The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, July 30 – no retraction and Wednesday, July 31 –00:30h-02:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, July 30 –12:35h-14:05h and Wednesday, July 31 – 13:40h-15:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Light to thundery showers are expected during the day, with sunny conditions in the early-morning and afternoon hours. Partly cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to South South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.12 metres.
High Tide: 12:12h reaching a maximum height of 2.16 metres.
Low Tide: 18:00h
1.08 metres.
Caricom States must strengthen systems, border controls to prevent arms smuggling – President Ali
...urges greater investments among member states in border security
hallenges such as porous borders must be confronted by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, with outgoing Chairman and Guyana President Dr. Irfaan Ali urging more focus on strengthening security systems and resilient borders.
During the opening ceremony of the 47th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in St. Georges, Grenada, he made this call to action on the issue of regional security. The Guyanese Head of State stressed that the region must ensure its commitment to safeguarding its borders and denting the arms trade, never wavers.
“Our commitment to the rule of law, to democracy, to freedom, must be unshakeable. Unshakeable. Our commitment to these three things must be unshakeable,” the Head of State said.
“But our commitment to ensuring that societies we build have safeguards that would disallow the type of weapons that are getting into our borders, just as we have to build our borders and invest in our borders, investing in our security systems to ensure our borders reduce the negative impact on other borders.”
According to Ali, ensuring that illegal guns do not enter member states will require investments, as well as some special assistance. He noted the importance of member states seeking solutions to these and other problems, during their gathering.
“Whether it’s the movement of drugs, we have to ensure we build stronger systems, so that we are not used as tools to affect other borders in other countries.
We have to fight the drug trade. Fight transnational crime. And to do that, we have to invest in security, border protection, port security, we have to meet all the international standards and we’re committed to doing so.”
In Guyana, there have been recent successes in recovering illegal firearms, with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo declaring at a recent press conference that many of these guns originated in the US. He had called for greater US support in aiding Guyana when it comes to combating illegal arms trading.
“The visible successes of the police force and joint services are due to the hard work of many people in these agencies. Inter-agency collaboration is occurring between all the agencies… they (guns) come in through barrels and various other methods. We need greater assistance to stop the flow of weapons into our region. A lot of these weapons come from the United States.”
“We do a lot of work assisting in tackling drug trafficking, but we do not see the same level of effort from the U.S. in addressing the smuggling of guns into our territory… We need enhanced collaboration to address the issue of guns,” Jagdeo had also said.
Help
Based on recent utterances from the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Bonnie Jenkins, such help may be in the pipeline. Ambassador Jenkins had said in June, during a visit to Guyana, that the US is looking at funding countries in the region that de-
velop a national action plan to tackle the trade in illegal arms.
“There are a number of countries in the Caribbean that are developing these national action plans to address issues of small arms, and the US (is) seeing how we can provide funding to those countries who have developed these national action plans,” she had stated.
“My understanding is Guyana is one of the countries that [are developing] the action plan. So, based on what those plans are, we can provide funding to coun-
or 18.8 per cent, is unknown and the others emanate from mostly European countries such as Austria, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and Germany.
According to Blanhum, this information was obtained as a result of the Police Force now having access to the database of the US-based Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF), which allows them to conduct traces of illegal firearms.
As part of efforts to counter firearms trafficking in the region, the Bipartisan
tries to actually implement those plans,” Ambassador Jenkins further explained.
At a Guyana Police Force (GPF) press conference last November, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had reported that most of the illegal weapons found on the local streets originated from the US. In fact, it was revealed that 29, or 22.7 per cent, of the 128 guns seized across the country up to that period in 2023, were from the US.
Another 26, or 20.30 per cent of those seized firearms were from neighbouring Brazil, while the origin of some 24 seized firearms,
Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into US law in July 2022, increasing criminal penalties for straw purchasers and US-sourced firearms trafficking.
Moreover, a partnership between the Caricom Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations have been crafted for an interagency, multijurisdictional surge operation – Operation Hammerhead – to target illicit firearms being trafficked from the United States to the Caribbean. (G3)
Caricom Heads during the opening ceremony of the 47th Caricom Heads of Government meeting
Guyana becoming a developed country is not merely an optimistic hope, but a doable and achievable reality, because the Government’s facilitation of investments can propel this nation into First World status.
Before the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed the primary executive office in the land in October of 1992, Guyana was rated on international developmental indices as being on par with Haiti. Graphed during the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration as the least developed nation in the world, with a crippling debt burden, Guyana’s development under the astute leadership provided by successive PPP/C Presidents has been rapid.
After a relatively short period of approximately two decades, Guyana has been recognised by the world as a middle-income developing country, and described by the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines as “The only shining star in the Caribbean”. The popular prognosis heralded great things for this nation because the focus of the PPP/C Administrations – then and now – is to make Guyana a modern and developed country; and Guyana had indeed been inexorably moving from a middle-income developing country to becoming, in the not-too-distant future, a developed country.
However, for the country to achieve such a status, it has to be a joint effort by all stakeholders working in conjunction and cooperation with the Government. There have been, in the past, multiple successful partnerships between the Government, Private Sector, and other stakeholders working together to create of Guyana a modern society. The transformation of the national socio-economic landscape has not been easy, because there are elements of negativity who are intent on stymieing every developmental initiative.
Regrettably, this progressive developmental paradigm took a relentless and rapid retrogression – in every sector – with the advent of another People’s National Congress (PNC)-led Government in 2015. Post-2015 elections, a relentless reversal of Guyana’s developmental trajectory under the coalition Government administration brought this country to an almost bankrupt state, with a debt burden of billions of dollars.
One of the worst disincentives to private investment in Guyana is the high energy costs, which send overheads skyrocketing, especially in the manufacturing sector; and the PPP/C Government had attempted to address this problem through hydropower, but had reached the usual developmental roadblocks from the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, which used every armament in their arsenal to shoot down the hydropower project.
It is a proven fact that not having cheap energy is one of the most prohibitive factors that have impeded Guyana’s manufacturing sector from surging. However, despite the setback with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, President Irfaan Ali has said that he is determined that the pursuit of alternative energy will be prioritised so that the Government can provide cheap energy for the development of a strong industrial manufacturing sector and a strong processing sector. With a progressing agricultural sector that can easily develop an agro-industrial complex, Guyana is once again climbing global developmental graphs.
During the last Budget debates, various Government Members of Parliament (MPs) outlined future transformative plans geared towards making true the dream of taking Guyana from a middle-income developing country to a developed country, and one could only hope that the joint Opposition would allow good sense and patriotism to prevail over self-centred agendas, to work along on these visionary plans including the Gas-to-Energy Project that would benefit all Guyanese and create of this country, not only “the only shining star of the Caribbean”, but the shining star of the world.
Jordon deliberately ignores proactive, strategic measures taken by the PPP/C to mitigate the
The Ministry of Agriculture categorically dismisses the falsehoods propagated by Vinceroy Jordan in a section of the media regarding the ongoing challenge of Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) in Guyana's poultry industry.
While Jordan highlights the critical economic and health impacts of this disease, which has been felt globally, he deliberately ignores the proactive and strategic measures taken by the PPP/C administration to mitigate its effects and protect our poultry sector.
Since its first detection in 2005 and confirmation in 2006 at the DIDCO farm, IBH has posed a severe threat to our poultry industry leading to substantial economic losses and the eventual closure of the DIDCO facility.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s swift response, including the recruitment of renowned regional poultry pathologists and the initiation of a national IBH control plan, has been pivotal in reducing the incidence of this disease over the years.
The resurgence of IBH cases in 2015, particularly in the Berbice zone, underscored the persistent threat
of this disease and its ability to cause significant damage despite containment efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent historic flooding further exacerbated the situation, creating ideal conditions for the virus to spread and challenging the existing vaccination programmes.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented several critical interventions, including:
1. Sourcing and Procurement of Vaccines: A total investment of 29 million GYD has been dedicated to securing vaccines to combat IBH.
2. Recruitment of International Experts: The ministry has contracted poultry pathologists, virologists, and nutritionists to provide expertise and enhance our disease management capabilities.
3. Legislative Support: Key legislation has been passed to support staff activities and ensure hatchery compliance, strengthening our regulatory framework.
4. Virus Isolation and typing: Efforts have been made to isolate and type the virus, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions.
5. Development of an
effects of IBH
Autogenous Vaccine: For the first time in Guyana's history an autogenous vaccine was developed in 2021, marking a significant milestone in our fight against IBH.
6. Sourcing of Hatching Eggs from Vaccinated Flocks: This strategy aims to improve the immunity of chicks from the outset, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
7. Broiler Breeder Programme: A 20 million GYD investment has been made to establish a broiler breeder programme, ensuring national self-sufficiency and enhancing the immunity of our poultry population.
It is important to note that while many countries continue to grapple with outbreaks of diseases like Newcastle and Bird Flu, Guyana has successfully kept these threats at bay through strategic interventions by the Ministry of Agriculture. This success is a testament to the efficacy of our national disease control strategies and the dedication of our agricultural sector under the PPP/C Government, the poultry sector is enjoying its best times, partly due to our support of the oil and gas sector and the extensive research conducted on hepatitis.
Despite the challenges posed by IBH, particularly the marked increase in cases in 2015 limited to the Berbice zone, and the perfect environmental conditions for the disease to thrive in 2020 due to COVID-19 and historic flooding our interventions have been effective in mitigating the spread of the disease.
ln contrast, during the APNU/AFC administration from 2015-2020, poultry farmers were left to fend for themselves with no significant support or intervention to address these issues. It was only when the PPP/C returned to office that substantial actions were taken to address these challenges and support our poultry sector.
In conclusion, while IBH remains a significant challenge, the Ministry of Agriculture's comprehensive and proactive approach has significantly mitigated its impact. Continued vigilance, investment, and innovation will be crucial in safeguarding Guyana's poultry industry and ensuring its resilience in the face of ongoing and future threats.
Ministry of Agriculture
Sand Creek (Wapishana: Suburun Tao) located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The village is inhabited by Wapishana Amerindians (Mike Gonsalves photo)
An albatross on the PNC's neck
Dear Editor,
2024 is the year of elections for many countries worldwide. Already there have been close shaves, upsets, and unprecedented compromises in elections that have already been held, especially in India, South Africa, France, Mexico and the UK. While attention is focused on the ball for the upcoming American election later this year, all eyes will concentrate on Venezuela, our neighbor next door on their consequential election. As Maduro was declared winner, major problems have already surfaced and Maduro’s goons are busy doing what the PNC did during election time in Guyana. Guyanese will go to the polls next year when the PNC/AFC/APNU will be clutching on any straw as they struggle to emerge from a sea of cesspools.
