” Dr Ali said at the time.

Further, the Head of State disclosed that action must now be taken to strengthen project management teams in the public sector. Consequently, units are now being established at the various ministries and state agencies to assess the performances of contractors carrying

out Government projects. Additionally, a Contract Compliance Unit has been established at the AG Chambers to support the work of those units. President Ali had noted that all project managers and senior engineers under this unit would be properly qualified.

“We are adopting a no-nonsense approach in contract management. We are going to have an independent team managing and reviewing project files, so that we have project audits. As project engineers and project managers, you have to ensure that your files are updated, and your minutes are recorded and signed. As we take action, we have to get paperwork intact,” the Head of State has said. (G-8)

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

The uncompleted section of the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street Road Project

Driver granted $200,000 bail for fatal Church Street collision

Lawrence Holder of Paradise, East Coast Demerara has been placed on $200,000 bail for causing the death of motorcyclist Conal Husbands following an accident that occurred at the intersection of Cummings and Church Streets, Georgetown on March 25.

The 48-year-old Holder was on Friday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in that Georgetown magistrate’s court, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which detailed that, on March 25, 2024, he drove motorcar PAF 3166 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Conal Husbands.

Holder was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, who applied for bail for his client on the ground of him being a dialysis patient.

The Chief Magistrate has

Dead: Conal Husbands

placed Holder on bail, and has adjourned the matter to May 7, 2024.

RECAP

On the day of this accident, Holder was driving motorcar PAF 3166 along Cummings Street while the motorcyclist Conal Husbands was proceeding along Church Street.

Charged: Lawrence Holder

Mo’…

…Aubrey bashing

The moment your Eyewitness heard PNC Chairman Shurwayne Holder announcing an “oversight” committee to oversee the list of the delegates to the delayed Aug Biennial Congress, his reaction was, “Uh-uh…here we go again!!” Not over the delay, because the Congress was supposed to’ve been held last December; after all, if the PNC could delay elections for five months in the face of international condemnation, surely it could exceed that when EVERYTHING is under the party execs’ control!!

Taxi driver Lawrence Fanfair of Castello Housing Scheme in La Penitence, Georgetown is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital, nursing a gunshot wound he sustained to his left thigh after being shot by his younger brother during an argument over a woman on Thursday evening.

Based on reports re-

As the car and motorcycle approached the intersection at Cummings and Church Streets, the car allegedly failed to heed the stop sign, and collided with the motorcycle, causing the driver thereof to be flung some distance onto the northern parapet of Church Street.

Picked up by EMT personnel in a semi-conscious

condition and with injuries about his body, the motorcyclist was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite being attended to by doctors on duty.

Taxi driver shot by brother during row over woman

ceived, the 38-year-old Fanfair, who was sitting on a chair outside his home on Thursday, had been engaged in a heated argument with his brother Rendell Vanrossum over a woman with whom he shared a relationship when, at about 23:00h, his brother pulled out a black handgun from his right-side pants waist and discharged a round that hit him to his left thigh.

Relatives took the injured Fanfair to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted as a patient in the male medical ward. His condition is listed as stable.

Investigations are in progress.

Nah, your Eyewitness’s alarm was over the role of the “oversight” committee at the Congress. This ain’t just about overseeing who’s gonna get to eat all the free fried rice and chowmein!! It’s all about the fact that there’s supposed to be an election to decide who’s gonna lead the PNC as we sail into more and more oil money coming into the cookie jar!! Billions and billions, baby!! And the oversight committee’s gonna be the gatekeeper, deciding who comes to congress! And right here decides who’s gonna lead the PNC!!

Now, when it comes to rigging, the PNC has any number of advanced degrees - having practised the practice since 1968 – and using these party elections as practice grounds!! In the beginning, Burnham was sure about his leadership position, but as he started to face opposition from bauxite workers etc… he started the practice of stacking the oversight committee to weed out dissenters. Trouble is that, in the present, every PNC member knows about the practice…having been coached by Norton and party execs in the preceding months as to where to place their “X”.

In 2010, when Granger was elected leader, after being selected by Robert Corbin, hadn’t Aubrey Norton – an old PNC hand – protested bitterly that even the delegates he’d brought from Linden had been tampered with by that oversight committee?!! In the end, he walked out with his defeated troops under the gaze of that infamous gunman!! PNC ain’t easy – even with their own!! What’s more, PNC Chairman Holder - in charge of selecting the oversight committee - was handpicked out of obscurity for his position on Norton’s slate, when the latter had been elected as Leader in Dec 2021!! Talk about divided loyalties!!

But there’s more than an “outcome determinative oversight committee”. Before penning this piece, your Eyewitness saw a letter from a PNC overseas member who bemoaned that danger (he’s PNC, after all!!) and went on to really skewer Aubrey.1:No financial accountability during the last two years.

2: No auditor or audit, violating PNC Constitution Rule 16 (4).

3: Only two party general council meetings, even though the constitution mandated one every three months. And 5: The CEC meetings are sporadically held, even though one monthly mandated.

Whew!! Is Aubrey’s goose cooked?

…oil in our lamp!!

For centuries, we’ve sung “a little more oil in our lamp” and even given “hosannahs”!! While everyone thought it was a metaphor by those ten virgins for getting more spiritual sustenance, it appears the Big Guy in the Sky took us literallyand gave us billions and billions of barrels of oil off our Atlantic Coast!! How many billions, we don’t even know, but your Eyewitness has been singing his hosannas quite fervently since 2019!! He figures even a trickle of that moolah going into the NRF gotta end up in his pockets - some time or other!!

After all, we’ll be getting to 1.3 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY by 2027!! And even though he’s complained bitterly about the shameless 14.5% PNC’s Trotman (yes, PNC!!) brought back – even that’s gonna add up!! There are some who’ve been agitating for renegotiating with Exxon for a higher share – but for most Guyanese, “out of sight” is out of mind!!

Sing hosannahs, sing hosannahs!!

…war

Iran vowed revenge for the April 1 airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus that killed a top Iranian general and six other Iranian military officers. Shamelessly, Russia, Germany and Britain urged Middle Eastern countries to show “restraint”!!

Like Israel??

1,500 house lots distributed at 1st ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 in Reg 3 – house lots awarded at Wales housing development

Some 1,500 residents of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) on Friday received their house lots during the Housing and Water Ministry’s first ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 at the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) compound at Klein Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The recipients were allocated lands at Wales Phase Two housing development, which is scheduled for massive upgrades this year. The new scheme would accommodate about 5,000 residents and would be outfitted with a nursery, primary and secondary schools; a post office, a playground, a police station, a daycare centre, a magistrate’s court, and other amenities.

West Coast of Demerara. We still have to cater for hundreds more,” he highlighted.

In addition, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, underscored that the housing programme is far more impactful, as it speaks to homeownership, empowerment, job opportunities, and the overall transformation of Guyana. “That is the ultimate independence for the people of our country…When you own your own home, you control your own life…You don’t have a landlord that you have to answer to. You don’t live in a sense of uncertainty, wondering if you would have to relocate your life at some point,” he explained.

The region has the second highest housing demand in the country, and

the future,” Khan said.

Another beneficiary, Kortis Simon, expressed, “I feel excited to know that I can provide a stable home for my family.”

Cecil King said he is happy to be closer to owning his own home. “To be here today is a good moment for me. I am excited to start building my dream home,” King expressed.

Also, Tatum Khan said, “I feel good that they finally called. It is good to get something of your own. With how the country is going now with development, this is a very good opportunity for us as a family.”

Only recently, Minister Rodrigues revealed that 18 areas have already been earmarked for new housing developments.

“In these 18 areas, it will yield over 24,000 lots, which means that everybody from the backlog up to 2019 will be addressed in our first term in office,” she said.

As part of its manifesto, the PPP/C had promised to deliver 50,000 house lots by the end of its first term in office; and although over 30,000 house lots have been allocated so far, Minister Rodrigues highlighted, a backlog still exists.

Region Five alone has 2,852 applications pending for residential house lots, and Region Four has about

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal underscored that billions of dollars have been expended to develop new and existing housing areas as well as road networks over the past three years. In 2023, infrastructural works in Leonora, Stewartsville, and MetenMeer-Zorg were completed to the tune of $16.6 billion.

Works on various community roads are 90 per cent completed. During last year, $5.6 billion was spent on the community roads in the region. In one and a half years, 107 two- and three-bedroom houses were also completed and distributed along the West Coast of Demerara.

“We have another 337 under construction within the Leonora/Edinburgh area. The total for these houses, not taking into consideration the infrastructure costs, is about $2.6 billion investment here on the

Friday’s distribution reduces the list by 13 per cent.

Also delivering remarks were the Permanent Secretary of the Housing and Water Ministry, Bisham Kuppen; CHPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Sherwyn Greaves; and Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube.

Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Esther Persaud, said she has been beyond satisfied, since she applied for the house lot since 2008. Battling to contain her tears, Persaud told the media, “It means a lot to me, because it is the first time I will be owning a home.”

Another happy landowner, Bibi Rabia Khan, was relieved when she received the call yesterday for her land, since she applied for it in 2012. “It is great! I have been waiting a while, and the day is finally here. I’m really happy that I can start my own home and plan for

38,000 applications pending.

The minister highlighted a range of initiatives implemented to ensure persons have access to affordable housing opportunities, including investments in infrastructure, land acquisition for housing purposes, removal of taxes on construction materials, and provision of subsidies to assist individuals to commence construction of their homes.

Minister Rodrigues has also emphasised that individuals must adhere to the application process, and that allocation would be done within the framework of an “organized and sustainable” housing development strategy.

