The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, July 21 – 05:00h-06:30h and Monday, July 22 – 04:00h-05:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, July 21 – 16:40h-18:10h and Monday, July 22 – 04:50h-06:20h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times –05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
resident Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed optimism about working along with the new United Kingdom Labour Government, officially extending congratulations to new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and lauding the peaceful, efficient transition of power.
The UK held its national elections on July 4 and by July 5, labour leader Starmer had officially taken over as the new Prime Minister. During Thursday night’s celebrations of King Charles III’s birthday, President Ali lauded this peaceful and efficient transition, particularly noteworthy since over millions of votes had to be counted.
“The United Kingdom has just concluded its elections. And I take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the new Prime Minister. Guyanese across the world are indeed immensely proud of the appointment of the Right Honourable David Lammy, as UK’s Foreign Secretary. We
In addition to coming as this country prepares for General and Regional Elections next year, President Ali’s comments also come in light of Guyana’s history – as recent as 2020 – when the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government refused to hand over power after being defeated at the polls in a five-month period which has left a scar on Guyana’s political landscape.
ing 233,336 votes, a remarkable lead of 15,416 over its political rival, the APNU/ AFC. It also resulted in several senior Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials being placed before the courts. They include former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and his then Deputy CEO, Roxanne Myers.
In addition to Lowenfield and Myers, the other defendants in the election fraud cases are former Region Four
collectively wish the Prime Minister, and him, every success during their tenure.
“A point to note about the UK elections is the efficiency, speed, and decorum, through which the results were tabulated, announced, and received. Indeed, the gracefulness and graciousness through which candidates passed the mantle of leadership is something remarkable and commendable. And we applaud you,” the Head of State said.
manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total.
Back in May, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, dismissed a challenge filed by Lowenfield and Myers regarding the electoral fraud cases filed against them in a magistrate’s court over the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
The former GECOM officials had claimed in their challenge that Section 140 (2) of the Representation of the People Act breached their right to a fair trial, as guaranteed by Article 144, and their right to equality before the law, as guaranteed by Article 149 (D) of the Constitution.
At the 2020 elections, there were blatant attempts to rig the results in favour of the then-incumbent APNU/ AFC regime. These efforts saw Guyana falling into a fivemonth political deadlock that was eventually resolved with steadfast pressure from local stakeholders and the international community.
This resulted in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) winning the presidency with a command-
Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller.
They are accused of several offences, including misconduct while holding public office, presenting falsified documentation, and planning to
Following the dismissal of the case, the Attorney General’s chambers said the court found that Lowenfield and Myers were on a fishing expedition and “cast their net too wide”. It added that the court found no evidence that Lowenfield and Myers’ constitutional rights were likely to be infringed.
“The court also found that the public interest in ensuring that GECOM’s deliberations remain confidential overrides whatever constitutional rights Lowenfield and Myers enjoy. Finally, the court ruled that there was no ground established that shows that Section 140 (2) of the Representation of the People Act breached any provisions of the Constitution,” the statement from the AG chambers detailed.
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Former President Donald Trump’s decision to name Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate bucked two well-established trends: vice presidential picks being inconsequential, and foreign policy being a non-factor in American domestic politics.
The pick set off a political firestorm unlike any vicepresidential announcement in recent memory, with much of it being centred on Vance’s foreign policy views. Within less than one day of the announcement, Vance has been described as everything from an “arch-isolationist” who spells the end of Reaganism to a “hawk” on virtually every issue, except for the Ukraine war.
Yet, this piecemeal approach to understanding Vance and his significance on the GOP ticket misses a larger and much more important context. Vance has indeed made Ukraine something of a signature foreign policy issue, emerging as one of the most forceful Senate critics of a Western Ukraine policy that has the results anticipated by its architects in the White House. But Vance’s views on the Ukraine conflict, compelling and well-formulated as they are, underlie a deeper set of convictions that reflect the changing face of American politics.
On the level of party dynamics, Vance’s selection marks nothing less than a stunning rebuke of a tired, fading foreign policy consensus that is increasingly divorced from the challenges confronting the US. It is as strong a signal as any that trump, if victorious in November, would likely seek to bring the Ukraine war to a swift conclusion as one of his first policy items. It’s also possible - depending on a wide array of domestic and external factors that are difficult to predict - that with influence from Vance and others, Trump could pursue a broader re-posturing, away from reflexive interventionism and needless foreign entanglements. It is in this light that Vance’s defiant stance on Ukraine poses a means to a much larger grand strategic goal.
He believes, as does a large share of the American people, and at least to some degree Trump, that the nature of the trans-Atlantic relationship needs to be changed in order for the U.S. to find a strategically sustainable footing in an era of renewed great power competition.
Vance has championed the view that Europe should stand on its own two feet militarily, and do more to provide for its own defence. This argument, resonant with a new style of populist politics that has radically transformed the GOP over the past decade, cuts past the usual talking points around the need for greater “burden sharing” to the more fundamental realization that America’s post-Cold War alliance structures need to be updated to better reflect the challenges that the U.S. faces today.
This is not an argument for abandoning Europe or leaving NATO, which is something that no prominent figure in the realism and restraint coalition supports, but to strive for a trans-Atlantic relationship that is characterized by partnership over what has increasingly been a kind of onesided dependence. None of this is possible while Europe is roiled by the most destructive war on that continent since 1945, which explains the urgency with which Vance and others representing the new populist face of the GOP seek to bring a negotiated end to the Ukraine war as it enters its third year.
On a broader level, Vance’s political ascendance represents a generational passing of the torch to a new wave of politicians who have taken up the difficult task of reimagining America’s place in the world after decades of policy decisions steeped in a hubristic, ill-conceived drive to preserve the waning postCold War unipolar moment, during which the U.S was able to act virtually unchallenged on the world stage. These leaders who defy the established left-right political spectrum are drawing national attention to the fact that America’s balance sheet of resources and commitments has been unsustainable for years. They perceive the link between overcommitment abroad and decline at home, and seek to find ways to end this ruinous cycle.
(Adapted from Mark Episkopos at Responsible Statecraft)
Dear Editor, The death anniversary celebration of Ashton Chase is a reminder that we must always keep the memories of our past alive, because they inform our present and the way forward to a brighter future.
British Guiana became a Crown colony in 1928, and in 1953 it was granted home rule. In 1950, Dr. Cheddi Jagan became leader of the newly-formed PAC, the forerunner to the People's Progressive Party (PPP), which struggled for human rights and independence.
In the 1953 elections, Dr. Jagan was elected Chief Minister. The British, however, suspended the Constitution and Government within months, and installed an interim Government. In 1955, the PPP split, with ambitious member LFS Burnham breaking off to create the People's National Congress (PNC). In 1961 Britain granted the colony autonomy, and Dr. Jagan was elected Premier (1961–1964).
Strikes and rioting, later proven to be the result of covert CIA operations, in collaboration with the British and Burnham, forced Dr Jagan to make compromises inimical to his leadership in efforts to save his supporters from the genocide and destruction of the infamous X-13 Plan. The British strategized with the Americans not to confer independence to a Jagan-led country, but instead waited until 1964, after internal and external forces had colluded to rob Dr. Jagan of victory at the
polls, even though he had led the struggle and had suffered much for this eventuality.
In 1964, Burnham succeeded Dr Jagan as Prime Minister, through connivance between internal and external forces. He retained this position after the country gained full independence on May 26, 1966. British Guiana was renamed Guyana after Independence, but the story of this nation is being rewritten to make heroes into villains and vice-versa. The fact is that, even with the granting of the instruments of independence by Great Britain, this country did not achieve real freedom, but was ruled with an iron fist under a dictatorship.
Down the corridors of Guyana’s history, the villains continue to act in ways inimical to Guyana’s developmental trajectory, because the Guyanese people have become mere statistics – in the words of one politician, “collateral damage” in the drive of pseudo-leaders for self-aggrandizement/empowerment and wealth-acquisition”.
After 28 years of PNC oppressive, destructive rule, Oct 5, 1992 heralded the dawn of a new era, as a PPP/C coalition government – a combination of the PPP political construct and civil society - took the reins of administration, after which the country’s developmental paradigm began climbing on an upward trajectory that was near-miraculous.
Sadly, unfortunately, the vehicle taking this na-
tion on an inexorable climb toward eventual attainment of individual and national progress and prosperity tragically began nose-diving subsequent to questionable elections of 2015, when a PNC-led coalition construct attained Government.
Under the Granger-led coalition administration, the country became a microcosm of Guyana under the PNC dictatorship of the past.
When the PPP/C was restored to Government, after agonizing years pre/during and post-elections of 2020, the Irfaan Ali-led administration once again was constrained to clean up the
Augean Stables that are the aftermath of Guyana under PNC rule. The success of this Herculean task is visible, as the visionary PPP/C leadership continues to guide this nation’s fortunes inexorably on an upward trajectory of social development, economic stability, and growth. August of 2020 conferred real national freedom when democratic norms and conventions were once again restored to Guyana with the restoration of the PPP/C to administrative office.
Yours truly, Brian Azore
Dear Editor, I refer to your "Eyewitness” column of July 12 and July 13, wherein the writer mentions the sudden takeover countrywide of the grocery and supermarket business by Chinese nationals, displacing Guyanese.
The ‘Eyewitness’ equates this Chinese displacement of Guyanese with the scenario post Emancipation, when Madeiran indentured servants displaced the Black and Coloured shopkeepers who had arisen after Emancipation.
