Missing payment vouchers resurface in Region 9’s safe
…Auditor General to launch fresh probe
Missing payment vouchers that were flagged in the Auditor General’s (AG) 2019 report have been found over four years after the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) inspected the Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) sub-treasury safe, with Account General Jennifer Chapman making it clear that she will do checks of her own into the documents.
During a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting on Monday, the committee examined paragraph 1468 of the AG’s 2019 report, where it was reported that 394 cheques, totaling $275.3 million, were found during an inspection of the sub-treasury safe in January 2020.
According to the report, “Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act 2003 states that at the end of each fiscal year, any unexpended balance of pub-
lic moneys issued out of the Consolidated Fund shall be returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund. Audit checks revealed that 405 cheques totaling $345.444 million were printed on behalf of the Regional Administration for the 31 December 2019.”
“An inspection of the Sub-Treasury’s safe on the 21 January 2020 revealed that there were 394 cheques on hand totaling $275.380 million. However, no evidence of Payment Vouchers and related documents were seen in respect of thirty-eight cheques totaling $1.706 million. As a result, we could not determine whether Section 31 of the FMA Act was fully complied with.”
So, what happened to the documents for these 38 cheques? Well, it is here that Region Nine Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Singh made a surprising disclosure. According to Singh, those payment
vouchers have now made a reappearance… over four years after the Audit Office inspected the safe.
“The documents were provided to the Audit Office Mr Chairman, during the inspection of the safe at sub treasury in January, the Audit Office basically did a walk through and did not do a thorough check. That’s the reason Mr Chairman. But subsequently those vouchers were (found).”
The REO admitted that at the time of the inspection, the sub-treasury officers did not have the documents in their possession. Under further questioning from the PAC, Singh further admitted that the documents were only recovered three months ago, after all payments were made… well over four years after the inspection.
Meanwhile, Accountant General Jennifer Chapman professed to being as surprised as the other members of the PAC. It was
agreed that the REO would send a list of those vouchers to her office, to allow for her to do her own investigation into whether the cheques and vouchers can be reconciled.
“Based on the REO’s response, REO can you send me the list of vouchers please? So that I can do my own investigation on those 38 vouchers? Because I’m just as confused as every other member of PAC right now, with your response.”
When it comes to regions holding on to cheques totaling large sums of money, Region Nine is not unique. In Region One (BarimaWaini), a whopping 333 cheques totaling $133.9 million were found in a safe in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office… with no supporting documents and just two months before the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
While the Region subsequently did send documents to the audit office for verifi-
cation, in many cases these documents resulted in even more queries, queries the region did not satisfactorily answer.
Last month, it had also been announced that a team of Auditors from the AOG would be sent into Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), to acquire and examine documents that pertain to over $111 million in cheques found in a safe, a situation that was highlighted by AG Deodat Sharma, in his 2019 report. (G3)
The Region 9 Regional Office
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, November 5 – 03:45h-05:15h and Wednesday, November 6 –03:45h-05:15h and 19:30h-20:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, November 5 –06:10h-07:40h and Wednesday, November 6 – 06:45h-08:15h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
$31.9B paediatric, maternal hospital
President Ali expresses dissatisfaction at pace of work
…electrical, plumbing, gas line not commenced despite looming deadline
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.
High Tide: 06:20h and 18:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.56 metres.
Low Tide: 12:03h reaching a
height of 0.81 metre.
ontractors, VAMED Engineering that’s working on the $31.9 billion state-of-the-art Paediatric and Maternal Hospital in Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is expected to pay liquidated damages over the delayed completion of the facility.
This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, who on Monday during an
cility, President Ali instructed the VAMED Engineering to hire more sub-contractors, work on various aspects of the project simultaneously and implement a shift system to fast-track works throughput November and December.
“This is a level 5 facility. This is the highest standard that you will get for pediatric care. So, the construction
inspection of the ongoing works expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of construction.
Apart from the superstructure which is complete, internal works such as plumbing, the installation of gas and electrical lines has not commenced.
In addition, the contractor is still procuring crucial pieces of equipment and a sub-contractors hired to execute certain aspects of the project is still mobilizing, among other deficiencies.
The Paediatric and Maternal Hospital will be a referral centre for women and children. It will specialise in maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care with a huge imaging suite for services such as CT scans, X-rays, MRI’s scanning equipment, a modern laboratory, and surgical suites.
The facility will also have 256 beds and high-quality equipment sourced from the United Kingdom.
Highlighting the importance of the state-of-art-fa-
and the design take into consideration the most modern equipment to match what the hospital is expected to deliver. We will definitely have to import some specialized skills in the first phase of management of the hospital. We have already started looking at areas that we will need specialists to come into so that we can train our locals. Of course, this hospital and the other regional hospitals, there is a story as to how rapidly we have to train our nurses and medical technicians and so on. But we are hoping that the contractor here will also pick up some pace. We are not satisfied with the pace at the moment. And we will not ship our deadline on the completion of this hospital,” President Ali said.
Further, during Monday’s inspection a representative of VAMED Engineering indicated that the final testing for the building will be completed by October 2025, however, President Ali indicated that
the project will be inspected in January 2025, given that the hospital was slated to be completed late 2024.
“October next year? To just test the internals? That's not going to play with us. I'm telling you, that is far beyond the project time. And I hope the consultant is making notes because we're going to be charging liquidated damages. Of course, we dis-
rupt the particular path. That is the most important thing now. Because if that is not done, then nothing else can be done. If the testing is not done, you can't do anything,” the Guyanese Leader added.
The Paediatric and Maternal Hospital was birthed from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Austria. While the agreement had catered for another set of works, the PPP/C Government had amendments for the construction of this facility after entering office.
The EUR$149 million (Guy$31.9 billion) contract for the hospital was signed on June 8, 2022.
The project also marks Guyana’s first UK Export Credit Agency financing and is being done in accordance with the FIDIC yellow book standards, a standard contract where the design is carried out by the contractor.
Further, the sum of $129.2 billion was set aside in the 2024 Budget to advance the healthcare sector and a large chunk was
cuss with the contractor every day. We're not going to accept that. We can't accept this going to October”.
“You have to work through December and January. So I'll visit back at the end of January to see where you are but that is the only way. You have to work out with them a shift system to get it done by the end of January. Otherwise, it's going to completely dis-
assigned to the Paediatric and Maternal Hospital in Plantation Goedverwagting.
To be exact, $10.3 billion of the allotted sum was provided for the construction of the facility. At the time, government had highlighted that the provision will cater for the advancement of works on the site, especially in crucial areas that will help the administration to achieve world-class healthcare delivery. (G1)
President Dr Irfaan Ali inspecting the paediatric and maternal hospital
The modern maternal and paediatric hospital being constructed at Ogle, East Coast Demerara
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Consumer safety & compliance in retail sector
In recent years, as Guyana’s economy has rapidly evolved, so too has the retail landscape, now offering an unprecedented variety of goods. However, this growth has led to increasing concern as reports come of retailers and supermarkets disregarding essential quality, labour, and tax regulations. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has rightly sounded the alarm, calling for stricter monitoring and enforcement against non-compliant businesses – a move that deserves full support from both government agencies and the public alike.
The presence of counterfeit, expired, or improperly labelled products on shelves is an egregious violation of consumer safety. Such negligence, whether intentional or through oversight, endangers public health, undermines consumer confidence, and disrupts the integrity of Guyana's retail market. It is, therefore, imperative that the Bureau of Standards and the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department intensify their vigilance and conduct thorough investigations. Products that fail to meet legal standards must be swiftly removed from sale, with sanctions in place to deter future violations.
Additionally, the GCCI has highlighted an equally critical issue: adherence to taxation and labour laws. The failure to comply with these regulations not only leads to a loss of public revenue but also fosters unfair competition, placing compliant businesses at a disadvantage. The Customs, Excise and Trade operations of the Guyana Revenue Authority must be empowered to ensure that all imported goods meet the required standards before entering the market. In parallel, the Ministry of Labour must verify compliance with labour laws, especially concerning fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labour practices.
The call for the equal application of the rule of law is particularly timely. While some businesses work diligently to meet legal standards, others ignore or actively circumvent these requirements, tarnishing the entire industry. Enforcing labour, tax, and product safety standards is not simply a regulatory formality but a foundation for public trust and equitable economic development.
It is encouraging to see the GCCI pledging its support to the Government of Guyana in investigating and penalising non-compliant retailers. This support signifies that the business community itself recognises the importance of maintaining integrity and protecting consumers. However, beyond investigation, there must be sustained and systematic monitoring to ensure long-term compliance. Public awareness campaigns can also play a vital role, empowering consumers to make informed choices and report suspected violations.
Building on the GCCI’s initiative, a unified approach from all sectors is essential. Citizens, too, can play an important role by supporting businesses that prioritise compliance and quality. With stricter regulations and active community involvement, Guyana can cultivate a retail environment that protects consumers, promotes ethical business practices, and ultimately strengthens national development. Government authorities must now act decisively to safeguard these standards, sending a clear message that non-compliance has no place in Guyana’s promising future.
Moreover, continuous training programmes for retailers and importers can help in raising awareness about legal responsibilities, fostering a proactive compliance culture. For the public, an accessible system to report violations would enhance transparency and reinforce the Government’s commitment to high standards. It is through these multifaceted efforts that we can ensure a fair, ethical, and safe retail sector – one that contributes not only to economic growth but also to the welfare of all Guyanese. This is a vital investment in the future and integrity of Guyana’s marketplace.
Is politics really a dirty game?
Dear Editor,
The statement, "Politics is a dirty game," is oftentimes used when an analysis is made of the actions of some politicians, but is this a true analysis of the institution of politics? The word politics is not just a passing term used to our convenience, it is an institution that is as old as the hills; it is a way of life, a system whereby we govern ourselves. Churches use it, clubs use it, even international organizations are a part of that institutional framework; we are consumed by it.
However, a careful analysis of the institution would show that there is nothing inherently wrong with the system, things go significantly wrong when you take a scrutinizing look at some of the people that are in the system, that is, dirty men and women in politics. I am talking about those who blatantly lie, cheat and kill all done in the name of "Politics." Could you picture that scenario? Well, it is all happening right here in a place call Guyana.
A case study of the politics in Guyana brings into focus what I have highlighted above. At the present moment the Opposition is demanding that we institute a new system of voting, that is, vote with the use of electronic machines. It is a totally new method and as such it will have great implications for the voters out there, therefore, something of this magnitude should not
be rushed into, nor can it be foisted on the electorate at such late notice. People need time to adopt and adapt to changes, especially those that would affect the lives of an entire nation, especially when you view the actions of a sore loser opposition. These malcontents are simply waiting in the wings to stir up trouble.
They have done it before in the 1997 Elections and are hell bent to replicate such behaviour again in 2025. So, what is The Opposition clamouring for in this new found electronic voting? They are demanding we get into a voting method that is used in some parts of the USA, Florida to be exact. Now, let's follow that system closely in what is called, the "bastion of democracy." Votes for the presidency in that election saw a close win for Bush, immediately the opposition requested a recount in Florida where electronic voting was done.
The recount again showed Bush winning the state by a slim margin. The democrats not satisfied with the recount then went on a campaign of misinformation on issues such as, Bush's Brother was the governor of Florida hence, his influencing the counting of the ballots in favour of his brother.
Next, they found fault with the voting machines, saying they were programmed to give a certain result, therefor, the decision was arrived at to have a recount of the votes the ma-
chine rejected. Thus began a recount of the "hanging chads," a new term coined after that election. That illegal recount was finally stopped after The Supreme Court intervened to stop it.
Please note, the system of electronic voting was something done in Florida some fourteen years on into that election, where legal or valid votes were kept by the machines, non-valid votes were discarded or spat out by the machines. This was the established rule 14 years on, so why change a system that has served them well all those years? The answer is a dissatisfied opposition would not accept defeat, especially when the election was so close.