Kamala Harris, the current United States of America Vice President, is the potential Democratic presidential candidate for the November 2024 Election. She is all PPP/C. In a week since President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, she has raised US$200 million in her People Powered Presidential Campaign, to be run in the next 100 days. That amount was raised mostly from new members. President Irfaan Ali and his PPP/C Government
have enjoyed a close, cordial, and comfortable working relationship with the Democratic American Government, since they were legitimately elected by Guyanese to administrate the country and legally sworn in on the 2nd of August 2020.
This was possible with the invaluable help of the then-Republican American Government, along with the BCE, CARICOM, and the entire International/Regional/ National Community.
Incidentally, the potentially predicted PNC is also privileged to promote the PPP/C. They have started with their Promises, Pledges, and Pronouncements in their Campaign to attempt to usurp power once again as they did in March 2020. Despite being convincingly crushed and losing the 2020 Election, the PNC held on to power for 5 unabashed months and unashamedly curled up on a cozy couch while launching a cleanup crusade to remove all evidence of finagling during their ruinous 5 years reign from 2015 to 2020.
As the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) continues to laboriously meet to execute their strenuous job, the expected nightmares become reality as all the PNC suspected financial irregularities unfolded. It is of little wonder that the Opposition
members of the PAC were determined to speedily rush through the process so that little time could be spent on examining, questioning, and requesting answers and explanations satisfactorily required on the audited accounts and the findings on numerous deficiencies and illegal transactions. In their election 2020 motto, the PNC advertised “Honesty and Integrity.”
The popular Latin phrase comes in handy, “Alea Iacta Est,” meaning, “The Die Is Cast.” The PNC’s faith was already decided when they failed to reveal their SOP and the entire world looked on as they clumsily attempted to manipulate the numbers by increasing the votes for the PNC and decreasing those for the PPP/C. After referring to CARICOM as the “most important interlocutor” in the Guyana Elections, the untrustworthy past President, Granger, then reneged on his agreement to go ahead with recounting the votes with the CARICOM team.
As another August 2nd is being remembered, Guyanese and the entire Caribbean will reflect on what the Head of the Organisation of American States observer mission to Guyana’s March 2nd elections, Bruce Golding, said, “And permit me here to pause to comment. I have never seen a more transpar-
ent effort to alter the results of an election.” This statement was included in his report to the OAS Permanent Council where many ambassadors were present.
What’s wrong with the PNC is that everything is wrong. But they do know not that there is nothing wrong with conceding, confirming, and communicating this wrong. Amanda Desir in her PNC leadership campaign declared, "Recent events have cast a shadow over our [PNC/R] noble cause.” Their noble cause has always been to ensure that the PNC rules Guyana for life and that no one else can share in their spoils. This can only be achieved by rigging elections as the PNC did in the 1968 elections, the 1973 elections, the 1978 referendum, the 1980 elections, and the 1985 elections. The senior elder for the party confirmed this tried and tested tool in his audacious and appalling affirmation, given earlier this year at Burnham’s commemorative birth anniversary and at a function arranged by the Burnham Foundation, “I say we should keep rigging to save us from these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have.”
There is nothing wrong in confessing this wrong to make things right as a commencement. The PNC cannot confine itself to any form of consolation and con-
Strides made in the housing sector deserving of commendation
Dear Editor,
I write once again to express my approval of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), this time for their tremendous success in ensuring affordable and adequate housing for all Guyanese. The government's dedication to this cause is evident in the significant investment of over $240 billion towards making homeownership more accessible in Guyana.
President Ali's recent announcement highlighted the remarkable achievements under this initiative, with over 35,000 house lots distributed and numerous individuals benefiting from crucial infrastructural development. The simultaneous investment in enhancing road networks and improving the availability of water and electricity demonstrates a holistic approach to housing development.
As President Ali aptly stated, housing does not exist in isolation; it requires
supportive infrastructure.
The construction of 414 kilometers of new roads, 250 kilometres of new water transmission mains, and more than 2,200 kilometres of electricity transmission lines underscore the comprehensive nature of the government's housing strategy.
The measures implemented by the PPP/C Government to make homeownership more affordable, including subsidies and lower interest rates, are commendable. The delivery of over 3,000 houses, with a focus on low- and moderate-income segments, is a testament to the government's commitment to reaching every part of the population.
Subsidising low-income house lots by almost $4.2 million and reducing interest rates have facilitated an increase in new housing loans valued at $56 billion. Moreover, the investment in core homes for the vulnerable and the $2 billion allocated for hinterland housing reflect the government's in-
clusive approach. The mortgage relief programme benefiting over 16,000 young people is another significant milestone.
President Ali's statement, "We don’t just promise, we deliver," rings true with the tangible results achieved in less than four years. The distribution of land titles to 56 persons in Region Three is a testament to the government's commitment to regularising land ownership and providing legal security to residents.
The PPP/C Government’s comprehensive approach to housing, which includes building roads, expanding
roadways, and ensuring access to essential services, is indeed praiseworthy. These efforts are laying the foundation for a better and more prosperous life for all Guyanese.
In conclusion, the strides made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C Government in the housing sector also is deserving of commendation. Their dedication to improving the lives of Guyanese through affordable and adequate housing is setting a benchmark for development in the region.
Yours truly,
Anson Paul
clude that its only hope is to follow Burnham's legacy and hope to use the race card as its weapon and retreat to violence as a last resort. Having lost the 2020 General Elections was a major blow to the PNC-aligned confederates who subverted the sanctity of sanity and waged a war on democracy to retain power through the back door. Many events unfolded behind the scenes before Granger finally conceded to the PPP/C's victory. It was the "mother of all elections because it determined who would begin to control the usage of the oil revenue to charter a new chapter in the history of Guyana's eco-
nomic development. This stigma of election rigging will forever be borne on the neck of the PNC as an albatross when claiming to be transparent. The new generation knows that something is ghastly wrong with this horrible sight and no amount of rebranding will alter this image. Clothing the party with this fabric leaves them naked and standing on shaky ground. The US did command the ranger for the caretaker government to, “step aside.” Let the “Case for the riggers begin.”
Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
End road work
Dear Editor, For weeks (perhaps months) now, mountains of sand are piled up at the side of the Railway Embankment Road from Sheriff Street to beyond Bel Air Village. Road works are at a standstill. Pedestrians travelling from west to east on that road are forced to walk on the left side of the road, backing close traffic, as it would be suicidal to attempt to walk on the righthand side, near the piles of sand that spill onto the roadway.
At the Sheriff Street
junction, a sign reads END ROAD WORK. Is that a command given to the contractor(s) informing all and sundry, that they are no longer required to continue the road building process, or was the question mark (?) omitted as many ask...Who is responsible for this unfinished business? this untidy state of affairs?! Maybe it is time for the defaulters to find jobs that they are competent enough to complete and END ROAD WORK!
Regards, Claudia Heywood
Area Page Foundation
Sometimes you want to find a figure’s area, or the number of units it would take to fill it. Those units are called square centimetres, metres, or kilometres in metric units or square inches, feet, yards or miles in customary units. Remember
Be careful! A square metre does not equal 100 square cm or a square foot, 12 square inches. A square metre equals 1 metre (100 cm) x 1 metre (100 cm) = 1m2 (10,000 cm) and a square foot = 144 inches.
To find the area of a triangle, multiply its length (also called its base) x its height x
To find the area of a rectangle or a square, multiply the length x the width. In a rectangle and a square, both lengths and both widths are the same, but use only one of each when you multiply.
Exercises: Convert
1) What is the area of a square with 8m sides?
2) Which has a greater area, a 5-cm square or a rectangle with sides of 3 cm and 7 cm?
3) Which has a greater area, a 10-cm square or an equilateral triangle with sides of 6 cm?
4) A triangle has sides of 2 metres. What is its area?
5) A right triangle with sides measuring 2, 3, and 9 cm has what area?
In this fun and easy biology science experiment, we’re going to grow a colony of mould to explore and investigate.
Materials:
Lemon Jar
Water
Aluminium foil
Magnifying glass
Instructions:
Put the lemon in the jar and add a small amount of water.
Cover the lid tightly with the aluminium foil and place the container in a warm dark space. Store the container for a week or more. Remove the lemon and examine the mould with the magnifying glass.
Once you have finished examining the mould, return the foil cover and dispose of the lemon. Wash your hands thoroughly once finished.
How it works:
Mould grows on dead organic matter,
but only becomes visible to the naked eye when it forms a colony called mycelium. Mold digests (or eats) the organic material it is growing on. Mould is very important because it helps break down decaying plants and animals.
Make this a science project: Try different fruits. Try placing the jar in a refrigerator to see if the cold slows or increases the mould development. Try adding salt or vinegar to the experiment and observe if this slows that rate of mould growth. (sciencefun.org)
By Kathi Wolfe
People can ... read Braille with their lips and their tongue ... — David J. Linden, The Kojo Nnamdi Show
Whitman is a foot-long sub of grass-fed beef, Falstaff, a fat onion ring, Ophelia, a wailing wine. Judas Iscariot’s kiss turns my lips against themselves. Emily D makes my tongue want to fly a kite. The tongues of angels, I cannot swallow.
Source: Poetry (February 2016)
Electoral fraud case Local Govt Minister testifies about blatant attempts to steal votes
The 2020 General and Regional Elections fraud case against former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff and other co-accused, began on Monday with Local Government Minister, Sonia Parag testifying that staff from the election agency attempted to subtract votes from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and add them to the then ruling coalition party.
During day one of the trial which is being presided over by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, Parag who was then a candidate on the PPP/ C’s list recalled the blatant attempts to steal votes.
She testified that efforts were being made by GECOM staff, before her very eyes, to alter the results by deducting PPP/C votes and adding votes to the then-ruling APNU/AFC. According to Parag, she raised strenuous objections. Others such as the current Minister within the Office of Prime Minister,
the court, after objections by defense counsels. The presiding magistrate questioned the relevance of some of the evidence being presented.
However, Special Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani noted that the relevance is in GECOM deliberately ignoring the objections of multiple observers in the room. After consulting with counsel in her chambers, Magistrate Daly ad-
Kwame McCoy, subsequently joined in making objections.
She recalled that as she raised her objections, however, persons in the room were also trying to counteract those objections. Parag also named former GECOM official Michelle Miller, one of those on trial, as being the person who read out numbers from what she believed was a spreadsheet
However, some of her testimony was not admitted by
journed the case for today at 9:30h.
Based on Ramdhani’s opening statement, forensically audited Statements of Poll will be presented to the court during the trial. In an interview with the media afterward, he noted that despite objections from the defense, the Magistrate was allowing the evidence to flow.
“We have finally started this trial. And one witness is in the box, giving evidence. We’ve had a good morning so
far. There have been a lot of objections. You’ve seen the objections. I think it's almost objection after objection. But the evidence is flowing smoothly.”