He also questions whether the Chinese takeover is a normal business process, or a sinister movement of defrauding various Governmental agencies
through organized criminal activities such as gold and currency smuggling and drug dealing. Suspicion of this linkage with criminal activity is strengthened by the recent police arrest of three members of a Chinese gang engaged in gold and currency smuggling; and secondly, in defiance of normal business principles, the establishment of two or even three similar supermarkets in the same street!
Guyanese shopkeepers and businessmen are willing to take on any Chinese competition, but such competition must be on a level playing field, and not skewed in favour of the Chinese.
Dear Editor, I am writing to address the recent statements made by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton regarding the removal of Government subsidies to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).
Norton’s position is not only ill-conceived, but highlights a disturbing lack of vision and leadership. His call for immediate cessation of subsidies demonstrates a profound disconnect from the realities faced by everyday Guyanese.
These subsidies are not mere financial crutches, but are essential mechanisms to keep utility costs manageable for citizens.
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo rightly pointed out that subsidies on fuel, amounting to US$70 million, have been critical in shielding the populace from the harsh impacts of global commodity price fluctuations. The removal of these subsidies would inevitably lead to a surge in electricity and water rates, exacerbating the
financial burden on households in Guyana.
Moreover, Norton’s oversimplified narrative of poor management being the sole issue plaguing GPL and GWI is both misleading and unproductive. It ignores the complex, multifaceted challenges that these entities face. While better management is crucial, it is not a panacea. Norton’s vague call for a transition to financial viability, while being devoid of any concrete plan or actionable steps, is emblem-
atic of his broader failure to provide substantial solutions.
Criticizing existing systems without offering realistic and viable alternatives is a hallmark of ineffective leadership. In stark contrast, the PPP/C Government has demonstrated commendable foresight and responsibility in its approach to subsidies. By maintaining these financial supports, the Government has ensured that the most vulnerable in our society are not left
to bear the brunt of global economic pressures.
This pragmatic and people-centric governance is what Guyana needs to navigate through challenging times and work towards sustainable development. Norton’s approach risks plunging many Guyanese into deeper financial distress, and it reveals his lack of a coherent, compassionate vision for the future. His stance is not just reckless, but highlights a troubling disregard for the imme -
diate needs of the people he is supposed to serve. Leadership is about making informed, balanced decisions that consider both short-term necessities and long-term goals. Unfortunately, Norton’s recent statements reveal a glaring deficiency in this regard, underscoring his inadequacy as Leader of the Coalition Opposition.
Regards, Hon. Alister S. Charlie Member of Parliament, Region 9
Dear Editor, I eagerly look forward daily to reading the opinion section of the dailies, as well as following the views of both critics and supporters of the Government on social media. I look forward to well-written, well-researched, thought-provoking articles and videos on the political situation in Guyana. After all, even though the Government is making steady progress, we need critics and analysts to keep its feet on the ground, to hold it accountable.
However, I believe I am sharing the opinion of many when I say that we expect the discourses, de-
bates, and discussions to be of a high level, bereft of the use of derogatory language and references to race or religion, and more, in a demeaning manner. Accordingly, it is very disappointing to hear and read the same monotonous and very deceptive narrative by Rickford Burke and many of his ‘armchair philosopher cohorts, opposition ministers, and those sympathetic to the opposition’, who describe the Government as “Apartheid State, Racist Government, Installed Government” -with the city mayor claiming “the president wanting to create a Muslim state,” and many such crude and
unsubstantiated labels and accusations.
I expect a robust, healthy debate that enriches the reader and stimulates critical thinking. I want Burke and the others to provide evidence of an apartheid state, substantiate your claims of the Government being ‘installed’, and so on.
Concerning Guyana being an ‘Apartheid state,’ Neville Bissember’s article, “Is Apartheid Being Practiced In Guyana?” is a well-researched and intellectually-written article that debunks this theory being erroneously promulgated by Burke and others.
The Caricom observ-
er team that monitored the recounted exercise after the elections, declared the PPP the winner of the elections based on the recount figures. The then president, his Excellency Mr. Granger, agreed to accept the Caricom recount figures. How then can Burke and so many of his colleagues continue to refer to the Government as “Installed”? This is mind-boggling.
Dr. David Hinds, another vociferous critic of the Government, labels “Sister Geeta” (APNU Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmonds) as a slave-catcher after she criticized Tacuma Ogunseye
Accordingly, the State has to intervene to re-establish a level playing field; restore a fair and inviting business milieu; and check the leakages of revenue, some of which are identified below:
(1) Payment of Customs and Excise duties by these individual businesses must be ascertained. This would avoid them robbing the revenue by various stratagems.
(2) Payment of Income Taxes must be ascertained, and this would include the examination of Accounts by GRA.
(3) It is well known that these businesses do not contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The officers who are re -
sponsible for such collections should be carefully supervised to do their duty.
(4) These stores/supermarkets do not usually issue bills (receipts) for purchases, and this results in several abuses, such as the customer not being able to return defective goods, and the evasion of VAT and Income Tax payments.
(5) The selling of expired goods, especially in the country shops. This must be stamped out.
(6) Some of the goods they sell have directions and other information written in Chinese only, and that is in contravention of the law which requires an English version of these directions.
The Authorities,
e.g. Food and Drugs Department, must stamp out this dangerous practice; since, for instance, a purchaser may ingest more than the safe dosage of a dangerous drug.
(7) Authorities responsible for the registration of businesses must ensure these businesses are properly and carefully registered, and the owners are clearly identifiable. This would prevent a number
of abuses, such as "ownership" being changed without knowledge of the Authorities; Income Tax evasion, and other illegalities.
The State must address this important matter with immediacy, and we hope the Eyewitness would continue his research.
Yours sincerely,
Concerned Business Associates
for his controversial speech in a WPA meeting in Buxton.
Dr. Hinds, educate us as to why you think she is a ‘slave catcher.’
The political discussion is greatly devalued and diluted. We expect better of Messrs Burke, Hinds and the other critics. You all have a very important role to play in holding the Government accountable. You are all very intelligent and capable of high-quality debate and discussions on topical issues that must be dealt with, and are critically important for Guyana to move forward. Please raise the level of the debate! We can all benefit!
Let there be respectful and peaceful means of discussing issues that impact all of us. We must agree to disagree, but it must be done with the dignity that equates with your high standing and immense reputation. At the end of the day, we, our children, and future generations must share and live peacefully in this beautiful country that belongs to all of us. As former American President Ronald Reagan noted: Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is our ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
Sincerely,
Mahindra Persaud
Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing the demands by clients for veterinarians to make sedatives (tranquilizers) and anesthetics available to companion animals –especially those accompanying owners/ caregivers on long road trips and domestic/ international flights. The thrust of those previous articles was to dissuade pet owners or their agents from even approaching the veterinarians to convince them to part with such controlled chemicals, which could lead to catastrophic sequelae.
I have decided to take this conversation further, and deal with a similar situation that we veterinarians experience much too frequently from the incessant pleadings of clients for drugs that fall under the “magic” group of antimicrobials, known to all
and sundry as “antibiotics”.
I have touched on this topic in the past, but it remains a great concern, and must be addressed continuously with the hope that we can fight against antimicrobial resistance and cease to use antibiotics unnecessarily, and even frivolously. I maintain and advise that the acquisition and
is a serious matter, and is not to be trifled with. Antibiotics must be used for specific bacterial infections, and in the manner prescribed. Let me state quite clearly that all drugs should be viewed as being potentially harmful, even toxic. For example, a relatively simple drug like Aspirin (Salicylic
painkiller and fever depressant – can be harmful to a patient with stomach infections/ ulcerations, especially if the dosage rate is incorrect. Actually, incorrect dosages and inherent side effects may be more dangerous than the disease itself. Perhaps it is for this reason that many countries in Europe, and even in the USA itself, now insist (by law) that medication advertisements must include deleterious consequences to their usage. Have you noted the lengthy list of side effects and precautionary text at the end of the advertisements for even the simplest of drugs?
Antibiotics must never be administered by the pet caregiver, unless prescribed by the veterinarian and acquired directly at the Clinic, or purchased via a prescription. I urge pharmacists and veterinary
health shops to desist from supplying antibiotics without a prescription.
Further, let me make it very clear that if, at any time
during the dosage regime/ protocols being implemented, the pet caregiver finds that adverse consequences are being exhibited (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea, listlessness etc.) relative to the medication, common sense dictates that the usage of the drug must
be discontinued, and the prescribing vet contacted. Below, I have tried using data provided in a book authored by Drs. Carlson and Giffin, that link certain specific antibiotics with possible adverse reactions. Your vet is knowledgeable of these possible reactions, and would discuss them with you ahead of prescribing, and provide you with guidance on countering them, should they occur.
The Ministry of Public Works (MoPW ) will be consulting with the Attorney General Chambers after Avinash Construction and Metal Works failed several times to make progress on the Cemetery Road project.
Back in April, the Government terminated the contract of Kalco Guyana Inc after it failed to complete Lot 8 B of the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street road project. During an inspection on March 4, it was revealed work on the project had come to a complete halt despite the initial project deadline being set for November 5, 2023.
Nevertheless, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had stated that despite a few delays in the Cemetery Road project, which was likewise inspected, the contractor would get to keep the contract despite not reaching the July 2023 deadline and also the revised deadline of March 31, 2024.
According to Edghill, the Government’s evaluators
decided against terminating the contract with Avinash Construction and Metal Works since the company has significantly advanced works.
