The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, July 24 –23:59h-04:00h (Thursday) and Thursday, July 25 – 04:00h-05:30h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, July 24 –06:20h-07:50h and Thursday, July 25 – 07:05h-08:35h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day and at night, with early-morning and late-afternoon sunshine. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 06:36h and 19:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.65 metres.
Low Tide: 12:36h reaching a minimum height of 0.48 metre.
Crucial transformers, accessories for Gas-to-Energy, GPL enhancement projects arrive – heaviest-ever cargo to be offloaded on Guyana’s shores
Guyana has received a shipment of transformers that will be installed in the Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project as well as in the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) upgrades, and with at least two of these transformers weighing an unprecedented 241 metric tons each, they have set records as the heaviest cargo ever offloaded in Guyana.
According to a statement, the transformers arrived last week on the BBC Echo Vessel, which berthed and offloaded the shipment at the Muneshwers Shipping, John Fernandes, and Guyana Shore Base Inc. Terminals.
A total of 16 transformers were delivered by the vessel. Nine of them were sourced by Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd (KPTL), which was contracted last year to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the transmission lines and substations’ component of the GtE project.
Cranes Guyana Inc. (CGI), a subsidiary of Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited, was awarded the contract by Boltcargo India to manage the discharge, side-wharfage, transportation, and storage of the nine transformers.
“These transformers will facilitate the creation of new substations, directly supporting the Guyana Integrated Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant and ensuring a reliable and robust energy distribution network.”
“Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) discharged the remaining seven transformers aboard BBC Echo at their Houston facility for LINDSAYCA CH4, a company which has been commissioned by the Government of Guyana to construct an integrated Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) extraction plant and a 300MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant,” the release explained.
Meanwhile, LINDSAYCA’s transformers are currently being stored at the GYSBI Industrial Estate at McDoom, where it was explained that the heavier three of the seven transformers, with a weight of 129 metric tonnes each, were offloaded in a tandem lift between Sammy Multilift Services Guyana Inc. and GYSBI. They are now awaiting transit to the GtE project site at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
The scope of Guyana’s GtE project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.
It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will be laid by ExxonMobil and run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore.
Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL Plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The pipeline would be 12 inches wide and is expected to transport some 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfpd) of dry gas to the processing facilities, but it can push as much as 120 mscfpd.
In last year’s nation-
al budget, the project received a $43.3 billion allocation, in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project, for the construction of the NGL Plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, WBD. This year, a whopping $80 billion was budgeted to advance this project and its associated infrastructure, including transmission and distribution upgrades to offtake the power.
As of January, this year, the marine offloading facility has been completed, and 26 kilometres (km) of onshore pipelines have been installed. Once completed, the project will allow Guyanese to benefit from 50 per cent reduced electricity costs. The Guyana Government has envisioned the start-up of the GtE Project by 2025, thus realising its commitment to deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy to the population.
This year, the remaining works include installing risers on the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity, the deepwater pipelaying, and connecting the pipeline to the power plant, which will not come on stream until the end of the first quarter in 2025.
While Exxon has assured that the pipeline would be completed by the end of this year as scheduled, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that the pipeline would be tested and sealed until it is ready for use by the power plant.
Moreover, it is expected that the two Liza field productions will be taken offline to facilitate the pipeline connection to the FPSOs. However, there has been some controversy regarding LINDSAYCA/CH4’s dispute with the Government of Guyana, over the sum of US$50 Million that the company had been claiming over project timeline overruns. This resulted in efforts to set up a dispute adjudication board.
The incident of another vessel crashing into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Tuesday has once again highlighted the vulnerability of this piece of infrastructure. These recurrent collisions are not mere accidents; they are a disruption of the livelihoods of those solely dependent on the bridge for commuting.
This is the second such incident at the bridge already for the year and the inconvenience and disruption caused to commuters – though minimal this time – cannot be overstated.
This bridge is vital in connecting the eastern and western banks of the Demerara River. Thousands of commuters, including workers and students, as well as businesses, depend on it daily for transit. When a vessel crashes into the bridge, it not only halts this crucial flow but also creates a ripple effect of delays and losses.
Addressing this recurring problem is essential to prevent future mishaps and ensure the smooth functioning of this facility. Beyond the inconvenience and economic impact, safety is a paramount concern.
Each collision poses a risk to the structural integrity of the bridge, potentially endangering lives. Ensuring the bridge remains safe and operational requires constant monitoring and maintenance, which is both costly and resource-intensive. To mitigate these recurrent incidents, it is imperative to address the root causes. Improved regulation and enforcement of maritime traffic around the bridge are essential. This could include stricter guidelines for vessel navigation and enhanced training for advanced monitoring systems. Authorities must also engage in proactive dialogue with stakeholders, including shipping companies to prevent future collisions.
Transparency in reporting and investigating these incidents will foster accountability and ensure that lessons are learned and applied. For the everyday commuter, these disruptions – whether big or small - -are more than an inconvenience; they are a source of stress. The repeated crashes of vessels into the Demerara Harbour Bridge are a clarion call for urgent action.
In 2022, an accident that resulted in four spans of the DHB being severely damaged put the Bridge out of operation for days and left thousands of commuters who normally use the facility with no choice but to use water taxis at the old ferry stellings at Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown. The Public Works Ministry needs to do more than just a reactive approach and while holding vessel owners accountable, must also hold the management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge responsible.
In this most recent incident, preliminary investigations have revealed that the crew of men operating the <<<MV Princess Anisa>>> fell asleep while traversing the Demerara River, resulting in the collision. But what happened to the DHB team that is manning the navigation of vessels passing the bridge?
The frequency of these incidents raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. Each collision raises questions about the bridge's management and whether or not there is adequate monitoring or enforcing navigational regulations. Proper oversight should include stringent enforcement of maritime traffic rules.
Holding the management accountable involves more than just addressing the immediate aftermath of each incident. The safety and reliability of the Demerara Harbour Bridge are non-negotiable. The management must be held equally accountable for their lack of oversight, and they must take immediate and decisive action to rectify the situation. This is not just about preventing future collisions; it is about ensuring the safety of the public. The time for complacency is over.
Govt continues to mitigate effects of cost of living in Guyana
Dear Editor, Stabroek News has done 85 editions in its 'Cost of Living' series to date and is yet to interview someone willing to say they are doing better than they were before, juxtaposed to this sad series is the daily dose of envy from all quarters on social media platforms where Guyanese point out who is doing well, who is driving a new vehicle and who is wearing what; a typical example is PNC Attorney Darren Wade's post today on FB "Spare a thought for me, after 7 years of studies and 9 years of practice I still have to wake up and grind whilst a man can wash government vehicles and receive 17 million dollars in 6 months." (Sic) absent in all of this is an honest analysis of where Guyana is economically and where we are headed now.
Stabroek News can be forgiven for people never want to say they are doing well publicly; however, it serves no good purpose when an unrealistic picture of poverty and misery is portrayed by the same people who would be
the first to claim they lost X amount of Millions in sales/crops if there should be a slight flood etc. then there is the other side of the local coin, the envious, the self-righteous and the ignorant. Let's take Darren Wade's comment for example; the claim is that a business 'washing government cars' is earning about 3 million a month and, that for Wade is more than he earns as a lawyer, had Darren taken a few moments to do research and think before making his post, these factors may have changed his rush to judge
1. How many people are employed by the business?
2. What is the cost of detailing a vehicle inclusive of employee salaries, rental of premises, electricity, machinery, cleaning supplies, insurance, and, taxes?
Then there are intangibles such as the knot in the business owner's stomach when employees do not come to work and the government check is overdue. Still, the employees expect to be paid and, of course, the dreaded call from the bank… it is a case where
the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, suppose the business owner were to reply to Darren Wade and say "If you were a better attorney you would be rolling in the dough instead of standing with a man who can't do maths; Bruh, even if you made proper paper, that man can't help you count it!" point is, we can all criticise each other but we seemingly lack the empathy to take a walk in another's shoes.
There are also daily gripes about 'corruption' with government contracts and indeed there are some strange awards from time to time, and some contracts are poorly executed to the point where the government is applying liquidated damages, however, think of what the government is trying to achieve by spreading work among the thousands of new contracting companies, they are giving the job to locals who are learning and Guyana is building capacity, most are delivering as expected and a small percentage are failing, the alternative is to give all the work to large foreign en -
tities and forget about capacity building.
In every conversation about roads for example, the Cemetery Road comes up, it is however, one of nearly four thousand road contracts given out since 2020, it is an important road and extensions have been granted, if the contractor fails to deliver, at some point liquidated damages will apply, but until then we have to give local companies some leeway to learn and deliver. What do we benefit from if we give the Chinese all the contracts? Some patience and less envy would do us all good.
As to the cost of living, there have been numerous interventions by the government to mitigate the effects on the most vulnerable in our society, the rest of us have to hustle harder or smarter to gain a piece of the Guyana economic pie; it is down to individual mindsets, negative or positive is a choice; I choose positive and go with what 50 Cent sings "no other option get rich or die trying"
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
Two young men traverse the Imbotero River in Region One (Barima-Waini) in a canoe. The Imbotero village shares the boundary line between Guyana and Venezuela and its main economic activities are crab-catching and farming (A Path to Travel photo)
PAC
hearing
75% rise in Reg 1 health costs linked to influx of Venezuelan migrants
During Monday’s sitting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a whopping 75 per cent increase in medical costs in Region One (Barima/Waini) during 2019 was probed, with the region claiming that this increase was due to the influx of migration into the region.
At the time, PAC member Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo questioned increases in medical costs that were recorded by the Audit Office of Guyana in 2019, when it commented on the finances of the Region One Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
“The region requested $75 Million, which they returned to the Ministry of Health in a warrant. They subsequently received $134 Million, which is about $55 Million more than they had projected they would need in the region. It raises some questions.”
“Did the region requisi-
tion for these drugs? Or did the Ministry just send it to you because they had the drugs to send to you? The second thing is, was there an outbreak? A particular reason why these drugs were needed in the region?”
The PAC member further questioned why did the region seek drug supplies that were 75 per cent above what had previously been budgeted for. In response, the Region One Regional Executive Officer
(REO), Sewchand, attributed this to the influx of remigrants.
“I was so advised that we had an influx of remigrants. Our patient load increased over the period. And that has caused the increase of pharmaceutical and medical supplies,” the REO explained to the committee.
Mahadeo pointed out, however, that the increase in the demand for drugs and medical supplies is by 75 per cent.
As such, he did not find this answer satisfactory, a view echoed by the Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira.