“You saw the magistrate let us continue with the evidence. So, the objections are no objections, the evidence is coming out. There was an objection, for instance, about the identification of the defendants. And the magistrate made it clear, this case will not turn upon whether these people are the people sitting in that room, calling out numbers.”
Objections
Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels of Hughes, Field and Stoby, who is one of the defense lawyers, meanwhile continued his objections outside, to Parag being allowed to give testimony that had not been disclosed to the defense.
“In the latter portion of Ms. Parag’s testimony, she was giving evidence that was not disclosed to the defence and of course, we have had quite a protracted period of over which disclosure could have been made. So, we took the objection that the evidence which was given, we did not have the benefit of that to obtain instructions from our clients, so that we can treat with that accordingly.”
“Quite unfortunately, our senior on the prosecution side took the view that the witness should be permitted to, what we would deem as, to venture on a frolic of her
own, to give testimony about virtually anything that she perhaps deems relevant, which was not disclosed to the defense,” Daniels said.
The trial is set to last from July 29 to September 13, some four years after the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Other witnesses expected to testify include Head of the Diaspora Unit Rosalinda Rasul, former Region Four Police Commander Edgar Thomas, and Forensic Investigator Rawle Nedd.
Former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, his former Deputy Roxanne Myers along with former District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence, PNCR activist Carol Smith-Joseph, and GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings and Michelle Miller, are facing twenty-eight charges relating to electoral fraud.
Among the offences these defendants are accused of
committing are: misconduct while holding public office; presenting falsified documentation; and planning to manipulate Guyana’s voters by presenting an inaccurate vote total.
These charges stemmed from attempts to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then-ruling APNU/AFC. The election report of former CEO Lowenfield claimed that the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes, while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) gained 166,343 votes.
How he arrived at those figures is still unknown, since the certified results from the recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes, while the coalition garnered 217,920. Following the recount, PPP’s Irfaan Ali was declared President of Guyana on August 2, 2020 – some five months after the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. (G-3)
US citizen wanted for murder arrested in Guyana –
Police found US$12,000 in his possession
Thirty-three-yearold Rakeem Antonio Gilgeous, a US citizen who is wanted for murder in the USA, was arrested by local law enforcement officers on Monday in Georgetown.
Based on reports received, acting on information received, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with ranks from Special Branch Head Quarters went to the Postal Housing Scheme, Georgetown where Gilgeous was arrested.
Following his arrest, a
search was carried out on his premises during which one United States of America passport was found. He also had US$12,000 at the time of his arrest.
“The passport was examined and it was observed that Gilgeous arrived in Guyana on July 8, 2024 through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.
The wanted man was taken to the Alberttown Police Station, where he was placed in custody. The cash was reportedly lodged as investigations continue.
Arrested: US citizen Rakeem Antonio Gilgeous
Special Prosecutor Darshan Ramdhani
Three of the accused, APNU Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and his former deputy Roxanne Myers
Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul and Local Government Minister Sonia Parag, two of the prosecution’s witnesses
Attorney-at-Law
Ronald Daniels
Brother of slain biker ‘‘Paper
Shorts’’
charged, remanded for guns & ammo found at Kitty
Forty-five-year-old Eon Fagundes of Sandy Babb Street Kitty, Georgetown was on Monday charged and remanded to prison for the possession of firearms and ammunition. He was one of six persons who were taken into custody following the discovery of a large cache of firearms and ammunition last week during a police operation at Bar Street, Georgetown.
However, Fagundes who is the brother of slain biker Ricardo ‘Paper Shorts’ Fagundes appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Georgetown Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession of a quantity of firearms and ammunition without licences. He was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to August 27, 2024. Guyana Times could not confirm the status of the others who were taken into custody.
Fagundes along with his mother, two sisters, a niece, and a handyman were arrested following the discovery of 26 high-powered rifles and handguns along with over 1600 rounds of various calibres of ammunition.
Police stated that ranks executing a search warrant entered the yard last Wednesday and observed Eon Fagundes exiting a flat wooden house with a side
bag in his right hand.
As such, he was approached and the ranks requested to search the bag during which one Sig Sauer Rifle and one magazine containing 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition; one Polimore-80 9mm pistol without serial number and one magazine containing eight 9mm rounds of ammunition; one Spring Field Armory 45 pistol and four magazines of which one contained five live .45 rounds of ammunition, and one Bravo gun holster were found.
In addition, the team observed a heavily tinted black Nissan Juke bearing registration number PVV 6472 parked opposite Fagundes’ home. Upon inquiries, it was revealed that the car belonged to the suspect’s daughter and child-mother but at the time, it was being used by him.
The keys to the vehicle were subsequently handed over to the police who found
a suitcase, one gulf bag, and a haversack upon entering.
Upon inspection, a large cache of ammunition and
firearms was discovered, these included one AM 15 rifle and two magazines containing 61 rounds of .223 ammunition; two Ruger-57 9mm pistols and one magazine containing 40 rounds of 9mm ammunition; one FN45 pistol and two magazines containing 38 rounds of .45 ammunition; one Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol and a magazine; one Berretta 9mm pistol and a magazine; one Spring Field Hellcat 9mm pistol and a magazine; one Canik 9mm pistol and one magazine; one Glock 43 pistol and one magazine; five Glock 19 pistols along with nine magazines and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition; seven Glock 40 pistols and 10 magazines with 18 rounds of .40 ammunition; two Glock 17 9mm pistols and two magazines; one Glock 9mm pistol and one magazine and one Glock 45 pistol and one magazine.
In addition, 75 rounds of 2-gauge cartridges; 456 rounds of .223 ammunition; 484 rounds of 9mm ammunition; 83 rounds of 5.7- 28 ammunition; 13 rounds of 10 MM ammunition, and 315 rounds of 7.62 -39 ammunition and 15 magazines were found in the bags and suitcase.
What next…
…with Mad Maduro?
Your Eyewitness doesn’t like saying, “I told you so”!! Mostly because he knows that nobody likes a “knowit-all”!! But on the question of Mad Maduro rigging the elections, it was really never a question, was it?? It didn’t take a brainbox to predict THOSE elections would’ve been rigged!! And Lord have mercy…was it ever!! On paper there were all sorts of safeguards in place to prevent the rigging everyone knew would happen. But that’s where it remained – on paper!!
For instance, there were supposed to be “audits” of a specific number of voting machines to detect whether announced results were cooked up electronically. This WASN’T done when it was announced just after midnight, that Maduro was the winner!! Simultaneously, the Opposition, under their spokeswoman Maria Machado, also declared they’d won!! A bit later, with 80% of the vote supposedly counted the Elections Council said Mad Maduro had gotten 51% – to the Opposition’s 44%. And it’s for this reason that the majority of Latin American leaders, in Peru, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay, etc…have been sceptical of the results announced. Additionally, the Elections Council had been appointed by the Maduro-controlled Assembly!! It’s only the usual suspects who’ve accepted the “crooked as barbed wire” result – Cuba, Nicaragua, and of course, Russia!!
Your Eyewitness is waiting for Brazil’s Lula to make his pronouncement – since he’d sent a couple of officials to check out what went down. While the teams couldn’t have observed all 30,000+ voting centres – and even then wouldn’t have known what was in the machines – they’re experienced with Maduro’s modus operandi to smell a rat. Ditto or the Carter Center – which also hasn’t “pronounced” at the time of writing. The opinion that everyone is waiting for, of course, is the US’s. After the Council’s initial announcement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.”
“Serious concerns”?? Heck, since last year, his State Department has been pointing out that Mad Maduro had stacked the Electoral Council with his loyalists!! If the US wants to maintain any semblance of confidence with those countries – like Guyana – who support it because it defends democracy, it gotta insist that the real numbers be released. Just as it did back in 2020 when Mingo tried to dazzle everyone observing OUR elections with his BS – using bedsheets and spreadsheets!!
As far as your Eyewitness is concerned, our government gotta condemn this latest Maduro outrage – and let him know in no uncertain terms that we aren’t fooled by his Sanctimonious pronouncements!!
We’ve had our own who had the term “Gangster” appended to the adjective!!
…in Opposition??
There’s another storm in a teacup that’s being whipped up to hurricane proportions by the Opposition over an exchange between our Attorney General and a High Court Judge. Seems that an American oil company won a judgement against the Venezuelan-owned oil company PDVSA. And in seeking to collect, has been trying to garnish whatever monies or assets the PDVSA had abroad. Seems straightforward, innit?? But as usual, the Devil’s in the details!!
And in this case, the detail is that unlike some other jurisdictions – like Jamaica – where the Courts allowed the garnishing, our country Guyana has been facing the unrelenting hostility of Venezuela amounting to a declaration of WAR!! They’ve already “legally” ANNEXED our Essequibo!! And most critically, they don’t respect the jurisdiction of the ICJ!!
In this situation, all the AG argued was that OUR Court should respect – from a legal standpoint – our government’s PUBLIC INTEREST, in taking possession of the local PDVSA funds!!
Did British Courts allow Hitler access to German funds in Britain??
…in Cricket?
Now that England has COMPREHENSIVELY beaten us – three out of three Test matches – your Eyewitness notes that everyone is saying we’re “whitewashed”. With everyone nowadays being woke and all, shouldn’t that be “blackwashed”??
Charged and remanded: Eon Fagundes
The large cache of guns and ammunition found during the operation
Excise tax rates applied by GRA to remigrants’
duty-free
vehicles unlawful – CJ
...GRA advised to refund taxpayers who overpaid duties
Acting Chief Justice
Roxane George granted an order declaring that the Guyana Revenue Authority’s imposition of excise tax at the rate of 30 per cent was illegal and ordered the entity to refund taxpayers who overpaid duties on imported vehicles.
Since July 2023, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) raised the taxes payable by re-migrants from 10% excise taxes to 30% excise taxes on vehicles with engines larger than 3,000cc.
Back in April 2024, the Commissioner General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia, had written Aditya Basdeo that he was given duty-free concessions as a re-migrant. However, Statia required that Basdeo pay 30% excise taxes on his new generation 2023 Toyota Landcruiser vehicle.
This resulted in Basdeo ordering his attorney-at-law to write the GRA on April 15, 2024, complaining over the decision since the correct and proper excise tax rate was 10%. In Basdeo’s case the 10% was equivalent to over $1.5 Million.
However, the GRA insisted that he pay nearly $4.6 Million– a difference of $3.1 Million in illegal taxes. As a result of a lack of responses from GRA, Basdeo caused his attorney, Siand Dhurjon, to sue the GRA on May 28, 2024.
