Guyana Times - Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Former GECOM Chair was offered $20M for land worth $7M

…refuses to show independent evaluation – court documents

(GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally is in a legal battle with the Government over plans to acquire his lands for the gas-to-energy project. While Surujbally has claimed he received a lowball offer, the State is countering that it offered him almost triple the value of his land.

Surujbally, who served as Chairman of GECOM for 15 years before retiring in 2017, has taken the Government to court over its move to compulsorily acquire his land at Plantation

Nouvelle Flanders, Region

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

Though the former GECOM Chair is not disputing the State’s legal right to acquire his land, he has claimed that the State made a lowball offer for his land which violated his right to fair compensation and is demanding $100 million in cash and land before he parts ways with 1.5 acres of land for the gas-to-shore project.

The Head of the Gas-to-

Energy Task Force, Winston Brassington, meanwhile contends in his affidavit to the court that the land is worth nowhere near that amount.

According to Brassington, the 1.5 acres needed for the project was actually valued by the Ministry of Finance’s Valuation office at $7 million.

“I am informed by the Attorney General and do verily believe that the Attorney General indicated to the Applicant through his Attorney-at-Law that the counter-offer made by the Applicant was grossly inflated; and further, that the said counter-offer was unrea-

sonable, given that the State was already in the process of compensating similarly circumstanced landowners at true, current market value, which said valuations were at significant odds with the Applicant's inflated valuation of $100 million,” the Chairman said.

Brassington noted that Government offered to double this amount. However, Surujbally was not interested. Nor was he interested when the State, in an effort to expedite negotiations, increased its offer to $20 million.

Brassington contends that Surujbally first made

his $100 million counter offer in February 2023 and this was promptly forwarded to Attorney General Anil Nandlall for his advice. Nandlall in turn informed Surujbally that this counter-offer was unreasonable.

Brassington also claims in his affidavit that even though Surujbally claimed to have a valuation that supported his demands, he refused to show it to them.

“I recall that at the said September 2022 Applicant indicated to the Attorney General and team, that he has a valuation, several years old, as well as a current valuation, both of which

were above the valuation provided by the Valuation Division. ("I) recall that the Attorney General asked the Applicant for copies of the valuations.”

“He refused to provide same. In an effort to commence good faith engagements with the Applicant, I further recall the Attorney General then asking the Applicant to at least show him the valuations. The Applicant again refused and said that his lawyers would contact the Attorney General. All of this took place in my presence and hearing,” Brassington said in the court documents.

Brassington disputed much of what Surujbally said in his claim and further said that were the State to pay Surujbally what he would ask for, it would not only unjustly enrich him but also constitute a misuse of State funds. The State is seeking the dismissal of Surujbally’s case, with costs… though Brassington indicated that the State stands willing to conclude negotiations and fairly compensate Surujbally… within reason.

“I have read the Fixed Date Application filed herein on 3 August 2023 ("the Application" or "the FDA") and the Affidavit of RSM Surujbally sworn and filed on the same date in support thereof ("the Applicant's Affidavit") save and except where expressly admitted, I deny each and every averment of fact and contention of law made and contained therein as if the same had been set out verbatim and traversed seriatim.”

“I am advised by my Attorneys-at-Law and verily believe that in an effort to advance the settlement negotiations, the Honourable Attorney General reached out to the Applicant’s Attorney-at-Law, Mr Christopher Ram, on several occasions in respect of the offer of $15.21\h, and thereafter, in respect of a further offer of $20.2Mn,” Brassington also said.

The gas-to-energy project will see 225 kilometres of pipeline being laid from offshore Guyana, to Wales on the West Bank of Demerara where it will be utilised to produce energy in the Wales Development Zone. (G3)

Education Ministry wants to simplify learning with technology in classrooms – Manickchand

The Education Ministry is endeavouring to introduce technology to classrooms, and the leadership is now examining ways in which learning can be made easier and highly-interactive.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Monday shared at an event that if classrooms are connected to technology, then the instructional time can be spent doing various activities to promote hands-on learning, as opposed to just taking notes from a chalkboard.

Before the year ends, the Education Ministry is hoping to pilot this new method in a few schools.

“Our dream is to have all schools, beginning with high schools at least, connected to technology in the classroom. Instead of regurgitating notes and writing it on the blackboard and writing it back in books, could be screengrab and send it to devices in the classroom and spend the time instead discussing this, acting out the concept we’re trying to teach, drawing it, singing it,” she discussed.

Understanding that there might be resistance, Minister Manickchand underscored that the education system must evolve to build on what works. Through innovation,

learning can be interactive and effective.

“We’re trying to get those schools also connected, get the teachers trained. I am sure everybody is going to be onboard when they see how effective that can be because I’m convinced that all teachers want children to leave their classrooms learning. So, what are the different innovative ways of teaching we must test even as we hold on to what we know has worked.”

The Education Minister said that for such to be successful, it would require synchrony from the institutions such as the National Centre for Education Resource Development, the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana.

Sweeping changes are being made to the education system in Guyana. A few months ago, the Minister stated that efforts were set in motion to ensure that every child in the secondary school system is exposed to at least one foreign language, a musical instrument, a sport, and a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) subject. This will not be limited to national schools or those on the coastland, but every school in the country. By doing this, she explained that they are catering to the needs and interests of the new generation.

Added to this is the rollout of a new literacy programme across the education system during this new academic year. This has been introduced in order to prevent school dropout and cultivate stronger academic performance, having noticed that literacy is integrally linked to a child’s educational advancement.

Meanwhile, there is an aggressive push to achieve universal secondary education in the next couple of years, pursued with the building out of several schools in various regions. These are being created with space for modern amenities.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, Sep 26 – 01:30h –03:00h and Wednesday, Sep 27 – 02:30h – 04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Sep 26 – 14:05h –15:35h and Wednesday, Sep 27 – 14:55h – 16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to North North-Westerly between 0.44 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 14:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.44 metres.

Low Tide: 07:55h and 20:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.77 metre.

Guyana eager to increase ties with IsDB – PM during Bank President's visit

…as IsDB President to also inspect ongoing projects funded by facility

LOTTERY NUMBERS

Over the past few years, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has played an increasingly important role in financing projects in Guyana. Now, IsDB President, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser is in Guyana to engage in high level talks with Government officials.

The IsDB president will be visiting a number of Latin American countries between September 24 and 29. During his visit to Guyana on the first leg of his trip, Al Jasser met with Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips and other members of the Cabinet at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday.

In a statement, it was explained that talks centred on development projects and areas to promote further collaborations with the bank. During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed eagerness for Guyana to deepen its bilateral relations and cooperation with the bank.

At a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali on

at the meetings on Monday were Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Public Works Minister Juan

Latin American countries follows the conclusion of the UN General Assembly, during which crucial development issues related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were addressed,” the statement

Prior to that approval, a team from the ISDB had visited Guyana on an appraisal mission for the loan request. The IsDB team was led by Atiq Ahmad, Lead Global Transport Specialist – Economic and Social Infrastructure Department,

Monday evening at State House, there were discussions on the bank’s involvement in the country’s development trajectory.

During the engagement, President Ali highlighted his Government’s vision for Guyana 2030 and beyond.

Following the meeting, President Ali hosted the visiting delegation for dinner.

Other members of the Cabinet who were present

Edghill, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal along with other Government officials.

The IsDB president is visiting Guyana and Suriname, between September 24 to

said.

“Dr Al Jasser's itinerary in these Latin American countries will encompass visits to projects that hold significant promise for advancing the SDGs. In the

General Directorate for Global Practices & Partnerships of the IsDB.

Upgrading the highway will involve the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the road with two lanes undivided, 9 bridges, 6 culverts with improved design, quality and standards. The project also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements, providing essential public administration support, improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities.

26, 2023, and September 27 to 29, 2023, respectively. According to a statement from the IsDB, the bank’s president will be visiting ongoing projects among other activities. Further, it was explained that his visit underscores “the bank's unwavering commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of Latin American countries.”

“The decision to visit

initial phase of the mission, he will engage in high-level discussions with the officials of the Government of Guyana, coupled with onsite inspections of pivotal development projects.”

In October of last year, after several months of waiting, a US$120 million loan that the Government had sought for resurfacing the Soesdyke-Linden Highway was approved by the IsDB.

Earlier this month, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had disclosed that following the signing of the loan from the IsDB in May, the project of resurfacing the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is now in the procurement stage.

Previously, Finance Minister Dr Singh had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IsDB concerning the Country Engagement Framework for Guyana for green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure as well as for supporting economic diversification and doing business. (G3)

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Building block of society

Every human society ever studied was based on the notion of “family”. While there were doubts of its existence during the Stone Age, a burial site in Germany with two adults and two children genetically related suggests that even then, the nuclear family was present. Because humans are born with very few instincts and cannot immediately fend for themselves, the actions necessary for survival have to be taught; at least by the mother of children. Even bands of apes show tendencies of living as “families”.

While in the “hunting and gathering” stage, small tribes might have been the dominant mode of organisation, “society” as we know it only arose as humans transitioned into a settled mode of living when they turned to farming for securing food supplies. At that stage, the earlier nuclear family structure with mother, father and children solidified as areas demarcated for farming would have been most effectively cultivated by families that needed a very minimal level of organisation.

This does not mean that modern “property relations” had to be present. In the Caribbean islands and in Guyana, before the coming of the Europeans, the farming plots were communally commingled and villagers would simply harvest for their daily needs. But the nuclear family was strong.

When individuals from Africa were captured and brought here as slaves, they also came from societies in which families were strong but with polygynous marriages – meaning one man had several wives. But in the Caribbean, those bonds were torn asunder as those who made themselves “owners of chattel” imposed social relations that were best for production of sugar. The plantation society reverted to one in which the mothers were the centre of the family and fathers had “visiting” relationships. The planters even bred enslaved people to produce individuals they felt might be better workers.

This was the beginning of the destruction of the family unit in the African Guyanese community but with the inculcation of Christianity, the nuclear family ideal has been painstakingly recreated into the present where it remains a work in progress.

The other large community that was imported over 79 years (1838-1917) from India came from a society in which the extended family was the norm. This was changed on the plantations because of the scarcity of women brought into the colony during Indentureship and the allocation of living quarters in the “logees” to nuclear families.

While after the abolition of indentureship the Indians gradually recreated elements of their societal relations of village India, the extended family and the tight network of relationships that sustained such communities were never the same.

One of the major effects predicted when such bonds are sundered and the society becomes increasingly atomised is a feeling of “anomie” will develop in individuals and social pathologies such as higher rates of suicide, domestic violence, and alcoholism become more prevalent.

In 1993, recognising the importance of families to the maintenance of viable societies, the United Nations declared April 15, “International Day of Families”.

While the form of the family may differ – nuclear, polygamous, extended, single-parent, same-sex, etc. As the UN had advised: “Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socialising children and youth and caring for young and old. From a policy perspective, taking families into account in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals has a potential to speed up the achievements of many targets relating to individuals’ well-being.”

