Guyana Times - Tuesday, April 30, 2024

…urges countries to recommit to Guiana Shield pact …as Brazil & Suriname commit to more skills & knowledge transfer within bloc

President Dr Irfaan Ali received a courtesy call from non-resident Palestinian Ambassador, Dr Linda Sobeh-Ali; and Head of the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency (PICA) and Assistant Minister for International Cooperation, Ambassador Imad Al-Zuhairi, on Monday at State House. The visit comes days after Guyana raised over $110 million to support relief efforts in Palestine. The fund-raising initiative was launched by President Ali on the 27th night of Ramadan, which Muslims believe to be the “Night of Power” (Office of the President photo)

Contract for audit of post-2020 ExxonMobil expenses to be awarded soon

Monetisation Policy being finalised

With two audits already completed for oil giant ExxonMobil’s oil and gas exploration activities in the Stabroek Block, the Natural Resources Ministry has indicated that the contract for the third audit will soon be awarded.

On Monday, the ministry explained that the procurement process for this contract has already started. They also made reference to the government’s efforts to upskill local Guyanese and equip them with the experience of auditing the sector.

In 2019, British firm IHS Markit conducted an audit of ExxonMobil’s cost oil expenses racked up between 1999 and 2017 from its operations in Guyana and flagged US$214.4 million as questionable costs.

Following months of its own review, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) – the technical body tasked with advising the Government on the audit-

“Two audits were completed for the period 1999 to 2017 and 2018 to 2020. As a manifestation of the government’s objective of upskilling Guyanese for the petroleum sector, a local firm was hired for the 20182020 audit. The procurement process for an audit of more costs has started and the award of a contract is imminent,” the Ministry said. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been optimistic of concluding, by this year-end, the three cost oil audits spanning the years 1999 to 2023, bringing all audits of ExxonMobil’s cost oil expenses to a current status. The audits in question are 1999-2017, 20182020 and 2021 to 2023. A final report from the first audit has already been released to the public, while a preliminary report for the second one was also released.

ed oil expenses – supported the US$214.4 million disputed sum. The government has since indicated its intention to go to arbitration over this sum.

The audit of cost oil claims is critical to ensuring that Guyana does not lose out on millions in oil revenues. ExxonMobil’s pre-contract costs were inherited by the current Government when it entered office in 2020. US$460 million in pre-contract costs were already written into the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Gas Monetisation

Mention was also made of the Gas Monetisation Strategy, which according to MNR is currently being finalised. Back in October, Government had released the draft National Gas Monetisation Strategy to the public for their feedback. The aim was to simultaneously work on finalising the strategy while

getting comments from the public, thus saving time.

Government has already made it clear that its goal is to find the best option forward to monetise its gas resources. The Government has already said that a large number of comments were received on the strategy. In December, the government had indicated that all these comments would be included, and a total review of the strategy done.

Oil spill legislation

Meanwhile, the Ministry also indicated that a landmark oil spill legislation is in the pipeline. During a recent press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that this piece of legislation may even be brought before the National Assembly goes into recess.

In addition to legislative protection, Guyana already has guarantees from oil producer ExxonMobil, in the unlikely event of an oil spill.

Last year following a court

ruling, Exxon affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) had lodged a US$2 billion affiliate insurance guarantee with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Last year, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge had made it clear that Exxon had set up a “long line of defenses” to prevent oil spills from occurring. These include applying new technologies to the design of the wells, training personnel, and strict safety practices.

Additionally, the company also acquired a capping stack – a piece of equipment that is placed over the blown-out well to stop oil from spilling. These can be accessed within five days but as of this year, Exxon is required to have this equipment in the country as part of the Yellowtail Permit. Meanwhile, in the event of an oil spill, it was explained that Exxon already has about $20 billion in financial resources set aside to respond to such a “highly unlikely” incident. (G3)

The Natural Resources Ministry

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, April 30 – 22:30h-00:00h and Wednesday, May 1 –10:00h-11:30h and 23:30h-01:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, April 30 –08:15h-09:45h and Wednesday, May 1 – 09:45h-11:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers are expected to prevail throughout the day and at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 08:39h and 21:37h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.14 metres.

Low Tide: 14:57h reaching a minimum height of 0.90 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

COMMODITIES

Countries in Guiana Shield must work together to preserve security & defence – PM …urges

countries to recommit to Guiana Shield pact

The importance of countries within the Guiana Shield working together to address security and defense issues in the region was on Monday highlighted by Prime Minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips.

He made these remarks during the Guiana Shield Dialogue hosted by the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) at the Marriott Hotel. While giving the keynote address, the Prime Minister spoke of security and defense in the Guiana Shield.

According to the Prime Minister, the collective efforts of the Guiana Shield cannot stop here but rather, must go further if the territorial integrity of the shield is to be preserved. Further, there must be increased collaboration among the various countries.

“The Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue therefore must continue to play

to protecting this invaluable region. The power of partnerships must always be emphasised in cross national interests,” the Prime Minister also said.

“We must seek to harness the power of collective action to address the root causes of environmental degradation and ensure the long-term sustainabili-

have been taken towards safeguarding the Guiana Shield by the government itself. These efforts include establishing protected areas and sustainable land management practices and community-based conservation.

There has been work within the Guiana Shield, which comprises of Guyana,

a crucial role in fostering understanding, building relationships and promoting cooperation among our countries, to address the complex challenges before us and help us to achieve common objectives,” Phillips said.

“Protection and the integrity of our respective territories are among those objectives. Coordination and to have a coordinated approach against transnational crime is another of those objectives. Coordinated attention to the security and defense issues of the Guiana Shield is of paramount importance.”

Phillips also made reference to the Guiana Shield Facility, a fund that was launched back in 2012 to allow countries to contribute to incentivising the protection of the environment. He noted that further research and the empowerment of local communities must be encouraged.

“The challenges facing the Guiana Shield require a consorted and collaborative effort. We must forge partnerships and renew our shared commitment

ty of the Guiana shield. As we gather here today, I feel a sense of duty to urge us all to recommit ourselves to the Guiana Shield through this strategic dialogue.”

Phillips also talked about the impact of illegal mining and logging in the Guiana Shield. He also spoke of the threat posed by climate change, including rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.

“Addressing these challenges necessitates a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that integrates conservation endeavors, sustainable development initiatives and enhances governance and law enforcement measures. Through promoting sustainable land use practices, backing community-based conservation efforts and fostering collaborations among governments, NGO’s and local communities, worthwhile initiatives towards securing a more robust and sustainable future for the Guiana Shield.”

The Prime Minister spoke of the strides that

French Guiana, Suriname and Brazil, to improve collaboration. During the first edition of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue, these three countries came together to discuss a common security masterplan back in 2021.

During a trilateral engagement in Cayenne, French Guiana, where Guyana was represented by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, the discussion centered on joint security threats and challenges facing the countries.

The dialogue also underscored the importance of shared respective understanding of the regional strategic defence and security environment.

The issues of how the countries can collaborate and structure their operational and technical cooperation in the fight against the security threats and other challenges facing the populations, territories, maritime space and interests were also discussed.

Within the framework of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defence and to develop a common security masterplan, the various sides agreed to exchange views and work closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions.

Additionally, it was agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment, prevention.

The third area that was agreed to was response and increasing joint attention to the environment and climate change, including security and defense impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.

Within the Guiana Shield, there is also the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy. In 2018, Guyana moved to the World Court seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the land boundary between the two countries.

Earlier this month, Venezuela promulgated “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, which gave effect to the Spanish speaking country’s December 3, 2023 referendum seeking to annex Essequibo. This move was widely criticised throughout the region.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips

Representatives of the various countries comprising the Guiana Shield

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Indian Arrival Day

One hundred and eighty-six years ago, two ships

– the Whitby and the Hesperus , which had left the port of Calcutta more than two weeks apart – serendipitously arrived off Port Georgetown on May 5, 1838. The receiving depot was not ready to process them, so the Whitby was sent to Plantation Highbury, up the Berbice River, to disgorge some of its human cargo. The first Indians set foot on Guyana soil – and in fact in the entire Western Hemisphere –in Berbice.

The arrival of Indians to the then colony of British Guiana was a momentous occasion, one that would irremediably alter the trajectory of its social, economic, cultural and political development. Socially, the society was already “plural”, with the freed African ex-slaves and Portuguese (brought in since 1835) adding to the white planters, overseers and Government officials. There were also the Indigenous Peoples sequestered in the interior, and a “Coloured” strata issuing from the miscegenation between the white planters/overseers and African slave women. They formed a buffer zone between whites and blacks.

The Indians, however, with their vast numbers pouring in for the next 79 years, qualitatively altered the nature of the society; but it was economically that the Indians had their greatest impact. Even before the abolition of slavery, the planters were petrified at the prospects of sugar’s survival in a post-slavery economy in light of the vast tracts of land that were available for the freed slaves to occupy and make their own “living”. And it was this fear of the loss of a stable labour force that drove them to reintroduce “indentured” labour into the industry. In many of the small West Indian islands, there was not even the transitional “apprenticeship” scheme for the freed slaves: they had nowhere to go, but to return to the cane fields. In fact, over 30,000 of them were enticed to emigrate to British Guiana, since the conditions here were better.

But the planters had to also cater for the loss of their preferential British market. In addition to a stable workforce, they needed a cheap one; and this was where the Indians’ greatest economic impact was felt. While the Portuguese and the Chinese (who arrived in 1853) quickly abandoned the sugar fields at the expiration of their indentureship, the Indians stayed on and facilitated more than a doubling of the production of sugar than in the heyday of slavery.

But how could the Indians survive on wages that the ex-slaves, Portuguese and Chinese balked at? They supplemented their meagre sugar wages by cultivating rice on swampy lands leased or bought from the plantations, and by planting cash crops and rearing cattle to sell their milk. These endeavours, in time, became substantial industries on their own, and lowered the cost of living for the entire colony.

Culturally, the Indians’ different practices from the “Creole culture”, which had evolved between the African slaves and the white ruling class over hundreds of years, served the interest of the planters, since it helped to nip any ties that might be formed with the freed Africans who remained on the plantations. Interestingly, most of the latter were the small-island immigrants, who were all dubbed “Bajans”.

Egregious and unwelcomed display in Linden

Dear Editor,

As Linden celebrates its anniversary "Town week" the recent emergence of a viral video depicting the violent treatment of a young, popular businessman by several police officers within the Mackenzie police station compound is not only disturbing but also serves as a stark reminder of the critical issues plaguing law enforcement agencies worldwide. This egregious and unwelcomed display of police brutality not only violates established protocols and standards of conduct but also erodes the fundamental trust between the police and the communities they serve.

In response to this alarming incident, it is imperative for me to advocate for an independent investigation to be conducted, punitive actions to be administered if the policemen are found guilty, and comprehensive measures be instituted to rebuild and reinforce trust between the police and the community.

First and foremost, the actions depicted in the viral video blatantly disregard the principles of law enforcement and the inherent rights of individuals under custody. The undeniable use of excessive force, including kicking, stomping, and cuffing, is not only

unjustifiable but also represents a flagrant abuse of power. Such behavior undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the entire police force, tarnishing its reputation and alienating the very communities it is meant to protect and serve. It is in this regard I reiterate the call for an independent investigation to be initiated promptly to uncover the truth behind the incident and hold those responsible fully accountable for their actions.