When further clarification was sought, however, the Regional Health Officer Dr. Steven Cheefoon who was present, could not immediately provide such. Cheefoon explained that while he could not say exactly what drove the increase in medical care at the time, equal medical service is provided to both Guyanese, as well as remigrants.
Indeed, at the time, back in 2019 Guyana particularly Region One, had seen an influx of migrants and remigrants from neighbouring Venezuela, amid the social and political crisis in that country. At the time, the Port Health Department were also examining migrants at various posts in the region.
The Guyana Government does have a policy on offering
support for the migrants fleeing hardships and a worsening economic crisis in Venezuela, where authorities are geared up to provide key services to the vulnerable.
This was according to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd as he chaired a meeting earlier this year of the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee to address the influx of migrants from Venezuela into Guyana.
The first Committee meeting for the year was attended by the relevant government stakeholders and international partners who collectively set the agenda in principle for the Committee to continue its work with regard to providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to those migrants, inclusive of returning Guyanese fleeing the economic hardships in Venezuela.
Todd noted that the long-
term objective is to integrate these migrants into Guyanese society, but in the meantime, the respective agencies are tasked with combining resources to provide services in key areas such as healthcare, education, labour, sanitation, shelter, food and clothing for the most vulnerable.
In Guyana, all children of migrants, legal and illegal, from Venezuela and other countries are allowed full access to be enrolled in the public school system within the host communities, and to benefit from Government-funded support programmes including school feeding programmes, school uniform vouchers, and the “Because We Care” cash grants given to all students.
As of March 2024, reports indicated that about 40,000 Venezuelan migrants are residing in Guyana, with only 21,704 officially documented. (G-3)
Guyana’s Agricultural Renaissance: A Success Story Unfolds
Dear Editor, Guyana’s agriculture sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, driven by strategic investments and visionary policies. Mentions were made of several key areas and its success stories and we cannot deny such a reality.
Sugar Industry Revival
The government’s injection of GY$8.1 billion into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) marks a turning point for the sugar industry indeed. This in-
vestment has reduced the industry's reliance on government funding by 22%, signaling a shift towards sustainability. Production has surged to 60,204 metric tonnes, a 28% increase, fueled by the replanting of 52% of sugarcane lands. Impressively, 54% of this sugar is now sold as packaged sugar, tapping into higher-value markets and boosting profitability.
Rice Industry Growth
The rice sector also shines with paddy production up by 7%, reaching 653,706 met-
ric tonnes. This growth has translated into earnings of GY$54.2 billion, GY$3 billion more than in 2023. These figures underscore the sector’s vital contribution to the economy and its promising trajectory.
Infrastructure Developments
Infrastructure investments are pivotal to this agricultural renaissance. 17 new pump stations and the first conservancy in Region 10 enhance water management, crucial for agricultur-
al resilience. The MahaicaMahaicony-Abary (MMA) Development Authority’s upgraded fleet and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) enhanced excavator and dredge capabilities further streamline land and water management.
Regional and Community Initiatives
Region 5 has seen significant improvements with NDIA executing major projects, bolstering agricultural productivity. In the hinterland, a rainwater harvesting
Invoking the dead
Dear Editor,
Does changing or rather exchanging the leadership of the AFC obliterate all the wrong doings of that Party? Despite the numerous ‘wrong turns’ they have made?
The new AFC leader and his team are on the road smiling, laughing, handshaking, invoking and sometimes gyrating to Bollywood songs trying to instill into the minds of its lost supporters and Guyanese at large that there is indeed ‘change’ but this a vain effort to hoodwink them yet again. Since 2005 the AFC was ‘Unlocking the potential of Guyana’ and the mantra now is ‘Better must come’, how can this be possible when the AFC squandered each and every opportunity to be independent and work for the good on the people of Guyana. The goal was and still is to ‘kick’ out the PPP/C from Government and to share the ‘spoils’.
In order to achieve this they joined forces with the PNC in Parliament prior to 2015 to destabilise by rejecting everything which the PPP/C
Government presented therein by the PPP/C Government resulting in a No Confidence Motion which consequently led to an early General Election in 2015. However, this alliance did not end there, casting all pretensions and founding principles into the garbage bin and they joined with the PNC on Valentine’s Day 2015 in a ‘marriage of convenience’ which destroyed their public image forever, ‘rebranding’ to regain its identity (Cathy Hughes at AFC’s 7th Conference) to market the AFC will not work. The dead cannot be invoked and the soul is already locked away in eternal damnation.
The PNC has a history of betrayals of smaller parties, like the UF in 1964 but in the case of the AFC they clung on to dear life despite being kicked around by the PNC. But it was not a case of only being subservient to the PNC, the AFC became the PNC. There was no distinction and the AFC sang merrily along. Together they violated the Constitution, they raided the Treasury, they en-
riched themselves and family, they co-operated on spurious and costly and wasteful litigations, they bankrupted the country, destroyed all the socio-economic gains made by the PPP/C Government, and then to crown it off, together they attempted to rig the 2020 General Elections together. Guyanese began to reminisce the dark days of the PNC from 1964 to 1992.
It must be recalled that the late Ramon Gaskin had said in 2015 that, ‘I noticed that in the coalition talks, they were only talking about who gets what and what goes to whom. I am very disappointed with that, because in the entire discussions, all they could have said was that this goes to that person, he gets that, she gets this and nothing is said about the needs of the Guyanese people.’ He added that, ‘they should have first worked out a programme for what is to be good for Guyana…you are preaching that you want the good of Guyana then show that… in my opinion they did it the wrong way around.’
Despite vowing not to coalesce with the PNC, the AFC and its leaders know that they need to piggyback on the PNC to be relevant. Despite Hughes’ rhetoric about ‘reimaging’ and Cathy’s ‘rebranding’ and once again ‘of what is in the best interest of the country’ the AFC is cognisant of the fact that the AFC no longer commands the respect of the people who walked away. These will never return. Those few who remained in the AFC were and are diehard PNC so they are comfortably ensconced at home. The local Government Elections in 2018 provided the proof. And once again it was about distributing the ‘spoils’- ‘who gets what’. This time around it will be chaos unparalleled. Who will be the Presidential candidate? Who will be the Prime Ministerial candidate? How will the seats be shared?
The AFC will again coalesce with the PNC in the end before the 2025 Elections.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
project is revolutionising water access, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, the government has issued 228 farming leases from 2022 to 2023, empowering local farmers and boosting productivity across the nation. These initiatives reflect a strategic vision to harness Guyana’s agricultural potential, driving economic growth and prosperity. Guyana’s agriculture sector is flourishing, a testament to strategic investments and forward-thinking policies. As the country continues on this path, the future looks bright, promising sustained growth and prosperity for its people.
Sincerely, Particia
Rose
WEDNESDAY,
The PAC hearing
Ordered pairs cont’d Page Foundation
Give ordered pairs
A = B = C = D =
Fingerprints are very small and hard to explore and investigate. In this fun little science experiment you will use a balloon to expand your fingerprint to gigantic proportions so you can see the arches, whirls, loops, and more.
Materials:
Balloon
Ink pad
Plot on the grid below
A = (– 5, – 5)
B = (– 5, 5)
C = (5 , – 5) D = (5, 5)
Instructions:
Stretch your balloon several times so it is easy to blow up.
Lay the balloon on the table and flatten an area big enough to fit a fingerprint making sure there are no creases in the balloon.
Press your finger into the ink.
Now press your inked finger onto the balloon.
Gently roll your finger to capture your entire fingerprint. Blow up the balloon and tie it off.
Enjoy inspecting your Giant Fingerprint. How it works:
When the balloon inflates, the image of your fingerprint stretches out and grows. This allows an opportunity to inspect your fingerprint.
Make this a science project:
Can you imprint other things on the balloon that enlarge in the same way as the fingerprint? Do other types of paint act in the same way as the ink? (sciencefun.org)
BY KIM STAFFORD
The design committee for making the world had stalled with the problem of drought. “We have the sea over here, the desert over there—how many roads do we need, how many trucks, how many miles of pipe?”
At the back of the great hall stood the daughter of the doorman, who had brought him supper. She pulled him down to whisper in his ear her dream of the mystery of mist. “My child,” he whispered, “that makes no sense at all.”
Source: Poetry (March 2021)
WORD SEARCH:
4th round mutual evaluation
CFATF lauds Guyana for significant strides in AML/CFT compliance – cites wide access to information for multiple law enforcement agencies
Guyana has received plaudits for the strides it has taken in its Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance, which was recognised by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) during its on-site visit from September 4th – 15th 2023.
According to the fourth round Mutual Evaluation Report compiled by CFATF and adopted at its plenary in May 2024, Guyana has made significant strides when it comes to implementing the National Policy and Strategy Plan (NPSP), addressing AML/CFT risks by revising and enacting key legislations and improving cooperation between Competent Authorities (CA), which include the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Guyana went through several risk assessments, including a national money laundering (ML) risk assessment in 2017 that was updated in 2021; a 2022 Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) terrorist financing (TF) risk assessment; a 2023 TF risk assessment; a 2023 Legal Persons (LP) and Legal Arrangements (LP) risk assessment; and a 2023 Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers risk assessment.
Meanwhile, a sectoral risk assessment on the Extractive Industries was also done in 2023. According to the report, however, the risk assessment
on the Extractive Industries had not been finalised and approved by the time CFATF had finished its onsite work. Nevertheless, Guyana’s work in implementing the NPSP was cited.
Another aspect of Guyana’s AML/CFT compliance that came in for acknowledgement, was the fact that CAs in Guyana were able to access a wide range of financial intelligence to conduct their investigations. When it comes to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Guyana, it has had access to good quality information that relates to suspicious transactions, monthly currency declarations from GRA and updates on basic and beneficial ownerships, another area that can lead to money laundering if left unchecked.
“The FIU of Guyana has, notwithstanding the limited
feedback to REs on the quality of the STRs, demonstrated through intelligence reports, feedback from (law enforcement agencies) and successful case studies, the good quality of the (suspicious transaction reports) received. While not all sectors are reporting, the work of the FIU of Guyana and the products produced, such as its operational and strategic analysis, support the work of LEAs and Cas,” the report states.
According to CFATF, there are several law enforcement agencies in Guyana including the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and GRA. It was noted by CFATF, however, that these agencies could have
worked more closely with SOCU, to conduct parallel money laundering investigations.
“In relation to (Terrorist Financing) TF offences, Guyana has had limited TF investigations with no prosecutions or convictions, and as such (CFATF) was unable to determine whether sanctions for TF offences were effective, proportionate and dissuasive,” the body further said in its key
findings.
