Guyana Times - Wednesday, May 8, 2024.pdf

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 8 – 04:00h-05:30h and Thursday, May 9 –04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 8 –16:50h-18:20h and Thursday, May 9 – 04:50h-06:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery showers are expected until the early-afternoon hours, followed by sunny conditions. Partly cloudy skies and light rain showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.92 metres.

High Tide: 16:48h reaching a maximum height of 2.72 metres.

Low Tide: 10:21h and 22:33h reaching minimum heights of 0. 32 metre and 0.54 metre.

Bharrat Jagdeo unanimously re-elected as PPP’s General Secretary …Zulfikar

Mustapha re-elected as Executive Secretary

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was first elected General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 2016, was on Tuesday unanimously re-elected as General Secretary of the party during the first meeting of the recently elected Central Committee.

This was communicated in a statement, following the meeting. In addition to Jagdeo’s re-election as General Secretary, the party also announced that Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had also been re-elected, this time to his Executive Secretary post.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali was re-elected to the position of Finance Secretary of the party. The 35-member central committee also elected 18 from amongst its members, to the Executive Committee.

The new 18-member Executive Committee consists of Dr Ali, Mustapha, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall and former President Donald Ramotar.

Rounding out the full members were current Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj, former PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, Neil Kumar and Shyam

Nokta. Meanwhile, Minister within the Office of Prime Minister Kwame McCoy, Anand Persaud, and Ricky Ramraj were elected as candidate members.

“The other Secretaries will be elected at the next Central Committee meeting. In his address to the meeting, the General Secretary thanked the outgoing Central Committee members for their contributions. He stressed that the Congress was a resounding success, highlighted by its scale, diversity, energetic atmosphere, deep discussions, significant issues tackled, and efficient logistics,” a statement from the party on Tuesday read.

“Dr Jagdeo also expressed his deep appreciation for the work of Party members, supporters, volunteers, and others for their contribution to a highly successful congress and for their continuous support to the PPP and its programmes.”

The 32nd PPP Congress, which took place from May 3 to 5

at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, was themed. "Strengthen the Party, Defend Guyana, Unite Our People for Progress and Prosperity." The congress drew participation of over 3,000 delegates and observers from across the country.

During the twoday session, the PPP Congress also adopted a number of resolutions including to formally cement the party’s presence in the hinterland regions.

Historically, the party did not have a strong presence in areas such as Regions One (BarimaWaini); Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); Eight (PotaroSiparuni); Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) hence its constitution did not cater for establishment of party regions there.

However, this no longer the case since out of the 3000 Congress participants, more than 800 were delegates from hinterland regions. Consequently, the PPP updated of constitution to create party

organisational structures in these five regions. This will see the establishment of a regional committee that will be comprised of district committees within each region.

Jagdeo had said these committees will do party work, be given more tools to carry out their mandates and hold leaders more accountable while also building on local management in these regions rather than having centralised management of their work.

Another major change coming out of last weekend’s Congress is the creation of a group, whose members will be selected by the party’s Central Committee, to review the PPP Constitution, which was adopted in 1979 and amended some 20 years.

The group will examine areas to update and present these at the county conference in a year’s time for adoption. This new party programme would outline a series of tasks for the party to undertake over the next decade.

General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Fulfilling roles in homes

The issue of fathers and their roles and responsibilities in the family and society as a whole will take centre stage next month, when Guyana joins other countries — mainly those in the West — in celebrating Father’s Day.

Normally, once Father’s Day approaches, religious organisations and other social groups utilise the opportunity to re-emphasise the need for fathers to take their responsibilities more seriously, so as to help create and build stronger family units. Some also use the occasion to highlight the sacrifices some fathers make in raising their children, especially in those homes where the father is the only parent present. There are many fathers out there who each make sacrifices daily to ensure that their respective families enjoy the best of what life has to offer: whether in material things, education, security, a stable home etc; and they should be recognised for this.

In Guyana, while there are no readily available statistics, it is believed that there is a huge percentage of children growing up in single parent-headed homes, in most cases without the much-needed guidance and support of a father figure. No one can deny the importance of fathers in helping to nurture and care for children, especially in the children’s early stages of development.

According to a UNICEF analysis, more than half – or 55 per cent of children aged between 3 and 4 years old in 74 countries, approximately 40 million – have fathers who do not play or engage in early learning activities with them. The UNICEF analysis, which uses Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) data on parenting behaviours, looked at whether children aged 3 and 4 engaged in any play and early learning activities with their fathers. The activities include having their father read to them; tell them stories, or sing with them; take them outside, play with them; and naming, counting or drawing with them. The MICS is the largest collection of comparable data on parental behaviours in the world.

According to UNICEF, advances in neuroscience have proven that when children spend their earliest years in a nurturing, stimulating environment, new neural connections can form at a once-in-a-lifetime speed of 1,000 per second. These connections help determine the children’s health and ability to learn and deal with stress, and even influence their earning capacity as adults. Research also suggests that exposure to violence and a lack of stimulation and care can prevent neural connections from occurring; and when children positively interact with their fathers, they have better psychological health, self-esteem, and life satisfaction in the long term.

The Lancet’s Series, Advancing Early Childhood Development: from Science to Scale, revealed that nearly 250 million children under 5 years old were at risk of poor development due to stunting and extreme poverty. International organisations such as UNICEF have embarked on a campaign to encourage Governments and the private sector to increase spending and influence policies to support early childhood development programmes that focus on providing parents with the resources and information they need to provide nurturing care to their children.

As stated by UNICEF: “We must break down the barriers that prevent fathers from providing their babies and young children (with) a conducive environment for them to thrive, including love, play, protection, and nutritious food. We must ensure that all parents have the time, resources, and knowledge they need to fully support their children’s early development.”

That said, it is generally accepted that when both parents are present in a home, and carry out their roles fully in nurturing and providing the necessary guidance and support for children, the children turn out to lead more responsible and progressive lives as adults. Certainly, much more could be done to encourage more fathers to play active roles in their children’s development. The relevant Government agencies, religious and community organisations must continue to highlight the importance of love, play, protection, and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children’s brains.

This year, it would be good if communities: meaning the religious organisations, community leaders, and NGOs, spend some time reflecting on, and reviewing, what our fathers are doing at present, and what more could be done to help them better fulfill their roles in their homes.

PPP’s 32nd Congress leaves its opponents giddy, confused and clueless

Dear Editor,

Clearly, the PPP’s leaders must be thrilled, because, in many ways, the 32nd Congress ranks as one of the most successful congresses of a political party ever in Guyana’s history. It also is arguably one of the most successful ever in the history of political parties in Caricom. Not only was it the largest ever in Guyana’s history, it is difficult to find another party congress larger anywhere in the Caribbean.

The unity, enthusiasm and confidence that oozed from the congress were not only felt by the members present, not only by the supporters of the PPP in Guyana and in the diaspora, but clearly frustrated and stressed out its opponents. The PNC, AFC, and other political parties took note and became despondent. The many anti-PPP commentators have been stunned into either silence or sunk into the abyss of fault-finding.

At the very beginning of the congress, while clutching for some straw to avoid drowning, the PNC came out with the absurd statement denouncing the use of the Convention Centre and the flying of the PPP’s flags at the Convention Centre. The National Convention Centre, like convention centres in every single country, is used not just for state events. Corporations, other groups, including religious groups, usually rent convention centres to conduct their business or hold mass events. During those events, the organizing groups fly flags, if they have flags, and decorate with their parapherna-

lia. There is nothing unusual in this.

The PPP, given that its membership has grown and that it anticipated the largest congress ever, looked to find a suitable location, and concluded that the Convention Centre was fitfor-purpose. The PPP’s executive therefore proceeded to rent the convention centre to hold its 32nd Congress. Other political parties could also seek to rent the convention centre. During the period of the rental agreement, the convention centre was sacred ground for the PPP. It was free to fly its flags. It did, and the scenery in and around the convention centre was simply spectacular. The PNC’s denunciation was simply unfounded and disgustingly hypocritical.

When the convention center is being used to host Parliament, the Guyana flag flutters proudly. There has never been a PPP flag flown in its full glory at the convention centre when Parliament is in session. In no public building has the PPP flag ever been flown officially. Given the circumstances wherein the convention centre was rented by the PPP, the party had every right to fly its flag proudly. No law or convention was violated by anything that the PPP did during its 32nd Congress. Those who believe the PPP violated any law should mount a challenge in court.

But if there is an organization that should never make this an issue, it is the PNC. In making this an issue, the PNC merely added to its considerable creden-

tial of hypocrisy. But, then again, Burnham’s party carries hypocrisy around as a badge of honour.

This is the party that enshrined party paramountcy as part of its governance. As part of that governance model, the PNC hoisted its flag over state buildings and institutions, such as the Supreme Court of Guyana. Does the PNC think we would ever forget these egregious acts?

This is a party that spent hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to paint buildings green, branding Government with the colours of the PNC, even violating the convention of colours for State House when it coloured the State House green. It went so far as to intimidate people to paint their own homes green, and to paint their vehicles green in order to show support.

Public servants were intimidated into wearing green clothes. Certain Government institutions in fact required persons to wear green uniforms. No Guyanese citizen has forgotten this.

But the desperation to find something it can criticize forced Aubrey Norton to make a long statement in which all he could find to criticize about the PPP’s 32nd Congress was that the PPP violated the law. This is the party that is not timid when it comes to ridiculousness, like 32 is greater than 33.

Now one MP, Sherod Duncan from the AFC, alleges that Prime Minister Mark Phillips was sidelined at the Congress. This allegation shows that Duncan

is either ignorant or stupid. Either of these possibilities shows that the Opposition is not ready for the big time. The truth is that the PM was not eligible to be on the ballot for delegates to vote for him. The PM is a member of the Civic component of the PPP/C coalition. The PPP has honoured its 1992 contract with the Guyanese people, and a member of the Civic is always the PM candidate for the PPP. Between 1992 and 2015, Sam Hinds held that position, and was the leader of the Civic. Elizabeth Harper occupied that position in 2015. In 2020, Mark Phillips took up the challenge of being the PPP’s nominee for the PM position. He has served, as Sam Hinds did, with distinction, and has become an adored member of the PPP/C Cabinet. At the Congress, PM Phillips had a front seat with President Irfaan Ali and VP and GS Bharrat Jagdeo. Although Congress was for PPP delegates, PM Phillips was welcomed to participate throughout the Congress.

The PNC/APNU/AFC are digging in the proverbial muck to find something they can criticise. The same Duncan shamelessly asked where are the SOPs to show who got what votes during the congress. The PPP’s election went smoothly, and the results were available almost immediately, and were fully published. But the PNC/APNU/ AFC, almost four years later, is still hiding its copies of the SOPs from Election 2020. It is sheer hypocrisy.

Ranks of the Annandale Police Outpost playing cricket with residents of Annandale North and Annandale Market Street South, East Coast Demerara during an outreach on Monday (GPF photo)

The different kinds of Indentured Indians

By Ravi Dev

This is adapted from the Guyanese journal “Timehri” of 1919, and illustrates how even the literate class in British Guiana viewed the Immigrants. The original title was “the different kinds of Coolies”. This word, retained below, was used indiscriminately by non-Indians in Guiana and elsewhere.

“The coolies most sought after in Upper India* are those from the Orissa Bhagalpur and Chota Nagpur (more particularly the latter ) divisions of Bengal, but these are Prime favourites of the Tea Planters in Assam and Cachar, and Emigration Agents for the Colonies could not, on account of the huge commissions obtainable, compete with these latter for them; very black in colour, and of rather negroid caste of feature, they belong to the aboriginal tribes of Bengal, and are considered the most docile and hard-working coolies to be had.

(*Approximately 6% or 15,000 of the total of 238,909 Indentureds originated from the Madras Presidency, and were shipped out of Madras. They were dubbed “lazy” by the Planters for refusing to be exploited.)

“The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh have always provided the Colonies with the bulk of the coolies recruited for them, at least 80% to 90% coming from this part of India, the principal districts supplying the greatest number of emigrants being Basti, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Faizabad, Allahabad and Cawnpur. Delhi used also to provide a fair proportion of recruits, whose physical standard was invariably higher than (those of) any other District, but on account of the trouble Punjaubees gave in the Colonies -- they are a truculent people -- their recruitment was discontinued and the Sub-Depôts there closed.