Nevertheless, he said the Government would pursue liquidated damages from the contractor for the delays suffered in the execution of the contract.
The $475 million project will see the two-lane carriageway being extended into four lanes. When completed, it is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion.
Now, the Ministry has stated that the contractor continues to move at a slow pace, which has so far resulted in the period for completion of the project being extended twice.
Edghill, during a recent community meeting with residents of Roxanne Burnham Gardens and surrounding communities of South Georgetown, noted that he would soon be consulting with the Attorney General on the way forward.
“I am saying it here loud
and clear; we will not allow that contractor to continue to frustrate the people of East and West Ruimveldt. We will have to take over the project and we will finish Cemetery Road,” the Minister stressed.
During an inspection earlier in the year, Minister Edghill had noted that if the road was not completed by the adjusted period, then the contract would be terminated and given to a contractor of the Ministry’s Special Project Unit.
As such, he has since assured the residents that within the next two months, the thoroughfare will be officially completed.
“By September when school reopens, four lanes of traffic must be flowing in Cemetery Road. And that is the commitment that we are giving to you,” Minister Edghill promised.
Currently, the road is being used as a two-lane roadway. Upon completion of the four lanes, the road is expected to decrease the traffic woes that occur during peak hours.
forced to use one carriage-way
In April, the Government announced that it was moving to terminate the $830 million contract with Kalco
after the company “did not live up to expectations”.
Edghill and his team had met with the Trinidadian
“Nasty Man”
company to iron out the conditions of the termination, including liquidated damages.
Sherwin Hamilton, a 49-year-old resident of Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara who is also called “Nasty Man”, has been fatally shot during an altercation at a popular bar at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.
Based on reports received, at about 02:30h on Saturday, Hamilton and the suspect, referred to as “Popsicle man brother”, had a heated exchange of words in the bar, resulting in the suspected being thrown out of the facility.
However, at about 03:00h, the DJ turned off the music and told the patrons it was time to leave the bar. As such, Hamilton also had to exit the facility.
Guyana Times understands that as he exited the bar,
the suspect and another man confronted Hamilton.
The suspect reportedly whipped out a handgun and shot Hamilton to the left upper thigh, before he
jumped onto an XR motorcycle and sped off the scene. Hamilton reportedly fell to the ground and was attended to by a female nurse, who had also been a patron of the club.
The injured man was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An examination of his wound revealed there was no exit wound.
The scene was processed and a 9mm spent shell was found.
The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, and the police are presently reviewing same. The police have since visited the suspect’s home, but he has not been found. Investigations are, however, continuing.
Yes, there ain’t no PNC “Bunker” no mo’; it’s now been reconverted into a camp as the brave followers of Burnham – such as they are – under the newlyelected leadership of Aubrey Norton swim against the tide for survival. Remember Hitler and the remnants of his Third Reich as the Russians advanced from the East and the Allies from the West??
Well, with most of the middle-class backers having suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of the street fighter from Linden at Congress, they’re massing their troops for a frontal attack. In 2021, they’d selected Aubrey, but he was just supposed to be a utensil for the real choice from THEIR ranks!!
Activities like imitating the PPP’s commemoration of their 1973 Ballot Box Martyrs by staging one in Linden for the two deaths in 2012 just don’t do anything for the money bags, snooty, middle class. They’re the ones from the AFC wing who’d provoked the Horatio-like stand at the bridge then disappeared, hadn’t they?? They see the PPP continuing its political blitzkrieg along all fronts – economic, political, social, cultural etc. – and have fatalistically assumed that PNC ain’t gonna survive. Note that while they snipe at the supposed “lack of leadership” skills in Norton, they’ve uttered nary a word about their former hand-selected middle-class PNC leader Granger, who hasn’t been seen or heard from since!!
Not surprisingly, there’s much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth – not to mention stentorian lamentations! – about what’s gonna be the fate of the PNC unless they replace the present leader with a more “dignified” consensual leader!! Sadly, they haven’t learnt their lesson from the lesson of the AFC’s dramatic rise and fall: which had emphasized to their erstwhile followers the lesson “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!!” And they ain’t about to be shamed by fancy dan-dan and fruity tones!!
But you’ve got to give it to the new PNC Leader; he’s at least trying to have a go at putting together their Humpty-Dumpty party back again, after its great fall. While he had his problems with Desmond Hoyte, his actions show he’s learnt a lot from him. He who controls the party’s bureaucracy can call the shots, even against hugely popular opponents!!
Just as Hoyte had banished Hamilton Green and the Burnhamites, Aubrey has banished all the middle-class aspirants to the throne, and is remaking the PNC with folks who are totally beholden to him. The old-line PNC elites’ only hope is that the Committee of Elders – who arrogated to themselves the power to judge whether Vanessa Kissoon’s allegations of sexual harassment by Norton – will call the latter out. But Your Eyewitness believes they’ve diddled too long, and the issue has outlived its shelf life.
No one’s interested no mo’, and Norton’s secure.
…on the domestic violence front Your Eyewitness lifts up his hands to the skies (Heaven?) as he echoes John King: “How many more, Jah?” The opening lyrics go: “Rose up early this morning/ To the sounds of crying/Another mother shedding her tears”.
While King was bemoaning the police killing sons, he could as well be singing about all the mothers and other women who were shedding tears every single day with the violence being meted out to them.
Defeat isn’t implicit in the lines, “Heavenly Father, won't you hear my plea?/Send a helping hand for this country/In man, there's no solution/(How must we carry this load?). It’s just that the pattern seems to be so deeply imprinted in the men who batter the females in their lives that drastic interventions are necessary. Is it, “Too many big shots with too many connections/ Too many loopholes in Babylon system”?
Maybe bringing back the cat-o-nine tails might work?
…over in Venezuela
In case you forgot, elections over in Mad Maduro’s land are exactly a week away. And the madman’s preemptively inciting violence against the Opposition by accusing them of preparing for it!!
The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyana and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their dedication to addressing climate issues and conservation efforts, emphasising their renewed collaboration to safeguard natural environments.
The commitments were made by President Dr Irfaan Ali and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller on Thursday during a reception to commemorate the birth anniversary of King Charles III, who has renewed his patronage of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (IIC).
“This demonstrates his [the King’s] continuing commitment to advancing sustainable rainforest management and climate change resilience,” President Ali stated.
“Guyana is grateful for His Majesty’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability and we will continue to work with the United Kingdom in ensuring the protection and conservation of our natural environment.”
The English Monarch became IIC’s Patron in 2000 when he was HRH Prince of Wales, after visiting Guyana and the Iwokrama
rainforest. He has since been a strong supporter of Iwokrama’s work to develop modern rainforest conservation models and practices, and its innovative approaches to showing value for the ecosystem services that tropical forests generate.
President Ali has recognised that the UK has been a strong supporter of Guyana’s role of providing strong leadership on climate, environment, and for-
estry.
He explained that Guyana has committed to bringing together the world superpowers in biodiversity and leading the effort towards ensuring that by the United Nations General Assembly in 2026, “biodiversity will be on the agenda and that a payment mechanism, market-based mechanism, value-based mechanism will be developed for biodiversity assets within
Guyana and among those countries that would have secured…biodiversity”.
In further elaborating on Guyana’s global leadership on these issues, President Ali reminded that the country is currently co-chairing a Commonwealth initiative on forestry and the role of forestry in combating the effects of climate change.
For her part, Ambassador Miller announced that the UK would expand its work in the forestry sector in Guyana, noting that “we will be deliberately responding and complementing the amaz-
ing work of others, responding to Guyana’s priorities and also complementing our ongoing work with the Guyana Forestry Commission on forestry governance”.
She also noted that the blue economy must not be forgotten and as such, reminded of efforts made by the UK to support the blue economy in Guyana.
The diplomat revealed that two local organisations – Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) and the Environmental Management Consultants
(EMC) – received UK grants to bolster their work in the Barima-Mora Passage and the Mahaica Wetlands respectively.
Ambassador Miller further noted that the UK has been assisting Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries in the development of a regional ocean governance policy, which she said is crucial in ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources across the Caribbean.
The sustainable growth of the blue economy is captured in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030).
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump made his nomination, four days later, as the Republican candidate for the US November election, a formality; and has also practically assured him of a second term as President, notwithstanding whom the Democrats select to oppose him. Most foreign observers see Trump as a blowhard and a buffoon, an image completely at odds with the typical “American leader”. However, what we are witnessing is not just a new type of American leader, but a signal of a complete remake of the paradigm of what “America” is all about. Some of the intellectuals calling for this transformation explicitly call it “regime change”. They use the word in its original meaning from political science: “a form of government or the set of rules, cultural or social norms, etc., that regulate the operation of a government or institution and its interactions with society.”
The man Trump selected as his VP candidate – Ohio Senator JD Vance - explained Trump’s appeal back in 2016, after the success of his NY Times bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy”, when he was actually anti-Trump. “This is where, to me, there’s a lot of ignorance around “Teflon Don.” No one seems to understand why conventional blunders do nothing to Trump. But in a lot of ways, what elites see as blunders people back home see as someone who – finally – conducts themselves in a relatable way. He shoots from the hip; he’s not constantly afraid of offending someone; he’ll get angry about politics; he’ll call someone a liar or a fraud. This is how a lot of people in the white working class actually talk about politics, and even many elites recognize how refreshing and entertaining it can be! So, it’s not really a blunder as much as it is a rich, privileged Wharton grad connecting to people back home through style and tone. Viewed like this, all the talk about “political correctness” isn’t about any specific substantive point, as much as it is a way of expanding the scope of acceptable behaviour.”
