“Education is a powerful tool for transformation” - CPCE Valedictorian encourages teachers to create safe spaces where students feel valued
Preserving Guyana’s biodiversity to take centre stage in restoration of zoo, Botanical Gardens
Bandit arrested after robbing Chinese supermarket at Kuru Kururu
Guyaneseborn scholar & author “very optimistic” about direction of local creative industry
Strathspey man pleads guilty to 2020 murder of partner’s mother DPI, OPM launch series of hinterland radio broadcast training
Successful innovation on Dumfries Estate can be replicated throughout region – Pres Ali …says
estate fosters innovation & wellness while preserving traditional building skills
Alittle over a month ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali toured the Royal Dumfries Estate in Scotland, which is known for its textile and other innovative enterprises and according to the Head of State, these innovative practices could be replicated and implemented throughout the Commonwealth.
During a dinner hosted by King Charles III on Friday for leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 in Samoa, President Ali had the honour of proposing the toast. The Guyanese Head of State used the occasion to reflect on his visit last month to Dumfries House, an estate in Scotland owned by King Charles.
But while the estate is one of many the royal family owns; it is being used to train youths and develop pilot projects for the good of the people of Britain. President Ali described what he saw during his visit.
“I believe that, as a Commonwealth family, if we can all visit that estate and learn about the contribution of that estate to the transformation of that community and witness for ourselves the innovation, we would all want to have such an estate of harmony and innovation in each of our countries.”
“And I think this should be an aspiration of all of us. To work with His Majesty King Charles, on establishing such an estate of harmony and innovation, in each of the Commonwealth member families,” President Ali said.
Ali further urged other Commonwealth leaders to pay a visit to Dumfries House for themselves and expressed hope that King Charles, in much the way Guyana is already partnering with his King’s foundation to improve urban spaces, will also extend this collaboration to other coun-
of today. Children were receiving STEM education, equipping them for meaningful futures.
“Sustainable housing initiatives offered underprivileged communities a say in society, and a foundation for decent lives. A wellness centre, dedicated to mental health, well ahead of its time, now stands as a vital resource for the National Health Service… and Your Majesty, we hope you’ll be kind enough to share this skill of developing the estate of harmony and innovation, with each of our countries,” the Head of State added.
and employed, restoring dignity and empowering them to contribute to their communities. Traditional building skills were being pre-
served, merging the best of the past with the promise
Presently, the King’s Foundation is helping Guyana to do a citywide modernisation of Georgetown, the capital city. President Ali had said that Georgetown would be transformed into a more family and pedestrian-friendly space.
tries too.
“During a memorable day on the estate, I saw the Champion himself at work. Young people, who might
otherwise struggle to find work, were being trained
President Dr Irfaan Ali during his visit to Dumfries Estate in Scotland
Guyana being a small nation facing several challenges in the international arena, the BRICS+ summit that was held between October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia should be of interest to us for several reasons, not the least being that Venezuela has applied to become a member of this bloc, and that Maduro was present during its deliberations.
BRICS, launched in 2006 and initially comprised of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, has been joined by South Africa in 2010. At the beginning of this year, they accepted applications from Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE to become BRICS+. Their economies represent over US$28.5 trillion, or about 28 per cent of the global economy.
At this summit, 13 new nations were added to the alliance as “partner countries”: Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda and Uzbekistan. They are not yet full members, but partner country status is a mandatory step before full membership. Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamad Hasan, explained their application: “Malaysia’s desire to join BRICS+ represents its effort to uphold policies and identity as an independent and neutral country, striking a balance with great powers and opening up new business and investment opportunities.”
This confirms the image of BRICS+ as a counterweight to the presently dominant Western bloc that is led by the US and the EU, and is suspiciously like the old Non-Aligned Movement NAM) that sought to steer a course between the US and the USSR, but was seen by the US as favouring the latter. BRICS+, with members like China and Iran, might also precipitate similar sentiments.
The activities of the grouping will do nothing to assuage such fears. In BRICS+, Indonesia “conveyed the pivotal message of peace and the importance of developing countries and the Global South to unite, enhance solidarity, and play their important role in creating a more inclusive, just, and equal world order," – implying that the present western-dominated order is unjust etc. More pointedly, Maduro utilized the platform to launch a withering tirade against the UN. It demonstrated the weight behind the ability of BRICS+ to condemn Western institutions in a way not seen before at such a global level.
There had been much discussion over the possibility of replacing the US dollar as the dominant global currency, which gives that country a tremendous edge in trade. To finance its enormous trade deficit, all the US has to do is print pieces of paper called “dollars” and exchange them for goods and services. However, there are many differences among the members on how replacing the US dollar can be achieved. The expected rise of China’s renminbi as an alternative to the dollar, for instance, does not sit well with co-member India and others.
There is, however, expected to be an increase in trade using the currencies of the members, such as the use of the yuan and rouble in the Russian-Chinese trade. Putin explained the challenges to be faced in replacing the US dollar: That “requires thorough economic integration (…) Apart from a high level of integration among BRICS members, the introduction of a single BRICS currency would involve comparable monetary quality and volume (…) Otherwise, we will face even bigger issues than those that occurred in the EU.”
The summit declaration addressed the overall global financial architecture which presently favours the West, but interestingly, called for reforming the Bretton Woods institutions that are controlled by the latter, rather than creating full-blown alternatives. Additionally, the member states agreed “to discuss and study the feasibility of the establishment of an independent cross-border settlement and depositary infrastructure, BRICS Clear, an initiative to complement the existing financial market infrastructure, as well as BRICS independent reinsurance capacity, including BRICS (Re)Insurance Company, with participation voluntarily” (emphasis added) – an arguably lukewarm response to Russia’s more robust initiatives.
With Guyana’s rising profile as an oil-producing country, we would have to weigh the pros and cons of becoming a member of BRICS+ in order to protect our interests in this fast-evolving multipolar world.
Dr Ramharack, Ravi Dev and NY activists were
anti-communist, not anti-Jagan
Dear Editor, I do not wish to engage in a running commentary battle with Clement Rohee and/ or other communists, present or former. However, remarks made: that Dr Baytoram Ramharack, Ravi Dev, Vassan Ramracha, I, and others who critiqued Dr Cheddi Jagan, wherein we are labelled as anti-Jagan (Cheddi and Janet) and anti-PPP, need correction or some form of explanation.
Baytoram and others mentioned above belonged to a group that was anti-communist, and not anti-Jagan (PPP). We committed to a struggle for the removal of the dictatorship and the restoration of democracy, not the installation of a communist regime. We tried to reform Dr Jagan and the PPP away from communism, in order to make him electable and acceptable to Washington and the West.
Baytoram, Ravi, I, and a few others played a significant role in the restoration of democracy, culminating in free and fair elections (FFE) and Jagan’s election as President. The Jagans and the PPP were beneficiaries of our long and dedicated struggle against the dictatorship.
Rohee and other communists go berserk when confronted with any critique of the Jagans; it doesn’t matter whether the critiques are factual. One went after my commentary on constitutional reform, in which I stated that people were disappointed that Dr Jagan and his PPP reneged on their commitment to replace the Burnham constitution after their electoral victory and restoration of democracy in 1992. That fact is indisputable, regardless of the
reasons for the failure and reluctance of Jagan to honour it.
We were, and are, anti-communist, as we believe it never served the interest of colonial Guiana or independent Guyana. Communism deprived people of their human dignity and basic rights. It was also a threat to American and Western interests. The threat of the rise of communism was the primary reason for the rise of the authoritarian state in Guyana in 1968, the collapse of the economy, and the emptying of post-independence Guyana. If the Jagans were not communist, they would have been allowed to govern Guyana, and the country would not have sunk into a dictatorship. Because of communism, more Guyanese live in the USA than in Guyana. Baytoram and I landed at City College in September 1977 as freshmen in pre-medical studies at the tender age of 17. We were influenced by Vassan and Rennie Ramracha, who had majored in Political Science, to pioneer a movement against the Guyana dictatorship, and to switch our major to that discipline to enhance our tools for political struggle and revolution. The duo rightly asked how we could concern ourselves only with a planned medical career and turn a blind eye to the suffering of our people in Guyana. We decided to change Majors and committed to a struggle against the dictatorship.
That struggle redounded to the benefit of the Jagans and the PPP. We were not interested in running for office in Guyana; we simply wanted the restoration of democracy and free and fair elections
(FFE).
In our pro-democracy struggle to benefit Jagan, Ramharack was the point writer, waking up in the wee hours to prepare literature for distribution and communication with others. At times after midnight, he would be called upon to construct newsletters or flyers about rights’ violations in Guyana to distribute at public events and to engage in correspondence with politicians globally. I also penned articles and engaged in communications with world leaders and politicians. Ravi Dev also penned articles. Ramharack and I organized protests in front of the UN annually for the General Assembly, focusing attention on rigged elections and rights’ violations.
I was elected to student government in 1978, and was re-elected several times thereafter, and pioneered motions for funding for seminars, lectures, and conferences in which Dr Jagan and Janet Jagan were speakers. Chuck Mohan facilitated several of these programmes. Arjune Karshan and Mel Carpen, who were not students at CCNY, were at some of these lectures. Joey Jagan and Ralph Gonsalves were speakers at one such seminar, that got funding and co-organized in 1980 at the Finley Center south campus. Those activities could not be of a person who was anti-Jagan. We organized rallies, petitions, protests and more against the dictatorship, and penned letters to Congress and the Carter, Reagan and Bush administrations as well as to other governments to apply pressure on Burnham
and Hoyte to return the country to democratic rule. Trips were made to Washington from New York to engage American politicians and Administration officials. We lobbied Washington and governments of other countries to give Dr Jagan a chance. We were rebuffed by Western governments and members of Congress. In India, state foundations that I approached declined to fund a seminar in tribute to Dr. Jagan for the centenary of his birth. I was told that Dr. Jagan was a great man and that Indian Guyanese considered him their “Mahatma”, but his ideology resulted in undue suffering and persecution of his people in Guyana, and as such state foundations could not fund an honour for him. However, programmes I co-organized in India, the USA, and Trinidad did pay tribute to him and his spouse Janet. Ditto events I participated in in Guyana. Also, I wrote many articles praising the Jagans and their contributions to the struggle, and I also critiqued them. Ditto Ravi Dev! Communism, as related to our group by officials in Washington and the West, of which we lobbied for the restoration of democracy in Guyana, would not be allowed to succeed in Guyana. Officials made it clear they would not support initiatives that would result in the replacement of an opportunistic socialist with an avowed communist. It is recalled that the PPP was removed from office in 1953 and engineered out of office in 1964 because of a communist threat, real or imagined.
President Dr Irfaan Ali received a warm display of Samoan hospitality and cultural exchange during a visit to Lalovi-Mulifanua, the Samoan village designated to represent Guyana for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa
Raising awareness for Rett Syndrome
– A Mission of Hope and Compassion
Dear Editor, October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on a rare but life-altering disability that affects one in every 20,000 children, predominantly girls.
This month holds deep personal meaning. It was my niece’s diagnosis with Rett Syndrome that inspired
the creation of the Precious Angels Charity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding research to one day find a cure.
