Guyana Times - Saturday, June 1, 2024.pdf

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Motorcyclist

Men's T20 ICC Cricket World Cup: Players from the West Indies, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea teams were warmly welcomed on

at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport ahead of games in Guyana

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, June 1 – No retraction and Sunday, June 2 –01:00h-02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, June 1 –12:00h-13:30h and Sunday, June 2 – 13:05h-14:35h.

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. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Canal Bank records 800% increase in forestry production since 2021 – President Ali …as Govt seeks to expand agri production across Region 1

Support from the Guyana Government has resulted in the hinterland community of Canal Bank, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) recording a massive growth in forestry production.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during an outreach to Canal Bank on Friday afternoon.

While addressing res-

of the forestry sector. And this is going to continue,” Ali assured.

Reminding of the near-bankrupt state of the forestry sector when the last Administration left office in 2020, the President further outlined that today, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is working on giving out more concessions and more quotas and tags, because

Winds: Easterly to South South-Easterly between 1.34 metre and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 12:18h reaching a maximum height of 2.37 metres.

Low Tide: 18:15h reaching a minimum height of 0.81 metre.

idents from there as well as surrounding communities, he highlighted the many investments his Administration has made in various sectors to advance the village economies across the region.

In forestry, the Head of State disclosed that Government established a Canal Bank Loggers’ Association, which has been issued with more than 16,000 acres for small loggers within the community. It was also given a quota of 1000 tags for this year.

According to President Ali, forestry production was a mere 3738 sqm in 2021 and has since gone up to a whopping 24,374 sqm at the end of 2023. The Guyanese Leader posited that this improvement of almost 800 per cent in just two years was as a result of direct support from his government.

“Eight hundred per cent increase in your [forestry] production. Why did you get that increase? You get that increase, because the Government facilitated the development of the forestry sector and supported you in the development

it wants communities like Canal Bank to be productive.

In fact, President Ali, who, along with some Cabinet Ministers, conducted outreaches in several Region One communities, outlined plans to

expand agricultural production across BarimaWaini, making it a primary source of food for Guyana.

Earlier on Friday, they visited Hotoquai – a Mabaruma Sub-district community, where the Head of State announced plans to develop some 250 acres of farmland to expand agricultural production.

During the community consultation in the Amerindian village, Ali told residents that the Government would be clearing and empoldering the farmlands to support local farmers and communities.

“We want to see among these communities present here today, at least 50 acres of land in one central

area dedicated to pineapple [production]. We want to see 100 acres of land dedicated to plantain production,” he urged the residents. Additionally, the Government will provide 4000 pounds of ginger and 5000 coconut seedlings to farmers to support the expansion of these crops.

President Ali addressed the issue of coconut supply shortages, especially during the dry season, and stressed the importance for the crop to be cultivated to meet the current market demand.

The Administration will also be working with farmers to establish equitable pricing for their produce.

A section of the gathering at Friday’s community outreach in Canal Bank, Region One

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Strategy for healthier lifestyles

Last year, Guyanese Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali had called for Governments to develop a “holistic strategy” for nutrition in order for citizens to eat healthier.

He was at the time speaking at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) high-level meeting of agriculture ministers. Ali had said: “Nutritional change and health changes must be built into the education system.”

Some time ago, Guyana’s Health Minister had called out Guyanese on bad eating habits saying that in addition to consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes, “we eat the wrong food, and move away from fresh, healthy foods. We eat a lot of fast foods and drink a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages. These contribute to diabetes, and we have to change them. In addition, a lot of our population has moved to an inactive way of living.”

Every year, Guyana joins with regional countries as part of a unified response to promote health, and prevent and control the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts on individuals and communities as a whole were yet another stark reminder that both the health authorities and citizens must continue to take the issue of NCDs very seriously.

According to the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), people with underlying health conditions such as NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and are more likely to die from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

Even before the pandemic, poor lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, had resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

It is also believed that around 40 per cent of Guyanese are either overweight or obese, and of that number, the majority are women.

Health experts say that chronic diseases result largely from bad food choices and low levels of physical activity.

Further, NCDs come at a high cost to individuals and nation states in terms of human suffering, expensive treatment, and loss of production. It is estimated that the direct and indirect costs of treating NCDs in Guyana are over 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What is noteworthy is the realisation that most cases of chronic NCDs are avoidable, and it is within our individual power to prevent these diseases from affecting our lives.

So, how do we make the breakthrough when it comes to getting our citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles, considering the fact that some persons still operate with a high degree of ignorance?

To begin with, we believe that there is need for greater awareness and knowledge in the society about the dangers of chronic illnesses. On this basis, we urge that there be continuous public education and awareness campaigns across the country to address various health issues.

Research has shown that the numerous media campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, stigma and discrimination have impacted positively on attitudes and lifestyle changes; and messages in a similar fashion should be created towards addressing NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes, or dealing with overweightness and obesity.

The Government, even though it must take the lead as it relates to policy drafting and implementation, etc, cannot do it alone. The entire society must be actively involved.

It is well accepted that better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Everyone should, therefore, aim to live a healthy and full life, and to avoid becoming trapped by NCDs.

We agree with President Ali when he had asked the CELAC’s high-level meeting of agriculture ministers “how do we reverse our focus on nutrition as if nutrition is for old people, or for sick people or for people after 35 (years old)?”

India’s elections, Modi, and Guyanese

Dear Editor, India’s final phase of voting, for general elections to elect 543 members to the Lok Sabha for 57 of 543 seats, is on June 1, and the seat of PM Narendra Modi is included.

Balloting was completed in the previous six phases for 486 seats thru last Monday. There was lower-than-usual turnout, causing jitters among voters, analysts, and political parties. Polls had projected an easy re-election of incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling BJP, which is the dominant partner of the National Democratic Alliance. However, the opposition Congress claims it will emerge victorious. Congress is the dominant partner of the INIDA bloc opposition alliance. Will Modi win? Modi is on course to victory, based on an analysis conducted by

this writer after several trips to India over the last few years. The question is the number of seats BJP and NDA will win. Voters are rewarding Modi for performance over the last ten years since becoming the PM in May 2014. This is his third stint contesting for the Lok Sabha, having won from the holiest city of Varanasi in 2014 and 2019.

Varanasi, over 5,000 years old, is the world’s oldest continuous city, with an ancient civilization. Varanasi has been transformed under Modi, with modern buildings, highways and other infrastructure. This writer fist spent time in Varanasi as a student in August 1985, and returned some two dozen times thereafter. Thousands of Guyanese have visited the city annually, going back to the last fifty years; and many Guyanese

have also studied in Varanasi at the prestigious Benaras Hindu University.

This writer was a guest lecturer at BHU and other colleges dozens of times. As this writer can attest, the holy city has been transformed with major developmental projects since he first visited in 1985, and from 2014. Since Modi was elected in May 2014, this writer has visited Varanasi a dozen times, most recently in April and last February, querying views about their parliamentary rep and the PM.

Modi has consistently had very high approval ratings in his constituency, and is expected to win by a huge margin. This writer polled constituents on Modi’s performance. Modi has been the best parliamentary rep of his constituency since elections were first held in the early 1950s; and, in fact, he has been the

best rep of all constituencies over the last decade. He has been a fantastic rep, bringing back memories of effective representation of MPs in Trinidad like Trevor Sudama in Oropouche, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj in Couva South and Tabaquite, Chandresh Sharma of Fyzabad, Rushton Paray of Mayaro, among others. There is keen interest in India’s elections among Indians in the diaspora. Indians globally want Modi to win, so that he can continue the transformation of India that he began in 2014. India achieved record growth under Modi’s leadership. Guyana and the Caribbean cemented ties with India under Modi’s leadership. In addition, Guyana and the region received record benefits from India under Modi’s leadership.

West Indies, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea teams arrived in Guyana on Friday to the welcoming sounds of drums and a cultural performance at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport ahead of the Men's T20 ICC Cricket World Cup games in Guyana (CJIA photos)

The youths are the future

Dear Editor, History is repeating itself, as the tobacco industry is trying to sell the same nicotine to our children in different packaging. “These industries are actively targeting schools, children, and young people with new products that are essentially a candy-flavoured trap. How can they talk about harm reduction when they are marketing these dangerous, highly-addictive products to children?” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, has asked.

There are 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide. Tobacco kills around 8 million people every year (more than 7 million active smokers, and over 1 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke), in-

cluding 1 million in the Americas. Alarmingly, at least 37 million young people aged 13–15 years use some form of tobacco. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that, in Europe, 11.5% of boys and 10.1% of girls aged 13–15 years are tobacco users (4 million).

Disturbingly, the life expectancy of smokers is at least ten years less than that of non-smokers. For many youngsters, smoking is done in order to fit in with peers. For many boys, smoking is an indicator of masculinity and manhood. There are those who would agree that smoking, for young men, is akin to a rite of passage. Smoking is clearly a global problem consisting of multi layers outside of nicotine addiction.

India’s elections,...

Thousands of Guyanese have received scholarships to study in India under Modi’s generosity. India rushed assistance to Caribbean countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. India has been very generous with all kinds of assistance, from health, to loans, to infrastructure, to technology, among other areas.

I travelled around the Caribbean region and in USA, Canada, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Suriname, St. Martin, Aruba, Antigua, Jamaica, Singapore, Malaysia, among other countries over the last eleven years. The journey started in the year (2013) when Modi was nominated Prime Ministerial candidate for the BJP and the NDA. Everywhere I travelled, Indians were favourably disposed towards Modi, viewing him as the leader who restored national pride in their ancestral homeland. They love him. Modi is mainly responsible for India becoming the world’s fifth largest economy two years ago. Modi is aiming for India to become the third largest economy by 2027.

Modi is no stranger to Guyana, having visited

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on 31 May. The day is highlighted globally in order to raise awareness regarding the harmful influences of the tobacco industry, especially on the youths. “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, the theme of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2024, is focused on advocating for an end to the targeting of youths with harmful tobacco products.

This discourse provides a platform for young people, policy-makers, and tobacco control advocates globally to discuss the issue, and to urge governments to adopt policies that shield young people from the manipulative practices of the tobacco and related industries.

FROM PAGE 4

once in his private capacity, when he was hosted by Ravi Dev and other prominent Indians in 2000, just before he became Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001 till 2014). He was set to revisit Guyana and Trinidad in November 2018 following a G-20 summit in Argentina, but the trip was cancelled at the last minute because of the need to rush to Delhi for a political emergency.