Contrast that situation in a Guyana setting where elections are never close, do you think an opposition like ours would accept a loss so close as The Americans, even if electronic voting was the mechanism used?
Certainly not, instead, there would be fires set, buildings burnt and persons killed just like they did in 1997. In that election The PNC had a resounding loss, under a system of "Voting with ID Card Only." Even when a court case declared that election null and void and fresh elections were held, the very same results were seen. When they realized they had lost they then turned again to find fault with a system they themselves had set up. We have learnt our lesson well that The PNC cannot
be trusted to accept a system that promotes fairness and transparency, they have repeatedly resisted free and fair elections here, and there is no reason to believe that they would accept the results of an electronic voting either. There is no possible way they would accept what is about to happen in 2025, certainly not!
In the first place, they would say that those machines were programmed by the PPP/C to give them a fraudulent victory. Secondly, they would raise issue in court that their electors were deliberately disenfranchised by the new system instituted by the PPP/C, at this stage they would conveniently forget that they were the ones who were rightfully responsible for the institution of the system, and lay blame squarely at the feet of The PPP/C. This is the DNA of that party.
The PNC and its minions are trying desperately to complicate the system with their new found voting system, they are desperately trying to create a niche where controversy abounds, set up a system which they themselves would cry foul. So, as I close by making the distinct announcement that we are not going the route of electronic voting, it is an untried, a system that we know nothing of and full of tactical errors. We stand by paper balloting.
Respectfully, Neil Adams
A drone view shows an artwork by Rolf Knie in the garden of the chalets of the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival Claude Nobs in Caux near Montreux, Switzerland (Reuters)
Guyanese Americans urged to vote in today’s American presidential elections
Dear Editor, USA Presidential elections will culminate today. Guyanese Americans are in the thick of the contest. About a third is supporting The Republican Donald Trump and the rest Democrat Kamala Devi Harris as per conversations with many of them. A survey of African Americans (under whom Guyanese Africans are grouped) has Harris leading Trump 80-20. A survey of Indian and Asian Americans has Harris leading 35-65. Indian Guyanese are grouped under Asian and Indian Americans.
Almost every Guyanese, as queried by this writer, plans to vote. Many already voted. In America, early voting is allowed thru last Saturday in most states. Many millions of Americans already voted. Exit polls suggest a tight contest with Democrats having the edge of those already voted. In the past, Republicans tend
to have the edge on the actual day of voting. If one did not already vote, then he or she can vote on Tuesday. Most Americans vote on election day which is the first (or second) Tuesday in the month of November every four years. There are two main Presidential candidates, or nominees, of their political parties. There are also over a dozen candidates of minor parties and independents.
The winner will come from one of the two major parties – former President Donald Trump (Republican) and Vice President Kamala Devi Harris representing the Democratic Party. All the more than a dozen opinion polls suggest a dead heat, meaning the election can go either way. Those Guyanese who support Trump feel he will win. Those supporting Harris are unsure. In the USA, unlike in Guyana, elections are not determined by popular
votes but by victories in each of the 50 states and Washington DC. Each state tends to be Republican or Democrat, not dissimilar to areas in Guyana where people vote for PPP or PNC. The American elections is determined by electoral votes (EVs) with each state assigned a number of EVs based on the size of its Congressional delegation. The winner of the state elections is assigned all its EVs except in two states where it is based on winning districts in the state. The EVs are aggregated for the winner of each state. A nominee needs 270 of 538 EVs to win the Presidency. No candidate as yet has a majority EVs based on opinion polls. Analysts conclude that seven states will determine the outcome of the elections. These are called swing or battleground states. Polls have them in a dead head. A few of these swing states used to be Democratic or
Republican. Because of population migration, they have become swing states, meaning they can go either way and changed hands in last few elections. Donald Trump won them in 2016 but lost them and the Presidency in 2020. In order to recapture the Presidency, Trump needs to win at least three plus Pennsylvania among the seven states.
Polls put Kamala Harris ahead in four of them by one percent, a dead heat. Trump leads in two states by one percent. One state is tied. What is surprising in this election is that states known to be Democratic has Trump leading and states known to be Republican have Harris leading or tied. Nevada is a small state and may not impact the outcome. Either candidate that wins three of these seven states wins the Presidency. It is possible for a candidate to sweep all seven. A shocker is a new poll that put
Harris ahead in Iowa; that is unexpected as it has been a solid Republican state. This writer places it in the Trump column although Harris leads in the latest poll.
It seems that Trump can win Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona but will still run short of the required 270 EVs; he will need to win Pennsylvania to win the Presidency. It appears that Harris will win Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, but needs Pennsylvania to win the Presidency. Harris can win the Presidency without winning Nevada; she must win Pennsylvania. Both candidates are focusing on Pennsylvania. Analysts say whoever wins PA wins the election. A candidate can win the Presidency without winning PA. He or she must win four of the other major states. If Harris win Iowa, then she will sweep the Presidency. The outcome is expected to be close
in many states. Trump has increased his support in traditional democratic states. Guyanese could influence the outcome of the elections. Most of them live in NY and Florida. The Democrats will win NY and Republicans FL. There are small numbers of Guyanese in the other states such as Georgia, North Carolina, and PA with smaller numbers in Michigan and Neavad and Georgia. Hardly any Guyanese live in Arizonia. Every vote matters. Every Guyanese American is urged to vote. The stakes are high and the whole world is focusing on this election as it determines the outcome of the leader of the world. Guyanese politicians are also paying keen interest. One party prefers Trump while two other parties prefer Harris.
Yours faithfully, Dr Vishnu
Bisram
Ramjattan should be the last to talk about sugar
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is dismayed by the comments from AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Khemraj Ramjattan in the November 04, 2024, Stabroek News regarding the sugar industry. According to the news article, Mr Ramjattan swiped at the GAWU for our advocacy on behalf of sugar workers and their families. It is disappointing that an individual who cloth himself as a ‘national leader’ is advancing sentiments against the well-being and welfare of ordinary Guyanese.
The Opposition MP charges that the Union’s stance in respect of workers will change arising from the evolution of the industry’s labour force. We find such assertions laughable and are no doubt an attempt to mislead and deceive deliberately. The GAWU has long expressed positive support for the industry’s mechanisation efforts, noting their complementary effects and impact on productivity. Mr Ramjattan may recall when he held the ‘powerful’ post as Vice President in the Coalition Government, the GAWU advancing similar positions. We have not digressed from that position, and therefore, we fail to see the connection he is futilely attempting to make.
The former Public Security
Minister held that working in the sugar industry was akin to being impoverished. This is irresponsible, reckless, and demeaning to the hard-working sugar workers and their families. In our view, it speaks to the contempt and derision held by Mr Ramjattan towards the Guyanese in the sugar belt. Of course, we believe the Opposition MP should be the last to talk about impoverishment in the sugar belt.
While he seeks to pontificate, we, like many Guyanese, have not forgotten what he and his cohorts, when in Government, did to the sugar workers and the industry. The sending home of some 7,000 Guyanese men and women without even an ounce of remorse. Does he recall telling GAWU and now President Dr Irfaan Ali that if we want a socio-economic study of the impact of the closure, we should do it ourselves?
We did take him up and, with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), got that study done. Sadly, that study confirmed what we told Mr Ramjattan and his colleagues. He and his then government-cut the workers loose without a lifeline. He and his colleagues then denied them their severance pay consistent with the law. He and his colleagues simply turned their
backs and sat back in their ivory towers while poverty, suffering, and indignation crept into the lives of tens of thousands of Guyanese. Does he remember too rubbing salt in the wound when sugar workers had their wages frozen during the entire tenure of the APNU+AFC Government?
So, it is simply appalling that Mr Ramjattan now con-
tends that it is economically irresponsible to support the sugar industry. By his utterances, it appears he contends that it was responsible for pauperising tens of thousands as he did during the reign of the Coalition Government. For us, it speaks to the nature and approach of the individuals who comprised the now-divorced Coalition. It is an enigma to
us that people can still listen, much less have any modicum of respect for persons of such ilk.
The GAWU, like thousands of sugar workers, recognises and appreciates Dr Irfaan Ali’s government support of the sugar industry. Finally, the stranglehold has been released, and though we have disagreements in certain respects, we are con-
fident that the industry can overcome its difficulties and continue to make meaningful contributions to our people and country’s well-being.
Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President GAWU
Foundation
Adding and subtracting money
You may not realise it, but you work
Example:
Add $80.20 + $20.80
Step 1: Line up the decimals
$80.20 +$20.80
Step 2: Add, just as you would any other decimals:
$80.20 +$20.80
$101.00
Remember
You can add placeholder zeroes to money , too. Doing this does not change its value! For example, $60 = $60.00
What materials can block a wi-fi signal?
Have you ever suffered from poor wi-fi reception for your smartphone, tablet, or laptop? Certain materials can actually block a wi-fi signal; do you think that could be part of your problem? In this science project, you will do an experiment to find out which materials cause the biggest drop in signal strength from a wireless router.
You’ll need
This science project requires a wireless router and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a Wi-Fi connection.
Introduction
Odds are that you have probably accessed the Internet with a wireless device like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Have you ever been frustrated by a poor-quality or slow connection? In this science
Image Credit: NASA, Wikimedia Commons users Inductive
Figure 1. A diagram explaining the electromagnetic spectrum. Each type of radiation has a different frequency. Humans are most familiar with visible light since that is what we can see with our eyes, but there are many other types of radiation, including radio waves, that we cannot see
project, you will learn about one aspect of getting good reception: materials that can physically block wi-fi signals. Before you start, you will need to learn a little more background information about wi-fi. Wi-fi is the common name for a type of communication that allows electronic devices to exchange data or connect to the Internet wirelessly, meaning they do not need to connect to each other with cables. Wi-Fi devices do this using radio waves, which are a type of electromagnetic radiation. You are already very familiar with one type of electromagnetic radiation: visible light! Visible light and radio waves are just different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (see Figure 1). Each part of the electromagnetic spectrum has a different frequency, or number of waves per second. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), so one hertz (1 Hz) is one cycle per second. Wi-Fi devices operate at either 2.4 or 5 gigahertz (GHz). Giga is the metric prefix for one billion (1,000,000,000, or 109).
Electromagnetic radiation can be attenuated, or weakened, when it passes through different materials. Think of visible light as an example. Some materials, like air or clear glass, let visible light pass through with hardly any attenuation at all. Other materials, like water or tinted glass, will only let some light through; and others like wood or metal will completely block visible light. Do you think the same thing applies to radio waves? Will some materials weaken or totally block radio waves, while other materials let them pass through? In this science project, you will find out by testing the ability of different materials to block Wi-Fi signals from your wireless router. (Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies) To be continued
By Emily Brontë
O transient voyager of heaven!
O silent sign of winter skies! What adverse wind thy sail has driven To dungeons where a prisoner lies?
Methinks the hands that shut the sun So sternly from this morning’s brow Might still their rebel task have done And checked a thing so frail as thou. They would have done it had they known The talisman that dwelt in thee, For all the suns that ever shone
Have never been so kind to me!
For many a week, and many a day
My heart was weighed with sinking gloom When morning rose in mourning grey And faintly lit my prison room
But angel like, when I awoke, Thy silvery form, so soft and fair Shining through darkness, sweetly spoke Of cloudy skies and mountains bare; The dearest to a mountaineer Who, all life long has loved the snow That crowned his native summits drear, Better, than greenest plains below. And voiceless, soulless, messenger Thy presence waked a thrilling tone That comforts me while thou art here And will sustain when thou art gone
WORD SEARCH:
Police find over $27M worth of ganja in Region 10
Police ranks in Regional Division 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) conducted a major narcotics eradication exercise in Kimbia, Upper Berbice River, resulting in the discovery and destruction of cannabis farms valued at $27,471,919.
