Guyana invites global parliamentary body to observe 2025 elections 475 contracts awarded to small contractors in Region 6 for rehabilitation projects
Ahead of 2025 elections UNDP, ERC join forces to combat hate speech, misinformation No legal barrier to Clifton Hicken’s appointment as Police Commissioner – President Ali Numerous motorists ticketed for violations in traffic crackdown in city
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, October 10 –20:45h-22:15h and Friday, October 11 – 23:30h-01:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, October 10 –08:50h-10:20h and Friday, October 11 – 10:30h-12:00h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunshine is expected during the day, interrupted by thundery showers in the morning and afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies, interrupted by thundery showers, are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 09:13h and 21:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.09 metres and 2.16 metres.
Low Tide: 15:00h reaching a minimum height of 1.18 metres.
New GDF headquarters building to create functional workspace – Pres Ali
…highlights Govt’s commitment to developing military, personnel as 28 graduate from SOC
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali has underscored his Government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and its personnel and this, he said, is demonstrated in the new headquarters building that will be constructed at the GDF’s Base Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown.
The Head of State made these remarks on Wednesday at the Commissioning Parade for the Standard Officers Course 55 (SOC 55), where he presented the Instruments of Commission to the class of 28 newly-minted officers including one member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, two from the Belize Defence Force, six from the Guyana Police Force, and 18 from the GDF.
“I’ve directed the Chief of Defence Staff [Brigadier Omar Khan] to initiate the comprehensive design and tender process for a new Defence Headquarters Building. This strategic investment will not only provide our dedicated men and women in uniform with the modern and functional workplace, but also serve as a tangible symbol of our unwavering commitment to national security and our unwavering dedication to the brave individuals who protect our freedoms,” President Ali stated.
The tender invitation was issued back in August for the ‘Construction of New Defence Headquarter Building & Rehabilitation to Office Spaces – Base Camp Ayanganna BC (A).’ The deadline for submission was August 29, 2024, however, it is unclear whether the contract was awarded.
President Ali’s pronouncement on the new defence headquarters building came as he highlighted the massive investments his Government has made over the years to develop the GDF’s infrastructure. In 2021, some $339 million was invested to upgrade military bases and facilities. This was followed by $480 million in 2022, over $1 billion in 2023, and a staggering $1.8 billion in 2024.
These investments, according to the Commanderin-Chief, “…[reflect] our commitment to building a resilient and robust military infrastructure, one that could withstand the test of time, one that could adapt to the evolving needs and one that serves as a symbol of our nation’s resolve”.
Training and equipping
In addition to the Force’s infrastructure, the Head of State outlined the efforts made in training and equipping military personnel.
“We invested in the education and skill development of these ranks, ensuring they possess the expertise and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, adapt to evolving threats and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our nation. We made investments in state-of-the-art modern technologies, equipping our forces with the necessary tools to confront threats, effectively responding to crisis and contribute to the broader national agenda,” he stated.
In 2021, Government allocated $314 million to enhance military personnel training. During that time, the GDF saw upgrades to its training facilities and was able to seek and accept more collaborative training that saw them benefiting from regional and international opportunities, thus ensuring the ranks are equipped to operate in a globalised and
interconnected world.
That investment was followed by a further $350 million in 2022, $355 million in 2023 and $400 million in 2024, demonstrating the Aliled Administration’s unwavering dedication to building a “well-trained and capable” Force that is not only well-prepared to deal with traditional warfare, but also prepared to engage in the complexities of peace-building, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”.
Moreover, only last week, the Guyana Government signed a US$16 million contract with United Statesbased Bell Textron Inc for the supply of two advanced rotary-wing aircraft for the GDF. By the end of this year, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government would have spent almost $32 billion on investments in capital assets for the GDF since assuming office in 2020.
According to the Commander-in-Chief, these investments have not been in vain as there has been remarkable transformation within Guyana’s military with a marked increase in professionalism, a heightened sense of purpose, and a deep commitment to serving the nation.
He went on to outline that the development of
the nation and the security of its people are intricately linked. “We understand that a stable and prosperous nation is a secure nation; therefore, we’re committed to leveraging our resources to drive economic growth improve the lives of our citizens and create a more equitable society. This requires a strong and capable military – a military that is not only prepared to defend our borders but also to contribute to nation-building efforts,” the Guyanese Leader noted.
Recognising the unique challenges that these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambitious times bring, President Ali committed to building a strong and diverse military that is ready and capable of defending the sovereignty of this land and protecting the lives and livelihood of its people.
“We’re committed to maintaining our sovereignty, safeguarding our national interest and building a future where our nation thrives,” he stated.
To this end, the Commander-in-Chief charged the newly-commissioned officers to demonstrate courage, dedication and professionalism – qualities that have been the hallmark of the Defence Force. (G8)
Commander-in-Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali and heads of the various Disciplined Forces with the 28 newly-commissioned officers
As Cybersecurity Month is being observed this month, it is crucial to reflect on the growing threats that cybercrime poses to our global society. With the digital landscape expanding at an unprecedented rate, persons are now more interconnected than ever before. However, this connectivity brings with it significant vulnerabilities. Cybercrime, once perceived as a distant and abstract concept, is now one of the most pressing challenges of our time. According to Forbes Advisor, global cybercrime is projected to cost over US$10.5 trillion by 2025, a figure that dwarfs the combined global trade of all major illegal drugs. These statistics alone underscore the urgent need to fortify our digital defences.
One of the most concerning aspects of cybercrime is the vast economic impact it can have on businesses and governments. As reported by IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2024 stood at an alarming US$4.88 million. These financial losses are only the tip of the iceberg. The consequences of a successful cyber-attack often extend to significant operational disruption, reputational damage, and, in many cases, the erosion of public trust in critical systems.
For nations like Guyana, where there is the rapid embracing of digitization as a driver for development, cybersecurity has never been more important. The consequences of a cyberattack are not limited to mere financial loss — they could destabilize national infrastructure, compromise sensitive personal data, and undermine the foundations of our evolving digital economy. The World Economic Forum has placed cyberattacks among the top five global risks to stability, a sobering reminder of the potential danger we face if we fail to act.
Guyana is not standing idle. The Government, recognizing the magnitude of the threat, has taken decisive steps to protect its citizens and national infrastructure. In April, the Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), introduced 43 new public sector policies under the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework. This comprehensive strategy is designed to safeguard our digital infrastructure and bolster our defences against growing cyber threats. These policies align with the Government’s broader vision of using information and communication technologies (ICT) to modernize public administration, enhance service delivery, and promote equitable access to digital resources.
While these initiatives are commendable, cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of the Government. It is a collective effort that requires the vigilance and participation of every citizen, business, and institution. Our digital future is bright, but we must ensure it is secure. Every day, millions of people interact online, sharing information, making financial transactions, and accessing critical services. The responsibility for protecting these interactions falls on all of us.
The Government's focus on fostering public awareness, developing a skilled workforce, and strengthening legal frameworks is vital in this fight. However, we must also recognize the importance of international cooperation. Cyber threats are not confined to national borders; they are a global challenge requiring a coordinated global response. Through collaboration with international allies, Guyana can better prepare itself to defend against cyber-attacks and enhance its cybersecurity resilience.
As we look to the future, it is clear that cybercrime will continue to evolve, becoming more sophisticated and difficult to combat. However, with continued investment in advanced technologies, improved threat detection capabilities, and enhanced response strategies, we can stay ahead of the curve. We have the tools and knowledge to protect digital assets; now we need the determination and collaboration to see these efforts through.
This Cybersecurity Month should serve as a call for all. The digital world offers immense opportunities for growth and development, but it also requires that we remain vigilant and proactive.
To honour Jimmy Carter’s legacy, amplify his call for freedom in Palestine
By Mustafa Barghouti
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who turned 100 this month, has built a legacy of courage and moral clarity over his many decades in public service, fighting tirelessly for peace and human dignity at home and around the world. Now, as he nears the twilight of his life, we must take the time to reflect on one of his most courageous stances: his unwavering commitment to Palestinian dignity and self-determination.
In 1996, President Carter stood with us, the Palestinian people, as we voted for our leaders for the very first time. Though the Oslo peace process had failed to deliver the independent Palestinian state we had hoped for, Carter believed that the act of casting our ballots was still vital –that it was a chance to build a future rooted in peace and justice. His presence in Palestine during that first election underscored our hopes for a brighter tomorrow, despite the heavy shadows of occupation and displacement.
In 2003, as the separation wall began to snake across the West Bank, I met President Carter once again at The Carter Center’s first-ever Human Rights Defenders Forum in Atlanta, Georgia.
There, I told him about the stark realities faced by Palestinians in the West Bank city of Qalqilia –40,000 people encircled by concrete, with only one gate allowing them access to farms, medical care, and the outside world. This was
a single gate that opened and closed at the whims of Israeli soldiers, sometimes remaining shut for days at a time. As I updated him on the situation in Palestine, I called it what it is: apartheid, the separation of two peoples based on ethnicity, with one dominating the other through systemic injustice. Carter listened, intently and without judgement.
Just two years later, in 2005, he had the opportunity to see the reality for himself when he returned to Palestine to observe the presidential elections, in which I was the leading independent candidate against Fatah’s Mahmoud Abbas. During this time, President Carter witnessed firsthand how Israel, rather than building bridges to secure peace, was constructing walls; walls that cut deep into Palestinian land; walls that annexed settlements and water resources; walls that isolated Palestinians into enclaves.
He also witnessed how, after a meeting we had in Jerusalem, the Israeli Security Service arrested me for no reason other than to prevent me from talking to Palestinian voters there.
It was during this visit, I believe, that it became clear to him that Israel was not preparing for peace, but was instead consolidating control in ways that would make a two -state solution impossible.