This writer has been lobbying for a Modi visit to the Caribbean (Trinidad, Guyana) for a summit with Caribbean leaders. It is hoped that it will happen in 2025 or 2026 if Modi wins re-election.

Since Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname would hold elections in 2025, and incumbents are preoccupied with re-election, a Modi visit is unlikely, unless it takes place early in 2025. It is possible for the PM to visit later this year, when he attends the G20 in Brazil. The President of Guyana and other Caricom leaders should invite the Indian PM for an official visit in order for him to strengthen relations with the region.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

try is targeting youths. In order to keep making billions of dollars in revenues, the tobacco industry needs to replace the millions of customers who die, and those who quit tobacco use every year. To achieve this goal, the tobacco industry works creatively to create an environment that promotes uptake of its products among the next generation, including lax regulation to ensure its products are available and affordable. The industry also develops products and advertising tactics that appeal to children and adolescents, reaching them through social media and streaming platforms.

higher than the rates of cigarette smoking.

Collaborative advocacy is required. This important discourse provides a platform for young people, policy-makers and tobacco control advocates globally to discuss the issue, and to urge governments to adopt policies that protect young people from the manipulative practices of the tobacco and related industries.

On this World No Tobacco Day, let us encourage the youths to speak directly to the tobacco companies concerning the deliberate targeting of youths with products that are harmful to their health.

to prevent tobacco use and nicotine addiction. State funding is also a critical element in the fight to eradicate tobacco and nicotine addiction. In too many instances, state agencies are starved of adequate resources to launch and sustain their public education campaigns.

Although cigarette smoking has been decreased over the years due to phenomenal efforts by the tobacco control community, more must be done to safeguard these vulnerable groups.

The tobacco indus-

Products such as electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among youths. It is estimated that 12.5% of adolescents in the European region used e-cigarettes in 2022, compared to 2% of adults. In some countries of that region, the rates of e-cigarette use among school children are 2–3 times

Canal Bank records...

“We’re going to work with you on establishing a fair price and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will work on taking off the produce and bringing the produce to the market, especially now that we’re advancing our work in satisfying the Caricom market,” President Ali said.

Furthermore, the Government plans to launch a programme in Region One to achieve self-sufficiency in onion production, aiming to reduce import costs significantly.

The initiative is expected to bring about positive changes, fostering sustainability and resilience within the local communities.

In addition to these developments in Hotoquai, the Government will also develop 500 acres of land in the Mabaruma district to expand cassava production, addressing the impact of the prolonged dry season on local farmers.

Meanwhile, addressing residents’ concerns

FROM PAGE 3

about the impact of the dry season on crop production, President Ali assured them of immediate support by providing cassava, ginger, plantain, and yam planting materials.

President Ali’s two-day outreach also included engagements with the villages of Waramuri, Karaburi, and White Water in the Moruca sub-district on Thursday.

He also met with residents of Arakaka in Region One during Friday’s outreach.

During these meetings, he announced plans for large-scale citrus cultivation in Santa Rosa Village and significant investments in the sub-region’s high-value crop production, focusing on coffee, coconut, and breadfruit.

Accompanying President Ali were Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, along with technical officers from various Ministries. (G8)

Young people around the world recognize the industry’s negative impact on issues they care about: physical and mental health, sustainability, plastics pollution, environmental devastation and climate change, child labour, poverty and inequity. Youth groups around the world should urge their governments to implement measures

Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars on marketing and advertising annually on predatory tobacco marketing tactics. As a result, governments should also be very careful regarding acceptance of sponsorship from tobacco companies. It is only by working together that governments, public health organizations, and civil society would be able to empower our youths and create a world in which the next generation is free from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction. The youths are the future.

Sincerely,

Wayne Campbell

Page Foundation

CSEC MATHS

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions.

Industrialization has created a new set of intangible threats to health. They have presented themselves in socially accepted forms: the socially acquired glamour of cigarette smoking, the pleasures of alcohol and the spurious release gained through drugs have resulted in many cases of heart disease, cancer and debility.

5

Since many developing countries are succumbing to the same habits and dependence, they lay themselves open to the same diseases. One can work by one rough rule-of-thumb, says Dr H. Hansluwka, Chief Statistician of WHO's Global Epidemiological Surveillance and Health Situation Assessment: once a country achieves a life expectancy at birth of 60 years, cancer rapidly moves up in the ranking of health problems and 10 causes of death.

We now need to work hard and determinedly to implement decisions on lifestyle change. These will depend on two aspects: the personal choices made and the choices that are only possible if national policies and health strategies break new ground.

Nothing illustrates these aspects more succinctly than smoking. About a quarter of 15 all cigarette smokers are killed before their time by tobacco. Most would have lived on for another 5 to 30 years, the average being an extra 10 to 15 years. If they stopped smoking before they developed cancer or heart or lung disease, they could have averted the risk of dying from tobacco.

Government policies can strengthen individual choice and prevent the growth of the 20 smoking habit. Restrictions on advertising, and promoting cigarettes will reduce incentives to smoke; raising the cost of cigarettes lowers consumption. Health education should promote a way of life free of smoking. This is particularly necessary in developing countries, where there is generally minimal control on the promotion and sale of cigarettes.

Developing countries can ill afford the enormous burden of tobacco-related 25 illness on health resources which are already overstretched. Governments may be collecting taxes and buying jobs in the growing of tobacco and the manufacture of cigarettes, but this is the cost of expensive, long-term medical care, and in human suffering and premature death. Some causes of ill health can be removed by political action and financial investment. 30 But some, brought about by the way people live, can be removed by people deciding to change their way of living.

1. According to paragraph 1 (lines 1-4), deaths from heart disease, cancer and debility are on the increase because of (A) the dangers posed by modern living (B) growing substance abuse in today's society (C) traditional lifestyles in developing countries (D) longer life expectancy in recent years

2. The words "succumbing" and "dependence" (line 5 and 6) imply that the habits of cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use (A) inhibit development (B) are created by the users (C) give rise to a state of numbness (D) have an overpowering effect on people

3. The writer feels that deaths from cigarette smoking can BEST be minimized if (A) countries initiate health programmes (B) governments institute new policies (C) individuals simplify their lifestyles in the area of health (D) individuals make more personal choices about health programmes

4. From paragraphs 1 and 2 (lines 1-10), we may deduce that cancer is (A) on the increase in developing countries (B) caused by excessive alcohol, drug and cigarette use (C) more likely to cause the death of people under 60 years of age (D) one major drawback to health programmes in developing countries

Public procurement review

Govt wants greater accountability; will not defend fraud, scandals – VP

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is serious about its plans to review the entire public procurement system, saying that it will not be defensive about fraud or corruption scandals.

Last week, it was announced that Government would be reviewing all public procurement systems countrywide in a bid to clamp down on corrupt practices. At the time, Jagdeo had warned persons, especially state employees, that they would face the consequences if they got caught in any corruption.

Since that announcement, however, there have been criticisms on whether Government is serious about this review process.

During his press conference this week, the Vice President made it clear the review would be done at every single level in the Government to ensure compliance with the procurement law and that people are treated fairly.

“Let me tell you that

we’re dead serious about this matter …because when a Government in office they have a tunnel vision and they are impervious to anything that could go wrong. They try to be defensive. We’re not going to be defensive on procurement frauds or scandals. We’re not gonna be defensive, because the objective of our government is to ensure that more people get more opportunities through the procurement system and it’s done cleanly.

“So, I’ve made it clear, we’re not gonna lay our heads under any blocks for people who rip off the citizens of this country… We want make sure that we address the flaws, because we believe it fits in with our ideals and goals, and it will also help our country…,” he posited during Thursday’s press conference.

Recalling the many procurement transgressions and fraud scandals under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition regime, Jagdeo pointed out that the scrutiny was much more magnified under

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

the PPP/C Government.

“With the PPP, we have to be extra careful about this… Let me put it bluntly, corruption under the PPP could be 10 per cent of what took place under APNU, but the media will make it look like a hundred times or 10 times more, and we’ve seen this before… They will magnify it… They minimise what took place under APNU and blow out of proportion what takes place under this government,” he stated.

According to the Vice President, while the procurement landscape has drastically changed in

ensuring greater accountability in this country. We’ve put in place the measures to ensure that that would happen, not just in the oil and gas sector but in every sector. And, we’re busy working for the people who matter – the people of this country,” the VP noted.

[corrupt] practices and you get caught, don’t come later and complain… If you get caught, you face the consequences!”

Guyana with scores of projects being undertaken on a daily basis, the PPP/C Administration is committed to ensuring accountability.

“We need to make sure that we do what we have to do to ensure that if we can’t eliminate the corruption, because it’s thousands of contracts every day adjudicated at different levels – regional level, department level, ministerial level and then at the National [Procurement and Tender Administration] Board – that we ensure this [procurement review] is done.

“We’re serious about

In addition to weeding out corruption within the public procurement system, another issue the Government will be seeking to address during this review process is the delay in processing payments for contractors who have completed their respective jobs.

Already, Cabinet Ministers have been informed about this review and were instructed to ensure that their respective procurement systems as well as payment systems are examined.

Last week, VP Jagdeo had noted that during this review process, there could be sting operations set up to detect corruption in the public sector.

“You will have sting operations too. So, I’m forewarning them. If you’re engaged in these

This announcement of a review of the public procurement system comes on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the award of a $865 million contract to a fairly new and inexperienced company, Tepui Group, for the construction of a pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Based on a complaint by former Public Infrastructure Minister, Opposition parliamentarian David Patterson, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) had launched an investigation into the contract award and found, among other things, that the company was only established in August 2022 and, therefore, failed to meet the technical requirements of the bid documents, which stated that the successful bidder must have successfully completed projects of a similar nature and size within the last three years.

10-year-old severely beaten, rescued by neighbour

…Child Protection Agency takes child into its care

Ashocking incident unfolded on Thursday when a 10-year-old boy, allegedly beaten by his mother, was reportedly rescued by his neighbour. The boy, with a gaping wound to his head, was trying to escape from his mother following an alleged beating at his home at North Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to Liscell Cupidore, a neighbour who recounted the ordeal in a Facebook post, she was at home about 16:30h when her 10-year-old neighbour, drenched in blood and screaming, ran into her yard.

