TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, October 8 –20:30h-22:00h and Wednesday, October 9 – 20:30h-22:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, October 8 – 06:55h-08:25h and Wednesday, October 9 –07:40h-09:10h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
The first half of 2024 saw the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) collecting over $215 billion in taxes, owing not to any increase in tax rates, but rather the expansion of the economy.
This is according to the Bank of Guyana (BoG), which also revealed that growth in the oil and gas sector has led to a 21.8 per cent increase in income tax collection.
In its recently released Mid-Year Report, the BoG revealed that the revenue body was able to collect $216 billion in taxes during the first half of the year. This is an 18.8 per cent increase in tax collection, contributing significantly to total current revenues which also increased to $227.2 billion.
It was noted that the increased tax collection was due to the growth in the economy. Income tax collection increased by 21.8 per cent to $129.7 billion. In addition, private corporation taxes increased by 21.1 per cent to $48.8 billion. In the case of the former, this was attributed to the oil and gas industry’s expansion.
“Income tax receipts increased by 21.8 per cent to G$129,791 million on account of a broader base of collections from oil & gas-related firms. Personal income taxes and withholding taxes expanded by 14.6 per cent and 31.9 per cent to G$39,511 million and G$39,389 million respectively,” the report states.
Three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vesselsthe Liza Destiny, Unity and Prosperity- are currently producing oil in Guyana’s waters, with a fourth one, the One Guyana FPSO, expected to start production in the second half of next year. The increase in FPSOs has also come with a heightened demand for support services and increasing employment opportunities.
As of April 2024, some 6000 locals were actively contributing to the oil and
gas sector’s growth, which represented almost 70 per cent of the total workforce and a 24 per cent increase in Guyanese hired. Of the 6000 locals, over 900 Guyanese were employed as plant and machine operators; 1,203 as professionals, including accountants, lawyers, and engineers; and another 485 as technicians.
And while 6000 locals are a significant amount, the government has its eyes set on the oil and gas related Guyanese workforce expanding. For instance, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat had pointed out that with Guyana producing over 640,000 barrels of oil per day, which is projected to increase to 1.3 million barrels by 2027, the number of locals in the sector must increase to complement this growth.
“6000 is quite significant, but we are not satisfied. We’re working right now to build out the Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) in Port Mourant in Berbice, to ensure that we train more of our people so that they can be employed directly in the sector,” Minister Bharrat had said.
Further, he had said that government has been in talks with oil compa-
nies to offer scholarships to Guyanese, so they can develop their knowledge of the industry. Another announcement made by the minister at the time is that the government would be moving to conduct local content sensitisation workshops around the country. This would be with the aim of ensuring that more people are familiar with the opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has also been highlighting the link between the Local Content Act it implemented in 2021 and the increasing number of Guyanese firms operating in the sector. The Natural Resources Minister, for instance, had pointed out the numerous partnerships between local and foreign companies, encouraged by the law.
Notable alliances include joint ventures and partnerships that would be providing shore base facilities, offshore support vessel services, offshore helicop-
ter services, offshore catering services, machining and fabrication services, and hazardous waste management.
Only last year, the government went out to public auction for the sale of more oil blocks, increasing the opportunities that will be available in the sector, with a second potential auction in the pipelines. Among those awarded oil blocks during that bid round was a Guyanese female-led company, Sispro Inc., which received a shallow block (S3) and a deep-water block (D2).
Other shallow blocks were awarded to Total Energies EP Guyana BV in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), which got Block S4; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited, which got Block S7, and International Group Investment Inc. of Nigeria, which got two blocks – S5 and S10. (Jarryl Byran)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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On October 6, 1976, the tragic downing of Cubana Airlines Flight 455 sent shockwaves through the Caribbean, Latin America, and the world. As we mark the 48th anniversary of this heart-wrenching event, we are reminded not only of the lives lost, but also of the enduring fight against terrorism and the importance of maintaining our region as a zone of peace.
This year’s commemoration in Guyana, held at the monument on the grounds of the University of Guyana, was a solemn reflection of the need to never forget the devastation wrought on that fateful day. The words of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd echoed the lessons that remain as relevant now as they were 48 years ago. His address underscored a crucial message: “we must stand unwaveringly against all forms of terrorism and reaffirm our commitment to peace in a world increasingly fraught with conflict.”
Seventy-three innocent lives were lost when Flight 455 was brought down in an act of unspeakable cruelty. Among the dead were 11 Guyanese nationals, most of them young students who had their futures cruelly snatched away. It is hard to imagine the depth of pain felt by the families and friends of those lost, but Minister Todd’s words offered a poignant reminder that Guyana as a nation continues to grieve with them. He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to honouring the memories of those who perished and to offering unwavering solidarity to the loved ones they left behind.
This disaster was a reminder of the horrific reach of terrorism, an ideology rooted in destruction. In its aftermath, the Region was united not only in grief but also in determination. And yet, as Minister Todd pointed out, the threat of terrorism and violence remains. Despite global efforts to counteract such acts, the world is not free from individuals and groups willing to commit atrocities for political ends.
Guyana, alongside its regional counterparts, has made it clear that maintaining peace and security is an imperative. The Caribbean must remain a zone of peace, even as tensions continue to simmer. This message, as Todd highlighted, is particularly important in the face of the growing threats posed by Venezuela to Guyana’s sovereignty. The tragedy of Flight 455 is a stark reminder that the peaceful coexistence of States cannot be taken for granted, and nations must continue to engage in diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes.
The monument that stands at the University of Guyana is not merely a symbol of mourning – it is a clarion call for vigilance. We must remember that peace, security, and human dignity are fragile, easily shattered by the violence of a few. The Region must remain united in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, which calls for collective action to prevent threats to peace and to suppress acts of aggression.
In a world marked by escalating conflicts – from the Middle East to Europe and beyond – Caribbean nations must hold firm to the values of peace, justice, and diplomacy. As we remember the victims of the Cubana Air Disaster, let us also renew our determination to create a world where such tragedies are not repeated.
The Caribbean cannot afford to be complacent. The Region must continue to be a beacon of peace, an example to the world of what can be achieved through dialogue, understanding, and a shared commitment to human rights.
The tragic loss of lives on Cubana Flight 455 serves as a solemn reminder that terrorism knows no boundaries, but neither does collective strength when countries unite against it. Honouring the memory of those who perished means not only remembering their names, but also working to ensure a future where such acts of violence have no place. Peace is fragile, but together, the region can protect it for generations to come.
Dr Jagdeo is loved by the majority, but hated by a few
Dear Editor,
Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the astute economist politician, is a man who is loved by the vast majority of people living in and out of Guyana, and there are many reasons for their adoration of the man. He is charismatic, that is, being the most adored local personality, having done great things in the development of the nation. You step back and take a good look at the work he has done in bringing back a country from the depths of poverty to one that has taken its place in the civilisation of nations; Guyana will never be the same again.
So, let's trace the history of development and how we've got here, Jagdeo is the present-day guide in the PPP/C started by Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan. He highlights the ideals of the ordinary man; he fought for the dignity and social justice of people; he saw the upliftment of people first, and before the party, he was a grassroots leader. However, he did not live long enough to fulfil the goals of the Guyana Dream.
When Dr Jagan died, his wife took up the mantle but in like circumstances, she did not live long enough to achieve those noble ideals, however, in her own words she said: "If anything should happen to me, let this man take up the reins of power." Those words were prophetic and true because she left us a rich legacy of hope on which we can build and look forward to the future, thus began the lifework of the other Bharrat, Bharrat Jagdeo.
He took up the mantle and led this country for 28
years, bringing us up from a backwater and a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) to a middle-income State. To have achieved such a task stops nothing short of being phenomenal. The party that Cheddi built is proud of teamwork and collaborative effort, a group whose sole aim is to achieve a common goal. It also speaks to the cohesiveness of the team and their ability to create a positive work environment, which lays the groundwork for futuristic development.
The point I am making is, that much of what Jagdeo –and by extension, the entire PPP/C Team – is promulgating is grounded in the ageold traditions formulated by The Freed Black Men and Women and later perfected by The Indentured Servants. It speaks to the principles of hard work, spending on that which is necessary, while frugally saving and looking forward to a better tomorrow. Our forefathers spent time educating their kids and hid something "under the mattress" for the times when things were not so good. This is sound economics even when done on a national scale.
The hatred, if you could call it that, comes from those who do not know how to manage their own homes, far less an economy. The Opposition certainly knows how to spend in a "corrupt economics" system, for example, I call it The Winston-Jordan economics of poverty. This was exemplified when they came into office, and promptly went on a spending spree, I am talking of a splurge on what took years to accumu-
late by the former PPP/C Administration.
Merely two months into power, the coalition's economic formula was selfishly centred on freely taking a 50% salary hike, then soon after, burdened the country with over 200 new taxes, if this is not crass underdevelopment then what is? The point is, The Opposition lacks a modicum of economics; it is embedded in the nonsensical idea of spending all that you have, and then burdening the State with taxation; such backwardness is the cause of the downfall of many Third World Countries.
Therefore, I must conclude, that our One Guyana PPP/C Team would not coun-
tenance such retrogression, we would have done away with those retrograde formulas, and we are now on a futuristic thrust that would propel this country into a better today, and a prosperous tomorrow. Guyana is headed in the right direction and there will be no turning back now.
The negatives of the political naysayers cannot be rubbed off on Jagdeo or this country; we will continue to rise far out of their reach. In the meantime, they will continue to sit in the Opposition and watch a progressive country move forward.
Respectfully, Neil
Adams
Dear Editor,
Reflecting on Sunday’s CPL T20 halftime show, there are several lessons to be learnt from both an event management and branding perspective. While the concept held promise, the execution fell short in several areas, especially concerning how the Carib Beer brand was represented.
The branding could have been spread out strategically across the field for maximum exposure, rather than giving off a disjointed, last-minute feel. A lot of money was spent to print that half-flower design, but it was ineffective in its delivery and, unfortunately, not money well spent after seeing the show.
