The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, October 24 –22:30h-00:00h and Friday, October 25 – 23:45h-01:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, October 24 –10:25h-11:55h and Friday, October 25 – 11:50h-13:20h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 09:35h and 21:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.00 metres and 2.05 metres.
Low Tide: 15:21h reaching a minimum height of 1.28 metres.
Rice millers finally paid $1.5B owed from APNU/AFC’s flawed Panama rice deal
he Government has been able to recover some $1.5 billion from the Government of Panama following a flawed deal that was struck under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration in 2018 that not only plunged local rice millers into debt, but also forced some of them out of business.
The Panama rice market was initially secured back in 2014 under the previous PPP/C administration, and
cipal on the money owed if Guyana withdraws the arbitration.
“We give them an undertaking that as long as the principal is paid and the millers are paid, then we will ensure that we withdraw that arbitration. I believe an agreement was signed after that, and we have now the money was paid into the account of the GRDB,” the Minister noted.
As a result of these efforts, 19 millers on Wednesday received approximately $1.5 billion in total
the arrangements between the two countries were going “smoothly” until the 2018 issue.
On April 13, 2018, a contract was signed between Panama and APNU/AFC government for the supply of rice on credit through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). In fact, that year, two consignments of rice, each weighing approximately 20,000 tonnes, were shipped to Panama on credit.
Reports indicate that after the rice was shipped, a partial payment was made, but the balance had remained outstanding with no move by the then Coalition Government to recover the millions owed.
When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government took office in 2020, attempts were made to recover the money, and after failing to resolve this matter at a bilateral level, Guyana filed legal proceedings at the International Chamber of Arbitration in France.
According to the Agriculture Minister, President Dr Irfaan Ali had subsequently engaged the Panamanian President, who agreed to pay the prin-
from the monies they were owed since 2018. Among those owed were six small millers who were forced to shut down operations.
Preamwatie Baliram, a rice farmer of De Hoop, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara was one such person who had to lay off 18 workers and close her mill – D. Suklall Rice Industry. Now she is looking to restart those operations.
“Well, it gonna be a little difficult [to open], because the cost goes up for everything. And seeing that the mill was down for so long, it will be more costly to reopen. But we want to get back [into operation],” she explained.
According to Baliram, they have been planting rice for over the years, and because their mill was out of operation, they were forced to sell their paddy to another miller. She noted that the money they received for the 10 containers of rice they supplied to Panama in 2018 will go a long way to help restart their mill.
“It’s going to help us a lot, because we don’t owe anybody. We’ll [use it] to start service back the mill and get it to start up back,” she added.
Another person who was
put out of business because of the 2018 deal was Dereck Ramroop, who recalled the failure of the previous administration to assist them after they lost the Panama market. He noted that they were stuck with the rice and forced to resell paddy for less than what they bought it for.
“We ended up in millions of dollars in losses, and from since then I close my opera-
those accounts, too…And if anybody owe small farmers, I told GRDB to deduct the money after consulting with the farmers and the miller, and we will pay the farmers,” the Minister stated.
According to Mustapha, apart from signing that flawed 2018 deal, the APNU/ AFC Government had lost the lucrative Venezuelan market – all of which led to
tions… We had to close, send home workers, and then we had to try to survive by doing other things, too, to make a living,” he related.
With the current administration investing heavily in the rice industry, Ramroop indicated that he too is mulling reopening his mill operations at Mahaicony.
“I can think about it in the near future…It’s not something you can start immediately, it takes some time, it takes money to get this thing started,” he noted.
Meanwhile, now that the millers have received their outstanding money, arrangements have been put in place for them to settle their debts, especially with rice farmers.
“Some of y’all have some accounts to settle with GRDB. I hope y’all settle
the near-collapse of the rice industry.
“You didn’t have market; proper infrastructure in the system; you had land rental and D&I charges increase from $3500 to $15,000; you had VAT on the agricultural machinery; VAT on pesticides & chemicals, and on agricultural input, causing the cost of production to go up. Now we’ve taken out all of those things, and all the monies are back into the pockets of farmers,” Minister Mustapha has said.
“Rest assured that the Government will continue to support this industry. This is a very important industry. What we’re seeing now around the world is a demand for grain, and Guyana is a major player,” the Agriculture Minister noted. (G8)
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and other officials from his ministry with the millers who received money owed for rice supplied to Panama since 2018
Guyana is on the cusp of a major energy transformation.
The recent arrival of two state-of-the-art gas turbines from Sweden, integral to the country’s Gas-to-Energy project, signals an exciting new chapter in this project. This milestone promises to reshape the nation’s energy landscape, making it more efficient, sustainable, and affordable for its citizens.
At the core of this project is the Combined Cycle Power Plant, designed to generate a substantial 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity — enough to power thousands of homes and industries across Guyana. These advanced turbines are expected to not only increase Guyana’s energy capacity, but also enhance its efficiency, as they will run on natural gas derived from the country’s offshore oil wells. By leveraging this associated gas, the project significantly reduces the nation’s dependence on costly imported fuels, which has long been a burden on the economy and consumers alike.
Once operational, the Gas-to-Energy project is poised to bring multiple benefits to Guyana. Perhaps the most significant for everyday citizens will be the reduction in electricity costs. With the introduction of a cleaner, more efficient energy source, Guyanese households and businesses can expect a significant decrease in their electricity bills. This economic relief will enable families to save more, while businesses, especially those in energy-intensive industries, will benefit from reduced operating costs, potentially driving further investments and job creation.
Environmental sustainability is another major advantage. The project’s use of natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel, means a drastic cut in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy sources such as diesel or heavy fuel oil. This is a critical step forward in Guyana’s national efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure that its future energy needs are met in an environmentally responsible way.
Beyond the immediate economic and environmental benefits, the Gas-to-Energy project will contribute to the broader national agenda of energy diversification. Guyana is rich in natural resources, and this project is a key part of unlocking its vast energy potential. By harnessing natural gas, Guyana is taking a crucial step toward building a sustainable low-carbon energy future. As the country continues to develop its renewable energy capacity, this project would serve as a bridge, providing reliable and affordable electricity while further advancements are made in other areas, like solar, hydro, and wind energy.
The Gas-to-Energy project also promises to deliver a range of indirect benefits, particularly in terms of job creation and local development. With construction ongoing at the Wales site, West Demerara, LNDCH4 Guyana, the company spearheading the project, has emphasized its commitment to engaging local communities and creating employment opportunities. The influx of skilled and unskilled jobs associated with this project would offer economic opportunities for many Guyanese, bolstering the local economy and contributing to community development.
Moreover, with the completion of this transformative project, Guyana would be able to strengthen its energy independence. By reducing reliance on imported energy and producing its own cleaner power, the country would be more resilient to fluctuations in global fuel prices, ensuring greater stability for both businesses and consumers.
In addition, this project would enhance Guyana’s industrial potential. With a more stable and cheaper energy supply, manufacturing industries can thrive, leading to further economic diversification and growth. The availability of reliable power could also boost investment in digital infrastructure, technology, and other emerging sectors, placing Guyana in a stronger position to compete on the global stage. The transformative effects of this project are far-reaching, impacting all sectors of society and paving the way for long-term sustainable development.
The Gas-to-Energy project represents a turning point for Guyana. It offers a pathway to cheaper electricity, enhanced energy security, and job creation.
A perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Dear Editor, I have not written a letter to the press in a very long time, but I cannot let Mr Herbert Allen’s brief reply to former President Donald Ramotar’s letter, headlined “Hamas is not a terrorist organization”, pass without comment. (October 20, 2024: “A former president and Hamas’ choir boys”)
It appears that Mr Allen’s reply is based on the idea that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, 2023 with that heinous act by Hamas, which should be condemned for sure. He has, out of error or convenience, erased the 76 years of history of the conflict, which was triggered in 1948 by the “nakba”, when the Israelis chased the Palestinian people off their land and confiscated a huge chunk for
themselves. This was done with the approval and collusion of the British and the UN of that time.
In today’s rules of warfare, there is an underlying principle of proportionality, which is governed by international humanitarian law that expressly protects those who are not combatants, such as women and children.
For the 1200 Israelis killed and over 200 kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th, the current number of Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli forces runs to 42,500, and more than 99,000 have been injured. Of the number of Palestinians killed, 16,456 were children and over 11,000 were women. This is not proportionality. This is genocide.
The UN, despite its many resolutions to stop the genocide, has proven toothless. At least Guyana is on the right side of history, as it continues to vote in the UN to support the Palestinian people in their continued struggle for their independence from the Israeli colonisers. They also have the full support of the South Africa Government, with South Africans understandably empathising with the Palestinian cause, having engaged in their own armed resistance and struggle against the horrors of apartheid.
