Guyana Times - Wednesday, April 24, 2024.pdf

Guyana is always united in advancing development, peace – Pres Ali

All secondary school students will now receive textbooks from Govt – Manickchand

Over 2800 dengue cases recorded in 4 months

Berbice taxi driver busted with 22kg ganja

…as over $110M raised for Palestinians following appeal during Ramadan 2024

Region must pay keen, sustained attention to Venezuelan threat

– Foreign Secretary at Concordia summit Page 3

Govt, Caricom

working for solution to Haitian crisis

– Pres Ali

…procuring essential food, medicine becoming increasingly challenging – UN

Man opens fire on girlfriend’s friends during seawall birthday lime

Solar panels stolen from school in Bartica …recovered at businessman’s home, security arrested

IDPADA-G’s operations are political, do not support development of Afro-Guyanese – Walrond

City Hall preparing for rainy season – Mayor

CDB President resigns with “immediate effect” See story on page 13

15

Guyana is always united in advancing development, peace – Pres Ali

…as over $110M raised for Palestinians following appeal during Ramadan 2024

Acheque to the tune of $110 Million was on Tuesday handed over by the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, to aid the people of Palestine as they feel the brunt of the Israeli war to eradicate Hamas.

The $110 Million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people was raised during the recently concluded holy month of Ramadan. At the handing over ceremony was done at the Office of the President, President Ali praised the generosity of Guyanese.

“It gives me, once again, a deep sense of honour to be the President of a country that is so giving. To be the leader of a people that are characterised by care, love

“It

not in keeping with the UN Charter and the stability of the region.”

“This is, as we’ve said, a brutal attack on humanity. And we also, as a country, support every effort to build

gives me, once again, a deep sense of honour to be the President of a country that is so giving. To be the leader of a people that are characterised by care, love and a giving nature. This simple but important occasion verifies our credential globally” – President Ali

and a giving nature. This simple but important occasion, verifies our credential globally,” President Ali said.

“That is, Guyana believes in global prosperity and the global family, the strength of humanity, strength of unity and importantly, these resources were raised across all segments of the Guyanese population, across all religious and ethnic segments. And that tells you, Guyana is always united in the process of advancing development and peace.”

According to President Ali, the people of Palestine deserve to live in peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He noted that Guyana will continue to work with its global partners towards this goal.

“They deserve to live in a land in which women and children are not killed and bombed on a daily basis. They ask for nothing more. And they deserve nothing less. So, we will continue to support every global effort to bring peace to the Palestinian people. To support every effort in allowing Israel to understand that what they’re doing is

safe societies where any act of terror, any act designed to destabilise and weaken the fabric of society, we condemn,” the Head of State added.

The sum raised will be delivered to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to assist those affected by the ongoing war. UN Resident Coordinator, Yeşim Oruç, was on hand to deliver remarks during which she lauded the initiative taken by Guyana and the President.

“Your contribution represents, from the people of Guyana, adding up to upwards of $110 Million. That’s over half a million US dollars. Combined with the generous contributions of the government of Guyana, also towards the same UN platform, UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the rest of the territories of the Palestinian people.”

“For that, I again express huge thanks on behalf of the UN Secretary General and on behalf of the entire UN and the international community, to the people of

Guyana for the generosity for this,” she further said.

Handing over

In addition to the CIOG, the Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana, (MYO) and The Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) also took part in the initiative and handing over of the cheque. President of the CIOG Sheikh Moen ul-Hack meanwhile highlighted the fact that the donation period had to be extended, such was the overwhelming support.

“Guyanese from various strata of society once again

fold in Gaza is nothing short of genocide. While it weighs heavily on our hearts, it has been particularly difficult for all members of the Muslim community,” ul-Hack further said.

It was reported earlier this month that Ramadan Village – a month-long exhibition being hosted at the Muslim Youth Organisation Ground in Georgetown, was able to help raise some $72.5 million in donations to provide immediate humanitarian relief for the people in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

demonstrated their characteristic generosity through their donations during and after the 27th Night of Ramadan and through transfers to a special GBTI account. The overwhelming support forced an extension of the period for donations to be made.”

“Our profound gratitude to all those who took time, either in person or through online transfer, for their overwhelming support to this worthy cause. May Allah bless and reward each and every one of you. We believe that what continues to un-

In addition to calling for a ceasefire, the Guyana Government back in February had pledged US$150,000 towards the UNRWA, in support of Palestinians displaced and affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

UNRWA was established by a UN General Assembly Resolution and it is the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza. Professional humanitarian workers at UNRWA provide food, water, medicine and shelter to Palestinian people. (G3)

A scene from one of the many protests supporting Palestine

President Dr Irfaan Ali poses with the cheque

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Supporting visionary projects

Guyana becoming a developed country is not merely an optimistic hope, but a doable and achievable reality, because the Government’s facilitation of investments can propel this nation into First World status.

Before the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed the primary executive office in the land in October of 1992, Guyana was rated on international developmental indices as being on par with Haiti. Graphed during the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration as the least developed nation in the world, with a crippling debt burden, Guyana’s development under the astute leadership provided by successive PPP/C Presidents has been rapid.

After a relatively short period of approximately two decades, Guyana has been recognised by the world as a middle-income developing country, and described by the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines as “The only shining star in the Caribbean”. The popular prognosis heralded great things for this nation because the focus of the PPP/C Administrations – then and now – is to make Guyana a modern and developed country; and Guyana has indeed been inexorably moving from a middle-income developing country to becoming, in the not-too-distant future, a developed country.

However, for the country to achieve such a status, it has to be a joint effort by all stakeholders working in conjunction and cooperation with the Government. There have been, in the past, multiple successful partnerships between the Government, private sector, and other stakeholders working together to create of Guyana a modern society. The transformation of the national socioeconomic landscape has not been easy, because there are elements of negativity who are intent on stymieing every developmental initiative.

Regrettably, this progressive developmental paradigm took a relentless and rapid retrogression – in every sector – with the advent of another PNC-led Government in 2015. Post-2015 elections, a relentless reversal of Guyana’s developmental trajectory under the coalition Government administration brought this country to an almost bankrupt state, with a debt burden of billions of dollars.

One of the worst disincentives to private investment in Guyana is the high energy costs, which send overheads skyrocketing, especially in the manufacturing sector; and the PPP/C Government had attempted to address this problem through hydropower, but had reached the usual developmental roadblocks from the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, which used every armament in their arsenal to shoot down the hydropower project.

It is a proven fact that not having cheap energy is one of the most prohibitive factors that have impeded Guyana’s manufacturing sector from surging. However, despite the setback with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, President Irfaan Ali has said that he is determined that the pursuit of alternative energy would be prioritized, so that the Government can provide cheap energy for the development of a strong industrial manufacturing sector and a strong processing sector. With a progressing agricultural sector that can easily develop an agro-industrial complex, Guyana is once again climbing global developmental graphs.

During the last Budget debates, various Government Members of Parliament (MPs) outlined future transformative plans geared toward making the dream of taking Guyana from a middle-income developing country to a developed country, and one could only hope that the joint Opposition would allow good sense and patriotism to prevail over self-centred agendas, to work along on these visionary plans, including the gas-to-energy project that would benefit all Guyanese and create of this country, not only “the only shining star of the Caribbean”, but the shining star of the world.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

Dear Editor,

The well-known adage 'People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' advises that people who have certain faults should refrain from criticizing others with similar flaws. This maxim cautions against casting blame or fault-finding, especially in situations where one's own vulnerabilities or imperfections may be exposed.

This adage applies fittingly to members of the Alliance for Change (AFC), who have been irritatingly vocal about the recently published report by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). The irony regarding the noise from the AFC’s members is that some of the most shameful procurement breaches occurred under their watch; and, in some instances, were inspired by them.

For instance, the unsolicited tender Mr. David Patterson took to the cabinet for approval is a disgraceful example. This AFC parliamentarian, who now purports to understand the Procurement Act and Regulations, was miraculously unaware that it was unlawful to entertain unsolicited tenders, and that the cabinet cannot approve contract awards, but merely grant its 'no objection.'

Today this former minister is currently before the court for this breach.

He was also removed as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) because this matter is engaging the court's attention, and may impugn the image of this parliamentary committee.

Patterson was also the sitting Minister of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure when three motion scales were procured at $72 million. To date, these items are yet to be delivered. Since, in this instance, the procurement process ends with the delivery of items, this tragedy is equally shameful, since the Guyanese taxpayers never even saw items that were acquired with their tax dollars. In local parlance, this is a classic example of ‘getting robbed blind.’

Similarly, under the diligent oversight of the Ministry of Public Security and Guyana Police Force by Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, millions of items were procured but never delivered, even after full payments were made, in breach of the Procurement Act. For instance, the 2019 Auditor General Report revealed items valued at more than $202 million were fully paid for but not delivered to the Ministry of Public Security (see article titled “203 million in furniture, equipment missing from Public Security MinistryAG report, Kaieteur News,

December 28, 2020).

Who could forget the former Minister of Public Telecommunication, Mrs Catherine Hughes, for conveniently allowing the ministry she presided over to award a contract to her company, Videomega Production Limited? (see the article titled ‘Company owned by Cathy Hughes received $6M in contracts from Ministry of Telecommunication, Kaieteur News February 21, 2021). Even if Mrs Hughes was ignorant that the Ministry of Public Telecommunication awarded the contract to her company, she must have known of this when the invoice went to her office for payment approval.

These are not the only procurement breaches that occurred under these former ministers and current parliamentarians of the AFC. For a complete compendium of procurement breaches by these procurement experts and paragons of virtue, I encourage our objective Guyanese brothers and sisters to consult the Auditor General’s Reports between 2015 and 2020. According to these reports, between 2016 and 2020, the APNU-AFC Government committed 222 procurement breaches. Editor, even the PPC report the AFC parliamentarians are using to attack

the Government stated that the contract awarded to Tepui was guided by precedence established during the APNU-AFC tenure (see paragraph 49, page 9).

Specifically, the leniency exercised by the Evaluation Committee (EC) in awarding the contract to Tepui is not new, but was exercised by various Evaluation Committees under the APNU-AFC Government.

To date, the AFC and its members are yet to apologize to the citizens for these breaches. Based on their public utterances, I am convinced the AFC members who are now complaining about procurement breaches must be aware that the violations they presided over are wrong. Thus, ignorance cannot be attributed to their failure to apologize to the nation. Instead, it must be that they do not consider these infringements wrong or shameful.

However, if the AFC wants to redeem itself, it can start by accepting its wrongs and publicly apologising for them. Those who benefitted from bangles and bedsheets may also consider returning these gifts.

Until then, they should refrain from commenting on procurement breaches, and leave that for persons with cleaner hands.

Regards,

Kevin Persaud

People rushing towards humanitarian aid packages being dropped near destroyed buildings in the northern Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas (AFP)

Did Justice Sandil Kissoon turn Industrial Relations upside down? Municipal state of affairs of City of Georgetown

Dear Editor, High Court Justice

Sandil Kissoon has been applauded by the PNCR party for declaring that the Guyana Teachers Union’s (GTU’s) strike was legal, and for also declaring that the PPPC Government’s action -- to cease the deduction of union dues on behalf of GTU, as well as to stop payment of wages for those strike days -was also illegal. The PNCR readily agreed with the judge that the Government’s decision was “arbitrary, unilateral, and discriminatory”.

What is fascinating about the PNCR’s statement is that they claim they are on the side of teachers in their quest for respect, salary increases, and other benefits. Really?! The PNCR’s claim is tenuous; they could hardly produce evidence that they support teachers. All the major benefits (salary adjustments, duty-free allowances, housing, GOAL scholarships, etc.) that teachers enjoy were granted by the PPC Government.