“After the amalgamation - up to the end of 1915 -recruiting for Fiji used to be from January to May, followed by joint shipments to British Guiana, Trinidad and Jamaica from then on. The early months of the year are the best for recruiting purposes.

CASTES

“Excepting ex-policemen, ex- soldiers, Brahmins, Chatris, Rajputs, Barbers, Dhobis, Nats, Banias, Fakirs, Punjabis, and coolies of any of the non-agricultural castes, all other castes are recruited, and have been sent to the Colonies. The castes from which the greatest numbers have been drawn are Ahirs (cow-minders), Chamars (dealers in skins), Kurmis (Cultivators), Kahars (Carriers), Kumhars (Potters), Kewats(Cultivators and boatmen), Lodhs (Cultivators), Muraos (Cultivators), Jats (Cultivators), and Mallahs (Boatmen). Musselmen (Muslims) usually comprised about 20% of a shipment, in addition.

JSC belated statement seems peeved at GuyanaTimes source

Dear Editor,

The JSC's statement on May 7, 2024 in regard to the news article on the recommended appointments of puisne judges, which was carried by one

of the dailies ( Guyana Times April 25) based on information from a 'reliable source', is noted. It seems the JSC is peeved that the 'reliable source' pre-empted its role in

leaking the information to the media house. The belated statement would raise eyebrows. Why only now?

It is also noted that the JSC statement does

not refute any of the esteemed persons mentioned in the article for appointment.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Roysdale Forde’s letter smacks of hypocrisy

Dear Editor, The critique posited by Roysdale Forde in his recent letter, about President Irfaan Ali's dancing at the PPP/C congress, is frankly a case of misplaced priorities, and a gross misunderstanding of what truly affects the dignity of a democracy. His contention that a simple cultural expression could undermine the gravity of the presidential office is unfounded and smacks of hypocrisy, especially given his party’s sordid political history.

First and foremost, it is imperative to point out the irony in Forde's concern for presidential decorum. As a vocal defender during the dubious proceedings of

the 2020 elections, his sudden pivot to a moral high ground on the "appropriateness" of presidential conduct is laughable. This selective outrage seems more like a political manoeuvre than a genuine concern for democratic values.

If Roysdale is truly worried about the image of leadership and its impact on democracy, he would first address the unresolved shadows over his party's electoral practices. Moreover, the idea that President Ali dancing at an event could somehow detract from his ability to address national issues is an overly simplistic view of leadership. Great leaders are multifaceted; they can connect

with their people culturally and still handle the rigours of statecraft with utmost seriousness. To suggest that these brief moments of levity could overshadow substantive policy-making is to underestimate the intelligence of the Guyanese people. It is also critical to dismantle the outdated notion that leaders must always present a stern facade. Authenticity and approachability are assets in a leader who is helping to bridge the gap between the government and its citizens.

President Ali's engagement in a cultural performance does not trivialise his office. Instead, it showcases a leader who is comfortable in his skin, and is capable of shar-

ing a moment of joy with his nation.

In essence, Forde’s argument is not just weak; it's a diversion from the more pressing issues his political faction might want to avoid discussing. It’s about time he and his colleagues focus on substantive governance and integrity in their party, rather than policing harmless cultural expressions.

President Ali’s dance is not the problem here; the real issue is the audacity of such baseless criticism being used as a political tool. Guyana deserves better than this cynical, hypocritical outrage.

Sincerely,

Alfonso De Armas

These figures are in respect of adult males and females ranging between the ages of say 18 and 29. Indians are, for the most part, small-boned, and a man of 10 stones in weight looks much heavier than he really is.”

The commentators are finding all kinds of muck in order to say something negative. They now are renewing the old, worn-out arguments of “isms” to insist that the PPP has abandoned Cheddi Jagan’s principles and values. For one, they insist that the PPP has abandoned its working-class credentials, something that Cheddi Jagan scrupulously guarded. The 32nd Congress of the PPP, far from it, reiterated and emphasized its working-class ideology and commitment. It is why the PPP has created more than 70,000 jobs since August 2020, put back to work all the sugar and bauxite workers that the PNC/APNU/AFC sent home during 2015-2020, and has increased public servants’ salaries and benefits. It has also increased minimum wages for private sector and increased the income tax threshold for all workers in Guyana.

The removal of references in the constitution to Leninism/Marxism/ Socialism through a resolution at the 32nd Congress is not a denunciation of socialism. It is aligning better the party’s founding principle of ideological and economic pluralism. The PPP has always maintained that the private sector is the engine of growth in our country. It is the PPP that totally dismantled the PNC’s model of the State in command of the heights of

the economy and shifted it to the private sector. While aggressively pursuing the social justice agenda and the working-class credentials of the party, the 32nd Congress sought to bring clarity to its dedication to ideological and economic pluralism.

The truth is that the gathering of delegates from every nook and cranny of our country, people representing all races, all economic grouping, all religious section of our country presented a great consternation for the opposition and the anti-PPP commentators. It has left them confused and searching for something to find fault. The truth is that both the political opposition and the usual suspects, the anti-PPP lunatic fringe, were left scratching their head and disheartened because what they saw was a harbinger for Election 2025, signaling of the biggest ever political victory in any free and fair election in Guyana. What they saw forced them to acknowledge that the challenge for the opposition is whether the opposition can keep the PPP to an electoral victory with less than 36 seats. Congress 32 tells the country and the world that the PPP will emerge with a victory greater than36 seats.

Burnham is restless in his grave as he sees those he left in charge has destroyed his party. Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Boysie

Ramkarran, Brindley Benn, Hubbard, Jacobs, Chase and many others are smiling, proud of what they created, sustained and left. They must be proud of those that carry on, staying faithful to the principles and values they embraced when the PPP was launched on January 1, 1950, but continuously positioning the party to be fit-for-purpose in changing times.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

WEDNESDAY,

Georgetown, Guyana

Page Foundation

1. If $280 is shared in the ratio 2 :3:9 , the difference between the largest and the smallest shares is

(A) $ 80 (B) $140 (C) $180 (D) $160

2. The first three common multiples of 3, 4 and 6 are:

(A) 0, 1, 2 (B) 3, 4, 6 (C) 6, 8, 12 (D) 12, 24, 36

8. 5. By the distributive law, 49x17 + 49x3 = (A) 49 + 20 (B) 52 + 66 (C) 49 x 20 (D) 52 x 66

Item 6 refers to the following Venn diagram.

3. What is the HIGHEST common factor of the numbers {54, 72, 90}?

(A) 9 (B) 18 (C) 90 (D) 1080

4. 301 can be written as (A) 3x102+1 (B) 3x103 +1 (C) 3x102 +1x10 (D) 3x103 +1x10

Choose the opposite word 1.Verbose (A) concise (B) pleasing (C) accurate (D) colourful

2.Appreciative (A) intolerant (B) displeased (C) ungrateful (D) unhappy

English A CSEC MATHS

3.Dismiss (A) deport (B) employ (C) promote (D) transport 4.Artifical (A) natural (B) synthetic (C) man-made (D) prefabricated 5.Offensive (A) kind

9.John bought a calculator for $500. He had to pay a sales tax of 12% on the price. How much change would he receive from $1000?

(A) $440.00 (B) $120.00 (C) $280.00 (D) $320.00

10.A customer buys a table on hire purchase. He makes a deposit of $306 and pays six monthly instalments of $60 each. The TOTAL cost to the customer is (A) $360 (B) $366 (C) $666 (D) $966

(B) polite (C) truthful (D) amusing

Choose the word nearest in meaning to the word indicated 6. Wealthy (A) poor (B) affluent (C) impoverished (D) comfortable

7. Clarify (A) confuse (B) accuse (C) explain (D) insist

8. Straight (A) slanted (B) fair (C) skewed (D) crooked

9.Enormous (A) diminutive (B) infinitesimal (C) mammoth (D) large

10. Melancholy (A) morose (B) happy (C) jubilant (D) mellow

WORD SEARCH:

OTC 2024 Investment opportunities in Guyana, energy strategy take centre stage

…as Guyana’s delegation makes investment pitches

At the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, where countries from all over the world fielded representatives to showcase what their oil industries had to offer, Guyana’s interests took center stage as the country was represented from both public and private sector officials.

This year’s OTC is being held from May sixth to the ninth, in Houston’s NRG Stadium, under the theme “Leading the Global Energy Evolution.” Guyana’s delegation to the conference was led by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who made a presentation at the Bilateral Chamber.

The minister used the occasion to promote

General Wesley Clark who also served as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander. General (ret’d) Clark is also a former US presidential candidate. Following the event,

Castex-Tatum at the reception hosted by Guyana’s Honorary Consul General of the Southwest United States, the Honorable Lutfi Hassan,” a statement from the minister said.

The delegation also in-

Guyana’s investment interests and energy strategy, as well as field questions on foreign direct investments. In his feature remarks, Indar also provided insight into Guyana’s economic transformation.

The stage was shared with Retired Four-Star US

Indar attended a ‘Guyana Night’ reception where he was presented an instrument by the City of Houston to welcome Guyana’s participation at the OTC.

“The instrument was handed over by Houston’s Mayor Pro-Temp, Martha

cluded Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest)

Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Ramsaroop, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Kester Hutson and Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC)

President Manniram Prashad.

Also in attendance was President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rowena Elliot; representatives of the Guyana-Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry and GCCI Vice President Richard Rambarran, among others.

During the conference, the GO-Invest CEO was also hosted by non-profit organisation Greater Houston Partnership. Ramsaroop gave a presentation on investment opportunities in Guyana, as well as Vision 2030 as formulated by the PPP government.

This vision encompasses infrastructural, human, technological and social transformation. He also spoke to Guyana’s plans for economic diversification, international relations,

sustainable and equitable development, environmental responsibilities and security.

Other attendees included Vice President, International Investment & Trade of the Greater Houston Partnership, John Cypher and Honorary Consul of Guyana in Houston, Syed Hassan, along with officials from the GCCI including Mr. Hutson and Mr. Rambarran. Additionally, Senior Director of Global Energy Transition, Greater Houston Partnership’s Sara Muhammad Malik and President and CEO, Centre for Houston’s Future, Brett Perlman, were also present.

Following last year’s OTC, a number of success stories had come out of the previous conferences, including the partnerships

formed, and have called on the private sector to establish consortiums in preparation for the next event.

During a press conference at the time, Ramsaroop had highlighted some of the success stories from previous OTC’s, such as Guysons Engineering Limited, which formed a US$60 million joint venture partnership with United States equipment manufacturer K&B Industries. It was recommended that the private sector form partnerships, especially in non-oil sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy. Ramsaroop had also challenged the private sector to collaborate to take advantage of the stream of opportunities that will come their way. Further, he touched on the role that the GCCI can play, in steering international companies towards local partners.

The OTC serves as a vital forum for offshore energy industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore innovative technologies, with Guyana participating for its fourth consecutive year. During last year’s conference in May, Guyana participated through a collaboration between GOInvest and 40 private sector companies, with over 100 participants in the delegation that went up to Houston, Texas for the conference. (G3)

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar

Guyana’s delegation at the OTC

GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

Friends arrested for disorderly conduct at Police roadblock

Four men who police said are friends were arrested on Monday night for disorderly conduct along the Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Reports are that at about 21:15h, Police ranks in Regional Division 4B (EBD) were conducting a roadblock exercise at Diamond Public Road when a Land Cruiser, PAE 528, was stopped.

The driver, Paul Daby, a 29-year-old of 127 D'Aguiar Park, stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road, thereby preventing the free flow of traffic.

Daby and his three friends, Deion Jerrick, Sherwayne De Abreau, and Alpha Poole, then allegedly became verbally abusive towards the police officers and proceeded to behave in a disorderly manner, which resulted in a crowd gather-

ing.

“The ranks continued to carry out their duties, and the mentioned individuals and vehicles were searched. No illegal items were found. The four individuals were subsequently arrested for disorderly behavior and taken to the Golden Grove Police Station for processing,” a release from the GPF on Tuesday stated.

The men are scheduled

to appear at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court.

Video footage of the incident circulating on social media shows a Land Cruiser parked in the middle of Diamond Public Road, with a group of men accusing the officers of using excessive force.

One individual heard in the video claimed that upon stopping the vehicle, the officers aimed their weapons. (G9)

Taking down… …Big ones

The celebration yesterday by the Vietnamese, of their victory over the French army seventy years ago, illustrates the truism that “size isn’t everything”. It holds in many areas of life - apart for bedrooms - and especially to warfare!! The French had been ruling “IndoChina” since the 1800s, and were very affronted that the Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh would dare challenge a European POWER!! Apart from showing ingratitude for France’s “Mission civilsatrice” – Civilizing Mission – to bring them into the pale of humanity, it showed a lack of respect for the superior FORCE that was always there, in case learning to eat with knife and fork didn’t awe then into submission!!