While the Palestinians try to engage in armed resistance against a brutal coloniser, that coloniser enjoys the unreserved support of the US Government, which continues to arm the
Israelis with the best and most sophisticated weaponry, and which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even as he continues his war, which is now extended to Lebanon.
Israel’s end game is to take Gaza for themselves; and perhaps in time, the West Bank. They have destroyed schools, hospitals, whole neighbourhoods, and intend to murder and starve the people of Gaza in the process. They are doing this with a bare-faced bravado as most of the world, which stands on the side of justice for the Palestinians, looks on helplessly.
Perhaps in Mr Allen’s book, they are choir boys.
Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah
Albion Sports Complex ground
Dear Editor,
It’s been over six months since the Albion Sports Complex ground had been relayed and planted with grass. In fact, the grass had grown so tall that it has had to be slashed a couple of times. So, the condition of the outfield is in excellent condition.
Editor, the problem is that work has since ceased and the contractor is nowhere in sight. The wooden stands are falling down, and
residents of Albion and surrounding areas are wondering what is going on.
For the past couple of months, we have had excellent weather, and the people had been hoping that the project would have been far advanced, so that we can have international cricket early next year.
At a meeting I attended at the JC Chandisingh High School a few months ago, I asked the Vice President
if he could shed some light on when the Albion Sports Complex would be ready for international cricket, and he replied that he was not in a position to answer the question, but we need to ask the Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson, who should be updating the public on that project.
So, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly ask the Minister of Sports to please give cricket fans and
the general public an update on when the Albion Sports Complex would be ready for international cricket.
Fans are anxiously waiting to see cricket again at this ground, where the first ever one-day international match in the West Indies was played in 1977. Hoping to hear from you soon, Minister Ramson.
Yours faithfully, Imtiaz Baccus
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo visited the Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens on Wednesday as he works towards developing and transforming both facilities to meet international standards (Office of the Vice President photo)
Project
State-of-the-art gas turbines from Sweden arrive
As works progress on the Guyana Government’s model Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project, two advanced gas turbines have arrived in the country from Sweden, and are slated to be installed in the 300-megawatt combined cycle power plant being constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
This is according to the contractor for the GtE project, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. (LNDCH4), in a statement on Wednesday.
GtE project comprises the 300mw power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales that would utilise the rich gas from the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.
“These gas turbines, which will be at the heart of the Combined Cycle Power Plant generating 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity, are set to be installed at the project’s Gas-to-Energy site in Wales, West Demerara, ushering in a new era of energy efficiency and sustainability for the country,” the contractor said.
Country Manager for LNDCH4 Guyana, Humberto Lopez, has said,
“The arrival of these cutting-edge turbines marks a crucial milestone in realizing Guyana’s energy am-
bitions. Once operational, they will not only expand the country’s power generation capacity, but also provide an efficient and environmentally friendly energy source for decades to come.”
Lopez went on to emphasize the strategic importance of the turbines which will power the Combined Cycle Plant and the NGL Plant, both currently under construction at the Gas-toEnergy site.
“These turbines will also use the associated gas from the oil wells. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce Guyana’s reliance on imported fuels, lower energy costs, and significantly contribute to national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emis-
sions.
Aligned with the Government’s vision to diversify Guyana’s energy sector, the Gas-to-Energy project is a vital step toward building a sustainable and prosperous energy future. The Combined Cycle and NGL plants will play a critical role in harnessing Guyana’s natural gas reserves, unlocking the country’s energy potential,” the contractor noted.
LNDCH4 Guyana is expected to deliver the 300mw of electricity to the national grid with these two gas turbines by April 2025.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has already warned that failure to meet this deadline could result
Cancer Awareness Month
in the company facing hefty liquidated damages.
The US-based consortium was awarded the US$759 million contract in December 2022 to build the power plant and NGL facility that would utilise the rich gas that would be piped from offshore Guyana.
Initially, the deadline to deliver the power was this year-end, but due to delays in handing over other aspects of the project, the contractor was given a threemonth extension.
Consequently, LNDCH4 and the Guyana Government are currently in a dispute over the deadline and associated costs, resulting in an arbitration process being activated.
However, Vice President Jagdeo believes that the three-month extension is justified, and this is the basis of the Government’s arguments in the arbitration process. Already, a three-member panel has been established to resolve the dispute.
“We offered that [threemonth extension, but] the company doesn’t want that… They’ve asked for a longer extension…[But] we believe that the delay in handing over the site…will justify just a three-month extension, and that’s what
First Lady sponsors mammograms for 1000 women
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, First Lady Arya Ali has partnered with the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital to provide sponsorship of 1,000 mammograms for women across Guyana.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide each year.
A release from the Office of the First Lady on Wednesday said the mammograms will be provided through two local non-governmental organisations (NGOs): the Guyana Cancer Society and the Guyana Cancer Foundation.
During a fundraising event on Sunday, the First Lady handed over vouchers for the 1,000 mammograms, which totalled $5 million –a cost which was subsidized by the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital.
“Early detection saves lives. I believe that every woman deserves access to life-saving screenings, and by sponsoring these mam-
mograms, I hope to empower our community of women and encourage them to prioritize their health,” First Lady Ali said during the fundraising event.
She also lauded the efforts made by stakeholders in the fight against the disease, and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting
women in Guyana.
“For years, the Government, our medical community, the business community, and advocates have helped to make great progress in the fight against breast cancer, and I am proud to be a part of that movement today. I believe we have not just a respon-
sibility, but a moral obligation to support our women who are the backbone of our homes and communities,” she added.
Sponsorship of mammograms has been done annually by the First Lady. Last year she provided sponsorship for over 200 mammograms.
The Gas-to-Energy project
we’re arguing for in the arbitration. Therefore, power should be supplied to the grid from that project by April of 2025,” Jagdeo explained at a September 26 press conference.
While Government has given a three-month extension, LNDCH4 was initially pushing for a six-month extension over the delays which stemmed from ExxonMobil’s sub-contractor, GYSBI, being late in completion of site work on the 100-acre site by three months, and GAICO being late with respect to completion of the Material Offloading Facility (MOF) by another three months.
However, LNDCH4 has submitted a new timeline schedule that pushes the delivery of the power plant to October 2025. In addition to the extension, the contractor is also making financial claims to the tune of US$50 million, stating that the delays would cost the company.
Jagdeo had clarified that Government has not agreed to that new timeline set out by the contractor, warning that any delays in delivering power to the national grid would result in liquidated damages to the tune of US$11.3 million per month.
“We have an arbitration now taking place, and if we win the arbitration, they would have only by April [next year] to deliver this project. They have given a schedule which shows [a delivery date] later in the year…But I did not want the public to think that we agreed to their schedule. We have only given an approval for three-month extension. So, if we win the arbitration and we stick with that schedule, then there would be liquidating damages at US$11 million per month… So, for every month delayed, the contractor will have to pay liquidating damages of US$11 million,” the VP contended. (G8)
The two state-of-the-art gas turbines arrived in Guyana from Sweden
First Lady Arya Ali handing over the ceremonial sponsorship cheque
Adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators
To add or subtract fractions with unlike, or different denominators, you have to change them into fractions with common or like denominators. This process is called finding the common denominator.
Example
Maths as art
Construct a snowflake
Exercises: Add or subtract fractions
by Charles GuiGna
Pigs are playful Pigs are pink Pigs are smarter than you think. Pigs are slippery Pigs are stout Pigs have noses Called a snout. Pigs are pudgy Pigs are plump Pigs can run But never jump. Pigs are loyal Pigs are true. Pigs don’t care for Barbecue.
AI can boost learning, teaching efficiency across Region – Pres Ali at CXC Summit
On the occasion of the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC’s) 4th Ministerial Summit, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has stressed the need for the Caribbean region to use, not reject, new and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom, where it can help not only students, but teachers as well.
In a virtual address to the summit, which got underway on Wednesday in Portof-Spain, Trinidad, President Ali has urged policy makers to emerge from the summit with ideas on how to further integrate technology in schools.
Noting the benefits AI can offer to students in order to make their learning more efficient and effective, and to teachers, in order to reduce the administrative burden often placed on them, the President said, “We must ensure that the Caribbean education system does not lag behind, but instead embraces the future that AI offers…
“AI can help reduce administrative burdens from teachers, and create a more engaging learning environment,” the Head of State has
said.
Further, he pointed out that the Caribbean region already has to contend with the digital divide, and he pointed to the potential of AI to revolutionize learning and help educators tailor their teaching to students, in the process creating learning solutions that adapt to each student’s needs.
According to the President, the Caribbean region must come up with standards and guidelines that would ensure AI is put to use in a way that would redound to the region’s benefit.
While he acknowledged that challenges do exist with ensuring AI is not misused by students, such as those who may use this tool as a shortcut around genuine learning and development, President Ali is urging the region to be bold.
“Despite these challenges, we must remember that scientific progress is meant to be embraced, not feared. AI and other education technologies offer a range of opportunities that can transform how we teach and how students learn,” he advised.