If we think the PNCR’s comments on the case were gratuitous, how would we rate the ruling of Justice Sandil Kissoon? Unlike the PNCR, the Guyana Government has been critical of Justice Kissoon’s ruling, which it describes as “shocking, unprecedented, and which constitutes judicial overreach.” The Government contends further that the ruling encroaches on the doctrine of “separation of powers.”

The Ministry of Education (MoE) had submitted evidence that the negotiations between the GTU and MoE were ongoing, and that the grievance procedure was never exhausted to reach the stage of strike action, in accordance with the existing Collective Labour Agreement (CLA). Despite the ongoing negotiations, where over 30

items of grievance had already been determined, the GTU abandoned the CLA process. The logical question is: “On what basis did the judge find the strike legal?”

What is fundamentally at stake here is how the judge views his role in the administration of justice. Judges must adhere to the doctrine of “judicial restraint:” They must interpret conflicts in laws based on the intent of legislators as well as the public’s interest. But they must not legislate from the Bench: they must not make laws and violate one of the major pillars of democracy called the “separation of powers.”

When judges make law, they engage in judicial activism. They arrogate to themselves the power reserved to the Executive and the Legislature. The judicial system could not allow an unelected individual to have greater power than the people’s representatives.

Judges must be held in check: this is what judicial restraint is about. And judicial restraint necessitates that decisions must take into consideration the public interest. In other words, judges must evaluate the likely impact of their rulings on the wider society.

It seems that Justice Sandil Kissoon did not evaluate the public interest (the likely massive economic and social upheavals his decision would entail), went beyond judicial restraint, and engaged in judicial activism by grabbing executive power. Any union in the private and public sector could strike, and employers must pay them for strike days. Also, employers must continue their agency function to collect union dues! These are decisions to be made by the executive, and not by the court.

What is startling is that the judge is aware of the mal-

What law(s) did High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon apply?

Dear Editor, The judge ruled that striking teachers must be paid for days they were on strike; and Government must continue its voluntary free service of deducting union dues and transmitting same to the Union.

What Constitutional or Labour Laws were cited and applied? It would be instructive and educational for the public and private sectors, labour law teachers and students, human resource managers and chief executives of companies to be so informed.

There is no such law to compel an employer to pay wages/salaries for the duration of any strike. There is also no law to compel an employer to deduct union dues. The public awaits the appropriate response of High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon.

The experts in this field find this to be a flawed judgement, which would be overturned on appeal to higher courts.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Singh

feasance of the GTU, which failed to submit annual financial returns to the Auditor General since 1989, and annual reports to the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority since 2005. Also, the GTU failed to submit minutes of meetings between the MoE and the GTU that the judge had requested. It was the MoE that submitted their copies of the minutes. Despite these and other glaring flaws, the judge ascribed validity to their claim and rejected the Government’s case.

This is reminiscent of this judge’s ruling in Exxon’s unlimited insurance case. He ordered the EPA to secure unlimited insurance to cover oil spills and other environmental disasters within 30 days. Why would a judge order the impossible? Where in this world is there such a thing as unlimited insurance? If that judge had his way, Guyana’s economy would have collapsed, and the society’s social fabric crumbled. This judge has made two rulings that, if activated, would ruin Guyana’s economic and social life. Why would any country allow an unelected person to wield such unbridled power?

The Government has announced its intention to appeal Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling to the Court of Appeal, and even to the Caribbean Court of Justice. We eagerly await the outcome.

Sincerely,

Dr Tara Singh

Dear Editor, Having a municipal mar-

ket in an urban locale is the most exhilarating thing to any city. It is a place where you can go to make your purchases of items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry. In fact, it is a place where you can buy practically anything.

In some jurisdictions around the world, there are 24-hour markets where customers can shop in the ambience of modernity and come away satisfied.

Contrast that to a rat-infested, foul-smelling, health hazardous place called Stabroek Market, and it makes you sick to the stomach. The Stabroek Market is a public eyesore and a health hazard all in one. A quick summary of what obtains is that it is a rat-infested, dilapidated, smelly structure where vagrants and other unsavory characters lurk. It is a place where more of the vendors are on the outside, blocking the free flow of traffic. It is all happening right outside Stabroek, or Big Market.

Now, the primary objective of the ruling PNCcontrolled City Council is to make the city so deplorable that Central Government would be embarrassed to the point of giving in to their demands for more subvention. As one PNC commentator stressed, "Central Government needs to spend more for the city, because the oil dollars are here man, spend de money."

Just blindly toss more money into the coffers of City Hall, with no accountability from them.

Isn't this one of the reasons why developing states like ours are never able to see the light of development?

Isn't this one of the reasons why an entire country is left to rot in poverty, even though wealth abounds? These are pointed questions that City Hall needs to face up to. For a municipality that has from time immemorial been under the "control" of the PNC, what have we to be proud of?

Wild, wasteful spending of state funds without any stewardship of those finances being accounted for would ultimately lead to the ruin of any society. It's the simple fact!

On the other hand, wise, responsible spending which comes from careful planning and the execution of those plans can and will bring the desired results. What has to be done is: the mayor and the APNU-dominated Council must dethrone themselves from the backward politics of "us and them", and get down to purposeful city planning and development. The City

Council must work with the Government, and not the other way around. Their plansor lack thereof - for decades have brought us to this super-embarrassing place that we are in, and it is high time to come into the fresh air of modern development.

And this is not too difficult a task to accomplish. For starters, the entire block beginning at the Cornill Street old GNCB Bank coming to Big Market itself must be developed into a mega-market shopping complex. Build a two-storey structure, so that it will accommodate the vendors encumbering the streets. I am positively sure engineers from the City can work along with those of the Ministry of Local Government to change things around and bring Georgetown into a beautiful modern city.

No finances should be forthcoming until the GCC become civil and work with Central Government.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

Page Foundation

test

Complete the following test items

1) There are five hundred thousand, three hundred and fifty four people living in the city of Longe. How would you write that number in standard form?

2) Sara is collecting newspapers for a recycling contest at her school. She needs 384 newspapers to win the contest. So far she has collected 289. Rounding to the nearest ten, how many newspapers Sara still needs to collect?

3) Calculate

a) 25 x 15 =

b) 9 x 56 =

c) 83 x 92 =

4) Nafeeza bought five pizzas for her class, but her classmates only ate three-quarters of each pizza. How would Nafeeza express the amount of remaining pizza as an improper fraction?

5) Calculate $13.50 + $10.00 + $23.25 = $1090.00 – $735.25 = $7.07 + $2.93 =

In this fun and easy botany and biology science experiment for kids, we’re going to observe leaves creating oxygen.

Materials:

Wide-mouth glass jar

Water

A freshly-picked green leaf

Magnifying glass

Instructions:

Fill the jar with water.

Put the leaf in the jar.

6) Sebastian has been measuring the rainfall for the past seven days. He measured the following amounts: 9mm, 7mm, 2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 2.5mm, and 1.57mm. Rounding to the nearest tenth of a millimetre, what was the total amount of rainfall during the seven-day period?

7) Calculate a) 79 ÷ 55 = b) 35 ÷ 70 = c) 630 ÷ 8 =

8) Johnny is mixing the paint he will use to paint his wooden scooter. He needs one part blue to two parts red. If he is using 1 pint of red paint, how many pints of blue will he need? What will be the resultant colour?

9) Calculate 20% of (150 ÷ 5) = What is 50% of ? Express the number in both decimal and fraction form.

10) Mana has a rope that is 17.25 metres long. If 30% of the rope has been painted black, what portion of the rope has not been painted? How many metres is that equivalent to?

Sit the jar in a sunny location. Wait until the jar begins to get warm and then look at the leaf with a magnifying glass.

Thousands of tiny bubbles will form on the leaf and inside the jar. This is the oxygen being given off by the leaf.

How it works:

Photosynthesis is the process by which our freshly-picked green leaf uses sunlight to make its own food. The leaf used energy from the sun-

light to change water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and nutrients called sugars. The leaf can use some of the sugars and store the rest. The oxygen is released into the water as the tiny bubbles we can observe on the leaf.

Make This a science project: Try different types of leaves. Try adding salt to the water. Try blowing into the water with a straw for several seconds before adding the leaf. Try green vegetables like broccoli. (sciencefun.org)

BY CHARLES E CARRYL

Canary-birds feed on sugar and seed, Parrots have crackers to crunch; And, as for the poodles, they tell me the noodles

Have chickens and cream for their lunch.

But there’s never a question

About MY digestion— Anything does for me!

Cats, you’re aware, can repose in a chair, Chickens can roost upon rails; Puppies are able to sleep in a stable, And oysters can slumber in pails.

But no one supposes

A poor Camel dozes— Any place does for me!

Lambs are inclosed where it’s never exposed, Coops are constructed for hens; Kittens are treated to houses well heated, And pigs are protected by pens.

But a Camel comes handy

Wherever it’s sandy— Anywhere does for me!

WORD SEARCH

Govt, Caricom working for solution to Haitian crisis – Pres Ali

…procuring essential food, medicine becoming increasingly challenging – UN

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has reminded the region that the Guyana government and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which he chairs, continues to direct stringent efforts to the formulation of a Haitian-led solution to the turmoil in Haiti.

Speaking at Tuesday’s handing-over of $110.8 million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, President Ali also referenced the situation in Haiti. He noted that Guyana continues to give its support to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) appointed by Caricom last year to assist Haiti.

The members of the EPG include former Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Perry Christie; former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding; and former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony.

“We’ve been supporting efforts there. We’ve also dedicated resources as a government. I’ve committed Guyana will continue to support the work of the EPG. I’ve committed our continued support as we define the role of the EPG. And we set out the task of the EPG in the coming months, as we work towards helping and supporting the Haitian people in their quest,” the Head of State said.

Throughout the process, the Caribbean Community has been careful to stress that this is a Haitian led effort. President Ali reinforced this message, noting that they are merely supporting the Haitians as they seek to return their country to normalcy.

“This is a Haitian led ini-

tiative, owned by the Haitian people in their quest to have their country return to normalcy and to have the institutions of state functioning,” President Ali further explained.

Food and medicine

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, held a briefing at noon on Tuesday, where he also referenced Haiti. Worryingly, he revealed that procuring essential food and medicine is becoming increasingly challenging.

This is with the international airport closed, main ports barely functional and roads to the capital blocked. Additionally, fuel is becoming increasingly scarce, with the price soaring on the black market amid transportation woes.

Earlier this month, Haiti had formally announced the creation of the nine-member transitional presidential council, which will be tasked with choosing the country’s next prime minister and Cabinet, a long-awaited move considering the spate of violence in Haiti.

It was announced in the decree that the Council will exercise certain presidential powers until a new president-elect can be inaugurated no later than February 7, 2026. The council’s mandate will thus end on that date, with no provision for an extension.

Previously, embattled Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry had announced he would resign once the council had been created and a new Prime Minister

chosen. Henry’s announcement in March had come amid mounting pressure from a spiraling security breakdown and concerted efforts from Caricom and Haitian stakeholders, with the assistance of the international community, to broker a way forward.

Coming out of these crucial talks among Caricom Heads in Jamaica on how to return Haiti to a state of normalcy, the regional bloc had announced that the Presidential Council would be established to guide Haiti towards elections and the restoration of order.

This announcement was made by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, when she addressed the media at the press conference following the talks. Mottley said that 80 to 90 per cent of proposals put on the table were agreed to by the stakeholders.

Further, Mottley explained that the next interim Prime Minister would work with the Presidential

Council to establish a government. Additionally, a provisional electoral council would be established as a critical institution.

Additionally, Mottley had noted that as a regional community, Caricom has agreed with its international partners on four principles, including that persons on the Presidential Council should not run in any future

elections in Haiti.

Haiti has been engulfed in turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Since then, the streets have been overrun by gangs, and there has been a continuous cycle of violence.