“He was shouting that they were killing him. My mom, thankfully trained in first aid, managed to control the bleeding from a gaping wound on his forehead. In a panic, I called the ambulance and the Police, but couldn’t get through to the Cove and John Station. Desperate, I reached out to the Enmore Police Station,” Cupidore stated in her post.

Cupidore described the

The child holding his blood-soaked shirt after he was allegedly beaten by his mother

Police response as “shockingly indifferent”. She explained, “A female constable answered, and I explained the situation. Her response was shockingly indifferent. She said she would try to contact Cove and John and give them my contact. I asked, ‘So if you don’t get on to them, then what?’ She claimed it wasn’t in her jurisdiction. The lack of urgency was maddening.”

Amid the chaos, Cupidore said she observed the boy’s mother walking calmly across the road with his youngest sibling, “showing no concern or remorse for

her son who was drenched in blood and screaming as a result of her abuse”.

“I was furious and confronted her. She responded by cussing out the injured child and dragging him away from my mom, who had been trying to help him. For years, people in our area have been reporting this mother to the Child Protection Agency. She neglects and abuses her children, and yet, no one ever comes to help,” Cupidore explained.

Expressing her frustration, Cupidore questioned the effectiveness of the pro-

tective services for children.

“What is the point of these agencies if they won’t protect our children? And the Guyana Police Force, especially the Cove and John Police Station – what are they there for if they won’t respond in emergencies? I was too overwhelmed and angry to capture the actual event while it was happening, but here are some clips from after it occurred. This negligence is unacceptable. We cannot continue to let our children suffer while those meant to protect them do nothing.”

Police response

Meanwhile, the Police, in a statement on Friday, said on Thursday about 19:20h, acting on information, a party of Police ranks responded to a report of domestic violence at North Victoria, ECD. According to Police, a neighbour reported that about 16:30h, a 10-year-old boy ran into her yard screaming and shouting for help.

Cop under probe by OPR for allegedly scolding minors

The GPF Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is currently investigating a complaint made against a member of the Guyana Police Force stationed at the Mabaruma Police Station in Region One (Barima-Waini).

In a brief statement issued on Friday, the Police have said this unfortunate incident has been widely circulated on social media.

While much information has not been divulged, the Police have said the complaint arose from an incident in which the police rank had allegedly scolded two minors - his cousins who reside with him and his mother at Hosororo Village in Region One.

"Investigators from the Office of Professional Responsibility have contacted the victims' relatives as the investigation continues. The involved Police officer is also being questioned," the report has said.

Justice…

…at last

Well, there you have it! Even though there have been increasing accusations that the American Justice system is broken, you gotta admit that a jury convicting a past US president – and presumed frontrunner in their upcoming elections – should give one hope!! Donald Trump - the man who defines the word “sleaze” by just looking at him smirk – has been convicted on THIRTY-FOUR counts. There are three other more serious criminal cases outstanding – including that Trump tried to overturn his 2020 presidential defeat, and mishandled classified documents after leaving office. But they won’t come up for trial until after the elections, so we – and he – gotta deal with this unanimous decision by his jury of twelve!!

While the substantive matter of falsification of business records was under trial, the reason for the falsification was even more gripping to Americans and the world at large. Imagine the effect of the salacious details of the presumed billionaire having sex with an admitted porn star graphically regaled in a New York courtroom – like Trump asking to be spanked with a folded magazine!! - had on folks who held leaders to a higher standard. And he was married to his present wife, Melanie, at the time!! But then this is a man who boasted that he enjoyed grabbing women by their crotches, cause they’d be too shocked to protest!!

So, what happens now that Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime? Well…probably nothing!! And that’s not because he’ll appeal the judgement. Even though there’s a maximum 4-year jail term for each falsification of business records, since it’s his first conviction, the smart money says he’ll just be given a slap on the wristlike receiving probation or conditional discharge - and be told to be a good boy going forward!! So, it doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing Trump in an orange jumpsuit behind bars.

The sentencing will be handed down on July 11 – four days before the Republican National Convention!! With the reaction of the party leaders at the conviction - near unanimity in questioning the legitimacy of the trial, and how it was conducted – he might be received as a conquering hero – once he ain’t jailed!! House Speaker Mike Johnson protested that it was a “shameful day in American history”, and the charges were “purely political.” Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said the verdict was a “disgrace to the judicial system.” And Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, pronounced that the decision was “a defeat for Americans who believe in the critical legal tenet that justice is blind.” And these are the folks that make the laws for America!!

If he’s jailed, who knows, the RNC might just try to break him out!!

…in South Africa

In case you didn’t hear, South Africa held their general elections. While the results are gonna be declared tomorrow, the trend is clear: Mandela’s ANC has lost the clear majority it’s won for 30 years!! So, how could the ANC lose when it was the emblematic Black party in all of Africa - seizing the democratic moral high ground earned by Mandela?

Sadly, things fell apart because of greed and the corruption it breeds like mushrooms on dung!! Even Mandela wasn’t exempted: it was discovered that most of the top execs and other “freedom fighters” had enriched themselves – while the country went to the dogs. Continuous blackouts and a collapsing economy resulted. Ex-Pres Zuma – who’d been charged with corruption and is out on court contempt – formed a breakaway party that looks headed for high double digits. The Black radical youth leader Malema’s EEF will get the same, and the White/ Coloured/Business- oriented Democratic Alliance will increase its 25%.

Expect confusion due to conflicting demands.

…against Venezuela

Mad Maduro was hoping to get revenues from the Dragon gas which the US had permitted T&T and BP to exploit. But a T&T court just granted ConocoPhillips COP.N the right to enforce a $1.33 billion claim against Venezuela for past expropriations!

Farmer electrocuted while detaching illegal electricity connection

A63-year-old farmer died on Thursday after he was electrocuted while trying to disconnect an illegal electrical connection to his home.

Dead is Shri Maan Somraj of Yakasari North, Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Police said the man and his wife returned to Guyana from Trinidad in November 2023, where they observed that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc meter that was connected to their home was falling off.

As such, in March 2024, the couple reported the matter to GPL. When the power company conducted their inspection, they observed that the meter was tampered with and as such, advised the couple to go into a GPL office to have the issue addressed.

“When we come back from Trinidad, me go into GPL and complain that me meter tie with canvas rope and when they come to change the meter they tell me that somebody go in the meter and tamper it to make it spin slow,” the now-dead man’s wife, Dhanmattee Deonarine explained.

The utility company confiscated the meter and advised that the couple pay $80,000 in order to be reconnected to the grid.

However, according to the woman, she did not have the money, but she was able to acquire

Dead: Shri Maan Somraj

$60,000 from her daughter-in-law to pay to the utility company; however, she diverted the money to other uses on the morning of her husband’s demise.

“He tell me to go and buy a water pump so we could pump out the water from the garden because of the flood. We say that if the garden get dry, we could make the money from the garden and then go and pay fuh the meter,” Deonarine explained.

However, in the meantime, the family sought to use other means to get electricity to their home, according to the now widowed woman, which turned out to be fatal.

“We neighbour move out and the meter was still there and he go to hook up the wire there to get current, so that he could talk with his daughter in Trinidad. That is how he get shock and the wire wrap around on he hand,” she related.

According to Deonarine, after return-

ing with the water pump, she set about cooking and when she was finished, she went back onto the road and did not notice her husband lying dead at the side of the house a short distance from the kitchen.

She noted that it was a boy who lives next door who made the discovery and told his mother that the man was electrocuted.

When the neighbour phoned her and informed her of what happened, Deonarine said she told the neighbour that her husband had probably consumed alcohol and was intoxicated.

Meanwhile, Devika Sahadeo, who lives in the same street, said she once lived at the property where the electricity was being sourced, but moved out three years ago and had asked the utility company to disconnect the power to the building.

“Me buy the house, I did not buy the meter, the people who were living there that is their meter. When I buy the house, they put the meter on the same post that it is at three years now, you ask anybody,” the women challenged.

Both the Police and GPL are conducting investigations.

Meanwhile, an autopsy conducted on the body of Somraj confirmed that he was electrocuted. The autopsy gave the primary cause of death as being ventricular fibrillation. (G4)

Govt wants greater accountability...

But Jagdeo had previously defended the decision by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to award the contract to Tepui Group. He explained that new contractors would often be hired by the Government to keep pace with the ongoing rapid development in the infrastructure sector. He had argued too that even companies with years of experience face challeng-

es and delays in executing projects.

The Vice President had also stated that criteria used to evaluate contractors for Government projects may need to be revised to develop a workable and realistic formula following the controversial award of the multimillion-dollar contract.

While the PPC had flagged several issues in the award of the Tepui contract, the Commission

said it could not do anything about the situation since the contract was already signed. Nevertheless, it had advised that the project be strictly monitored for performance and if the contractor was found in breach, that the necessary steps, including termination, be taken.

Recent reports revealed that Tepui Group had committed to completing the delayed pump station by August. (G8)

GTU teachers'

strike

Education Minister criticises

GTU's handling of negotiations

…tells Diaspora GTU

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has expressed concerns over what she believes to be the Guyana Teachers’ Union's exploitation of teachers for personal gain.

She was at the time speaking during a recent local webinar discussion "The Guyana Dialogue”.

According to her, while the Education Ministry has addressed a significant portion of GTU's requests over the past three years, there are currently ongoing disagreements related to salary increases and other demands.

exploiting teachers

Manickchand emphasised that despite meeting 50 per cent of the Union's requests, certain legal constraints prevented the fulfilment of all demands, including those concerning direct union executive members.

She also shared her disappointment with the perceived political nature of the ongoing strike, suggesting that the focus should be on addressing substantive issues affecting teacher efficiency rather than escalating tensions.

According to the Education Minister, she

does not believe it is all delinquent behaviour coming from the teachers, but pointed out that what the system needed to do was recalibrate to ensure the absence of teachers do not hurt children’s progress in school.

While acknowledging some legitimate grievances from teachers, the Minister urged a return to dialogue and a prioritisation of students' welfare amid the strike action. She emphasised the Government's commitment to engaging with the Teachers’ Union, but underlined the importance of

Motorcyclist dies after crashing into GPL pole

Vickash Singh, a 23-year-old motorcyclist of Leguan in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), died after losing control of his motorcycle, CK 2275, and

colliding with a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) pole on the island.

Reports are that this fatal accident occurred along the Enterprise Public Road on the is-

land of Leguan on Friday at about 03:20h. Singh was travelling south along the eastern drive lane of the road at a high speed, the police have said. They note that he was not wearing a safety helmet when he lost control of the motorcycle, veered onto the western parapet, and crashed into the GPL pole.