“The right digital solutions can improve access to education, especially for stu-
dents in remote locations, and provide better learning opportunities for children with disabilities,” President Ali added.
UG’s advances
During the summit, University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin spoke on how the institution is integrating technology in learning. The Professor made reference to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve the learning ex-
“Despite the challenges, we must remember that scientific progress is meant to be embraced, not feared. AI and other education technologies offer a range of opportunities that can transform how we teach and how students learn. The right digital solutions can improve access to education, especially for students in remote locations, and provide better learning opportunities for children with disabilities” – President Dr Irfaan Ali
we have all kinds of people. You have people who are neuro-typical, neuro-diver-
perience for those at the University.
Guyana’s poor pass rate in math at this year’s CXC had prompted the Government to launch a math intervention programme in schools last month. Education Minister Priya Manickchand has expressed confidence that, with the Government’s interventions, Guyana’s pass rate for Mathematics in 2025 would rise to at least 40%, compared to 34% in 2023 and 31% in 2024.
“We’re also working with a platform called Alpha. That is an augmented reality platform that we’re testing now; and this, of course, (is) the gaming technology that everyone is talking about. We’re testing it for several reasons, because, as our Minister would have said to you this morning, our country is very geographically diverse, and
Motorcyclist dies, pillion rider injured after crashing into utility post
Motorcyclist Uwayne Freeman lost his life on Tuesday at about 22:30h following a crash along the Mainstay Access Road. His pillion rider Alexander Gomes has sustained severe injuries in that accident. These men are residents of Mainstay Lake on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
According to reports, the 18-year-old Freeman was driving motorcycle CN 8791 along the Mainstay Access Road, and the 18-year-old Gomes was his pillion rider. They were heading in a southerly direction at high speed when Freeman lost control of the machine and it crashed into a utility pole on the eastern side of the road.
The motorcycle after the accident
The impact of that crashflung both Freeman and Gomes on to the roadway, where they sustained serious injuries. Public-spirited citizens rushed the injured duo to the Suddie Public Hospital, where Freeman was pronounced dead on arrival while Gomes was admitted with a fractured right foot. Freeman’s body was later transported to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary to await a post-mortem examination. (G14)
gent; you have people who are culturally very different, like Indigenous people, and so on. And we also have this math problem that we have
been coping with in university,” Mohammed-Martin said.
According to the Professor, the way Alpha works is by using games to help the University understand how best to teach subjects such as math to atypical students.
A major component of this is also teaching people skills that require repetition.
“That data, the first set of data, is going to come out in a couple (of) months. We only started deploying this about four months ago, and so we don’t know enough yet, because we had to spend about eight months building the content. Because I wanted the content to be very Guyanese, very Caribbean, we used the platform and cre-
ated the content, so we’ll be able to speak about that later on,” the Professor said. It would not be the first time the University has gone innovative with its methods by integrating technology. As a matter of fact, Mohammed spoke of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy that the University has already developed for its students and staff. According to the educator, the development of the policy came about because students had already been using AI, something that caused pushback from staff, who as a consequence failed those students. This prompted lawsuits, resulting in UG outlining this policy. (G3)
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Relooking at...
…agriculture
Now that October’s winding down, maybe we can look again at what’s happened during our “Agriculture Month”. Back in the day of Cheddi and Burnham, October evoked the “great” 1917 Russian “October Revolution”. This was gonna usher in a “new Communist World Order” into which we would be “liberated”!! “Workers of the world unite!! You have nothing to lose but your chains!!” was the call. But not even Lenin’s successor, Putin, has mentioned this titbit as he tries to push back NATO’s encirclement of his rump state!!
The Russian Revolutionaries also had agriculture high on their agenda. In accordance with their communist dogma, they pushed collectivization of farms which were owned by farmers, called “kulaks”. The kulaks rebelled against the process of collectivization, and thousands were killed directly - mostly shot on the spot – during the 1930s. About 2 million were forcibly deported to the Far North and to Siberia. They were called “enemies of the people,” as well as swine, dogs, cockroaches, scum, vermin, filth, garbage, half animals, apes!!
Collectivised agriculture was also tried in the 1950s in Communist China – and that also failed. Burnham has similar ideas here in the 1970s, but he dubbed them “cooperatives”!! So, it’s reassuring to your Eyewitness – who’s from strong peasant stock – that the PPP government hasn’t mentioned “collectivization” in its stress on agriculture!! All the “old dogs” are gone – Marxism has even been expunged from the PPP Constitution, and so new tricks have to be taught!! Like in the theme for the month: “Transforming Tomorrow: Championing Food Security through Innovation and Technology.” Yes…security, baby!! So now the farmer can see himself on par with those brave soldiers defending us from those nasty Venezuelans and Surinamese who’re lurking to seize chunks of our motherland!!
But seriously, folks, the war in Ukraine – plus the dramatic changes in weather pattern brought on by climate change –should’ve driven home the fact that food shortages are as much a threat to our lives as bullets. Of course, when you simultaneously face both threats, like we do -- with rising seas and Mad Maduro -- you’re up the creek without a paddle! On the “Innovation and Technology” front, ain’t it a shame, though, the Agri Min had to confess that most grads of the Guyana School of Agri don’t end up in agri!! Ditto for all those who write Agri at CSEC!!
Anyhow, you’d think that with “agri-business” invented here and the West Indies – what do you think “plantations” were?? – with sugar etc, we’d be ahead of the game. But we turned to education to get us out of working the land after slavery and indentureship.
So now we gotta redefine what we mean by “education” – and tie it to agriculture!!
…One Guyana
President Ali doesn’t miss an opportunity to expand on his administration’s “One Guyana” policy. Seems it actually comes out of the notion of our “one humanity”, which he informed us is part and parcel of all religious teachings. Used to the PPP’s avoidance of religious beliefs to ground political action, your Eyewitness is pleased. But then Marxism was jettisoned, innit?
Your Eyewitness is reminded that in his inaugural address to Parliament back in 2021, Pres Ali had announced that “the path to this ‘oneness’ would include an Act of Parliament establishing a “One Guyana Commission”, which will be led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips.
“The work of the Commission would be countrywide, and it would listen to the free expressions of all voices concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour their ancestral heritage while giving the highest regard to our blended Guyanese civilization,” the President had explained. This commitment was reiterated last year on Enmore Martyrs’ Day…but the Commission still hasn’t been launched. It’ll long overdue!!
…education
The Caribbean Vocational Qualification subjects include crop production, aquaculture, commercial food preparation, housekeeping, plumbing, masonry, garment construction, fish handling and processing, furniture making, livestock rearing, customer service, business administration, data administration, fabric design, metal work engineering and agro-processing.
No AC repair??!
2 soldiers injured after GDF truck rolls overboard at Kurupukari Crossing
Two ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have been medivacked to Georgetown after the army truck in which they were travelling rolled overboard at the Kurupukari Crossing in the upper Essequibo River on Wednesday morning.
The GDF issued a statement later in the day detailing that a military convoy was transporting troops from Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) to Georgetown when one of its trucks became submerged in the river. According to the
GDF, all ranks were safely rescued from the water, but two soldiers have since been medically evacuated to Georgetown, and have been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention.
Moreover, the truck has since been recovered, the GDF has said.
Allegations have also surfaced that weapons had gone missing after the vehicle went into the water. However, this newspaper’s attempts to confirm these allegations have been futile.
On the other hand, this publication understands that a notice had been issued since last week in regard to the tonnage per truck using the crossing.
“Maybe it was faulting passaging, or could be the weather conditions there… Since Sunday, a circular went out as it relates to the
crossing, [detailing] the axle and the tonnage that the pontoon can transport,” a senior law enforcement official told Guyana Times.
It is also a requirement that all occupants except the driver disembark the vehicle when it is being placed on the pontoon to cross the river, but this was not adhered to by the army ranks.
“All the Lethem buses and trucks adhere to [the circular]…I think GDF probably bully the people [to stay
on the truck],” the senior law enforcement official has said.
Meanwhile, this newspaper has seen a video that was captured by a civilian shortly after the incident oc-
curred. In that video, some GDF ranks were seen overboard swimming onshore. A few of them ventured back into the water to assist their colleagues.
There was a larger group of soldiers on the ramp trying to resuscitate another rank.
In the video, the driver of the GDF truck was heard saying that there was an issue with the vehicle’s braking system.
Nevertheless, the GDF said it has since dispatched a response team to the scene to investigate the cause of the accident. (G8)
23-year-old arrested after shooting at Police patrol …illegal gun, ammo recovered
Reno Paton has been taken into police custody after allegedly opening fire on ranks conducting an early morning mobile patrol in the Essequibo Coast community of Sand Pit/Onderneeming in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The 23-year-old resident of that community was apprehended after a brief chase, during which he reportedly sustained injuries.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 04:00h, when police officers, led by a Lance Corporal, were patrolling the Sand Pit area and noticed three men behaving suspiciously. As the officers approached, the men reportedly opened fire, forcing the ranks to return fire.