The CFATF team that did the assessment last year was made up of Avelon Perry, Financial Advisor of the CFATF, who was assisted by Sunita Ramsumir, Co-Mission leader Legal Advisor of the CFATF. The other members of the Assessment Team were regional professionals in the AML/CFT/CPF Framework
including Shana Donavan, Financial Assessor, Cayman Islands, Teron Greenidge, Law Enforcement Assessor, Grenada, Nikala Bazil, Financial Assessor, Dominica and Cassandra Seetahal, Legal Assessor.
In preparation for Guyana’s fourth round evaluation, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government worked to ensure that the country’s AML/ CFT framework is updated. This included implementing several administrative decisions and measures, as well as strengthening many aspects of its legislative architecture.
One critical element to Guyana’s fourth round of mu-
tual evaluation was the enactment of a Real Estate Bill. The draft Real Estate Agents & Brokers Bill was prepared in consultation with the various stakeholders in the local real estate industry and was published for public feedback before its passage in the National Assembly last year. Another initiative aimed at addressing the gaps in Guyana’s financial sector in accordance with the AML/ CFT stipulations was the establishment of a Compliance Commission that will supervise the operations of agencies and/or sectors in the country that do not have a direct regulatory body. The Compliance Commission Bill 2023 was also passed. Prior to the onsite visit, agencies involved in enforcing AML/CFT laws were brought together to sign a cooperation and information-sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), while a second MoU was signed by competent authorities, law enforcement agencies, and supervisory authorities. (G-3)
The Guyanese and CFATF teams, including Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Governor of the Bank of Guyana Dr Gobind Ganga, pose for a photo ahead of their on-site assessment last year
GDF Sergeants busted with 154lbs ganja charged, remanded to prison
The two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeants who were intercepted with 154lbs of ganja at Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) last week were charged and remanded to prison.
Clovis Sam, 31, of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, and 42-yearold Adisa Higgins from Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden appeared at the Golden Grove Magistrate's Court where they both pleaded not guilty to the
charge when it was read to them.
Police stated that on July 18, 2024 at Coverden, EBD, Sam and Higgins had 154 pounds of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The two soldiers were remanded and will make their next court appearance on August 12, 2024.
It was reported that the two Sergeants attached to GDF were busted during a joint intelligence-led operation involving the Special
Branch and Regional Division 4 ‘B’.
It was reported that on the day in question at about 3:45h, a vehicle bearing registration number DFB 1786 was intercepted with two soldiers as the lone occupants.
They both are stationed at GDF’s Camp Ayanganna Headquarters.
However, during a search of the vehicle, 22 bulky bags containing a quantity of cannabis were discovered.
The two ranks were arrested and escorted to the Regional Police Division 4’B’ Headquarters, where the suspected Cannabis was weighed and amounted to 154 lbs.
Checking…
…the Rogue Police
Imagine the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) – which flaunts it was formed in 1889 – calling for an “INDEPENDENT” investigation into corruption into the Police Force – which was formed in 1839. They have been around! In their release, the GCCI didn’t even use the fig leaf of “allegations” to spare the sensibilities of the GPF – “As the body responsible for upholding and enforcing the laws of Guyana, it is REPUGNANT that the very individuals who have been empowered to maintain law and order in the country are engaging in malpractices, which brings to fore questions of the GPF’s credibility and objectivity.” Well…well…well!! Normally, these two bodies usually have a symbiotic (incestuous?) relationship of mutual backscratching. Matters have clearly gone waaay beyond the fried rice the worthies of the GCCI would’ve been supplying to the Police over the years. Not that fried rice has been pulled off the menu – the swollen bellies overhanging almost every policeman’s belt offer AMPLE proof of that!! It’s just that the Police have much more on their plates recently!! One hears of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS laundered through Police Credit funds!! Hundreds of pounds of ganja were transported in police cars and all sorts of other shakedowns.
Even the normally phlegmatic Min of Home Affairs was driven to utter his frustration on Police corruptionat the commemoration of the 185th anniversary of the formation of the GPF, no less!! “Police must help people. Police must not extort people. Police must not wait for things to build up and get worse and then intervene only to put our fine people in a situation where they have to pay money, where they have to pay bribes. This must stop. And the Police commanders and others who find themselves in authority must not think that arriving at the job that they need to award and reward themselves and walk around with plenty of gold and diamonds around the neck and the fingers. If they have that, it means they are men who could be bought. I can buy you because that’s what you like. And you flaunt it. It must stop…” Whew!! Now what the heck’s going on?? Every Guyanese knows the Police were – and are – on the take. So it gotta be the scale that’s sticking in everybody’s craw!! So, what to do?? No use saying there gotta be reform of the GPF –that’s too mild. There MUST be – as they say in business – a complete “cancel and replace” of the institution!! But that’s easier said and done, innit??
Just think of how many times this has been attempted in the last 40 years – starting with Hoyte forming the Black Clothes.
And look how THAT turned out!!
…on Mad Maduro
Well, talking about corruption – let’s take a gander at what’s going on with the elections scheduled for next Sunday over the Mad Maduroland!! Polls show he’s behind the real Opposition – not the ones he’s sponsored!! – by over 30% points!! So the question is since we know he ain’t gonna be steppin’ down, how exactly will he try convincing the world that he won the elections “free and fair”??
The method the PNC tried over here in 2020 can’t work for him – there he can’t use spreadsheets and bedsheets since they have all voting machines. The way he’ll probably go is to launch the violence he’s already announced THE OPPOSITION’s planning!! Take his doody and rub it on the Opposition’s bum!! Under cover of the ensuing pandemonium, he’ll probably have the army – which is in his camp through bribery, etc – “restore order”. And not so incidentally take control of the ballot boxes!!
Your Eyewitness doesn’t think, as some fear, he’s mad enough to attack Guyana – after Lula fired that shot across his bow!!
…the AFC’s campaign
Whatever you may think of Nigel Hughes’ maths, you gotta feel for him having to knock himself out trying to perform the 2nd resurrection in 2000+ years – on the “Dead Meat” party he inherited!!
The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
Remanded: Adisa Higgins
The ganja that was found in the Force’s vehicle
Remanded: Clovis Sam
“Tell us something, let us know what’s going on”
– mother of children who died at NA Hospital
Some three months after the deaths of two siblings at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), family members are claiming that officials are not communicating with them on the issue.
Family members on Monday staged yet another protest outside of the hospital and have vowed to continue protesting until they get answers.
Specifically, they are calling for authorities to explain to them the cause of death of one of the two children who died back in April.
Ricardo Mohabir, 11, and his sister, nine-yearold Aryanna Mohabir died days apart at the public health facility.
The boy was pronounced dead upon arrival at the New Amsterdam Hospital on April 14 while his sister died in
the Intensive Care Unit of the same facility on the following day.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony had initially told reporters that investigations revealed that the children died from dengue complications.
But he later explained to this publication that further testing was required and that samples were taken from both children’s bodies and sent
to the lab.
To date, the results of those tests were not made public. And according to family members, they too are being kept in the dark.
“I need justice for my daughter,” the children’s mother, Rihanna Persaud, told the media on the picket line.
“Every time, they asking us for two weeks’ time, we giving them, and we not just give them two weeks, we give them by the months and they not reaching out to this family and telling us anything, and why they keep hiding the results from us? We need to know, I need to know what my daughter died from,” the mother demanded.
“We give them more than enough time to tell us something,” she argued. The woman said the family has been calling almost everyone connected with the case but to no avail.
“When we call the numbers them, they just keep putting us on to different, different people and they saying they will look into it…this is overbearing,” she vented.
The woman is urging all concerned citizens to support her family in this protest, noting that “I’m not the first and I wouldn’t be the last so I’m pleading and asking the public people to come out and support me on this protest. We will not stop protesting until we get answers.”
Reports are that Arianna Mohabir was admitted as a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital on April 15 in critical condition. While preparations were being made to transfer her to the Georgetown Public Hospital, the child suffered a cardiac arrest and died in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Before her admission, her brother, Ricardo, was brought into the hospital on April 14. He was pronounced dead on arrival. The boy had a fever and was being treated at home, however, he became unresponsive, causing the family to rush him to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
The mother had previously stated that she had been taking her son to the said medical institution and several tests were conducted, including x-rays and an ultrasound, but medical personnel were unable to come up with a diagnosis.
Ricardo and Aryanna Mohabir
Schoonord-to-Crane Highway
4 contractors charged liquidated damages over delays –
Four of the eleven contractors working on the $11.8 billion four-lane highway project from Schoonord to Crane in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are expected to pay liquidated damages over the delayed completion of the roadway.
The highway in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) is about 90 per cent completed.
This was revealed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who told the Guyana Times that the government has a no-tolerance
policy on delayed projects.
He said that in addition to liquidated damages a new deadline has been instituted and there would be no further extensions for the completion of the highway.
“There are 11 contractors who are working there. Some have completed their part, and there are a few that are behind time. All have been given a final deadline of July 31st for completion, and that is what we are holding these contractors to. That is why I also noticed some of them are doubling up and putting in night jobs to get the work done”.
“We have applied liquidated damages, and that's one of the mechanisms we have put in place. Here we are talking about a $15.1 billion project for these four lanes, so that's a different context. But we are applying liquidated damages across the board, and so the contractors are already feeling the squeeze, and they know the importance,” Croal told the Guyana Times.
In September 2022, some $11.8 billion in contracts were signed for the construction of the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway
– a project that is part of a much larger initiative to establish a secondary road link to Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).
The works included two roundabouts, 11 reinforced concrete box culverts, 36 pre-stressed bridges, an emergency lane, 4.1 kilometres of dual-carriageway road, and road signage and markings.
The contractors involved in the project are VR Construction Inc., Avinash Contracting & Scrap Metal Inc.,
L'Heureuse Construction and Services Inc., GuyAmerica Construction Inc., AJM Enterprise, Vals Construction, Puran Bros Disposal Inc., and JS Guyana Inc.
All the contractors were required to finish their respective projects by October 25, 2023. However, after massive delays, they were given an extension.
Reiterating the importance of the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway, Croal noted that this pertinent piece of infrastructure
is a major component of the continuous infrastructural transformation that is taking place across the country. He added that these infrastructural developments will greatly improve Guyana’s transportation system, and boost economic development while creating jobs.