Moreover, the outcome of the investigation must not be influenced by internal biases or conflicts of interest within the police force. An independent oversight body, comprising impartial experts and if possible, community representatives, should be tasked with conducting a thorough and transparent inquiry into this matter. This external scrutiny is essential to ensure the integrity and credibility of the investigative process, as well as to demonstrate a genuine commitment to upholding justice and accountability.

If the investigation confirms the involvement of police officers in the incident wrong, punitive actions must be swiftly and decisively administered to deter similar misconduct

in the future. Disciplinary measures, including suspension, termination, or criminal prosecution, should be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.

All will agree, that accountability is paramount in maintaining public trust and confidence in the police force, and any deviation from this principle must be met with unequivocal condemnation and consequences.

Further, step towards rebuilding trust and fostering positive relationships between the police and the community must be reestablished.

This incident can be a catalysis for the police force on a wider scale to undertake comprehensive reforms and initiatives that should be implemented to address systemic issues within the force and promote greater transparency, accountability, and community engagement.

One crucial aspect of this process is the revision and reinforcement of police standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent future instances of misconduct and abuse of power. Clearer guidelines and protocols must be established regarding the use of force, the treatment of detainees, and the handling of sensitive situations.

Police should on a regular basis be engaged in training programs and workshops to provide police officers with the opportunity to enhance their awareness of human rights, cultural sensitivity, and conflict resolution techniques.

Furthermore, efforts should be made to strengthen partnerships and collaboration between the police and the community in addressing crime and soliciting information. Community policing initiatives, neighborhood watch programs, and outreach activities can facilitate meaningful dialogue, mutual trust, and cooperation between the police and local residents. By involving the community as active stakeholders in the safety and security of their community, the police can foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.

As we continue to celebrate our Town week of activities let our engagements be fun in a safer and more harmonious coexistence between the police and the community they serve.

Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira MP

The “Belem”, a three-masted sailing ship that carries the Olympic Flame from Greece to Marseille in France, sails after crossing the Corinth Canal, following the handover ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics, in Corinth, Greece (Reuters)

Ali’s leadership has made Guyana recognisable globally Court orders executed on Sunday by M&CC

Dear Editor,

During the last four years, His Excellency, Honourable President Dr Irfaan Ali has emerged as one of the most respected, influential and spirited leaders regionally, hemispherical and globally, not to mention locally as well in this period. The Head of State has done an outstanding job in advancing the country’s development locally and its vital interests on the international stage, where he underscored the importance of unity and cooperation among nation-states on food security, energy security and for immediate action to combat climate change, which if left unchecked could have a negative impact on the world. At almost all international forums, His Excellency has passionately and unequivocally stated that for the good of our children and grandchildren, we must leave the world much better than we inherited it.

On several occasions, President Dr Ali has affirmed that the Government and people of Guyana are committed to a peaceful world, to the rule of law, respect for democracy, an end to human rights violations and a reduction of poverty that exists among more than 800 million people, mostly in Africa. He reiterated Guyana’s dedication and duty to fulfil its responsibilities and has encouraged the leaders of other countries, especially those in the Global North countries to do likewise. It is worth mentioning that prior to 2020, Guyana was hardly known or recognised internationally, but thanks to His Excellency, today, Guyana is well-known and acknowledged throughout the world mainly thanks to its huge oil reserves, its

highest GDP and having the fastest-growing economy.

Regionally, the President has called on the leaders of Caricom to actively embrace a “One Caribbean” for its unique culture, enduring unity, collaboration, and an abundance of resources which are integral to the development of the Region. He stressed the need for the Region to expand its agriculture sector, reduce its food imports, invest in human development, promote peace and stability and to make sure the Region remains a zone of peace.

President Dr Ali’s leadership in the Region did not go unnoticed. The Guyanese Head of State was commended for his leadership and vision for the prosperity of Guyana, and a prosperous and peaceful Caribbean, as well as his unwavering commitment to nation-building and for bringing awareness to food insecurity and the impact of climate change especially on the developing countries. Dr Ali is perhaps the most fearless and impressive leader Guyana has ever had since gaining Independence in May 1966. His superb leadership skills and talents were recognised on Thursday, April 18, 2024, by the University of the West Indies (UWI) which conferred on him the prestigious Legacy Award Class of 2024 at the American Foundation for the UWI 27th Annual Awards Gala in New York City. It seemed that Dr Ali is the first recipient as the Head of State of Guyana in recent times to have received this venerated award.

In his acceptance speech, President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali speaking truth to power thanked the organisers of UWI for the award. He told the dignitaries at

the Gala that he was deeply indebted to the people of Guyana, whose resilience and generosity of spirit have inspired him to dedicate his entire life to a career in public service. And he has no regrets. He delved into the subject of being philanthropic and has showed consideration for those who are less prosperous and are suffering, and remarked that the prosperity of Guyana must also be the prosperity for the Caribbean region.

The Head of State spoke of the enormous impact of centuries of colonisation on the Caribbean and has called for reparations from those responsible for the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. He commended the efforts of the University of the West Indies in promoting this agenda and has categorically stated that an apology is not enough for the mental trauma and suffering that Africans have endured during the more-than-400 years of the most barbaric, inhumane and merciless acts associated with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

President Ali’s leadership has made Guyana recognisable globally and has elevated the Republic to international status.

Sincerely,

Dr Asquith Rose

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to an article published in the local press on Monday, April 29, 2024, “Vendors stalls removed from outside Demico House, Discount Store in joint M&CC, Local Govt Ministry operation”.

I wish to state that the enforcement of the court orders which were executed on Sunday, April 28, 2024 was solely executed by employees of the City Engineer’s Department of the Council and led by the City Engineer, Colvern Venture, with support from the City Constabulary and the Guyana Police Force. At no material time was the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development or any employee of that ministry a part of that exercise. Further, there was no discussion on enforcing the court orders with anyone from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development by me.

On the day of the ruling, a letter was dispatched to the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr Alfred Mentore, informing him of the ruling of the court, the brief discussion held between myself and the Attorney representing Banks DIH Limited, and the need for an urgent meeting to address street vending (please see copy attached). I did not receive a response to

this missive.

Due to the unfortunate collapse of the roof of the Stabroek Market Wharf, I called the Mayor and urged him once again to have an urgent meeting to discuss this incident and the approach to street vending and the removal/relocation of vendors. This meeting was held on April 18, 2024. Among the discussions raised at this meeting were the matter of the mandamuses and other correspondence received by me, from businesses, for the removal of vendors around their premises. However, there was no precise decision of the Council about the vendors around Demico House, the Discount Store, or any of the other correspondence requesting the Council to act on the removal of vendors.

Notices dated April 8, 2024, were issued to the vendors around Demico House and Discount Store requesting their immediate removal. While efforts were made by a few to comply with the notice, others remained at the locations. A final notice was issued on April 24, 2024, by the City Engineer for the immediate removal of all encumbrances from the two locations. At no time were the vendors given until April 30, 2024, to vacate the area nor did the court order give a date of April 30, 2024, for the vendors' removal as

claimed by the Mayor.

On Friday, April 26, 2024, the Mayor, via the Council’s WhatsApp group, queried about a cleaning exercise in the Stabroek Market Bazaar. I responded that assistance would be provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to clean the internal drains within the Stabroek Market. A section of this conversation was posted by the Mayor on his Facebook page. At no time was there any discussion about the Ministry cleaning the Bazaar to restore the vendors. Therefore, I find all of the Mayor’s utterances about the vendors operating in the Bazaar and the removal of the vendors from the two locations mentioned above quite misleading and malicious.

It must be noted that the Administration of the Council was merely executing the orders of the High Court and was never involved in the process of blind-siding anyone. Further, it is important to note that whilst the Administration awaits a plan from the Full Council to address the issue of street vending, any order of the Court takes precedence.

Sincerely, Candace Nelson Town Clerk of Georgetown (ag)

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TUESDAY,

Page Foundation

Module test 3

Complete the following test items

Calculate the following:

Kim is in charge of providing bottled water and snacks for her class field trip. Each student will be carrying 0.56 litre of water and 1 sandwich and 0.1 pound of trail mix during the trip. If there are 35 students on the trip, how much water and trail mix and many sandwiches should Kim bring for class?

Last week, Jai spent 3.5 hours repairing his bike over a period of 4.5 days. How many hours a day, on average, did Jai spend working on his bike?

Wendy is making chocolate chip cookies. Each batch requires 3 cups of sugar and of a bag of chocolate chips. If Wendy makes 5 batches of cookies, how many cups of sugar and bags of chocolate chips will she use?

We love plants at Science Fun For Everyone and in this plant science experiment, we are going to show you how to start your very own bean plant in a bag. Once your bean in a bag sprouts, you can then transfer it to soil and watch it grow. The bean in a bag plant science experiment is a fantastic activity to alter and manipulate to learn many fascinating things about plants for your next science project.

Materials:

2 zip-lock plastic bags

2 paper towel sheets

Dry beans – Pinto, lima, navy, and black beans all work well for this

Instructions:

Fold each of the paper towels in a way that they will lay flat inside the zip-lock bags.

Saturate the paper towels with water.

Put one of the folded paper towels into each bag.

Put a few beans in each bag on top of the wet paper towel.

Zip the bags closed.

Carefully place one bag in a sunny place and the other in a dark place without disturbing the beans. Check each bag daily and record

any changes you observe in the beans.

How it works:

The dry beans are simply the seeds of bean plants and only need water, oxygen, and warmth to germinate. Once the seeds sprout, they will then need soil and sunlight to survive and grow.

Make this a science project:

Test different types of beans and record your observations. Try other types of seeds. Try the bean in the bag plant science experiment at different temperatures by setting a bag in the refrigerator. (sciencefun.org)

by Darcy John Farwell

Don’t wash your hands let me multiply and I’ll send your temperature right up high, you can’t remove me with a pull or a tug coz I’m your local nasty bug. I went on a date with a garden slug then infected her coz I’m a bug, poor slug got ill and so did worm coz we went on a double date with my mate germ. Modern technology not us we are wireless, coz we are part of a gang and the leader is virus, we will multiply and make you ill, don’t thank us really it’s no big deal!. But then come the antibodies to fight right back, they get the glory, we get the sack. I’ll try to return but not for much longer because as I get weak you seem to get stronger.

WORD SEARCH

plant science experiment.

Brazil & Suriname commit to more skills & knowledge transfer within bloc …as

3rd Guiana Shield Strategic talks get underway in Guyana

The Guyana Defense Force hosted the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue 2024 on Monday, during which representatives from the armies of countries within the Guiana Shield came together to discuss ways in which they can increase collaboration, something both Brazil and Suriname expressed strong agreement on when it comes to knowledge and skills transfer.

The third Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue 2024 got underway, with representatives from the militaries of Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Brazil in attendance. The dialogue is being held with the intention of discussing ways to increase collaboration and according to Colonel Jose Roberto Cruz, the Brazilian representative, the discussion is a timely one.

“I would like to emphasise that this is an extremely important and timely discussion. The Guiana Shield region is becoming increasingly important to the world stage. This is not the first time we’ve had talks as a region or bilaterally with Guyana. About the many defense security challenges in our region.”

sional approach.”

“More than ever, we know we now have to focus on information sharing, innovation, technological development, strengthening capabilities and the inter-operability of civil military relations supporting international organisations and disaster preparedness,” Mathoera said.

Within the framework of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defence and to develop a common security masterplan, the dialogue agreed on to exchanging views and working closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions.

The military official gave the example of forest fires, which are particularly afflicted parts of Guyana and Brazil. Cruz noted the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise between the two countries.