From an event logistics standpoint, the way the branding materials were brought onto the field could have been more streamlined.
First, the floor branding: At no vantage point in the stadium could fans or viewers effectively see the Carib logo or the Carib trucks that were supposed to represent the teams. It was a missed opportunity. A simple, elevated 3D stand with branding would have provided much better visibility for both stadium attendees and television viewers. This lack of clarity made it seem as though there was little thought put into the visual impact.
Dear Editor,
This is a very good move by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, that is, to integrate Venezuelan migrants into Guyana’s formal economy. It speaks well for the country, as migration overall has been the focus of many intense political debates in recent years, as most people have positive perceptions about immigrants, amidst a few misconceptions and concerns.
For example, some are still locked into the notion that migrants are a burden on economies. However, in the April 2020 World Economic Outlook, it is demonstrated that the eco-
nomic impact of migration on recipient countries is “… that migration generally improves economic growth and productivity in host countries”.
I was surprised but quite pleased that there are somewhere between “… 28,000 to 40,000 Venezuelan migrants residing in Guyana,” and the country’s Ministry of Labour is facilitating their transition into the legal economy.”
This is not going to be overnight, as it will involve “… addressing key issues such as training and development, health and safety opportunities and education on local labour laws”.
But it is a start, and apart from the economic aspect,
the initiative shows that Guyana is on par with international ‘best practices’ as regards immigration issues, especially when it comes to respecting and safeguarding the well-being and dignity of all kinds of people.
In terms of making the requisite transition, and doing so right across the board, host leaders with their organisations will be teaming up with the Minister of Labour. Some of these are Natecia Garraway, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT); Juan Francisco Espinosa, Special Advisor to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM); Maria-
Alexandra Bassermann, Regional Labour, Mobility and Social Inclusion Coordinator IOM-UN; and Eraina Yaw, Deputy Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission for Guyana. When the process is truly on, according to Hamilton, “… such engagements will ensure that the migrants become an essential part of the formal economy which will allow them to have access to education and other social services”.
In some respects, a lot of stuff, pro-immigrant, are ongoing, as the Ministry explained, pointing out that in terms of programmes and training for the en-
Having four people maintain and pull out the materials in a tight, cohesive manner would have created a more polished effect. Instead, the dragging and removal of materials felt rushed and sloppy, diminishing the professionalism that a brand like Carib should aim to project.
Moving on to the Taylor Swift-inspired segment: while the concept had potential, the execution was again problematic. The performers were not properly centred, and their placement lacked coordination. Simple changes, such as having performers enter from multiple points in the stadium and move in sync, would have elevated the performance. What was most needed was to focus attention on the artiste in a way that was visible and impactful for all vantage points within the stadium. Instead, the artiste was obscured from a large portion of the crowd by the petals, diluting the overall experience.
A highlight, however, was the dancing gold performers, which captured the vibrancy of #Caribbean culture. Yet even here, there was room for improvement. While the dancers were in sync with the rhythm and energy of the Caribbean, the costumes were monochro-
matic and repetitive, failing to capture the full depth of the Region’s rich and diverse aesthetic. Additionally, the quality of the outfits began to fall apart halfway through the performance, which reflected poorly on the overall production. This is an issue that could have been easily addressed by focusing on fewer but higher-quality elements. Sometimes less is more, and refining rather than adding would have enhanced the impact.
Lastly, the treatment of #Guyanese artistes was a significant concern. These artistes, many of whom are internationally recognised within their communities, were relegated to a corner, barely seen. Whether intentional or not, the optics of this segregation were damaging. Artistes like Timeka Marshall, Vicadi Singh, Tony Cuttz, and Carlvin Burnett, who hold significant cultural importance, deserved better positioning and more prominent representation, especially in their home country. In contrast, Trinidadian artistes received better staging, which further highlighted this disparity.
The overarching issue is that this event felt foreign—
as though it was trying too hard to appeal to a Guyanese audience without truly understanding the market. Carib, as a Trinidadian brand, has missed the mark in Guyana repeatedly, and this halftime show was another example. There’s a disconnect between what the brand thinks will resonate and what actually engages the local audience.
To close on a constructive note: there’s still time for Carib to reconnect with its roots in Guyana. One of the brand’s strongest periods was its involvement in #Mashramani, where it was a standout feature. By re-engaging with this
national event, Carib could rebuild brand equity and authenticity in the local market. This, combined with a more thoughtful and collaborative approach to event execution, could help the brand regain its footing.
In conclusion, I’d rate this show a B+ for concept but a C for execution. There’s so much growth potential, and I strongly recommend more engagement with local creatives to better understand and celebrate Caribbean/Guyanese culture authentically.
Sincerely, Nicholas Yearwood
hancement of migrants, we (the Government) hope to do more with support from international partners … (and) the pledge is one of the Government of Guyana’s support to partner with both parties to address this matter in a meaningful way.”
Editor, for immigration to play a positive role and to be accepted by the host country, in this case, Guyana, immigrants and their children must be well and fully integrated into the economy and society at large, ranging from employment to housing, Medicare, safety, education and whatever else is necessary to a life of worth.
The reverse is true, that is, when it comes to any form of discrimination against immigrants and their descendants, it remains a key barrier to their economic and social inclusion. It also threatens social cohesion and has strong economic costs to the host countries.
Let me add that the statistics are there to confirm that around one-third of highly educated immigrants who are employed in any of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries are formally overqualified for their jobs. Groups that face particularly high overqualification rates are immigrants with foreign degrees, refugees, as well as recent arrivals. Overqualification
often represents a waste of human capital and can lead to lower motivation among migrant workers. My point then is that Guyana has human capital residing in these Venezuelans, and it is good to note that the country is aware of it, and will utilise it.
Guyana then is positively answering the question of how can destination countries enhance the contribution of immigration to development. It is by investing in these immigrants’ integration.
Developing countries must not cheat themselves by lacking comprehensive policies to facilitate the integration of immigrants, as this can generate serious problems of social cohesion and reduce immigrants’ ability to contribute to the development of their host. Guyana is on a good pathway, and must not waver. After all, immigrants (many Guyanese for sure) contribute to the US economy in many ways. They work at high rates and make up more than a third of the workforce in some industries. Their geographic mobility helps local economies respond to worker shortages, smoothing out bumps that could otherwise weaken the economy.
Yours truly, HB Singh
Materials
plain paper, pencils, rulers, coloured pencils or pens (optional), pairs of compasses (optional)
Instructions
Start by drawing a regular polygon
Make 4 small marks the same distance in from each side...
And again, make 4 small marks the same distance from each side of the new polygon...
then join the marks up... to make a smaller polygon within the larger one.
and join the marks up... to make a smaller polygon within the larger one.
and on and on....
(www.artfulmaths.com)
THE KING MAY RULE O'ER LAND AND SEA, THE LORD MAY LIVE RIGHT ROYALLY, THE SOLDIER RIDE IN POMP AND PRIDE, THE SAILOR ROAM O'ER THE OCEAN WIDE BUT THIS OR THAT, WHAT'ER BEFALL, THE FARMER HE MUST FEED THEM ALL.
THE WRITER THINKS, THE POET SINGS, THE CRAFTSMAN FOLLOWS WONDROUS THINGS, THE DOCTOR HEALS, THE LAWYER PLEADS, THE MINER FOLLOWS THE PRECIOUS LEADS, BUT THIS OR THAT WHAT'ER BEFALL, THE FARMER HE MUST FEED THEM ALL.
THE MERCHANT, HE MAY BUY OR SELL, THE TEACHER DO HIS DUTY WELL, THE MEN MAY TOIL THROUGH BUSY DAYS, OR MEN STRAY STROLL THROUGH PLEASANT WAYS, FROM KING TO BEGGAR, WHAT'ER BEFALL, THE FARMER HE MUST FEED THEM ALL.
THE FARMER'S TRADE IS ONE OF WORTH HIS PASTURE WITH THE SKY AND EARTH, HIS PASTURE WITH THE SUN AND RAIN, AND NO MAN LOSES FOR HIS GAIN, AND MEN MAY RISE AND MEN MAY FALL, BUT THE FARMER, HE MUST FEED THEM ALL. GOD BLESS THE MAN WHO SOWS THE WHEAT, WHO FINDS US MILK AND FRUIT AND MEAT, MAY HIS PURSE BE HEAVY, HIS HEART BE LIGHT, HIS CATTLE AND CORN AND ALL GO RIGHT, GOD BLESS THE SEED HIS HANDS LET FALL, FOR THE FARMER, HE MUST FEED US ALL....
urges full speed ahead on expansion of food security efforts, new
Secretary General (SG) of Caribbean Community (Caricom)
Dr Carla Barnette has lauded the region-wide success of the 25 by 2025 initiative, the brainchild of President Dr Irfaan Ali, noting that member states have made significant progress implementing it in the penultimate year of the initiative.
The SG was at the time addressing the opening ceremony of the 18th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In her address, she spoke of the progress made on implementation of the 25 by 2025, which envisions the reduction of the Caribbean food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
“This 18th Caribbean Week of Agriculture takes on added significance, as it is the penultimate year of our regional strategy to reduce our food import bill by
25% by the year 2025. The needle is moving on this programme, and the Member States have been implementing successful initiatives,” she said.
“Beyond 2025, as President Ali, who is Lead head on Agriculture, has said, we will take stock, renew our efforts to increase even further, and set new targets as we move ahead. We need increased investment, increased knowledge-sharing, and partnership across the Region and beyond, as we take full advantage of the opportunities inherent in new technologies and methodologies of Climate-Smart Agriculture.”
According to Barnett, the region must expand production and reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025. At the same time, however, Barnett highlighted the damage that has been
done to the regional agriculture sector. This is due to natural disasters such as Hurricane Beryl earlier in the year, which wreaked havoc in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
“Member States have also suffered losses to their production due to the hurricane we experienced three months ago. There is more to be done. We must celebrate the positive outcomes that have been achieved, and we must prepare to do things differently and better as we move ahead,” Barnett said.