“Last week, the GRA’s Deputy Commissioner, Gavin Low, responded by saying that regulations of July 10, 2023 tripled the rate of excise taxes payable from 10% to 30%. For the last year the GRA was tripling the excise taxes payable by re-migrants for vehicles with an engine size of 3,000cc and above and doubling the excise taxes (at the rate of 20%) for vehicles with an engine size above 1,999cc and under 3,000cc,” a statement from the lawyer said.
“However, when the matter came up for hearing before the Chief Justice, counsel for the GRA, Ms. Nicklin Belgrave, reported that the GRA made a mistake because they realised that the Minister of Finance had merely signed the regulations of July 2023 but the regulations were not duly brought into force by being published in the Official Gazette or being tabled in the National Assembly.”
This means that based on the court’s determination, GRA had been wrongfully and illegally charging 30% taxes to re-migrants and collecting those taxes. All orders sought by Basdeo were therefore granted by the Chief Justice, who declared that the 30% excise tax being collected was unlawful.
“The Judge also granted an order of mandamus to compel the GRA to apply the correct excise tax of 10%. The Judge grant-
ed an order that Basdeo’s 2023 Landcruiser must be released to him forthwith upon payment of the correct excise taxes. Basdeo’s Landcruiser had come into Guyana on June 28, 2024, and has been on the wharf racking up storage costs ever since.”
“The Chief Justice ordered that the GRA was to pay the storage costs as well as the costs of the lawsuit in a specified sum to Mr. Basdeo. When presented
with evidence that the GRA was charging some people 10% and others 30% during the same period, the GRA claimed that those paying 10% had applied for their exemption ‘before the regulation was passed’.”
According to the statement from the lawyer, the Chief Justice also remarked that GRA ought to reach out to those who have overpaid excise tax and refund any wrongfully collected taxes to those taxpayers. According
to Dhurjon in an invited comment, remigrants who paid over 10% in excise taxes should seek a refund.
“The Excise Act and its regulations do not permit the GRA to charge beyond 10% in excise taxes. For the last year, the GRA has been overcharging remigrant taxpayers illegal excise taxes to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars cumulatively. It is unfortunate that in oil-producing Guyana, taxpayers have been wrongful-
ly subjected to this. But this verdict opens the door for all remigrants who paid above 10% in excise taxes to seek a refund,” he said.
Under the re-migrant tax scheme, Guyanese who lived abroad for 5 years can be given duty-free concessions allowing them to import their personal effects and their vehicles by only paying the applicable excise taxes.
When a re-migrant imports a vehicle and they are given the concession by the
GRA, they do not have to pay customs duties and value-added taxes on the vehicle being imported. This removes many millions of dollars from the purchase of the vehicle.
If the full taxes – all of the customs, VAT and excise taxes – were paid on a Landcruiser like the one concerned in the proceedings, a normal taxpayer would have to pay around $90,000,000 in total taxes depending on the value of the vehicle.
GTU rejects Govt’s proposed 7% salary increase for teachers for 2024
– teachers urged to be patient as negotiation continues
The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has outrightly rejected the Government’s 7 per cent proposed across-the-board increase for 2024 and 6 per cent increase for 2025 and 2026.
This proposal was made on Friday when the GTU and the Education Ministry met for a second time to discuss the union’s proposed 39.6 per cent increase for 2024 and 30 per cent increase for 2025 and 2026.
In a video message seen by the Guyana Times on Monday, the President of the GTU, Mark Lyte dispelled claims that the body has agreed to the counter-proposal made by the government, noting that GTU has since requested that the Ministry revise said proposal.
sues that are non-issues. And I want everyone to be at ease and to know that your Union is working on your behalf to ensure that the package signed with the Ministry of Education benefits not only teachers who are active in the system, but it benefits those persons who are retired,” Lyte stated.
Bilateral talks between the ministry and the union on the new 2024-2026 multiyear 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 should be determined under a new agreement from the current year onward.
2019 as being initially demanded by the union. The GTU subsequently recanted and agreed to negotiate from 2022 onwards – a proposal that was also rejected by the government.
The Union 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.
“There are several areas that further talk has to take place, including the percentages that the government is likely to put forward or has put forward. As you have seen in the public domain, the Union has clearly said we have not accepted nor will we accept. If that is the position of the government to offer those percentages, we will not accept,” Lyte stated. Nevertheless, Lyte stated that apart from the salary negotiations, the two parties have made progress in other areas of talks.
them to remain patient as both parties continue to negotiate in good faith.
He, however, assured teachers that the union would push for a higher salary increase and implored
“When this Union, the Guyana Teachers Union give an undertaking in a room or to our members that we will carry out a particular position or take a particular position or carry out a particular mandate
we are going to stick with it. And so, I would like to appeal to our members to say to you all do not allow yourself to get worked up. Do not get worked up to raise your anxiety level over is-
The GTU had 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 multi-year agreement from 2024 and not
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 body is seeking a termly school transportation grant of $150,000 in the case of those operating on the coastland and $300,000 for hinterland/riverain schools or alternately a mode of transport (boat, ATV etc.) to offset the cost of teachers travelling to attend meetings, workshops, orientation sessions, or emergencies at school.
GTU’s President Mark Lyte along with Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar after signing the Agreement of Resumption in late June which cleared the way for the end of the prolonged strike by teachers
Armed bandits cart off $1.8M in cash, jewellery during Lima Sands home invasion
– businessman, wife beaten; neighbour shot
By: Raywattie DeonaRine
Four armed bandits on Sunday evening in-
vaded the home of a Lima Sands, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) businessman and carted off with over $1.8 million in cash and jewellery but not before assaulting the man and his wife.
In addition, a neighbour was shot as the men discharged two wounds in his
Seunarine Terbani, also known as ‘Heighty’ told the Guyana Times that he was in a bond in his yard at about 19:30h when two men, both armed with handguns confronted him and started to demand cash and jewellery.
“The men attacked my wife when I was in the storeroom and she ran to me. I had two cases of beer in my hand and tried to fight the man. They had guns, so I
direction as they made their way out of the businessman’s premises.
The businessman,
put down the beer.”
He further explained that he told the men who were also masked to leave
in the lower flat of the house counting money when the men confronted her brandishing a gun.
“My son was packing the
his wife alone and deal with him instead. The bandits then took him upstairs and struck him multiple times on the head with a gun.
“When I reached upstairs, they hit me on the head, which burst open. I fell, and they started kicking me, asking where all the money was. I told them where the money was and said that it was all I had.”
After collecting the money, the men ransacked the bedrooms and cabinets where they found a quantity of jewellery.
The still traumatised spouse, Melissa Thomas recalled that she was at the counter in the shop which is
freezer, and I was counting the money when the men ran towards me and pointed the gun at me. I threw all the money in the air and ran into the storeroom with my husband. The bandits started searching for money and then took him upstairs.”
She noted that her daughter was upstairs, and upon seeing the men, she jumped off the veranda, landing on the ground in the
yard resulting in her sustaining a sprained leg.
Meanwhile, a neighbour, Hemraj Totaram, also known as “PR,” who was on the road saw the men running out of the businessman’s property and shouted
at them. In retaliation, the men discharged two rounds in his direction with one hitting him to his abdomen and exiting.
“When I saw the men running out, I shouted at them, and they fired two shots while running. One of the bullets hit me in the lower abdomen and passed through. All I saw was blood, and people rushed me to Suddie Hospital,” the injured man stated. The businessman and his daughter were also treated at the hospital. The police are investigating the robbery, but no arrests were made up press time.
The business place that was robbed
Another room that the bandits ransacked
A drawer where the jewellery was kept along with passports and other documents
One of the ransacked rooms
The drawers where the money was kept
The 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government is underway are some scenes from several engagements including the opening ceremony, a working
underway in St George’s, Grenada and Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali is attending. Here working breakfast, and the unveiling of the Caricom Roundabout in St George's, Grenada
Demerara Mutual Life attains ISO 9001
Quality Management System certification
Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited, one of Guyana’s oldest and largest Insurance Companies has recently attained its ISO 9001:2015 certification.
The scope of Certification issued to Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (DMLAS) is The Design, Development, Sale, and Servicing of Individual and Group Life Assurance Policies, Health Insurance Policies, Pension Plans, and Mortgage Financing in Guyana, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia.
DMLAS is a pillar of the Guyanese community and a trusted partner for financial security in Guyana and across the Eastern Caribbean. DMLAS offers a
Guyanese Ambassador to Belgium leads delegations to OACPS meeting
Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium and Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), Sasenarine Singh recently led a Guyanese delegation to the 117th Session of the Council of Ministers of the OACPS.
The Council meeting was presided over by Foreign Affairs Minister of Jamaica Senator Kamina Johnson Smith which saw the participation of repre -
sentatives from 79 Member States of the OACPS.
During the four-day event, various presentations were made from candidates vying for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth, reviewed the work of the OACPS Secretariat over the last six months, considered the budget for 2024, reviewed the work plan of the Organisation for the next six months, and discussed the implementation of the 2023 Samoa Agreement. Additionally, the OACPS will celebrate its
50th anniversary in 2025.
The meeting took the opportunity to engage in in-depth deliberations on the future of the Organisation and the necessary changes to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Guyana is a founding member of the OACPS, established under the Georgetown Agreement signed in Guyana in 1975. The Government of Guyana remains committed to the long-term vision of the OACPS and its future success.
wide range of financial products to meet your individual needs. Whether you're seeking to protect your family with life insurance, plan for a stress-free retirement with an annuity, or safeguard yourself from unexpected medical bills with health insurance, DMLAS has you covered. We can also help you achieve homeownership dreams with competitive mortgage rates through their reliable mortgage lending programme.
Achieving the ISO 9001 certification, an internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, signifies their commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional customer service across all of their operations in Guyana and the Eastern Caribbean. The ISO 9001 framework emphasises streamlined processes, leading to faster response times for customer inquiries, policy issuance, and claims processing.
By achieving ISO 9001 certification, DMLAS demonstrates our dedication to providing exceptional customer service, continuous improvement and upholding the principles of quality for your financial security.
Customers can expect a more streamlined, consistent, and customer-centric experience as we will actively seek your feedback to improve our services and constantly evaluate and refine product offerings to better meet your evolving needs.
The DMLAS expressed its sincere appreciation to Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for guiding the staff through the certification process and Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc. for recognising its efforts in implementing and maintaining a quality management system that aligns with international standards.
Alleged chicken smuggler shot by GRA officers at Enmore Seawall
An alleged chicken smuggler, 36-year-old Naresh Ramjattan from Greenfield, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was shot and injured by officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Enmore Seawall on Saturday evening.
Based on reports received, Ramjattan was on a boat when he heard loud explosions and realised that he had been shot in the leg and shoulder.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation as three GRA enforcement officers have provided written statements and undergone gunshot residue tests.