“What is the solution to help each other? Shared knowledge, technology and expertise. And in order to mitigate this problem, we are working together.

“The Brazilian armed force are highly committed and this is important to emphasise. That these are not matters for the government. But a matter for the state. So, whoever is in charge must always be guaranteeing peace and security in our region. We share the same problems,” Colonel Cruz said.

Sharing satellite images. A team of Brazilian fire fighters were in Guyana yesterday, and an aircraft will be sent, if necessary,” Cruz explained.

“Why am I pointing out these things? Because I believe that it embodies the spirit of this dialogue. As an observer country I can only observe. But, in the not-toodistant future we hope to be able to contribute more effectively as a full member country. After all, 55 per cent of the Guiana Shield belongs to Brazilian territory.”

The need for sharing expertise was reinforced by Surinamese Minister of

Defense, Krishna Mathoera. She emphasized that no country can tackle environmental and security threats alone, regardless of how big they are.

“Our freedom and prosperity depend on security. And we have to bring our actions in line with this changing security environment. The starting point for this is having a very clear picture of the track landscape and frame our response accordingly.”

“That’s why this strategic dialogue is crucial. We can learn, we can share, and we can prepare in a better way. And therefore, we have to keep open communication

channels and to know each other. A face it alone and do it alone approach will not help us.”

Krishna Mathoera, Surinamese Minister of Defense, meanwhile emphasised in her presentation that no country can tackle environmental and security threats alone, regardless of how big they are.

“We need each other and we should therefore commit ourselves to the shared responsibilities of fighting all aspects that put a strain on our development and our security. These threats and challenges are reshaping the traditional role of the defense, into a multi-dimen-

Additionally, it was agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment, prevention.

The third area that was agreed to was response and increasing joint attention to the environment and climate change, including security and defense impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.

(G3)

Brazilian representative, Colonel Jose Roberto Cruz Surinamese Minister of Defence, Krishna Mathoera

Old grievance, vehicle collision lead to gunfight on seawall

An altercation between two men, who had an old feud has led to both of them being hospitalised and under police guard.

Police on Monday, said that ranks from Regional Division 4’A' are investigating an incident, which occurred on Sunday at the Kitty Seawall, Georgetown, involving two men - a 29-year-old Equipment Operator of Freeman Street, Georgetown, and Brooklyn New York, USA and a 31-year-old Plumber of 'A' Tucville Terrace, Georgetown.

Inquires disclosed that

at about 23:34h on Sunday night the two men, who have an old grievance dating back to a month ago, were involved in an accident on the seawall.

According to Police, the 31-year-old man alleged that he was driving a gray motorcar heading on the eastern drive lane on the seawalls while the 29-year-old claimed he was reversing his vehicle, a Black Tacoma and a collision occurred.

Both drivers then exited their vehicles, approached each other, and a fight ensued.

It is alleged that during

the fight, the 31-year-old drew a firearm and began hitting the 29-year-old man in the face however, he managed to take away the firearm and hit the alleged aggressor to the face and head.

Police said that a security guard, who was in company with the 29-yearold man related to ranks that after his friend had received injuries, he drove him to the Georgetown Public Hospital and while there he handed over the firearm to police ranks. He was nonetheless arrested.

“The following day ranks visited the Georgetown

Public Hospital and interviewed the 31-yearold who related that the 29-year-old was the one who assaulted him with a firearm and as a result, he picked up two beer bottles and inflicted injuries on him (29-year-old). Both men are currently receiving treatment under police guard at GPHC. Their condition is regarded as stable,” Police said in a statement on Monday.

The firearm black and silver Austria 17 Gen with Serial KGU417 Air pistol was examined and lodged at the Alberttown Police Station.

Moving…

…across voters

It’s no secret – to put it mildly! – that our voting patterns are dominated by ethnic allegiances. And let’s not get into the blame game as to whether Jagan or Burnham started it with “vote fuh we own” campaigns. The “Apan Jhaat” trope is simply is a dog whistle signalling Jagan was the culprit!! In every society where ethnic identities have solidified, when democracy was introduced, folks voted ethnically! When JFK was elected in 1961, it was the ethnic Irish votes in places like Chicago that put him over the top. But since democracy means getting over 50% of the votes to secure the prize of power, it’s also recognised that politicians will try all sorts of stratagems to get “crossover votes” – unless, of course, “their” group is a majority. Which it was here up to the 90s when Indian Guyanese could vote in the PPP if they voted monolithically. But those days are long gone and – as we saw in 2011, 2015 and 2020 – the name of the (political) game is to attract those cross-over votes. By whatever means necessary!!

But we’re witnessing a dangerous development that seeks to delegitimise such efforts as “undermining” democracy!! So your Eyewitness wonders if democracy means folks must continue to vote along ethnic lines and not for – for example – policies they think will redound to their benefit!! While the critics don’t put it this bluntly, what we’re seeing right now is that the PPP’s being criticised with all sorts of slurs, because they are specifically targeting the traditional PNC base of AfroGuyanese – to ensure they benefit from their present drive to “feed, house and clothe” the nation!!

One critic has gone as far as accusing some members of the latter demographic as “betraying” their people by acting as “slave catchers”!! Alluding, of course, to those African tribes who captured other Africans and sold them into slavery to the Europeans!! Can you believe that?? Now there’s no question that in democratic politics there’ve been “boondoggles” – wasteful projects done just to attract voters – as the Yanks call them. But your Eyewitness is flummoxed as to how sharing out house lots or cash grants for schooling, etc, can be seen as wasteful – yet doling out $1,000,000 annually to every Guyanese family isn’t!!

So what to do to get the +50% of votes to give a political party the legitimacy to rule? There are some basic rules that have been worked out over the last couple of hundreds of years. First, it’s a judgement call as to whether offering handouts can be seen as offering bribes – as long as actual money isn’t doled out as folks troop to the polling booths!!

In the meantime, introduce campaign spending laws that all agree to!!

…vendors

Your Eyewitness read about the vendors being removed from in front of Demico House and the first thought that flashed in his mind was, “How many times, Jah?!!” He remembers at least a dozen times there were weeping and wailing from the vendors as they were moved from their illegal occupation of the Demico pavement. This time –following up on Muneshwers’ successful recourse to the Courts to order the City Council – DIH followed suit and voila! – one could see clearly now that the stalls were gone!!

One could also see the drains that had been covered –filled to the brim with plastic bottles and God knows what!! No need to fear being mugged!! But to be frank, your Eyewitness doesn’t expect this state of affairs to last very long. Why? Well, for the same reasons explained above.

The politicians seeking to control the City Hall’s purse, will do whatever it takes for those vendors’ votes!!

…on up!!

Who said the small man – and woman – can’t become the real man – and woman? IPED – the Institute of Private Enterprise Development – which intermediates micro loans –- announced they disbursed 4881 loans valued at $4.3 billion. This contributed to the creation and maintenance of 8655 jobs!! Onward…upward!!

Executed court order

Vendors removed from outside Demico now want new space to operate

Now that the Mayor and City Council has moved to execute a court order for the removal of vendors from around Demico House, Stabroek, the street sellers are now calling on the government to step in and work with them for a better resolution to the situation since the move is affecting their livelihood.

Several vendors are now pleading with central government to assist them with finding a new space to operate, expressing that their livelihoods are on the line.

This newspaper visited the Demico House area to speak with some of the vendors, who are also asking for the executives of Banks DIH Limited to be a part of those talks.

Those vendors who, for years, unlawfully operated outside of Banks DIH’s Demico House, Stabroek, Georgetown, have finally been removed by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council on Sunday, following a court order issued earlier this month.

More than two weeks after the High Court

granted orders to remove vendors and their structures from outside Banks DIH’s Demico House, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council initiated the process on Sunday. Leaving the vendors calling on the government to intervene.

However, the court orders, granted by Justice Navindra Singh earlier this month, came in response to an application filed by Banks DIH Limited, the parent company of Demico House. Those orders directed senior City Council officials to clear the pavement and surroundings outside the popular restaurant of vendors and their stands, structures, and belongings. Specifically, they were mandated to remove carts, drays, barrels, boxes, dustbins, tents, palettes, coolers, mobile stalls, and any other movable items obstructing the property.

Banks DIH Limited had claimed in the court action that the vending situation outside its premises adversely affects business operations.

Meanwhile, Melissa David, a mother of three,

Labourer stabbed to death during bar brawl

AReports are that Bailey and a 28-year-old man also of Bagotstown EBD, were involved in an altercation at Andy’s Bar, Norton Street, Bagotstown at about 21:00h on Sunday evening. However, the argument escalated and the men were engaged in a brawl.

As they wrestled, it is alleged that the suspect drew a knife from his pants waist and stabbed Bailey five times before escaping west along Norton Street.

The injured man was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by public-spirited citizens but was pronounced dead.

The body was examined, and five stab wounds - one to the left shoulder, left side abdomen, left hand, right side lower back, and right forearm – were seen.

The suspect is still on the run and investigations are ongoing.

expressed that she has been vending at the location for some 15 years. She said her livelihood will be greatly impacted as a result of the decision to have vendors removed from the area.

A similar court order was granted in favour of Discount Store on Regent Street, Georgetown.

Likewise, in November 2023 the court also granted an order to remove vendors from in front of Muneshwers Ltd, Water Street, Georgetown.

In that case, the applicant has said in its proceedings that the Mayor and City Council have completely disregarded their statutory responsibility and

have allowed the proliferation of the encumbering of the pavements and streets around the building.

In December 2021, a High Court judge ordered vendors operating in front of the Shamdas Kirpalani building, Regent Street, Georgetown to be removed by the M&CC. Kirpalani’s

case was filed in 2010. No central Govt involvement Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has released a statement making it clear that they played no part in the exercise to remove those vendors as was ordered by the court.

bar brawl at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara ended in death, after a labourer was fatally stabbed.

Dead is Recardo Bailey, 38, of Bagotstown, EBD.

Dead: Ricardo Bailey

The cleared area outside Demico House

Top Cop highlights success of community outreaches

The partnership pillar, where members of the police force reach out to various communities, is proving to be an advantageous strategy for the police.

This was disclosed by

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken during a Radio Eve Leary interview on Saturday where he stated that significant growth has been seen in various communities due to the efforts that the police service has been undertaken throughout various communities.

According to Hicken, years ago there was a norm where police rank only visited communities when there were only un -

lawful acts or incidents, however this has now changed mainly because the Guyana Police force has recognised that every community within Guyana is the police force’s highest priority.

“These days you can see police within communities

casually and that is where they are supposed to be.

The communities happen to be your greatest stakeholders and we are going to make sure that we maintain that by doing so we will develop trust,” Hicken, who regarded the community engagements as a significant transition expressed.

focusing heavily on training because this transition will require a new different attitude, a whole new breed of police officers,” he expressed.

Community Policing Groups are formed on the basis of a partnership among the Government, the Police, and members of the community in rec -

He stated that this transition cannot be undertaken if the force does not continue to diversify its entire focus and police curricula. Additionally, he said that there is a heavy focus on academia for persons who would like to join the police force. Explaining that in continuing their efforts, there needs to be a transition within the police force, he expressed that new recruits will undergo serious training. “We are

ognition of the need to reduce crime; reduce the fear of crime; promote and provide peace, safety and security; promote community integration and support for the police; enhancing the crime-fighting capacity of the police; strengthen organisational support and improve the quality of life in communities. There are presently 270 active community policing groups with a membership of some 5,201 members. (G2)

Commissioner of Police, (ag) Clifton Hicken at a recent community engagement at Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, Corentyne, Berbice

Women in Guyana must prioritise speaking up - Mignon Bowen-Phillips

…as Girl Guides Association celebrates 100th anniversary

The Guyana Girl Guides Association has commemorated a century of dedicated efforts in nurturing the well-being of young girls across Guyana.