In 2006, Carter published ‘Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid’, a book that shook the American political landscape. In it he laid out a simple truth: without Palestinian freedom and
dignity, there could be no peace. He made the case not as an enemy of Israel, but as someone deeply invested in its survival. Yet, for daring to speak this truth, Carter was vilified. He was accused of being anti-Semitic, and was ostracised by many in the US, and even in his Democratic Party. But Carter never wavered; he continued to speak the truth about the realities in Palestine – not out of malice for Israel, but from a deep belief in justice.
He understood that the only way Israel could truly thrive was through a just peace with the Palestinians. He recognised that the Palestinian people - who have lived under brutal occupation since 1967, and have experienced repeated displacement since 1948 - were entitled to the same rights and dignity as anyone else. He recognised in later writings that it was my 2003 account of the situation in Qalqilia that made him understand the reality of apartheid in Palestine.
What makes Jimmy Carter’s stance on Palestine unique is not only his moral courage, but the fact that he was once the most powerful man in the world. As US President, he tried to open the road to lasting peace. He could not secure Palestinian self-determination during his one-term presidency, between 1977 and 1981, yet he refused to stop trying. In the decades since leaving office, he has turned every stone in searching for every possibility to bring about a just peace for Palestinians and all the people of the Middle East.
Now, as he enters his
100th year, and tributes pour in to honour his many humanitarian achievements, we must not forget that he was one of the most important truth-tellers of our time. Carter was willing to see the brutality inflicted on the Palestinian people, and refused to remain silent about it. That is a rare kind of courage, especially for a former US President, and it should be recognised and remembered.
The best way we can honour Jimmy Carter, his bravery and unwavering moral clarity, is to carry forward his commitment to equal human rights for all people. The Palestinian struggle for self-determination is not just a political issue, it is also a moral one. As Carter always emphasised, the US has a special responsibility. Without American political and military support, Israel would not have been able to continue its ruthless occupation and apartheid against Palestinians, or to commit the genocide in Gaza. As we celebrate and reflect on Carter’s life and legacy, let us amplify his call for the US to be a genuine force for peace and justice around the world. Let us recognise, as Carter wanted, that peace in our Holy Land would come only when the rights and dignity of Palestinians are acknowledged and respected. Only then would we truly be able to honour his legacy and the values he stood for so bravely. (Al Jazeera) (Mustafa Barghouti is the leader of the Palestinian National Initiative and is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council)
Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo attended Navratri service at the Springlands Sanatan Mandir at Corriverton, Corentyne on Tuesday evening (Office of the Vice President photo)
475 contracts awarded to small contractors in Region 6 for rehabilitation projects
Some 475 contracts for rehabilitative works to be done on road works in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have been awarded to small contractors in the region.
This is in keeping with the Government’s policy of ensuring small contractors are included in the massive infrastructure development taking place.
Signing of contracts in this regard was done at the offices of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in New Amsterdam, Berbice on Tuesday.
The contractors were also engaged by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was accompanied by Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has said its insistence on small contractors getting contracts within their regions serves multiple purposes, including empowering these small contractors and ensuring infrastructure is maintained country-
wide. Since the PPP/C’s return to office, as many as 2000 new small contractors have been registered and become involved in the procurement system as part of a new eco-system of contractors that continues to grow.
In a press conference, Jagdeo detailed the steps the Government has taken to encourage this growth in the contractors’ pool. Among those steps are removal of the two per cent bid bond requirement, thereby allowing contractors working on projects below $15 million more
opportunities to bid.
“When the PPP got into office, the biggest problem to small contractors entering the system was the two per cent bid bond. They had to go to the bank, if they won a contract, and put up a bid bond. Now, many small contractors don’t have the capability to do that, (so) we removed the bid bond for contractors below $15 million,” he said.
Small contracts falling below the $15 million margin range from those engaged in weeding and cleaning to those engaged in civil works and even the construction of roads. Among the criteria the PPP Government has changed to grant more opportunities to small contractors is the experience requirement, which ranges from three to five years. This has also led to more diversity in the pool of contractors.
“What did we do to ensure that more people now are part of the procurement system? So, you have about
JSC advertises for Chief Magistrate, Commissioner of Title
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is inviting “suitably qualified persons” to apply for the positions of Chief Magistrate and Commissioner of Title.
In a vacancy notice published in today’s edition of Guyana Times, it was noted that applicants for the chief magistrate post must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Legal Education Certificate; be qualified to practise law in the Guyana and have general knowledge of the Laws of Guyana; and have at least 12 years practice as an attorney-at-law in Guyana or any Commonwealth jurisdiction; or have experience as a principal magistrate.
“Applicants are expected to have knowledge and experience in criminal practice and procedure.
Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership and management competencies and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Applicants are also expected to possess a high level of personal integrity and impartiality. If successful, Applicants are expected to subscribe to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers,” the notice detailed.
For the Commissioner of Title position, applicants must be an attorney-at-law admitted to practice law in Guyana or any Commonwealth country with at least seven years’ experience.
These positions became vacant earlier this year after the then Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, was appointed a puisne judge alongside Commissioners of
Title and Judges of the Land Court, Nicola Pierre and Priscilla Chandra-Hanif.
Guyana Times had reported their appointment back in April before 10 new judges were sworn-in before President Dr Irfaan Ali in June of this year to tackle the backlog of cases in the High Court.
In January, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, S.C., had disclosed that at least nine Puisne Judge were going to be appointed in the High Court this year along with two Commissioners of Title and six Justices of Appeal.
During his presentation in the 2024 Budget debates back in January, Nandlall had disclosed that at least 10 Magistrates will be appointed this year, bringing the total magistrates to
29. Additionally, the Legal Affairs Minister had also announced that new posts have also been created within the magistracy to accommodate for the large intake of cases. One of these new posts that were created is that of Deputy Chief Magistrate.
Already, nine new magistrates have been swornin back in February while in April, three new Commissioners of Title, who will be posted to serve in the Land Courts at Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and at Suddie, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were sworn-in.
The Attorney General had noted that the reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission in July 2023 paved the way for these critical judicial appointments to be made. (G8)
2000 new small contractors since we took office. We have more Afro-Guyanese companies now than ever before, including under five years under APNU. And that is a fact, and we can list the companies. So, contrary to what they say…,” the Vice President had further explained.
Meetings
The Vice President held a number of other meetings with stakeholders during his visit to Region Six. He met with residents of Lesbeholden, Mibicuri, Johanna and Yakusari in Black Bush Polder, and he met as scheduled with Skeldon farmers.
“Throughout the visit, the Vice President listened to various concerns and suggestions from the residents. He assured them that their issues would be addressed
and their recommendations would be carefully considered,” the Region 6 RDC has said.
Accompanying him were Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh; Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, and several other senior Government officials.
Jagdeo met with farmers from across Region Six at the Classic Hotel in Skeldon. There he outlined Government’s plans for significant investments in the agriculture sector, and explained how farmers could benefit from those initiatives. The Vice President also took time to listen to the concerns and recommendations put forward by the farmers.
The meeting with small contractors at the RDC office in New Amsterdam, Region Six, on Tuesday
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with residents at one of several meetings in Region Six on Tuesday A section of the farmers at the meeting in Skeldon
Materials plain paper, pencils, rulers, pair of compasses
Instructions
(www.artfulmaths.com)
JSE Conference Guyana offers stable, mature business environment – Finance Minister
…tells potential investors of state institutions strengthened to support rapidly growing economy
inance Minister Dr
FAshni Singh has assured potential investors that Guyana is a stable and mature environment for business, and that the Government is working to have the various state and regulatory institutions keep up with the pace of development in the country.
He made this remark at the second annual Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference held in Georgetown. The twoday event, hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) and held under the theme “Financing for Success: Where Passion, Prosperity and People Align”, brought together Government and business leaders, technocrats, professionals and investors.
Speaking at Day Two of the Conference, Dr Singh highlighted the heavy lifting done by past People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administrations, even before oil was found offshore Guyana, to set the stage for an environment that is competitive and attractive for doing business, and an economy that is globally competitive and diversified, and therefore resilient.
“Decades of work have gone into getting Guyana to where we are. Of course, the discovery of oil has helped… but what it has helped us to do is to do more, to do it better, and to do it more quickly…Long before oil was discovered, this Government, in our previous terms of office, was already firmly and unswervingly focused on the task of building out a competitive, diversified, and therefore resilient economy in the pre-oil era,” he stated.
Avoid mistakes
The Finance Minister was at the time commenting on remarks made by Chairman of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, Steven Whittingham, who at the opening of the conference on Tuesday called on Guyana to learn from that country’s mistakes and avoid falling into the same economic trap that once nearly sank Jamaica.
The Guyana Government has been adamant in using the money earned from the burgeoning oil and gas industry to expand, strengthen and diversify the country’s traditional economic
sectors, while at the same time enhance livelihoods through infrastructure development and improved healthcare, education, and welfare services.
Meanwhile, Minister Singh posited that the heavy lifting that was done over decades has now set up Guyana as possibly one of the most attractive places in the world to do business.
From 2021 to 2023, Guyana has grown at an average of almost 40 per cent per annum in real terms, and is projected to grow at an average of about 29 per cent in this decade. Over the past three years, the country’s non-oil economy has been growing at about 11 per cent per annum, and is projected over the medium term to continue growing at 7 or 8 per cent in real economic terms.
In light of these projections, the Finance Minister assured potential investors in the audience that the country has a lot of experience in building out institutions that are necessary for good governance as well as sound and responsible economic management.
“You can be assured, and you need not be worried that this is a basket case that has just found some resources that needs to be cautioned to act responsibly. You will be nervous about that. I assure you…I want you to understand that this is a mature, stable, young – we're still a very young country, but notwithstanding that we're a young country and a young democracy, this is a stable, mature, sensible, and level-headed environment to do business… We see many companies, many global companies and many regional companies, seizing this opportunity to enter strategic partnerships with Guyanese companies,
and doing so incredibly successfully,” Dr Singh noted.