“Our goal must remain as it has always been - to create a resilient agricultural sector that withstands the vagaries of climate change, contributes to the economic vitality of the Region, and
this event, is essential in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.”
Barnett urged the region to use the opportunity to “sow the seeds of change”
takes into account the food and nutrition security of future generations. The collaborative approach, such as that demonstrated by
and work towards a future where the Caribbean leads by example in climate-smart agriculture. As such, she expressed optimism for what the future holds for the re-
gion.
“CARICOM is committed to fostering regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing that will propel us towards a greener, more resilient agricultural sector.
The representation from the farming community, women, indigenous and youth groups, regional and international development partners, academia, government and the private sector.”
“The Week’s focus on the unique considerations for some sectors, indicates our collective commitment to transform agriculture into a more productive, resilient, inclusive and sustainable sector,” Barnett further explained.
Meanwhile, the fact that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is hosting the CWA even as it rebuilds from Hurricane Beryl, was commended by the SG. According to her, the imple-
mentation of climate-smart agriculture will greatly aid the region in tackling two issues at once… food security and climate change.
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that can help us to tackle the intertwined issues of food security and climate change, and embed resilience and sustainable agricultural production methods at the heart of our agriculture.
“Climate change is an enduring reality, and its effects are being felt in our nations, our communities and in our lives. It is therefore imperative that we identify and embrace new strategies to navigate the dynamic environment which we inhabit.”
“Our unique vulnerabilities demand that new technologies, techniques, tools and equipment are harnessed to efficiently and sustainably increase agricultural production, productivity and incomes.”
Vision 25 by 2025” was first conceptualized by President Ali and aims for the Caribbean to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur. And in light of this, the intention is to formulate a sense of food stability and security. As of February, this year, 70 per cent of the ’25 by 2025’ target had been met.
On the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Cubana Air Disaster, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, has described the tragedy as a sobering reminder of the need to maintain the region as a zone of peace and to stand resolutely against all forms of terrorism.
The anniversary of the Cubana Air Disaster was observed at the monument, located on the grounds of the University of
Guyana, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on Sunday. The Foreign Affairs Minister, who delivered the feature address, observed the significance of the tragedy and the need for Guyana and the region to never forget it.
“To the family, friends, countrymen and women of those who lost their lives, we as a nation continue to offer our thoughts and prayers. We renew once more our commitment to honour the memories of the sons and daughters of our soil, as we
stand in unwavering solidarity with you.”
In particular, Todd noted that the tragedy highlights the importance of keeping the region as a zone of peace.
Your Eyewitness can’t get over the Opposition keeps jumping on that “shared governance” limb. Now since the (wise) old people say “Monkey know which limb to jump on”, that just proves without any fear of contradiction that THEY ain’t no monkeys!! Cause THAT limb ain’t leadin’ nowhere!! Now, there may be THEORETICAL reasons why “shared governance” may be good for some divided countries. But then, there were theoretical reasons for arguing about how many angels could dance on the head of a pin!! But does it really matter if experience shows that both have no relation to reality??
Let’s face it…this notion that if only the PPP and PNC could get together and form a government, all will be hunky dory and we’ll all live happily ever after, has been around since the beginning of modern politics from the 50s!! Not surprising since we were all weaned on the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales!! But shouldn’t the FACT that such a dream never became real tell us something?? That maybe all dreams don’t come true because they’re… erm…just DREAMS?? So let’s look as to why coalitions –the foundations of shared governments – haven’t worked here. And then ask if anything’s changed!!
Back in 1964, shared governance was kicked off with the PNC-UF coalition that ousted the PPP. But the cynicism behind that arrangement only convinced Burnham that the wonderful rhetoric of “democracy” being spouted was just that – rhetoric!! This confirmed his Machiavellian view of politics and he promptly kicked out his “shared governance” partner and rigged elections to rule on his lonesome!! And “shared governance” in Guyana was read its death rites then and there!!
This comes at a time when Guyana’s western neighbour, Venezuela, threatens the opposite.
“Today’s international environment is rife with conflicts escalating across the world, threatening the peace and security of the entire human family. As members of the international community, we cannot waver in our commitment to universal peace, even as we continue to encourage the peaceful settlement of disputes. And the peaceful coexistence amongst states.”
“This monument, erected in honour of those who innocently lost their lives in the Cubana air disaster, is a sobering reminder that we must redouble our efforts to fight against and to denounce all threats to humanity,” Todd said.
Todd further highlighted that in the 48 years since the disaster, Guyana remains committed to doing its part in enhancing regional security. That being said, he acknowledged that the world has not yet rid itself of those willing to commit such atrocities.
“This scourge continues, as a major challenge for all humanity. As the world is yet to rid itself of persons willing to commit such atrocities, against their fellow human beings. As a region, we must remain steadfastly committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Even though the PPP then came up with all kinds of permutations and combinations of how they and the PNC could divvy up the governance spoils, it all came to nought!! For the simple (cynical) reason why share when you can have it all? – even when the “all” is a country that had been destroyed politically, economically, socially, etc!! They say that in 1985, Forbes and Cheddi were on the verge of signing off on a “shared governance”, but Forbes then went and croaked!! But your Eyewitness still believes Forbes was yanking Cheddi’s chain!!
And when at long last Cheddi came back into office in 1992, hadn’t he also promised “shared governance” – but then gave us the CIVIC??!! But hope beats eternal, innit?? And so Ramjattan took his AFC into a coalition with the PNC – even though fearing “Dead Meat” status – and was surprised when Granger kicked him to the kerb??
Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. So who’s silly enough to go that route again?? Looks like the PPP has learnt its lesson!!
…political exemplars
Those Scandinavian countries way up north have long been the exemplars of good governance and high standards of living that the rest of the world struggles for. Was it those Northern Lights that only they get to see?? Or was it those old Norse gods like Odin and Thor watching over them?? Or was it the more mundane reason that for the longest while they’re all from the same Nordic Stock – blonde and blue eyed – like the Targaryens?? Your Eyewitness doesn’t know about the incest part!!
Well, whatever it was…looks like somebody bit into that apple and their Valhalla’s being tested. After being ultraliberal and woke for the longest while - for instance, accepting hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees, Sweden elected a centre-right Government!! Now if that sounds innocuous, it’s supported by a neo-Nazi party that was formed only in 1988 – and has now become the second-largest party in the country!!
So now that they’re faced with diversity challenges, they’ve joined Trump’s bandwagon!!
…cricket nous
Your Eyewitness ain’t gonna get into why our Warriors lost the finals to the Kings – he still hasn’t recovered from the shock and disappointment. But he gotta say it looks like basic cricket nous fled from the Captain’s head.
As the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) continue to collaborate with its international partners to put a dent in the drug trade, the unit reportedly has played its part in the interception of over 2600 kilograms of cocaine in Guinea Bissau in West Africa.
When contacted, Director James Singh could neither confirm nor deny the in-
volvement of his unit only to say that he is aware of the case, but since it’s an ongoing international investigation he would respectfully not divulge any information.
The cocaine which reportedly originated from Venezuela was transported via an aircraft with registration number XA-SBT.
Guyana Times understands that through that exchange of information
with CANU, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC – N); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Interpol Maritime Security Unit and Drugs Office and the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), it was possible to establish the landing airfield used by the aircraft.
With such information, the various organisations and forces were able
to intercept the aircraft and when searched, the large shipment of drugs was found. At the time of the interception, one Colombian, two Mexicans, one Brazilian and one Ecuadorian were on board the aircraft.
A release from MAOC stated that Guinea-Bissau’s Judicial Police seized 2.63 tonnes of cocaine found on an aircraft at the country’s international airport after information was shared by international partners that an aircraft would be flying to the country from Venezuela loaded with cocaine.
“After landing at the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, the rapid intervention from the aforemen-
tioned Guinean authorities resulted in the seizure of 78 bales along the passenger’s cabin,” the release stated. This is one reported case in which Guyana has been instrumental in drug seizures overseas. There are several others but due to international policies and protocols, publicizing could hinder ongoing investigations.
However, Guyana remains committed to working with international organisations to dismantle the narcotics trafficking networks.
An islander aircraft bearing registration number PU-MBN was discovered at an illegal airstrip at Bashaizon Village, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo on Sunday.
Based on reports received, at about 10:55h on Sunday, police in the division received information that an aircraft was attempting to land at an illegal airstrip at Bashaizon Village. As such, a team of police
ranks accompanied by members of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) travelled to the area where they observed an illegal airstrip in the savannah about three miles from the village's main access road.
They also observed a black, gold, and white Islander aircraft with registration number PU-MBN parked on the airstrip while a dark-coloured, fully tint-
ed four-door motor pickup truck was close by.
In addition, as members of the joint operation approached the aircraft and vehicle, they observed two males exiting the plane and boarding the pickup.
However, as the ranks
fallen out of the vehicle.
A search was conducted on his person but nothing illegal was found. During interrogation, he disclosed that the pilot whom he knew as 'Wallefi Kayck' was the
got closer, the pickup made an about turn and drove off but one of the men reportedly fell from the vehicle after it collided with the plane. As a result of the collision, the aircraft’s right wing and front propeller were damaged.
Despite discharging two .38 rounds in an attempt to stop the fleeing pickup, it managed to cross the Takutu River into neighbouring Brazil and disappeared. The ranks quickly apprehended 48-year-old Robistaine Peixoto Saraiva, a Brazilian gold miner from Boa Vista, Brazil who had
other male exiting the aircraft.
Saraiva further related that he had chartered the aircraft last Wednesday or Thursday from Santa Len De Para Company in Brazil. He confirmed that on October 4, 2024, they had flown from Chimba Airstrip, Brazil, to Venezuela, where they dropped off ten (10) cylinders of mercury (Quicksilver).
After spending a few days in Venezuela, they landed in Guyana on October 6, 2024.