JD Vance is descended from “po’ white” Hillbillies who moved to Middletown, a small town in Ohio. This became part of the “Rust Belt” when, following the pro-business Republican conservative Nixon’s rapprochement with China, businesses moved their manufacturing to that country in their drive for profits, leaving social and economic devastation in their wake.
Fighting the liberal paradigm introduced by Roosevelt to escape the Great Depression, the conservatives had become their mirror image. By the 1980s and Reagan, the Republicans were “neo-liberals”.
In the 2016 words of Vance, “The two political parties have offered essentially nothing to these people for a few decades. From the Left, they get some smug condescension, an exasperation that the white working-class votes against their economic interests because of social issues. To me, this condescension is a big part of Trump’s appeal. He’s the one politician who actively fights elite sensibilities, whether they’re good or bad.
“From the Right, they’ve gotten the basic Republican policy platform of tax cuts, free trade, deregulation, and paeans to the noble businessman and economic growth. Trump’s candidacy is music to their ears. He criticizes the factories shipping jobs overseas. His apocalyptic tone matches their lived experiences on the ground. He seems to love to annoy the elites, which is something a lot of people wish they could do, but can’t because they lack a platform.” Businessmen shipping jobs abroad are not heroes.
Vance is heavily influenced by political Theorist Patrick Deneen of Notre Dame, who sees liberalism itself as the problem. He argued in his 2018 book, Why Liberalism Failed, that “liberal regimes promised their citizens equality, selfgovernment, and material prosperity, but in practice, they gave rise to staggering inequality, crushing dependence on corporations and government bureaucracies, and the wholesale degradation of the natural environment. At the same time, liberalism’s incessant drive to expand individual freedom had eroded the non-liberal institutions — the nuclear family, local communities, and religious organizations — that kept liberalism’s impulse toward atomization in check.”
Vance is regarded as Trump’s successor, who will not only “drain the swamp”, but repopulate it with like-minded individuals who espouse their New Left values, dubbed “common-good conservatism”. Their vision is encapsulated in the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025”, which proposes a wholesale firing of bureaucrats and replacing them with likeminded New Left adherents. Economically, they reject free market fundamentalism, combat corporate monopolies, limit immigration and foreign policy, and reject America as the global policeman.
The Alliance For Change (AFC), which formed one half of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-AFC coalition government from 2015 to 2020, is now calling on the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to bring together all parties and stakeholders from across the country, to come up with a 10- to 15-year development plan.
Making this call on Friday was AFC Leader Nigel Hughes, who said that his party was calling on President Dr Irfaan Ali to convene a meeting that would bring together other political parties, as well as the appropriate technical minds, to come up with a multi-year development plan in at least five areas –the economy, education, foreign affairs, health, and poverty reduction.
“I think that’s the responsible way forward. And I wanna repeat, the Alliance For Change has called to the President, to convene such a meeting of all the parties and all the appropriate technical skills, so we can have this 10- to 15-year plan in education, economy, foreign affairs, poverty and health.”
“Everything else we can compete at in the national elections. But let us sign off on a long-term plan in those five areas. And I hope the President listens to this. And consults with, doesn’t have to consult with us, but with other persons. And we can arrive at a plan everyone signs off on,” Hughes said.
The AFC Leader noted that in areas such as agriculture, collective heads should come together to decide on what model Guyana should follow as a country, that would ensure more opportunities for Guyanese whether on the business side of the sector or as employees.
“The country is more likely to benefit if all the collective skills, all the political parties, the best economists come together and work out that plan, we all sign off on it. And then we can compete in the frills of that plan. But at the end of the day, it is fundamental. We know it’s there. And whoever is in office has signed off on it.
“It is clear, that the obvious advantage to that is if you have a 10- to 15-year economic plan signed off by all the political parties, that sends a very positive message to the business community… it also allows us to plan long term. And irrespective of the changes that take place at every election cycle, we know that there’s a commitment.”
While Hughes has made a pitch for President Ali to convene meetings
that would include national stakeholders and Opposition parties to come up with a national development plan, such a consultative approach is nothing new to successive PPP/C Governments.
Under the Presidency
addressing right now, through its efforts to bring cheap and reliable electricity to Guyanese. The cost of energy has often been cited as a major bugbear to the manufacturing sector.
The AFC Leader gave as an example lithium, which
of Dr Cheddi Jagan (19921997), the National Development Strategy (1996) was introduced. Meanwhile, under the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo (1999-2011), three such strategies –the Poverty Reduction Strategy (2000), the National Competitiveness Strategy (2006), and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (2009) were developed. Under the current President, an updated Low Carbon Development Strategy that would cover the years 2022-2030 was also achieved.
Diversify
Hughes also spoke of the need to diversify the economy and move Guyana from being a primary product-producing country to one that can develop its resources at the secondary and tertiary level – something that the PPP/C Government is
the PPP/C Government has already started seeking investors to explore.
According to Hughes, the country must look at whether lithium products can be made in Guyana, such as computer chips, to turn the country into a secondary and not just a primary producer of lithium.
“If we know for example that we have another rare earth metal, here in Guyana, we need to look at how we can value add, look at the global market, and see how we can develop those industries in Guyana. Because unless we do the spread, we are going to have problems,” he said.
A core part of the PPP/C Government’s efforts to increase value-added production in Guyana, across all sectors, is its efforts to bring down the cost of electricity while increasing its efficiency. This plan includes its model Gas-to-Energy
(GtE) Project which is being constructed in Wales, West Bank Demerara, and will include a 300-megawatt power plant that will utilise gas from the Liza field offshore.
The excess gas from the Stabroek Block is what will be used for the gas monetisation project. Among the projects being considered under the gas monetisation project are a shore base facility, an additional power plant as well as a potential joint Guyana-Suriname aluminium plant facility.
The Guyana Government has been touting an aluminium plant here since August 2022 – something which the Guyanese Leader recommitted to establishing during the Energy Conference held in Georgetown back in February.
Meanwhile, the Government, in staying true to its promise, had also reinvited Requests for Proposals (RFPs) under a Build-Own-OperateTransfer (BOOT) model, to advance the development of the long-awaited Amalia Falls Hydropower Project. Back in December, four companies – Rialma S.A. (Grupo Rialma) from Brazil; China International Water & Elec. Corp; Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc, and a group made up of OEC, GE Vernova, and Worley – had submitted tenders to be prequalified for this project. (G3)
The revolutionary master plan draft-
ed for Silica City, Guyana’s inaugural modern and sustainable project, has been completed, handed over to the Government, and will be unveiled at the International Building Expo slated for August 8-11 at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Guyana Times had in March reported that the draft master plan for Silica City was expected to be made public by mid-2024.
Design of the master plan was done by the University of Miami following a request made by the PPP/C Administration.
Contacted on Saturday for a comment on this development, Housing and
Water Minister Collin Croal confirmed having received the plan, but di- vulged no further informa-
tion. Nonetheless, he said the plan would be unveiled in its entirety during the hosting of the International Building Expo.
“They have developed the master plan that caters for different types of activities. Whether it’s for hospitality, recreational in terms of sports tourism, innovation city, and residential areas…and during the Building Expo, you will hear more on this,” Croal stated.
Silica City will be established along the SoesdykeLinden Highway, where 3,800 acres of land have been set aside for infrastructural work, which is already underway. This includes creating 100 residential/smart homes outfitted with the newest energy-saving technologies.
In addition, space has been earmarked for shopping centres, apartment complexes, condos, hotels, restaurants, green areas, and other facilities.
“Silica City is a reality that is happening before your eyes, and we’re building 100 houses there now and we’re expecting those houses to be completed within another four months. So, by the end of the year, we want to have the first set of persons occupying,” Croal related during a televised programme on Thursday evening.
Silica City aims to address the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, as well as the issues associated with the growth of non-coastal urban settlements. Access to the new city would be easy, as Guyana is already constructing a highway from Mandela to Eccles to provide enhanced access for persons to traverse.
The project, however, is still in the first phase, and the Guyana Government had previously disclosed plans to acquire and develop approximately 10,000 acres of land to further enhance the area.
“Part of the relocation of several persons on Soesdyke-Linden Highway is also being taken into consideration because of the development of the city. So, there are simultaneous activities that are taking place, and persons now have to consolidate where they’re living, because there is future development for them,” Croal added.
The dreams of local hairstylist and makeup artist Miguel Ram, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Miguel’s Beauty Creation, became reality when he was selected to be part of the MUBA Stylist team - the official brand of Miss Universe every year.
Ram is the first Guyanese to have been so honoured, and he is the first Caribbean national to have been given the opportunity to work alongside this prestigious brand for
such an iconic and global event.
The renowned stylist travelled to the Dominican Republic in late June to officially audition, and after much hard work and anticipation, he became one of the few persons selected to participate in this exciting and life-changing journey. Ram will now set out to not only represent Guyana, but to showcase his work and talent on an international stage, where he would work with beauty queens from across the globe. This achievement is nothing short of a dream come true for the talented Guyanese.
Ram is no stranger to the local beauty and pageant industry. Having worked with countless pageant contestants and queens, and pageant organizations directly, his involvement in these areas has inspired him to aim higher and to audition to be a part of something bigger.