Institutional strengthening
But even as investors are urged to explore business opportunities in Guyana, Dr Singh assured of efforts by Government for institutional strengthening with the aim of enhancing the ease of doing business here.
“The reality is that things are happening so rapidly that our institutions, some of them are also, you know, struggling to adapt. [But] we're committed to fixing those as well, including all of the regulatory agencies that need rapid modernization, the deployment of technology, the introduction of single window solutions to trade transactions, single window solutions to construction permits, and so on.
“There's a whole agenda for digitization in Government that we're deploying, that we’re rolling out right now, that will see us leapfrog a lot of the sort of evolutionary changes that we would’ve ordinarily gone through. But I want you to know and be assured that this is a mature, stable, level-headed and sensible environment that you're investing in,” he stressed.
The Finance Minister went on to highlighted the vast investment opportunities available for Guyanese and Jamaican businesses. According to Dr Singh, while there already are businesses from Jamaica operating in Guyana and collaborating with Guyanese companies, and vice versa, there is scope for much more to be done. This, he added, has been bolstered with Guyana’s Local Content Act that allows foreign companies to partner with Guyanese-owned business-
es in order to operate in the local oil and gas sector.
“We have a moment now where the opportunities for doing business in Guyana and with Guyanese companies are astronomically more than ever before. I say to people that there isn't a single category of goods or services for which demand does not outstrip supply in Guyana right now. I say to people that it doesn't matter whether you're speaking of
hotel rooms, hospital beds, or hamburgers or hot dogs; it doesn't matter which category of goods and services you’re speaking of, there's an opportunity for investment in Guyana,” the minister has asserted.
He urged potential investors to engage with the local business community to get a better understanding of the investment opportunities available in Guyana. Only last month,
Minister Hill had touted transport and logistics, increased trade especially of Guyana’s timber, and exchange of skilled personnel as some of the areas with potential for increased collaboration.
Jamaican Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill, encouraged companies there to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Georgetown.
(G8)
A section of the gathering at Day Two of the JSE’s second Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference held in Georgetown
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh
No legal barrier to Clifton Hicken’s appointment as Police Commissioner – Pres Ali
President Irfaan Ali made it clear on Tuesday night that no barrier in Guyana’s Constitution or laws prohibits Clifton Hicken from assuming the post of Police Commissioner.
Hicken was appointed to act in the capacity of Police Commissioner in March 2022, taking over responsibility from acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave. However, on July 22, 2023, Hicken turned 55 years – the age of retirement in the Police Force.
On the sidelines of the commissioning ceremony for
the $51 million refurbished Herbert Feeny Physics and Chemistry Laboratories and the Richard Harford Staff Room at St Stanislaus College, President Ali was questioned about the political controversy surrounding these events, and he responded: “There is no barrier, legally or constitutionally, from appointing him. His tenure was extended, so there is no barrier”.
However, he declined to comment on how long Hicken would remain in office after he is appointed as head of the law enforcement agency.
“That’s a different question,” he remarked.
No need for Opposition’s agreement
Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, during his programme of ‘Issues in the News’, stated that President Dr Irfaan Ali does not need Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s agreement for the appointment of the Commissioner of Police, or any Deputy Commissioner.
According to the AG, the Constitution of Guyana provides for the President to make such appointments after “meaningful consultation” with the Opposition Leader, and with the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chair would have consulted with the other members of the Commission.
The Constitution states that the person responsible for seeking such consultation shall “identify the persons or entities to be consulted and specify to them in writing the subject of the consultation and an intended date for the decision…”
The Constitution further outlines that the person seek-
ing the consultation shall ensure that the person or entity being consulted is afforded a reasonable opportunity to express a considered opinion on the subject.
It also says that the person seeking the consultation shall prepare and archive a written record of the consultation.
In this regard, Nandlall contended, the Constitution does not require a face-toface consultation. In fact, he said President Ali has satisfied all the requirements of the Constitution.
The Head of State had written Norton on September 4, 2024 for consultation on the appointment of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police, and had requested a response by September 18, 2024, Nandlall recalled.
Norton, he said, replied on September 17, 2024 objecting to the appointment in a two-page response. The president then responded on October 2, 2024, answering all of the concerns raised by Norton.
“The President’s letter is even longer, and the President answered all the questions, all the issues that he raised,” the Attorney General has said.
Nandlall explained that the President’s response proved that the contentions of Norton were “factually inaccurate”.
“The President’s response outlined that Mr Hicken is the most senior member of the Guyana Police Force, and acted for all the number of years,” Nandlall added.
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, Nandlall said, was also consulted.
Nandlall is contending, “The President must engage in meaningful consultation, not get the agreement of; because there are some appointments in the Constitution which require the President to secure from the Leader of the Opposition his agreement. This is not one of those appointments.”
He noted that agreement is needed, for example, for the appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice.
Nandlall is contending that any legal action filed by Norton on this matter “will be strenuously defended”.
The Attorney General said similar letters were dispatched by the President on the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, but Norton never responded.
Raising…
…police standards
At the beginning of this year, in a move to repair the damage to our much-maligned (and rightfully so!) Police Force, it was stipulated that new recruits must have at least CXE or higher passes!! Up to now, from God-knows-when, GPF recruits have had to have a “sound” primary school education!! Well, this explains a lot! Your Eyewitness doesn’t think you gotta have five CSEC passes with Maths and English to be accepted. Even UG can’t get that, and has resorted to all sorts of made-up entrance free passes. But just “sound primary school” for the Police?
First of all, what’s a “sound” primary school education? Is it a cut-off mark from the NGSA? But if a student had got a decent mark, one would’ve expected him/her to enter secondary school! Guyanese always knew that policemen weren’t the brightest bulbs in the room - any room!! But we can now understand why the old joke about policemen has survived for so long. You know the old joke: the policeman nabs the miscreant in the act on Vlissengen Road, but hauls him over to Church Street to charge him, since there’s no way in Hell (or Earth!) he could spell “Vlissengen”!!
But seriously, folks, this is an announcement we can’t allow to now just blow away in the wind. For the longest while, there have been complaints about the low salaries in the GPF being a disincentive to recruiting new cops. Well, let’s now raise the salaries to make them comparable to those in the private sector - but require at least 3 subjects at CSEC with English Language. Then there’s no question there will be a whole new cohort lining up to sign on the dotted line.
And this will be the revolution: we’ll get policemen (and women) who’ll actually be able to have a discussion with a civilian they nabbed in one suspected infraction or another without resorting to profanities or a fried rice demand! Up to now, the poor cop probably just didn’t have the vocabulary to express himself, and, in frustration, let off a few scatological exclamations!
Did you ever think the reason traffic police ranks drag you to the station for just crossing an unbroken yellow line might be that they just can’t fill out the traffic ticket violation? Now, before you think this requirement is unrealistic… let’s appreciate the PPP’s push for raising the educational level of all Guyanese. Those 20,000 scholarship graduates from their Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) will soon be looking for jobs; and why not the Police Force, if the pay is competitive?? In New York, you need at least 60 college credits to apply.
All in all, your Eyewitness is really excited by this development. He’s obviously had too many unfortunate interactions with (uneducated) police ranks!
…Caribbean unity
Well, how have the times changed!! Bajans are actually being polite to Guyanese, which isn’t a curse word to them no mo’; at least not in front of us!! And this just shows you it’s money that makes the world go round! Forget all those fine-sounding platitudes about us all passing through the same sugar plantations and slavery which made us into “one Caribbean people”. Not so…as all of us who were subjected to the “Guyanese Bench” at Grantley Adams Airport know to our cost!
Anyhow, now that our oil’s flowing, it’s clear that the centre of gravity of the new Caribbean is gonna be Guyana and Suriname - and we should all collaborate closer. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong about this. For sure we’ll need all sorts of expertise to develop this new economy; and if they can be sourced from our Caricom neighbours, why not?
Trinidad and Barbados, along with Guyana and Suriname, can now form a SouthCarib Hub. There’s strength in numbers, no?
…entrepreneurship levels
Even though the Opposition’s been criticising the Government for awarding contracts to a small group of businesses, it will take time for that body to expand. In the meantime, Government’s been trying every which way to stimulate entrepreneurship skills!!
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken
President Dr Irfaan Ali responding to questions from media operatives
Opposition’s call for new voters’ list baseless – Nandlall
…says new voters list prepared for every election
Responding to information emanating from the Opposition, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has explained that a new voters list is produced for every election.
“We have a continuous registration process that is ongoing all year round, it will only stop at elections to produce a new list. They [Opposition] are calling for a new list. A new list will be produced for the 2025 elec-
tions based upon a continuous registration system. So, what new list they’re calling for?” Nandlall contended during his programme, “Issues in the News”, on Tuesday.
“Every election gets a new list, one that is produced by GECOM on a continuous registration basis,” he reaffirmed.
According to Nandlall, “We have put over 100 amendments in the law to ensure that that list is kept
clean; that dead people are removed from it; that those who should not be on the list should not be on the list.”
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is working closely with the General Register Office (GRO) to verify deaths and remove the names of deceased individuals from the Official List of Electors (OLE). Additionally, during the claims and objections period, constituents have
opportunity to contest the inclusion of the names of deceased individuals on the OLE.
Family members or other residents can present necessary documentation to GECOM to validate their claims, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the electoral roll.
The last claims and objections exercise lasted from July 2 to July 15, while the continuous registration process current-
ly underway is set to last until November 29, 2024. As of September 20, 2024, GECOM Public Relations (PR) Officer Yolanda Warde has reported, 6,941 new voters have been registered.
There have also been 2,614 applications for changes to addresses; 1,800 requests for changes in personal particulars; 6,600 applications for replacement ID cards; and 705 requests for photo retakes.