While the last exhortation may be directed at Governments, ultimately it is the members of the society that have to seize the initiative to create stable families that can be the base of stable societies.

Dear Editor,

In a Stabroek News article following the meeting between Guyana’s Head of State and the Congressional Black Caucus, hosted by US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, it was stated that, “Jeffries’ message mirrored that of former US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch before she departed this country”.

As to inclusivity, one respectfully disagrees. The Congressman’s first substantive comment in his press release said he discussed the “importance of an inclusive society in Guyana that involved full economic participation and civic engagement by Guyanese-Africans and Guyanese-Indians.”

The former US Ambassador to Guyana, Ms Sarah-Ann Lynch, did not advocate for an inclusive republic that focused only on two groups of people while excluding every other community. Members of Congress do not make these mistakes. Mr Jeffries, the star democrat did.

Mr Jeffries’ “inclusive society” seems to be shaped entirely by the PNC’s enduring race narrative with all its trappings, pitting Guyana’s two large race groups in conflict: ie, the East Indians stole the elections (and land) and the Blacks are being enslaved. Said another way, his “message” belied a PNC race narrative and does not mirror what the US Ambassador advocated.

For its part, the Congressional Black Caucus, formed in 1971, is not like-

ly to lobby for the interests of the Guyana’s Chinese, Portuguese, European, East Indian, or Indigenous communities. Instead, the Black Caucus will support Mr Jeffries just as it supported unlawful PNC regimes in the past.

But their statement as to future engagements did not exclude any group within the Guyanese community. While it spoke of strengthening the “bilateral relationship” between the US and Ali governments, it is Mr Jeffries who is being exclusive by meeting APNU leaders for more “dialogue about the opportunities and challenges confronting the Republic of Guyana and other nations within the African diaspora in the Western Hemisphere.”

Here is where it gets murky. First, Guyana is not an African nation. Second, APNU leaders have no mandate to speak for “other nations.”

Third, a US Congressman who will meet Opposition Members of Parliament of a republic and uses racialised language which favours one group against all others with emphasis on what he calls an “African diaspora” in the West, cannot be inclusive.

It seems fair to say that as an employee of the US State Department responsible for US foreign policy, the former Ambassador did not express any racialised policy towards any one group. Her farewell message bears a good example of the language used to describe US policy, its effects, and much of what was accomplished during her remarkable tenure, including

non-support of an unlawful or unelected regime.

Yet, for executing this mandate of the American people, this American public servant continues to be demonised by the very APNU leadership that now goes again to—of all places, America to ask this American public by way of the openly camouflaged Black Caucus, for federal aid and intelligence and to give to them exactly what the voters took away: the Executive Office.

This is not inclusivity. Rather, it is using race ideology and history to curry favour for one group of voters at the expense of other voters. It is the outsourcing of Opposition politics to profit one group of electors. Accordingly, the Black Caucus presents a clear and present danger to voter franchise, free and fair elections, and Guyana’s current republican form of government.

For some time, Mr Jeffries seems uneasy with current US foreign policy in Guyana— which is perceived as favouring the Ali regime. Thus, he spoke at an anti-PPP rally held in New York in August 2021, and asked unsuccessfully for the recall of Ambassador Lynch. Members of Congress do not generally ask for an active diplomat to be recalled, especially for executing their mandate. Mr Jeffries, however, did.

Perhaps he was gaslighting his Guyanese constituents, saying as to Guyana: “We will not tolerate discrimination.” Yet, he shared the same stage with a PNC MP who, four months earlier, de-

scribed East Indians as being “mentally lazy,” and an APNU leadership which is very comfortable with East Indians being called “trench crappos” because they dared to vote.

Prior to that and before he became the top House democrat, Mr Jeffries appeared on a live-streamed show with his friend and the PNC’s chief asset here in New York, during which time said PNC’s asset repeated unfounded allegations against Ambassador Lynch, one of which had appeared in a newspaper article written by an anti-PPP critic in Guyana.

The Ambassador was accused of receiving the aid of a Guyanese businessperson alleged to be funding a wellknown Middle East militant group regarded as a “terrorist” organ by the US. No evidence was provided about the alleged financing either in the article or live-streamed show. The anti-PPP critic issued a retraction after a lawsuit ensued.

Yet, as a member of Congress, Mr Jeffries did not object to or question what was being contrived about the diplomat. It would be wrong, therefore, to suggest that Mr Jeffries and the departed Ambassador shared values as to US policy about Guyana. In fact, now that her tenure has ended, one may not be surprised if some influence is placed upon the Embassy in Georgetown to be pliable to Congress Place in the near future.

Sincerely,

Congressman Jeffries’ message a stark contrast to US policy espoused by former Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

Smiling all the way to victory

Dear Editor,

Anyone who was part of Sunday night’s crowd would have thought that it was a combination of carnival, Christmas and cricket. The fired-up Guyana Amazon Warriors creamed the strong Trinidad and Tobago’s Knight Riders convincingly to carry away the Caribbean Premier League 2023 crown. It was the Warriors’ first championship in their sixth attempt in the eleven years of CPL’s reign and now, they can finally celebrate with the coveted trophy.

Watched by an exciting crowd of some 15,000 exuberating fans led by President Dr Irfaan Ali, himself an avid cricketer, the gentleman’s game of glorious uncertainties played out in all its pomp and glory to produce a fitting culmination with the Guyana Amazon Warriors claiming

victory, after losing miserably earlier, to the powerful T&T Knight Riders. The thought of rain to disrupt the game was never considered as Guyana is enjoying a stretch of hot, hazy and humid weather with brilliant sunshine during the day and sometimes, the nights being not clear, cool and comfortable.

After demolishing the defenders, Jamaica’s Tallawahs last Friday night, the Warriors stormed in as one of the finalists, determined to avenge their five loses as a finalist in the previous years. They demonstrated the power of resilience as they banded together to form a formidable nucleus, refraining from the restraint of any constraint. The players from different countries cooperated, coordinated and corelated with each other to convey the spirit of team

work, as they effectively engineered an efficient exercise to eradicate any taboo and also not entertain any sign of complacency to evolve.

The appraisers, critics and analysists will have a field day for a juicy conversation, as they perform a post mortem to review what Guyana owes the taste of success to, and, the work cut out for the future, to avoid the suffrage of failure, as incurred from a bitter past. Was it mind over matter, or, the ability of the players, or, the discipline employed, or, the tactics of management, or, picking the best players, or, making the right choices at the right time, or, the roar of the supporters, or, Lady Luck that can possibly consider as being the key element in factoring a much-earned win? Can this equation be extended to the

application for the benefit of West Indies selection and performance?

The game is often played and decided off the field as much as on the field. Not only in Guyana but throughout the Caribbean, the spectators’ comradery can highlight a day or night of unity from diversity. The nostalgia of oneness cannot be realised unless you are part of the environment, the crowd, the spirit and sharing a commonality of mutual support for the same side. This is the power, influence and effect this game of cricket has over people as they leave their daily troubles outside the gate entrance only to witness the beauty of unique but perhaps, momentary happiness to shake hands, hug, smack, smile, cry, clap, eat, drink and reach out to each other, despite any differences, real or sur-

real. Friendship is created instantaneously and sometimes can have an everlasting bondage.

This cricket is part of our culture and does work miracles as it involves more than bat and ball. The lessons taught by this game are not to be judged by umpires but may be guided by actions, emotions and commotions. Is it a cool, calm and collective approach that is more aggressively dangerous than a fiery, furious and ferocious display of intimidation? Maybe it’s the end result that matters regardless of the characteristics of the captaincy or the methods deployed for destroying one’s opponent! Do we recognise any of this context or content in the reproduction of our livelihood?

Monday promises to be a big bacchanal as Guyanese from all walks of life, tour-

ists, families and friends will march together in a parade of being part of the same party. Hopefully, this will not be a charade for a one-day affair. What happens the morning after? What can be taken away from this long-awaited celebration and this exulted display of a much-elated excitement of relief? The President when asked if Monday will be a public holiday responded that there is much work to be done. This was a simple, straightforward but surmised answer which bears much significance and should be examined below the surface. All eyes, and ears will be opened for a vision of continuity as we take the result and the consequence of this important game beyond the boundary.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Delusions of Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander

Dear Editor, Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander, on Sep 10, 2023, penned the letter, “PPP/C’s resistance to electronic fingerprint capture and identification at polls signals intent to retain system that facilitated voter rigging.” This is like a big, fat LOL. The letter beats the ridiculous and goes to the ludicrous. No wonder I am compelled to make a few utterances in response.

First, even the most diehard media follower is likely to experience ‘persecuting ennui’ in reading their missive. It meanders ‘here, there and everywhere’ and makes ‘verbosity’ look like a summary. For example, the first paragraph sets the tone for prolonged tedium. Read it: “It seems as if there is never a dull day, these days, on our political landscape, as the country continues, oxymoronically, to be taken down that dark, undemocratic, autocratic and dictatorial path in the name of righteousness. I am advised that in some circles Jagdeo is regarded as a Deity, thus his word is Gospel and all others are heresy. That obviously is not applicable to the real adherents of democracy.”

If this is indeed their ‘thesis statement’, it gets the ‘F’ grade instantaneously. It is fraught with words. It points to nothing specific. And I am left in limbo regarding what is the thrust of all these words. Thus, I will just make a general response.

First, on more serious base now, I point to the reality of the contention of Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander. Their angst revolves around Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s remark that the “PNCR-led APNU must acknowledge ‘election(s) rigging’ before

involvement in executive.”

They opined that “This is tantamount to non-recognition of the election results by virtue of which the PPP/C is in government. That is probably apt given all of the ‘unresolved shenanigans’ surrounding a significant number of votes for which validating documentation mysteriously disappeared.”

Editor, the very next statement debunks this nonsense of ‘non-recognition of the election results’ and ‘unresolved shenanigans.’ As they rightly put it, it is indeed that “… said election, validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, and which finally allowed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to occupy the seat of government.” And how did this ultimately happen (after some five months)?

Let me summarise.

As we can all recall and reread, there was the elections recount, proposed by David Granger himself. This was agreed to by the PPP/C, and was observed by representatives of all the nine (9) political parties which contested the elections. Also, there were observers from the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and local observers, including the Private Section Commission and American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).

That scenario was predicated by the tabulation of Statements of Poll (SoPs) that was interrupted in District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) when in order to evade defeat, Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo switched from the ‘legal procedure’ that ensures transparency (where each SoP had to be exhibited to the stakeholders present to enable comparison to their copies. However, Mingo di-

verted to a procedure where the purported numbers from the SoPs were incorporated into a consolidated spreadsheet. This, as expected, precipitated the immediate and urgent call for transparency from both local and international observers. This was to preclude ‘cheating’, the very thing that Trotman and Alexander are accusing the PPP/C of.

Please note that A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) never once protested the chicanery that facilitated the infamous’ inflation of the votes’, intending to gift APNU/AFC victory.