The suspects then fled in different directions.
During the pursuit, Paton fell and police apprehended him. A 9mm pistol loaded with 14 live rounds was found in his possession. One spent shell was also recovered from the scene. Paton remains in custody as investigations continue. Police are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the other suspects to come forward with the information.
Arrested: Reno Paton
The gun that was allegedly found in the man’s possession
Ranks tending to one of their injured colleagues after the GDF truck rolled overboard
Some of the soldiers after swimming to shore at Kurupukari
“Utter falsehood” – AG on claims that juveniles
cannot be charged, investigated …as sentencing guidelines to address inconsistent court rulings being finalised
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister
Anil Nandlall, SC, has debunked claims that juveniles can neither be investigated nor charged for criminal conduct.
Some people have
claimed that recent reforms to the Juvenile Justice Act have removed this provision, but the AG has said that is “utter falsehood.”
Speaking during his weekly programme, ‘Issues in the News’, on Tuesday eve-
ning, the AG said, “Juveniles who come in conflict with the law are answerable under the Act, and can be charged. They can be detained; they can be prosecuted, and can be convicted.”
He pointed out that
amendments to the Act have simply changed the regime through which the underage individuals can be charged or accused.
“There is no immunity from investigation, charge, and/or prosecution,” Nandlall added.
As such, he is warning cops to desist from telling citizens this falsehood, and to proceed with their duties.
In 2022, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act. At the time, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had noted that the amendments were intended to make the courts’ work more efficient.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Chambers are finalising several documents, including guidelines and new bills, to improve the justice system. Among documents in their final stages are sentencing guidelines for the Judiciary, the Criminal Justice Alternative Sentencing Bill, and a bill to allow certain offences to be tried without a jury.
Nandlall has explained that the sentencing guidelines seek to address inconsistencies in the judgments delivered by judges and magistrates.
“We have had the unfortunate situation of inconsistent sentences, or sentences that lack uniformity, and the principles apparently are not clear on how a particular court arrives at a particular sentence. (e.g.) One man gets charged with robbery in one court and he gets a year, another man gets charged with robbery in similar circumstances in another court and he gets seven years. We need uniformity and consistency in sentencing,” he noted during his weekly programme of ‘Issues in the News.’
Members of the judiciary are currently vetting the document before it is returned to the AG’s office to be finalised. According to Nandlall, the document would also be
made public in order to educate citizens on the sentences attached to certain crimes.
Meanwhile, as efforts continue to address overcrowding of prisons, custodial sentencing for petty crimes, and other judicial matters, the Government is finalising the Criminal Justice Alternative Sentencing Bill. The AG has said that several pieces of legislation have alternative sentences, but the new Bill would consolidate them into one document.
“Fifty years ago, society felt that those (offences) should be punishable by custodial sentences. Society has evolved, there have been social changes, and right across the globe, certain categories of offences are visited with lesser penalties,” he explained.
Amid controversy surroundingcompletion of the $364 million Bamia Primary School in
Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Public Works Minister Juan Edghill revealed that this
project would not be the first or last to encounter delays.
The Minister made this statement during a recent
visit to the mining town on Tuesday.
“I’m happy that the Bamia school will be fin-
ished and open. But let me say this, the Bamia school is not the first school, or would not be the last school, that a contractor gets that didn’t finish on time,” Edghill said.
Moreover, the Minister revealed that despite the project being executed under the region, in light of delays the Public Works Ministry had offered assistance to the contractors in an effort to complete the project in a timely manner.
“But I’ve said to them, ‘Even though it was a project that was done through the region, we have said to them from the Public Works, ‘Get on with it! Whatever skills, whatever is needed, if you’re having challenges, let us know!’ Because everybody has to have a first project.”
Meanwhile, in a statement from the contractor, St8tment Inc, it was noted thus, “despite political mischief and various challenges during construction — such as material shortages, rising costs, and labour shortages —the Bamia School in Linden, Region 10, is now 95% complete.”
The statement added that the project’s Chief Foreman, Akannie Blair, revealed that after completion, the new school will be one of a kind, and will provide a more conducive
learning environment for learners.
Once completed, the Bamia Primary School is expected to accommodate approximately 800 students. The structure will feature 44 spacious classrooms along with state-of-the-art facilities, including a gymnasium, an auditorium with a performance stage, a sick bay equipped with showers, two smart classrooms, modern restroom facilities, a library, music room, science lab, staff room, and more.
The project, which comes under the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, received bids from four companies – Bulkan Timber Works Inc ($349,595,065); St8ment Investment Inc ($346,327,748); Orin’s Supreme Enterprise ($348,726,772), and A Nazir & Son Contracting & General Supplies ($340,549,671) – which tendered for the project.
The construction project was awarded to St8tment Inc in November 2021 at a cost of $346 million. At the time of the signing, the project was expected to be completed within 20 months, that being completed by July 2023. However, due to several delays, the project’s completion deadline of July 2023 has been extended.
The school as of Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Photos provided by contractor)
Election fraud trial
“We simply can’t continue in this manner”
…calls for “firm direction” on way forward
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister
Anil Nandlall is calling for a “firm direction” on the way forward in the election fraud trial, as the date for the continuation of the matter approaches.
Nine people, including former Government Ministers and Opposition members, along with former employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), are before the court for electoral fraud. The charges emanated from the 2020 General and Regional Elections, which lasted for five months due to efforts to derail the results of the elections.
The trial commenced before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on July 29, and was set to run from then to September 13. However, the magistrate proceeded on a prolonged period of sick leave, resulting in the case being pushed to October 31.
However, on this date, the public holiday Deepavali is set to be observed, necessitating that the court again reschedule the sitting, which may be the following day –November 1, 2024.
AG Nandlall has declared
there should be no more excuses at that hearing, but there should be a definitive way forward.
“We simply can’t continue in this manner…it is hoped that the prosecutors and the defence will be informed definitively on the direction that the cases will go. If it is that the magistrate is unable to do the cases for health or other reasons, we ought not to hear that on the (next court date) without hearing more.
“We need to hear if that is the position, and a firm direction (should be) settled in terms of how the cases will proceed, with time being of the essence, so the early determination of the cases can be anticipated,” the AG has stated.
According to Nandlall, the judiciary needs to be held accountable over its handling of this matter. “The public deserves no less. The judiciary is a public institution that must be held accountable for the conduct of its business,” he noted.
The following persons are facing charges: former Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo; for-
mer Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy Chief
Elections Officer Roxanne Myers; former People’s National Congress/ Reform
(PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph; and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings.
Among the offences these defendants are accused of committing are: misconduct while holding public office; presenting falsified documentation; and planning to manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total.
These charges stem from attempts to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the APNU/AFC, which had then been ruling the country.
The election report of former CEO Lowenfield claimed the APNU/ AFC coalition had garnered 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C had gained 166,343 votes. How he arrived at those figures is still unknown, since the certified
– AG
results from the recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes, while the coalition garnered 217,920.
Following the recount, Irfaan Ali of the PPP/C was declared President of Guyana on August 2, 2020 – some five months after the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.
The delay in the election fraud case has been a cause for concern, including for the Government.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently said there is widespread public frustration over the delays in the trial, and he made it clear that the judiciary must address those delays. He had pointed out that with all the evidence there to prosecute the cases, it is up to the judiciary to accelerate the proceedings.
“Utter falsehood”...
He added, “This Bill puts together all those types of offences and then a whole repertoire of alternative sentences that a magistrate or a judge will have at their disposal when they feel that custodial sentence should not be imposed.”
Some forms of alternative sentences have recommended including community service and therapy and counselling.
Further, the AG’s Chambers are working on a bill to allow certain offences to be tried without a jury; something which is encouraged by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
“While trial by jury is important and has served society well, there are certain cases that are suitable for a judge to try alone. For ex-
ample, technical nature of the matter, if it is believed a jury trial will not deliver justice,” Nandlall outlined. He said most Caribbean countries have already moved in this direction, and the bill is with the Judiciary for consultation, since “their inputs are crucial.” Parliament returned from recess earlier this month. There are several other bills to be tabled, including a Horse Racing Bill to establish a recognised Guyana Horse Racing Authority; the new Oil Spill Activities Bill; a Trustees Act; amendments to the Landlord & Tenant Act; the Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act, and a series of bills from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry. FROM PAGE 12
Top row, from left: Volda Lawrence, Keith Lowenfield, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Bottom row, from left: Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Clairmont Mingo, and Carol Smith-Joseph
GTU-MoE multi-year deal 14,786 teachers received over $2B in retroactive payout on Wednesday
In keeping with the 2024- 2026 multi-year agreement for teachers’ salaries and benefits, which was brokered between the Guyana Government and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) back in August, the Education Ministry has dispatched the sum of $2.5 billion in retroactive payments to teachers nationwide.
