Guyana Times - Saturday, June 15, 2024.pdf

Govt mulls tripling taxes, forfeiture of assets to curb gold smuggling

Sustainable agriculture practices must be strengthened in face of climate change – Min Mustapha

Norton insists he remains APNU Chairman, assures of ‘transparent’ PNCR elections

Berbice man busted with ganja charged, remanded Govt commissions $22M water systems at Hackney, Friendship

President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Son Zayd Ali, along with other fathers and their children, during a "Daddy and Me" Father’s Day luncheon on Friday at the School of the Nations

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, June 15 – No retraction and Sunday, June 16 –00:30h-02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, June 15 –10:35h-12:05h and Sunday, June 16 – 11:45h-13:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 11:19h and 23:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.18 metres and 2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 17:18h reaching a minimum height of 1.01 metres.

Govt mulls tripling taxes, forfeiture of assets to curb gold smuggling – as GGMC embarks on countrywide campaign

In light of the US Government instituting sanctions against Guyanese businessmen and gold dealers Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, and in consideration of the recent arrest of three smugglers at the country’s main international airport, the Guyana Government is looking to strengthen its laws to institute stiffer financial penalties as a deterrent to gold smuggling.

During a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that under the current Gold Board Act, the penalty for gold smuggling is “small”, and does not deter perpetrators.

“We need to strengthen the charges and the penalties for illegal export of gold, or smuggling of gold abroad by these large smugglers,” he said. “Secondly, we need to strengthen financial penalties, so in Customs, if you evade taxes and you smuggle goods and you have undeclared goods, you have to pay [a] fine of triple the duty value,” the Vice President has said.

Earlier this month, two US citizens and a Guyanese citizen were intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri with US$560,000 worth of raw gold. They were subsequently charged for exporting gold without a licence, in contravention of Section 8 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, Chapter 66:01, and contrary to section 23 (a) of the said Act. They have been placed on bail totalling $600,000.

According to the Vice President, these three persons would also face charges under Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) law.

Further, in the recent sanctions instituted against the Mohamed family members and their associated businesses earlier this week, the United States has alleged that some 10,000 kilograms of gold have been smuggled out of this country between 2019 and 2023.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which announced

the sanctions on Tuesday, alleged that by under-declaring their gold and evading paying taxes on exports, the Mohameds have defrauded the Guyana Government of more than US$50 million in duty taxes.

During Thursday’s press conference, VP Jagdeo explained that smugglers are currently only asked to pay the estimated taxes they evaded by smuggling the mineral resource, but this is a small amount compared to the value of the gold smuggled.

“In this case, it’s esti-

mated that the US$50M we lost is 7% of the total value of the gold, because that is the royalty, and tax rates amount to 7% of the value of the goods. If you had to pay triple the value on that, you’ll probably have to pay a penalty of 24% of the value of the gold. Something of that nature [the Government is looking to impose],” he stated.

Along with increasing the penalty, the Vice President added that efforts could also be made to forfeit assets accrued with earnings from illegal activities.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Combatting smuggling

In recent years, Guyana has faced the detrimental effects of smuggling: the undermining of its economy, security, and societal wellbeing. As the nation strives for progress and development, combatting this illicit activity demands robust measures. One such crucial step is the escalation of fines for smuggling offences.

Smuggling not only deprives the Government of essential revenue, but also fuels organized crime, compromises national security, and distorts market dynamics. From contraband goods to illegal wildlife trafficking, the spectrum of smuggling activities poses multifaceted threats to Guyana's prosperity and stability.

Therefore, the Government must reassess its deterrent mechanisms. Increasing fines for smuggling represents a proactive strategy to dissuade potential offenders and strengthen the rule of law. By imposing substantial penalties, Guyana can effectively disrupt the financial incentives driving illicit trade while reinforcing its commitment to lawful conduct.

However, mere punitive measures are not sufficient. A comprehensive approach must encompass enhanced enforcement, intelligence gathering, and public awareness campaigns. Collaboration between law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies and the community is paramount to rooting out smuggling networks and preventing their resurgence.

The allocation of resources towards modernizing border control infrastructure, training personnel, and deploying advanced technologies can augment the efficacy of anti-smuggling efforts. Strengthening legal frameworks and international cooperation mechanisms also plays a pivotal role in combatting transnational smuggling operations.

Critics may argue that escalating fines could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations or small-scale traders, hence authorities must ensure equitable enforcement and provide support mechanisms for legitimate businesses. Transparent processes, fair adjudication, and avenues for appeal can mitigate unintended consequences while maintaining the integrity of the justice system.

Guyana stands at a critical juncture in its battle against smuggling. By increasing fines and adopting a holistic approach, the nation can fortify its defences, deter illicit activities, and pave the way for sustainable development. It's not just about safeguarding economic interests; it's about protecting the future of Guyana and its people.

The allure of profit drives individuals and organized networks to engage in smuggling activities. Smugglers capitalize on opportunities to evade taxes, undercut legitimate businesses, and undermine Government regulations. This not only deprives the state of muchneeded revenue, but also distorts market dynamics and hampers the growth of legal enterprises.

Despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies, combatting smuggling remains a daunting task. Limited resources, inadequate technology, and alleged corruption within the ranks of some officials hinder progress in curbing illicit trade. Additionally, the transnational nature of smuggling requires enhanced cooperation and intelligence-sharing with neighbouring countries and international partners.

Ultimately, combatting smuggling requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders – Government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector. It demands unwavering commitment, innovative strategies, and sustained collaboration to safeguard Guyana's prosperity and security.

As Guyana navigates the complexities of the modern world, it must confront the scourge of smuggling head-on, not only for its own sake, but also as a beacon of integrity and progress in the region.

“The

Undated Article”

– Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, MP

Ihave taken note of an undated article, "Nah Tek Yuh Mattie Eye Fuh See: U.S. Involvement in the 2020 Guyanese Election", which appeared in the online Chicago Journal of International Law and was written by a lawyer, Ms. Amber Symone Stewart.

The article attempts to present a rather disingenuous diversionary argument to obfuscate what transpired between the No Confidence Motion in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 and the declaration of the final national recount results on August 2, 2020 by accusing the U.S.A. of involvement/interference in these elections.

No other election in Guyana has had such massive international, regional and national attention, supported by a wealth of documented evidence, publicly available, including international and regional media coverage. It is therefore shocking that the author ignored the evidence, and was more interested in creating an argument, a scapegoat in the ‘US bogeyman’, which, in this case, had no basis, no merit, and was highly irresponsible, especially for a legal professional.

My response to this online article in no way ignores the role of successive US administrations in Guyana’s history, especially in the pre-independence struggle and in the 1970s and 1980s. However, this was not the case in the March 2020 elections.

Indisputably, Guyana once again attained unintentional notoriety on the international stage with the declaration of the national recount results of 400,000 voters five months after the elections - taking the number one place from Gambia in the 2016 elections for the longest time to declare results.

The article itself is poorly constructed and factually flawed. The author manufactures information, dismisses the occurrence of actual events, and ignores the evidence presented in courts of law in order to substantiate the author’s claim of the USA’s involvement and interference in Guyana’s March 2020 elections. Due to the weakness of the arguments, much of which are incoherent or illogical, the case remains unproven.

To claim that Guyana's democracy was not under threat during the 2020 elections is a blatant misrepresentation of the situation. The author ignores the fact that the Guyana Constitution requires that after a successful No Confidence Motion in the National Assembly, an election must be called within 3 months, and that the President and his cabinet should have resigned. However, President Granger and the APNU+AFC Coalition Government did not resign, nor were elections called within three months. In fact, only under extreme pressure was an election date set 14 months after the No-confidence

Motion!

This issue was litigated through the corridors of the judiciary in Guyana by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic from January 2019 to September 2019, to Guyana’s apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice, which ruled in July 2019 that elections had to be held within three months of the successful passage of the No Confidence Motion, albeit delayed due to the ongoing litigation.

The author ignores the fact that the Government openly flaunted the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice. It was only after protracted peaceful street protests and international and regional pressure for the setting of a date for elections that President Granger declared, in October 2019, that general and regional elections would be held on March 2, 2020. This was nothing but a display of executive lawlessness and abuse of power.

If the author had examined the publicly available court records in the voluminous litigation on these elections, particularly at Guyana’s apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice, she could not have avoided concluding that the intention of the then Government, supported by the most senior officials in the Guyana Elections Commission, was to thwart the will of the electorate and to remain in power.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, along with Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Brigadier Omar Khan, on Thursday met with the United States Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, during which discussions focused on regional security, multilateral cooperation, and Guyana’s role as a leader in the Caribbean. Also in the photo is US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot (US Embassy photo)

“The Undated Article...

In fact, the machinations to achieve this objective started even before the No Confidence Motion in 2018, with President Granger appointing the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in October 2017 in violation of the Guyana Constitution. This matter also went all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice, which ruled in June and July 2019 that the appointment of the then Chairperson by the President was flawed and unconstitutional. It took another 4 months for the President to comply with the ruling, after rejecting the three submissions of the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, of 18 eminent persons in compliance with the constitution.

The author’s efforts to disregard the volume of solid evidence in the form of judicial decisions; international, regional, and local media coverage of all parties concerned, including statements by heads of government, etc., demonstrate a desperate attempt to rewrite Guyana’s history.

I repeat: Guyana’s democracy was on the verge of the precipice; the article provides a misleading portrayal of what actually transpired.