I remind readers that following a High Court’s decision, Mingo was ordered to revert to the legal, ‘prescribed procedure’ but he flouted the ruling and repeated his intrigue, and submitted totals that varied substantially from those of other parties and had the APNU/AFC ahead rather than the PPP/C.

I really want these two men to dwell on the fact that the Chairwoman of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, had agreed to a recount of the all votes,

which had been proposed by caretaker President David Granger and agreed to by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after an intervention by several Caricom leaders. Yet APNU/AFC are acting as though PPP/C were running from the truth.

I will not get to the repeated silly ‘waste-of-time’ appeals from APNU/AFC; they were all shut down by the CCJ. I add that Trotman and Alexander be reminded that Granger and Basil Williams, along with their APNU/AFC leaders, prior to the beginning of the count, clearly pronounced that the elections were well-run. After all, they were in power.

Furthermore, I support Jagdeo and his ilk as they “… stand on in their demand for an apology, from the APNU for alleged electoral rigging…” As a matter of fact, APNU should repeatedly apologise for leading their very own people down a legal and political cul-de-sac. I mean at every juncture, the CCJ made them look like schoolboy thieves, beginning from No-Confidence Motion, to the illegal instalment of now late Retired Judge

James Patterson as GECOM Chair, to the challenging of the Elections Declaration. It is just way too much.

So, the conclusion is most bizarre, that is of Trotman and Alexander, saying that “The accusation of rigged elections is probably most applicable to the PPP/C than it may be to any other political party”. I am sure that whatever it will takes to runoff ‘fair and free’ elections in

Guyana, even it means, a ‘hands-off’ approach’ by one and all, the PPP/C will facilitate. It may one day mean that Guyana’s elections, personnel and machinery will be under the aegis of some external independent body. I guess if and when this happens, the Trotmans and Alexanders will still ‘cry foul.’

Yours truly, HB Singh

Page Foundation

Test Questions

Monday’s answers

1a) The number of children who like Mathematics and English = 10

1b) The number of children who like Mathematics only = 8 =

1c) The number of children who do not like Mathematics and English = 3

1d) The number of children in Grade 5 = the universal set, that is everything that is in the Venn Diagram = 8 + 10 + 12 + 3 = 33

(CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY)

He snatches an axe––and hauls The weight of the broad head up and back. But in that moment, as the blade hangs Poised for the first downstroke, shudderings Swarm through the whole tree, to its outermost twigs And a groan bursts from the deep grain. At the same time Every bough goes grey––every leaf Whitens, and every acorn whitens. Then the blade bites and the blood leaps As from the neck of a great bull when it drops Under the axe at the altar. Everybody stares paralysed.

Have you ever wondered why eggs are shaped that way? This animal science experiment will investigate the interesting shape of eggs. Before beginning this experiment, hold an egg between your thumb and pointer finger with the pointy end of the egg pointed upwards. Gently and steadily squeeze the egg. Did the egg break and if so, was it easy to crush the egg?

Materials:

Four eggs (extras needed if the shells get smashed)

Scissors

Several books of approximately the same weight.

Masking tape

Instructions:

Crack the eggs into a bowl and save to use in a meal later. You are trying to roughly crack the eggs in half.

You may accidentally break a few eggs during the step so have a few spares available.

Rinse and dry the shells.

Now place a piece of masking tape around the open end of each shell to use as a guide for trimming.

Use the scissors to trim each shell. You want the trimmed shells to all roughly be about the same size.

Once you have four shells prepared, place them in a rectangular pattern on a hard flat surface.

Begin stacking books on top of your eggs until they eventually collapse.

How it works:

The shape of the egg provides strength and keeps the eggs from easily cracking. If eggs had corners, they would be more susceptible to cracks and not as strong. The oval shape of the egg also keeps it from easily rolling out of the nest.

Make this a science project: Arrange the eggshells in different patterns before stacking the books. Does this affect the amount of weight the eggshells can support? (sciencefun.org)

Only one man protests. The Thessalian Erysichthon turns with eyes stretched Incredulous. “Your pious cares,” he bellows, “Are misplaced.” And he follows That first swing at the oak with another At the protester’s neck, whose head Spins through the air and bounces. Then the oak, as he turns back to it, pronounces, In a clear voice, these words:

“I live in this tree. I am a nymph, Beloved by Ceres, the goddess.

“With my last breath, I curse you. As this oak Falls on the earth, your punishment Will come down on you with all its weight. That is my consolation. And your fate.”

Erysichthon ignored her. He just kept going, Undercutting the huge trunk, till ropes Brought the whole mass down, jolting the earth, Devastating the underbrush around it. All the nymphs of the sacred grove mourned it. Dressed in black, they came to Ceres, Crying for the criminal to be punished, Bewailing the desecration. The goddess listened.

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

Venezuela border controversy

Venezuela wants Guyana to return to talks with Caricom as mediator

...although current ICJ case complies with Geneva Agreement Venezuela signed

Despite years of failed mediation under the good offices process under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), Venezuela now wants Guyana to return to the negotiation table over the Venezuela-Guyana border controversy.

Last week, Venezuela issued a communique that threatened Guyana and protested against Guyana’s efforts to auction its oil blocks, even though all the blocks are in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

President Dr Irfaan Ali issued a stern response in a video broadcast over the weekend, also announcing that he has since updated not only the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, but also Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, on the Guyana v Venezuela controversy, as well as the support Guyana has gotten from the international community.

In a social media post, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to President Ali and accused Guyana of jeopardising peace in the Region, despite the Spanish-speaking country initiating the controversy.

Maduro also proposed to President Ali that the two sides meet with the

Caribbean Community (Caricom) as a mediator, to return to the Geneva Agreement of 1966 that affirmed the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Guyana has received consistent support from the international community. Support has come from the United States (US), Caricom, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Commonwealth.

In a statement on Saturday, the OAS had harsh words for the planned Venezuelan resolution. The OAS noted that the referendum would be illegal under the terms of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award confirming Essequibo as part

of Guyana. In the Caricom statement, the group expressed grave concern at the recent development in the Venezuelan National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) have concluded the long-stalled Dragon gas field agreement, which will see T&T developing a gas field in Venezuela’s territorial waters. The United States (US) Treasury Department had approved the licence since earlier this year. However, the agreement was only signed last week.

When the approval of the licence was first announced, it was explained that Trinidad will be working with Venezuelan State-

owned company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). It had been said at the time that the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro would not receive any cash payments from the project, as remaining US sanctions would have still been in force.

US sanctions were imposed on Venezuela after Maduro returned to office in disputed 2018 elections where Opposition parties were banned from participating. Those sanctions require companies and Governments to obtain authorisation from the US Treasury Department before doing any business with PDVSA.

Guyana’s case against Venezuela is currently be-

fore the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, the Spanish-speaking country has been seeking to block Guyana from having its substantive application before the ICJ heard, on spurious grounds that include its claims that the United Kingdom should have been made a party to the case, instead of Guyana. Venezuela has also claimed that the 1899 Arbitral Award is void due to what it claims was fraud committed by the UK at the time.

Guyana’s legal team is headed by Co-Agent and Counsel, Sir Shridath Ramphal, and includes a member of the Bars of the United States Supreme Court and the District of

Columbia, Paul S Reichler; and Professor Emeritus of the University Paris Nanterre, former Chairman of the International Law Commission and member of the Institute de Droit International, Alain Pellet. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in January 2018, decided that the case should be settled by the ICJ, after exercising the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom.

He resorted to judicial settlement after the good offices process between Guyana and Venezuela failed. Within the framework of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between the two countries, the Secretary General conducted good offices from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to the border controversy.

Among other things, Guyana is asking the ICJ to adjudge and declare that the 1899 Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, that Venezuela is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence. (G3)

Baby found dead in pool at home

How… …sweet it is!!

Aone-year-old boy is now dead after he reportedly drowned in an inflatable pool at his home.

Dead is Deon Lalsa, of Lot E D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice.

Reports are that the toddler was at home with his mother and six-year-old brother on Sunday when at about 16:00h his mother went to the washroom, leaving the two children. It is suspected that the infant may have made his way out of the house and went into

the yard, where the inflatable pool was situated.

Relatives suspect that the baby was attempting to reach for a ball that was in the pool, when he may have fallen into the water.

The child’s father, Devindra Lalsa, told this publication that his wife did not spend more than two minutes in the washroom.

After the discovery was made, Deon was pulled out of the pool, reportedly still breathing, but unconscious.

According to the father,

he was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

“When the kid meet at the hospital, the doctor or the nurse didn’t do no CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). In less than five minutes they give up the child and the child was breathing in the hospital. When they put the monitor on the child when the heartbeat was reading on the monitor,” the father claimed.

He noted that his wife was reportedly sent out of

the emergency room after stating that a heartbeat was being shown on the monitor.

“Then they declared that the child died,” he added. According to Lalsa, it would have taken his wife about ten minutes to get from D’Edward to Fort Wellington. A post-mortem is expected to be done later this week.

The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation has been launched. (G4)

Well…the Warriors are the new CPL Champs –just as your (modest) Eyewitness predicted yesterday!! Now he wasn’t just playing the numbers and playing the law of averages – even though there was that! CPL was launched in 2013 and in the first decade the Warriors was the winningest team in the entire league. Unfortunately – even though reaching the final five times in that decade – they just couldn’t get over the finishing line. That’s certainly defying the law of averages!!

Well, they’ve won the first championship game of THIS decade and your Eyewitness predicts they’ll again defy the odds – this time positively – and win at least five championships this decade!! What was most satisfying about this win was it was against the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR)!! While they’d beaten the Warriors only once in the five finals in which the Warriors appeared, they’ve turned out to be the team Guyanese have come to detest in the past decade!! And the disdain – maybe that’s too strong a word?? – has spread into all sorts of areas: even linguistically. Imagine they insist on saying “curry chicken” rather than our correct way– “Chicken curry”! Jeez… if you want to start off with “curry”, you’d have to say “curried chicken” – since curry is now an adjective!!

Anyhow, your Eyewitness was also quite chuffed at the Warriors’ comprehensive trouncing of the TKR. Winning the toss, they sent them in to bat and restricted them to 94 runs – the second lowest score in the finals since 2013!! The Warriors went in and demonstrated this was a new team with a new attitude: rather than the low target going to their heads and coming out with bats crashing, they methodically set out to dismantle their arch enemies!! They beat the score with 99 in just 14 overs and one wicket!! How sweet it was!!

Dwaine Pretorius took four wickets in his four-over spell for just 26 runs and our own Motie came through with two wickets in his four-over stint – for a measly seven runs!! That’s what made that score so low!! How sweet it was to see those wickets tumbling! Even our enfant terrible Hetmyer came through with a spectacular diving catch to end TKR’s embarrassment on the field!! In our innings, Saim Ayub made a solid yet exciting 52 with 2 fours and 4 sixes while Man of the Series Shai Hope chipped in with 32! Pretorious was Man of the Match.