Having sustained head and other injuries in that crash, Singh was transported in an unconscious condition to the Leguan Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on ar-

rival by the attending doctor. His body is currently at the Leguan Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. (G9)

teachers resuming normal classroom activities to prevent disruptions to children's education.

“We are ready, and we have said very clearly the minute that you are ready to honour the agreement that you signed that says once conciliation begins, the teachers, the membership of the union, will return to work in a state of normalcy, and there is no gun to our head saying pay 20 per cent before we begin talking, we are ready to talk. It was we, who initiated this conversation that has been left hanging. The Union seems very happy to do lives on

Facebook and conversations and group meetings, and I am not sure how that is fulfilling this calling that their membership has collectively, which is to advance the education of the children in their care,” Manickchand said. Despite the breakdown of talks between the Union and the Education Ministry, Manickchand reiterated her willingness to continue discussions without preconditions. She expressed readiness to address concerns collaboratively, urging the Union to prioritise the education of children over political agendas and so-

cial media engagements. The GTU had initiated a countrywide strike following failed negotiations with the Education Ministry.

The Union had requested a 20 per cent across-the-board increase for teachers before they return to the classrooms. This request was shut down by the Ministry’s negotiating team. Government has already said it is unfair for the GTU to request pay hikes for years when teachers were at home during the COVID-19 pandemic; those years are from 2020 to 2022; and that the budget cannot accommodate a retroactive increase that spans several years.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald has confirmed that the Union was prepared to compromise and begin negotiations on an agreement that would cover the years 2022 to 2025.

The motorcycle that was involved in the accident

Dead: Vickash Singh

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

CANU continues crackdown on bird trafficking

The Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) has revealed that efforts are being made to eradicate illegal exportation of endangered and other bird species.

This information was disclosed by CANU official Curt Richards on the heels of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission's exhibition on Friday at its Ganges Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown office. The event aimed to raise awareness about wildlife conservation efforts.

According to Richards, CANU has encountered approximately five cases in 2023 of individuals attempting to smuggle birds while travelling. "As you are aware, CANU's sole purpose is to look for drugs. However, while searching for drugs, we sometimes discover birds being concealed," he revealed.

"We document and share these instances in our yearly report. Last year, there were approximately five cases where birds were found being used to smuggle drugs illegally. Whenever we locate someone attempting to export birds illegally, we consult the Guyana Police Force along with wildlife conservation authorities, he added. Meanwhile, anoth-

er CANU official, Nakasi Beaton explained that the birds were smuggled and noted the harm inflicted on the birds when they were being smuggled. According to her, persons would commonly give the birds tranquilisers, putting them to sleep for extended periods of time.

"What we found is that illegal exporters use tranquilisers to put the birds to sleep. When they are in that state, they place them in curlers and hide them on different parts of their bodies," she explained.

She further stated that this posed a significant risk for the birds, as being asleep for long periods could be detrimental to their health.

"That's how they ensure the birds don't make noise, by tranquilising them. A popular method that female illegal exporters do is hide the birds under wigs, with the curlers containing the birds hidden beneath. On the other hand, males who are illegally exporting birds are commonly found with the birds inside of curlers strapped up at the side of their waist," she added.

The two officials took the opportunity to encourage persons wishing to export any species of wildlife to obtain the necessary licences and permits to do so.

Wildlife trafficking is defined as the illegal trade of wild animals and plants. It has negative impacts on the populations of targeted species, ecosystem functions, and the economy.

In Guyana, songbirds are a frequent target for intended smugglers. In 2023, a number of persons were caught attempting to smuggle songbirds out of Guyana and were penalised in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2016). They were:

Harrigobin Lalta, who was fined $1 million after being found with 15 songbirds en route to Canada.

Seenarine Ramparshad, who was sentenced to six months in prison after being intercepted with three

songbirds destined for New York City, while David Persaud was fined $300,00 for being in possession of six songbirds destined for New York City;

Deryck Singh, who was fined $750,000 after eight songbirds were found in his possession while travelling to Barbados;

Deochand Dhanrajo, who was fined $700,00 after being intercepted with six songbirds while heading to New York City; and Lakesha Brown, who was fined $500,000 when she was found with 15 songbirds while travelling to New York City.

In each case, the birds were concealed in a cruel manner. There is often a high mortality rate when the birds are removed from the containers/devices in which they are concealed. The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission commended the work of CANU and the Guyana Police Force for their involvement in intercepting

the

They looked forward to continued collaboration as they attempt

10-year-old severely beaten

“She further stated that she observed blood flowing from a wound on his head and rendered first-aid treatment to control the bleeding. She then inquired from the lad how he received his injuries, and he stated that he was beaten with a belt (with buckle),” Police said in a statement.

The child was later handed over to Police and an examination of the exposed portion of his body revealed marks of violence, the Police said, adding that the minor was escorted to the CC Nicholas Hospital for treatment and later referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.

Police said that contact

was made with the Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, and the minor was placed in its care.

Police said that checks were made at the home of the child for the named person who allegedly committed the act, but the person was not there.

Further checks will be made for the suspect. Inquiries in progress.

This incident contributes to the disturbing statistics of child abuse in Guyana, with recent reports indicating a significant rise in such cases.

Although a statistical report for this year has not yet been released, nearly 2000 cases of child abuse were reported in the first six

months of 2023 alone. This follows a troubling trend from previous years, with over 3000 cases reported in 2020, including severe instances of sexual and physical abuse.

To combat this crisis, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry had introduced a new three-year plan focused on public awareness, community involvement, and enhanced support systems.

If you are aware of children who are ill-treated, malnourished, or neglected, please contact the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA). The CCPA Hotline (227-0979 or the toll-free number 914) is available 24 hours a day. (G9)

smugglers.

to stamp out the scourge that is wildlife trafficking. (G2)

CANU official Curt Richards

Photos of birds hidden in curlers

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup…

Expedited, hassle-free entry arrangement in place at CJIA

…Police urge patrons to car pool, adhere to traffic arrangements

Excitement continues to mount for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to begin at the Guyana National Stadium on June 2, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri is gearing up to welcome a surge of visitors with a focus on swift and hassle-free entry.

CJIA said on Friday that increased staffing for immigration and customs has already been put in place in order to expedite arrival procedures, thereby ensuring a swift and hassle-free entry for all visitors; and the CJIA, in collaborating closely with authorities from Immigration, Customs, and the Local Organizing Committee, has diligent-

Ramesh Ghir,

Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA

ly prepared a streamlined process for cricketers and fans arriving during the tournament action over the weekends.

Moreover, in underscoring its partnership with various agencies, the CJIA has put in place a comprehensive

security plan to guarantee a smooth and secure arrival experience for players, fans, and all tourists. Heightened vigilance and close monitoring of security with the aim of maintaining a safe environment throughout each game night is central to these efforts.

Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, has said the airport’s unwavering commitment is to prioritising the safety and security of everyone entering Guyana. In emphasizing the ongoing collaboration with relevant authorities, Ghir reaffirmed that robust plans are continuously updated in order to effectively address any potential risk. Meanwhile, in a bid to better the overall fan

Miner narrowly escapes as 17-foot mining pit wall collapses

Aminer attached to the operations of Airton De Oliveira in Matarkai, Region One (Barima-Waini), is currently recovering from minor injuries he sustained after a 17-foot pit wall collapsed at the mining site at Arakaka, Perseverance, Matarkai, on Saturday last.

According to information received, Nolan Leung was jetting inside the pit, using a sixinch water pump near the wall when it collapsed at about 07:30h. He was subsequently transported to the Port Kaituma District Hospital for treatment.

Occupational Safety and Health Officer (OSH) with Responsibility for Region One (Barima Waini), Chavez Daniels, is leading the investigation which has been undertaken by the Labour Ministry.

About a week ago, miner Leon Lyken was killed at Frenchman Backdam, a community in the Upper Demerara River, Region Ten (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice), after the pit in which he was working collapsed. <<Guyana Times>> understands that

at the time of that incident, the 27-year -old Lyken, of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, had been working with others in the pit when a section caved in. He was trapped by the fallen debris, while the others escaped. This publication has also been informed that another worker had sustained a broken foot and other injuries.

More than a month before the Lyken incident, Stephen Mark Samuels, a 47-year-old miner of Karwap Mission in the Pomeroon River, Region Two, died when the pit he

experience, a dedicated line system will be introduced specifically for cricket tournament attendees, further facilitating their arrival experience through the airport. Additionally, all frontline staff would proudly display branded jerseys bearing a warm “Welcome to Guyana” message, creating a welcoming atmosphere for incoming teams from the West Indies, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and Afghanistan.

Traffic advisory

The police on Friday

issued a traffic advisory for the ICC games in Guyana, in which patrons, including VIPs in vehicles, have been instructed to proceed south along the eastern drive lane of the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Demerara Public Road in order to access the Guyana National Stadium.

The GPF have also advised drivers proceeding further south of the National Stadium to use the western drive lane of the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Public Road.

The third lane, along

the eastern drive lane of the western carriageway of this roadway, would be utilized to filter traffic west across the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and this would be facilitated by traffic ranks.

Parking

According to the GPF, stadium parking (general) is at the second access of the National Stadium (opposite GuyOil). Special invitees and officials will access the National Stadium using the third entrance (Greenfield Road). No parking would be allowed on the eastern and western carriageways between Bagotstown Public Road and the Providence Public Road in vicinity of the Rubis Gas Station.

Patrons have also been advised to purchase tickets for parking prior to game days, in order to reduce any incidents of interrupted flow of traffic; and it is recommended that patrons carpool and share a ride in order to reduce traffic congestion.

was operating in collapsed. That incident occurred at Puruni Backdam in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Samuels had been employed by a Brazilian national, and had been working in a pit when part of the eastern wall collapsed and buried him. His coworkers had raised an alarm and had managed to retrieve his motionless body from the rubble.

The police, finding no marks of violence on the body, had transported it to the Puruni Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead. (G9)

Injured: Nolan Leung sitting at the side of the mining pit after it had collapsed

Black Bush Polder farmers protest as crops dying from floodwaters

Farmers who cultivate land at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), have token to the streets in protest over the Regional Authorities' lack of timely intervention during the current rainy season, which has resulted in both cultivation and residential communities being flooded.

These farmers contended on Friday that the flooding is caused by the outfall channel at Adventure being blocked.