Saraiva claimed their visit to Guyana was to purchase another 10 cylinders of mercury from a Brazilian known only as 'Mute' for use in his gold mining operations in Brazil.
Nevertheless, one iPhone 13 Pro Max, one Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, one Samsung Galaxy A03, one Tracker phone, two Garmin GPS devices, one pair of earbuds, one wireless charger, several phone cables,
a quantity of male clothing and two black haversacks were found in the aircraft.
Additionally, a blackand-white NK 150 CC motorcycle with registration number 4693 was found hidden in a clump of bushes about 200 feet from the airstrip. Saraiva was taken into custody and he is assisting with investigations.
Police also stated that several individuals in the area were questioned during which useful information was obtained. Investigations are ongoing.
Weeks after the discovery of $40 billion worth of cocaine at Matthew’s Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini), a source confirmed that the drugs originated from Venezuela.
The €176 million worth of cocaine was unearthed in several bunkers off an illegal airstrip near the Clandestine Airstrip on September 1.
The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) had reported that its officers, in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces Unit with support from the United States (DEA) Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), carried out an operation in Region One which led to the discovery of the illegal airstrip.
A subsequent search of the surrounding area re-
sulted in the discovery of 4.4 tonnes of cocaine. Law enforcement officials believe that the drugs were brought to Guyana from neighbouring country/countries and were stored here until further transshipment to Europe.
On this note, the source told the Guyana Times that even though the drugs originated from Venezuela, several persons in another South American country were arrested in connection with the huge bust.
The source further stated that following the arrest of the individuals, a team from that country travelled to Guyana to assist with the local investigations. The source could not have divulged any further information but stated that investigations are continuing.
Following the discovery, the Director of CANU,
James Singh had stated that the illegal airstrip was built with a plan to accommodate small aircrafts, bringing several kilos of cocaine from outside of Guyana.
According to him, the discovery was the second phase of an ongoing operation with the GDF to identify illegal airstrips across the country and monitor them. He revealed that a few days prior, Joint Services ranks found a quantity of fuel and with the assistance of persons in the area, further investigations led to the unearthing of the massive cocaine find.
The CANU Director related that based on information shared with the DEA, the ranks suspected that the narcotics were hidden underground. As a result of due diligence, the blocks of cocaine were discovered buried in bunkers/pits handdug about five to six feet
These must continue to be the bulwark of our region and by extension the world.”
“As we strive to maintain international peace and security. And to that end, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the family, friends, peace and for the suppression of acts of aggression and against other breaches of peace,” Todd explained.
On October 6, 1976, the Cubana Airline flight 455 left Guyana en route to Cuba with stops along the way in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica respectively. However, shortly after leaving the Barbados airport, there was an explosion in the aircraft’s rear, and upon realizing that they could not make it back to the airport for an emergency landing, the pilot, Captain Wilfredo
Perez, steered the plane towards the Atlantic Ocean, avoiding the tourist-packed Paradise Beach. Another bomb went off in the aircraft before it crashed, killing all 73 passengers and crew members on board.
The Guyanese killed included: Seshnarine Kumar, 18; Ann Nelson, 18; Eric Norton, 18; Rawle Thomas, 18; and Jacqueline Williams, 19, all students on their way to study medicine and engineering in Cuba. Others who perished were relatives Violet and Rita Thomas, nineyear-old Sabrina Harrypaul, Margaret Bradshaw, Raymond Persaud, and economist Gordon Sobha.
Among the other victims were five Koreans and 57 Cubans, including 24 members of the 1975 Cuban national fencing team, who were returning home af-
deep and were covered with tarpaulin, wood and bushes.
“[The narcotics] were found in four pits or bunkers neatly camouflaged in a 30-minute walk into the jungle in different directions. There were also several camps within the jungle. The fact that this amount of drugs was found in several locations means that it was waiting for the transshipment… They were waiting for the opportune moment. That’s why I said we were very successful not just in seizing but detecting a new concealment method [and got] an idea as to how big the network is,” Singh explained.
The CANU Head further revealed that when the Joint Services ranks first arrived in the area a few days ago, they observed sever-
al persons who escaped into the vast jungle. However, the ranks managed to apprehend one suspect who has since been taken into custody.
Singh pointed out that this successful operation was a direct result of the support that the Guyana Government gives to the local Joint Services to combat the narcotics trade here. He also underscored the importance of collaboration with international partners.
“This is why international collaboration is important because based on the experience of our counterparts in the DEA, we were able to share information, share intelligence and do operations such as this that have resulted in a large seizure of drugs with the assistance of the Joint Services,” he not-
ed. Similar sentiments were echoed by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, who joined law enforcement officers in Region One on Sunday to witness the destruction of what is described as the largest seizure of cocaine locally and possibly regionally. He explained that they lacked the resources and proper logistics to transport the narcotics from the hinterland location hence the decision was taken to have them destroyed on site.
In fact, the narcotics were removed from the bunkers and destroyed but not before samples were collected for further testing and analysis. It is based on these further tests; it was determined the origin of the drugs.
ter winning gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean Championship games.
Investigations had revealed that CIA-linked anti-Castro Cuban exiles conspired with members of the Venezuela Secret Police to bomb the Cuban aircraft in protest of Castro’s dictatorial policies in Cuba.
Four men who had joined the plane in Trinidad and disembarked the aircraft in Barbados were subsequently arrested and tried in Venezuela in connection with the bombing and murder of 73 persons.
Two of them were sentenced to 20 years in prison, another was acquitted and subsequently moved to the United States, while the other escaped from Venezuela and fled to the United States. (G-3)
The National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) was officially awarded the prestigious GYS 170 Certification during a ceremony at the Health Ministry’s Conference Room on Monday. This certification underscores the laboratory's unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier services to its clients, partners, and the broader community,
ensuring the highest standards of service quality and reliability.
In his remarks, Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Trevor Basso, emphasised that the certification reflects the government's dedication to maintaining quality, accuracy, and dependability in Guyana's healthcare system.
He lauded the achieve -
ment as a significant milestone, marking a proud moment for the country. The GNBS certifies clinical and testing laboratories under the National Standard GYS 170:2021, which outlines the general requirements for laboratory operations.
Laboratory Director of the NPHRL, Joyce WhyteChin expressed her sincere gratitude to the GNBS for its rigorous evaluation process, which played a pivotal role in shaping the laboratory’s current capabilities. She also acknowledged the dedication and expertise of her team, whose contributions have exceeded expec -
tations and propelled the lab to this achievement.
Delivering the keynote address, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, offered congratulations to the NPHRL and stressed the importance of confidentiality in healthcare service delivery.
"If we are diagnosing various diseases, confidentiality is a fundamental requirement. Patients must have confidence that the results they receive are accurate, reflecting the best practices and international standards," he said.
Dr Anthony further highlighted the ministry's efforts to expand the range of services offered at the NPHRL, revealing that by the end of the year, the lab aims to become a certified center for influenza testing within the hemisphere.
Also attending the ceremony were Dr Ertensia Hamilton, Director of Family and Primary Health Care; Dr Latchmie Lall, Director of NonCommunicable Diseases; and other key staff members from the NPHRL.
The University of Guyana (UG) on Monday appointed Tirishatha Semple as its new University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) President for the term 2024/2025.
Semple who is the third female president to serve on the council has crafted an action plan that details methods to improve academic resources and student support at the prestigious institution.
During her remarks at the swearing in ceremony, Semple who was among three persons vying for the post, told those gathered that her mission is to ensure the university produces well-rounded students, maintain flexibility and resilience through online classes, continue to push for extracurricular activities, create a prayer room for students of all faiths, and empower every student’s voice, among others.
“Your president is very energetic, so I plan to add energy into everything we do at the University of Guyana. This vision is not mine alone it's ours, it represents the collective voice of the student body and we are all here to serve, to be your voice and to work with you to make these goals a reality. This journey is not one I take lightly. I am standing before
you because I believe in the strength of our student body, I believe in the power of unity and I believe in what we can achieve together as a team,” Semple stated.
The UGSS is a student-run organisation that represents the student body at the University of Guyana. It was established in 1973 to allow students of the University to formally voice their desires.
The University of Guyana Students’ Society is intended to foster and promote social and cultural activities among students, to attend to the wel -
fare of any member of the student body, and to provide representation of the concrete opinion of the students of the University.
The Students’ Society has been tasked to help develop coherent values and ethical standards, forge educational partnerships, and build supportive and inclusive communities across the two campuses and four centres of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin expressed her satisfaction with the new body, which she described as dynamic,
gender mutual and exemplary.
“Terry being one of a kind is never easy and you’re one of a kind. The reason why you are one of a kind is not because you’re a young woman but because you have this whole other persona and you’re coming into the University administration at a time when the government of the country is in an election period and has indicated that they want to introduce free education. And that is going to place the University in a particular set of contexts and decisions about how that is going to happen etc
might have to emerge and how that affects the students. So, your ability as a leader to think and focus carefully about how this conversation is to be managed is going to be very important,” Professor Martin said.
Further, Martin thanked the outgoing President Shaquawn Gill and his executive body for serving with excellence, pointing out that the team worked diligently and steadfastly during a time when Guyana’s territorial integrity was threatened.
“The ability that they extended not only to remain calm but to work with the Government of Guyana, the media and with students to help the university stay on course and to basically face down that very terrible possibility is something that needs to go on record and I want to thank you personally for that,” she added.
During its tenure, the 2022-2023 body also launched a new website to improve the college experience of the University of Guyana’s (UG) more than 11,000 students, fostered a collaboration with One Communications to secure special data plans for students and advanced sports at the prestigious institute through various avenues.