He noted that the need for local make-up artists and stylists to venture beyond Guyana was the driving force in his seeking opportunities like these. Ram believes that representing
and talent to another level of greatness.
and showcasing one’s talent on such a grand stage is a stepping stone to creating a difference, and to inspiring change within the local beauty industry in Guyana.
In sheer excitement, he recalled turning up to the audition feeling nervous but confident, and with a desire to make Guyana proud. Out of more than 50 persons who had auditioned, only six were successful, and thereafter selected.
It was a moment of shock for the Guyanese makeup artist when his name was announced. In that moment, he knew there would be a shift in his career and, ultimately,
The 73rd edition of the Miss Universe Pageant is slated for November, and will be held in Mexico. His selection to officially be a part of the MUBA stylist team would position Ram to work alongside other talented makeup artists and stylists from different parts of the world; and the aim is to add glamour and style to the competing contestants of this year’s Miss Universe Pageant. He is confident this would be a turning point in his life, as MUBA is a has worked for prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week, Latin American Grammy, and the American Music Awards. This opportunity gives the young man a chance to be a part of these events as well, through MUBA.
The stylist/MUA has expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Guyanese community, and is certain that he would represent the Golden Arrowhead well.
est and vision to transform lives, he revealed that he was cemented in the ideology of raising awareness for various community and societal issues.
“As I won the competition and I had the continuous support of people, I said maybe this is a good way that I could raise awareness for something that I see society is lacking; because my ultimate goal was to help society, or to be a figure that people can look up to,” the king shared.
Cultural ambassador and advocate
Promoting Indian culture and the Mr. India Guyana pageant simultaneously has been a fulfilling aspect of Singh’s journey while the crown has been on
“Guyana itself is embedded with all these diverse cultural practices,”Singh de-
clared.
As a Christian of Indian descent, Singh emphasizes the inclusivity of Indian culture.
“Indian culture is not just Hinduism, but it entails Muslim, it entails Christian. I’m a Christian, but I’m still Indian,” he declared. He pointed out that the pageant allowed him to showcase the richness of Indian traditions and holidays, such as Phagwah and Diwali; and he said he sees his participation as a way to help others understand the broad nature of Indian culture.
“It helps people to see that Indian culture is not just rooted in Hinduism, but also stretches to Christianity and Islam,” he disclosed.
Breaking stigmas and raising awareness
Singh says his one-year journey has been marked by raising awareness of, and promoting, Indian Culture, and he revealed that he has also been on the path of shifting negative societal perceptions of male pageantry.
“Male pageantry has a negative stigma to it,” he acknowledges. Society often labels male participants as feminine, but Singh sees his role as an opportunity to change this narrative.
Additionally, he believes that when that stigma is removed, people would be helped to see that pageantry is not just about modelling and showcasing your body, but standing up and advocating for the rights of persons.
Personal growth and public speaking
Although 12 months are designated for him to carry the title, he revealed that within this time frame, he has significantly increased his public speaking skills.
“For me, I grew in a lot of ways; I’m able to be more social (and) I’m able to have better public speaking. The way that you grow is outside of your comfort zone. If you stay in your comfort zone, you’re going to stay the same way,” he explained.
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Fully convinced that a poignant quote had something really big to say for young males who would like to join the realms of pageantry, Singh said, “Dreams without goals are just dreams, and ultimately, they fuel disappointment. Along the journey, we must apply discipline, but more important-
ly, consistency. Without commitment, we’ll never start; without consistency, we’ll never finish.”
As the Mr. India Guyana pageant turns three, Singh envisions a bright future for male pageantry. He advocates taking the pageant to an international level, putting Guyana on the map, and
further breaking down negative stigmas.
“Having this pageant on an international standard would be great. It helps us to see that we’re moving to the next level,” Singh has said.
Third edition of Mr India Guyana Celebrating its third
year, the Mr India Guyana Pageant is slated for November, and promises to be a milestone event. The competition would, for the first time, be hosted independently, reflecting its
growing popularity and significance. Unlike what had obtained in previous years, when it had been blended with the Miss, Mrs, and Teen India Guyana Pageants, the Mr India Guyana would now have its own exclusive night of competition.
This year’s event is open to single men aged between 18 and 30 years old, marking an extension of the age category to encourage more participants. This new age
of Indian origin to advocate for various issues, and promote cultural heritage. This pageant aims to highlight the rich cultural traditions and contemporary talents of Indian-descended Guyanese, offering a unique platform for personal and professional growth.
The last two pageants have been resoundingly successful, with Mario Moonsammy being crowned as the first Mr. India Guyana and Anthony Singh as the most recent titleholder. Their journeys have inspired many young men in Guyana, demonstrating the impact and reach of this esteemed competition.
Participants would compete in several segments, including health and fitness, talent, evening attire, ethnic attire, introduction, and the final question round. These segments are designed to showcase the contestants’ versatility, cultural pride, and advocacy skills. Each segment is crafted to challenge and highlight the unique attributes and capabilities of the contestants, ensuring a well-rounded and dynamic competition.
This year’s Mr India Guyana Pageant promises to be an exciting and inspiring event. Registration is open, and all eligible young men are invited to seize this opportunity to shine, advocate for important causes, and cel-
range is designed to provide opportunities for a broader spectrum of young men to showcase their talents and advocate for important issues. Applications are currently open, and would be closed on August 10th.
The Mr India Guyana Pageant has evolved into a prestigious national pageant, distinct from the Miss, Mrs, and Teen India Worldwide umbrella. Founded by Guyanese franchise holder Hashim Alli, the pageant has been established to provide a platform for young men
ebrate their heritage on a national stage.
The platform not only elevates personal profiles, but serves as a beacon for cultural advocacy and leadership among young men.
“Join us in November for a night of culture, talent, and excellence as we celebrate the third anniversary of the Mr India Guyana competition. This landmark event is set to be a grand celebration of heritage, talent and advocacy, promising an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike”.
Twenty-two-yearold Richard Arthur, also known as
‘Richo’, of Murphy Dam in Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, and 24-year-old
Andrew Lynton, also called ‘Biggs’, of Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice, have
on Friday been remanded to prison on several counts of armed robbery.
Police have said that on February 14, 2024, at Water Street in Bath Settlement, WCB, Arthur robbed Juan Carlos Santiago of $36,000 and Ninorka Gonzalez of a gold chain valued at $80,000. The victims are Venezuelan nationals.
Arraigned before Blairmont Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir, Arthur was not required to plead to the indictments, and has been remanded to prison.
However, both Arthur and Lynton were reportedly involved in a series of armed robberies and home invasions over the past few
months in Blairmont; and, as such, the duo was apprehended after evading authorities for quite some time.
They were subsequently jointly charged with multiple counts of armed robbery and break-and-enter and larceny, and were
arraigned before the Blairmont Magistrate on Monday last, where a total of nine charges were read to them. They are currently being held on remand pending further investigation and trial. Meanwhile, Marlon Vossey, who was wanted for discharging a loaded firearm among other crimes, has also been arrested last Wednesday at Number 41 Village, WCB. He was apprehended by public-spirited citizens and handed over to the police. At the time of his arrest, he had a haversack containing a screwdriver, hacksaw, clothing, and documents for motorcycle CL 3375, registered to Louis Isaacs.
The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Guyana, has donated 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests to the Guyana National Malaria Program.
The donation, made in response to a malaria test kit shortage in Guyana, would greatly strengthen the country’s malaria response.
U.S. Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot has reiterated that “the United States is a committed and long-term partner in Guyana’s development. This donation supports the
Frank Anthony thanked the US for the donation by stating, “The Ministry of Health expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the Government of the
Government of Guyana’s vision of a malaria-free Guyana by 2030.”
Health Minister Dr
United States of America for its generous donation of 20,000 malaria rapid diagnostic kits. The kits will
significantly enhance our capacity to promptly and precisely diagnose malaria in many rural communities across Guyana, and will safeguard the wellbeing of our citizens. We are thankful for the ongoing partnership, which has assisted Guyana tremendously over the years.”
The kits are intended for use in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10, which account for more than 95 percent of Guyana’s malaria cases.
Since 2016, the United States Government has been helping Guyana fight malaria through its regional malaria program, in collaboration with partners such as PAHO and the USAID
Breakthrough Action team
Some notable achievements to date include mapping out areas with high malaria rates; distributing 3,000 mosquito nets, thus enhancing malaria management in Regions 7 and 8; and facilitating a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Government entities, and mining associations.
A150cc Eagle motorcycle belonging to a former police officer, William DaSilva, has reportedly been set on fire two Saturdays ago at Ebini, Berbice River, Region Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice).
The blaze destroyed the shed that housed the motorcycle, and consumed several gallons of fuel that had been donated by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry for use by a tractor that has been donated to the community.
DaSilva has said he believes the recent destruction of his property is a result of several cannabis seizures in which he had been involved while he was a police officer. Those seizures amounted to millions of dollars’ worth in ganja and farming equipment. The most recent seizure had been conducted in March 2024 when, during a joint services’ operation, two cannabis fields had been destroyed.
However, Colin Heracles, Rian Taylor and Anson Taylor have been charged with assaulting and using threatening language against the former cop. During their court appearance, Heracles pleaded
were dismissed, but they have
lot yet to be awarded
Construction of the Palmyra to Moleson Creek four-lane carriageway is expected to commence in August, according to Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill on Thursday.
During discussions with members of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the minister disclosed that the project has been segmented into three lots, with the contract for road paving already finalised.
“An Indian company is doing two lots, and that should be commencing anytime around August 26,” Edghill told the CCC.