In this case, the events from March 2, 2020 to August 2, 2020 were witnessed and documented during the period of Guyana’s 2020 elections by the Commonwealth Electoral Observer Mission, the OAS Electoral Observer Mission, the Caricom Electoral Observer Mission, the EU Electoral Observer Mission, and the Carter Center Electoral Observer Mission (all of these reports and statements are publicly posted); there were repeated public statements made by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Secretary General of the OAS, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and the Chairperson of the Caricom Heads of Government (also public-

ly available); as well as by the spokespersons of the UK, USA, Canada, European Union, and 100 individual governments.

The most telling evidence was presented to the OAS Permanent Council on two occasions, in May and July 2020, by former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Bruce Golding, head of the OAS Electoral Observer Mission. Mr. Golding, in making his preliminary report to the Council in May 2020, stated that he had “never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election”. He went on to state that, given that a copy of each Statement of Poll (SOP) from each polling station is posted on the wall outside of the polling station (following the count of the ballots at the place of poll) and a copy is given to each party representative, it therefore took “an extraordinarily courageous mind to present fictitious numbers when such a sturdy paper trail (existed)”.

In July 2020, a month after the National Recount had been finished and it was known that the PPP/C had won the elections, with still no official results forthcoming from GECOM, the members of the OAS, at a special meeting of the Permanent Council convened by the SecretaryGeneral, called on the Granger administration to agree to a transition of power, respect the results of the National Recount, and concede that it lost power.

Golding stated that “the pernicious actions of a few have done damage to Guyana’s image, (and) the people of Guyana do not deserve this.” Yet the Granger Government did nothing but dig its heels in, as the Chief Elections Officer continued to produce fictitious numbers in contrast to the National Recount numbers.

If all this evidence is not enough, the author also disregard-

ed the significant, consistent and prolonged efforts by the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), new small political parties contesting these elections, civil society organizations, the Guardians of Democracy, and both regional and international partners to prevent the APNU+AFC coalition government and the senior officials

ment of sanctions against individuals who undermined democracy in Guyana by itself did not constitute interference in Guyana's elections.

To support this fabricated argument, the author falsely claims that "Canada, the U.K., and the OAS called for then-President Granger to step aside and threatened to 'use all the tools at [their] disposal to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process,' but it was the U.S. that acted."

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail

Teixeira, MP

of the Guyana Elections Commission from thwarting the will of the electorate to choose their representatives at free and fair elections.

By overlooking the contentious events leading up to, and surrounding, the March 2020 elections in Guyana, the author attempts to prove a baseless claim that the U.S. State Department's announcement of sanctions and social media statements constituted interference. This perspective ignores the factual context in which these actions were taken - as a safeguard against anti-democratic practices.

Sanctions were a response to unconstitutional and unlawful actions by the then Government and the senior GECOM officials, who attempted to derail the elections and repeatedly create new unsubstantiated results of the elections to keep the former government in office.

Democratic actions, both at the national and international levels, were aimed at preserving the integrity of the electoral process. The announce-

In fact, it was the EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz-Cantó, who in April 2020 explicitly warned that derailing democracy could lead to significant sanctions from the 27-member European Union. This preceded the US’ public statement of sanctions in July 2020. This article, by its misrepresentation, diminished the coordinated national, regional and international efforts to uphold the fundamental right to vote and elect a government of the Guyanese people’s choice.

In the end, Guyana’s emerging democracy prevailed, after a tortuous 19 months between the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018 and August 2, 2020, when the results of the total National Recount were declared and the new government led by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Meyers, Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo as well as certain members of staff of GECOM and members of the former Government, have been charged with election fraud, and the case is expected to finally be allowed to proceed in July 2024.

The post-election Report of The Commission of Inquiry into the General & Regional Elections of Guyana on 2 March

2020, led by eminent jurists from the Caricom region, declared in April 2023: “In summary, our inquiry reveals that there were, in fact, shockingly brazen attempts by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo to derail and corrupt the statutorily prescribed procedure for the counting, ascertaining and tabulation of votes of the March 2nd election, as well as the true declaration of the results of that election, and that they did so – to put it in unvarnished language of the ordinary man – to steal the election”. (pgs 10-11)

Further, the Commission found that “senior GECOM officials abandoned all need for neutrality and impartiality and demonstrated a bias for a competing political party and, in the course of events over those days, showed an open connection with that party and, by their efforts, sought a desired result for that party”. (pg 99)

Nothing in what transpired through that long road to protect and preserve democracy in Guyana can lay the blame at the feet of the US administration. It is our people -- those in the former Government, in conspiracy with the senior election officials of the Guyana Elections Commission, a body constitutionally required to protect our people’s right to vote at free and fair elections -- who repeatedly and brazenly interfered over 19 months with the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process, all with the sole intention of sacrificing our democracy for power, and power alone for a few.

It is the Guyanese people who stood, for the first time not alone, but with the world supporting its efforts, to ensure that democracy prevailed. And for that we shall be forever grateful.

This statement is being made public, and I hope it would also be given space in the online Chicago International Law Journal.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time

06:30 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Stop Suffering

09:00 Movie - Casper's Scare School (2006)

10:30 Indian Movie - Any Body Can Dance 2 (2015)

13:00 Movie - Kim Possible (2019)

14:30 Movie - Back of the Net (2019)

16:00 Forged in Fire

17:00 Payless Power Hour

18:00 Evangelistic Hour

18:30 Pastor Alvin Teaching

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Islam for Guyana

20:30 Movie - Garfield: The Movie (2004)

22:00 Movie - Back to Black (2024)

00:00 Sign off

Page Foundation

Dividing mixed numbers

Example: Divide

Continued from Friday

Materials and equipment

6 aluminium bread pans, approximately 8 × 3 × 3 inches

2 aluminium cake pans, approximately 12 × 8 × 1 inches

Soil, enough to fill all six bread pans (If the soil in your area is good for growing a vegetable garden, you can just use dirt from outside or you can purchase potting soil)

Peas (1 small bag)

Ruler, metric

Sticky notes

Permanent marker

Scissors or sharp knife

Full-size watering can with "rain"

Short plastic container, or

other object that can be used to prop up one edge of a bread pan to a height of roughly 3-5 cm. Do not use an object that you do not want to get wet, like a book. Outdoor test area with a flat, level surface (If you must do the project inside, you will need to do it somewhere where it will be easy to clean up spilled water and a little dirt)

Kitchen scale Lab notebook

Procedure

Fill each of the six bread pans with soil, leaving a little bit of space at the top.

Plant peas in three of the bread pans. Use sticky notes to label each of your bread

pans with a trial number and indicating whether or not the pan has seeds ( “trial 1, seeds”; “trial 1, no seeds”, etc). You should have three bread pans with seeds and three without seeds, for a total of six.

Use scissors or a sharp knife

to puncture holes along the bottom edge of the bread pans to serve as drainage holes.

Record Table 1 in your lab notebook so you can use it to write down your results.

Measure the mass of an empty cake pan with the kitchen

scale and write this value in your lab notebook, you will need it later.

Place the bread pans into the cake pans. This will allow the cake pans to collect any excess water that leaks out of the drain holes in the bread pans. You should be able to fit three bread pans into each cake pan: one cake pan for your bread pans with seeds, and one cake pan for the pans without seeds.

Place both cake pans near a sunny window (or outdoors, if the weather in your area is appropriate). Make sure the plants will receive as much direct sunlight as possible during the day. Ask an adult if you are not sure about putting the plants outside. If the weather is

not right (if it is too hot and dry, or too wet and rainy), the plants might die, and you will have to start over.

For approximately the next 7-10 days, water the soil in the bread pans gently once per day. Once your plants are roughly 8-10 centimeters (cm) tall, you are ready to move on to the next section and conduct your experiment. How many days this takes may vary based on factors like temperature, exposure to sunlight, how much you water the plants, and the type of soil you used.

(Adapted from Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies)

Table 1

US sanctions on Guyanese trio…

2-and-a-half-year investigation kept under wraps to avoid “compromise” – US Ambassador ...says criminal

The sanctions recently imposed by the United States on three prominent Guyanese citizens were a result of an investigation spanning more than two and a half years; and according to US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, the probe was kept under wraps from local authorities to prevent it from being compromised.

On Tuesday, the US Department of Treasury issued sanctions against businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed, along with Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas, over gold-smuggling and corruption allegations.

charges

“possible”

Back in July 2023, a Reuters article was published about the US Government probing the Mohameds on “…suspicions of money laundering, drug trafficking and gold smuggling…” Jagdeo recalled that at the time the Guyana Government was questioned about that investigation, and had indicated, even President Dr Irfaan Ali, that it was not aware of any such probe.

“There was no formal notification from then even to now [about investigation by the US] until the sanctions were done. There was no formal notification… Now, clearly, this investigation took place and the law enforcement agencies in the United States col-

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that the Guyana Government was completely unaware of this investigation by the US authorities.

laborated, and obviously they have information and they instituted these sanctions,” the VP stated at Thursday’s press conference.

However, the US envoy, when questioned by local reporters on Friday, surmised that this investigation was kept from Guyanese authorities to avoid any attempt to thwart the probe.

“I don't work for the Department of Treasury, but my understanding is: having dealt with these in Haiti as well in my previous position, that they have to keep these investigations very close hold, because they can be compromised by anyone. So, we tend to not share a lot of information, until the investigation reaches a certain stage. And so I regret that

Govt mulls tripling taxes...

“So, if you get caught, there is a big risk you get charged under an Act that has a severe penalty. Secondly, there is a big financial risk because you have massive fines. And thirdly, we may have to start exploring what we did under the laws dealing with money laundering or drug trafficking – forfeiture of assets arising from illegal proceeds,” Jagdeo detailed.

According to Jagdeo, such stringent changes are necessary since Government had, in the past, tried incentivizing persons to encourage compliance with the law, including by lowering taxes. But, he noted, people are still not deterred.

