Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium presents letters of credence to King Philippe
Govt working on short-term energy solutions until G-t-E becomes operational – PM Phillips – peak electricity demand now stands at 205MW Norton vows to scrap Govt’s plan to make bridges toll-free for commuters
– believes PNC/APNU can defeat PPP/C at next elections without AFC
2 structures to be relocated as construction commences on US$35M Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge
– contractor promises to deliver project by October 2025
Mammologist found dead at Oku Backdam, suicide note allegedly found in phone– roommate arrested
Radio host busted with over 30lbs ganja during Police roadblock remanded – says wanted to make quick money to offset mother’s medical expenses
“We’re planning for the future” – VP Jagdeo boasts, as over 6000 attend PPP youth events Armed bandits cart off over $4M in Golden Grove supermarket robbery Law yet to be amended to allow diplomats, Govt officials to use sirens – Benn
Mother, 4 children escape unhurt after house in Timehri collapses $261M pump station commissioned at Cozier
Cricket fans at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday evening (Photo by Randy Brooks/ CPL T20 via Getty Images)
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Saturday, September 21 –03:45h-05:15h and Saturday, September 21 – 03:45h-05:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Saturday, September 21 –05:40h-07:10h and Saturday, September 21 – 06:30h-08:00h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Govt working on short-term energy solutions until G-t-E becomes operational – PM Phillips
– peak electricity demand now stands at
205MW
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
As the power demand rapidly grows, the Guyana Government is working on several shortterm solutions to meet the energy needs of the country until its model Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project becomes operational next year.
Currently, the peak demand for electricity in Guyana is about 205 megawatts (MW) compared to 189 MW just two months ago.
According to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the country’s energy sector, this incremental increase in power demand is challenging and requires the government to keep ahead of that growth.
“We had a 36-megawatt [from the power ship added to the national grid] a couple of months ago that offered some little relief. We’re now engaging other suppliers, and other contractors for 60 additional megawatts before the end of the year. And we have to do this in the short term as we wait anxiously, the commissioning of the Gas-to-Energy Project that will bring the 300 megawatts, which will put all of us in a good position but not for too long,” PM Phillips stated during his address at the American Chamber of Commerce Guyana (AmCham) Energy Mixer on Thursday evening.
Earlier this year, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. had put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to supply 60 MW net power generation base load capacity to the DBIS through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to be delivered 90 days after the contract was inked. This was in preparation for the expected increase in demand during the upcoming Christmas season.
The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) earlier this week opened the bids from five companies including Karpowership Global DMCC in partnership with Urbacon Trading and Contracting Inc. – the same Turkishbased company that the Guyana Government procured the 36-MW power ship from.
The other bidders included Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) along with US-based natural gas company, Andalusian Energy LLC, JP Energy Solutions and VAS Energy.
The GtE Project located at Wales, West Coast Demerara (WCD), consists of a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300MW power plant that is slated to come on stream in the second half of 2025.
But even as the NGL facility and power plant are under construction, the Government is already talking about Phase Two of the GtE Project.
“Any Government [of Guyana] will have to continue to adhere to some level of strategic thinking and planning for the future. And that’s why as we complete Gas-to-Energy [Phase] One, we have to focus on Gasto-Energy Phase Two,” the Prime Minister noted.
Only earlier this week, the government invited interested companies to submit proposals for a second power plant and NGL facility at Wales.
Under Phase One of the GtE Project, the NGL facility and 300-MW power plant are being constructed at Wales and will use the rich gas that will be piped from the Liza Phase I and II projects in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.
ExxonMobil, the operator of the oil-rich Stabroek Block, is laying 250 kilometres of 12-inch pipelines that will bring the gas onshore. However, only 40 per cent of the pipeline’s capacity will be used in Phase One
to gas up the current power plant and NGL facility in Wales, bringing 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of dry gas onshore.
However, with the pipelines having the capacity to push as much as 120 mmscfd of gas, the government is now moving ahead with Phase Two of the GtE Project that will utilise the remaining 60 per cent capacity of the pipeline and will see an additional 75 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of rich gas brought onshore.
Consequently, qualified firms are invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to “design, finance, and operate” Phase II of the GtE Project based on a 20-to-25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
This second phase includes the design, construction, and operation of a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant, to deliver 2,100 gigawatt/hours of electricity per annum, and sold to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. It also ca-
ters for the design, construction and operation of another NGL facility to produce at approximately 6,000 barrels per day of NGL products such as propane, butane, and C5+gasolene.
Additionally, Phase II also includes the transfer, at no cost, of excess “lean gas” estimated at 30 mmcfd, for utilisation in downstream industries, e.g. fertiliser production, to be located at Wales.
Based on the RPF document, the Phase Two projects will be located on no more than 100 acres of land, immediately adjacent to the existing 300-MW Integrated facility at Wales and will be 100 per cent owned and financed by the private sector – similar to or exceeds the project finance structure of Phase One of the GtE Project.
Additional details are outlined in the RFP document, which can be obtained from the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office at a fee of $25,000.
Interested parties must submit their proposals, which have to include financial projections of revenue, expenses, and investment returns by 2 PM on November 14, 2024, to NPTAB.
This move to establish a second power plant at Wales is part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s efforts to transition to clean energy, slash the costs of electricity and provide reliable energy sources for the country’s booming economy. (G-8)
Today is International Day of Peace. This year’s observance is particularly rich in irony, as the world convulses with the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine and the many other conflicts around the world: between man and nature, between nation states, between groups, between individuals. The commemoration of this United Nations-designated day should encourage all to redouble their efforts for peace; and so, in that spirit, we reiterate our thoughts on women as peacemakers:
A decade ago, on the occasion of “International Day for Women”, Rene Wadlow, a Representative to the United Nations, Geneva of the Association of World Citizens, made a suggestion we believe our conflict-ridden society may benefit from. She suggested a larger role for women as peacemakers, even as they are facing the brunt of interpersonal violence.
Influenced by Eastern thought encapsulated by the Chinese terms “yin and yang”, men and women are thought to have complementary psychological characteristics. “Feminine” characteristics or values include intuitive, nurturing, caring, sensitive, and relational traits; while “masculine” characteristics are rational, dominant, assertive, analytical, and hierarchical traits.
While, as individuals, men and women alike can achieve a state of wholeness, of balance between the yin and yang, in practice, “masculine” refers to men and “feminine” to women. Thus, some feminists identify the male psyche as the prime cause of the subordination of women around the world. Men are seen as having nearly a genetic coding that leads them to “seize” power, institutionalise that power through patriarchal societal structures, and buttress that power with masculine values and culture.
One of the best-known symbols of a woman as a peacemaker is Lysistrata, immortalised by Aristophanes, who mobilised women on both sides of the Athenian-Spartan War for a sexual strike to force men to end hostilities and avert mutual annihilation. Since Lysistrata, women, individually and in groups, have played critical roles in the struggle for justice and peace in all societies. However, when real negotiations begin, women are often relegated to the sidelines.
However, a gender perspective on peace, disarmament, and conflict resolution entails a conscious and open process of examining how women and men participate in, and are affected by, conflict differently. It requires ensuring that the perspectives, experiences and needs of both women and men are addressed and met in peace-building activities.
Today, conflicts reach everywhere. How do these conflicts affect people in society — women and men, girls and boys, the elderly and the young, the rich and the poor, the urban and the rural?
Three elements can be the “gender” contribution to conflict transformation efforts. The first is in the domain of analysis, the contribution of the knowledge of gender relations as indicators of power. Uncovering gender differences in a given society would lead to an understanding of power relations in general in that society, and the illumination of contradictions and injustices inherent in those relations.
The second contribution is to make us more fully aware of the role of women in specific conflict situations. Women should not only be seen as victims of war; they are often significantly involved in taking initiatives to promote peace. Some writers have stressed that there is an essential link between women, motherhood, and non-violence, arguing that those engaged in mothering work have distinct motives for rejecting war that runs in tandem with their ability to resolve conflicts non-violently.
Others reject this position of a gender bias towards peace, and stress rather that the same continuum of non-violence to violence is found among women as among men. In practice, it is never all women or all men who are involved in peace-making efforts; sometimes it is only a few, especially at the start of peacemaking efforts. The basic question is how best to use the talents, energies, and networks of both women and men for efforts at conflict resolution.