According to the MoE, some 14,786 teachers received the payout on Wednesday – Government’s designated payday for all public servants. The sum, covering payments for January to October 2024, is in keeping with the Guyana Government’s commitment to increase disposable incomes for the country’s educators.
Additionally, teachers can expect the 10 per cent salary increase agreed upon by GTU to be added to their payroll with effect from November 1, 2024.
On August 21, after months of negotiations, the Education Ministry and the GTU reached an agreement regarding salary increases and other benefits for educators over the next three years. Under the new agreement, teachers would see their sal-
aries being raised by 27 per cent by 2026.
The 2024-2026 multi-year agreement mandates that teachers receive a 10 per cent increase for this year, 8 per cent for 2025, and 9 per cent for 2026.
Aside from the agreed salary increases, the agreement includes several non-salary benefits for teachers.
The Remote Areas Incentive (RAI) has been moved from $9,000 in 2023 to $23,000, an increase of 156 per cent.
In addition, teachers who hold doctoral degrees would receive $32,000 monthly, while those who have a Master’s degree would receive $22,000 monthly, and holders of a Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Education would now receive $7,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Further, scholarships would be increased by 100 per cent annually, which will see 70 educators securing free scholarships for Diplomas in Education and 30 securing Masters in Education through the University of Guyana (UG).
In addition, some 150 teachers drawn from across the ten adminis-
trative regions would soon be able to access duty-free concessions.
The provision covers vehicles with capacities of up to 1800cc, outboard engines of up to 75hp for persons in the riverine areas, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for eligible persons in the hinterland.
As a result, some 150 teachers would be able to import vehicles that meet the criteria without having to pay duty, thereby lowering the overall cost of the vehicle significantly.
This will take effect from January
2025, given that the deadline for submission for duty-free concession for 2024 concluded on February 29.
One day prior to the agreement being signed, President Dr. Irfaan Ali highlighted that there is in the agreement also an adjustable clause which stipulates that if a higher percentage increase is announced for the general public service, teachers would also benefit from the difference.
On this point, the Head of State had underscored Government’s
unwavering support for teachers’ welfare, noting that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration would continue to set aside resources for development projects.
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said the Government’s 10 per cent across-the-board salary increase for teachers would rack up to about $12 billion over the next three years.
In addition, during one of his weekly press briefings, the Vice President had rebuked blatant attempts by the PNC-led Opposition to sabotage the deal inked between the two parties.
He has always maintained his position that GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald was politically motivated to thwart the negotiations.
Earlier this year, teachers across the country had gone on strike for more than 70 days, demanding salary increases and benefits for teachers. The strike ended on June 21 with the GTU and the Education Ministry agreeing to facilitate talks on the multiyear agreement. (G1)
File photo: Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Shannielle HooseinOutar and President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Dr Mark Lyte shaking hands upon finalising the agreement
“Police are human beings” – Traffic Chief calls for greater public respect
Police Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, is calling for greater respect to be shown to police officers, and is reminding the public that “police are human beings”, who deserve to be treated with dignity even under difficult circumstances.
Speaking in an interview with Guyana Times about the daily challenges police officers face, Singh emphasized that while the police are committed to maintaining law and order, they often find themselves in hostile situations where professionalism is tested.
Singh’s comments come on the heels of a recent incident in which a police officer was assaulted while directing traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. That incident, which took place on October 11, saw the officer being subjected to disrespect and aggression from two members of the public. The incident went viral on social media, and their actions, which included damaging
the officer’s phone, sparked widespread condemnation after footage surfaced online.
Reflecting on the incident, Singh reiterated, “Police are human beings,” and added, “Our ranks are so professional not to respond to the urgency of the public, who seem to become uncivil toward us.” Singh was clear in his stance on such behaviour:
“We wouldn’t tolerate [this] anymore,” he stressed, as he explained that the police would no longer accept public disrespect without there being consequences.
He called for stricter adherence to proper conduct during interactions with officers, emphasizing that lawlessness would not be condoned.
Following the viral spread of the altercation,
Alleged serial thief remanded after facing multiple charges
Repeat offender Travis Payne has been remanded to prison after his arraignment before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in that Georgetown magistrate’s court on a series of charges involving theft, primarily of iPhones, along with other high-value items.
The 31-year-old Payne on Monday faced a total of ten charges, including theft and discharging a loaded firearm.
The charges allege that between May 4 and October 10, at various locations, including at West Ruimveldt Front Road and at Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, Payne stole items valued at approximately $1.9 million.
His alleged haul includes two iPhone 15 Pro Max devices valued respectively at $315,000 and $170,000; an iPhone 15 Pro Titanium worth $265,000; an iPhone 12 valued at $110,000; an iPhone 14 Pro worth $200,000, and an iPhone 14 Pro Max valued at $205,000.
He is also accused of
stealing four other cell phones worth accumulatively $400,000, an eight-pennyweight gold chain valued at $140,000, and four perfumes worth in total $130,000.
Moreover, Payne is accused of discharging a load-
ed firearm at a Detective Corporal with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Payne has pleaded not guilty to all these serious charges.
This is not Payne’s first encounter with the law. In 2018, he was charged with nine counts of armed robbery, discharging a firearm, and escaping from police custody. After a trial by Magistrate Annette Singh, Payne was sentenced to three years in prison on September 10, 2019.
Following his latest court appearance, Payne has been remanded to prison, and is scheduled to return to court on November 18. (G9)
the couple in question issued a public apology to the officer. In their statement, they admitted to engaging in anti-social behaviour, and expressed regret for their actions even as they acknowledged that their conduct was “entirely unacceptable” and contrary to how the public should interact with officers performing their duties.
“We unreservedly apologize to Officer Brown for our behaviour,” the statement read. They also offered to replace Officer Brown’s damaged cellular phone, and committed to personally apologizing for their actions.
Singh highlighted this incident as a reminder that while officers are tasked with enforcing the law, they
are also deserving of fairness and respect. He emphasized, “We cannot allow disorder and lawlessness to continue,” and urged the public to recognize the humanity of police officers, who, despite frequent hostility, continue to serve with professionalism.
Sharing his frustration with the disregard some members of the public have for the human side of law enforcement, Singh said,
“Police officers are sons, daughters, and parents too. They are children of parents who committed their children to the service of the country, yet they are often mocked by inconsiderate persons.”
This, Singh emphasized, is a reality officers endure
every day, especially in high-traffic areas where tensions between law enforcement personnel and civilians can run high.
The Traffic Chief also highlighted a recent incident in which an officer was struck by a driver after that officer had attempting to address traffic violations.
“On a daily basis, we put up with something at a specific intersection…some very inconsiderate, callous, and selfish drivers,” he shared, underscoring the risks officers face while trying to enforce the law.
Singh has called on the public to recognize the humanity of police officers, and has urged respect and cooperation instead of hostility.
“Nurses are indeed the backbone of our healthcare system” – PM
Prime Minister
Brigadier (Ret’d)
Mark Phillips has highlighted the crucial role nurses play in advancing regional healthcare.
During a cocktail reception hosted on Tuesday night by the Office of the Prime Minister for the 33rd Biennial Caribbean Nurses Organization (CNO) Conference, currently underway in Guyana, the Prime Minister said, “The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Nurses: Strategically Positioned to Move Healthcare Forward,’ is as timely as it is relevant… to the Caribbean Nurses Organization, I commend you for your continued work and commitment to unite nurses across our region, and advocate for their welfare. Your mission to empower nurses to provide efficient, effective care is one that we, as governments, must support wholeheartedly.”
This conference brings together healthcare professionals from across the Caribbean with the objective
of developing strategies to strengthen the nursing profession and improve healthcare delivery throughout the Caribbean Region. A release from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying, “Nurses are indeed the backbone of our healthcare system, and they occupy an important role in pushing the bound-
aries of excellent healthcare standards in our region. We saw the immense value of your sacrifice and your work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was our nurses who stood on the front lines, often at great personal risk, to care for the most vulnerable among us.
“In 2024, our government allocated $129.8bln
1st intake of students at UWIbacked medical school set for January 2025 – Dr Anthony
The Guyana Government is set to have the first intake of students into the University of West Indies (UWI)-backed medical school in January 2025.
The medical school, to be established in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), comes on the heels of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UWI, and aligns with the administration’s move to modernise the local healthcare system.
In fact, the MOU provides for several prestigious science institutions to be developed in Guyana.
In an invited comment, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony told Guyana Times that the batch of students would be pioneers of the medical transformation Guyana would witness in coming years.
“So, we’re working on an MOU with the University of the West Indies. In that school, under that MOU, we’re looking at a number of things happening. One would be a medical school, a school for pharmacy and a school for nursing…The one in Region 6, we’re hoping to have a (full) intake of students in one of the programmes by January next year,” he said.