This journey is not just about my family; it’s about every family affected by this rare condition, and about ensuring no child in Guyana or anywhere else is left behind.
Rett Syndrome is a neurological disorder that begins to show its effects in early childhood. Often, babies appear to develop normally in their first 6 to 18 months, but then they start to lose skills they had gained — such as speech, motor control, and the ability to use their hands purposefully. The condition is caused by mutations in the
MECP2 gene, which is crucial for brain development. Symptoms range from severe cognitive impairment to problems with walking, talking, eating, and even breathing. Many children with Rett Syndrome experience seizures and severe gastrointestinal issues. The history of Rett Syndrome dates back to its identifi-
Good to know that Government is emphasizing ‘Early Childhood Education’
Dear Editor,
It is good to know that Early Childhood Education is taking its rightful place in Guyana. We all know that the ‘early childhood’ period is of utmost importance, encompassing several quite distinct phases: from ‘conception to birth’ and from ‘birth to 3 years’ (with emphasis on the first 1,000 days (from conception to 24 months), followed by the ‘preschool and pre-primary years (3 years to 5 or 6 years, or the age of school entry), and if the requisite work is not done in this period, then there are likely to be huge and many problems for these children as they move towards pre and post-teen years.
So, as expected, many parents and educators are now quite optimistic, and are believers in the government of the day, since Diamond is set to get a $108M Early Childhood Development Centre.
In terms of the outlook globally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include Target 4.2, which states that, by 2030, all girls and boys must have access to quality early child development, care, and pre-primary education, so that they are ready for primary education. Across many countries, governments, international bodies, coalitions, and private sector entities are all recognizing that quality early education and care for
children is an economic and social investment for future growth and wellbeing.
Overall, investment in early childhood education and care is gaining traction, and Guyana is right there in the mix.
Editor, the news is good, heralding that the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDC), Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) programme (which is being implemented through the Ministry of Finance), recently signed a $108 million contract for the construction of this new Diamond Early Childhood Development Centre. Details show that the Guyana Government signed the $108,825,081 contract with Builders Hardware General Supplies and Construction to build the facility. The thinking, and rightly so, is that “Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a major priority for the Government of Guyana, and has been a key area in the BNTF development agenda in Guyana.
Going back a bit, under the BNTF programme in Guyana, eight (8) Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) have been constructed across Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7 and 10, as well as an Early Childhood Centre of Excellence at the University of Guyana. This is really proof that the PPP/C Government understands that Early Childhood Development
(ECD) is all about a comprehensive approach to programmes and policies for children from birth to seven years of age. Its purpose is to protect the rights of children to develop their full cognitive, emotional, social and physical potential, and hence the setting up of corresponding infrastructure.
As for this soon-to-be realised facility for the East Bank of Demerara, “BNTF noted that it will have classrooms tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-agers with an estimated intake of 47 students.” And as for its accompanying and necessary ambience, “…the facility will also make provision for staff and visitors, and the design caters for persons with disabilities…(and) will feature sufficient space for recreational activities.”
Why this ‘big fuss’? The answer is scientifically grounded, as ‘human life’ is truly a story for which the beginning sets the tone, thus making the early years of childhood a time of great opportunity, but also great risks that must all be eliminated, or at least minimised. Gleanings from neurologists and linguists reveal that “Children’s brains are built moment by moment as they interact with their environments…(where) in the first few years of life, more than one million neural connections are formed each second, a pace never repeat-
ed again.
That is why educators must grasp and internalise that “the quality of a child’s early experiences makes a critical difference as their brains develop, providing either strong or weak foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life.”
I add that “Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development, and builds a foundation for their future.”
So, for children to achieve their full potential (as is their human right, as well as health care and nutrition, protection from harm, and a sense of security), opportunities for early learning and responsive caregiving (like talking, singing and playing), with parents and caregivers who love them, a good government will make the necessary accommodation.
Guyana will not ‘miss out’ on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The country must not pay the price in lost potential, such as a child’s dying before a chance to grow up, or going through life with poor physical and mental health, struggling to learn, and later to earn a living. Now is the time, and the Diamond Childhood Development Centre is another example of commitment.
Yours truly,
Hargesh B Singh
Dr Ramharack, Ravi Dev and NY...
We were involved in a twofold struggle — to reform Dr Jagan and the PPP and to convince Washington that Jagan and the PPP would not be a threat to the interests of America and the West. Dr Jagan was a hard nut to crack on moving away from communism (however it was defined: social democrat, socialism, leftism, etc.). He remained adamantly embracing communism until the Soviet Union collapsed. Dr Jagan then embraced glasnost and perestroika modelled after Gorbachevism, which was supported by the USA and the West.
In terms of supporting Jagan and trying to re-
form him on communism, through GOPIO and other contacts, our group was involved in the introduction of Cheddi to the Carter Center, Chair of Democratic Party Ron Brown in 1989, and my History Professor Arthur Schlesinger, who apologized for his role in the toppling of Jagan in 1964. In addition, I and others appealed to Essequibian Ramesh Kalicharran to provide accommodation to Cheddi and Sam Hinds in 1992 when they came to lobby for support for the election, and we assisted with providing comfort at the 170th Street facility where they were hosted. It could not be that we dis-
liked Cheddi that we did the above for him and to assist in his election to office.
The USA no longer saw Dr Jagan as a threat to its interests or to western interests. A deal was made for economic reforms away from statism and towards free market and political reforms, including ‘free and fair elections’ (FFE) and restoration of democracy. We played a significant role in those reforms.
After the collapse of communism, Jagan agreed that we must work with the West. He implicitly agreed that communism couldn’t work in Guyana or the West, and explicitly, he accept-
ed IMF conditionalities. As President, he didn’t visit the Eastern bloc. Clearly, those of us who were anti-communist are vindicated in our strategy on restoration of democracy.
Dr. Jagan praised us for our activism and the role we played in the restoration of democracy in Guyana. He communicated that feeling in person during my trip to Guyana after his swearing-in, and to Ravi Dev as well. He repeated that sentiment in New York in 1993 during his visit to address the UN General Assembly.
Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram (PhD)
cation in 1966 by Austrian Paediatrician Dr. Andreas Rett, though it took until the 1980s for it to be recognized as a distinct disorder. Research has since made strides in understanding the genetic mutations behind the syndrome, but, as of now, there is still no cure. The severity and complexity of Rett Syndrome demand medical intervention, compassion, and awareness from the broader community.
People must educate themselves about rare disabilities like Rett Syndrome. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in the quality of life of both the child and family. By learning the signs — loss of motor skills, slowed growth, breathing difficulties, and repetitive hand movements like wringing or clapping — we can better support early intervention efforts.
In Guyana, Rett Syndrome is likely affecting more than just a single family, and our underdeveloped healthcare facilities are not remotely able to assess, diagnose, and treat these individuals. It is essential to understand that while the condition is rare, it is present here. Our charity, Precious Angels, is committed to ensuring that any family suspecting their child might be showing signs of this condition has a resource to which they can turn. If you see symptoms that concern you, I urge you to contact us at www.preciousangelscharity. com, reach out on social media at @preciousangelscharity19, or find us on Facebook at Precious Angels Charity.
Raising awareness is not just about understanding the facts; it is about building a community of empathy, one that understands that the challenges faced by these children and their families are immense. It is about rallying together to fund research for a cure, and ensuring that no parent feels alone when faced with the overwhelming realities of caring for a child with a disability like Rett Syndrome.
At Precious Angels Charity, our mission goes beyond awareness. We are working tirelessly to raise funds that go directly toward research aimed at finding a cure. We believe that the world can change for the better when we come together, and every small effort matters.
October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, and I hope that as more people learn about this disability, we can work together to create a brighter, more hopeful future for children like my niece. With increased awareness comes greater support for research and advocacy — steps that would bring us closer to the day when Rett Syndrome is no longer a source of suffering for any family.
Wear purple; donate, if possible; share and engage with our content. Let’s take this month to educate, to empathize, and to act. The children fighting this battle deserve nothing less.
GRAPES/RAISINS/CURRANTS' TOXICITY IN DOGS EMERGENCIES (continued)
Ioften receive queries from concerned pet caregivers on the danger of offering grapes, raisins (dried grapes), and currants (small raisins) to their canine companions—
detailed, given that I have not experienced any grave and worrying ill and life-threatening effects to dogs who have ingested a few grapes.
However, I am now noting
especially during the Christmas Season, when these fruits are more available. In the past, I
that there is documented literature on specific cases of toxicity associated with the
has shown that 3 grapes (or 3 raisins) could in fact be lethal to a three-pound puppy; and 12 grapes (and 12-15 raisins) could be fatal to a ten-pound animal. There was a time when even scientists believed that caregiver reports were emerging from evidence that was circumstantial at best, especially since the actual toxic ingredient had not been isolated. Such reports were
exhibitions of the caregiver’s panic and anxiety. Actually, some scientists had even argued that the culprit may well have been fungi (moulds) on the grapes. Well, the culprit has now been identified. It is Tartaric Acid, and the salt created therefrom. Yes, the same substance which can be incrustated on the animal’s teeth.
So now we must give serious answers to the heretoforebrushed-aside questions. The
first question obviously is: what are the symptoms associated with giving (quite lovingly) “Rover” too many grapes/ raisins?
The immediate symptoms (reactions) are:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea and possible black stool
• Excessive thirst
• Abnormal urination
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
N.B: Later, the kidneys exhibit damage, even failure,
antidote. But you can induce vomiting immediately after the pup/young dog/adult dog has ingested the grapes/raisins/ currants. Please refer to last week’s column (October 20, 2024) on the administration of Hydrogen Peroxide or Activated Charcoal. You must always have these two products in your Pet’s Medical Emergency Kit. You are advised to later take the animal to the Vet for observation and for possible administration of intravenous fluids and gastrointestinal protectant medications. If the animal is going into a
and collapse.
Before you, as a caring pet owner, descend into panic, let me hasten to add that after ingesting grapes/raisins/ currants, not all dogs would exhibit the same degree of reaction and abovementioned symptoms. Some dogs suffer mildly, especially if they have been fed only a single grape. Call your vet and relate the scenario.
But be advised: why provoke destiny? Why would you test chance? Just do not feed your dog (young or old) grapes, raisins or currants. Actually, I should add that Tamarind Chutney/ Achar could precipitate the symptoms mentioned above.
Let’s answer some other specific questions that vets have encountered relative to today's topic:
Q: How long is it before the poison symptoms (see above) reveal themselves?
A: Immediately, to a few hours, to several days after ingestion
Q: What can I administer to my dog after the symptoms begin?
A: There is no specific
comatose state, your vet may flush the stomach out with a stomach tube. Some textbooks advise the introduction of a chemical (drug) to create diarrhoea, the theory being that, in so doing, the intestines would be flushed out. I do not subscribe to this intervention. In trying to remove the grape(s), raisin(s), and/or currant(s) from the intestinal tract, one would be getting rid of substances in the intestines that are needed to help the animal recover from the toxic onslaught.
Q: What can the caregiver do after the animal has returned home?