Ramjattan remains hospitalised in a stable condition, nursing two gunshot wounds.
However, another man Ganesh Ramcharran also known as ‘Brian,’ 22, a porter from Bee Hive was arrested after he was found hiding in a clump of bushes along the Enmore seawall on Sunday.
Upon his arrest, he claimed that he was there to catch crabs but later confessed that he was hired by individuals from Bee Hive to transport chicken from a boat to several buses.
This incident follows a similar operation two months ago, where GRA officers seized a large quantity of foreign chicken parts
and uncustomed alcoholic beverages on the ECD.
During that operation, contraband, minibuses, and a large wooden boat were seized, and four individuals were arrested.
The GRA has urged the public to refrain from smuggling activities, highlighting that it deprives legitimate businesses and the government of revenue. According to Section 218 of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, “smuggling is illegal, and anyone who attempts to import or export goods with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of any duties is guilty of an offense and is liable for fines and/or imprisonment.”
Foreign Affairs Minister of Jamaica, Senator Kamina Johnson and other officials during the meeting
The Certificate was handed over by CEO of Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc, Candelle Bostwick to Chairman of the Board of Directors, Demerara Mutual Life, Ronald Burch-Smith
Senior members of the team at the handing-over ceremony
MoL investigating workplace death at Mahdia GDF Private runs over pedestrian, flees scene
The Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has launched an investigation into
“Mice
working at a dredge in St.
Elizabeth, Madhia, Region Eight (Potaro Siparuni).
It was reported that on the day in question at about 08:45h, Roberts and a co-worker departed the campsite in a cruiser, transporting a fuel drum. While attempting to cross a manmade creek, they secured the fuel drum with a rope, and Roberts began to swim across the creek.
Tragically, Roberts lost control of the fuel drum and disappeared from his co-worker's view. His co-worker quickly alerted other miners, and a search operation was launched. Roberts' body was recovered six hours later and taken to a nearby health facility.
However, OSH Officer Ray Hosannah and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Safety Officer Stokeley Roberts are leading the preliminary investigation.
They aim to determine the causes of the accident and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Man” charged with attempted murder of 6-year-old Charlestown boy
Two weeks after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for Marlon Marcus aka “Mice Man” of Albouystown, Georgetown for the attempted murder of six-year-old Jeremiah Gustave, he was on Monday charged and remanded to court.
Marcus appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the indictment when it was read to him. As such, he was remanded to prison until August 19.
The lad was shot on July 9 while standing next to his mother, a food vendor at Charles Street, Charlestown.
Reports are that the suspect approached on a black motorcycle and fired four shots aimed at a man known as "Crab", who was near-
by the child and his mother. "Crab" managed to escape unharmed, but Jeremiah was struck by a bullet and collapsed.
Jeremiah’s mother, Keisha Gustave, transported him to a city hospital, where he has undergone two emergency surgeries and remains on life support. Police recovered two 9mm spent shells at the scene.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Keisha recounted the harrowing incident, explaining that she initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. It was only when Jeremiah called out to her that she found him in a pool of blood, shot through the temple with the bullet lodged at the back of his head.
The child remains on life support at the Georgetown
Public Hospital. Meanwhile, the police have also issued a wanted bulletin for Odelle Garnette, also called "Crab" of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the police at 2320313, 225-8196, 225-6976, or the nearest police station.
Afather of two was in the wee hours of Monday struck down and killed along the Number 28 Village Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Dead is 36-year-old Kanrade Lawrence Bacchus of Number 29 Village, WCB.
Based on reports received, the accident involved a motorcar bearing registration number PAC 2353 that was at time being driven by a 30-year-old Private attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who resides at Fort Wellington.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the car was proceeding along the No. 28 Public Road and 'ran over' the pedestrian who was reportedly lying on the roadway.
Following the accident,
“Someone called and said that someone got hit on the road and if I know the person… I was like, I don't know, but I can go out and check. However, I did not have on any clothes so I put on some and went out to check. When
ing, and we saw a car parked about 300 feet away from him, changing a tire. We then went, observed the car, took the number, came back, there was a mudguard on the road”.
the driver fled the scene. However, the injured man was picked up and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Following the accident, several checks were made to locate the driver and vehicle.
However, at about 08:00h on Monday, the driver subsequently visited the Fort Wellington station with the vehicle, where she was arrested and placed into custody.
Following the accident, the now-dead man’s niece, Tiffany Bacchus related that at around 04:18h, she received news about the accident in the area and she immediately rushed to the scene.
I reached the scene, there was my uncle lying motionless on the road. His brain, everything was scattered,” the young lady recalled.
Thereafter, she contacted other family members who transported the Bacchus’s lifeless body to the Fort Wellington District Hospital. According to her, there was a motorcar on the roadway at the time, parked several feet away from the crime scene with the occupants changing a tire.
She noted that family members observed the vehicle and took the number as they suspected it to be the vehicle involved in the accident.
“No, nobody was on the road, however, he was ly-
“My other uncle came back, he checked the mudguard, he went back, he checked the car. When he went back and he checked the car it was a Mazda, and the mudguard was a Mazda. However, he then took my phone, used the phone to take a picture of the mudguard, and he went back to the people that was there changing the tire. He asked, man, y'all didn't see y'all knock a man? They then said, no, when I see, I pull. Next person, when I feel, I pull. Apparently, like they drive over he and that was it,” she shared.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested on person as investigations continue.
Taxi driver wanted for murder of Berbice man
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for 24-year-old Nicholas Johnson, also known as "Suga" from Number 51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice for the murder of Colane Toney,31, who was stabbed to death two Tuesdays ago.
It was reported that the incident took place after Toney confronted Johnson about payment for a cellphone he had sold him. This reportedly angered the suspect who whipped out a weapon and stabbed Toney multiple times including the fatal blow to his chest.
Toney was taken to the Skeldon Hospital and despite efforts to transfer him to the
Hospitalised: Jeremiah Gustave
Wanted: Odelle "Crab" Garnette
Charged: Marlon Marcus aka “Mice Man”
New Amsterdam Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Nicholas
Johnson to contact them at telephone numbers 2320313, 229-2219, 225-8196, 225-6976, or the nearest po-
Wanted: Nicholas Johnson Dead: Colane Toney
the
death of Shemar Roberts of Lot 104 Melanie, East Coast Demerara (EBD), who died on Wednesday last while
Shemar Murray’s body after it was retrieved from the water
Dead: Kanrade Lawrence Bacchus
Victim’s niece Tiffany Bacchus
The area where the accident occurred
“Media’s role in ‘open justice’ is essential for transparency” – Chancellor
In a compelling address to Guyanese media professionals, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards underscored the importance of open court cases for journalists, emphasising the role they play in maintaining transparency and accountability within the justice system. She was at the time addressing a one-day press engagement hosted by the Supreme Court of the Judicature in collaboration with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Saturday.
“Courts are open, it's open justice, and everyone must have access to courts, and must have access to what goes on to the court. Except
for those in court seven and those restrictions which the law provides for.”
She elaborated on how the presence of journalists in courtrooms ensures that the judicial process remains under public scrutiny. This oversight acts as a safeguard against arbitrariness and ensures that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
“The importance of your work cannot be overemphasised, some members of the public’s relatives may have an issue within the court, they will be outside of the court, others will stay outside, and others will remain at home. And how do they get to know what the court proceedings are all about? It's through your work,” she told journalists.
The Chancellor also addressed the need for balanced reporting, stating, “Media must portray both social good and evils to fulfill their role.”
She stressed that journalism should not only highlight positive developments but also shed light on societal problems. This comprehensive approach is vital for fostering societal progress and addressing issues effectively.
In addition, the Chancellor highlighted a vast contrast between journalists in this era and the ones in earlier times, stating that there aren’t lots of Journalists in courtrooms these days.
“Journalists have that right to report on court pro-
AFC wants 2 am curfew reinstated
The Alliance For Change (AFC) wants the 2 am curfew that was imposed under the former APNU+AFC Government to be reinstated.
The call was made by the AFC’s past leader and former Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan during a press conference on Friday.
“The AFC advises that the 2 am curfew which was in place under the coalition Government be reinstituted. It would have avoided so many deaths on our roads,” Ramjattan said.
The 2 am curfew was often relaxed during the hol-
iday periods when there would be higher-than-usual alcohol consumption among persons – thereby defeating the intended purpose of the curfew – that curbed road fatalities, especially those caused by drunk driving.
Moreover, the curfew was widely criticised as being anti-business. Meanwhile, statistics released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) reveal that from January 1 to July 23, 2024, a total of 55 road fatalities were recorded.
This is in comparison to 72 during the corresponding period last year.
Correspondingly, the number of deaths resulting
from these accidents also dropped from 82 in 2023 to 66 this year.
The government has already enacted modern laws, aimed at instituting stiffer penalties for driving under the influence as well as the sale of alcohol to drivers. However, enforcing laws against drunk driving continues to be a major challenge for the police.
The organisation had reported recording 41,358 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases from January 1 to April 22, 2024. Of these, 449 cases were taken to court, resulting in 153 convictions.
ceedings, we are here to serve the public. We are not above the law, and you have a right of access to information with what's going on in court, subject to the limitations where the law prohibits restrictions of certain matters.”
She added, “These days, I hardly see journalists in court. When I started out in 1988 in the Office of the Public Prosecution as a state prosecutor, I saw journalists in court. There is a special seat in court designated for journalists, just at the well of the court, as we call it, just in front of the senior Council's table just before where the clerk of the court or the Registrar of the court sits. That is your seat. You're entitled to it. Please come to court and please take your seat, the public defense is still around.”
Meanwhile, GPA President Nazima Raghubir in the same sentiments highlighted some of the constrictions journalists face due to the broad aspect of beats they are required to cover.
“Once you are in a news-
room here, it is more than likely you will have to cover every single issue that comes your way. Oftentimes, this has to be done at short notice.”
She added, “This is an opportunity for the journalists to not only understand the system and how it works but to use this as a yardstick deepening our knowledge about the judiciary and how you would apply this to the beats you already cover.”
The purpose of this oneday workshop was to highlight the challenges journalists face when accessing information from the judiciary and what systems can be implemented to improve their experience to foster a more transparent, efficient, and accessible justice system for media workers.
18-year-old dies after “back flicking” into water at Splashmins
An 18-year-old male, identified only as ‘Navin’ from Corentyne, Berbice lost his life after he reportedly plunged into the water at Splashmins’ Fun Park, Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Sunday.
Details surrounding the incident are still unclear. However, an eyewitness told the Guyana Times that she was at the fun park with her family, who had arrived from the USA. The woman reported seeing Navin earlier, performing 'stunts' and then plugging into the water.
She explained that she left the area briefly and, upon returning, saw a large crowd gathered.
