The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 13 – 23:00hrs00:30hrs and Wednesday, August 14 23:30hrs - 01:00hrs
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, August 13, 2024- 9:40 hrs to 11:10 hrs and Wednesday, August 14, 2024- 11:10 hrs to 12:40 hrs
TParika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has unveiled its master plan for a $6 billion homestead programme at Yarrowkabra along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, that will target single mothers.
During a meeting with Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; other members of the Cabinet; technical officials and officials from the banking sector, the President unveiled the project which will commence shortly.
It was further revealed by the President in a social media post that 500 houses would be constructed under the project, over 100 acres of land at Yarrowkabra, SoesdykeLinden Highway. During last week’s opening of Building Expo 2024, President Ali said that the 500 homes would be built in just six months under the project.
“Before the end of this year, we want to build one of the fastest communities in the history of our country and the history of this hemisphere. We want to deliver 500 homes in six months, a remarkable task before us. But it’s not just delivering the homes. These homes will be delivered to single mothers. Single mothers who will be the homeowners.”
“It is an economic model that we are going to test. These homes will be small farmsteads. So, for the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Survey, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Human Services will be working together to deliver this project,” he had said.
The project cost had been quoted by President Ali at a press conference in June when he had said that the project would cost approximately $6 Billion. He had further explained the sources of funding the government would be pursuing.
“This is a project that the cost parameter is about $6 billion (and) we are looking to get the local private sector and the banking sector involved in this so that we can create wealth in every level of society,” he had said.
Only recently, the government launched a programme that would see 100 acres of land being offered to young people who have either completed studies or are currently pursuing studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to work on farmsteads and develop agri-based businesses.
Not long after this announcement, President Ali had signalled the impending launch of a bold homestead agriculture programme that would see single mothers being provided with low-income homes that will come with permanent crops and shade houses, maximising their earning potential and aiding Guyana’s food security agenda. According to President Ali, this bold initiative will tackle several issues at once, including home ownership, building community wealth, and food security.
“If we have five coconut
plants, hybrid coconut plants in a year, that will give you yield in three years, you will be surprised to see the value it creates. And then at the back of the yard, we’ll put a small shade house that is dedicated,” the Head of State had outlined.
“So, you’ll have 500 homes on 100 acres of land. And 500 shade houses, dedicated to specific products that we linked to the market. And when you reap and get the value, (you’ll be able) to repay that low-income loan every month. So, this is how we’re going to integrate the livelihood programme with technology and home ownership.”
It was recently revealed at the 47th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) States collectively reduced their food imports by 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Overall, as much as 30 per cent of the targets set for food security have also been achieved, thanks in part to innovative programmes that aim to boost food production.
Other agricultural-related achievements were taken note of during the meeting, including the development of a Regional Youth in Agriculture Strategy and the launch of the Regional Economic AgriInsurance Programme (REAP) on July 26, 2024. These were recognised as positive steps towards building resilience and production. Guyana is currently chairing the Caricom Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security. Vision 25 by 2025 aims for the Caribbean to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions to the supply chain occur. (G-8)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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As the world observes International Youth Day, it is essential to reflect on the role that young people play in shaping the future of nations.
International Youth Day 2024 was on Monday celebrated under the theme "Green skills for youth: towards a sustainable world." This global observance, held annually on August 12th, highlights the importance of empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
In Guyana, the youth population stands as a driving force for development. This year's theme underscores the need for equipping young people with the tools and opportunities needed to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Guyana is at a crossroads, with its emerging oil economy offering both opportunities and challenges. The youths of this nation are uniquely positioned to influence the direction of this growth. However, for them to fully realize their potential, they must be provided with the education, resources and platforms necessary to engage in meaningful societal transformation.
Education remains the cornerstone of youth empowerment. It must be acknowledged that Government has made commendable strides in offering numerous scholarships and training programmes in the areas of vocational training, digital literacy, and environmental stewardship. Among these are the GOAL scholarships and multiple skills training through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) These initiatives are not merely acts of goodwill; they are strategic investments in the country’s future that are designed to equip Guyanese citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to drive economic growth, social progress, and national development. There is also a pressing need to align the educational curricula with the demands of the modern world. This includes not just traditional academic subjects, but green skills —those that contribute to the preservation of the environment — must be at the forefront of educational reforms. By fostering a generation that is not only aware of, but is actively engaged in, sustainable practices, Guyana can secure its environmental and economic future.
Moreover, the role of youths in governance cannot be overstated. With just over 60 per cent of the population under the age of 40, it is imperative that young voices are not just heard, but heeded in the corridors of power. Youth involvement in policymaking, particularly in areas such as climate change, education and economic development, is crucial.
However, empowerment must go beyond just education and governance. Guyanese youths must be encouraged to innovate, to challenge the status quo, and to envision a future that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. This requires a cultural shift that values creativity, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. Initiatives that support young entrepreneurs, especially in green technologies and sustainable practices, should be prioritised. By doing so, we not only foster economic growth, but also create a sense of ownership and pride among the youths in their role as stewards of the nation’s future.
But the responsibility does not rest solely on the shoulders of the youths. The Government, private sector, civil society, and international partners must work collaboratively to create an enabling environment wherein young people can thrive.
Increased representation in local government and mentorship programmes has helped to bridge the gap between generations in Guyana, and will ensure that the aspirations of the youths are reflected in national policies.
As we celebrate International Youth Day, it must be remembered that the future of Guyana is inextricably linked to the empowerment of youths. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers. By continuing to invest in its people, Guyana is laying a strong foundation for a strong future. Let us commit to supporting young people in every way possible.
Dear Editor, As His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister the Honorable Brigadier Mark Phillips mark four years in office, it is time to reflect and highlight on the progress the country has made since the chaotic and frantic 2020 General and Regional Elections.
During those five disorderly months, the nation was in panic, as the PPPC faced several challenges, not knowing the results of the March 2 elections or what the future holds. Not only was the PPPC declared the winner by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), but democracy also triumphed on August 2, 2020.
With elections expected in late 2025, everyone must be prepared to protect our cherished democracy, which could have been lost had it not been for steadfast efforts made by the PPPC to combat the barefaced rigging engaged in by the coalition government.
Since being sworn-in as respective President and Prime Minister, the list of achievements under the AliPhillips leadership has been extensive and across-theboard. Among those achieve-
ments are: successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc on the nation for almost two years; the major floods that nearly crippled the agriculture industry, especially rice and cash crops; and last, but not least, inflation and its impact on the people, especially on the middle and lower classes.
While Guyana is not the only country in the world that has been afflicted by inflation, which is a measure of the cost-of-living, President Dr. Ali and his government, including PM Brigadier Mark Phillips and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, have offered relief to thousands of households through fiscal grants and tax relief, and have pledged further assistance.
As Guyanese, we are blessed and should be extremely proud to have such outstanding, creative, visionary and devoted leaders with superb administrative and policy-making skills; who, in four years, have inspired our youths, transformed Guyana, and moved it from the status of an underdeveloped nation to that of a developed country.
To fulfill some of his
grand policies aimed at regional food security in the Caribbean by 2025, the Head of State has turned around the agriculture sector with massive crop diversification, the infusion of Government funds and technology, the rebuilding of the Rose Hall Sugar Factory which was gutted by the Granger administration, and the modernization of the outdated infrastructure landscape after years of neglect.
The PPPC government has distributed more than 35,000 house lots and created 45,000 jobs especially for youths, who are 65 percent of the population. Not to mention the careful development of the oil and gas sector by Government, despite the lopsided contract signed by the Granger administration.
In the same period, President Dr. Ali has increased salaries for public servants, old age pensions have been increased for the more than 60,000 senior citizens, and public assistance and “Because We Care” cash grant for school-aged children have been increased significantly.
His Excellency has embarked on a set of broad-ranging policies to reduce pover-
ty, create wealth, and make Guyana the most prosperous nation in the hemisphere. Government has also invested large sums of money in health care, social services, and education with the construction of new schools in several regions and with the ultimate goal of making post-secondary education free at the University of Guyana by 2025. These initiatives by our leaders clearly underscore the dedication, commitment and determination of President Dr. Ali, Prime Minister Phillips and Vice President Jagdeo to sustainable and human development and to preservation of the environment. Their resolve to solve the nation’s problems, develop the country, and improve the lives of the poor is unfaltering, and should instill optimism and confidence among all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora about our country’s economic future. Everyone, regardless of their status, political affiliation or ethnicity, should work collectively towards a prosperous and unified Guyana.
Sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose
Close to 2,000 families from Regions Three and Four are now on their journey towards homeownership, after receiving their house lots at the Ministry of Housing and Water- Central, Housing and Planning Authority’s (CHPA) ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive, at the International Building Exposition 2024.
The recipients were allocated lands at Wales Phase Two housing development in Region Three and Non-Pareil and La Bonne Intention (LBI) Phases Three and Four along the East Coast of Demerara.
The distribution exercise was led by Housing and Water Ministers, Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues along with Chief Executive Officer of CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) caught up with several beneficiaries who are happy to embark on this significant part of their homeownership journey.
Allottee, John Nelson is proud to be a landowner. “Being a young person and having a land is one of the most important things, especially when it comes to being in prepara-
tion to start a family… It is a good thing to have,” Nelson told DPI.
Another allottee from Alexander Village in Georgetown, Edsy Roopnarine, said being a landowner means everything to her family. “It
is something that we have been looking forward to. It means everything because you have kids and you want to build and pass it on,” Roopnarine expressed. Meanwhile, more than 1,500 per-
sons received their certificates of title, marking a significant step in their lives.
The ownership documents were provided to many families from La Reconnaissance, Cummings Lodge, Industry, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Industry, Non-Pareil, and Enterprise.
The documents will provide the landowners with many opportunities including easier access to a mortgage from the local banks to build their homes.
Landowner, Alishaw Singh from Diamond Housing Scheme told DPI that her next move is to apply for a loan at the New Building Society (NBS). Roxanne Gooding said she has been waiting since 2012 for the document for her land at Golden Grove Block 13, East Bank Demerara.
“I am so glad for the [building] Expo because I got through. They worked very quickly. I’m surprised and thankful,” she added.
Dornell Mingo, another landowner, cannot wait to build his first home to provide a comfortable environment for his family. “I’m grateful.