The operation led to the discovery of two exten -
sive cannabis farms. The first, measuring roughly four acres, contained approximately 6,000 cannabis plants, ranging from six inches to four feet in height, with a total weight of 6,600 kilograms. In addition, officers found 54.431 kilograms of dried cannabis on-site. The second farm, covering six acres,
contained around 10,000 cannabis plants of similar heights and weighed 10,000 kilograms.
Several nurseries with around 50,000 cannabis seedlings were discovered. In total, Police estimated that there were 16,000 mature plants, 15,000 seedlings, and 54.431 kilograms of dried cannabis, valued at
over $27 million. Both farms, as well as the nurseries and makeshift camps, were destroyed by fire. Police collected samples from each farm, which have been lodged at the Mackenzie Police Station for further investigation. No one was arrested.
Bartica couple
A separate operation led by an Assistant Superintendent uncovered drugs on Monday at the Bartica residence of 44-year-old miner. Acting on a tip, police ranks arrived at Third Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and conducted a search for drugs, arms, and ammunition.
While the initial search yielded no results, officers noticed disturbed ground in the backyard, near a cherry
tree. Upon further digging, they discovered a five-gallon bucket buried in the soil, containing multiple suspected illegal substances, including: 362 grams of cannabis in a multi-colored parcel; 25 grams of a whitish substance, suspected to be cocaine and 24 grams of amphetamine in 38 zip-lock bags In addition, 11 more zip-lock bags containing a whitish substance, believed to be cocaine, were found, weighing 62 grams in total. Both the man and his wife were taken into custody and are assisting Police with theinvestigation at the Bartica Police Station.
Stanleytown Bridge to be replaced with 4-lane structure
The Government has announced plans to construct a new bridge in Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) following swift restoration works on Monday that resulted in the installation of a temporary steel structure.
The bridge is critical in facilitating connectivity for commuters moving between Canals No. 2 Polder and the Wales/Patentia area, as well as those heading north towards Vreed-en-Hoop or Georgetown.
The restoration works conducted on Sunday evening into Monday morning were geared towards improving the stability of the dilapidated structure, which could have collapsed at any given time.
According to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, the steel structure is a temporary fix, noting that engineers from his ministry, China Railway Construction and Politecnica have already been engaged and are in the process of designing a new structure, which will likely see a
four-lane bridge being built to replace the existing infrastructure.
During a site visit on Sunday night, Edghill explained that that recommendations arising from consultations conducted with relevant stakeholders will be included in the proposal for the new bridge.
"His Excellency, who have been constantly updated and have given specific instructions, has advised me as the Minister of Public Works that we should look at the longterm solution here and an-
ticipating the future development of this corridor. We will definitely be replacing this structure with a four-lane bridge eventually. So since yesterday, the design team have been starting to design that. The contractors of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the supervisory firm has promised to also provide some engineering sketches to help us how we can get that done. And just like we did when Bagostville had a problem, we want to be able to get a new bridge in place in the shortest possible while. So, what is go-
ing to happen, this bridge that we're putting in tonight will remain as a bypass while the construction is taking place. When we finish constructing a span that will allow for two lanes, we will then demolish this and cast the other two lanes," Edghill said.
This bridge will not only enhance traffic flow with a four-lane structure but also address critical drainage issues in partnership with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.
On this point, he emphasized that the pertinent piece of infrastructure will alleviate issues such as flooding faced by residents during the rainy season.
"Along with that, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, their engineers and their team, they will have to work with us to
design the bridge in such a way that the water flow to allow for the full operation of the source to take the water in and out is necessary. So, it would not just be a regular four-lane bridge, but it will be one that will be taken into consideration drainage and irrigation concerns because you know canal number two and canal number one is largely farming area, agriculture".
"So, Guyana's development is moving rapidly. It is one of the things that I'm sure every Guyanese proud about, but in that process, we are facing many challenges and what used to be maybe 10 trucks a day passing on this carriageway taking in sand to some private developer or a house that is under construction has now seen up to about 400 trucks a day.
That is the magnitude of
what is taking place and we have to be able to put in place the resilient infrastructure to cater for that," he added.
While the temporary steel structure has been installed, allowing vehicles weighing 60 tonnes to traverse the bridge, works are ongoing to relocate utility lines, with Guyana Power and Light (GPL) wires and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pipelines being repositioned.
Additionally, unauthorised structures on the government's reserve were demolished and machinery moved to facilitate construction.
Edghill warned that building on government reserves can lead to significant disruptions, potential risks, and consequences, especially for those who are establishing these structures. (G1)
Inspection of repair works on the Stanleytown Bridge
The drugs that was found at the house in Bartica
The ganja farm that were found at Kimbia, Upper Berbice River
Joining…
…sh*thole countries
Today America votes!! The country that led the way in overthrowing their monarchy (1776} and opting to rule themselves through the ballot box (1788-1789) will be choosing their next president to govern for the next four years!! If only for historical reasons, we should be interested in what’s going on over there, no? But another reason is with almost as many Guyanese living there as “at home” and busy sponsoring us – and immigration high up on the candidates’ agenda – a lotta folks wanna know what will be going down!! But not your Eyewitness. He figures with us raking in the dollar$ from our oil strike – and the PPP Government laying the foundation for a domestic economic transformation – the grass in the States ain’t gonna seem greener for long!!
However, your Eyewitness is mainly interested in the action the new President might take towards Mad Maduro –who remains the implacable enemy on our western border. He continues to plot and scheme how he will actualise the annexation of Essequibo, which he’s already “legalised”!! Between Kamala and Trump, it’s a case of dealing with a known – Trump, who was President before – and herself, who owes her position more to symbolism than substance!! Trump has shown he’s more willing to practise realpolitik than Kamala who’s still in thrall with the liberal cant.
Trump and his Republicans accept that Venezuela’s 300 billion barrels of oil – larger than even Saudi Arabia’s – must be controlled by America if they’re to hold a trump (pun intended!) in the race to control strategic resources for the rest of this century. While in the short term they’re happy as pigs wallowing in sh*t with our 15 billion or so – Trump knows that with Russia and China making gooey eyes at Mad Maduro, that 300 billion might end up with his strategic enemies. While he has to be circumspect with Putin and Xi, he’s more likely to demonstrate his machismo against the twerp next door!!
But there’s one more reason for your Eyewitness’s interest in the US elections – the widespread fear that it might be RIGGED!! Shades of Burnham!! Now American elections always had a dark underside that belied their enthusiastic espousal of “democratic” virtues as the bedrock of their republic!! New York’s “Tammany Hall” politics was the precursor of corruption and handouts for votes for two centuries!!
But this time, the rigging accusations are quite germane to proposals being floated by the Opposition for us to adopt more digitalised mechanisms in our elections. What the US experience is showing is that these can be hacked quite easily by experts for hire – and deliver outcomes completely at variance with the will of the people!!
Let’s stick with our paper and pencil!!
…in honouring
UG just announced they’ll be handing out another eleven “honorary doctorates” to Guyanese. Last year there were ten and the year before five. According to the University’s website, “Honorary Degrees are awarded in order to: 1) Recognise major contributions, locally, regionally, and internationally, in areas relevant to the University, through significant research or a career in dedicated academic or administrative service. And 2) Acknowledge significant contributions to society through, inter alia, scholarship, humanitarianism, sports, the arts, business and industry.”
Your Eyewitness has no problem with these awards – even though they regularly include some folks who’ve donated funds to the university suggesting that the “honour” may’ve been bought!! But that’s par for the course in these matters, no?? Pro quid quo, and all that!!
But he wonders whether these honorary awards wouldn’t be more appreciated if UG were handing out some heavy “real” doctorates? Say like UWI??
Of ancillary interest would be for UG to announce exactly how many of its lecturers or professors have actually earned PhDs in their fields!!
…in maligning
Mad Maduro’s really teed off at Brazil’s blocking their application to join BRICS+. He’s suggested that Lula didn’t really suffer that injury that caused him to miss the summit in Russia!! So Lula was afraid to face him??
PAC hearing on 2019 AG report
Reg 9 administration gives contractor 100 years to repay $6M in overpayments
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was left in a state of alarm on Monday, during a sitting where it was revealed that the Region Nine (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo) Regional Administration gave a contractor it had overpaid, an incredible 100-year payback period to repay the money owed.
During Monday’s sitting of the PAC, the Region Nine regional administration was called in to give account for findings in the Auditor General’s 2019 report. In paragraph 1479 of the report, $32.5 Million in overpayments that occurred between 2015 and 2018 years was addressed.
Public Works Minister and PAC member Juan Edghill questioned whether these overpayments had been recouped, either through having the works redone, completed or the sums refunded as the region had promised it would have done in the 2019 report.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh gave updates on various overpayments, but one contractor in particular attracted the most attention after his $5000 a
month payment plan was revealed.
“Mr. Chairman, number one. The rehabilitation of agriculture complex. We have an outstanding balance of $402,000. Mr Parks was the contractor. Unfortunately, he’s deceased. The second one, upgrade to Aishalton Male and Female dormitory. Presently the contractor is repaying. He would have (been) issued a letter recently, after years of me trying to engage him, we issued a letter and he’s repaying,” Singh explained.
Further probing revealed that a payment plan was in place to ensure that the second named contractor can repay the more than $6 Million he was overpaid in this and three other projects. But consternation erupted in the PAC hearing when it was revealed that the contractor was given a generous payment plan the equivalent of a 100-year payback period… though according to Singh, the contractor is no longer getting contracts from the region and is, in fact, terminally ill.
“He’s presently paying $5000 per month. The person in question is terminally ill. And that is why I only got the opportunity now to engage him and have him pay these monies. We can’t do better than that sir,” the REO explained.
Based on Edghill’s calculations of the payback terms that were arrangedsince $5000 per month, comes up to $60,000 per year and $600,000 in 10 years- it would mean the money would have to be repaid in 100 years… a prospect that caused PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira to question the rationale of the arrangement. It did not help mat -
ters when it was revealed that the region fully paid the contractor for works completed inclusive of the retention sums.
“Mr Chairman, I like to be very moderate with the use of language. But this is a criminal matter here. If a gentleman is overpaid for measured works. And then he’s also paid the retention sum, which is not paid at the time of the final payment,” Edghill pointed out.
“The retention sum comes months or even a year after. And that was signed off, because I was
calculating now. If the retention was not paid, we had something to improve our standing. But if the retention was also paid, we’re in trouble here,” he added.
Meanwhile, the REO assured that he would reengage with the contractor, in an effort to renegotiate a better payment plan on behalf of the state. The PAC also stressed the need for public officials to ensure the state’s interest is paramount in their dealings. (G3)
Region 9 REO Karl Singh
Public Works Minister and PAC member, Bishop Juan Edghill
PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira
After surviving 2022 shootout, Linden vendor shot dead
Police in Regional Division 10 are investigating the murder of 56-year-old Nigel Somersall, a food stall owner from West Watooka and Wismar Housing Scheme in Linden, who had previously survived a shooting incident.
According to reports, Somersall was found dead on Monday at about 05:00h by his cousin, who discovered him lying motionless next to his motorcycle on the side of the road. Investigations reveal
that around 03:54h, residents heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching Somersall’s home on West Watooka Hill Top, followed by what sounded like several gunshots. Shortly after, witnesses reported hearing a loud noise, presumably from the motorcycle hitting the ground.
Police were however called to the scene at about 05:30h but have not released additional information regarding suspect/s or potential motive.
Ruimveldt man shot by neighbour
A37-year-old man was on Sunday night hospitalised after being shot by his neighbour while hanging out at a bar at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Hospitalized is 37-yearold Zahir Hussein of Riverview Ruimveldt, Georgetown. According to reports received, Hussein was at the time, consuming alcohol at a bar within the area, when the suspect arrived in a drunken state and began firing his
gun in the air. The incident occurred just minutes before midnight. Persons in the area claim that the suspect is not a licensed firearm holder.