Almost every family in Lesbeholden is engaged in some form of farming activity: either rice, cash crops, fruits, or livestock.

Most of the area is under rice cultivation, and according to some farm-

ers, there is too much water for the young rice plants to survive. Back in April, as preparations were being made for the rainy season, regional officials had told this publication that all of the outfalls were

blocked, and these could not be cleared unless there was heavy rainfall. They had advised that if the outfalls were cleared at that time, when the rain was not falling, siltation would again build up in about two weeks,

New GuySuCo CEO Paul Cheong meets with Cuban specialists

Newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo,) Paul Cheong on Friday met with specialists from Cuba at Blairmont Estate.

“GuySuCo is thrilled to welcome specialised talent on board to enhance our factory and field operations. This

initiative is geared towards fortifying our capabilities and driving excellence as we propel GuySuCo forward,” the sugar company said in a brief statement.

Cheong also met the factory and field staff of Blairmont Estate on Friday, for the first time.

“I am here this afternoon to tell you that

I am part of the family and I want to see all of us do well,” he expressed.

Cheong took up the CEO job last month.

Cheong served as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman for two consecutive years. He was first elected to the post in April 2021 and re-elected in 2022.

The cash crops, they are all dying. I have about 300 papaya trees and about 250 sweet pepper plants. The papaya is at the fruiting stage now, so I will not be able to estimate what my losses will be; but the sweet pepper, with the price now at $200 a pound, it is close to $1 million I would lose,” he pointed out.

Tiwari Bisham, a rice and cash crop farmer with 14 acres under rice cultivation, has said he used a pump for 48 hours

and result in money having been wasted.

Guyana Times had been told that contracts to have the outfall channels desilted had been signed back then, and that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was waiting on the right time to give the green light to contractors to commence desilting the outfall channels.

The process of desiltation started this week, but the farmers are contending that it is a measure being taken too late. They say they are suffering, and that is why

tables, which are also in danger. “Just behind my house wall, about a foot away from the wall, they have about four inches of water,” he added.

While most rice farmers are into the autumn crop, Mukish Persaud Mani has not completed harvesting his spring crop. He explained that the rice took longer than usual to mature because of disease. However, he has had to halt harvesting because his rice fields are waterlogged.

to get water off his land.

“It is not plenty rain we had that we should get this kind of flood; it is the channel that block up! I have 1000 roots bora and

they have staged a protest which was done at Adventure – one of the entrances to the four polders.

Rice and cash crop farmer Wasir Sriram, who has 50 acres under rice cultivation and a larger quantity of land with vegetables, has said there have been five days of continuous rainfall prior to Friday.

“We sow paddy about a week ago, and now the water is so high in the canal and it is not receding.

the roots water-sap. My rice and my cash crops underwater; twelve days I sow the rice, and it is not showing as yet because of how much water (is on the land). I don’t know what to do,” he lamented.

Seenarine Ramlakan, another cash crop farmer of Lesbeholden, related that he is a small farmer with 140 bora plants, but they are dying. “The water is not receding,” he lamented.

Additionally, he cultivates two vined vege-

“Now I can’t get to cut the rice, the water is too much on the rice. Right now I need assistance, but how, because the water is going nowhere. I don’t know what to do,” the farmer complained.

Lament Leacock, another farmer, further highlighted that it is not just the cultivation areas that are inundated, but homesteads as well.

“The water is too much for me. All of my pepper flood, all my okra…. Even down to the ducks swim away, and the fowls…living in the trees. Although the water is plenty, I could manage to walk out and go through the water, but I have to hoist my children out to go to school,” he lamented.

He noted that, even with the sluice door opened, the water has not been receding.

“Out there blocked, so the water can’t run,” he added.

The Region Six Administration has since asked contractors to work continuously to clear the outfall, while pumps are being put into operation when the tide is high. (G4)

The outfall channel being desilted

New GuySuCo CEO Paul Cheong meeting with the Cuban specialists at Blairmont Estate

SBM Offshore fervent about promoting safety, wellness of employees

…hosts 11th Life Day anniversary

Emphasising the crucial role of safety in the company’s day-to-day operations, SBM Offshore on Tuesday observed its 11th annual Life Day celebration at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

This year, Life Day, which is celebrated globally, placed specific emphasis on preventing hand injuries and promoting overall safety and well-being in the workplace.

SBM Offshore Guyana General Manager Martin Cheong emphasised the company’s focus on promoting safety and wellness among its employees.

“In our fast-paced industry, prioritising health and wellness alongside physical safety should be a personal goal for each of us. Our objective is to create a supportive and inspiring work environment for every employee,” he stated.

ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager Huzefa Ali commended the company for its proactive safety-first approach. “I’d like to commend SBM Offshore for taking this initiative – focusing on safety ensures that our employees return home to their families each day. When we prioritise safe-

ty, we demonstrate our commitment to each person’s physical and mental well-being, reinforcing the trust of our workforce,” Ali underscored.

Natural Resources Ministry Senior Petroleum Coordinator Gopnauth Bobby Gossai Jr lauded the company’s initiative, underscoring the importance of safety in the petroleum industry at large.

“It is very important that we recognise that Life Day is about the entire spectrum of safety, of management, and of the entire continuation and sustainability of the livelihood of the industry itself,” he posited.

Meanwhile,

Occupational Health and Safety Consultant Gweneth King, in delivering the feature address on behalf of the Minister of Labour, noted, “By embracing our joint responsibility, fostering collaboration, focusing on accident prevention, addressing climate change challenges and supporting behavioural change through continuous education, we can build a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for all workers.”

Additionally, Founder of the Vurlon Mills Football Academy,

Vurlon Mills, whom SBM has partnered with for a Women in Football Development Programme, shared valuable tips on preventing hand injuries during recreational sporting activities. He encouraged the team to be proactive in their approach, saying, “[By] taking safety precautions such as wearing your protective gear, warming up, use of proper technique, listening to your body, you can reduce the risk of injuries and play sports safely.”

Life Day is a key activity that allows the company to reconnect with the elements of its ongoing “LIFE 365” campaign, which focuses on supporting behavioural change and raising process awareness. The event was live streamed to the Liza Destiny , Liza Unity and Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and a cohort of the company’s Trainee Technicians who are undergoing training in Canada.

Life Day enabled collective reflection on how the company and its employees show care for themselves, their colleagues and the environment in the journey to Target Excellence.

Activities included a blood drive which attracted a number of donors; medical checkups and a wellness station.

In addition to the provision of a number of free wellness services for its employees and guests, the company also held an exhibition with its local sustainability partners, Plympton Farms, Hubu AquaFarm, The Non-Governmental Organisation, the National Coordinating

Coalition, Guyana Marine Conservation Society and the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, reinforcing its commitment to advancing local sustainable development. Life Day 2024 was held under the theme “Every day is Life Day”.

Driver kills cow, slams into steel gas bottle cages, lands in trench

Adriver is now hospitalised after the car he was driving slammed into a cow – killing it on the spot before bulldozing two gas bottle cages at Lot 48 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Full and empty gas bottles were sent rolling about 50 feet away from the crash. In the process, two signs were uprooted.

According to the Police, the driver, Richard David, 39, of Lot 50 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, suffered a fractured left leg and is now a patient at New Amsterdam Public

Hospital.

The Police in a release said about 0:15h on Friday, David was driving a hire car, HC 2974, allegedly at a fast pace when the front right-side portion of the said vehicle collided with a brown cow that was standing in the centre of the road. The driver then lost control of his vehicle and collided with two gas cages that were on a property on the eastern side of the road. The vehicle ended up in a trench on the eastern side of the road. As a result of the collisions, the

driver received injuries about his body.

Eusie Smith, a supermarket owner, said he was asleep and was awakened by the sound of the impact.

“When I came out, I saw the car in the trench and the bottles scattered all over. The cage is destroyed and I did not recover all of the bottles,” Smith said.

Smith estimates the cost of the two gas bottle cages which were destroyed at $400,000. Meanwhile, the Police said the driver’s condition is regarded as stable. (G4)

The crashed car at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam

Regional

El Salvador presidential inauguration bomb plot foiled – Police

Police say they have thwarted a plot to detonate explosives at locations across El Salvador today, when President Nayib Bukele is set to be inaugurated for a second term.

Police said late on Thursday they had arrested seven “veterans” of the Central American nation’s 1980-1992 civil war, including the plot’s alleged financier, Jose Santos Melara, an ex-congressman for the leftist FMLN party, which was formed by former guerrillas.

The suspects “were part of the so-called Salvadoran Insurrection Brigade and their objectives were to detonate (explosives) at gas stations, supermarkets and public institutions”, the National Police said on social media. On Friday they posted photos of the homemade explo-

sives they said they had seized.

Bukele was expelled from the then-ruling Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) in 2017, before his election to the presidency. Later he criticised the 1992 peace accords that ended the civil war.

Bukele won re-election in a landslide victory in February after garnering massive popularity in his first term. He campaigned on the success of his security strategy, under which authorities suspended civil liberties to arrest more than 80,000 Salvadorans without charge.

The detentions led to a sharp decline in murder rates and fundamentally altered the country of 6.3 million persons, once one of the world’s most dangerous.

Bukele has argued that El Salvador is beset by “terrorist” gangs, and that those detained in his crackdown are members of these gangs. He says the threat they pose justifies his security strategy.

“Violence has no place in politics,” Luis Parada, an Opposition politician who finished fourth in February’s presidential election, said on social media.

He said that while the allegations were worrying, so too was the National Police’s “history of false accusations ... especially during the last two years.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mottley: Time to press gas

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia

Amor Mottley is urging United Nations Member States to “press gas” on efforts to help Barbados and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) finance their adaptation to the “horrifying” reality of climate change.

She said while there was progress, there was insufficient “speed and scope”, lamenting “it is geopolitics and national politics that is blocking progress in this world”.

Mottley voiced her concerns last Tuesday in Antigua while delivering Barbados’ national statement at the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

“The frequency and scale of natural disasters causing human suffering, loss or compromised livelihoods, irreparable physical dam-

age, and high economic costs are now regrettably a horrifying global reality,” the Prime Minister said.

“The chasm between United Nations Member States’ spoken commitment and finance implementation condemns us and contradicts our . . . seriousness and sincerity. Our people will wonder what are we really doing when they look at this season of superlatives that is causing the untold damage that it is.”

Mottley said there

was already a roadmap, which included the Barbados-led Bridgetown Initiative to remake the global financial system, “on how the international community can support the correction of the economic balance sheet of SIDS”.