University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) Executive Council 2024/2025 President:
- Tirishatha Semple
College of Medical Sciences Representative:
- Nikhil Sankar
- Jonathan Lambert
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Representatives:
- Rahul Changa
- Canisha Primo
Faculty of Education & Humanities Representative:
- Joel Bunbury
-Amisha Gaffor
-Moses Best
Faculty of Engineering & Technology Representatives:
- Timothy Erskine
- Tashaia Leonard
Faculty of Natural Sciences Representatives:
- Leanna Mendoca
- Ziyah Ramdeen
-Alesa Hinds
Faculty of Social Sciences Representatives:
- Khadija Fyffe
- Rolika Ross
-Tyriq Walters
School of Entrepeneurship & Business Innovation Representatives:
-Wessley Donald - Daniel McAlmont
Abandit was on Monday shot dead following a robbery at a jewellery store and pawnshop in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The incident occurred at about 10:00h at Vicram’s Jewellery and Pawnshop at the corner of Main and Trinity Streets, New Amsterdam. Police say one of two armed bandits was shot dead while a customer was injured.
The dead bandit was later identified as Terrence John of Bristol Street Angoy’s
Avenue, New Amsterdam.
According to information received, two men armed with handguns and fully covered hoodies entered the jewellery store and proceeded to rob a customer who was subsequently shot in the right leg.
In a statement on the matter, the police said the owner who is a licensed firearm holder, heard the commotion and immediately opened fire on the perpetrators, causing them to run out of the business establishment, with the stolen items.
One eyewitness told the
Guyana Times that two gunshots were heard as the men ran through Trinity Street leaving behind a motorbike. One of the men ran into the
New Amsterdam Primary School compound, situated along Trinity Street and was later found dead with a single gunshot injury to the
chest.
A Taurus 9mm handgun with a magazine containing several live rounds of ammunition along with other items that were stolen was found in the now-dead man’s pockets.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a second suspect who is believed to be the accomplice. Both men are said to be members of the ‘Scare Dem’ crew of Angoy’s Avenue. Several of its members have been jailed for
armed robberies. Two crew members were also injured by inmates while in prison back in 2014.
In April 2022, crew member Kwame Bhagwandin was killed after he and three others attacked and robbed a businessman who operates a boat service at Kimbia, in the Upper Berbice River. In 2015, Bhagwandin was imprisoned for 11 different robberies committed over two years. (Andrew Carmichael)
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs
Kwame McCoy has outlined that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration is committed to and has proven that it can deliver on its promises to the citizenry. His statement comes on the heels of his recent commissioning of the brand-new communal kitchen facility in Santa/Aratack, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
According to the minister, the PPP/C government has largely delivered on its commitments to the people, contrasting this with the previous APNU/AFC Coalition’s
record of failing to uphold their promises during their time in office.
“When you examine the previous government of this country, and in particular the government of the APNU/ AFC coalition that made all of the grand promises, as it did in 2015, the people in this country have been witnesses to just another con mission,” he stated.
He added, “Within this country, there is a government, which is the PPP/C, and there is a President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, that the people across this country can rely on to deliver on promises and commitments.”
The minister warned about current attempts by the APNU-AFC to make
false promises, stating that the opposition is currently gauging to head into communities to spread false promises.
“I will tell you this: we are one year away from elections, and those who have been making promises to you in the past have begun their journey around these villages again in their grand scheme to deceive people and to once again make false promises. I warn you, look out for those individuals; they will come not necessarily looking like me in a very simple casual outfit; they’ll come in suits and ties and with fancy words to deceive you.”
Meanwhile, this is the first-ever communal kitchen that the community of Santa
Aratack has received.
The gift, which was made possible through the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, aims to provide the community’s children and those in need with warm, nutritious meals daily. The facility will see almost 50 nursery and primary school children receiving fresh, well-balanced meals.
In this regard, Minister McCoy explained how all of the PPP government’s initiatives are interconnected.
“And so all of these things are interrelated and connected as an overall program that works towards the development of communities that you may have as a deliberate policy: a school pro-
gram that gets meals for our children.”
He also contrasted the PPP Government’s track record with that of the former APNU+AFC administration, and as such, is warning communities to beware of fake promises being made by them as campaigning begins for next year’s polls.
In addition to false promises made by the opposition, false accusations in recent times have continued to ramp up against the government in hopes of creating false perceptions. Only some months ago minister within the office of the prime minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy urged the public to
continue to highlight the opposition’s mischievous actions. Launched in October 2022, the Men on Mission (MoM) Initiative aims to combat toxic masculinity while fostering a supportive environment for men. Through mentoring and humanitarian engagement, the Men on a Mission initiative promotes integrity, productivity, and accountability within communities. Since its inception, the Men on a Mission initiative has been dedicated to constructing homes for vulnerable persons, including the elderly and single mothers. The beneficiaries have to be landowners to qualify for a newly built house.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has reviewed the design for the US$75.8 million Good Success to Timehri road on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and made several recommendations to the project’s contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to upgrade the plan.
CRBC is currently amending the design to include the IDB’s suggestions, after which it will resubmit the design for approval.
In an invited comment, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill shared with Guyana Times that rehabilitation works on the 24 kilometres of road will commence soon.
He explained that CRBC has committed to working around the clock to mitigate further delay, but in the meantime, they will continue executing remedial and maintenance works along the stretch. Load testing for the existing bridges from
Relief to Soesdyke is underway.
Edghill in a previous comment disclosed that this particular exercise will play a crucial role in verifying the bridges’ structural integrity and capacity to bear various loads, including vehicles, pedestrians, and cargo.
All defects will be documented and necessary repair or maintenance work will be initiated. The activity estimated to last seven days will be closely supervised by consulting Engineers from Sheladia Associates Incorporated and will likely disrupt the continuous flow of traffic.
Delay Works were slated to commence on August 1 but the Guyana Times understands that it was delayed because the contractor, CRBC did not complete the design for the project on time.
The contractor has lost approximately nine weeks of work time, however, has committed to deliver by the stipulated deadline of 36 months.
The EBD Road improvement project spans 24 kilometres and the reconstruction and widening of over 58 bridges and culverts. The full design for the road was recently completed and citizens in the area can expect works to commence shortly.
The project is aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development and marks the first of its kind to be funded by the IDB in Guyana.
The project has been divided into three sections to ensure it remains on schedule with minimal disruption to commuters. Section
A covers the stretch from Good Success, beginning at the Ganga Temple, to Supply, while Section B ex-
tends from Supply to the Soesdyke Junction. Section C continues from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction, near the Timehri Police Station.
A notable feature of the project is the integration with the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway through the construction of a roundabout, designed to facilitate smoother traffic transitions.
The roadway will be upgraded to a two-lane highway, complete with enhanced safety features such as sidewalks and cycle lanes to cater to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Additionally, thermoplastic road markings, LED street lighting, and traffic signs will be installed to enhance safety and navigation along the carriageway.
To manage the flow of traffic during the construction period, a comprehensive traffic management plan has been developed.
Recognising the important role citizens can play in the fight against fire related issues, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has recently called for citizens to join the fight against fires.
This call to action was made by Divisional Officer Haimchandra Persaud on Sunday during the Fire Service’s 50th Fire Prevention Anniversary ceremony which was held at the National Cultural Centre, Georgetown.
During his remarks, Persaud spoke about the GFS’ Goal of reducing and potentially even eliminating destruction caused by fires. In this regard, he noted that to achieve this goal greater collaboration is needed.
“We all dream that there should be no destruction by way of fire however, to realise this dream every one of us here and all the members of the public have to partner with the fire department, you have to take the mantle
and run with it as we speak about putting fire systems in place whether it be smoke detectors or fire extinguishers, we encourage each and everyone to be ambassadors on behalf of the fire department so that we can make Guyana a safe country,” Persaud said.
Also present at the event was Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn who highlighted the importance of this milestone to the fire ser-
vice.
“We are at a pivotal point in the history of the Guyana fire service. You would’ve heard them say and note the expanding number of fire stations and services throughout the country, the large amount of equipment which we have acquired and are still acquiring” Benn stated.
On this point, the home affairs minister added that
through government investments the Fire services capabilities have significantly improved.
“Improving training, safety and togetherness in response to the question and challenge of fire in the new environment which we have, the new and different types of buildings, the new industrial applications and developments in the oil and gas era and the overall issue. Beyond the physical aspects, the importance of matching and training up to the required level has commenced with investments which are being made” The Minister stated.
Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham revealed some of the activities the GFS has planned for the month.
” We will be doing exhibitions at all stations, all stations will be opened up for visits for members of the public, we will be hosting community outreaches, visiting homes, dorms where our children are staying. For other activities such as fire drills, we will be doing inspections at both government and private properties. There will be a lot of lectures throughout the country and representatives from all 20 of the stations will be engaged” Wickham highlighted.
This year’s Fire Prevention Anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, “Fire Safety and Green, One Guyana Dream.”
Construction will begin in Section B, where there is sufficient space to accommodate ongoing work without severe traffic disruption.
During that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times, with efforts to maintain two lanes wherever possible. Construction activities will be confined to one side of the roadway at a time to further mitigate traffic issues.
Stakeholders and road
users will remain informed through the RESOLV 75 app, which will provide real-time updates on the project activities.
Additionally, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will also be mobilised to maintain order and ensure a steady flow of traffic throughout the construction period.
When completed the road will alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate vital routes for efficient transportation.
– regional extension offices now equipped with specialised equipment
The Agriculture Ministry’s National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is now better equipped with modernised equipment to conduct time-sensitive soil testing following the commissioning of its soil laboratory on Monday.
Through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of over $57 million under the Sustainable Agriculture Development Program (SADP), the newly refurbished laboratory, now equipped with cutting-edge tools such as soil grinders, total organic carbon and nitrogen analysers, will dramatically improve the soil testing capabilities of NAREI.
Additional equipment was also procured through funding by the Government of Guyana to the tune of $26.4 million.
While offering remarks at the event, Minister Mustapha said that the transformation of the lab represented a shift towards science-driven agriculture.
informed decisions about nutrient management and other critical issues relating to good crop management.
This allows for greater precision in advising farmers on nutrient management, enhancing crop yields, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The total transformation of the lab is more than just physical — it represents a shift towards science-driven agriculture,” he explained.