A: The concern is with kidney failure (see above) and you must observe the urination patterns, distension of the abdomen, and the behaviour of your pet. At home, lots of fluids would have been recommended by your vet. If ill-health symptoms persist, you must return to your vet, who would institute more aggressive protocols that are standard for such conditions.
NEXT WEEK: EMERGENCIES RELATIVE TO STINGS AND INSECT BITES
US$1.7B “ONE GUYANA” FPSO in final stages of completion – SBM
…engineering phase for Jaguar FPSO nearing completion
The US$1.7 billion
“ONE GUYANA” Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel being built by Dutch shipbuilder SBM Offshore for the fourth ExxonMobil development offshore Guyana is in the final stages of completion.
This was revealed by SBM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Øivind Tangen, during a recent interview with OilNOW, where he provided an update on his company’s progress as it relates to building the “ONE GUYANA” FPSO, which is supposed to produce first oil in the second half of next year from the Yellowtail development.
“It’s going great. So, the project right now is in the final stage, where we go through the commissioning of the unit. So, it consists of testing the integrity of the integration scope. As we take our modules, we integrate them into the asset and connect them together. And then we go through a series of leak testing, commissioning testing, to say, we’re good to go,” Tangen said.
“That’s progressing really well, in the Keppel
(ship) yard in Singapore. So, we’re not far off. The teams that are working on it benefit, again, from what we learned on Payara, Unity, and what we learned from our prior projects that run in China. And are going to Brazil these days. And we bring our teams from one to the next unit. So, we find ways of improving the quality of the work and executing it with greater efficiency. So, “ONE GUYANA” is on track.”
Meanwhile, work on the Jaguar FPSO, which will service ExxonMobil Guyana’s sixth oil development, Whiptail, offshore Guyana, is also progressing. Tangen explained that they have the same team that worked on the Liza Unity FPSO, which is operational right now in the Liza Phase Two oil and gas development working on the Jaguar FPSO.
“The Jaguar , same team, by and large, as what we have on Unity . So, we bring, inherently, all the (lessons) from Unity and the execution of Unity , into that project. Right now, it’s coming to the end of the engineering phase. This means we’ve essential-
ly placed all the purchase orders for all the items. It means we are going to the final model reviews, before moving into the detailed design of the project. So, it’s really well advanced.
“We started to do the steel cutting in the module yards and of course, we have the MPF5, which is in the SWS yard in China, which is nearing completion as well. We’ll be moving down to Singapore in the new year. So, the project is on track and it’s a fantastic team and it's really progressing, as we would have wished for,” Tangen also said.
There are currently three FPSOs operating in Guyana’s waters: the Liza Destiny , the Liza Unity and the Prosperity in the Liza One, Liza Phase Two, and Payara off-shore projects respectively.
Six FPSOs are expected to be operating offshore Guyana by 2027. The fifth FPSO, which would be named “Errea Wittu”, meaning “abundance” in the Indigenous Warrau language, would operate in the Urau project. It would have an oil storage capacity of two million barrels, an oil production design
rate of 250,000 barrels per day, and be able to offload approximately one million barrels onto a tanker in approximately 24 hours.
This vessel will be delivered by MODEC, a Japanese company which has confirmed the construction of this FPSO with a ceremony on February 2. The projected start-up date of the US$12.7 billion Uaru development is 2026.
The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd had had a 30 per cent interest,
SBM CEO Øivind Tangen
which it recently sold to Chevron.
CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a whol-
ly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
Successful innovation on...
The city, he had said, would be divided into four sections, in line with international standards for capital cities, including sections dedicated to culture, green walkways, and city parks.
“We’re working on building a city that will be connected on a number of pillars. One, culture and heritage. So, we want, when visitors come, they must walk from Kingston all the way around the city and be able to enjoy the culture and heritage of the city. That means we have to rebuild all our heritage facilities,” President Ali had said recently.
“We have to clean up the city. Do back all the drainage. Make the drainage economically viable, by putting in modern drainage facilities in which you can have parking over the drainage. In which you can have cycle lanes over the drainage. In which you can create greenery along the drainage. And peaceful, tranquil, safe walking cir -
cuits throughout the city.”
Added to this is the Government’s plans to plant 50,000 flowering trees in five years throughout urban areas.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed only on Thursday last that the Government is working on a project that will see some 50,000 flowering trees being planted in Georgetown and along the coastland areas in an effort to beautify the urban landscape.
The project is being
executed by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFS) and should be rolled out in five years. Currently, the Commission has been tasked to bring an initial 5000 flowering trees from the forests to be planted along the coast. Jagdeo said the plan also includes the purchasing of palm trees from local suppliers for replanting at strategic locations along the coast and in the capital city. (G3)
The Jaguar FPSO under construction
Deflated…
…windbag
Well, hush my mouth and call me a chump!! Your Eyewitness had stocked up on his popcorn and cokes, “threw back”, and was waiting to hear the embattled Brutus make good on his threat to bring down the Government – the modern-day Caesar!! But before your Eyewitness could say, “Et tu, Brute?” the man had thrown in the towel, crying, “No mas! No mas!!”
What the heck!! You’d think an Asst Police Commissioner would’ve played enough poker over the years - as he softened up prisoners with rubber truncheons and such like – to have known when to hold and when to fold it!!
Here it was that SOCU had investigated him on corruption, and had slapped him with 240 charges involving hundreds of millions of dollars ending up in bank accounts that are owned by him, his newly wedded wife, and his newly born child!! Said it was mainly gifts from his wedding late last year, and not having to fork out any of his $400,000/monthly salary – since all of that was taken care of by the state!! And they say police salaries aren’t high enough to attract good material!!
Anyhow, Brutus lawyered up and struck back in the courts by filing counter-charges against several officials, including the Attorney General and the Police Commissioner!! He was being persecuted, he screamed, and his constitutional rights were being violated. He hinted that he had the goods on a wider swath of folks in the Government and he was gonna take them with him if he was going down!! He was gonna let the cat out of the bag!! That’s when your Eyewitness went out for popcorn!!
Brutus figured that if one of his notable predecessors – one Laurie Lewis – could’ve silenced the Government with what he had on them in his files, why could he not do likewise?? As a policeman moves up the ladder, the very things that make him do so also offer lotsa titbits that some people – who’re now holding big positions - don’t want to be aired in the light of day!! But seems he didn’t count on Jagdeo – who signalled that the Government also had been keeping files on Brutus!! At his weekly press conference, Jagdeo chortled: “Bring it on, baby!! Brutus could let out cats, dogs, pigs, anything that he has and he wants to let out, let him let it out”!! And that’s when Brutus caved in like a stuck balloon and had his shills cancel all his charges!! So, what does this all mean?? Apart from your Eyewitness being stuck with a mountain of popcorn, just that the goods Brutus has on the Government’s people ain’t worth squat on what they have on him!! And that’s above and beyond the $700 million he’s charged for pilfering!! The mind is boggled!!
…man of Europe??
In the estimate of some, Britain’s become the “sick man of Europe”. Ironic Brexit, eh?!! Scotland threatening to split, and the economy has imploded into a black hole!! Like the US, the Brits are reaping the bitter fruit of using the weapons of mass destruction that back up the financialization of their economies, which generate more profits than the real economy!! It’s a house of cards! America might be able to carry on for a few decades more; after all, they still can keep the mirage going, since they issue the de facto reserve currency of the world!!
Britain, however, doesn’t have that luxury –notwithstanding the position of the City of London in the globalised financial economy. Well, because of its meltdown, Britain got rid of the first non-white – from India via Africa, who, with all his financial legerdemain, couldn’t bring back Britain from the dead. But his “real” British successor ain’t doing no better, and your Eyewitness figures his days are numbered!!
How sweet it is!!
…PNC
The times are a changin’! The PPP keeps harvesting support in “traditional” PNC constituencies, while PNC leaders keep shooting themselves in the foot!!
Will complaining about who came up with the idea of cash grants sway the electorate??
Bandit arrested after robbing Chinese supermarket at Kuru Kururu
– 2 others on the run
Moments after robbing the Sheng Supermarket at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke- Linden Highway, EBD, one of three bandits has been apprehended by the police.
Police have said that the robbery took place on Friday at about 21:05h, when Chinese national Zhenfa, a businessman of
Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, was with his staff preparing to close the business for the day. Three identifiable males, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the supermarket and held everyone at gunpoint, while the other two suspects went behind the cashier’s counter and confiscated $500,000 in cash, along with sever-
al phone cards valued at $150,000 and three bottles of Hennessy.
A group of citizens went to the businessman’s rescue, and the bandits thus ran out of the supermarket. One of them discharged several rounds in the air before they made good their escape.
The matter was reported to the police, who combed the area and promptly arrested Jason Richards, 28, who resides at Independence Boulevard in Albouystown, Georgetown. CCTV footage showed Richards wearing the same clothing as one of the bandits whose images were captured on camera. The other two suspects were not found, but investigations are ongoing.
Strathspey man pleads guilty to 2020 murder of partner’s mother
Linden Junior Isaacs of Strathspey Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara has admitted to murdering his former partner’s mother, 56-yearold Velma Pickering, in May 2020.
In pleading guilty to the charge of murder before Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court, the 32-yearold Isaacs on Wednesday said he had committed the crime during a violent altercation with the late Velma Pickering at her Vryheid’s Lust, ECD home.
The charge that Isaacs faced detailed that on May 11, 2020, he -- then 28 years old -- murdered 56-year-old
Velma Pickering by attacking her with an ice pick and stabbing her multiple times while she was at home with her toddler grandson.
Despite sustaining critical injuries, Pickering had managed to flee her home, but collapsed in a neighbour’s yard; from whence she was later picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination later determined that her death was caused by a puncture wound to the heart. Isaacs will return to court on November 14 for sentencing.
Arrested: Jason Richards
Jason Richards’s image was caught on camera
Murder convict Linden Junior Isaacs
Murdered: Velma Pickering
Fixing the Police
Ongoing contretemps over the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) endemic corruption and proclivity to violence are symptomatic of deeper underlying structural conditions that are rooted in the GPF’s colonial origins and immediate post-independence history. Unlike the Metropolitan “Bobbies”, our GPF was armed from the beginning, and was staffed by Bajans to ensure less sympathy to local aspirations. Indian Guyanese recruitment in 1885 proved very satisfactory, but was discontinued because the state feared they would ally with the indentureds on the plantations. The colonial use of the African-dominated GPF to suppress Indian Guyanese was continued by the 1964-1992 PNC regime, and the incoming 1992 PPP regime could never count on their “professional” support. Sadly, the contradictions were not confronted directly for fear of retaliation, and governmental policies tended more towards cultivating support in elements of the top brass, who then exploited the placatory relationship.
On January 17, 1999, when “ROAR against Crime” was launched, we cautioned in regard to police reform: We should not be stampeded into taking ad hoc initiatives without formulating a plan that addresses the need to make fundamental changes in its structural base – or the malfunctions will continue unabated. We made some twenty specific recommendations, and four mediumterm structural changes were suggested. They are still relevant.