The establishment of a UWI School of Medicine in Guyana comes as the Government is investing heavily in enhancing the local healthcare system with the aim of developing a top
health-tourism industry in the Region.
Earlier this year, President Irfaan Ali had revealed that the UWI School of Medicine had approached Guyana to have one of its campuses located in Guyana. The Guyanese Leader had, on several occasions, also indicated that the facility, which would have the same rates as other UWI facilities, would open up the possibility of attracting students from neighbouring Suriname, Brazil and other Caribbean nations.
In fact, during a recent ceremony to mark the construction of the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Ali revealed that investors from the state of Roraima in nearby Brazil are interested in financing the endeavour.
“Very soon, we will be signing with the University of West Indies an MoU to establish the University of West Indies Medical
to the health sector to support the expansion of critical healthcare services, such as next-generation cardiology, new regional hospitals, and modern facilities.”
Telemedicine Initiative
“We are aggressively rolling out telemedicine to improve healthcare accessibility, especially in remote areas. This year, we advance that commitment with the addition of 25 additional telemedicine sites across hinterland communities. The construction and upgrade of healthcare facilities are another focal point as we work to improve our healthcare sector. Projects include the $31.9bln stateof-the-art Paediatric and
Maternal Hospital, new hospitals across the hinterlands, and advanced diagnostic centres equipped with the latest technologies, like MRIs and digital X-rays,” the Prime Minister has said.
“Recognising the importance of skilled healthcare professionals, the Government is investing heavily in training programmes. Budget allocations for 2023 and 2024 include provisions for training 1,500 new nurses and upgrading 250 health centres.
Technology can support healthcare, but it will never replace the compassion, care, and insight that only a trained nurse can provide,” he divulged.
“One of the most import-
ant ways we can contribute is by investing in training and continuing education. It is essential that our nurses remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in medical science and technology. This allows them to provide the highest quality of care, but it also opens doors for career advancement and professional growth,” the Prime Minister also said.
“Moreover, we must ensure that the working conditions for nurses are conducive to their well-being. This means investing in healthcare facilities, ensuring proper staffing ratios, and creating safe environments for both patients and healthcare workers.”
Republic Bank Guyana accelerates student success
in finance, technology
ISchool, Pharmacy School and Nursing School right here in Guyana. And the regional authorities have already said to me that there is a group of investors from the state of Roraima who want to invest in a medical school and medical facility,” Dr Anthony revealed.
The investments, he added, would not only boost the quality of healthcare, but empower countless Guyanese with access to quality education in healthcare, equipping them with the necessary qualifications to propel the sector to massive heights.
Under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) – a free scholarship initiative introduced by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government in 2021 -- over 30,000 Guyanese students, 75 per cent of whom are females, have benefitted from some 345 programmes being offered by 19 universities across the world, including UWI.
In April 2024, it was reported that over 2000 Guyanese students had graduated from UWI programmes under the GOAL Scholarship initiative, and another 650-plus students were enrolled at the time.
In addition to the UWI School of Medicine, it has been reported that the Guyana Government had also been working on securing degree accreditation from the regional institute for its new nursing school.
(G1)
n its ongoing mission to foster financial literacy and human capital development, Republic Bank Guyana is proud to sponsor Right Start Bank accounts totalling $600,000 for top-performing students from Cycle 7 of the WizdomCRM Sustainable Stock Market Game. On Wednesday, in a release, the bank said this initiative is part of its broader commitment to preparing the next generation of Guyanese and Caribbean students for success in an increasingly digital and AI-driven financial world. Four outstanding students from Queen's College have distinguished themselves among 2,122 participants in Guyana, with Yohance October achieving an impressive 10th place ranking in a competitive field of 7,797 students across Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana.
According to the bank, 23 students have demonstrated exceptional skills and have placed in the top 150 across the region, showcas-
ing their prowess in portfolio management and strategic asset allocation. Among the school from which those students were drawn are Queen’s College, School of the Nations, and St. Rose's High School.
“These students' superior performance reflects their strong grasp of financial concepts, surpassing industry benchmarks such as the S&P 500 benchmark and setting a high standard for their peers across the region,” the bank said in a release.
Guyana participates in Caribbean Governors Caucus
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips
Oral Rose, Manager, Internal Audit, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited and Yohance October, Student, Queen's College, 1st Place Winner, Cycle 7 – Guyana (Republic Bank photo)
inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has participated in the Caribbean Governors Caucus meeting as part of the 2024 annual meetings of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) being held in Washington DC, United States of America.
That meeting provided a forum for interactive
discussion on the numerous challenges faced by the Caribbean Region, and how these issues can be addressed through a coordinated strategy to harmonize efforts and resources.
Dr Frank Anthony
SOCU moving ahead with 240 fraud, money laundering charges against ACP Brutus
The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) is reportedly proceeding with 240 fraud and money laundering charges against Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus.
According to reports, police ranks visited Brutus's residence at Eve Leary on Wednesday.
This development follows reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions has given SOCU the green light to move forward with the charges.
However, the Head of Corporate Communications of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday evening informed journalists that SOCU has not disclosed any information regarding the advice received from the DPP.
This publication has since confirmed that SOCU
ranks had sought a meeting with the DPP for which certain matters were discussed, and ranks left with their files.
Brutus is at the centre of a major financial crime in-
vestigation which stemmed from the alleged discovery of over $800 million in assets under his control, both in properties and bank accounts shared with his wife, the former Adonika Aulder. This investigation being led by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has drawn intense scrutiny, particularly as it involves a high-ranking police official.
The investigation began in July 2024, when Brutus was placed on administrative leave after suspicions arose regarding financial irregularities. Initially linked to the Police Force s Credit Union, the investigation quickly expanded following information provided by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Assistant Police Commissioner Brutus assets include $300 million in properties and $500 million
Putin scores a BRICS win with rare Xi and Modi show of harmony
Chinese President Xi
Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a BRICS summit in Russia on Wednesday to showcase ambitions for a more harmonious relationship between the world’s two most populous countries after years of animosity.
The meeting between Xi and Modi, who have not held formal talks for five years, was one highlight of a summit which President Vladimir Putin sought to use to show that the West had failed to isolate Russia
over the Ukraine war.
A final communiqué listed a number of projects aimed at facilitating trade between BRICS nations –including an alternative payment system to the dollar –- but did not include details or timelines.
Just two days after New Delhi announced that it had reached a deal with Beijing to resolve a four-year military stand-off on their disputed Himalayan frontier, Xi told Modi that they should enhance communication and cooperation and effectively manage differenc-
es. In response, Modi told Xi that maintaining peace and stability on their frontier should be a priority, and that mutual trust, respect and sensitivity should be the basis of the relationship.
BRICS – an idea thought up inside Goldman Sachs two decades ago to describe the growing economic clout of China and other major emerging markets – is now a group that accounts for 45 per cent of the world’s population and 35 per cent of the global economy.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
across joint bank accounts with his wife. As a result, all of these accounts have been frozen, with the exception of his salary account.
As part of the case, it has been revealed that Brutus received monetary gifts from two individuals. These gifts included US$10,000 as a wedding present and $1,000,000 as a Christmas gift in 2023.
Relieved of position
During his weekly programme of Issues in the News, Attorney General Anil Nandlall indicated that Brutus will make history as the highest ranked officer to be implicated in a high volume of fraud.
Further, he noted that the cop, who is on administrative leave, will be relieved of his position once charged.
"Brutus will go down in history as perhaps the highest-ranked officer of the Guyana Police Force to be implicated in this volume of fraud. I believe that he will go down in the Caribbean as an officer of such rank to be implicated in this level of criminality," Nandlall said on Tuesday evening.
The AG added, "Obviously, when the charges are instituted, steps will have to be taken by the relevant agencies, and in compliance with the relevant legal processes, to remove Mr Brutus from office."
Nandlall said completion of the investigation contradicts comments by the Opposition that Brutus will be sheltered, and the probe will be dropped.
Commonwealth nations to discuss slavery, climate change at Samoa summit
The leaders of the Commonwealth group of nations will meet at a welcome banquet in Samoa in the South Pacific today, with climate change and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade both likely to be on the agenda. Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in Britain’s empire are attending the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the small island nation, that began on Monday.
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said on Monday the UK will not bring the issue of reparations for historical transatlantic slavery to the table at the summit, but is open to engage with leaders who want to discuss it.
The idea of reparations for transatlantic slavery is
long-standing, but has recently been gaining momentum worldwide, particularly in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and more recently the African Union.
The Caricom reparations commission has been set up to seek reparations from former colonial powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal.
Those opposed to paying reparations say countries
shouldn’t be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in favour say the legacy of slavery has resulted in persistent and vast racial inequalities today.