At the 100th year anniversary celebration on Saturday, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, wife of (Ret’d) Prime Minister Mark Phillips, gave an impactful insight of the association, raising awareness of its contributions.

According to BowenPhillips, women in Guyana must make it their priority to speak up about what they believe women deserve as in today’s world, persons do not always recognise all of the hard work that women have contributed to society.

“As women we often navigate through a world that doesn’t always recognise our work or grants us equal op-

portunities but just like those pioneers who defiled equal convention, we too must raise our voice for what we believe in,” she stated whilst then adding that the Girl Guides Association has served as a

voice for voiceless women, which has resulted significantly as a paved way for lots of women and girls throughout Guyana over the years.

Further, Bowen-Phillips highlighted scores of bene-

fits in which girls can attain if they join the association.

“This organisation offers a supportive environment for girls to develop essential life skills and self-confidence, girls who join our organisation can earn communications skills, emotional support and leadership roles which allows them to discover their selves and also possibly attain scholarships and job opportunities,” Bowen-Phillips asserted.

Meanwhile BowenPhillips then raised various social issues in which girls throughout Guyana face and stated that the association is strongly working to combat this as works have been gone into protecting young girls in Guyana.

“We must prioritise emotional wellbeing for women by actively listening and offering support and intervening ear-

ly to prevent long term harm in girls, we must foster open communications to build respective connections,” BowenPhillips underscored

The Guyana Girl Guides Association is the national Guiding organisation of Guyana. Founded in 1922, the girls-only organisation became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1969. (G2)

Mignon Bowen-Phillips viewing an exhibition

Some of the invitees at the anniversary celebration

1st batch of nursing, pharmacy assistants to be posted in remote areas

…to fast-track access to quality health care in Region 9

After three years is thorough preparation, Guyana welcomed its first batch of trained nursing and pharmacy assistants.

Hailing from the Tourism Hub of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), some 27 pharmacy and 31 nursing assistants successfully completed the programme after being engaged in months of rigorous theoretical and practical training.

Many of the new health professionals have already signed the employment contracts with various health centres across the Rupununi region and are gearing up for their posts.

The graduation of this batch, marks a significant milestone in bolstering healthcare delivery at the community level in Region Nine, ensuring that residents have access to quality healthcare services closer to home.

In his address to those gathered at the Lethem Business Incubator Centre, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavours, this including additional training.

According to Dr. Anthony, the medical field is constantly evolving and staying abreast with new discoveries, treatment methods and medicine is one of the ways Guyana can achieve a resilient worldclass healthcare system.

“You can have a very long career in health but we don’t want you to stick at this entry level… We want to have people that are enthusiastic, we want to have people who are willing to learn, and there are lot of things that you will learn in the wards of the hospital and in the facilities that you will be working. What we have done is to give you some basic training, but you will learn a lot more if you are paying attention on the job,” Dr. Anthony encouraged.

Further, he urged the

graduates to go forth and put your skills to use in a way that will change lives and enhance the medical field.

“Make use of what you have and all the other things that we will be providing to you, so that you can meet your full potential as a young person in Guyana. That is what this government would like to see, that is what the President would like to see and hopefully we can motivate you to keep learning, to keep on this journey and perform at a different level,” The Health Minister posited.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Cerdel McWatt pointed out that healthcare services are being decentralised as part of the government’s initiative to provide quality services in outlying regions.

As part of these efforts, the government will be constructing a new wing of the Lethem Regional Hospital, which will be providing ultrasounds, CT-scans among other critical services that are currently unavailable. In addition, district hospitals in Annai, Karasabai and Aishalton are being upgraded to Level Three facilities.

“We’re not just putting it on paper to say: here we have a level three facility, but there’s active construction of operating theatres, imaging services there; x-rays, ultrasounds in patient… we’ll complement that to ensure that these services are not only being provided but we will ensure that the skilled personnel – and this is a testimony and another promise being fulfilled,” the RHO stressed.

Revolutionisation

In March, the Health Ministry took a momentous step towards revolutionising nursing education in the country by partnering with the renowned Coursera online platform to introduce the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme.

The collaboration aims to make quality healthcare

training accessible to all individuals, ensuring that aspiring nurses have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.

This will now allow Guyanese to access the theoretical aspect of the programme online and while the practical aspect will be conducted face-to-face.

At the time, Coursera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Matthew shared his excitement and vision for the future of this initiative during the launch, emphasising the importance of not only meeting individuals’ basic needs, but also offering them access to over 50 professional certificates and seeing them receive personalised Coursera coaching while studying online.

He said that this comprehensive support system was designed to empower participants and pave the way for a successful career in nursing.

Meanwhile, Anthony said that Government was unwavering in its commitment to improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and raising the standard of service across all levels.

Dr. Anthony expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to the programme, with about 1000 nurses already enrolled and undergoing training.

It was highlighted during the launch that the success of the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme is evident, with approximately 800 individuals already taking advantage of the online courses. By offering this programme through Coursera, the Ministry aims to equip more individuals with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the field of nursing. This initiative is poised to increase the number of qualified nurses graduating each year, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Guyana.

Currently, the aim is to have 3,000 nurses trained in the next three years. (G1)

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony along with the new pharmacy and nursing assistants

Major disaster averted after PC student allegedly sets fire to mattress at dorm

Chaos erupted at the President’s College male dormitory after a student allegedly lit a mattress on fire in the early hours of Monday morning.

However major disaster was averted after prompt response by the houseparent on duty resulting in the blaze being quickly extinguished.

Reports are that the incident occurred at about 05:00h.

This publication understands that the level of destruction was at a minimum but there are reports of at least one student being injured.

When contacted the school’s principal, declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief (acting) Gregory Wickham confirmed the incident occurred, but only shared that investigations are ongoing.

This incident has occurred as the one-year anniversary for the deadly Mahdia Secondary School Dorm fire approaches. That fire, which had occurred on May 21, 2023, had claimed the lives of 20 children.

Some of the survivors from that tragedy were relocated to the PC dorms.

Meanwhile, this publication understands that the sister of one of the survivors of the Mahdia fire tragedy, who is a student at PC, upon hearing

the commotion, got startled and jumped through a window in a bit to get to safety.

The 11-year-old student from El Paso, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) received in-

jures and was taken to a city hospital. This newspaper was told that her mother has since been contacted by the school and she will be traveling to the city today.

On May 21, 2023, tragedy struck at the Mahdia Secondary School girls’ dormitory, which had housed 56 girls and a fiveyear-old boy from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapau, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The Guyana Fire Service confirmed that 14 children died in the inferno, while five succumbed to their injuries at the Mahdia District Hospital. Another died days later.

The fire claimed the lives of Subrina John; Belnisa Evans; Loreen Evans; Bibi Rita Fiona Jeffrey; Lisa Roberts; Tracil Thomas; Delecia Edwards; Lorita Williams; Natalie Bellarmine; Arianna Edwards; Cleoma Simon; Martha Dandrade; Mary Dandrade; Omerfia Edwin; Nickleen Robinson; Sherlyn Bellarmine; Eulander Carter; Andrea Roberts; Sherana Daniels and Adanye Jerome, the son of the dorm mother.

A 15-year-old girl was charged in June 2023 with 20 counts of murder for the arson. She has since been detained at a juvenile holding facility.

A section of the male dormitory at President’s College

NAREI helping PWDs to pursue agri ventures

In creating opportunities to ensure Persons with Disabilities (PWD) can enjoy equal opportunities, the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities partnered with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to provide training in Climate Smart Agriculture.

The ongoing programme which is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), caters for persons who are visually impaired, and those who are unable to walk, among others.

It aids in the exchange of knowledge and a detail way to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing farmlands, crops, livestock, and forests that counteracts the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity.

Additionally, it teach -

es them to utilise farming methods such as shade houses and vertical gardening to garner economic opportunities through sustainable food production.

Training Manager at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Warren Barlow explained that the goal is to ensure persons living with disabilities gain financial independence, and contribute effectively in decision-making to truly benefit from economic, social, political and cultural life.

He made this comment during a recent broadcast off the Disability and You programme.

“The spin-off of this is that those persons with disabilities, now they can work in their comfortable confines in that particular facility. Because it is shaded you can set your beds in such a way… that those persons can easily move

throughout the shade house and can be able to their cultivation practices in a very suitable and simple manner,” Barlow said.

Objectively, Climate Smart Agriculture targets family nutrition, promotes healthy lifestyle without increasing cost and increase family savings through decreasing expenditures on food.

Additionally, it creates income generating opportunities for persons who cannot access employment and create micro-enterprises using low-cost inputs.

According to Barlow, NAREI is preparing technical assistance, analytical, diagnostic and advisory services for participants who are desirous of venturing into Climate Smart Agriculture.

Support includes demonstration, soil sampling, and marketing.

“I have received calls from a few persons from Berbice and across the river [West Coast/West Bank]

and this demonstrated that they have really received the information and the training effectively and they want to further and advance what they are doing,” Barlow added.

Benefits

Productivity; By enhancing crop and livestock production and farm profitability, climatically smart agriculture works to raise overall agricultural productivity and provide greater food security.

structure against the destructive effects of global warming. This entails taking measures to minimize susceptibility to climate-related threats like floods, droughts, or extreme heat.

asking further questions

Adaptation; Climate smart agriculture aims to fortify agricultural infra -

Mitigation; One of the primary goals of climatically smart agriculture is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere because of farming activities, including methane emissions from livestock, paddy rice cultivation, and synthetic fertiliser use. (G1)

Training Manager at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Warren Barlow

$23.8M pumped into construction of Aishalton water distribution network

The Government has pumped $23.8 million into the construction of new water distribution system for the village of Aishalton, which is situated in the Deep South Rupununi of Region Nine.

Documents detailing the scope of works was recently provided to the contractor, D&R Construction, and the local Village Council (VC).

Aishalton’s water supply system currently comprises two drilled wells valued at $15 million, which serves as the primary water sources for the village.

However, despite this, residents receive sectional delivery daily to ensure equitable water distribution.

The new water distribution network is expected to mitigate this challenge by ensuring some 1000 residents benefit from potable water throughout the day.

areas like Aishalton.

According to the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, the investment is part of government’s commitment to improving water supply systems in remote

“We’ve drilled in the past three years 45 wells, giving 15,000 residents in the hinterland access to first time water and by the end of this year when we would have drilled an additional 40 wells and would have completed the distribution network and photovoltaic system, we will achieve 93 per cent coverage,” Minister Rodrigues said.

This marks a significant improvement compared to the mere 45 per cent in 2020.

The prolonged dry spell across the country has severely depleted water supply in many regions, forcing authorities to seek alternative measures to ensure citizens have a sustainable supply of this important commodity.

To combat this, the Housing and Water Ministry recently commissioned the Karaudarnau Water Supply System, which will see more than 2,000 households — including schools, government offices, and health centres — getting access to potable

water.

The villages that benefitted from the upgrades are Karaudarnau, Awarewaunau, and Rupunau.