The Government has allocated $75 billion in its 2024 budget to continue the housing programme. Some 10,000 house lots are scheduled to be distributed this year.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing the gathering

A section of the crowd on Friday

Region 3 residents queuing to process their documents

Under PPP/C, more Guyanese can afford to take, pay back loans – VP Jagdeo

As a result of strategic planning and implementation by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, more Guyanese can now afford to take out loans and honour their repayment, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday.

He was at the time rejecting the contents of an article in the local media which, he says, can undermine the confidence of the banking system in Guyana.

The article states that the New Building Society (NBS) made less money in 2023 when compared to previous years, despite disbursing more than $19 billion, the most ever. The article credited this reduction in profits to the reduction of interest rates to as low as 3.5 per cent, following a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali.

However, the Vice President asserted that the President did not direct the financial institution to reduce its interest rates, but rather, “President Ali has been urging all of the institutions to ensure people can afford mortgages”.

Jagdeo also reminded that the NBS was set up

to provide affordable mortgages to people and was not necessarily a profit-making venture, adding that in the 90s, the mortgage interest rate ranged between 37 per cent and 40 per cent thus making it impossible to borrow.

During his weekly press briefing, he outlined that the Government fixed the macroeconomy when it got into power and as a result, interest rates started to decline.

Because of the interventions, Jagdeo pointed out that thousands of Guyanese have started to and continue to own their homes.

Presently, the Vice President noted that similar strategic planning and implementation are being rolled out to ensure citizens continue to benefit.

“People can borrow at a cheaper rate in Guyana on these low-income mortgag-

es at NBS than they can borrow in the United States of America now. When we were 40 per cent, the US

was three per cent and four per cent in the past. Now, you can borrow cheaper in Guyana, than in the United

States of America… people should be proud of this,” Jagdeo expressed.

Moreover, he highlighted that by reducing the interest rates, borrowers are getting to save. In fact, he said some 14,000 Guyanese, through the NBS alone, saved some $800 million in reduced payments on their mortgages.

“That is a success story that should be applauded,” Jagdeo asserted.

Meanwhile, the Vice President revealed that in 2020, mortgages for private dwellings stood at $82.7 billion and this year, mortgages stand at $108.6 billion.

Additionally, he noted that in 2019, non-performing loans in the banking system were 12.1 per cent and this year, that fiure is 2.7 per cent which is evidence that borrowers are repaying their loans.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

New Building Society

Fmr G/t Mayor questions whether Indo-Guyanese

are truly accepted by PNC, after attack on Ally – calls for better leadership ahead of August congress

Former Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, has called out the present Chairman of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Shurwayne Holder, for his unwarranted attack on former General Secretary of that party, Amna Ali, and is questioning whether IndoGuyanese are truly accepted by its leaders.

In a missive posted on his social media platform, Narine a financial member of the PNC, believes that for the party to truly represent the aspirations of its constituents, it must provide a space wherein individuals from all backgrounds feel valued and included.

He has said that rather than stifling voices of dissent, the PNC must embrace its diverse membership base while taking into consideration Guyana’s multi-ethnic composition.

“The PNC’s leadership should recognize that fair criticism and the pursuit of excellence are not synonymous with disloyalty. They are crucial to maintaining a thriving democratic culture within the party. By silencing dissenting voices, the PNC risks losing talented individuals, stifling internal growth, and alienating potential supporters,” Narine related.

He added that the PNC under Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin and David Granger had recognized Ally’s loyalty, value, expertise and skills, and had placed enormous responsibilities on her shoulders.

“As a concerned member of the PNC, one is left pondering the consequences of challenging the party’s leadership. Will any member who dares to step forward

be labelled as a supporter of the rival party, the PPP? Furthermore, does the PNC truly welcome individuals of Indian descent, like myself, under its current leadership?”

Further, the former mayor related that the accusation against Ally, who has served the PNC diligently for over 50 years, presents a puzzling scenario.

“How can someone with such a longstanding commitment to the party suddenly be deemed a supporter of the PPP? It seems that the chairman, Mr. Shurwayne Holder, may lack a comprehensive understanding of the party’s history, particularly that of our esteemed founder-leader Forbes Burnham, and the PNC itself,” Narine has said.

The PNC, he noted, was built upon the principles of inclusion, unity, and embracing diversity. “Forbes Burnham, a visionary leader, had a clear vision of a society where all ethnicities coexist harmoniously, working towards the betterment of Guyana. It is this vision that attracted supporters from all walks of life, including Indians, who have remained an integral part of the party’s fabric.

To label any individual who seeks to challenge the party leadership as a supporter of the PPP is not only unfair, but goes against the very principles upon which the PNC was founded. Internal dissent and com-

petition for leadership positions are healthy for political parties, as they foster creativity, growth, and a continuous examination of policies and strategies.”

Narine feels the time has come for the PNC leadership to reflect upon the principles that define the party’s existence, even if it means re-evaluating their stance on individuals who dare to challenge the status quo and understanding that the party’s strength lies in its ability to adapt, grow, and embrace the multitude of perspectives within its midst.

“Congress has been overdue since December. That is four months and counting. Other aspects of the constitution, like monthly meetings and quarterly councils, have also been violated. Instead of attacking Amna, why not demand that the principles and articles of the Constitution of the PNC be upheld? Why not direct attacks on government corruption, instead of attacking Amna?” Narine has asked.

Narine is calling on the PNC congress to address the concerns raised by loyal members, who feel marginalized due to their Indian heritage or desire to challenge the party’s leadership. He reiterated that the PNC must endeavour to create an inclusive environment where dissent is encouraged, diverse voices are heard, and the spirit of Forbes Burnham’s vision is upheld. “Only then can the party

truly serve as a platform for progress, and represent the aspirations of all Guyanese citizens,” Narine has said.

Ally came under attack after allegedly referring to the present leader of the PNC, Aubrey Norton, as an “unfit leader”, who was responsible for divisions in the party.

She has now thrown her support behind Opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde, SC, who recently publicly declared his intention to challenge Norton for the leadership at the next congress.

In a social media post, Holder, a first-time PNCR Parliamentarian, blasted Ally and questioned her record in the party.

“Where was this former Minister and General Secretary for the last four years? How has she contributed to the development of the party and the fight against the PPP? She didn’t

even have the decency to facilitate a handover process to the new General Secretary when the faction she created lost at the last congress.

“While I respect her right to endorse whomever she sees fit, I don’t believe Amna Ali has the moral authority to say who is unfit to lead the Party…my gloves are off! I will say much more at the right time,” Holder further wrote.

It has been announced that the PNCR congress would be held before August 31, 2024.

In March, Forde launched his campaign to run for the leadership of the PNCR –the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-majority Opposition – at the upcoming Biennial Delegates Congress, where the party elects its Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman and 15 members to sit on its Central Executive Committee (CEC).

Former Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine PNC Leader Aubrey Norton

PNC Chairman Shurwayne Holder

Former PNC GS, Amna Ally

Guyanese youths discuss climate change, other issues ahead of 4th SIDS Summit in Antigua –

report to be incorporated in next 10-year agenda for SIDS development

Nearly 40 youths from several regions across Guyana gathered to discuss climate change, health, education, water, food and energy security, among other issues in the context of Caribbean small-island developing states (SIDS).

The initiative was organised by youth organisations with support from the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNICEF Guyana, and was hosted in preparation for the Children and Youth Action Summit (CYAS) slated for May in Antigua and Barbuda. That event is aimed at empowering young people from SIDS to address the complex challenges facing their communities; will serve as a highlight of the overall SIDS4 Conference Programme; and will provide an essential opportunity for SIDS youths to share their perspectives on an intersection of social and environmental issues and their impacts, as well as to present new ideas, solutions and recommendations for, and commit to, a course of action.

During the opening of the pre-consultation event in Guyana, Area Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Nicolas Pron, explained that

SIDS4 is taking place during a critical juncture in the world, especially for small states that face many challenges, including climate change, poverty, and digital transformation among other social, developmental, and environmental issues.

He commended the youths for already being agents of change within their respective communities in Guyana. “All of you are here because you are passionate about the issues facing young people and your communities, and you

want to see a future of resilient prosperity. I am most certain that your valuable contributions will benefit not only small-island developing states, but the world,” Pron said.

In a joint message from the youth organisations, including the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Guyana Youth and Environment Network (GYEN), and the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), Rosemarie Ramit described the event as time-

ly, since many young people are affected by environmental, health, and other social issues in the Caribbean.

Youth participant Ebun Sansculotte, who has a key interest in the topic of climate change, said she was happy to be part of the event in order to add her input. “I am so happy to be a part of a great community that cares so much about the environment and ways to help it forward,” she said.

Noting that the event was very engaging, Asif Khan, who identifies as a

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), on Monday launched the project “Securing a Living Amazon through Landscape Connectivity in Southern Guyana” under the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes programme (ASL).

ASL is a regional effort aimed at conservation in and sustainable development of the Amazon, and the intent is to connect people and institutions to conserve and manage landscapes.

Guyana’s national ASL project is an initiative that is part of the second phase of the ASL programme, and seeks to improve integrated landscape management and conservation of ecosystems in targeted areas of the Amazon region.

person living with a disability, explained that one of the challenges persons with disabilities face is an inclusivity barrier, especially in small-island developing states.

“This event was useful, as it will help to shape the new agenda with our (persons with disabilities) views at the summit, and other countries can adapt in their programmes and policies as well,” Khan said.

The event also saw youths offering ideas and recommendations that would be compiled with other countries’ reports and synthesized into a comprehensive outcome document at the CYAS. This document will encapsulate a 10-year commitment to action by youths and be pre-

sented to leaders during the 1st Ministerial Meeting of SIDS4, thereby providing a compelling roadmap for youth-led sustainable development initiatives across SIDS regions. At least two young persons are expected to represent Guyana at the CYAS in Antigua and Barbuda from May 27-30.