The third contribution of a gender approach, with its emphasis on the social construction of roles, is to draw our attention to a detailed analysis of the socialisation process in a given society. Transforming gender relations requires an understanding of the socialisation process of boys and girls, and of the constraints and motivations that create gender relations. Thus there is a need to look at patterns of socialisation, potential incitements to violence in childhood training patterns, and socially-approved ways of dealing with violence. And this would also relate to anti-women violence.
Let’s get women on the front lines.
Is the labelling of Guyana an autocratic society by some a specious or trustworthy claim?
Dear Editor, For Guyanese to feel overwhelmed by the chatter about ‘autocracy’ and ‘democracy’ within the recent past is quite understandable. Several individuals, including me, have either written or commented on whether the current Guyana Government is ‘autocratic’ or ‘democratic’.
As readers of the daily newspapers, Guyanese must have gleaned from letters to the editors that the opinions expressed by some of the contributing authors on ‘autocracy and democracy’ quickly became quite contentious. That contentiousness springs from the trenchant assertions of disquieting writers who claim Guyana is an autocratic state. Is this a specious or trustworthy claim? Let’s examine.
At a rudimentary level, a specious claim is one that may appear true but is actually false or purposely deceptive. Most often, the speciousness can be attributed to one factor or a combination of factors; such as the writer’s intent, his/her notion of autocracy, the absence of verifiable data to substantiate claims of autocracy, and the truism that the terms ‘autocratic’ and ‘democratic’ are fluid depictions of governance in which
one’s fundamental principles predominate. What, then, is truly the case of Guyana?
By its very definition, an autocratic government is one in which “one person possesses unlimited or absolute power.” As is readily evidenced, ‘unlimited or absolute’ means total, unrestricted, and power refers to the ‘ability to control the behaviour of others even against their will.’
Taken together, the following questions arise: (i) Who in Guyana possesses unlimited power to dominate and totally control the lives of Guyanese? (ii) Does this person have under his unilateral command a supportive structure such as law enforcement, a paramilitary force, or personal army to assist in maintaining control – especially since such is necessary to establish and sustain domination? (iii) Does the person have dominance over the judicial system that adjudicates in accordance with his dictates? (iv) Are opposition leaders prosecuted and imprisoned, or are they allowed to freely organize, campaign, espouse their political philosophies and challenge governmental decisions? (v) Are critics of the Government constantly threatened, harassed and
silenced?
The above are just a few important questions associated with determining and authenticating the characteristics of an autocratic leader/state, which then leads one to ask: Since much of the claim of autocracy seems to focus on Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, how can Guyana be considered an autocratic state, since Jagdeo neither has nor enjoys absolute power? Isn’t this a specious and untrustworthy claim? Or is it simply an attempt to insult the intelligence of Guyanese?
With the above in mind, let us focus attention on some of the main principles/policies of a democratic state, as this would help us determine whether Guyana is an autocracy or democracy.
As defined by Encyclopedia Britannica, “democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through freely elected representatives.” And as Levitsky and Ziblatt (2019) state, “…democracy [is] a system of government with regular free and fair elections, in which all adult citizens have the right to vote and possess basic civil liberties such as freedom of speech and association.”
These definitions make clear that, in a democratic society, it is the people who elect the representatives who then constitute the government, a government that upholds the freedoms and civil liberties of citizens. This prompts one to ask: (a) How did the Guyana Government come into being? Is it by democratic elections or military coup? and, (b) Do Guyanese enjoy such basic freedoms as being able to criticize or protest against the Government without fear of retribution?
Perhaps a random review of the daily newspapers would help to provide answers to these questions, for they readily reveal that the current Government was duly elected, and that attacks against the administration are ongoing daily without retaliation or retribution.
In addition to the above, it should be noted that elections and freedoms are not the sole hallmarks of democracy. As Nobel laureate Amartya Sen (1999) noted, the true realities of a democratic society are how well the institutions - political, economic, social, educational, and health – interact and intersect to uplift the ordinary citizens of the society.
Miss USA, Dhruvi Patel (centre), has recently been crowned Miss India Worldwide 2024 when that pageant was hosted in New Jersey, USA. In addition, Sierra Surette of Guadeloupe has been crowned Miss Teen India, and Susan Mouttet of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has emerged winner of the ‘Mrs India’ category of this pageant (Photo by Jagdesh Productions)
MP Jordan covering up APNU+AFC's incompetent management
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has again taken note of Opposition Member of Parliament Vinceroy Jordan’s attempts to mislead the public with unfounded allegations, showcasing his desperate need to stay relevant in the political arena. His baseless claims regarding the operations at Rose Hall Estate are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to discredit the hardworking people at GuySuCo and the
Government’s efforts to revive the sugar industry, which was left in shambles under his own party's administration.
Let’s be clear: MP Jordan's insinuations are false, and are an insult to the intelligence of the staff at GuySuCo, and by extension the Guyanese people. His suggestion that the current Government is covering up any misconduct is laughable. If there were any truth to his claims, one might ask what his government did when similar issues arose under its watch.
The answer is: they did nothing!
The APNU+AFC would always be remembered for shutting down operations at several sugar factories and putting some 7000 sugar workers on the breadline. His party’s incompetence and lack of experience made the industry collapse, leaving thousands of families, communities and businesses in despair.
Regarding the dismissals at Rose Hall Estate, the facts speak for themselves. There was an overstatement of sugar production by
243 tonnes, and swift action was taken to address the breach of procedure.
The corporation reiterates that this was shown from an audit of the estate’s first crop sugar production in 2024. This audit is an established practice of the corporation at all estates at the conclusion of each crop, and is done to verify the accuracy of the sugar declared by the estates. This is how accountability works, MP Jordan; a concept that could never be understood by him and his party.
His attempt to spin
There will be a COI into the 2000-2011 killings
Dear Editor,
It has been announced that there would be a Commission of Inquiry into the killings that occurred in Guyana during the period 2000 to 2011. This comes on the heels of the Opposition making urgent calls for these killing episodes to be properly investigated, and for closure to come to that morbid decade of our history.
The COI I am referring to would address all of the damning claims made by the PNC-led Coalition Opposition.
The PNC have been relentless agitators on these matters, levelling their accusations squarely at the feet of the Government. This COI would allow them to prove themselves; now
is their time to shine! They would have their day to present things known and presented as facts to be thoroughly investigated.
At conclusion of this COI, a reasoned summary would be made in regard to what had actually taken place during that horrible period in our nation's history.
Now that we are at the imminent phase of a COI, there should be no excuses that these inquiries are costly affairs. Yes, we do agree that these are costly ventures, but the important point to be considered here is that we want to know what had occurred. The entire country is waiting for the truth.
I make this statement from proven past experi-
ences wherein the PNC had made these wild and unsubstantiated statements, and then, at the crucial time to prove them, had simply backed away.
Accusations of extrajudicial or racial killings are in themselves damning allegations that require factual evidence to back up those claims. As the Opposition is notorious for using such tactics, having a COI would eliminate the sensationalism of PNC propaganda, and would expose the motive behind all of these accusations.
As someone had remarked, some people would get diarrhoea when the COI gets going (the creole expres-
sion for diarrhoea would be more appropriate).
Like the COI in the Walter Rodney murder, there would be neither political interference nor witness tampering. Those who testify would be doing so of their own free will and in an atmosphere that is free from fear or intimidation.
Finally, there would be no concealment of the report, as the PNC did in 2015. A COI of such magnitude would be made public for all to read and draw their own conclusions, so let the COI begin!
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
this into a narrative of Government failure is nothing but a clumsy deflection from the failures of his own party.
The people of Guyana deserve better than these cheap political stunts. MP Jordan should focus on contributing positively to the nation, instead of spreading lies and stirring up unnecessary controversy.
GuySuCo would contin-
ue to work tirelessly to ensure that the sugar industry and the livelihoods it supports continue to recover and thrive, despite the obstacles thrown in its way by those who have no solutions to offer, only criticism without merit.
Sugar Corporation La Bonne Intention, ECD
Is the labelling
Even at a preliminary level, one can attest to the rapid developments taking place because the Guyana Government has promulgated policies and undertaken initiatives that permit free and fair elections, grant free education to all eligible citizens, make possible opportunities for gainful employment and housing, encourage entrepreneurship, improve healthcare, and does so without discrimination against or victimization of religious, racial, and ethnic groups.