Guyana invites global parliamentary body to observe 2025 elections
The InterParliamentary Union (IPU), a global organisation of national parliaments, which has some 180 members, will be invited to send a team to observe Guyana’s General and Regional Elections next year.
This was disclosed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Tuesday, during his programme “Issues in the News”. Nandlall also revealed
that he would be attending the 149th Assembly of the IPU, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland on October 13-17.
“It’s a very powerful grouping, and we hope to get them to come to observe the elections,” he has said.
Attorney General Nandlall explained, “The election thieves are still around; they’re still here, and trust me, they will try to steal elections. We have to get as many observers as
we possibly can.”
The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world.
“We promote democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. We work for peace, democracy, human rights,
gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action, and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action,” the IPU website has outlined.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has already engaged representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union regarding sending observer missions to Guyana for next year’s polls.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall
Pres Ali tasks St Stanislaus College with launching innovation fund to lead in STEM, AI, climate solutions
Per…and make it commercially viable?” he asked.
“And we should launch a competition within the school itself, not just to drive the innovation, but for this school to champion innovation, champion new product development, champion new technology, champion new software. That is what is going to shape who we are in this institution long into the future,” President Ali shared.
resident Dr Irfaan Ali has tasked the management of St Stanislaus College with establishing an innovation fund to boost that school’s capability to lead in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), entrepreneurship, business innovation, and artificial intelligence. According to the Head of State, resources raised by the school would be used to fund students’ experimental prototypes, ideas of entrepreneurship, product development, and new scientific models.
Low Carbon Development Strategy into the classroom lessons, thereby ensuring that students understand the importance of climate, food, and energy security.
Ali explained that this initiative would allow the school to lead in areas of environment, climate, biodiversity studies, and in integrating the
“How can we create this innovation fund to encourage our students to be innovative, and then helping those students to take that innovation - whatever they discov-
The Head of State was at the time addressing those gathered at the commissioning ceremony for the $51 million refurbished Herbert Feeny Physics and Chemistry Laboratories and the Richard Harford Staff Room on Tuesday. Government had contributed some $25.45 million to the project.
Development of a worldclass hockey field at the school has also been touted, and Ali explained that Government’s vision for the school would result in the shaping of tomorrow’s leaders who are well equipped to tackle global challenges.
“And what we have to do is identify students who are talented in these areas, and who we can, at a very early stage, shape to go on and take leadership in these areas. So, to meet these challenges, we need a new generation of graduates (who are) proficient in STEM education. It is not enough to have dreams of progress; you must have the skills and knowledge to build those dreams into reality. And where better to start than here, within the walls of St. Stanislaus College, where a legacy of excellence already exists?” Ali declared.
“This is something that I see in many institutions
across the globe. In India, where the concentration is on STEM, in the colleges, out of the innovation fund, they have what you call the business development grants, and that is where the innovation fund must lead to. So, when we have students who can come up with a creative idea here, we must be able to work with them on making that idea viable through the process of building out that idea, so that it can become a growing asset for them,” the Head of State explained.
Expansion of school Education Minister Priya Manickchand has meanwhile announced the expansion of this school in 2025. She said infrastructure works would include a three-storey building comprising labs and classrooms, and a new auditorium which would be accompanied by a large dining area.
“This entire block, stretching all the way to where the building endswell, the compound endswill have a three-storey ad-
dition to the school; where all of this will be demolished, and classrooms, labs and staff space will be provided along with other amenities. This auditorium is going to be pushed back, so that we have a stage with dressing rooms and a bigger space here. And we're looking to see if we could put a second storey here, where we can have a dining room common area for students,” she detailed.
“We feel very confident that if we were to do physical infrastructure; train your teachers -- 100 percent of your teachers will be trained -- retain them; and we got -we know extra training went into the teachers at this school -- provide the resources like textbooks and lab equipment; give the grants (to) the parents, so that they're easier able to look after their children; that we're going to see, coming out of each and every child in this school, Irfaan Ali multiplied by how many hundreds come out of your school,” Minister Manickchand has said.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering
President Dr Irfaan Ali and Education Minister Priya Manickchand at commissioning of the refurbished Herbert Feeny Physics and Chemistry Laboratories
ExxonMobil has no interest in renegotiating 2016 PSA – Routledge …says
any change would undermine basis for company’s investment
The parliamentary Opposition have been campaigning that they would review the Stabroek Block contract, but the United Statesbased ExxonMobil company has poured cold water on any possibility of renegotiating the fiscal terms of the contract.
In a press conference held on Wednesday, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge was asked whether the company was willing to renegotiate its share of profit and royalty with Guyana. Based on Article 32 of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the Government has to gain permission from the operator in order to renegotiate the terms of the contract.
According to Routledge, however, the company has no interest in invoking Article 32 and entering into renegotiation.
Further, he noted the importance of Guyana maintaining the sanctity of the contract, pointing out that renegotiation would undermine the stability of the investment climate.
“I think we always need to step back and remember
that this agreement has been very successful for Guyana in attracting investment in a basin where nobody had basically made any discoveries. It derisked the Suriname drilling, because discoveries had been made in Guyana by the Stabroek block and co-venturers. And we can always cherry-pick that someone has higher royalty or lower royalty, pays this tax or that tax, but it’s about the total amount of revenue that’s generated out
of the petroleum agreement; that’s really important. And if you don’t attract sufficient investment, you won’t have the same scale of revenues.
“So, you can have a larger percentage of a small number, or you can have a fair share of a much larger number; and ultimately, that’s more meaningful for the country. That’s where we need to be careful of people just writing things and cherry-picking numbers,” he expanded on
his explanation.
According to the oil executive, any change, even an increase in the royalty from the present two per cent to five, would undermine the basis for the company’s investment.
Routledge also defended the present terms of the agreement by noting that it was signed at a time when the risk of investment in the Stabroek block was high.
“The stability of the basis for investment is very important, not just for ExxonMobil, HESS and CNOOC, but I would say for anybody wanting to invest in the country. They want to understand the stability in the fiscal arrangements, in the way those are going to be executed or managed by the GRA or any other agency in the country. Because part of business we all take, we take a certain amount of risk on investments, and we need to understand that is part of factoring in what
would be the ultimate return,” Routledge explained.
With elections expected next year, the parliamentary Opposition have been campaigning that they would review the 2016 PSA. For instance, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who is also leader of the Peoples National Congress (PNC), has said that if he becomes president, he would invoke a clause in the PSA which allows Government to engage ExxonMobil.
“We have said Article 32.1 of the PSA provides a wide range of opportunities for us to engage ExxonMobil and increase the benefits for the people of Guyana, and we continue to be committed to that, because the particular article is clear and provides avenues for us to engage Exxon and increase the benefits to the people of Guyana,” Norton had previously said.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) have in the past also made promises to
revise the oil deal, though they have since scaled back this commitment following the election of Attorney-atLaw Nigel Hughes as leader of the party.
The PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the AFC had comprised the Government when the 2016 PSA was negotiated and signed. That PSA has received widespread criticisms for, among other things, having low royalty – a meagre two per cent; lack of ring-fencing provisions, and sweeping cost recovery clauses.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has since implemented a new PSA for future projects, and that new PSA has increased the royalty from two to 10 per cent; lowered the cost recovery ceiling from 75 per cent to 65 per cent; and maintained the 50-50 profit-sharing ratio after cost recovery. (G3)
EEPGL President, Alistair Routledge
15 buildings destroyed by massive fire at Puruni
Two people are feared dead after a massive fire swept through Puruni Landing, a Mazaruni riverine community in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and devastated the community by wiping out 15 buildings, among which were several business premises, hotels and residences.
The conflagration commenced on Wednesday at about 10:40h, and has left significant damage in its wake. Among the buildings destroyed are those belonging to Yvette McDonald of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, whose properties included three hotels, a restaurant, a nightclub, and a fuel bond. McDonald’s “Miners Choice” establishment, where the fire is believed to have originated during a fuel sale, also stored and sold gasoline and diesel.
Floyd Elcock, another businessman, has lost his hotel, restaurant, and grocery store. Additional structures, including a drug store owned by Otis McKenzie and a residence belonging to William Cozier, were also consumed by the flames.
Initial reports suggest that the fire was ignited when a worker at “Miners Choice” accidentally spilled fuel during a transaction. The flames quickly spread across the compound and caught on to nearby buildings.
Authorities have expressed concern that two individuals may have perished in the blaze, but this has not yet been confirmed because the buildings have been extensively damaged. The scene was visited by Police Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Dion Moore and other officials.
Firefighters and pub-
lic-spirited individuals from the community used a dredge engine to source water from the Puruni River to help control the fire, but the destruction was extensive by the time the fire was contained.
Fire Chief Gregory Wickham told <<Guyana Times>> on Wednesday that firefighters had to travel from Bartica to the Puruni area,
since there is no fire station in the area. That travel usually takes more than two hours. This latest fire at Puruni comes less than a year after a similar incident had occurred in the same area, when a fire that originated in a Chinese supermarket’s generator room had spread to and destroyed several surrounding buildings.
Despite efforts by the Home Affairs Ministry to strengthen fire prevention measures in remote areas of the region, the vulnerability of businesses and residences remains a major concern. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire. (G9)
The fire that wreaked havoc in Region Seven
Ahead of 2025 elections
UNDP, ERC join forces to combat hate speech, misinformation
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently reaffirmed its commitment to work with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) in the fight against hate speech and misinformation. This partnership is strategically planned as Guyana gears up to host its Regional and General Elections in 2025.
This initiative was highlighted on Tuesday during a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Data Support and eMonitor Implementation. This ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.
Speaking at the event was United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Guyana and Suriname, Gerardo Noto, who highlighted that issues such as hate speech and misinformation pose significant threats to the electoral process.