Guyana Times understands that Hussein was shot twice to the leg after he confronted the suspect, who is his neighbour. In an interview with this publication Hussein’s cousin, Kris Seymore, who was an eyewitness recollected the series of events leading up to the shooting.
“Last night my cousin was drinking on the corner and when he (the suspect) come in, he pull out he gun not too far from my cousin and raise up and shoot and my cousin said like you
want kill me. So, after my cousin said like you want kill me, I end up facing and I walk over towards it (the scene), so when I walk towards it, he end up stick he gun at me and he girl run out of his shop hollering shoot them, kill them, kill them and me man start to shoot. Not far, about 15, 20 feet away from me. the man fire a couple well shots and me cousin end up pick up two,” The man explained.
After being shot, the man, who is the father of a newborn was taken to the hospital, in an interview with this publication Hussein’s mother revealed that as a result of the incident her son is now in severe pain.
“He’s in a lot of pain, he’s crying for pain because the hole is big that he get through his foot, so he can’t walk or do anything for himself. He’s in a lot of pain just crying, he don’t even want to eat,” the mother stated.
According to information reaching this publication, this is not the first time the suspect had indiscriminately fired his gun in the area. Following Sunday’s night incident enraged neighbors ransacked the suspect’s shop which he operates out of his home. The suspect has since turned himself into police custody as the investigations continue.
Dead: Nigel Somersall
Injured victim 37-year-old Zahir Hussein
Ransacked shop of the suspect
Port Mourant Market robbery Poultry vendor remanded for killing teen bandit
Apoultry vendor residing at Portuguese Quarter in Corentyne Berbice, was remanded to prison on Monday on a murder charge.
Seeindra Marimutoo was charged for the murder of 18-year-old Parmand Pertab, who was involved in a robbery at the Port Mourant Market.
The 43-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Whim Magistrate’s Court. It was revealed in court that the fatal incident transpired on October 26.
During the court proceedings, Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat, representing the accused, expressed intent to correspond with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in a formal request for a review of the charge. The defence attorney argued that self-defence, including the defence of one’s property with legal force, if necessary, constitutes a complete defence in such cases.
Further, Rahamat asserted that other individuals, armed with cutlasses, purportedly played a role in the events leading to the injuries sustained.
Marimutoo, who is a relative of the dead man, was nonetheless remanded to prison and the case will call again on November 29.
On Saturday last, Marimutoo’s family and supporters staged a demonstrative protest at the Port
Mourant Market calling for his release.
On October 26, two teenagers, one armed with a cutlass and the other with a firearm attempted to rob a Corentyne jeweller who was plying his trade at the Port Mourant Market.
Police said one of the perpetrators was 18-yearold Parmand Pertab called “Mikey” of Hampshire Village, Corentyne. He was attacked by a group of cutlass-wielding men and was eventually picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he subsequently passed away.
An autopsy performed on the body by Government Phonologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds.
Dead: Parmand Pertab
Charged: Seeindra Marimutoo
Robbery-abduction Brazilian miner forced to transfer $1.2M to kidnappers via digital payment system
…says no raw gold stolen, Police misunderstood him
Dionei Faribas De Brito, one of the victims in Saturday's alleged armed robbery and abduction at Bushmouth Marudi Backdam, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) is now claiming his initial statements to the police were misunderstood. De Brito revealed that during the encounter with the suspects, he was coerced into transferring 30,000 reais (equivalent to Gy $1.2 million) to a Brazilian Pix
Glock 17 pistol with a fully loaded magazine, along with a Mavado watch valued at $140,000. Victor Adams, 34, another Natural Resources Officer, was similarly robbed of a Glock 17 pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, community mines ranger, Karl Antone, 30, lost $100,000. Investigations revealed that two of the three vehicles allegedly used by the suspects were registered in Brazil, bearing Brazilian license plates. Police on
account, a real-time digital payment system. This transfer, he explained, was made under duress after the suspects demanded gold, which he did not have at the time. Instead, they insisted on a hefty payment, initially demanding one million reais.
The funds have since been recovered by Brazilian law enforcement officials. De Brito explained that he feared for his life during the encounter and complied with the suspects' demands for the transfer, which took place before he and other victims were allowed to leave.
The incident, which occurred around 10:30h on Saturday at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) checkpoint at Bush Mouth, also involved three other victims, all of whom are employed in the natural resources and mines sector. Romain Simon, 39, a Natural Resources Officer, reported being robbed of a
Monday said that authorities in Guyana have since extended their investigations, partnering with the Federal Police in Brazil to pursue leads and determine the full extent of the crime's cross-border elements.
Meanwhile, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) has expressed concern over the armed robbery.
“Wapichan people not engaged in mining activities were also victims of robbery and assault. We never anticipated such crimes occurring so close to our peaceful communities, and this incident has left our residents, including children, deeply traumatized. The SRDC has consistently voiced concerns about the effects of mining in the Marudi Mountains on Wapichan communities and lands. We believe that the escalation of such criminal activities is linked to the increase in mining operations,” a statement from the group said.
Joint Services ranks searching for the armed suspects
Suriname job fair
Expanding economy holds opportunities for Guyanese at home & abroad – FS tells hundreds
The expanding economy and the new sectors being developed, hold opportunities for Guyanese at home and abroad. This was the message delivered by Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud while he addressed a job fair held by the Government of Guyana over the weekend in Nickerie, Suriname.
The event saw a turnout of 120 delegates representing 30 businesses and agencies, with Nickerie chosen as the venue for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ second diaspora job fair owing to its large population of Guyanese migrants. As a matter of fact, the Diaspora Unit in a statement hailed the turn out as even bigger than the New York job fair it organised earlier this year.
In his address to the gathering, Persaud noted that as the economy continues to expand at a rapid pace, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is looking to be inclusionary and not exclusionary. This includes extending a hand to
cent years are astonished with what is going on in the country. Other than being the fastest growing economy, with a budding oil and gas sector, we are expanding the traditional sectors and building new sectors of the economy. This presents tremendous opportunities not only for the people living in Guyana but also for the diaspora.”
“We want you to be part of that exciting journey and this great future that stands before us. That is why we are here today. Not only to tell you the story but also for you to interact with the private sector to learn of those opportunities,” the Foreign Secretary told the large gathering, also expressing how important it is for every Guyanese to participate in Guyana’s development regardless of where they live.
The foreign secretary related that whenever persons question why the Government is taking these job opportunities to the diaspora, it is not only due to their desire to be as inclusive
Also addressing the gathering was former President of the Guyana Manufacturing Association (GMSA) Rafeek Khan. He made sure to thank both the private sector companies for participating in the job fair and the Government of Guyana for facilitating the event between Suriname and Guyana.
“My fellow Guyanese, as you know we are entrepreneurs at heart, so you are here attending this job fair, you will also have an opportunity to learn more about the products and services the companies have to offer which you can consider promoting in Suriname. You are also encouraged to share your ideas and lessons learned while living in Suriname and perhaps come back to Guyana to work with similar companies,” Khan said.
Commission (PSC), the
Suriname is said to have over 60,000 Guyanese residents with the largest concentration in Nickerie. In one of his overseas visits, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, committed to provide information to the diaspora on job opportunities existing in Guyana for
the diaspora, which has useful skills and capital that can play a crucial part in the development of Guyana.
“What is happening here today is unprecedented. Guyanese who would have returned to Guyana in re-
as possible, but also born out of the Government’s belief that the diaspora possesses the wealth, and experience, as well as a desire to help build a country that is strong, resilient and prosperous.
Guyanese who are interested in returning and joining the workforce. This in turn, will assist employers across the sectors to find critical labour and skills needed.
The event was in partnership with the Private
Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI), the Region 5 Chamber of Commerce, and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA). A total of 120 delegates representing 30 businesses and agencies participated in the event.
The businesses represented a wide cross section of sectors and included companies in construction, hospitality, manufacturing, forestry, retail, insurance, farming, rice milling, and services.
And due to requests from
the Guyanese diaspora in Suriname, the Diaspora Unit also included representatives from Government agencies such as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). Back in July 2024, the Government of Guyana held a Diaspora Job Fair in collaboration with the PSC, at the New York LaGuardia Marriott Hotel. The event had featured high-level Guyanese Government officials, diplomats, and members of the private sector from both Guyana and the Diaspora.
Sector
Guyana
An overhead shot of the attendees at the job fair
A section of the attendees
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud as he addressed attendees
Persons seek information from one of the desks
President Ali inspects progress on $6.6B Enmore Regional Hospital
…internal works progressing
Government’s ob-
jective of ensuring high-quality healthcare for all Guyanese is steadily coming to fruition, with smooth progress being made on the Enmore Regional Hospital, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
On Monday, President Dr Irfaan Ali and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony inspected the $6.6 billion Enmore Regional Hospital, East Coast of Demerara.
During the site visit, it was noted by the con-
tractor China’s Sinopharm International that the superstructure is complete and works are progressing on the state-of-the-art operating rooms, operating theatres, outpatient clinics, various laboratories and the 24-hour accident and emergency area, among others.
The Enmore Regional Hospital is one of several regional hospitals being constructed across Guyana as part of the government's effort to improve the country's healthcare system.
It will possess ultrasound machines and 75 beds, which will Guyanese accessing emergency care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and surgical care, among others.
The hospital, along with the others, are expected to be completed by early 2025.
With these new healthcare facilities opening up, the government had emphasised the need to attract more personnel to the industry.
Only back in July,
General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had stated that the next step for the government is to address the challenge of having adequate human resources to effectively manage the new facilities, citing the possibility of employing medical professionals from other countries.
This, he reminded, is aside from the Government’s intention to train as many Guyanese in the medical field.
“We are already looking into how we staff these hospitals because we can’t just complete the hospitals. We have to now get people to run these hospitals. And therefore, that’s a big challenge now. And we may have to recruit people from abroad, apart from training our own people. And that’s why we keep seeing as many people who want to go
into training in the medical field. We will pay for them to be trained too, like nurses, nursing aides, and stuff like that,” the PPP General
Village in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) which are all scheduled for completion within the first quarter of next year.
Secretary had explained. Progress is underway for hospitals at Lima in Region Two, De Kinderen in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and No. 75
Of the $129.8 billion in budgetary provision allocated to the Health Ministry this year, $15.5
CDC dispatches team to assess damages in Karasabai
Following a windstorm that ripped through the village of Karasabai in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Guyana’s leading disaster management organisation the Civil Defense Commission (CDC) has deployed a team to the area to assess the damages. Meanwhile, a post from the Office of the Regional Executive Officer (REO) on Sunday revealed that Karasabai Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has been affected by strong winds that
have resulted in the destruction of approximately 11 homes. While no fatalities have been reported, reports from the REO revealed that three children have sustained minor injuries. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has also dispatched a team to assess the extent of the damage and determine the necessary support for affected residents.
Damage to homes in Karasabai
billion has catered for construction of regional hospitals. (G1)
The state-of-the-art regional hospital is under construction at Enmore
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday inspect ongoing works on the regional hospital at Enmore
Outdated infrastructure hindering Region’s water security advancements – Caricom SG
Despite several strategic investments being made towards advancing water security in the Caribbean, Caricom Secretary General (SG) Dr Carla Barnett has explained that the abundance of outdated infrastructure throughout member states poses a significant challenge to the region’s water security goals.
SG Barnett made this point on Monday during the Japan-Caricom Friendship year event, which was held at the Marriott hotel Georgetown. The high-level engagement saw officials from Caricom, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) among others, engaging in crucial discussions on Sustainable water management. During her presentation at the event, Dr Barnett highlighted the unique challenges the region faces in regards to water security.
natural disasters, primarily hurricanes also lead to floods, biodiversity and ecosystem loss and damage to infrastructure is also severe. These impacts are compounded when the burdens worsen with every global external shock that we experience from time to time.”