Additionally, the VP disclosed that there are currently six dealers licensed to export gold through a process monitored by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Gold Board.

GGMC warnings

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) reminded stakeholders in the mining sector of the legal requirements and obligations regarding the sale of gold.

Under Sections 6 and 8 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, persons who possess gold as a producer (miner) or tributor are required

to SELL ALL gold to the Guyana Gold Board, or to an authorized buyer.

An authorized buyer may be one of six gold dealers currently licensed by the Gold Board, or persons/ entities licensed as traders in gold as authorized by the GGMC. The Gold Board has offices in Georgetown, Port Kaituma and Bartica, and also conducts periodic mobile transactions in other mining districts.

“The relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies are continuing with decisive actions to ensure that all gold mined is sold to licensed dealers, traders, or the Guyana Gold Board. Persons in breach of this legal requirement would be subjected to criminal prosecution. More importantly, miners with existing property tenures within GGMC who are complicit with these illegal activities would risk losing their tenures and/ or being restricted from the mining sector. Miners are urged to abide and operate within the confines of the legal requirements for the sale of gold, and remain vigilant in ensuring that all gold transactions are conducted through official channels,” the GGMC implored in its notice.

In another notice, the Commission has cautioned all goldsmiths, jewellers and individuals engaged in

[Guyanese authorities] feel that they've been left in the dark…,” she explained.

“In the United States, it would be exactly the same way. If we were conducting an investigation against someone accused of corruption in the United States, we would not share that information until the investigation [is] at a stage where that was possible,” she explained.

FROM PAGE 3

the purchase of gold that the mineral they use must be exclusively bought from the Gold Board, which is the only entity authorized to sell gold within Guyana.

In keeping with Section 8 of the Guyana Gold Board Act, it is illegal for any person to sell any gold to a goldsmith or jeweller, or for a goldsmith or jeweller to purchase any gold from any person/entity other than the Guyana Gold Board.

Section 58 of the Tax Act guides that by way of an application to the GGMC for a goldsmith’s licence, the gold for the purpose of the business must be bought from the Guyana Gold Board.

The GGMC further reminded that the very Section 58 also imposes on licensed goldsmiths specific reporting obligations to the Commission within seven days of every month on the quantities of gold purchased, used, and the amount on hand on the last day of every month; as well as the name and address of every person from whom the gold is bought.

“The GGMC will be embarking on a countrywide enforcement exercise to ensure that all goldsmiths and/or jewellers abide by the legal and reporting requirements as stipulated by law,” the Commission has warned. (G-8)

The US Ambassador further told reporters that the United States does not take the issuance of sanctions lightly. She explained it is usually reserved for “very serious” crimes.

“These sanctions were two-and-a-half-plus years of investigations ongoing in the United States. We reserve these types of sanctions for gross levels of corruption and human rights abuses… It was a whole US Government investigation… And it's a very high bar. We do not do this lightly. This is something that we ensure that we have a preponderance of evidence before we're ready to levy the sanctions. And we had that in this case against the three individuals who were sanctioned,” the US diplomat noted.

Not only were sanctions imposed on the two prominent Mohameds, but their companies have also been sanctioned: Mohamed’s Enterprise; its subsidiary Hadi’s World; and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, for their alleged roles in gold smuggling and public corruption in Guyana.

Mohamed’s Enterprise has also been accused of smuggling some 10,000 kilogrammes of gold out of the country between 2019 and 2023, thus avoiding paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

In regard to PS Thomas, who was previously at the Home Affairs Ministry and has been

sent on leave from her current position at the Labour Ministry, the OFAC has alleged that she used her position to offer benefits to Mohamed’s Enterprise and the Mohameds in exchange for cash payments and high-value gifts.

She has also been accused of misusing her position to influence the award of official contract bids and the approval processes for weapons permits and passports on behalf of Mohamed’s Enterprise.

When asked, the US Ambassador hinted at the possibility of criminal charges against the trio, although she said there is no indication that steps are currently being taken in this direction.

“I think that is always possible. I'm not aware of it at this time, but that is a possibility,” she told reporters.

Ambassador Theriot has also dispelled concerns that other Guyanese are under investigation by the US by stating, “The investigation was specific to these three individuals. I'm not aware of any additional investigations at this time.”

VP Jagdeo on Thursday said the Guyana Government is focused on getting details of the alleged corruption cited by the US authorities, and has since requested this information. He warned too that “strong actions” would be taken against those found culpable.

The US Ambassador confirmed on Thursday that she has passed on the information requests by the Guyana Government, and has also recommended that action be expedited.

“I strongly recommended to our partners back in Washington that they provide as much of that information as possible, because I understand that the Government here wants to do their own investigation and follow-up

on this. They're also incredibly concerned about this corruption…So, I did ask [the Treasury Department] though, to expedite it, because I think it's very important for the Government of Guyana to have that information, so that they can take the next steps,” Theriot noted.

However, while the US diplomat has said that US authorities want to assist the Guyanese Government to conduct its own investigations, she has indicated that not all of the documentation used to build the case for the sanctions against these three persons would be handed over.

“[In addition to sharing information that is] unclassified, there's also a level of classification called ‘sensitive but unclassified.’ We could share that as well. And then there is classified information that we can request be declassified that we can be allowed to share, and that goes back to…intelligence-sharing. When we want to be able to share something with [other] governments, we have to request permission from the source agency. And unfortunately, we're a very big bureaucracy in the United States, so sometimes that takes a little bit of time,” she explained.

“But I’ve absolutely requested that, and I was very clear in my request that we want to be able to share as much as humanly possible, because we want to be very transparent. The Government of Guyana has been very transparent with us, and we want to do the same in return,” the US Ambassador has posited.

In light of these sanctions imposed by the US, the Guyana Government has announced a series of steps taken to protect the country’s financial systems, including the revocation of the cambio licence issued to the Mohameds.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot

Nazar Mohamed Azruddin Mohamed

Child father charged with beheading PK woman

Silos France, a 27-year-old gold miner of Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One, was on Friday arraigned before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh charged with the brutal murder of his child’s mother, 23-year-old Paulette Edwards, in Port Kaituma between June 4 and 7, 2024. France has not been required to plead to the indictment, and has been remanded to prison until August 6, 2024.

Recap

It was reported that the 23-year-old Paulette Edwards had last been seen alive on June 4 in the company of her child's father, the murder accused, who was at that time physically assaulting her.

Three days after, her headless and seminude body was found in a state of decomposition among a clump of bushes in a swampy area at Cat Walk in Port Kaituma. Her head was subsequently retrieved nearby, and the police have since identified France as the prime suspect.

France presented

himself at the Baramita Police Station and was taken into custody and interrogated, during which he reportedly confessed to the heinous crime and detailed that Edwards had been in the habit of reporting him to the police, which had caused him to be locked up on several occasions.

He also said he was not too pleased that she would normally walk around with their

daughter while intoxicated.

He is reported to have told police that on the day he committed the act, a heated argument had erupted between them; and he had knocked her unconscious, cut off her head, and tossed it into the river at Port Kaituma.

An autopsy has reportedly confirmed that Edwards had still been alive when her head was severed.

Berbice man busted with ganja charged, remanded

Lalbahdur Byjoo, a 56-yearold resident of Plantation Hope, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, who was busted with nine kilograms of cannabis on Thursday, appeared on Friday before Leonora Magistrate Alisha George to answer a charge of possession of narcotics, and has been remanded to prison until July 30, 2024.

No stranger to ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the charge Byjoo faces alleges that CANU ranks, acting on information received, travelled to Parika, East Bank Essequibo on Thursday, and observed Byjoo sitting in the driver’s seat of a motorcar. The officers searched the vehicle and unearthed three parcels wrapped in transparent plastic on the back seat

and another such parcel in the trunk. Each of these parcels was found to contain ganja. Byjoo was told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and taken to CANU Headquarters, where the cannabis, when weighed, amounted to nine kilograms. A charge was immediately instituted against Byjoo. Byjoo had been ar-

er charged after being intercepted with 52 kilograms of cannabis during a police roadblock at Beterverwagting Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara. CANU had said the sus-

Raising…

…the dead

Now that the PNC have set the ball rolling, some other political parties are trying to look relevant by electing new executives to take them into the 2025 elections. With most, they’re so irrelevant to electoral politics that they’re only around ‘cause the PNC gave them a lifeline back in 2011, by making them into a fig leaf to cover the PNC’s schlong… err…sordid past!! This bunch decided to forego “executive elections” - which would have exposed their own nakedness –and call themselves “APNU” – even the post that was holding up THAT tent (the PNC) didn’t even give them a nod!!

Of the others from “Long Time”, your Eyewitness bets dollars to donuts the WPA ain’t gonna be holding no executive elections either! Why? Well, in addition to the pipsqueaks exposing their nakedness, they realize that hanging on for dear life on the donut-ring lifesaver of Walter Rodney isn’t serving them well. Rodney’s family have denounced their opportunism in linking up with the PNC which had assassinated the great man. How more cynical than THAT CAN ANYONE GET? Of the micro-parties that popped up like mushrooms on the dung heap of Guyanese politics for the 2015 elections, only one survived. But sadly, they lost out to a squatter on the “joinder seat” they’d concocted with some other nano-parties. They’re so depleted that there won’t be enough bodies to occupy the usual offices parties must have!! But they’ll be there in 2025, though; they represent the declining “coloured” elite in GT!!