This being so, how can one then assume that Guyanese live in an autocratic, and not a democratic, society? Is it because of the conscious effort of Government opponents to propagandize the popula-
tion? The answer is self-evident. Isn’t it?
Given that Guyana is a newly developing society, all Government services may yet to be realized, or evidenced, at maximum levels, but such are the growing pains of the coming of age of this young nation state. Being cognizant of this, Guyanese are positioned to assess their lived realities for themselves; and in so doing, would readily conclude that the freedoms and access to opportunities make the claim that Guyana is an autocratic state specious and not trustworthy.
4) Last week, Jai spent 3.5 hours repairing his bike over a period of 4.5 days. How many hours a day, on average, did Jai spend working on his bike?
Plants Count
3) Kim is in charge of providing bottled water and snacks for her class field trip. Each student will be carrying 0.56 litre of water and 1 sandwich and 0.1 pound of trail mix during the trip. If there are 35 students on the trip, how much water and trail mix and many sandwiches should Kim bring for class?
Put on a natural ex
Naturalists study animals and plants in the wild and have sharp observational skills. They can spend hours in the field observing and recording data to understand how plants and animals live. This activity challenges girls to take a close look at local habitats, determine if area animals have enough resources, and make a difference in their communities.
mart S tart: Decide on an area in your community to survey. Make sure this area has a significant portion of plants, trees, grass, flowers, etc. You will be surveying the resources in three habitats within the area and using the data to make some conclusions about the amount of resources in the whole area. You can also survey planned gardens, such as your local community garden, arboretum, conservatory, butterfly garden, or farm.
The area can be any place that is accessible and safe. Avoid areas that are next to busy highways, cliffs, or hazards such as electric fences.
Here’s how:
1. Introduce animal habitats. Begin a discussion about what types of resources animals need to survive (food, water, shelter) and where they could find them. (See table on right for examples.)
5) Wendy is making chocolate chip cookies. Each batch requires 3 1/3 cups of sugar and 1/3 of a bag of chocolate chips. If Wendy makes 5 batches of cookies, how many cups of sugar and bags of chocolate chips will she use?
ial maps of your survey site with street oogle aps or Google earth.) optional: camera, field guides (many can be found at a local library or online. Free guides may also be available from your state’s department of natural resources or extension services.) 2 hours
7 For more activities, go to scigirlsconnect.org! r esources a nimals n eed
(flowers, nuts, leaves, seeds, roots, shoots)
animals (insects, arachnids,
Norton vows to scrap Govt’s plan to make bridges toll-free for commuters
– believes PNC/APNU can defeat PPP/C at next elections without AFC
Opposition Leader
Aubrey Norton has said that if his party were to be returned to office at the next elections, the new Government it would form would scrap plans by the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to make three major bridges across Guyana toll-free.
President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced last month that the new Demerara River Bridge and the new MackenzieWismar Bridge, which are currently under construction, would be toll-free when completed. He had also revealed plans by the Government to acquire the existing Berbice River Bridge from the private investors and make that tollfree as well.
Norton, who is also Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) faction of the
Opposition Coalition – has said his party would not support any plan to make those bridges toll-free, but would instead work towards making local travel more affordable.
“I don’t think they did any (feasibility) study, and that is why we did not proceed to say
that we would make (the bridges toll) free. In principle, we have developed a people-centred development strategy, and we have agreed that we will aim to put resources into the hands of the Guyanese people directly and indirectly. Making these bridges and
Mother, 4 children escape unhurt after house in Timehri collapses
Amother and her four children are thankful for life after they escaped unhurt when their Lot 31 Timehri North, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home collapsed on Wednesday with them inside. As such, the woman is pleading with the public for assistance to reconstruct her home.
Speaking to Guyana Times on Friday, Shanecka McRae, a 30-year-old parttime nursery school teacher described the moment the wooden structure gave way. “It was terrifying,” McRae shared.
“I was in the kitchen about 15:30h or 16:00h when I felt the house shake, and within seconds, everything started falling apart. As soon as it fell, neighbours started running to our rescue. My husband was at work, we had to call him to come home”.
McRae, her husband, and their four children—ages 15, 10, 7, and 3—had been living in the house for several years but the house has been on the property for about 10 years. Their son Nathaniel, who is seven years old, was born
The house that collapsed with the family inside
with microcephaly, a condition that severely affected his brain development due to the 2016 Zika outbreak.
Due to her son’s disability, McRae is only able to work at a nursery school part-time to help provide for her family along with her husband. She said her son is unable to walk or talk, and now they will have to rebuild from scratch.
The family is presently staying at a neighbour’s house and is making a strong appeal to the public for assis-
tance.
“All of us can’t stay together because the place I am staying at cannot hold everybody. I would love it if I could get some assistance. I have a foundation on the land and I would love if I can get some help to build that instead of building back the one that fell”, the woman said.
Anyone willing to contribute can contact Shanecka directly at 678-8921 or send donations via MMG to +592-709 7341.
so inexpensive will help, but we do not want to -- without a feasibility study, and without actually knowing the cost etc. for maintenance -- wildly just saying we will make it toll-free and it’s not based on any data that is useful,” he explained during a press conference on Friday.
Further, the Opposition Leader has accused the Government of wanting to financially starve the Mayor and Town Council of Linden by removing the toll from the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge, which is a major revenue earner for that municipality.
“[At] the WismarMackenzie Bridge, reducing the toll or making it toll-free, however, carries significant financial implications for the Linden municipality, as tolls are one of its main sources of revenue, contributing as much as G$70 million annually… As the next Government, we will compensate the Linden Municipality for the projected revenues it would forego when we reduce the tolls on the Wismar Bridge. In addition, all operating costs, including maintenance, will be the responsibility of the central government,” Norton posited.
Concerns have been raised about the Government’s toll-free initiative, especially as it relates to how these three bridges would be maintained.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had previously explained that the new bridges being constructed would be fixed concrete structures that do not require the level of
maintenance as is required by the existing bridges.
“Every one of these bridges now will be four-lane concrete structures. Two are under construction…This is a 75-year-life bridge with little or no maintenance. You don’t have moving parts (to retract) anymore, so the cost of maintenance plummets…And it’s toll-free, so you don’t even have to put (staff) there, because people would just drive across,” the VP had explained at a September 5 press conference.
But according to Norton on Friday, while Guyana now has ample oil resources, the country just cannot put up a network of bridges and make them all toll-free without any mechanism to maintain them. Rather, he contended, the country should use its oil wealth to reduce the burden on the travelling public –something that is outlined in his party’s national travel and transportation strategy.
“As the next PNCR/APNU government, we will make all travel in Guyana inexpensive as part of a comprehensive and integrated vision for transportation and movement of people, goods, services and data across the country… Guyanese must be able to travel conveniently and cheaply across the country by different modes of transportation. No one must be prevented from travelling because of inadequate transportation links, poor services, or the high cost of travel. We will also seek to minimize the cost of internal air flights without jeopardizing the profitabil-
ity of private operators,” he said.
The Opposition Leader added that their strategy aims to connect the coast and the hinterland by creating an intercity highway network such as the Linden and New Amsterdam Road link – something which Jagdeo had already ridiculed by saying that many of these projects are already underway by the PPP/C Administration.
Moreover, Norton expressed suspicions in regard to the PPP/C’s toll-free initiative, claiming that the ruling party “…believes they will lose the next election.”
In fact, he is confident that the PNC-led APNU can, on its own, defeat the PPP/C at the 2025 polls. He was at the time responding to a question about APNU’s coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), hinting that it could separately contest next year’s elections.