SIDS4 is being held under the theme ‘Charting the Course Towards Resilient Prosperity’, and aims at assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It will result in an inter-governmentally agreed, focused, and action-oriented political outcome document for the next ten-year agenda for SIDS development.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Guyana, the project is implemented by the WWF, with the EPA as the lead executing agency, in partnership with the PAC and the GFC. The initiative is set to be executed over five years, ending in 2028; and has a budget of just over US$5 million. It targets the enhancement of landscape connectivity through strategic management improvements of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the North Rupununi Wetlands —two of Guyana’s most biologically diverse landscapes.

The project is structured around four main components - Integrated Protected Landscapes; Integrated Productive Landscapes; Policies/Incentives for Protected and Productive

Landscapes; and Capacity Building and Regional Cooperation.

These efforts are aim at bringing 611,000 hectares of the Kanuku Mountains’ terrestrial protected area and 901,800 hectares of the North Rupununi Wetlands under improved management, integrating sustainable land and water management practices that support the conservation of these critical ecosystems.

The project also emphasises carbon emission reduction, with an expected mitigation of approximately

847,406 metric tons of CO2, contributing significantly to global climate change efforts. Moreover, the project engages 700 direct beneficiaries, including ensuring 40% female participation, which promotes gender-sensitive development and diversified management of natural resources.

This timely initiative underscores the Government of Guyana’s commitment to preserving biodiversity as outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.

Over the next five years, the project would foster collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organisations and indigenous communities.

This collaborative approach is poised to pave the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive environmental governance structure, essential for Guyana’s sustainability pledge.

The strategic focus on community involvement and gender-sensitive practices is set to position this project as a model for conservation efforts worldwide, promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship in one of the world’s most vital natural habitats.

Area Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Nicolas Pron, making remarks at the SIDS pre-consultation event in Guyana

Guyanese youths sharing their perspectives on social and environmental issues while presenting solutions and recommendations ahead of SIDS summit in Antigua and Barbuda

Stakeholders at the launch of the ASL project

The Rupununi Savannahs

1st ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive for 2024 at Klein Pouderoyen, WBD

Guyana to import ‘skilled technical personnel’ for electricity sector – Pres Ali

– as deal for 36MW power ship finalised

In light of challenges in securing much-needed technical personnel for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated, the Government of Guyana will be outsourcing at least 10 highly-skilled technicians from Cuba.

This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday evening, during a live broadcast to update the public on the issues facing the state-run power company and the interventions being undertaken by the Government to remedy the situation.

According to the Head of State, there is a need to strengthen the management capacity and capability of the power sector. Additionally, he noted that there is a severe skills defi-

cit at the technical level.

Last week he noted that the technical support for GPL could be imported, since the power company was having difficulties in filling these positions locally. Consequently, President Ali on Friday stated that steps are being taken to increase the technical capacity of GPL by recruiting

an additional 10 engineers with the relevant skills to enhance the electricity sector.

“Now, we have gone out many times to procure the services of Guyanese engineers, and we have not been successful because of the demand for engineers in other areas. So, we are working [on this]. For example, I just

concluded meetings with the Cuban Ambassador [to Guyana, Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis]. They have very skilled technical personnel who they are willing to deploy [to Guyana]

immediately to work in the system and to help us technically,” Dr Ali disclosed.

For the past few weeks, Guyana has been enduring a heightened spate of blackouts following what the GPL had described as engine failures at different locations. At least two engines are currently down. At a meeting with senior management of the power

Power ship agreement

Some interventions have been undertaken by the Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to alleviate the worsening electricity woes of the country. One such initiative is the procurement of an additional 36 megawatts of power for the national grid to offset generation short-

sector, President Ali read the Riot Act to the top brass of GPL, and also had strong words for officials from Wartsilla and the Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI) – the two companies that play integral roles in generating the country’s power.

On the sidelines of an event last week, the Guyanese Leader ruled out a shake-up of the management at GPL, but noted that tremendous technical support would be retained to ensure adequate and effective power supply from the state-run entity.

Meanwhile, with its current challenges, GPL is now generating some 165 megawatts of power. However, the current peak demand for electricity is at 180 megawatts.

The Government has blamed the issues at the state-owned power company on several issues, ranging from aged infrastructure and systems to lack of maintenance, to human resource gap, and the growing electricity demand coupled with public destruction of the entity’s transmission utilities.

falls. This deal is with UCC Holding, a subsidiary of Qatari-based conglomerate Power International Holding.

“I wish to announce that today, the Government, through the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, conducted a Time Charter Agreement with UCC Holding for a power ship to be deployed to Guyana within three weeks,” President Ali announced.

“This facility involves the chartering of a power supply vessel that will be connected to the DBIS (Demerara Berbice Interconnected System) at Everton in Berbice to provide timely support to the generation capacity of GPL and relief for consumers connected to the DBIS grid. The vessel will be chartered for 24 months from the date of commencement of the agreement. This power arrangement is being obtained at a very competitive cost. It will cover the charter costs of the vessel, including its generating engines as well as operations and maintenance costs,” President Ali stated.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

One of the floating power vessels that are operated by the Turkish-based Karpowershi

Govt hands over 4 new core homes to Sophia families

Four residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown are now each proud owners of their own homes, acquired under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Core Homes programme.

Recipients of the four homes are Charles Henry, Claud Cyrus, Pauline Nedd and Belinda Ali.

The keys were handed over to each of these persons on Thursday, during an engagement with subject Minister Collin Croal to update core home-support beneficiaries on the progress of their homes.

Each of these newly-constructed homes features two bedrooms, a kitchen, and washroom facilities, thus providing comfortable living

spaces for the beneficiaries.

Funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), this initiative requires a beneficiary to be a landowner and to contribute $100,000 towards the cost of constructing the home.

A total of 49 homes were expected to be constructed in the Sophia area, but only 15 have been completed. Croal noted that, despite the various challenges, the remaining 34 homes will be constructed promptly, and he has assured homeowners that they would receive the

Min Edghill orders repaving of $96M

The Public Works Ministry is taking action to address residents’ complaints regarding the quality of the recently paved $96 million Naamryck Backdam Road in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Following an inspection on Friday, Minister Edghill directed that the contractor, Extreme Construction Inc, repave the road to meet ministry standards and, more importantly, the residents’ expectation.

keys to their homes by the end of May. He added that his team had engaged the pool of contractors to sort out any misunderstanding and issue that had been affecting the timely completion of these homes.

“We can commit to the 34 of you here present that all 34 of the remaining homes will be completed on or be-

fore the end of May, so that we can assure you here today,” Minister Croal has said.

However, he disclosed that one of the main challenges arising from the program is the defiance of new homeowners concerning their contractual agreements.

“We have had cases whereby persons move in

and they want to keep the other structure… You can’t sign an agreement… so it’s seven days after you move in you have to dismantle the old structure. You have to keep your end of the bargain too, because, as I said, there were checklist conditionalities that we had to verify,” Minister Croal has said.

Mother, son arrested for murder of Festival City labourer

Amother and her son have been taken into police custody in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old man with whom they had been engaged in a brawl at their Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown home on Friday.

The dead man has been identified as Amaziah Hohenkirk, a labourer of Festival City, Georgetown. He was stabbed multiple times in his abdomen and on his wrists.

Based on reports received, at about 23:15h on Thursday, the suspect and her other son, a 24-year-old labourer, had had a misunderstanding with the victim over a speaker box. That son had been a friend of the victim.

er, but instead encountered Hohenkirk and one of his friends. During that encounter, an argument broke out among them, and the group ended up at the woman’s residence, where the victim’s friend allegedly hit her with a hockey stick.

In retaliation, the woman armed herself with a knife and allegedly stabbed Hohenkirk once in the abdomen and once on each of his wrists. The injured man and his friend managed to flee the scene, and proceeded to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Hohenkirk died while receiving medical attention.

As such, the younger son went in search of his broth-

On Friday, at about 7:00h, the woman informed her younger son about the incident, and claimed that her older son had abused her.

The suspect, a 42-yearold housewife, along with her 21-year-old son, remains in police custody, and are assisting with investigations.

Guyana to import ‘skilled...

While Guyana signed the agreement with UCC Holding – a Qatari-based international Energy, Concession, and Construction company, the floating power plant vessel is owned by Turkish-based Karpowership, which operates a fleet of ships that generate electricity. These two companies have a ‘strategic alliance’ for the Latin America Region, with operations in Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

led by a ministerial group comprising Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, S.C, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar – which was established to look into the current wave of power instability across the country.

connection to the existing grid; that has been done, and the type of fuel (to be used),” the Vice President stated.

When it comes to the cost of this deal, Jagdeo explained that Guyana would only be paying for the equipment and the operation of the power ship, which amounts to some eight cents per kilowatt/hour (kwh).

“This (road) cannot be accepted the way it is; this has failed the test. So, this got to be used as a levelling course, and now you got to get it proper. Quality asphalt for the entire road, and we got to finish this up before next week Wednesday!” the minister as-

serted. The contractor has been instructed to overlay the existing surface with two inches of high-quality asphalt, in order to ensure road longev-

ity; and in order to address the concerns of residents, the minister has instructed that the speed humps be modified to allow for smoother traverse, particularly for farmers transporting produce.

“Whenever we do work in any community, one thing we have in mind is the people. The beneficiaries are the ultimate goal, their satisfaction is important,” Minister Edghill underscored.

Farmers have also been asked to avoid using tractors on the road during its paving stage. The ministry’s engineers will be on site to oversee construction and ensure the project meets the 1000-metre specification.