It has been a hectic and long task. Since 2017, I have been checking and updating documents to obtain my title so that I can have a comfortable home for both me and my family in the future,” Mingo said.
Another excited landowner, Nicolas Lowenfield who applied for his land back in 2017 also received his land title.
Following the building expo’s opening on Thursday, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali with Minister Croal and CHPA’s CEO Greaves handed over titles to about 500 persons.
Minister Croal highlighted that the PPP/C Government has executed strategic initiatives and policies over the years, bringing relief to thousands of homeowners.
According to him, the ministry has achieved its targets for the house lot allocation, and land titles distribution during this year’s building expo.
With this momentum, the government is well on its way to fulfilling its manifesto’s promise of delivering 50,000 house lots by the end of 2025.
Dear Editor,
In the Kaieteur News edition of August 11, 2024, a story was carried under the caption “Jagdeo changes tune on interest rates charged on ExxonMobil’s investments”.
If there is one thing that is true, it is that Vice President Jagdeo has been consistent since 2015, when he assumed the General Secretary (GS) role of his party and became former Leader of the Opposition and now Vice President.
There is a cost of capital, the cost of equity is the return on equity, which is the profit generated (ROE). The cost of debt financing is the inter-
est expense. The implicit interest rate on the debt financing, which is in the form of a lease instrument, works out to 5.18%, which is below the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of ExxonMobil’s global WACC. More importantly, confirmation that the interest expense is not cost recoverable doesn’t mean that there is no interest on the debt finance. In the haste to distort, the most important point gets lost, i.e., the interest expense is NOT cost recoverable. Thus, in the context in which the question of the interest rate is framed by KN, the fact that the interest expense is confirmed to be not
cost recoverable renders such line of questioning irrelevant. Indeed, KN has been asking this question on the interest rate for a long time, but this is one of the most miniscule questions for any media house to dwell on and propagandize for so long.
It should be noted that when KN had initially put the interest rate question to ExxonMobil Guyana (EMGL) directly, EMGL’s Vice President had promptly referred that entity to an article I had written on the very question of the interest rate, wherein I had calculated the implicit interest rate. His referral to my article suggests
that it was correct. Further, I had made the point that any independent accountant, finance professional or economist can do so, especially since the financial statements for the oil companies are publicly available and accessible. Therefore, the question of “interest rate” charged should never be a question for the policymakers or the oil companies directly; rather, the independent media should have their own subject matter experts to conduct these types of analyses and inform the general public.
In market economies like ours, there is a role for all and sundry, even as there is a role
Dear Editor,
As a writer and a historian, I would be doing great disservice to the people of this great country if I did not conduct an in-depth analysis of the history of Guyana’s electoral system.
History is replete with the skullduggeries of the PNC when it comes to elections and electoral laws, beginning at the Elections Commission, which has control of the electoral machinery, and coming down to the declaration of results.
Every facet has been rigged. The fraudulent fingers of the PNC have been etched on every page. Our discussion goes back to 1964 and the entrance of the PNC into power. Here we see the first move made; that is, to take full control of the electoral machinery. They created a setup wherein the chairman of the commission had to pledge allegiance to the PNC party. Thereafter, all his decisions had to be solely based on directives coming out of Congress Place. This is the
PNC at work.
During that same period, 1964-1992, the Elections Commission of the day presided over the most blatant forms of rigging ever. It was a time when no observers were allowed in Guyana, nor did the list from which the electors were extracted bear any correlation to the actual voting population in the country. It was the worst of times.
If this is not a direct representation of a padded ghost election list, then what is?
Guyana was in deep trouble, as there was no one to turn to for help; everything was in an ironclad mould. The PNC had our country on a total lockdown with their rigging stranglehold. There was no hue and cry made of a bloated list, nor were any dissenting views coming from the PNC Camp; everything was proceeding nicely, according to them. Cries of a bloated voters list, ghosts voting, and the lot came into the vocabulary when the first free and fair system was tried in
1992 using The Carter Model. From that point onwards, the PNC found fault with a free and transparent system.
And with good reason, because here we saw the establishment of an Election Commission that was free of encumbrance from Congress Place and the ushering in of the principle of one man one vote. The PNC had lost control of the electoral machinery as well as the rigging grip they once wielded. They might not want to accept it, but rigging is dead, and so are their spurious claims of a padded list. No one would take them seriously when they come up with these claims.
To compensate for the loss of control over the electoral administration, they are now trying to lure GECOM into bringing into mainstream an untried system which would provide a niche for their rigging formula, but this would not happen because we are ever alert to the hidden agenda of the PNC. And that's why
I would say having cameras at polling stations yes, but biometrics a blunt no! The more scrutiny, the more transparent and open a system we welcome with open arms.
The fact is that elections in Guyana need no complicated system of identification. We already have a system that addresses that problem, multiple voting has also been outlawed, so there is no need to fear. The real fear is the PNC themselves. Can someone tell them that rigging cannot lift its ugly head again?
A free, fair and transparent system of elections in Guyana is something the PNC would never embrace, but that is their problem. Do not visit that illiteracy on a civilized nation which knows the difference between brave deceptions and those who are following the true line of democracy, consistent with fact and reality. I rest my case.
Respectfully, Neil
Adams
for the media, often referred to as the “fourth estate”. There also is a role for analysts and independent professionals.
Do you think the Financial Times, The Economist Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times ask ExxonMobil’s CEO what is their interest rates or cost of capital? They absolutely don’t, because those questions are for their dedicated subject matter analysts, who derive the answer from analyzing the company’s annual financial reports that are publicly available.
Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin
An angle is formed by the rays of two intersecting lines when the rays have the same vertex. An
Rays OA and OB intersect at Point O, a shared vertex to form angle AOB.
Angles are measured in degrees. A straight line is 180o , so an angle will always be less than that. Angles that are less than 90o degrees are called acute angles. Angles that are more than 90o degrees are called obtuse angles. Angles that are exactly 90o degrees are called right angles, and are often indicated with a very small square at the point where the two lines meet.
By RoBeRt BRowning
Identify the following angles as either acute, obtuse or right angles.
Supplies
• Beads
• Chenille stems (pipe cleaners) or small pom poms
• Large bubble wrap or modelling clay
• Craft foam or origami paper
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper Instructions
Start by thinking about how much you have grown. How did you look different when you were a baby? What did you eat then? What do you eat now? How are our bodies different when we are teenagers? How will you look, and be, different when you are grown up? How does your growth compare with the growth of other living things.
How does the life cycle of an insect differ from yours? Next, create a model of an insect life cycle using craft materials. You can choose a three-stage or four-stage life cycle to create, and pick an insect that has that life cycle. (Or do both!) Instructions below are for creating a four-stage life cycle.
Step 1: Divide a sheet of paper into four sections and number the sections 1–4.
Step 2: Next, choose a bead, which will represent an insect’s egg, to glue in section 1.
Draw a leaf, stem, or other place where you can glue the egg to rest. Label the egg.
Step 3: In section 2, choose a small piece of chenille stem or a pom pom to represent the larva. Draw what the larva is crawling on, glue the larva in place, and label it. For stage 3, use a bubble from a large piece of bubble wrap, a piece of clay, or a wad of paper
shaped like a cocoon to represent the chrysalis or cocoon. Draw what the chrysalis is attached to (or where it is, like in the ground for a cicada), glue the bubble in place, and label the chrysalis “Chrysalis with pupa inside” with an arrow pointing to a pupa inside.
Step 5: If you are building an insect with wings (such as a butterfly or cicada), cut wings that fit to the chenille stem body. Or, fold a quick origami butterfly (https://www.youtube. com/ watch?v=VkoOrwfJPSk), draw the insect’s surroundings of leaves, flowers, plants, etc, then glue it in section 4. Label the insect “Adult.” Now, go outdoors to look for insects in different stages of their life cycle or search for evidence like egg cases, empty chrysalis shells, exoskeletons that have been shed, or leaves that have been eaten. (Adapted from starwithabook. org)
Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Sir, ‘twas all one! My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace---all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least.She thanked men,--good! but thanked Somehow---I know not how---as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody’s gift.Who’d stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speech---(which I have not)---to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, ``Just this ``Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, ``Or there exceed the mark’’---and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, ---E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop.Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.There she stands As if alive.Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet The company below, then.I repeat, The Count your master’s known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretence Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed At starting, is my object.Nay, we’ll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
In a warning to contrac-
tors who are tasked with more than one lot, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has advised that they would be required to work on those lots simultaneously in order to meet project deadlines.
During a meeting with contractors, consultants, and Education officials last weekend, President Ali signalled that Government has no-tolerance for project delays, even as he disclosed that some contractors are in the habit of receiving multiple projects or lots and then working on them one by one.
“Those of you who are working in hinterland regions, for example, you have to make use of the weather conditions. Many of you would have more than one project. When you are awarded more than one project, it's not awarded so you can do one at a time, because you have to possess the capability to work simul-
taneously on all the projects,” the Head of State said.
President Ali also warned contractors that if they have won multiple lots, Government expects them to work on those lots simultaneously in order to ensure timely completion of projects within deadlines.
“I’ve heard contractors saying to engineers that, ‘When we finish on this site, we’ll mobilize on the other site’. That can’t work here! All the projects will be managed simultaneously! Are we together? Do the contractors understand clearly? Contractors?” the President questioned, and received affirmation from the contractors.
“So, there will be penalties for contractors, and it can cost you your company too. Because if you don’t perform, you can get backlisted and you will not get new projects. This sector is very important for us, that is why
I’m taking the time to come with the ministers to speak directly to you,” President Ali has said.
Following concerns raised over the awarding of contracts to selected contractors and the inability to meet project deadlines or build according to specifications, Government has, in the past few months, embarked on the pursuit of greater accountability within the procurement processes across all sectors. Among the initiatives announced are the establishment of a Contract Compliance Unit (CCU) within the Ministry of Legal Affairs and other units being established within the various ministries in order to assess the performance of contractors.
It was also announced last month that a nationwide initiative is underway to digitize contractor evaluations in order to combat and eradicate corruption in
esty of several contractors, the Government, by way of a direct order from President Ali, has begun to pursue liquidated damages for delayed state projects. In this regard, as of July, approximately $3 billion in charges for liquidated damages have been instituted over delays in public projects awarded through the Ministries of Public Works, Housing and Water, and Agriculture, among others.