“This 4-lane will bring tremendous benefit to not only just persons who are living in region 3, but anyone who is traversing to and from the West Coast of Demerara… So, the amount
of time that one will save, and the economic benefit from this road, will certainly help in terms of reducing the time it takes to traverse, reducing the transportation and logistics costs. And for anybody who will be living on the west coast of Demerara, certainly to get home very quickly. You know the bridge is progressing well, and so once the boat is complete, then you'll get home very quickly.”
The highway will be a modern road with features that will allow for easy and free flow of traffic at both ends.
This corridor is one of the major transformative projects being undertaken in Region Three and will be connected, at Schoonord, to the new bridge across the Demerara River that is also currently under construction. With the highway to be eventually extended to Parika, it will open up new lands for housing and commercial developments in the region as well.
In Budget 2024, the Government earmarked $9 billion to advance works on the Schoonord to Crane highway. (Trichell Sobers)
Housing and Water Minister
Collin Croal
Vessel crashed into DHB as crew slept
...owner to pay for repairs to structure – Edghill – says repairs would not disrupt flow of traffic
Technical teams from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) and the Public Works Ministry are currently assessing the extent of damages to the Harbour Bridge after a coastal vessel collided with the structure early Tuesday morning.
tigation has been launched and the assessment of the damages is being made so that the owners of the vessel will have to stand the cost,” Edghill said.
Following the incident, there was some disruption to the free flow of traffic, however, Edghill assured that the situation has re-
The incident occurred around 05:30h and preliminary reports revealed that the crew operating the MV Princess Anisa allegedly fell asleep while traversing the Demerara River, resulting in the collision.
The Guyana Times understands that majority of the damages took place at Spans 42 and 43 located on the northern side of the bridge. Additionally, an anchor block that was recently placed at the bridge also suffered minimal damage. No injuries were reported.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill when contacted stated that upon a full probe, as usual, the owner of the vessel will be liable to pay for the damages sustained.
The vessel is registered to INS Shipping of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
“My understanding was that they supposedly anchored the vessel and drifted… but I would suspect that if somebody was alert and awake and a vessel is drifting and going to the bridge (Demerara Harbour Bridge) they should be able to operationalise the engine to steer it away. An inves-
turned to normalcy.
“Traffic is flowing as well as we had a retract this morning (Tuesday) to allow vessels to pass. The main damages are in the bed of the river by the anchor blocks… and it could be fixed,” he added.
This is the second time in the year that a vessel crashed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) resulting in the structure sustaining minor damages.
In April, a tug and a barge drifted and collided with the structure damaging Spans 12 and 13.
Various teams including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) were mobilised to address the situation. The barge was subsequently removed and the situation was under control.
The barge and tug are reportedly attached to the company that is constructing the new DHB.
Previous damage
Back in October 2022, a portion of the Demerara Harbour Bridge was damaged when the MV Tradewind Passion, a ship consigned by GuyOil to transport fuel crashed into
the bridge.
The ship, which was supposed to drive in a southern direction to pass through the opening of the bridge but instead, it drove in a south-easterly direction and hit Spans Nine and 10 with its front and rear.
This had resulted in the two spans of the bridge shifting some 45 degrees out of alignment.
The collision sent several DHB workers, who were on the bridge at the time, literally running for their lives.
Following assiduous work by the DHB staff and support from the private
sector, the bridge was then reopened to vehicles weighing up to 12 tonnes a few days after and it was later announced that vehicles weighting up to 18 tonnes would be able to cross the bridge under special conditions.
In 2023, the spans were replaced following
an investment of $1.2 billion made by the Guyana Government.
The replacement of span nine was a massive undertaking that could not be done while traffic was flowing. The removal of the existing span will leave a significant gap in the bridge.
(Trichell Sobers)
The vessel crashing into the Demerara Harbour Bridge
The scene at the DHB on Tuesday
Govt, World Bank collaborating to implement climate resilience projects shelved by APNU-AFC
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh announced on Monday that the Guyana Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, is moving swiftly to implement multiple climate change projects that were shelved by the previous APNU+AFC Government.
According to the Minister, the move follows the Bank’s renewed commitment to strengthen Guyana’s resilience and adaptive capacity to prevent and manage the effects of climate change.
Additionally, the opportunity comes at a time when Guyana is receiving worldwide recognition for the strategic management of its 65,000 square miles of forested land, and the provision of climate services to international investor.
“Guyana articulated the very visionary, almost revolutionary concept that our standing forests were providing a valuable service to the rest of the world in the fight
against climate change. And that that valuable service should be remunerated. And here again, for the second time
around, we were in the generation LCDS, already a pioneering country at the cutting edge of the forest resources to earn resources. Guyana has now become the first country in the world to have achieved jurisdiction-scale certification of our forests under the art trees mechanism”.
Dr. Singh disclosed that most of the projects being financed now could have been implemented five years ago, but were allegedly scrapped by the then Coalition Government. This includes the Amerindian Land Titling programme.
Nevertheless, he lauded the Bank for now fast-tracking the approval of similar transformative interventions, noting that this has resulted in some projects receiving funding quicker than usual.
“I think it has taken some time for the World Bank to adjust to this new modality, but the bottom line is we really appreciate the work that you did and your team to get us to where we are today, and
we look forward to speedy implementation of projects,” Dr. Singh said.
The finance minister reassured that all resources injected into climate management is aimed at improving Guyanese peoples’ quality of life.
“Those finances are intended to be utilised on investments in advancing the low-carbon transition and in accelerating low-carbon investments, including both climate mitigation and adaptation investments, but in particular, investments such as improved flood risk management, drainage and irrigation, the transition of our energy infrastructure to cleaner and more renewable sources, the development of climate-friendly village economies in our hinterland to improve advanced hinterland development, etc,” Singh added.
Meanwhile, the World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Diletta Doretti shared similar sentiments,
noting that the Bank’s involvement in fast-tracking projects aligns with the country’s broader vision for climate-resilient growth. According to the bank, Guyana is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Studies have shown that rising sea levels, among the highest in the world, expose 100 percent of the country’s coastal agriculture and 66.4 percent of its coastal urban areas to flooding and erosion, with potential GDP losses that could exceed 46.4 percent.
“Building climate resilience and flood resilience along the coastal areas is an area where the World Bank and the Government have been collaborating for a long time and has built neutral expertise… so this is continuing the engagement we have had which is very successful and this is an area which the government is investing heavily,” the World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname said.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Diletta Doretti
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
Guyana continues to build resilience for climate change, calling for climate justice
Ateam from Guyana’s GPL technical staff departed Guyana for Jamaica where they will join their counterparts in Jamaica to help restore electrical lines destroyed by Hurricane Beryl. Guyana is standing strong with our sisters and brothers in Jamaica. We continue to provide various kinds of support also to St Vincent and the Grenadines and to Grenada. Standing with our Caricom sisters and brothers is not a new thing for Guyana. We should all be proud of an outstanding record of solidarity, especially in times of crisis, such as a hurricane leaving destruction behind or the ruins caused by an earthquake. Whatever the crisis, Guyana has stood solidly with our sisters and brothers in Caricom.
When an earthquake caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and destroyed homes and infrastructure in Haiti in 2010, Guyana stood tall, averaging the highest donation per capita to Haiti and leaving hundreds of GDF soldiers in Haiti to help rebuild that country. Therefore, when some insist that Guyana is using our newly-acquired resources from oil to provide support to our sister countries in Caricom which suffered losses from Hurricane Beryl, they are wrong. With or without oil, Guyana always stands tall, providing support, whether we can afford to or not. Our philosophy, the principles on which we act when our sister countries face natural disasters, is to provide support immediately.
We must heap praise on our government for acting without delay. Watching carefully the forecasts for Hurricane Beryl and the catastrophic predictions, President Irfaan Ali gathered the relevant authorities in Guyana, including the Private Sector, and started the process of gathering material and putting in place personnel such as from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force. Neither he nor his team knew which Caribbean countries would have been hit, but the President and the team knew one or more Caribbean countries would have felt the assault of Hurricane Beryl. Our Government wanted to ensure we were ready to deploy help to whichever country required it in the aftermath of Beryl. We were ready and help poured out of Guyana at the very first opportunity provided by Beryl’s departure from the area.
Beryl was a message, another message to us. Climate change is real. Beryl is the earliest Category Five hurricane in recorded history to develop and ravage the Caribbean. By the time it hit Grenada and then St Vincent and the Grenadines, Beryl was a Level 5 hurricane, the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the Caribbean so early in the season. While others want to debate the reality of climate change, we in the Caribbean have been painfully feeling it through deaths and destruction.
It is why the Climate Justice Movement must demand more for vulnerable states like our Caricom States. Whether it is the Caricom countries on the mainland of South America or the Caribbean Islands, climate change has caused immense havoc on us all. Those most responsible for global warming are the very ones who today mostly sustain the debate. But the cost has been borne to a great extent by people and vulnerable States, like the Caricom countries. The time has come for a global fund for climate damages, such as those that Beryl has left in its path. Climate justice is a real thing and we cannot afford to merely push it aside.
This week Guyana signed an agreement with the World Bank for US$45 million to be used for resiliency development. The Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (CARes) Project is the second largest investment being made from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), a fund set up by the Government with the carbon credit resources generated through the agreement with the Government of Norway. This is not a loan; it is money from the Fund Norway paid to Guyana through the World Bank. The project will see the rehabilitation or reconstruction of kokers across the country. It is a project to improve Guyana’s capacity to manage flood conditions.
When people question the wisdom of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, this is what they are ignoring. Guyana, through the leadership of then President Bharrat Jagdeo, in 2010 had established the LCDS. The David Granger-led APNU/AFC Government recklessly abandoned the LCDS and replaced it with what they called the Green State Strategy (GSS). Not a cent has ever been generated by the GSS. This caused Guyana to lose five full years. Now Guyana is not just benefiting from Norway’s almost US$250 million of carbon credit, but between 2022 and 2032, more than US$750 million from the sale of carbon credits to Hess Corporation. Hess agreed to procure 37.5 million high-quality REDD+ carbon credits which represent 30 per cent of Guyana’s 2019 stock of carbon credits. These carbon credits have been certified under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) programme. It is worthy to note that 15 per cent of the US$750 million are allocated already to Amerindian communities.
Guyana was the first country to have carbon credits officially verified and certified for sale, amounting to more than 125M TREES. Out of the remaining 88M TREES, Guyana can now sell carbon credits also to airlines. ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) has opened up the possibility that airlines could procure close to 5M TREES from Guyana during the 2024-2026 compliance period. Once Guyana is able to sell these credits, Guyana could generate, depending on the global market price for carbon, more than US$100 million.