On this point, the SG noted that the presence of outdated infrastructure within the region stymies water security efforts.
the sector.”
Dr Barnett added that failure to address this issue in the region will have a domino effect, compromising the regions progression in areas such as poverty reduction. Moreover, the Caricom representative commended stakeholders at the forum for their collective approach towards the issue.
“Failure to address the challenges in the water sector would further jeop -
“Climate change, however, is profoundly impacting all aspects of life in our region, including our water supply. Sources of freshwater are under threat from climate variability, contributing to an increase in both floods and droughts while sea level rise is accelerating and salt water intrusion into underground aquifers. Increasingly,
“With many parts of our distribution systems having been built deep in the colonial era, resulting today in high levels of what we euphemistically refer to as non-revenue water, whether through leakage or through informal connections. This weakens our ability to meaningfully strengthen water governance and regulation of
ardise the region's hardfought progress on nutrition, food and nutrition security, poverty reduction targets, and water quality. Since effective water management relies on solid policy frameworks and water governance structures, a holistic and participatory approach to water management is best likely to maximise positive results.”
Also present at the ceremony was Japan’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Matsubara Yutaka who delved into the work Japan has been executing in the region over the years. He noted that through several investments, Japan has significantly improved the region’s water security.
“In recent years we have committed to securing clean and safe drinking water, as well as flood mitigation in the Caribbean region. We consider numerous examples of cooperation on wastewater treatment, flood control, and ensuring a consistent water supply. It becomes clear that our efforts in this field are essential and may I remind you all that every time we investing in sustainable water management, we are investing in resilient communities.”
Additionally, Yutaka also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment towards working with organisations locally and within the region in an effort towards achieving water security.
“Despite the current climate change, where every -
one enjoys universal access to clean and safe water, I would like to reaffirm the Government's and Japan's dedication to collaborating with essential organisations like the Ministry of Housing and Water, Caricom, JICA and the IDB. We understand that the solution of a shared challenge must be innovative and supported by a positive infrastructure. And this goal can only be realised through strong partnership at every level.”
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of
the start of the JapanCaricom Consultations, as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, and Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. To commemorate these events, the year 2024 has been designated as the “Japan-Caricom Friendship Year 2024” and commemorative projects will be implemented in Japan and Caricom countries with the aim of deepening exchanges between Japan and Caricom countries.
Guyana’s Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal part of the Japan-Caricom Friendship year event
Japan’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Matsubara Yutaka
Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett
Noble marine cadet scholarship programme launched
El Dorado Offshore (EDO), Noble Corporation and MATPAL Marine Institute, on Monday opened applications for the Noble Marine Cadet Programme. This initiative represents a shared commitment to equipping young Guyanese with the skills, experience, and mentorship needed to excel in Guyana’s burgeoning energy sector. Through the Noble Marine Cadet Programme, aspiring Deck Cadets and Engineering Cadets are offered a transformative pathway to a career in the offshore industry.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the programme was Local Content Manager at Noble Corporation, Renatha Khan, who highlighted that now is an opportune time for youths to get themselves involved in the oil and gas sector practically as Guyana positions itself to become a key player within the industry.
“It is a fantastic time to be a youth in the Guyana, it is a fantastic time to be where these young minds are in Guyana as we transform this great nation of
ours into one that is pioneering and leading in the oil and gas industry.”
Moreover, the local content manager explained that Guyana’s maritime sector is currently underdeveloped particularly in the area of il and gas. As such she noted gaining expertise in the field might be tedious for youths, however through investments made by Noble Corporation Guyanese youths will now be able to smoothly transition into the sector.
“We recognised in Guyana our maritime industry is still a bit young
in the sense of oil and gas and those resources and its difficult when you graduate through this programme or you finish your first year and then you now need to do your C-term. Its difficulty sometime for these cadets to find placements on vessels to do their C-term. Now any person graduating as of this year for their final year of C-term we will take them on our vessels and allow them to complete their entire C-term to be able to graduate.”
The four-year programme provides a unique blend of 18 months of class-
room-based education and 18 months of offshore training, designed to ensure participants receive both theoretical grounding and practical, hands-on experience. Cadets benefit from comprehensive tuition coverage and professional guidance from industry veterans, enabling them to focus fully on their development without financial strain.
To remain eligible, cadets must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 throughout their training and achieve 85 per cent attendance in all required sessions, both classroom-based and offshore. These rigorous standards ensure that each graduate of the programme is exceptionally prepared to assume
critical roles in Guyana’s offshore industry, supporting the country’s goals of local workforce development and sector growth.
To encourage applications from across Guyana, EDO, Noble, and MATPAL will host community outreach sessions at various technical institutions, providing prospective applicants with comprehensive information about the programme and assisting with the application process. Outreach visits are scheduled for November 25th at New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), November 27th at Linden Technical Institute (LTI), and November 29th at Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI). During each visit, representatives will also demonstrate a mobile application platform designed to simplify the application process and keep applicants informed at each step. Applications for the Noble Marine Cadet Programme are open from November 4 until December 31, 2024. Following the close of the application period, a selection committee will review all submissions, with shortlisted candidates announced in late January 2025. These selected cadets will join a growing community of skilled professionals, playing a pivotal role in advancing Guyana’s offshore industry.
Noble Corporation Local Content Manager, Renatha Khan
The 2024 cadet scholarship winners in attendance
Father, daughter set to walk UG’s graduation stage later this week
Graduation is often a personal milestone, but for Jermaine Johnson and his daughter, Jasmaine Johnson, it is a shared success—a moment of family pride and accomplishment. This week, the father-daughter duo will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, a beautiful achievement that speaks volumes about love, perseverance, and family bonds.
Jermaine will be graduating with a Diploma in Accountancy from the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), while Jasmaine will be graduating with a Diploma in General Psychology from the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research (CoBRes).
For Jermaine, graduating with his daughter is nothing short of an honour. “It feels great graduating with my daughter. It’s an honour to walk that stage and collect my certificate and know my princess will be walking that stage too,” he shares with a proud smile. Reflecting on the experience, Jermaine admits that the thought of sharing this milestone with his daughter brings him to tears in private moments. “This shared milestone has strengthened our
relationship. We’ve definitely learned more about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and bonded even more as father and daughter. It proves that whatever we set our minds to, we can achieve,” he said.
Jasmaine echoes her father’s sentiments, describing the experience as “indescribable.” For her,
Daddy has always been her hero, the guiding light in her life. “My father has always been my role model, the apple of my eye. Saying that we’ve made it through this journey together is heart-warming. It’s a reminder that no matter what, we have always been side by side, lifting each other up every step of the way.”
The road to graduation was not easy for either of them. Jermaine admits that balancing work, family, and his small business was his greatest challenge.
“Managing my work, classes, business, and family time felt overwhelming at times, but I kept pushing through because I wanted to be a role model for my daughter. I kept reminding her—and myself—that we were in this together.”
Jasmaine had her own moments of doubt, battling waves of discouragement when the demands of school became overwhelming. “There were days I felt like giving up, but my father was always there, reminding me of how proud he was. His words were like a gentle whisper of hope. Knowing he had my back gave me the strength to push through,” she explained.
Their support for each other became a lifeline, turning what could have been an exhausting journey into a great experience. Jermaine’s decision to pursue his programme was fuelled by his passion for financial management.
“I’ve always wanted to understand how to manage finances better. Even though I have a regular job, I also run a small business, and this programme has helped
me become more disciplined and efficient in both areas,” the proud father noted.
For Jasmaine, the choice of her academic path was rooted in curiosity and a desire to understand human behaviour. “I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—why people do what they do, what shapes their thoughts and emotions. This journey has been about more than just academics for me. It’s been about self-discovery and growth, teaching me to embrace setbacks, ask for help, and find my own identity.”
Both father and daughter agree that the experience has not only broadened their perspectives but also instilled a sense of discipline and motivation that will carry them through future endeavours. Jasmaine thanked her mother, who stood by her side every step of the way. Her father, Jermaine, shares the same sentiment, having experienced the same encouragement during his own academic journey.
When asked what advice they would give to other families considering pursuing tertiary education, Jermaine’s message is clear: “Go for it. Be each other’s support system because it won’t be easy.
But if you stay disciplined and keep your eyes on the prize, you can balance family time and study time. We didn’t come to this earth to settle for mediocrity—we are all special and have a purpose here. Dream big, think big, and believe that you can achieve anything.”
Jasmaine’s advice is equally uplifting. “There is a profound beauty in pursuing education—it’s not just about achieving goals but also about building friendships, creating memories, and leaving a legacy. Your accomplishments today can inspire your family and future generations to come. The path may be bumpy, but the hugs, smiles, and words of congratulations at the end are worth every challenge.”
As Jermaine and Jasmaine prepare to celebrate their graduation, their story is a testament to the power of perseverance, family support, and shared dreams. They have shown that education is not just a personal journey—it can be a family affair, one that brings people closer and inspires them to aim higher. (Feature written by the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the ViceChancellor, University of Guyana)
Jermaine Johnson and his daughter Jasmaine Johnson at her high school graduation
Regional Tropical Storm Rafael gains steam; churns towards Jamaica, Cuba
Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago.
The system was about 280 kilometres (175 miles) south of Kingston, Jamaica, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph (45 mph).
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Rafael would see "steady or rapid intensification" before ploughing across western Cuba with maximum predicted winds of up to 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) by Wednesday.
The NHC is warning that heavy rainfall will impact areas of the Western Caribbean with the heaviest rainfall occurring over Jamaica and portions of Cuba through
mid-week.
It said rainfall totals between three to six inches are expected. In addition, flooding and mudslides could occur over portions of Jamaica and Cuba.
The Miami-based forecaster also warned of dangerous storm surge and destructive waves in the Cayman Islands, and said Rafael would intensify further late on Tuesday before heading toward Cuba.
The timing could not be worse for the Communistrun island, which last month suffered a collapse of its national electric grid, leaving an estimated 10 million persons without power for several days. Many of the island's residents still face hours-long outages daily due to generation shortfalls.
Hurricane Oscar made landfall in Cuba around the
same time as the blackout, throwing a one-two punch that has sapped precious resources in a country suffering from severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
Rafael is predicted to pass near the capital Havana. Its decrepit and antiquated housing and infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
On Monday evening, skies were mostly clear across western Cuba, but residents said they were preparing for the worst.
Authorities have already evacuated more than 66,000 Cubans from far-eastern Cuba, in Guantanamo province, ahead of predicted heavy rains and flooding early this week. Soils in the province were saturated by flooding and damage from Oscar, the Government said. (Excerpts from Reuters and CMC)
Mexican President Sheinbaum chides top court ahead of judicial reform decision
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the country's Supreme Court on Monday for overstepping its authority as it weighs whether to deem part of a recently-enacted judicial reform unconstitutional.
The court is expected to vote today on a proposal that seeks to invalidate core parts of the judicial reform, which has already been written into law and requires that all Judges be elected by popular vote over the next few years.
The scheduled vote puts the Supreme Court on a collision course with Mexico's Congress and presidency and threatens to trigger a fullblown institutional crisis.
To be approved, the proposal requires the support of at least eight of the court's 11 Justices.
The court appears to have the numbers with three mem-
bers publicly coming out in favour of the judicial reform and eight Justices submitting their resignations in protest against the reform. Seven of those resignations will only take effect next year after judicial elections are set to be held.
"It has to be made very
clear that eight Justices cannot be above the people," Sheinbaum told reporters at her morning press conference, adding that her Government is ready to respond to any ruling from the court.