With the increase in population in the town of Bartica in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), electricity demand in the area has increased significantly prompting the need for additional power sources to effectively supply the town.
This is according to Bartica’s Mayor Anthony Murray on Monday during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times.
Murray explained that the recent power outages that occurred in the town last week have highlighted the vulnerability of the local power supply. As such he contended that as the demand for electricity in the township grows, the relevant authorities will have to make the necessary investments to keep up.
“In the near future, I think they need a bigger much larger engine that could handle the capacity that is needed, and based on the report from the guys who came from Georgetown (GPL officials) I think they already started doing the evaluation for that so probably soon it will be purchased. Once everything finishes work through the process and do the procurement” the mayor stated.
He attributed the increase in electricity demand to several infrastructural developments in the township.
“We have new housing schemes coming on board, they also have other areas that persons are now applying for service connection and so forth, and the capac-
ity is now warranted for a larger engine.”
Moreover, the mayor noted that an additional generator would be needed to facilitate repairs and maintenance to the generators at the plant, without disrupting the power supply of the plant in the interim.
“We always have to have one on the ground for standby because, when you have to do the servicing, you cannot take down all the engines. You take down one at a time so that standby will handle the load with the other one” he explained.
However, certain areas in Bartica are also powered by the 1.5-megawatt solar farm situated at Dagg Point. It was reported that this solar farm, which was commissioned in 2023, would provide clean, renewable energy to over 3000 residents of Bartica and its surrounding communities. However, according to the mayor, additional infrastructure is needed to truly maximise the capacity of that solar farm.
“We have the solar farm
that they did launch but I think there is something that they have to relook at where the storing of the current is needed because if you have a cloud cover, that current that is being pushed by the solar is utilised quickly.”
Residents of Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) last Monday were left without electricity for approximately 16 hours in total following the shutdown of three of the four Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Bartica power plant generators.
GPL Inc stated: “The Guyana Power and Light wishes to apologise to our valued customers in Bartica for the recent service interruptions. The Bartica Power Plant has four engines: two are required to meet the demand, while two serve as a standby unit. Unfortunately, we have only one operational engine in conjunction with the solar farm.”
The unavailability of the three critical units significantly reduced the plant’s power-producing capabilities, which resulted in a ripple effect leaving communities across Bartica without electricity.
Anthony Murray at the time had revealed that power outages are not a common occurrence in the town. He noted that one of the backup generators at the plant was inoperable before the power outage, which would have contributed to the disruption of power. On this point, the mayor revealed plans to ensure a steady
the public procurement process. This new system aims to standardize and enhance the ability of the Evaluation Committee of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to monitor infrastructural projects and the allocation of Government contracts to various entities.
Contractors are currently required to report to the Evaluation Committee on the status of ongoing projects and the percentage of work completed on those projects. However, due to the dishon-
The Public Works Ministry had, as of July 2024, issued letters to contractors on 365 projects which had experienced unjustified delays, seeking liquidated damages of $934.65 million. Additionally, Government has made it clear that regional administrators and engineers would also be held accountable if they do not penalise contractors for breaches of their contracts.
supply of power in the region.
“We have four sets of generators along with the solar farm, one of the generators went down a while ago, so we had the three that were working, I think once the generator which was down a while now is restored that will take care of any future problems, so that is the plan they had in store also to keep the ma-
chines well-kept and serviced and they (GPL) are currently thinking about bringing in two more backup generators to aid in situations like these,” the mayor stated.
Additionally, the Mayor was adamant that the power outage would not significantly affect businesses that operate in the region particularly large enterprises.
“Most of the big businesses would normally equip themselves with standby generators, so they will have those kicking in once GPL has an interruption of power supply, and of course, the smaller businesses learn to work with the schedule, they have been given a notice because the disruption doesn’t last too long,” the mayor asserted.
The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for 22-year-old Shaquan Caesar for questioning about ‘computer-related forgery and related serious offence in Guyana.’
His last known address was given as Lot 5 Old Road Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD). Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest
of Caesar is asked to contact SOCU at telephone numbers 225-3079, 2253085, or the nearest police station.
All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Wanted: Shaquan Caesar
While polarity may’ve been introduced as a term in geography – the North Pole and the South Pole are diametrically opposed - it has long transcended that border (pun intended!) and has migrated into areas that are prone to division. In politics, there’s been talk about “bi-polarity” - like when the US and USSR were competing for power in the international arena – and now the US and China.
“Unipolarity” – when the USSR fell like Humpy Dumpty and couldn’t be put together again, and left the US as the lone superpower standing!! This appears to be an inner logic, probably arising from the observation that “two mancrab cyaan live in de same hole!!”
“Multi-polarity” appears to be even rarer, but this is what some folks believe we’re evolving towards right now; what with BRICS expanding into BRICS+ at the rate of a supernova, and the individual members all fighting to become regional hegemons!! Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates are now in BRICS+, and Mad Maduro’s been boasting that Venezuela would soon be joining!!
In the meantime, there’s G7, consisting of the “top” immediate post-WWII industrial nations: US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Japan and the EU – which isn’t a “nation”, but a continent that is still jostling for its place in the sun!! They used to be “G8” up to 2014, but Russia was thrown out after it invaded and annexed Crimea.
Sounds familiar?? Well, it should, since it’s pretty much this group that’s taken on Russia after it invaded Ukraine!! Never mind who poked who first!! Germany’s Chancellor” Scholz had intriguingly invited Argentina, Indonesia, India, South Africa and Senegal as partner nations” at their summit a couple of years ago. Senegal, you exclaimed, dear reader? Yep!! You heard that right!! In a multi-polar world, it’s all about winning friends and influencing nations!! So, we know what’s gonna be on top of THEIR agenda, don’t we??!!
In the meantime, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) has gone a far way in literally tying groups of countries in Eurasia, Africa and South America into its manufacturing maws with its insatiable appetite for raw materials, and then selling those same countries manufactured goods. The B&RI has gone a long way in replacing the World Bank - dominated by the Yanks and Europeans after WWII – in funding big time infrastructural projects in developing countries!
Then there are the “special interest” groupings like the QUAD – the US, India, Japan, and Australia -- to checkmate China’s expansionism in the Pacific.
As your Eyewitness has noted, the cause of all these group meetings, jockeying and recruitment is a realignment of the global order into a multipolar one. So, with our oil, why aren’t we at the table??
There are some who wish for “valency politics” to take over in Guyana, instead of the present “ethnic politics”. That is, they want folks to vote for political parties whose leaders just want to “do the right thing”!! Bet that ain’t gonna happen ever!! If you doubt that, just look at all the countries we’ve been imitating politically and otherwise on this voting business.
Britain?? Supporting a soap opera monarchy, and with “right wing riots” spreading all over!! And the US? Invading the seat of government to overturn an election. The Supreme Court EXPANDING handgun ownership at time of a mass shooting every week. Hey!! Their voting pattern’s increasingly matching their cleavages. In this case, they seem to be FOLLOWING us, who are supposed to be “backward”.
So no, dear readers, we better start accepting that our only hope is that our political parties are serious about getting into office through the ballot box.
Meaning they gotta get cross-over votes; so, it’s in their interest to defuse the racial hostilities!!
…and cross-over votes
Back in the day, the WPA used to be the “multi-racial” party par excellence in Guyana!! Now they’ve degenerated into a bunch of angry, racially-insensitive old men!! And have given up on attracting “cross-over” votes!!
The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has once again rejected another salary increase proposal from the government, thus
resulting in the two parties going back to the negotiation table.
After a meeting last Thursday, the Government
through the Education Ministry proposed a nine per cent across-the-board increase to teachers for 2024 but later that day re-
The University of Guyana (UG) is targeting some 500 persons in the areas of Marine Biology, Law, Engineering, Port Security and Port Management among others areas over the next four years.
This was revealed by Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Paloma MohamedMartin on Monday during the launch of the University’s Water World: Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economics (IMAREE) at UG’s Berbice campus.
Martin explained that the marine and maritime sector in Guyana will need some 2000 to 6000 workers shortly as such, she affirmed the University’s commitment towards bridging this labour gap through the newly established Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economics (IMAREE).
“We're just trying to fill the gap that exists in some of the high-end areas. So over the next four years, we expect to be able to turn out between 500 people in marine biology, law, engineering, port security and port management, biotech, aqua biotech, and other areas that are required” she explained.
On this point, she noted that Guyana is currently the only country in the world that combines studying water with the economics of the areas these waters occupy.
“One of the very interesting things though about this Center is that should not go unnoticed is that we have included, and it's the only one in the world that is doing this, and of course, we benefit from our colleagues overseas and
the rest of the world. Because it is the only institute in the world that includes rivers along with ocean and coastal work. It includes everything about the waters while studying the economics of the areas. So it's very unique in this area, in this regard, and we are looking forward and have to work continuously with a lot of other people” she stated.
Moreover, she noted that the University of Guyana Berbice Campus has a notable lack of students enrolling into the institution. As such she revealed that the institute was strategically placed there to further bolster enrolment. This move also aligns with the University’s goal of having one graduate per household by 2040.
“So why are we in Berbice, you might ask. We have a campus in Berbice that is now celebrating a big anniversary. It's 25 years this year, and it is a campus that has not been attracting as many people as we want to see in Berbice. And so one of the strategic goals of your city's blueprint is to have at least one graduate per household by 2040. And that does not mean one graduate per household on the coast, from the coast alone, which is where many of our graduates are coming from, but from all across the country. Because if you want to develop a country, you have to make sure that everybody, at least one of those households, can uplift that entire family and to create a model for those looking on” she explained.
Additionally, another strategy the University has implemented to further bolster enrollment is to send stu-
dents to study specific disciplines at the Berbice campus. As such all students who wish to study topics in relation to marine and maritime operations will have to attend classes at the university’s Berbice campus.
Meanwhile, the new Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economics (IMAREE) will offer a wide range of programme to citizens: Undergraduate Programmes include a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology; Diploma in international shipping and logistics; Bachelor of Science in Port Management; Bachelor of Science in Marine Biotechnology.