"When I came back, I saw a big crowd. Upon checking, I saw Navin lying motionless on the floor," the woman re-
counted. Both she and her sister, who works in the medical field, rushed to assist, with her sister administering CPR.
"I believe he hit his head, but it didn't seem like his neck was broken because it was not loose. But when I saw him, he was not breathing, so my sister started doing CPR, and that is when we started getting a pulse. While doing that, someone came and put him in a car and took him to the hospital, and then we heard he died," she said.
The woman expressed her belief that had they been given more time to continue CPR, Navin might have survived.
Dead: ‘Navin’
"He was there on his own because when we were calling out to see who was with him, nobody knew him. I put his picture on Facebook to see if anyone knew him, and it worked. One of his family members reached out and said he was there alone, and they do not know when and why he went there alone," she added.
AFC's current and former leaders: Nigel Hughes and Khemraj Ramjattan
Chancellor (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards
GPA President Nazima Raghubir
ILO begins consultation on Guyana’s 3rd Decent Work Country Programme
– project to be completed before end of 2024
In keeping with its commitment to help Guyana safeguard workers’ rights and well-being, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently commenced consultation for the country’s third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for 2024 and beyond.
Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Joni Musabayana recently led a delegation to Guyana. He was accompanied by key players in the agency including the Senior Specialist for Employers’ Activities, a Specialist for Workers’ Activities and a Senior Programme Officer.
Whilst here the ILO team engaged stakeholders from the Ministry of Labour, labour union bodies, and the private sector, to cover ev-
ery crevice of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).
The programme’s primary goal is to vividly outline de-
cent working conditions for employees, promote development and inclusivity and address labour-related priorities.
Additionally, it will include policies and strategies to promote equitable labour environments, thereby contributing to the country’s sustainable economic growth.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton disclosed that the Decent Work Country Programme will be actionable to aid in Guyana achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
“The Decent Work Country Programme is a kind of an agreement between the tripartite, which is Labour, the union and the private sector as to plans and programmes and how we see ourselves coordinating the activities going forward for the next five years. Primarily paying attention to the training and retraining of workers. The only issue about protection of the rights of workers would include labour relations safety and health. And then, of course, it would tie
into our commitment to the SDGs,” Minister Hamilton disclosed.
Hamilton said when completed the Decent Work Country Programme will also strengthen Guyana’s labour system and revolutionise the way the public and private sector tackle work-related issues.
“What is tentative on the agenda is the Director General that is stationed in Geneva might be in Guyana in October, I think they said or the signing of the Decent Work Country Programme between Guyana and the ILO. So that's where we are regarding the matter,” he added.
In Guyana, the ILO also hosted a two-day workshop which served as a platform to evaluate the current labour market and address challenges within the sector through innovative solutions.
The workshop marked a significant step toward enhancing the lives of workers
in Guyana, ensuring that labour policies are effective and sustainable.
In June, ILO held the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva aim is to bring together all tripartite delegations from the ILO’s 187 Member States among others to discuss a series of topics related to the world of work.
At the event, the organisation signalled its commitment to work with the Guyana Government through the Labour Ministry to enhance worker’s safety, especially in the country’s growing oil and gas sector.
The pledge was made by the Director General of the ILO, Gilbert Houngbo who explained at the time that the collaboration is part of efforts to enhance the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) countrywide, which will be transferred into the Oil and Gas sector.
Guyana targets Diaspora to fill labour gap
Some 16 Guyanese Private Sector companies were part of a Diaspora Job Fair in New York on Saturday seeking to recruit persons to take up vacant positions in their companies.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, while delivering the keynote address, noted that this is a fulfillment of a commitment made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to host Job Fairs in different parts of the globe to reach out to the Guyanese diaspora.
“What we are undertaking here is part of an ongoing campaign to ensure that one, our people are adequately updated on developments within our country but also and very importantly that the people of Guyana and Guyanese are not spectators to the transformation taking place, but rather we want them to be drivers, to be leaders and key beneficiaries of the progress and the transformation and the development and the prosperity that is taking place in our country,” Persaud stated.
He noted that these same opportunities are open to
Guyanese living in Guyana, however companies, despite constant recruitment are facing difficulties finding people to fill vacant positions.
Further, Persaud added that the International Office on Migration did a study a year and a half ago. Currently, there is work being undertaken by an Indian expert within the Ministry of Labour to assess what are the skills needed in the various sectors. The expert is also looking at the existing gaps and strategies
that can be undertaken to fill those gaps.
“The number they came up with is in the vicinity of 100 thousand persons and that was a year and a half ago,” he stated while adding that the job fair is being facilitated to help the private sector.
“Why we are doing it, is because we do not have the resident skills and capacity to ensure that the transformation and the pace at which the president and the people
of Guyana want the country to go, we do not have the people right now in Guyana to do that.”
Therefore, instead of recruiting non-Guyanese to fill those roles, a deliberate conscious and sustained effort is being made to reach out to the diaspora which is over a million people in different parts of the world.
He noted that because of the political crisis, over 30 thousand Venezuelans are living in Guyana.
“Were it not for their input and their support, many of the projects would have not been undertaken, so why is it should we not make a very aggressive push to go to the diaspora and ensure that they too come back and to play their part in the development of our country.”
He noted that the Job fair is intended to energise, excite and build interest in the second and third-generation diaspora.
“For many years, we have talked about the brain drain, here it is we have reached a stage whereby Guyanese companies are coming to North
America to tap the brains of Guyanese who have left, and their children to go back and to play a part in the transformation and the development.”
In addition, Counsel General for New York H.E Michael Brotherson said the activity is a tangible manifestation of the deliberate efforts of the Government of Guyana to recognise and collaborate with all stakeholders, to address Guyana’s interest as the country continues on its current path of unprecedented and enviable development.
“Guyana today, is a nation on the rise and our economic realities have placed upon us, new challenges and needs, in this context therefore, it is easy to understand why an activity such as this one is necessary and of utmost relevance,” the diplomat stated.
On the other hand, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Komal Singh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the activity and noted the high demand in the labour market in key sectors.
“Because of infrastructure development and all the
growth in the other sectors, especially in the oil and gas sector we have seen a lot of movement of our workforce from the private sector and from government moving into the oil and gas sector.” He added that the high cost of labour is also negatively impacting the private sector. He related that if the labour force is not increased, development can be slowed down and the cost of labour will continue to escalate.
“From a skillset standpoint, the market is very short of engineers, project managers, health and safety officers, welders, captains, deckhands and the list goes on, almost every single sector, every single business that is in this room here today is having labour issues, it’s not that we are not willing to pay but we can’t find them easily,” he said.
Guyanese Ambassador to the United States, Samuel Hinds and Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) Dr. Peter Ramsaroop also spoke at the event.
Government and Private Sector representatives at the Diaspora Job Fair
The ILO team engaging the Ministry of Labour
The ILO team is conducting consultations and inspections
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton alongside International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director Joni Musabayana
Protests erupt in Venezuela as questions grow over strongman Maduro’s 'victory'
Protests broke out in several Venezuelan cities on Monday after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro was formally declared a winner by the county’s electoral authority in a presidential race marred by accusations of electoral fraud.
In the capital of Caracas, protesters blocked roads, while hundreds more were seen walking down a main road banging pots and pans in protest against Maduro’s victory on Sunday. At the city’s main military base, where Maduro lives, people were seen setting fire to the strongman’s election posters.
Protests were also reported in other cities, including Maracay, where opposition activist Esthefania Natera told CNN that people were on the streets “to yell and demand to tell the truth because we know the real results.” She said police were using teargas on peaceful protesters. In the coastal state of Falcón, demonstrators toppled a statue of Maduro, video on social media showed.
The next 24 hours will be key in seeing how Maduro responds to the allegations
electoral authority allegedly prevented more votes from being processed.
Maduro’s government controls almost all state institutions, including the CNE, which was accused in 2017 of manipulating turnout figures by a software company that
against him. Analysts say there could be a new wave of unrest in the country if there are widespread protests against the regime. Street demonstrations in previous years were crushed by the country’s military, which has long supported Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez.
Maduro smiled as he entered the National Electoral Council (CNE) before a Monday ceremony at which he was declared the winner, receiving cheers and congratulations from many in the audience. The CNE, which is stacked with Maduro allies, has yet to issue final vote tallies from Sunday’s election.
“Venezuela has the best electoral system in the world!” CNE president Elvis Amoroso announced before proceeding with the formal announcement.
But the vote was riddled with claims of irregularities. It included opposition witnesses being denied access to the CNE headquarters as votes were counted and the
provided the voting technology. The CNE previously denied the assertion.
The opposition coalition, headed by Maria Corina Machado, earlier rejected Maduro’s win, saying the opposition’s records show that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez received 70% of the votes against Maduro’s 30%. “We won, and everyone knows it,” Machado said. The coalition plans on making a statement later on Monday.
Machado is part of a unified opposition movement
that overcame their divisions to form a coalition known as the Democratic Unitary Platform. Its energised campaign, which enjoyed strong polling figures prior to Sunday’s vote, was seen as the biggest challenge to Maduro’s rule.
Calls for transparency
The United States is among regional leaders, including Peru and Chile, that have raised questions about the validity of the result.
Brazil, an important regional player, was softer in tone but said it was awaiting “the publication by the National Electoral Council of data broken down by polling station, an essential step for the transparency, credibility, and legitimacy of the election
simple act and one that they would be able to fulfill quite easily.”
“If there is resistance to providing that additional information, then I think that becomes highly problematic when it comes to the ability of the United States or other members of the international community to judge whether these elections were in fact
the US or international community would be prepared to take if the Venezuelan authorities do not release the data or if the results are determined to be fraudulent, but they did not rule out sanctions.
US sanctions against Venezuela were first imposed in 2017 and gradually increased as the South
results,” according to a statement by the foreign ministry.
The US on Monday joined Venezuelan civil society
groups and the opposition by calling on Venezuela’s government to “immediately” release specific data on the presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of Maduro’s victory.
Senior Biden administration officials on Monday said Venezuelan election authorities must release the “detailed precinct level results” from the election. One senior administration official noted that this data is required under Venezuela law and should be immediately available. Another said that if the election results are credible, “then this should be a very
inclusive and credible,” the second official said.
“Our deepest concern at this juncture is that the analysis and data that we have about this election – which is independent from the National Electoral Council results – is at odds with the results as they were announced by the Venezuelan authorities. And so that discrepancy, in our view, needs
American country’s political crisis deepened in the following years. The opposition’s accusations cast doubt on Venezuela’s return to the international stage after Maduro pledged last year to hold free and fair elections in US-brokered talks, in exchange for sanctions relief. The first official said they would begin to have conversations in forums like the
to be investigated and addressed before we can close the books on this election,” the second official added.