The significance of the game for Guyanese was captured in Pres Ali and VP Jagdeo not only being at the game, but taking time out from their extraordinarily busy schedules to be involved ever since the semis arrived!!

The One Guyana was reflected in the faces in the stands!!

…devious is

Venezuela

While we were getting ready to savour the Warriors’ inexorable march towards the CPL 2023 championship, Maduro and the Venezuelans continued their onslaught against us. But again our Guyanese politicians weren’t distracted and came together in a united front against the enemy on our western front after Pres Ali briefed Opposition Leader Norton on the status of the border controversy.

Just as Burnham and Jagan had buried the hatchet back in the 1970s against Venezuelan sabre rattling, so have Ali and Norton this time. None of that nonsense about not shaking hands and such like!! But in addition to objecting to the Government accepting bids on additional oil blocks, Maduro suddenly announced they were gonna hold a referendum for Venezuelans to state their position on the controversy!! Now after more than 60 years of propagandizing from nursery to university – by ALL Venezuelan govts – that they “wuz robbed” of Essequibo, this is just another ploy to bully us!!

We gonna isolate them diplomatically in the world!

…to celebrate Warriors’ victory

Your Eyewitness believes that at this time, Pres Ali should strike while the iron’s hot to meld the unity forged by the Warriors’ victory against those dastardly Trinis. He should declare a holiday for schoolchildren!!

9-year-old burn victim medevacked to US for treatment

Nine-year-old Neil J of Enmore, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), who was burned about his body, allegedly at the hands of his mother and stepfather, has been medevacked to the United States for specialised treatment.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) collaborated to make this a reality, owing to the extent of the young boy’s injuries.

The GPHC on Monday updated that the patient was safely medevacked to the United States last week in a stable condition, accompanied by a guardian.

“He will remain at the Children's Hospital until he achieves a better state of health and can eventually return home. GPHC and SHEA commend the dedication and teamwork that made this life-saving mission possible. Our hearts go out to the patient and their family during this challenging time, and we remain committed to their well-being throughout their journey to recovery,” the hospital shared in a statement.

Since arriving, SHEA shared that the child has had multiple surgeries to treat his burn injuries

and to combat infections throughout his body. In particular, he has an infection from an old injury at the back of his head, which is proving to be very difficult to treat. In addition, several of his fingers and toes are also infected, and he is running a constant high fever, which his doctors are trying to keep under control.

On the evening of September 9, the boy was taken to the GPHC Emergency Room. Upon triage by the Accident and Emergency Department, it was determined that the child was suffering from 30 per cent mixed second and third-degree burns, along with multiple other injuries in various stages of healing. Immediate action was taken to admit and stabilise the patient before consulting with the Burn Care Unit at GPHC.

In a critical turn of events, the patient was intubated in the emergency department. Following this, a series of essential procedures, including dressing changes, imaging, and laboratory tests, were conducted to assess the extent of injuries. It was apparent that the patient required highly specialised care, beyond the capacity of GPHC.

Recognising the need for specialised care, GPHC reached out to Saving

Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA), a nonprofit organisation renowned for its commitment to providing financial assistance and coordinating free or low-cost treatment for individuals in developing countries facing emergency medical needs.

SHEA employs a comprehensive methodology, focusing on identifying individuals in underserved communities with the most pressing needs. They then mobilise funding for med-

ical aid and humanitarian services on a case-by-case basis, often forging partnerships with compassionate and expert organisations.

With SHEA's swift intervention, arrangements were made for the young

patient to receive treatment at a distinguished Children's Hospital in the USA. A collaborative effort involving medical experts and philanthropic partners ensured the necessary resources were available.

(G12)

Education Ministry’s new EDpal app expands, revolutionises learning

Leveraging technology once again, the Ministry of Education's radio station, EDYOU FM on Monday launched the EDpal mobile app – designed to revolutionize learning for the country’s children.

At the touch of a device, students can now download the app and have access to curriculum aligned content and educational entertainment. The contents range to benefit stakeholders from the nursery level straight to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Director of EDYOU FM, Phillip Williams highlighted during the launching ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel that the new app sports low bandwidth, options to add highly compressed videos, a friendly user interface, uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tailor recommended content; and uses analytics to measure usage and interaction.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the teaching system was not prepared and this led to children being unengaged for months. After assuming office,

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand led efforts to prevent learning loss or dropouts, by expanding the Guyana Learning Channel and introducing initiatives such as EDYOU FM among others, which are continuously upgraded.

Even in pre- and postCovid conditions, the hinterland has always had a lower percentage of trained teachers while being the least able

to access. Trainee teachers have been able to access training in their own communities via the radio and will now benefit from this platform. It moves the country closer towards achieving 100 percent trained teachers by 2025.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand underscored, “We’re able to reach CPCE students. We’re able to reach high school stu-

dents and we’re able to teach in a way that we didn’t even conceive of properly pre-COVID…I hope to see results that are achieved in classrooms because of this supportive and supplemental learning. This took leadership and vision and an understanding of the need will have to evolve with the people leading this mission

She shared that in three years, the sector has evolved to present different needs, whereby a teacher in front of the classroom practicing traditional methods is no longer relevant. What is need-

ed however, she said, is the same lessons demonstrated in different ways.

“The importance of this app is that we can do, and we can educate on the radio where people can’t get the app in Guyana’s villages, valleys and mountains. But we can also use that same content on an app and device for children who are here and addicted to it. This is just a small example of how the Ministry of Education has had to almost overnight, evolve and that is not always easy,” Manickchand noted.

Recognizing that it can be difficult for teachers to ‘switch out’ traditional teaching methods which work, she urged educators to embrace this change in education delivery while encouraged parents to welcome the new balance.

Manickchand clarified, “With this, we’re not tossing out the old. We are teaching the content of the old a new way, what educators call methodology and pedagogy…As educators, I invite you to embrace these various means of education that we’re trying to give.”

Revolution leading to evolution

Meanwhile, Director of the National Center for Educational Resource

Development (NCERD), Quenita Walrond shared that this is a sterling example of revolution leading to evolution. After the constraints of COVID, the Ministry has led an aggressive agenda to keep children learning through technology.

“One of those technologies that we had in our arsenal, but was underutilized was the radio. It reaches every corner of our society. It permeates every household and community. Why not leverage this available tool to keep our learners in the seat of learning?”

EDYOU FM is the only radio programme that provides educational content 24 hours per day, touching outstretched hinterland communities. Through the app, she added that anyone can learn.

“The beautiful thing about this is that it creates opportunities for shared learning among families, because not all parents have the benefits of a sound educational experience. And this is an opportunity to make what is old new again in a manner that is non-threatening. It opens opportunities for shared growth and development and these are things that fortify families,” Walrond reasoned. (G12)

In the past week, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported that 1738 traffic cases were made across all regional Police Divisions in Guyana, as patrols and Police presence remain high on the country’s roadways.

Of the total cases, 468 were charged, 264 summons prepared, and 1006 tickets issued.

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh noted that, in an effort to complement the enforcement exercises, all regional divisions conducted daily empowerment lectures with students at schools, drivers along each route of travel, and even patrons at bars or restaurants to ensure the critical safety tips have a far-reaching effect.

This effort is ongoing with the intention of ensuring compliance with rules of the road based on an improved knowledge base and consideration for all category of road users.

These numbers reflect a decline when compared to last week, where an alarming 2247 traffic cases were recorded within that period. Some 652 cases of speeding and 55 cases for driving under the influence were

among the cases made.

Apart from this, the GPF is also focused on orderliness. In the past few days, the Force's Traffic Headquarters have continued their focus to ensure motorist do not leave their vehicles in dangerous positions in and around Georgetown. Some drivers bent on being non-compliant were rewarded with a wheel clamp and a ticket for the offence.

Thirty such cases were made, with tickets issued for each violation. This ongoing exercise will see areas

such as the GPHC, which needs immediate entry/exit by ambulances and other vehicles arising from emergencies, given special attention and focus, the Force outlined.

In July, exacerbated fatalities and reckless use of the roadways led to the launch of a new campaign –“Respect the Road”. At that time, over 2000 persons were charged with ticketing offences.

Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has said that ticketing has not been working, to some extent. Despite harsher penalties being meted out to defaulters, violation of traffic laws remains high. Speeding, driving under the influence, poor driver behaviour, distracted driving and inadequate infrastructure are some of the factors contributing to the alarming statistics in Guyana.

From weekly statistics, it has been observed that men between the ages of 18 and 42 make up the majority of traffic fatalities, or drivers behind road accidents. Trends also include recklessness on the part of motorbikes and e-bike operators, which accounts for an alarming fraction of accidents. (G12)

1738 traffic cases made out in 1 week …468 charged, 1006 tickets issued

NA dumpsite continues to burn, firefighters struggling to reach western side

…Cevons Waste Management distances self

Cevons Waste Management Inc (CWM) on Monday said it no longer has the contract to manage the New Amsterdam municipal dumpsite, which has been burning for more than one week now.

Chief Executive Officer of Cevons Waste Management Inc, Morse Archer said on Monday that the contract to manage the facility is no longer with the company.

The town’s Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh, had stated that the Town Council is not in receipt of any contract given out to manage the facility but noted that it is not under the control of the municipality.

“It is not the municipality who would have given that contract out. This contract was procured through the Government of Guyana.

The municipality to date has not seen any contract coming from the Government of Guyana or the contractor,”

Mayor McIntosh explained.

The dumpsite has been

burning for several days, producing toxic smoke that has been covering sections of the town. The Mayor had referred to it as an environmental crisis.

By Sunday, firefighters were able to pull down a significant portion of the huge pile of solid waste, which also included pieces of wood, plastic, and rubber.

However, up to press time on Monday, thick smoke was still seen coming from sections of the site.

Sources close to the New Amsterdam Fire Service told this publication that the workers have been working around the clock and several pieces of equipment have been damaged over the past week battling the fire.

As it stands, the firefighters are experiencing difficulty getting to the western side of the dumpsite, which along with the south-eastern side continue to burn.

However, smoke emis-

sions have reduced considerably.

During last week, smoke from the fire at the dumpsite affected three schools, forcing two of them to send students home and special security measures were put in place at the New Amsterdam Prisons as the smoke reached there.

The New Amsterdam Hospital compound was also

covered with smoke, making visibility almost impossible.

According to a source at the hospital, it did not have an effect on in-house patients. However, some outpatients say they were affected and could not stay for treatment when they visited.

The situation at the medical facility was only temporary, and so too at the prison and schools. (G4)

$12M ‘missing’ from Cane Grove WUA bank account

...as Agriculture Minister calls for investigation

withdrew the money without the relevant permission and has not provided any documentation as to the reason for the withdrawal.

According to Harrypersaud, the discovery was made when he was given a bankbook showing zero balance. In fact, the book does not show a balance.

The new management committee came into being two years ago after an election, Harrypersaud told this publication.

“They gave me an empty saving account book and the previous Board handed over $12 million and they take out all this mon-

“Mother B” of Kwakwani turns 101 ...7 of

14 children alive

the Chairman alleged.