Our first recommendation, “Balancing the Force”, echoed the conclusion of Dr Cynthia Enloe, who studied Guyana first hand, and concluded after a worldwide survey in her essay, “Police and Military in the resolution of Ethnic Conflict”: “Any lasting resolution of ethnic conflict may require that… the police and military be ethnically reconstituted at the top and the bottom. Resolution of inter-ethnic conflict will be tenuous if the security that is achieved is merely state security and not security for each of the state’s resident communities.”
Ever since we floated the above suggestion, over a decade ago, we took a lot of flak. I hope we have now gone past the fears that we were trying to undermine the Force. It is now widely conceded in all multi-ethnic countries that Forces that are more representative of the various elements of the communities are more effective ones. The hurdle that is now paraded most often is the rhubarb that “Indians do not join the Force”, in tones that imply that this reluctance may be some genetically inherited quality. We do not intend to expand on the historical bases for the Indian aversion to the Force, but simply want to point out that PPP Minister of Home Affairs, Balram Singh Rai, single-handedly proved between 19601962 that this could be overcome with political will.
David Granger was a member of the 2003 constitutionallymandated Disciplined Forces Commission that specifically examined the question of the “representativeness” of all the Forces. It agreed on the specific affirmative action steps that were to be taken to rectify the imbalances when it submitted its report in 2004, which was finally unanimously approved by Parliament in 2010. Yet, even though the Granger-led APNU/ AFC coalition claims to have strenuously worked to “reform and rebuild” the forces after 2015, the “representativeness” recommendation was studiously avoided. The PPPC government continues with its old Top Brass-focused approach.
Recommendation 2 was “Decentralising the Force”. The centralised command structure of the GPF has led to widespread ineffectiveness and dislocation. Administrative effectiveness is not the sole test of police competence, which should rather be the greatest effort in the promotion of the Rule of Law and entrenching citizens’ security. We recommended that the GPF be split into six separate forces: Metro-GT, Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo, Rupununi, and a Central Force (like the FBI). Each Force would have its own Commissioner and its command structure. The Central Force wound oversee a central Forensic Lab, the Anti-drug Unit, Intelligence and international coordination.
Recommendation 3: Supplementing the Force: The first part proposed “Community Policing”, which was supposedly embarked on, but missed the point of embedding the GPF itself in the communities.
Recommendation 4: Streamlining the Force: We pointed out that only approximately 30% of the GPF are engaged in crime detection and prevention. We suggested the various non-policing elements, like immigration, be farmed out to civilian staff, and each Police Force has its own Prosecutors Office manned by highcalibre qualified lawyers and permanent staff. The streamlining would free up spending for real police work.
On the specific issue of GPF corruption, we believe that while this always lurks in state institutions, it is facilitated by the refusal to impose force-wide professionalism and let the chips fall as they may.
Guyana, Suriname to finalise financing structure for project – Min Edghill
Acontractor having already been identified by both Guyana and Suriname to build the Corentyne River Bridge, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has said the final stage is to formulate and approve the financing structure for the project.
Guyana Times has been made to understand that these governments have jointly approached China for financing, but talks have been halted with the terms and structure in regard to financing incomplete.
Minister Edghill explained that the Guyana Government is ready to move forward with the project, but challenges affecting the sovereign state of Suriname have prevented the Joint Ministerial Task Force from so doing.
“We are ready, like I said. I can speak definitively for Guyana; but Suriname, because they have their Structural Adjustment Programme and what’s happening with the IMF (International Monetary Fund)…I think we should not go into that, because it’s a sovereign state. I can only preferably state that we have some challenges, and they have to work out how the borrowing or accessing funding fits into their strategic programme that they are presently in with the IMF…We are waiting for them to work through that. I believe that President Santokhi and President Ali have been speaking about it. The Foreign Minister of Suriname and the Foreign Minister of Guyana have been in conversation,” Edghill has said.
Edghill explained that construction of the bridge would begin once the financing agreement has been finalized. He disclosed that an avenue exists for Guyana to fast-track the project and develop the financing structure, but the Surinamese Government must give its consent, because this project is a joint venture.
“The ministerial teams have been established (and) the technical teams have been (established). We’ve gone out for the consultancies for the design (and) we’ve got the proposals (and) we’ve got the evaluation. The
only thing (left) to (be agreed) on is the financing…,” he detailed.
“Or, there will have to be some agreement between Guyana and Suriname on how Guyana can proceed while Suriname gets its house in order,” he explained.
The Corentyne River Bridge is one of the first projects agreed on between Presidents Ali and Santokhi. These Heads of States had
River Bridge. The bids were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in Georgetown back in August 2023.
Initially, the plan was to have the bridge built according to a design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) model, meaning that whichever company is contracted to build the bridge would be responsible for its design, construction, financ-
to meet the pre-financing requirement.
In an interview with Guyana Times on the sidelines of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Conference, held in Georgetown earlier this year, President Santokhi had said there are financial institutions that are willing to fund the construction of the bridge. He said informal discussions had been held
previously underscored the critical role the bridge would play in advancing cooperation and creating more opportunities for development for both countries.
The Corentyne River Bridge, which would connect Moleson Creek in Guyana with South Drain in Suriname, would be approximately 3.1 kilometres in length, and would have a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination would be established. That duty-free zone would see major infrastructural development: such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.
A contract worth US$2 million was signed in Paramaribo, in May of 2022, for several preliminary studies and research to be conducted on the Corentyne bridge by WSP Caribbean. The Expressions of Interest were also simultaneously launched.
WSP Caribbean presented the design of the Corentyne River Bridge to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and his Surinamese counterpart, Minister Riad Nurmohamed, in June 2023. It entailed a two-section structure that is connected via an island (Long Island) to link Guyana and Suriname. The design also featured a two-lane bridge with accommodation for a third lane in case of an emergency.
Six international companies – five Chinese firms and one Dutch company from The Netherlands – had submitted bids for the construction of the Corentyne
ing, operation and maintenance. The bridge was also to have been constructed via a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
In October 2023, two companies – Dutch engineering company Ballast Nedam and Chinese-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) – submitted proposals to build the bridge over the Corentyne River to link Guyana and Suriname. However, those companies have since indicated that they are unable
with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which had indicated an interest in financing the project.
Meanwhile, upon completion, the bridge would not only link these two neighbouring countries, but would also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them: into French Guiana, and through the road network being developed, into Brazil and eventually further into South America.
Ravi Dev
A visit to the Corentyne River in South Drain, Suriname back in 2021
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
Lethem youth pleads guilty to killing drinking buddy
Lethem resident Fabian Abrahams has pleaded guilty to the offence of manslaughter -- committed on Leron Ault, also called “Junior”, of Moco Moco Village in Central Rupununi in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in 2020.
In proceedings that took place on Wednesday in the Georgetown court of Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty, it was revealed that Abrahams and Ault had been acquainted, and had been drinking at a friend’s workshop on March 25, 2020 where Ault became embroiled in a dispute with another individual.
Abrahams had intervened by reportedly asking Ault, “What happen to you? You come and reach we, and we deh pon we own itation,” in attempting to diffuse the situation.
Youth sentenced to time served for felonious wounding of former boxer
Twenty-one-year-old Otis Slowe, facing a charge of felonious wounding committed on former national boxer Gladwin Dorway in 2019, has been sentenced to time served on remand.
When Slowe appeared on Thursday before Demerara High Court Justice Navindra Singh, he pleaded guilty to the charge, and Justice Singh noted that the five years he had spent on remand as he awaited trial could be deemed equivalent to a sentence.
RECAP
However, after Abrahams had gone into the workshop to grab a spanner to attend to his motorcycle, as he came out of the workshop, an altercation broke out between him and Ault; and in a fit of rage, he struck Ault twice with the spanner — once to the side of his head and once to his chest.
Hospital, Ault was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A post-mortem examination conducted the following day confirmed that blunt force trauma to the head had caused cerebral haemorrhage that led to his death.
Ault collapsed, and Abrahams fled the scene. Taken to the Lethem
Abrahams is scheduled to return to court on November 14 for sentencing.
“In the circumstances, the sentence imposed will be time served,” Justice Singh ruled. That ruling meant that Slowe would not serve additional jail time.
Attorneys Muntaz Ali, Madana Rampersaud, and Christopher Belfield prosecuted the case.
The incident involving Slowe and Dorway took place on the night of November 19, 2019 when Dorway, aka “Tiger”, and Slowe, then 17 years old, had a confrontation on Graham Street in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
During the altercation,
Slowe pulled out a knife and stabbed Dorway before fleeing the scene. Dorway was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while Slowe was arrested and charged. Slowe’s arrest followed a turbulent period in his life. Before this incident, he had been charged with attempted murder, and had been remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre, from whence he escaped and remained at large for nearly seven months before being recaptured in a police operation at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Now 21, Slowe’s sentencing brings closure to a case that has been pending since his teenage years. The decision to sentence him to time served reflects the significant duration he has already spent in custody, closing a lengthy chapter in his involvement with the justice system.
Murder accused Fabian Abrahams
Otis Slowe has been sentenced to time served
in the Miss Global International pageant, ultimately boiled down to one champion rising to claim the prize in the Cayman Islands, where the finals were held.
Amidst the busy schedule of managing her business, Queen Arian shared details of her journey throughout the competition. From the onset of her journey into pageantry, she emphasized, the importance of community work, in which she was very much involved, became obvious.
Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant host ed in St Kitts and Nevis, and most recently, I earned the Miss Global International Crown,” she detailed.
“As my journey in pageantry began, I initiated a month-long summer camp focusing on holistic education. Since then, I have competed in many pageants, including Miss Emerald International and Miss World. I was also First Runner-up at the Miss
experience, Richmond faced numerous struggles, and had to overcome conceived notion of what pageantry is all about that many Guyanese harbour in their minds. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
nity to tour Guyana, Richmond revealed, she was also judged following her interactions made from
“We conducted mini geography lessons, and our interactions were judged at both grassroots and national levels. We were also evaluated based on our community service in our country. I have been involved in community work for
Guyana, we have conducted multiple youth development activities in four. (We aim) to reach all 10 regions and eventually spread the message throughout the Caribbean: that every child is smart, we just need to find the right way to nurture their abilities. The competition is very holistic,” she has said.
On pageantry night, she says,
queens in ways that truly reflect the work they put in for Guyana. They don’t say my name; they say, ‘Guyana wins’. But when I return home and reach out, the support doesn’t reflect that; which is saddening,” Queen Arian has disclosed.
In comparing her experience with those of persons from other countries who placed in the top five,
the past six years through my organization, Youth Development Guyana, which focuses on holistic education,” she disclosed.
Coupling many forms of skills to achieve her goal is no strange task for Richmond, and she has also set out on a tour to sensitize people about nurturing children.
“Out of the 10 regions in
all her hard work culminated in her claiming the title of Miss Global International. However, she noted that various forms of growth are still needed for the Guyanese population; most especially, the amount of support persons who go away to showcase Guyana need.
“I feel our country needs to honour our sportsmen and pageant
she said, “The support for them is overwhelming! Their home countries celebrate them extensively. I believe Guyana is still in the early stages of recognizing and honouring its ambassadors. I urge people to express this diplomatically, as it’s crucial for our nation to wake up and appreciate the achievements of our representatives.”