Lot one, which would
Lot three, which stretches from Number 55 Village to Moleson Creek, is yet to be awarded to a contractor.
Edghill has explained that while the contractor is responsible for designing the
stretch from the Canje Bridge to John’s on the Corentyne, is valued at $3,218,817,060; while lot two, stretching from Bloomfield to Number 54 village, is valued at $2,986,009,355.
project, the Works Ministry has conducted its evaluation studies and design. He said that, during those studies, an alignment was discovered which traverses virgin land and avoids inhabited areas. However, it is more
costly when compared to upgrading the existing alignment.
The minister noted that the existing route faces congestion points at Rose Hall Town and Corriverton, and those points cannot be expanded, therefore the construction of bypasses is being considered.
Additionally, contracts for upgrading the 99 structures along the carriageway have been signed, and work has commenced.
“So, you are seeing works being done to expand the bridges; works being done to expand the culverts and all the structures, and they have been moving apace,” the minister said.
Contracts for the relocating of utilities necessary for the construction of the road have also been finalised. These utilities include Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co Ltd (GT&T), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and Guyana Water Inc (GWI).
Edghill further noted that the utility relocation, particularly for GWI, has faced delays due to limited space that would cease to exist once the thoroughfare is expanded to four lanes.
“We have to be able to get the civil works contractor and the utility contractor to operate together, because we would have to establish a utility corridor that will allow for cable operators, water, telephone, and electricity,” he said.
Government continues
to invest heavily in infrastructure in Region Six. In October last year, the Public Works Ministry signed contracts totalling $8.8 billion
for road works in the region, and contracts have recently been awarded to build 287 concrete roads. Another major project
‘Ride Along GY’ experiential tour launched to boost tourism in Bartica
Participants gearing up to kickstart the ride-along tour in Bartica
While Bartica is popularly known for its annual Regatta festivities,
Mayor Anthony Murray believes that exposure from the ‘Ride Along GY’ tour would boost tourism in the region.
This new experiential product, launched by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) earlier in the week, offers locals and tourists the chance to explore historical and other breathtaking sites from the seat of a bicycle.
This new experience features unique attractions such as the Golden Beach and the Cenotaph located at the intersection of First Avenue and Third Street. The package offers a 30-minute guided tour.
According to Murray, this new experience is significant for the township, since its natural beauty would be showcased. As a result, he has pledged continued support for the spectacular venture, which he believes has the potential to curate ever-increasing economic benefits sustainably for Barticians.
“As the Mayor (of) the Township of Bartica, we are definitely happy to have this product to be explored in Bartica, and to start the journey of good things to come in the tourism industry. Barticians, for the first time, will get to experience this, and tourists that are coming in [to Bartica] three times per week. This is something that will augur well for us, because lots of persons do not know the layout of Bartica, and this will help them to see the natural beauty as they Ride Along and have the trip with their cycles,” the mayor said.
Proprietor of ‘Ride Along Gy’, Cherry-Ann Greene, related that her goal is to continue expanding her company’s services across the country.
“When I started Ride Along in 2021, I always wanted to come to Bartica. I know I wanted to go to the different regions in Guyana, but Bartica was always my next stop… Cycling is a passion for me actually, because of the health benefits that it
gives, and then it turned into tourism, so we can get to see the different parts of Guyana and people using cycles.”
Manager of the Product Development Department of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Candace Phillips, described the undertaking as signalling the first step of a robust partnership with the region, private operators, and the Government to transform Bartica as a major tourism hub. she
disclosed that the regional administration and tourism committee have also signalled new plans to expand Bartica’s tourism potential and transform it into a prominent tourism destination.
“This one step is just the beginning point of all the experiences that could be launched here. The Product Development team has been working here for about three years now, but, in the last year, we have been able to step up that work…This is the next step in a bigger product that we are also working on, called Discover Essequibo…We are recognising that for tourism to be done well in this area, we need to build collaboration and keep working together for a greater vision,” Phillips highlighted.
This is the eighth tourism experiential tour that is being launched by the GTA thus far for 2024, including a new Paddle Boarding Experience, an Inclusive Bicycle Tour, the Demerara Sunset ‘A Journey through Pottery’ Experience by Toka Village, and the Explore Lethem Day Tour.
Residents of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara took to the streets on Friday in protest against the destruction of several community roads by heavy-duty vehicles working on the gas-to-energy project.
The residents have said they had attempted to have the matter addressed, but to no avail; and as such, on Friday they drew attention to the relevant authorities by blocking the roadway, thus halting traffic, especially those serving the gas-to-energy project in Wales.
Despite being cautioned by the police, the residents were adamant that they wanted to speak with someone from the Government,
thus forcing Public Works Minister Juan Edghill to visit the area.
The meeting with the aggrieved residents saw them informing Minister Edghill that several homes had sustained damage due to speeding trucks. Damage ranged from cracked walls to sinking yards.
Junior Garnett, a resident, related that the issue has worsened, and the roads have become impassable. “We needed this a long time, because we vehicles can’t come in or come out. If we have an emergency, you can’t get out! So, it is very good that the minister came,” Garnett declared.
Edghill, in response, ordered emergency works to be conducted, and has
since contracted Diamond Construction - a community-based contracting company, to execute the work needed to rehabilitate the roads.
Another resident, Nadie Budwah, expressed gratitude for the intervention. “Well, we are happy, because we have been calling for this for a long time. We’re sorry we had to use this kind of force (protest) to get attention, but we are happy and we are asking that they full the whole and keep maintaining it while using the road.”
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill further committed to engaging the entities that utilise the thoroughfare about their responsibility to help maintain roads. In fact, he disclosed that all engineers working in the area would sign an agreement committing to foot the cost of maintenance.
“We can’t stop development, but development could take place with minimum inconvenience to the residents. So, people can’t look at their interest and destroy other people’s lives at the same time. We have to have a straight and frank talk with them (operators
and business owners)…The only condition for them to continue to operate is that: number one, we got to get a speed limit; number two, they have to maintain the road; and number three, they have to (show) better respect for the people of the community,” the minister stated.
Edghill reiterated the Government’s stance against contractors who disrespect and insult citizens
in their operational areas.
“There must be a better relationship between operators and citizens while they are executing contracts on behalf of the Government. Bullyism will not be the
standard that we will tolerate. People are always willing to tolerate inconvenience, but they cannot tolerate people being insulting and abusive towards them,” he asserted.
As the date for the inaugural Diaspora Job Fair approaches - July 27, 2024 - dozens of prominent Guyanese companies in the United States have confirmed their participation in the event, slated for the Marriott Hotel at La Guardia Airport in New York City.
This event, which has garnered significant interest from several other companies, marks a crucial initiative aimed at showcasing career opportunities across various industries, as it underscores its importance as a pivotal platform for connecting returning Guyanese professionals with prospective employers.
The job fair, a commit-
ment by President Dr.
pora in New York, aims to harness the skills and expertise of Guyana's diaspora
community.
"This job fair represents a pivotal moment for our na-
tion as we seek to harness the skills and expertise of our diaspora community," Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Robert Persaud, has said.
He added, "We are delighted to partner with industry leaders and stakeholders to facilitate meaningful connections that contribute to Guyana's development."
Attendees can anticipate direct engagement with representatives of leading companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, all offering a diverse range of employment opportunities and valuable insights into the remigration process.
The event would include informative sessions on investment opportunities, housing options, and educational resources available to returning citizens.
"We encourage all skilled Guyanese professionals in the diaspora to participate in this unprecedented event," Foreign Secretary Persaud added. "Whether you are considering returning to Guyana or seeking to make a meaningful impact from abroad, the Diaspora Job Fair promises to be an invaluable networking and career advancement opportunity."
Persons who wish more details on the Job Fair are invited to visit https://guyanaconsulatenewyork.org/
Political Commentator and Social Activist
Ramon Gaskin has passed at the age of 82, having succumbed at the Woodlands Hospital on Carmichael Street in Georgetown.
The outspoken Russiantrained attorney had been known for his insight and comments on developments in the Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Agriculture sectors.
Gaskin had also been known for standing up for what he believed is right, which often resulted in him going head-to-head against prominent figures in society, including politicians, private sector executives, and international experts.
While his views had commonly been shared with journalists, Gaskin had, in early 2000, shared his opinions on a television programme dubbed “Keeping Them Honest with Gaskin and Ram”, which he had hosted with Christopher Ram. This Was a one-hour programme that included a 20-minute call-in segment to allow for short questions and contributions from the public.
Reflecting on the life of Gaskin, the Alliance For Change stated, “The news of his passing has caused the AFC to reflect on recent history and the power of a single individual to hold leaders accountable. Gaskin, or Rambo, as he was affec-
The late Ramon Gaskin
tionately called, was known for his outspokenness and strong opinions. He was an activist and protagonist unlike any other. He fearlessly
challenged the Government and Opposition alike to do better to improve the lives of Guyanese.”
The well-known activist first rose to fame after the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had won the 1992 General and Regional Elections. He was appointed Chairman of Guyana Power and Light (GPL)Inc.
Years later, Gaskin resigned and started working for locally-owned private sector companies, while he continued to advocate for workers’ rights. In keeping with this commitment, he signalled interest back in 2017 in forming a labour-oriented political party aimed at radically tackling the basic needs of people to en-
sure that Guyana gets a fair share of foreign investments, especially in the natural resources sector.