“As we approach the 2025 elections, we must confront the pressing issue of information pollution -- the spread of false, misleading, manipulated, and otherwise harmful messages that threaten the integrity of democratic processes globally,” Mr Noto said. He added that, in to-
day’s society, inaccurate information tends to spread faster; therefore, it is important to protect vulnerable communities from these threats.
“In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, the potential for division and conflict increases.
Guyana's diverse society is a threat, but it is important to keep it safe from manipulation that can make it vulnerable to information pollution; can exacerbate existing tensions, in particular hate speech; sow distrust among communities; and undermine our shared com-
mitment to peaceful coexistence,” he declared.
The Resident Representative noted that both the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are actively working to implement and develop innovative solutions to tackle hate speech and misinformation.
“In this scenario, UNDP, with extensive experience in the field of democratic strengthening, is developing a series of innovative tools to support national, regional, and global efforts to promote information integrity and the resilience of information systems. Similarly, the ERC, being a constitutional entity mandated to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination, has long recognized the impact of hate speech on society and divisions, and is committed to proactive measures to counteract it,” he explained.
Through the signing of the MoU, Noto reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment to working with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to develop new innovations and strengthen ex-
isting systems.
“As part of the MOU, UNDP will provide comprehensive support to the ERC, including technical assistance to strengthen ERC's existing methodologies for mapping and countering disinformation and hate speech, strengthen ERC's capacities to access social media data, providing crucial insights into information pollution, and enhancing the ERC's technological infrastructure to better respond to these challenges,” Noto has said.
Central to the MoU is the powerful E-Monitoring Class System, a state-of-theart social media monitoring and analysis tool that leverages artificial intelligence to track and analyze harmful content across various platforms. Currently, this innovative piece of technology has already been deployed in various countries in and out of the region, with different information dynamics helping to establish standardized language and comparative data collection, analysis and dissemination methodologies so that cross-border dialogue, learning and cooperation can be facilitated.
UNDP Resident Representative Gerardo Noto and ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeen-ul-Hack signing the MoU
Numerous motorists ticketed for violations in traffic crackdown in city
Officials from Police Traffic Headquarters and Regional Division 4A (Georgetown) have conducted traffic enforcement exercises in key areas of the capital city.
The operation, conducted on Wednesday with the aim of cracking down on persistent traffic violations, resulted in several motorists being ticketed for offences such as leaving a motor vehicle in a dangerous position, stopping within 30 feet of a corner, prohibited use of tinted glass, and obscured ID markings.
This effort at enforcement is part of the ongoing initiative taken by the Guyana Police Force to combat the high incidents of traffic violations that compromise public safety and contribute to congestion. According to police reports, violations like stopping near corners and driving improperly marked vehicles pose significant risks, especially during peak hours,
Police officers carrying out exercises in Georgetown
when the traffic flow is at its heaviest.
This recent crackdown follows a surge in offences that occurred throughout 2024.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force noted that despite daily efforts to educate the public on safe driving practices, many motorists continue to disregard the law.
"This effort is ongoing, as motorists commit one traf-
fic offence too often and leave the Traffic Department with no choice, even though traffic education is done daily for the benefit of all," the statement read.
The Police Force has said its ranks have been exploring technology-driven solutions to improve traffic management, including the potential use of surveillance cameras at busy intersections and major roadways to identify and penalize violators in real time.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Wednesday officially commissioned the $252.7 million upgrade of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) on the West Coast of Demerara.
This vocational and technical learning facility is expected to accommodate approximately 400 students, who will come from several secondary schools across the region to do technical subjects at the upgraded institution.
Training programmes offered at the centre include electrical work, woodworking, and food and nutrition,
equipping students with the competencies necessary for Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification. The facility comes equipped with tools and equipment, as well as ICT resources and furnishings.
Delivering the feature address at the commissioning, Manickchand emphasised the importance of an education system that is responsive to national needs, noting that the facility is part of the Government’s commitment to providing practical skills that align with the demands of a modern job market, thereby ensuring every child has a
bright future.
“Any education system that is good has to be responsive to the needs of the country. At the end of the day, it gives them relevant skills,” Manickchand said. Also attending the commissioning ceremony were Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube, Deputy Chief Education Officer-Technical, Dr Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education OfficerAdmin, Tiffany Harvey, and Headteacher of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre (PIC), Julian Cambridge.
From left: Fellowship PIC Headteacher Julian Cambridge, Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube, and Education Minister Priya Manickchand unveiling a plaque announcing the commissioning of the refurbished Fellowship PIC on the West Coast of Demerara (Education Ministry photo)
2019 fatal chopping 'Blackboy' admits to killing friend with cutlass
Donald Grovesnor, known as "Blackboy”, of Lot 19 Sideline Dam, Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), has pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter before Justice Navindra Singh.
This plea, made on Wednesday, comes as part of a negotiated settlement that reduces his initial charge of murder.
The court has set October 30 for Grovesnor's sentencing, when the judge will determine the consequences of his actions.
RECAP
The charge Grovesnor had faced alleged that on March 3, 2019, at Wales, WBD, he murdered 29-year-old Suraj Jailall, called “Neshal”, of Lot 92 Sideline Dam, Sisters Village.
According to reports, a chopping incident had resulted in a section of Jailall’s ear being severed. That chopping incident had allegedly stemmed from an earlier argument that had erupted between the two men.
Media reports at the time had indicated that the two men had been imbibing when an argument ensured. Sometime later, Grovesnor had reportedly accosted Jailall, but subsequently released him and went home. However, he returned with a cutlass and dealt Jailall the fatal blow to his head.
Jailall had been taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was treated, but he later succumbed to his injuries on March 4 while receiving medical attention. Grovesnor was later remanded to prison. (G9)
MODEC lauds STEMGuyana’s robotics programme, sponsors national robotics team
Several representatives from MODEC Guyana Inc have visited the STEMGuyana Clubhouse to meet with Guyana’s National Robotics Team -- a group of 15 talented youths aged 14 to 18, six of whom recently represented Guyana at the First Global Challenge, an international robotics competition held in Athens, Greece.
During their visit, MODEC’s representatives engaged the robotics team in discussions about their training, preparation and participation in the competition; and the students explained how they worked closely with their international alliance members in analyzing each other's robots to divide tasks based on their strengths.
For instance, they shared, their robot excelled in carrying and offloading tasks, so they focused on perfecting that function. They also described how they made real-time adjustments to their robot throughout the competition in order to stay competitive.
Speaking with the team, MODEC's Country Manager Rafael Fumis drew parallels between the robotics work and the tasks performed in the offshore oil and gas industry.
"The work you’re doing here is very similar to what we do in our operations," he said. "On our offshore platforms, we control thousands of valves through CPUs like the one in your robot. We analyze data from various sensors, and those valves react to maintain the process table,” he explained.
“The skills you are
$252.7M technical and...
Some of the Fellowship PIC students displayed their skills for Minister Priya Manickchand to see at the commissioning of the facility on Wednesday
During his remarks, Ayube highlighted the facility’s significance as he described it as a realization of the Government’s commitment to securing a promising future for the nation’s youth.
“Each child of this country is blessed with different talents and abilities,” he noted. “Institutions like this are needed in order to cater to students who gravitate toward different fields.”
The Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre is part of the broader Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP) funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This initiative aims at upgrading PICs in Regions Three, Four, and Five alongside Practical Instruction Departments in hinterland secondary schools, thereby enhancing technical vocational educa-
learning here are directly applicable to the work we do. Additionally, we use robots and drones for inspections and 3D modeling, so what you’re learning will undoubtedly make a difference in your future careers. Well, done," Fumis declared.
Operations Manager at STEMGuyana, Alisha Koulen, took the opportunity to brief the MODEC team on the various programmes offered by STEMGuyana, including STEM Clubs, Learning Pods, National Competitions, the STEMGuyana Innovation Expo, the Robin the Robot TV programme, the Parent Academy, the Virtual
Academy, and the Summer Camps.
Additionally, Board Member and Fundraising Coordinator for STEMGuyana, Elsie Harry, highlighted the relevance of the students' STEM education to the growing demands of the oil and gas sector. She recalled that several STEMGuyana alumni had been recruited by companies within the industry. She also suggested that, when MODEC’s FPSO unit arrives in Guyana, it would be an exciting opportunity for the robotics students to visit and witness its operations firsthand.
The Country Manager
welcomed the idea, as did the students, who were eager for the potential learning experience.
Lakesha McArthur, who served as the robot driver during the First Global Challenge, expressed her heartfelt thanks to MODEC Guyana Inc. for their generous sponsorship, and presented the MODEC team with STEMGuyana memorabilia as a token of appreciation.
The participation of Team Guyana Robotics in the Athens Challenge of 2024 was made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of several key contributors.
tion and training (TVET) across the country.
At the commissioning ceremony, the Office of the Deputy Chief Education Officer for Technical Education donated several pieces of safety gear to the institution, including helmets, safety vests, gloves, and goggles. The safety gear will be used to ensure a secure learning environment for students as they engage in practical training.
Dead: Suraj Jailall
Members of Team Guyana Robotics posing with STEMGuyana Operations Manager Alisha Koulen and the MODEC team
Regional
Haiti gangs are recruiting more child soldiers, human rights report says
Haiti’s armed gangs are increasingly recruiting children into their ranks, a report by Human Rights Watch warned on Wednesday, as near-famine conditions push boys to pick up guns while girls are sexually abused and forced into domestic work.
The group, which advocates for human rights globally, said it had spoken to six children recently involved with gangs, all of whom said they wanted to leave and had joined because they were hungry and gangs were often the only source of food, shelter or money.
Boys are often used as informants, trained to use weapons and ammunition, and deployed in clashes against the Police, HRW said. It cited the case of a boy called Michel, an orphan who was recruited six years ago when he was 8 and living on the streets and was given a loaded Kalashnikov.
Girls are raped and forced to cook and clean for gang members, the report said, and often discarded once they become pregnant.