She submitted, however, that “we must build a more responsive, fairer and more inclusive global financial system and we must do so with pace and with scope, speed and scope are exactly what is missing from our agen-

da. Not that we haven’t made progress, but insufficient progress”.

“You cannot treat a country that is on the verge of sinking with less than 200, 000 people in the same way that you treat a country that has 30 million people with great resources. A climatic event for us is likely to be a wholeof-country event, and, therefore, likely to go at the core of our sovereignty and our capacity to survive,” she warned. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Heat, hurricanes and blackouts: Cubans brace for long summer after scorching May

IfMay is any indication, Cuba is in for a long, hot summer, says Havana horse and buggy driver Osmel Valdes.

The 52-year-old Havana resident runs a transport service through the Cuban capital’s sweltering streets. Shade is hard to come by so he lays a piece of scrap cardboard atop his horse between rides to give it respite.

“This month the heat has been terrible,” he says. Across the island nation, summer temperatures arrived nearly two months early, made worse by hourslong blackouts amid fuel shortages and power-plant failures. With night-time temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) and daytime temperatures soaring to 35 C, there is no escape, local residents say.

Meteorologist Ramon Perez, who works for Cuba’s Climate Centre, says May looks to be the warmest on the Caribbean island since

1951, when record-keeping began here.

“Cuba’s climate is gradually becoming hotter and hotter, and especially our summers,” Perez told Reuters.

Last summer was the hottest on record and this one is on track for similarly sweltering temperatures, a phenomenon the meteorologist attributes to global warming.

The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather – both on land and in oceans – is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change that is fuelling extremes, experts say.

The El Niño weather pattern, which began to weaken in March, has also fuelled above-average land and sea temperatures across the globe.

Those conditions have left Cuba, which lies at the stormy intersection of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, exceptionally exposed to a hurricane season predicted to be among the worst ever. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Vybz Kartel’s bid for freedom rejected

Supreme Court

Judge Andrea Thomas on Thursday threw out a habeas corpus application submitted by Attorneys for dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and two of his three co-accused, saying that their present custodial status was not in breach of the Constitution.

Justice Thomas’s ruling in Kingston has resulted in Kartel, whose given name is Adidja Palmer, and his co-accused Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell and Andre St John, remaining in prison.

Justice Thomas ruled that in the absence of a verdict of acquittal by the United Kingdom Privy

Vybz Kartel

Council, the charge of murder remains in effect for Kartel.

She told a packed courtroom that, “In view of the fact that their appeal is not yet determined, they should remain in custody until their appeal is concluded.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Construction workers build a new park outside the National Palace prior to El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's second-term inauguration ceremony in downtown San Salvador, El Salvador, May 28, 2024 (Reuters/Jose Cabezas photo)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley speaking with Prime Minister Gaston Browne of host country Antigua and Barbuda last Tuesday, during the second day of the Fourth International Conference On Small Island Developing States (GP)

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil settles down ahead of OPEC+ meeting, posts weekly loss

il prices fell on Friday and posted a weekly loss as investors awaited an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) meeting on Sunday that will determine the fate of the producer group’s output cuts.

Brent futures for July delivery were down 24 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to US$81.62 a barrel, while the more liquid August contract was down 77 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at US$81.11. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 92 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at US$76.99.

For the week, Brent settled down 0.6 per cent, with WTI posting a one-per-cent loss.

“It’s the trepidation ahead of the OPEC meeting over the weekend,” said Matt Smith, lead analyst at Kpler, referencing the potential for the group to do something unexpected. “It’s widely expected that they’ll roll over the cuts,” he added.

Markets are awaiting the OPEC+ meeting on Sunday, with the producer group working on a complex deal that would allow it to extend some of its deep oil production cuts into 2025, sources told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia invited Ministers to gather in person in Riyadt for the June meeting in a last-minute change of plans, sources said on Friday. The gathering is still officially scheduled as an online meeting.

US crude production rose in March to its highest level this year, data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Friday, while fuel product supplied, a proxy for demand, fell 0.4 per cent to 19.9 million barrels per day.

The oil market has been under pressure in recent weeks over the prospect of US borrowing costs staying higher for longer, which ties down funds and can curb oil demand.

Both oil benchmarks were on course for their biggest monthly declines since December after dropping in the previous session on a surprise build in US fuel inventories. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden unveils new Gaza truce proposal, Hamas responds positively

US President Joe Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a threephase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages, saying “it’s time for this war to end” and winning a positive initial reaction from Hamas.

The first phase involves a six-week ceasefire when Israeli forces would withdraw from “all populated areas” of Gaza, some hostages – including the elderly and wom-

en – would be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians would return and 600 trucks a day would bring humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave.

In the second phase, of indeterminate length, Hamas and Israel would negotiate terms of a permanent end to hostilities, with the ceasefire extending as long as talks continue. The third phase would include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.

Anger in Moscow after Ukraine allowed to hit Russia with Western weapons

Russia has accused NATO and the US of “provoking a new level of tension” after the US and Germany became the latest allies to let Ukraine’s military use Western-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

A Berlin spokesman said Germany was convinced Ukraine had the right to defend itself from Russia, especially from cross-border attacks on its second largest city Kharkiv.

US officials said American-supplied weapons could be used to counter Russian fire near the Kharkiv region, either where Russian forces were “hitting them or pre-

India heatwave kills at least

33, including election officials

At least 33 persons, including election officials on duty, died of suspected heatstroke in India’s states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on Friday, and the heatwave in the region is expected to continue until today, authorities said.

India has been experiencing a blisteringly hot summer and a part of capital Delhi recorded the coun-

try’s highest-ever temperature at 52.9 degrees Celsius (127.22°F) this week, though that may be revised with the weather department checking the sensors of the weather station that registered the reading. While temperatures in northwestern and central India are expected to fall in the coming days, the prevailing heatwave over east India is likely to continue

for two days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which declares a heatwave when the temperature is 4.5 C to 6.4 C higher than normal.

Fourteen people died in Bihar on Thursday, officials said, including 10 people involved in organising the seven-phase national elections that are currently underway.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

paring to hit them”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the decision would help protect civilians living in villages close to the Russian border.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said NATO countries, especially the US and several European countries, had “entered a new round of escalating tension and they are doing this deliberately”, in remarks quoted by the Tas s news agency.

“They are in every possible way provoking Ukraine to continue this senseless war.”

Russian forces have made gains in the Kharkiv region in recent weeks after a surprise offensive in the area, close to the border with Russia.

The UK and France had already signalled they were open to easing restrictions on Ukraine striking military sites on Russian territory, before US President Joe Biden said on Thursday night that American-supplied weapons could be used.

However a US official told the BBC: “Our policy with respect to prohibiting the use of Army Tactical Missile System [ATACMS] or long-range strikes inside of Russia has not changed.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

“It’s time for this war to end and for the day after to begin,” said Biden, who is under election-year pressure to stop the Gaza conflict, now in its eighth month.

Hamas released a statement reacting positively to Biden’s proposal, saying it was ready to engage “positively and in a constructive manner” with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of Gaza, a return of those

displaced, and a “genuine” prisoner swap deal if Israel “clearly announces commitment to such deal”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorised his negotiating team to present the deal, “while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the destruction of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump says he will appeal historic conviction

Donald Trump said on Friday he would appeal the guilty verdict that made him the first US President convicted of a crime, though he will have to wait until after his sentencing on July 11 before taking that step.

In rambling remarks at the Trump Tower lobby in Manhattan where he announced his first presidential run in 2015, Trump repeated his complaints that the trial was a “rigged” attempt to hobble his comeback White House bid and warned that it showed no American was safe from politically motivated prosecution.

“If they can do this to

me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump, 77, said in an unscripted 33-minute speech. Applauded by supporters, Trump, the Republican candidate in the 2024 election took no questions from reporters.

“We’re going to be appealing this scam,” he said.

Trump will have 30 days from the date of his July 11 sentencing to file a notice of appeal.

Democratic President Joe Biden, who will face Trump in the November 5 election, said Trump had been given an opportunity to defend himself in the same justice system that applies to all Americans.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Palestinians make their way, as they inspect the damage after Israeli forces withdrew from Jabalia refugee camp, following a raid, in the northern Gaza Strip, May 31, 2024 (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa photo)

SUDOKU

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Test the water and find your comfort zone. If you play to win, you can increase your profile. Put your best foot forward, put a smile on your face and embrace life.

Don’t let anger interfere with progress. Focus on what you can accomplish, and distance yourself from anyone who tries to get in your way. Trying something new will make you feel good.

A positive attitude will help you attract new friends, interests and opportunities. Explore your options. Get out, have fun and prioritize romance. Take control and make strong decisions.

Do whatever you can to avoid controversy. Avoid manipulative people. Do something that brings you peace and joy. A creative outlet and disciplined attitude will satisfy your soul.

Use your connections to gain information and access to something you desire. Learn from a lesson and turn the experience into something worthwhile. Romance and travel are in the stars.

Think before you act. Size up a situation that can influence your position or reputation. Choose brain over brawn, and you’ll come out on top. Don’t take health risks.

Be receptive and show interest in what others are doing. You’ll discover lots of information to help you decide what to do next. Clear a space to begin a new project.

Sign up for something that intrigues you and stimulates your mind. The information you gather will lead to something innovative. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself.

Don’t give up or give in because someone upsets you. Have more faith in yourself and put your energy into achieving what you want. Opportunity begins with you, so take the initiative.

Distance yourself from argumentative individuals. Change begins with you. Sign up for a challenge that stimulates your mind and gives you the chance to blow off steam.

Pay attention to what’s going on at home and find an opportunity to make a positive move. Romance is favored. Don’t be tempted by others’ actions; know what’s right for you.

Don’t make assumptions. Get the facts and change what’s necessary. Let your intuition guide you and your discipline give you the staying power to finish what you start.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

T20 World Cup Group D preview… Rivalry promises blockbuster action

– Proteas aiming to impress

Former ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions Sri Lanka find themselves in Group D, alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal for the upcoming tournament. This group promises thrilling matches, with rivals Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, South Africa and Netherlands pitted against each another.

While Nepal prepare for their second appearance in this marquee event, the group boasts no clearcut favourite, with history bearing witness that each team carries potential to beat the other.

Let’s run through the teams in this group, and discover what we can expect from them.