“We have had, and continue to have, a relationship with AFC. We believe we are better together, and we opt for a coalition; but we know we can mobilise and organise and beat the PPP. But we prefer to have coalition politics to widen the involvement and ensure a wider participation of people. In fact, we are looking to add other groups to the coalition, so that we could be a wider coalition base.” Norton has said. The PNC-led APNU had coalesced with the AFC for the 2015 elections, which they won. The two parties then went back to the polls as a coalition in 2020, but lost. Subsequently, the AFC formally broke its coalition with APNU in December 2022. The revised Cummingsburg Accord, a political agreement between the two parties, had provided for this separation. At the time, former AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had indicated that the two parties would do their political work separately but work in Parliament jointly. The AFC is now under new leadership, and that minority Opposition party has said it is focusing on its political work for now, and would revisit coalition politics at the right time. (G-8)
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton AFC Leader Nigel Hughes
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
Radio host busted with over 30lbs ganja during police roadblock remanded
– says wanted to make quick money to offset
mother’s medical expenses
Twenty-seven-year-old Shaima Muna, a radio announcer and singer was on Friday intercepted with over 30 pounds of cannabis during a police roadblock exercise at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
Police stated that on the day in question at about 5:47 hrs., ranks attached to the Weldaad Police Station stopped a motor vehicle bearing registration number PAB 6190 which was at the time being driven by Muna. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
However, during questioning, the woman appeared to be nervous thus arousing the officers’ suspicion. In addition, the ranks sensed a strong odour of marijuana emanating from
the car, prompting a thorough search.
Upon inspection of the vehicle’s trunk, the police discovered two large travelling bags—one red and one blue—both containing several parcels of marijuana wrapped in transparent plastic.
The cannabis was later weighed and totalled 14 kilograms and 515 grams with a combined street value of $4.3 million Muna from Charlestown, Georgetown, was promptly arrested and charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
During her appearance at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court on Friday, she pleaded guilty and told Magistrate R. Mohabir that her mother was hospitalised, and in desperation, she took the risk to transport the drugs to offset the medical expenses.
She was remanded to prison and is scheduled to return to court on October 4, 2024, during which a probation report will be presented.
Will...
…politics ever change?
Every day, your Eyewitness hears the moaning and groaning about our politicians and politics; and he shakes his head and wonders if folks really understand what politics is all about. The scoop on that primal human activity is that it’s about power over people - in the family, the village, the clan, the country etc; and how to get it, wield it, and keep it!!
In the beginning, you get power by TAKING it through brutish physical strength. And when you look behind all the innovations since we crawled out of caves - where we used to bop folks over their heads with clubs - things ain’t that much different today, are they?? Men still insist they’re the boss in the home, just because they happen to be bigger and stronger than women. Have you noticed all the chopping and killing incidents that take place when women try to assert their own desires and needs? That’s politics, baby!!
But at the national level, once we got rid of the kings –the fellas with the biggest armies – and convinced them with our bigger armies that everyone should have a share of the power to make decisions affecting them, we’ve concocted all sorts of schemes to achieve that nirvana!! And it is a nirvana in that, when you think about it, it’ll never be achieved!! Take our situation in the here and now. Some wish for voting on issues to take over in Guyana; that is, that political parties would come up with their programmes in regard to how they would use the power we’ll hand to them to implement policies to better our lot. It sounds nice that folks would vote for political parties whose leaders just want to “do the right thing”!! But that ain’t gonna happen ever, will it?!!
If you’re a doubter, just look at all the countries we’ve been imitating politically and otherwise in this voting business. Britain?? Still supporting a soap opera monarchy, and their government officials pandering to vested interests to keep power!!
And ditto for the US, plus extras!! A president’s partisans invading the seat of government to overturn an election; the Supreme Court EXPANDING handgun ownership during mass shootings; and two presidential assassination attempts and counting! Hey!! Their voting patterns increasingly match their cleavages. In this case, they seem to be FOLLOWING us supposedly “backwards”.
So, what to do?? First, we gotta quit being unrealistic. The nature of power is to centralise itself in the hands of a few – the iron LAW of oligarchy. So, we gotta look at the personalities of those to whom we hand over power even more than their policies and promises, so that we pick those who are least megalomaniac.
Cause even then, power’s an aphrodisiac!!
…the bridge built in time?
So, our poor man’s infrastructural wonder: the longest “floating bridge” in the world -- made from army surplus used to cross waterways during combat; a bridge that no other country would risk!! -- is gonna be replaced come the end of March next year. We’re so assured by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill – who’s gotta be the most active minister, what with the entire Government’s development strategy based on infrastructural projects. Build, baby; build!!
But your Eyewitness is kinda doubtful that the critical deadline – in time for the kinks to be sorted out before the 2025 elections – might slip by because of the politics being played by the Opposition. They’re encouraging some householders – with the help of their stable of lawyers - to refuse the Government’s most reasonable request to have them relocate from the path on the East Bank side. Even the courts have adjudged that their compensation is more than adequate.
But it’s all about politics, not economics, innit?? Stymie the PPP’s chance to score points!!
…Every daag…
It’s said that “Every daag gat ‘e day, but I gat de nite!!” So, now that LOO Aubrey Norton has stripped upcoming MP Jermaine “Figgy” Figueira of all party positions, will he follow Charrandas, whom he’d elbowed??
The ganja that was found in the trunk of the car
Remanded: Shaima Muna
“We're planning for the future” – VP Jagdeo boasts, as over 6000 attend PPP youth events
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is making significant strides in engaging the youths of Guyana, as highlighted by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday at that party’s headquarters.
Dr Jagdeo boasted that the party is currently conducting a series of youth camps and conferences across the country, and already more than 6,000 young participants are attending. Emphasising the critical role that young people play in shaping the future of the nation and the party, he added that the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO), youth arm of the PPP, has garnered impressive turnout figures, with more regions still to be visited, including Regions Three, Six, Seven, and Eight.
“I am pleased that the party is growing among young people. This is an enormous number of young people. I don’t think there is any youth organization
that has those numbers anywhere in our country,” Jagdeo said as he underscored the significance of this initiative.
In elaborating on the PPP's commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, the Vice President stressed that these camps
serve as an “incubator for leadership.” Young participants are not only learning about political processes, but are also being prepared for future leadership roles within the party and on a national level.
“For us, the rebuilding of our youth movement is crucial for continuity, growth, and placing it in secure hands,” Dr Jagdeo has said.
of this trend. “I am very pleased with the great turnout we’ve had and the eagerness of the young people to be associated with the PPP,” he said.
The VP has criticized Opposition parties for their reliance on ageing politicians. Referring to their leadership as a “fossil” of the past, he asserted that the PPP is preparing to
Highlighting the importance of fostering empathy and social consciousness among young leaders in order to ensure their governance reflects the concerns of the people, Dr Jagdeo said, “They get a grounding, they learn empathy (and) they learn about struggles. It's not just about personal development, it's also about developing social consciousness and empathy with struggling people. If you can empathize with struggling people, you will become good leaders, and people’s concerns will always be reflected in governance and policy-making,” Jagdeo noted.
He expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm of the youths, and said he is hoping that other political parties would take note
change the guard, and is emphasizing the need for fresh, youthful perspectives in politics.
“I am very pleased with the great turnout we’ve had and the eagerness of the young people to be associated with the PPP. And this, hopefully, is something to be replicated by the other parties,” Dr. Jagdeo has said.
As the PPP continues its youth-focused initiatives, it is clear that the party is not only investing in the future of its leadership, but also in the future of Guyana itself. The emphasis on youth engagement and development is poised to reshape the political landscape and ensure that the voices of young people are heard in governance and policy-making.
VP Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the PYO gathering in Region Five
A PYO conference along the East Coast Demerara corridor
A section of the gathering at Region Five PYO youth conference
Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium presents letters of credence to King Philippe
Guyana’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Sasenarine Singh, has presented to His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, the letters of credence that formally accredit him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
Following the presentation of his credentials in an official ceremony held at the Castle of Laeken in Brussels on Thursday, Ambassador Singh was honoured with a private audience with His Majesty King Philippe at His Majesty’s invitation. During that meeting, Singh con-
veyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Dr Irfaan Ali, and expressed his dedication to strengthening the bonds of friendship that exist between the peoples of Guyana and Belgium. He also emphasised his commitment to enhancing trade and social and political relations between the
two nations; congratulated King Philippe on Belgium’s success at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation in sports and culture.
Further, Singh affirmed his intention to work closely with the Kingdom of Belgium to promote a shared vision for a prosperous and secure future; and delivered a message from President Ali reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to the green and digital transition, promotion of the rule of law, and promotion of an expanded partnership with
Europe. His Majesty King Philippe reciprocated the warm greetings to President Ali and the people of Guyana; and the discussions with Singh covered a range of bilateral and geopolitical issues of mutual interest, reflecting the strong and cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Newly seconded Guyana Ambassador Sasenarine Singh is the 10th Guyanese ambassador to have been appointed to the Kingdom of Belgium since establishment of diplomatic relations between these two nations
in 1971. He brings to his position extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked in various countries.