There are the naysayers who dubbed the LCDS as a gimmick and a dream. But Guyana is now a leader in LCDS and every citizen is benefiting from the visionary approach of our Government. Unlike David Granger who abandoned the LCDS, President Irfaan Ali has embraced the LCDS. President Ali is leading the initiative to use carbon credits to build resilience. While not waiting for the world to act, Guyana is moving ahead with our contribution to fighting climate change and pursuing a path for climate justice.
Regional legal fraternity urged to update HIV/AIDS Discrimination Laws
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative of Guyana and Suriname Gerardo Noto on Tuesday stated that to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, there must be a revision of the necessary legislation to ensure their legal framework is robust and enabling.
He was at the time speaking at the National Judges Forum on HIV, Human Rights and The Law at the Guyana Marriott Hotel where several legal luminaries gathered. The event was
organised by the Judaical Education Institutes of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“The more protective and enabling the legal policy environment of a country, the lower the HIV prevalence and the more people accessing health services including HIV prevention, testing and treatment services” Noto told the gathering. On this point, he highlighted that the 2021 political declaration on HIV/
AIDS, ending inequalities and getting on track to end AIDS by 2030 affirms UN member states commitment towards achieving the 10/10/10 goal by 2025.
“To ensure that by 2025, less than 10% of countries would have punitive legal and policies environments that deny or limit access to services, less than 10% of people living with HIV in key populations would experience stigma and discrimination and less than 10% of women, girls and people living with HIV in key populations would experience gen-
der inequality.”
He further noted that the members of the judiciary have a crucial role in drafting a legal landscape that upholds and protects human rights.
Also speaking at the forum was Trinidad and Tobago High Court Judge, Madame Justice Avason Williams who related that some legal practitioners ignore the topic of HIV. She stated that persons living with HIV must have access to justice like other members of the population.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) of Guyana, Justice Yonette Cummings
Chief Justice (ag) of Guyana, Roxane George
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative of Guyana and Suriname Gerardo Noto
Guyana to host 20th edition of C’bean Internet Governance Force in August
Guyana is set to host the 20th Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) and the 3rd Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (CYIGF) from August 21-23 at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme “Reflections, Priorities and Projections re Caribbean Internet & Digital Governance.”
The CIGF is known as the longest-running Internet Governance Forum in the world and this year’s dynamic forum features a blend of in-person and virtual participation and aims to further solidify the Caribbean's role in shaping global Internet governance policies as part of the CTU’s efforts to support regional digital transformation.
Primary focus of the CIGF is to address Internet governance policies and initiatives for priority attention and regional consensus to facilitate accelerated digital transformation in the Caribbean. It will also feature an array of distinguished speakers, including key figures from the global Internet governance community, government officials and industry leaders.
Attendees can look for-
ward to receiving updates from national, regional and global IG fora; engaging capacity building sessions led by the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE); and insightful panel discussions on topics such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and much more.
Running concurrently with the CIGF, the 3rd CYIGF is designed to amplify the voices of Caribbean youth in the Internet governance conversation and ensure they are heard. This unique platform allows young leaders to engage with their peers, share idea and contribute to critical topics such as securing their digital future, bridging the digital divide, overcoming challenges, advancing monetisation for Caribbean content creators and boosting business ef-
ficiency through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
As of July 2024, the CYIGF has been recognised as a National and Regional IGF initiative (NRI) by the United Nations Internet Governance Forum. NRIs are platforms established to discuss, develop, and influence policies and practices related to Internet governance at various levels with a focus on local/regional priorities.
The event will be hosted in collaboration with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).
"We are at a critical juncture in the digital evolution of the Caribbean," Secretary-General of the CTU Rodney Taylor stated. He further added, "The 20th CIGF and 3rd CYIGF represent an important opportunity for all stakeholders
across the region to come together, share knowledge, and collaboratively chart a course towards a secure, inclusive and innovative digital Caribbean."
The Forum comes at a time when Guyana is experiencing tremendous growth in the ICT sector and is actively pursuing policies aimed at accelerating broadband penetration. We expect the outputs of the 20th IGF to contribute to accelerating national and regional efforts at achieving universal meaningful connectivity,” stated Prime Minister of Guyana Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips MSS. The forum will feature keynote speakers, interactive discussions and case studies on international Internet public policy topics relevant to the Caribbean.
Regional legal fraternity urged ...
“We have to prepare ourselves that when we are called upon to adjudicate on matters where members of key populations or persons living with HIV, whatever is the dispute we have to prepare ourselves that we are not moved by history, our religious beliefs issues of ignorance of scientific issues concerning HIV/AIDS and related matters”
She further stated that all persons living with HIV must have access to justice, however if citizens fear discrimination to the extent they are unwilling to approach the court, then legal practitioners will not have the opportunity to treat citizens equally.
Moreover, Guyana’s Chief Justice Madame Roxane George revealed how a similar workshop held in 2002 helped change her perspectives on HIV-related matters.
“The workshop was very, very impactful on me and thereafter I became more involved in participating in sensitisation seminars with a particular focus on gender dimensions of HIV-AIDS that affect women and girls.
Apart from fueling my interest in addressing human rights and the law, including HIV, my main takeaway from that 2002 regional workshop was how to relate to and treat vulnerable persons, including persons living with HIV, to do so with understanding and empathy, with respect for their human rights, while appreciating the importance of confidentiality.”
George further emphasised that these forums are important steps towards implementing new laws. “Forums such as this can be
implementation of measures by the state in fulfilment of our constitutional and international law obligations” she asserted.
Additionally, Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana Madame Justice Yonette Cummings spoke about the importance of legal entities collaborating with ministries among other organisations to better their services.
“That intersection between health and the law is critical if we had remained in our courtrooms or our chambers, we would not have been any wiser about the information we have gathered so far today” she stated.
The Chancellor further added that by improving judicial education they can ensure that the competence of the judiciary is maintained, which she noted will ensure that citizens receive the highest standards of service.
The forum sets the pace for another meeting slated for later this year, where additional discussions on the role of the judicial system in the protection of persons living with HIV and other key populations will be discussed.
High Court Judge of Trinidad and Tobago, Justice Avason Williams
SASOD launches “Defiant Bodies” to celebrate 21st anniversary
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana on Tuesday launched “Defiant Bodies: Making Queer Community in the Anglophone Caribbean”, authored by Dr. Nikoli Attai as part of its 21st anniversary celebrations.
The launch was held at Herdmanston Lodge Hotel and was well attended by the diplomatic corps, elected officials, civil society advocates and the media.
A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Attai is an Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at Colorado State University (CSU) where he focuses on Black queer and feminist studies.
Dr. Attai is also a co-manager of the CSU Collab Lab - a collaborative research
hub that investigates how race, gender, and sexuality inform a sense of belonging in varied political, cultural, social, economic, and his-
torical contexts.
Dr. Attai was motivated to write “Defiant Bodies” by his profound commitment to queer communities
throughout the Caribbean and to share their stories. Dr. Attai spent time in Guyana, Barbados,
Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, where he observed how queer and trans people navigated life with limited resources. He also researched transgender sex workers in these countries.
In his thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Attai drew attention to the difficult, and often violent situations, faced by queer people to promote discussion of how to resist these challenges both in the Caribbean and globally. Dr. Attai asserted that it is vital to consider the Caribbean’s colonial legacy to understand the current situation in which archaic laws continue to oppress these groups.
“It is also important to challenge the false Western perception of the Caribbean as a uniformly homophobic place where queer people
are only suffering, when, in reality, there are defiant communities that are flourishing,” he said at the launch.
He further noted that queer life is thriving “beneath the radar of the mainstream public space” and across contexts that differ in terms of race, class, gender, and other socio-economic factors. Increasingly, queer communities are moving into the open by utilising different social spaces that contribute to building communities.
The launch concluded with an engaging discussion with attendees, during which Dr. Attai discussed strategies for promoting human rights for queer people in Guyana and the Caribbean.
Large-scale mining projects should receive unanimous approval at village meetings
– Sukhai
Large-scale mining projects in Amerindian villages should have unanimous approval at Village General Meetings (VGM), Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai has advised.
The minister made the statement during an outreach in the village of Karisparu, in Region Eight on Sunday.
After the village’s consent, the Village Council will need to reach a written agreement with the miner to
ensure fair benefits to both the miner and the village.
The agreement includes requirements such as offering employment to village residents at market rates, and purchasing food and materials from the village if available at competitive prices.
This process is governed by the Amerindian Act of 2006, which recognises and protects the collective rights of Amerindian communities, including mining, and promotes good governance with-
De Hoop main access road to be completed by August – Min Edghill
Residents of De Hoop, Mahaica, have been assured that the ongoing $294.3 million infrastructural works on the main access road will be completed by the end of August.
Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill provided the update while addressing residents’ concerns on Tuesday. He explained that the project was delayed due to changes in the design to include a retaining wall.
This modification was made to accommodate a widening request from residents last December.
“Now that we got the retaining wall up my instruction will be that by the end of August, we wrap up everything,” the minister stated.
He emphasised that every effort will be made to complete the road promptly to prevent hindrance during the upcoming harvest season.
“We are building the road to ensure that your productivity as rice farmers in the area is enhanced. You must be able to get your produce to the market,
seedlings and your fertiliser, gasoline, and everything into your farm,” Minister Edghill highlighted.
The project, executed by R&B Investment Inc., involves compacting the main access road with 200 millimetres of sand or sand clay and 50 millimetres of asphaltic concrete. Additionally, a 400-metre-deep reinforced concrete curb is being constructed on both the eastern and western ends of the carriageway. The project is 45 per cent complete with the 1.7-kilometre retaining wall finished.
Similar infrastructural works are underway in Mahaicony on the Branch Road, costing $373.3 million and being carried out by Surrey Paving and Aggregate. Concerns about the quality of the sub-base were raised by residents there, prompting the minister to commit to having the ministry’s design department visit the area subsequently, to address these concerns. Minister Edghill also highlighted that the option of widening the road cannot be explored, due to restrictions posed by utilities and costs.
in these communities.
“It has to go through legal scrutiny to make sure what is in the agreement between the village and the company is legally binding, meaning it must also be legally fair,” she underscored.
Large mining companies must follow the following steps to begin mining activities in the areas of interest.
Additionally, any resources obtained from this endeavour should be used to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable groups and create employment opportunities.
Minister Sukhai stressed the importance of conducting these activities sustainably and with minimal negative impact on the welfare of the people.
The minister was joined by Project Coordinator Besham Ramsaywack and Management Development Officer Antonio George. She was in the region for a four-day outreach, including advancing the Hinterland Housing Programme where about 40 houses will be built in Karisparu, Meriwa, Tuseneng and Itabac.