So, getting impatient with the hit-and-run guerrilla tactics of the Viet Congs, France dropped 7,000 paratroopers into the stronghold of Dien Bien Phu, and dared Ho Chi Minh to dislodge them in a pitched battle!! Ho took on the challenge and sent in General Vo Nguyen Giap as commander in chief of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, that lasted a brutal 56 days, from March 13 to May 7, 1954. The Viet Cong victory resounded throughout the world as a signal that the Age of (European) Empire was over!! Ironically, here, in Guyana, arch-Imperialist Churchill had just ousted the PPP Government after its 133 days in office!

Twenty-one years later, the South Vietnam regime -which had become the Western surrogate after concluding the peace talks – fell ignominiously two years after the US, the new power on the block, filling the French shoes, had departed in defeat!! They talk about “Jack the giant killer”, but, in world affairs, it should be “Vietnam the giant killer”!!

But interestingly, Vietnam wasn’t the first defeat France had suffered by a colonized people; the first was in 1803, when Napoleon Bonaparte's army was defeated, having lost more soldiers (his brother-in-law among them) on Saint-Domingue than he would lose twelve years later at Waterloo. The next year, the revolutionaries established a new, independent, and free nation: Haiti, the world's first Black republic.

Vietnam’s victories against vastly superior military powers should be an object lesson to the Jeremiahs preaching we must roll over and play dead in the face of Venezuela’s “superior” armed forces. Size ain’t everything – it’s how you use what you got!! The US army had superior conventional weapons, but they were ineffective against a country which employed guerrilla tactics and used the dense jungle as cover. Nowadays they talk about “asymmetric warfare” – but heck, it’s up to the weaker power to make war asymmetric!!

We gotta practise Vietnam’s ‘bamboo diplomacy’ -- be firm and unyielding on basic principles, but flexible in the ways and means to achieve its strategic objectives!! Let us retool our Disciplined Forces to strategically outflank Mad Maduro’s forces!!

…Fifth Columnists

We gotta always be on guard against Mad Maduro’s all-out war against us to steal our Essequibo. He’s been very aggressive on the diplomatic front in courting – in the big leagues of China, Russia and Iran on the theory that “the enemy of your enemy is your friend”. In the little leagues, he’s been just as avidly courting the Lilliputian Caribbean states that are members of his ALBA with oily bribes.

Just two weeks ago, St Vincent (with Ralph Gonsalves) Dominica, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and St Kitts were all there at Miraflores Palace in Venezuela approving a Declaration that included Venezuela’s Essequibo claim.

“We reaffirm our firm support for permanent dialogue between Venezuela and Guyana to reach a satisfactory solution between the parties, as established by the Argyle Joint Declaration of 2023, that any controversy between both States can be resolved within the framework of International Law, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966, and the maintenance of the region as a Peace Zone”! No ICJ?

…family’s businesses

The contradictions in PNC surrogates’ call – backed by Leader Norton - to shut down Guyanese-owned businesses in Brooklyn for simply showing courtesy to Pressie, are tearing the party apart!!

Freedom of association’s protected in the US as in Guyana!!

Paul Daby Deion Jerrick

Sherwayne De Abreau Alpha Poole

GTU to resume nationwide teachers’ strike this week

The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has called on all teachers to support a nationwide strike action on Thursday. Teachers had only returned to the classrooms on March 6, after striking for some four weeks.

When the strike had ended, the Union and the government were engaged in discussions on issues affecting teachers.

However, those talks have reportedly since broken down, according to the Union’s General Secretary Coretta McDonald.

According to McDonald, the previous strike action for better pay was never over but halted to facilitate collective bargaining between the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Union.

She told this publication that the decision to resume the strike is because the union believes there is nothing forthcoming from the Government as it relates to collective bargaining.

It was also disclosed that the union views the

government's alleged refusal to engage in collective bargaining as “an insult to the integrity of all teachers in Guyana”.

This time around, McDonald said the teachers are prepared to strike for as long as it takes for their demands to be met.

country and outlined the government’s plan to improve their livelihoods.

Moreover, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had calculated that at the end of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s first term in office, graduate

The government has already addressed over 20 issues affecting teachers, aimed at improving their working conditions and overall welfare.

In fact, at the time of the last strike, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had reminded that he has already met with teachers across the

teachers would have benefited from salary increases amounting to nearly 50 per cent.

In March Jagdeo had said that the GTU had walked away from a threeyear proposal submitted by the Government for salary increases from 2024 onwards. Government has al-

ready said it is unfair for the GTU to request pay hikes for years when teachers were at home during the COVID-19 pandemic; those years are from 2020 to 2022; and that the budget cannot accommodate a retroactive increase that spans several years.

Jagdeo pointed out that the 25 per cent retroactive increase being demanded by the GTU is unacceptable. In addition to the 25 per cent pay hike, the GTU also wants Government to address a two per cent increase from 2017 and 2018.

Meanwhile, as teach-

ers prepare to strike again, there is a legal matter still to be resolved.

On April 19, the High Court had ruled in favour of the GTU, and stipulated that teachers’ salaries should not be deducted following their participation in the recent strike.

The High Court had also ruled against government’s decision to discontinue the deduction of union dues from the salaries of teachers for the GTU.

This came on the heels of the Guyana Government’s refusal to negotiate for that salary increases for

the period December 2021 to 2023, but instead was ready to do so for a multiyear agreement starting 2024.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since said government will appeal the ruling at the level of the Guyana Court of Appeal, with the likelihood that the case will go to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final court of appeal.

Efforts on Tuesday to contact Education Ministry officials for a comment on this new position by the GTU proved futile. (G1)

2 charged for killing man who helped villager during brutal attack

Two men accused of murder and attempted murder were on Tuesday remanded to prison when they appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court.

Charged are Kevin Springer, a 28-year-old contractor of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Denzil Scott, a 30-year-old self-employed man also of Sparendaam ECD.

The duo appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool and were not required to plea to the indicatable charge.

It is alleged that the two men murdered Joseph Forde, a 44-year-old construction

worker of Middle Street, Sparendaam ECD, and attempted to murder Jermain Williams, 50, of Prince Williams Street, Plaisance, ECD. Both defendants were remanded and the case will continue on June 18.

According to reports, it is alleged that Forde was chopped and shot to death by Springer, Scott and two other men who were angered by his intervention to rescue Williams from their brutal attacks.

The man’s wife, Shewanna Burnett, told Guyana Times that, on

April 29, her husband, a father of 4, was heading to the Plaisance Line Top when he came across four men who were brutally assaulting Williams. He was riding his bicycle at the time, so he dismounted and went to the man’s aid. Forde reportedly rescued Williams and transported him to the hospital for treatment.

Since the occurrence of this incident, the woman explained, her husband had been subjected to threats from the group.

On May 2, at around 21:00h, Forde left his home

Teen drowns during Linden Town Week trip

An 18-year-old student from 14th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, lost his life on Monday afternoon at Rockstone, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Dead is Adiel Thomas. According to Police the teen died at about 13:00h.

to go to the Plaisance Railway Embankment, and while there, he was attacked by the same group of men. He reportedly was forcibly removed from his bicycle and badly beaten before being chopped about his body. He reportedly was eventually shot by one of the suspects.

Forde’s wife explained that she was at home when she received news of the incident. And upon rushing to the scene, she saw her husband’s motionless body lying in a pool of blood. He was later pronounced dead. (G9)

Investigations indicate that Thomas and a group of his friends had journeyed to Linden to partake in town’s week festivities. Upon arrival, they opted to explore Rockstone for sightseeing and reportedly rented a boat to venture to Mosura Island for photography.

According to Police, it is alleged by other members of the group that Thomas suggested a swim in the river, inviting his friends to join, but they declined. Undeterred, he proceeded alone, swimming towards deeper waters. His

friends told investigators that they noticed his absence after a few minutes, prompting a search that unfortunately yielded no immediate results.

Subsequently, the police were notified, initiating a search operation, which later resulted in the recovery of Thomas’s body. Thomas is now the 16th reported case of drowning for the year. The most recent incident occurred on April 5, when two teachers tragically lost their lives in a collision between two boats on the Moruca River in Region One (BarimaWaini).

Adrian Thomas, 18, a former teacher from St. Bede’s Primary School, and Helen Raybai from Waikrebi Village in the Moruca Sub-Region died in that accident. The collision involved a boat belonging to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard. (G9)

Remanded: Denzil Scott and Kevin Springer

Dead: Joseph Forde

Nursing Week 2024

11 nurses honoured for exemplary contributions to Guyana’s healthcare sector

…Nurses and Midwives’ Council urged to host research conference

The Nurses and Midwives Council of Guyana on Tuesday presented awards of appreciation to 11 nurses and midwives from across Guyana, for their exemplary contributions to the advancement of Guyana’s healthcare sector.

The activity which was held at Cara Lodge, is part of the International Nurses Week festivities, which is being celebrated from May 6May 12.

The week is just a part of the larger Nurses Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of May.

Every year, nurses and midwives are recognised for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide.

It also provides a platform

to highlight their leaders and support to staff as they address key challenges fac-

ing the nursing workforce.

This year’s theme is “Our Nurses. Our Future, The

Economic Power of care”.

Among those honoured were nurses and midwives who served in the healthcare system for over 30 years, and worked diligently to ensure patients receive optimal care.

Additionally, several nurses were honoured for their longstanding contributions to education, practice, and retirement.

Chief Medical Officer at the Health Ministry, Dr Narine Singh congratulated

the awardees and thanked them for their services, which he noted is the backbone of Guyana’s healthcare system.

“You are not only healthcare providers, you serve as administrator, advocates, you’re also community leaders, some of you are tutors, and some of you serve in different roles while in the nursing capacity,” CMO said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the nurses and midwives and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavor, this including additional training.

On this point, he underscored to need for a nursing research conference and urged the Nurses and Midwives Council to commence plans for the event, which will likely be held at the end of 2024.

“You’re the ones that have to drive it and get people to come and make presentations and this like that. Why are all these things important, apart from getting people more knowledgeable and so that

we can have better quality of practice and so forth. The way that we are practicing medicine is going to change drastically in Guyana,” the health minister said According to Dr Anthony, the medical field is constantly evolving and staying abreast with new discoveries, treatment methods and medicine is one of the ways Guyana can achieve a resilient worldclass healthcare system.

“Very soon people from the surrounding areas are going to be looking at Guyana as the example and we want you as nursing leaders to help us to transform the sector, many of you have had many years in the sector and we want you to help us,” Dr Anthony added.

Among those present at the ceremony were, the Chairperson of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Nicola Nero; President of the Nursing Association, Donnett Graham-Gullin; Deputy Director of the Health Sciences Division, Chandroutie Persaud and other members from the council. (G1)

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony pose with the nurses and midwives to whom he presented awards of appreciation

ExxonMobil working with local suppliers to ensure early payments, access to finance – Routledge

…says company exploring invoice factoring to allow for quick payments

While oil companies are required to pay locals within 45 days of receiving an invoice, concerns have been expressed that this time period is still too long and according to ExxonMobil Guyana itself, the oil company is committed to working with local suppliers to ensure early payments.

During a recent press conference, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge was asked about the 45-day payment period for local suppliers. The oil executive acknowledged that access to finance is a challenge. According to

him, Exxon is committed to finding ways around this problem.

“We’re very aware that access to finance is a challenge for local businesses and we work very hard with the local businesses, with the local content secretariat, to find ways to enhance that access to finance. We’re always looking at the payment terms with the companies. We work closely with them,” Routledge said. Routledge went into specifics about arrangements Exxon is making. For instance, if its local suppliers require payments as soon

as a valid invoice is submitted, Exxon is working on factoring these invoices.

Invoice factoring is when suppliers turn over their outstanding invoices to a financial firm, in exchange for immediate cash. That financial firm is subsequently compensated by the contracting company, with an additional fee attached.

“The first thing is the duration of that payment obligation. But more importantly, we work with companies to ensure that the point from the delivery of service or goods, to the point where they have an invoice they can submit, that timeframe is short too. All of that goes into, can companies realise the revenues as quickly as possible? We are working today also on an initiative around factoring of invoices,” the executive said.