"The court is overstepping its functions," she added. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Argentina's Milei, singing Elvis, targets Cuba UN vote 'traitors'
Argentina's showman libertarian President Javier Milei sang along to Elvis Presley on Monday even as he took aim at officials he called "traitors" for defying him in a vote on the economic embargo of Cuba at the United Nations.
In a colorful interview with Ciudad Magazine, which included a lengthy talk about music, Milei opened up about the abrupt removal of his Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, last week after she voted in favour of lifting the US embargo against Cuba.
Milei, an icon of the global far-right, is unabashedly pro-United States and has taken a cooler stance toward leftist trade partners in the region and overseas, including taking steps to distance Argentina from Cuba and Venezuela.
In the interview on Monday, Milei suggested he would look to root out any other officials involved in the vote in favour of lift-
ing the decades-long sanctions regime on Cuba, a resolution only opposed by the United States and Israel.
"All those people who were involved in that decision . I am in favour of kicking them all out. They are traitors to the country," he said. "Foreign policy is set by the president, you can-
not vote for just anything." Milei, a former TV pundit who won election last year often wielding a chainsaw in campaign events as a symbol of his planned spending cuts, sang along to Presley's "Unchained Melody" and "Let It Be Me", adding he had "100 records of Elvis". (Excerpt from Reuters)
Shipping SOS for Caricom
Barbados and other Caribbean States could find themselves in rough waters economically unless they fully join forces and secure the Region’s interests in ongoing global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships.
Dr Jan Yves Remy, Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, has flagged the issue as one in need of urgent attention and requiring the Caribbean to get on board with a unified position.
She is leading Caribbean Shipping Lanes, an SRC project supported by the United Nations Foundation. The initiative aims to provide technical support to Caribbean countries engaged in ongoing negotiations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to im-
plement an agreed strategy to reduce GHG emissions from ships.
“The intended measures under the strategy – comprising both technical and economic elements – will be adopted in April 2025 and brought into effect in October 2025,” Remy says.
“I am sure you understand the grave economic importance of these IMO negotiations to the Region, both because of our climate vulnerability and our absolute dependence on shipping for our main economic sectors.”
She noted: “Several Caribbean countries have been individually participating in these negotiations, but to date, the Region has not taken a unified approach to many of the critical issues on the table.
Belize and Jamaica are reported to have taken a leading role, with support from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica,
Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
She said it has become “apparent that the time has come for the Region to discuss these matters jointly and secure the necessary technical support and political buy-in”. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Turk arrested for allegedly trying to break Venezuelan sanctions
US authorities have arrested a Turkish man who they allege was trying to violate sanctions by transporting oil from Venezuela, the Justice Department said on Monday.
The U. reimposed sanctions on the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA in June after what it said was the failure of President Nicolás Maduro to return to talks with the political Opposition
and commit to fair elections.
In a statement, the Justice Department said 37-year-old Taskin Torlak had "allegedly conspired to illegally sell Venezuelan oil, using deceit and trickery to hide the fact that this oil originated from Venezuela".
Torlak was arrested in Miami on Saturday as he tried to leave for Turkey.
The department said Torlak and others renamed and reflagged oil tankers
and turned off the electronics that track vessel locations, receiving tens of millions of dollars from PDVSA.
In June, Reuters reported that PDVSA had begun using tankers that navigate off radar to supply Cuba with oil.
A large portion of tanker fleets owned by Venezuela and Cuba are under US sanctions, which also limits their travel.(Reuters)
Shridath Ramphal Centre Director, Dr Jan Yves Remy says ongoing global ship emissions negotiations have major economic implications for the Caribbean (FP)
Argentine President Javier Milei gestures onstage during a rally to launch his party, La Libertad Avanza, nationally, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 28, 2024 (Reuters/Matias Baglietto/File Photo)
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum holds her first press conference at the National Palace, in Mexico City, Mexico, October 2, 2024 (Reuters/Raquel Cunha/File Photo)
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Oil jumps nearly 3% after OPEC+ delays output hike, US election in focus
Oil prices climbed nearly three per cent on Monday on the decision of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other allies (OPEC+) to delay by a month plans to increase output, while investors also focused on the US presidential election.
Brent futures were up US$1.98, or 2.7 per cent, at US$75.08 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose US$1.98, or 2.85 per cent, to US$71.47. Last week, Brent declined about four per cent, while WTI fell around three per cent.
On Sunday, OPEC+ said it would extend its output cut of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for another month in December, with an increase already delayed from October because of falling prices and weak demand.
OPEC+ had been due to increase monthly output by 180,000 bpd from December.
The extension through the entire fourth quarter of 2024 "casts doubt on the group's commitment (or wherewithal) to return supply at all" in 2025, said Walt Chancellor, an energy strategist at Macquarie, adding that the announcement may allay some fears of a renewed OPEC+ "price war".
OPEC remains very positive on demand for oil in both the short and long term, Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said on Monday.
French oil major TotalEnergies forecast global oil demand will peak after 2030 in its two most likely energy transition scenarios in its annual energy outlook report.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Italian energy company Eni said that OPEC+ oil supply cuts and recent efforts to unwind them had increased volatility in energy markets and hampered investment in new production.
OPEC oil output rebounded in October as Libya resolved a political crisis, a Reuters survey found. In the previous month output was at its lowest this year. A further Iraqi effort to meet its cuts pledged to the wider OPEC+ alliance limited the gain.
Iran has approved a plan to increase oil production by 250,000 bpd, the Oil Ministry's news website Shana reported on Monday. Libya's oil production is nearing 1.5 million bpd, the country's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said.
Political crisis
US Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump remain virtually tied in opinion polls ahead of Election Day today, and the winner might not be known for days after voting ends.
Investors also watched for any escalation in Middle East tensions.
On Thursday, US news website Axios said Israeli intelligence suggested Iran was preparing to attack Israel from Iraq within days, citing two unidentified Israeli sources.
"Middle East tensions are once again on the forefront as traders await the Iranian response attack," said Dennis Kissler, Senior Vice President of Trading at BOK Financial.
Analysts expect draws this week in gasoline and distillate inventories, while crude stocks are estimated to rise. US gasoline stocks fell to their lowest in two years in the week to October 25.
Markets were also watching a new tropical storm that was forecast to form on Monday in the Caribbean and threaten offshore oil production along the Gulf of Mexico.
Shell said it was moving non-essential personnel from six platforms, adding it currently expects no other impacts on its production across the Gulf of Mexico.
Investor focus this week will be on the US Federal Reserve as economists expect interest rates to be cut by 25 basis points on Thursday, and on China, where the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress meets and is expected to approve additional stimulus to boost the slowing economy. (Reuters)
Trump and Harris make final pitch in Pennsylvania on eve of historic vote
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both predicted victory as they campaigned across Pennsylvania on Monday in the final, frantic day of an exceptionally close US presidential election.
The campaign has seen head-spinning twists: two assassination attempts and a felony conviction for Republican former President Trump, and Democratic Vice President Harris' surprise elevation to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden, 81, dropped his re-election bid under pressure from his own party. More than US$2.6 billion has been spent to sway voters' minds since March, according to AdImpact, an analytics firm.
Nevertheless, opinion polls show Trump, 78, and Harris, 60, in a dead heat. The winner may not be known for days after Tuesday's vote, though Trump has already signalled that he will attempt
fight and we will win, win."
In Allentown, Harris predicted victory and promised to be a president for "all Americans", as she appealed to the city's substantial Puerto Rican community who were outraged by insults from a comedian at a Trump rally last week.
"Do we believe in the promise of America, and are you ready to fight for it?" she asked the crowd. "Because when we fight, we win."
Both campaigns projected optimism.
to fight any defeat, as he did in 2020.
Both candidates converged on Pennsylvania on Tuesday to urge supporters who have not yet cast their ballots to show up on Election Day. The state offers the largest share of votes in the Electoral College of any of the seven battleground states ex-
pected to determine the outcome.
"With this election, you can show them once and for all that this nation does not belong to them. It belongs to you," a weary-sounding Trump told a half-full arena in Reading, the second of four stops he had planned for the day. "Together we will fight,
Harris’ campaign team said its volunteers knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors in each of the battleground states this weekend. The campaign says its internal data shows that undecided voters are breaking in their favour, and says it has seen an increase in early voting among core parts of its coalition, including young voters and voters of colour.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Netanyahu aide leaks may have harmed hostage talks, court says
Amother whose son is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza has accused Israel's Government of “a cynical deception operation that is taken from dark regimes”, after it emerged a Government spokesperson had been arrested for allegedly leaking documents that may have undermined a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
It came after a court in Rishon LeZion said Eli Feldstein and three others were under investigation for
feeding stories to European newspapers.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Radio also reported a fifth arrest in connection with the probe, said to be a Major in the military's intelligence branch information security department, tasked with preventing and investigating leaks. The Haaretz newspaper said all unnamed suspects were from this unit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing by his staff, but Opposition figures and hos-
Spain sends more troops to flood zone as public anger rises
Another 2500 soldiers arrived in the floodhit east of Spain on Monday to reinforce efforts to locate bodies and clear debris, as Government officials traded blame over how the worst flooding in decades has been handled and as first aid packages were being readied.
Public anger is mounting over the disaster that has killed at least 217 persons, with dozens of others still unaccounted for. Almost all of the deaths occurred in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.
The army sent about 5000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets, and guard against looters and a further 2500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told State-
owned radio RNE.
A warship with 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water arrived in Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 kilometres (186 miles) to the north.
On Monday evening, Spanish Minister Felix Bolanos from the Socialist Party said today's cabinet would declare some of the worst hit villages by the floods in the regions of Valencia, Andalusia, Castile La Mancha and Catalonia as "severely-affected areas" so that they can be entitled to emergency funds.
He added that the Government would approve today a package of relief measures to help people cope with the situation without giving further details.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
tages' families have accused his Government of sabotaging negotiations.
The stories, given to Britain’s Jewish Chronicle and Germany’s tabloid Bild, were based on partial or false information and came at a crucial time for hostage negotiations.
Speaking at a protest in Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan has been held by Hamas for over a year, said the stories “supported Netanyahu’s propaganda lies to torpedo the deal".
The documents claimed Hamas was planning to smuggle Israeli hostages to Egypt – intent on scuppering
any proposed ceasefire deal. Some commentators say the revelations were politically useful for Netanyahu’s hardline position on the talks, which have made almost no progress.
More than 100 hostages out of 251 taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023 remain unaccounted for.
After the stories were published in September, the IDF launched an inquiry to discover the source of the leaks.
This eventually led to the arrest of Eli Feldstein, along with the three others, whose identities have not been revealed. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Quincy Jones, US music legend who reshaped pop music, dies at 91
Quincy Jones, the man known simply as "Q" who worked with musicians ranging from Count Basie to Frank Sinatra and reshaped pop music with his collaborations with Michael Jackson, died on Sunday at age 91. Jones' publicist confirmed the producer's death. No details on the cause were disclosed.
There was little Jones did not do in a music career of more than 65 years. He was a trumpeter, bandleader, arranger, composer, producer and winner of 28 Grammy Awards.
A studio workaholic and a virtuoso at handling delicate egos, he shaped re -
cordings by jazz greats such as Miles Davis, produced Sinatra, and put together the superstar ensemble that recorded the 1985 fundraiser "We Are the World", the biggest hit song of its time.
Jones also was a prolific writer of movie scores and co-produced the film "The Color Purple," as well as the 1990s television show "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air", which launched the career of Will Smith.
Later this month, Hollywood's film academy will celebrate his career with an honorary Oscar to be presented at its annual Governors Awards.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris converged on Pennsylvania on Tuesday to urge supporters who have not yet cast their ballots to show up on Election Day (BBC News photo)
Take care of institutional, bureaucratic or financial matters personally. Verify the information you receive, ask questions and press forward to ensure you get things done to the best of your ability.