And your Eyewitness arrives at the biggest political losers in the history of Guyana – the AFC!! Now, in your Eyewitness’s book, one can be a loser only if one had something to lose!! And let’s face it: the AFC had gained 5 seats in 2006 and 7 in 2011, which made them the most effective “third force” in the land!! They did so by asserting they wouldn’t “join up” with either the PNC or PPP, but would be a counterforce to force them to do what’s best for the country!! But then came Granger with his serpent tongue - offering them the moon and stars if they hitched up and challenged the PPP together. Ramjattan – who’d been around the (political) block and then some – knew what was behind THAT siren song, and protested a coalition with the PNC would make the AFC “Dead Meat”!! Yet he succumbed. Why? Because of nothing else than greed for pelf and power promised!! He got “Larwah” instead, and today, as the AFC talks about electing a new executive for 2025, the carcass is smelling real bad!! Imagine the “Exec” getting the highest nominations is a shrill shill who rings a bell to attract attention like a fish market woman!! Losers!!

…Cain

As the first “Bad Boy” – even before Will “Slapgate” Smith and Martin Lawrence! – Cain had earned his title by killing his BROTHJER Abel!! So, dubbing creating a “ruckus” as “raising Cain” doesn’t even tell the half of not taking the other road!! But then his mother Eve hadn’t set such a good example, did she?? Anyhow, looks like the Government’s sure raising Cain in the wake of the Americans' allegations of massive shipments of gold leaving our shores. Either originating as “blood gold” from Venezuela, or possibly funding terrorists to do the dirty!! So far, we’ve seen one Government employee sent on leave; her resignation from the PPP executive; one Cambio losing its licence, and owners of the gold company sanctioned!! The Government’s ruckus will extend into investigations that might lead to major confiscation of properties, bank accounts etc – once the Americans release the details behind their charges, which the Government has requested.

The Government ain’t messin’ around, and a lotta fellas –and felines! – must be shivering in their boots!!

…funding

pect was driving Route 50 minibus BXX 6792 which was transporting the narcotics.

Byjoo had been remanded to prison on that occasion, but had later secured bail pending trial.

The stereotype of Africa going around with a begging bowl has taken a bit of a hit now that the African ExportImport Bank has made BILLIONS of US$ in credit available to Caribbean businesses!! Thank you, Mama Africa; now it’s up to your children!!

rested in 2022 and lat-

Charged: Lalbahdur Byjoo

The cannabis that was found during the operation

Murder suspect Silos France

Silos France and Paulette Edwards in happier times

Guyana to benefit from US funding to curb illegal arms trade

Guyana is expected to receive funding from the United States Government to implement a national action plan aimed at curbing the trade of illegal firearms.

This has been revealed by Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, who is currently on a four-day visit to Guyana to forge discussions with local partners on issues of multilateral cooperation, including regional security.

On Thursday, she met with Prime Ministry Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; and Defence Advisor Gerry Gouveia.

According to Ambassador Jenkins, during her engagement with these Guyanese officials, she reiterated the US’ commitment to working with Guyana to reduce violence and decrease the illegal trafficking of arms, both here and in the region under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

in capacity-building.

Jenkins noted that this funding to Guyana and other Caribbean nations is just one of the measures taken by the US to clamp down on illegal firearms trade in the region.

In Guyana, local law enforcement has reported that most of the illegal weapons found in Guyana come from the US – something which the Under Secretary says is recognised and is being addressed by the authorities.

Force press conference last November, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had reported that most of the illegal weapons found on the local streets originated from the US. In fact, it was revealed that 29, or 22.7 per cent, of the 128 guns seized across the country up to that period in 2023, were from the US.

received training from an ATF expert and the recently established CARICOM Gun Intelligence Unit on firearms-related matters.

She disclosed that as part of these collaborations with the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the US is providing funding to countries who are developing a national action plan to tackle the trade in illegal arms.

“There are a number of countries in the Caribbean that are developing these national action plans to address issues of small arms, and the US (is) seeing how we can provide funding to those countries who have developed these national action plans,” she stated. Jenkins has said that

Guyana would also benefit from this financial assistance.

“My understanding is Guyana is one of the countries that [are developing] the action plan. So, based on what those plans are, we can provide funding to countries to actually implement those plans,” Ambassador Jenkins has explained.

According to the US official, while this assistance would mainly be financial, the US already has ongoing cooperation with the Guyana Government on various levels within the local security sector, including

“We have the export ban [in the US]. We're trying to do what we can on the US side to try to reduce the export of illegal arms. So, we have put the ban on that right now as we tried to figure out the best way forward to help ensure that these small arms do not get in the hands of non-state actors or others who should not be having possession of those types of weapons. So, that's something we've already done, and we will continue to work with Guyana and other countries in the region on that,” Ambassador Jenkins has said.

At a Guyana Police

Another 26, or 20.30 per cent of those seized firearms were from neighbouring Brazil, while the origin of some 24 seized firearms, or 18.8 per cent, is unknown and the others emanate from mostly European countries such as Austria, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and Germany.

According to Blanhum, this information was obtained as a result of the Police Force now having access to the database of the US-based Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), which allows them to conduct traces of illegal firearms.

Under this new partnership with the Bureau, the Crime Chief had noted, several local investigators also

As part of efforts to counter firearms trafficking in the region, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into US law in July 2022, increasing criminal penalties for straw purchasers and US-sourced firearms trafficking.

Moreover, a partnership between the Caricom Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations has been crafted for an interagency, multijurisdictional surge operationOperation Hammerhead – to target illicit firearms being trafficked from the United States to the Caribbean. Through collaboration with Caribbean partners, Operation Hammerhead has to date resulted in seizures of 339 firearms, 26,495 rounds of ammunition, and over 400 magazines, according to the US State Department. (G-8)

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins

Norton insists he remains APNU Chairman, assures of ‘transparent’ PNCR elections

Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, is insisting that he remains Chairman of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), despite allegedly being voted out of that position on June 6 at an extraordinary meeting hosted by other coalition parties.

He was absent from that meeting, and Vincent Henry, Leader of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), was elected as new Chairman of APNU.

“I continue to be Chairman of the APNU,” Norton told reporters at his party’s press conference on Friday.

The other parties in

attendance at that meeting in which Henry was elected APNU Chairman were: the National Front Alliance (NFA), the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP), and the Guyana Nation Builders (GNB), whose leader Tabitha Sarabo-Halley has also been elected General Secretary of the APNU.

The PNCR had later released a statement in which it noted that it had never received an invitation to attend this extraordinary meeting, and it concluded that the elections were “unauthorized”, and “null and void”, since only the PNCR party can initiate such a meeting.

Despite the ongoing tussle, Norton is insisting,

PNCR Leader

Aubrey Norton

“I think we have a united party, but there is a difference between a party and a coalition. A coalition is a combination of parties, and they will always have different interests.”

Further, he has said that after the PNCR’s upcoming Congress, “We will

sit with the APNU and sort out the issues.”

Already Roysdale Forde, an Executive Member of the PNCR who is also contending for the post of Leader of the Party, has flagged irregularities in the nomination exercise relative to the PNCR’s biennial congress. He said the irregularities observed have caused the entire nomination process to be perceived as an attempt to bolster the perception of overwhelming support for Norton at the upcoming Congress.

Norton is, however, maintaining that there is “overwhelming” support for him to retain the post as head of the PNCR. He has dismissed claims made

by Forde’s campaign, and has noted, “There has been no evidence that any group violated the [party’s] constitution.” However, he has promised that the central executive membership of the party would meet to iron out issues and concerns that exist.

“We will ensure that the party congress has its proper systems in place, and the final process ensure we have transparent elections,” Norton has said.

Norton has declined to outline measures the party is taking to ensure fair and credible elections, but has instead said, “That is not a task for me as Leader, that is the task for the accreditation and returning of-

ficers; and when the time comes, they will do it.”

Others nominated to contest the leadership of the party are: former Government Minister Simona Broomes; former GDF Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best; Guyana’s Advisor on borders and Agent in the Venezuela border case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Carl Greenidge; MP Amanza Walton- Desir, and former Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

Norton has said there should be “no character assassination” among the contestants, and has noted that he maintains a good relationship with these other contestants.

Govt commissions $22M water systems at Hackney, Friendship

– GWI on track to deliver 10 new water supply systems to Pomeroon communities – Min. Rodrigues

The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is well on track to delivering 12 new water supply systems to communities in the Pomeroon area of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

according to Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues.

Already at the halfway mark for 2024, the

Housing and Water Ministry has, through GWI, completed two of the 12 systems, while the others are at different stages.

On Friday, Rodrigues commissioned water supply systems at Hackney and Friendship, villages in the Pomeroon River, to the tune of $10 million and $12 million respectively. These new facilities will together serve some 500 residents.

Minister Susan Rodrigues at the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to commission the facility at Hackney

GBTI partners with GTA to redesign ATM rooms

– to depict Guyana's rich heritage

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has unveiled its newly-redesigned ATM room at the Giftland Mall at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

This initiative, which features Guyana’s rich

biodiversity heritage, is a partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) that underscores the banking institution’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the unique beauty and diversity of the country.

At the unveiling ceremony on Friday, GBTI Strategy and Channels

Manager Christina De Agrella declared that this bank believes in the importance of community and cultural preservation.

“This ATM Enhancement Project is a testament to our dedication to not only providing excellent banking services, but also contributing positively to the social and cultural fabric of Guyana,” she said.

TURN TOO PAGE 16

The ATM room depicting the Kaieteur Falls

7 new Toshaos elected to lead Amerindian villages in Reg 2; 2 re-elected

Seven Amerindian villages across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have elected new toshaos to lead them for the next three years, while two villages have re-elected their incumbent leaders.

The newly-elected leaders are Andre Mohabir of Wakapao; David Wilson of Akawini; Leon Thomas of St Monica/Karawab;

Marsha Williams of Mainstay/ Whyaka; Keanu Thomas of St. Deny’s; Wendy Francis of Capoey, and Henry Hendricks of Mashabo.