Other Programmes under consideration are Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation; Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Coastal, Riverine and Ocean Management; Bachelor of Science in Port Security; Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Law; Master's Degree in Maritime Law; Master of Science in Marine Biology in Marine Biotechnology.
vised it to 10 per cent after the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) rejected the offer.
Guyana Times understands that over the weekend, the union’s General Council met with its membership to discuss the latest proposal, however, whilst some members wanted to take the 10 per cent increase being offered, the majority were against it.
Ultimately, the GTU decided to reject the offerwhich was the third offer from the government.
In an invited comment, the union’s General Secretary Coretta McDonald disclosed that members are adamant about negotiating for a higher percentage.
“The members have voiced their disapproval over the weekend, and they're indicating positions with regards to percentages that they want to accept,” McDonald shared.
“One of the reasons the Ministry is highlighting or insisting that if they give a higher percentage to teachers, then it will have implications for the other sectors. But we have to remind them that the joint services got increases, and nurses got increases but teachers are still bunched together. In addition to that, our members have said, they've highlighted the fact that over the years, during the four years of the government, there have been several supplementary budgets for the de-
partment and they're wondering why there cannot be a supplementary budget that includes increases in salaries for teachers,” she added.
According to McDonald, the GTU will continue to negotiate in ‘good faith’, in hopes that the government provides a proposal for a salary increase within the 20 per cent margin.
“We prefer to accept a percentage that offers a little bit livable so if the government feels, if the government is willing to offer 20 per cent, well, teachers will be jumping for joy,” the GTU Secretary disclosed.
Bilateral talks between the Education Ministry and the GTU on the new 20242026 multi-year agreement commenced on July 11 after months of prolonged industrial action by teachers.
Earlier in the month, the
GTU conceded to the government’s proposal that salary increases for teachers be determined under a new agreement from the current year onward.
The GTU has been pushing for a backdated collective bargaining agreement, but the Government, through the Education Ministry, has maintained that it is fully prepared to work on a multiyear agreement from 2024, and not 2019, as was initially demanded by the GTU. The GTU subsequently recanted and agreed to negotiate from 2022 onwards, but that proposal was also rejected by the Government.
The GTU has also proposed a performance-based incentive of two per cent per annum, to be paid to eligible teachers during the period of the multi-year agreement, with effect from January 1, 2024.
This is in addition to an annual health/risk allowance of $25,000 and a monthly internet/mobile data allowance of $10,000 to be paid to all teachers.
Moreover, the GTU is seeking a termly school transportation grant of $150,000 in the case of those operating on the coastland and $300,000 for hinterland/ riverine schools; alternatively, a mode of transport (boat, ATV etc.) to offset the cost of teachers traveling to attend meetings, workshops, orientation sessions, or emergencies at school.
Businessman Weston Pickering has been taken into custody after police discovered an AK-47 assault rifle, several rounds of live ammunition, and varying sums of currencies at his home at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The police have said that on Sunday, at about 18:25h, a team from Providence Station visited
the 42-year-old Pickering's residence with a request to search for arms, ammunition and drugs, and Pickering consented to the search.
During that search, an AK-47 rifle wrapped in a brown towel was found inside a washing machine on the lower flat of this residence; 29 live rounds of matching ammunition were found inside a magazine, and another 30
rounds were discovered in a pair of black and white socks wrapped in the towel; and six live rounds of 9mm ammunition were found in a bedroom on the upper flat of this house.
Other searches unearthed a significant sum of varying currencies in a brown suitcase in another room.
These included
Cdn$11,312; US$1,583; 10 Chinese Yuan; TT$5,120;
The AK-47 and matching ammunition found Bar$70; Jam$50; £$3,405; €$120 and Gy$480,000.
Questioned in regard to this discovery, Pickering confirmed that he was not the holder of a firearm licence, but remained silent in regard to other questions. Pickering has therefore been arrested, and taken to the Providence Police Station pending further investigation and charges.
Forty-four-year-old Semone Thompson was killed on Saturday evening as she attempted to cross the roadway at Cromarty on the Corentyne coast in East Berbice but was struck down by motorcar PHH 4644.
Preliminary reports revealed that the motorcar, at the time being driven by a resident of #69 Village Corentyne, Berbice, was proceeding at a fast rate when the front left side portion collided with Thompson, who was at the time crossing the road.
Dead: Semone Thompson
That collision reportedly threw Thompson on the roadway, and she sustained injuries to her body. Picked up in an unconscious condition, she was rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead After the collision, the driver had reportedly exited his vehicle and fled the scene, but police investigations are continuing.
An unidentified pedestrian lost his life on Sunday after he was struck down by a speeding motorcar along the Washer Pond Public Road, McKenzie, Linden.
Police stated that on the day in question at about 04:40h, motorcar PHH 2656, driven by a 26-year-old man from Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden was proceeding along the Washer Pond Road when he collided with the pedestrian.
After the collision, the driver fled the scene thus leaving the injured pedestrian on the roadway.
The injured man was later picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. However, Police acting on information, arrested the driver at his residence. He was taken into custody and the vehicle was impounded at the McKenzie Police Station. A breathalyser test was conducted and it showed that the driver was way above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. He is expected to be charged shortly.
The floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels Liza Destiny and Prosperity, which were built and leased to ExxonMobil Guyana by Dutch shipbuilder SBM Offshore, are currently on the oil company’s radar for outright early purchase.
This is according to SBM in a recently released report for the half year, wherein it has been explained that, as per the contract between SBM and Exxon, the Destiny and Prosperity FPSOs have maximum lease terms extending to November 2025 and December 2029.
“ExxonMobil Guyana has indicated that it is contemplating the exercise of its contractual purchase option to acquire FPSOs Prosperity and Liza Destiny in the second half of 2024, ahead of the end of the maximum lease terms in November 2025 and December 2029 respectively,” SBM has explained.
The Liza Destiny and Prosperity FPSOs are two of three FPSOs currently operating in Guyana’s offshore waters. The other one, Liza Unity, is producing oil in the Stabroek Block’s Liza Phase 2 development.
ExxonMobil completed the purchase of the Liza Unity FPSO from SBM Offshore for some US$1.26 billion in November 2023. The vessel had been on hire since February 2022, and in 2023 had been operated through the integrated operations and maintenance model, wherein SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil’s expertise and experience had been combined. Transaction at the time of that purchase had been completed a few months ahead of the end of the maximum lease term, which was set for February 2024.
SBM Offshore has notwithstanding been tasked with continuing to operate and maintain the FPSO up to 2033.
The Stabroek Block is
6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest therein. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
It has recently been announced by ExxonMobil that operation of the Liza Destiny and Unity FPSO vessels would be shut down in the third quarter of this year in order to install a pipeline that would be an integral part of delivering gas to the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project.
At a press conference held earlier this year, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge had said that, during that shutdown, the company would also do debottlenecking activities on the Unity FPSO; that is to say, modifications would be done to allow the vessel to produce more than 250,000 barrels of oil per day.
ExxonMobil has also been eyeing the possibility of increasing production at its third project, Payara, which is served by the Prosperity FPSO. Routledge explained that reviews were being done in this regard with Government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Six FPSOs are expected to be operating offshore Guyana by 2027. The fourth
FPSO, dubbed the ‘One Guyana’ FPSO, is currently being built by SBM, which had in 2022 been contracted by Exxon to construct, install, and then lease and operate the vessel. When completed, this vessel would operate in the Yellowtail development. It is expected to begin producing oil in the second half of next year, when production is expected to reach 250,000 barrels of oil per day. SBM’s latest update on the project is that it is 75 per cent completed.
The fifth FPSO, which would be named ‘Errea Wittu’, meaning “abundance” in the Warrau Indigenous language, would
meanwhile operate in the Urau project. It would have an oil storage capacity of two million barrels, an oil production design rate of 250,000 barrels per day, and be able to offload approximately one million barrels onto a tanker in approximately 24 hours. This
vessel would be delivered by MODEC, a Japanese company that has confirmed construction of this FPSO with a ceremony held on February 2. Start-up of the US$12.7 billion Urau development is targeted for 2026.
‘Jaguar’, the sixth FPSO, is earmarked for
Exxon’s Whiptail project. Government has said that by the time this FPSO comes online in 2027, Guyana is expected to be producing as much as 1.2 million barrels of oil per day. This FPSO is also currently being constructed, and is 25 per cent completed.
Apost mor-
tem performed by Government
Pathologist Dr Nehaul
Singh on the body of 29-yearold Tony Sulker, prime suspect in the murder of attorney-at-law Richard Layne, has determined that he had ingested a poisonous substance.
This autopsy was performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Monday, and Sulker’s cause of death has been determined as due to pesticide poisoning.
The former police sergeant had been the main suspect in the murder of Richard Layne, whose body was found on Wednesday evening in his car, parked in front of his Durban Backlands home. Layne’s body had borne stab wounds to the neck.
Sulker had reportedly been questioned by the police on Wednesday evening,
before subsequently being released with orders to return to CID Headquarters on Friday morning. He had so done, but things took a turn when he was informed
that detectives were collecting CCTV footage from cameras along Sherriff Street, Georgetown.
The CCTV footage revealed that, at about 21:00h
on Wednesday, Layne and Sulker had been driving in the attorney’s burgundy Jaguar vehicle, PYY 2850, and had made a stop in vicinity of the Kamboat Restaurant on Sheriff Street.
“It was then observed that a male, suspected to be Tony Sulker, dressed in black three-quarter pants and a green jersey, exited the Jaguar car’s back passenger seat and went into Kamboat Restaurant. A short while after, it was observed that Sulker exited Kamboat with a white plastic bag containing what appeared to be Chinese food and entered the car’s front passenger seat. The Jaguar car then proceeded to turn west onto John Street.
“There were no cameras in that area to see where the car had turned. However, at 21:39h, it was observed that the car drove south along Mandela Avenue and then
turned east into Hadfield Street, heading towards Durban Backlands,” the police have related.
At about 13:00h on Friday, Layne’s mother contacted the police to report that she was about to leave her deceased son’s residence when Sulker drove into the yard at a fast rate and
parked his car in the garage.