Take a unique approach to whatever you pursue. Reinvent how you present and promote what you have to offer. Patience will save time by eliminating mistakes.
Direct and open communication will help keep the peace and avoid situations that can slow down progress. Look for opportunities and act; be the one to lead the way.
Step in and take the lead. Time spent tidying up loose ends will save money, offer insight into something you do well and bring in extra cash. Pay attention to situations that reflect a hidden agenda.
Apply pressure where needed and work hard to ensure things get done on time. Participate in an event that offers a challenge you find gratifying. Put in the extra hours if necessary.
Keep an open mind and try not to overreact to situations or negative comments. Criticism will make matters worse, but if you put your energy into educational pursuits, you’ll feel good about your achievements.
Short trips will prompt inner change and a better lifestyle. Put your best foot forward and explore the possibilities. Relax a little and have some fun.
A steady pace will deter others from standing in your way. Stay on top of money matters. Research is your ticket to finishing what you start.
Develop and perfect an idea before you share your plan with others. Your objective is to avoid interference. Use your time effectively to ease stress.
Refuse to stifle your dreams; they will stimulate your mind. Spend time working through any issues that may slow you down. Taking a unique approach is beneficial, if your plan is feasible.
Take the initiative to physically follow through instead of just talking about your dreams. Opportunity begins with you and your enthusiasm. Don’t limit what you can do or let outside influences discourage you.
Focus on what you want to achieve and refuse to let anyone’s behavior deter you from what you want to accomplish. Moderation and a simple lifestyle are in your best interest.
ARCHIE
Cummins denies Pakistan a heist to remember as Australia go 1-0 up
It was the full Pakistan experience at the MCG, a ground where they have so much great history. They were hopeless, then thrilling, then hopeless, then thrilling. And then Australia won, without much conviction. But they did what they do thanks to a sizzling spell from Mitchell Starc and yet another nerveless chasing masterclass from the ice-cool captain Pat Cummins in the face of what looked like a match-winning three-wicket haul from Haris Rauf, heroics with bat and ball from Naseem Shah, and some crafty captaincy from new skipper Mohammad Rizwan.
The 25,831-strong crowd looked sparse in the gargantuan MCG. But it sounded like 100,000, and it felt like it was in Lahore, as Pakistan fans drowned out the locals to help keep their side in the game. But there was only so much they could do, as Pakistan found a way to lose despite being on the brink of one of the great ODI heists.
Chasing just 204 after Starc took 3 for 33 from 10 overs, including three maidens, Australia slumped from 139 for 3, after Steven Smith and Josh Inglis were in control, to 155 for 7 on the back of Rauf's raucous burst. That became 185 for 8 when Sean
Abbott was run out, after he had nearly run out Cummins. But the skipper held firm, as he had at Edgbaston, Mumbai, Kolkata and Christchurch over the past 18 months
His 32 not out won't go down as his most memorable, but it was the equal of any of his best innings in Australian colours. It was vindication too for his decision to have laser eye surgery in the winter to fix his vision, and some extensive batting work in Sydney with Australian batting consultant and renowned coach
SCOREBOARD
Pakistan (50 ovs maximum)
Abdullah Shafique c †Inglis
b Starc 12
Saim Ayub
b Starc 1
Babar Azam
b Zampa 37
Mohammad Rizwan (c)†c †Inglis
b Labuschagne 44
Kamran Ghulam c †Inglis
b Cummins 5
Salman Agha c Short
b Abbott 12
Irfan Khan run out (Short/Maxwell) 22
Shaheen Shah Afridi
b Starc 24
Naseem Shah c Starc
b Cummins 40
Haris Rauf
b Zampa 0
Mohammad Hasnain not out 2
Extras (nb 1, w 3) 4
Total 46.4 Ov (RR: 4.35) 203
Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Saim Ayub, 2.4 ov), 2-24 (Abdullah Shafique, 6.4 ov), 3-63 (Babar Azam, 17.4 ov), 4-70 (Kamran Ghulam, 18.6 ov), 5-101 (Salman Agha, 26.6 ov), 6-117 (Mohammad Rizwan, 31.4 ov), 7-148 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 36.4 ov), 8-175 (Irfan Khan, 42.1 ov), 9-183 (Haris Rauf, 43.5 ov), 10-203 (Naseem Shah, 46.4 ov) • DRS
O-M-R-W
Bowling
Mitchell Starc 10-3-33-3
Pat Cummins
Sean Abbott
9.4-1-39-2
8-0-34-1
Aaron Hardie 4-0-15-0
Adam Zampa 10-0-64-2
Matthew Short 1-0-2-0
Glenn Maxwell 3-0-11-0
Marnus Labuschagne 1-0-5-1
Australia (T: 204 runs from 50 ovs)
Matthew Short c Saim Ayub
b Shaheen Shah Afridi 1
Jake Fraser-McGurk c Irfan Khan b Naseem Shah 16
Steven Smith c Saim Ayub b Haris Rauf 44
Josh Inglis † c Irfan Khan
b Shaheen Shah Afridi 49
Marnus Labuschagne c Irfan Khan
b Haris Rauf 16
Aaron Hardie
b Mohammad Hasnain 10
Glenn Maxwell c †Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf 0
Sean Abbott run out
(Agha Salman/Shaheen Shah Afridi) 13 Pat Cummins (c) not out 32
Mitchell Starc not out 2
Extras (lb 4, w 17) 21
Total 33.3 Ov (RR: 6.08) 204/8
Did not bat:
Adam Zampa Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Matthew Short, 2.2 ov), 2-28 (Jake FraserMcGurk, 3.6 ov), 3-113 (Steven Smith, 16.3 ov), 4-139 (Josh Inglis, 19.4 ov), 5-139 (Marnus Labuschagne, 20.1 ov), 6-139 (Glenn Maxwell, 20.2 ov), 7-155 (Aaron Hardie, 25.1 ov), 8-185 (Sean Abbott, 29.4 ov) • DRS
Bowling O-M-R-W Shaheen Shah Afridi 10-0-43-2 Naseem Shah 7.2-0-39-1
Mohammad Hasnain 7.1-0-51-1
Haris Rauf 9-0-67-3
Trent Woodhill. Australia's chase began poorly with the new opening duo of Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk both falling inside the first four overs.
Fraser-McGurk's 16 was particularly frantic. But Smith was calm and settled into a stereotypical groove. Any fears on his Test form could well be allayed given how well he handled some excellent fast bowling on a quick pitch.
Australia could have been 55 for 3 when Inglis was dropped by Irfan Khan at gully. Naseem got one to rear
to his four-pronged pace attack avoiding dropping short to the West Australian. It cost them three sixes and two fours.
After an 85-run stand, Smith made an uncharacteristic error. He slashed a cut off Rauf straight to backward point to be out for 44.
Pakistan's insistence on going short to Inglis paid off when he nailed another pull shot off Shaheen only to see Irfan run a long way to hang on to an outstanding catch in the deep.
Rauf, a Melbourne Stars favourite, then had the
from a length and catch the edge, but Irfan could not hang on, flying high to his right. That looked like it might have been the last chance. Barring an edge between the keeper and wide slip trying to glide a ball, Inglis was imperious. Coach Jason Gillespie's four years coaching against Inglis in Australian domestic cricket had not translated
Pakistan fans in raptures as he cranked up the speed and Australia lost 3 for 0. Marnus Labuschagne top-edged to deep third, undone by extra bounce. Glenn Maxwell nicked the next ball to Rizwan and Australia were 139 for 6.
Aaron Hardie and Abbott steadied briefly, but it was fleeting. Hardie fell trying to back away and cut a ball from
Mohammad Hasnain that hit the top of middle. Enter the skipper for another salvage job. It was unconventional as it always is. He was bombed with short balls. But he keep scoring and kept surviving. Abbott was run out when Cummins pushed for a third. But he was there at the end yet again when the winning runs were scored to break the hearts of all those who don't bleed green and gold.
Earlier, Australia set up the win with the ball. Most of Pakistan's batters, with the exception of Babar Azam who made a classy 37 off 44, were exposed on a fast and bouncy MCG pitch after being sent in having come straight from
livery from Starc wide of off as he tried to sway inside it.
Babar and Rizwan settled, but never accelerated. Babar looked in fine touch, but felt the pinch of the slow-moving scoreboard. He tried to create a scoring option off the back foot to Adam Zampa, but picked the wrong length and lost his off stump.
Cummins welcomed Kamran Ghulam to Australia with a brute of a delivery. The whites of his eyes popped as Cummins' 142.7kph bouncer reared at his throat. He got his hands up in time, but could only glove it to Inglis.
Rizwan's sluggish rearguard began to pick up steam when he hooked Starc into the stands at fine leg. But he
the low spinning Test pitches of Multan and Rawalpindi last month. Rizwan topscored with 44 off 71 balls while Naseem made an outstanding 40 off 39 with four sixes from number nine to ensure Australia was at least chasing more than 200.
Starc and Cummins, fresh and in rhythm ahead of a big summer, put on a show in front of a very pro-Pakistan crowd. Starc's 140-kilometres-per-hour thunderbolts accounted for Saim Ayub on debut and Abdullah Shafique.
The pair were opening the batting in ODI cricket for the first time after averaging just 8 as a pair in 12 Test innings together. Their international average dropped to 7.61 when Ayub chopped on trying to drive on the up.
Shafique looked like he was batting in a Test match. He defended, ducked and weaved on his way to 12 from 26 before failing to get his bat out of the way of a rising de-
fell to Labuschagne trying to sweep a wide legbreak only to get a top edge onto his helmet that popped up to Inglis.
Some late hitting from Naseem, Shaheen Afridi, and Irfan Khan, in the mould of the man who had presented his debut cap in Wasim Akram, lifted Pakistan from a dire position at 117 for 6 to 203.
Naseem and Shaheen showed the type of intent that Pakistan's top order could have used, launching five sixes between them after the entire top seven had contributed one, before Shaheen was castled by Starc for 24 off 19.
Naseem feasted on spin, launching Zampa into the stands twice and Maxwell once. But Naseem also launched Abbott over deep midwicket. He holed out to mid-off to end the innings. Had he batted until the end, it might have been enough.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Haris Rauf burst through Australia's middle order
Pat Cummins celebrates after hitting the winning run
Naseem Shah frustrated Australia with his boundaries
Cricket initiative receives additional support
Parmanand Dhaniram, aka “Rudy”, a friend of “Project Cricket Gear”, has once again donated cricket gear to this joint initiative of Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA.
He presented four pairs of batting gloves and one pair of cricket shoes. The project organisers are thankful for Dhaniram’s continued support as they aim to keep as many young people as possible off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, particularly cricket.
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far:
$460,000 in cash, thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps and bails, two trophies, twenty-eight pairs of cricket shoes, thirty-three pairs of batting pads, thirty-five cricket bats, one floppy hat, thirty-six pairs of batting gloves, twenty-five thigh pads, three pairs of wicketkeeping pads, six arm guards,
Beharry (left) and Parmanand
two chest pads, two boxes, twelve cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fibreglass bat, thirteen box-
es of white cricket balls, nine boxes of red balls and twenty-eight footballs. In addition to the above, gear worth more
Alfred named finalist for World Track Athlete of the Year
…among elite group of Olympic champions
St Lucia’s Julien Alfred has been announced as one of only two finalists for the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, joining a select group of elite athletes recognised for their extraordinary achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Alfred, who made history as the Olympic 100m champion, shares the nomination with America’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the 400m hurdles gold medallist, in one of the most prestigious categories of the World Athletics Awards.
Alfred’s selection is a testament to her incredible season and historic achievements, as she became the first St Lucian to capture Olympic gold, blazing her way into the record books and capturing the pride of her nation and the Caribbean region.