These newly-elected toshaos will service their communities with assistance from their councillors.

Sonia Latchman has been re-elected with 12 councillors to serve Bethany, while

Monty Simon has been re-elected Toshao of Kabakaburi.

These elections were held between May 16 and June 13 under supervision of the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two, Susanah Saywack, who, along with Community Development Officers (CDO) Renelle Williams and Paul Tyrell, also served as the

Returning Officer (RO). Representatives of the Amerindian Affairs and Local Government Ministries were also part of the democratic process.

The new office bearers are expected to bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to their communities as they focus on improving living standards of the villagers; enhancing

housing and water systems, healthcare, education, tourism and training; boosting revenue; and working collectively with residents and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

While they have their vision for the communities, residents have expressed their hopes and expectations.

“We believe that these new leaders will

bring the change we need,” a resident of Mainstay/Whyaka has posited. A resident of Bethany said, “We are looking forward to seeing improvements in tourism, education, and agriculture.”

As these new leaders assume their leadership roles, the hopes and aspirations of their communities are being tagged on them.

From left: Andre Mohabir (Wakapao); David Wilson (Akawini); Leon Thomas (St Monica/Karawab); Marsha Williams (Mainstay/Whyaka); Keanu Thomas (St Deny’s); Wendy Francis (Capoey); Henry Hendricks (Mashabo); Sonia Latchman (Bethany) and Monty Simon (Kabakaburi)

Dr Dennis Odie launches book on personal experience during COVID-19 pandemic

In a bid to foster understanding of the impacts of the deadly Coronavirus, Dr Dennis Odie has launched a book, entitled “The COVID-19 Pandemic: Journey Through the Eyes of a Primary Care Physician”.

The launch was done on Friday at the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research (CoBRes) at the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus, and Dr Odie embraced that opportunity to reflect on his journey and personal experiences during the pandemic.

The book delves into the intricacies of the disease; highlights the profound impact on doctor-patient relationships, safety protocols, and the challenges of treating patients during both the best and worst of times.

“The book is about that doctor-patient relationship. It is about safety. It’s about treating patients in the best of times and the worst of times,” Dr Odie has said.

Expressing the deep sense of honour and privilege he had felt in writing the book, Dr Odie noted how special he had felt

each night after returning home and documenting his day’s experiences. Before delving into the contents of the book, Dr Odie took a moment to thank several important people in his life who had contributed to the foundational works of the book; and acknowledged his deceased parents for instilling in him the right values and supporting his education.

“I thank my deceased parents for teaching me the right values and allowing me to gain maximal education, to appreciate love and kindness, to avoid hate and deceitful people, and to respect everyone,” he said

in dedicating the book to them. He added, “Having wonderful patients and a supportive family makes a successful person.”

Dr Odie recounted the early days of the pandemic, describing the initial skepticism and eventual realization of the severity of the virus.

“When the pandemic first started, my daughter called me and said that this thing looks like it’s really going to be bad. I said, ‘No, I don’t think so’. But then I started to dig into it also,” he explained.

“When push comes to shove, you have to do what you have to do. We found that using steroids worked,” he noted.

He also discussed the global impact of the virus and the uncertainty surrounding its origins; as well as the significant changes in medical practices, such as the widespread adoption of masking and social distancing.

“Masking became the thing of the world. It was a game-changer,” he said.

He described the dramatic changes in his medical practice, from seeing 70-80 patients a day to just five; and the relentless commitment to continue providing care despite the challenges. “We knew that patients need to be taken care of. That’s what you do. We never missed a day during the pandemic,” he said.

Moreover, he shared insights on the innovative approaches taken by medical professionals, including the use of steroids to manage the impact of the virus on the immune system.

The launch provided an opportunity for attendees to engage the doctor and gain deeper insights into the book’s content. His detailed account of the pandemic from a primary care physician’s perspective offers a unique and valuable contribution to understanding this unprecedented global health crisis.

Further, the book highlighted various treatment approaches employed by primary physicians, and the barriers faced in treating COVID patients and achieving the goals of primary and general health care during the pandemic.

Dr Odie is a distin-

guished internal medicine specialist based in Maryland, USA. He has over 25 years of experience in the medical field, having dedicated a quarter of a century to his profession.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Morgan State University in 1989, then earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine at Wright State University in 1996.

In 2001, Dr Odie completed his residency training in internal medicine at Franklin Square Hospital, University of Maryland. His dedication and expertise in internal medicine were recognized in 2014 when he became a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Additionally, Dr Odie is a member of the Trendsetters Physicians IPA, a patient care network in Baltimore, Maryland. He is also affiliated with the Maryland State Medical Society, known as MedChi, and the American Medical Association, among other prestigious professional organizations.

Dr Dennis Odie

Min Walrond challenges Rotaract Conference to influence others to positively impact communities

Tourism, Industry, and Commerce

Minister Oneidge Walrond is encouraging Rotaract clubs to strive for their highest potential and that of their memberships in order to positively impact the communities they serve.

She delivered these remarks during the opening ceremony of the District 7030 Rotoract Conference, held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Thursday with participation from 16 countries.

Emphasising the importance of well-ordered societies in which education, health and prosperity are paramount, Walrond said, "We aim to eliminate poverty, hunger, crime and violence."

She highlighted the need for a critical mass of individuals dedicated to these objectives and the values underpinning them, and acknowledged the diverse roles the attendees occupy or would occupy in the future, including politicians, professionals, entrepreneurs, teachers, workers, managers, supervisors, and parents.

"In all of these roles,

we touch lives, influence people, and impact the communities of which we are a part. In our various roles, each of us is in a position to make an impact in the world around us," she said.

"The question, of course, is what will that impact be? And here I do not speak of the size of that impact, I speak merely of whether we act for good or for ill, whether we leave our immediate environment better off for our presence and our actions."

Walrond has praised organizations such as the Rotary and its youth arms, Rotaract and Interact, for their role in

fostering a sense of community service.

"Anchored in the concept of service above self , your clubs inculcate in their members a sense of something greater than the individual. They emphasize the philosophy that we live in communities, and in order for our communities to thrive, we must serve the greater good to better our collective wellbeing," she said.

The minister also lauded the community service activities planned for Sunday, which include planting a shade house, assisting with repairing cages, and beautifying a walkway at the zoo.

GBTI partners with GTA to ...

She added that the project is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to the community, and aligns with its tagline, "We See Guyana Through Your Eyes."

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, has complimented the GBTI for the initiative and described it as one that adds significant value to the promotion of Destination Guyana.

“We're happy to partner with GBTI in providing the images, which will be credited to the photographers. It will give visitors to GBTI’s ATMs across the country a glimpse into our tourism product: showcasing its natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and wonderful landscapes. This initiative will appeal to those travelling and looking to book tours,” he has predicted.

Further, he noted that

the Tourism Ministry and the GTA are very happy to be part of the initiative, and hope it would be a catalyst for other corporate entities to come on board in support of the development and promotion of tourism in Guyana. The ATM rooms will depict stunning visuals that capture the essence of Guyana. Customers will be greeted by images of

Guyana’s landmarks, flora and fauna, and its rich cultural traditions. The main aim is to create a more engaging and enjoyable environment for customers. By celebrating Guyana’s heritage through the redesign of the ATM rooms, GBTI and the GTA reaffirm their dedication to fostering a sense of national pride and community spirit.

GBTI Strategy and Channels Manager Christina De Agrella and Guyana Tourism Authority Director Kamrul Baksh cutting the ribbon to unveil the redesigned ATM room

Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond interacting with participants at the opening ceremony

Sustainable agriculture practices must be strengthened in face of climate change – Min Mustapha

With the Caribbean being one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has heightened calls for sustainable agricultural practices across all member states.

Regional leaders are currently engaging in discussions on climate-smart agriculture ahead of the 8th edition of the Caribbean region’s premier agricultural event, the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), which will be held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from October 7 to 11. Delivering remarks at the virtual launch of the event on Friday, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who is also Chairman of the Caricom Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Security, noted that agriculture is the backbone of the Caribbean, and climate change poses a significant threat to this sector.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economies, cultures, and livelihood. It nourishes our people, sup-

ports our economies, and sustains our way of life. However, agriculture is very vulnerable to climate change, epically in the Caribbean” he said.

Minister Mustapha noted that governments should not only prioritise ways in which they can adapt to climate change, but emphasis must similarly be placed on identifying ways in which they can mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mustapha highlighted that to foster a sustainable future for agriculture, governments must continue to invest in identifying new climate-smart approaches.

“But let us not just talk about adapting to the impacts of climate change, we need to anticipate and prepare for them. We must strengthen our agricultural practices and systems (in order) to ensure and rebound from climate shocks. This calls for investments in research, infrastructure and resources for our farmers,” he declared.

“To realize a sustainable future for agriculture, we must continue

investing in innovative, climate-smart approaches necessitating substantial financial support. This entails embracing new technologies, sharing knowledge, and fostering closer collaboration. The success of our regional agriculture transformation hinges on the partnerships we forge and the collective actions we undertake,” Mustapha has cautioned.

Also sharing remarks at this forum was the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin,

Govt commissions $22M water...

Sharing in that historic moment were Region Two Vice Chairman Humace Odit, Prime Minister’s Representative Arnold Adams, GWI Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailall, and other technical staff of the agency who were instrumental in making the project a success. The new systems are powered by photovoltaic systems.

Among the other villages slated to benefit from similar investments are Marlborough, Karawab, St. John’s, Jacklow, Abrams Creek, St. Monica, Bethany, Dredge Creek, Siriki, Kabakaburi, Wakapao, David James Scheme, Akawini-Baracaro, and St Deny’s (Coastland).