SASOD Guyana’s Joel Simpson; Author Dr Nikkoli Attai; Shadow Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, M.P; Pan-American Development Foundation’s Jermaine Grant, and former Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, at the “Defiant Bodies” Book Launch
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai
Works ongoing on the De Hoop Road
Int’l Building Expo 2024
24 int’l companies among 353 exhibitors to showcase products
… Hinterland residents to be fully involved – Min. Rodrigues
Just days before the hosting of the International Building Expo at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) preparations are in full swing to accommodate the 353 exhibitors already registered, including 24 international firms.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues during a visit to the venue on Tuesday updated the media on one of the most anticipated events hosted by the ministry.
“We have companies from Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, the US, Canada, the Dominican Republic, India, Europe, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, China, Suriname, and Zambia participating in this year’s building expo… the auditoriums are filled to capacity and we’ve added a third auditorium”. She further highlight-
ed the diverse array of international businesses stating that they span across a
will be placed on hinterland housing solutions.
“The hinterland housing is very important to people who live in our coastlands. The house we’re building under the hinterland housing programme is equipped with utilities, water, and electricity through solar panels, making it energy efficient and sustainable,” she explained, drawing reference to some of the nearby model houses.
Meanwhile, she stated that the Silica City master plan will be unveiled on the Saturday evening of the ex-
City housing model that we will be displaying here, will also have that technology incorporated into the design of the home, so when people enter the home, they will be able to see and experience the technology that they can use even in their home.”
wide expertise. “This will include major engineering and construction companies involved in transformational projects in the country. Guyanese will have the opportunity to learn about the different projects underway and how they will positively impact their lives.”
Minister Rodrigues emphasised that the event is not just for those on the coastland but rather focus
position.
“The Master Plan, completed in collaboration with the University of Miami and other partners, will be unveiled during a special ceremony on Saturday evening. This plan includes the Innovation Village, featuring research and development ideas for new technology and sustainable designs.”
She added, “The Silica
Addressing the stereotype that the expo is only for big businesses, Rodrigues noted that scores of small businesses will be showcased as well. “The Small Business Avenue is filled. The expo is evenly distributed among big companies and small businesses.”
The International Building Expo 2024 is set to be a significant event, with thousands of certificates of title expected to be distributed on the opening night –August 8. The “Dream Realised” land allocation exercise will commence on Friday August 9 and will continue the following day.
Miner drowns while crossing water-filled mining pit in Reg. 8
Twenty-two-year-old Shamar Roberts, called ‘Ten Pound’, a miner of Melanie North, East Coast Demerara (ECD) reportedly drowned while crossing a mining pit at St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro, in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).
According to reports received, Akeem Maddison, a co-worker, and Roberts reportedly rolled down a blue drum with fuel into an old mining pit filled with water with the intention of floating across to their mining operation.
However, in the middle of their journey, Maddison told detectives that he saw Roberts moving away from the drum and took a differ-
ent direction while struggling to stay above water.
The co-worker added that he immediately attempted to reach Roberts but he went under the water. An alarm was raised, and a search team was established to look for Roberts.
Nevertheless, at about 14:20h, Roberts’ motionless
body was found and pulled from the pit. The body was examined and no mark of violence was seen. Police have since ruled out foul play. Roberts had been working as a pitman at the location for about one month. His body was taken to the Mahdia District Hospital awaiting a post-mortem.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing Susan Rodrigues during a walk-through of the venue on Tuesday
A section of one of the auditoriums
Another section to be used by exhibitors
HIV prevalent among transgendered, gays & prisoners – Health Minister
In the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), addressing stigma and discrimination remains paramount and will see legal professionals, healthcare experts, and activists developing strategies for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for those affected by these conditions.
In doing so, the Guyana National Judges’ Forum on HIV, Human Rights, and the Law was held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, and focused on the judiciary's role in protecting human rights and promoting public health.
During his opening remarks, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted the existing gap between the number of people in Guyana who know their HIV status and those receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. He discussed how stigma and discrimination prevent individuals from seeking necessary care.
Dr. Anthony stressed that tackling HIV and AIDS requires both medical advancements and social reforms. These include implementing progressive laws and policies, increasing education and awareness, and reducing stigma to enhance access to care and treatment.
"HIV is in the past, it is no
longer a death sentence due to modern treatments that suppress viral levels, preventing the spread of the infection," he stated. He described HIV as a chronic illness but noted that men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and the prison population "continue to bear the disproportionate burden of the HIV infection."
Dr. Anthony provided alarming statistics: by the end of 2023, HIV prevalence was 1.2 percent among the general Caribbean population but significantly higher among key populations. “For transgender individuals, the prevalence was 29.4 per cent. For men who have sex with men, it was 11.8 per cent. For people in prison, it was 3.6 per cent, and among sex workers, it was 2.6 per cent,” he reported.
The Health Minister referenced the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and their 95-95-95 targets for testing, treatment, and viral suppression. He detailed the Caribbean's progress: “85 per cent of persons living with HIV know their status. Of those, 83 per cent are on antiretrovirals. Of those on antiretrovirals, 87 per cent are virally suppressed. In Guyana, 94 per cent of persons living with HIV know their status. However, only 72 per cent of those who know their status are on treatment, and 87 per cent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.”
Despite the availability of free treatment at all health facilities in Guyana, Dr. Anthony noted a "big discrepancy" between those who know their
status and those on ARVs. He attributed this 20 per cent gap to stigma and discrimination, explaining that fear prevents many from seeking care at known health facilities. "If they don’t come, they can get complications and eventually die of HIV,” he warned.
Dr. Anthony also mentioned challenges in accessing affordable treatment in the private sector and described efforts to train primary healthcare workers to provide HIV treatment and address stigma and discrimination. He discussed new prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and injectables.
The Health Minister called for the repeal of outdated laws to further reduce stigma and discrimination. “This is something we need to really focus on and review,” he said, expressing hope that these revi-
sions will help achieve the goal of eliminating AIDS by 2030. Overall, he noted the substantial strides made in the treatment and prevention of HIV/ AIDS over the past four decades.
Harris assails Trump, promises compassion over chaos in debut rally
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris assailed Donald Trump on Tuesday at her first campaign rally since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate, while a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll showed her taking a marginal lead over her Republican rival.
In a 17-minute speech, Harris aggressively went after Trump's vulnerabilities, comparing her background as a former prosecutor to his record as a convicted felon.
Harris ticked through a list of liberal priorities, saying that if elected she would act to expand abortion access, make it easier for workers to join unions and address gun violence, drawing a sharp contrast with Trump, the Republican nominee for president in the Nov. 5 election.
"Donald Trump wants to take our country backward," she told a cheering crowd of several thousand at West Allis Central High School in a Milwaukee suburb in Wisconsin, a battleground state with a pivotal role in deciding the election outcome.
"Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?"
The raucous rally was a notable contrast to the smaller, more subdued events Biden held, underscoring Democrats' hope that Harris, 59, can revive what had been a flagging campaign under Biden, 81. The audience danced and waved Harris signs, while chants of "Ka-ma-la!" broke out when she took the stage.
US Vice President Kamala Harris attends a campaign event at West Allis Central High School, in West Allis, Wisconsin, US, July 23, 2024 (Reuters/Vincent Alban)
She emphasised her commitment to reproductive rights, an issue that has plagued Republicans since the U.S. Supreme Court - powered by three Trump-appointed justices - eliminated a nationwide right to abortion in 2022.
Harris led Trump 44% to 42% among registered voters in the national Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted on Monday and Tuesday after Biden dropped out of the contest on Sunday and endorsed Harris as his successor.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week showed Biden, before he ended his campaign, trailing Trump by a marginal two percentage points.
Both were within the poll's 3-point margin of error, but the results could signal limited movement in Democrats' direction - and may suggest that Harris' elevation to the top of
the ticket blunted whatever momentum Trump hoped to gain from last week's Republican National Convention, also in Milwaukee.
Trump and his allies have tried to tether Harris to some of Biden's more unpopular policies, including his administration's handling of the surge of migrants at the southern border with Mexico.
In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Harris, noting that her previous presidential run in 2020 did not even survive until the first statewide nominating contest.
"If she campaigns the way she campaigned, then you know, I suspect she won't be too tough," he said.
Trump also said he would meet in Florida on Friday with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, who is due to address Congress on Wednesday.
A SWIFT RISE
Harris swiftly consolidated her party's support after Biden, 81, abandoned his reelection campaign under pressure from members of his party who worried about his ability to beat Trump, 78, or to serve for another four-year term.
She wrapped up the nomination on Monday night by winning pledges from a majority of the delegates who at next month's party convention will determine the nominee, the campaign said.
Most Democratic lawmakers have lined up behind her candidacy, including the party's leaders in the Senate and House, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, who endorsed Harris on Tuesday at a joint press conference.
Control of both chambers of Congress will also be up for grabs in the November election, and Democrats face an uphill fight trying to protect their Senate majority, as they defend multiple seats in Trumpbacking states. Without congressional majorities, Harris would have a hard time achieving many of her goals, particularly on gun control and abortion.
Harris' rise dramatically reshapes an election in which many voters were unhappy with their options. As the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, she would make further history as the first woman elected U.S. president.
Wisconsin is among a trio of Rust Belt states, along with Michigan and Pennsylvania, that are critical for Democrats' chances of defeating Trump.
"There are independents and young people who did not like their choices, and Harris has a chance to win them," said Paul Kendrick, executive director of the Democratic group Rust Belt Rising.
Alyssa Wahlberg, 19, chair of the Whitewater College Democrats, said Harris had reenergised young voters, particularly women who want Harris to break the ultimate U.S. glass ceiling.
"I talked to my grandmom - we are both excited that she may live to see the first woman president," said Wahlberg, who was attending Tuesday's rally. "It's taken too long."
Saddled with concerns that included his health and persistent high prices crimping Americans' household finances, Biden had been losing ground against Trump in opinion polls, particularly in the competitive states that are likely to decide the election, including the Sun Belt states of Arizona and Nevada.
While a wave of senior Democrats have lined up behind Harris, the racial justice group Black Lives Matter on Tuesday challenged the party's swift move.
It called for a national virtual snap primary ahead of the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the party will formally nominate its candidate.
"We call for the Rules
Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, not just a nomination by party delegates," Black Lives Matter said in a statement to Reuters.