“So, working with some other financial institutions on supporting that, so it gives companies another way. So even if they have 30 days payments, but they would like the money as soon as a valid invoice is submitted, they can do that with this additional step. So, we do see it as important that companies have that cash flow. It keeps

them running today, paying the bills today, but also gives them the opportunity to have the finance needed to continue to invest and grow.”

In light of delayed pay-

nies are mandated to give Guyanese first preference for, the government is eyeing the possible increase of these categories.

In fact, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had as-

ments to locals servicing the oil and gas industry, it was mandated in 2022 that major operators make payments to Guyanese suppliers within 30 to 45 days. Last month during the Local Content Summit, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had expressed that even 45 days is too long and that this would have to be reviewed.

The President had gone on to explain that the First Schedule of the Local Content Act is currently being reviewed, with the view of setting new benchmarks. While the First Schedule currently lists 40 categories of services that oil compa-

sured last month that, the Local Content Act could be put through revisions later this year to expand the carved-out areas of opportunity for Guyanese, following consultations with relevant stakeholders and further data from the Local Content Secretariat.

Nandlall, who had also been speaking at the Local Content Summit, had informed attendees that the government is currently waiting on the Local Content Secretariat to complete its review of the sector’s performance.

Once a report is forthcoming and consultations completed, he noted that

the government can go ahead with revising the Act later this year… since expanding the services, Guyanese are guaranteed first preference for in the oil and gas sector falls under the remit of the subject Minister and does not rely on parliament.

In December 2021, the National Assembly passed the Local Content Act which outlines 40 different service areas that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese and Guyanese-owned companies.

These include 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent of janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

The Local Content Act mandates penalties such as fines ranging from $5 million to $50 million for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act. (G3)

Grand Coastal Hotel wins TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024

Guyana’s Grand Coastal Hotel was this year’s recipient of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award placing them among the top 10 per cent of hotels around the world.

Speaking on behalf of the hotel’s management and staff, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Daby expressed his gratitude for receiving the award.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this esteemed recognition from TripAdvisor. This award reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire team in providing outstanding service to our guests. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our guests who took the time to share their experiences and helped us achieve this milestone,” he stated. Meanwhile also congratulating the manage-

ment and staff of the Grand Coastal Hotel for receiving this commendable accolade was Chief Growth Officer at TripAdvisor John Boris who said, “Congratulations to Grand Coastal Hotel on its recognition in TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards for 2024. Travellers’ Choice honors businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. This means you have made such a memora-

ble impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience. People rely on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice seal to help them navigate the myriad of things to see, eat and do across the globe. We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2024 and beyond,” he stated.

Located just about 10 kilometers from Georgetown, in Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, the Grand Coastal Hotel is a Guyanese family-owned boutique hotel that has been serving both leisure and business travelers for over 20 years. First opening its doors in 2001, as a 19-bedroom Inn. The Grand Coastal Hotel over the past two decades has expanded into a 52room boutique hotel and is complimented by four vaca-

tion homes each containing five rooms, all within the vicinity of the hotel. Over the years it has dedicated itself to providing the highest standards of service which in turn has led to its reputation as the premier business and family hotel in Guyana.

As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, TripAdvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of great places to visit.

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge

Grand Coastal CEO Kevin Daby

Power ship ready, preparations ongoing for connection to national grid

Preparations are still ongoing for the Qatar-based Urbacon Concessions Investments, W.L.L (UCI) power ship being rented by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to be connected to the national grid.

Several testing activities were conducted on Tuesday as preparations continue to have the 36 megawatts power ship connected to the national grid.

Almost everything is in place for the floating power plant which is being rented by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to produce power to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnecting Grid.

The plans are by the utility company that when the ship starts producing power to the grid, this is expected to end the current spate of blackouts being experienced on both Demerara and Berbice.

The crew aboard the ship is now waiting on GPL.

The three power plants aboard the ship have been tested and are ready to be connected to the national grid.

The ship is docked at Everton on the East Bank of Berbice in Region Six, where it will then be connected to the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System.

On Tuesday, Berbice Zone Manager Ravindra Jagnanand said GPL still needed to get the power lines ready to be connected to the ship.

He also noted that the company has to install security lighting for both crew and vessel.

Jagnanand told this publication that they are almost ready but did not give a time when the ship will start providing power to the grid, pointing out that rain could affect the remainder of work but expressed optimism that it will be shortly.

According to the zone manager, preparing the vessel to be connected to the inshore power lines has been very challenging.

It was initially reported that the ship will start providing power to the national grid on May 8.

According to the zone manager in an interview with the media a few days ago, it has been very challenging making preparations for the vessel to be connected to the inshore power lines.

"Over the last two weeks, our teams have been working daily and assiduously to get all the proprietary works completed to accommodate this power ship. We would have started with the pile driving process because stability is paramount to secure or mooring the vessel; so that is the first step that we would have taken. Our T&D [transmission and distribution] team

over the past two weeks was working to complete the new transmission line connecting the power ship to our 69 KV network,” Jagnanand explained.

He added that the team over the past two weeks the weather pattern posed challenges for the workers on the ground.

“But the team is fully committed to executing their mandate.”

The utility company has been experiencing generation shortfalls due to an unprecedented rise in electricity demand. The situation has led the company to procure the power ship to boost the generation capacity of the GPL within the Demerara-Berbice Interconnecting System.

The local power company is expected to be able to access 36 megawatts of electricity from the ship.

“The ship comes with a

length of cable or conductor. It is about 100 meters in length. We will make the necessary connections from their gantry on the ship onto our transmission lines and that will be the final stage of the operations. We are hoping to get it done as soon as possible but I can’t put a timeline to it because as we speak it is raining. That is one of the issues that could influence the timely operation.”

GPL is currently generating about 165 megawatts of power. However, the peak demand is about 180 megawatts hence the shortfall.

One of the reasons for the shortfall in supply is as a result of a huge increase in customers for GPL. In 2014, GPL had 177,780 customers and at the end of 2023, it had 227,067.

With the government’s housing drive, a significant portion of the projected 10,000 house lots have been distrib-

uted this year with many of them being ‘turn-key’ and have been connected to the grid pushing the increase in customers to well over 50,000 since 2014, when the previous People’s Progressive Party government had been investing heavily in the power company ensuring that it was capable of meeting its demands. However, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government which was in office from 2015 – 20120, paid little or no attention to the growing demands of the State-owned power company and during its tenure in office the demand for electricity outran power generation. Earlier this year GPL has signed a multi-million-dollar deal for the rental of the floating power plant for two years in a move to add much-needed generating capacity to the grid. (G4)

New partnership to boost trade, business development between Guyana & Suriname

The Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Region 5 Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On Tuesday, the chamber said that this strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in strengthening trade relations and enhancing business opportunities between Guyana and Suriname. By fostering a cooperative network, the agreement aims to facilitate a more seamless flow of trade and investment, offering technical support and boosting regional and global business development through collaborative efforts.

The MoU was officially signed during a meeting held on May 3 at

the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce office, where the Chairman of the Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Vishnu Doerga presented on the current labor situation in Guyana and discussed potential improvements. This was followed by a general discussion on how the chambers can better serve their members and increase membership, focusing on creating more value and support for businesses within the territories.

Additionally, in a significant move to connect Guyanese businesses with opportunities in Suriname, collaborations have been set up to include Guyanese enterprises in a trade mission to Suriname on June 5th – June 9th. This mission will feature targeted B2B meetings and a visit to the Suriname Energy Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS), designed to foster direct connections and synergies between businesses across both countries.

The SGCC will also support the CCCC with encouraging Suriname companies to participate in the CCCC’s October Berbice Expo. Attendance to the Berbice Expo will also be encouraged at the SGCC’s October International Business Expo. The MoU signifies a commitment to increased Trade and Business Relations: The Chambers will work together to promote multilateral trade, offer technical assistance, and encourage investment partnerships between Guyana and other territories; support for Businesses: The partnership focuses on creating networks to support, promote, and encourage businesses operating in Guyana; improved Trade Facilitation: Cooperation will enhance trade facilitation standards, procedures, and best practices for businesses in Guyana and collaborating territories. According to the chamber the key objectives of the MoU include promoting

multilateral trade liberalisations and technical assistance; encouraging investment partnerships across the cooperative territories; expanding the reach and penetration of Guyanese markets through improved trade facilitations and relations.

Caption: From left: Pradeep Bachan Public Relations Officer of the Region Five Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jaichan Hemchan; Vice President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dr. Vishnu Doerga; Chair of Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Reid; President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association and Poonai Bhigroog; President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce

GPL's transmission line waiting to be connected to the power ship

PPP’s 32nd Congress – changing with the times, maintaining values and principles

The PPP’s 32nd Congress has come and gone, but the 32nd Congress has officially endorsed dramatic changes in the party’s outlook and makeup. As usual, the party’s congress was conducted from beginning to end with utmost unity. Elections were held in which 93 persons contested for 35 places in the Central Committee (CC) of the party, with an additional five non-voting members.

As with every congress, some stalwart members made way for new members. There was no in-fighting, no allegation of skullduggery.

Those who did not gain a place on the CC were disappointed, but, without exception, wished the new and retained members in the CC well, and vowed that together they will all work to ensure the biggest ever electoral victory in free and fair elections in Guyana.

This party is ready for Elections 2025. The party members overwhelmingly endorsed the path the Dr. Irfaan Ali Government has traversed and is traversing. The party members clearly adore their president. They rewarded him with the highest vote count, just barely ahead of Guyana’s Vice President, the party leader and General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo.

Both leaders praised each other, and the party members and the Guyanese public must have been assured that Guyana’s President and VP are working together in total unison. GS Bharrat Jagdeo has clearly become a legendary leader while still young, while still the undisputed leader of Cheddi Jagan’s party. Like the president, BJ is adored and is a hero to the president, to the party members, and among his Guyanese sisters and brothers.

The members, while confident of victory, want to work even harder to ensure that the PPP enters Parliament after Election 2025 with more than 36 seats, to break the record of most seats in Parliament in a free and fair election.

The 32nd Congress, however, was remarkable because fundamental changes occurred. On January 1st, 1950, when the PPP was launched, it was declared that the party would pursue ideological pluralism. In subsequent years, under the banner of ideological pluralism, the party pursued a path of socialism, akin to Marxism, and was deemed by its opponents at home and abroad as a communist party. The leader of the party, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, branded himself a Marxist. But the party has never been obsessed with “isms” politics. It did not abandon its founding principle of ideological pluralism. It recognized that the initial battles for independence and unshackling the country from colonialism, and ensuring the lot of the working class is improved, might require a certain ideological posture. The party also recognized that while its Socialist/Leninist/ Marxist posture might align with its social justice and working-class agenda, entrepreneurship and free enterprise, the capitalist path, must also be vigorously pursued to generate financial capital.

The 32nd Congress of the PPP was not timid in acknowledging that its constitutional commitment to Socialism/Leninism/Marxism no longer fully reflects its changing mission. Independence was achieved, and Guyana is about to celebrate its 58th Independence anniversary in two weeks. Guyana has also emerged from being a poor, highly indebted country into being a high middle-income country. With its economic growth, Guyana is poised to become the biggest economy in Caricom by 2030.

The ideological posture that the party believed served the people and the country best, after the 1960s and for the first five decades after independence, is not the vehicle to lift Guyana to new heights, to permit the party to take the country to a developmental platform that few imagined possible just a few years ago.

The 32nd Congress clearly wanted to persuade all economic groups in Guyana that the party has their backs. The party had to gain the confidence and trust of every economic group. The original founders committed that the party would never abandon championing the welfare of the working class. Therefore, the 32nd Congress emphasized its working-class credentials, and further committed its allegiance to the promise of standing strong and unbending as the champion of the working class.

As the trajectory has entirely shifted away from the state commanding the height of the economy, the party must gain the confidence and trust of business. The party, in fact, has always maintained that the private sector is the engine of growth. This explains why the party, from the inception, emphasized that it would never be beholden to one ideology, and that it would pursue ideological pluralism. There was clearly a clash – how could the party’s posture be Socialist/Leninist/Marxist when its founding principle remained ideological pluralism?

The 32nd Congress of the PPP, with no hesitation, removed the inherent conflict between retaining its constitutional commitment to Socialism/Leninism/Marxism while simultaneously committing to its original promise of ideological pluralism. It has made the change in its constitution, that while it would continue to strenuously fight for the working class; fight for entitlements to ensure the working class’s welfare and social justice are promoted through health, education, housing, water, sanitation; and create a pathway for wealth accumulation for the working class; it would also create the empowering milieu for business to generate the financial capital that would sustain Guyana as a developed country.