At the ceremony commissioning these systems, Minister Rodrigues lauded the GWI for being able to deliver the two facilities promptly. She said, “I am pleased and proud that we have been able to deliver this well in a very short time…It was back in February, and we had just started the work, and this community….”

During her visit to Hackney earlier this year, Rodrigues had seen the needs of the residents and the hardships they faced as a result of the prolonged dry season. Since taking office, the minister said, the Ministry has stuck to strategic plans and, so far, has been delivering results that

are significantly improving the quality of life of residents of the hinterland and coastlands. She also reported that the agency is well on the way to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of 100% access to potable water 5 years earlier than the 2030 deadline.

“We are on a mission to deliver this in the hinterland and coastland in 2025, which is 5 years earlier than the UN. While on the coastland, we intend to increase the coverage for treated water”, the Minister disclosed.

With this in mind, she added that the agency continues to strengthen capacity, as it has invested in rigs to drill wells in the hinterland and far-flung communities.

“In-house drilling has accelerated the works in communities. In the past three years, we have spent $3.4 billion, and 75 new wells were drilled, benefitting some 15,000 residents with first-time access to potable water”.

The minister has said that, this year, another $1.4 billion is being spent to construct 40 new wells, and residents along the Essequibo Coast would benefit from two water treatment plants which would increase the coverage for treated water.

who said the Caribbean and Latin American region has managed to reduce the number of people suffering from hunger.

According to Lubetkin, hunger statistics worldwide remained the same for 2021 and 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Min Walrond challenges

"These and other activities are a welcome demonstration of your commitment to service, and we are immensely grateful for your contribution to community development," she underlined. The conference promises to be a significant event for delegates, offer-

ing numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and contributing to the community.

Guyana has some six active Rotaract clubs, including the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana. These clubs are part of a Rotary District, and they engage in var-

“In 2022, more than 7 million people in the Caribbean experienced hunger. Although the situation is still complex, some progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition gives us hope. Latin America and the Caribbean was the only region in the world that remarkably reduced hunger, with about 3 million people fewer suffering from it,” he asserted.

At the forum slated for later this year, discussions would focus primarily on implementation of climate-smart agriculture to combat the effects of climate change in the Caribbean.

Rotaract...

ious community service projects and leadership development activities which often include environmental sustainability projects, educational programmes, and health-related services aimed at improving the wellbeing of their communities

A child cuts the ribbon to open the water system at Friendship

Assistant Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, Mario Lubetkin

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

211,000 women to be screened for cervical cancer by 2030 – Dr Anthony

... as MoUs inked with partners for screening, eye care initiatives

In keeping with the commitments made in Budget 2024, the Health Ministry on Friday inked several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various partners to provide targeted members of the population with vouchers for cervical cancer and eye tests. This Government-led initiative is aimed at enhancing access to healthcare for citizens.

Under the agreement, two programmes — the National Eye Screening Programme and the HPV

Screening Programme — will be launched next week.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said that approximately 211,000 women between the ages of 21 and 65 will be screened for cervical cancer by 2030. Government would provide each woman with a voucher worth $8,000.

At the signing of the MoUs, Dr Anthony noted that the Ministry has partnered with several private agencies to administer the HPV tests, which include diagno-

sis and treatment plans aimed to cover 70 per cent of the female population.

The partner institutions for HPV screening

include Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, Eureka Labs, and Woodlands Hospital.

The minister highlighted this collaboration as a

new venture forming part of the Government’s effort to partner with the private sector.

“This is the first time that we would have ever worked with such a large private sector group. And while we don’t envisage any issues, we will have to work on building this relationship…we will convene meetings at different points so that we can ask you to come, and if there is any difficulty…we will be able to pick these things up,” he explained.

Under the Eye Testing and Spectacles

Programme, the Government would offer eye care vouchers valued at $3,000 to people of all ages. For those requiring spectacles, an additional $15,000 voucher would be provided.

The participating providers include Eye Wear Optical, Miracle Optical, Bhagwans and Associates, Optique Vision Care, Optical World, Courts Optical, and Optiek Ninon.

The dates when the vouchers would be distributed would be announced soon.

Reg 2 gets off-road ambulance to boost healthcare services in hinterland communities

In a significant stride towards improving healthcare accessibility in remote areas, an offroad ambulance has recently been presented to Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) with intention to revolutionise medical emergency response.

The off-road ambulance will be serving several villages, including Mainstay, Lima Sands, Capoey, St. Deny’s, and Mashabo, which had previously been faced with challenges in getting patients to the mainstream hospitals.

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Ranjeev Singh has said the ambu-

lance would serve as a relief to persons living in hinterland communities. Patients, he added, can faster be transported to the various facilities to be treated. The ambulance is equipped with ECG machines and defibrillators.

The RHO has, however, revealed that Community Health Workers and midwives are available, and they are trained to ensure patients receive a certain amount of health care until they arrive at the Public Hospital at Suddie.

“The Maternal and Child Health Department, which is responsible for the health centres and health posts throughout the region, has created a network whereby, if they have emergency patients who need the ambulance, after making contact, they can be transferred to the hospital at a fast, reliable, and safe manner,” he ex-

plained.

He added that drivers are on a 24-hour standby, but noted that there presently is a shortage of drivers in the health sector.

“We need more drivers, but I’m sure I’m going to talk to the Public Service that there is a re-

quired gap, and I’m certain we can have more drivers employed and trained to be responsible and prompt when called upon,” he has said.

When asked about the impact of the off-road ambulance in servicing the hinterland communities,

Dr Singh stated, “I think (that) with the off-road ambulance and our high-risk (pregnancy) mothers, we are not only saving the life of the mother, but also the baby. I think it will provide a boost to our healthcare service in our region and the hinterland communities at large. (There will be) less complicated situations, and at some point of time, save someone.”

Introduction of the offroad ambulance marks a pivotal moment in enhancing healthcare services for hinterland communities, ensuring that every resident receives timely and effective medical care, regardless of their location.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and other officials with stakeholders at the event

Health Minister Anthony at the MoU signing

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Ranjeev Singh

The interior of the off-road ambulance

Over 370 speeding tickets issued to errant drivers along EBD corridor – GPF

– urges drivers to slow down

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported that speeding tickets for errant drivers in Division 4B (East Bank Demerara) for this year so far have exceeded last year's record of approximately 370.

This is according to Sergeant Rose, who is in

charge of the SoesdykeLinden Highway Patrol Base. He said this phenomenon has prompted the police to intensify their enforcement efforts.

“The more you plead with drivers to slow down, it's like you are asking them to do the opposite. Presently, we have an in-

crease in fatalities; we have an increase compared to last year in the same period. When you check, we also have an increase in the number of accidents this year,” he said.

Despite knowing the road conditions are not ideal, drivers continue to speed, he said. In re-

Guyanese busted in Suriname with illegal cigarettes, hashish

A37-year-old Guyanese national has been apprehended by Surinamese authorities during the search of a residence on Copernicusstraat on Friday. That search has led to the discovery of approximately one kilogram of hashish and a significant quantity of illegal cigarettes.

The operation was carried out by a joint team comprising the National Security Directorate (DNV), the Regional Assistance Team Paramaribo (RBTP), and the Stoot Group Director of Operations (DOKPS).

The items that were found in possession of the Guyanese

In addition to the contraband, a vehicle was seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

The suspect nabbed,

sponse, Sergeant Rose said, he and his team have increased their enforcement measures. This includes changing the locations of their speed checks to catch more offenders and deter reckless driving.

Even with these measures, drivers have found ways to alert each other about police presence, using signals such as flashing lights or making phone calls.

“They have a way where they would flash at each other or call each other and tell them that police or Rose is on the road,” Sergeant Rose noted.

Sergeant Rose has made a heartfelt plea to drivers to slow down and exercise more caution on the roads. He has emphasized the importance of everyone contributing to the reduction of accidents and fatalities.

identified as ‘Winston L.’, was taken into custody following consultation with the Surinamese Public Prosecution Service.

Housewife arrested after Police find ganja in home

A26-year-old housewife who resides at Patwah Scheme/ Long Dam, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was arrested on Friday following the discovered of over 600 grams of marijuana at her home.

Acting on information received, officers from Regional Division 4C conducted a cordonand-search operation at this residence, and unearthed in a plastic barrel in the upper flat of the house a bulky plastic bag that contained a quantity of ganja.

The housewife was informed of the allegations, cautioned, and

The ganja that was found in the woman’s home

taken into custody. She was transported to the Mahaica Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted

to 667 grams, or 1.47lbs. She remains in custody, and it is expected that charges would be instituted against her.

“What we intend to do is get out there and be there… People would see the police, and when they pass the police, it’s a whole different ball game. So, what we do from time to time, we stagger it. One time you will see us at Yarrowkabra, then you will see us at Long Creek…” he explained.

“Sometimes you catch drivers doing 130. Just slow down! If you leave at a certain time, you will arrive on time. If you know for a fact you are tired, we are asking you to pull to the left or right of the road and take a five,” he appealed.

The most recent fatal accident on the LindenSoesdyke Highway oc-

curred a month ago, and claimed the lives of five individuals, including two who perished in a two-vehicle collision at Long Creek. Those who have perished in accidents along the SoesdykeLinden Highway recently are: Dwaylon Farrell, Head of the Industrial Technology Department at New Silver City Secondary School; and Rushell Leacock, a Senior Mistress at Kwakwani Primary School. Eddo Leacock and pensioner Uramie Hall, both from Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); and Pastor Clinton Patterson, who later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment at the Linden Hospital Complex, making him the fifth fatality in the tragic incident.