Bangladesh Bangladesh are entering the T20 World Cup with a bit of uncertainty, as they continue to look for their strongest XI. Experienced opener Litton Das has been out of form of late, with an average of 13.16 this year in six matches, but teammate Tawhid Hridoy is confident that Das would make a strong comeback in the tournament.

Another concern is the injury to vice-captain Taskin Ahmed, and his fitness would be monitored before this team’s first contest against Sri Lanka on 7 June. He had suffered a side strain before the final match of the recent series against Zimbabwe.

The Tigers have backed experience. Other than Das, they have former Bangladesh skippers Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, who can provide Najmul Hossain Shanto with much-needed support as he undertakes his first ICC tournament as new captain.

Squad

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed (Vice Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad

Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.

Fixtures 7 June: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh in Dallas 10 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh in New York

13 June: Bangladesh vs Netherlands in St. Vincent

16 June: Bangladesh vs Nepal in St. Vincent.

Nepal

Nepal will feature a young side at the T20 World Cup, with 21-yearold Rohit Paudel leading the team as captain. Paudel’s recent form

Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee.

Fixtures

4 June: Netherlands vs Nepal in Dallas

11 June: Sri Lanka vs Nepal in Florida

14 June: South Africa vs Nepal in St. Vincent

16 June: Bangladesh vs Nepal in St. Vincent.

Netherlands

The Netherlands have often brought the element of surprise in an ICC tournament. They have the edge over Proteas, beating

Daniel Doram, Fred Klaassen, Logan van Beek, Max O'Dowd, Michael Levitt, Paul van Meekeren, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Vikram Singh, Viv

against West Indies A in the lead up to the tournament is a big positive, with scores of 112, 71* and 82 in the series.

Gulshan Jha, who appeared at the U19 World Cup earlier in the year, and 19-year-old Pratis GC are the other young stars who are expected to bring fireworks.

Fast bowling all-rounder Sompal Kami is the sole player from Nepal's inaugural 2014 squad to feature in the 2024 edition, and veteran Karan KC is joining him as the team's senior member.

This will mark Nepal’s second appearance in the tournament, making them the least experienced side in the group.

Squad

Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah,

them in the last two ICC Men’s tournaments – in the 2022 T20 World Cup and in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

They will face South Africa again on 8 June in New York, and would be aiming to complete a hattrick of wins. 20-year-old Michael Levitt has found a place, in the absence of Colin Ackermann, after an impressive hundred against Namibia earlier this year.

The Dutch have restored their core players for this edition, with captain Scott Edwards, Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, Max O'Dowd, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Vikram Singh and Wesley Barresi bringing the experience.

Squad

Scott Edwards (c), Aryan Dutt, Bas de Leede,

Kingma, Wesley Barresi. Reserve: Kyle Klein.

Fixtures

4 June: Netherlands vs Nepal in Dallas

8 June: Netherlands vs South Africa in New York

13 June: Bangladesh vs Netherlands in St. Vincent

16 June: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands in St. Lucia.

South Africa

Perhaps the strongest side in this group and in the tournament is South Africa. They have put together a strong squad, the batting line-up consisting of experienced players Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Reeza Hendricks, who can bludgeon bowling attacks; with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs promising

to bring the spark of youth.

The fast-bowling department displays assurance with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman; and Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin complete the spin department.

However, the Proteas side miss a genuine all-rounder in their lineup. Jansen has proven to be handy with the bat, but primarily serves as their opening bowler.

The pressure will be on, as the Proteas hope to make their first appearance in a final of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

Squad

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.

Fixtures

3 June: Sri Lanka vs South Africa in New York

8 June: Netherlands vs South Africa in New York

10 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh in New York

14 June: South Africa vs Nepal in St Vincent.

Sri Lanka

Wanindu Hasaranga will undertake his first major assignment as the newly appointed captain of Sri Lanka. The Lions have struck a balance with a unit that checks most of the boxes.

Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya De Silva compose a firm batting group. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka bring experience as seam-bowling all-rounders, and captain Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage are the spin-bowling all-rounders. Maheesh Theekshana is expected to share spin duties with Hasaranga equally.

Dilshan Madushanka’s bowling prowess in the Powerplay will be lethal to deal with Matheesha Pathirana to take care of the final overs, with Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara completing the pace attack.

Squad

Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka. Travelling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage

Fixtures

3 June: Sri Lanka vs South Africa in New York

7 June: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh in Dallas

11 June: Sri Lanka vs Nepal in Florida

16 June: Sri Lanka vs Netherlands in St Lucia.

Sri Lanka are strong competitors in Group D

South Africa enter the World Cup on the back of a series’ loss to hosts West Indies

Final warm-up match of T20I World Cup 2024…

Pooran, Powell pound nine-man Australia

Blistering half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell have helped the West Indies to make a statement ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, as the undermanned Australia were hammered in their final warm-up game, played in Trinidad.

Australia fielded a team with just nine players, and used coaches for substitute fielders again, as they did two days ago against Namibia. Pooran and Powell smashed 12 sixes between them, with the left-handed Pooran cracking 75 from just 25 balls while the skipper Powell thumped 52 from 25, as West Indies made 257 for 4 from their 20 overs. Sherfane Rutherford also pounded 47 not out from just 18 balls, to finish the innings.

Allrounder Marcus Stoinis did arrive in Trinidad on Wednesday, meaning Australia had 10 players in camp, but his kit had been delayed in Miami, so he did not feature. Chairman of the Australian Selectors, George Bailey, alongside assistant coaches Brad Hodge and Andre Borovec, sub fielded at various stages again, with Borovec dropping Pooran.

After the West Indies had been sent in to bat, Pooran walked to the crease at 38 for 1 in just the third over, following a quick start from Shai Hope and

Johnson Charles. The lefthander hit the first three legal deliveries he faced for six, and never took his foot off the gas. He took a particular liking to Australia's main spinners in Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, smashing them for five sixes in six balls in the first two overs outside the powerplay, after West Indies had posted 78 for 1 in the first six.

Pooran reached his half-century in just 16 balls. Borovec dropped a towering skier, but it did not cost much, as Bailey held on to one shortly after off Zampa.

Nicholas Pooran flayed the Australia attack, West Indies vs Australia, T20 World Cup warm-up match, Queen's Park Oval, May 30, 2024

Powell picked up where

Pooran left off, and Zampa and Agar conceded 120 runs from their eight combined overs. Extraordinarily, Tim David was Australia's least expensive bowler, claiming 1 for 40 from his four overs of part-time offspin, whereas he was Australia’s most expensive bowler against Namibia. Nathan Ellis also continued to press his claims to be part of Australia's first choice XI in the World Cup, conceding 42 from his four overs, while Josh Hazlewood was hammered for 55.

Rutherford took on Zampa late in the innings, and clubbed 22 off the leg-spinner's final over. Ellis kept the damage to just 14 in the last over, as Rutherford found the fence three times, but was unable to clear it.

Josh Inglis struck a 30-

GFF transfer window now open

The transfer window for football clubs in Guyana has been opened on June 1, and would be closed on July 31.

General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ian Alves, announced on March 30 that this period offers clubs - including those competing in the KFC Elite League Season Six and Member Associations’ Senior Men’s Leagues - the chance to bolster their squads by acquiring new players. Additionally, clubs competing in the Women’s League Division One have the opportunity to make changes in time for the new

season, which begins later this year.

Alves has stressed, “All clubs MUST ensure they uphold the GFF's regula-

ball 55 in Australia's reply, but with just nine batters available, they were never in the hunt. Australia pulled a surprise by opening the batting with Agar, something he has done twice before in T20I cricket.

Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed after the match that Agar was shifted there to allow others to move back to their preferred positions, with Mitchell Marsh returning to #3. Agar smashed 28 off

Shamar Joseph gave David Warner a glimpse of what he missed out on during the recent AustraliaWest Indies Test series, by rattling his off stump for 15, despite conceding two fours and a six off the previous three deliveries.

Marsh fell cheaply, while David and Matthew Wade each managed to score 25 as the required runrate spiralled out of control.

Gudakesh Motie put the squeeze on Australia in the

13 in the powerplay, including four fours and two sixes off the left-arm orthodox spin of Akeal Hosein. However, Agar eventually miscued one to mid-on off Obed McCoy.

tions regarding transfers, (in order) to maintain the integrity and smooth operation of the process."

He added that managers who have questions regarding the process should contact the Federation.

All transfers must involve, and have the full agreement of, the former club, the player, the former regional association, the new club, and the new regional association; especially in the case of inter-association transfers.

The GFF has said it would be closely monitoring compliance in order to ensure fair play and adherence to established guidelines.

middle overs, picking up Inglis and David to finish with 2 for 31.

Ellis added some respectability to Australia's total by scoring 39 off 22 balls in a 51-run sev-

SCOREBOARD

West Indies (20 ovs maximum) Shai Hope c Inglis b Agar 14 Johnson Charles c David b Zampa 40 Nicholas Pooran †c sub b Zampa 75

Rovman Powell (c)

b David 52

Shimron Hetmyer not out 18

Sherfane Rutherford not out 47

Extras (w 11) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 12.85) 257/4

Did not bat: Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph, Andre Russell, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein

Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Shai Hope, 2.5 ov), 2-128 (Nicholas Pooran, 9.2 ov), 3-172 (Johnson Charles, 13.5 ov), 4-194 (Rovman Powell, 15.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Tim David 4-0-40-1

Josh Hazlewood 4-0-55-0

Ashton Agar 4-0-58-1

Nathan Ellis 4-0-42-0

Adam Zampa 4-0-62-2

Australia (T: 258 runs from 20 ovs)

David Warner

b S Joseph 15

Ashton Agar c AS Joseph

b McCoy 28

enth-wicket stand with Zampa, who finished on 21 not out as Australia managed to bat out their 20 overs.(ESPNCricInfo)

Mitchell Marsh (c) c Hetmyer

b AS Joseph 4

Josh Inglis C Hosein

b Motie 55

Tim David c Hetmyer

b Motie 25

Matthew Wade †c Powell

b Hosein 25

Nathan Ellis c Shepherd

b AS Joseph 39

Adam Zampa not out 21

Josh Hazlewood not out 3

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

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.10) 222/7

Did not bat: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc

Fall of wickets: 1-23 (David Warner, 1.4 ov), 2-41 (Mitchell Marsh, 3.2 ov), 3-60 (Ashton Agar, 4.3 ov), 4-113 (Tim David, 9.1 ov), 5-156 (Matthew Wade, 12.6 ov), 6-156 (Josh Inglis, 13.1 ov), 7-207 (Nathan Ellis, 18.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Akeal Hosein 4-0-45-1

Shamar Joseph 2-0-31-1

Alzarri Joseph 4-0-44-2

Obed McCoy 4-0-50-1 Gudakesh Motie 4-0-31-2 Romario Shepherd 2-0-19-0

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GFF General Secretary Ian Alves

Nicholas Pooran flayed the Australian attack

West Indies captain Rovman Powell added to the onslaught

NEW GPC INC 2024 Chess Championship…

Incumbent Khan confident of retaining title

…Mixed reactions of nine challengers entering fray

Reigning National Open Chess Champion, Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan, feels confident of winning the 2024 NEW GPC INC. Open Chess Championship, which begins this weekend at the National Racquet Centre in Georgetown.