For sure, the usual suspects will come out kicking and screaming that Bharrat Jagdeo has abandoned Cheddi’s path, has discarded the principles and values that the founding leaders enshrined in the constitution. They would be wrong. The founding leaders anticipated that the economic and social development ideology would, by necessity, have to adapt to changing mission and changing times. It is why it’s enshrined in the constitution at the very start that the PPP is built on the principle of ideological pluralism.

The 32nd Congress of the PPP changed approach, but has maintained its original promise that subsequent leaders would maintain the freedom to change under the banner of ideological pluralism, and never be straightjacketed by ideological dogmatism.

Cheddi Jagan would be proud were he to be still around.

1 jailed, 1 on bail for gun, ammo possession charges

Two men arrested over the long holiday weekend on firearm charges were on Tuesday arraigned.

Daniel Jose Daza, a 29-year-old resident of Martyr’s Village, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was apprehended on May 3 and charged with the offense of 'Possession of ammunition without a license’, a violation of section 16(b) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.

Daza appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, ECD on Tuesday before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs. He please guilty to the offence and was jailed for two years and fined $50,000.

In a separate matter, Jermaine Williams, 31, a

boat captain in Leonora Village, West Coast Demerara, faced charges of unlawful possession of firearms without a license and unlawful possession of ammunition without a license at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. The charges were brought under Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05. Presided over by Magistrate Tariq Mohamed, Williams contested the charges, entering a plea of not guilty to both counts.

Bail was set at $200,000 for the firearm charge and $100,000 for the ammunition charge. The case will continue on June 3.

BOSS initiative training to benefit 100 men in Region 1

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry's program, Brotherhood Operating Safe Spaces (BOSS) initiative, will be offering training opportunities for men in Region One (BarimaWaini). Some 100 men from the region will undergo a two-week-long training aimed at equipping them with the skills to create safe spaces for other men, enabling them to share and provide mentorship effectively.

The goal is to encourage men to feel more comfortable sharing their expe-

riences related to domestic abuse or other social challenges.

Manager of the Sexual Crimes and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Dr. Cona Husbands at the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, shared that training will kick off in Region One with a focus on targeting and training 100 men to become mentors for their peers. Dr Husbands expressed her hopes for expanding the initiative to reach men in every region by the end of the year, emphasising that the intention of the BOSS initiative

is to provide the same level of support to men as has been traditionally offered to women.

Further highlighting the ministry's commitment to gender equality and male empowerment, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, recently launched a similar project called 'MPOWER.' This initiative, launched alongside a sexual assault awareness campaign, aims to enhance skills and promote financial independence among men, mirroring the opportunities provided to women through

programs like WIIN. The training will enable participants to engage more compassionately with other males and offer mentorship effectively. The ministry plans to conduct follow-up sessions, check-ins, and spot checks to assess the program's impact fully. They encourage active public participation in raising awareness and supporting male victims of domestic violence, emphasising the importance of creating a society where all forms of abuse are acknowledged and addressed effectively.

Drug trafficking, possession charges land trio in court

In separate court appearances on Tuesday, three men faced charges related to drug possession and trafficking.

At the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, Steve Anthony King stood before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed, admitting guilt to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking as per section 5(1) (a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act Chapter 10:10. King, upon pleading guilty, was fined $30,000. Additionally, he was sentenced to 92 hours of community service to be completed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. Meanwhile, at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) two other men faced similar charges.

Christopher Graham, a 34-year-old construction worker from Victoria Village, ECD, was apprehended on May 4.

Police said that on May 4 at about 22:45h, a party of police conducted a roadblock exercise on the Cove and John Public Road.

A silver/grey Toyota Premio motorcar, PAF 436, was stopped, and a strong odor suspected to be narcotics was detected. Police said that the driver and two occupants of the car were searched. A search was also done of the motor vehicle.

Graham who had a black pouch around his waist was searched and a quantity of

leaves, seeds and stems were found.

The suspected narcotics amounted to 34.5 grams.

After pleading guilty, Magistrate Peter Hugh, fined Graham $30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him facing a six-month imprisonment term.

Nashon Johnson, a 28-year-old driver also from Victoria Village, ECD, stood accused of possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.

Johnson was the driver of

said a search of

discovered a black garbage bag containing a quantity of leave, seeds, and stems. It is alleged that the Johnson claimed ownership of the bag which had 430 grams of cannabis. Johnson, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence during his court appearance

His application for bail was refused and he was remanded to prison. That case will continue at a later date. (G9)

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Jailed: Daniel Jose Daza Charged: Jermaine Williams

the motorcar in which Graham was found. Police

the vehicle

Steve Anthony King

Christopher Graham Nashon Johnson

Familiarise yourself with environmental challenges facing Guyana – Dr Trotz to Journalists

In face of the challenges pertaining to climate change, the role of the press is more critical as ever as journalists serve as watchdogs, shining light on environmental degradation, exposing wrong doings and amplifying the voices most effective by environmental injustices.

Those were the remarks of Dr Ulric Trotz during a World Press Freedom Day Forum organised by the Guyana Press Association on Friday last at Moray House, Camp Street, Georgetown.

Trotz, which underscored the importance for journalists, in light of the recent surge in climatic catastrophes observed in Guyana and other countries worldwide, including the recent floods in Brazil and the cur-

rent dry spell in Guyana.

According to Dr Trotz, it is vital that local journalists

familiarise themselves with the environmental challenges that Guyana faces. This knowledge would equip citizens with information about ongoing climate change.

“It is imperative that journalists arm themselves with the relevant knowledge pertaining to Guyana’s management within its environmental challenges that the country faces, and through ensuring that we would be able to provide for all of our needs for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for ourselves and those who are coming after us,” Trotz expressed.

Additionally, he also explained that investigative journalism and interviews

serve as a vital platform for the exchange of ideas, leading to innovative solutions for climate action.

“The press, through publishing opinion theses, public interviews with key technical personnel like local scientists, policymakers, government functionaries, vulnerable stakeholder groups, indigenous communities, can provide a platform for frank exchange of ideas he stated whilst then adding that they can also lead to the articulation of innovative solutions, consensus building, and behavioral change in households.

Since 1997, Dr Trotz has been advising the Caribbean Governments on building ca-

pacity for climate change adaptation. Dr Trotz served as a member of the group of scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in 2008 in the capacity of a Review Editor for Chapter 16 on Small Island Developing States in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC).

World Press Freedom Day 2024 was dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. The theme for this year’s day was, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of Environmental Crisis.” (G2)

Developing mental wealth through Art of Living breathing courses

The Art of Living Foundation was developed as an effort to help individuals better manage their minds and take leadership actions that will improve society as a whole. The foundation was developed by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a globally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader, who has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement for a stress-free, violence-free society the Art of Living foundation finds solutions for a stressfree and happy life through breath, meditation and

yoga.

Speaking with this publication was Ajay Tejasvi a certified international leadership trainer, who has supported corporations and students across 30 countries sharing self-management and wellness techniques to support a healthy, happy and productive life. Tejasvi highlighted that presently in “our society, the use of aggression to resolve situations is quite common especially with young men. In our generation aggression is associated with masculinity or strength, but actually if you look at it psychologically those who behave aggressively are very insecure inside, actually it has been proven that inside they are very weak and fragile and that’s why they want to show some sort of aggression outside.”

In this regard, he noted that one of the aims of the Art of Living Foundation, is to flip the concept and show individuals that assertiveness does not equal aggression.

Tejasvi noted that today’s society has two common issues “aggression and depression”. He shared that the mission of the Art of Living foundation is to address these two issues in an unconventional way by offering practical tools and techniques to empower individuals. “society is swinging between

two poles on one side we have aggression and on the other we have depression, people are completely depressed and sad and not able to connect with each other.

To address both of these issues the Art of Living Foundation offers very practical tools and techniques that help you feel strong from within, through the power of the breath, through calming the mind and then you’re in a position to really take decisions and respond rather than react, a lot of people do things reactively or aggressively then we hurt somebody and regret it.

Managing these negative emotions are usually not taught in school or in the household but that is where the breath comes in,” he noted. According to Tejasvi, studies have shown that certain emotions influence your physiology through the breath. The Art of living workshops educates participants on how to positively influence their mind by using the breath in certain patterns through a simple breathing technique that helps to harmonise emotions and manage daily stress.

Meanwhile the Arts of Living Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Raul Ortemberg noted that it is their job to educate the younger generation,

to eliminate certain issues that are prominent in the world today and shared some words of encouragement for the youths of Guyana.” When you feel to do something negative out of anger or frustration postpone and when you think to do something good do it immediately normally what we tend to do is the opposite” secondly, he encouraged youths to invest money in themselves “invest money in yourself instead of spending money on partying and alcohol, use part of it to take a program to grow and to learn, it will change your life” he stated. He further noted that the use of alcohol and drugs are only a temporary solution and resorting to the use of drugs will only open the door for more challenges. In this regard he encouraged not only the youths but all members of society to enroll in programmes offered by the Arts of Living Foundation. The Art of Living Foundation has been around for two decades in Guyana and is active in more than 170 countries across the world, the Arts of Living Foundation has touched the lives of over 500 million people and will continue its commitment to disseminate mental wealth in Guyana and across the world in an effort to foster a peaceful environment.

Dr Ulric Trotz

Ajay Tejasvi, a certified international leadership trainer

Ameena Gafoor Institute goes global

The Ameena Gafoor Institute has gone global with the creation of its website.

The Ameena Gafoor Institute (AGI) was created from scratch in March 2020 under the directorship of Professor David Dabydeen. The Institute was formally launched at the House of Lords, UK Parliament in October 2021.

An Academic Advisory Board consisting of 40 scholars worldwide was established.

Honorary Patrons of distinction were selected and appointed. These include Lord Bikhu Parekh, Professor Uma Mesthrie (Mahatma Gandhi’s grand-

daughter) and Dr. Patricia Rodney (the widow of Dr. Walter Rodney).

In a release on Tuesday, the Foundation stated that

such in existence worldwide and is very extensive. The website contains the most comprehensive Bibliography in existence.

Practically every book or article published on Indentureship is listed, and the Bibliography is updated

lished, and editors appointed (Professor David Dabydeen, Professor Amar Wahab and Dr. Maria del Pilar Kaladeen). There are two issues of the Journal every year and so far, the Journal has published six issues (2021-today), on his-

the Institute is in the process of establishing relationships with universities in India, Pakistan. A wide range of formal and regular contacts take place with Universities in Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Trinidad and Guyana.

talks given by 160 scholars from Guyana, South Africa, Fiji, India, Pakistan Mauritius, the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad. In 2023, the Ameena Gafoor Institute invited Shashi Tharoor, India’s lead-

a website (https://ameenagafoorinstitute.org/) was created which is the only

monthly.

The Journal of Indentureship and its Legacies was estab-

US revokes some export licences for firms supplying China's Huawei

The US on Tuesday said it revoked some licences that allow companies to ship goods, such as chips, to sanctioned Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies.

Some companies were notified on Tuesday that their licences were revoked effective immediately, according to one person familiar with the matter.

The move comes after the release last month of Huawei's first AI-enabled laptop, the MateBook X Pro powered by Intel's, opens new tab new Core Ultra 9 processor. The laptop launch drew fire from Republican lawmakers, who said it suggested to them that the Commerce Department had given the green light to Intel to sell the chip to Huawei.

"We have revoked certain licences for exports to

Huawei," the Commerce Department said in a statement, declining to specify which ones it had withdrawn.

The move, first reported by Reuters, comes after concerted pressure by Republican China hawks in Congress who have been urging the Biden administration to take tougher action to thwart Huawei. "This action will bolster U.S. national security, protect American ingenuity, and diminish Communist China’s ability to advance its technology," Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said in a statement. Depending on which licences were revoked, the move could also hurt Huawei which still relies on Intel chips to power its laptops, and could hurt US suppliers that do business with the company.

A spokesperson for Intel

declined to comment. Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Huawei was placed on a U.S. trade restriction list in 2019 amid fears it could spy on Americans, part of a broader effort to handicap China's ability to bolster its military. Being added to the list means the company's suppliers have to seek a special, difficult-to-obtain license before shipping.