The Karaudarnau Water Supply System underwent a significant upgrade in 2023. With two drilled wells, elevated storage facilities, and an expanded distribution network, the system’s coverage was boosted to reach 80% of the village. This overhaul included the installation of new distribution lines and elevated storage, enabling service connections for an additional 120 households, many of whom gained access for the first time. The total investment for the new water system amounted to $61.60 million.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the People’s

Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has provided access to potable and treated water services to more than 35,000 applicants.

As a result, nearly 100 percent of coastal residents now having access to clean water.

In 2024, new water systems are being completed in Hiawa, Quatata, Kwatamang, Taushida, Pai Pang, Katoonarib, Aishalton, Potarinau, Fair View, and Yakarinta for a total sum of $200 million.

Minister Rodrigues emphasised that this significant expansion as recorded, is part of the administration’s national agenda that advocates for the implementation of sustainable water management practices. (G1)

Minister Rodrigues and Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony with an official in Aishalton

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues

Senior NDC official accused of issuing receipts from private receipt book

…funds allegedly not showing up in NDC’s account

Asenior official attached to the Johns-Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has been accused of issuing receipts from a private receipt book and the funds collected are not showing up in the NDC’s account.

This newspaper understands that the matter has since been brought to the attention of the NDC Chairman and councillors.

Reports are that in November 2023, the senior official took up the position at the NDC after the acting overseer had resigned over allegations of corruption.

In December 2023, the

NDC then found out that the new senior official had been issuing receipts for monies collected from residents, who were seeking no-objection letters from the NDC for projects.

The official allegedly told the council that no system was in place for the entity to garner revenue for the issuance of those letters and sum of money will be collected for each such letter issued.

However, at the December Statutory meeting the official was told that the NDC had systems in place and was charging $5000 for those letters. The official was then ordered by the other NDC

members to immediately stop using the private cash receipt book.

Nevertheless, earlier this month a resident who had applied for a no-objection letter had to return to the NDC because of an error on the letter.

It was then that they were made aware that the residence was issued with a receipt from a private cash receipt book and the money he paid for the letter was not reflected in the NDC’s account. However, this newspaper was told that the NDC was informed that indeed the money was collected and was spent for NDC purposes.

Inaugural education conference

Meanwhile, an auditor was called in but not by the NDC. The auditor was given information about the private cash receipt book.

NDC records, this publication was told, showed an increase in travelling allowance for the senior official along with monthly charge for taxi services from a relative.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Chairman of Johns-Port Mourant NDC, said the NDC was handling the matter and would discuss it at an emergency meeting.

However, when asked about the matter, Regional Chairman David Armogan

said it is not an issue for the RDC but rather the Local Government Commission.

This is not the first time that the Johns-Port Mourant NDC has been having issues in relation to accountability.

In November 2020, the then overseer was fired over accounted money.

In June 2023, the previous overseer was fired for a second time, on claims of alleged abuse and fraud.

The Overseer was previously dismissed from the NDC, but was rehired under the caretaker Coalition Administration. She was subsequently suspended after her reappointment,

but the Communities Ministry again intervened and overturned the suspension.

In March 2023, the then acting overseer had purchased a lorry with funds from the NDC subvention and had the lorry registered in his name and in September 2023, the acting overseer was involved in alleged fake employment of government 10-day part-time workers. The workers were unaware that they were employed with the NDC. The overseer allegedly pocketed their salaries.

The then overseer subsequently resigned. (G4)

Teachers, students urged to explore benefits of AI

Teachers and students from various private and public schools in Guyana benefited from a two-day conference geared towards enlightening them on the benefits of tools, such as Beyond ChatGPT. However, Beyond ChatGPT, there are thousands of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools which can be used to make the learning experience easier and less time consuming. This was among the discussion that took place at the inaugural conference organised in private school provider- Camille’s Academy Inc.

Addressing a gathering of teachers at the opening of inaugural CaribbeanAI4Education conference held at the Princess Ramada Hotel on Thursday Dr. Ritesh Tularam underscored the importance of embracing AI in a world that is rapidly exploring the benefits of the technology.

“I want to congratulate Camille’s Academy a leading private school in this country for taking on this very important initiative. That is to bring to us here in Guyana a two day’s engagement on this very important topic,” Dr. Tularam said.

He noted that in a world where technology is rapidly developing, people in the developing countries must be trained to ensure that they remain upskilled and on par with the developed world.

“We are living in an existing ethos that is considered the 4th industrial revolution…Now what does that mean; of course, as a country, we are on the verge of development. We would

have seen the significant transformation enveloping our society in the respective spaces…As a country that is now positioning itself to be categorised as a developed nation, technology plays a pivotal role in Guyana’s upward incline,” the DCEO asserted.

Additionally, the DCEO stressed that embracing the use of AI is important to ensure that Guyanese workforce is on par with the rest of the globe.

“We have to ensure that we are relevant, current, of course marketable …It means that persons that are responsible for the future they themselves ought to be exposed to what these realities in a way which makes our skills transferrable in the developed world.”

“We will have to ensure that we upskill and reskill them to ensure that the technology that is available to us is used in a manner that makes our work more efficient and provides an opportunity for our graduates to be transferable in what is the novice world of technology,” he added In this regard, Dr. Tularam said that the focus is on educators to keep

them abreast with the technologies.

“It might be true that the uses of artificial intelligence in around classroom may have the capacity to bring real benefits to teachers and students…We see tremendous promises in AI and its usability to educators around the world and here in Guyana”

“We need to reorient our energies to ensure that our administrative task towards accelerating students’ growth and learning thus making teaching more fulfilling, interactive purposeful and even more worthwhile.”

As such, the DCEO noted that the AI usage should benefit teachers and students throughout the length and breadth of Guyana

Camille Deokie-Gorakh, CEO of Camille’s Academy shared a similar view. Deokie-Gorakh said that intention of the conference was to expose teachers and students in Guyana to the benefits of the technology.

“There are hosts of benefits that this technology can bring to education sector in Guyana so after having my teachers introduced and trained in the use of AI…I

started looking for ways to collaborate because my main concern was how I can bring this very useful tool

to the rest of the education sector…and so I decided to invest in hosting the first AI conference, along with

the help of a few generous stakeholders and sponsors I was able to make the conference a reality.”

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Dr Ritesh Tularam

A section of students who attended the inaugural Caribbean AI education conference at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence

Regional

As new Haiti leadership takes power, gangs demand a seat at the table

Haiti's new transition council is set to choose the country's next president today, but leaders of the gangs who have exerted increasing control are clamouring for political influence and amnesties and threatening violence if their demands are not met.

Last week, after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned, the council was formally installed, seen as a key step in re-establishing security after years of gang violence that has recently skyrocketed.

The council is formed of seven voting members and two non-voting observers, including politicians, a businessman, and a pastor. The regional Caribbean Community (Caricom) body that led the drafting of the council's makeup forbade gang members or those who were subject to international sanctions from joining.

But some of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders are threatening more violence if they are not allowed political sway.

In an interview with CNN published on Monday, Vitel'homme Innocent, who heads the Kraze Barye gang and is accused of orchestrating the 2021 kidnapping of US missionaries, called for the council to listen to the gangs and find a resolution to the crisis "as soon as possible."

Kraze Barye forms part of a loose coalition of gangs known as Viv Ansanm, or "Live Together", who now control most of the capital Port-au-Prince.

The coalition is demanding the future government grant them an amnesty for their crimes and create a plan for young gang members who may have been forced into joining, either under threat of violence or due to a lack of economic alternatives, Innocent told CNN.

Viv Ansanm's leader, a former Police Officer named Jimmy Cherizier who is known as "Barbeque," warned of consequences if the gangs were ignored, in a message shared to social media over the weekend.

"Viv Ansanm is ready to talk. It's either we are all at the table, or the table gets destroyed with all

of us," he said.

According to UN estimates, more than one person was killed in Haiti gang violence every hour in the first three months of this year. There are also widespread reports of gangs using mass sexual violence, ransom kidnappings, and torture to extort the population.

The gangs have expressed frustration with Haiti's ruling elite and had called for the resignation of Henry, who had been Prime Minister since 2021.

Henry became stranded outside the country after leaving to seek international support for a UN-backed security mission aimed at wresting back control from the gangs. He said in March he would step down once the council was in place.

(Reuters)

Brazil's Government to launch commission to unlock South American integration projects

Brazil's Government will soon create an interministerial commission chaired by the Planning Ministry to unlock projects for integration in South America, a top official said on Monday.

According to Renata Amaral, Secretary of International Affairs and Development, a decree signed by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will establish the commission, which will organise internal activity in the federal government to effectively kick-start the projects.

At the end of last year, the Government announced that US$10 billion would be made available by multilateral and

development banks to finance infrastructure projects aimed at advancing South American integration, seeking enhanced trade and reduced transportation time to Asia.

As part of the plans, the development bank BNDES would allocate US$3 billion to projects solely in Brazil.

Despite expected polarisation in the US presidential election and potential spillover effects into countries in the region, Brazil continues to see strong collaboration from neighbours in discussions about integration projects, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, which have right-wing governments, said Amaral.

Seeking to strengthen ties in the region, Lula's Administration settled an unpaid commitment of US$100 million to the Structural Convergence Fund of Mercosur (Focem) in late 2023, releasing US$70 million to which the country was entitled for the financing, as non-repayable funds, of projects focused on integration and reduction of regional inequalities.

"It's a signal to Mercosur," Amaral said about the operation's rationale, since such regularisation, pending since 2015, effectively meant spending more than receiving from the fund.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru bus crash kills 25, injures 13

Abus crash in the Andean mountains of northern Peru killed 25 persons and injured 13 more, local authorities said on Monday.

The bus was heading to the town of Sorochuco on Sunday evening when it overturned and crashed down a slope into a river, Olga Bobadilla, provincial prosecutor for the Cajamarca region, told local radio station RPP.

"Information is still being collected, because the accident occurred at night on a fairly rugged road, an unpaved road, where the bus fell down into the river," Bobadilla said.

Local media outlets reported that the bus was travelling from the nearby town of Celendin, which announced three days of mourning in a statement shared by the local government.

Celendin Commissioner

Alexander Uriarte said in an interview with TV station Canal N that 25 persons had been killed and 13 more, including the bus driver, were injured.

Accidents are relatively common along Peru's precarious roads, with around two dozen persons dying in a crash in September and at least 24 dying when a bus plunged off a cliff in January 2023. (Reuters)

Experts, politicians call for scrutiny of Venezuela's use of cryptocurrency

Venezuela's use of digital currencies, expected to increase after the United States ordered a wind-down of oil deals with the sanctioned country by May 31, will require greater scrutiny by regulators and law enforcement, experts said on Monday.

Venezuela's State oil company PDVSA plans to increase cryptocurrency transactions for its crude and fuel exports as the US reimposes oil sanctions on the country, sources told Reuters earlier this month. It is unclear if payments in digital currency Tether by PDVSA will be targeted by Washington from June 1.

Venezuelan Opposition

politician Leopoldo Lopez and expert Kristofer Doucette presented a report on Monday detailing transactions since Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro took office. Democratic Governments should counter his attempts "to exploit cryptocurrency for moving illicit proceeds into the international financial system", the report said.

"Structures must be set up to combat this type of money laundering," said Doucette, national security leader at Chainalysis, a New York-based provider of research and software to governments, exchanges, banks and insurance firms to secure safe transactions with cryptocurrency.

Technology for digital transactions is changing fast and transactions are rapidly growing in developing regions, including Latin America and Africa benefiting people without access to the banking system. But some corrupt Governments are moving faster, making it difficult to prevent fraud, the experts said.