The grieving woman sensed that something was wrong, and decided to turn back. As she went into the house, she observed Sulker lying at the door on the bottom flat of the house with what appeared to be vomit and a green substance about his body. The ambulance was summoned, and Sulker was escorted to the GPHC. An inspection of the suspect’s car unearthed two white bottles with a green liquid substance on the floor of the vehicle. A search was carried out on the house, and the clothing Sulker was seen wearing on the CCTV footage obtained on the night in question was found in a washing machine on the bottom flat of the house, already washed and dried. Layne and Sulker had been living together for the past four years. However, the motive for Layne’s murder is still unknown.
In light of the increased occurrences of contraband being smuggled into the Mazaruni prison, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has ramped up security measures at the facility to curb the problem.
This is according to Officer in Charge (OIC) at the Mazaruni prison Carlton Cameron who highlighted that the GPS has made several investments towards modernising the Mazaruni prison facility. One important area where these investments were placed is security.
“We have modernised the facility… we have the security fence that was constructed. We have the scanning room and that would help to solve the issue of any prohibited articles from entering the prison. Yes, because we have to ensure that our environment and our facilities are free
cilities at the prison over the past years. He noted that several rehabilitation and expansion projects would have been completed at the prison, these projects he said would enhance the prison staff operations whilst providing a pos-
the betterment of the officers and in keeping with our mandate in terms of reforming inmates and having them rehabilitated so these projects that are ongoing and completed provides that environment which foster rehabilitation” he
from those prohibited articles which could cause any Issues and so within the prisons” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge also spoke about the enhancement of living fa-
itive environment for prisoners.
“Over the last five years there would have been tremendous development at the Mazaruni prison and these developments are in place for
stated.
Moreover, he revealed that whilst emphasis was placed on enhancing the living conditions of prisoners, several investments were similarly made to provide a more com-
fortable living environment for prison officers, particularly those from far away areas.
“It's not concentrated only on the inmates but the officers. We see they have the development and the constructions of living quarters for officers. Now these officers are living in New Amsterdam, Linden, and Georgetown leaving the comfort of their own home. They live at a certain standard be-
cause we understand that our human resource factor is key, so the comfort level in our offices will give more productivity towards their role and function within the prison system at the Mazaruni prison” he stated.
Additionally, Cameron noted that to reduce overcrowding at the prison a new block was constructed, according to the OIC the new
block will house some 200 prisoners. Similarly, a dining hall area was recently constructed, this area allocates one section where prisoners can utilise it for recreational activities.
This year, the Guyana Prison Service received a total of $6.5 billion, covering provisions for prison infrastructure and the training of prison officers.
In light of the recent appointment of leaders for the main opposition parties, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has issued a call to the general public to examine deeply the motives of those who are claiming they can offer better leadership than the current administration.
Reflecting on events that occurred during the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Edghill is imploring that citizens start interrogating their leaders, and not be deceived by suit and tie.
“Don’t just look suits, look at track records because they played a very important role, those who fought those cases in court, lawyers who joined themselves to frustrate the will
of the Guyanese people are now coming out to say we can become the next government,” Edghill said.
Mohamed Rahim of Mohamed Rahim & Sons won an all-expenses-paid trip to the CAT factory in Brazil compliments of MACORP.
Mohamed Rahim & Sons was randomly selected from over 50 customers who participated in MACORP’s promotion which ran from July 1 to August 11, 2024, and offered customers who purchased a CAT machine or generator a chance to win the trip.
The prize includes round-trip airfare, accommodations, and a guided tour of the CAT factory in Brazil.
“It was fantastic, I am very happy about this win. I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. Since growing up I have always loved Caterpillar machines and always dreamed of going to see where and how these machines are manufactured,” Rahim stated when he was announced the winner on the last day of the International Building Expo.
He underscored the affordability of Caterpillar equipment saying “It’s amazing to see so many Caterpillar machines in this country today because long ago people couldn’t afford them. The economy is doing so well and MACORP is making it affordable for persons to own new machines.”
“Even the farmers and miners can afford Caterpillar machines, today he said, emphasising, “CAT is a brand that is for a generation. Other machines you use them for a certain time then have to get rid of them.” For CAT, there are always parts and support available, he related.
However, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues joined in congratulating Rahim.
“I thank MACORP for their phenomenal support for the building expo. I think that you guys may have had your best year yet. This is the first year I recall you having a promotion, and this is part of your Corporate
Social Responsibility. We are happy about that and proud to support MACORP,” she remarked.
The promotion was a huge success, generating significant interest and enthusiasm for MACORP’s products.
Other winners in the draw included EC Vieira, Guy America Construction Ashley Gonsalves, and Roopan Ramotar who won consolation prizes of various Caterpillar machine models and a CAT cooler.
President and General Manager of MACORP German Consuegra and the MACORP Team congratulated Rahim and expressed their gratitude to the customers for trusting and believing in MACORP.
The promotion drawing took place last evening at the International Building Expo at MACORP’s booth in the Equipment Zone which was transformed into a party atmosphere with DJ Akelo and patrons winning other fantastic tokens from MACORP.
The Minister was at the time speaking at a forum to commemorate the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s fourth year in office during which he further encouraged Guyanese not to let leaders in Guyana stymie the current development trajectory.
“President Ali came to office as President, on the first day sworn in the senior members of our Cabinet, hit the road running, got the members of his Cabinet in place and we didn’t go to fight with anybody who didn’t support us instead we became a government for all of Guyana. So, I can sit four years after and if anybody comes to be lying about your government discriminating against a community I would laugh because I have the evidence to show that we didn’t govern based on the ballot box, we governed based upon the fact that all Guyanese are deserving when it comes house lot distribution, community roads, health care and when it comes to education… I am proud to be part of a team that is making sure Guyana's development and image internationally are being properly preserved. There could be no conversation around the world where climate security, energy security, and food security are discussed where
Guyana is not playing a leading role,” he added.
Meanwhile, also sharing her thoughts on the programme was Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira who noted the PPP/C administration’s focus over the past four years has been to serve the people, despite criticism from opposite leaders.
“The preservation of democracy is when the ministers come and have a community meeting, we tell them about the road and they are told that it will be fixed next month or next year’s budget and they see it happen. Access to health services allows you to go to a health centre or you go to a hospital, there are drugs there. Under the five years of Granger, they were not basic drugs and that is why they got caught with their pants down during
COVID… I am not taking anybody back to the 70s, I’m taking people back to 2020 and what had become this country under five years of Granger. This country revised so quickly it was scary,” Minister Teixeira contended.
Earlier in the month, reflecting on the four years in office, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that many things were accomplished by the PPP/C Government, and still more remains to be done. Jagdeo noted that many of the long-term projects and programmes his government has started, such as the transformational Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project, will allow citizens to reap benefits well into the future. In addition, he referred to the massive boom in infrastructure and the allocation of over 30,000 house lots to Guyanese.
Caribbean Airlines Limited is set to enhance its Caribbean network with the launch of a new route to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The service would commence on October 14, 2024 as part of the airline's ongoing efforts to boost regional connectivity.
Beginning in October, Caribbean Airlines would be operating flights to Tortola four times a week from its base in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T). The new route is purported to offer convenient connections to several other key destinations in the Caribbean, including Antigua, Barbados, and San Juan in Puerto Rico.
CEO of Caribbean Airlines Limited, Garvin Medera, in emphasising the importance of this expansion, has said, “Regional connectivity is at the heart of Caribbean Airlines’ Mission. Our new service to
Tortola is a significant step in our growth strategy, and we are committed to providing seamless travel experiences for our passengers. By the end of this year, Caribbean Airlines will link the Spanish, French, Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean with each other, as well as the North American diaspora and business and leisure travellers who wish to explore our vibrant region.”
The Director of Tourism of the British Virgin Islands’ Tourist Board & Film Commission, Clive
McCoy, has expressed enthusiasm in regard to this new route by saying, “We couldn’t be more thrilled with Caribbean Airlines' decision to service our islands. Granting more persons the opportunity to visit the BVI is a win for tourism. We look forward to welcoming the guests with BVI Love.” In a release on Monday, the airline said the new route underscores its commitment to enhancing regional integration and providing easier access to the Caribbean’s diverse destinations.
“Youth Parliament is called to action for youths to take up leadership roles” – Min. McCoy
The 9th Annual Youth Parliament was launched on Monday with over 80 young people debating on social and other issues. During the launch, the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame Mccoy urged the youths that the initiative should serve as a call to action for youths to rise and take leadership.
“It’s not just a learning experience, but a call to action. Challenging young Guyanese to step up. Take the reins of leadership. And drive the nation. Toward a brighter future for all
Guyanese that our country has seen as an emerging economic powerhouse globally.”
On this point, Minister Mccoy highlighted the vast participation of pupils which spans from all across the country stating that it underscores leadership and civic engagement.
“As I looked online and saw the wide participation. From almost all across the country I am deeply overwhelmed and have measurable pride. It signifies a commitment to the values of civic engagement. The public service. And the leadership of our democratic society.”
Additionally, he mentioned the significance of the Youth parliament stating that it has evolved vastly over the years.
“It Is a testament to this evolution providing a crucial platform for young leaders to engage with the political process on their debating skills and contribute meaningfully to national discourse as our nation grows and changes to better equip young Guyanese with the knowledge, skills, and confidence. The evolution of the Youth Parliament reflects the broader change within our society.”
Though the country is driven by its oil reserves, he said that there is a much bigger factor that the world is not paying attention to - the people and youths of Guyana.
“Our country is driven by our vast oil reserves but while the world’s eyes may be focused on our economic assets, the real treasure of Guyana lies in its people, particularly our youth with
the world watching we are presented with a unique opportunity to define what it means we are not just following in the footsteps of others we are charting our course.”
Speaking as a beacon of light to the scores of youths glued to their screens listening to his inspirational words, he made sure to let them know that leadership has a much more in-depth
meaning which they should take heed of.
“I urge you to remember that leadership is not just about making decisions. It is about serving others, it is about putting the needs of many above the needs, of a few. About working tirelessly to create a better future in this era of opportunity.
The 9th Annual Youth Parliament will continue throughout the week, with
sessions allowing youth parliamentarians to debate and deliberate on key national issues, fostering a deeper understanding of the legislative process.
Over the years the youth parliament has been growing exponentially which saw the participation of youths from all corners of Guyana.
The 8th Annual Youth Parliament saw 86 young people participating.