Before this appointment, Ambassador Singh, a Chartered Accountant and Project Manager by profession, had served as Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. He holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from the University of Guyana, and several professional certifications.
Newly-appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Sasenarine Singh, and King Philippe of Belgium
$261M pump station commissioned at Cozier
– over 36,000 acres of rice cultivated in Reg 2 to meet target of 710,000 metric tonnes
A$261 million pump station has been commissioned in Cozier, Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), bringing improved drainage and irrigation to hundreds of farmers in the area.
The rehabilitation project benefits approximately 5000 acres of cash crop and entailed rehabilitating the existing structure and installing an additional pump that suffered damages some years ago.
The wooden sluice doors were upgraded to stainless steel, and a new 100-cubicfeet-per-second mechanic drain pump was installed. This will divert water that previously flowed from Cozier into the Pomeroon, reducing the risk of flooding in the area.
Previously, only one pump was operational at the pump station. To complement the work of the pump station, the canals will also be dredged and rehabilitated.
Agriculture Minister,
Zulfikar Mustapha, explained that in addition to the Cozier pump station, the government is constructing two other pump stations along the Essequibo Coast –one at Plantation Andrews, which is set to be commissioned in the coming weeks, and the other at Charity.
For the Charity area, Mustapha outlined that issues with the initial design led to the project being placed on hold to accommodate a design change to address erosion and overtopping. However, he assured that farmers can expect to see this critical piece of infrastructure installed soon.
Moreover, in the Pomeroon area, the agriculture minister underlined that thus far, the government has provided four excavators to help farmers with drainage and bed-lifting projects, benefitting over 500 farmers.
“We are seeing investment in the Pomeroon for the first time in the history of this country… four
including significant investments in agriculture, which has led to increased rice production and modernisation efforts. To underline this, the minister disclosed that rice production in the region
excavators we put on the Pomeroon. We put a pontoon there, and we are now building a new pontoon so the Pomeroon eventually will have four excavators with two pontoons to help the farmers there.”
Mustapha emphasised the government’s commitment to agriculture, contrasting it with the previous administration’s neglect from 2015 to 2020.
He reminded that the PPP/C Government has fulfilled nearly all promises made in its 2020 manifesto,
is soaring to new heights.
“We have been doing several D&I works, and to date, for this rice crop, in the history of the Essequibo Coast, we have never cultivated so much land. For this crop, we have cultivated 36,027 acres of rice land on the Essequibo coast.”
During the first quarter
of this year, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) reported that over 360,000 metric tonnes of rice have been produced, and the 2024 target of rice production is approximately 710,000 metric tonnes. Mustapha is confident that this target will be surpassed.
The minister said this is the result of hard work and determination, as the government remains committed to realising its vision of expanded yield and production across the country.
“To date, when you look at all the investments that are taking place on the coast in Region Two when you look at agriculture alone, it’s almost $4 billion that will be expended by the end of this year.”
He spoke of the government’s ambitious and innovative plans to construct new pump stations, agro-processing facilities, and hydroponic facilities in the region to enhance agricultural productivity and food security, in line with the regional ‘25 by 2025’ objective, which aims to reduce
the food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.
“We want to ensure that we take your production to another level. For too long, we have been a primary producer of food, of agricultural produce. We want now to add value…But we are also targeting another set of the population. Whilst we are doing that and making all these investments, we are also looking to focus on modernising the agriculture sector. We want this sector, as I said, to be real resilient, and competitive, and we also have to modernise it,” the agriculture minister asserted.
Director-General of the Agriculture Ministry, Madanlall Ramraj; Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva; Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth; Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Dr. Dwight Walrond, other heads of agencies, and regional officials were also in attendance.
The newly-built pump station
A section of the gathering at the commissioning event
The new pump station being commissioned at Cozier
2 structures to be relocated as construction commences on US$35M Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge
– contractor promises to deliver project by October 2025
Two residential structures that are in the path of the new $35 million McKenzie-Wismar bridge have to be relocated as construction commences, according to Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill during a visit to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Thursday.
“I was there on Tuesday to resolve some issues with the McKenzie-Wismar Bridge… we have to do some relocation of at least two families so that we can be able to get the bridge infrastructure moving,” Edghill explained.
This, he added will have to be done swiftly as the contractor, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Limited is confident in completing the structure by October 2025.
“Even though this is
a two-year project, on Tuesday afternoon I would have gotten the contractor to agree to deliver that bridge completed October 2025 so we will continue to engage all across Linden,” he added.
In August, works commenced on the facility which has a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres. The new four-lane bridge is being built at the same location as the current bridge to enhance connectivity and efficiency. When completed, the pertinent piece of infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening trade between Guyana and Brazil by positioning the region as a key player in international commerce and economic growth.
Edghill noted that several facilities and utility
services will be relocated to facilitate a seamless construction process.
“The work at the Wismar has begun, the geotechnical, the campsite is in place, they have already started to do some relocation to allow for the work zone to be put in place. GRA and the other agencies that are in the vicinity, we had to engage them to get them out of the work area. There is a full team that is on and the Wismar bridge is moving. You see, a lot of times people believe work starts when they see a truck of concrete or four piles but long before that work is ongoing,” Edghill said.
Further, Edghill disclosed that traffic diversion measures will be implemented to separate construction zones from public roadways, including the
creation of detour roads, temporary toll stations, and emergency access routes to safeguard both workers and commuters.
“With what is happening on the Linden-
Lethem corridor, traffic is going to increase, bigger trucks, more vehicles day and night, so four lanes of the bridge at MackenzieWismar is an absolute necessity,” he added.
This project, undertaken by CRCC Limited, involves constructing a 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge with vital safety features such as lighting.
Minister Edghill and team inspecting works ongoing in Region 10
An artistic impression of the new Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge
Law yet to be amended to allow diplomats, Govt officials to use sirens – Benn
Government had, in February 2023, hinted at enacting an amendment to the law that would have resulted in diplomats and senior Government officials being allowed to use sirens and flashing lights on their vehicles; however, to date, this is yet to be done.
Prompted by Guyana Times for an update on the status of this amendment, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has said, “I think it’s still being looked at…there is basically no objection for particular heads of agencies in terms of minister or diplomats, but there're still some details to be worked out.”
However, he mentioned being positive that, within a couple of months, this amendment would be completed.
“I think (that) within a couple of months we'll have full clearance. However, the discussion about the law should have been finished already, but we'll get that tidied up,” he disclosed.
Amidst this disclosure, he relayed the current status
of the situation: “Well, there's not a law as such, there's a regulation…I think there's some discretion in relation to how it may be used in relation to safety and response dispatch.”
Benn had, in 2023, announced the amendment after questions had been raised by members of the Opposition.
The current law stipulates that only emergency vehicles, which comprise those of the Guyana Police Force, the Fire Service, and ambulances, are allowed to carry sirens and flashing lights.
Any other vehicle with such appliances is so outfitted in breach of the law. However, due to increased traffic in the city, Minister Benn informed the committee, diplomats and senior Government officials have been allowed to use these appliances in some instances.
“All members of the diplomatic corps are required to have the light, both on the vehicle of the Ambassador or the High Commissioner and perhaps on an escort vehicle… We have to tweak the legislation to take account of the changed situation. We have more traffic on the road, and people can’t get to where they want in time or when there’s a situation, but we have to deal with that issue,” Minister Benn highlighted.
Concern had been expressed in 2023 that several persons had been misusing these appliances in a countrywide manner; and Minister Benn had said, “It has become unfortunate, through some stores in the city and other places, that police-type lights are available for sale, and people put them up and misuse them.”
Other officials of the GPF have, in early 2024, also raised concerns about drivers illegally using sirens as a means of evading traffic. One such official is Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh, who asserted that a worrying trend has emerged, with private citizens installing these devices on their vehicles, which they use in mimicking emergency vehicles and potentially causing confusion and danger on the roads. Superintendent Singh has made known his firm stance on the gravity of this issue.
Repairs on MV Barima to be completed by weekend – Edghill
After more than 80 years of transporting commuters to and from Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), the MV Barima is undergoing critical repairs, which are expected to be completed by the weekend.