Doucette and Sigal Mandelker, a lawyer who previously worked at the US Treasury Department, said during a conference organised by the Wilson Center in Washington that the US Administration is making efforts to increase regulation and encourage other countries to improve supervision. (Reuters)

Ecuador sues Mexico at ICJ over granting asylum to former VP

Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said on Monday it has sued Mexico at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, asking it to find that Mexico's decision to grant asylum to former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas violated international law.

Glas, twice convicted of corruption and now facing fresh charges, was arrested this month during an armed raid by Ecuadorean Police on Mexico's Embassy in Quito, where he had been living since December. The raid drew international criticism.

Mexico has already sued Ecuador at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, over the incident.

Ecuador's representatives at the court presented the lawsuit, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "for a series of violations by Mexico of a series of international obligations, for the conduct of the country since December 17, 2023". That was the date Glas took up residence at

Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glas (Reuters/Daniel Tapia file photo)

Mexico's Embassy.

Ecuador's suit asked the court to find that Mexico broke international law by interfering in local Ecuadorean affairs and wrongly granting Glas political asylum. Ecuador has said Mexico could not give Glas asylum, because he is facing pending criminal charges.

Ecuador added that Mexico had allowed its embassy to be used to protect Glas from facing Ecuador's criminal laws in various le-

gal cases and investigations.

Mexico, in its own suit filed this month, accused Ecuador of violating international law and a United Nations treaty on diplomatic relations by carrying out the raid on its Embassy.

The ICJ, which confirmed Ecuador's filing in its own statement, is holding emergency measures hearings today on the matter and Ecuador is expected to defend its actions at a hearing on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A man carries containers filled with gasoline to sell on the streets in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, April 29, 2024 (Reuters/Ricardo Arduengo photo)

OOil falls more than US$1/bbl on Middle East peace talks, US rate cut doubts

OIL NEWS

US, Britain urge Hamas to accept Israeli truce proposal

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Monday urged Hamas to swiftly accept an Israeli proposal for a truce in the Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group.

il prices lost more than US$1 a barrel on Monday as Israel ceasefire talks in Cairo tempered fears of a wider Middle East conflict, while US inflation data dimmed the prospect of imminent interest rate cuts.

Brent crude futures for June settled at US$88.40 a barrel, falling US$1.10, or 1.2 per cent. The more active July contract ended at US$87.20, losing US$1.01 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures settled at US$82.63 a barrel, falling US$1.22, or 1.5 per cent.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded many others on Monday, as Hamas leaders arrived in Cairo for a new round of talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Egypt is hopeful, but waiting for a response on the plan from Israel and Hamas, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said.

"You're seeing the geopolitical risk premium leak out again today because of no new escalation in the Israel-Hamas situation," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC. "A ceasefire or hostage negotiation release would take out even more risk premium."

Markets were also on watch for the US Federal Reserve's May 1 monetary policy review, which could indicate the direction of the central bank's interest-rate decisions.

"The language and forward forecasts will be pored over by all market participants," said John Evans, analyst at oil broker PVM. Investors are cautiously pricing a higher probability that the Fed could hike interest rates by a quarter percentage point this year and next as inflation and the labour market remain resilient.

US monthly inflation rose moderately in March, putting a damper on expectations of rate cuts in the near future. Lower inflation would have increased the likelihood of rate cuts, which tend to stimulate economic growth and oil demand.

"The sticky US inflation sparks concerns for 'higher-for-longer' interest rates", leading to a stronger US dollar and putting pressure on commodity prices, independent market analyst Tina Teng said. A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for those holding other currencies. Additionally, the oil market was looking forward to the monthly US nonfarm payrolls report, which is due on Friday and closely watched by the Fed.

"That will likely have a significant impact on next week's oil trade," said Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch and Associates.

By contrast, an early look at April inflation data from the eurozone, from Spain and Germany, offers a mixed picture for the European Central Bank, but looks unlikely to derail a June rate cut. Inflation data from the wider eurozone is to be released today.

(Reuters)

'Vampire facials' infect 3 women with HIV

Arecent report on women who contracted HIV after receiving a "vampire facial" has raised questions about the safety of some cosmetic procedures.

At least three women were infected at a spa in New Mexico in 2018, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that said the cases shed light on new ways the infection can spread.

They are believed to be the first-ever HIV transmissions related to a cosmetic procedure documented in the US.

But what exactly is a "vampire facial", and how did the women contract HIV after receiving it? And what can people do to keep themselves safe from infection when getting cosmetic treatments?

The term is a colloquial one for platelet-rich plasma –or PRP – facials.

It involves drawing a patient's blood and then separating out platelet-rich plasma from it using a centrifuge. The plasma is then injected back into the face through tiny needle punctures.

The procedure is said to help repair the skin's barrier by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars.

It has been around for a while – reality television star Kim Kardashian shared a selfie post-procedure in 2013 where her face appeared bloody. A few years later Kardashian said that she would not get the treatment again, writing on her website that it was "really rough and painful for me".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Hamas negotiators were expected to meet Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Monday to deliver a response to the phased truce proposal which Israel presented at the weekend.

"Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel," Blinken said at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

"The only thing standing between the people of Gaza

and a ceasefire is Hamas. They have to decide and they have to decide quickly," he said. "I'm hopeful that they will make the right decision."

A source briefed on the talks said Israel's proposal entailed a deal for the release of fewer than 40 of the roughly 130 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza in exchange for freeing Palestinians jailed in Israel.

A second phase of a truce would consist of a "period of sustained calm" – Israel's compromise response to a Hamas demand for a permanent ceasefire.

A total of 253 hostages were seized in a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 in which about 1200 Israelis were also killed, according to Israeli counts.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Gaza hospital staff questioned by ICC war crimes Prosecutors – sources

Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have interviewed staff from Gaza's two biggest hospitals, two sources told Reuters, the first confirmation that ICC investigators were speaking to medics about possible crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The sources, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, told Reuters ICC investigators had taken testimony from staff who had worked in the main hospital in Gaza City in the north of the enclave, Al-Shifa, and the main hospital in Khan Younis in the south, Nasser.

The sources declined to provide more details, citing concerns about the safety of potential witnesses.

One of the sources said that events surrounding the hospitals could become part of the investigation by the ICC, which hears criminal cases against individuals for war crimes, crimes against

Rescuers and medics search for dead bodies inside the damaged Al-Shifa Hospital after Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital and the area around it following a two-week operation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, April 8, 2024 (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas photo)

humanity, genocide, and aggression.

The ICC's office of the prosecutor refused to comment on operational matters in ongoing investigations citing the need to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses.

The ICC has said it is investigating both sides in the

conflict, including both the October 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza.

During the conflict, the two main Gaza hospitals have both been high-profile Israeli targets – surrounded, besieged and stormed by Israeli forces who accused

Hamas militants of using them for military purposes, which Hamas and medical staff deny.

In recent days, Palestinian officials have also demanded investigations after hundreds of bodies were exhumed in mass graves at Nasser. The two sources were not able to say whether such graves formed part of any questioning.

Israel denies carrying out war crimes, including in or around Gaza hospitals, where it says all its military activities have been justified by the presence of Hamas fighters.

Hospitals are protected during wartime by international treaties, which can make attacks on them war crimes under the ICC, although they can lose this protection under some circumstances if they are used by combatants in a way that is harmful to the enemy.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UN experts say North Korea missile landed in Ukraine's Kharkiv

The debris from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on January 2 was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile, United Nations sanctions monitors told a Security Council committee in a report seen by Reuters on Monday.

In the 32-page report, the UN sanctions monitors concluded that "debris recovered from a missile that landed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on 2

January 2024 derives from a DPRK Hwasong-11 series missile" and is in violation of the arms embargo on North Korea.

Formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea has been under UN sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes since 2006, and those measures have been strengthened over the years.

Three sanctions monitors travelled to Ukraine earlier this month to in -

spect the debris and found no evidence that the missile was made by Russia. They "could not independently identify from where the missile was launched, nor by whom".

"Information on the trajectory provided by Ukrainian authorities indicates it was launched within the territory of the Russian Federation," they wrote in an April 25 report to the Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee.

"Such a location, if the

missile was under control of Russian forces, would probably indicate procurement by nationals of the Russian Federation," they said, adding that this would be a violation of the arms embargo imposed on North Korea in 2006.

The Russian and North Korean missions to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report by the sanctions monitors.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken attends the US-Arab Quint Meeting with representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestinian Authority, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024 (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein/pool)

(March 21-April 19)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES PICKLES

Pay attention, share only what's necessary and make decisions based on the facts. Listen to someone with a different perspective and consider how you can best utilize information.

(April 20-May 20)

Don't overdo it or take unnecessary risks. Pay more attention to what's possible and go with the flow. Trust and believe in yourself and in what you can do.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Proceed with caution. Distance yourself from fast-talkers and unrealistic dreamers. Get the lowdown and discover what's possible. Don't rely on anyone but yourself.

Put your best foot forward and display your wisdom, skills and insight. What you have to offer will draw attention and position you for success. Forge ahead with a distinctive approach.

Be careful who you deal with and the information you share. Giving in to demands or taking a path to please someone else instead of yourself will lead to regret. Rely on yourself.

Channel your energy into bringing about positive lifestyle changes. Say no to excess and overindulgence. Make health and fitness your priorities.

Stick close to home. Express your feelings and find out where you stand. A heart-to-heart talk will pay off and save you money. Don't take on something that can lead to a setback.

Emotions will be misleading. Don't expect opportunities to appear magically; you may have to chase them down. Be the one who makes things happen. Don't be afraid to make waves.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Refuse to let anyone sidetrack you. Keep your eye on your target and your energy flowing in a direction that brings positive results. It's up to you to take charge.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Promise only what you can deliver. Know what you want, and don't mince words when dealing with those who can help you reach your goal. Romance is favored.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don't dive into something based on hearsay. Be willing to walk away from anything that doesn't meet your expectations. Pay attention to your health.

Clear your schedule if it will help you reach your goal or make time for something or someone meaningful to you. Call the shots instead of letting others decide for you. Love is on the rise.

Varun and Salt star in comprehensive KKR win

Starc for another six.

Having just hosted a run-fest where 262 was chased down with eight balls to spare, Eden Gardens reverted to a former template familiar to fans of its home team, and Kolkata Knight Riders returned to winning ways and moved to second place on the Indian Premier League (IPL) table with a confident, net-run-rate-boosting seven-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals.