The officials declined to give specifics on the actions
Organisation of American States (OAS) and the G7 about the “collective way forward.” (CNN. CNN’s Avery Schmitz contributed to this report.)
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, right, and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez hold a press conference after electoral authorities declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the presidential election in Caracas on July 29, 2024 (Matias Delacroix/AP)
(Photos by AP)
Use your skills, knowledge and experience to improve your financial situation. Decide what success means to you, and take responsibility for your achievements.
Be careful how much you share. Get your plans up and running to avoid a conflict with a competitor. A change in your routine will help you avoid divulging secrets. Pay attention to detail.
Uncertainty will hinder progress. Show resilience and an eagerness to learn, and expand your options. Don’t let a know-it-all attitude set you back or cause others to withhold information.
Verify information before you pass it along. Have a backup plan in place. Do your research before executing your plans to ensure success. Know your limits.
Scrutinize your reactions. Let your actions speak for you if you want to avoid interference. Change can be cost-efficient if you compromise or offer incentives to get what you want.
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Assemble your thoughts before you present your ideas. You’ll have to jump through hoops to prove your point. Don’t jeopardize your health or financial security. Pay attention to detail.
Refuse to let procrastination and disappointment take the lead. It’s up to you to make things happen. Make a plan and set a timetable to outdo the competition.
You may crave change, but you must prepare for it. Backtracking wastes time and will give adversaries a chance to outmaneuver you. Don’t let anyone talk you into something that can slow you down.
You can test possibilities, but don’t sign up for something you can’t finish. Set boundaries and avoid poor behavior and unnecessary conflicts. Take care of yourself.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Investigate possibilities and explore options. Change can be a good thing and save you money. The input you offer will make a difference and help you gain respect.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Tidy up domestic matters while you can. A direct approach will help your plans gain traction. Address issues concerning loved ones or friends who may have a problem with your plans.
You aren’t likely to get an accurate picture of something if you rely on secondhand information. Don’t take anything or anyone for granted or structure your decisions based on hearsay.
Record-breaking arrival…
7 elite Thoroughbred horses land in Guyana for historic Guyana Cup
In an unprecedented and thrilling development for the horse racing community in Guyana, seven top-tier Thoroughbred horses from around the globe have touched down on Guyanese soil in preparation for the highly-anticipated 16th running of the prestigious Guyana Cup, set to take place on August 11 at the renowned Rising Sun Turf Club in Berbice.
This historic event marks the first time such elite equines have graced the tracks of Guyana or the wider Caribbean region, promising an unforgettable spectacle for all racing enthusiasts.
Among the distinguished line-up of equine stars are some of the finest graded stakes winners and stakesplaced horses, each boasting an illustrious pedigree and a track record of remarkable achievements on prestigious racetracks worldwide.
Leading the charge is Stat, a five-year-old chest-
cured seven victories for more than G$48 million in earnings. Having previously raced in the USA and showcased his talent in graded stakes events, Novo Sol's arrival in Guyana signals a new chapter in his illustrious career.
The line-up further includes Loyal Company, a four-year-old bay gelding bred in Kentucky under the prestigious Godolphin Stable, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai. Acquired by a Guyanese, through an auction in late July 2024 from the renowned Godolphin Stables, Loyal Company has exceptional pedigree with the likes of Tapit and Frosted among his forebears, with career earnings exceeding G$140 million. With only 13 starts to his name, Loyal Company has already clinched two victories and amassed over G$36 million, showcasing his potential for greatness on Guyanese turf.
nut gelding hailing from Florida, USA. He was bred with exceptional lineage as the grandson of the legendary Unbridled's Song, with impressive career earnings exceeding G$260 million in international competitions. Sired by the acclaimed Will Take Charge, who himself has garnered over G$800 million in winnings, Stat has triumphed in seven out of his 23 career starts, including a remarkable victory in the Soldier's Dancer Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Florida. Stat arrives in Guyana as a formidable contender poised for success.
Joining Stat is Novo Sol, a seven-year-old bay colt bred in Brazil, South America. With a lineage tracing back to the esteemed Sunday Silence and the prolific Agnes Gold, who has earned over G$1 billion overseas, Novo Sol brings a wealth of racing experience to the Guyana Cup, having competed in 32 races and se-
year-old Kentucky-bred colt. Descended from the illustrious Storm Cat, renowned for his exceptional progeny and earnings exceeding G$100 million, Stormy Victory carries the legacy of greatness in his bloodline. Son of Stormy Atlantic, Stormy Victory brings a wealth of experience to the racing scene with 21 career starts and two victories under his belt. With a pedigree steeped in excellence and a proven track record of competitiveness, Stormy Victory is poised to make his mark on Guyanese turf and vie for victory in the upcoming prestigious event.
old Kentucky-bred bay colt. Another grandson of the esteemed Tapit, Oy Vey carries the legacy of greatness in his bloodline. Son of Constitution, a sire with career earnings
exceeding G$200 million, Oy Vey represents the new generation of talent in the world of Thoroughbred racing. Despite his young age and limited racing experience, with only eight career starts and one victory to his name, Oy Vey brings promise, potential, and a fresh perspective to the Guyana Cup. As the youngest entrant in the field, Oy Vey's participation adds an element of excitement and anticipation to the competition, as he seeks to make his mark and showcase his burgeoning talent on the grand stage of the Guyana Cup. As anticipation builds and excitement mounts for the upcoming 16th running of the Guyana Cup, the arrival of these exceptional Thoroughbred horses from around the world has set the stage for a truly unforgettable spectacle. With their remark-
able pedigrees, impressive track records, and unwavering determination to succeed, these equine athletes embody the spirit of competition and excellence, promising an exhilarating display of skill, speed, and athleticism on race day. As horse racing enthusiasts and spectators eagerly await the thrill of witnessing these elite horses in action, the Guyana Cup stands poised to make history as a landmark event in the annals of Guyanese horse racing. With a line-up of extraordinary talent, including graded stakes winners, stakesplaced contenders, and horses with illustrious bloodlines, the 16th edition of the Guyana Cup is shaping up to be a showcase of unparalleled competition and excitement, showcasing some of the best in the world of Thoroughbred racing.
Back Circle B, Kanaimas, Plum Park secure 592 TIP Ball championships
Also on board is Stormy Entry, a promising four-yearold bay gelding originating from Kentucky and boasting a lineage tied to the successful Point Of Entry, with a career earnings exceeding G$500 million. Stormy Entry brings a blend of talent and potential to the upcoming Guyana Cup, having commenced his rac ing journey in Ireland be fore return ing to the USA. With two wins in just six career starts, Stormy Entry's arrival in Guyana signals a new chapter in his quest for racing glo ry. Adding to the stellar line-up of elite Thoroughbred horses set to grace the tracks of Guyana for the historic Guyana Cup is Stormy Victory, a five-
The sixth horse to make a grand entrance is Morning Colors, a seven-year-old New York-bred mare poised to showcase her talent on the racetrack. Another descendant of the illustrious Unbridled's Song, Morning Colors adds a touch of elegance and power to the competition. As the second female contender to join the Guyana Cup alongside Bossalina, Morning Colors brings a unique blend of speed and determination to the racing scene. Daughter of Midshipman, a respected sire known for producing top-tier performers, Morning Colors boasts an impressive resume with 29 career starts, five victories, and earnings exceeding G$20 million. With a proven track record of success and a lineage steeped in excellence, Morning Colors is set to captivate audiences and vie for victory in the prestigious Guyana Cup.
Lastly, the seventh horse to grace the Guyana Cup with his presence is the youngest competitor in the line-up, Oy Vey, a three-year-
With their ability to convert kicks from the spot Back Circle B, Kanaimas, and Plum Park were able to reign supreme at the 592 TIP Ball Tournament hosted by The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons at the Eve Leary Ground on Sunday in a competition filled with exhilarated supporters.
The female final of the night saw bitter rivalry as both ends of the field produced many shots and keepers showcased their abilities. The keepers prevailed send-
ing the game into kicks from the spot, and GT Kanaimas defeated GT Ballers.
The junior male final saw a glimpse of exceptional performance as Herstelling A managed to take the lead in the early minutes of the game; however, Plum Park held their composure and managed to secure the equaliser from the halfway line which led to penalty kicks and Plum Park prevailed with the scoreline reading 3-2. In the senior male final that evening, there was fierce competition be-
tween the teams as keepers showed off their skills on both ends of the field. Back Circle B emerged victorious over E Field Dynamics, with kicks from the penalty spot. The Tournament saw the participation of several male teams – Sophia Unstoppable, Plum Park Warriors, Sparta Boss, Progressive Warriors, E Field Dynamic Ballers, Tucville Terrace, Back Circle B, Sophia B, CPCE Eagles, Festival City, A Field Warriors, Street Vibe, Herstelling Raiders, and North Ruimveldt, and three female teams.
Champions of the Senior Male category, Back Circle B
Seven Thoroughbreds will be on show at the Guyana Cup
Sammy, Matthews part of new CPL
Health, Fitness, and Wellbeing Board
The Republic Bank
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is launching a new Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Advisory Board to help the tournament promote healthy living initiatives throughout the Region.
The Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Advisory Board will meet quarterly with senior CPL staff to advise the tournament on how best it can use its platform to promote healthy living and wellness. The Board will have the following members:
* Daren Sammy, West Indies Men’s Coach
* Dr Akshai Mansingh, CPL’s Joint Chief Medical Officer
* Hayley Matthews, West Indies Women’s Captain * Dr Maryam AbdoolRichards, Principal Medical Officer at the Trinidad &
McGarrell’s
Tobago Ministry of Health CPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pete Russell, said: “Health, fitness and wellbeing are very important
issues across the Caribbean and around the world and we want to use cricket and our platform as a force for good in this area. We are looking forward to working with the Advisory Board to create meaningful and long-lasting programmes that have a positive impact on health and wellbeing across the Region. Starting this season, there will be activities at the games that will create a fun vibe around health and fitness – allowing everyone to join in and be part of.”
West Indies Men’s Head Coach Sammy shared, “The health and wellbeing of the Caribbean people is hugely important to me, especially our young people who we work very hard through my
foundation. I am excited to be involved in this great initiative from CPL and I look forward to being involved in creating meaningful programmes that come from this new collaboration.”
West Indies Women’s Captain and all-rounder Matthews related: “I am passionate about women and girls across the Caribbean being involved in sport and fitness and I am looking forward to working with the Health and Wellbeing Advisory Board and CPL to create initiatives that will encourage participation. As someone who manages a sporting career while suffering with diabetes, I hope that I can add a unique perspective to the discussions.”
hat-trick spearheads Santos’ thrashing of Buxton FC
…Ann’s Grove edge Fruta Conquerors
Bervey McGarrell’s hattrick powered Santos Football Club to a 7-0 win over Buxton United Football Club on Saturday night, while Ann’s Grove United Football Club edged past Fruta Conquerors Football Club with a 2-1 victory in Round Two of the KFC Elite League Season Six. At the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Centre
in Providence, East Bank Demerara, on July 28, Santos FC’s Stefan Reynolds wasted no time making an impact, netting a goal just two minutes into the match.