BIDEN TO ADDRESS NATION Biden said on X that he would deliver a Wednesday night Oval Office speech explaining his decision to end his campaign. He returned to Washington on Tuesday after spending several days isolating at home with COVID-19. The president has tested negative and no longer has symptoms, the White House doctor said in a letter on Tuesday.
Biden's dramatic exit followed Trump's narrow survival of a July 13 assassination attempt that raised questions about security failures in the U.S. Secret Service. The agency director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned on Tuesday.
Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, in an interview on NBC's "Today" programme, said the party had to move quickly to get the ticket on ballots in all 50 states, and that the vice-presidential pick needed to be made by Aug. 7. Potential running mates include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, according to people familiar with internal policy discussions. (Reuters)
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
Scenes from the National Judges' Forum
(March 21-April 19)
You'll get a different perspective on making the most of your day. An opportunity will arise; however, it's better to verify information before you commit. A physical improvement will fetch compliments.
You'll want to relax and take care of your personal needs. Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you or talk you into something that doesn't appeal to you. Implement changes that offer peace of mind.
SUDOKU
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Don't let anyone pressure you or lure you down a path that tempts you to be emotionally, financially or physically overindulgent. Be good to yourself and you'll have no regrets.
Refuse to let outside influences stand between you and what you want. You'll find a solution that will satisfy your needs and meet the requirements necessary to reach your objective.
A change is apparent, but only if your motives are genuine. Put your emotions aside and let your intelligence decide what's best for you. Make personal growth and gain your priorities.
Change your surroundings and routine, or reach out to those who can offer a unique perspective. You'll discover something that will encourage you to take responsibility for your happiness.
Take control of your destiny and use your intelligence and charm to win favors and support. Gather the facts and invest time and energy to reach your objective.
Take a break to do something that distances you from problems or uncertainty. There are far more options than you realize. Dump dead weight and replace it with something new and exciting.
Don't let anyone drag you into their drama or try to dump more responsibilities in your lap. Concentrate on looking, feeling and doing your best; you'll gain confidence and insight.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Get as many opinions as possible and assess the potential outcome before venturing down an unfamiliar path. Don't fold under pressure or let your emotions lead the way.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
High energy, excitement and adopting an electrifying lifestyle change will encourage spending more time doing the things that bring you the most joy. Step up and live life your way.
Live in the moment and use your skills, knowledge and experience to get you where you want to go. Outmaneuver anyone who tries to get in your way. Forward-thinking will bring the best outcome.
The Rose Hall
Town NAMILCO
Thunderbolt Flour
First-Division and Under-21 teams on Friday commended the 2024 Basil Butcher memorial trust programme.
The teams, with the guidance of the management of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), have been hosting the memorial programme in memory of the late Basil Butcher, former West Indies middle-order batsman who died in December 2019 after a long and profound illness.
RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that the first edition was held in 2020 with the full blessing of Butcher’s widow, Pamela and family. Over the past four years, the trust programme has assisted dozens of youths across the Ancient County, with a wide variety of items including bicycles, electronic tablets, educational material, uniforms, household items, kitchen utensils, footwear, cricket gear and sports equipment. Foster stated that the former West Indies batting maestro was very close to the club as its President, Keith Foster was his eldest
child and he was close to the club for over 25 years before his illness. Butcher personally sponsored the Basil Butcher cricket development programme for many years and assisted many youth cricketers in Berbice with personal cricket gears including West Indies middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer, Sean Perriera, Shemaine Campbell, Assad Fudadin, and Clinton Pestano among numerous others.
Butcher also assisted by offering his service as a mentor to members of the club
and also supported other programmes of the RHTY&SC, including the annual award ceremony, say yes/say no campaign, Christmas charity programme and the annual Cricket Academy.
Butcher, a product of Port Mourant Cricket Club, played 44 Test Matches for the West Indies, scoring 3104 runs at an average of 43.11 with seven centuries and 16 half-centuries. He was named Wisden Cricketer of The Year in 1970 and later served as a selector. He was inducted as an honorary member of the RHTY&SC
Pope backing England to make 600 in a day ahead of 3rd Test
Ollie Pope believes England could shatter records by making 600 runs in a single day as they target a series whitewash over West Indies at Edgbaston.
England sealed a series victory over the Windies in last week's second Test at Trent Bridge, scoring over 400 in both innings of a Test match for the first time as they made totals of 416 and 425.
Vice Captain Pope managed a superb first-innings knock of 121 before Joe Root (122) and Harry Brook (109) brought up their centuries in the second innings.
England have become renowned for their all-out batting style – dubbed 'Bazball' – under Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes.
Pope believes that approach suits England's batters and feels they could make history by breaking the record for most runs made by a team in a single day of Test cricket – Sri Lanka's 509-9 versus Bangladesh in July 2002.
"I got asked on day one, 'do
you get told to play like that?' No, we don't. It's just our natural game and the way we go about it," Pope said.
"Sometimes, we might score 280 to 300 in a day, but that's okay and probably, because we're reading situations.
"There might also be a day where we go and get 500 to 600 at some point in the future as well, and that's a cool thing to have."
England came within three runs of that record Sri Lanka total on their 2022 tour
of Pakistan, and Pope believes their success is down to the ruthlessness of the batting order.
"There's a real hunger –there always is a hunger –but now there's an extra bit in that batting line-up," Pope added.
"We want to be as ruthless as we can as a batting unit, but still play the way we do, because that's our natural game.
"Obviously, being ruthless is being part of Test cricket as well." (Sportsmax)
RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt team hosts Basil Butcher memorial programme
in 1996 and also received the club’s highest award, the Dolphin Award of Excellence.
Activities
Foster, who is also the former President of the Berbice Cricket Board, stated that the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour teams in 2024 would be distributing 25 bicycles to youths and institutions like the Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall. The teams would also be handing over cricket gear to promising club members,12 electronic tablets to outstanding students, food hampers to the less fortunate while hundreds of school bags with educational materials would be handed out to students preparing for secondary school.
The NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First Division Team in September would also under-
take a series of activities to mark the 54th anniversary of Rose Hall becoming a township on the 20th of September 1990. The activities would be held under the theme “Simply the best” and would include a cross-country race, 10/10 cricket match, fitness walk, say no to drugs march, food hampers for 54 families, medical outreach, evening of music and educational competitions for schoolchildren such as essay and poster competitions.
RHTY&SC Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonlall hailed the hard work of the cricketers in obtaining the necessary items and urged the youths who would have been receiving bicycles, cricket gear, school bags and electronic tablets to take proper care of them.
The Rose Hall Town
NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First Division Team are the most dominant team in Berbice and are currently being led by national player Clinton Pestano. Players such as Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Eon Hooper, Silas Tyndall, Junior Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya, Jason Sinclair, Ramzan Koobir, Troy Matheson, and Keith Simpson are all current members of the team. The RHTY&SC since 1992 has won a total of 121 tournaments at all levels and has produced 123 players for Berbice and Guyana. Additionally, 17 of its members have gained selection to the West Indies teams or the United States senior team.
Windies U-19 Women bowlers shine to level USA T20 Series
Hosts West Indies produced a dominant display of bowling to tie their five-match Women’s T20 Series against the USA 1-1 on Monday at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
The USA won the opening fixture on Saturday by 37 runs. Batting first, the Americans made 106-8.
Ritu Singh made 29, and Captain Anika Kolan, 22, but the visitors were helped mightily by their hosts with 25 extras.
Selena Ross took a tidy 3-12 to lead the bowling attack with her left-arm medium pace while right-arm medium pacer Jahzara Claxton took 3-20.
In the West Indian response, only Samara Ramnath (28) and Brianna Harrichan (20) got to double figures, as the home team were held to 69-9.
On Monday, the USA chose to bat first once more. It was a completely different story from the first game as this time they were bundled out for just 65 in 18.1 overs.
Only Kolan (10) and Sasha Vallabhaneni (22) got notable scores.
Ross was back among the wickets, taking 2-8 from her three overs, including a maiden. Kenika Cassar (2-
17) and Trisha Hardat (218) also bowled well. West Indies made quick work of their reply, reaching 69-2 in just 13.1 overs. The Bajan duo of NaiJanni Cumberbatch and Asabi Callender led the charge with 27* and 20, respectively. The third match of the series is on today at the same venue. (Sportsmax)
England’s Ollie Pope
West Indies U19 Women rebounded from an initial loss to level the series
RHTY&SC members donate a bicycle to Rose Hall Town Council Security Department
Youths pose after receiving school bags from the Basil Butcher Trust
Jockeys bringing A game for Guyana Cup
Local, regional, and international jockeys are gearing up for the 16th running of the Guyana Cup on August 11 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
This year’s Guyana Cup will be the biggest ever, with more than $40 million in cash and prizes. The feature race will feature a whopping sum of 11,625,000. This lucrative event has attracted jockeys from near and far, and they are eager to bring their A game.
Colin Ross, who is arguably Guyana’s number one jockey, and was the champion jockey for 2023, said his primary goal was to win. He said he would put his best foot forward to return to winning ways.
“With the Guyana Cup coming up, I will push harder. There will be a lot of people coming out to see the races and the prize money is bigger. I am pushing my body to come out on top. Since 2024 started, I have been doing good, but not so good (as I did last year), but from now to the end of the year, I will try to push myself to do better for the last half of the year,” Ross explained.
Meanwhile, Trinidadian jockey Rico Hernandez described the 16th running of the Guyana Cup as a special one, and he is hoping to left his mark come August 11 at Rising Sun.
“This Guyana Cup occasion is very special. We are taking our time, building the confidence that we need, and making sure the horses
are in order and happy going into the Guyana Cup. As a jockey, the goal is always to win, but we must get the horses with good abilities, and we must prove that we are capable,” jockey Hernandez explained.
Jockey Ronaldo Appadu, another top jockey in Guyana, said he was looking forward for the best. “I am working very hard to be champion jockey, so I think I will take it this year. I have a lot of haters, so I put them aside, and I worked hard on the job to get improvement, so I am thankful for that,” Appadu said.
Last year’s Guyana Cup saw a total purse of $24 million across all races, and the top horse in the feature event was paid out $10 million. This year’s Guyana Cup has seen an increase in prize money of close to $16 million.
The 2024 Guyana Cup will certainly be the biggest, and the day will be packed with side attractions. The first-ever fun park is set to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club, where children will witness a parading bar on spot, and multiple stages will be set up across the venue.
The fun park and the horse racing combined will provide the perfect recipe for a fun-filled day for the entire family. “This is something Guyana has never witnessed,” an organiser said.
Ten races will be on the Guyana Cup card, and registration has already been opened. It will close on August 3, and no late entries will be accepted at this year’s Guyana Cup.