In the men’s track category, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo stand as finalists for their outstanding performances. Ingebrigtsen, who won gold in the Olympic 5000m, showcased his tactical mastery and resilience in a fiercely-contested race. Tebogo, meanwhile, surged
to victory in the 200m final, demonstrating remarkable speed that highlighted his arrival on the global stage as one of the world’s top sprinters.
In the field events, Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam are recognised for their Olympic victories in high jump and heptathlon, respectively. Mahuchikh thrilled audiences with her powerful jumps that secured her the Olympic high jump title, while Thiam’s exceptional all-around abilities earned her a gold in the heptathlon, marking yet another milestone in her storied career.
For the men’s field category, Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis and Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou were selected as finalists. Duplantis, the Olympic pole vault champion, continued his dominance in the event with yet another gold, while Tentoglou captured the long jump title, showcasing his skill and consistency with a leap that secured him Olympic glory.
In out-of-stadium events, Kenyan marathon record-holder Ruth Chepngetich and Netherlands’ Olympic
than $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper-batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, eighty-six young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirty-three bats, three boxes, six helmets, thirty-one pairs of cricket shoes, twenty pairs of batting pads, twenty-four thigh pads, one bat grip, thirty-four pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads, and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon,
Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, and two sets of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board; the town of Lethem; youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls); male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area; No 65 Young Titans (30 T-Shirts); youths of Just Try Cricket Club; Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls); Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah
Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each); Kendall’s Union Cricket Club (two boxes of red balls); and Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools (twelve red balls each). Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skill, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and wellmanaged cricket clubs with a youth programme also benefit.
ICC unveils women’s Future Tours programme for 2025-2029
…Windies Women scheduled to play 1st Test match since 2004
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a robust women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the period 2025-2029, which is underpinned by the fourth edition of the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) and includes some tri-series in preparation of major ICC events.
marathon champion Sifan Hassan are both celebrated for their monumental achievements on the road. Chepngetich has been a powerhouse in marathon running, while Hassan, already an established name on the track, made a remarkable transition to the marathon with her victory in Paris.
On the men’s side, Ecuador’s Brian Pintado and Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola are finalists for their triumphs in the Olympic 20km race walk and marathon, respectively. Pintado’s endurance and technique earned him gold in race walking, while Tola’s marathon victory in Paris reaffirmed his standing among the world’s premier distance runners.
The World Athletics Awards ceremony will celebrate these champions, recognising their dedication and outstanding achievements that have pushed the boundaries of the sport. For Alfred, this nomination highlights an unforgettable year, as her Olympic victory resonates deeply within her homeland and across the Caribbean, inspiring a new generation of athletes. (Sportsmax)
The second women’s FTP, that runs from May 2025 to April 2029, is a collective effort from its members with the support of the ICC and aims to provide clarity around international fixtures across all three international formats with about 400 matches confirmed for the period.
All formats show a substantial increase from the previous cycle (2022-2025) and this FTP sees an ICC event each year with the inaugural six-team Champions Trophy scheduled for 2027. The other ICC events during the period are the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 (India); the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 (the United Kingdom) and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028 (host yet to be announced).
The Women’s Championship, which has been instrumental in ensuring more international cricket since its inception in 2014, sees the number of participating teams go up to 11, with Zimbabwe added to the 10 competing in the ongoing third edition that included Bangladesh and Ireland for the first time.
The Women’s Championship will see all teams competing against eight other teams like in the ongoing edition, four series at home and four away. In all, 132 ODIs will be played
in 44 series of three matches each, lending context by way of a qualification pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2029 and giving members the chance to club matches of other formats with those tours.
Members have scheduled, by mutual agreement, tri-series in the lead-up to and as preparation for ICC events. Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, England will host India and New Zealand for such a threeteam T20I tournament while Ireland will host Pakistan and the West Indies. Sri Lanka and the West Indies are among other members scheduled to host tri-series, in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Members have also pencilled in more Test matches this time, with Australia, England, India, South Africa and the West Indies all agreeing to play multi-format series that include ODIs and T20Is. Australia will play the maximum such series – two each against England, India and South Africa and one against the West Indies.
ICC General Manager of Cricket, Wasim Khan, said the announcement of a strong FTP bodes well for the women’s game.
“We are delighted to announce the new women’s FTP. The ODIs within the Women’s Championship will continue to provide both context and a pathway to the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029. The FTP also provides clarity for teams and the fans.
“We are pleased that the new edition of the IWC has expanded and will include Zimbabwe as an 11th team.
“It is heartening that Member Boards are keen to play across formats, and also that they have planned tri-series to prepare for ICC events.
“The effort made by the members to provide a balanced and contextual calendar will further elevate the women’s game. We thank Member Boards for their commitment and collaboration in finalising the FTP.”
Anil
Dhaniram (right)
Julien Alfred leads the pack during the 2024 Olympic Games
West Indies’ women are scheduled to play Test matches in the Future Tours Programme
GHE suffer 2nd 1-wicket loss in Regional Super50
The Guyana Harpy Eagles’ unfortunate run in this year’s CG United Regional Super50 tournament continued on Sunday, with the Guyanese team going down to Barbados Pride by one wicket at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.
Interestingly, it is the second one-wicket loss the Harpy Eagles have suffered this year, missing out by a similar margin against the
SCOREBOARD
Barbados Pride
Kadeem Alleyne
b AR Nedd 4
Leniko Boucher
b V Permaul 29
Zachary McCaskie
b AR Nedd 18
Kevin Wickham
b AR Nedd 0
Demetrius Richards not out 65 Kyle Mayers c KMA Paul
b K Sinclair 22
Dominic Drakes
lbw KMA Paul 13
Nyeem Young
b T Chanderpaul 30 Kemar Smith c T Chanderpaul
b KA Anderson 12
Jomel Warrican run out(K Sinclair) 2 Javed Leacock not out 0 Extras b: 0 lb: 2 wd: 5 nb: 2 9
Total 49.3 ov, RR: 4.12 204/9 target reached
ov), 4-117 (K Savory, 30.3 ov), 5-117 (K Sinclair, 30.5 ov), 6-163 (KMA Paul, 37.2 ov), 7-170 (RJ Alimohamed, 40.3 ov), 8-173 (V Permaul, 41.2 ov), 9-185 (KA Anderson, 44.3 ov), 10-203 (AR Nedd, 47.3 ov)
Bowling
O-M-R-W Dominic Drakes
Kemar Smith
Kyle Mayers
Kadeem Alleyne
Javed Leacock
8-0-38-2
6-1-23-0
6-1-29-0
4-0-12-0
10-0-43-3
Nyeem Young 6-0-29-2
Jomel Warrican 7.3-1 -27-2
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (K Alleyne, 0.4 ov), 2-43 (Z McCaskie, 6.6 ov), 3-45 (KO Wickham, 8.2 ov), 4-58 (LS Boucher, 11.1 ov), 5-87 (KR Mayers, 22.2 ov), 6-115 (DC Drakes, 29.1 ov), 7-170 (NRJ Young, 43.3 ov), 8-187 (KJ Smith, 46.5 ov), 9-198 (JA Warrican, 49.2 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Ashmead Nedd 10-1-43-3
Nial Smith 3-0-21-0
Keemo Paul 5.3-0-28-1
Veerasammy Permaul 10-1-40-1 Kevin Sinclair 10-2-26-1
Tagenarine Chanderpaul 5-0-20-1 Matthew Nandu 2-0-6-0 Kevlon Anderson 4-0-18-1
Windward Islands Volcanoes last Tuesday.
Barbados won the toss and opt ed to bowl first, after which the Guyanese side was bowled out for 203 in 47.3 overs.
Matthew Nandu was the first of the Guyanese batsmen to go, for 14 following a brilliant caught-andbowled effort by Dominic Drakes. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Captain
34 off 59 deliveries. Kevlon Anderson eventually became the stand-out batter on the Guyanese roster, hitting 52 in 72 balls while Imlach supported with 35 runs. Keemo Paul pitched in with a quick- fire 25 from 15 while Ashmead Nedd added 19 to get the Guyanese past 200.
Javed Leacock was
Tevin Imlach made strides to repair the early damage, but their 49-run partnership met its end, with Chanderpaul perishing for
the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with 3-43 from 10 overs, with the likes of Drakes, Nyeem Young and Jomel Warrican claiming
two scalps each.
Guyana kept the Barbadian batters uncomfortable, chipping away at the wickets at regular intervals, but in the end, it was not enough to defend their target. Demetrius Richards stood up to the Guyanese bowlers with a patient 65 off 121 deliveries. Nyeem Young was the next best scorer with 30 while Leniko Butcher added 29 to get Barbados Pride to 2049 with three balls to spare. Nedd stood out among the Guyanese bowlers, taking 3-43 from 10 while Sinclair took 1-26 from 10.
Sinclair swap in GHE Super50 squad
According to a statement from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Junior Sinclair will replace Kevin Sinclair in the GHE squad, being available for today’s match. The statement reads:
The Harpy Eagles will come up against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes next, today, Tuesday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
“The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announces a necessary squad adjustment for the ongoing CG United Super50 Tournament. Following an internal report from the Guyana Harpy Eagles management, it has been decided that Kevin Sinclair will no longer be participating in this year’s competition. Junior Sinclair will be the replacement for Kevin Sinclair. Sinclair's arrival is expected ahead of the team’s next match, and we look forward to seeing his contribution on the field.”
Chase, Dolphin, Waramuri keep record clean
Dolphin Secondary, on Sunday last, sent home seven powerful, unanswered goals to surge to the top of the standings in the Republic Bank
Under-18 Schools’ Football League, which saw Round 2 unfolding at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
In what was the biggest win of the day, Dolphin thumped East Ruimveldt Secondary 7-0 on the back of a hat-trick from Jamal Williams. Williams found the back of the net in the 10th, 65th and 68th minutes while Shaquile Dalrymple netted a brace in the 33rd and 42nd minutes.
Another brace, off the boots of Collen Davis in the 45th and 50th minutes, accounted for the remainder of Dolphin’s 7.
The day’s action began with a riveting clash between Bartica Secondary and West
Ruimveldt Secondary which ended in a 1-all draw. Elijah Sattaur put the Georgetown school ahead first with a strike in the 9th
minute, but Bartica’s Billy Smith found the back of the net in the 34th minute to level the score. When neither side was able to find the
game winner, the schools had to settle for shared points in the first draw of the 2024 season. Then, Waramuri
Secondary eased past President’s College 3-1. PC actually struck first with a goal off the boots of Michael Joseph in the sixth minute. Similarly to their first game against South Ruimveldt Secondary, Waramuri found their rhythm late to stage a comeback.
It wasn’t until the 26th minute that Shakeel Marks was able to level the scores and then, with a brace from Rondell Peters in the 30th and 39th minutes, the Region One outfit completed the victory.
The final game of the day and in Round 2 pitted defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation against South Ruimveldt Secondary.
Bryan Wharton led the charge for the defending champions with a hat-trick of goals in the 13th, 20th and 53rd minutes, while Omar Sam contributed their
fourth goal in the 56th minute. After two rounds, Chase’s Academic Foundation, Dolphin Secondary and Waramuri Secondary are the only schools with a perfect six points from two games played. Dolphin Secondary have the superior goal difference of the trio, followed by Chase’s Academic Foundation then Waramuri. Bartica Secondary have four points from two games and West Ruimveldt one point from two games. Meanwhile, the likes of President’s College, East and South Ruimveldt Secondary are yet to pick up any points.
The Republic Bank tournament is also supported by Guyana Beverage Inc (GBI) under its Busta brand, MVP Sports, and Tiger Rentals. The League continues this Sunday, November 10 at the same venue.
A look at the action between Chase’s Academic Foundation (blue) and South Ruimveldt (coloured bibs)
Barbados’s Demetrius Richards celebrates his half-century
Kevlon Anderson hit another half-century (file photo)
Junior Sinclair