During an inspection of the vessel on Thursday, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, highlighted the ship’s vital role in sustaining the daily lives of residents and businesses in the region, while acknowledging the inconvenience caused by its absence.
“We are making every effort to ensure we can service all the areas, so we can get in the material. The private sector is at a disadvantage because with the boat not being able to go to Port Kaituma, they have to trav-
el to Mabaruma and then take another charter boat to move from Mabaruma to Port Kaituma,” the minister explained.
Repairs on the MV Barima are progressing, with all underwater works completed at the Parika docking site. The remaining tasks include sandblasting and painting. Sandblasting is a technique, commonly used to remove rust, old paint, or other contaminants, leaving the surface clean and smooth.
“We want to ensure that while we are looking to acquire new boats, we are also taking care of the old ones,” he added.
In addition to maintaining these vital modes of transportation, the minister referenced ongoing investments aimed at developing the region.
He highlighted several major projects, including the construction of a new airstrip at Matthews Ridge, 100 kilometres of concrete roads at White Water, and roads in areas such as Waramawuri and Mabaruma.
Improvements in schools, electricity, and solar panel installations are also part of the government’s efforts to enhance services in Region One.
Meanwhile, the MV Kimbia is also slated for major rehabilitation to continue the distribution of cargo from Port Georgetown to Region One (North-West District). Edghill emphasised the importance of maintaining the government’s fleet of boats to support growing infrastructure and service delivery.
Mammologist found dead at Oku Backdam, suicide note allegedly found in phone – roommate
arrested
as investigations continue
The lifeless body of 30-year-old Meshach Pierre was found in his shared apartment at the G2 Minerals Guyana Inc. compound, Oku Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Thursday.
At the time of the discovery, a piece of blue cloth and a red and black shoelace were tied around his neck and his tongue was protruding from his mouth.
Based on reports received Pierre and a team of 11 were assigned to conduct a mammal survey at G2 Minerals in Oku Backdam, CuyuniMazaruni which commenced on September 14, 2024. During their stay at the facility, Pierre shared a room with his assistant, Philbert Denhart.
However, on the day in question, the now dead man approached his assistant and two other workers who were
Dead: Meshach Pierre
at the time sitting under a shade in the compound and instructed him not to return to the room because he had a meeting.
Nevertheless, at about 14:55h, a colleague asked Denhart if he was going to work and upon checking the
time, he hurried to his room to start working. Upon opening the door to the apartment, he found Pierre crouching on the floor on his right side.
As such, he immediately summoned the Medic who pronounced Pierre dead. The police were contacted and the body was transported to Bartica Regional Hospital Mortuary.
In addition, during investigations, detectives reportedly found a ‘suicide note’ in the now-dead man’s mobile device addressed to his family outlining reasons for taking his life. The roommate was detained as police continued their investigations.
Meanwhile, an autopsy performed on Pierre’s body showed that he died from compression injuries to the neck. The post-mortem was performed by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
Works ongoing on MV Barima
PM convenes meeting with Linden stakeholders on flood mitigation, drainage plans
– says Govt is prepared to work with all stakeholders to improve Linden
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, convened a critical meeting with stakeholders from the mining town of Linden to address the urgent issues of flooding and long-term drainage planning on Thursday at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The primary agenda at the meeting revolved around immediate, medium, and long-term flood mitigation for the town. The Linden delegation also highlighted ongoing challenges in several areas that require urgent attention.
Prime Minister Phillips addressed these concerns directly, emphasising the importance of a comprehensive approach.
He said that the government is concerned about the impacts of the flood on the people of Linden and is “prepared to continue meeting because we are interested in the actions taken and are monitoring the progress and we know we will have to take additional actions as we identify all things that need to be done and we will get it done. We know that we have to meet and we will continue to meet with you the stakeholders."
Among the actions discussed were flood investigation and site assessments, which will be conduct-
ed by a team of engineers from the Public Works Minister's Special Projects Unit, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and other relevant stakeholders. Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira will lead a flood investigation assessment in Linden tomorrow. The team will visit flood-prone areas identified during the meeting to determine immediate action steps. In terms of drainage and irrigation upgrades, it was agreed that specific areas in Linden, such as Five Corners, would receive priority attention. Drainage improvements—including clearing clogged culverts and converting mud drains into concrete structures— will be addressed before
the next rainy season.
Phillips and Edghill also discussed infrastructure enhancements such as expanding and rebuilding critical culverts expected to increase capacity and mitigate future flooding. Additionally, dredging works in key areas will be initiated to improve water flow.
Furthermore, the development of a Garbage Disposal and Waste Management Plan was discussed. This plan will focus on enhancing waste collection services and promoting environmental responsibility within the community, given that effective waste management is crucial in preventing drainage blockages.
Phillips also empha-
expressing his intention to continue engaging with the notably absent Mayor of Linden, Sharma Solomon and Regional Chair, Deron Adams.
He stated "If we are talking about ongoing development, we the government are all for it but we impress upon the town’s leadership that we still feel that they should be part of the meeting. The government is prepared to work
expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue during the meeting. The meeting, which was chaired by the Prime Minister was attended by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud; representatives from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); NDIA’s Regional Executive
sised the government’s commitment to collaborate with local stakeholders to modernise Linden’s drainage systems and enhance its resilience against future flooding. He remarked that achieving these goals requires a collective effort from all stakeholders while
with all the stakeholders to improve Linden and deal with issues causing the flooding but we need the elected leaders to be present at discussions concerning the development of Linden."
Additionally, Figueira
Officer (REO) Dwight John; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira; Town Clerk Lennox Gasper and representatives from Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. and Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI).
Armed bandits cart off over $4M in Golden Grove supermarket robbery
Police are on the hunt for two armed bandits who executed a daring robbery on Colleen’s Grocery Supermarket along the Golden Grove Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursday.
In an interview with Guyana Times on Friday, one of the owner’s sons
shared that he received a distressing call from his mother, informing him that their store had been targeted by bandits.
The man recounted that his mother was in the supermarket with employees and customers when two men arrived on a ‘stripped’ motorcycle and entered the
establishment. The suspects, who wore masks brandished firearms and pointed them at the store owner.
“One of them pointed the gun at her, and they dragged her gold chain off her neck. With the force they used, she fell to the ground,” he said. At the
time, his mother was holding her phone when one of the gunmen demanded it and after she refused, he snatched it.
“He looked at the other one and said, ‘Yo, do what you have to do.’ The other one reached over, pushed his hand in the drawer, and started taking out all of the money. Her chain was worth over $650,000, and she had over $4 million in the shop that they took. The workers in the shop ran to the back when they saw the gun. Nobody could do anything. They were so shocked; they didn’t even get a chance to raise an alarm.”
During the ordeal, the men also reportedly struck the store owner in the face with the gun. After collecting the valuables, the suspects fled westward on their motorcycle. The police were promptly notified, and the store owner was trans-
ported to the hospital for treatment before being discharged.
Law enforcement officers are now actively searching for the suspects and are reviewing CCTV footage to track them down. The family is offering a $300,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators and is urging the public to con-
tact the nearest police station with
The two suspects were caught on CCTV cameras riding away from the business place after committing the robbery
The meeting that was specially convened with Linden stakeholders
Check out what’s available and explore possibilities. Spend time with someone who brings you joy and stimulates your mind; it will offset stress. Romance is favored.
Check out the want ads and job market. Put more energy into presentation and how you deal with the people you encounter. Being resourceful will give you the edge you need to reach the success you desire.
Someone will take advantage of you if you are too eager to help. Verify information, ask for proof and be skeptical of any deal that sounds too good to be true. Protect your assets and reputation.
Take heed of the suggestions that loved ones make. Address health issues and redesign your lifestyle to ensure a fit body, mind and soul. Research, ask questions and get hands-on help to ensure personal success.
Make alterations at home to simplify your life. An event or conversation will offer insight into what’s available in your community. Be practical and charming if you want to avoid backlash.
Distance yourself from indulgent situations and people. Look for opportunities to make personal improvements and gains. How you use your energy and apply your skills will determine how well you do.
Be open to suggestions, learn all you can and take care of matters personally to avoid unnecessary costs or interference. Misinformation can lead to trouble. Go through the proper channels to avoid repercussions.