According to Harrypersaud, since the new management committee has been installed, they have not been given permission to get details of the account since members of the previous management committee have been reluctant to grant the bank permission to release that information.

“They supposed to leave that money for us; it was not money to be withdrawn, it is a saving account. This is not Government money it is farmers’ rent money. That money should stay in an account until the Ministry of

Mavis Bartrum also known as “Mother B” is now 101 years old. She reached the milestone on Saturday. The centenarian was a seamstress by profession. For many years, she sewed a lot of fashionable garments for people within her community. She stopped sewing in 2021.

In her younger days “Mother B” also farmed.

She was born to Rowe Ramalho and Celestine on September 23, 1922, at IdaSabina, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and grew up in the village. She attended Ida-Sabina Primary School, which still stands to this day.

In her 20s, she met Alfred Bartrum, who was employed by a bauxite company –DEMBA, as a boat captain. At that time, she was working at a small shop a short distance from the bauxite company.

Years later, the couple moved to Kwakwani, also in Region 10, and tied the knot. The union produced 14 children; seven girls and seven boys – seven have since passed away.

Her husband passed away in 2005.

At 101, “Mother B” moves around with the help of relatives. She is not affected by any form of poor health apart

from a slight memory loss. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren are too many to be counted. (G4)

The Chairman of Cane Grove Water Users Association (WUA) has alleged that $12M has gone missing from the association’s coffers.

WUA Chairman

Vivekanand Harrypersaud is alleging that the previous management committee

ey from this account… they have to get permission from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) or the Ministry of Agriculture to take out the $12 million. We have proof that it was taken out but we don’t know where it gone,”

the NDIA gives us permission to withdraw it,” he noted.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who met with residents of Cane Grove recently, most of them farmers, has since ordered an investigation. (G4)

Registration forms for January 2024 CSEC exams now available

residing in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine can submit the completed application to the Department of Education in their region.

Late entries close on Friday, October 27, 2023. Entries received after that date will not be accepted.

The registration form for the January 2024 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination is available.

Registration forms are obtainable at the Examinations Division, Queen’s College Compound;

Regional Education Offices, and on the Ministry of Education’s website: https:// go.education.gov.gy/arcf8.

The closing date for the return of the registration forms to the Examinations Division, Queen’s College Compound is Friday, October 20, 2023. Applicants

Subjects being offered at the CSEC January sitting are Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology (Gen), Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies and Spanish.

The Alternative Paper (3/2) for Biology, Chemistry and Physics is a practical examination and will incur a practical fee.

11,000 persons complete training through WIIN initiative

Some 11,000 persons have completed training in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Women Innovative and Investment Network (WIIN) programme to date.

The statistic was provided by Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud Tuesday last, during the weekly televised programme, “The Guyana Dialogue”.

“We had 25,000 persons registered when we started this programme in 2021. This programme is opened to women from the age of 16 who wish to elevate themselves,” Dr Persaud pointed out.

She disclosed that some 45 per cent of women have

taken up entrepreneurship while another 28 per cent developed other skills and

are now employed, a DPI report stated.

The WIIN programme is

a hybrid model course that allows women to acquire various technical and voca-

tional skills including garment construction, child care, graphic design and home management, among others.

Meanwhile, providing an update on the COP SQUAD initiative, Minister Persaud said “We have trained 1800 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the COP SQUAD initiative with technical assistance from the United Nations Population Fund”.

The COP SQUAD initiative is aimed at teaching officers how to vulnerably, cautiously and confidentially deal with reports of domestic violence.

The two programmes are part of a slew of measures

which were implemented to help lessen domestic abuse between spouses and assist women in building successful lives for themselves.

Minister Persaud also noted that the Government is working to integrate the community into gender-based violence to teach persons how to deal with those types of matters.

“We have also had the Community Advocate Network Programme spinning out to various communities across the country. We have touched every region with this programme,” she noted.

The Ministry is also working to expand the number of shelters across the country.

Over 200 satellite village households get 1st-time access to electricity

Some 200 households in Kumu and Quarrie –satellite villages of St Ignatius, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), now have first-time access to reliable electricity, after receiving solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems through the Government’s Solar Home Systems Project.

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai handed over the solar systems to the residents on Wednesday last, in keeping with the Government’s commitment to ensure Amerindian communities are energy-secure, a DPI report stated.

Sukhai noted that the Government has acknowledged the challenges of supplying electricity to every re-

mote village, hence the move to distribute the solar panels in the interim.

“In the meantime, what we are doing is to ensure that you have lights so that you can continue to do much more even in the evenings,” she is quoted by DPI as telling the residents. With reliable electricity now available, children and youths in Kumu and Quarrie can

study comfortably in their homes.

“In many of our homes, we don’t have electricity and the time to study which is beyond school hours, sometimes we don’t get to do that,” the Minister related.

Over the past few days, Karasabai Village also received PV home systems that were delivered by Prime Minister, Brigadier Retired Mark Phillips. On Tuesday

Brian Allicock informed the Department of Public Information (DPI) that over 2000 systems will be distributed to households without electricity in Region Nine. The Solar Home Systems Project will see 30,000 households in the hinterland, riverine, and rural communities receiving a 150-watt solar system, an upgrade to the previous ones distributed in 2014. This is intended to bridge the large

last, Achiwuib, Rupunau, and Karaudarnau also received panels that were distributed by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud. In Achiwuib, some 134 panels were distributed, 75 panels in Rupunau and 237 in Karaudarnau.

Regional Chairman

energy divide between urban and rural communities. The programme was initially expected to roll out in 2015. However, when the previous Administration assumed office, fiscal resources for the project were stalled, and solar systems were not distributed to these vulnerable communities. When the PPP/C Administration assumed office, after months of discussions, a US$7.2 million credit agreement between the Governments of Guyana and India, facilitated by the Exim Bank was signed.

Motorcyclist dies in Albouystown collision

Amotorcyclist is now dead and another is injured following an accident on Monday afternoon along Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Dead is Ackeem Fletcher, 27, who was riding a motorcycle at the time of the crash. The identity of the injured man is unknown but he was the pillion rider of the bike. Reports are that the bike collided with a motor car along Independence Boulevard,

Govt responds to water shortage along Soesdyke-Linden Highway

owing to the El Niño weather pattern.

According to a release from the CDC, communities that have been impacted by the dry weather and benefitted from the Government’s interventions include Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kuru, Swan, and Circuitville.

The statement noted that three water distribution stations have been established in Circuitville and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is responsible for replenishing potable water to the affected areas.

Incorporated (GWI) is responsible for ensuring potable water is distributed in Kuru Kuru.

“This humanitarian effort will continue to ensure that all vulnerable communities are aided directly or indirectly by bolstering the capacity of the NDC,” the CDC’s statement assured.

causing Fletcher and his pillion rider to fall onto the roadway. Police have since launched an investigation.

The CDC also supplied water tanks to the Yarrowkabra Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to assist with the water distribution effort, while the Guyana Water

Residents who are impacted by the dry season are urged to use water conservatively, ensure all potable water is stored properly, and prevent all waterways from becoming contaminated or blocked. The CDC has assured that it will monitor the issue closely while continuing to observe nationwide changes relevant to El Niño.

Assuria launches “Merry Motors Giveaway” promotion

Assuria has announced its grandest giveaway yet – the “Assuria’s Merry Motors Giveaway.”

The grand prizes include a Toyota Axio motor car with one year of free insurance, a brandnew motorbike with free insurance and helmets, and a brand-new electric bike with complimentary free insurance. Additionally, five mountain bikes will be given away as consolation prizes.

The Merry Motors Giveaway promotion period runs from today to December 21, 2023, with the grand drawing taking place on December 22. Any Assuria customer with an active policy is eligible to participate and claim their chance to win these outstanding prizes.

As Assuria General (GY) and Assuria Life (GY) Inc achieved certain milestones, the companies wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to their loyal customers who have steadfastly supported their journey over the past 11 years.

“This extraordinary giveaway is a testament to the unwavering trust and dedication of our valued customers. Assuria has grown alongside its clients, and as a token of appreciation, it is time to give back in a big way,” the company expressed in a statement.

As part of its continuous growth, Assuria proudly unveiled its stunning 6-storey Head Office, the Assuria Georgetown Highrise located at lot 133 Church Street, South Cummingsburg Georgetown earlier this year. “This monumental achievement was made possible by the invaluable support

of customers who have chosen Assuria as their trusted insurance partner,” the company said.

“We are elated to mark this incredible moment in our journey,” said Managing Director of Assuria Guyana, Yogindra Arjune. “Our customers are the driving force behind our success, and this Christmas promotion is our way of sharing the joy and celebrating our shared achievements. We invite everyone to come and join us at our offices during this festive season, as we usher in Christmas with open arms and exciting opportunities.”

6 dead, 12 missing in Guatemala landslides after heavy rain

At least six people are dead and 12 others missing after a swollen river swept away homes in Guatemala’s capital city.

Early on Monday, waters from the Naranjo River rushed through a shantytown in Guatemala City called Dios es Fiel, or God is Faithful, destroying at least six homes that had been perched under a bridge, according to Guatemala’s National Coordination for Disaster Reduction agency (CONRED).

Search dogs and recovery teams discovered the bodies of six people who died in the floodwaters, including that of a young girl, believed to be about five years old. She was found partially buried in the mud that rushed through the area. An estimated eight children were among the 12 still missing.

Heavy rains triggered the high waters, which pushed flows of stones, soil and waste through the settlement.

“The river … took homes, neighbours’ belongings. Neighbours disappeared,” resident Esau Gonzalez, 42, told the AFP news agency.

Residents told AFP they had no choice but to live in the precarious location. Tens of thousands of Guatemalans live in similar shantytowns.

“We knew the risk, [but] we are here out of necessity,” said Marvin Cabrera, 36, a food delivery worker who lived in the area

WHO Head: Caribbean Health Ministers frustrated by workers seeking overseas jobs

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says many Caribbean countries' Health Ministers are frustrated by continually losing healthcare workers to international markets.

It is because of this, he urged WHO member states that recruit healthcare workers from the Caribbean to invest in the Region to train more people.

He outlined the WHO's priorities for the next five years – promoting health, providing health, protecting health, powering for health, and performing for health.

He urged countries to engage in "radically reorienting health systems towards primary healthcare and the foundation of universal health coverage".

without healthcare workers."

He added, "I know from my conversations with many Ministers from the Caribbean that they're frustrated at losing their health workers to international migration.

struck by the rising waters.

Guatemala has a 59per cent poverty rate. It also has a housing deficit of about two million units, according to the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction and the ANACOVI builders’ association.

Experts say the lack of housing for low-income residents contributes to the construction of informal settlements, often in locations prone to natural disasters. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Villarrica volcano: Chile raises alert level as activity increases

The authorities in Chile have raised the alert level for the Villarrica volcano to orange, the second-highest, after they registered a gradual increase in its activity.

Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in South America.

The 2847-metre-high (9340ft) volcano last erupt-

ed in 2015.