That violence flared even more when, in February, criminal gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince conducted

coordinated attacks targeting Police Stations, prisons, critical infrastructure, and civilian sites in the city.

On March 2, armed gang members raided two penitentiaries, reportedly freeing some 3800 inmates, after which Haitian authorities announced a three-day State of Emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew. (G3)

The EPG comprising former Prime Ministers Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia (fifth from left); Perry Christie of The Bahamas (fourth from left) and Bruce Golding of Jamaica (third from left)

People walk past destroyed vehicles set on fire by gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 25 [File: Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters]

What next…

…for the Geneva face-off??

Unlike most ordinary citizens, your Eyewitness tried to follow the goings-on up in Geneva at the UNHCR meet on the status of the IDPAD recommendations from 2013, now that the decade is coming to a close. For most it was just white noise!! Of course, he was most interested in the volleys between the Government representatives and IDPADA-G’s – not to mention some from the UNHCR Committee who assume they’re appointed to guard against automatic excesses of the big, bad Leviathan. That is, the State as represented by its Government. It’s not often you get to see two-against-one volleys – the Govt being the one!!

The UNHCR Committee ignored the maxim that “he who asserts must prove” and receiving complaints from IDPADA-G back in 2023, had summarised and sent them to the Government for a response – which they did. Your Eyewitness, however, was nonplussed by this allegation made to the Committee: “According to information received, Afro-Guyanese continue to live in separate areas, usually far from the rest of the population and often the least urbanised. These regions of the country are characterised by the inadequacy of infrastructure, substandard housing, roads and services, homelessness, inadequate social programmes to assist low-income families, remoteness from universities and other services required for their personal and economic development, as well as from fundamental health services.”

Afro-Guyanese the “least urbanised”?? What the heck?? Afro-Guyanese are the MOST urbanised group in the country – going back all the way to the mid-nineteenth century!! They are probably 80% of the urbanised population!! And as such have access to the only sole hospital in the country – the GPHC “Big Hospital”!! – as well as large regional hospitals in the other towns. Unlike the rural folks who’re consigned to “Cottage Hospitals”!! The Tertiary University –UG; the Palms for Senior Citizens; the Museums; the Parks and seawall amenities, etc, are all available to GTers!! Not surprisingly, this claim wasn’t regurgitated in IDPADA-G’s 2024 appearance!

Then there was this eye-popping claim: “No adequate resources have been invested in sports activities and programmes for young people of African descent”. With most African Guyanese living in urban areas, aren’t these towns and city where most sport facilities located?? Ow Man!! Then came this inswinger: “No action has been taken to ensure the full implementation of the right to adequate standard of living, including the right to adequate housing. On the contrary, the country’s facing a housing crisis causing the rise of prices and long waits for the processing of housing applications, which is not supported by mortgage lending institutions.”

Whatever else one might say about the PPP…you gotta give them credit for their housing drive…including easier mortgages!! And Min Phillips did say Afro Guyanese got 48% of lots – more than their population!!

…for media

The Committee – again ”acting on information received”, asserted: “The Government has failed to enable the media’s role as a public watchdog, through insufficient free, pluralistic and independent media, to allow for the reporting of factual, diverse and reliable information about people of African descent.” Now your Eyewitness would really like to know how the Government hasn’t “enabled” the media’s role as a public watchdog”!! Has the Government muzzled the Stabber or the Kaieteur Mews which have taken a reflexive antagonistic – in tone and content – reporting stance against the Government?? Have they not been giving them the same amount of Government ads as the other media outlets??

Hasn’t the Opposition organised their own “mainstream” media outlet in the “Village Voice”?? Aren’t the letters’ pages of the dailies – the most popular items – open to one and all? And finally, isn’t this age of “mediatization” – as the rise of social media which has eclipsed the old mainstream media – now dominated by the African Guyanese partisans?? Gwan da side!!

…DINKs?

Just when your Eyewitness thought he’d heard everything on the challenges to our 21st century economy –Gig economy?? Most extreme inequality in human history?? – he’s learnt about the DINKs threat!!

“Double-Income-No-Kids” families that’ll shrink inexorably populations!!

Over 2800 dengue cases recorded in

4 months

Some 2852 cases of dengue have been recorded countrywide, from January of this year to date.

This figure surpasses statistics recorded in 2023, which showed that some 2169 cases were detected from January to August.

Up to that time, there were 239 patients hospitalised and 11 dengue related deaths.

For 2024 so far, there have been two dengue related deaths.

Last week, it was reported that there were some 43 active cases of the infection but this number has since decreased to about 30.

Five cases were recorded in Region One (BarimaWaini); four cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); two cases in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); four cases in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); one case in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); two cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 15 cases in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo); and six cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

During a telephone interview with Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, told Guyana Times that the highest number of cases were recorded in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

According to reports, some 440 dengue cases were tallied for Region Six for the year.

“For this year so far, we recorded more cases in Region Nine and Regions Three, Four, Five and Seven might be the lowest”.

“It is important for our people to know that across the Americas there is an upsurge of dengue cases and therefore we need to be very cognisant of this and take necessary action,” Dr. Ramsammy revealed.

Seek medical help

Meanwhile, authorities are working assiduously to combat the presence of mosquitoes in various regions.

Earlier this month, regional health authorities in Region Six had complained about a mosquito infestation in the region and had called on the central government for help.

Regional Chairman David Armogan had argued that there were only two fogging machines in the region and that was not enough to battle the mosquito infestation.

Dr. Ramsammy explained that the Health Ministry is still assessing the situation and has mobilised primary healthcare centres across the country to treat the disease.

On this point, he disclosed that all doctors coun-

trywide have been provided with the latest information on treatment guidelines and are conducting seminars to foster further discussions.

“The numbers have been going down from the last few weeks. There was for about two or three weeks between and 122 to 165 new cases per week… There were also persons who had dengue but were not diagnosed during the active phase. So, we know about 250 people may have had dengue and we tested after they would have recovered or during their recovery stages,” The Advisor added.

To ensure prevention and a curb in the transmission of Dengue, several environmental and entomological measures have been increased across Guyana, such as fogging (fumigation).

The Ministry of Health has also increased the procurement and distribution of rapid diagnostic test kits and other laboratory supplies and equipment to ensure adequate diagnostic capacity.

Dengue in Americas

According to a January 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, “dengue has become a growing public health concern with approximately four billion people in 130 countries identified at risk of infection. Since the beginning of 2023, the world has been facing an upsurge of dengue cases and deaths reported in endemic areas, with further spread to areas previously free of dengue. More than five million dengue cases and over 5000 dengue-associated deaths have been recorded across all six WHO regions.”

In March of this year, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) warned about the surge in dengue cases in the Americas. As of March 26, 2024, over 3.5 million cases and more than 1000 deaths have been reported in the region.

Guyana recorded 7,859 cases of dengue in 2023, while hospitalisations related to dengue reached 1,182 individuals.

Dengue vaccines

Despite the country’s ability to control the number of dengue cases, the Health Ministry is actively seeking further measures to minimise these occurrences.

Speaking at a recent event at the ministry’s headquarters on Brickdam, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony had told reporters that the ministry is currently in the process of acquiring a new vaccine for dengue.

“We are now trying to get a particular vaccine that will cover the four different types of dengue. As of right now, we are still exploring that option because the vaccines are quite expensive,”

Dr. Anthony stated.

The minister also highlighted the introduction of a new technique known as Abate to prevent the spread of dengue fever.

Abate is a larvicide, which means, it effectively targets and kills mosquito larvae, specifically those of Aedes species, helping to prevent the spread of dengue fever.

The ministry has been signaling its interest in dengue vaccines for years, and it was reported last year that the authority was awaiting official word from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation, which is currently analysing data.

It was said at the time that this data would help the ministry finalise its decision to purchase vaccines for

use in the National Dengue Control Programme.

Public advice

Dengue is an acute febrile disease that is caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus known as DENV 1-4, each of which can cause an infection. Re-infection with a different serotype from that of a previous infection can result in a more severe form of the disease.

Persons with Dengue may experience fever, eye pain (back of the eye), muscle/joint pain, skin rash, and headache and generalised weakness. Persons affected by severe dengue (haemorrhagic dengue) may develop complications that are associated with bleeding and clotting disorders.

All Guyanese are en-

couraged to do source reduction otherwise known as the elimination of mosquito breeding sites, especially around homes, schools and their surroundings.

Dengue fever outbreaks are more likely during the rainy season because of stagnant water, therefore open water tanks must always be secure by covering them with a net or a cover and ensure that all extra openings are sealed.

For those persons residing in and around mining camps where malaria cases are more prevalent, the Ministry of Health advises that you sleep under treated mosquito nets which are being provided free of cost through the Vector Control Services Unit. Personal protection measures include the use of long sleeve clothing and mosquito repellents. (G1)

Solar panels stolen from school in Bartica

…recovered at businessman’s home, security arrested

Abusinessman and a security guard were both arrested on Friday in Regional Division Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) after solar panels belonging to a government school in Bartica were found in their possession. Police said the incident occurred between Friday and Monday.

Reports are that a 27-year-old security guard of Two Miles Bartica reportedly stole four Merisolar solar panels valued at $260,000, property of the Government of Guyana from the Two Miles Primary School.

According to Police, recent repairs were done on the school, and solar panels were replaced and some of the panels that were replaced were stored under the school's stairway.

However, on Monday, at about 07:30h, the school's canteen manager, was cleaning in the vi-

cinity where the panels were stored, and she ob-

served four of the panels were missing. As a result, she brought it to the head teachers’ attention, who later reported the matter to the police.

Acting on the information received, the police visited the home of a Bartica businessman, who provided them with some information and the suspect was then contacted and questioned, and he admitted to the theft. The businessman was further questioned, and he took the ranks to a vehicle where two of the panels were stored. Police said that the man then went to the roof of his building, removed two other panels, and handed them over to the police. Both the suspect and the businessman were arrested, and placed into custody.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Miner remanded for murder of Venezuelan man

A24-year-old man was remanded for the stabbing to death of a Venezuelan national.

Cane Vincent, of South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was not required to plea to the indictable charge of murder.

It is alleged that on April 18, at Paiyuka Falls, Puruni River, he murdered Leonel Manuel Franco Beria, a 19-year-old Venezuelan national.

According to a report from Police Headquarters, the teen was allegedly stabbed by Vincent, at their workplace where both of them are employed as miners.

Police said that at about 03:20h on April 18, Vincent and his colleagues were drinking at the site when he became heavily intox-

icated and eventually fell asleep. Beria allegedly struck Vincent on the head while he was sleeping in a hammock. Upon awakening, Vincent armed himself with a knife and went to Beria’s hammock, where he allegedly stabbed him four times in the back.

Beria fled to his employer’s room seeking refuge but succumbed to his injuries a short while after. The Police was notified of the incident and travelled to the scene where Beria was found lying face down on a mattress, wearing brown three-quarter pants. Examination of the body revealed four stab wounds to his back, with two located in the upper back and two in the mid-section.

The murder weapon was recovered at the scene and Vincent was arrested and charged.

The case will continue on May 14.

The panels that were stolen from the school

IDPADA-G’s operations are political, do not support development of

Afro-Guyanese – Walrond

The local International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly Guyana (IDPADA-G) operations are political and does not support the development of AfroGuyanese businesses or communities.

This statement was made by Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond during a recent live broadcast. It come on the heels of comments made by Attorneyat-Law Nigel Hughes at the IDPADA-G 3rd Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hughes, who represents the local IDPADA-G, told the International Committee that the Guyana Government is withholding funding valued at some $500M from the organisation and thus, African businesses under its care are lacking support.

Hughes further reported that the Government is seek-

ing to decimate IDPADA-G by defunding the organisation without merit or justification.

In response, Walrond explained that providing budgetary funds to the organisation was a decision Government made a few years ago when IDPADA-G pledged to help local businesses owned by Guyanese of African Descent, establish youth development programmes, and expand technology training through a STEM Guyana partnership, among others.