The accident involved two vehicles travelling in opposite directions, with reports indicating that reckless driving by both drivers had led to the collision.

GPS offering $300k reward to recapture Lusignan Prison escapee

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) is offering a $300,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension of convicted prisoner Jose Awad, who escaped from Lusignan Prison on May 14, 2024.

Awad’s last known address has been given as Redlock Lima Sand, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

The Prison Service in a release stated that Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot has confirmed that a reward of $300,000 is being offered for any information that can lead to the recapture of Awad.

It was reported that the prisoner escaped while performing labour duties in the compound of the

Cecil Kilkenny Training School. At the time, he was unsupervised. Awad was serving a two-year jail term for break and enter and simple larceny. The Prison Service has said the man was left unsupervised for a short period when he made good his escape.

Several search teams were sent to different areas to

recapture the inmate, but they were all unsuccessful.

Days after his escape, Awad was spotted in the vicinity of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, but he has still managed to evade apprehension. A supervising officer who was on duty at the time of the escape has since been placed under close arrest to facilitate the investigation. Additionally, Awad’s wife and mother-in-law were arrested during the probe, but were subsequently released.

Anyone with information leading to Awad’s recapture is urged to contact the nearest police station; the Officer-in-Charge of the Lusignan Prison, at 604-7305; or the Director of Prisons, at 613-6616.

Sergeant Rose, Officer in charge of the LindenSoesdyke-Highway Patrol Base

Wanted: Jose Awad

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Take an interest in educational pursuits. Step into the spotlight; you'll influence those craving the same things you are. Be sure you have your facts straight to avoid negative feedback.

Target your goal and keep the momentum flowing. Your drive and determination will turn heads, encourage support and help you move forward. Consider making a change that provides stability.

Take pride in your work and elude criticism. Look for an enjoyable physical outlet, and it will be easier to shape up and feel good about your appearance. Love is in the stars.

Pay attention to where the money goes. Invest in yourself and things that can add to your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Leave nothing to chance

Don't get angry when action is what's necessary. Let your passion surface and your knowledge and desire for truth lead you to a better place. There is power in numbers; participate.

Protect your reputation, possessions and passwords. Retreat from situations that aren't in your best interest. Go the distance and take care of responsibilities. Don't limit what you can do.

Discuss your thoughts with people willing and able to contribute something to your plans. Love and romance are in the stars. Make some necessary lifestyle adjustments.

Assess situations before taking action. Look at your options and change what's necessary. Put your energy into rectifying an issue instead of arguing over hypothetical situations.

A domestic situation will require thought, ingenuity and a proactive attitude. Opportunity is available, but you must follow the guidelines to ensure success.

Listen to what someone is saying, but verify their information. Put your energy into changes that make you feel good about yourself and your surroundings.

Consider your options, and you'll recognize what's best for you. Revisit how you handle money and possessions, and you will discover a hidden asset that helps you monitor your cash flow.

Be on the lookout for signs of doubt, insecurity and desperation in others. Joint ventures will lack substance and won't live up to the hype. If you want change, rely on yourself to make it happen.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES ARCHIE

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan storm into Super 8; New Zealand knocked out

Afghanistan booked their place in the Super Eight, thereby knocking New Zealand out of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup 2024, after a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Their win was set up by new-ball spells from fast bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq that saw PNG lose five wick-

The result meant that for the first time since 2014, New Zealand bowed out before the semi-final stage of a men's World Cup –One-Day International (ODI) or T20. With six points and a net run rate of 4.230, Afghanistan lead Group C.

Naib douses a brief spark from PNG A target of 96 would not have worried Afghanistan.

ets inside the power play. A total of four run-outs did not help PNG's cause either as they were dismissed for 95. Afghanistan romped home with 29 balls to spare, with Gulbadin Naib staying unbeaten on 49.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had added century stands for the opening wicket in each of their first two games. Gurbaz had struck fifties in those outings. As a result, the middle order had barely had time in

the middle. On Thursday, Afghanistan's worst fears nearly came true.

Semo Kamea, brought in for Vice Captain Charles Amini, almost struck first ball when Ibrahim was ruled out lbw. He used the DRS to his benefit, but lost his stumps three balls later while trying to attack an inswinger from Kamea. In the next over, fast bowler Alei Neo knocked over Gurbaz, who also charged down to heave one across the line. PNG could have put even more pressure on Afghanistan had wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga hung on to Naib's outside edge in the fifth over.

CNOOC, GTTA distribute...

This investment is symbolic and is being $4 million and it allows table tennis to be played across the length and breadth of Guyana in terms of having national championships in the various regions across Guyana.”

He went on to expound on the disadvantages faced by Regions One, Eight and Nine, with the lack of equipment, and thus training will be provided alongside the equipment.

The schools in Region One that will benefit are Waramuri Primary, St Nicholas Primary, North West Secondary, Yarakita Primary, and Port Kaituma Primary. In Region Six, one table will go to Orealla Primary, while Three Miles Secondary in Region Seven will receive two tables.

Kato Secondary and Mahdia Secondary in Region Eight, along with Karasabai Primary,

Katoka Primary, Mururunau Primary, and Nappi Primary are the beneficiaries in Region Nine.

In Region Four, the GTTA will present one table to Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre, as Munroe emphasised the importance of inclusion in the sport.

CPGL’s sponsorship aims to build upon this foundation by establishing a nationwide school championship.

PNG were left to rue those chances on a surface with dry grass, which, as Daren Ganga had said in his pitch report, contributed to variable bounce. The proof was in Azmatullah Omarzai's dismissal when a length ball from Norman Vanua barely got up and bowled him.

But Naib, in the company of Mohammad Nabi, countered the conditions to ensure Afghanistan faced no further hiccups.

Vala run-out triggers collapse PNG made almost the right start after being sent in. A double through fine leg, a single through point,

SCOREBOARD

Papua New Guinea (20 ovs maximum)

Tony Ura

b Naveen-ul-Haq 11

Assad Vala (c) run out (Fazalhaq Farooqi/†Rahmanullah Gurbaz) 3

Lega Siaka c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz

b Fazalhaq Farooqi 0

Sese Bau c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz

b Fazalhaq Farooqi 0 Hiri Hiri

b Naveen-ul-Haq 1

Chad Soper run out

(Noor Ahmad/Rashid Khan) 9

Kiplin Doriga † lbw

b Noor Ahmad 27

Norman Vanua run out

(Rashid Khan) 0

Alei Nao c Rashid Khan

b Fazalhaq Farooqi 13

John Kariko not out 4

Semo Kamea run out

(†Rahmanullah Gurbaz) 2

Extras (lb 12, w 13) 25

TOTAL 9.5 Ov (RR: 4.78) 95

Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Assad Vala, 1.5 ov), 2-12 (Lega Siaka, 2.1 ov), 3-12 (Sese Bau, 2.2 ov), 4-17 (Hiri Hiri, 3.1 ov), 5-30 (Tony Ura, 5.4 ov), 6-46 (Chad Soper, 9.4 ov), 7-50 (Norman Vanua, 12.1 ov), 8-88 (Kiplin Doriga, 17.5 ov), 9-89 (Alei Nao, 18.2 ov), 10-95 (Semo Kamea, 19.5 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W

Fazalhaq Farooqi 4-0-16-3

Mohammad Nabi 1-0-9-0

Naveen-ul-Haq 2.5-0-4-2

Rashid Khan 4-0-25-0

Noor Ahmad 4-0-14-1

Azmatullah Omarzai 2-1-5-0

Karim Janat 2-0-10-0

Afghanistan (T: 96 runs from 20 ovs)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz †

b Nao 11

Ibrahim Zadran

b Kamea 0

Gulbadin Naib not out 49

Azmatullah Omarzai

b Vanua 13

Mohammad Nabi not out 16

Extras (b 1, lb 6, w 5) 12

TOTAL 15.1 Ov (RR: 6.65) 101/3

Did not bat: Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveenul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Ibrahim Zadran, 1.4 ov), 2-22 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2.5 ov), 3-55 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 8.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Alei Nao 4-0-26-1

Semo Kamea 3-0-16-1

Chad Soper 2.1-0-19-0

Norman Vanua 3-0-18-1

John Kariko 3-0-15-0

a cut shot for four – they were ticking along without any risk. But it all went south when Captain Assad Vala was run out in the second over. Going for the third run, his bat was in the air at the non-striker's end when Gurbaz nailed a direct hit at the bowler's end. Had Vala slid his bat, he would have been safe.

Farooqi then did what he does best: flummox batters with swing. He had Lega Siaka caught behind by Gurbaz diving full length to his right and then, on the next ball, Sese Bau also nicked one behind.

When Naveen got Hiri Hiri to chop one onto his stumps on the first ball of the fourth over, PNG had lost four wickets in nine balls. Batting first on a used surface that hosted the West IndiesNew Zealand clash just 24 hours ago, that was handing over advantage on a platter.

Doriga leads mini-recovery for PNG

When Naveen crashed through Tony Ura for his 50th T20 International wicket, PNG were reduced to 30 for 5. PNG needed to bat a few overs safely at that point, and Chad Soper and Doriga did that for 24 balls while scoring 16 runs. But in the 10th over, both were guilty of ball-watching, which resulted in Soper being run out.

Doriga then used the slog sweep and sweep to rotate strike against Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad. Neo punished the seamers when they bowled on his pads. The pair was effective without being enterprising and added 38 off 34 balls.