Some 30 families who live in a radius of eight kilometres (5 miles) from the crater will be evacuated and access to the area will be blocked, officials said.

Schools in the nearby towns of Pucón and Villarrica will close for five days from Monday and pupils will be taught online.

The stratovolcano, which

is located 750km south of the capital, has been active for about 650,000 years. There have been close to 50 eruptions since the 16th Century.

The cone-shaped snowcapped volcano is popular with climbers and skiers.

A national park on its slopes has been closed while the orange alert is in place.

(BBC News)

Paraguay President to halt MercosurEU talks if no deal by December

Paraguayan President Santiago Pena said on Monday he will break off negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union if the parties do not reach a deal before December 6, when Brazil will hand over the bloc's presidency to Paraguay.

Pena has criticised the progress of talks between the two trade blocs since before he took office in August. A week before he was sworn in, he told Reuters the EU had demonstrated, via its proposals, that it had no clear interest in moving forward.

The deal between Mercosur – the trade bloc composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and

Uruguay – and the EU hit snags in 2019 after a socalled side letter from the EU requiring environmental safeguards.

Pena has previously criticised the addendum, and Mercosur in mid-September presented a counter-proposal to the side letter.

The Paraguayan leader said he had told Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a meeting last week in New York, where they travelled for the United Nations General Assembly, that he planned to seek alternative options.

"If he does not close, I am not going to continue (the talks) in the next semester," Pena told a press conference, adding he

would dedicate the time instead to seeking trade agreements with other regions.

"I am sure we will reach a deal with other regions very quickly," he added, pointing to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates as potential trade partners.

Lula, as well as EU Ambassador to Paraguay Javier Garcia de Viedma, have said they believe an EU-Mercosur deal was feasible by the end of 2023.

"I think we are very close," Garcia de Viedma told reporters on Monday. "If there is political will from the negotiators, I think we will manage it by the end of this year."

(Reuters)

Dr Ghebreyesus spoke virtually at the 60th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), held in Washington, DC, on Monday morning.

The Americas, he added, has one of the world's highest levels of service coverage. However, he noted that there are "wide variations" between countries.

Commending PAHO for its policy on strengthening human resources for health, Dr Ghebreyesus said, "There is no health

"Of course, we understand that migration will happen, but we urge member states to honour the global code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel. We also ask those member states that recruit from Caribbean countries to support Caribbean countries technically and financially to train more health workers." (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Bahamas Social Services and Urban Renewal Minister dies

Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis has described his Social Services and Urban Renewal Minister, Obediah Hercules Wilchcombe, as “a true patriot, a visionary leader, and a cherished friend” following his death at the Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama on Monday.

He said “”Obie” as he was popularly known, had for the past two years “served with great distinction as Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini and Minister of Social Services and Urban Renewal”. He was recently appointed to take on the additional portfolio of Information and Broadcasting.

“Obie’s untimely passing is very shocking and very sad. Even though he has achieved much in his many years of public service, he still had so much more to offer,” Davis said of his se-

nior minister, who was born on November 4, 1958. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Wilchcombe In 1975, started his career as a Journalist with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas and Davis said “we remember well his many innovations, such as being the first to report a story, not from behind a desk, but walking and talking to

the camera.

“This personal touch reflected the easy, intimate style with which he addressed everyone. Over 25 years, he rose through the ranks, holding various positions including Deputy Director of News, News Director, and Assistant General Manager.”

Davis said he was “resolute and courageous in his reporting and his defence of the Fourth Estate.

“He is perhaps the only Journalist in the country to have been sent to prison for refusing to reveal his sources, an episode that continued to traumatise him many years later.”

Davis said that although he formally began his political career in 1994, his political roots ran much deeper,” noting that Obie had “cut his teeth writing speeches for the Father of the Nation, Sir Lynden Pindling.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Brazil's central bank employees escalate protests over career demands

Brazil's central bank employees said on Monday they would intensify work stoppages in protest of the Government's alleged failure to address career improvement demands, a move that will impact the development of new initiatives at the bank.

The National Union of Central Bank Employees (SINAL) said in a statement that this phase of the protest is expected to affect the timeline for launching the Brazilian central bank's digital currency, DREX, initially slated for late 2024.

The central bank said it would not comment on the matter.

Additionally, the labour actions are expected to impact the rollout of new features on the instant payment platform Pix, which garnered wide public acceptance after its launch in late 2021. Central bank authorities have been emphasising the introduction of installment-based payments.

The labour actions, which have been going on since July, have caused brief delays in the release of economic activity data, savings accounts figures, and the schedule for an

innovation laboratory known as LIFT at the central bank.

The employees are advocating for central bank analysts to be treated as auditors, ensuring they receive compensation tied to productivity, similar to federal revenue auditors. They are also pushing for higher education requirements for technical positions.

According to the union, the decision to escalate the movement came after a meeting with the Federal Government concluded on Monday without indicating a new date for resuming negotiations.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Around The World OIL NEWS

Russian air strikes on Ukraine kill 4, damage grain and port facilities

Oil prices settle near flat in choppy trade; Russia eases fuel export ban

Russian air strikes and shelling killed six people in Ukraine and caused "significant damage" to infrastructure at the Black Sea port of Odesa and to grain storage facilities, Ukrainian officials said on Monday.

The air attacks were part of a campaign that has made it harder for major grain producer Ukraine to export its products since Moscow quit a deal in mid-July that had enabled Black Sea shipments and helped combat a global food crisis.

The strikes have intensified as Kyiv presses on with a counteroffensive in the south and east that has made slow gains but could be boosted by the delivery of US-made Abrams tanks, announced on Monday

Oil prices settled nearly flat in choppy trade on Monday as Russia relaxed its fuel ban and investors eyed elevated interest rates that could curb demand.

Brent crude futures settled 2 cents higher at US$93.29 a barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate crude settled 35 cents lower at US$89.68.

Crude prices fell last week after a hawkish Federal Reserve rattled global financial markets and raised concerns that interest rates could stay higher for longer, crimping oil demand. That snapped a three-week rally of more than 10% after Saudi Arabia and Russia constrained supply by extending production cuts to the end of the year.

"The market may be still wrestling with the Fed keeping interest rates higher for a longer period of time, which can impact the demand side of the equation," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.

Russia approved changes to its fuel export ban, lifting restrictions for fuel used as bunkering for some vessels and diesel with high sulphur content, a Government document showed on Monday.

The export ban on all types of gasoline and highquality diesel, announced last Thursday, remained in place.

Last week, Moscow issued a temporary ban on gasoline and diesel exports to most countries to stabilise the domestic market, fanning concerns of low products supply as the Northern Hemisphere heads into winter.

Also weighing on oil prices, the US dollar index strengthened to its highest since November 2022. A stronger greenback makes US dollar-priced oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, curtailing demand.

"We seem to have risk-off sentiment because of strength in the dollar," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said.

On the supply side, the number of operating oil rigs in the US fell by eight to 507 last week - the lowest count since February 2022 - despite higher prices, a weekly report from Baker Hughes showed on Friday.

Compounding supply constraints, US oil refiners are expected to have about 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of capacity offline for the week ending Sept 29, decreasing available refining capacity by 324,000 bpd, research company IIR Energy said on Monday.

Offline capacity is expected to rise to 1.9 million bpd in the week ending Oct 6, IIR added.

In Iran, an explosion was reported on Monday at Iran's southern refinery of Bandar Abbas, according to the official IRNA news agency, following a gas leak.

Expectations of better economic data this week from China, the world's largest crude importer, lifted sentiment. However, analysts flagged that oil prices face technical resistance at the November 2022 highs reached hit last week.

China's manufacturing sector is expected to expand in September, with the purchasing manufacturing index forecast to rise above 50 for the first time since March, Goldman Sachs analysts said . (Reuters)

"Another massive attack on Odesa!", Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on X. "The attack resulted in the destruction of grain storage facilities and significant damage to the seaport."

Oleh Kiper, the Odesa region governor, said the facilities that were hit had contained almost 1000 tons of grain and that the bodies of two men were found under the rubble of a warehouse where grain was stored.

Ukraine's military said 19 Iranian-made Shahed drones and 11 cruise missiles were shot down overnight, most of them directed at Odesa region. The grain storage facilities that were

destroyed were hit by two supersonic missiles, it said.

The Energy Ministry said damage to power grids cut off power to more than 1000 consumers in the

Odesa region, a reminder of air strikes that at times left millions of Ukrainians without heating and light in the freezing cold last winter.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Canada's House Speaker apologises for praising Ukrainian who fought for Nazis

The Speaker of Canada's House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has apologised for praising a Ukrainian man who served in a Nazi unit during World War Two.

Yaroslav Hunka, 98, was sitting in the gallery and got a standing ovation in Parliament after Rota said he was a "hero" during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Canadian Jewish group CIJA said it was "deeply troubled" that a former

member of a Nazi division that participated in the genocide of Jews had been celebrated.

It said this should never happen again.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was with Zelensky in Parliament at the time.

Trudeau called the invite "deeply embarrassing" on Monday, but he did not call for Rota to resign.

"It's extremely upsetting that this happened. The Speaker has acknowledged his mistake and has

Philippines removes South China Sea ‘floating barrier’ installed by China

The Philippine coastguard has removed a “floating barrier” installed by China in a disputed area in the South China Sea, calling it a “decisive action” in “upholding international law”.

Authorities carried out “a special operation” that was “in compliance” with the instructions given by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Philippine coastguard spokesperson Jay Tarriela posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday evening.

“The barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law. It also hinders the conduct of fishing and livelihood activities of Filipino fisherfolk in BDM, which is an integral part of the Philippine national territory.”

Tarriela referred to the Bajo de Masinloc, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.

A video and a still image posted by Tarriela showed a diver carrying a knife and cutting the cable link-

ing the buoys. Another photo showed personnel removing an anchor of the “floating barrier”.

Earlier on Monday, Marcos’s national security adviser, Eduardo Ano, had indicated that Manila will take “all appropriate actions to cause the removal” of the buoys estimated to be 300 metres (1000ft) long.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin had previously defended the installation of the “floating barrier”, saying its coastguard took necessary measures in accordance with the law to drive away a Philippine vessel. He did not specify which law he was citing to justify the installation of the barrier.

China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, an area that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

apologised," Trudeau said. "But this is something that is deeply embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians."

Thousands of Ukrainians fought on the German side during the war, but millions more served in the Soviet Red Army.

In a statement, Rota said that on 22 September "in my remarks following the address of the president of Ukraine, I recognised an individual in the gallery.

"I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so."

Rota said that "no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them. This initiative was entirely my own, the individual in question being from my riding [district] and having been brought to my attention." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taliban weighs using US mass surveillance plan, met with China's Huawei

The Taliban are creating a large-scale camera surveillance network for Afghan cities that could involve repurposing a plan crafted by the Americans before their 2021 pullout, an Interior Ministry spokesman told Reuters, as authorities seek to supplement thousands of cameras already across the capital, Kabul.