The finalisation of this power deal now paves the way for the deployment of the floating power plant, which is expected to be installed within three weeks.

According to President Ali, works are currently being undertaken locally to prepare the infrastructure to connect the power ship to the national grid.

“Within 15 days, we could have a power ship coming in here ready to be connected to the grid. So, the next 14 days, we're working on ensuring that all the infrastructure is in place to accept that power – more than 36 megawatts… [that] is immediately going to be placed in the system,” the Head of State added during his broadcast. This deal for emergency power to supplement GPL’s generating capacity has been

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo disclosed that Government was considering bringing in a vessel with a larger generating capacity – more than 70 MW – but GPL’s current infrastructure would not have supported such a massive injection of power into the national grid.

For example, he pointed out that the transmission main at the Kingston Power Plant cannot accommodate the addition of power, not even the 36 MW, since it can only transmit power generated at that facility.

“So, we wouldn’t be able to produce there because the transmission main can only move the Kingston power. So, this is why we’re looking at bringing it into the Berbice River at Everton. That way, we’d be able to dispatch the power [onto the national grid]…

“We had to look at the river, the depth of the river, the

“There is a capacity charge and an O&M (operate and manage) charge; combined, that’s less than 8 cents per kWh, but then we supply the fuel…So, they will supply the equipment and operate it, and we will supply the fuel,” he noted.

According to the Vice President, Government had previously received a proposal from this company, but that deal was for a longer period than the two-year that has been agreed upon in the current contract.

Nevertheless, this latest intervention by the Government would support the state-owned GPL until the operationalisation of the Government’s model Gas-toEnergy project, which features a 300MW power plant at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara utilising natural gas from the oil production activities offshore Guyana. (G-8)

Two beneficiaries who received keys to their core homes on Thursday

Dead: Amaziah Hohenkirk

Parents urged to allow girls to take HPV shots

– as Govt aims to reduce cervical cancer by 2030

The Guyana Government aims to contribute to the global push to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases by 2030 and as such, parents are being encouraged to allow their girl children to get the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.

This call was made by Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Friday when the Health Ministry launched its Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination.

That strategy speaks to the need for 90 per cent of

girls to be fully vaccinated for HPV by the age of 15.

Manickchand emphasised that the vaccines were free of

cost and that parents play a vital role in ensuring the lingering cervical cancer disease is erased from Guyana. According to her, though there is a goal to reduce cer-

vical cancer by 90 per cent, she foresees that if Guyanese publicise the need for the vaccine, especially among girls, there would be no cases of cervical cancer throughout Guyana by 2030.

In addition, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony alluded to some of the targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases by 2030.

This includes having 70 per cent of women screened by the age of 35, and again by age 45.

“By 2030, we hope to see a vast reduction of cervical cancer within Guyana, if we follow all the guidelines from the World Health

Corentyne woman raped, murdered & dumped in backlands – duo confesses to crime

The semi-nude body of a 52-year-old woman was on Friday discovered in the backlands of Number 55 Village on the Corentyne Coast in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and police are working on the theory that she had been raped and then murdered.

The dead woman has been identified as Ninawattie Nandalall, also called ‘Sharda’, a single mother of three, who had been a domestic worker and farmer of Number Nought Village, Corentyne. Her body was found at about 7:40h on Friday.

Following that gruesome discovery, her son Bhojdev Narinedat told <<Guyana Times,>> “De condition wha me see me Muma hut!” There were wounds on the neck of Nandalall’s body, which was discovered in a semi-nude condition.

Her son has said that she had left home at midday on Thursday to head into the backdam to pick green mangoes to make achar for some visitors. He said he was at work when he received a telephone call from his sister, who informed him that their mother had not returned home.

“Me collect one ah me cousin and we drive into Number 55 reef, and go down till to the back, and we search the whole reef and we call for her. We come home and then we go back again, and we call her name, but we get no answer. Until about after three, then we stop search,” he detailed.

He said that at 6:00h on Friday, he got two of his cousins and continued the search for his mother. “My two cousins take one dam and I take the other. While walking, I

watching under the bush, and then, about 75 feet away from me, I saw a red cloth and a blue shirt, and when I walk close, I realized that it was my mother,” he detailed.

“It was blood all over her face. Her neck get a cut, and from here come down was naked,” he detailed.

The aggrieved son declared that his mother did not have to die in that gruesome manner. “De condition wha me see me Muma hut me a lot!” he added.

Meanwhile two men, including an 18-year-old, have confessed to committing the crime. This was confirmed by Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, who stated that the duo, of the same village, provided investigators with details of what transpired. (Andrew Carmichael)

Organisation we will certainly reach this number without a doubt.”

Dr Anthony added that part of the guidelines of the WHO was for women to receive early screenings and in doing its part, the Guyana Government would soon distribute self-testing kits.

“Early screenings must be done; early screenings will be beneficial for persons to

detect signs of cancer and it enables them to prepare to combat it quickly in the early stages of the sickness.”

Further drawing reference from the significant reductions seen in other countries, he stated that other countries have implemented similar strategies and produced significant results.

“All the countries that have implemented strong pol-

icies, have demonstrated that they can defeat cervical cancer and if they can do it, I am sure that we can do it as well, we just have to implement the great strategies that we already have,” he stated.

Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus and can be prevented by taking the HPV vaccine.

4 busted with gun, ammo & ganja during police operation in Linden

Aquantity of marijuana, a 9MM pistol with 11 rounds of matching ammunition, and a camouflage shirt were found during a police operation at Half Mile Wismar, Linden on Friday.

Based on reports received, a team of police ranks first searched the home of a 39-year-old resident, during which they found a plastic bag containing a quantity of cannabis on the dining table.

As such, the occupant of the house was informed of the offence committed, cautioned, and taken into custody. The marijuana was weighed and amounted to 18 grams.

The ranks next searched the home of a 28-year-old miner and a truck driver, where the police observed one of the men disposing of an object through a window. They retrieved same, and discovered that it was a firearm with 11 rounds of ammunition in the magazine.

Both suspects were thus cautioned, arrested, and taken into custody.

A subsequent search of the premises led to the discovery of a camouflage shirt in a bedroom, leading to the arrest of a third suspect. The three men are expected to be charged in the new week.

The firearm and magazine that were discovered by police

The camouflage shirt that was found during the raid

Education Minister Priya Manickchand speaking at the event

Officials at the launch

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony speaking at the event

The area where the woman’s body was found

Dead: Ninawattie Nandalall

Teachers’ remuneration will grow steadily– PPP GS affirms

– urges teachers to continue to work with Gov’t

The Government of Guyana is actively working to improve the working conditions of educators in Guyana, and the governing Peoples Progressive Party/Civic is assuring that the remuneration package for teachers would significantly be increased in the future. These assurances have been given to the nation’s teachers by PPP General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who explained that there are on the horizon major plans to comprehensively improve the education sector, including

making available training opportunities for teachers.

“We have major plans for the future (and) the remuneration will grow…We have to be balanced, but in the future, it [remuneration] will go up steeply,” Dr Jagdeo told reporters at Freedom House in Georgetown on Thursday.

He made these statements in response to questions raised by members of the media in regard to the state of affairs between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU).

Politically driven

In February of this year, the GTU orchestrated an illegal strike, claiming that engagements on the proposed Multi-Year Agreement had broken down, even as 20 of the 41 requests they had made had been met by the MoE.

Consequently, Dr Jagdeo had expressed the view that the strike is politically driven, and had called attention to the Government’s many efforts to improve the welfare of hundreds of educators in the public system.

“We believe that it’s driven by Congress Place…This wouldn’t stretch your imagination to see that there is a political motive to this, because the head of the union is one of the most rabid members of the Opposition; who is extremist, racist, and is squatting on the (GTU) general secretary position,” he asserted.

Notably, the GTU is insisting that negotiations must surround retroactive pay increases for the period 2019-2023. The MoE has, however, made it clear that

there is no fiscal space to cater for retroactive increases.

“They expect us now to adjust their wages for that period. We said it’s a non-starter; if we do that, we’d have to address everyone in the country, including maybe the sugar workers, who got zero in the whole APNU period…We cannot go back in the past,” the general secretary firmly expressed.

On April 19, High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon will hand down his decision in the case brought by the GTU against the Government of

Guyana, wherein the GTU has petitioned the court to find that the five-week strike was legal, and that teachers are entitled to be paid even while they had been on strike.

Better working conditions under the PPP

Under the PPP/C Administration, teachers’ wages and salaries have grown by 61 per cent, according to Dr Jagdeo at a past press conference. For context, he explained that the wage bill had increased from $24.4

billion in 2020 to $39 billion in 2023, representing a 61.4 per cent increase in salaries for teachers.

Moreover, he said, the education sector’s budget has been significantly increased: from 51 billion dollars in 2020 to 135 billion dollars in the current year, marking a substantial increase of about 162 per cent. This funding has enabled a series of improvements in the sector, including infrastructural development and the erection of several state-of-the-art education facilities across Guyana.

William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” opens at NCC to cater for CSCE students

To elevate the study of Literature among secondary school students, the Ministry of Education is staging William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “Twelfth Night” at the National Cultural Centre.

This innovative endeavour aims to inspire a deeper appreciation for literary works, and enhance students’ engagement in preparation for the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) English Literature examination in May.

In brief remarks before it commenced, the Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, said this initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to fostering cultural enrichment and academic excellence. She noted that the Ministry of Education would continue to provide students with holistic educational experiences which go beyond traditional classroom learning.

An Educator at the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ingrid Richards-Fung, has said that by bringing these

texts to life on stage, students would have the opportunity to experience literature in a dynamic and immersive way, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the written word. She added that there are plans to extend this initiative by incorporating other literary works from the CSEC syllabus into future theatricals.