However, she noted that while Government continued to budget monies from the nations fiscal package for the organisation, the funds were halted following numerous complaints from local groups claiming that they were not benefitting from funds provided in the past.

This prompted an investigation into the IDPADA-G’s financial operations, which Walrond claimed revealed

that the monies were spent, however was unaccounted for.

It was alleged that monies provided a few years ago was spent on paying salaries and building rentals, among other political activities.

“There was an audit and as a result of the audit it was found that there were several issues of non-accountability of the funds. If you are

providing funds to a NonGovernmental Organization then the receipts should show and they were not able to produce and hundreds of millions of were unaccounted,” she disclosed.

Support

Further, Walrond explained that the Guyana Government does not need to provide funds to IDPADA-G

to foster the development of Afro-Guyanese, especially as it relates to demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans, a position Guyana remains fully committed to.

She contends that the administration is passionate about improving the lives of all Guyanese and will deliver on its promises.

“I haven’t seen any interview from anyone who report to be leaders of AfroGuyanese in Guyana be so vocal about the fact that we ought to be compensated and approach reparations and the request for reparations in such a structured way like we have and have it supported by finances and resources,” Walrond added.

Over $1.8 billion has been distributed in the last three years to promote and preserve culture, and develop sports infrastructure, with the International Decade of People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana

(IDPADA-G) receiving the largest allocation: $360 million.

In 2023, the Government launched the Association of People of African Descent (APAD) to foster unity among Afro-Guyanese communities, drive positive social change, and empower all members to actively participate in shaping Guyana’s future. The association’s mission is to bring together Afro-Guyanese organisations, create a cooperative community, and eventually develop into a full-fledged representative body which would work alongside the Government to achieve its mandate.

Moreover, last year, the Guyana Government handed over some $63 million in funds to 35 African cultural groups in Guyana for projects in a wide variety of sectors, as well as for initiatives that seek to empower women. Each group got just over $1.8 million.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond during live discussion

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

WE MUST REJECT HATEMONGERS' CALL FOR BOYCOTT OF GUYANESE BUSINESSES IN BROOKLYN

GMan opens fire on girlfriend’s friends during seawall birthday lime

ADr Leslie Ramsammy

uyanese living in Brooklyn and Queens had a chance to interact with President Dr Irfaan Ali last week during a visit there. The President was in New York City to receive the Legacy Award 2024 from the University of the West Indies. As he usually does, wherever he goes, he decides that during his free time, he will walk about in Queens and Brooklyn where large numbers of Guyanese live before, he returns to Guyana. In both places, he had a rockstar reception, as his Guyanese brothers and sisters proudly embraced him. Now the less-than-ahandful of Guyanese racist elements who have been promoting hate are calling on people to boycott businesses and organizations associated with Afro-Guyanese who interacted with the President.

It is despicable. It is intimidation. The President has firmly rejected the call in a broadcast to the citizens of Guyana and the diaspora. I wonder if anyone in the opposition would have the guts to stand against the hate-mongers since these hate-mongers are their creatures. But the Leader of the Opposition cannot stay silent. His silence is support for this despicable plea to hurt Guyanese citizens and their businesses in Brooklyn.

Anytime an Afro-Guyanese in Guyana or the diaspora decides to utilize his or her fundamental right to support people with ideas and a track record of achievements there are the usual suspects who deem them by the vilest names possible. We know the names – soupdrinkers, house slaves, etc. Just like those who joined the President in Brooklyn, young Afro-Guyanese who have decided to work with President Irfaan Ali in pushing the ONE GUYANA agenda are being called house slaves and soup drinkers.

During the entire trip that the President made, the hate-filled band of Rickford Burke, Mark Benschop and their handful, a sorry band of hate-mongers were in hiding. As soon as the President departed for Guyana, they emerged, out from under the bed, to spew hate and to harass people. But to their great consternation, and making their agony even greater, the Guyanese in Brooklyn that they are threatening are smiling, not shivering, laughing at them and feeling sorry for them. Does anyone think that these businesses and organizations that Burke and Benschop are threatening depend on them for survival?

We hope that Hakeem Jeffries, the Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives in Washington, and New York’s Attorney General, having swallowed Burke’s poison as if it is hot chocolate, noticed that their friend has threatened the livelihoods of people in a district Jeffries represents? Are they going to take a stand? While we are at it, we hope the US representative who brought out spurious allegations to question Guyana’s human rights record during the most recent UN Human Rights scrutiny was paying attention. He had argued that wild allegations or not he has an obligation to raise concerns that people have raised. He took wild allegations and elevated them to one of the highest forums available to discuss human rights. Now genuine threats to the fundamental human right of people having the freedom to associate and interact with our President are before them. In written forms, the hate-mongers are peddling hate. Will they pay attention and see for themselves who the real racists are in Guyana?

Recently, the UN in Geneva also hosted the global assessment meeting on the Decade of the Afro-Peoples. A group from Guyana under the name, IPADA-G, headed by the names of Vincent Alexander and Nigel Hughes, claimed, like the one-man organisation in Brooklyn, that the Guyanese Government headed by Dr. Irfaan Ali has denied them $500M that was allocated in the budget for supporting the people of Afro-origins in Guyana. They neglected to tell the UN that the organizations that supposedly made up the IPADA-G themselves accused IPADA-G of depriving them of funding and supported the government’s move to give some of the funds directly to organizations. The government did not abrogate its responsibility to allocate funds; the government merely decided that instead of using IPADA-G, it would send resources directly to the organizations. IPADA-G did not tell the UN that these organisations support the methodology the government is using.

In Guyana itself, the PNC every single day in our country seek to divide us based on our race and ethnicity. Every single day in our country, the PNC invokes the message that once someone is AfroGuyanese, he or she is a traitor for not supporting the failed policies and programs of the PNC. For the PNC, all Afro-Guyanese have a birth certificate making them the property of the PNC. Behind the PNC are the front organizations, like IPADA-G, spewing hate every day.

While President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali is busy spreading love and unity and transforming our country, this small band of hatemongers have called on Guyanese and Caribbean people to boycott those with businesses who dared to walk with or talk with or be part of the conversation when President Ali visited Brooklyn. For these hate-mongers, President Ali must not dare enter Brooklyn; for them, they will concede Queens and any PPP President must not dare cross from Queens into Brooklyn. But President Ali is not dictated to by these hate-mongers. In every visit he makes to a foreign land, he seeks out Guyanese and engages them.

In Guyana itself, the PNC and the hate-mongers spread messages like Buxton and Linden and other places are the property of the PNC. In LGE 2023, the people spoke up and told the hate-mongers that they were not anyone’s property and they would think for themselves. Just like they did in Guyana, the people in the diaspora are sending a message loud and clear – they will speak and think and act for themselves.

birthday lime among friends on the Georgetown seawall ended in two persons being shot after the boyfriend of one of the friends became jealous.

Injured are taxi drivers Jermaine Duncan, 32, of Cummings Park 'E' Field Sophia, and Sheldon Smith, 34 of Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

Police said that the shooting occurred at about 23:00h on April 17 near the pump station at Kitty seawalls.

Inquiries disclosed that Smith was celebrating his 34th birthday with friends, including Jermaine Duncan when at about 22:30h, the 39-year-old suspect approached them in a white fielder wagon from a western direction and spoke to his girlfriend, who was among the gathering on the seawalls.

Police said that the woman immediately left with the man, who is a vendor. However, an hour later the man returned to the seawalls on a motorcycle approaching from a western direction and approached Smith where an argument

ensued.

It is alleged that the vendor pulled out a handgun from the waist of his pants and discharged several rounds at Smith, hitting him in the upper left thigh while

Duncan was shot once to his upper left side abdomen. Both men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police said that Smith has since been discharged, while Duncan is still undergoing

treatment at the medical institution. Investigators have since recovered six 9mm spent shells at the scene. However, the suspect is still on the run. Investigations are ongoing.

Berbice taxi driver busted with 22kg ganja

A53-year-old taxi driver was taken into custody following the interception of 22 kilograms of cannabis in his motorcar on Sunday last at High Street, Georgetown. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) stated that on the day in question, its ranks conducted an operation along High Street when they intercepted a motorcar that was at the time being driven by Eusi Willson of 50 Edinburg, East Bank Berbice (EBB).

The car along with the cannabis was taken to the CANU headquarters where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 22 kilograms.

The driver remains in custody pending charges.

The officers, upon observing Wilson acting suspiciously searched the car during which several bulky parcels containing cannabis were found.

Taxi driver Eusi Wilson

The ganja that was found in the vehicle

CDB President resigns with “immediate effect”

President of the Barbadosbased Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Hyginus 'Gene' Leon, has resigned with “immediate effect” from the regional financial institution.

According to a threepage letter sent to the bank by his St Lucia-based lawyers, Leon is of the opinion that “he will never be treated fairly” after being sent on administrative leave in January.

“It is also evident that the bank has lost all trust and confidence in our client by the failure of the Board of Governors to prevent the continued violations of its Charter, policies, rules and regulations with regard to its elected President.

“Our client has therefore made the extremely difficult decision to resign his elected position of the President of the Bank with immediate effect.”

The lawyers have given the regional financial institution until May 4 “to negotiate an amicable separation”, indicating also that their correspondence should be viewed “as our client's pre-action protocol letter” regarding the entire situation.

In the letter dated April

21, a copy of which has been obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation, Leon's lawyers said they would be moving to the courts in Barbados “or any other jurisdiction more appropriate, to enforce our client's legal and constitutional rights.”

In January, it was disclosed that Leon had been sent on administrative leave until April this year as “an ongoing administrative process” continued at the financial institution. The CDB has remained mum on the circumstances surrounding the decision to send the St Lucian-born economist on administrative leave, with the acting president, Isaac Solomon, confirming at a news conference

by the bank in February that “there is an internal administrative process involving the president.”

In February, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who was attending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit in Guyana, said concerns had been raised about the method used to send Leon on administrative leave.

“... at some point we will have to address the issue of the procedures and the fact that subordinates within an institution can literally take disciplinary action against their superior without even consulting with the directors or the governors of the bank.”

In their letter, Leon's lawyers wrote that “On the 16th of April 2024, 40 hours after our client's leave expired, our client received a letter of notification of leave extension signed by the chairman of the OAC, but stating that it was from the Board of Directors of the Bank (currently carrying out the functions of the OAC with respect to the investigation…)

“We are uncertain at this stage of the significance of this as the OAC is not the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors is not the OAC. The meeting on the 16th of April 2024, was another breach of the bank's by-laws, the Charter and its policies,” the lawyers wrote.

In their letter, the lawyers noted that the Board of Governors has “never responded” to them regarding “our letters of complaint about the manner in which the investigation has been initiated and allowed to continue.

“Our many letters consistently complained that the bank has breached and is in violation of its own charter, laws, rules, regulations, and policies as regards the conduct of an investigation pertaining to the elected president.”

They wrote that central to the complaint is that their client “has only been informed of the general, barebones nature of the wide complaints levelled against him.

“These complaints continue to be bare, nonspecific, allegations without condescending to any particulars of the circumstances of the complaints including but not limited to dates, subjects, places or references to the evidence to support the grave and serious allegations made against our client.”

The lawyers wrote that the initiation of the investigations “was and continues to be in violation of Annex 10 of the ICA Procedures for Special Investigations, the Code of Conduct for Directors, and Uniform Principles and Guidelines for investigations and many other policies of the Bank and its Charter”.

The lawyers said, in their view, the conduct of the investigation has been “unconventional, does not follow due process, and does not adhere to the best practices reflected in the more established multilateral development banks.

“All of these complaints have been meticulously set out in our previous letters,” they said, adding “we are therefore of the opinion that the grave procedural irregularities fatally taint the initiation and continuation of the investigation, rendering it null and void ab initio.”