After a succession of flat pitches, Eden served up one with a little bit of grip, and KKR's bowlers made full use of it after Capitals chose to bat first. Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora took three wickets inside the powerplay, after which the spinners took over, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine combining for fig-

ures of 8-0-40-4. Reduced to 111 for 8 at one stage, Capitals set KKR a 150-plus

SCOREBOARD

Delhi Capitals (20 ovs maximum)

Prithvi Shaw c †Salt

b Arora 13

Jake Fraser-McGurk c VR Iyer

b Starc 12

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 3-0-43-1

Vaibhav Arora 4-0-29-2

Harshit Rana

Sunil Narine

Varun Chakravarthy

Abishek Porel

b Harshit Rana 18

Shai Hope

b Arora 6

Rishabh Pant (c)†c SS Iyer

b Varun 27

Axar Patel

b Narine 15

Tristan Stubbs c †Salt

b Varun 4

Kumar Kushagra c †Salt

b Varun 1

Kuldeep Yadav not out 35

Rasikh Salam c SS Iyer

b Harshit Rana 8

Lizaad Williams not out 1

Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 9) 13

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.65) 153/9

Did not bat: Khaleel Ahmed

Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Prithvi Shaw, 1.3 ov), 2-30 (Jake FraserMcGurk, 2.5 ov), 3-37 (Shai Hope, 3.3 ov), 4-68 (Abishek Porel, 6.4 ov), 5-93 (Rishabh Pant, 10.1 ov), 6-99 (Tristan Stubbs, 12.1 ov), 7-101 (Axar Patel, 13.3 ov), 8-111 (Kumar Kushagra, 14.3 ov), 9-140 (Rasikh Salam, 18.2 ov) • DRS

4-0-28-2

4-0-24-1

4-0-16-3

Andre Russell 1-0-10-0

Kolkata Knight Riders (T: 154 runs from 20 ovs)

Fraser-McGurk

Kuldeep Yadav

Singh

Iyer (c)not out 33

Iyer not out 26

Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 1) 4 TOTAL 16.3 Ov (RR: 9.51) 157/3

Did not bat: Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Fall of wickets: 1-79 (Sunil Narine, 6.1 ov), 2-96 (Phil Salt, 8.1 ov), 3-100 (Rinku Singh, 9.2 ov) • DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Lizaad Williams 3-0-38-1

Khaleel Ahmed 3-0-28-0

2.3-0-30-0

Rasikh Salam

Axar Patel 4-0-25-2

Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-34-0

target thanks to an unlikely, unbeaten 26-ball 35 from Kuldeep Yadav.

With Kuldeep and Axar Patel in their attack, Capitals had the tools to create a bit of pressure on this pitch, but KKR were well on their way to victory before either spinner had bowled a ball. Phil Salt made his fourth fifty in five home games this season, dominating a powerplay in which KKR rushed to 79 for no

Starc vs Fraser-McGurk, a glimpse of the future Jake Fraser-McGurk faced just seven balls on Monday night, and five of the seven were attempted yorkers, two of which ended up as full tosses. The other two were banged into a hard length. The bulk of these balls were from Mitchell Starc, but Arora also stuck to the same plan with his two balls. This wasn't two

loss.

Axar removed both KKR openers when he came on, but it was too little, too late for Capitals, as Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer put on an unbroken 57 off 43 balls to end the match with 21 balls remaining.

KKR now have 12 points from nine games, and a NRR of 1.096, the best of any team in the competition.

fast bowlers searching for swing from a fullish good length with the new ball. This was death bowling inside the powerplay, and as T20 batting leans more and more towards all-out attack, it's likely we'll see a lot more of it in the future.

On the day, FraserMcGurk hit a four and a six and picked out deep square leg while looking to flick

By then, Capitals had already lost Prithvi Shaw, who had begun ominously with three fours off Starc, off the first three balls of the match. He had fallen in an innocuous manner, strangling Arora down the leg side.

Arora took one more wicket, delivering a peach that straightened off the deck to hit the top of Shai Hope's off stump. That ball suggested the ball would grip for the spinners too, and so it proved.

Chakra-party

Before this match, Varun had endured a difficult sea-

far with a mixture of skill and luck. He hit two edged fours in his first four balls, and then hit a six off Starc that was very nearly a catch at deep backward square leg, and eventually finished with a control percentage of 41. They were important runs for Capitals, though, ensuring that they got to 150.

Salt continues his Eden project It was evident through the initial stages of KKR's chase that the slower ball was gripping the surface and stopping on the batters, but it was also evident that Capitals' quicks were offering frequent width to free the arms. With Salt

son, going at 9.72 while picking up eight wickets in eight games. While Narine had defied flat conditions, particularly in Kolkata, and prevented batters from accessing the boundaries, his spin partner had gone for plenty like every other bowler in KKR's games.

Now, though, Varun had a bit of help from the pitch, and he could have struck first ball had Harshit Rana – who had just dismissed a dangerous-looking Abishek Porel in the previous over – not dropped a sitter off a Rishabh Pant miscue at short third. Pant, though, would go after Varun again in his next over - -the 11th of the Capitals innings – and miscue again, with Shreyas Iyer pouching him safely in the covers on this occasion.

Varun was getting the ball to bite on the surface, and he quickly picked up two more wickets, of Tristan Stubbs and Kumar Kushagra – who came on as the Impact Sub in a failed attempt to lengthen Capitals' batting and stem the collapse. With Narine dismissing Axar at the other end, Capitals were eight down inside the 15th over.

They managed to see out their 20, though, with Kuldeep getting them that

and Narine in the form they were in, this was asking for trouble. And the trouble was compounded when Lizaad Williams, who went for 23 in the first over, dropped a straightforward chance off Khaleel Ahmed at the start of the second to reprieve Salt on 15.

The openers raced to 79 for 0 in the powerplay, with Salt, who had the bulk of the strike, reaching a 26ball half-century in the sixth over.

Narine went after Axar's first ball and perished, picking out deep midwicket in the seventh over while trying to hit with the turn, and Axar bowled Salt with a trademark, inward-angling skidder in the ninth. But KKR's required rate was well below a run a ball, and it remained so even when Williams dismissed Rinku Singh with a good, hardlength ball in the 10th over.

KKR had a long, inform line of batters still to come, and in the end, didn't require Andre Russell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi or Ramandeep Singh to bat, as the two Iyers ticked off the remaining runs with little fuss beyond a mix-up in the 16th over when the match was already all but won. (ESPNcricinfo)

Varun and Salt star in comprehensive KKR win

Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer took Kolkata Knight Riders home with 21 balls to spare

Phil Salt's successful IPL continued with another fifty

Lizaad Williams dropped Phil Salt on 15

Stolen Money secures stunning win in Jumbo Jet Race of Champions

Stolen Money sparked a major upset in the feature event of the Jumbo Jet Race of Champions at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The Dennis Deroopowned horse displayed great speed and skill in the one-mile feature race. Now

Stolen Money and John Bull. Jockey Ronaldo Appadu finished the Race of Champions as the champion jockey, with three wins in the day.

In overcast conditions, the race day got off to a flying start with the K Class & Lower horses running over 5.5 furlongs. In a scintil-

The L Class and J3 First-time Starters race saw Princess Samiah sealing the deal while Perfect Dream came in second. Kiss came in third while Three D Movie was fourth.

Race four was all Creemore, who took down fast-starter Converter.

Jockey Appadu was the ar-

trained by the veteran Fazal Habibulla, Stolen Money won a tense sprint home with John Bull, who came in second and Spankhurst, who finished third.

Stolen Money walked away with the first-place prize of $2 million. Two horses Bossalina and Easy Time were scratched from the feature event. The three horses that ran were Spankhurst,

lating time of one minute, 19.63 seconds, Rescue (formerly Tizway) sealed the top spot followed by Get Them Bobby, and Money Time.

Race two was the I Class, J Class & West Indian bred three-year-old maidens. Sex Appeal, piloted by Kiran Razack, emerged victorious while Hayley came in second. Dan Star was the other horse in that race.

chitect of Creemore’s victory, who rode a beautiful race, and began the sprint at the right time in the E & F Class & Lower race.

Converter came in second, and American Traveller came in third. Looking to Heaven, who finished fourth, found it difficult to jump out of the starting gate.

Trinidadian jockey Rico Hernandez finally delivered

28 karatekas successful at Shotokan Karate grading exams

Twenty-eight persons were successful when the Association do Shotokan Karate (Guyana) held its first grading for the year for Berbice students at the Albion Dojo on Sunday.

Seven students moved from 10 Kyu (white belt) to 8 Kyu (yellow belt) and three from 10 Kyu to 7 Kyu (orange belt).

A further six moved from 8 Kyu to 7 Kyu and five from 8 Kyu to 6 Kyu (green belt).

Additionally, two students moved from 7 Kyu to 6 Kyu and one from 7 Kyu to 5 Kyu (blue belt).

Three green belts were also promoted with two going to 5 Kyu and one to 4 Kyu (purple). One student was promoted from 5 Kyu to

4 Kyu. 7th Dan Chief Instructor Shihan Amir Khouri spearheaded the exams, with the assistance of 6th Dan instructors Clinton Moriah and Sensei Hazrat Ali.

Those promoted from 10 Kyu to 8 Kyu are Kailan Azar, Kaivan Azar, Chad Gupta, Jayden Persaud, Josiah Mattadeen, Tanvir Sookraj and Kayleh Janikka Azar while those promoted from 10 Kyu to 7 Kyu are Fazaad Yashwardeo, Fawaaz Yashwardeo, and Bebi Mohammed.

Those who were promoted from 8 Kyu to 7 Kyu are Eiaaz Ali, Saif Mohammed, Javier DeFreitas, Alejandro Persaud, Aiyanna Mohamed and Isabella Anamayah

while those promoted from 8 Kyu to 6 Kyu are Rashmi Rampersaud, Ariana Anamaya, Seraphina Anamaya, Aaron Anamaya, and Nathaniel Supaul.

Eshaan Ahmad and Chad Denny were promoted from 7 Kyu to 6 Kyu while Ethian Anamaya was promoted from 7 Kyu to 5 Kyu.

Salia Ali and Szandovi Lynch were promoted from 6 Kyu to 5 Kyu while Pretti Xena was promoted from 6 Kyu to 4 Kyu.

Zarifah Mahinudin was promoted from 5 Kyu to 4 Kyu.

The karatekas were from the Rose Hall Dojo in East Canje and the Albion Dojo all under the instruction of Sensei Hazrat Ali.

with a supreme victory with Theory of Colors in the H Class race. Theory of Colors finished ahead of Supremacy and Smooth Sailing.

Jockey Kishan Pereira fell for the second time in the day. He fell earlier off Bolt and Nut, then he fell off Blinding Lights. According to the stewards, Pereira fell on his own accord twice in the day. He suffered a fractured collarbone.

The penultimate race of

the seven-card programme saw Country Rock cruising to an easy win in the threeyear-old Guyana bred event.

Jockey Appadu controlled the one-mile race, finishing ahead of Bin Ladin, She’s A Monica and Easy Jet in that order.

More than $10 million in cash and prizes were up for the taking in what was deemed another successful race meet hosted by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred

Racing Committee.

The major sponsors of this Race of Champions were Banks DIH, AJM Enterprise, Jumbo Jet, Sino Truck and XCMG. Additional sponsors were N&M Trucking & Auto Sales, SHI Oil Fuel Distributor, Forrester’s Concrete, Knight Industries Inc Auto Sales, Spares, and Excavating and Trucking.

The next race is set for May 26 at Port Mourant Turf Club.

Essequibo Jaguars, Demerara Pitbulls bag contrasting wins

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) T10 Blast continued on Monday at the Malteenoes Sports Club Ground, where Essequibo Jaguars and Demerara Pitbulls managed to secure contrasting wins with their ability to strike the ball around the ground.

In the first game of the day, the Essequibo Jaguars attained a one-run victory over the Berbice Piranhas despite the Piranhas, who won the toss, electing to field and restricting the firepower of the Essequibo Jaguars batting attack to 89 runs with the loss of five wickets within the allotted 10 overs. Shemroy Barrington led the scoring with 47 runs and Chanderpaul Hemraj contributed 18.

Veerasammy Permaul with his line and length consistency proved to be pivotal in the Piranhas bowling attack, as he managed to disturb his opponents’ stumps on two occasions. Additionally, Rajiv Ivan, Suresh Dhanai, and Quentin Sampson each took one wicket.