The play debuted on Friday afternoon with scores of students from secondary schools across Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and Georgetown. It will

be playing at the National Cultural Centre on April 13, 15, 16 and 17. It was produced by Gems Theatre Productions, and was directed by Ron Robinson with assistance from Derek Gomes.

The cast includes Nuriyyih Gerrard, Mark Luke-Edwards, Michael Ignatius, Derek Gomes, Paul Budnah, Latiefa Agard, Rovindra Persaud, and Tahirrih Gerrard, with support from Safira

Abrahim-Williams, D’Neilko Bacchus, Keeona McKay, Kevin Kellman and newcomers Tchaiko Henry and Antoine Gonsalves. The Ministry of Education is inviting educators and students to attend.

Students at the theatrical spectacular on Friday

One of the scenes from the play

Teachers in training

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Regional

Haiti decrees long-awaited transition council, but questions remain

Haiti's Government on Friday issued a decree formalising the creation of a nine-member transitional presidential council, a long-delayed move intended as the first step in restoring security to the gang-ravaged Caribbean country.

The decree, however, leaves many questions unanswered.

It does not name the new council members, nor does it establish a timeframe for the installation of the council and replacement for Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who one month ago pledged to step down once his successor was in place.

It suggests the unpopular and unelected Henry will initially retain oversight of proceedings, allowing the current Prime Minister to make the "necessary arrangements" ahead of the new appointments. Those chosen must then "participate, in agreement with the Prime Minister, in the formation of an inclusive Ministers' Cabinet."

It also calls on the council to help speed the deployment of international troops Henry requested in 2022 to aid Police in their battles with armed and increasingly powerful gangs.

The decree was published in Haiti's official gazette and names the nine political parties or social sectors who will be represented on the council, including two non-voting observers, confirming an announcement made last month.

The transition plan was announced on March 11 as armed men mounted attacks on parts of the capi-

tal Port-au-Prince they did not already control, while Henry remained stranded outside the country.

Friday's decree stipulates the council be headquartered in the National Palace in downtown Portau-Prince, which has come under fire several times in the past weeks.

After the decree was published, local media reported more gunfire in parts of Port-au-Prince, and a Police union spokesperson said Pierre Fritz Chenet, an officer, was shot dead while visiting relatives on the port side of the city.

In a separate statement on Friday, the Government said it invited the designated council representatives to submit documents to prove their eligibility at Government offices in the capital.

The transition plan was agreed with the mediation of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). The nine groups named by Caricom a month ago and

in Friday's decree have all put forward council candidates, but their nominations have yet to be formalised despite frequent pledges that such an announcement was near.

The delayed transition has prompted critics to accuse Henry's allies of hampering the process in order to keep hold of power. The Government has said it is working through legal and constitutional problems "as fast as possible".

Caricom on Friday said it welcomed the decree and reiterated the need for the new leaders to urgently address the security situation so schools and businesses can reopen and people can travel freely and access basic supplies.

Close to 95,000 persons have fled the capital's metropolitan area in the last month as armed gangs have cemented their control. Haitians are lacking basic goods as key ports remain closed, while the outgoing government remains absent. (Reuters)

7 children die from bacterial infection at Trinidad hospital

Seven infants have died in four days from a bacterial infection at Trinidad's Port of Spain General Hospital, said the island's health authorities.

The Port of Spain General Hospital is the main health care facility in the island's capital city.

The outbreak occurred at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, according to a release from the country's North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA), responsible for the hospital's management.

The children died from late-onset neonatal sepsis, a condition known for its rapid onset and potential -

ly devastating consequences, said the NWRHA.

All the victims were children who were prematurely born at less than 32 weeks old and required intensive care support, the Trinidad health authorities said.

Laboratory investigations revealed there were at least three types of bacteria of concern in the ward, Serratia marcescens, ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella aerogenes, said the NWRHA.

"Despite administering high-dose antibiotics and providing advanced and intensive cardio-respiratory support, the infection claimed the lives of some of these preterm ba -

bies," the NWRHA said in a statement last night.

The ward has been sprayed with chemicals to kill the bacteria, and the outbreak is contained with no new deaths since April 7, said the NWRHA.

The Trinidad Government has asked the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to assist it in the investigation into the deaths of the infants, its Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh told the island's Parliament on Friday.

He said the Government wanted to probe what happened and, apart from its own internal investigation, it is seeking help from the regional body. (Reuters)

Ecuador ex-VP Glas must stay in jail despite illegal arrest, court rules

Atribunal in Ecuador on Friday ruled the dramatic arrest of former Vice President Jorge Glas last week was illegal, but said he must remain in jail due to his previous convictions, a decision Glas' lawyer said his team will appeal.

Glas, twice convicted of corruption and now facing fresh charges, was arrested a week ago during a raid by Police on Mexico's Quito Embassy, where he had been living since December.

The arrest crowned a period of rising diplomatic tension between Ecuador and Mexico, though each country's Government has since said it is open to repairing relations. Glas' defence team had argued the three-Judge tribunal should declare his capture at the embassy illegal and set him free, adding Ecuador's Government violated his human rights and international law by authorising security forces to enter a diplomatic mission.

The tribunal agreed the arrest "was illegal and arbitrary", Judge Monica Heredia

said, but that due to the existence of previous convictions "this tribunal cannot modify the (jail) sentence".

Glas' lawyer Sonia Vera thanked the international community in a message on X, saying the support was vital for getting the arrest declared illegal.

"However, Jorge is still detained," she said. "We'll appeal until he is free."

Former President Rafael Correa, whom Glas served under between 2013 and 2017, said this week Glas attempt-

ed suicide and was on hunger strike, which Vera later confirmed.

Glas was hospitalised on Monday, but returned to prison the next day.

Glas has alleged police beat him during his arrest, while the Police have said force was used progressively due to the former Vice President's resistance.

The Government has said Glas was planning to escape, though it has not provided details. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US meets Venezuelan officials to express concerns over electoral process

US officials met representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Mexico this week to express concerns about Venezuela's electoral process, a White House official said on Friday.

The secret meeting was held as an April 18 deadline approached for the United States to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry in response to what Washington sees as Maduro's failure to make good on commitments for free and fair elections later this year. The Biden Administration has vowed to

reinstate oil sanctions that it suspended in October unless Maduro makes progress on meeting his promises for the July 28 presidential election.

His Government has set up major obstacles to participation by the Opposition, including barring its leading candidate, Maria Corina Machado, from running against Maduro.

"The purpose was to express our concerns about Venezuela's electoral process," a White House National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson said of the meeting.

Venezuela's Government, however, issued a separate statement saying the meet-

ing had discussed migration and lifting sanctions, saying the US was not complying with its commitments in this area.

The statement blasted interference in Venezuela's internal affairs and denounced "violent actions planned and perpetrated by extreme sectors" in the country under the auspices of foreign agencies.

Daniel Erikson, the White House's senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs, led the US delegation in the talks, which were held on Tuesday in Mexico City. Bloomberg News was first to report on the meeting. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru's dengue deaths triple as climate change swells mosquito population

Deaths caused by the mosquito-borne dengue disease have more than tripled in Peru so far this year, according to data from the South American nation's Government, which is redoubling efforts to contain an epidemic that has hit poor areas the hardest.

The Government of President Dina Boluarte this week said it had approved an "emergency decree" allowing extraordinary economic measures to bolster the plan to counter the outbreak, which experts say is exacerbated by climate change.

Mild symptoms include

nausea, rashes and body pains, while a rarer severe form, more threatening for infants and pregnant women, can cause internal bleeding and is potentially fatal.

Peru's Health Ministry said that as of Thursday, there were 117 registered deaths from dengue so far this year compared with 33 in the same period of 2023. Suspected cases have also more than tripled to reach some 135,000.

Experts say the figures in Peru are alarming because it shows the ability of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the disease, to spread to areas where dengue had not

previously been detected. The highest numbers of cases were recorded in the coastal and northern parts of the country, including Lima.

"The mosquito has been adapting to climate change and is reproducing at a faster rate than in previous years," University of Lima epidemiologist Augusto Tarazona said.

Considering respective population sizes, Tarazona said that with an incidence rate of 330.27 cases per 100,000 people, Peru was seeing both higher infection and mortality rates than in either Brazil or Argentina. (Excerpt from Reuters)

People walk past remains of vehicles near the Presidential Palace, after they were set on fire by gangs, as violence spreads and armed gangs expand their control over the capital, in Port-auPrince, Haiti, March 25, 2024 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol photo)

Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glas (Reuters/Daniel Tapia file photo)

Around the World OIL NEWS

US crude oil gains as Israel reportedly prepares for attack by Iran this weekend

Crude oil futures rose Friday on reports that Israel is preparing for a direct attack by Iran this weekend, in what would be the biggest escalation of Middle East tensions since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last October.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contract for May delivery hit a session high of US$87.67, while June Brent futures rallied to US$92.18. ExxonMobil stock hit an alltime intraday high of US$123.74 as the oil rally lifted the energy sector.

US crude ultimately gained 64 cents, or 0.75 per cent, at settle at US$85.66 a barrel, while the global benchmark settled at US$90.45, up 0.79 per cent or 71 cents.

Israel was preparing for a direct attack by Iran on southern or northern Israel as soon as Friday or Saturday, a person familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. A person briefed by Iran’s leadership told the Journal that no final decision has been made, though plans for a strike were under discussion.

People familiar with Western intelligence assessments told Bloomberg News that an attack by Iran, or its proxies, with drones and missiles against Israel could come as soon as the next 48 hours.