Several business owners in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) are now well informed on protecting their rights as employers as well as the rights of their respective employees, following the hosting of a seminar on Guyana’s Labour Laws through the Ministry of Labour.
The seminar, which was held on Monday at the Bartica Town Council, provided in-depth information on various labour laws, including those governing overtime payments, termination of employment, severance pay and occupational safety and health requirements, inspection and record-keeping, the national minimum wage, probation periods, and leave with pay.
It also covered the various services being offered
by the Ministry such as skills training opportunities through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), and employment opportunities including the ‘Job Readiness’ programme to boost one’s chances to gain employment with the help of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency
(CRMA) among other services.
The seminar was led by Chief Labour Officer
Deonarine told the gathering that the Ministry has been making significant strides in improv-
ing Guyanese people’s access to its services despite their geographical location in keeping with the government’s manifesto promise to enhance its citizens’ access to government services.
This approach, he said allows the Ministry to conduct some five hundred and four (504) inspections at various businesses in Bartica, over the last three years.
A step that the Chief Labour Officer stated has yielded positive impacts as it allowed the Ministry to identify and rectify businesses that were once not in full compliance with the country’s labour laws during this period. Similar efforts were made for at least seventy-five businesses in 2022.
Mr. Deonarine pointed out that at the national level, the ministry has engaged with more than one thousand (1000) businesses/companies, which employed approximately 58,000 workers, over the last three years in similar seminars.
He said that the Ministry has recorded a 45 per cent
decline in complaints from workers as of July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
His Worship Mr. Anthony Murray, Mayor of Bartica, expressed his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the informative and comprehensive seminar. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives in empowering local businesses with the knowledge needed to operate within the legal framework, thereby contributing to the overall well-being and development of the community.
The Ministry of Labour remains committed to ensuring that businesses across Guyana are well-informed and compliant with the nation’s labour laws, thereby fostering a fair and safe working environment for all.
The Government of Guyana was informed that Rickford Burke , a Guyanese residing in Brooklyn, New York, lodged a formal complaint with a Department within the Federal Bureau of Investigations alleging that the Government of Guyana is persecuting him [ or words to this ef ect as we have not seen the complaint ]. Mr. Burke also alleged in his report that the Government of Guyana sent officers of the Guyana Police Force to his home in Brooklyn, New York, to kidnap him.
The Government of Guyana is pleased that Mr. Burke has engaged the law enforcement agencies in the United States on this matter as the same has received the attention of the law enforcement agencies in Guyana and the matter is currently before courts of Guyana.
In consequence, by a letter dated July 27th, 2024, the Government of Guyana responded to this report refuting the allegations of Mr. Burke as absolutely false and wholly unfounded and considers them to constitute a malicious attack on the integrity, reputation, good name and international standing of the Government of Guyana. This letter was addressed to the Desk Officer for Guyana, U.S. Department of State and copied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a number of 1 functionaries within the U.S. Department of State, the
STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA BELOW
Department of Justice, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and the United States Ambassador to Guyana.
In the aforementioned letter, the Government of Guyana apprised the US Officials of the following information:
1. using the social platform of his Facebook Page, Mr. Burke has been, inter alia, libelling, maligning and attacking the reputation, goodwill and good name of a number of business entities in Guyana, under the pretext that he is protecting consumers and customers of these business entities from alleged abuse, exploitation and sharp practices by these business entities;
2. while conducting these public onslaughts of these business entities, Mr. Burke privately and surreptitiously inboxes them on the same Facebook platform, or communicates with them via telephone, offering to cease these attacks against their businesses in exchange for monetary payments which he sends his servants and/or agents in Guyana to uplift from the business entities;
3. the owner of one of these business entities reported this criminal extortion conspiratorial plot of Mr. Burke to the Guyana Police Force and a sting operation was carried out by Police Officers;
4. marked monetary bills were paid over to one of Mr. Burke’s servants and/or agents whom he directed to uplift from the
Marlon Garett, 25, a labourer of Hadfield Street Lodge, Georgetown; Jamal Anthony,28, a labourer of Guyhoc Park Squatting Area, Georgetown; and Owen Boston, 23, also a labourer of Block 'E' Cummings Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown were on Monday slapped with the offence of 'Waiting for an Opportunity to Commit a Felony'. The men were arrested on August 8 by ranks from Providence Police Station along the Heroes Highway, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
owner of the said business entity and in the course thereof two persons were arrested by the Guyana Police Force;
5. one of the arrested persons confessed in writing implicating Mr. Burke as the mastermind of the operation;
6. in consequence thereof and after a thorough investigation by members of the Guyana Police Force and based upon legal advice received from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, an independent constitutional office, Mr. Burke and the persons were charged with two counts of the following extortion offence:
a. Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01 committed on Afras Mohamed which occurred between the 27th day of August, 2022 and the 23rd day of September 2022; and
7. these charges are pending before a Magistrate in the District in which theoffences were allegedly committed;
8. the learned Magistrate, upon an examination of the charges, issued a summons to be served upon Mr. Burke by the Guyana Police Force, authorised by the relevant criminal statute to do so, so that Mr. Burke is notified of the date and time of the hearing of the said charge and to permit him the opportunity to answer the charges;
9. in order to serve the said summons on Mr. Burke, a duly authorised officer of the Guyana Police Force travelled to New York and retained the services of a licensed Legal Process Server in New York, duly authorised to serve such documents, to effect service of the document on Mr. Burke this was done;
1 0. Mr. Burke accepted service of the documents from the said licensed Legal Process Server on the stairs of his premises in Brooklyn, New York and this entire process was video recorded by the Police Officer from the Guyana Police Force who was standing over 100 feet away across the street from Mr. Burke’s premises where the service was effected; and
11. the said legal proceedings are still pending before the Courts of Guyana.
From the above narrative, it is excruciatingly clear that the Government of Guyana played no part whatsoever in the aforementioned extortion imbroglio. It is simply a citizen of Guyana taking such legal steps necessary and available to him under the laws of and Constitution of Guyana, to protect himself and his business from what he considers to be criminal conduct on the part of Mr. Burke.
Further, the Guyana Police Force, the principal law enforcement agency of the State, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and
the Judiciary, all constitutional independent agencies, have simply discharged their constitutional and legal duties which devolve upon them by the laws and Constitution of Guyana.
The Government of Guyana has invited the Federal Bureau of Investigation to thoroughly investigate the complaint made by Mr. Burke and if it is found that it is baseless, false and malicious, which the Government of Guyana believes it is, we hereby request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation take the appropriate actions against Mr. Burke for filing such false and malicious reports.
The Government of Guyana views this matter very seriously and is already in consultation with lawyers in the United States of America seeking the appropriate legal advice with a view of pursuing legal redress against Mr. Burke
On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Guyana Police Force issued a public statement outlining the progress and status of some of the criminal charges pending before the Magistrates’ Court. The statement detailed that the main witness in the matter has implicated Mr. Burke in the criminal extortion conspiracy. The matter has been adjourned to September 13, 2024 for the continuation of cross-examination of the main witness.
It must be emphasised that while Mr. Burke
is lodging concocted and baseless complaints against the Government of Guyana with the law enforcement agencies in the U.S., at the same time, through lawyers, he has filed civil proceedings in the courts of Guyana designed to prevent the hearing and determination of the criminal charges instituted against him. One would have expected him to willingly appear before the criminal courts in order to vindicate his innocence rather than attempt to avoid those proceedings. Additionally, the Government of Guyana has lodged a comprehensive report against Mr. Burke with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. State Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and other agencies within the U.S. regarding his utterances and publications on the social media of criminal incitements, exciting racial hostilities and widespread violence against different ethnic groups of the country, domestic terrorism and wanton, malicious and defamatory attacks on the character and reputation of hundreds of outstanding Guyanese. These authorities have been invited to explore all mutual legal facilities available in ensuring that these allegations are fully investigated and the relevant criminal proceedings instituted in both jurisdictions in order to ensure that justice is done in accordance with law.
peared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrate's where the charge was read to them. They pleaded not guilty and were granted $200,000 bail each. The matter was adjourned to September 21, 2024. Meanwhile, Jamal Anthony answered to a separate charge today in front of the same Magistrate, this time for the offence of 'Possession of Firearm without License'. Anthony pleaded not guilty and was placed on $300,000 bail.
Aseven-year-old boy is among the eight people who were killed in separate gun attacks on Cherry Tree Lane, Four Paths in Clarendon on Sunday night.
It is reported that in the first attack residents were gathered at a car wash in the community around 8:45pm for a birthday celebration, when a white Axio motor car drove up and three men armed with guns alighted from the vehicle. The men opened gunfire at the group of people, who ran in different directions.
When the shooting subsided it was discovered that four people died on the spot, and three others were
pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Police reported that the armed men drove from the car wash in the direction of the May Pen bypass, and on reaching a section of the roadway, while still in the Cherry Tree Lane community, stopped at another gathering. Two men reportedly exited the vehicle with hand guns, and opened fire at the group before escaping. One person was shot and killed.
The deceased have been identified as Kavel Daley, a 27-year-old cosmetologist; Lawrence Francis, a 50-year-old construction worker, Diamond Bennett, a 20-year-old ca-
shier; Aiden Bartley, a seven-year-old student of Four Path Primary; Errol Stewart otherwise called Wagga, a 58-year-old butcher; Jermaine Boothe otherwise called Blacks; Courtney Messam otherwise called Dummbie and a woman identified only as Margaret.
Nine people were injured in the first gun attack, including a one-year and nine-month old toddler.
Deputy Commissioner of police Fitz Bailey says the unfortunate and brutal incident borders on terrorism, as he believes it was done to instill fear and intimidate the community.
(Jamaica Observr)
Antonio Delfim Netto, one of Brazil's most prominent economists who was the economics tsar of the military government in the 1970s and 1980s, died on Monday at the age of 96.
His office said he died after a week in hospital "due to complications in his health condition."
Delfim Netto was one of the country's longest serving finance ministers, holding the position between 1967 and 1974, and later serving as planning minister 1979-1985, years when Brazil was under military rule. After civilian rule was restored in 1985, Delfim Netto was elected to the lower chamber of Congress five times and for decades remained an influential figure in economic and political circles, publishing his views in frequent newspaper columns.