A Caricom source familiar with the matter told Reuters CHOGM presents an “important opportunity” for dialogue on reparations and the region will be tabling the issue there.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
"Now they have seen the gravity of the situation and the amount of monies implicated and the number of charges and the Government did no such covering up, they still are critical of the Government. I don t know what else they expect, or what else they want from the Government," the AG said.
High Court
Meanwhile, last week, Brutus filed an application in the High Court in which he claimed victimisation among other things. The respondents are SOCU, the Government, the Commissioner of Police, and others. On Friday last, Brutus also moved to the High Court to seek permission to leave the country to take his pregnant wife for medical attention overseas. However, the court rejected the application, stating that the court could not accept medical documents presented without proper evidence, and underlined the lack of sufficient justification for the trip. Further, the judge ruled that the application was premature, as Brutus had not yet requested permission from the Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, a mandatory step for public officials.
Meanwhile, speaking with the media after ranks
left, Brutus said that the heavily-armed ranks told him that they were at his house to execute a search warrant.
“But I invited them, but just the person whose name is on the warrant. So, clearly they weren’t really too keen or interested, because they left. But I’m concerned about the level of force displayed here tonight.
“There’s no indication that I’m a flight risk. If I was a flight risk, then there are many options other than going to the official ports to get out of the compound. These routes that you can use.”
He added: “I intend to vigorously defend these matters. Because there’s clear evidence that what is happening is a matter of manipulation of evidence, fabrication of evidence. Just to make a case against me. I intend to defend all the evidences that are made...I’m concerned indeed for my safety and family. Yes, I’m concerned about it.”
He said that the ranks did not say what they were searching for nor was he informed.
“They didn’t specify, neither did they show me the warrant. No document was produced.”
He also said that he would continue to reside at the same location.
Israel, Hezbollah exchange heavy fire as Blinken pushes for peace
Israeli strikes pounded
Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday and Hezbollah said it fired precision guided missiles for the first time at Israeli targets, as US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken toured the region, pushing for a halt to fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.
The strikes on the edges of Beirut sent thick columns of flames shooting up into the night sky one after the other, shortly after an Israeli military spokesman issued evacuation warnings for the neighbourhood.
Another strike came with no warning hitting the nearby office of pro-Iran broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, the station said. It said the office
had been empty since the conflict began. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said one person was killed and five others, including a child, were wounded. Iran-backed Hezbollah said in a statement late on Wednesday that it had escalated its attacks on Israel, using “precision missiles” for the first time and launched new types of drones on Israeli targets, without offering further details.
It later said it had targeted an Israeli military factory on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Around the time of Hezbollah’s claim, air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and neighbouring cities. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a family photo ceremony prior to the BRICS Summit plenary session in Kazan, Russia, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters photo)
Police ranks outside the home of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Calvin Brutus on Wednesday evening
Approach someone heading in a similar direction. Don’t limit your options; be blunt about your objective and stick to your plans, and the person most likely to join you will have as much to contribute as you do.
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You’re in a better position than you realize. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts; it will help you in your search for inspiration. Choose your partners and mentors carefully.
Get out and mingle; try something new and exciting. Engaging in a pastime that encourages you to interact with like-minded people will enrich your life. Take a journey of discovery.
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ARCHIE
Raphinha scores hat-trick as Barca thrash Bayern
Barcelona
winger Raphinha scored a superb hat-trick as his side demolished Bayern Munich in the league phase of the Champions League.
Raphinha opened the scoring inside the first minute after latching on to a ball over the top and rounding goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
England Captain Harry Kane equalised for the visitors by volleying in Serge Gnabry’s cross at the back post in the 18th minute.
But Barcelona continued to punish Bayern’s ineffective high line, with Fermin Lopez sent through and poking the ball past Neuer to set Robert Lewandowski up for the hosts’ second 18 minutes later.
On the stroke of halftime, captain for the night, Raphinha made it 3-1 with a fabulous curling finish from the edge of the box.
And shortly after the restart he completed his hattrick, latching on to another long ball and firing a shot into the far corner.
Raphinha stars against sloppy Bayern
There were rumours this summer that Barcelona wanted to sell winger Raphinha, who they bought off Leeds in a deal worth up to £55 million in 2022.
Manager Hansi Flick will be glad he stuck with the Brazil forward who has scored nine times in 13 appearances this season.
He netted his second hat-
trick of the campaign having already struck a treble against Real Valladolid in August.
Raphinha was lively from the start, scoring after just 54 seconds, the fastest goal in this season’s Champions League, while his second was a superb curling strike, which was good enough to win any game.
1st Test, South Africa tour of Bangladesh
However, he and his team-mates were aided by some poor Bayern Munich defending throughout.
Vincent Kompany’s side are now 23rd in the Champions League league phase table having lost their last two matches and tasted defeat to Barcelona for the first time since 2015. (BBC Sport)
Mehidy 87*, Jaker 58 help Bangladesh fight back on truncated 3rd day
Bad light forced the third day’s play of the Dhaka Test to be called off at 4:00 pm local time, an hour before the scheduled end of the day. Bangladesh fought back in the game and now lead by 81 runs, with South Africa still short of three wickets. The hosts ended the day on 283 for 7, thanks mainly to half-centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the debutant Jaker Ali. Play was stopped at 3:17 pm after 17 minutes of play under floodlights at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. There was earlier a 78-minute stoppage due to rain from 1:42 pm onwards. This is unseasonal rain in Bangladesh due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, which was forecast to turn into a cyclone on Wednesday.
Mehidy was Bangladesh’s saviour on the day with his fourth half-century this year, once again saving the team’s blushes from a difficult position. They were 112 for 6, from where Mehidy and Jaker added 138 runs for the seventh wicket. It is Bangladesh’s third century stand from the seventh wicket in their last five Tests.
Mehidy struck nine fours and a six in his 171-ball stay on the third day, batting confidently enough to pass some of that confidence to Jaker, who had got only 2 in the first innings. But the day had started horribly for Bangladesh, who lost three wickets in the first 30 minutes of play, with a Test to save.
Kagiso Rabada had removed both of Bangladesh’s overnight batters Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mushfiqur Rahim by the fourth over of the day. Mahmudul edged a wide one, giving first slip
an easy catch after making 40. Rabada then blew away Mushfiqur’s middle stump later in the over with a delivery that was similar to his dismissal of the same batter in the first innings; while Mushfiqur lost two stumps on the first day, this time it was the middle pole which came off.
an innings defeat on the third day. Mehidy and Jaker then stepped in, battling through a tough first session, and helping Bangladesh go past South Africa’s 202-run first-innings lead.
Jaker, who played second fiddle to Mehidy, struck the ball nicely through the covers. He pinched two fours through
When Litton Das was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj shortly afterwards, Bangladesh slipped to 112 for 6, and were in danger of
fine leg too, one of them getting him to a half-century. Jaker hammered Rabada with a confident pull shot too. He also took three fours off
Rabada, twice through the off side and once through a pull.
Mehidy, meanwhile, was mainly effective against Maharaj, hitting him for four boundaries through the covers – sometimes even lofted ones,
session, rain stopped play for 78 minutes. Before the rain break, Jaker reached his maiden Test fifty. He fell lbw to Maharaj after getting beaten trying to turn the ball on the leg side. The
but mostly along the ground. He generally handled spin well, as Bangladesh got within one run of South Africa’s lead at lunch.
An hour into the second
it out despite a casual appeal from the visitors, but replays showed it was the correct decision. Jaker struck seven fours in his 111-ball stay. (ESPNcricinfo)
umpire gave
Raphinha (right) opened scoring for Barcelona inside 60 seconds
Harry Kane’s fantastic finish gave Bayern their only goal
Keshav Maharaj embraced by his teammates
Jaker Ali got a half-century on debut
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s fifty took Bangladesh into the lead
Kagiso Rabada took two wickets with the new ball
Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie put on a record-breaking 119-run ninth-wicket stand, before Motie and Alzarri Joseph struck once apiece inside the powerplay. Aside from these stretches of dominance though, Sri Lanka ran away with the game.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando had sent West Indies crashing to 58 for 8, before that ninth-wicket resistance came. Then, after the loss of two early wickets, Sri Lanka recovered through a 62run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Nishan Madushka, before the in-form Charith Asalanka came in to produce a fluent half-century, and take Sri Lanka to a substantial victory, and another series victory under his fledgling captaincy.
Though the pitch for this 44-over match – drizzle had delayed the start by two hours – was exceedingly spin friendly (it was the same track used for Sunday’s game), 190 was always going to be a challenge to defend. Where Sri Lanka’s spinners were able to be consistently menacing, often getting significant turn even off faster deliveries, West Indies’ slow bowlers did
2nd ODI, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka
Hasaranga, Theekshana spin trumps Rutherford-Motie partnership as SL seal series
gorgeous offbreak that beat the outside of left-hander Alick Athanaze’s bat and clipped off stump. The offbreak turned big on this surface, and he threatened both right-handers and lefthanders with it, going to the carrom ball only occasionally. The lines Theekshana bowled were mostly impeccable.
not quite have the same impact.