Haiti’s powerful gangs have been expanding their influence in recent years while state institutions have been paralysed by a lack of funds and political crises. Gangs now control
territory where 2.7 million people live, including half a million children.
As they have grown, the gangs have ramped up child recruitment, said HRW.
About a third of gang members are children, according to estimates by the United Nations, which has also warned of boys being used for killings and to attack institutions, and girls being forced into exploitative sexual relations and killed in broad daylight for refusing to do so.
HRW said the criminal groups are increasingly using popular social media apps to attract recruits.
The leader of the Village
de Dieu gang, for instance, is a rapper and publishes well-polished music videos of his soldiers. The report said he has a specialised unit to train children how to handle weapons and set up checkpoints.
The UN approved Haiti’s request for a security mission to help the Caribbean country’s Police fight the gangs a year ago, but so far the mission has only partially deployed.
HRW urged Haiti’s Government and other countries to provide more resources for security forces, ensure children are able to eat and go to school, and provide rehabilitation for recruits. (Reuters)
Brazilian nun awarded UN refugee prize for work with migrants
ABrazilian nun who has helped refugees and migrants for 40 years on Wednesday won the Nansen prize awarded every year by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for outstanding work to protect internally displaced and stateless people.
Sister Rosita Milesi, 79, is a member of the Catholic order of the Scalabrini nuns, who are renowned for their service to refugees worldwide. Her parents were poor farmers from an Italian background in southern Brazil, and she became a nun at 19.
As a lawyer, social worker and activist, Milesi championed the rights and dignity of refugees and migrants of different nationalities in Brazil for four decades.
The UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award was established in 1954 in honour of Norwegian humanitarian, scientist, explorer, and diplomat Fridtjof Nansen. UNHCR announced the award in Geneva.
Milesi joins a long list of distinguished global laureates, including former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the first person to receive the award when it was set up in 1954, the chari-
ty Medecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and Germany’s former chancellor Angela Merkel. She is the second Brazilian to receive the award. Former São Paulo Archbishop Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns won the prize in 1985.
Milesi leads the Migration and Human Rights Institute (IMDH) in Brasilia, through which she has helped thousands of forced migrants and displaced people access essential services such as shelter, healthcare, education and legal assistance. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Bolivia joins South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel
Bolivia has formally joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to the court in The Hague.
The South American nation filed an application on Tuesday to intervene in the case, which accuses Israel of perpetrating “genocidal acts” in violation of the Genocide Convention in its war on Gaza.
Bolivia’s move puts it among a growing list of States engaged in the case, including Colombia, Libya, Spain, Mexico, Palestine, Nicaragua and Turkey.
In January, the ICJ ruled that Israel must do everything in its power to
prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and ensure United Nations-mandated investigators have “unimpeded access” to the enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the court’s interim ruling as “outrageous” and said Israel would continue its “just war”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
US bars ex-Ecuador President, former VP from entry over corruption
The US State Department has barred former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and former Vice President Jorge Glas from entry into the United States due to involvement in corruption, the Department said on Wednesday.
“Correa and Glas abused their positions as former President of Ecuador and former Vice President of Ecuador, respectively, by accepting bribes, including through political contributions, in exchange for granting favourable government contracts,” the State Department said in a statement.
The Department said
it also barred the spouses and children of the former Ecuador officials from entering the US.
Correa reacted in a post on X, claiming that his sentencing locally for the charges was without merit and that the US barring him from entry was not fair.
The former President lives in Belgium and has been convicted of corruption and sentenced to prison. He has denied the accusations, describing the case against him as one of political persecution led by his opponents.
Glas’ attorney, Sonia Gabriela Vera, said on X that barring the former Vice President from entry aims to interfere in Ecuador’s
elections, calling it, without evidence, a “political manoeuvre to favour specific interests”.
Glas, also convicted of corruption, was jailed in Ecuador. He attempted suicide earlier this year and went on a hunger strike in a prison to protest his arrest, according to his lawyer.
Mexico and Ecuador had filed lawsuits against each other at the World Court after the April arrest of Glas, who had been living in the Mexican embassy in Quito.
Mexico accused Ecuador of violating international law by breaching the embassy, while Ecuador accused Mexico of illegally granting asylum to Glas. (Reuters)
Children accompany armed gang members in a march organised by former Police Officer Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, leader of an alliance of armed groups, in the Delmas neighbourhood, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 10, 2024 (Reuters/Pedro Valtierra Anza file photo)
South Africa brought its genocide case against Israel to the International Court of Justice at the end of December [File: Nick Gammon/AFP]
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Oil falls as swelling US supply counters
Middle East and hurricane risks
US calls out Israel at UN for “catastrophic conditions” in Gaza, as leaders discuss response to Iran attack
Israel needs to address urgently “catastrophic conditions” among Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and stop “intensifying suffering” by limiting aid deliveries, its ally the United States told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after US data showed rising crude inventories, but losses were limited by the risk of Iranian supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict and Hurricane Milton in the US.
Brent crude futures settled at US$76.58 a barrel, falling 60 cents, or 0.8 per cent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures settled down 33 cents or 0.5 per cent, at US$73.24 a barrel.
Crude inventories jumped by 5.8 million barrels to 422.7 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a two-million-barrel rise.
The build was smaller than estimated on Tuesday by trade group American Petroleum Institute, which also limited declines in oil prices, said Bob Yawger, director of oil futures at Mizuho in New York.
Larger-than-expected drawdowns in gasoline and distillates also helped soften the impact to prices, Yawger said.
“There’s a bullish element in the gasoline number, which might have been a rebound from the hurricane,” said Yawger, referring to Hurricane Helene, which struck the US late last month.
The country is bracing for a second major storm, Hurricane Milton, which spawned tornadoes and lashing rain hours ahead of its expected landfall in Florida on Wednesday. The storm has already driven up demand for gasoline in the state, with about a quarter of fuel stations selling out of supplies, which has helped support crude prices.
Middle East in focus
Markets remained on edge about a potential Israeli attack on Iranian oil infrastructure, even after oil prices tumbled by more than four per cent on Tuesday on a possible HezbollahIsrael ceasefire deal being reached.
US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel’s plans concerning oilproducer Iran in a call on Wednesday. Neither the White House nor Netanyahu’s office provided details of the discussion.
“We’re still on tenterhooks with the Middle East situation,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital in New York. “Speculation of a strike on Iran is worth about US$5 a barrel.”
Even with threats to the oil-producing Middle Eastern region top of mind, economic problems in top crude importer China made it difficult for prices to advance.
“Despite the current heightened tensions in the Middle East, it is easy to forget that the oil market is very much vulnerable to corrections due to the ongoing bearish macro narrative centred on China,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group.
China said on Tuesday it was “fully confident” of achieving its full-year growth target, but refrained from introducing stronger fiscal steps, disappointing investors who had banked on more support for the economy.
Investors have worried about slow growth dampening fuel demand in China, the world’s largest crude importer.
Weak demand continues to underpin the fundamental outlook. The US Energy Information Administration on Tuesday downgraded its demand forecast for 2025 on weakening economic activity in China and North America. (Reuters)
Referring to reports of squalid conditions in south and central Gaza, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “These catastrophic conditions were predicted months ago, and yet, have still not been addressed. That must change, and now.”
“We call on Israel to take urgent steps to do so,” she said in a blunt statement.
The 15-member Security Council met over the hu-
manitarian crisis a year after a deadly attack by Palestinian militants Hamas on southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza.
Israel has since laid to waste much of the enclave
Ratan Tata, who put India’s Tata Group on the global map, dies at 86
Ratan Tata, the former Tata Group Chairman who put a staid and sprawling Indian conglomerate on the global stage with a string of high-profile acquisitions, has died, the Tata Group said in a statement late on Wednesday. He was 86.
Tata, who ran the conglomerate for more than 20 years as Chairman, had been undergoing intensive care in a Mumbai hospital, two sources with direct knowledge of his medical situation told Reuters earlier on Wednesday.
“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” the company said.
Ratan Tata “was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media platform X. “Extremely pained by his
passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour.”
After graduating with a degree in architecture at Cornell University, he returned to India and in 1962 began working for the group his great-grandfather had founded nearly a century earlier.
In 1991, he took the helm of the conglomerate when his uncle JRD Tata stepped down – the passing of the baton coming just as India embarked on radical reforms that opened up its economy to the world and ushered in an era of high growth.
But to grow properly, the group determined it needed to look beyond Indian shores.
It “was the quest for growth and changing the ground rules to say that we could grow by acquisitions which earlier we had never done,” he said in an interview with the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2013.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
and almost the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon defended his country’s record: “Israel imposes no restrictions on hu-
manitarian aid. In fact, 82 per cent of all requests for humanitarian coordination have been approved and implemented.”
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday about potential Israeli retaliation against Iran while Lebanon’s Hezbollah said its fighters pushed back advancing Israeli forces along the border.
The ground clashes, which are spreading along southern Lebanon’s mountainous frontier with Israel, took place with the Gaza war still raging and the Middle East on high alert awaiting Israel’s response to Iran’s missile strike last week.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Pilot dies mid-flight, prompting emergency landing at JFK, airline says
ATurkish Airlines plane landed safely at JFK Airport Wednesday after the captaining pilot lost consciousness and died aboard the flight, according to the airline.
Flight 8JK, operating from Seattle to Istanbul, made an emergency landing in Queens around 06:00h after initial medical intervention on board proved effective.
The 59-year-old pilot who died has been identified as Ilcehin Pehlivan.
Turkish Airlines says it has employed him since 2007. He last underwent a routine health check in March. No health issues
that would affect his duties were found. It was not clear what caused the medical emergency.
Turkish Airlines says arrangements are being made for passengers to return to Istanbul out of JFK.