Say what’s on your mind. Clear up any misconceptions and commit to someone you love. A change will be healthy and boost your confidence and emotional well-being. Let your creative imagination lead the way.
An unexpected offer is apparent, but before you decide to participate, verify the facts. Don’t bank on everyone involved being honest about what they have to offer and what they want in return.
You’re in an excellent position. Let your intuition and intelligence take the lead. Keep your eye on your target and trust in your ability to make a difference.
A systematic approach will help you avoid mistakes. Refuse to feel pressured to give up personal information. Don’t hesitate to say no. Take control and do what’s best for you.
Go over your expenses and make necessary changes. Refuse to let anyone bully you into something you don’t want or need. Use your energy and physical skills to bring in extra cash. Declutter and move forward.
Vincente leads Ravens to 2-point win over Royals
‘Free throws win games’ was the thought on everyone’s mind when North Ruimveldt Ravens, led by Dominic Vincente, dominated their rivals, the Royals, to advance further in the Guyana Basketball Federation’s (GBF) national and international tournament on Thursday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
Coming to the contest with vengeance on their minds, in the first quarter, the Royals managed to penetrate their opponents’ defense while they displayed an ability to utilize every opportunity to score with every chance received. They thus grabbed an early 1910 lead that set the game's tempo.
The second quarter saw the Royals continuing to show their ability to penetrate their opponents’ defense, and they scored 13 points in that session to elevate their score to 32 points, whereas the Ravens scored only 9 points to take their total to 19 at the end of that quarter.
Third-quarter action saw the North Ruimveldt outfit keeping their composure and enabling themselves to minimize the Royals’ lead to two points. As the Ravens managed to come out on top of proceedings, they scored 26 points that elevated their score to 45, while the Colts were restricted to 15 points and their total to 47 points at the end of that quarter.
Fourth quarter saw both teams lacking in defense, and it rained buckets on both sides of the court.
Ravens managed to convert 24 points while the Royals scored 26 much-needed points, and the game went into overtime with the score tied at 69.
In overtime, Ravens recuperated and secured their comeback victory in scoring 12 points, elevating their score to 81 points while the Royals were able to net only 10 points for a total score of 79.
In a post-match interview with <<Guyana Times Sport,>> Ravens Captain Dominic Vincente emphasized the key elements needed in their game against DeArand of Suriname on Saturday when he said, “We just got to measure
the team, because this is somewhat of a new group; because we brought some youngsters up from the under-23s. I know we have a new recruit, Nikolai. Right now, this game was a feelout game for us. We had to measure the team. So, going into the next game, we can do better because everything was videoed, so we can all look at our mistakes and our wins as well too. And then we're going to pull through to the Saturday.”
The Ravens will take to the field at the same venue on Saturday as they take on DeArand of Suriname in a match that would conclude the international aspect of the tournament.
The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is moving to have qualified coaches accompanying national teams at events staged from January 2026, and the South American Federation (FESUPO) has started to ensure its affiliates fall in line with this requirement.
Preceding the 2024 edition of the South American Women's and Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the IPF, in association with the FESUPO, conducted a two-day Basic Trainer Education Course which saw Guyana’s Kerma Singh attending.
Singh, who for over a decade has been assisting with coaching of almost all the national powerlifting teams that have travelled to compete, has said he is very happy to have participated in the course, and is looking forward to doing the Level 2 Course very soon.
“This is very important to me, and I know by extension (that it is important to) the Powerlifting Federation of Guyana. As a nation, it is important to invest in the technical development of individuals in the form of coaches and assistants. I would encourage all the persons involved in Guyana in this most important area to get themselves certified, as
Humphrey and Fowler Memorial Cycle
Race to pedal off on Sunday
The Humphrey and Fowler Memorial Cycle Race is scheduled to be contested on Sunday, September 22, under organization of the Flying Ace Cycle Club, in association with close friends, kids, and previous riders who had been influenced by the late George Humphrey and James Fowler.
This race is regarded as an occasion to pay tribute to the lives of two cherished cyclists who had each had a profound impact on the sport.
After a classy roll-start at Humphrey's Bakery (Ketley Street, Charlestown), the race contenders would head out on a picturesque route through Georgetown that would take them north from Ketley Street, east into Princess Street, then past Smyth, Durban, and Lime Streets before turning west onto Brickdam and heading north to Camp Street.
The contenders would then race to Perseverance village in Mahaicony, ECD, before turning back at the famed Half-Way Tree and returning to finish the race on Carifesta Avenue.
Race time is set for 13:00h.
the international and regional bodies will be making this mandatory very soon. So, we need to put ourselves in order,” Singh has said. Singh, whose father is still very competitive at almost 80 years old, has said he is grateful to the GAPLF for allowing him to get his career formally off the ground in an official way, and he is looking forward to being fully compliant with the IPF’s mandate. The two-day programme, which consisted of 200 modules, had focused on, inter alia, basic training, nutrition, and mental health values; and had dealt with areas specific to female athletes and males.
Ravens Captain Dominic Vincente
Kerma Singh is flanked by facilitators Dietmar Wolf (right) and Pjotr Van Den Hock
playoffs' hope alive with win over TKR in CPL
Another intriguing match that was full of incident in Port of Spain has seen the previous evening’s winners, Trinbago Knight Riders, lose to Antigua & Barbuda
Canny bowling restricted the Knight Riders to a below par score of 134/8, with Kieron Pollard’s 37-ball 47 giving the home side a shot in the arm on a dewy night that made run scoring quite
Falcons by six wickets with an over to spare.
That win has ensured the Falcons keep their slim chances of progression alive, and has also given them double bragging rights over the Knight Riders in this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBL CPL).
Falcons won the toss and chose to field first.
tricky. Last evening’s “man of the hour”, Tim David, chipped in with 25 off 20 balls to help haul his side to a competitive total.
Justin Greaves then played a “player of the match” innings to give the Falcons their third victory in this year’s competition. Compiling a patient 46 off 48 balls, he then retired himself at the death to al-
low a fresh and bigger hitting teammate to finish the job, and the somewhat risky decision ultimately paid off for the visitors.
Hassan Khan played a vital cameo of 36 off 20 deliveries, and Imad Wasim was there at the end to see his side home in an eventful 19th over – in shades of the 2019 World Cup final –through a deflection off the bat as the batters returned for the second run. It saw the ball run over the boundary rope and six runs being awarded to the batting side.
In total, 18 runs were plundered off the Josh Little over, with Fabian Allen nudging the winning runs to midwicket to seal the victory and keep the Falcons flying in this year’s CPL.
“To win at Queen’s Park Oval is a special thing,” a beaming Greaves said in the moments after the match. “We haven’t had a great season, but to beat TKR twice is good. We’re just happy with how
things panned out. To get the win against Trinidad in Trinidad, their fortress, feels good. We have to take one game at a time. You never know…”
SCOREBOARD
Trinbago Knight Riders (20 ovs maximum)
Shaqkere
b Allen 0
Akeal Hosein not out 9
Chris Jordan run out (KHM James/†Hamilton) 3 Extras (b 4, lb 5, w 6) 15 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.70) 134/8
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (T: 135 runs from 20 ovs)
Brandon King c Waqar Salamkheil b Hosein 0 Justin Greaves retired out 46
Kofi James b Russell 10
Hassan Khan st †Pooran b Narine 36
Imad Wasim not out 36 Fabian Allen not out 4 Extras (nb 2, w 1) 3 TOTAL 19 Ov (RR: 7.10) 135/4
Did not bat: Jahmar Hamilton †, Chris Green (c), Joshua James, Shamar
The Knight Riders finished the evening still in second position in the table, and the Falcons ended it with a little hope that they could still salvage some-
thing from their 2024 CPL campaign. (CPLT20)
Justin Greaves was the Falcons’ anchor
Fabien Allen celebrating the prized wicket of Andre Russell
fan
Trinbago Knight Riders celebrating
Kieron Pollard and Tim David combined to get TKR out of a tough spot
The game had its moments of drama, as Kieron Pollard engaged the Umpires on Imad Wasim’s overturned LBW
Hassan Khan played an explosive innings for the Falcons
Imad Wasim survived
chase
Banks DIH on board for President’s Cup horse meet
Beverage giant Banks DIH Limited continues to support horse racing in Guyana. The latest support came this week ahead of the President’s Cup race meet, which is set for Sunday September 22 at Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice.