With this year’s Guyana Cup purse being the biggest in the Caribbean, horses from various countries
TIP awareness sport event on this Sunday
The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons has unveiled the inaugural “592TIP Ball and Concert”, scheduled to take place at the Police Sports Ground, Eve Leary on July 28, 2024.
The event, aimed at raising awareness during Trafficking in Persons Month, promises to be a day of sports, entertainment, and education.
The highlight of the event will be a thrilling competition among some of Guyana's top teams, vying for a grand prize of $100,000 and a second-place prize of $60,000. Spectators are invited to witness the action-packed matches starting from 11:00h. Admission to the event is free, ensuring accessibility to all members of the community. Following the exhilarating sports event, attendees can enjoy live performances by renowned artistes including Poonam Singh, Calvin Burnett, and Steven Ramphal. Adding to the entertainment line-up, popular comedy duo Beyonce and Toya will also be present to keep the audience entertained.
"This event not only celebrates sportsmanship but also serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness about Trafficking in Persons," said Tanisha Williams-Corbin, Coordinator of the CounterTrafficking in Persons Unit. "Utilising sports as a vessel to engage the community is significant in fostering dialogue and educating the public on recognising and combating human trafficking."
This collaborative effort between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services
will be compelled to travel to Guyana and battle for supremacy.
In addition to the feature event, which will run
at approximately 1800 metres, races on the provisional card include the 1600m Derby, 1000m Sprint Classic, 1000m Two-
Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Side…
Showstoppers get shot at final after Jetty Gunners’ disqualification
and Social Security and all other member agencies of the task force underscores their commitment to combating human trafficking and supporting victims. Both ministries will have information stations set up at the event to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of addressing Trafficking in Persons.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, "The 592TIP Ball and Concert represents a united front in our fight against human trafficking. It's an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy a day of sports and entertainment, and learn about this critical issue affecting our society."
The Ministerial Task Force on Human Trafficking invites all members of the public, media representatives, and stakeholders to join us at the Police Sports Ground, Eve Leary on July 28 for this important event. Together, let us raise awareness, support victims, and stand against human trafficking in Guyana.
Jetty Gunners have been officially disqualified from the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West/East Bank Demerara Championship after it was discovered, following an investigation, that they fielded an ineligible player during their semi-final against Showstoppers.
A thorough investigation, following an official verbal and then written protest by Showstoppers, was launched by the tournament officials following the conclusion of the match, which ended 2-1 in favour of Jetty Gunners via the penalty kick route.
It was subsequently revealed that Jetty Gunners fielded an ineligible player in the form of Andrew Murray Jr, despite being warned of the individual’s ineligibility by the coordinators prior to the commencement of the fixture and still allowed the player to be uniformed on the team bench.
According to the official tournament rules, “the fielding of an ineligible player, inclusive, on the team bench will lead to automatic disqualification of the guilty team despite
the result by the officials.”
Tournament coordinator Travis Bess said, “This year’s Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets West/East Bank edition finals will be contested between the defending champion Ballerz Empire and Showstoppers. The reason for this is, because Showstoppers protested against Jetty... The grounds for the protest were based on Jetty … having a player outfitted in uniform and on the bench during their semi-final match. The tournament rules state to any team that the fielding of any ineligible player, inclusive, on the team bench, will lead to automatic qualification of the guilty team despite the result by the officials.”
He further said, “Moreover, before the second semi-finals match, both coordinators went onto the playing area and spoke to both the Captain and Managers of Showstoppers and Jetty…, making it clear that Mr Andrew Murray couldn't take part in the match.”
Owing to the outcome, Showstoppers will advance to the final, which is pencilled for Saturday at
Pouderoyen Tarmac, against defending champions Ballerz Empire.
Moreover, Cayenne Massive and the winner of the Pouderoyen Brothers and Epic Touch Family fixture will now contest the thirdplace playoff.
year-old, 1000m F1 Class, 1600m H1 Class, 1400m J & Lower, 1400m K Class, 1400m L Class, and 1400m Non-earners.
the
The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Coast/East Bank final will now see Ballerz Empire and Showstoppers facing off
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud
Jockey Colin Ross and connections with the Master Z Racing Stables will be hoping to see Easy Time defend his Guyana Cup title
Jockeys will have their eyes on the big prize at the Guyana Cup
GDF FC jet off for CFU Club Shield in Curaçao
…Ramson Jr pledges support for team
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club on Tuesday departed local shores for Curaçao, where they will compete in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield 2024, beginning later this week.
By virtue of be-
ing crowned the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-KFC Elite League Champions in 2023, the GDF team solidified their spot in the regional tournament, which will feature the best football clubs across the Caribbean.
Prior to their departure
on Tuesday, the players and management of GDF football team met with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr; GDF’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Colonel Administration and Quartering, Captain Coast Guard Vernon Burnett and
Giftland and Sankar's Auto Works boost Kares
One Guyana T10 Blast
The Kares One Guyana
T10 Tapeball Blast, kicking off on August 3, has received a further boost with Giftland OfficeMax and Sankar's Auto Works joining the list of sponsors.
Giftland OfficeMax is offering a 10 per cent discount (excluding gym equipment and sale items) to any team member (player or official) who visits their store wearing or presenting their team jersey.
Additionally, fans can purchase exclusive tournament merchandise only at Giftland. This offer runs until the tournament concludes on August 25.
Roy Beepat, Chairman of the Giftland Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament's "One Guyana" theme, stating, "I am in love with the One Guyana...full praise to the President. The One Guyana concept signifies unity, and that's important. We are One Guyana, and I love the message."
He further emphasised Giftland's commitment to supporting activities that promote community development.
More so, Sankar's Auto Works, which was established in 1993 and is recent Valvoline Brand Ambassador Shimron Hetmyer's sponsor, added its name to the growing list of supporters, demonstrating its commitment to the popular sport of tapeball cricket in Guyana. The competition promises to be fierce with the stakes rising for the 32 participating teams. This year's edition boasts a bigger
prize pool, with $1.5 million awarded to the champions, $500,000 to the runners-up, and $250,000 consolation prizes for losing semi-finalists.
Opening matches will be held on August 3 at the Police Sports Club, Queen's College Ground, and Lusignan Sports Club.
The Round of 16 is at the Police Sports Club and Lusignan on August 4.
The quarter-finals will be played on August 11 at Enmore, culminating in the finals and a Cricket for Charity match at the National Stadium on August 25.
A full list of participating teams includes: Airport XI, Avinash All-Stars, Bartica Bulls, Brooklyn Youth Strikers, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Diamond Gunners, Eastsyde, EC Express, Eccles All-Stars, Flacons XI, GPL Inc, Green Scorpions Cricket Club, Lil Rams, Mahaica Super Strikers, Mahdia (Movements Family), Ministry of Housing
other officials of the army during which the Sport Minister pledged his support for the team’s participation in the regional tournament.
The GDF shared in a missive, “During the engagements, the CDS congratulated the GDF FC and wished them success for the remainder of the competition. He made reference to Enoch Carmichael, one of the players who collapsed and died during a practice match earlier this month. The CDS directed that the team's effort moving into the next level of the competition be dedicated to not only winning for Guyana but also to do so in memory of Carmichael.”
The Minister, on behalf
of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, expressed similar sentiments and pledged his Ministry's support to offset the GDF FC travel expenses to Curaçao. He further encouraged the team to play as a collective and to remain focused throughout the tournament.
GDF FC will have just about two days’ worth of preparation in Curaçao before they go into action on Friday, July 26. There, Guyana’s top club will face off with Grenades Football Club out of Antigua and Barbuda at 17:30h. if the soldiers are successful in their preliminary match on Friday, they will move on to play Bonaire’s SV Real Rincon in the Round of 16 at 17:30h on Sunday, July 28.
Another positive result can likely pit GDF against CFU Club Shield defending champions SV Robinhood out of Suriname in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, July 30. SV Robinhood will also need a positive result in the Round of 16. In addition to Caribbean glory, there will be more at stake for the GDF as they compete in the Club Shield tournament, since the winners and runnerups will book a place in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, which is scheduled to kick off Tuesday, August 20. The CFU Club Shield will run from July 25 to August 4, with this year’s edition being the fifth since 2010 for which the GDF FC have qualified.
Ramson Jr hails athletics’ success as eye-opener for Guyanese
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ulture, Youth, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr is happy with Guyana's recent performance at the South American Under-20 Championships in Peru and the great potential the nation has in track and field.
Guyana’s young athletes continued their strong showing at the South American U20 Championships in Peru, with Malachi Austin claiming gold in the 400 metres, Athaleyah Hinckson winning the women’s 100m, and Tianna Springer bronze in the 400m.
Ramson Jr revealed in an exclusive interview with <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> that Guyanese have been hit with an eye-opener by the recent success due to their exceptional talent.
“Over the past few years, it has been a kind of eye-opener to the country what our potential is in track and field. The persons who might have been narrowly focused on the sport may have already recognised that, because they have more day-to-day contact with it, but I think that throughout the country it became common knowledge
that we have huge potential in track; now everybody knows that. If I take you to Lethem now or I take you to Region One, people all over they know that we have been doing the best that we can in track and that we have huge potential in track,” he noted.
The Minister continued by praising the strong performances, and articulated expectations of a better showing from Springer in future meets.
“It wasn’t just that we wanted them to participate; we wanted them to show dominance which they did and it is in races that are all so tough, very tough to win – a hundred metres is one of the races and 400m is the other race and then we had Tianna getting bronze. I would like to see a better result from Tianna and I think she would like to see a better [result] for herself and she’s totally capable,” Ramson Jr shared.
As such, he went to expound on the impact of the Ministry’s investment in the Elite Training Camp.
“That is just an example of more success coming from our athletes, but a lot of that has to do with the in-
vestment that we are making in them. Keep in mind, for example, one of the other pillars which is the elite camp of the sports academy they recently concluded, an investment that we made, that we have been organising since last year. A team of elite coaches and trainers to come from the United States of America that we organised for them to come to do their camps here and they are also currently monitoring their implementation of the programme,” the Minister said. Focus now shifts as athletes start their preparation for the World Athletics U20 Championships set for Lima, Peru from August 2731, 2024. (Omar McKenzie)
The Guyana Defence Force FC punched their ticket to the CFU Club Shield after winning the 2023 KFC Elite League
GDF FC met with Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, who assured them of his Ministry’s support
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr
Romario Samaroo of FL Sport (right) and Roy Beepat, Chairman of the Giftland Group