“I think I have a really good chance to win the championship, based on the pairings,” Khan has summarized as he prepares to meet his nine opponents.

The top nine challengers, including four juniors, emerged recently from the rigorous qualifiers’ tournament to enter the championship. They are: FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton, Justino Da Silva, Roberto Neto, Candidate Master (CM) Ronuel Greenidge, Junior Champion Keron Sandiford, Sachin Pitamber, Loris Nathoo, Kyle Couchman and Ethan Lee.

They provided their insights to the Guyana Chess Federation on their predictions and plans for the major event on the local chess calendar. What they had to say is stated below:

Anthony Drayton, First Place Qualifier: FM Anthony Drayton has asserted that he hopes to play well and see results from that.

Acknowledging that the National Championship is the most prestigious tournament of the year, he has admitted to also having the

2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary in his sights.

“I’m now focused on improving my gameplay rather than the results. Results will show based on good quality chess,” Drayton has said.

Justino Da Silva, Second Place Qualifier: Justino Da Silva also wants to secure a chance to participate in the Olympiad, but is focused on giving his best shot for the championship.

“I’m in it to win it,” he declared. “It’s no mercy over the board”, he warned.

Roberto Neto, Third Place Qualifier: Roberto Neto has been cautious in his approach. “Although I am typically seen as the underdog, I recognize the emerging talent of young players like Ethan Lee, Keron Sandiford, Sachin Pitamber and Kyle Couchman. It is essential to stay sharp, as a single mistake could lead to a swift checkmate from these

skilled opponents,” he asserted.

Ronuel Greenidge, Number Four Qualifier: Ronuel Greenidge feels National Chess Championships are usually tough, because it is where the best players do well. However, he is comfortable with his preparation.

“It’s usually general, so no matter what is presented to me, I would be able to confront (it) appropriately. In the past, I usually placed on the podium. I’m pleased with my performance, and therefore I’m enjoying the entire process,” he explained positively. Greenidge has been away from competitive chess since 2021.

Keron Sandiford, Number Five Qualifier: reigning Junior Champion Keron Sandiford believes in his ability to do well. “I’ve been having a good year, and I see no reason why I wouldn’t be able to take this form to the Nationals,”

he remarked. Sandiford has also been upbeat on his preparations. “I have an idea of what openings I’ll be playing, as well as the different variations my opponents can possibly go into,” he offered.

Sachin Pitamber, Number Six Qualifier: Junior player Sachin Pitamber, one of the youngest participants in the championship, is aiming to defeat a titled player in order to improve his rating (playing strength). The current double-titled Under-14 and Under-16 champion has outlined his preparation for the event.

“I expect most of my opponents who play as black to go into either a French Defense, symmetrical King’s pawn, or Sicilian Defense. My opponents as white generally switch between e4, d4, and c4; or Taffin usually plays Nf3,” he said.

Loris Nathoo, Number Seven Qualifier:

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden

Veteran player Loris Nathoo was in high praise for the lineup of young, diverse and talented contenders, but has thrown down the gauntlet to them. he has been steadfast in his desire to win the title this time, despite his challenging work commitments. He also expects stern resistance from his seasoned counterparts.

“My intention is to better my performance from last year, when I was the 1st runner-up; that means I will be taking home the crown this time. My plan is to play solidly, and enjoy the journey. It’s going to be a fantastic experience, (and) I’m looking forward to the excitement of each game,” he summed up.

Kyle Couchman, First-time Open Championship participant: Eighth Placed Qualifier junior Kyle Couchman has said he is working on his strengths and weaknesses, analyzing his practice games to identify his mistakes and missed opportunities, and intends to learn from them.

The teenager also plays stronger players when possible, in order to identify areas for improvement.

“My mentality is to stay positive and aim high, but to remember to enjoy the experience,” he added.

Couchman is also setting his sights on a top spot at the end of the tournament. “Being realistic, I would like to place in the top five, because this

tournament…

is my first National Open Championship and I will be up against a lot of skilled and experienced players,” he concluded.

Ethan Lee, Number Nine Qualifier: Junior player Ethan Lee is expecting a rigorous competition, is reinforcing what he already knows, and is avoiding past mistakes.

“This National Championship will definitely be a tough tournament, with the highest level of opposition I’ve ever faced in a round-robin. With the right combination of luck, nerves and skill, finishing within the 5th-7th range would be ideal,” he disclosed.

“However, I tend to not concern myself with podiums, players and points, but to only focus on playing against the pieces opposing me at a given time,” Lee emphasized.

The NEW GPC Inc-sponsored 2024 Championship consists of nine rounds with classical chess time controls, and will be played at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown.

Defending Champion Taffin Khan will face his nine opponents, who will also confront each other in a single round-robin format.

The 2023 Championship had resulted in a fast-paced playoff between Khan and Nathoo, after they had emerged with even scores. Khan prevailed at the end, and won the title.

Could Hardball manage the ambitions of Presidents?

Now that the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund has been competed at Wembley in England, football fans in the community of Linden would undoubtedly be making the trek to the Retrieve Hardcourt to witness the final of this year’s Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition.

Having had to be cancelled on Monday because of torrential downpours that had inundated the turf and rendered it unsafe to play the second semi-final,

taking on Hardball Management, with the winner earning the right to confront a confident Silver Bullets unit for the ultimate prize and bragging rights.

In the lone game played on Monday, Silver Bullets, who dethroned defending champions Swag Entertainment in the quarterfinals, coasted to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Spaniards, and will no doubt be hoping to replicate that performance as they await the results of the opening game tonight.

Once again, the organisers are anticipating an-

other large turnout of fans, and this crucial component has become integral for the competing teams, who rely on support from their respective neighbourhoods to boost their chances of winning. One thing is certain: the facility has all the physical components to make fans comfortable, while the surface is ideal for the format; so, it’s just a question of the weather being kind for there to be a showcase of the level of rivalry expected in Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competitions which have been taking communities by storm this year.

More than $1.5 million are up for grabs, with the winning team guaranteed to cart off $500,000 and a trophy, while second-, thirdand fourth-placed finishers are guaranteed to take home $400,000, $300,000 and $250,000 respectively. Colours Boutique, which has provided those beautiful uniforms that adorn the teams, are also on board as a sponsor of this tournament.

As usual, there will be many Guinness giveaways, and fans are being urged to support this segment of the night’s proceedings. Admission is free.

A glimpse of what to expect at the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden final

Incumbent Chess Champion CM Taffin Khan

FIDE Master Anthony Drayton

Young challenger Kyle Couchman

“There’s no better place than Guyana to begin West Indies’ Men’s T20 World Cup campaign.”

That has been the bold declaration made not only by a group of West Indian cricketers of Guyanese nationality, but also by white-ball head Coach Daren Sammy when they touched down in the Land of Many Waters on Friday morning.

Ahead of the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup bowling off in Guyana on Sunday, West Indies cricketers, alongside their New Zealand and Papua New Guinea counterparts, arrived yesterday to contest their Group C matches, which would be hosted at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Following a drive through Georgetown, the West Indies team arrived at the Marriott Hotel, where the Guyanese bunch comprising Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford

and Gudakesh Motie endorsed the sentiments of Coach Daren Sammy.

“It’s always a pleasure! I mean, the way Guyana has been evolving over the last few years, (there’s) no better place than (Guyana) to start the World Cup here. You know, Providence. I’m sure all the upgrades there, these guys, our team, we’re looking forward to starting the opener against PNG on the second,” the West Indies white-ball Head Coach expressed.

“There’s no place like home! There’s no better way to start

the World Cup than in front of our home fans!” said Sherfane Rutherford, as he concurred with the sentiments of the Head Coach.

Rutherford added, “For me, it’s just about giving myself the best opportunity by enjoying the cricket; and, you know, the result will take care of itself. I’ve been preparing for a while now, not just for the World Cup, so I’m ready and really excited; and hopefully, we can create some history this year.”

Romario Shepherd shared, “When he (Sammy) became head coach, he actually called me and mentioned about these things coming up. And he gave me a role, and I’m thankful to start my role in Guyana in the T20 World Cup, you know, my biggest tournament so far. Hopefully, we can start the tournament with a win. We have two games on our homeland. You know, the team and everyone is always happy to play in Guyana, because of the crowd support and, you know, the way people in Guyana play cricket. So, we, the players, just want to give the fans exciting cricket.”

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back home! Even special to play my first World Cup at

home. So, I just want to go out there and make a big impact for my team,” Gudakesh Motie said about starting the campaign at home.

As West Indies get going on Sunday, Sammy spoke of their preparation, readiness, and how historic a win at home would be for the Men in Maroon.

Sammy divulged on their lead-up to the World Cup, “Our preparation, I’ve said many times before it didn’t just start now, it started from the last world Cup in Australia. The guys that we’ve selected, the guys that we’ve exposed over the last year or so, these are the guys that are here now. As coach, I feel quite confident in the way they’ve played; and you guys, as fans, you’ve seen how we played over the last year or so.

“We’re at home! There’s no better place to be, and we have a chance at creating history. Like I’ve told these guys, this group of men have a great chance of creating history at home, which I think we could do. So, we’re prepared, we’ve done the job, we’ve put in the work, and we’re ready,” a confident Sammy has declared.

The T20 World Cup bowls off at 20:30hrs tonight in Texas, USA with a clash between the hosts and Canada. Then things get going in the Caribbean on Sunday, June 2nd, with West Indies battling Papua New Guinea from 10:30hrs at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD.

All in agreement! The West Indian players and Coach are happy to begin their campaign in Guyana

West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy

Scenes from the West Indies’ arrival in Guyana on Friday morning