The Taliban Administration — which has publicly said it is focused on restoring security and clamping down on Islamic State, which has claimed many major attacks in Afghan cities — has also consulted with Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei about potential cooperation, the spokesman said.

Preventing attacks by international militant groups — including prominent organisations such as Islamic State — is at the heart of the interaction between the Taliban and many foreign nations, including the US and China, according to readouts

from those meetings. But some analysts question the cash-strapped regime's ability to fund the programme, and rights groups have expressed concern that any resources will be used to crackdown on protesters.

Details of how the Taliban intend to expand and manage mass surveillance, including obtaining the US plan, have not been previously reported.

The mass camera rollout, which will involve a focus on "important points" in Kabul and elsewhere, is part of a new security strategy that will take four years to be fully implemented, Ministry of Interior spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani told Reuters.

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington was not "partnering" with the Taliban and has "made clear to the Taliban that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists." (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Pay attention and act fast. Monitor what’s happening and refuse to let situations get blown out of proportion. It’s up to you to change what isn’t working for you and to seek out what soothes your soul. Take a deep breath and do what’s necessary.

(March 21-April 19)

Don’t skirt issues. Be honest with yourself and others. Discipline will pay off, and intelligence will help you choose where you want to go. Seize the moment and promote yourself.

(April 20-May 20)

If you aren’t cognizant of what’s happening, someone will blindside you. Keep an open mind but a closed wallet. Protect your reputation and watch out for jealous rivals. Honor your promises.

(May 21-June 20)

Put your energy into whatever offers the highest returns. Getting upset won’t solve anything, but discussing matters in depth will help you put things in perspective and find common ground.

(June 21-July 22)

Speed up and make things happen. Be the one to make a difference and lift the morale of those around you. A couple of changes at home will be conducive to new beginnings and better relationships.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Be the one to open doors instead of waiting for others to go first. A change will influence how you think and what you can accomplish. Put some muscle behind your thoughts.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t take sides; staying neutral will allow you to keep the peace. Be a mentor and a negotiator, not the one who stirs the pot.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Don’t let a change of plans disrupt your day. Use your resources to forge a path that works for you and keep moving forward. Refuse to let emotional issues affect your work or reputation.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Concentrate on what brings you joy. Travel, educational pursuits and time spent with supportive people will keep you grounded. Activities that require physical action will boost your mood.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Redefine what’s important to you and adjust your schedule to suit your needs. A change of attitude will help deter anyone from putting pressure on you to do things you don’t care for.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Pay attention to where your money goes. Manage paperwork to ensure you get what you want. Refuse to follow someone who’s tempting you with unrealistic ideas.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Seek out more freedom to do what brings you joy. Consider matters thoroughly and contact someone you trust, and an opportunity to put positive changes in place will come your way.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

President’s Cup rematch offer accepted by Mohamed

The challenge thrown out by Javed Ali of Slingerz Racing Stable (SRC) to Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) has been accepted.

Mohamed confirmed the rematch offered by Ali for Guyana Cup winner Easy Time to redeem his reputation against John Bull, who defeated him in The President’s Cup race meet on Sunday .

Mohamed responded, "Congratulations must first go to our T20 cricket team, Guyana Amazon Warriors. They brought tears of joy to people and lifted the country. It was a magnificent performance. They delivered for the nation finally. Captain Imran Tahir must be congratulated."

In speaking about the rematch, Mohamed said, "Let me first congratulate Javed, Jockey Nobel Abrego, and horse John Bull on their victory over Easy Time in last Saturday's President’s Cup Match Race."

The race was the eighth race over 1400 metres at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC).

Commenting on the contest in which the horses were locked in battle and moved like one horse, Mohamed remarked, "I am not going to make any excuses. Abrego is a very experienced rider. Javed

is investing a lot of money to help develop the industry. He is deserving of this success, and as stated no excuse for the defeat. This is a good opportunity for other owners to recognise that horses are made to beat each other."

"I am happy Javed has offered me the opportunity for Easy Time to redeem his reputation. We will have to bring our best for that rematch, and will be there. We have to work out the details, and when this is done, we will let the dedicated racing fans know."

Commenting on the day's racing, Mohamed, who won one race on the eight-race card, and had his Derby winner, T&T-bred Firecracker soundly beaten into third by

Jenas apologises after posting criticism about referee Jones

Football pundit Jermaine Jenas has apologised for criticising referee Rob Jones, saying he "got it wrong".

Jenas used an abusive term on X, formerly Twitter, and added "they're [referees] all ruining our game" after Jones awarded Arsenal a penalty in Sunday's north London derby draw.

The former England midfielder had been criticised by refereeing bodies.

"My emotions got the better of me and I apologise to the FA and to all match officials," Jenas posted on X.

The ex-Tottenham player was part of the Football Association's “Love Football, Protect the Game” campaign prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.

initial decision. Referees' Association President Paul Field said he was "very disappointed" with Jenas' initial comment.

Guyana-bred roan/grey filly

Rachel stated, "I have to congratulate the connections of Rachel on their horse’s victory in the (rich) three-yearold contest. I bow my hat to Rachel, and her team. This was the best result on the day. This is what dreams are made of. And the 'Cheefoons' deserve only the best. Their dedication, and sacrifice have paid off handsomely. I heard that they have intention of investing Rachel and Hartland's winning from the President’s Cup card into another horse. I wish them all the best. This is confidence in the sport, passion, and love of the game. Rachel will go down in the history books as a very good Guyana-bred horse."

Jenas also hosted a Channel 4 documentary in 2021, tracking the rise in online abuse of black players and he spoke with an online troll.

In a post on Monday afternoon, Jenas, who cohosts The One Show, added: "I hold my hands up, I got it wrong yesterday. I should know, more than most, the responsibility we have as fans, players and pundits and the impact our words online can have as it's an area I've been vocal in."

Referee Jones did not award a penalty when the ball hit the arm of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, but the Video Assistant Referee advised him to take another look on the pitchside monitor and he overturned his

Field added: "It's this type of thing that makes a referee’s job much harder at grassroots. Mr Jenas has a responsibility to the game and we look forward to seeing an apology in the near future."

In response to Jenas' original social media post, charity Ref Support UK said: "This is a disgraceful tweet and you should be ashamed. Your tweet encourages online abuse of referees and considering your role on TV your employers need to give their head a wobble.

"Remember Anthony Taylor and his family were attacked at an airport because of antics such as yours."

Referees' body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL)

say they will regularly release in-game audio of onfield officials and VAR teams this season in a TV programme called Match Officials: Mic'd Up, hosted by PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb.

The first episode aired on September 5 when Webb was joined by ex-Premier League striker Michael Owen to talk through six controversial incidents from the opening weeks of 202324.

A BBC investigation earlier this year found that hundreds of grassroots referees fear for their safety and are dissatisfied with current measures to tackle abuse.

Over 900 referees in England took part in a Radio 5 Live questionnaire, with 293 saying they had been physically abused by spectators, players, coaches or managers, while some described being punched, headbutted and spat at. (BBC Sport)

Grave outlines next steps after host countries announced for 2024 World Cup

In June next year, the West Indies, along with the USA, will host their third senior men’s International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament when the cricket world descends upon our region for the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The West Indies previously hosted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2007 as well as the second edition of the T20 World Cup two years later.

Last week, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago were announced as the seven Caribbean countries that will host matches along with New York, Texas and Florida in the USA.

Cricket West Indies Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Johnny Grave described the confirmation of the Region as hosts as a “big landmark” in a

CWI interview last week and was looking forward to inviting the rest of the world to the Caribbean.

“It’s a big landmark for us at Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the ICC because, having this confirmation now that seven of our host countries have made successful bids to host matches means that a lot of the work and detailed planning that we need to do in order to make the most of this huge opportunity to host our third men’s ICC tournament in the West Indies, and this time in partnership with our friends at USA cricket, can start,” he said.

He also went into what are the next steps in preparing for next year’s festivities.

“The next big step is to get the match schedule agreed with the ICC. We’ve got the ten hist venues. The next stage is to work through the detailed

match schedule. This is the first World Cup ever to have 20 teams so it’s a big tournament to organise and there’s a small window from early June to the 30th of June when the final will take place to get all the matches in. We’ve got group stages after the warmup games. We’ve then got the super eights stage then semi-finals and final so, once that schedule is agreed, then

it’s all systems go in terms of tickets being on sale around December to coincide with us welcoming England to the Region,” Grave said.

“It’s really important that we get the match schedules announced so that we can invite the world to come to the Caribbean next year,” he added.

Grave also expressed gratitude to the various

Governments who put forward successful bids to host matches.

“We’re enormously grateful for the continued support we get from the Governments of the West Indies,” he said.

“All of them that put forward bids have been successful in securing matches which is great news. We’re really looking forward to some of the improvements that those Governments have put forward in their proposals to us and the ICC in terms of ensuring that they are ready for what is the pinnacle of the men’s game currently. It’s a huge opportunity for the Region to use the platform of hundreds of millions of fans watching our beautiful countries and our iconic venues and we want everyone in the world to come to the Caribbean and experience what we have to offer,” he added.

While encouraging people from all over the world to make the trip, Grave also urged local fans to come out and support the regional side in their bid for a third World T20 title.

“Absolutely. We’ve seen that unique kind of atmosphere when we hosted the 2018 Women’s World T20 with big crowds in St Lucia and Antigua when the West Indies played and I’m sure when the West Indies play next June there’ll be big crowds at all the venues,” he said.

“We want every host country to show what a welcoming and exciting place this is to watch and play cricket and it’s really important that the fans come out in their masses. The schoolchildren will be invited as part of our community engagement programme so that we can show what kind of an atmosphere it is to the world,” Grave added. (Sportsmax)

CONCACAF Road to W Gold Cup… maul Dominica 5-0

The Guyana senior women's national team, Lady Jags showed their prowess on Sunday with a sensational 5-0 victory over Dominica after a disappointing defeat against Antigua in their opening match of the Road To CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

In the Wildey Stadium in Barbados on September 24, the Lady Jags delivered an explosive performance in the first half led by the talented midfielder Jalade Trim, who scored the opening goal just five minutes into the game, setting the tone for the match. She continued to shine, adding a second goal at the 25th-minute mark.

At the 8th minute, Brianne Desa contributed to the scoreline, while Otesha Charles secured two goals at the 30th and 64th minutes, bringing the total to five by the end of the match.

“Winning always feels good. Our feeling was that the first match was...a little... the preparation was a little

bit too tight to really prepare the team so we got surprised by Antigua. I think we made a good comeback learning from that game,” Head Coach Omar Khan shared in a postgame interview.

Today’s impressive display of skill and teamwork demonstrated the Lady Jags' determination to bounce back from their earlier defeat. On September 20, the team experienced a 2-1 defeat in their first match of Group A in League B against Antigua at

the ABFA Technical Institute Ground in Piggotts, Antigua.

It was Khan’s debut as Head Coach of the team.