The lawyers said that Leon's “wrongful suspension” ended on April 14 this year and that he endeavoured to return to work the following day “despite the embarrassment of his forced and unlawful leave and the humiliation of not having received any communication prior to the expiration of leave.”

They said Leon also wrote the Director of Human Resources to have his access to the bank restored and to have returned to him, his laptop, Ipad and Iphone “so that he could carry out his

duties as President.

“We also sent a letter to the Board of Governors suggesting an orderly process for our client's return to work, consequent on the termination of the 'forced' leave and wrongful suspension imposed on him.

“Our client received an email after the end of the working day from the Director, Human Resources, stating that he had no authority to so act, to restore our client's access to the Bank, and the return of his devices.”

The lawyers said given the publicity “surrounding the President's suspension for unethical conduct and the severe reputation damage so far to our client, the non-communicated, abrupt extension of leave is clearly a less than stellar commitment by the Bank to its adherence to integrity and transparency.”

The lawyers also made reference of a letter they received from Washingtonbased law firm, Arnold & Porter, indicating that the Board of Directors was convening a meeting on April 16 to determine whether to extend Leon's paid administrative leave “pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

Leon is the sixth president of the regional financial institution.

He was elected at a special meeting of the CDB Board of Governors held on January 19, 2021, for a fiveyear term, and assumed office on May 4, 2021.

Leon headed a team of more than 200 employees headquartered in Bridgetown and came to the assignment with 35 years of experience in economics, financial policy development, and executive management, more than 20 of which were spent working with the Washington-based International Monetary Fund.

He succeeded Jamaicaborn Dr Warren Smith who retired in 2021 after serving as president for 10 years. (CMC)

Cook jailed, fined $30,000 for ganja possession

Fifty-four-year-old

Dexter Griffith, a cook of Vive La Force, Demerara River was on Monday sentenced to oneyear imprisonment and fined $30,000 for narcotics possession.

He appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on June 23, 2023, where the charge was read to him which stated that on June 23, 2023, he had 199 grams of cannabis in his possession. The interception was made at the 70 km checkpoint, Region Seven, Cuyuni Mazaruni.

Sentenced: Dexter Griffith

However, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $100,000. The matter was then set for trial on March 11, 2024, but was postponed to April 22, 2024. Griffith made his second court appearance on Monday before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed who found him guilty. He was sentenced to one-year imprisonment and fined $30,000.

CDB President Dr Hyginus 'Gene' Leon

Region must pay keen, sustained attention to Venezuelan threat – Foreign Secretary at Concordia summit

…as alarm bells raised over threats to regional peace, democracy

The recent postures and action by the Venezuelan regime regarding its illegal claim of Guyana’s territory was deemed a threat to stability in the western hemisphere… one that requires sustained attention and action from the region.

Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud joined other regional leaders, including former and current Heads of State, at the Eight Concordia Americas Summit, which was held at the University of Miami from April 22- 23, 2024.

During a Strategic Dialogue entitled ‘Regional Unity: Strategies to improve the Western Hemisphere Relationships’, Persaud warned of the threat posed by Venezuela to regional peace, by virtue of its threats to Guyana.

“The aggression that is been recently pumped up by the Maduro regime, can affect and can harm our hemisphere as being a zone of peace. And this must cause all of us, not only to be alarmed, but also to take the necessary action in this regard in arresting and ensur-

ing the motives and even the actions,” Persaud said.

“Just recently Caracas put into place the organic law, which basically annexes two thirds of Guyana. And he’s playing by the Russian playbook in many regards. And this certainly is an issue that we must not take lightly, because it would have, if he continues along this path,

severe repercussions. And again, it requires hemispheric, sustained attention and action.”

War criminal

Iván Duque, former President of Columbia from 2018 to 2022, meanwhile had harsh words for the Nicolas Maduro regime currently running Venezuela

amid its spiraling social, economic and diplomatic status. He referred to Maduro as a “war criminal”, who should be brought before the International Criminal Court.

“There is a democratic deficit going on. We have the situation in Venezuela, in Nicaragua. We have, obviously, the horrible situation

in Cuba. But we’re also seeing regimes in Latin America that, by extraordinary measures, are trying to take full control of the courts, the press and also the independence of the institutions. And that’s a major risk.”

“What is happening in many countries in Latin America, needs to be addressed. And the best way to address it is in cases like the one in Venezuela, we have a war criminal, that has to be tried by the International Criminal Court. We have seen that every single step to loosen the sanctions has been taken by Nicolas Maduro to affect the democratic resistance. And what happens is there are a lot of copy cats of that model,” the former President added.

OAS

While he did not directly refer Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, Organisation of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro stressed the importance of dialogue rather than strong arm tactics.

He also noted that dictatorships in Latin America never end well, instead ushering in migration and social crises such as that facing Venezuela at present.

“It is clear that we need more diplomacy and dialogue. It is very necessary. If you have a disagreement related to the application of a convention, there are many ways you can fix that. You don’t start by the first… the first move cannot be the last and more dramatic one.”

“If you see dictatorships in the region, they are complete failures. Social failures. Migration failures. Humanitarian crises.

Migration crises. They have the whole package. So, we need to address the basics and democracy is point one,” Almagro said.

Other speakers at the dialogue included Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis HE Terrance Drew, Combatant Commander of US Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Hon. Gabriela Sommerfield.

Concordia is a global platform bringing together heads of state, government and non-government officials to find cross-sector solutions to the various challenges. The Second Concordia Amazonas Summit will be held in Guyana on 9-13 July 2024, focusing on Environmental Sustainability and Financial Inclusion.

On April 3, Venezuela’s President Maduro promulgated “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, thus effectively claiming the Essequibo as a state within Venezuela – a move that has been condemned by the Guyana Government and several regional and international bodies.

Guyana has, on several occasions, denied partnering with the US or any other country to be an aggressor against Venezuela. Meanwhile, the US Government has denied that it has already established, or has plans to set up, a secret military base in Guyana.

White House National Security Communications Advisor, Admiral John Kirby told reporters at a press briefing on April 4, “There are no plans for a secret military base [in Guyana].” (G3)

IDPADA-G’s operations...

The groups that received funding had previously submitted proposals for projects in several areas, including in agriculture and the purchasing of agricultural equipment; business; cultural training in drumming, teaching craft, cooking traditional foods, and garment construction, among other areas. Some groups had also committed to work in literacy, women’s empowerment, and education in African and Afro-Guyanese history.

Distribution of the grants had occurred on the heels of the Guyana Government halting funding to the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G), having cited the mismanaging of funds.

Instead, the Government has decided to distribute the money directly to the African cultural groups to achieve the objectives of the decade.

Court IDPADA-G and the Government have been at loggerheads since 2022, when Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo accused leaders of

the organisation of not passing down the benefits of state funding to the people, and misusing the budgetary allocations. After a series of public exchanges, IDPADA-G Chairman Vincent Alexander filed a $159 million lawsuit in November 2022, saying that Jagdeo’s allegations of IDPADA-G’s funds being misused had defamed him and impugned his character, among other things. He also denied “subverting public funds or using a race of people for self-advancement”.

In December 2022, IDPADA-G also filed a court case seeking the restoration of its $8 million monthly subvention. The group wants the funds to not only be restored, but also its continued payment until the decade officially ends next year.

In a press release to the media on February 6, 2023, IDPADA-G stated that it was never established with the sole purpose of providing grants to organisations. It explained that it has provided all audited transactions/documents from 2018 to 2021 based on Parliamentary approved budget.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud speaking during the Concordia summit

100 TAU students graduate in Science, Public Health & Nursing

The Texila American University (TAU) recently hosted its 14th Graduation Ceremony at the Guyana Marriott Hotel which saw 100 students completing their studies in science, nursing and public health.

These students from India, Jamaica, Guyana, South Africa, the USA, and Nigeria were conferred with degrees.

A total of 59 graduated from the College of

Medicine, 36 from the College of Public Health and five from the College of Nursing.

During the ceremony, the Best Basic Science Student award was given to Manoha R S, while Janielle Jonelle Gordon copped the Best Clinical Student award and Lance Orane Barnes secured the Dean's Award.

In addition, the SecondBest Graduate Award was bestowed upon Marian Merl Millaneise and

Shyline Paradza Maphosa was awarded the ThirdBest Graduate prize. The Chancellor's Award was given to Janielle Jonelle Gordon.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Rtrd.) Mark Phillips delivered an inspiring convocational address, emphasising the importance of education and the contributions of graduates to society. Chancellor of the University Saju Bhaskar

and Pro chancellor Chitra Lakshmi extended their heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates on their remarkable academic achievements.

"We are immensely proud of our graduates and their remarkable achievements," Bhaskar stated while adding "This ceremony not only recognised their hard work and dedication but also celebrated the diverse talents and backgrounds that enrich our academic community."

The TAU Guyana Graduation Ceremony served as a testament to the institution's commitment to fostering academic excellence and cultural diversity. It was a celebration of the remarkable accomplishments of the students, who are poised to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields and communities.

All secondary school students will now receive textbooks from Govt – Manickchand

Having already fulfilled its promise of ensuring every primary school student receives textbooks from the government, focus is now on equipping all secondary-lev-

el pupils with textbooks to support their studies.

This was disclosed by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday during a World Book Day event, held at the St. Stephen's Primary School on Princes Street, Georgetown. She spoke about the preparations towards equipping every secondary school child with textbooks.

According to the minster, the government has already been providing textbooks to all pupils in primary schools within the public sector and they are now looking to implement this same procedure to the secondary schools in attempts of attaining the same significant results

“We have bought for all the children in primary schools all the textbooks that they need and now we are in the process of buying all secondary books for secondary school children,” Manickchand revealed. She further expressed that this initiative is being done because the ministry believes

that the contents in those books will help children in their academic journey.

Stating that the implementations of these books to the schools have demanded lots of money from the government, Minster Manickchand expressed that as plans are ongoing to expand this programme to secondary schools, the children should always remember to take care of these books as future generations will also have to use these books for their academic pursuits.

“But we also have to say, if these books are destroyed you have to pay for it because you have to leave it for someone who is coming after you,” Manickchand reminded the pupils.

Meanwhile, Manickchand also announced plans to implement libraries stocked with storybooks for all primary school children. She explained that this initiative would complement children's reading abilities once they have learned to read.

“We are buying story books to put in the libraries for all the primary schools because after you teach students to read, what will be the next move? They have to continue to read,” she stated whilst then adding that whatever the students are supplied with to read should be fun things to keep them engaged.

According to the minster, these initiatives serve as a great support to move children higher up in their academic journey. (G2)

The graduates at the ceremony on Friday last

Minister Priya Manickchand speaking at the event

Linden Town Week takes more inclusive approach in 2024 – committee member

Linden Town Week 2024 is set to take a different approach. This is according to member of the Linden Tourism Committee Board, Devin Sears who is also the region’s member of Parliament.

Sears on Tuesday told Guyana Times that a “more inclusive” approach has been taken this year with more emphasis being placed on activities involving arts and craft, education and non- fête recreational activities.

Initialised on April 28, 1966 as ‘Linden Town Day’ the initiative was an effort to celebrate the town’s anniversary, showcase historical landmarks and local talents. The event later evolved into Linden Town Week. It became one of the main activities to highlight the culture and beauty of the region. Extended to one week of events in 2006 by Kashif and Shanghai, who were the managers of the event at the time,

Linden Town Week over the past two decades has been known to be a major event which has mainly focused on partying.

However, this year the LTW board has decided to take a slightly different approach to the historical event which promises a comprehensive blend of cultural, recreational and educational events that embody the spirit of Linden. These activities include the first ever Geo-Expo and Art walk, debate competitions, pageants, kayaking, historical sites and bauxite mining tours amongst others. It was also noted that several improvements were made in relation to the event.