Motie was their best slow bowler, conceding only 18 from his nine overs, and taking the wicket of Kusal Mendis. But legspinner Hayden Walsh was underwhelming, guilty of pitching far too short and being picked off – he went for 41 runs off his five overs.
Later, a big offbreak would sneak between Keacy Carty’s bat and pad and rattle his stumps as well, before a slider beat the wild reverse-swipe that Walsh attempted off Theekshana in the 15th over. He collected figures of 3 for 25 off nine overs.
Hasaranga’s googlies were doing their usual damage, with Chase suckered in by one that was flighted beautifully. Hasaranga had to work less hard for the wickets of
Romario Shepherd, and Alzarri Joseph, who didn’t fancy picking him. He’d take the final wicket of the innings too, getting Jayden Seales caught and bowled, and took home the game’s best figures of 4 for 40.
Fernando’s 3 for 35 was especially impressive on a track that did not favour him. He dismissed Brandon King with a surprise bouncer that King played at too early, before bowling Shai Hope with a slightly back- of-a-length delivery that the batter dragged on to his stumps. That he broke the big RutherfordMotie stand was also significant, even if the wicket of Rutherford came off a low full toss.
In fact, Rutherford had been struggling
Roston Chase was also only moderately effective. In fact, it was seamer Alzarri Joseph who collected the innings’ best figures of 2 for 30.
Although Hasaranga would go on to get more wickets, it was Theekshana who was the best of Sri
Lanka’s slow bowlers, and Theekshana who set the collapse in motion with a
terribly before Motie joined him at the crease in the 16th over and provided the early impetus for their partnership. The number 10 struck important boundaries, off Hasaranga especially, and by the end of the 25th over had 35 runs to Rutherford’s 33, though Rutherford had been there longer and faced more balls.
Samarawickrama and Madushka – both of whom made 38 – had lifted Sri Lanka out of immediate danger, Asalanka’s entry into the game sent them smoothly off towards the five-wicket victory that would eventuate with 34 balls remaining.
This is the point at which Rutherford began to attack however, having earlier seemed bewildered by every spinner Sri Lanka employed against him. There were suddenly sixes down the ground and on the legside from Rutherford – one hoick over deep square leg off Asalanka’s bowling taking him to his half-century, off 57 balls. He continued to hit out until he was caught on the deep square leg boundary in the 35th over, having hit four sixes and seven fours. His 80 off 82 was the highest score in the game.
Later, after
The hallmark of a good Asalanka innings is his early boundary-striking ability, and so it was here - -spotting a full delivery outside off from the opposition’s best seamer second ball, Asalanka creamed it through point for four. In Alzarri Joseph’s next over, Asalanka crashed him through square leg and drilled him through cover for two more fours, having also slog-swept Roston Chase for a boundary in between. In a flash he was on 20 off 14.
Though the tempo slowed, he got to his half-century off the 48th ball he faced, and went on to shepherd Sri Lanka home, remaining not out on 62 off 61 balls. (ESPNcricinfo)
Rain in Pallekele delayed the start of the second One-Day International (ODI) between Sri Lanka and West Indies
Gudakesh Motie scored his maiden ODI half-century
Charith Asalanka brought up fifty off 53 balls
Maheesh Theekshana makes a mess of Alick Athanaze’s stumps
Sherfane Rutherford led a lower-order fightback
Fixtures confirmed for Global Super League in Guyana
Renowned T20 teams from across the globe will make their way down to the Land of Many Waters next month, as the inaugural edition of the Global Super League T20 (GSLT20) tournament takes centre stage.
First announced a few short weeks ago, the GSLT20 tournament has divulged more information about the blockbuster event, which will bowl off in
a matter of weeks.
Hailing from some of the top leagues around the world, the remaining four teams that will meet the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) at the Guyana National Stadium have been unveiled. Bangladesh Premier League’s Rangpur Riders, Pakistan Super League’s Lahore Qalandars, Australia’s Victoria Cricket team and England’s Vitality (T20) Blast’s Hampshire
Hawks are the other competing teams.
The tournament commences at the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) venue on Tuesday, November 26, featuring a clash between the Amazon Warriors and Lahore Qalandars, bowling off at 19:00h local time.
The second match day will be Wednesday, November 27 with the Hampshire Hawks taking
on the Rangpur Riders at the same time and place. Based on the fixtures released, it is likely that each team will play the other teams once, before the top two advance to the final. The tournament will conclude with the grand finale scheduled for Saturday, December 7.
The league shows Guyana’s “ambition to become a global sporting destination”, Giles White, Director of Men’s Cricket at Hampshire, said. “International club competition has proven itself to be successful across other sports and has been lacking in cricket for some time. It has been sanctioned by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and “fully supported” by the Government of Guyana,
Jamaica claim 5 medals at CAC Bodybuilding Championships
Jamaica’s bodybuilders made their mark at the 51st Central America
“Our ability to host major events is going to get better” – Bess
For the first time in two decades, Guyana opened its doors to the 51st edition of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.
It was a busy weekend at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue as fitness enthusiasts and in excess of 250 athletes from 20 countries flexed their muscles on Guyana’s big stage.
In the aftermath of the event, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) President Keavon Bess deemed the mammoth undertaking a success.
“I would say it was successful, very successful. In terms of, first and foremost, getting the support of the Government and corporate sector and then, having the countries come to Guyana, despite them having to pay ticket costs at a premium, getting a lot of athletes to come to Guyana and getting our athletes to go on stage. So, successful,” the GBBFF boss shared.
From a personal perspective, Bess was quite proud of his athletes’ performances, as they accumulated some 27 medals and the overall title.
He said, “I expected, first, to get the overall in the Men’s Physique and the Men’s Bodybuilding. It was close, it was tight, but we’re still grateful that
we’re always in contention. We got several gold medals. Emmerson, Julio Sinclair, young Bailey and other athletes got gold and if they didn’t get gold, they were very close and came in second, snaring medals. So, overall, I’m proud of my team.”
Quizzed about Guyana’s future in hosting events, Bess expressed confidence in Guyana’s ability to host more major events, even if he is no longer at the helm of the Federation.
“In or out, any time we want to make an argument
or put up a bid or proposal to host CAC, let’s say in the next five years because we have about 12 hotels under construction – world-class hotels. So, our ability to host major events is going to continue to get better, and I have no doubt that, let’s say, we decide to host in the next five years, that we’re gonna have a plethora of hotels available,” the GBBFF President responded.
He went on to divulge, “We had some hotel constraints because of what is happening with the boost of
our economy, as a result of oil and gas. So, a lot of hotels are taken up, booked out, but I believe in the next five years that will not be an issue and I believe more of our instructors will be intact and our tourism product is gonna be so unique that we’re going to be an easy magnet to bring persons to Guyana.”
Guyana took home 11 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals, and Emmerson Campbell was the only athlete to achieve a Pro Card at this year’s CAC Championships.
and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Georgetown, Guyana, held from October 19-20, bringing home five medals in a competitive field that featured over 200 athletes from more than 20 countries. While the host nation dominated the event with 25 medals, Jamaica held their own with two gold and three silver medals.
Leading the charge for Jamaica were Rayon Henry and Sean Taylor, who both captured gold in their respective categories. Henry, fresh off winning a national title, triumphed in the Medium Class (176 cm), showcasing his refined physique and superior form. Taylor, competing in the Short Class (170 cm), delivered a standout performance after a challenging year, rebounding from earlier fourth-place finishes in the Muscular Men’s Physique and Men’s Physique Short Class to claim the top spot.
Nicolas Wilson also impressed on his internation-
pression against seasoned competitors, proving that he’s a rising talent in the sport.
On the women’s side, Jamaica’s national champion Dianne Brown captured a silver medal in the Bikini Fitness Tall Class (169 cm). A former pageant expert, Brown dazzled both the audience and the judges with her flawless physique and commanding stage presence, solidifying her place among the top contenders in the Region. Shana Davis Roman added another silver to Jamaica’s medal tally in the Fitness Challenge, displaying exceptional athleticism and versatility in the demanding category.
Natasha Gordon also delivered commendable performances, placing fourth in both the Bikini Fitness Open and Masters divisions, contributing to the overall success of Jamaica’s six-member team, which was led by former Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) and CAC President, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Bartley.
Despite competing against a large field of athletes, Jamaica’s bodybuilders proved they could hold their own on the international stage, bringing home valuable hardware from the prestigious event. (Sportsmax)
PSL’s 2023 champions Lahore Qalandars will compete in the tournament A look
One of Guyana’s top achievers at CAC 2024, Julio Sinclair strikes a pose