Director of the international pageant, Lachu Ramchandani, along with the winners and other officials
Guyanese-born scholar & author
“very optimistic” about direction of local creative industry – hails revival of Guyana Prize for Literature, other initiatives
By Jarryl Bryan Professor
Advances being made by Guyana in terms of improving the creative industry have been lauded by one of Guyana’s most accomplished scholars and authors: Professor David Dabydeen, now based in the United Kingdom (UK), an intellectual who has expressed optimism at the direction Guyana’s burgeoning creative and film industries are going, and one who has welcomed recent discussions around copyright legislation. In a sit-down with this publication, Professor Dabydeen spoke on the advances being made in Guyana’s creative industry -- which include return of the Guyana Prize for Literature
And he’s also extended the Guyana Prize to young people, and one for girls and one for boys; so, there’s equality there. They’ve also expanded it to non-fiction, and, finally, a festival of Guyanese liter
ties, he recalled that he had held a class with young drama students five years ago at the University of Guyana (UG). According to the Professor, he was left impressed by what he had seen and heard, and he praised Guyana’s pool of creative talent.
“I must say there were about six or seven people who turned up. Very good! They were really good! They have a commitment to their passion and an ability to write. So, I’m very optimistic, especially in the field of drama,” Dabydeen has said.
“People write very fine short stories here. Maybe the vehicles for publication are not here, so maybe that is one impediment: that young
has said these are important steps that Guyana is making in the right direction. “The present Minister of Culture has decided to kind of resurrect the cultural landscape of Guyana, and what he has done is to revive the Guyana Prize. For some reason, it lapsed in five years.
formers of plays. Normally, if they win the Guyana Prize, it would be on a shelf collecting dust. So, that is a good beginning, but of course, it is a beginning,” Professor Dabydeen has said.
Acknowledging that hurdles remain, such as access to publishing opportuni-
Guyana’s growing prominence on the global stage; and that is not just for oil and gas. For instance, Guyana has since attracted to its shores Guyaneseborn actress Letitia Wright, who starred as Shuri in both of the blockbuster Black Panther movies.
Guyanese author & scholar, Professor David Dabydeen
Dabydeen’s latest work, ‘‘Sweet Li Jie’’
Guyanese-born scholar & author...
Following the success of the ‘Bad Boys’ movie, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, actor Jacob Scipio, who played the son of Lawrence’s character and who has Guyanese roots, also recently visited and made promises to help develop the local film industry.
Other prominent celebrities, such as Gordon Ramsay,
Dylan Efron and Saint John, have all showcased a different side of Guyana to a global audience.
Jamaican dancehall stars Nigy Boy and Kraff have also chosen Guyana as the filming destination of choice for some of their latest music.
Copyright legislation Professor Dabydeen has
also welcomed recent discussions surrounding the issue of copyright legislation. Last month, Guyanese singers Jackie Jaxx and D’Ivan filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States against One Communications (Guyana) Inc, and against NEKEITA, another local singer.
“Intellectual property rights are extremely necessary for writers,” Professor Dabydeen has said. “It’s a protection against plagiarism, and not just (in) writing, but in music too; so, it’s very good that that is being discussed and settled. I think it’s very important. It’s your property and you own it, and if it has any value, it should accrue to you. It’s everywhere. In Britain, where I live, intellectual property rights is a granted,” the Professor has added.
Current intellectual property and copyright laws in the country are archaic, dating back to the 1956 British Copyright Act that Guyana inherited when it gained independence from Great Britain in 1966. Though the current Act does
protect literary, musical, dramatic and artistic works, the fines are extremely low, ranging mostly from £5 to £50 (Gy$1300 to Gy$13,000).
Professor David
Dabydeen has authored a number of books, poetry collections, and non-fiction works, and has won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize and the Guyana Prize for Literature among other prizes. His most recent work is his novel, Sweet Li
set in 19th-century
Jie,
Wuhan Province in China and in British Guiana.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips presenting an award to Ras Leon Saul during last year’s Guyana Prize for Literature
Author and noted crime
journalist Michael Jordan was the winner of this year’s Guyana Prize for Literature (best book of fiction)
GHDS Region 2 Diwali Motorcade…
Essequibo Coast Dharmic Nawjawan cops 1st prize in Large Float category
– Spring Garden Mandir wins Small Float category
The Region Two Diwali Motorcade illuminated public spaces along the Essequibo Coast last Friday evening as residents, high in spirits, gathered to enjoy witnessing one of the most dazzling spectacles to occur on the roadways from Pomeroon to Supenaam.
Hosted by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS), the event showcased the incredible creativity of youth groups, mandirs
and community members as they celebrated the Diwali message of light triumphing over darkness.
Floats from several mandirs, including Essequibo Coast Dharmic Nawjawan, Queenstown Gyaan Sagar Mandir, New Road Mandir, Spring Garden Mandir, Airy Hall Mandir, Affiance Mandir, Hibernia Mandir, Better Success Mandir, Siriki Mandir in the Pomeroon, among others, captured the
essence of Diwali through their intricate designs.
These floats, designed and adorned by devoted young people, brought to life, along the Essequibo Coast, portrayals of Hindu Deities; and the chants of bhajans and spiritual hymns formed a fitting accompaniment to the ambience created.
The standout float, created by the Essequibo Coast Dharmic Nawjawan, featured children, teens and
adults working together to present a beautifully rendered theme. It earned first place in the Large Float Category. Close contenders were Queenstown Gyaan Sagar Mandir, which secured second place, and New Road Mandir, which secured third place.
Spring Garden Bhuvaneshwar Mandir took top prize in the Small Float Category, with Airy Hall Mandir placing second and Affiance Mandir in third.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Vindhya Persaud, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, praised the community’s dedication in upholding the spiritual and cultural essence of Diwali.
“Every year I come to Essequibo, I am always marvelled at the creativity, dedication, and effort that goes into these beautiful floats. Essequibo never fails to amaze, delight, and unite
spiritual connection and unity, the Minister remarked on the dedication of the Spring Garden Bhuvaneshwar Mandir in portraying divine figures like Ashtalakshmi,
people across the region.
Minister Vindhya shared.
Reflecting on how Diwali, “the festival of lights”, continues to foster
Ram,
She
but in the spiritual energy of the festival, which she observed in the devotion and artistry of the participants. The Minister also reminded attendees of Diwali’s five-day significance, starting with Dhanteras and culminating in Diwali, when hundreds of diyas are traditionally lit to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into homes.
Emphasizing the values of positivity and resilience, she encouraged the community to let Diwali inspire light over darkness in all aspects of life.
As part of the night’s festivities, popular dance troupes such as Dharmic Swarswattie Dance Academy, the Khandhiya, and the Dancing Devas added to the event’s charm by performing mesmerizing traditional dances to the delight of attendees.
Latchman, and Mata Sita.
noted that the beauty of the motorcade lies not only in the creative floats,
The depiction of Maha Lakshmi
Members of the Spring Garden Mandir after winning the Small Float category
The Essequibo Coast Dharmic Nawjawan float copped 1st position in the Large Float category
RBest Overall Graduating Student in the Associate Degree in General Education Programme, Fiona
ecognizing the need for teachers to transition from whiteboards, and instead stay abreast with the technologies and techniques available today, this year’s Best Overall Graduating Student in the Associate Degree in General Education Programme, Fiona Sharma, has encouraged her peers to acknowledge that ‘education is a powerful tool for transformation’.
Sharma, who on Friday received the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), also urged her peers to inspire their students to dream beyond their current
– CPCE Valedictorian encourages teachers to create safe spaces where students feel valued
circumstances, and to equip them with essential skills for their futures.
In her heartwarming speech, the valedictorian shared that her vision extends beyond mere knowledge transfer, as she aims to cultivate character, resilience, and a sense of purpose among her students.
“Education is more than just the transmission of knowledge; it is a powerful tool for transformation. We have the opportunity to create safe spaces where students feel valued, heard, and respected,” she noted.
“As we leave this place and step into the world of education, let’s do so with pride and with a deep sense of responsibility. Let us be kind to teachers who inspire, who empower, and who make a difference. Let us remember that education is not just a job, it’s a calling; it’s a commitment to something greater than ourselves; it is a commitment to be the future of the next generation, and to believe that, through education, we can create a better world…,” she urged.
“I will continue to share my knowledge and impart it to the children that need guidance,” Sharma added.
This single mother, who hails from Region Three
(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and teaches at the McGillivray Primary School, has shared that it was the support from her family – specifically her son David Sears - and faith and determination that helped her succeed. She has therefore extended heartfelt thanks to her friends, family, supporters, and the Ministry of Education for their unwavering belief in her potential.
“If you have a dream, go after it…It wasn’t easy for me, as I had to give up things that I love… Yet, through hard work and dedication, studying early in the mornings and late at nights, I persevered,” she disclosed.
“All of my family are basically teachers, and they have been topping. We just go, do our best, and we deliver…I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Guyana for their support and investment in our education,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sharma is determined to elevate educational standards within her community, and close gaps that hinder the progress and success of students.
“To my fellow graduates: as we stand on the threshold of our teaching careers, let us remember that education is a long-life journey. We have a responsibility, not only to our students, but also to ourselves, to continue growing, to continue learning and evolving as educators. Let us approach our work with humility, knowing that we, too, have much to learn. Be open to new ideas, to new perspectives, and to the responsibilities that (lie) ahead. The field of education is constantly changing, and, as teachers, we must be adaptable, innovative, and committed to professional growth,” Sharma declared.
On Friday, some 1502 preservice and in-service teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). This represents the second largest group of teachers to graduate from the institution throughout its 96 years in existence.
The 90th graduation exercise, held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, saw over 1500 educators receiving certificates and
awards in several educational disciplines.
Of this year’s graduating batch, 86 per cent were females and 14 per cent were males. Some 447 teachers graduated in Early Childhood Education, 602 in Primary Education, 169 in Secondary Education, 251 in Secondary Pre-Vocational, and 33 in General Teacher Education (GTE) and Technical Teacher Education (TTE).
CPCE offers a wide variety of courses and programmes for every level of teaching, including early childhood programmes for both pre-service and inservice students, the primary programme, and the secondary academic and pre-vocational programmes. In total, there are four programmes for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), along with a Trained Teacher Certificate (TTC) Programme for in-service teachers who are not eligible for the ADE Programme.
This year, for the first time in the history of education in Guyana, CPCE students received Diplomas and Degrees in Special Education Needs.
Sharma
Preserving Guyana’s biodiversity to take centre stage in restoration of zoo, Botanical Gardens
Students will not be exempt from the transformational works of the National Zoological Park as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo spearheaded an initiative to educate the nation’s youth on Guyana’s biodiversity.
During a public consultation on Friday, the Vice President related that the vision for the beautification project also contains an introduction to animals that are not commonly seen on the coastland which will grant children an opportunity to witness them for the first time in their lives.
“We are doing this so that our children and coastal people who may not understand the challenges of climate change and sustainability, or who may not have been exposed to flora and fauna, or who would never have the opportunity to see a giant anteater, can experience the beauty of our country here – even
if they’ll never have the opportunity to see an anteater in the forest,” he stated.