Mustapha also said farmers will now be able to make
“For nearly a decade, despite limited resources, NAREI has worked tirelessly to conduct soil testing and analysis to provide essential recommendations to farmers, on key analyses such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, Phosphorus, and so on. With these tools, in addition to an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer funded by the Government of Guyana, costing $26.4 million, NAREI can expand its range of soil tests to include critical elements such as Nitrogen, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, and more.
“By enabling precise soil testing, farmers will now be empowered to make informed decisions about nutrient management, enhancing crop yields and driving sustainable agricultural practices. This directly aligns with our national goal of reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, contributing to regional food security and a stronger agricultural economy for Guyana,” he added.
General Manager of Country Department Caribbean Group and IDB Country Representative in Jamaica Anton Edmunds
said the rehabilitation of the soil laboratory will play a crucial role in providing accurate soil analysis to farmers which is fundamental for making informed decisions in soil management and crop production.
“A primary focus of our investment is to enhance Guyana’s agriculture research and extension services. This is crucial for supporting farmers and achieving national and regional food security goals. This event is not just about upgrading a facility. It is about empowering the agriculture sector with the tools and knowledge necessary to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and ensure food security. The soil lab will
play a crucial role in providing accurate soil analysis which is fundamental for making informed decisions in soil management and crop production and for NAREI to be able to enhance public services and support improving farmers’ outputs,” he explained.
Mustapha also disclosed that an additional $66.5 million was invested to procure specialised equipment to improve the delivery of extension services in Guyana.
“Our regional extension officers are critical in taking these advancements directly to the farmers. To enhance their capabilities, we have invested about $66.5 million in specialised equipment that will revolutionise the delivery of agricultur-
al extension services across Guyana. These tools, which include soil meters, nutrient testers, and portable ultrasound machines for livestock, are essential for rapid, on-site analysis and diagnostics. Whether it’s testing soil health in the field or performing pregnancy tests on livestock, these innovations will enable our extension officers to provide more efficient and responsive support to farmers.”
He added that the transition from labour-intensive interactions to technology-driven solutions will allow extension officers to deliver real-time insights and interventions, ultimately boosting farm productivity and ensuring greater food security.
The Agriculture Ministry stated that contrary to misleading reports in section of the media, construction on the Pouderoyne pump station is advancing. This is according to a recent report issued by the consultant overlooking the project.
According to the report, construction of the $981.2 million pump station which commenced in January 2024, is on scheduled to be completed before the end of July 2025.
The September 22, 2024 report states that the access road leading to the pump station has been complet-
ed up to crushed stone level and the site has been cleared. The report also indicated that the installation of the Greenheart test pile and permanent timber revetments had been completed. Furthermore, a 36” high-density polyurethane tube pipe for drainage to the area north of the sluice was installed while the installation of steel sheet pile permanent revetment north and south of the sluice has also been completed. Construction of a timber access bridge and a temporary timber revetment and excavation works for the
pump station north of the sluice was also completed.
Over the next month,
pected to complete the steel sheet pile revetment and continue the installation of
the contractor, Spectre Construction Inc., is ex-
of the excavation pit north of the sluice is also scheduled to take place this month.
So far, according to the consultant’s report, the project is approximately 30 per cent completed. The report also indicated that the contractor has been working diligently and is expected to complete the project within the contractual period.
Last October, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) wrote to the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) informing the entity that approval had been given for
the contract Construction of the Pump Station at Pouderoyen Region No. 3 to be awarded to Spectre Construction Inc. Over the past four years, the Agriculture Ministry through the NDIA has embarked on a number of similar projects to improve the country’s drainage capacity. Just recently pump stations were commissioned at Cozier in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Greenwich Park in Region Three (Essequibo IslandWest Demerara) and Adventure on the Corentyne Coast in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Oil prices extend gains,
Oil prices settled more than three per cent higher on Monday, with Brent surpassing US$80 per barrel for the first time since August as the increased risk of a region-wide Middle East war jolted investors out of record bearish positions amassed last month.
Brent crude futures rose by US$2.88, or 3.7 per cent, to settle at US$80.93 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures advanced by US$2.76, or 3.7 per cent, to US$77.14 per barrel.
Last week, Brent rose more than eight per cent and WTI advanced by more than nine per cent week-on-week, the most in more than a year, after Iran's October 1 missile barrage against Israel raised concerns that the response from Israel would aim at Tehran's oil infrastructure.
If that happens, oil prices could rise by another US$3 to US$5 per barrel, said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.
Rockets fired by Iran-backed Hezbollah hit Israel's third-largest city, Haifa, early on Monday. Israel, meanwhile, looked poised to expand ground incursions into southern Lebanon on the first anniversary of the Gaza war that has spread conflict across the Middle East.
"There is growing concern that (the) conflict may continue to escalate – not only putting Iran's 3.4 mmbopd (million barrels of oil per day) of production at risk – but creating further disruptions to regional supply," analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co wrote on Monday.
Monday's gains were likely driven by money managers closing bearish bets on the rising risk of disruption to Middle Eastern oil supplies, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.
Hedge funds and money managers had amassed record bearish bets in oil futures through mid-September on a reduced outlook for demand, primarily in China, the biggest importer of crude oil.
"There's a lot of short-covering in the market that started last week and is still continuing," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital in New York. "It's a buy now, ask questions later kind of market," he said.
Still, he warned that the fear-driven rally leaves oil prices open to considerable downside if Israel decides not to attack Iranian oil infrastructure.
That would send oil prices down by between US$5 and US$7 per barrel, Kilduff and Lipow estimated separately.
"Up until a week ago, I had thought we would be testing low US$60s in oil," said Brent Belote, founder of commodities focused hedge fund Cayler Capital.
Demand remains weak, and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries have enough spare supply capacity to offset any disruptions to Iranian exports, Belote added.
OPEC and allies, including Russia, known collectively as OPEC+, are due to start raising production from December after cutting in recent years to support prices because of weak global demand.
However, Brent crude prices will likely have to be closer to US$90 or above for OPEC+ to increase supplies, Lipow said. (Reuters)
Cissy Houston, renowned gospel singer and the mother of Whitney Houston, died on Monday morning at the age of 91, her family said in a statement.
Houston, a two-time Grammy Award winning singer, died in her New Jersey home while in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston said.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” she said, adding that her motherin-law was a “strong and towering figure” in the family’s life.
Houston enjoyed a decades-long successful singing career, where she performed alongside superstars like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.
Born in New Jersey in 1933, Houston was the young-
Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel's third-largest city, Haifa, and Israel looked poised to expand its offensive into Lebanon on Monday, one year after the devastating Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.
Israelis held ceremonies and protests to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attack as the Gaza conflict has spread across the Middle East and raised fears of an all-out regional war.
Iran-backed Hezbollah, an ally in Lebanon of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, said it targeted a military base south of Haifa with "Fadi 1" missiles and launched another strike on Tiberias, 65 kilometres (40 miles) away.
The armed group later said it also targeted areas north of Haifa with missiles.
Israel's military said around 190 projectiles had entered Israeli territory on Monday. There were at least 12 injuries.
Israel's military said the air force was carrying out extensive bombings of Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon and two Israeli sol-
Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category Five storm on Monday, posing an immediate threat to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on its way to Florida, where the state ordered mass evacuations while still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
With maximum sustained winds of 285 kilometres per hour (180 miles per hour), Milton was categorised as the strongest level storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.
Milton was classified as a tropical storm on Sunday afternoon, but in less than 24 hours it "explosively" morphed into a Category
Caption: Cissy Houston
est of eight children. She began singing at a young age after she formed a gospel group with her siblings. In the 1960s, she formed the R&B group the Sweet Inspirations, which sang backup for big names like Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. They also performed on Van Morrison’s hit song Brown Eyed Girl. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Five storm – the third fastest intensifying storm on record in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Though it was likely to weaken by the time it makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday, counties along the state's western coast ordered evacuations as they braced for potentially catastrophic winds, rain and a storm surge of 2.4 to 3.7 metres (eight to 12 feet).
The hurricane center projected the storm was likely to hit near the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, home to more than 3 million people. (Excerpt from Reuters)
ARussian missile hit a Palau-flagged vessel in Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa on Monday, killing a Ukrainian national and injuring five crew members in the second such attack in as many days, officials said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X that the two ships were damaged in the Black Sea grain-export hub without giving details on the ships' conditions. He condemned Russia's actions.
"We must join forces of all responsible states and
organisations to...ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and global food security."
Russia's Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Moscow has repeatedly denied it attacks civilian targets.
Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the man killed in the latest attack was a port worker. The five injured men were foreign nationals and ship crew members. (Excerpt from Reuters)
diers were killed, taking the Israeli military death toll inside Lebanon to 11.
Lebanon's Health Ministry reported dozens of deaths, including 10 firefighters killed in an airstrike on a municipal building in the border area. Around 2000 Lebanese have been
killed since Hezbollah began firing at Israel a year ago in solidarity with Hamas, most of them killed in the past few weeks.
The Israeli military has described its ground operation in Lebanon as "localised, limited and targeted", but it has steadily increased in scale beginning last week.
Israel's superpower ally, the United States, believes the Lebanon ground operation continues to be limited, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday.
On Monday, Democratic US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump, who is running against Harris in the November 5 presidential election, all held events to mark the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Mayor of the capital of Mexico's violence-plagued state of Guerrero was killed on Sunday less than a week after he took office, the state's governor confirmed.
Alejandro Arcos was killed just six days after he took office as Mayor of the city of Chilpancingo, a city of around 280,000 persons in southwestern Mexico.
"His loss mourns the entire Guerrero society and fills us with indignation," Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said in a statement shared on social media.
Guerrero's state attorney general's office also said it was investigating his murder.
Arcos' death comes just three days after the new city government's secretary, Francisco Tapia, was shot to death.
"They were young and honest officials who sought progress for their community," Senator Alejandro Moreno wrote on social media.