The US Embassy in Jerusalem on Thursday restricted Government employees and their families from personal travel outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to punish Israel for a missile attack an Islamic Republic diplomatic building in Damascus, Syria, last week that killed seven Iranian military officials.

Oil prices rallied after that attack, though futures are down slightly this week as inflation data and US crude stockpiles have weighed on the market.

Israel has warned Iran it will strike back against the Islamic Republic if Tehran attacks Israel.

“If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the social media platform X on Wednesday, tagging Khamenei.

Brent crude oil futures could spike to US$100 a barrel if Iran directly attacks Israel, according to Bob McNally, President of Rapidan Energy and a former senior energy official in the Bush Administration. If the escalation leads to a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route for oil, prices could surge to US$120 or US$130 a barrel, McNally told CNBC. (Excerpt from CNBC)

Trump backs Speaker after Mar-a-Lago meeting

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said he would push for legislation that would require voters to prove they are US citizens after meeting Donald Trump on Friday.

It was their first public meeting since Johnson became speaker in November.

It comes as some members of Johnson's party are calling for him to be removed from his leadership post.

But the former President says he believes the speaker is doing a "very good job".

House Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove Johnson three weeks ago.

Greene accused the

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza as Hamas official vows to “break” Israel

Israeli forces fought Palestinian militants in the north and centre of the Gaza Strip on Friday as Khaled Meshaal, a senior official in Gaza's ruling Hamas movement, said its six-month-old battle with Israel would "break the enemy soon".

Most Israeli troops have been pulled out of the Palestinian enclave in preparation for an assault on its southernmost city Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are sheltering, but fighting has continued in various areas.

Residents of AlNusseirat camp in central Gaza said dozens were dead or wounded after Israeli bombardment from air, land and sea that had followed a surprise ground assault on Thursday, and that houses and two mosques had been destroyed.

Health officials said earlier that six persons had been killed in strikes on the

cinder-block camp, which has housed Palestinian refugee families since 1948, with around 70 wounded, including three Palestinian Journalists.

In Gaza City, Palestinian health officials said at least 25 persons had been killed and several wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Al-Daraj neighbourhood. Gaza's Health Ministry said 89 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli military strikes in the space of 24 hours.

The Israeli military (IDF) said in a statement that it was pursuing "a precise intelligence-based operation" against militants and their infrastructure in central Gaza.

"Over the past day, IDF fighter jets struck over 60 terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including underground launch posts, military infrastructure and sites in which armed terrorists operated," it said. "In parallel, IDF artillery struck terrorist infrastructure in the central Gaza Strip."

Speaker of aligning with Democrats on the issue of Ukraine aid.

"We're getting along very well with the Speaker and I get along very well with Marjorie," Mr Trump said after the meeting at his Mara-Lago residence in Florida.

"It's not an easy situation for any speaker, I think he's doing a very good job and he's doing about as good as you're going to do."

Trump began his remarks by attacking President Joe Biden over the issue of immigration, which Johnson linked to the declared subject of the meeting, "election integrity". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Kateryna Velnychuk was having an afternoon nap when an explosion shattered the windows of her ground-floor flat, spraying shrapnel that tore holes through her walls and cupboards.

A Russian guided bomb had exploded in the courtyard outside the five-storey Soviet-era building, killing a postman on his rounds. As her flat filled with thick, milky smoke, the 22-yearold turned to see blood pouring from her boyfriend Vladyslav's head.

“As we’ve been living… in a state of war, there was no sense of fear in the moment,” Velnychuk said. “You just understand there was an explosion. The only thought in your head is ‘I hope we survive’.”

As Russia has intensified its air campaign against Ukraine in the last month, hammering its energy infrastructure and urban areas, no major city has been harder hit than Kharkiv.

Just 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border in northeast Ukraine,

In a statement, Hamas said Israel's bombardment in Al-Nusseirat targeted civilian homes and property "after failing to achieve any military accomplishment on the ground or to implement any of its criminal agendas by displacing our people".

Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians, accusing Hamas of using residential buildings for cover. Hamas denies this. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine's air defence shortages leave Kharkiv more exposed to Russian bombs

Kharkiv was already the most exposed to missile attacks and bombardment.

But the drying up of Western military support in recent months – as a vital US military aid package has been stuck in Congress amid Republican resistance – has left Kharkiv even more dangerously unprotected.

"We have a catastrophic shortage of air defence systems," Governor Oleh Synehubov told Reuters, standing in the city’s vast central plaza, Freedom Square. "Not

only in the Kharkiv region, but throughout the entire country. Especially in the Kharkiv region."

The city is so near the border that Russian missiles can reach their target in less than a minute. The deployment of Ukraine’s precious air defences, such as the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, which are high-value targets for Russian airstrikes, has to be done more cautiously so close to enemy lines, officials say. (Excerpt from Reuters)

In US meeting, Philippines says it will assert South China Sea rights

The Philippines is determined to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, its Foreign Secretary Said on Friday at a meeting with US allies to show support for Manila over an increasingly-fraught standoff with China in the strategic waterway.

Speaking at the US State Department, Enrique Manalo accused China of "escalation of its harassment" of the Philippines, while US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington stood with Manila against what he described as "coercion".

Recent maritime runins between China and the Philippines, a US treaty ally, have made the highly strategic South China Sea a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

The officials spoke at a meeting between US and Philippines Defence and Foreign Secretaries and their national security advisers, a day after leaders of the US, Japan and

the Philippines met at the White House to push back against Beijing's increased pressure on Manila.

"We are determined to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our economic – Exclusive Economic

Zone," Manalo said.

He said he hoped Friday's meeting would allow Washington and the Philippines to better coordinate their responses on the diplomatic and defence and security fronts.

Austin said the US commitment to its mutual defence treaty with the Philippines was "ironclad".

"We're working in lockstep ... to strengthen interoperability between our forces, to expand our operational coordination and to stand up to coercion in the South China Sea," he said.

Two prominent US senators this week introduced a bipartisan bill to provide Manila with US$2.5 billion over five years, funding needed to modernise the US ally's long-neglected armed forces. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A person walks past destroyed buildings, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Khan Younis, Gaza, April 11, 2024, in this screengrab from a handout video (UN News/Handout via Reuters photo)

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024 (Reuters/Adrian Portugal photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Live and learn. Don’t expect everyone to see things your way. Use your knowledge, experience and skills to guide you in a positive direction. A heartfelt talk will bring you closer to someone you love.

An open discussion can help solve problems. Rely on the lessons of experience, and you’ll figure out how to handle sensitive issues. Do what’s right and set an example.

Don’t get discouraged. Expect someone to mislead you. Put a positive spin on things. Don’t fear heading in a different direction. Follow your heart, and the right people will follow you.

You’ll attract people who share your interests. Attend an event that offers insight into how you can put your energy to good use. Your input will be welcome, but don’t take on more than you can handle.

You can have fun without spending money. A simpler lifestyle will help you relax, enjoy what you have and get to know someone better. Talks will lead to personal growth and a healthier attitude.

Do whatever it takes to keep the peace and bring about positive change. Participate in events or activities that motivate you, and it will lead to a valuable development. Walk away from negative people.

Turn chores and responsibilities into an enjoyable experience. Knowing how to have fun will encourage others to eschew negativity and embrace a positive attitude.

Count on yourself to get you where you want to go. If you depend on others, you’ll be disappointed. Don’t make changes to how you earn or handle your cash; sit tight and keep your eyes on the prize.

Do something that energizes you. A physical activity or inspirational event will pump you up and get you moving. Get out of the house or distance yourself from negative people.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Opportunities are present, but some are less valid than others. It’s up to you to decide what’s best. An energetic, disciplined approach will help you reach your goal.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Emotions will fluctuate, and uncertainty will deter you from moving forward. Verify information before you make a move. Challenge anyone asking for too much or trying to make unwise changes.

Impulsive spending won’t solve your problems. Contact someone you trust to give you good advice. A financial adjustment can rectify a situation stopping you from achieving your goals. Don’t trust gossip.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Kuldeep, Fraser-McGurk and Pant join forces to lift Capitals out of last spot

Delhi Capitals ended Lucknow Super Giants' stranglehold on 160-plus defences and lifted themselves off the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 table with a six-wicket win in Lucknow on Friday.

Kuldeep Yadav provided the inspiration on his return from injury before a sparkling half-century on IPL debut from Australia's Jake FraserMcGurk saw them reel in their target with 11 balls to spare.

After choosing to bat, LSG produced a stuttering innings that still finished above the 160 mark – from which they had never lost when batting first. KL Rahul gave them a fast start with 39 off 22 before Kuldeep ripped out the guts of their line-up in the space of his first nine balls. Rahul's dismissal by Kuldeep left LSG 77 for 5 and their position got worse before it got better. With the score 94 for 7 af-

ter 13 overs, DC appeared to be on course for a walkover. But Ayush Badoni's 31-ball fifty and an unbroken stand of 73 with Arshad Khan –an IPL record for the eighth wicket – at least gave LSG's vaunted spin attack something to bowl at. DC, on a run of four defeats in five, might have won-

dered if their chance had gone. Prithvi Shaw gave the chase a punchy start to settle some of the nerves and then it was over to FraserMcGurk, the 22-year-old from

One-Day International (ODI) series against West Indies. He hit his third ball on debut for four, his fourth for six, and then was out to his fifth.

Coming in at number three in Lucknow, following the dismissal of David Warner by Yash Thakur, he stayed true to first principles. His second ball was swatted insouciantly off the front foot over midwicket – a shot his DC Coach, Ricky Ponting, would doubtless have enjoyed – and he then launched an even bigger hit over wide long-on from his fifth.

Another slash for four took him to 16 off seven (with three scoring shots) before the arrival of the LSG spinners to present a new challenge.