An increase in accommodation saw 15-20 per cent more rooms than last year, all of which have been booked out since December 2023. The Region 10 Tourism Committee also engaged with business such as hotels and restaurants to provide hospitality training and each business was

encouraged to send a representative to engage in this initiative in an effort to ensure international and local customers receive high quality service.

The tourism committee also hosted a river front clean up exercise, which saw the removal of garbage and the repainting of rails in an effort to beautify the shore fronts of Wismar and McKenzie. Promoters

of the various parties were also mandated to include at least one local artist at their event. This requirement, Sears said, was put in place to give local artist and talents more exposure. One of the major concerns about the Linden Town Week event, is that of security, Sears said, noting that in this regard the Regional Security Council and Police commander for the Region met with the various party promoters to ensure that effective security measures are in place and improved security measures were put in place at the three entrances to the town.

Sears highlighted that

at the end of every town week there must be some amount of economic growth to make persons excited to return to the town and invest. He also said that all businesses have expanded over the last year in anticipation of the Linden Town Week.

“Linden is an emerging city and is growing but people expect it to grow fast. it’s a process,” he said, noting that more emphasis has been placed on marketing and branding in an effort to rebrand the town from the mining town to the heart of Guyana because it’s the gateway into the interior. Linden is the main transit

point between Lethem and Georgetown.

Currently the region is experiencing developments in housing, sports and infrastructure, with the construction of the new Wismar to Mackenzie Bridge and synthetic track at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, among other projects, all of which will help bolster tourism and economic growth in the region. This year Linden Town Week is set to kickstart on April 26 and end on May 6, celebrating 54 years of the town's culture and unity under the theme "We are One People! One Nation! One Destiny! Linden, the Heart of Guyana!"

Linden Tourism Committee Board member Devin Sears, who is also the region’s member of Parliament

City Hall preparing for rainy season – Mayor

As the country transitions from a prolonged period of drought and begins to experience heavy bouts of rainfall, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council said it is preparing itself to mitigate and manage any possibility of flooding in the capital.

With the May/June rainy season approaching, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council is preparing to once again deal with the likelihood of flooding in the capital city.

Mayor Alfred Mentore has assured that the council has a plan to deal with any possibility of flooding. In fact, the council has met and discussed the issue of flooding mainly in the capital city, during its month-

ly statutory meetings. This plan includes dispatching city engineers around the city to inspect and rectify any faulty drainage works.

Additionally, the mayor also pointed to the concerns regarding the number of infrastructural projects in the city, and the impact those will have on flooding. He noted in an interview that “Many of the canals themselves have been blocked up. Many of the canals have debris or they have stopped the water from flowing. Now you’re having a wet season, what I’ve asked the engineers to do is to be prepared to put systems in place in the absence of those contractors not doing their job.”

Mentore, emphasised

Bartica man remanded for illegal gun, ammo

Twenty-eight-yearold Ray Anthony, of 4th Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) was remanded to prison on Tuesday on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

This offence is contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05, and ‘unlawful possession of ammunition without a license’, contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.

Anthony appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s

Court before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed, where two charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on May 14. Remanded: Ray Anthony

“we are always prepared. But we could also use additional resources and if persons, citizens pay up their taxes, the businesses pay up their taxes, we would be in a better financial position to be able to address these issues.” “But with whatever we have and the staffing we have and the engineering department, the drainage engineer, we’ve identified key areas that we have to keep afloat as well as cleared and clean. However, the Mayor note that One of his major

concerns is the number of construction jobs that the government, through the various contractors, are doing currently which may cause conflicted as the engineers ready to begin works.

Georgetown is known for constantly being under water whenever there is prolonged rainfall. The current PPP/C administration has blamed poor management of the city by the PNC-dominated town council. Further, during an impromptu visit to pump stations in the city some time

ago, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had found some pumps not working and some staff sleeping and not attending to the pumps as required.

Since the PPP/C administration assumed office in 2020, central government has played an integral role in managing the city’s infrastructure during times of flooding. The government has handed out several contracts to contractors within various communities to ensure drains are cleared and clean on a regular basis.

Haiti situation “catastrophic” and growing worse, UN warns

Three million children in Haiti are in need of humanitarian assistance as continuing gang violence hampers aid delivery, the head of the UN children’s agency, Unicef, has said.

Catherine Russell said the situation in gangwracked Haiti was “catastrophic” and growing worse “by the day”.

She told a meeting of the UN Security Council that in many areas essential services had collapsed.

Meanwhile, a transitional presidential council has still not been sworn in.

While Haiti has been blighted by gangs for years, the armed groups stepped up their attacks at the end of February when Prime Minister Ariel Henry travelled to Kenya to seal a deal

for a multinational security force to be deployed to the Caribbean nation.

Henry was prevented from returning to Haiti as the gangs attacked the international airport, forcing its closure.

He agreed last month to step aside as soon as a transitional presidential council was created and remains abroad.

However, the formation of the council has been beset by delays and internal disagreements. The council’s nine members have yet to be sworn in before they can take over power.

Even though the gangs said that their main aim was the ouster of Henry, they have continued to carry out attacks on the police force.

They have also loot-

ed universities and libraries, torched pharmacies and forced the closure of the capital Port-au-Prince’s largest hospital.

Non-governmental groups say the armed groups now control an estimated 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince.

According to Unicef, 2.7 million people live in areas under effective gang control with children often becoming victims of their attacks.

“Each day, children are being injured or killed. Some are being recruited, or they are joining armed groups out of sheer desperation,” Russel told the UN Security Council meeting in New York on Monday.

“Recent Unicef data indicates that anywhere from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of armed groups in Haiti currently have children within

their ranks,” she added.

Local media reported attacks in the poor Lower Delmas neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince over the weekend.

And on Monday, the Varreux terminal – through which most of the fuel destined for the capital passes –was forced to suspend operations as armed men seized trucks and blocked access roads.

Clashes between the Police and gang members were also reported in the vicinity of the National Palace, the building where the transitional council is due to be sworn in.

According to local media, at least one person was killed in shooting in the streets adjacent to the palace. (BBC News)

Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore

Around The World

OIL NEWS

Oil rises as dollar slips, focus shifts to economic data

Oil prices rose by more than US$1 a barrel on Tuesday as the US dollar index fell to its lowest level in more than a week, and investors shifted their focus away from tensions in the Middle East to the state of global economies.

Brent crude futures rose US$1.42, or 1.6 per cent, to settle at US$88.42 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed US$1.46, or 1.8 per cent, to US$83.36 a barrel.

The US dollar index weakened after S&P Global data showed US business activity cooled in April to a fourmonth low on weaker demand. A cheaper greenback typically lifts demand for dollar-denominated oil from investors holding other currencies.

More support for prices came from eurozone data that showed business activity expanding this month at the fastest pace in nearly a year.

“The market has been under pressure from little to no growth out of the eurozone, so anything showing improvement should be supportive,” said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.

Market participants are looking past geopolitical disruptions to focus on economic indicators and overall supply-and-demand balances, Lipow added.

Both contracts had dropped by more than US$1 a barrel early in the session on easing tensions between Israel and Iran, along with nagging concerns on demand from top oil importer China.

“On one hand there are still lingering doubts about the performance of China’s economy, while on the other is an overriding sentiment that OPEC will hold firm on its price supportive actions,” said Gaurav Sharma, an independent oil analyst in London.

Investors are looking to the release later this week of US first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data as well as the March figures for personal consumption expenditures, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

“A low GDP number of under three per cent could cool the Fed’s nerves some and provide less pressure to commodities,” said Alex Hodes, an oil analyst at brokerage firm StoneX. “However, a stronger-than-three-percent reading could cause the dollar to rally further, which would put more pressure on commodities.”

US crude oil inventories are expected to have increased last week while refined product stockpiles are likely to have fallen, a preliminary Reuters poll of analysts showed.

The American Petroleum Institute reported on Tuesday that US crude oil and gasoline stockpiles fell last week, while distillates – which include diesel and heating oil –rose, according to market sources.

The U.S. government’s official data will be published by the Energy Information Administration at 10:30h EDT (1430 GMT) today. (Reuters)

Israel steps up strikes across Gaza, orders new evacuations in north

Israeli strikes intensified across Gaza on Tuesday in some of the heaviest shelling in weeks, residents said, and the army ordered fresh evacuations in the north of the enclave, warning civilians they were in a “dangerous combat zone”.

Strikes by air and shelling from tanks on the ground were also reported in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip in what residents said were almost non-stop bombardments.

In a post on social media platform X, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents of four zones in Beit Lahiya on Gaza’s northern edge to move to shelter in two designated areas.

He said the military “will

work with extreme force against terrorist infrastructure and subversive elements” in the region.

In a statement issued later on Tuesday, the military said: “In stark contrast to Hamas’ intentional attacks on Israeli men, women and children, the IDF follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”

The renewed shelling and bombing of northern Gaza comes almost four months after the Israeli army announced it was drawing down its troops there, saying Hamas no longer controlled those areas.

This month, Israel also drew down most of its forces in southern Gaza. But efforts to reach a ceasefire have

Dominica High Court overturns ban on same-sex relations

Dominica’s High Court has overturned a ban on consensual same-sex relations in the Caribbean island nation.

The court ruled parts of the law that criminalised same-sex activity went against the country’s constitution.

A gay man living in Dominica who brought the case said the law violated his constitutional rights.

LGBTQ activists welcomed the decision, hailing it as “a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights in the Caribbean”.

The court ruled that sections 14 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act, which criminalised consensual same-sex activity between adults, were unconstitutional.

Writing in the ruling, Justice Kimberly CenacPhulgence said the court found they breached the right to liberty, freedom of expression and protection of personal privacy, as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

The anonymous claimant, an openly gay man, stated that the laws had condemned him “to live in constant fear of criminal sanction for engaging in consensual sexual activity” and further argued that these laws incited “hateful and violent conduct towards him and other LGBT persons” which he said prevented him “from living and expressing himself freely and in dignity”.

Reacting to the ruling, Daryl Phillip, founder of the charity Minority Rights Dominica (MiRiDom), said: “This ruling sets Dominica on a promising path toward restoring people’s dignity and safeguarding LGBTQ people’s rights to privacy, health, and freedom from torture and ill-treatment,

aligning with international human rights obligations.”

He added, however, that the ruling did not mean “that homophobia is going to stop tomorrow”. “It’s a process,” Phillip said.

Outright International, a human rights LGBTQ NGO, said: “Decriminalisation helps create an environment where LGBTQ individuals can live openly without fear of persecution, enabling them to access health care, education, and employment without facing discrimination.”

“The repeal of these discriminatory laws is a testament to the tireless efforts of activists, advocates, and allies who have long fought for justice and equality. It is a victory for human rights and a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights in the Caribbean,” Outright Executive Director Maria Sjödin said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Palestinians walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2024 (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa photo)

failed, and Israeli bombardment and raids on territory where its troops have withdrawn are making it difficult for displaced Gazans to return to abandoned homes.

Overnight, tanks made a new incursion east of Beit Hanoun on Gaza’s northern edge though they did not penetrate far into the city, residents and Hamas media said. Gunfire reached some schools, causing panic among displaced residents sheltering there.

Tuesday’s bombardment came after incoming rocket alerts sounded in two southern Israeli border towns, although no casualties were reported. (Excerpt from Reuters)

In Trump hush money trial, tabloid publisher testifies he helped candidacy

The first witness in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified on Tuesday that he used his supermarket tabloid to suppress stories that might have hurt Trump’s 2016 presidential bid.

Pecker, 72, testified in a New York court that the Enquirer paid two people who were peddling stories of Trump’s sexual misbehaviour but never published them – a practice known as “catch and kill.”