Guerrero has become one of the deadliest states for aspiring and elected public officials, as well as for Journalists. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The official confirmation came after photos circulated on messaging app WhatsApp depicting a severed head which appeared to be that of Arcos, on top of a pick-up truck. Reuters could not independently verify the photos' authenticity.
Haiti's foreign minister on Monday blasted a policy announced last week by the neighbouring Dominican Republic to deport tens of thousands of migrants back to Haiti, where gang violence is fuelling a devastating humanitarian crisis.
"The brutal scenes of roundups and deportations that we are witnessing are an affront to human dignity," Haitian Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy said on X. "We strongly condemn these dehumanising acts and demand respect and justice."
The Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with
Haiti, last week said it would deport up to 10,000 migrants per week who were in the country illegally, a sharp increase.
So far this month, the Dominican Republic has deported more than 9000 persons, more than 7000 of those since Thursday, the nation's migration agency said in a statement on Monday.
More than 4900 of the total were Haitians, a Dominican official who declined to be named told Reuters.
The Dominican agency said it was carrying out the deportations while respecting human rights. c(Excerpt from Reuters)
Be open to other perspectives, but formulate your strategy to suit your needs. Set your plans in motion and pay attention to detail. A change of heart or health will turn out well if you act fast.
Live up to your promises, and the returns will be higher than anticipated. Embrace new beginnings and let your mind and body carry you. Don’t share too much information, or interference and arguments will arise.
Stretch your mind, use your knowledge and reinforce your plans to ensure you finish what you start. Refuse to let outside interference disrupt your intentions or lead you astray.
Stick to what you do best, and refrain from participating in heated discussions. Your mission is to complete what you set out to do and to gravitate toward people who have your back.
Participate, and you’ll discover people and possibilities who can motivate you and help you thrive. Use your voice to articulate what you want others to know and understand.
Overreaction and indulgent behavior will stand between you and what you want. Think twice before you participate in a hasty decision or exchange of words.
New surroundings will change your perspective and offer a vision of what’s possible. A curious approach to change will lead to a path that excites, motivates and attracts interesting people.
Explore the possibilities of turning something you love doing into an additional income. Travel, educational pursuits and talking to an expert will help narrow the gap between dreaming and doing.
Emotions will surface if you let someone bait you into a disruptive discussion or lead you to believe a false narrative. The best opportunities will require dedication and gathering accurate information.
You may want to be in charge, but if you are pushy, you will meet with opposition. Take every opportunity to enhance your knowledge, gather facts and find innovative solutions.
Share your thoughts with people heading down a similar path, and you’ll discover shortcuts that save time and money. Refrain from letting persuasive offers stunt your desire to follow your dreams.
Take time out to nurture yourself. Maintaining your health, fitness and overall well-being will help you avoid temptation and poor choices. Choose minimalism over excess.
Nat Sciver-Brunt produced one of the innings of the Women's T20 World Cup so far to guide England home in the final over, against South Africa. Her 48 not out was not only the most substantial of the match, it was also the most aggressive, coming off 36 deliveries.
It was Sciver-Brunt's 64-run stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge that swung the match decisively in England's favour, as they pursued a target of 125.
fered by Wyatt-Hodge, and though Sciver-Brunt rode her luck to some extent too, none of the mis-hits went to fielders.
The win leaves England in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals, with two wins from two and a solid net run rate of 0.653. South Africa have more work to do.
Sciver-Brunt shakes things up
Although England had been careful not to lose wickets early on, they required an injection of en-
South Africa's spinners had been valiant, particularly Nonkululeko Mlaba, who took 1 for 22 from her four overs. But with England's strong batting line-up, they needed more of the chances the bowlers created to be taken. South Africa could not capitalise on two half-chances of-
ergy through the middle overs to set them properly on course for victory, and Sciver-Brunt was the woman to provide it. She was immediately dynamic at the crease, hitting her fourth ball for four behind square on the offside, before settling into her usual rhythm of picking runs through the
legside.
She would frequently shuffle to off and target the square-leg boundary against the spinners, even if, on such a slow surface, she did not always find the timing. She hit 32 of her runs in the arc between fine leg and deep midwicket, scoring four boundaries in that direction.
Though Wyatt-Hodge was stumped with 11 still to get off 12 deliveries, SciverBrunt struck a four in each of the last two overs, and iced the game.
England's spinners keep a lid on South Africa's scoring
Between them, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, legspinner Sarah Glenn, and offspinner Charlie Dean bowled 12 overs for 58 runs, and took four wickets. Linsey Smith, also a leftarm spinner, took 1 for 32 off her four overs too.
But it was the tight, varied bowling of Ecclestone and Glenn that really kept
the powerplay, in which she scored 22 off 15 balls, helping take South Africa to a healthy 37 for 1. But then England's spinners applied the brakes, and she was unable to find the boundary for the remainder of her innings, which went until the 16th over. She main-
the scoring down through the middle overs. Ecclestone got the two biggest opposition wickets – bowling Laura Wolvaardt in the 16th over, before crashing another one into the stumps of an advancing Marizanne Kapp in the 19th over. She finished with figures of 2 for 15 from her four – the best returns in the game.
Wolvaardt's mixed day
She'd started so strongly. South Africa's Captain won the toss in what was an obviously bat-first situation, and looked excellent in
tained a decent scoring rate thanks to her singles and twos, but against a batting order of England's quality, South Africa needed a score in the vicinity of 150 to feel safe.
Then, in the field, she let two half-chances off WyattHodge slip through her outstretched fingers, the first of those let-offs coming when the batter was on only eight.
Still, Wolvaardt's was the most substantial of South Africa's individual contributions – she made 42 off 39.(ESPNcricinfo)
More than 100 student-table tennis players from the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) schools graced the halls of Westminster Secondary School auditorium to compete for honours when the Region Three edition of the CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited-Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) Nationwide National Schools Table Tennis Championships got underway on Friday.
More than 40 girls who competed in the various categories were of significant note and truly offered great prospects for the development of the sport in the region.
Competing in the 13 years and under boys and girls team events, 15 years and under boys and girls team events and 19 years and under team events, Uitvlugt Secondary, Zeeburg Secondary, West Demerara Secondary and Westminster Secondary dominated the team edition of the championships, with the last acting as hosts of the key competition.
National coaches Linden Johnson, Alister Munroe, Candacy Mc Kenzie and Beverly Johnson provided great coordination to the championships on hand; also lending support were the teachers who came to supervise and support the stu-
dents. Regional Education Officer (Department of Education 3 ) Akbar Chinedu provided great support to making the championships a success.
The Region Three Edition of the CNOOC Petroleum Guyana-sponsored tournament was described as a groundbreaking initiative sponsored by CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.
The results of the tournament are as follows:
Girls 13 Years and Under Uitvlugt “B” defeated Zeeburg “A” in the finals to take championships honours
Boys 13 Years and Under Uitvlugt “B” defeated Uitvlugt “C” in the finals to take championships honours
Girls 15 Years and Under Zeeburg “A” defeated Uitvlugt “B” in the finals to take championships honours
Boys 15 Years and Under West Demerara defeated Uitvlugt “B” in the finals to take championships honours
Girls 19 Years and Under Uitvlugt “A” defeated Zeeburg “A” in the finals to take championships honours
Boys 13 Years and Under Westminster Sec defeated Uitvlugt “A” in the finals to take championships honours
The GTTA also divulged the aims of the championships, which are as follows: Aligning with the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Priya Manickchand’s vision and
strategic plan of ensuring that sports becomes an integral part of students’ scholastic orientation and experience.
Providing the opportunity for new talents to have an active platform to showcase and expose their talents and represent their schools.
Re-establishing schools championships as a basis for the GTTA’s development thrust by having more players actively participate in table tennis activities, both recreationally and competitively.
• Re-establishing an active framework for school competitions through school leagues, teams, and linkages of players to clubs, regional hubs.
Serving as a catalyst for creating talent identification, development and
In line with the Ministry of Education's push to encourage student participation in at least one sport, St Ignatius Secondary School has established a basketball club in Culver City, providing an opportunity for skill development.
As it displays the finest of school basketball across the whole country of Guyana, this basketball club will provide children with a stage on which to display their abilities in the Youth Basketball Guyana School Tournaments.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, St Ignatius Secondary School Principal Kenrick Lewis expounded that this club will help to mould champions and influence students to choose basketball as their sport of choice.
incubation systems for the recruitment, training, orientation, development and teaching of lifelong learning/ skills which will positively enhance the profile and marketability of the sport and impact higher performances and sustainability of the sport at the national and international level.
• Identifying, recruiting and training the best student-athletes/students from participating schools who exhibit the potential for growth in view of selecting the best talents for training
and high-performance programmes of the GTTA and for selection as possible prospects for national team representation.
Forming school team clubs that will compete for inter-house, inter-school, regional and national championships in different age group categories and levels.
• Partnering with regional education departments, sponsors and other stakeholders to establish relations and structures for the continued support and development for the sport.
• Fostering camaraderie among students. Promoting/creating healthy lifestyles and learning of a lifelong skill through sport (table tennis).
Sponsoring engagement and investing in the development of Guyana’s youth.
• Establishing and integrating the sport of table tennis into the National Schools Championships alongside the disciplines of athletics, swimming, and cycling.
• Providing the opportunity for new talents to have an active platform to showcase and expose their talents and represent their schools.
Re-establishing school championships as a basis for the GTTA’s development thrust by having more players actively participate in table tennis activities, both recreationally and competitively.
• Re-establishing an active framework for school competitions through school leagues and teams. The next edition of the championships is slated for Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) at the Bartica Community Centre.
The Guyana Body Building & Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has announced the list of countries confirmed to participate in the Central America & Caribbean (CAC) 2024 Championships slated to be staged here in Guyana, October 19-20 at the National Cultural Centre.
ing four golds, two silvers and a bronze.
Among those returning competitors are gold medallists Emmerson Campbell and Hannah Rampersaud, who also grabbed a silver medal. Bronze medallist Julio Sinclair is also on the team shortlisted to represent Guyana this year.