A slowdown duly followed, with nine runs coming from his next 16 balls. But the game to be back balance, McGurk loose against Krunal -

But after Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Shaw, via a superb diving catch in the deep from Nicholas Pooran, Pant played an astute hand. After tick-

their last three games with a groin injury, but he immediately grabbed the LSG innings by the throat. Stoinis was unable to make the most

Khaleel Ahmed 4-0-41-2

Ishant Sharma 4-0-36-1

Mukesh Kumar 4-0-41-1

Axar Patel 4-0-26-0

Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-20-3

Delhi Capitals

(T: 168 runs from 20 ovs)

Prithvi Shaw c Pooran

b Ravi Bishnoi 32

David Warner

b Yash Thakur 8

Jake Fraser-McGurk c Arshad Khan

b Naveen-ul-Haq 55

Rishabh Pant (c)†st †Rahul

He and Rishabh Pant departed after a stand of 77 off 46, but by then DC were well on track.

Fraser-McGurk continues stunning rise

It is only six months since Fraser-McGurk grabbed headlines worldwide by breaking AB de Villiers' record for the fastest List A hundred when he reached the mark off just 29 balls while batting for South Australia. Remarkably, that was his first century in professional cricket, but he enjoyed a breakthrough summer that culminated in him being capped during Australia's

ing him over midwicket, extra cover and long-off for three consecutive sixes that effectively put a nail in the home side's chances.

Pant leads from the front Amid Capitals' struggles, Pant has carried a particularly heavy burden: captain, wicketkeeper and star batter, and all this after more than a year out of the game after a car crash. His anguished chat with umpire Rohan Pandit during the LSG innings, having unsuccessfully tried to review a wide – Pant seeming to say he hadn't reviewed it in the first place – summed up how things have been going.

ing along initially, and with Fraser-McGurk becalmed, he skipped out to his 12th delivery to launch Bishnoi down the ground for an enormous straight six, following it up with a smash through the covers for four. Two more boundaries came in Marcus Stoinis' over, including an audacious reverse-scoop, to keep DC up with the rate before FraserMcGurk unleashed.

The requirement was below a run a ball by the time Fraser-McGurk carved to deep third and although Pant was stumped in the next over, charging at Bishnoi, the hard work had been done.

LSG have a tried-andtrusted template for batting first and looked to be well on track at the end of the powerplay. Quinton de Kock took a brace of fours off the opening over, Rahul's third ball was emphatically thrashed over cover for a flat six, and although Khaleel Ahmed hit back to remove de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal – who extended his run of single-figure scores in an LSG shirt to five – there was no sense of panic in the stands (although things might have been different if Khaleel had held on to a sharp return catch off Stoinis' first ball).

Rahul responded by punching Khaleel back down the ground for four, before finding the boundary twice more off Mukesh Kumar as LSG ended the powerplay comfortably on 57 for 2. Ominously for DC, Rahul's 30 off 14 represented his joint-highest six-over score for LSG.

Kuldeep back with a bang-bang Capitals' premier wristspinner had missed

of his early reprieve, slicing a googly to backward point to give Kuldeep a wicket with his third ball. The next delivery was even better, another expertly disguised wrong'un duping LSG's leading run-scorer Pooran, who played all around the ball to lose his off stump.

In his second over, Kuldeep snuffed out Rahul's punchy knock, too – a review confirming a thin edge behind as the LSG Captain attempted to cut a quicker, wide delivery. With impact sub Deepak Hooda top-edging tamely to point and Krunal gloving a Mukesh bouncer behind, LSG had slumped to 94 for 7 and were seemingly in deep trouble.

The LSG innings went six full overs without a boundary as the middle order crumbled, but Badoni and Arshad steadily resurrected their chances. Badoni ended the drought with back-toback fours off Mukesh, pulled fine and slapped over backward point, but otherwise focused on hoovering up ones and twos against the spin of Kuldeep and Axar Patel.

With the return of pace for the 18th, Badoni decided it was time to go. Khaleel was duly smoked over deep midwicket for six, before Arshad followed suit by muscling his first boundary over mid-off. The No. 9 was dropped by Shaw off the final ball of the over, to compound Khaleel's pain. Badoni lofted and then swept Mukesh on the way to a 31-ball fifty in the 19th, as the eighth-wicket pair successfully drove LSG above the 160 mark. This time, however, the magic deserted them. (ESPNcricinfo)

Mukesh Kumar was expensive, but got the wicket of the dangerous Krunal Pandya

Jake Fraser-McGurk put on a show on IPL debut

Arshad Khan played his part in adding 73 for the eighth wicket with Ayush Badoni

Kuldeep Yadav – back in action, and back among the wickets

Diamond Insurance sponsors 2024 Women’s Chess Championship tourney

The Female Division of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will kick off its annual women and girls tournament this weekend with the 2024 Women's Chess Championship Qualifiers and 2024 Women's Chess Championship, sponsored by Diamond Insurance.

The seven-round qualifying tournament starts today, April 13, and continues April 14, April 20 and April 21 at the National Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The final round will be played on Sunday, April 21, when the top nine performers will qualify to play in the

championship tournament, vying for the title of 2024 Women’s Chess Champion, coming up against reigning Women’s Champion Jessica Callender, who is looking to defend her title.

The tournament will see some of Guyana’s best female players go head-to-head in testing their skills to determine who will make it to the Championship.

Some notable players on the tournament roster vying for the top spots are Sasha Shariff, 2023 Women’s Chess Champion runner-up; Aditi Joshi, current National Under-14 Champion; Shazeeda Rahim; Ciel Clement; Nellisha Johnson and youngsters Chelsea Harrison and Saura Ruplall. Two rounds will be played

each day, using the Swiss format with a time control of 90 minutes with 30 seconds of additional time after each move.

The Chess Federation wishes to express its appreciation to the management of Diamond Insurance for its continued support in promoting the sport of chess in Guyana, especially towards the women’s and girls’ competitions. It is the second year that Diamond Insurance has supported women in chess.

The 2024 Women’s Chess Championship Qualifiers and Chess Championship tourneys are part of the qualifying process for the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary in September this year. Top performers will gain Grand Prix points from these tournaments and the 2024

Grand Prix Tourneys, which will then be tallied and calculated to see who will make the top five for the Guyana female team.

For more information on upcoming tournaments and to keep updated with player stat details, please visit the GCF website at www.guyanachess. gy.

Interested persons who wish to join the GCF can do so on guyanachess.gy. The GCF also offers chess classes every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm to school students at School of the Nations. For additional information, please message us on Facebook or WhatsApp number 7074529.

Sean Paul, Kes collaborate on 2024 T20 World Cup anthem

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced that iconic Grammy Awardwinning artist Sean Paul and Soca superstar Kes will join forces to produce the official anthem of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 hosted in the West Indies and USA.

With just 50 days to go until the Men’s T20 World Cup begins, the anthem’s production is in full swing for the track that will reverberate around the world when 20 international teams come together across the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29. The anthem is being produced by Michael “Tano” Montano and will be launched in the coming weeks, together with the music video, which will feature cameos from several well-known superstars.

Sean Paul is a Jamaican Dancehall artist, philanthropist and record producer who has earned several Grammys, Latin Music and Billboard Music Awards nominations. He is also the recipient of an MTV Europe Music Award (2003); Grammy Award for “Dutty Rock” for Reggae Album of the Year (2004); the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards for “Top Reggae Artiste of the Year” (2005); an American Music Award (2006), for which he is the only Jamaican artiste to have won in the category for “Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist”, and MOBO Award

Sean Paul said: “Cricket has always been a major part of our culture, so I'm honoured to record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup. I'm a big fan of Kes, and the track will feature a nice touch of the Caribbean, with some dance, to an international vibe and of course, Soca – it will be a real anthem for people to sing out and feel the spirit of unity.”

Kees Dieffenthaller, known to the world as Kes is the lead singer of KES the Band, the eclectic outfit from Trinidad and Tobago behind some of modern Caribbean music’s most indelible anthems. In addition to his collaboration with Sean Paul on the tournament’s official anthem, Kes has shared the stage with the likes of Will Smith, Major Lazer and John Legend, and has collaborated with artistes from Wizkid to Snoop Dogg.

The Soca superstar said: "Our mission has always been about bringing worlds together, so blending cricket, (dear to us in the Caribbean), with music is a powerful combination. Shoutout to Sean Paul, Tano, and the whole team for creating this musical vibe. Can't wait for everyone to sing along to this worldwide anthem and bring the party to stadiums across the West Indies and USA."

The announcement of the artists to feature on the of-

ficial anthem comes as party-stand tickets for World Cup matches are also set to go on sale on Monday, April 15 at 10:00h AST at tickets. t20worldcup.com, with prices starting at just US$25. General tickets are also available for purchase on the ticketing website and will be available at box offices across the Caribbean when they open in the coming weeks.

Party-stand tickets will be available for all matches across the Caribbean, including those for the Group Stage, Super 8, semi-finals and final. Additionally, limited hospitality package options are available for all matches across the West Indies. In the USA, packages to all eight matches in New York, including for India v Pakistan on June 9, are now available to purchase. For further details, email hospitality@t20worldcup.com.

Building on the wave of excitement marking 50 days to go and following the international launch of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour in New York on March 18, where two-time T20 World Cup champion Chris Gayle and USA bowler Ali Khan lit up the Empire State Building, the Caribbean leg of the trophy tour blasts off today in Barbados, the venue for the final.

ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Claire

Furlong said: “Excitement is building towards the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with the first match between USA and Canada starting in just 50 days' time at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.