Once Doriga was done in by a wrong'un from Noor to be trapped lbw, PNG lost their last three wickets for just seven runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

Afghanistan became the second team from Group C to qualify for the Super 8; knocking New Zealand out of the competition

Gulbadin Naib kept Afghanistan's chase on track

Safaraz, Coach Johnson taking in CGF GAPS Training Camp

…in

Npreparation for 2024 Paris Olympic Paralympic qualification

ational para table tennis champion Gibran Safaraz and National Coach Linden Johnson both arrived safely at University of Birmingham to participate in the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) GAPS Global 2024 Training Camp being hosted there in the United Kingdom.

The goal of GAPS is to offer emerging athletes and coaches from the Commonwealth access to additional skills, knowledge, and resources. This is driven by advancing education and supporting the development of inclusive sport pathways that promote positive social change in sport and communities.

The camp runs from June 8 to June 18, 2024, with para-powerlifting from June 8-17 and para table tennis from June 9-18.

Twenty-one different countries from across all Commonwealth regions are being represented, with just over 80 participants at the camp. The camp is funded and supported by Commonwealth Games Federation in collabora-

tion with the University of Birmingham UK.

Athletes and coaches will undergo a series of tailored, highly personal workshops and sessions, which will lead them to explore the world of sport and athletes for social change, as well as training them in the key skills they need for becoming compassionate, responsible, and effective social change makers. The camp will focus on:

• Supporting athletes on their preparation and journey to

Paris 2024 or as they step onto their development pathway for the future.

• Providing developing athletes and coaches with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to advance their capacity and abilities

• Technical training sessions

• Coach development sessions as a strategy to providing opportunities for developing new talents in their respective countries

• Educational sessions (ie, sport sci-

ence, safeguarding, anti-doping, etc)

• Increasing the number of countries participating in para sport at the Commonwealth Games

• Providing opportunities for new, developing and more experienced para-athletes to improve their performance.

GAPS is a sport for development and peace programme that supports the develop-

ment of inclusive sport pathways throughout the Commonwealth. Developed by the Commonwealth Games Federation and Griffith University, GAPS has expanded into a mutually-beneficial and collaborative relationship with other partners joining on this exciting but challenging journey. The camp targets para table tennis and powerlifting.

Safaraz and Coach

Tertiary Basketball League…

Bayley, Grimmond enjoy success thus far

Since the Tertiary Basketball League coordinated by Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) began on May 5 at the National Gymnasium, the League has seen notable performances with the likes of Kimol Grimmond and Jushawn Bayley reaping success.

On Sunday night, Linden Technical Institute's Grimmond scored 33 points to lead his team to an undefeated tournament run against the Guyana School of Agriculture.

Jushawn Bayley was instrumental in the University of Guyana's offensive attack, scoring the game's final shot and finishing with a total of 33 points, handing the Government Technical Institute their second defeat.

Grimmond, in giving an exclusive comment to Guyana Times Sport, divulged the key towards his ability to reap success and the improvements needed.

Johnson are using the GAPS training camp as preparation for Safaraz’s 2024 Paris Olympic Paralympic qualification event scheduled for June 22 to June 28, 2024 in Czech Republic.

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“Just keeping focus, coming in with the mentality to win this game, because we want to be undefeated to send a statement to the rest of the teams, so yes that was my motivation for this game. Just work as a team more. I mean there is some slackness in our defence which we need to work on heading into the finals and semi-finals,” Grimmond divulged.

On the other hand, Bayley, in an invited comment, shared that his teammates were the key to the team’s ability to put the ball through the net, and he hoped to continue his performance in the semi-final stage as his team look to defend their title.

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National Paralympic table tennis champion Gibran Safaraz receiving his certificate from Commonwealth Games Federation President Chris Jenkins

Linden Technical Institute’s Kimol Grimmond

AAG National Seniors on this weekend

Two days of action-packed track and field events are scheduled for the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), West Coast Demerara (WCD) across Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) hosts its annual National Senior Championships.

According to the Association, some 200 athletes are signed up to showcase their skills with 13 overseas- based athletes and four Trinidadian athletes among the crop.

Given that the National Seniors come at a time during the Olympic qualification period, both the

Competition Director Mark Scott and AAG President Amanda Hermonstine are confident that fireworks will be witnessed.

“Well, we expect everyone to come here and give their peak performance, because also, it’s qualification for Olympics. This

ExxonMobil U14 Round

Excitement in the ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls Under-14 school football tournament will heat up today as the tournament heads into the knockout rounds.

Today’s Round of 16 is scheduled to begin at 10:00h at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, where teams will need to win to stay alive in the competition.

The U14 football action begins with a fixture in the Girls’ Division, as Bartica Secondary and Abram Zuil Secondary go head-to-head at 10:00h. simultaneously, Bartica’s boys and St John’s College boys will lock horns.

Thirty-two games are on the cards for the MoE today.

Thus far, the Girls’ defending champions Waramuri Primary Top have been superb; however, their regional counterparts Santa Rosa Secondary girls have been a force to reckon with. Last year’s secondand third-place in additional to other school, President’s College, Bartica Secondary and Three Miles Secondary have all been good thus far, making for an interesting upcoming knockout round.

In the Boys’ competition, Bartica Secondary’s boys, last year’s champions, have been unstoppable while runners-up Waramuri Primary Top met their first disappointment at the close of the group stage. In addition. the likes of Chase’s Academic Foundation, Marian Academy and Westminster Secondary have all impressed thus far.

The teams in both the

of 16 on today

A glimpse of what to expect in the ExxonMobil U14 Round of 16 today

Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions are vying for a $400,000 first prize while second place will receive $200,000. The thirdand fourth-place finishers will pocket $100,000 and $75,000 respectively, with all the prizes going towards a school project.

The ExxonMobil U14 tournament is also sponsored by Stenna Drilling, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Pepsi brand and MVP Sports.

See full fixtures below:

Girls’ fixtures: 10:00h – Abram Zuil

Secondary v Bartica

Secondary

11:00h – Charity

Secondary v Three Mile

Secondary

11:00h – Cotton Field

Secondary v Tucville

Secondary

12:00h – New Amsterdam Secondary v Carmel

Secondary

13:00h – Marian

Academy v East Ruimveldt

Secondary

14:00h – Waramuri

meet is also a qualifier, so, we expect the athletes to perform at this meet, whether local or foreign, they will come to do their best to try to qualify for Olympics,” Scott shared.

Hermonstine subsequently chimed in, “We know they will try at this meet and they also have the Aliann Pompey on the 22nd. So, to my mind, we should expect nothing but the best from these athletes. We understand sometime your best athlete having an off day, but we’re just hoping that they give of their best and be able to qualify for the Olympics.”

Meanwhile, Scott disclosed that the starter system has been updated ahead of the competition to facilitate a smoother starting process.

Scott informed, “We

have bought a new starting system and it was tested yesterday [Wednesday] and everything is in working order in preparation for Saturday and Sunday.”

“It’s the same systems actually, as the old system. It’s just that we replace like the horn, the gun. It’s not like what you’re accustomed overseas where the blocks is attached to the horn and those kinds of things. So, we won’t have that trouble with you not hearing and we have to amplify the sound through a speaker, like we had at the last meet,” the Competition Director added.

In revealing that the first- to third-place prizes for races will be $15,000, $10,000 and $5000, AAG General Secretary James Cole made a plea for more corporate sponsorship.

“And our problem is because of the financial constraints we have been encountering. I have made a plea, only yesterday to corporate Guyana, to come on board and to push with us, with the Association. So, that our athletes will want to compete,” Cole divulged. He further explained, “The rewards out there is what will propel our athletes and that should not only be the key factor for them coming to compete. But I’m coming into a competition, I will look to see what is the gain. So, we’re asking corporate Guyana to chip in with us, so that we can make our athletes in Guyana feel comfortable with what we’re going to give.”

The track and field action is expected to commence at 10:00h on both days.

CNOOC, GTTA distribute table tennis equipment to hinterland schools

Primary Top v Bush Lot

Secondary

15:00h – President’s College vs IAE

16:00h – Santa Rosa

Secondary v Christ Church Secondary

Boys’ fixtures: 10:00h – Bartica

Secondary v St John’s College

12:00h – Hope

Secondary v Chase’s

Academic Foundation

13:00h – West

Ruimveldt Secondary v Leonora Secondary

14:00h – South

Ruimveldt Secondary v New Amsterdam Secondary

15:00h – Bush Lot

Secondary v Marian

Academy

16:00h – Waramuri

Primary Top v Westminster

Secondary

17:00h – Santa Rosa

Secondary v ChristianburgWismar Secondary

17:00h – West Demerara

Secondary v Dolphin

Secondary

In preparation for the first-ever National Schools’ Table Tennis Championship, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) donated table tennis equipment to bridge the gap for students in remote areas.

The presentation took place at CPGL Kingston head office on Thursday.

The donation, valued at $4 million, included 14 tables distributed to schools across Regions One, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine. An additional table was given to the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre.

The Ministry of Education’s Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and

Hinterland Education Development, Marti De Souza applauded the initiative’s alignment with the Ministry’s focus on sport development, and expressed the belief that the equipment will positively impact the hinterland communities.

“So we would all know that the Ministry of Education has a focus on sports development, and table tennis is one of the sport we are very keen on developing across. It was mentioned that because of the lack of resources in our hinterland schools, we cannot get the best out of all our students across the country, but today we have representation of villages from

all across the country,” De Souza shared.

Meanwhile, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) President Godfrey Munroe highlighted the significance of the donation in enabling table tennis to be played “across the length and breadth” of Guyana. Munroe said, “It’s truly an honour and privilege to stand before you here today to show how grateful we are here to CNOOC for partnering with the Table Tennis Association and Ministry of Education making this significant investment in sports in our community and our people, more particularly table tennis.

Representatives from the GTTA, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited and the Ministry of Education along with representatives from the various schools at Thursday’s presentation

Competition Director Mark Scott