With a target of 90 runs set, Demerara employed a simple approach, spearheaded by Ivan, who struck the ball to all parts of the ground, but his 36 was not enough to carry his team

across the finish line. Sagar Hathiramani contributed 22 runs to the Piranhas cause, as Permaul and Dhanai scored 12 runs each.

Carlos La Rose and Ashmead Nedd continued to be consistent with the ball, each claiming two pivotal wickets in their defence of the score, with Dwain Dick and Nial Smith taking one wicket each.

In the second game, Christopher Barnwell guided Demerara Pitbulls to a 45run victory against Berbice Caimans. The Pitbulls won the toss and took full advantage of the opportunity. With bat in hand, they managed to score 131 with the loss of eight wickets. Barnwell led the batting with a top-score of 72 runs. He was supported by Damian Vantull with 28 and Sachin Singh with 16 runs.

Devon Lord was phenomenal for the Caimans, claiming a 4-4 wicket haul to rout the Pitbulls’ batting attack. Bernard Bailey, Abdool Subhan, and Aryan Persaud took one wicket each.

Pressure was placed on the Caimans’ attack, as Alex Algoo led from the front, scoring a phenomenal 30 runs supported by Steven Sankar with 19 runs and Kevlon Anderson with an unbeaten 14.

The Caimans were limited to 86 with the loss of five wickets as Floy Joseph contributed two wickets while Keon and Junior Sinclair and Barnwell each took one wicket.

Jockey Ronaldo Appadu caused a major upset as Stolen Money beat Spankhurst in the feature event at Jumbo Jet’s Race of Champions

Christopher Barnwell slammed 72 runs

A look at the karatekas who were successful in their grading on Sunday

Chase’s Academy clinch 4th Milo U18 title

After stumbling to a similar opponent just one year ago, Chase’s Academic Foundation completed their redemption arc on Sunday night, as they entertained scores of school football fans at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, on their way to a fourth Milo Schools’ Under18 Football title.

Last year’s runners-up, Chase met with Waramuri Primary Top in the final, almost a direct copy of 2023’s final, which featured Santa Rosa Secondary instead. Nevertheless, Chase’s Academy was the more composed of the two sides and controlled possession from the onset.

Then, 18 minutes into the contest, Chase’s Captain, Bryan Wharton weaved his way around the Waramuri defence and from the corner of the 18-yard box, made the shot into the right corner of the goal to put his team ahead.

Just two minutes later, in the 20th, the tournament’s eventual highest goal-scorer, Omar Sam slipped one past the Waramuri keeper after a build-up in the box to extend Chase’s lead.

2-0 down at the half was a familiar position for Waramuri, who had been in the same position against Dolphin Secondary during last week’s semi-final, but this time around, they were un-

able to dig themselves out of the hole as Chase’s Academy kept up the intensity.

Then, in the 60th minute, Wharton found himself in a 2-on-1 battle with the Waramuri defence. This time, the Chase Captain opted for a chip over the head that escaped the hands of Waramuri’s leaping keeper to put Chase’s Academy ahead by 3.

Waramuri were still considering a comeback, and Chetram Thomas almost inspired it when he executed a shot across goal to pull one back for Waramuri in the 70th minute; it was the first time in the entire tournament that Chase’s Academy conceded a goal. As expected, Chase’s tightened their defence to restrict Waramuri’s advances. It was a little too late for the Region One side, as the final whistle was soon

sounded with the score still 3-1 in Chase’s favour.

When the celebrations died down, Chase’s Captain dedicated the victory to their Head Master, Henry Chase.

“I think we started off pretty good; we get a goal in the first 10 minutes; that give us the momentum to go through. We had a bit of stumble in the second half, but we still come out victorious,” Wharton shared with sport Journalists.

The Chase Captain added, “I think we owed Sir Chase this one here. So, we had to go and give it we all out there tonight and yeah, we got the victory. Thankful.”

On the other hand, Waramuri were not sore losers as Captain Odell Holmes explained that it just wasn’t their night.

A smiling Holmes related, “Well, I think it was an excel-

Slingerz FC whip Police 4-0

…consolidate 2nd-place standing

Slingerz FC strengthened their hold on second place in the KFC Elite League Season Six standings outclassing the Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday night with a dominant 4-0 victory.

The April 27 KFC Elite League Season Six clash attracted fans from both sides to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Both teams held firm with their defensive strategies until Marcus Tudor of Slingerz FC shattered the deadlock with a spectacular goal in the 44th minute, just before the halftime whistle blew.

Despite efforts from Guyana Police Force FC in the second half, Slingerz FC maintained their momentum, with goals from Simeon Moore in the 49th minute, Curtez Kellman in the 65th minute, and Darron Niles in the 73th minute, securing a crucial victory for the visiting team.

The win added three valuable points to Slingerz FC’s tally, now standing at 24 in total from an impressive record of eight consecutive wins. They've netted an impressive 36 goals while conceding only three.

It must be noted that the Slingerz FC Coach and the Guyana Police Force FC Assistant Coach each picked up a red card at the start of the second half of Saturday’s night game.

At the top of the league standings sit the defend-

ing champions, the Guyana Defence Force FC boasting an impressive 24 points accumulated from eight consecutive wins. Their prowess is evident in their formidable goal-scoring record of 40 goals, while conceding just four.

Despite their setback in the latest match, Guyana Police Force FC stand firm in third place, retaining 18 points from six victories and two losses, both inflicted by the top two teams. They have a total of 21 goals while conceding eight.

Western Tigers FC maintain their grip on fourth place with four wins and three losses, accumulating a total of 12 points. Similarly, Santos FC hold the fifth position, also with 12 points, achieved through four wins and four losses.

Fruta Conquerors FC are in sixth place after eight matches, securing nine points

lent game. I’d like to congratulate Chase for wonderful playing tonight and I think every day is not your day. You can be the best team, but not every day can be your day and I think tonight wasn’t our night.

“I had thought so, but my plans and my coach’s plans didn’t work out tonight,” Holmes disclosed about the team’s intention to make a comeback in the second half.

Earlier in the third-place play-offs, Dolphin Secondary whipped President’s College

6-1 to grab the remaining podium position. Ezekiel Frank David opened the scoring in the 19th minute, after which President’s College’s Shemar Barrington equalised in the 32nd.

However, David would break the deadlock in the 55th minute and thus opened the floodgates for his team.

Gerry Burnette netted in the 66th minute, Caldwell Peters struck in the 68th and Kellon Alleyne scored in the 70th, while an own goal in the 85th pushed Dolphin’s tally to six.

While Omar Sam was the tournament’s highest goal-scorer with 13 strikes, Wharton was named Most Valuable Player. Chase’s goalkeeper, Duquain Samuels was named best goalkeeper, while Waramuri were adjudged that the most disciplined team.

Chase’s Academy won $300,000, Waramuri Primary Top $200,000, Dolphin Secondary $150,000 and President’s College $75,000; all of which will go towards a school project of their choice.

Guyana climb World Rugby Men’s rankings after Trinidad victory

from three wins and five losses, with Den Amstel FC in the seventh spot with seven points, having won two matches, drawn one, and lost four.

Ann’s Grove United FC closely follow in eighth place with seven points, garnered from two wins, one draw, and five losses.

Buxton United FC and Monedderlust FC share the bottom position, each with one point earned from one draw and seven losses apiece.

Season Six kicked off on February 25 with 10 elite clubs competing for the first-place prize of $2,000,000. Teams finishing second, third, and fourth will be awarded cash prizes of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000, respectively.

On April 30, the fixtures include Monedderlust FC facing off against Ann’s Grove FC at 18:30h and Den Amstel FC battling Buxton FC at 21:00h at the NTC.

The Rugby Americas North Men’s Championship returned after a four-and-ahalf-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a sensational 24-23 victory for Guyana against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

Guyana’s first match since they lost 19-5 at home to Guadeloupe in the RAN Men’s Championship 2019 went right down to the wire, but the Green Machine came out on top thanks to tight-head prop Rondel McArthur’s hat-trick try on 71 minutes.

Guyana had gone into the game against Trinidad and Tobago having lost their six previous matches, albeit with a raft of different players.

Trailing 13-0 after 31 minutes, Guyana looked to

be heading for another defeat, but they staged a remarkable comeback, with McArthur at the heart of the revival.

A brace of tries from fullback James Philip had put Trinidad and Tobago in a commanding position, but by half-time the deficit was down to a single point.

Winger Godrey Pollydore started the fight-back with Guyana’s first try on 34 minutes before McArthur got in on the act.

McArthur hadn’t scored in any of his previous 21 tests and having broken his international duck, he was hungry for more.

Only two minutes of the second half had elapsed before the Panthers RFC player crashed over again to hand Guyana the lead for the first time.

Kevin Braithwaite’s second conversion of the match made it 19-13 to the visitors, but tries from wingers Anderson Joseph and Jonathan Taylor restored Trinidad and Tobago’s advantage.

The score remained at 2319 to Trinidad and Tobago for a further 10 minutes, until McArthur grabbed his moment of glory.

Having begun the weekend eight places lower in the rankings, Guyana are now the higher-ranked of the two teams in 52nd place after a climb of five places.

Trinidad and Tobago, who went into the South Zone 1B match placed 49th, are now 55th, nearly half a point in arrears. The reverse fixture will take place in Guyana on June 1. (World Rugby)

A glimpse of the one-sided clash between Slingerz FC (orange) and Police FC

Guyana’s victorious rugby team in Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend

A snapshot from the third-place playoff featuring Dolphin Secondary (orange) and President’s College

A look at the final showdown between Chase’s Academy (blue) and Waramuri Primary Top

clinch 4th Milo U18 title

Ticket box offices to open Thursday

Fans in the Caribbean will be able to buy International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 tickets directly from box offices from Thursday, May 2 and confirm their attendance at the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever.

To celebrate 30 days to go to the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the launch of the official anthem, box offices will open their doors on Thursday until the end of the event across the six host locations in the West Indies.

Box office locations:

Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua Recreation Ground Barbados: Kensington Oval

Guyana: Guyana Cricket Board Office

Saint Lucia: Daren Sammy Cricket Ground

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Commercial Centre

Trinidad and Tobago: Queen’s Park Oval and National Cricket Centre

Opening hours:

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago: Monday to Friday:

10:30am-6:00pm and Saturdays:

10:00am-4:00pm

Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines: Monday to Friday:

9:30am-5:00pm and Saturdays:

10:00am-2:00pm Box offices will be closed on Sundays. Fans across the West Indies will be able to purchase tickets for all Caribbean match fixtures. Fixtures and local start times for matches are available.

Tickets for 39 of the World Cup’s 55 matches which are to be hosted in the West Indies will be available with prices starting from as low as US$6 for selected matches.

Fans can choose from the following ticket categories: Premium, Standard Plus, Standard, Grounds and Mounds, and Party Stand.

Fans will be able to pay with cash in their lo-

cal currency or with their credit card at box offices. Tickets are also available online on the tournament’s official ticketing website tickets.t20worldcup.com.

Leading up to the opening of the box offices, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh said: “With just over 30 days to the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the opening of the ticket box offices in the West Indies from 2 May will mark a pivotal moment in our journey to delivering an out-of-this-world experience for all fans.

“The opening of box offices also underscores our commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all West Indians, who are passionate followers of the game. Their presence in the stadiums will energise players, entertain fans and viewers, and show the world a cricketing spectacle which can only be experienced in the Caribbean.”

Venue, hospitality, and party stand packages for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are also available for matches in the West Indies and USA and are available at tickets. t20worldcup.com.