“When someone’s running for public office like this, it is very common for these women to call up a magazine like the National Enquirer to try to sell their stories,” Pecker testified.

Pecker said the decision to bury the stories followed a 2015 meeting at which he told Trump that the Enquirer would publish favourable stories about the billionaire candidate and keep an eye out for people selling stories that might hurt him. He said he told an editor to keep the arrangement secret.

Pecker said the Enquirer paid former Playboy model Karen McDougal for her story of a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006 and 2007. He said he bought the story after Trump refused to do so himself.

“He said that anytime you do anything like this it always gets out,” Pecker said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan Opposition candidate to appear on presidential ballot for 3 parties

Venezuela unity Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez will appear as three parties’ candidate on the ballot for July presidential elections, after two additional parties said on Tuesday they were able to list him in their slots. Gonzalez, 74, was already on the ballot for the Democratic Unity party, which originally registered him as a placeholder while the Unitary Platform coalition decided who will carry its banner, after primary winner Maria Corina Machado was banned from office and her alternate was unable to register.

The Unitary Platform,

which is made up of a dozen Opposition political groups, decided on Friday, hours before the deadline for registering substitute candidates expired, that former Ambassador Gonzalez would be its candidate.

President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power for more than a decade, will appear on the ballot for the July 28 contest for 13 different parties.

Two other parties, A New Time and the Movement for Venezuela, said on social media on Tuesday afternoon that the electoral authority had allowed them to list Gonzalez in their ballot slots.

A New Time removed its

previous candidate Manuel Rosales from the ballot, after Rosales pledged his backing for Gonzalez.

“With unity we will achieve change,” said Movement for Venezuela’s general secretary Simon Calzadilla in a video on X.

Activists and countries including the United States have accused the Maduro Government of reneging on deals reached with the Opposition in October to ensure free and fair elections.

On April 17, the US reimposed oil sanctions on Venezuela, which it had relaxed in October after the agreement was signed.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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A change will make a difference to the outcome of a medical, financial or legal situation. Do what's best for you and focus on your next move. Use your charm to bolster prospects.

Delve into the latest techniques and figure out how they can help you advance. Staying on top of the learning curve will help maintain a good reputation. Don't hesitate to implement change.

A benevolent attitude will help you recognize who is in your corner. Let intellect and logic guide you, and you'll find it easier to balance your emotions and clarify what's in your best interest.

Network, share ideas and reconfigure your plans to suit your lifestyle and personality. Formulate a solid foundation of friendships and inspirational connections and you'll flourish.

Research and educate yourself before you make a move. Be a good listener and compliment others. Who you know will make a difference in what you achieve. Self-improvement is favored.

Preparation and protecting your interests are essential to gain more than you give back. Pick the tidbits you share carefully. Offer what is necessary and keep everything else to yourself.

Protect loved ones from loss, insult or illness. Be a good listener and soak in every bit of information that can help you navigate your way forward. An opportunity will lead to stability.

Share your thoughts, feelings and intentions with someone special. Freedom will promote honesty and integrity in your relationships. Let your instincts guide you; you'll know what to do next.

Someone will take advantage of you if you let them. Get the facts before you decide what to do next. A problem at home will escalate if you trust an outsider to give you an honest assessment.

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Don't let emotions interfere with productivity at home or work. Tune in to your actions and continue until you get the desired results. Avoid conversations you aren't ready to discuss.

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Don't let someone put you in a vulnerable position. Do your own thing, master your skills and follow the path that makes you feel good about who you are, what you do and where you are heading.

Protect your assets, avoid joint ventures or shared expenses, and make the necessary changes. Put yourself in control instead of letting someone else handle your affairs.

Indian Premier League 2024: Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings

Stoinis silences Chepauk with hundred in record chase

"Fortress Chepauk" proclaimed a huge banner in CSK colours in the stands. By the end of the contest though, Lucknow Super Giants had breached that fortress to hand Chennai Super Kings their first defeat at home this season.

This has been the CSK’s second loss against LSG in five days, and the star of the night was Marcus Stoinis, whose unbeaten 124 runs off 63 balls helped LSG pull off the highest successful chase in T20 cricket at Chepauk. He was batting at No. 3 for the first time this season, and achieved the target of 211 with three balls and six wickets to spare.

This Stoinis century came off 56 balls, just like Ruturaj Gaikwad's did earlier in the night, after the CSK captain had lost his seventh toss in eight games. His unbeaten 108 off 60 balls and Shivam Dube's 66 off 27 balls powered the Super Kings to 210 for 4.

CSK had looked in control for the majority of the defence. LSG needed 74 from the last five overs, but Stoinis, with help from Nicholas Pooran and Deepak Hooda, silenced the Chennai crowd. The result took LSG to fourth place, with ten points from eight games. CSK are fifth, with eight points after eight games.

Gaikwad powers CSK

After LSG had opted to

bowl, Matt Henry struck in the first over. He bowled four balls on a good length, one slightly short of it, and then pitched the last one full. Ajinkya Rahane edged the drive, and with first slip wider than usual, KL Rahul dived full length to his right and completed a stunning one-handed catch.

Rahul's athleticism, though, was followed by some shoddy fielding from LSG. In the second over, Yash Thakur dropped Daryl Mitchell off Mohsin Khan at short third. A little later, at the same position, Henry could not get his

play on 49 for 2, with Gaikwad scoring 37 off 19 balls. While the other CSK batters struggled for timing, he looked sublime, and brought up his fifty off 28 balls, with seven fours.

Krunal Pandya - both turn the ball in to Dube - for the rest of the innings.

Dube showed he had improved his game against pace as well. He hit Yash for three successive sixes in the 16th over, and Mohsin for two sixes and a four in the 19th.

Gaikwad also was severe on Yash, hitting him for 6, 4, 4 off successive balls - a sequence during which he also brought up his hundred.

hand to a tougher chance from Gaikwad off Ravi Bishnoi. Mitchell did not take advantage of the reprieve, and fell for 11 off 10, but Gaikwad did not miss out. He was on 20 when dropped, and hit two fours off Henry in the next over. CSK ended the power-

Gaikwad, Dube take CSK past 200 Ravindra Jadeja, sent in at No. 4, got out in the 12th over for 16 off 19 balls. By that time, Gaikwad had scored 71 off 39; the other CSK batters had scored 29 off 32. Gaikwad found an ideal partner in Dube, who also hit the first six of the innings in the 13th over. After that, there was no respite for the LSG bowlers. Given Dube's reputation of being a spin-hitter, Rahul did not risk bringing on either Bishnoi or

LSG's stuttering start

Deepak Chahar got the new ball to swing in both directions, and had Quinton de Kock chopping one onto his stumps in the opening over, but Rahul and Stoinis kept LSG on track with a flurry of boundaries before CSK struck again. Having hit a boundary earlier in the over, Rahul tried to go aerial against Mustafizur Rahman, but failed to clear Gaikwad at extra cover. LSG finished the powerplay on 45 for 2.

Stoinis keeps LSG in the contest

Devdutt Padikkal came in as Impact Player, but struggled with timing. However, Stoinis singlehandedly kept LSG in the contest by hitting boundaries at regular intervals. He brought up his fifty off 26 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Still, it was an uphill task. LSG needed 128 from the last ten overs, of which Matheesha Pathirana was to bowl four and Mustafizur three. Pathirana ended Padikkal's struggle on 13 off 19 balls with a 151.4kph length ball that uprooted leg stump.

The dew effect Dew in the second half of the game was the only reason LSG had opted to chase. They have otherwise pre-

ferred to set the target this season. The first obvious sign of dew having an impact came in the 13th over, when Tushar Deshpande bowled a beamer. Stoinis hit it for four. And when Mustafizur dug a cutter into the pitch, the ball came onto the bat nicely, and Stoinis launched it to the straight boundary off the back foot. When Shardul Thakur got the 16th over, Stoinis and Pooran knew they had to cash in, with the remaining four shared by Mustafizur and Pathirana. Pooran hit the first three balls for 6, 4, 6 and LSG eventually took 20 runs off Shardul.

Stoinis silences Chepauk Pooran holed out to longoff against Pathirana when LSG needed 53 from 22 balls.

Once again, it was all up to Stoinis. He hit Pathirana for a four before pulling Mustafizur for a six in the 18th over. Two balls later, he brought up his hundred.

With 32 required from two overs, Stoinis and Hooda picked up three boundaries in the first four balls from Pathirana. It left them needing 17 from six balls.

Stoinis launched the first delivery from Mustafizur over long-on, before drilling the next straight back for four. Luck also favoured him, as the next one raced past short third for another boundary. It turned out that Mustafizur had overstepped as well, which reduced the equation to two needed from four balls.

Stoinis then moved across and pulled a short-of-length ball over backward square leg to complete the job.

At the toss, Rahul had said that it was not easy to silence Chepauk. By the end of the day, LSG had done that too. (ESPNCricinfo)

Marcus Stoinis being mobbed by his team-mates after his match-winning century

Ruturaj Gaikwad led from the front with a majestic ton

Shivam Dube wasted no time in bringing out the big shots

Marcus Stoinis scored a match-winning 63-ball 124

Rivalry intensifying ahead of Jumbo Jet’s Race of Champions horse meet

Rivalry continues to intensify ahead of the Jumbo Jet Race of Champions meet, set for Sunday April 28 at the Rising Sun Turf Club on the West Coast of Berbice, in Region Five. All of the country’s top horses will be on show at this meet, but the rivalry between Spankhurst, Stolen Money and Bossalina will be the centre of attention.

At the last meet, Spankhurst cruised to victory at Port Mourant in Region Six, leaving Stolen Money in the dust of its wake. According to Stolen Money’s jockey Ronaldo Appadu, this horse is seeing red, and will have all guns blazing for Spankhurst.

“What the other jocks did at Port Mourant, I did not like that. I want to tell my fellow jocks to be safe while riding, because our lives are at risk. Ride a clean race, and everything will be safe,” Appadu has said.

He added: “Stolen Money has been knocking on the door since he came into the country. He is working 100% better than all the time. I would have (beaten) Spankhurst at Port Mourant, but I did not have a fair trip; but I would like a fair trip this time. I would send a message to Spankhurst: ‘Look out for Stolen Money. I have blood in my eyes’.”

Owner/trainer of Stolen Money, Dennis Deroop, has also shared similar sentiments, noting that a lot of the jocks are displaying bad riding; and they did just that at the last meet at Port Mourant. More than G$10 million will be up for grabs at this Race of Champions meet on April 28 at the Rising Sun Turf Club. The feature race is the Race of Champions, which will be open to all imported and locally-bred horses. It will be contested over 1,600 metres, and the win-

ning horse would earn a purse of G$2M.

This feature race has total prize money of G$3.75M, and the entry fee is G$232,500.

Six other races are on the cards. All races will be run under the guidance of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority rules. Entries close on Wednesday April 24, and the Race of Champions gets underway at 12:00h. Admission is G$2,000.

This meet is being sponsored by Banks DIH, AJM Enterprise, Jumbo Jet, Sino Truck and XCMG.

GCA congratulates Harpy Eagles on Regional Four-Day triumph

The executives and members of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) offer heartfelt congratulations to the players and management of the Guyana Harpy Eagles, who retained the West Indies Four-Day Championship over the weekend.

Harpy Eagles defeated Combined Campuses and Colleges in the final round to win their fifth successful match.

The Harpy Eagles’ seventh title triumph in nine seasons is a testimony to the players’ and management’s hard work and dedication. The executives further commended the leadership of Tevin Imlach, a product of the GCA, and his ability to inspire a change in the team’s fortunes after a no result and loss in their first two matches.