This year’s President’s Cup meeting would perhaps be the most exciting of its kind, with a star-studded roster of quality horses set to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club.
More than G$15 million would be up for grabs, and nine races are on the day’s card.
In addition to Banks DIH, the President’s Cup, which is on the calendar of
Cricket Carnival Events, is being sponsored by Jumbo Jet Events, Js Supermarket, XCMG, and SinoTruk.
The organizers and promoters of the President’s Cup race meeting have expressed gratitude to Banks DIH for the consistency displayed over the years in supporting horse racing. Banks DIH were also major sponsors at last month’s Guyana Cup meeting, which attracted fans and horsemen from around the globe.
The beverage giants have said they are thrilled to play a role in development of horse racing, and are pleased with the continuous growth of this sport.
Some of the top horses have already been con-
firmed as participating in the President’s Cup meeting.
Slingerz Racing stables will have defending President’s Cup champion John Bull out to defend, while Guyana Cup champion horse Olympic Kremlin would be out to attack the competition and reign supreme.
Js Racing Stables have recently imported two horses from Brazil, and one that will be aspiring to beat Olympic Kremlin at the President’s Cup feature event is Mapa Do Brazil. In addition to Js Racing Stables, Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Jagdeo’s Racing Stables, and Simply Royal Racing Stables would be aiming to shine at this President’s Cup race meeting.
South American Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships…
Evans and elder statesman Naranjan Singh to compete today
Guyana’s quest for medals at the 2024 South American Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina will continue today when Kheon Evans and Naranjan Singh take to the platform.
Having already snared four bronze medals through the efforts of Sarah Sanmoogan on Wednesday last, Evans and Singh will be going all out to add to this tally for Guyana.
Like Sanmoogan, who competed in the Female Junior 69kg category, Evans is in his second year at this level. They had both made their debut in Peru last year.
It will not be easy sailing for Evans, whose Open division has twelve (12) other lifters also vying for the medals on offer. These athletes are from Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia. The evergreen Naranjan Singh, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday in a matter of weeks, will be un-
challenged in his category; and all things being equal, he is set to walk away with four gold medals in his still ongoing career, which began in 2010.
Slingerz FC set for showdown with SVG national team
Slingerz Football Club is gearing up for an international challenge as they travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a two-match stint of friendly competition against that island’s national football team on September 29 and October 2.
For St Vincent and the Grenadines, the encounter with Slingerz FC would serve as vital preparation ahead of their crucial CONCACAF Nations League (League B) clash at home against El Salvador on October 10.
President of Slingerz FC, Javed Ali, has underlined the significance of this relationship between the two teams by noting that St Vincent and the Grenadines' players have made a lasting impact on his club’s history.
He highlighted contributions of standout players Winslow McDowall, Jolanshoy McDowall and Keith James, who have each been instrumental in helping Slingerz FC secure the inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League title in 2016.
"We’ve always maintained a close relationship with the players, who are highly respected in their country for their contributions to the national team," Ali has said.
This series of matches comes as part of Slingerz FC’s strategic preparation for the upcoming GFF Elite League season, and there’s a broader goal of competing regionally in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship. Having finished the recent Elite League season undefeated but narrowly missing out on the title, Ali sees this trip as an opportunity for growth for his team.
"Heading to St. Vincent
allows us to expand our brand and showcase that Guyanese clubs can be well-organized, have a professional setup, and engage fans through merchandising," Ali has said.
He added, “It also allows us to put our players on show, most of whom are either on the Golden Jaguars or the national set-up. I think it gives us a chance to also showcase Guyana’s football and to let people know that clubs like Slingerz FC exist locally.”
With 10 Slingerz FC players currently being part of the Golden Jaguars set-up, Ali has pointed out, “We consider this as an opportunity to help the GFF national pro-
gramme as well, since we will be hosting Guatemala in Guyana. This match will give the players on our team, who might be part of the Golden Jaguars team for the October 11 match, a chance to be meaningfully engaged.”
The club is working closely with the GFF to ensure all necessary protocols are followed for the international fixtures, and Ali has expressed gratitude to GFF President Wayne Forde for his support, noting that these matches align with the federation’s vision for developing the Elite League and football in Guyana. St Vincent and the Grenadines are currently
Kheon Evans and Naranjan Singh
Slingerz FC President Javed Ali
Justin Stoby (Diageo Spirits & Classic Beer Manager) and Dwain Bristol (GT Beer Brand Manager) are in the company of Banks DIH Special Events Manager Mortimer George. The trio presented that company’s sponsorship to a representative of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee
Slingerz FC would be in action in St Vincent and the Grenadines next week
After facing back-to-back losses, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors have scripted a brilliant, heart-thumping victory against the struggling St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at home at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Admittedly, there were numerous moments where it looked like the Guyana Amazon Warriors would begin their home leg on a disappointing note, but a spectacular batting performance from Shimron Hetmyer and even better bowling performances from the bowlers handed the defending champions those much-needed two points.
The hosts had a dismal start to their innings, with both openers going back to the dugout without scoring. Ashmead Nedd took good advantage of his home conditions to first trap Tim Robinson LBW with the second ball of the innings, and later rattled Kevin Sinclair's stumps for a double strike in the first 6 balls. Shimron Hetmyer, who got off to a flier, smashed Nedd for
Ali and Dwaine
three sixes in the third over, but when
Hope tried to get in on the action in the subsequent rotation, Andre Fletcher gobbled up his attempt on the edge of the circle. The defending champions were now in hot water at 28-3.
Hetmyer sensibly took his aggression down a notch as he and Moeen Ali sought to rebuild the innings; and although he was cautious, the Berbician could not long restrain his explosive nature, as he found the boundary at regular intervals to keep pace with the requirements of the innings.
Eventually, he brought up his well-deserved half-century in the 10th over off just 26 balls.
guide Warriors to victory in low-scoring thriller
However, his reign of terror ended just 2 overs later, when Tabraiz Shamsi produced enough malice to claim a double.
Hetmyer departed for a well-played 63 off 33 balls, and so did the Warriors’ hope of a big score.
Nedd was nothing short of magical at Providence. He returned after Hetmyer’s big over off how bowling, and the Guyana native regained enough of his composure to remove another two of the Warriors’ batters. Hetmyer’s wicket being taken at that interval had completely changed the complexion of the encounter.
With wickets being taken in consecutive balls of the 15th over, the hosts again found themselves reeling for less than 100 runs.
Another Shepherd and Pretorius special ensued, but this time around, the South African departed sooner than desired, leaving the Guyanese to do the heavy lifting.
Romario Shepherd was patient up until the final over of the innings, when he dispatched Ryan John’s bowling for 24 runs to get the defending champions up to 137-8 in their 20 overs.
Nedd was the pick of the Patriots’ bowlers, taking four wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs.
Although the Warriors were not able to pick up wickets in clusters as had obtained with the Patriots, their bowling was good enough to keep their opponents behind the required run-rate in the chase.
Andre Fletcher, Mikyle Louis, Kyle Mayers and Joshua Da Silva all went cheaply, but opener Evin Lewis bothered the Amazon Warriors the most, as he stood resolute until the introduction of Shamar Joseph.
A superb throw from Joseph off his bowling found Rilee Rossouw miles short of his crease for a game-changing run-out in the 17th over. Evin Lewis was visibly disappointed by the wicket, so much so that the ferocity of his batting began to wane, resulting in his soft dismissal one over later.
Joseph continued his majestic spell in the 17th over by picking up two wickets for a meagre 1 run to further destabilize the Patriots.
At 97-8, the animated crowd at the Guyana National Stadium knew that their team was back to winning ways.
Following another six balls from Captain Tahir, Joseph returned
in the 19th over to finish the game off with the wicket of Ryan John.
The Baracara native ended with 3-9 from 2.3 overs, while Moeen Ali picked up 2-9 from 4 overs. Captain Tahir also took two wickets.
With momentum on their side, the Amazon Warriors would be looking to extend their winning streak today in their contest against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a match that would be played at the Providence venue. (G6)
Shimron Hetmyer hitting a six during his knock of 63
Shamar Joseph throwing the ball to run out Rilee Rossouw
Imran Tahir appealing for lbw against Joshua Da Silva
Moeen
Pretorius celebrating the dismissal of Kyle Mayers