During a public engagement held at the National Library that year, he stated, “We believe that the new economy and the new model has to be predicated on satisfying the needs of people. If you ain’t doing that, you are wasting time. The fundamental principle of government is looking after the needs of people. If you get that principle and you do it right, everything will fall into place.
“I am thinking of having one, and I am talking about people - whether they think we need to have one…
“We are tending in that direction to launch this new
thing in January,” he had added at the time.
While those plans were not successful, guided by the principles of integrity, patriotism, fairness, power, transparency, and accountability, Gaskin had been was very outspoken on issues of corruption and bad governance.
In recent years, he had been a staunch civil society advocate for Guyana getting a greater share of the oil revenues, and that ExxonMobil and its co-venturers abide by the letter and spirit of the contract and law, based on his interpretation. In this regard, he had been listed as an applicant in several cases involving the oil sector.
Thousands of children and elderly citizens have benefitted from Government’s eye testing and spectacles programme, which was rolled out by the Ministry of Health on Saturday.
The programme was hosted at the Dundee and Diamond Health Centres and at Enmore Hope Primary School.
Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony visited those locations and encouraged everyone to participate in the programme, while adding that over 2,000 persons had already benefitted from eye testing and some of those who were tested had received spectacles.
Dr Anthony also underscored that individuals diagnosed with cataracts during the screening would be added to a treatment list. “If we detect, apart from you needing glasses, that you have cataracts, then we will put you on a list and we will be able to do those surgeries for you,” he assured.
The programme, targeting individuals aged 18 and
under and those 65 and older, offers a $2,000 voucher for eye screening and $15,000 to cover the cost of spectacles, if required.
The eye testing and spectacles programme aims to alleviate financial burdens associated with eye care, while enhancing access to vision correction services nationwide.
The initiative has been welcomed by many. In this regard, Mariah Ram, a parent, commended the Government for prioritising the nation’s children, and has urged other parents to take advantage
of the opportunity.
“It is free of cost and it is good. I encourage everybody else to come out, because I came out and it wasn’t bad, and I am seeing progress with my son,” Ram told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Another parent, Christina Hassan, said her two daughters faced academic challenges due to vision issues, and expressed her gratitude to the Government.
“It is very nice, because a lot of parents cannot afford to get their children’s eyes tested on their own with
how everything in the economy going sky high. So, I think it is very good that the Government did this,” she said.
Renessa France, a mother of three, seized the opportunity to have all her children’s eyes tested after they complained of watery eyes and difficulty seeing the board in school.
“When I heard that the Government was doing this
initiative, I brought them out to test their eyes, because is a free programme they are offering. If their eyes are bad, they (Govt) giving a little grant so that they can put towards the purchase of the eyeglasses. So, it is a good initiative,” France explained.
Another mother of three took the opportunity to test the eyes of all her kids after they had raised concerns
about runny eyes and difficulty seeing the board in school.
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal highlighted the significant impact the initiative would have on improving the lives of citizens.
This initiative is part of the PPP/C Government’s 2020-2025 manifesto commitment geared at enhancing the lives of citizens.
Defending champions
Ballerz Empire will battle first-time finalist Jetty Gunners for the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West/East Bank Demerara crown on July 26, following semi-final wins on Saturday evening.
At the Pouderoyen Tarmac, the Ballerz Empire bested Cayenne Massive 3-0. Solomon Austin recorded the only conversion of the first half as he found the back of the net in the third minute.
Dorwin George then sealed the outcome as he recorded a Guinness Goal (GG) – a goal scored in the final three minutes that counts as two – in the 38th minute.
In the second semi-final fixture, Jetty Gunners squeaked past the three-time champions Showstoppers 2-1 on penalty kicks after regulation and extra time ended scoreless.
Showstoppers com-
menced the shootout in the form of Dexroy Adams, who converted. Jermin Junior then equalised for Jetty Gunners as he calmly slotted home.
Showstoppers then failed to convert from the distance as Stephon Jupiter rolled his effort wide of the lower right corner. Jetty Gunners would
then capitalise on their opponents’ failure to seal the win as Kevin Cummings scored.
The losing teams will contest the third-place play-off.
Complete Results
Semi-final 1
Ballerz Empire 3 v Cayenne Massive 0
Rafael Nadal reached his first final since 2022 as he beat Duje Ajdukovic in three sets at the Swedish Open in Bastad.
Nadal beat unseeded Croat Ajdukovic 3-6 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes to reach his first showpiece since the French Open two years ago.
Today, the 38-yearold Spaniard will face seventh seed Nuno Borges, of Portugal, who beat unseeded Thiago Agustin Tirante, of Argentina, 6-4 6-3 in their semi-final.
"It was a very tough match – my opponent has one of the best backhands I have played against," said Nadal.
"He came here with a lot of confidence. I was trying to push him back and it was very difficult. I found a way to survive."
The final will be Nadal's 131st tour final, and 72nd on clay.
"It is always a good feeling to get back into a final," he added.
"I'm still in this process of recovering a lot of things that I lost, because I had an important hip surgery almost a year ago. Things are not going that easy, but I am fighting."
Nadal was also set to play in the Swedish Open men's doubles semi-final on Saturday with Casper Ruud, but the pair pulled out with Nadal conserving his energy for the singles final.
Their withdrawal sends Brazil's Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos into the final.
Nadal was competing in the doubles as preparation for his doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Nadal won every break point he had The Croat took the first set 6-4, but Nadal hit back with a strong performance in the second to win it 6-3.
In the third, Nadal started well with a double break to race to a 3-0 lead.
But in the fourth game, Ajdukovic had two break points on Nadal's serve and broke at the second time of asking.
The break sparked a fire in Ajdukovic, who held and then broke again to level the third set 3-3.
Nadal was the next to break in a close encounter and celebrated wildly when he saved multiple break points to hold and lead 5-3.
Ajdukovic served to stay in the match and held, before Nadal did the same to claim victory.
Across the match, Nadal had six break points, winning each one. Ajdukovic, meanwhile, had 10 break points, but could only convert five. (BBC Sport)
In a crucial development leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad hoc Division is expected to rule on the dispute between hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, by today, Sunday, July 21. Clunis, who earned her spot with a national record throw of 71.83m in May, was initially selected by the JAAA to represent Jamaica in the hammer throw. However, her name was not submitted to World Athletics by the JAAA, leaving her Olympic status in jeopardy. In response, Clunis has sought a ruling from the CAS Ad hoc Division to ensure her inclusion in the hammer throw competition at the Paris Olympics.
The panel of arbitrators, comprising Annabelle Bennett QC, SC, of Australia as President, along with Carline Dupeyron of France and Olympian Kristen Thorness of the USA, was scheduled to hear the case on July 20, 2024. The panel's decision is expected to be announced the following day.
The urgency of Clunis' appeal stems from a lack of response from the JAAA. On Tuesday, Clunis instructed her lawyers to contact CAS if no response was received from the JAAA by 17:00h that day. Despite the CAS setting an 11:00h Friday deadline for the JAAA to file materials, they reportedly failed to meet this requirement.
Sportsmax.TV sources did indicate that the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA);
World Athletics (WA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have all filed submissions in the dispute.
Clunis' bid for inclusion in the Olympic roster has been fuelled by frustration over the JAAA's handling of her case. Her throw, placing her among the top 32 hammer throwers globally this year, underscores her qualification and readiness to compete at the highest level. A favourable ruling would rectify the administrative oversight and allow Clunis to showcase her talent on the Olympic stage, fulfilling her dream of competing in Paris.
Clunis is represented by Attorneys Dr Emir Crowne and Sayeed Bernard. (Sportsmax)
Thirty-one other teams, including 17 newcomers, will clash next month in hopes of dethroning the Eccles All Stars in the second edition of the Kares “One Guyana” T10 Tapeball Blast.
In anticipation of the impending tapeball action, the tournament was officially launched at the RS53 Restobar and Lounge, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday morning.
The tournament will once again feature 32 tapeball teams from across the country, vying for a cash prize and a special hand-crafted trophy.
During the launch, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr reflected on the vision for the tournament and President Dr Irfaan Ali’s avid support, and spoke of ways in which the tournament can expand.
“When Akeem and I and the team at the Ministry, we discussed it, we knew that this is not just a national event. This was a global event. It wasn’t just a Caribbean event, it’s a global event that they’re sitting on here and you have to have that vision. What I could say,
the Ministry has that vision too and I’m happy to see that there’re so many big thinkers in the room. There were a number of very important initiatives that were included in the tournament,” Ramson Jr shared.
He added, “I want to commend President Ali for his support for this tournament too. It was something that President Ali jumped on from the get- go.”
Regarding the possible expansion of the tournament, Ramson Jr further stated, “As our strengths and our capability start to move bigger, then we can start thinking about other places like
Pakistan, India, Australia because those persons, once we make it a really big spectacle and we generate the interest here, then those persons will be interested to come too.”
Touching on the tournament’s development prospects and opportunities presented for cricketers was former player and sponsor Steven Jacobs.
It was like lambs to the slaughter as Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz started the Concacaf Men's Under-20 Championship with a dismal performance and were mauled 9-0 by United States at the Miguel Aleman Valdez Stadium in Mexico on Friday.
The Jamaicans, who would have entered the tournament confident of a good performance, did little to show that they will be competitive in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
With the win, reigning champions United States took pole position on three points, ahead of Cuba and Costa Rica, who played out a 1-1 stalemate in the curtain-raiser of the Group A double-header.
Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz had no response to the onslaught of the three-time champions, who, in a frantic start, raced to a 4-0 lead inside 21 minutes.
In fact, Jamaica’s lone effort on target was from an ambitious 25th-minute free kick from Captain Adrian Reid Jr, driven along the wet surface from well over 30 yards out.
David Vazquez grabbed an early brace in the second and third minutes, as he opened the scoring with an easy finish from deep inside the box, and he later drove home a left-footer in similar fashion.
Pedro Soma struck with a left-footed strike of his own in the 16th minute to extend the USA’s lead, and he too completed a brace in the 20th with
another left-footed hit inside the box.
Not even a slew of early substitutions by Jamaica’s Head Coach, Jerome Waite, could stop the carnage, as Cruz Medina capitalised on their sloppy defending to finish off a loose ball and put USA 5-0 up at the break.
As the evening rains continued to drizzle, the oneway traffic continued on the resumption when Marcos Zambrano struck in the 54th minute as the USA maintained their offensive efficiency.
Ruben Ramos scored in the 67th minute to make it seven, before Nimfasha Berchimas added another in the 77th.
Nikolas Tsakiris then capped the win with a closerange effort in the 90+1 minute.
Earlier, Samuel Rodriguez’s eight-minute penalty put Cuba in front, but the
Spanish-speaking Caribbean island could not maintain the lead, as Esteban Cruz (52nd) earned Costa Rica a share of the spoils.
It was a contest that could have gone either way, but for excellent glove work by Cuba’s Yurdy Hodelin and his Costa Rican counterpart Berny Rojas, as both teams had their fair share of chances.
After Leonardo Alfaro’s 23rd-minute strike for Costa Rica came back off the crossbar, Hodelin kept out Andy Rojas’ 30th-minute penalty kick.
Costa Rica’s custodian, Rojas, came up big twice to deny Aniel Casanova and Cristian Mendoza in quick succession.
Action in Group A will resume on Monday with the young Reggae Boyz to lock horns with Costa Rica, while Cuba will face the USA in the feature contest at the same venue. (Sportsmax)
“I want to say how important this tournament is to the development of sports in Guyana and also, the development of Guyana; this tournament does a lot. Most importantly, I think it gives an opportunity to the cricketers to showcase their talents and through FL Sports, it is
broadcast not only in Guyana but right around the world.
So, it gives an opportunity for cricketers to show their skills, their talents,” Jacobs explained.
One other thing that has been bettered this time around for the tournament is the trophy and the signifi-
cance it holds.
“The trophy is a true microcosm of a One Guyana and the stuff that the President is now pushing, for us to be all together. Th trophy is made of six different types of woods,” Stephen McKenzie, the trophy’s sculptor, shared before its unveiling.
The base of the trophy is made from yellow silverballi, while the middle consists of crabwood, brown silverballi and womara. The stumps were crafted from purpleheart and topped off with kabukalli for the bails.
McKenzie further stated about his masterpiece, “So, I would like the persons who are going to be raising this trophy to see it as an artistic piece rather than just your trophy. May the best team win.”
This year’s edition will see an increased first prize, with the teams now competing for $1.5 million GYD. The action will bowl off on Saturday, August 3 at various venues and conclude on Sunday, August 25 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, EBD.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) are continuing their efforts to develop basketball throughout Guyana with the launching of the second edition of the One Guyana Basketball Premier League on Friday at the National Gymnasium.
The league will commence from August 19, 2024, and is projected to conclude on March 12, 2024, with two breaks, and the games being live-streamed on the Ministry’s social media page.
President of the Georgetown Basketball Association, Jermaine Slater expounded on the quality of basketball in the inaugural edition and his expectations for better basketball with the change of format.
“The first edition was thrilling from start to finish, especially in the playoffs. We witnessed incredible competition, excitement, and development around our club; the energy, dedication and passion displayed by players were truly remarkable and it is clear that fostering the growth of basketball here In Guyana. This year, we have expanded the league by adding more games, it is prompting more excitement, we are not only having the teams in their groups, but the teams will be playing within, in their groups and once within the other groups.”
The tournament will see 10 teams being divided into two conferences – The Harpy League and The Jaguar League with 80 games. Teams will play each other twice
in the group and once from across groups.
During the launch, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr emphasised the success of the inaugural edition and requested that players make it spectator-friendly.
The Sport Minister shared, “Let’s acknowledge that the first league tournament that we had playing here, which was launched last year, was a huge resounding success and tremendous success. You have got to help to build the event, build the tournament which means that you have to make it a lot more spectator-friendly so you don’t want to end up in a situation where persons were not listening to the referee, being indiscipline and I came personally just to see what that was like, not because I was interested in who was playing who.”
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle disclosed that the reduction of teams showed a level of improvement in the quality of athletes.
“Last year we would have
had 14 teams and this year we are down to 10 teams, but we are down to 10 teams, because we are improving the quality of the product that is being played and that for me is something that needs to be applauded, because quality is very important in anything that we do, the quality of food that you eat say a lot about your body, the quality for the friends that you have also say a lot about us, so it tells me that from last year to this year, we have seen some level of improvement,” Ninvalle disclosed.
The winning team of the tournament will receive $1 million along with trophies while the runner-up team will receive $500,000 with trophies.
Half-centuries to three of their top five allowed England to wrest back control of the second Test after West Indies' spirited lower-order resistance had given the tourists a narrow first-innings lead on an enthralling third day at Trent Bridge.
Twin fifties from Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope –the biggest contributors in England's first innings –steadied the hosts after the loss of Zak Crawley just 10 balls into their second in-
missed for a duck in the first innings, managed 3 in the second before his freak runout at the non-striker's end.
Duckett drove heartily back towards the bowler Jayden Seales, who thrust out a hand on his follow through and the ball deflected off his fingers as Crawley was backing up, his bat still in the air when the stumps were broken.
Duckett raised his second fifty of the match in 55 balls with a trio of sweeps off consecutive deliveries in front of square off Kevin Sinclair, top-
nings, a 119-run partnership for the second wicket overhauling West Indies' 41-run lead and pulling them 86 ahead.
Then fifty to Harry Brook during another century stand
edged through fine leg, and then behind square to add to his quick-fire 71 in the first innings.
The day's overcast conditions grew heavier at tea with a very light rain shower sweeping through around the scheduled resumption. Pope, England's top-scorer in the first
innings with 121, brought up his fifty soon after the interval with a single off Alzarri Joseph, but immediately after the misshapen ball was replaced, the same bowler lured
led by a century for Kavem Hodge, and Alick Athanaze's 82 on the second day, which gave them some hope of levelling the series after an innings defeat at Lord's. But
Pope into a drive, the outside edge sailing to Sinclair at gully.
Joseph then pinned Duckett lbw with a toe-crusher of an inswinging yorker, the batter failing to overturn a straightforward dismissal on DRS, and England went from 127 for 1 to 140 for 3.
Brook and Root steadied things again, though. Brook was hit in the midriff by one that nipped back from Joseph, but pulled the next for four through midwicket to move within one boundary of his half-century; and he got there punching the first ball of Joseph's next over to the boundary through wide longoff.
Brook raised the century partnership with back-toback fours through the cordon off Seales, who was clearly fuming at the end of the over. When Brook and Root strode off the field after the next over, they had every reason to look pleased.
Earlier, Joshua Da Silva's resolute half-century, and Shamar Joseph's big-hitting cameo from number 11 took West Indies into the lead. Da Silva remained unbeaten on 82, having added fifty runs to his overnight score, when Shamar Joseph fell on the final ball of an extended first session for 33 off 27 balls, the pair putting on 71 runs off 78 for the 10th wicket.
Chris Woakes found plenty of swing to lead the bowling for England with three wickets for the day, including two in as many balls, to finish with 4 for 84.
West Indies would have been thrilled with an improved batting performance,
after further encouragement with Crawley's dismissal, they may be disappointed with their failure to capitalise.
Shamar Joseph survived the hat-trick ball to support Da Silva, who had taken it slowly through the first 90 minutes of the day, but brought up his fifty in emphatic style, using Mark Wood's pace to guide the ball over the fence at deep extra cover.
England bowled just one over with the second new ball on Friday evening, but under far cloudier skies, it took just 15 deliveries on Saturday morning for Woakes to break through, Jason Holder prodding at one outside off stump and getting caught behind.
Sinclair survived a run-out chance when Pope's shy at the stumps from short cover went wide, but he was gone soon after, thanks to Brook's lightning reflexes at gully, off Gus Atkinson.
Alzarri Joseph was put down by Ben Stokes, running in from cover, on 7, off the bowling of Atkinson, but Woakes claimed two wickets in as many balls when he had Alzarri Joseph chasing a wide one outside off stump and feathering behind to Jamie Smith, and then bowled Seales for a first-ball duck.
Da Silva took another six off Wood over deep third to move West Indies past the 400-mark, then Shamar Joseph drew his side level with England's first-innings 416 by thrashing Atkinson for six in front of square. He sent broken roof tiles raining on to spectators sitting in the stands below at backward square leg next, and threaded four through fine leg to take 16 off the over.
Da Silva amassed 18 runs off one Joe Root over with three consecutive fours followed by a heave over long-on for six, his third maximum of the innings.
Wood, who had left the field late on day two suffering cramp after a lightning fast four-over spell in the morning followed by 10 more overs of hard, fast graft, snared the wicket that had eluded him when Shamar Joseph sent a leading edge high to mid-on, Atkinson snaffling the catch.
(ESPNcricinfo)