“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones,” the airline said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the emergency landing and referred to the airline for other questions. (NBC)
Top UN envoy in Lebanon calls for truce, UN resolution enforcement
Acall by the United States and France for a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah “is still on the table,” said the top United Nations official in Lebanon on Wednesday as she pushed for a way to enforce a UN Security Council resolution violated for years by both sides.
A UN peacekeeping mission is mandated by Security Council resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, to help the Lebanese army keep its southern border area with Israel free of weapons or armed personnel other than those of the Lebanese state.
That has sparked friction with Iran-backed Hezbollah, which effectively controls southern Lebanon. All parties are banned from cross-
ing the Blue Line – a UNmapped line separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
“We need a realistic roadmap for the implementation, by both sides, of Resolution 1701. And this must include clear implementation and enforcement mechanisms,” said UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine HennisPlasschaert.
“At the end of the day, it is the lack or non-implementation of Resolution 1701 over the past 18 years that led to today’s harsh reality,” she told reporters.
Any changes would have to be made by the 15-member Security Council and agreed by both sides.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Palestinians walk past a house hit in an Israeli strike amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, October 8, 2024 (Reuters/Ramadan Abed photo)
Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors Ltd, poses with the company’s new estate version Indigo ‘Marina’ car, during its launch in Bombay, September 15, 2004 (Reuters/Punit Paranjpe file photo)
Take care of unfinished business. It’s difficult to move forward when living in the past. Don’t rely on or trust others to do what’s best for you. Opportunity begins by making things happen.
Follow through with your intentions. Stop worrying about what others think or do, and concentrate on accomplishing your goals. Personal improvements will offer a unique perspective of the possibilities.
Pay attention to detail. Dedicate more time to gathering information and mapping out your plans. If you rely on others, disappointment will prevail. Your actions will impact onlookers.
It will be easy to fuel an argument; choose your words wisely. A kind gesture will make life easier and change your perspective of the rules.
Use your wit, charm and intellect to get what you want. Keep your opinions and plans to yourself until those you deal with reveal their true colors. Protect your home, possessions and meaningful relationships.
Participate in events that offer guidance and encouragement. Personal gains and partnerships will unfold if you follow your heart and lend a helping hand.
Take pride in your work. Pay attention to detail and channel your energy into getting positive results. Look for opportunities and shun negativity and procrastination.
Spread your wings and fly. Refuse to act on secondhand information. Conducting a thorough investigation before you make a change will save you time and money.
Address financial matters before penalties apply. Use your connections to gather information to help you implement a healthier lifestyle. A discussion will lead to a proposal. Invest time, not cash.
Give yourself a chance to digest information before you respond to it. Look at every angle and consider the pros and cons. A change may be tempting, but before you follow someone else’s lead, determine if it’s right for you.
Opportunities are within reach. Participating in functions that offer insight into financial and health improvements will point you in the right direction. Don’t take a risk with your well-being.
Get physical; engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself and your appearance. Additional confidence will help you attract people who have something to offer.
India pounced on poor bowling from the Bangladesh spinners to get out of jail on a Delhi surface that started off tacky but kept on improving for batting as the night progressed.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh took India from
India-Bangladesh T20I series
Bangladesh, sealing the series win.
The Bangladesh spinners suffered on both comparisons. Their fast bowlers bowled 12 overs for 102 runs, but the spinners conceded 116 in their eight. And then the India spinners rubbed it in for them with nine overs for just 49 runs and five wickets.
India struggle at the start
After a toss that did not seem to matter – Bangladesh said they wanted to use the dew coming in later to their advantage and chase, India
Abhishek
played on trying to slog Tanzim Hasan.
Reddy enjoys some luck Rinku was the only one able to play smoothly from the start. Reddy got away twice in the early phase of his innings. When Litton Das dropped him down the leg side of Tanzim, Reddy moved to 6 off 4, and he was 19 off 14 when he survived an extremely close lbw – umpire’s call on impact on a reverse-sweep. That 19 included a six off a free-hit thanks to a no-ball by Mahmudullah.
Nitish Kumar Reddy makes an all-round splash as India seal the series
100 in 10 overs.
After that, only Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman managed an over without a boundary. Mehidy suffered the worst punishment as he could not get Reddy off strike and kept bowling in his wheelhouse for 26 runs in the 13th over. A hundred in just his second match looked on, but a slower ball from Mustafizur got the better of him to dismiss him for 74 off 34.
This was the right time for Bangladesh to squeeze in an over of spin, but Pandya offered no concessions to Rishad’s errors in length. Rinku might have looked like the silent partner in the carnage, but he got to his fifty at almost two a ball.
As India kept losing wickets looking for quick runs, Rishad managed some respite and got to bowl the last over for just eight runs. Bangladesh were still being asked to score their highest T20 International (T20I) total to stay alive in the series.
A bridge too far There’s a reason Bangladesh have never scored more than 215 in T20Is: their batters don’t seem to have the game for it.
Looking for the unprecedented, the batters took too many risks and got off to a quick start, but it was a matter of time before the risks caught up with them. Parvez Hossain played Arshdeep on, Washington Sundar got Najmul Hossain Shanto twice in two games, Litton Das was all at sea against Varun Chakravarthy, Towhid Hridoy was done in by an Abhishek Sharma arm ball, and the game was all but done at 46 for 4 in the seventh over. The rest was mere formalities, which involved a wicket for Riyan Parag, a stun-
India (20 ovs maximum)
Batting R Sanju Samson † c Najmul Hossain
Shanto b Taskin Ahmed 10
Abhishek Sharma b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 15
Suryakumar Yadav (c) c Najmul Hossain
Shanto b Mustafizur Rahman 8
Nitish Kumar Reddy c Mehidy Hasan
Miraz b Mustafizur Rahman 74
Rinku Singh c Jaker Ali b Taskin Ahmed 53
Hardik Pandya c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Rishad Hossain 32
Riyan Parag c Mahmudullah b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 15
Washington Sundar not out 0
Varun Chakravarthy c Parvez Hossain Emon b Rishad Hossain 0
Nitish Kumar Reddy smashed seven sixes during his 34-ball stay
Varun Chakravarthy serves up a ball
Tanzim Hasan Sakib had Abhishek Sharma chop on past
ning catch by Pandya, and a wicket at least for each of the seven bowlers India tried. (ESPNcricinfo)
Mahmudullah was the only Bangladesh batter to make a substantial score
Dharry moves up in rankings
Although possess ing sever al amateur boxers of inter national rank ing and repute, Guyana’s lone world-ranked professional pugi list, Elton Dharry, moved one step closer to acquiring a world title fight as he was ranked number four in the super-flyweight division by renowned sanctioning entity, the World Boxing Association (WBA).
cent encounter, Dharry defeated local prize-fighter Dexter Marques on local soil via technical knockout in the third round. Dharry is undefeated in his last four bouts.
Dharry, 38, sports a record of 28 wins [15 knockouts], six losses, and one no-contest. In his most re-
The Enterprise, East Coast Demerara native fought for the WBA Super Flyweight title in 2019, but suffered a controversial ninth-round stoppage defeat to Australian Andrew Maloney in Melbourne. Given his recent elevation, Dharry is expected to challenge once again for a world title.
If a world title fight and
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
eventual victory are realised, the extraordinary feat will solidify Dharry’s status in the annals of time and place him among revered company such as the late Andrew “Six Head” Lewis, Wayne “Big Truck” Brathwaite, Vivian Harris, Gwendolyn “Stealth Bomber” O’Neil, and Gary St Clair.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle said, “This is a significant development for Elton Dharry and the nation as a whole. We believe that Dharry, who is a student of the game is now worthy for another crack at a world title.”
Kapp sets the tone before bowlers combine in SA’s NRR-boosting
South Africa’s openers put on 64, a middle order led by Marizanne Kapp crashed 70 off the last eight overs, and South Africa motored to 166 for 5, the highest total of the tournament.
Scotland’s reply was in tatters in the first seven overs. They lost both openers for single figures, Captain Kathryn Bryce was out inside the powerplay, before Alisa Lister and Priyanaz Chaterji departed soon after. They were soon 45 for 6 at the start of the ninth over, and continued to collapse, sliding eventually to 86 all out in the 18th.
South Africa’s left-arm spinners were the prime destroyers. Chloe Tryon was the first to strike, dismissing the Bryce sisters – Katherine and Sarah –caught-and-bowled in successive overs. Nonkululeko
Mlaba was a menace through the middle overs, as she has been all tournament, and collected the game’s best figures of 3 for 12 from her four overs, with Nadine de Klerk also getting two wickets in addi -
Katherine Fraser top-scored in the chase with 14
tion to Tryon. Thus, the 80run victory pushed South Africa to the top of Group B, their Net Run Rate (NRR) rising to 1.317.
Wolvaardt,
Brits start strong
For the second time in three matches, South Africa’s openers were out- standing in the early going (they’d also put on an unbeaten 119 together against West Indies).
Laura Wolvaardt had given an early chance, slapping a full toss straight to Katherine Fraser at midoff, only to be dropped on 2. She took full toll of the mistake, hitting three fours and a six off the next 13 balls she faced. With Tazmin Brits also joining the boundary-frenzy in the sixth over, South Africa sped to 60 for no loss by the end of the powerplay.
Kapp marshals the middle order Kapp arrived at the
start of the 12th over, and quickly began to dominate. Her first two boundaries came from drives through cover, and then long-off against legspinner Abtaha Maqsood. Then she settled into a rhythm of singles to the leg side, with the occasional lapped sweep with the short fine leg inside the circle. Kapp holed out against the bowling of Kathryn Bryce in the 18th over, but she had cracked 43 off 24 balls – the best knock of the game.
Scotland’s top order fails While a target of 167 was always going to be incredibly challenging, Scotland will be displeased with how meekly their top order fell. The Bryce sisters both provided leading edges to the bowler, and Saskia Horley gave a simple catch to extra cover. That exposed the middle order to South Africa’s in-form bowler Mlaba, whose first wicket came from a beautifully-flighted delivery to Lister, who was beaten in the air and walked past the ball.