The barrage continued as McGarrell completed his hattrick with goals in the 32nd, 65th and 82nd minutes.
Santos FC dominated possession throughout the game, stifling any offensive efforts from their East Bank
Demerara opponents and maintaining a firm grip on the match.
In a late surge, Solomon Austin added two goals in the 71st and 87th minutes, with Shaquan Joseph sealing the rout with a strike in the 90th+2 minute.
The evening's final fixture saw Ann’s Grove United FC face off against Fruta Conquerors FC. After a goalless first half, Ann’s Grove
All-star Youth Basketball lights up Gymnasium
outh Basketball
YGuyana (YBG) hosted an all-star showcase at the National Gymnasium on Sunday, where the best of Guyana’s junior and senior players in both the boys’ and girls’ categories exhibited their dribbling abilities and shooting skills.
In the girls’ U18 division, standout players such as Junelly Paddy, Akeela Campbell, Kenesha Fraser, Brianna Benjamin, and Ronaya Grant took to the court.
The boys’ U14 division featured stars like Jaren Boucher, Kemol Pickering, Kyle Reid, Shaquan Messiah, Terron Mohabir, Ramario Wolfe, and Darren Dublin. Meanwhile, the boys’ U18 division boasted talents such as I-Grade Oudkerk, Tyrese Bancroft, Brandon Mc Koy, and Carmelo Man-Son-Hing, among others.
In the U18 match-up, the Yellow team, guided by Captain Cordel Hoyte, showed their ability to counter to the hoop against The Team Navy, as they secured a two-point victory
with the scoreline reading 59-57.
Hoyte from Kwakwani Secondary School scored 20 points as he continued being a pivotal component for Team Yellow. He received support from Colwyn Stephens with 13 points. With their spirited performance, Team White managed to secure victory in the girls' matchup as they calmed down the offensive attack from Team Blue
with the scoreline reading 27-14, with Captain Rehuan Roman scoring 15 points. Meanwhile, in the boys’ U14 category, guided by Captain Avion Kesney, Team White secured a fourpoint victory against Team Red as they managed to convert baskets with the scorecard reading 52-47. Kesney picked up 22 points followed by Kemol Pickering and Dorron Dublin with nine points.
came out with renewed energy in the second half.
Teon Stewart stole the spotlight for the East Coast side, finding the back of the net twice, first in the 62nd minute and again in the 82nd.
Fruta Conquerors FC fought hard to get back into the game, with Dwayne Baptiste scoring in the 85th minute. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overturn the deficit, leaving Ann’s Grove FC with a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
At the start of the week, the Guyana Defence Force FC remain in commanding form, holding the top spot with an impressive 40 points. Their record of 13 wins, one draw, and a staggering 61 goals from just 14 games highlights their dominance.
place with 27 points, thanks to nine wins, six losses, and 31 goals.
Western Tigers FC have slid back to fifth with 24 points, having secured eight wins and suffered seven losses.
In hot pursuit, Slingerz FC retained the second position with 39 points accrued from 15 matches. Their tally includes 11 victories, three draws, and a total of 70 goals scored.
The Guyana Police Force FC hold steady in third place, having accumulated 31 points from 10 wins, one draw, and 3 losses.
Santos FC, meanwhile, have leapfrogged into fourth
Den Amstel FC sit in sixth with 19 points, reflecting five wins, four draws, and seven losses. Fruta Conquerors FC remain in seventh, with 16 points from five wins, one draw, and nine losses.
Ann's Grove United FC have made a move up to eighth place with 14 points, accumulated through four wins, two draws, and 10 losses. Monedderlust FC slip to ninth, now on 12 points from
three wins, three draws, and nine losses.
Buxton United FC remain in the bottom spot, holding just one point from a single draw and enduring 17 losses.
The KFC Elite League will continue today, July 30. Action kicks off at 18:30h with Ann’s Grove United FC squaring off against Police FC, followed by Den Amstel FC battling it out against Western Tigers FC at 21:00h.
Santos FC enjoyed a big win against Buxton United FC
Ann’s Grove snuck past Fruta Conquerors FC in a nail-biter
Most Valuable Player Cordel Hoyte
West Indies White-ball Head Coach Daren Sammy
CPL CEO Pete Russell
Limited grass mound tickets made available for CPL play-offs
Slingerz FC protest disallowed goal against Den Amstel FC
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced on Monday that a limited quantity of grass mound tickets for the 2024 Eliminator, Qualifier1 and Qualifier2 are now available online. Those tickets can be purchased at cplt20.com.
All of the play-off games for which grass mound tickets have been made available will be played at the Guyana National
Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), as Guyana completes its third year of hosting the CPL Playoffs and Final.
The Eliminator will be up first on Tuesday, October 1 between the third- and fourth-placed teams, while Qualifier 1 is scheduled for the following day, Wednesday, October 2, between the first- and second-placed teams. The winner of the Eliminator and the loser of Qualifier 1
will battle in Qualifier 2 on Friday, October 4, with the anticipated final pencilled in for Sunday, October 6. All of the games will bowl off at 19:00h, local time.
The Republic Bank CPL will bowl off on Thursday, August 29 in Antigua and Barbuda, where home team and new franchise the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will take on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium.
Slingerz Football Club has filed an official protest with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) after a Marcus Tudor goal was disallowed without explanation during their July 25th clash with Den Amstel in the KFC Elite League.
Currently second in the standings behind the
Sir Clive bestowed with Order of Caribbean Community
Months after the major announcement, legendary Guyanese cricketer Sir Clive Lloyd, CBE, AO, CM, was, over the weekend, bestowed with the prestigious Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) during the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, being hosted in Grenada.
Sir Lloyd’s intended reception of the award was announced back in March by Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali during the hosting of the 46th edition of the Caricom meeting in Georgetown, Guyana.
The award was presented to Sir Lloyd by Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, after which the Cricket World Cup-winning West Indian Captain shared, “At this juncture, I’m compelled to recognise your astuteness in identifying our beloved sport of cricket as a viable vehicle and conduit for social- economic development and regional integration. Indeed, my predecessors, in receipt of this prestigious honour, Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Brian
Lara, is testament to your insighted leadership.”
Lloyd went on to remark during his acceptance speech, “To quote a late, lamented leader of Caricom and an OCC recipient, Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manly from his book A History of West Indies Cricket, published in 1988, quote ‘Cricket is the most completely regional activity undertaken by the people of the Member States of the Caribbean Community. It is also the most successful co-
operative endeavour and as such, is a constant reminder to people of otherwise wayward insularity of the value of collaboration.
“It is this notion, that in retrospect, inspired my ambition as did the legacy of dearly-departed Sir Frank Worrell, when I had distinct honour to serve as Captain of the West Indies team. Sir Frank’s grace, his dignity and astuteness in leadership, as well as his relentless pursuit of quality and fair play, provided a blue-
print for my stewardship. My goals were mainly to rekindle team spirit, dispel our endemic cavalier image, and establish a winning attitude.
“As I proudly accept this iconic award, my wish is that my parents, Sylvia Thelma Lloyd and Christopher Lloyd were present to see me this evening. More particularly, my mother, who would’ve perhaps finally appreciated my forgoing lunch while chasing a cricket ball, day in, day out, in the searing heat at my field of dreams, the Demerara Cricket Club,” the former West Indies Captain said, reflecting on his boyhood.
Having led West Indies to two World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979; Sir Clive is considered one of the most successful Test Captains in the history of West Indies cricket. During his captaincy, his side had a run of 27 matches without defeat, which included 11 wins in succession. He was the first West Indian player to earn 100 international caps.
In 2009, Sir Clive was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Hall of Fame and was knighted in 2022.
Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Slingerz FC faced off against Den Amstel in the “West Side Derby”, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
As a result, Slingerz FC (39 points) remained one point behind rivals GDF FC (40 points), with 12 wins and three draws in 15 matches. The other draws came against Monedderlust FC (2-2) and GDF FC (0-0).
Immediately after the game, Slingerz FC informed Match Commissioner Rawle Adams of their intent to protest the results. They followed up the next day with a letter to GFF General Secretary Ian Alves, in keeping with Article 14 of the Elite League’s Rules and Regulations regarding protests.
In the letter, Slingerz FC explained that during the second half of the match, with the score tied at 1-1, Marcus Tudor scored a goal that was subsequently disallowed by Referee Colin Abel. The decision remains unclear to the club’s players and staff.
Slingerz FC stated that after Tudor’s goal, Referee Abel initially pointed to the centre line to restart the game, but then consulted with his assistant, Sofya Golden, and disallowed the goal.
“It should be noted that Assistant Referee Golden’s flag was never raised to signal any infraction, leaving the players and spectators baffled by the decision to disallow the goal,” Slingerz FC said.
The Vergenoegen-based club provided video evidence to the GFF to substantiate their claims, pointing out to the GFF that “video evidence submitted will show that the referee could not have called for offside, as no player from Slingerz FC was in breach
of Law 11 of FIFA’s Laws of the Game. The evidence will also demonstrate that no Slingerz FC players were infringing on the goalkeeper, nor was there a foul committed in the outfield”.
Given the evidence provided and the impact of the decision, Slingerz FC are asking the GFF to “respectfully request a thorough review of the incident.”
“Given our respect for the GFF’s high value in protecting the integrity of the sport in Guyana, we believe that a fair reassessment will demonstrate that the goal was valid and that the original decision should be overturned,” Slingerz FC said.
The club further noted, “we understand that this is unprecedented, but well within the confines of the beautiful game. We would greatly appreciate it if this matter could be reviewed at the earliest convenience”.
According to the club, they are so far pleased with the GFF’s professionalism in communicating the steps taken to address their protest.
“While we admit that this might be the first time a club in Guyana, especially at this level, has officially challenged the decision of an official, it’s not new to football globally. The Laws of the Game and guidelines of the Elite League are there to guide us and protect the integrity of the game,” Slingerz FC stated. Slingerz FC will face Santos, the Guyana Police Force FC, and GDF FC in their three remaining matches in the KFC Elite League.
The inaugural Elite League champions returned this season to the GFF’s marquee league for the first time since lifting the 20152016 trophy.
Sir Clive Lloyd (left) receives the OCC from Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League has made a limited number of grass mound tickets available online for this year’s play-offs
Slingerz FC are protesting their recent draw against Den Amstel FC