He added, “That is why many facilities this year are focused on teaching, familiarisation, and providing a safe space for children and families to enjoy what we have as a country, exposing them to it.”
As the Government forges ahead into the path of education, students will
also have the opportunity to learn about Guyana’s strides in maintaining its biodiversity.
He also highlighted the common notion among Guyanese people that the forest is a source of income for the country; however, this should not be the only discussion associated with biodiversity.
“That’s why we’re involved in this project,” he said. “I see it as part of what we’re doing at a national level. We can’t just keep talking about our forest and the $2.56 billion it generates. This beautification project is a major educational resource for our children.”
In keeping with his vision to incorporate students, he mentioned that students of the University of Guyana can come into the institution as part of this project.
All of this, he noted, is part of the bigger plan
to preserve Guyana’s biodiversity for the next 100 years.
“For tourists, this can also be a source of interaction,” he said. “Exposing our children to future challenges is vital, so they can help sustain this country for the next hundred years.”
The Vice President also mentioned that there would be possible internships for
university students.
“If the focus is on exposing children, then we’ll need guides who are paid by the State to do this. It could be like a school environment, just as we hire teachers, we’ll have people here who are very familiar with this area, or we could get university students on attachment for their internship so they can talk to the
kids. So, yes, I like creativity, but we’ll need people who can act as teachers.”
He also pointed out that architects would be sought for the designs of the zoo.
“We’ll likely need some local architects involved… when we are ready to do the designs in the zoo, there is room for creativity from our local architects. We want foreign advice as well, but sustainability will be key to achieving our goals as a country,” the VP noted.
Meanwhile, the advisor to the Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes, unveiled the initial plans for the transformative project.
These plans include a new vehicle entrance and green parking areas, designated spaces to showcase the uses of various flora and fauna, an education and orientation plaza incorporating Indigenous features, and a wildlife conservation and education centre.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Scores of persons were in attendance
Traffic Chief calls for tougher actions to protect school children at minibus parks
– advocates for continued collaboration with MoE
As schoolchildren across Guyana navigate bus-
tling minibus parks on their daily commutes, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, has raised urgent concerns over their safety and wellbeing.
Having received reports of students gathering unsupervised, and recognising the potential risks they face while “liming” at these busy locations, Singh is calling for continued vigilance and stronger collaboration between stakeholders -- the police, and the Education Ministry – in order to safeguard students against negative influences and potential dangers.
The Traffic Chief has outlined that while many students use minibuses to commute home, crowded parks can become environments where children are vulnerable to deviant behaviours and peer pressure.
“When they go to these parks and congregate and engage with other adults and young adults…you know what happens?” Singh asked
as he emphasized the risks involved. He stressed that students gathered at parks without supervision can easily become targets for negative influences, or find themselves in potentially dangerous situations. To combat these issues, he said, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will intensify its efforts, in partnership with the Education Ministry and alongside traffic officers who have been actively over-
seeing children’s safety at bus parks, especially during morning hours, when students are heading to school.
This latest call for action comes against a backdrop of past incidents. In 2020, the Ministry of Education’s Welfare Department took decisive steps to address similar issues by organizing a truancy campaign to address student loitering at bus parks. Over 200 children were found
Bandit killed, accomplice injured after robbing Berbice goldsmith
Ateenage bandit was on Saturday killed while his accomplice was injured following a robbery at the Port Mourant Market, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The dead teen has been identified as 18-yearold Parmand Pertab, also called "Mikey", of Lot 45 "C" Hampshire Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
Based on reports received, on the day in question, a goldsmith who operates a jewellery shop inside the Port Mourant Market arrived at the location around 07:30h, but opened for business at approximately 09:15h.
While customers were being attended to, the nowdead man, who was armed with a cutlass in his hand, attacked the goldsmith’s worker and dealt him several blows about his body thus causing him to sustain injuries.
The other bandit – who was armed with a handgun instructed the goldsmith
and his employee – to lie on the ground as they emptied the glass case. The pieces of jewellery were placed into a blue string bag.
who was armed with the cutlass and had the blue bag with the stolen jewellery, was eventually disarmed by several persons, who took the bag away and subsequently handed it over to the Police.
All of the stolen items were recovered. Subsequently, Pertab received several wounds to his body, causing him to fall to the ground.
Lovell and Pertab were rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where they both were seen and examined. Pertab succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.
The public-spirited citizen was treated for his
As the bandits were leaving, the goldsmith raised an alarm, and persons in the market confronted them, but they discharged three rounds in the persons’ direction, hitting one, Mark Lovell, in his right leg and left thigh.
The now-dead bandit,
gunshot wounds, and later took self-discharge. Pertab’s body was examined by the Police, and it was observed that he had one chop wound to his right hand and two to his upper back. Investigations are continuing.
loitering and were ushered directly onto buses to get to school on time.
At the time, MoE Welfare Officer Gillian Vyphuis had underscored the importance of curbing loitering, explaining that such unsupervised gatherings often resulted in students arriving late to school. She had called on parents to encourage their children to attend school punctually, and had warned that repeated lateness could lead to students being reassigned to schools closer to their residences in order to ensure their attendance at school.
The Traffic Chief has pointed out that the joint ef-
fort being contemplated is essential to prevent situations in which students linger unnecessarily and are exposed to risky influences.
“As far as any demand is made of us [the Police Force] to support it, we are always available and ready,” Singh affirmed, noting that traffic officers are committed to stepping in wherever necessary to protect young people.
Singh also addressed the GPF’s proactive stance, explaining that police officers often work independently to oversee bus parks, even when education officers are not present.
“We do engage [in these efforts] even when the stakeholder partner in the equation does not show up, or request or come for us to go as far as
we can. We do it on our own because it’s necessary,” he explained, highlighting the dedication of traffic officers to ensuring students’ safety at all times.
While Singh praised the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Education, he stressed that parents, educators, and community members also play a crucial role in safeguarding children from the potential hazards of unsupervised environments. He urged parents to have open conversations with their children about the importance of heading home immediately after school, and avoiding unnecessary loitering at busy public areas like minibus parks.
“Schoolchildren loitering at these locations often become easy targets,” Singh explained, noting that these unsupervised environments can lead to incidents that compromise their safety. He encouraged parents and guardians to communicate with their children and reinforce the importance of making safe choices on their commute.
With the school year in full swing, Singh’s appeal serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and collective responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of schoolchildren.
DPI, OPM launch series of hinterland radio broadcast training
The Guyana Media and Communication Academy has launched a series of engagement and training sessions aimed at enhancing radio broadcasting skills in hinterland and remote communities.
This initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to bridging the coastal and hinterland divide by empowering communities to participate in Guyana’s monumental transformative development.
As part of the series, a two-day session, which started on Friday, October 25, was held at Radio Lethem, 94.1 FM studio, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), with training provided by veteran broadcaster Merrano Isaacs with technical assistance by Devon Roberts, Technical Manager, National Communications Network (NCN).
Speaking at the opening in Lethem, Public Affairs Liaison at the Office of the Prime Minister Gordon French expressed the Government’s vision to ensure equal access to opportunities in Guyana’s rapid transformative developmen-
munities, thereby promoting inclusivity and fostering a broader understanding of Guyana’s landscape.”
Twelve participants drawn from around the Lethem and Annai areas are expected to gain skills in storytelling, reporting, and technical broadcasting, empowering them to produce content that authentically represents their communities.
French pointed out that,
“Once the pool of potential broadcasters has been identified to volunteer and, in some cases, part-time em-
tal agenda.
“The training is aimed at equipping participants with the foundational skills in broadcasting and technical operations essential for professional radio production. From this, we hope to build a cadre of media professionals capable of communicating the unique voices and stories from hinterland com-
ployment at the regional radio stations, ongoing training will be provided. This initiative is providing everyone with the tools and skills needed to participate in our country’s development. Broadcasting training is a critical step in ensuring that voices from all corners of our nation are heard, respected, and valued.”
Following its launch in Lethem, the training series will proceed to Aishalton, Region Nine and will continue in Regions One, Six, Seven, and Eight.
The training series exemplifies a significant investment in the empowerment of Guyanese citizens, promoting a shared understanding and unity across the country. Through this initiative, the Government aims to build a strong foundation for local media professionals and contribute to the continuous growth of a diverse, inclusive, and resilient media landscape in Guyana.
One of the facilitators engaging the participants
The participants along with facilitators
A facilitator providing a demonstration
“I’d love to see UK businesses doing more in agriculture here” – British diplomat – as another trade mission is expected in November
There is a high success rate of businesses from the United Kingdom taking advantage of the abundance of opportunities available in Guyana, and British High Commissioner Jane Miller believes there is more scope for such investments here, especially in the agriculture sector.
During a recent interview with <<Guyana Times,>> the British Diplomat in Georgetown disclosed that she has been encouraging UK-based companies to contemplate investing in the local agriculture industry.
“I’d love to see the UK doing more in agriculture. We have some companies that have been coming out here doing very clear ways of, for example, better fertilizers, more efficient fertilizers, and fertilizers that are better for the environment. We have some companies that do drone assessments of farmlands, so you could be much more efficient in the way that you apply pesticides or herbicides or different things. So, I’d love to see more on that, and that is something I’ve been promoting. And I know President [Dr Irfaan] Ali is very keen to get more investments in agriculture, and that’s one area I’ve been trying to promote more,” Miller posited.
According to the High Commissioner, some interest has been forthcoming from some British companies, particularly those that trade in seed varieties and fertilizers. However, uptake in this area is slow at the moment, and she has therefore been pushing this.
Last year, the British diplomat had engaged members of the local private sector on potential areas of collaboration in the agriculture sector. Officials of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and its Agriculture SubCommittee have highlighted gaps in the local agriculture sector, including the need for training and for increased incorporation of technology to better attain phytosanitary standards which are necessary for the export of Guyanese produce.
High Commissioner Miller had noted at the time that it would be beneficial for smallscale local farmers to form joint ventures to capitalise on economies of scale. She acknowledged the need for local produce to achieve the necessary phytosanitary standards, especially since there are UK businesses that are interested in importing fruits from Guyana.
In recent years, there has
been a tremendous appetite by the UK Government and businesses for partnership with their Guyanese counterparts. Back in November 2022, the British Government lifted the visa requirement for Guyanese travelling to the UK, and a few months later, British Airways commenced flights to Guyana in March 2023.
Currently, Guyana and the UK share a vibrant trade relationship. In fact, trade between the two countries has increased to £1.8 billion – tripling over the last three years. Moreover, Guyana is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean, accounting for some 33.4 per cent of all its trade in this region.
So far, British companies have been attracted to business opportunities in Guyana in areas in the infrastructure sector, food and beverage industry, and in the healthcare sector; and in the services industry, in-
cluding in legal, financial, cyber security and even engineering.
High Commissioner Miller believes that UK companies make for excellent business partners in Guyana’s burgeoning economy.