South Africa’s players top the charts
Scotland were 34 for 3 by the end of the powerplay, and had soon sunk to 39 for 5 and 56 for 7, with a big defeat all but assured.
Only South Africa and Scotland have played three matches so far, but key players seem to be finding form for South Africa, as they head towards the bigger matches to come. Lead among these is Mlaba, who even bowled Darcey Carter around the legs for her second wicket, and bowled 19 dot balls from her 24 deliveries. She has a tournament-high eight wickets, with an economy rate of 5.25.
Wolvaardt, meanwhile, is the tournament’s highest run-scorer, with 141 runs at an average of 70.50, and a strike rate of 116.52. (ESPNcricinfo)
Scotland Women (T: 167 runs from 20 ovs)
Batting R Saskia Horley c Brits b Khaka 6
Sarah Bryce † c & b Tryon 5
Kathryn Bryce (c) c & b Tryon 7 Ailsa Lister b Mlaba 12
Priyanaz Chatterji b de Klerk 4 Darcey Carter b Mlaba 0 Lorna Jack-Brown c & b Luus 9 Katherine Fraser c Bosch b Mlaba 14
Rachel Slater c Wolvaardt b Dercksen 8
Abtaha Maqsood c Mlaba b de Klerk 7 Olivia Bell not out 3
Extras (lb 3, w 8) 11 Total 17.5 Ov (RR: 4.82) 86
Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Sarah Bryce, 2.5
Darcey Carter 2-0-17-1
Elton Dharry alongside Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr and Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle
Tazmin Brits scored quickly at the top
Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up wickets in back-to-back overs
Suriname Open 2024… Republic Bank congratulates St Lucia Kings on CPL championship
History was made Sunday night at Providence Stadium, Guyana when the St Lucia Kings defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors to claim the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) championship title for the first time.
Republic Bank, title sponsor and official bank of the CPL, extends its heartiest congratulations to St Lucia Kings on their outstanding maiden victory in this year’s competition.
“Kudos to the St Lucia Kings and to all participating teams for their hardfought efforts over the course of the tournament,” said P Vic Salickram, Group Vice President of Republic Financial Holdings Limited. “We recognise and applaud all of the Republic Bank CPL franchise teams for their exceptional skill which has not only entertained fans but raised the global standard for performance when it comes to the
T20 format of the game.”
Upon assumption of the title sponsorship in 2023, Republic Bank had as some of its main goals fostering greater community engagement and celebrating the spirit of Caribbean cricket, simultaneously supporting the development of the sport to be showcased on a world stage. Through the overwhelming enthusiasm and passion demonstrated by regional fans at the 2024 tournament, this aim has
been largely achieved.
Salickram remarked, “From our exclusive Republic Bank CPL promotions geared toward our customers, public celebrations in the host countries in which we operate, digital content to engage fans worldwide, and activations in every stadium the Republic Bank CPL was held, our focus has been on enhancing the atmosphere of excitement, joy, regional unity and camaraderie surrounding the tournament.”
Looking ahead, the Bank is committed to continuing its support to take the league to even greater heights. Salickram concluded “With every success, we continuously look for opportunities for improvement. We’re already working on plans to bring new innovations to create more fan engagement and a bigger platform for our regional talent at the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.”
Jade’s Wok, Pinnacle Business Services Inc
support women in chess –
Best
Beginner Trophy up for grabs
The Guyana Women In Chess Community (GWICC), under the umbrella of the Guyana Chess Federation GCF), has organised the inaugural Queenside Rapid Tournament.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
This event, reserved for women and girls, will encourage beginners and unrated female players to compete in hopes of expanding the pool of women and girls playing competitive chess. There will be nine rounds of games with durations of 15 minutes + 5-second increments per round.
Pinnacle Business Services Inc and Jade’s Wok are the event’s sponsors.
The venue for the Queenside Rapid Tournament will be the David Rose Special School, with the first round kicking off at 09:00h. The top five female participants with the most points will receive trophies, and the top three players will win prizes totalling $50,000. The GCF is also looking out for the best talent to emerge among the beginners, with a special trophy for the winner of that category. Prizes for the best girl, best woman and youngest player will also be awarded.
The Women in Chess Community has been eagerly anticipating this tournament. Over the past two years, the GWICC has hosted its annual Queenside Chess Camp, a
programme designed to inspire more girls and women to embrace the game of chess and strengthen their community.
These camps attract women and girls of all ages and skill levels, fostering friendships and camaraderie among participants.
Thanks to the GWICC, female participation in chess has surged, with 25 per cent of national competitors now being girls. This heartening trend challenges the traditionally male-dominated sport in Guyana. The GCF
has strong female representation on its national teams, and they have represented Guyana, both regionally and internationally with exceptional results.
The Chess Federation wishes to thank the administrators of the David Rose Special School for graciously providing the venue for the tournament. The GCF and the GWICC are grateful to their generous sponsors Jade’s Wok and Pinnacle Business Services who have been long-time sponsors of the GCF.
Golf enthusiasts from around the region are gearing up for the prestigious DSB Golfclub Paramaribo Invitational 2024, scheduled for Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the Golfclub Paramaribo, Indira Gandhiweg. The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will be representing Guyana with a 12-member team.
The team comprise Orson Fergson, Mohanlall Dindanauth, Vishal Harry, Patrick Prashad, Avinash Persaud, Carlos Adams, Kishan Bacchus, Brian Hackett, Lakeram Ramsundar, Feroze Barkat, Troy Cadogan, and Patanjilee Persaud.
This highly-anticipated tournament will bring together top players from Suriname and neighbouring countries, including Guyana, to compete in a 36-hole Stableford format, with different flights based on handicaps.
Handicap Flights:
* Men’s Handicap 0-13
* Men’s Handicap 14-24
* Men’s Handicap 25-30
* Senior Men’s Handicap 0 and above
* Ladies’ Handicap 0-22
* Ladies’ Handicap 2336
* Junior Flight for ages 7-14
LGC President Anasha Ally shared her excitement, stating, “I am pleased to be fielding a team of 12 members from the Lusignan Golf Club. We look forward to excellent results from our team, as we do well every year we participate. I wish them the best and great camaraderie with our Surinamese counterparts. I would like to thank our Surinamese colleagues for graciously hosting us – we cherish that relationship and do not take it for grant-
A few of the faces that will represent Guyana
Guyana’s participation Guyana, moreso the LGC, has a long-standing tradition of sending competitive players to the Suriname Open, with several top performers making their mark over the years.
ship on this regional stage. In 2022 and 2023, several Guyanese representing the Club were successful. In 2022, Brian Hackett secured first place in Flight B, while Patanjilee Persaud took second. Carlos Adams
ed. I am optimistic they will have a successful competition.”
top, showcasing their skill and sportsman-
finished third in Flight C, and Shanella London and Eureka Giddings claimed first and third in the Women’s A and B categories, respectively.
In 2023, Persaud won Flight B, Adams repeated his third-place finish in Flight C, London came third in Flight D and second overall in the Ladies’ category, and Giddings rounded off the team with a thirdplace finish in Flight E. The camaraderie between Surinamese and Guyanese golfers is a hallmark of this event, fostering both a healthy rivalry and strong relations between the two nations. The DSB Golfclub Paramaribo Invitational promises to be a thrilling event on the regional golfing calendar, bringing together top talent and offering an exciting experience for players and fans alike.
Notably, Guyanese golfers have consistently ranked among the
GCF’s Marcia Lee receives sponsorship for the upcoming Women In Chess tournament
Suriname Open 2024…
Sixteen of the best futsal teams from across the country will next Tuesday begin a quest for a massive $1 million prize when the Inaugural Bent Street
“Champion of Champions” futsal tournament gets underway at the National Gymnasium.
During the tournament’s launch at the New Look Beauty Shop on Wednesday afternoon, promoter Troy Lambert gave the full ‘rundown’ on the up-
coming competition, including their vision for the future and why they settled on just 16 teams. Additionally, he revealed an exciting twist, which will see four Under- 15 boys’ teams competing for their own set of prizes.
“It’s going to be an annual something. Come next year, you can look forward, around this same time, we’re going to
make it our time, Champion of Champions time. Sixteen of the best teams; I don’t feel it’s possible to run with the 24, be cause want
make this thing competitive. This 24, 32 knockout straight, sometimes you got teams coming off-balance. No, we gon’ make it right –16 of the best,” Lambert, who is also one of the organisers, shared. He went on to reveal more about the new initiative,
“From the semifinal stage, we’re going to introduce a new-look something. We don’t normally get no sorta youth football in the Gymnasium. So, we’re trying to bring out some, because the youths are the future. We gonna get four youth Under-15 teams battling for
prize and cash, winner takes all. Also, four female teams battling for cash and prizes.”
Bent Street team member and Golden Jaguars staple Daniel Wilson urged fans to expect an exciting tournament.
Wilson said, ““It’s a good look to see the streets coming out and giving back to the rest of communities them and I think it’s something that we’re planning a long time. It’s going to be a good tournament, because there’s a lot of teams and 16 of the best teams in the country. I think the fans should look out for exciting football.”
The tournament will run for six nights, starting on Tuesday, October 15, then Saturday, October 19; Friday, October 25; Saturday, November 2; Saturday, November 9; and Saturday, November 16.
The first-place finishers
will cart off $1 million, the second-place finishers will pocket $500,000; the third-place team $300,000 and the fourth-place team, $200,000. Below is a list of the groups for the round-robin stage and first day’s fixtures.
Group A Bent Street A Stabroek Ballerz Z-Tekk Family Mocha
Bent Street’s Daniel Wilson Organiser Troy Lambert
The Bent Street “Champion of Champions” tournament will kick off next Tuesday