“We are delighted to have two globally-recognised artistes who are at the top of their genres in Sean Paul and Kes produce our tournament anthem, which will set the tone for the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever. Fans can expect a song that will reflect the Caribbean identity, while retaining universal appeal for global cricket fans, themed around the event’s marketing campaign “Out of

Expanded

this World”.”

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh said: “The countdown is truly on with 50 days to go. The upcoming launch of the official tournament anthem led by Grammy Award winner Sean Paul and Soca icon Kes comes as we get ready to launch party-stand tickets which is something fans have been eagerly awaiting. These will go on sale online at tickets.t20worldcup. com from 15 April. In addition to party-stand tickets for group stage and selected Super 8 matches, fans can also purchase bundled party-stand packages which will

tegrated internship with the CPL team, with several of those interns then securing ongoing paid positions with the tournament.

The programme is entering its eighth year, and this season there will be 18 places available for students to study for a three-credit fully-accredited UWI Sports Marketing course. Those students will also be given the opportunity to put the skills they have learnt into practice as part of the CPL’s marketing team with an internship at games of the 2024 tournament. The programme has seen dozens of young people across the Caribbean get a fully-in-

The 2024 tournament will have matches in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. There will be opportunities to intern in all of those countries as well as the academic sports marketing aspect of the course which is facilitated via online classes delivered by the University of the West Indies.

Chris Watson, Republic Bank CPL’s Head of Marketing, said: “We have had some outstanding young people take part in the internship programme over the years, and it has been really pleasing to see many of these interns go on to have paid jobs within the

allow them the opportunity to secure tickets to the semi-finals and final.

“Adding to the already-hyped excitement, the World Cup trophy tour is now in the Caribbean and people from all walks of life are looking forward to seeing the coveted trophy in person. It’s an exciting time in the West Indies and USA, and we are looking forward to welcoming fans from around the world to be part of an out-of-this-world T20 World Cup experience.”

The Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 international teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, East-Asia Pacific, and Europe.

CPL. More than this, all those who have taken part have had a great insight into what it takes to put on a world-class cricket tournament and entertainment product. We look forward to welcoming the 2024 cohort when we get underway in August.”

Dr Akshai Mansingh, Dean of the UWI Faculty of Sport, said: "We noticed that the interns previously partaking in the programme were mainly university students from the Region and beyond. This expansion to offer a three-credit elective will allow them to get credits for the programmes they are pursuing, while gaining valuable experience in the largest sporting event in the Region."

Applications are now open for those who are interested in taking part in the programme.

(CPLT20)

(2013).

US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Roger Nyhus gets batting tips from Carlos Brathwaite during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 trophy tour at the US Embassy in Barbados, on Friday

Shazeeda Rahim Sasha Shariff

See-saw Day 3 between Harpy Eagles and Scorpions

Day 3 was a see-saw one between the Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Jamaica Scorpions as their sixth-round meeting in the West Indies Championship continued on Friday at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

On one hand, the Guyanese were able to pick up the lone remaining wicket early in the day and pile on some extra runs to set a 419-run lead. However, the Jamaicans showed some resistance in the chase – more than they could muster in the first innings.

In the very first ball of the day, Nial Smith served up a bouncer to Marquino Mindley to end the Jamaican innings, depriving the final pair of a chance to add to the overnight tally.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymon Perez once again got things going for the Harpy Eagles, getting to 37 before Perez fell for 22 from 25 deliveries after edging a Mindley delivery. Chanderpaul went soon after for 11 from 32 balls.

Captain Tevin Imlach

missed out on a half-century to follow up his ton in the first innings, registering 44 from 70 deliveries. Kevlon Anderson added 25 to the Guyanese tal-

GCB Male U19 Super50…

ly, while Kevin Sinclair remained unbeaten on 36 from 41 balls, as the Harpy Eagles got to 147-4 in 35.3 overs before declaring. Derval Green

Berbice and Demerara triumph on Day 1

Berbice and Demerara with their determination to succeed managed to secure victories on day one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Male Under-19 Super50 tournament, which saw scores of runs and wickets on show on Friday.

At the Lusignan Ground, Demerara managed to bag their first victory as they conquered the Select XI, winning by nine wickets as they showed their drive for success with that bat in hand and ball in hand.

The Select XI managed to win the toss and sent the Demerara outfit in to field. Demerara took full advantage of the opportunity and managed to bowl the Select XI out for 100 in 33.0 overs, within two hours and eight minutes, with Justin Doobay leading the batting attack as he managed to top-score with 23 runs supported by Nityanand Matura (19) and Shiloh Adams (17).

Wavell Allen and Riyad Latiff performed excessively with the ball in their hand as they both managed to take a hat-trick of wickets with Alvin Mohabir taking two wickets as Anthony Lim and Krsna Singh took one wicket each respectively.

Satchin Balgobin came out and performed for Demerara, narrowly missing a half-century with 46 runs

while his opening partner Romeo Deonarine stroked the ball around the ground as he scored a magnificent 53 runs. Matura managed to be persistent as he proved to be the lone wicket-taker for the Select XI in their nine-wicket loss.

The Essequibo outfit fell victim to the Berbicians’ class and determination as they secured a seven-wicket victory at the Malteenoes Sports Ground, Thomas Lands.

The Berbicians managed to win the toss and elected to field which went in their favour as they managed to bowl out Essequibo for 108 runs in 34.5 overs within two hours, with Shahid Viera leading the batting for Essequibo with 25 runs followed by Jadon Campbell with 24 runs and Rajindra Ramballi with 21 runs.

A Man-of-the-Match

performance came from Berbician Salim Khan as he managed to disturb his opponent's stumps on three occasions followed by Kuma Deopersaud and Sanjay Algoo taking two wickets each.

Berbice, in 21.5 overs and one hour and 35 minutes, managed to chase down the score, putting on an impressive performance with the bat as Rampertab Ramnauth struck the ball for 27 runs. He gained support from Rashad Gaffur with 22 runs and Damion Cecil with 31 runs.

Bruce Vincent with his line and length, along with his consistency, managed to take two wickets to give his team a sense of hope along with Golcharran Chulai disturbing the bails on the wicket on one occasion. The tournament will continue on Sunday.

had two scalps for 39 in 11.3 overs, while Mindley and Abhijai Mansingh had one wicket each.

With their lead now at 419, the Guyanese bowlers toiled in the afternoon sessions as the home team resisted another collapse similar to their first innings.

After Sinclair removed Carlos Brown for 10 from 29 balls, wickets proved hard to come by although the Harpy Eagles stifled the run flow. The second-wicket partnership between Javaughn Buchanan and Kirk McKenzie lasted 46 runs, before Veerasammy Permaul claimed his sixth-wicket of the game.

Buchanan added 39 from 101 deliveries to the Jamaican total, after which Brandon King held on alongside McKenzie to see out the day’s play.

Sinclair ended the day with figures of 1-29 from 17 overs, while Permaul had 1-35 from 10.

All eyes will be on the fourth and final day, today, set to bowl off at 11:00h local time.

Jamaica ended Day 3 on 121-2 after 43 overs, with the pair of McKenzie and King unbeaten on 37 from 99 and 13 off 22 balls respectively.

There will be no second chances beginning today when the Milo Schools’ Under-18 football tournament heads into the Round of 16. The knockout stages of any tournament always ups the excitement and no different is expected at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground this weekend.

Thus far in the competition, only three schools have maintained a perfect record –Chase’s Academic Foundation, West Ruimveldt Secondary and Waramuri Primary Top. And as expected, these teams have an eye on the 10th edition championship trophy. Chase’s Academic Foundation Captain Bryan Wharton while sharing that his team had no point to prove, was confident that they could win it all.

“We’ve been putting out the work in training sessions, so we’ve been getting the results. We ain’t got no point to prove, but just come out and working harder. It’s kind of a whole different set of players,” Wharton shared with <<<Guyana Times Sport>>>. He added, “Challenging, you know, because a lot of the players aren’t in like a club to

train, but everybody is coming out and giving a hundred percent.”

“Yeah, for sure,” Chase’s Captain confidently responded to inquiries about whether or not his team can go all the way.

For West Ruimveldt Secondary, who are now making their ascension among school football teams, Coach Leon Bishop says a lot of hard work went into their preparation with winning being their goal.

Coach Bishop explained, “Well, we put a lot of work into it on the pitch. I think we’ve been training for this tournament, probably for two months now and the guys, after last year’s performance, they understand that we have to do better and they came out and they work hard and the success is showing through in the group stage. But we know it’s not done as yet.”

“Good football, hard football. We play as a team and we try our hardest to ensure that we get the title which is something that we want to do,” the optimistic Bishops added.

The new Region One team on the block, Waramuri Primary Top have a lot of ex-

pectations to live up to, but according to Captain Odell Holmes, their one goal is to win.

“Well, it’s been very good for us. This is our first time taking part in the Milo competition and I think it’s very good for us. We learned from that Digicel game we played last year and we improved a lot from that match,” Holmes related about the team’s series of first experiences.

The Waramuri Captain further stated, “You can expect a good thing from us ‘cause we came here for one purpose and that’s to win.”

The Milo Round of 16 action will kick-off at 12:30h today at the MoE Ground, with a clash between Leonora and Bartica Secondary School. At 14:30h, Chase’s Academic Foundation will take on The Bishops’ High School while at 16:00s, Dolphin Secondary and Queen’s College will do battle. The curtains will come down on day one of the Round of 16, as South and East Ruimveldt Secondary Schools go head-to-head.

The teams are battling for a $400,000 grand prize that will go towards a school project of the winners’ choice.

A glimpse of what to expect in the Milo U18 Round of 16 this weekend

Rampertab Ramnauth Salim Khan

Captain Tevin Imlach missed out on a half-century in the second innings