Even so, suppliers to Huawei have received licences worth billions of dollars to sell Huawei goods and technology, including one particularly controversial authorization, issued by the Trump administration, which has allowed Intel to ship central processors to Huawei for use in its laptops since 2020. (Excerpted from Reuters)

AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips

AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a "surplus of available updated vaccines" since the pandemic.

The company also said it would proceed to withdraw the vaccine Vaxzevria's marketing authorisations within Europe.

"As multiple, variant COVID-19 vaccines have since been developed there

is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

According to media reports, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side-effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

The firm's application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the development.

London-listed AstraZeneca began moving into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs through several deals last year after a slowdown in growth as COVID-19 medicine sales declined. (Reuters)

torical and contemporary matters. The Journal has so far published the work of more than 26 scholars, writers and artists. The Journal is an Open Access title, meaning that is freely available on the internet to readers worldwide. Both the website and the Journal receives a few thousand views a month.

Formal partnerships were created with the Universities of Cambridge, Bonn (Germany), Paderborn (Germany) and Sunway University (Malaysia) and

Cambridge University, in partnership with the Ameena Gafoor Institute, has now set up Visiting Fellowships in Indentureship Studies, the first such in any University worldwide, and is planning to create a permanent Professorship in Indentureship Studies.

The Ameena Gafoor Institute has, in the past two years had 65 joint webinars with Bonn University, Paderborn University and the Indo Caribbean Cultural Centre (Trinidad), with

ing public intellectual, to give an in- person lecture at Cambridge University on Dr. Ambedkar, the great scholarly leader of the Dalits in India, and Tharoor’s lecture, when put on the Internet was viewed by 930,000 people, the largest audience in the recorded history of Cambridge University.

The work done so far by the Ameena Gafoor Institute is in furtherance of Ameena’s work and vision for the arts, history and education.

Ameena Gafoor

Regional

SVG’s Opposition Leader wants age of consent increased

Opposition Leader

Dr Godwin Friday has reiterated his support for increasing the age of consent, saying that while 15 “definitely” is “too low”, the new age should be decided after consultation with the public.

“As to the exact age, that is something, of course, that can be discussed as well,” Friday said, adding that his view as well as that of his New Democratic Party and the public is that the age should be increased.

“If you look around the world, you will find that between 16 and 17 tends to be around what the higher level is,” Friday said on a radio programme , noting that some people have called for it to be 18 while others have said 21.

“But this is something I

believe that we must have some public discussion about it. But definitely, I agree 15 is too low and it should be raised.”

Friday said the NDP has discussed the matter.

“And the proposal is between 16 and 17, which is the age group that most people are talking — 16 and 18. But again, I would prefer to have a more broader public discussion on the issue, not just the

age of consent.”

He said the age of consent is “critically important, but the whole problem of sexual violence in our society and the abuse of girls and women and so forth that you find is too prevalent in St Vincent and Grenadines as a broader question that should be addressed as well”.

Friday said that the NDP had canvassed the issue in its discussions about crime, adding that the age of consent is an important part of that discussion.

Friday said he has even heard talk of increasing the age of consent to 21.

“I don’t think that that is practical. But certainly, between the ages of 16 and 18 is where most opinions are expressed.” (Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaican man accused of killing Canadian ‘girlfriend’ offered J$2M bail

Aman accused of killing a Canadian woman said to be his girlfriend was offered bail in the amount of J$2 million in the Hanover Parish Court on Tuesday.

Eric Collins is charged with the murder of Canadian national April Labine while also facing charges of possession of prohibited weapon and us-

ing a firearm to commit a felony.

He was offered bail by Judge Sasha-Marie SmithAshley after she heard submissions from Attorneys representing Collins.

It is reported that between approximately 20:45h on April 16, 2024 and around 09:38h the following morning, Labine was shot dead at her rent-

al property in Elgin Town, Hanover after an argument ensued between her and the accused.

Collins is represented by defence counsel Christopher Townsend, Danique Gooden and Danae Reid of TWP Attorneys-at-Law.

He is to return to court on June 18, 2024.

(Jamaica Observer)

Hunt on for man accused of killing toddler; warrant issued 23 years ago

AHigh Court judge has directed that inquiries be conducted into the status of a judge’s warrant, issued 23 years ago, for the arrest of a man for the murder of his 18-month-old stepchild.

Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds, presiding in the Port-of-Spain Supreme Court said there was no documentation on the status of the warrant for over two decades.

She said the man was charged in April 1997 for the murder of his 18-month-old stepchild. The child was beaten to death.

The preliminary inquiry was done before Magistrate Jai Narine.

Two neighbours testified that they saw the man beating the child from a standpipe while on the way to their homes. She said then forensic pa-

thologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes gave evidence of the graphic findings after his autopsy was conducted.

However, the accused was discharged in August 2000.

The then Director of Public Prosecutions, Mark Mohammed subsequently applied and was granted a judge’s warrant in April 2001 for the man to be re-arrested.

The new indictment was filed in June 2001. Ramsumair-Hinds said she could not find any evidence that the judge’s warrant went out to the Police.

She ordered that the Registrar indicate if the warrant was issued and dispatched and whether the Police administration had assigned a substitute complainant to this matter. (Trinidad Guardian)

Peru port conflict escalates as Chinese firm insists on original terms

The Chinese Stateowned company at the centre of a dispute over operations of a mega port it is building on Peru's Pacific coast insisted on Tuesday on terms agreed with the Government, as some local officials have sought to backtrack on the deal.

Hong Kong-based Cosco Shipping Ports will defend its legal rights to provide services as the exclusive operator of the deepwater Chancay Port Terminal under "terms that were agreed at the beginning of this investment", the firm said in a statement.

Cosco added that the legal controversy has

Brazil

harmed the project and cautioned against imposing new rules on ports that some regulators have said they might consider.

Peru's Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cosco began developing Chancay port in 2019 as a hub in the South American Pacific and key growth driver for Peru. In 2021, Peru's National Port Authority (APN) awarded Cosco the exclusive right to run Chancay, but said in March that it never had the legal authority to grant it. It blamed an "administrative error" and requested that a Judge void the terms.

floods:

Cosco responded at the time that it was evaluating the impact of the decision. Since then, Peruvian lawmakers have pushed to allow for the exclusive provision of port services by private companies and Economy Minister Jose Arista has said the original port deal should be respected.

Cosco, which provides marine transportation services, is expected to invest some US$1.3 billion on the first stage of the US$3.5 billion project, with more than 70 per cent of construction completed.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Hundreds of Rio Grande do Sul towns under water

Heavy rains which caused widespread flooding in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have left hundreds of towns under water.

At least 85 persons have died in the floods and about 150,000 have been displaced from their homes, officials said.

Some towns remain isolated and hopes of finding the more than 130 persons who are still missing are dwindling.

Further heavy rains forecast for this week are expected to further exacerbate the situation in the region.

Many residents had to leave their homes, with some of the most vulnerable people evacuated by rescue workers.

The Brazilian Airlines Association said on Tuesday that the airport in Porto Alegre would remain closed until at least the end of the month after the Guaíba River burst its banks and flooded the runway and key

buildings.

The river reached a record level of 5.3 metres (17.4ft), local officials said. The previous record was reached in 1941 and stood at 4.76m.

The airport is not the only large building which had to close in Porto Alegre, a city which is home to some 1.5 million.

The pitch of the Arena do Gremio stadium is also covered in brown sludge.

The situation in some of the areas surrounding the city of Porto Alegre is

even worse. Canoas is one of those badly hit.

The extreme weather has been caused by a rare combination of hotter-than-average temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds.

Climate expert Francisco Eliseu Aquino told AFP news agency that Rio Grande do Sul had always been a meeting point between tropical and polar air masses, but said that "these interactions intensified with climate change".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Tobago oil spill clean-up bill could reach US$30M

The estimated costs of the clean-up operation so far for the Tobago oil spill at the Central Government level is around US$12 million, but by the end of the exercise it could increase to as much as US$30 million, says Energy Minister Stuart Young.

He made the comments while speaking at a media conference at the Ministry’s offices at Tower C at the International Waterfront Centre, Portof-Spain, on Sunday.

Sharing some insights regarding the cost, Young explained, “It is impossible to say at this stage

what the final cost would be because there remains uncertainty, if the sea conditions become rough and if the crews have to be on standby instead of working for a day, you incur cost as a result of that ... and then you have the THA (Tobago House of Assembly), who is submitting claims to the Ministry of Finance. So, when making submission to the fund, I told them you’re looking at something I assume, it can either go up or go down in the region of US$30 million.”

Regarding the owners of the overturned the

Gulfstream barge that created the environmental disaster, Young said efforts were still being made to locate them.

He said official requests were made to Tanzania, Nigeria, Panama, Aruba, Curaçao and Panama for assistance in tracing and tracking those responsible and, in particular, the true owners of the vessels.

“Unfortunately, at this stage, despite all of those efforts, we have not been able as yet to ascertain with any degree of certainty who the owners are,” Young said.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

SVG’s Opposition Leader, Dr Godwin Friday

Canoas, on the outskirts of Porto Alegre, remains flooded (Reuters)

Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil settles lower on signs of easing supply tightness

UN, aid agencies urge Israel to halt Rafah assault after crossing seized

The United Nations and aid agencies have slammed the Israeli army for cutting off an essential aid route by seizing the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and southern Gaza, warning that already scarce supplies will be further depleted in the enclave that is on the brink of famine.

Oil prices closed slightly lower on Tuesday on signs of easing supply concerns, while market participants shifted their focus to US stockpiles data that were due on Tuesday and today.

Brent crude futures settled 17 cents lower at US$83.16 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures closed 10 cents lower at US$78.38.

Prices fell further in thin post-settlement trading after market sources said that data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed a jump in US crude and fuel stocks last week. Rising inventories, typically a sign of weak demand, have defied analysts' expectations in recent weeks.

Analysts polled by Reuters forecast a decrease in US oil and fuel stockpiles, and official data from the U. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due at 10:30h ET (1430 GMT) today.

Brent crude futures traded at US$82.98 a barrel by 16:48h ET, 35 cents lower than Monday's closing price, and WTI futures were down 23 cents to US$78.26 a barrel. US gasoline futures and ultra-low sulphur diesel futures also fell in extended trading.

"If EIA shows less barrels are going into the refineries, then that is a problem for crude oil here," Mizuho analyst Robert Yawger said. "Heading into peak summer driving season we should be drawing, not building," he added.

Current global inventory data shows crude oil and petroleum supplies are running 1.1 million barrel per day above forecasts in developed economies, according to an analysis by energy brokerage StoneX.

"Global inventories remain in a building phase and have accelerated recently," StoneX analyst Alex Hodes wrote to clients on Tuesday.

The EIA on Tuesday raised its forecasts for this year's world oil and liquid fuels output and lowered its demand expectations, pointing to a well-supplied market as opposed to prior forecasts that showed under-supply.

The premium of the first-month Brent contract to the six-month contract slipped to US$2.90 a barrel on Tuesday, the lowest since mid-February, another sign of market participants betting on easing supply tightness.

Last week, Brent and WTI had their steepest weekly losses in three months as weak US jobs data fuelled hopes for interest rate cuts.

Oil prices found some support in Tuesday's session from a US Government solicitation to buy more than three million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Oil traders largely looked past escalating tensions in the Middle East, where the Israeli military seized control of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and its tanks pushed into the southern Gazan town of Rafah, as mediators struggled to secure a ceasefire agreement.

"Instead, their focus appears directed towards the uncertainties surrounding global economic growth prospects and the anticipated impact of sluggish growth on oil demand," said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at financial brokerage ActivTrades. (Reuters)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of a potential collapse in the aid flow to Palestinians from the closure of Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza, Karem Abu Salem.

Officials from the UN have already raised the alarm that northern Gaza is experiencing a “full-blown famine”.

“The closure of both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] cross-

ings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation. They must be reopened immediately,” Guterres said on Tuesday.

Israel sent ground forces into Rafah and took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing hours after Hamas said it had ac-

cepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Israel said the proposal fell short of its requirements and that it would send a delegation to meet the mediators.

Israeli army footage showed tanks rolling through the Rafah crossing

complex and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side on Tuesday.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the Rafah operation would continue until Israel “eliminates” Hamas in the city and the rest of Gaza.

But he said Israel was willing to make “compromises” to bring captives home. “If that option is removed, we will go on and ‘deepen’ the operation,” he said. “This will happen all over the Strip – in the south, in the centre and in the north.”