Khan said he analysed the Lady Jags’ performance against Antigua and Barbuda and that although the team had a strong start, they encountered difficulties in effectively capitalising on their scoring opportunities.

This was addressed during training sessions in preparation for Sunday’s game with a starting line-up including

5 boxers land in Cuba for Pan-Am prep

The Guyana Boxing Association's five-member team officially arrived in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday to commence their historic threeweek training camp in preparation for the impending Pan American Games, which serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The cadre of pugilists, which for the first time in history features a female fighter, consists of Desmond Amsterdam (79kg); Keevin Allicock (57kg);, Emmanuel Pompey (92kg); Joel Williamson (63.5kg), and Alesha Jackman (66kg). Resident Cuban trainer Francisco Roldan, who arrived in Cuba days prior, will supervise the training regimen.

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and corporate giant John Fernandes Limited abetted the GBA in making this historic venture an actuality. The PanAm Games will be staged in Santiago, Chile, from October 20 to November 5. Boxing is slated to be staged from October 21–27 at the La Reina Community Sports Centre, with the two respective divisional finalists securing automatic berths.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “History in several aspects has been created with the arrival of the team in Cuba. This is the largest team to be sent to Cuba, much less a regional training camp, in recent memory. Even more from a momentous perspective, it's

the first time that a local female pugilist has ever participated in a training camp in Cuba, which is indicative of the importance the GBA places on the female aspect of the discipline. Praise must also be afforded to the GOA and John Fernandes Limited, who were pivotal to this undertaking being realised.”

He further said, “The commencement of this training camp highlights the emphasis and importance that the GBA is placing on the Pan American Games, which serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Years prior, our expectations had to be tempered given the varying manner of our preparatory phase. However, training camps of this quality and nature can provide a more realistic conviction with regard to our expectations. The GBA constantly strives to afford our fighters the ideal environment

to achieve our respective objectives, and we believe that this historic training camp will afford the structured ecosystem that is required to realise our goals.”

Guyana's previous participation in this prestigious event occurred at the 2019 edition. Allicock was the discipline's only representative in Lima, Peru. Clive Atwell secured Guyana's last medal in the sport at the 2007 edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He won bronze in the 54-kg segment. Prior to the aforementioned, Guyana won two bronze medals in the 1991 Games in Havana, Cuba, via Terrence Poole (81kg) and Stephan Rose (51kg).

In total, Guyana has captured one silver and seven bronze medals in the history of the event, which commenced in 1951. This is second only to Jamaica in the English-speaking Caribbean, which has captured a total of 11 accolades.

Captain Chante’ Sandiford, Rylee Traicoff, Savanna Mondesir-Singh, Brianne Desa, Dylana Makarowski, Hannah Baptiste, Stefanie Kouzas, Samantha Banfield, Jalade Trim, Anya Tribune and Otesha Charles.

Captain Sandiford added that “it’s always an hon-

our playing for Guyana. It’s nice to see a lot of familiar faces, but also new faces. I’m just honoured and proud and excited to continue playing and hoping Guyana achieve the goals that we want to achieve.”

Being one of the most seasoned players on the team,

the goalkeeper shared that everyone was held accountable “to the roles that we have set in place for the team and the expectations that we have as a player for Guyana”.

Guyana is grouped with Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and Dominica. The first-place finishers from each League B group, totalling three teams, will advance to the 2024 W Gold Cup Prelims.

The Road To CONCACAF W Gold Cup has 34 registered senior women's national teams. It is the qualifying tournament for the highly-anticipated 2024 W Gold Cup, the top-tier competition for senior footballers in the CONCACAF region.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) encourages fans to once again support the Lady Jags as they continue their journey against Suriname on October 25.

4 golds for CAC Bodybuilding team

overall.

2022 CAC silver medallist Christina Ramsammy, who was arguably in the toughest line-up of the entire CAC 2023, did not make the final cut for the finals of the senior bikini up to 169cms category.

As such, the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) extended congratulations to the entire team that represented Guyana at CACBBFF Championship Aruba 2023.

Guyanese

Guyana’s team at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships finished the competition with an impressive seven medals, inclusive of four gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Mr Guyana Physique Champion 2022 and 2022 silver medallist, Emmerson Campbell represented Guyana in the Men’s Physique under 173cms category and convincingly dominated the stage to capture his first gold medal at CAC. This gold medal will go well alongside his three previous CAC silver medals.

Mr Guyana Bodybuilding Champion, Darious Ramsammy, in his second outing at CAC 2023, returned a convincing performance in the compulsory and free posing routine to capture his first CAC medal when he placed third in the under 85kgs category, a hard-earned addition to his current reign as Mr Guyana Bodybuilding Champion.

Miss Guyana Bikini Champion 2022, Hannah Rampersaud, at her second CAC and after falling short of the medals at CAC 2022 in Barbados, opted for the women’s wellness category and rebounded well at this CAC to capture gold in the junior women’s wellness category

and silver in the senior women’s wellness category up to 158cms.

2022 CAC silver medallist Nicholas Albert, at his third opportunity to represent the Golden Arrowhead at CAC, captured a gold medal in the junior bodybuilding category after a dominant performance. In the under 90kgs category Albert, with stiff competition from his Central America and Caribbean counterparts, again dominated and captured his second medal for the day. His performance in the under 90kgs category earned him a spot in the overall, where he was easily the crowd favourite but Josue Mata Mendez of Mexico emerged as the overall winner of bodybuilding.

2022 CAC gold medallist Rawle Greene, who has represented Guyana well at CAC for over 10 years, had a good showing in the Men’s Classic Bodybuilding over 175 cms and in the up to 85kgs category but unfortunately finished in fifth place both times.

2022 CAC gold medallist, Julio Sinclair, in his second CAC and defending his gold medal at CAC 2022 in Barbados, went up against the big guys of Central America and the Caribbean and dominated the field to secure a silver medal and barely missing out on booking a spot into the

In addition, special thanks were extended to all the sponsors who hopped on board to make the success of Team Guyana possible; special mention was made of the Guyana Olympic Association, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the National Sports Commission and SAB Mining.

in CPL Team of the Tournament

IGG 2023 postponed

Suriname’s Director of Sport, Gordon Tjouw Ngie Touw has officially confirmed that the staging of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), which were pencilled in for the October 26-31 window, has been postponed for several weeks.

This regrettable reality was communicated to his counterparts in Guyana and French Guiana, the other participants in the annual occurrence. Suriname previously staged the 2017 edition, which was the last iteration before a five-year hiatus.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Team of the Tournament has been announced. The team have been selected by the TV commentary panel: Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Danny Morrison and Nikhil Uttamchandani.

The team are as follow:

Saim Ayub (Guyana

Amazon Warriors)

Brandon King (Jamaica

Tallawahs)

Shai Hope (Guyana

Amazon Warriors)

Nicholas Pooran (Trinbago

Knight Riders)

Kieron Pollard (Trinbago

Knight Riders)

Imad Wasim (Jamaica

Tallawahs)

Romario Shepherd (Guyana Amazon Warriors)

Jason Holder (Barbados

Royals)

Alzarri Joseph (Saint Lucia Kings)

Dwaine Pretorius (Guyana

Amazon Warriors)

Imran Tahir (Guyana

Amazon Warriors)

Republic Bank CPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pete Russell said: “It has been another fantastic year of CPL

cricket, and we would like to thank the players, franchise staff, fans in the ground and viewers around the world for supporting our tournament again this year. We would like to offer our congratulations to the players who have been selected for the Team of the Tournament who have made this another memorable year.”

Ngie Touw disclosed that the preparation and organisation of the IGG have been impeded after financial resources and support have not been made accessible by the Surinamese administration. According to Ngie Touw, the aforementioned reality forces the IGG executive organisation to postpone the championship by several weeks.

Ngie Touw apologised for the existing quandary, but confirmed that a formal letter from the country's Sports Affairs, which will contain the new dates for the competition, would be dispatched to the relevant offices of Guyana and French Guiana once approval is granted from the Surinamese government.

Meanwhile, Guyana's Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, said, "The IGG in its present form (10 sport disciplines) is a huge undertaking. The postponement will disrupt some of our plans but we fully understand the circumstances. Based on the proto-

col of agreement between the nations, an inspection a month prior to the commencement of the event must occur. However, that has not been undertaken, which pushes the possible timeline further back for the staging of the Games. We are simply awaiting official confirmation from our Surinamese counterparts on the way forward for the event," Ninvalle said.

"Importantly, the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr, has been fully briefed of the recent developments and the possible outcomes. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport; the National Sports Commission, and more profoundly, the Government of Guyana, remain committed to this traditional endeavour, which has fostered unity and cohesion amongst its participants,"

Ninvalle concluded.

The IGG was first held in 1967 and is traditionally staged on an annual basis. However, the games were rekindled last year by the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government following a five-year hiatus, a period that encompassed the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 edition on local soil featured over 400 athletes and coaches and had participation in nine disciplines.

The IGG not only showcases the future young athletes of the three countries, but it also serves as a cultural and educational platform. The IGG helps forge unity, trust, and understanding among the peoples of the Guianas. Among the disciplines that are traditionally featured at the event are football, volleyball, basketball, cycling, swimming, track and field, chess, and badminton.

“Teamwork, unity” integral to GAW win – President Ali

Teamwork and uni -

ty were among the standout traits of the victorious Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) team for President Dr Irfaan Ali, as the Head of State revelled in their Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) championship win on Sunday night.

Quizzed about what he believed went into the Amazon Warriors’ first-ever CPL title win, the Head of State told media operatives that teamwork was paramount.

“Teamwork,” President Ali coolly responded.

He added, “I think the franchise played in great unity. The leadership was exceptional, but the teamwork and the way they meshed together, the way they operated together, the way they supported each other. I mean, the team had depth because every individual was playing for the collective and

that is what made the big difference.”

As the President took in the scenes of fellow citizens celebrating in unison, he voiced his appreciation for such, describing it as

an uplifting moment.

President Ali shared, “I think any moment that brings our country together and any moment that brings us to that celebratory spirit of who we are as

Guyanese, lifting us and taking us forward, uplifting moment, that is what this moment is. I think the players have a good understanding now as to the impact their talent has on the

general population.”

“So, I think this is a very uplifting moment; this is a moment of great joy, You know, when the country is in great joy and the people are happy, we can’t ask for better.”

Touching on the entire Cricket Carnival package, the Head of State highlighted the growth the initiative has seen over the years, while expressing an intention to foster further growth.

“Importantly, this is also a moment that we spoke of a year ago, when we said we’re going to host the CPL and we want to build a product, the Cricket Carnival and bring together not only cricket but the art, culture, food, music and today I was speaking to a number of

regional artistes and leaders and they’re amazed to see, in just one year, two years, how this product has grown,” President Ali revealed.

He went on to add, “Last September was our highest arrival in history, we’re already 12 per cent ahead of that. So, the way this tournament has grown in just two years speaks about the po - tential and we’re going to continue to build on this and make this a major, major aspect of our tourism product.”