Delfim Netto advised leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on economic policy during
Brazil's former Finance and Planning Minister
his first two presidential terms. In 2022, he said he would vote for Lula in the election race against farright former President Jair Bolsonaro. During his time as finance minister for the military government, when the policy focus was on heavy public spending, the South American country grew rapidly, hitting a record 14.4% GDP expan -
sion in 1974, in what was called the Brazilian "economic miracle."
Later, as planning minister in the early 1980s, he helped his country cope with a global financial meltdown caused by an oil price shock and high U.S. interest rates that triggered a debt crisis for developing countries like Brazil. (Reuters)
Bolivian President Luis Arce on Monday tapped Alejandro Gallardo as the nation's new energy and hydrocarbons minister as the country faces widespread fuel shortages.
The previous minister, Franklin Molina, had been criticized for his handling of the ongoing issue. Unions and shopkeepers were set to take to the streets later on Monday in the city
of Cochabamba to protest shortages of hard currency and petrol at the pumps. "There is still much work to be done," Arce said in a live message after also swapping out the nation's labor and rural development ministers. "Each change represents an opportunity to resolve several problems we're facing."
Arce's government is dealing with an energy crunch linked to years of
Daveanand Balchan is the latest of three burnt bodies to be discovered since August 9.
Balchan's burnt remains were discovered at his Manswell Lane, Dass Trace, Enterprise home around 2 am on August 11, after the fire service put out a blaze that engulfed the house.
Police said neighbours told them two men were seen running from the 36-year-old handyman's home before it went up in flames.
The district medical officer visited and ordered the body removed pending an autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre, St James.
Police believe the incident could be a homicide and are continuing investigations.
On August 10, the charred remains of an unidentified man were discovered by a cattle farmer in Barrackpore. The 60-yearold farmer told police around 11 am he went to a dirt road off Wilson Road, Barrackpore to fish when he observed several corbeax around a coconut tree.
Fearful it was one of his animals he went to investigate and found the burnt, decomposing male body wearing a black Puma shoe on his right foot which was unburnt.
On August 9, the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT) discovered burnt remains they believe to be that of Dalipram Jadoo, 67, in a makeshift fire pit at his
Las Lomas No 3 home.
The pensioner, who was suffering from a stroke, was last seen around 6.30 pm on August 5 and was reported missing the next day. HSRT head Vallence Rambharat said they found the smouldering pit during a search effort but was told by Jadoo's nephew he was burning rubbish. After returning Rambharat said they paid closer attention to the pit where they discovered what appeared to be human bone fragments. La Horquetta police were alerted and responded. Neighbours told Rambharat and his team the fire had been burning since August 5, the day Jadoo was last seen. (T&T Newsday)
Prime Minister Philip Davis said on Friday that Grand Bahama Power Company’s (GBPC) request for an electricity rate increase is “unreasonable”.
Davis also hit out at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and its assertion it is the sole licensor and regulator of all utilities in Freeport. Davis said under the law, there is only one regulator with the power to approve a rate increase—the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).
He was referring to a new Electricity Act that was passed earlier this year, which establishes URCA as the only regulator in the country’s energy sector. However, GBPA has asserted its rights as the regulator for electricity on Grand Bahama, citing its powers as outlined in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
On the sidelines of an event on Friday, Davis was asked what message he
has for Grand Bahamians considering the conflicting statements from both parties.
“The message I have is this: that we only have one Bahamas, we don’t have two governments and there’s a quasi-element of governance in the Port Authority which we are now addressing and we will be dealing with that in due course. At the moment we have passed
the [Electricity] Act and we expect the laws of the land to be complied with.” GBPC is seeking a 6.3 percent increase in the base rate for electricity. Two years ago, the company was granted approval by GBPA for a 3.4 percent increase to the base rate. Davis said there is no justification for another rate increase. (The Nassau Guardian)
Two teenagers and a 21-year-old mother of one were killed in a police-involved shooting on the Caroni Savannah Road early yesterday morning.
declining oil and gas production, that has hit exports and the country's main source of foreign currency. Protests against regular diesel shortages have become common since the start of this year.
Landlocked Bolivia imports half of the gasoline needed to meet domestic demand, costing some $800 million annually, and as much as 80% of diesel supplies. (Reuters)
The fatal confrontation occurred around 4.40 am near the Caroni cremation site.
Police said they received a report of a car with occupants carrying guns and subsequently came upon a white Nissan Almera speeding along the road. Officers said when they attempted to stop the car, the driver rammed the police vehicle and two gunshots were heard.
The car ran off the road
and two other gunshots were heard before police returned fire, hitting the three occupants.
The trio, who were pronounced dead at the Eric Willaims Medical Sciences Complex around 5.14 am, were identified as Amir “Pa” Bissoon, 16, Jaya Jodi Barath, 21, both of Samaroo Lane, Dookiesingh Street Extension, St Augustine and Joseph Ramjit, of Kalpoo Street, Spring Village.
Police claim they were affiliated with the Resistance Gang, who are the masterminds behind extortion rackets in central and north Trinidad. They said a black pistol was recovered from the car in which they were travelling. However, the police version of the incident is being challenged by relatives of Bissoon who claimed he had been threatened by one of the four who was present at his fatal shooting yesterday. They said the teen was followed by the lawmen when he went to lime at a bar with friends and was part of a three-car convoy when police ordered the other cars to leave before the trio was killed.
Bissoon’s mother, Sunita Ramjattan, said her son was targeted but she could not say why. (Excerpted from T&T Guardian)
(March 21-April 19)
Pick up the pace and handle your responsibilities. Don’t take unnecessary risks that have the potential to lead to injury, insult or illness. Stay focused on doing your part.
Be direct and use honesty and facts to back up your words. Refuse to let emotions set in if someone pressures you. Concentrate on doing, looking and feeling your best, and enjoy.
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
Take the high road. Refuse to get involved in someone else’s drama or limit what you can achieve because you gave someone the right to make decisions for you. Rethink your situation.
Reinvent how you use your skills. Keeping up with the times will help you access higher-income positions. Refrain from getting angry over something you can’t change.
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Take the time to plan before you act. Change requires thought if you want to come out on top. Go into each scenario you face with an open heart and mind; observe, evaluate and do what’s necessary.
Avoid taking risks. Bide your time and do your due diligence; it will change your perspective. Add to your qualifications and stay connected to your competitors.
Broaden your awareness and explore what’s available. Learning something new or taking part in an activity or event will motivate you to make new acquaintances and broaden your horizons.
Look, observe and follow through. Make the effort, and you’ll reap the rewards. An emotional situation requires a shift. Implement suggestions that make your life flow better.
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Recognize your limitations and strengths, and consider your options. Refrain from following the crowd if you want to find your path to happiness. Trust your instincts.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Discipline will help you conquer whatever you set out to do. Saving money, sticking to a health regimen and achieving your desired level of success will lead to better lifestyle changes.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Change what isn’t working in your life. Focus on convenience and comfort. Talk to experts and partners, and you’ll discover how to achieve peace of mind in an orderly fashion.
Keep secret information to yourself. Share only what’s necessary and factual. Making promises prematurely will deter you from implementing a lifestyle change.
It’s a mere 4 days to the first bell of the 7th edition of the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Boxing Extravaganza, and the executives of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) have intensified their efforts to not only produce a qualitative tournament, but to ensure the security and comfort of the ‘Simon Pures’ who would be contesting for honours.
The Guyanese contingent is scheduled to open camp at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, and the parents of those boxers were yesterday afternoon summoned to a meeting at which the Director of Bouts, Terrence Poole, briefed them on measures in place for their children’s safety and comfort. Mr. Poole painstakingly brought the parents up to date on crucial matters relevant to the security process, as well as the responsibilities of the children and those of the management team.
Several parents attended the briefing, and were asked to confirm approval of their children’s participation by affixing their signatures to a corresponding document.
Mr. Poole thanked the
adults for their interest, and assured them that the GBA had installed all protocols for the children’s safety and comfort.
“You can all rest assured that your children are going to be okay,” he has assured.
All roads would be leading to the Mainstay Motorcross Park on the Essequibo Coast on Sunday August 18, as the second Annual Dirt Bike and Quad Racing Event is held.
This event is expected to be filled with excoriating bike action, and 20 riders with Motor sharks experience from Georgetown, Mahdia, Red dirt from Bartica and Essequibo, and top riders like Steven DeNobrega, Andrew Wong and The Ten Pow brothers are expected to participate.
Speaking with this publication, Managing Director of Mainstay Motor Sharks, Joel Fredricks, touched on the importance of this event and commended sponsors for their participation when he said, “It's an important event
here in Essequibo, because when you look back at the history of Essequibo, people were always involved in grass track and then it went down for a while. So, I am bringing it back now, and a lot of support we are getting from other regions. So, the sport is growing, and I want to say thanks to all the sponsors who came on board. And the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and a lot of business people are coming on board to support this event.”
Speaking about his expectations with the level and quality of riders participating, he said, “You can come and expect exciting racing for this event. It's a time out to come and see the best rid-
ers in Guyana, because all of (them) are gathering here on the 18th. So, you come and see Steve Nobrega, Andrew Wong, and the Ten-Pow brothers. It's a big competition because these are all the top riders, and for the quad, we have Dave Young, we have Sean Jacobs, Oliver Young, and all the quad riders from Bartica. So, it's sheer top riders coming here on that day to entertain the people of Essequibo and all of Guyana who will be coming.”
Importantly, he divulged that the tournament would not have been possible without corporate sponsorship from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and many other entities.
The Technical Director said he was especially delighted by the enthusiastic participation of the parents. He also said such support can only redound positively on the youth’s performances, and by extension contribute positively to Guyana’s retention of the prestigious championship that is at stake.
Meanwhile, boxers from the Ancient County of Berbice arrived in Georgetown late yesterday afternoon, and have already opened camp at the ALBG under the tutelage of former local boxing champion Jeff Roberts, himself a Berbician. The former lightweight pugilist is brimming with confidence, and assures
that his charges are ready to represent Guyana with pride.
“We are also hungry for victories,” Roberts has declared.
The championship is staged in honour of another top local boxing stalwart, Winfield Braithwaite, a retired Guyanese light-welterweight boxer who represented his country at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada and won the gold medal in the light-welterweight division after victories over Alec Leatherday of Australia, Baba Sumaila of Ghana, Michael Mwangi of Kenya, and James Douglas of Scotland by knockout in the first round.