The Harpy Eagles won US$250,000 after a thrilling

Dozens promoted after Kyu & Dan-level assessments

On Sunday April 21st, at the YMCA premises at Thomas Lands, head of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD), Shuseki Shihan Dr. Frank Woon-A-Tai, 10th Dan -assisted by Shihan Amir Khouri, 7thDan; Sensei Hazrat Ali, 6th Dan; & Sensei Roger Peroune, 5th Dan -- examined students for Kyu & Dan levels. A successful day resulted in the following promotions:

Promoted from 10th kyu White to Yellow belt 8th kyu:Tanveer Ramcharitar, Nicoli Fernandes, Kyle

7th kyu to Blue belt

5th kyu:Kayden Hackett, Otavia Bobb, Phillip Persaud, Josiah Dick, Frank Persaud, Alana Hollingsworth & Karissa Savory.

6th kyu to Blue belt

5th kyu:Salih Ali, Miah Rajkumar, Madison Narine & Aidan Bell.

6th kyu to Purple belt

4th kyu:Leon Jagmohan & Jordan

Benjamin.

5th kyu to Purple belt

4th kyu:Veerendra Krishna, Alisha Moideen, Natalia Persaud, Marquis Ferreira,

McDonald, Thara Samad, & Alaina Bell.

10th kyu White to Orange belt 7th kyu:Liam Hodge, Elon Rickford, Kyron Huntley, & Soofian Guptar.

10th kyu White to Green belt 6th kyu:Kyron Savory, Keyshia Beaton, & Keith K.A. Beaton.

8th kyu to Orange belt

showcase of cricket prowess.

The final points standings were: Guyana Harpy Eagles (103.8 points), Windward Islands Volcanoes (98.2 points), Leeward Islands Hurricanes (94.0 points), Barbados Pride (92.8 points), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (92.0 points), West Indies Academy (71.6 points), Jamaica Scorpions (59.4 points), and Combined Campuses and Colleges (30.2 points).

7th kyu:Jihanna Smith, Christian Seymour, Runako Delph & Nathan Henry.

8th kyu to Green belt 6th kyu:Radane Bissessar, Adysson DeSantos, Maya Balram & Anthonio DaCosta. 7th kyu to Green belt

6th kyu:Adam Baksh, Aleeza Azimullah, Anusha Singh, Jola Williams, Romana Ramjit, Devraj Ramgobin, Junaid Bacchus & Lawrence Williams.

Shawn Ranjit & Rachael

Seymour.

5th kyu to Brown belt

3rd kyu:Prame Pooran, Kayden Savory, Julia Badal & Sachin Pitamber.

4th kyu to Brown belt

3rd kyu:Tremiyah Lake & Zuriyah Howell. 4th kyu to Brown belt

2nd kyu:Adi Persaud.

3rd kyu to Brown belt

2nd kyu:Charisse Scott, Ashton Chang, Josiah Clinken, Sachin Mulchand, Christopher Cooblall, Clarissa Scott & Mariah Francis.

2nd kyu to Brown belt

1st kyu:Simkhael Levans, Lukas Singh, Rayden Austin & Algernon Sealy. The following were promoted to SHODAN (1st Dan

Black Belt):- (Three)

Saffir Ali, Saskia Dyasindoo & Mahir Rajkumar.

NIDAN (2nd Dan Black Belt):- (One)

Kishan Ragubeer.

SANDAN (3rd Dan Black Belt):- (Two) Andre Sookram & Leonard Leuwaisee.

YONDAN (4th Dan Black Belt):- (One) ASP Keith A.A. Beaton

HACHIDAN (8th Dan Black Belt):- (One) Amir Khouri.

Training continues at the ASK-G - Land of Canaan Dojo (Sensei Parmeshwar Persaud): Albion, Canje, Rose Hall and Blairmont Dojos (Sensei Hazrat Ali): Tucville Shotokan Karate Club (Leonard Leuwaisee): New Amsterdam Berbice DoJo (Sensei Clinton Moriah): YMCA Dojo (Senseis Roger, Keith, Malcolm, Shamar, Patrick, Matthew, Andre, Bevon, Wanda and Shihan Amir.)

Jockey Ronaldo Appadu who will pilot Stolen Money has said he is coming “with blood in his eyes”

The recently promoted Karatekas

The Guyana Harpy Eagles celebrating their win last Saturday

Windies Women’s tour to Pakistan 2024…

Matthews' 141 completes ODI series sweep for West Indies

Hayley Matthews smacked 141 to follow up her unbeaten 140 in the series opener to take an inspired West Indies to a crushing win in the 3rd ODI.

The victory sealed a clean sweep over Pakistan.

Matthews powered West Indies to 278 as Pakistan's bowlers struggled for wickets on a somewhat turgid track in Karachi. Pakistan managed little more than a feeble response, with Muneeba Ali's 38 being the highest score as they were skittled out for a limp 190.

Matthews ensured her contribution was all round, with figures of 2 for 26 in eight overs, as an 88-run win was secured.

This was a dead rubber anyway, but there was little jeopardy in the game from the moment Matthews won the toss and elected to set a tar-

get. The captain led from the front, as she put the pressure on Pakistan's bowlers with the opening attack of Fatima Sana and Nida Dar placed under immediate pressure.

First-change spinner Nashra Sandhu, the pick of the attack with 3 for 54, provided an early breakthrough, but it was little more than a speedbump for an unstoppable West Indies side.

Petra Organization officially joins Friendly Society

With an eye on ensuring that it abides by professional standards, the Petra Organization has moved to join the Friendly Society.

Overseen by the Ministry of Labour, the Society is open to charitable or social groups, under which the football organizing body falls.

At the presentation of the official certificate, on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry’s Brickdam Headquarters, Chief Cooperative Officer Janaknauth Panchu expressed a need for more sport groups to join the society, and he explained why.

“In fact, I am always happy when you have groups coming to be registered that promote sports. This is something we need more from others in our country, because our kids, they have the same ability like kids across the Caribbean. However, they need the organizations like the Petra Organization to assist them in honing that skill, that talent that they possess,” Panchu expressed.

He added, “Look at our Caribbean counterparts: they shine in whatever sport they’re involved in. It is because they have the facilities, they have the relevant groups to assist in moulding their talents, and so on.

So, when I see these sports groups coming to register, I’m quite happy, because I know they’ll assist our children to realise their full potential.”

Panchu went on to warn the new members of how other groups have fallen out of favour, emphasizing

the need to act according to the Group’s laws. The Chief Cooperative Officer warned, “What you need to also bear in mind (is that), after being registered, you will have to follow the by-laws. Your constitution, you will have to follow the law that governs Friendly Societies; that is the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04. For too long, I’ve seen Friendly Societies registering, and after registration, sometimes you don’t hear back from them.

“So, I don’t (want) another… and we have many of those on our register at this point. I’m not saying Petra Organization, but I’m saying organizations coming to just register; we don’t want that.

As long as you register here, you should do what you’re registered to do. Again, accountability is very important,” Panchu emphasised.

Petra Co-Director Dr. Marlan Cole was elated at the opportunity to be able to ‘streamline’ the group’s work. He has assured that the organisation will abide by the Society’s laws.

Cole related, “We recognize the importance of regis-

tering as a Friendly Society, which would allow the organization to really streamline our work and activities, and it is related to the promotion of football. A lot of times we’re labelled as a private promotion organization, or a private promoter. We’re hoping that with registration and with our annual reports and audited financial statements, that this organization would now be recognized as a bona-fide, legitimate part of the Scoiety that is facilitating the sport of football.

“We’re hoping that this certificate would really help us to grow as an organization, and lend itself to our legitimacy in the society of Guyana; and we would not let down the CEO, but he would see that our registration is an active registration for many, many years to come,” the Petra Co- Director added.

The Petra Organization is currently running the Milo Schools’ Football Tournament, with another 7 school football tournaments scheduled for this calendar year.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women (50 ovs maximum)

Hayley Matthews (c) c Sidra Ameen

b Fatima Sana 141

Rashada Williams †

c & b Nashra Sandhu 9

Shemaine Campbelle lbw

b Fatima Sana 38

Stafanie Taylor c Aliya Riaz

b Nashra Sandhu 47

Chinelle Henry c Sidra Ameen

b Nashra Sandhu 0

Chedean Nation

b Nida Dar 9

Aaliyah Alleyne not out 20

Afy Fletcher not out 1

Extras (lb 5, w 8) 13

TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 5.56) 278/6

Did not bat: Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Rashada Williams, 6.4 ov), 2-130 (Shemaine Campbelle, 24.6 ov), 3-241 (Stafanie Taylor, 45.4 ov), 4-241 (Chinelle Henry, 45.5 ov), 5-250 (Hayley Matthews, 46.5 ov), 6-270 (Chedean Nation, 49.1 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Fatima Sana 10-0-67-2

Nida Dar 10-0-58-1

Nashra Sandhu 10-0-54-3

Umm-e-Hani 8-0-41-0

Tuba Hassan 10-0-38-0

Aliya Riaz 2-0-15-0

Pakistan Women (T: 279 runs from 50 ovs)

Matthews and former West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor combined for a 101run stand for the third wicket, by which time Matthews had brought up her fifth ODI hundred and second this series. As Taylor rotated the strike, Matthews pressed home the visitors' advantage by hitting 19 fours herself.

In contrast, Pakistan managed 21 in their entire innings. Sandhu's twin strikes in the 46th over to remove Taylor and Chinelle Henry came much too late, with an unbeaten 12-ball 20 from Aaliyah Alleyne helping their side march to 278.

Pakistan's response saw

Sadaf Shamas

b Henry 10

Sidra Ameen

b Connell 9

a bunch of double figures, but very little substance. Openers

Sadaf Shamas and Sidra Ameen had their stumps knocked back by Shamilia Conell and Henry; and while Muneeba and Bismah Maroof added 45 for the third wicket, the run-scoring was simply too leisurely to trouble the visitors. It took 69 balls for those 45 to be scored before Karishma Ramharack prised Maroof out.

Matthews' twin strikes to get rid of captain Nida Dar

Muneeba Ali

b Matthews 38

Bismah Maroof c Matthews

b Ramharack 19

Nida Dar (c) c Alleyne

b Matthews 9

Aliya Riaz st †Williams

b Taylor 36

Fatima Sana c Henry

b Taylor 23

Najiha Alvi †

b Zaida James 9

Tuba Hassan c Campbelle

b Alleyne 23

Umm-e-Hani

b Alleyne 6 Nashra Sandhu not out 1

Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7

TOTAL 47.5 Ov (RR: 3.97) 190

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Sadaf Shamas, 5.2 ov), 2-22 (Sidra Ameen, 6.5 ov),

and top scorer Muneeba Ali killed the game for good.

Aalia Riaz and Fatima Sana put on another partnership, but the game was going through the motions by then. West Indies struck at regular intervals, and it was all wrapped up in the 48th over when a double strike from Alleyne finished Pakistan off. The two sides will now play a five-match T20I series, with all five games being played in Karachi. (ESPNCricinfo)

Guyana to host 2024 CAC Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships

…Government assures of support

From left to right: Committee members Fyzal Bacchus, Alexander Williams, GBBFF Treasurer Nathan Wilburg, GBBFF President Keavon Bess, Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, General/Organizing Secretary of GBBFF, Videsh Sookram, Committee member Romel Siland, GBBFF Vice President Eybo Orford

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has reiterated support for the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s (GBBFF’s) hosting of the 51st Central American and Caribbean Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships (CAC 2024), which are to be held during

the period October 17-20, 2024.

In a recent meeting, the executive of the GBBFF had extensive and fruitful discussions with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson Jr., and with Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle. Among other topical issues, the meeting gave the Honourable Minister and the Director of Sports an up-

date on Guyana’s preparation for the marque regional event, and to discuss the official launching of CAC 2024, which will be held in May.

In concluding the meeting, the Honourable Minister reassured the executive members of the GBBFF that the Government of Guyana is fully committed to ensuring that CAC 2024 is a resounding success, and the best that the region has ever had.

Chief Cooperative Officer Janaknauth Panchu