Guterres warned an assault on Rafah, where more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, would “be a strategic mistake, a political calamity and a humanitarian nightmare”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Russian plot to kill Zelenskiy foiled, Kyiv says

The Ukrainian security service (SBU) says it has foiled a Russian plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials.

Two Ukrainian Government protection unit colonels have been arrested.

The SBU said they were part of a network of agents belonging to the Russian

state security service (FSB).

They had reportedly been searching for willing "executors" among Zelenskiy's bodyguards to kidnap and kill him.

Ever since Russian paratroopers attempted to land in Kyiv and assassinate President Zelenskiy in the early hours and days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, plots to assassinate him have been

TikTok lawsuit tees up novel court fight over US ban

TikTok's new lawsuit to block a US law forcing the social media company's Chinese parent to divest it or be banned could spark a landmark clash over free speech, government power and the balance between open commerce and national security, experts told Reuters.

ByteDance has until January 19 to sell TikTok's US assets. The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden last month, was spurred by fears that China could use the popular video-sharing app to spy on its 170 million American users.

TikTok's lawsuit called the measure an "extraordinary and unconstitutional assertion of power". The company, which has denied sharing US user data, said the law unfairly singles out TikTok but puts all media at risk by circumventing free speech protections.

Promoters of the law have said it has nothing to do with speech, but merely regulates a commercial activity. Some civil liberties advocates like

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, counter that the US effort against TikTok is "censorship – plain and simple".

"The First Amendment means the Government can't restrict Americans' access to ideas, information, or media from abroad without a very good reason for it – and no such reason exists here," Jaffer said. He said the law resembles measures by repressive foreign regimes to stifle citizens' access to media.

The US Justice Department, which will defend the law in court, declined to comment on Tuesday.

TikTok's petition asked the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to apply the highest form of review in US constitutional cases, called "strict scrutiny". That standard would put a greater burden on the Government to show that the new law does not trample core speech protections, at least not unavoidably. (Excerpt from Reuters)

commonplace.

The Ukrainian leader said at the start of the invasion he was Russia's "number one target".

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces attacked an oil storage depot and sparked a large fire, injuring five people late on Tuesday on the outskirts of the Russianheld city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, the region's Russia-installed leader said.

"Late at night, the enemy made a strike on the

peaceful city of Luhansk, shelling an oil storage depot on the edge of the city," Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Luhansk People's Republic, wrote on Telegram.

He later reported that five employees of the depot were taken to hospital. All units from the local division of Russia's Emergencies Ministry were deployed to put out the fire and keep nearby buildings safe. (BBC News and Reuters)

Trump trial: Stormy Daniels cross-examination escalates to shouting match

Donald Trump's lawyer launched a scathing attack on Stormy Daniel's attitude towards her client at the former President's hush money trial.

"Am I correct that you hate President Trump?" asked Susan Necheles in a heated cross-examination in New York that at points resembled a shouting match. "Yes," said the ex-porn star.

Daniels' alleged sexual encounter with Trump is at the centre of the trial.

Trump denies falsifying accounts to cover up a US$130,000 payment to Daniels.

The former President looked on Tuesday during her testimony, which included a salacious account of time she says she spent with Trump – an account that led to a combative cross-examination.

Necheles, one of

Trump's defence lawyers, worked to paint Daniels as driven by this hatred and a desire for money. Trump has denied that the sexual encounter with her occurred.

The exchanges between the two women grew increasingly heated – they were nearly shouting –when Necheles accused Daniels of trying to extort Trump through the hush-money deal.

"False," Daniels replied. "That's what you did, right?" Necheles said. "False!" Daniels repeated. Daniels' claim – that she received US$130,000 from Trump's personal lawyer in 2016 in exchange for her silence about having sex with him 10 years earlier – is at the centre of the historic New York trial, the first criminal trial of a former US President. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Smoke rises as Israeli forces launch a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah, in southern Gaza (Hatem Khaled/Reuters photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Pay attention and do your best. How you handle matters will influence your success and how others view you. Don’t hesitate to voice your opinion, ask questions and listen to responses.

Reaching out to reliable will pay off. Explore how you can use your attributes to enhance a project. Focus on something that requires physical agility, strength and courage.

(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)

Keep an open mind, but when it’s time to make a move, do so for the right reason. Following someone else’s dream isn’t going to satisfy your needs. Take time to figure out what makes you happy.

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Get involved in something that makes you feel good about yourself. Creative thinking will help you decide how you can make a difference. What you discover about yourself will build confidence.

Watch your step when dealing with professional, legal or partnership issues. Letting your emotions take charge could damage your reputation. Pay attention to detail and choose your words carefully.

Do what excites you, follow your heart and connect with someone from your past. Sign up for an adventure or learn something to help you raise your profile or earning potential.

Don’t stop short of achieving your goals. Look for a way to turn something you enjoy doing into a lucrative pastime. A partnership that can help you advance looks promising.

You’ll gravitate toward people with an unusual profession or hobby. Learn all you can, and you’ll discover you have a hidden talent. Express your feelings. Romance is in the stars.

Keep busy. The less time you have to spare, the harder it will be for someone to confront you with something you aren’t ready to discuss. Sign up for events or activities.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Be observant and helpful, but keep your opinions to yourself. Arguments won’t solve problems, but they will distance you from someone you love.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

The changes you initiate will set the stage for opportunities that combine learning, earning and personal freedom. Do your research and make a lifestyle change.

Don’t get caught in someone else’s dilemma. Distance yourself from drama and focus on what you can do to get ahead. Attending an event, activity or conference will open a window of opportunity.

IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals…

– through efforts of Kuldeep, Mukesh, openers

Sanju Samson’s 46-ball 86 went in vain, as Delhi Capitals’ 221 proved too much for Rajasthan Royals to chase. Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed shared six wickets between them, as DC successfully defended their total after being asked to bat, subjecting RR to their second defeat on the trot.

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel set up DC’s batting effort, as they both hit rapid half-centuries.

R Ashwin, who had come into the game with two wickets in the season, returned a three-wicket haul to slow DC down, but Tristan Stubbs again provided the hosts with a powerful finish, to take them to a total beyond RR’s reach.

Fraser-McGurk, Porel bedazzle Fraser-McGurk walked in

Capitals seal crucial win

Stubbs began slowly. Between the 14th and 17th overs, DC added just 22 runs, with Stubbs on eight off 11 balls. But Stubbs changed it around when he took on Chahal in the spinner’s final over. His assortment of sweeps helped take 16 runs off Chahal’s final over. Gulbadin Naib was out to Boult next over, but Impact Player Rasikh Salam hit two scoops to take DC past the 200-mark. Stubbs then hit back-to-back sixes to start the final over, to ensure DC finished beyond 220.

partnership, when he castled the in-form Parag for 27.

Samson had made just eight runs off nine balls in the partnership with Parag, and the dismissal appeared to bring out a sense of urgency in the RR captain. A six off a free-hit against Kuldeep that brought up his half-century was followed by two sixes and a four off the next over, bowled by Salam. A 17-run over off Ishant was followed by a wayward one from Khaleel, who bowled four wides in a row.

But with the momentum

the umpire in protest, but had to keep walking.

Kuldeep wraps it up With RR still needing 60 off 26 balls, Shubham Dubey’s big shots off Khaleel briefly gave them hope, but Kuldeep’s double-wicket 18th over gave them a knockout blow. He first had Donovan Ferreira trapped lbw off a skiddy delivery that was given not-out initially. Then he tossed up his final ball of the spell wide outside off stump, and Ashwin mis-

to bat with an average of 57.33 and strike rate close to 300 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. To stop him, Trent Boult started from around the wicket, to try and keep him quiet. For one over, it worked, but when Boult returned for his second over, Fraser-McGurk met him with a loft down the ground for six, before hitting him for two more fours in a 15-run over. He then tore into Avesh

Khan, starting his first over with three consecutive fours, and finishing it by going 6, 4, 6 to bring up his half-century off 19 deliveries. in the final over of the pow erplay, when Fraser-McGurk thrashed a low full toss straight to cover.

then run-out at the non-striker’s end, as Sandeep Sharma got a hand to deflect Porel’s straight drive on to the stumps.

Porel, however, did not let the DC momentum slip; he raced to a 28-ball half-century of his own. He took on Riyan Parag and Yuzvendra Chahal to keep the boundaries coming. Even after Axar Patel fell in the tenth over, Porel took 27 runs off the next two overs. However, in the 13th, he became Ashwin’s third victim of the night.

Stubbs provides the finish When Rishabh

Samson stands up to the DC bowlers Khaleel Ahmed had Yashasvi Jaiswal miscuing to mid-off in the first over of the chase, but Samson kept motoring on in the powerplay. Khaleel, Ishant Sharma and Mukesh all bore the brunt of Samson’s assault as he raced to 41 off 16. His runs helped RR finish on a strong 67 for 2 after six overs, their having lost Jos Buttler to Axar in the penultimate ball of the powerplay.

Kuldeep then gave away just 11 runs off his first two overs, as Samson and Parag

just shifting towards RR, Mukesh had Samson hole out. Hope took a catch running to his left from longon, and almost tripped himself on to the boundary rope. After the third umpire confirmed that the catch was indeed taken, Samson went to

Delhi Capitals (20 ovs maximum) R Jake Fraser-McGurk c Ferreira b Ashwin 50

Abishek Porel c Sandeep Sharma b Ashwin 65

Shai Hope run out (Sandeep Sharma) 1

Axar Patel c Parag b Ashwin 15

Rishabh Pant (c)† c Boult b Chahal 15

Tristan Stubbs lbw b Sandeep Sharma 41

Gulbadin Naib c Ashwin b Boult 19

Rasikh Salam run out (Dubey/†Samson) 9

Kuldeep Yadav not out 5 (w 1) 1

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.05) 221/8

Did not bat: Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-60

(Jake Fraser-McGurk, 4.2 ov), 2-68 (Shai Hope, 5.1 ov), 3-110 (Axar Patel, 9.2 ov), 4-144 (Abishek Porel, 12.4 ov), 5-150 (Rishabh Pant, 13.5 ov), 6-195 (Gulbadin Naib, 18.4 ov), 7-215 (Tristan Stubbs, 19.3 ov), 8-221 (Rasikh Salam, 19.6 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Trent Boult 4-0-48-1

Sandeep Sharma 4-0-42-1

Avesh Khan 2-0-42-0

cued his slog. He finished with 2 for 25 in four overs, leaving RR needing 37 off the last 12. Salam and Mukesh closed it out, and DC moved to fifth on the points table with their third home win in a row.

(ESPNCricInfo)

Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-24-3 Riyan Parag 2-0-17-0 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-48-1 Rajasthan Royals (T: 222 runs from 20 overs) BATTING R Yashasvi Jaiswal c Patel b Ahmed 4 Jos Buttler

Shubham Dubey cracked 25 off 12 balls before falling to Khaleel Ahmed

Axar Patel struck in his first over, to send back Jos Buttler

Sanju Samson brought up a 28-ball half-century with a six

Jake Fraser-McGurk raced to his fifty off just 19 balls

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024

Blue Water Girls’ U15 Football Championship kicks off in several regions

Student athletes from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Saturday morning anxiously awaited a break in the rain to take to the fields to kick off the Guyana Football Federation Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary School Championship.

A total of 22 matches were played on May 4: six at the Moruca ground in Region One; nine at the Queen’s College Ground in Region Four, and six at the Wisburg School Ground in Region Ten. The three-month U15 Girls Championship is the largest girls’ competition in the history of Guyana football.

In brief welcome remarks made before the start whistle sounded in Georgetown, GFF President Wayne Forde acknowledged the commitment demonstrated by the students, who showed up ready to play despite adverse weather conditions.

“We are deeply honoured to see the determination of the students to participate in the championship, and we are looking forward to… spirited competition over the next few weeks,” he told the group. “I want you to have fun, and enjoy competing while also embracing the valuable life skills you will most definitely develop as a team player throughout the competition.”

With 60 schools and more than a thousand student athletes set to compete, the championship marks the start of the FIFA Football For School (F4S) programme’s competitive stage. F4S, jointly launched by FIFA, the GFF, and the Government of Guyana on May 12, 2022, aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of students across Guyana.

GFF Blue Water Shipping Senior Vice-President of Operations, Ms. Jennifer Falconer, wished the teams well and reiterated her company’s commitment to investing in youths, girls and football.