He went on to divulge that once exposed to the right environment, the students would be able to reap success at tournaments and gain national selection.
Lewis said: “Yes, definitely because they are students just like any other student. Once they are exposed to the training, the rules and they are given the right environment too, they can excel and they can bring home any championship trophy as well. Yeah, of course,
“Based on education, we are to create various clubs and allow every student to participate in their respective sport. Introducing basketball at St Ignatius Secondary School provides every student with an opportunity to choose a sport. Alright, so basketball is a relatively new sport here. We have students who have watched basketball on TV and students who are inclined towards it and who also have the skills. So, to garner those skills and to mould these students to become champions, this is just an initial stage where we are now introducing basketball,” Lewis said.
that is the objective. It is not just to participate, it is to compete and to give students from the Rupununi an equal opportunity like any other student across this country, an opportunity to make the national team. So, if we have, for example, exceptional students here, I don't see why there should be the denial of space on the national team to represent Guyana.”
In January, Guyana Times Sport had an exclusive interview with Youth Basketball Guyana Co-director Chris Bowman and he divulged that efforts were ongoing to engage St Ignatius Secondary School on youth basketball. (Omar Mckenzie)
Nineteen countries have confirmed their participation in what is already being predicted to be the most competitive regional championships in recent times.
According to a release from the GBBFF, the countries listed to participate are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Jamaica, Sint Maarten (Dutch), Haiti, Nicaragua, Mexico, Costa Rica and St Vincent & the Grenadines along with hosts Guyana.
As hosts, Guyana will be buoyed by its performance last year in Aruba where it gained a total of seven medals includ-
The full list is: Selwyn Grogan (Masters Under 75kg); Sylvon Gardner (Masters Under-70kg); Orlanzo Valenzuela (U-65kg); Daniel Lutchman (U-70kg); Delrae McLean (Masters-U75kg); Christopher Anthony (Masters U-75kg); Seon Budhan (U-65kg); Julio Sinclair (Over 100kg); Marley Vyphuis ( Men’s Physique 186cm); Kewsie Anderson (Men’s Physique 186cm & Physique Mass); Roger Callender (U-60kg); Yusuf Khan (Physique 172cm); Antowyn Bayley (Men’s Physique 176cm); Sachin Sharma (Men’s Physique 170cm); Jamal Pollydore (Men’s Physique 176cm); Emmerson Campbell (Men’s Physique 170cm); Renaldo
Caldeira (Men’s Physique 170cm); Hannah Rampersaud (Junior Wellness); Melitha Fernandes-Anderson (Women Wellness under 158); Christine Ramsammy (Bikini Under 169); Sabita Stephenson (Bikini Under 165); Joel Caldeira ( Bodybuilding under 65kg); Vanisha Munroe (Women’s Wellness under 160); Aliya Wong (Women’s Wellness under 158) and Rawle Green (Masters Bodybuilding Under 90kg).
Meanwhile, some of the sponsors already on board are Fitness Express; Twins Manufacturing; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will be hosting the 2024 Senior 50-Over InterCounty tournament this weekend, with the premier event set to bowl off from Sunday, October 13.
Teams and players alike will be preparing for the upcoming Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 Tournament, which bowls off on October 29 in Trinidad and Tobago, with the customary Inter-county com-
petition, of which Demerara are the defending champions.
A number of talented players, some mainstays in the Harpy Eagles team, will be on show as they look to get themselves prepared following a long off season. Meanwhile, one match will be played in Essequibo with the others in Demerara. The inter-county championships will also serve as a launchpad for some players who will be keen on break-
ing into the Guyana senior structure for the first time.
The final of the inter-county tournament is set for Saturday, October 19, with the Guyana Super50 team encampment bowling off from October 21-25.
According to a missive from the GCB, the squads, which will be submitted by the counties during the week, will be released later along with the tournament’s schedule.
On behalf of Cricket West Indies (CWI), President Dr Kishore Shallow has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Saint Lucia Kings for their remarkable achievement in securing their inaugural Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.
On Sunday night, in a thrilling final at the National Stadium in Providence, Guyana, the Kings defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets to claim their first-ever championship.
In his commendation, President Shallow said, “The Saint Lucia Kings have etched their names in history, and I commend their performance throughout the tournament which was an exhibition of relentless hard work and unmatched determination. With Aaron Jones and Roston Chase playing crucial innings at a decisive moment, and Faf du Plessis’ outstanding leadership, the Kings demonstrated the resilience and skill needed to succeed. This victory also reflects the tireless efforts of Head Coach Daren Sammy, whose knowledge and belief in the team have shaped their journey to this moment.”
President Shallow further extended congratulations to Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and the people of Saint Lucia, who
are in the midst of a period of remarkable national pride. "This victory comes at an exciting time for Saint Lucia, which recently celebrated the homecoming of their Olympic gold medallist and the fastest woman in the world, Julien Alfred. Prime Minister Pierre and his nation have much to celebrate, and Saint Lucia’s sporting achievements are a source of pride for the entire Caribbean."
The CWI President noted the impact of the emerging players in the tournament and highlighted the wealth of talent the Caribbean continues to produce. "This edition of CPL stands out with the remarkable impact of the West Indies emerging stars. It has been a historic year with a record number of appearances by emerging players. With over 50
appearances and some impressive performances, the talent pool in the Caribbean remains exciting and surely augurs well for the future of West Indies cricket.”
Saint Lucia Kings featured former West Indies Boys Under 19 Captain Ackeem Auguste. Other impressive emerging players in the 2024 Republic Bank CPL were Shaqkere Parris for Trinbago Knight Riders and Jewel Andrew for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The 17-year-old Andrew has just been selected for the West Indies Men's One-Day International (ODI) team to tour Sri Lanka.
CWI remains committed to the partnership with the CPL which continues to play a pivotal role in the advancement of regional cricket.
Several teams made a last-gasp on Saturday last in the Courts Optical Under-11 Pee-Wee football tournament in order to avoid elimination – a factor which made for entertaining football match-ups among the nation’s youngest stars.
St John the Baptist Primary kicked off proceedings by extending their dominance with a third win, this time against Timehri Primary, 8-0. Kareme Welcome led the charge for the Region Seven outfit with goals in the 3rd, 16th, 22nd and 26th minutes, while his teammate Kriston Chandler (1st, 5th) added a brace. Marcellus Elvis (29th) and Orlando Deeges (40th) netted one each to add the cherry on top for St John the Baptist.
A hat-trick off the boots of Jadon Sampson in the 7th, 10th and 23rd minutes led Belladrum Primary to a 5-0 victory over Potaro Primary. Kenroy Gordon (19th, 30th) was the other goalscorer, netting a brace.
North Georgetown Primary later registered a similar number of goals to walk away with a win over Tapakuma Lake Primary. Jahiem Bourne (3rd, 7th, 11th) netted three for North Georgetown while Avion Lynch (8th) and Damarion Devine (22nd) scored one each. However, Tapakuma Lake had three, with goals from Raffel Fredericks (1st), Jorden Benjamin (12th) and Brandon Fredericks (27th).
The biggest win of the day came from Rosignol Primary who trampled FE Pollard Primary 12-0. The massive win was powered by five goals from Abdul Kadir (1st, 2nd, 10th, 21st, 25th) and a helmet trick off the boots of Jeremiah Mc Donald (8th, 12th, 29th, 30th). Also adding their names to the scoresheet were Jeremiah Seecharran (15th) and Jaime Bourne (18th) while an own goal accounted for their final strike in the 36th.
Winfer Gardens Primary rebounded from a loss last
week to defeat St Mary Primary 4-2. Omari St Hill led the way for Winfer Gardens with a hat-trick in the 5th, 7th and 29th minutes, while Nathaniel Bishop netted in the 34th. On the other hand, Dequacy Paul was responsible for St Mary’s replies in the 11th and 34th.
Another team that rebounded on Saturday were Georgetown International Academy (GIA), who whipped Colaaco Primary 2-1. Yacine Amri (10th, 40th) and Caleb Nnoli (13th, 16th) both scored braces for GIA while Esa Mirza (39th), Greyson Gee (34th) and Emmanuel Smeenk (34th) also found the back of the net. Shakeel Fraser scored Colaaco’s consolation in the 30th.
With goals off the boots of Seon Horsham (5th, 35th); Eli Bryant (20th, 30th) and Jaseem Parris (36th), West Ruimveldt cruised past Golden Grove Primary 5-0.
St Gabriel’s Primary also turned their fortunes around in round three of the group stage, drubbing Genesis Primary 8-0. Devon Jones (28th, 30th, 32nd) and Treyvon Byass (3rd, 22nd, 25th) were the chief marksmen while Zion Hickerson (18th) and Nathan Melville (10th) registered another two goals between them.
Also in the winners’ circle were Marian Academy with a comprehensive 3-0 win over School of the Nations.
Cristiano La Rose (2nd, 24th) netted a brace while Chase Hodge (18th) was responsible for the other strike. With a helmet trick off the boots of Dontay Kowlessar in the 7th, 11th, 27th and 30th minutes, Enterprise Primary kept their winning streak alive with a 6-0 win over Smith’s Memorial Primary. Shine Arthur (13th) and Kymari Younge (40th) also found the back of the net for Enterprise.
Defending champions St Pius Primary also kept their record squeaky clean, as they defeated Tucville Primary 4-0. Aleem Younge struck thrice in the 1st, 8th and 20th minutes, while Jovaine Wright (4th) scored once.
A solitary goal was the difference between Santa Rosa Primary and Ann’s Grove Primary in a 1-0 encounter. Ethan John netted the gamewinner for Santa Rosa in the 34th minute.
In other results, Redeemer and Stella Marris Primary Schools played to a nil-all draw while Batavia and Den Amstel Primaries had a 1-1 draw. Andrew Robin opened the scoring for Den Amstel in the eighth minute while Randy Lyte netted the equaliser in the 22nd. The Under-11 tournament is expected to continue with the Round of 16 this Saturday, October 12 at the same Carifesta Avenue venue.