The traditional opening ceremony will be held at the tournament venue, National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, and would immediately be followed by the highly anticipated fistic fury.
Temba Bavuma has lamented the lack of time after South Africa were held to a draw by West Indies in the first Test of their two-match series.
A match heavily impacted by rain concluded on Sunday with South Africa declaring early on 173-5, but subsequently failing to bowl West Indies out in a little over two sessions.
The Windies reached 201-5 at stumps while chasing a target of 298, with Alick Athanaze (98) superbly marshalling the innings. It left the Proteas bowling group frustrated; already one player short with South Africa having gone with an extra batter for the first Test.
"From our side, we tried our best to get a result in our favour," said Bavuma, "but the wicket didn't break up as much as we expected. In the end, it was a good, competitive game of cricket.
We went in with an extra batter as a cushion. As batters, we would like to be a bit more ruthless and convert those fifties into hundreds.
"We lost time because of the weather. With the bowling resources we had, we
tried our best. A little bit more time and things could have been different," he concluded.
Keshav Maharaj took 4-88 for South Africa, and Kagiso Rabada (1-38) was the only other Proteas bowler to do any damage to the Windies during their second innings.
"I pride myself on playing Test cricket," Maharaj has said. "I always relish a chance to bowl, and the conditions suited me. I tried to keep repeating the process
and keep things simple."
Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, meanwhile, was delighted with the grit his team displayed with the bat. "Happy with our batting group," he said. "The guys were quite positive, so [I'm] proud of the batting unit. We believed we could get those runs. It wasn't going to be easy. We need to keep going from strength to strength."
The second and final Test starts on Thursday. (Sportsmax)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2024
Following a weekend of exhilarating multi- discipline sports action at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, Guyanese athletes have begun reaping rewards for their efforts in the recently concluded President’s Games.
During a simple presentation at the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Middle Street, Georgetown on Monday, the top four teams and individual stars received their rewards for the Futsal component of the 6-sport ‘One Guyana’branded tournament.
On Sunday, Unstoppable eased past lash Up 3-1 in the quarterfinals, while North
East gained a walkover from Ex Pro. Sparta Boss decimated Shattaville Gunners 7-0 to book passage to the final four, but Bent Street got to
the final four in contrasting fashion, having survived 6-5 on sudden death kicks from the penalty spot when they faced Pouderoyen. That clash
Javid Ali is on top of the world after his newly imported Brazilian horse Olympic Kremlin pulled off a remarkable upset win in the feature event of the 16th running of the Guyana Cup at Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday last.
The Slingerz Racing Stables, after three attempts in the Guyana Cup feature, finally came to the victory party. Guyana Cup winner Olympic Kremlin had arrived in Guyana less than four days before race day. According to Ali, the horse was unable to walk for a few days after the intense travelling, but less than 48 hours before race day, the horse began to acclimatize.
“Finally, after a third try in the Guyana Cup! I still can’t believe the horse just win. It is a feeling you cannot explain, to win the most prestigious horse racing in Guyana, the Guyana Cup. This is my third year rac-
ing, but I have been coming to horse racing in Berbice since I was a kid. Racing in the Guyana Cup is not easy, it is a lot of work and sacrifices. Credit must be given to the entire team, and Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr. especially,” Ali said. “Winning the Guyana Cup is everything for a horseman. To get this trophy means a lot.”
Sharing his challenges, Ali said: “There was a lot of investment in getting the horse in Guyana. The horse came from Brazil, but logistics was difficult this time. There was some problem in Lethem. Two days ago, the horses were not able to walk, and I called the organizers saying I may not be able to run the Guyana Cup.”
The Slingerz brand is known for music, but this Guyana Cup win gives a significant boost to the new stable. With the likes of the newly crowned Guyana
Cup champion John Bull and Ritorna Vencentori in Slingerz Racing stables, Ali said, fans should expect great things.
Olympic Kremlin pulled the trigger at the right moment with a come-from-behind win against a strong and mostly experienced field of horses. Defending champion Easy Time had a lead in most of the race, but Olympic Kremlin stormed past the field to claim a famous win in front of a packed Rising Sun Turf Club.
Ali and his Slingerz Racing Stables walked away with G$6 million. The feature event had a purse of G$11,625,000, which was shared between the top five finishers.
Horsemen will now be gearing up for the next meet, which is the President’s Cup, to be run at the Rising Sun turf on September 22, 2024.
ended 1-1 in regulation time. In the semis, a freshfaced Bent Street team stunned Sparta Boss with a 4-1 victory, while North East had a walk in the park in defeating Unstoppable 2-0.
In the final, North East prevailed 5-4 on sudden death kicks from the penal-
ty spot, after regulation time activities ended with a 1-1 draw.
Thanks to a helmet trick from Ryan ‘Bom Bom’ Hackett in the third-place playoff, Sparta Boss redeemed themselves with a 4-0 victory over Unstoppable.
“I think that each and ev-
ery one here can boast about being part or participants of the first President’s Games. As we said, this will be an annual event. It’s an initiative of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, which is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission. I want to say congratulations to all of the winners, and prepare for next year,” Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, remarked during the presentation ceremony.
In individual accolades, Ryan Hackett received the highest goal-scorer’s award for his 5 goals during the tournament, while Samuel Vandyke of North East was adjudged the best goalkeeper. His teammate Calbin Moore was adjudged the two-day tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has disclosed on Monday that Johnny Grave would be concluding his tenure as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the end of October 2024.
This is a position Grave has held since February 2017, and CWI is extending its deepest gratitude for the dedicated service and leadership he has displayed throughout his term.
In his reflection, Johnny Grave said, "It has been an absolute privilege to have been CEO of CWI since February 2017. Having just hosted a successful T20 World Cup and delivered significant surpluses for CWI for the third consecutive year, I do feel it is the right time for me and my family to seek a new challenge. I have received tremendous support from so many people since becoming CEO, and I’d like to thank everyone, especially the staff and the players, particularly during the difficult pandemic, for their trust in me and their commitment to West Indies cricket.
“My family and I have loved living in Antigua, and will leave with many special memories, having watched our young children grow up here. I have put everything into this role, and now is the right time for someone new, with fresh energy, to lead the organisation and continue this important work and build on the strong foundations that are now in place.”
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow has said, “Johnny’s efforts, particularly through challenging times such as the COVID-19 pan-
demic, as well as successfully hosting three World Cups, including the Women’s World T20 in 2018, the Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2022, and recently the Men's T20 World Cup, have made a lasting impact on CWI.
Appreciably, the organisation has taken many positive strides during his tenure. A standout achievement is the acquisition and full ownership of the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), which is now our headquarters and home to our Men’s and Women’s Academies. On behalf of the Board and all at CWI, I express heartfelt thanks to him for the unwavering commitment and leadership over the past several years.”
Dr. Shallow further emphasised, “As we look forward to embracing a new chapter in the organisation’s evolution, CWI is poised to deliver the new strategic plan and enter a new era of governance. This transition reflects our commitment to adapting and innovating in response to the evolving landscape of cricket.”
Cricket West Indies would be initiating a com-
prehensive recruitment process to select the next CEO. The organisation is dedicated to ensuring a thorough and transparent selection process. Details regarding the recruitment process would be announced shortly, and would be published across various media platforms in order to keep stakeholders informed.
ne building away from the corner of Camp and Middle Streets in Georgetown, the lines in front of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ (GAW) Box Office stretched south along Camp Street and wrapped around Quamina Street on Monday morning, as hundreds of GAW fans queued up in order to be among the first to get their hands on tickets for the GAW home games in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament.
Avid fans usually begin lining up in the wee hours of the opening day, but some took it further by setting up camp outside the GAW Box Office as early as 17:00hrs on Sunday afternoon. Among the first group of fans to secure their tickets on Monday were Richard Singh, Simone Browne and Melanie Winter, who came from East Coast Demerara and East Bank Essequibo to burn the midnight oil at the Box Office.
Some described it as time well spent with games and jokes, and the first 20 fans were rewarded with free GAW merchandise.
“It was a long wait, but the wait was worthwhile. Guyanese, come out and support the Amazon Warriors! We repping all the way,” Richard Singh has declared as he told this publication about his night in waiting.
“So, we came here about 07:30 last night, and til this morning we wait, but it was worthwhile. It was a good while; we had fun, you know. I got to meet with new people, people that celebrate the game and interacted with us. It was a good wait.”
out there; but it was a long night and a hot day. But we finally got the tickets, and we’re excited and happy.”
Winter added, “This is a customary this for us, always here getting our tickets. I think because of the win last year, that is why you see this magnitude of crowd out there so early in the morning.”
“Like 4 O’clock they got in the building and about 200 people were here by that time,” Browne further stated about the visibly larger crowd this year.
The tickets currently available are for the Amazon Warriors’ 5 home games in addition to two neutral games. Prices are set at $2,500 for the Grass Mound, $3,500 for the Orange Stand, $5,500 for the Red Stand, and $6,000 for the Green Stand.
In addition, to the Box Office, the Amazon Warriors also opened their Merchandise Store, which according to Operations Manager Dinesh Ramsahai has something affordable for everyone.
“Well, we have some new items indeed. We have the new line of replica playing shirts, we have track suits, we have the new jackets. We also have passport holders, wallets, key rings, cups, bottles, flasks, new hats, along with tote bags, backpacks and socks,” Ramsahai informed.
Speaking about the affordability of items at the GAW Merchandise Store, he said, “Yes, there’s something for everyone. Our prices have been reduced from last year. You can
Two best friends in Brown and Winter declared they have made it a tradition to travel from Parika and camp out for their tickets. Brown told <<Guyana Times Sport,>> “We came here at 11 O’ clock last night, and the wait…wasn’t easy. We had fun, we played dominoes and had lots of jokes going on with the guys
get the replica shirts now for $4000 and up, majority of them being $4000. Backpacks are $3500. You know the tote bags are affordable and the track suits also. The most expensive item I think we have is the varsity jacket. That’s about $10,000, but everything else is (more) affordable, better prices than last year.” The Box Office and Merchandise Store will be open from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs on weekdays, and from 08:30hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays. The Republic Bank CPL action will bowl off in Guyana on Friday September 20th with a
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