“I am excited to see so many faces here today to

John’s Secondary, Institute of Academic Excellence, New

start this competition. I wish every team all the best,” she declared.

The national championship places a strong emphasis on player development, guaranteeing each player a minimum of six matches and the opportunity for up to 16 appearances. The competition has three stages: it starts with preliminary round-robin matches held regionally, followed by the round-of-16 and quarterfinal group stage clashes.

President of the Women’s Football Association, Andrea Johnson, advised the athletes to “seize the moment.”

“This tournament is not just about the thrill of the competition, it’s about empowering our young girls, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills, and nurturing their love of the beautiful game,” she explained.

Georgetown’s fixtures featured Queen’s College, St

Campbellville Secondary, Chase’s Academy, and North Georgetown Secondary.

Schools competing in Region One are Santa Rosa Secondary, Waramuri Primary, Kamwatta Primary and Kwebanna Primary.

Region Ten is represented by players from Wismar Christianburg Secondary, Mackenzie High, New Silver City Secondary, Linden Foundation, Wisburg Secondary and Harmony Secondary.

At the end of the championship, outstanding performers -- including the top four teams -- would receive awards. Trophies would also be given to standout performers such as Top Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player (MVPs) and Top Goalkeeper. Additionally, exceptional talents would be identified for further training as part of the national team programme, providing them with an opportunity to continue their

development and potentially represent their country.

RESULTS

Region One

Waramuri Primary ended the opening day with a flawless performance, clinching three victories in as many matches. The defeated Santa Rosa Primary, Kwebanna Primary and Kamwatta Primary.

Santa Rosa Secondary 0-1 Waramuri Primary

Kamwatta Primary 0–1 Kwebanna Primary

Santa Rosa Secondary 8–0 Kamwatta Primary Waramuri Primary 1-0

Kwebanna Primary

Santa Rosa Secondary 3–0 Kwebanna Primary Waramuri Primary 9–0 Kamwatta Primary

ous over New Campbellville Secondary, I.A.E, and Chase’s Academy.

St John’s Secondary 2–1 IAE

Queen’s College 5–0 New Campbellville Secondary

Chase’s Academy 1-1 North Georgetown Secondary

St John’s Secondary 1–1

Chase’s Academy IAE 0-5 Queen’s College New Campbellsville Secondary 0–0 North Georgetown Secondary New Campbellville Secondary 3–1 St John’s Secondary

Chase’s Academy 0–1

Queen’s College IAE 0–0 North

Georgetown Secondary

Region Ten

Wisburg Secondary and Mackenzie High concluded

Region 4

Queen’s College maintained an impeccable record by securing three consecutive victories in as many games. They emerged victori-

the day with two wins each. Wisburg triumphed over Harmony Secondary and Linden Foundation, while Mackenzie High secured victories against Wismar

Port Mourant Turf Club’s May 26 horse meet cancelled

The grand one-day horse meet that was to take place at the Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday, May 26, has been cancelled in a move to give horse owners more time to prepare their animals, according to the organizers.

The next horse meet on the racing calendar for 2024 is now scheduled for July 1 at Port Mourant.

Guyana Cup, organized by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, is set for August 11 at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

The last day a race meet was held at the Rising Sun Turf Club was on April 28. That meet was labelled a “heist”, and Stolen Money

stole the show with a remarkable comeback win over the esteemed Spankhurst.

Fans are promised more excitement in the upcoming

races, with more fresh horses being imported for the major Guyana Cup event in August.

The promoters and the

relevant authorities are also working behind the scenes to establish legislation to govern horse racing in Guyana with an aim to establish a

Christianburg Secondary and Linden Foundation, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.

Wismar Christianburg

Secondary 0–2

Mackenzie

High

New Silver City

Secondary 0-3 Linden Foundation

Wisburg Secondary 5–0

Harmony Secondary

Wismar Christianburg

Secondary 6–0

Secondary

Harmony

Linden Foundation 0–2

Wisburg Secondary

Linden Foundation 0-2

Mackenzie High

Wismar Christianburg

Secondary 1–2 New Silver City Secondary

recognized authority that is tasked with regulating stables, officials, jockeys and handlers.

This legislative initiative comes after previous attempts had been made in 2014, and key elements include provisions to address violations, expand the Authority’s membership, introduce term limits, and implement licensing for owners, jockeys, and trainers.

This development is expected to bring clarity, structure, and oversight to the horse racing industry in Guyana, marking a significant step toward its formal recognition and regulation.

All systems should be in place for the greatly anticipated Guyana Cup race day.

Ages 20 to 35 years. Email C.V to rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com. Contact number: 613-0855. Canter Drivers. Ages 30 and over. Must have at least 5 years’ experience. Email C.V to rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com. Contact number: 613-0855.

Skilled Labourers (Road Construction). Ages 20 and over. Email C.V to rbinvestmentinc@ gmail.com. Call between 9 am to 5 pm on 613-0855.

ENTERTAINMENT

GFF President Wayne Forde, Women’s Football Association’s Andrea Johnson, and Blue Water’s Jennifer Falconer are flanked by players at the tournament’s kickoff

Chase’s Academic Foundation in action

Queen’s College girls celebrating

The horse meet that was set for May 26 at Port Mourant has been cancelled

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024

Golden Jags to face Soca Warriors

– as part of World Cup Qualifiers' prep

The home-based contingent of the Guyana senior men’s national team the Golden Jaguars are preparing to face their old rivals, the Soca Warriors, in Trinidad and Tobago this month, in a pair of international friendlies for coveted spots in the final squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Qualifiers for World Cup 2026.

The May 13 and 15 matches will be played at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, capital city of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In this regard, a contingent of 24 players, fresh off competing in Round One of the KFC Elite League Season Six, will depart Guyana for T&T on May 11.

The international fixtures would give each player a chance to shine, both in training sessions and during match play, under the watchful eyes of Golden Jaguars' Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and his coaching staff.

Shabazz has underscored the substantial investment

made by both the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) to organise the games, and added that it is a chance to “expose the home-based talent and widen the international team pool."

“Trinidad and Tobago are a formidable opponent, and it will provide a clear test for the home-based players vying for spots on the final squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June,” he explained. Then added, "Whether it’s football, cricket, hockey or even rugby, when Guyana plays Trinidad and Tobago, we want to win.”

GFF President Wayne Forde has shared that the Federation would continue to invest in enhancing the national team's performance through consistent on-field opportunities against formidable opponents.

"Our continuous collaborations with footballing nations throughout the Caribbean, South America,

and even Africa show our dedication to providing Guyanese players with valuable international playing time and competitive matchups. I am looking forward to the matches, and I am confident that the players will seize this chance to earn a spot in the final squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Qualifiers for the World Cup 2026," Forde has said.

Guyana has a challenging journey through the CONCACAF Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Second Round, from June 2024 to 2025. Positioned in Group D alongside Panama, Nicaragua, Montserrat and Belize, the Golden Jaguars face formidable opposition in their quest to play in the World Cup for the first time.

The qualification process features 32 FIFA-affiliated CONCACAF Member Associations playing in three distinct rounds.

The initial phase featured the lowest-ranked Member Associations —

Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Anguilla — based on the December 21, 2023 FIFA World Ranking.

For the Second Round, which comprises the winners of the first round and the remaining 28 participating Member Associations, Guyana will play a series of four matches, evenly split between home and away fixtures. Only group winners and runners-up would advance to the third and final round of Qualifiers.

In the Final Round, second-round group winners and runners-up: twelve teams in total, would be divided into three groups of four teams each, and compete in a total of six home-and-away matches during the FIFA international match windows of September, October and November 2025.

the highly-sought-after spots for direct qualification to the World Cup, standing alongside hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States.

‘Purpleheart Posse’ win inaugural Media Games

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Monday hosted the first-ever Guyana Media Games, in observance of World Press Freedom Day 2024, and the ‘Purpleheart Posse’ emerged as overall champions thereof.

Aligning with the theme for this year’s observance of World Press Freedom Day, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis”, 6 teams competed in Monday’s activities, and each team was named after a wood native to Guyana, namely: Team Bulletwood, Wallaba Knights, Kirikua Titans, Team Greenheart, Purpleheart Posse and Team Jatoba.

The team that won the

Training for the local contingent started on May 6 at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The three winners would earn their places in the prestigious World Cup. Guyana is determined to clinch one of FIDE Master Anthony Drayton finishes in joint 4th position

Purpleheart Posse mauled Jatoba 4-0, then followed up with top honours in the crick-

Championship began the day’s proceedings with a 2-0 victory over Bulletwood in the Futsal final, compliments of goals from team Captain Jemima Holmes and Esan Griffith. Earlier, Team Jatoba defeated Greenheart 3-1, while Bulletwood whipped Wallaba Knights 4-0 to advance to the final.

In the only semifinal of the Futsal competition,

et competition by defeating Wallaba Knights by 4 wickets in the final.

The first match of the cricket competition saw Greenheart posting 54-1 in their 3 overs, while Bulletwood came up short with 52-1 in their 3 overs. Purpleheart then cruised to their target of 33 in 2.2 overs, after Jatoba posted 32-3 in the first innings.

Wallaba Nights scored 36-1 in their encounter with Kirikua, who replied with 30-2. In the lone semifinal, Purpleheart bowled out Greenheart 18-5, and then cruised to their target unbeaten inside 2 overs to book their spot in the final.

Wallaba Knight batted first in the final, putting up 23-3, while Purpleheart Posse replied with 26-2 to claim victory.

In the novelty and athletics events, the likes of Shemar Gray, Davina

Shiwmangal, Emmerson Campbell, Avenash Ramzan, Tevin Divine and Holmes were among the winners.

The mixed 4x50M race saw Team Bulletwood walking away with a victory, while Purpleheart crossed the line second and Jatoba third.

Purpleheart reigned supreme with a total of 106 points after the day’s proceedings, while Wallaba Knights were second with 82 points, and Bulletwood were third with 59 points. Broomes and Holmes were named the most

Barbados Heroes Day Chess Tournament: April 27 to May 1…

Guyana’s very own FIDE Master Anthony Drayton finished tied for 4th place with Trinidad and Tobago’s Khafra Enen-Sa-Tefa Ab in the Challengers Section of the 2024 Heroes Day Chess Tournament held in Barbados.

This tournament commenced on April 27th and ended on May 1st, 2024, after nine rounds of competition.

With a FIDE rating of 1978, Anthony Drayton has already become a household name on the regional chess scene. He had a fantastic start to the event by picking up four straight wins in the first four rounds: against Jeremiah Farley, Adam Roachford, WCM Hannah Wilson, and spectacularly against England's Chris White.

Despite his initial success, Drayton faced challenges in the middle of the tournament, suffering three pivotal losses: against St. Vincent’s Chinedu Enemchukwu, where he fell into a trap in the Scotch Gambit; against Khafra EnenSa-Tefa Ab, where a strategic oversight in the London System, Jobava variation, led to a loss; and against Justin Parsons, marking a turning point in his campaign.

Despite these setbacks, Drayton showcased his resilience by securing wins in the final two rounds, finishing with a score of 6/9 points.

The tournament end-

with Emar Edwards of Barbados as the overall victor, his having finished the event on 7 points from a possible 9. Edwards’s only loss was at the hands of Justin Parsons in round four. However, he was held to a half point on two separate occasions by 2nd place finisher Chinedu Enemchukwu and Ronaldo Roachford.

Anthony Drayton's journey through the 2024 Heroes Day Challengers section is a narrative of triumph, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. He proudly represented Guyana, and has inspired many young chess enthusiasts to follow in his footsteps. He is a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that with dedication, strategic thinking and resilience, success is within reach on the global stage.

In reflecting on the tournament, Drayton acknowledged the challenges, and thanked the Guyana Chess Federation for their support and the Barbados Chess Federation for the invitation. He regards the tournament as a valuable experience, and contributor to his growth as a chess player.

Drayton's achievements in Barbados have not only showcased his skill and dedication, but have underscored Guyana's rising prominence in the international chess community.

Bagot, Godfrey Broomes, Devon Roberts, Subhana

valuable male and female players of the competition.

ed

FIDE Master Anthony Drayton

The Wallaba Knights were overall second-place finishers

Jemima Holmes and Godfrey Broomes were named respective male and female MVP of the inaugural Media Games

A look at some of the football action featuring Jatoba (orange) and Greenheart

The Golden Jaguars’ local contingent are gearing up for a pair of international friendlies against Soca Warriors