“I think Guyana is growing very fast at the moment, and every sector – whether it’s agriculture, whether it’s tourism…so much is changing. And the UK, I think we have a very good offer: we provide very reliable, high-quality services. And something about UK businesses is that we come to a country and we want a long-term relationship. We’re not fly by night [partners]. We intend to come to a country, invest there, and then we want that long-term relationship. And this provides really high-quality services, because we’re there for follow-up and servicing etc.,” she added.
In fact, British companies doing well in Guyana is evident in the many trade missions
from the UK that have been visiting Georgetown to scope out investment opportunities. According to Miller, these missions have been very successful in Guyana.
“We’ve been looking at the businesses that have been coming on the last few trade missions, and half of them – some 50 per cent of them – have either set up business here, or have got a local partner and (are) trading in Guyana. That’s a huge achievement. I’ve worked on trade missions in many countries, and that statistic is something you should be very proud of,” she has advised.
The last trade mission from the UK was in August, when His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to Latin America & the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott, led a delegation to explore business opportunities here.
During a networking reception held by the British High Commission in Georgetown, Knott had told reporters that they are looking at opportunities for collaboration in the areas where Guyana is keen on developing, such as transport links, infrastructure, health and education, and especially energy.
Another trade mission is slated to visit Guyana from the UK in November, the British envoy revealed.
“On November 11, we’ve got a number of businesses coming through again, and I’m hoping that we’d have the same success. I think when people come here and they see the op-
portunities, they’ve really embraced them,” she noted. Despite this success, however, the British High Commissioner believes there is scope for plenty more UK businesses to come here.
“We are encouraging businesses to come here. What we say to everybody is, ‘Come here’, and what we tend to find is that when businesses come here and they see the welcome of people here, they see the opportunities, then they want to invest. So, the first thing we say to businesses is to come here. And so we will continue having trade missions; we will continue to encourage people to come here. And secondly, we encourage people to have a local partner. Navigating the business environment can be complicated, but having a local business partner really help businesses to navigate the local business environment. So, yeah, I’d love to see many more [British] businesses here,” the UK diplomat has asserted. (G-8)
President Dr Irfaan Ali engaged in August a high-level delegation from the United Kingdom on business opportunities in Guyana
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller
AG 2023 Report reveals $43.9M contract for Child Care facility terminated in May 2024
– contractor had been building center since Nov 2022
More than $300 million had been allocated last year to construct care facilities for the vulnerable in society, such as children and the elderly; but while progress was made towards construction of some of these facilities, the contract for construction of a Child Care Centre in Mahaica has had to be terminated earlier this year.
A $43.9 million contract had been signed in November 2022 for the construction of a Child Care Centre at Mahaica, and the project was supposed to have been completed within nine months of the agreement being signed. However, completion date had subsequently been revised to September 21, 2023.
According to the Auditor
General’s Report for 2023, the contract had had to be terminated in May of this year because, up to that time, work had still not been completed and the contractor had already demobilized.
“At the end of 2022, the contractor received amounts totalling $21.907 million. In 2023, amounts totalling $2.692 million were paid, revising the total payments to $24.600 million, or 56 per cent of the contract sum,” the AG Report stated.
“Physical verification carried out on 19th June 2024 revealed that the works were incomplete, and the contract was terminated on 29 May 2024. The contractor had already demobilized from the site at the time, and the Ministry was in the process of
preparing the final valuation at termination.”
In its response, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security confirmed that the contract had indeed been terminated, and that a valuation at termination was being prepared at the time. The Auditor General has gone on to urge submission of the valuation when completed.
Back in 2023, $353 million had been allocated in the budget for construction of day and night care facilities for children, including the one at Mahaica and the rehabilitation of a care center at Sophia, a care facility for senior citizens and a juvenile processing center at Brickdam, Georgetown.
In this year’s budget,
$287 million has been set aside for the construction of care facilities for working parents, in particular single parents, while it has also been revealed that two day and night care centers would be built in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica).
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has demonstrated its zero-tolerance policy towards contractors causing project delays by terminating several infrastructure contracts throughout the year.
In July, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had inspected works in Region Three that were lagging behind schedule, prompting him to immediately terminate those projects. One significant project affected is the Bendorff to Maripa Access Road, valued at $55 million, and awarded to JP General Construction and Services on August 2, 2023. The six-month contract involved constructing a 1000-metre road. However, the contractor completed only 45 per cent of the work, prompting the Minister to terminate the contract. A similar situation occurred with the rehabilitation of a bridge connecting Zeelugt North and Tuschen North, and First Cross Street (SH), Aracari, facing significant delays.
Youth empowerment mentorship initiative launched in Berbice
Three youth empowerment mentorship programmes have been launched on Saturday in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), bringing to five the total number of this particular initiative of the Men on a Mission (MOM) in Guyana.
One of these mentorship programmes was launched in New Amsterdam, another was launched at Hampshire on the Lower Corentyne Coast, and the third was launched at
Linepath, Corriverton, on the Upper Corentyne Coast.
This Men on a Mission (MOM) programme was first launched in Georgetown, before being taken to Lethem in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). Three others have now been launched in Region Six, and these programmes work in collaboration with the private sector.
Chief Coordinator of the MOM programme, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli,
has said the initial programme is proving successful, hence there is need to have it rolled out in every region.
“This programme will offer regular one-on-one meetings, group activities, and workshops to facilitate growth and learning opportunities (for mentees). We are excited about this programme. By connecting our citizens to supportive role models, the aim is to instill confidence, inspire ambition, and foster personal and professional development,” the senior military official has said.
He added that one of the goals that are hoped to be realised through this youth empowerment mentorship programme is to see youths being equipped with positive habits, skills, and the requisite knowledge to navigate the challenges life poses. It is also hoped that participants would be put in positions to seize opportunities available within the country.
In the two programmes already established in Regions Four and Nine, participants are given assistance with their homework every afternoon of every school day, and with school work they might not have been able to
grasp fully in class.
Region Six Chairman David Armogan, also speaking at the launch of the program at the Smithfield Dropin Centre in New Amsterdam, pointed out that MOM has been very active in Region Six.
He pointed out that the programme allows youngsters to be exposed, not only to academic training in English and Mathematics, but also, “What we find in the school system is that there is the capacity for children passing English and Mathematics at the CSEC examination and at the National Grade Six Examination, and so we want to bring people up to scratch and ensure that they can write these exams and pass them. Besides the academic training, there are many other forms of training that they will be exposed to: entrepreneurial training, training to do with how you operate in society, your role as a citizen and your role as a young person,” Armogan explained.
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat explained that the MOM initiative has been adding to what the Government has been doing. He noted that youths
need to take advantage of the vast number of opportunities available in Guyana.
“If you don’t take advantage of the opportunities and grab them, one day you are going to sit by yourself and say that you are unlucky, and you will look at somebody else who is successful and say he is lucky. I do not believe in any such thing as being lucky and unlucky,” Minister Bharrat explained.
He said those who sit and do not make strides are lazy.
“They are the ones who look at the opportunities and turn their faces away. Those are the ones who, rather than go and build a professional career or acquire an education, prefer to sit at home idle; and then afterwards they would say that are unlucky, and they would look at the person who grabbed that opportunity to become successful and say that he is lucky,” Minister Bharrat explained.
MOM was established in October 2022 with the objective being to influence behavioural change among men who have not been living up to their social and other responsibilities. This initiative was the brainchild of President Dr Irfaan Ali.
The Mahaica Child Care facility as of June 2024
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat
Some of the children at the launch of the Smithfield Drop-in-Center Youth Empowerment Programme in New Amsterdam on Saturday
2nd Test, Pune, New Zealand tour of India
Santner takes 13 to hand India their 1st home Test series defeat since 2012
Mitchell Santner, never more than three wickets in an innings or six in a match, bowled New Zealand to a historic win in Pune with match figures of 13 for 157, the third-best by any visiting bowler in India. He bowled 29 overs on the trot for six wickets in the second innings to go with his unbroken spell of 19.3 overs in the first innings for 7 for 53 to give New Zealand their first series win in India and India their first home series defeat since 2012.
Despite a sore side, Santner missed just one over from his end since he started bowling in the first innings. He was instrumental in intercepting India’s audacious bid for a chase of 359, which was fuelled by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 77 off 65 that took India to 96 for 1 at better than a run a ball. Santner had little support from the other end as Ajaz Patel’s ordinary series continued and Glenn Phillips mixed easy deliveries with good ones.
views on Jaiswal.
In the morning, needing a perfect session to prevent the door from being slammed in their face, India started with the experienced duo of Ravindra
Zealand. Even full balls were difficult to hit out as Santner and Ajaz discovered with catches in the deep.
Before that, though, India needed a break-
both the sweep and the charge at the spinners to mess with the bowlers’ lengths. The margin for error was almost non-existent as he hit out at Tim Southee, Ajaz and Phillips. His extra-cover drive for a six off Phillips on this pitch was a jaw-dropping shot.
first of two sharp catches for Daryl Mitchell at slip.
Santner kept beating the batters in the air with his dip and changes in pace and angle, and registered his
Jadeja and R Ashwin in stead of the form bowler Washington Sundar, who had taken 11 of the 15 New Zealand wickets up to that point. It didn’t start well
The next one was Jaiswal, a classic turning-pitch dismissal. The first part of it was to find a spot that Jaiswal could neither go back to nor drive from. Then the first ball turned big to beat his inside edge, and the next one went straight on to take the edge for Mitchell. Not a mean wicket to bring up your first 10-wicket haul.
It is not often that New Zealand spinners bowl them to a Test win on their own.
Here Santner was being asked to do it on his own having never taken more than three wickets in a Test innings before this Test. He was the only one who maintained some control during the Jaiswal onslaught.
Rishabh Pant then paid the price for not saying no. Virat Kohli played one behind square and started running. The ball had gone to Santner’s left. Pant had every right to send Kohli back, but he ran through. Not even a dive was enough to get him in.
Kohli play back to a fullish ball, which trapped him lbw. Sarfaraz Khan fell to a slow teasing ball that turned and hit off stump. Phillips finally got on the board when Will Young pulled off a stunning catch at short leg to send back India’s hero of the match, Washington. Ashwin and Jadeja looked the most comfortable batting pair as they added 39 for the eighth wicket, teasing India with the question of what if they hadn’t lost so many wickets by the time the older softer ball stopped behaving wildly.
Santner got the better of Rohit first as he got the ball to dip on him and the extra bounce got the bat-pad dismissal. Shubman Gill, who had got stuck on the crease with Jaiswal in the first innings, came out attacking, and the two added 62 in under 10 overs to leave New Zealand nervous.
It’s not that the pitch had eased out. The intent of the batters left the bowlers under intense pressure, and every small error was being punished. In essence, though, all the spinners had to do was draw consistent forward-defensive prods from the batters without getting driven. The moment Santner started doing that, he started creating chances. Then he bowled flatter while still being full, pushing Gill back and taking the edge with the turn for the
It was like Santner didn’t have a side strain to nurse.
Between overs, he kept stretching, but swooped in on balls in his vicinity and you couldn’t take the ball away from him. He made
It was Santner who broke the partnership by luring Ashwin into a drive and taking the edge to Mitchell. The wait for the final wickets was frustrating, but they came through outfield catches off Ajaz, who ended up protecting his record for the best match figures for a visiting bowler in India. (ESPNcricinfo)
The New Zealand players rejoice after their first Test series win in India
Ravindra Jadeja continued to resist towards the end of the day
Mitchell Santner was India’s tormentor-in-chief
Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t take long to settle down
3rd ODI, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka
Lewis, Rutherford trump Kusal’s
19-ball fifty in 23-over shootout
West Indies were suddenly faced with the proposition of figuring out how Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, and Alzarri Joseph – who had bowled four, four and three overs, respectively – would split the remainders.
After a series in which they consistently failed to get the rub of the green, the stars finally aligned for West Indies as they ended their tour of Sri Lanka with a morale-boosting win.
Evin Lewis, playing his first One-Day International (ODI) since 2021, struck an unbeaten 102 off 61 balls, as West Indies chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 195 in a rain-reduced game of 23 overs with eight wickets to spare. In fact, they got the required runs with an over to spare. It was their first ODI win in Sri Lanka following 10 straight defeats, and their first win on this tour since the first T20
International.
Sri Lanka, for their part, had put up a valiant effort after their innings had been cut into less than half. The first 17.2 overs had come prior to the rain intervention, and upon resumption, they were given just a further 5.4 overs to set a competitive total.
Enter Kusal Mendis, who bludgeoned an unbeaten 56 off 22 deliveries – he got the half-centu- ry off 19 balls – as Sri Lanka themselves struck 75 runs in those final 5.4
overs to end on 156 for 3, and gave themselves a fighting chance. In the end, though, a combination of a wet outfield, wet ball, and a laser-focused Lewis proved too much to overcome.
lowed Rutherford and Lewis to go after him. That 14run over set the tone, after which the pair never looked back. The miserly Maheesh Theekshana was rinsed for 18 in the next over, while even the excellent Asitha Fernando was hounded for 26 off his final two. Dilshan Madushanka, playing his first ODI since March, went for 50 in five.
Sri Lanka, though, will have positives to take away from this game, particularly in how aggressively they approached the post-rain period, knowing that they
and one of Avishka – inside the opening 10 overs. This poor catching did not get much better after the fivehour rain delay, with Kusal also dropped twice on the way to becoming the third-quickest Sri Lanka batter to 4000 ODI runs.
It all began with the four balls left in Roston Chase’s second over, as Kusal proceeded to clatter each of them for boundaries – two precise pulls, one stunning straight drive, and finally a fortunate inside edge down to fine leg. In all, Sri Lanka struck 12 boundaries in the final 34 deliveries they faced.
The shortened game also
And with the economical Matthew Forde already having bowled five overs prior to the rain break, it meant only two more bowlers could bowl five; so they needed to find one more over from somewhere.
With Chase having been dispatched upon the resumption of play, it was left to Rutherford to roll his arm over, and he was duly taken for 17 runs courtesy of two fours and a six. And as Kusal’s carefree innings continued in earnest, Sri Lanka eventually managed to muster up a competitive total –though it proved to be just not good enough on the day.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Brandon King (18 off 19 balls) and Shai Hope (22 off 27) had kept Lewis company for most of the chase, but it wasn’t until Sherfane Rutherford joined him in the middle that West Indies truly took control of proceedings.
Rutherford’s brisk cameo saw him plunder 50 off just 26 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes, with his partnership with Lewis amounting to an unbeaten 88 from just 45 deliveries. It was a pivotal stand in the context of the game, as it came just as Sri Lanka might have been harbouring thoughts of a late heist.
With the required run rate at roughly 8.5 an over from the outset, West Indies had done well to just about keep up with it over the opening 10 overs – there was at least one boundary in seven of the first 11 overs. But in such a short chase, even a couple of quiet overs can heighten the pressure – and so it proved to be.
Between the 11th and 17th overs, Sri Lanka gave away just 40 runs as the required rate rose to above 11.50 runs an over. Skipper Charith Asalanka had done well in this period by shuffling his pack to sneak in some cheap overs from himself and Kamindu Mendis – both of whom made up the fifth-bowler quota after Wanindu Hasaranga had struggled with controlling a wet ball.
Where Asalanka erred was in bowling himself for one over too many, which al-
didn’t have much time to scrounge up a competitive total. The opening 17.2 overs had seen Sri Lanka stitch together a measured start, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando putting on 81.
That, though, owed much to West Indies dropping three chances – two of Nissanka
had some knock-on effects on West Indies’ bowling plans, as the new provisos meant three bowlers were given a quota of five overs each, while two others were handed four apiece.
Once Chase’s over, in which Kusal had struck four consecutive boundaries, was belatedly completed, and with Sri Lanka in raucous mood,
Did not bat: Keacy Carty,
West Indies will return home with a consolation win
Sherfane Rutherford goes big
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was under covers for the third game in a row
Kusal Mendis blasted a 19-ball fifty
The Global Super League (GSL), coming to Guyana from November 26 to December 7, on Saturday announced that ExxonMobil Guyana will serve as the cricket tournament’s title sponsor this year.
“ExxonMobil Guyana has a long history of supporting cricket in Guyana. They are an ideal title sponsor – we appreciate their continued investment in Guyana,” said Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the Global Super League.
The Global Super League will feature the Guyana
Amazon Warriors and four other established T20 cricket teams from around the world vying for US$1 million in prize money.
Each team will play four matches, with the top two teams progressing to the final.
“We are thrilled to deepen our commitment to cricket and the community in Guyana through our partnership with the Global Super League. We look forward to an electrifying series of matches and celebrating the spirit of cricket with fans around
the world,” said ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge.
All 2024 Global Super League matches will take place at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
The Global Super League is set to take place annually in Guyana, with different teams from around the world being invited to take part each season. It is South America’s first standalone cricket event, sanctioned by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and fully supported by the Government of Guyana.
ExxonMobil Guyana
has sponsored the Guyana Amazon Warriors team for eight years. The company invests in youth sport programmes around the country, including an annual “Future Warriors Tapeball Tournament”.
About Global Super League
The Global Super League is an annual T20 tournament that takes place in Guyana featuring T20 teams from around the world. The inaugural event will take place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. Five teams will compete for a
Warm-up track nearing completion at NTFC
For the first time in its almost decade-long existence, the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), West Coast Demerara (WCD) will soon be equipped with a fully-functioning warmup track, boosting its international hosting capabilities, after being overlooked in the past for missing such aspects.
Currently, Track and Field Facility International Consultant Patrick Heinen is supervising asphalt laying work at the venue that provides the foundation for the creation of a warm-up track.
The mini-track, which should cover approximately 150 metres, is an essential feature for international standard facilities around the world.
In an invited comment during his visit to the site, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr underscored the importance of building the track.
He said, “We’ve long needed a warm-up track and the warm-up track is important, mainly because you have international events here and that’s one
of the requirements to host bigger types of international events, which is something that we’re looking to do. You know, President (Irfaan) Ali made an announcement and this is the intention for the country to become a premier destination for world-class events.”
Delving into why Heinen and another specialist from BSW Regupol have been brought to Guyana, the Minister revealed intentions of killing two birds with one stone, by also doing the Synthetic Track at New Amsterdam.
“What he [Patrick] does is, he supervises the laying of the asphalt material and the margin of error is 5mm and that’s no easy task. We’re lucky that he’s done this all over the world. So, we have the very best supervising the works that are being done here,” the Sport Minister related to Guyana Times Sport.
“So, after this is completed, and we’re hoping to have this completed today [Saturday], maybe tomorrow, we expect that it’s going to take about 14 days or so before it’s ready for the synthetic material to be
laid. Now, another person comes in to lay the synthetic material, because that’s also highly specialised.”
Ramson Jr continued, “In fact, the work for that [New Amsterdam] has been going on earlier in the year and it’s now finishing up. So, the timing of this is very important, but they’re on schedule. Once it’s done, we get the second guy to come in to supervise the laying of the synthetic material both here and in New Amsterdam, one right after the other. So, once the weather is good to us, we should be able to have both tracks completed before the end of the year.”
For now, the West Coast facility will be the only one
there are certain very important, but also very expensive bits of investment that facilities require to meet those standards and it’s important that eventually they get there, so we have options, but anything that we’re lacking at one facility to host, we must make sure that it’s there [somewhere else]. We don’t want that we spread ourselves so thin on the investment that we’re making because there’re always needs. Which means we need to get a premium facility that is capable of hosting all the big meets.”
Ramson Jr added, “That’s the reason why this is being done here and it’s not currently being done
of Guyana’s three synthetic tracks to be equipped with a warm-up track. The Sport Minister explained why this is so.
“What’s important is that we have facilities throughout the country for training,” the Sport Minister said in responding to this publication’s inquiries. “When it comes to hosting international events,
at the other ones, but it will get there. We want to be able to move games and tournaments throughout the country because we know what it does at those locations.”
While the New Amsterdam track is expected to be completed by year end, the track at Linden has long been completed.
(Jemima Holmes)
Today, October 27, 2024, ANSA Motors Guyana Inc is set to host its highly-anticipated golf tournament, beginning at 08:00h at the Lusignan Golf Club.
Golfers from across the Region will gather to compete, offering a thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship as they prepare for the upcoming Brava Guyana Open 2024.
ANSA Motors Guyana Inc General Manager Sudesh Mahase expressed enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, “ANSA Motors Guyana Inc is proud to sponsor the Lusignan Golf Tournament. The club has made significant strides in promoting the sport through local and international tournaments and by providing training opportunities for its expanding membership. This aligns perfectly with the ethos of our recently-launched Proton brand, which emphasises lifestyle and innovation.”
Mahase highlighted the new Proton X90, noting, “The Proton brand, a part of the Geely Group – owners of luxury brand Volvo and sports brand Lotus –shares cutting-edge technology. The X90, a full-sized, seven-seater SUV with gen-
erous luggage capacity, is designed for golfers who wish to transport their equipment with ease and style. To celebrate, tournament participants will receive a GYD 100,000 discount on the X90 if purchased before the end of 2024.”
Lusignan Golf Club Public Relations Officer Brian Hackett warmly welcomed ANSA Motors’ involvement, remarking, “This is ANSA Motors’ first-ever golf tournament, and we are delighted to partner with them. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship. The tournament is expected to attract top golfers, setting an exciting precedent for the Brava Guyana Open 2024.” The tournament will feature a medal-play format across two flights: 0 to 14 handicap and 15 to 28 handicap. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each flight, with special awards for Best Gross and Closest to the Pin. Golf enthusiasts are invited to join ANSA Motors and the Lusignan Golf Club for an unforgettable day of competition and camaraderie, as well as to witness the Proton brand’s dynamic debut in the local market.
US$1 million prize fund across 11 matches that take place from November 26 to December 7, 2024.
GSL Chairman, Sir Clive Lloyd
ANSA Motors General Manager Sudesh Mahase hands over the sponsorship cheque to LGC Club Manager. Participants in the tournament will receive a G$100,000 discount on the Proton X90 if it is purchased before the end of 2024
Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr has a discussion with International Consultant Patrick Heinen
A look at the already asphalted section of the warm-up track at the NTFC
